"Brother Yu, Brother Fang, what do you think?"
Zhang Modong said with a smile, as if certain the two would lend him the money. Yet despite his having already asked to borrow silver, the two men before him still would not relent.
"No, we can't."
Fang Xi was even more blunt. "Brother Zhang, this is plainly a scam. The two of us absolutely do not believe it, and we certainly cannot stand by and watch you be swindled. We will not lend you this silver, and we urge you not to be deceived either."
"There has been plenty of wine, and we have eaten our fill. The night is deep as well. Let us end this banquet here." As he spoke, Fang Xi rose and tugged Yu Lü along.
Yu Lü nodded apologetically at Zhang Modong, then went straight downstairs with Fang Xi.
"Hey! You..." Zhang Modong reached out to stop them, but failed. He could only watch the two go downstairs, and his expression changed.
Yu Lü and Fang Xi looked equally grim as they descended. Once outside the restaurant, they immediately hailed an ox cart. It was the New Year; elsewhere might be different, but where Provincial Graduates gathered, there would certainly be ox carts to carry drunken Provincial Graduates home.
Sure enough, with a wave of the hand, a driver came over to help them aboard. Smiling, he said, "Sirs, the wind is bitterly cold. Hurry and get in. Where are you headed?"
After the two got in and sat down, Yu Lü froze for a moment before saying, "To... the eastern side of Mao'er Lane in Nanluo Hutong."
He had originally intended to say Wanglu Ward, Crown Grandson's Residence, but he suddenly recalled the Imperial Grandson's warning and chose to return home instead.
"Sit tight, you