"—This is truly gratifying!" The merchant's face flushed with excitement as he spoke. He snatched up the teacup a listener had filled for him and drained it in one go, then wiped the water from the corner of his mouth, his emotions still churning.
One listener voiced his doubts.
"...That doesn't sound very believable. I heard Lord Shen was only fourteen or fifteen. What were we doing at that age?"
The merchant waved him away in annoyance.
He scolded, "You blockhead! If you were still wearing ragged pants and playing with your bird at that age, that's your business. Lord Shen is a young prodigy. Otherwise, how'd she become the head of a commandery while you're still a mud-covered peasant rolling around in the dirt? Keep dreaming!"
Someone nearby chimed in, "Exactly, exactly."
The others roared with laughter.
The man's face reddened under the ridicule.
He retorted, "Whether it's true or not, it's all just you, Old Nine, flapping your gums! Who knows if any of it's real? I just don't believe it. Two thousand people, led by a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old kid, and they all made it back? What a load of crap!"
Gongxi Chou didn't like the sound of that.
"It's definitely true," he said.
Seeing Gongxi Chou speak up, the man turned his attention to him.
He sneered, "What, you've seen it yourself?"
Gongxi Chou chewed on his beans.
"I've met Lord Shen," he said with a smile.
Everyone's attention was drawn to him.
They all mocked Gongxi Chou for dreaming.
Gongxi Chou blinked. "Why don't you believe me? Not only do I know her, I've even sung with her."
Someone grinned. "Oh, right, right. You sang with Lord Shen. Then you must know she and I once pissed in the same pot, too!" Everyone had a