Suddenly, the crisp sound of wooden clappers rang out from the central stage, drawing the attention of the guests in the hall. Everyone looked up.
A middle-aged man in a gray-black cloth robe stepped onto the stage in the center of the hall. He looked to be in his forties, his neatly combed hair threaded with a few silver strands. Striking the clappers with one hand and stroking his beard with the other, he said, "Dear guests, today's story is about to begin."
At that, the guests gradually lowered their voices, and before long, the hall fell quiet. Everyone stopped eating, set down their bowls and chopsticks, and applauded.
The middle-aged man smiled and nodded slightly, acknowledging everyone around him. "Today, we will tell the story of the handsome scholar Ning Cai and the lone, helpless female ghost Liu Qian."
The guests applauded again, and some even whistled.
The storyteller's name was Yan Shan. He struck the clappers again and raised his right hand, pressing it downward. Once the audience quieted, he began his tale in an engaging voice. "Our story begins when the scholar Ning Cai strayed into a haunted forest on his way to the examinations. Ning Cai had studied diligently since childhood and possessed exceptional learning. His face was as fine as polished jade. He became a licentiate at sixteen and passed the provincial examinations at eighteen. That day, brimming with confidence, he set off for the metropolitan examinations. Little did he expect..."
Yan Shan paused briefly and swept his gaze around. Seeing the anticipation on his listeners' faces, he continued in satisfaction. "He encountered bandits along the way. Ning Cai was a refined scholar-how could he possibly fight them? He fled down the road, with the bandits in hot pursuit. With his life at stake, Ning Cai ran like the wind. He reached a forest wreathed in clouds and mist, so thick it seemed to bewilder the senses. It was exceedingly strange. But Ning Cai had no time to worry about that and plunged straight in. When he realized he had shaken off the bandits pursuing him, he found he could no longer find the way he had come."
With just a few words, he drew his listeners into the scene. They forgot all about conversation and listened with rapt interest.
Yan Shan took a sip of water to moisten his throat. "Just as he was struggling to find a way out, a beautiful woman emerged from the white mist ahead. She had a slender figure, and her long, ink-black hair fell loosely over her shoulders. Her almond-shaped eyes shone as she glanced around..."
Yan Shan looked at ease, his voice strong and resonant, rising and falling with the tale. At times it was low and forceful, at others high and impassioned, leaving the guests utterly spellbound.
Even Ye Yun and Ye Chen forgot to eat, listening intently to the storyteller.
When he reached an exciting part, cheers erupted from the audience, and everyone listened with even greater enthusiasm.
This storyteller really was good, and he seemed very popular. If he agreed to advertise, the results should be quite good.
A long while later, applause broke out around them. The day's installment had ended, and everyone set down their bowls, chopsticks, and teacups to clap.
Yan Shan stood and bowed in thanks. "Thank you, everyone. That is all for today. To learn what happens next, listen to the next installment." With that, he stepped off the stage.
Rong Zheng called over a waiter and asked him to pass a message to the storyteller. The waiter accepted his tip and readily agreed.
A little later, Yan Shan invited Rong Zheng over. Rong Zheng told Ye Yun and Ye Chen to take their time eating and wait for him to return.
"I hear you have a good storybook to recommend?" Yan Shan sized up the young man before him. He looked quite young, with fine features and an uncommon bearing.
Rong Zheng cupped his hands in greeting. "Yes, sir. My name is Rong Zheng. This is a storybook I published in collaboration with someone, and I would like to ask you to tell an installment here at the Forget Worries Pavilion."
"Oh, I'm very particular about the stories I tell. This might not meet my standards!" Yan Shan accepted the storybook, speaking bluntly. The only reason he had agreed to meet Rong Zheng was that Rong Zheng had said he would pay him one tael of silver to tell a specified story.
He earned only three taels a month telling stories here. If he could make an extra tael, why not? Of course, the storybook could not be too poor. If it affected the teahouse's business, the owner would never agree. Besides, he did not want to ruin his own reputation and lose something greater for a small gain.
He invited Rong Zheng to sit and flipped through the storybook, scanning ten lines at a glance. At first, he was casual about it, but then his expression grew intent. After reading more than half, he stopped and praised it. "This... this story is so novel! I've never heard anything like it."
It incorporates elements from the modern Cthulhu Mythos. Of course you've never heard anything like it, Rong Zheng thought. Judging by the storyteller's satisfied expression, there was a very good chance this would work.
"What do you think, sir?"
"We can give it a try. But let me be clear upfront: although it's novel, the guests might not take to it. I'll tell a few installments first and see how they respond." Yan Shan closed the book and said,
"Young man, you know that I have to take the guests' tastes into account when telling stories. If it proves popular, I'll finish the book." He paused, looked at Rong Zheng, and said frankly, "If it isn't popular, we'll have to leave it there."
Rong Zheng understood, of course. A storyteller also needed to build his reputation. "There is one more thing. I hope you can mention, both before and after your storytelling, that this storybook is available at the Distant View Bookshop."
Yan Shan had never heard such a request before. His stories either came from strange tales circulating among ordinary people or from popular storybooks he picked out at bookshops. No one had ever done what Rong Zheng was doing: giving him money and a storybook, then asking him to mention where it was sold.
Seeing Yan Shan's puzzlement, Rong Zheng knew this dynasty had no concept of advertising, so he said, "I hope to let more people know about this storybook. The story isn't finished yet. If it sells well, it will continue to be written. To be honest, I'm making this request because I hope this approach will attract potential customers to buy the storybook and open up a market for it."
Yan Shan immediately thought it was a good idea, one that opened up a new line of thought for him. If he helped Rong Zheng spread this story and the book sold well, it would attract more storybook writers to seek him out. Wouldn't that let him earn even more on the side?
Who would turn down a chance to earn more money? He readily agreed. "I see. I'll be sure to mention it."
"Then I'm sorry for the trouble, sir. You have my thanks!"
"Rest assured. Since I've taken your money, I'll do my best."
Rong Zheng left one tael of silver and the storybook, then rose to take his leave.
Seeing that Ye Yun and Ye Chen had nearly finished eating, he called the waiter over to settle the bill and left with them.
On the way, Ye Yun looked curious. Rong Zheng did not hide anything from him and briefly explained the matter.
"Will doing that help the storybook sell well?"
"I don't know yet, but there's no harm in trying." Rong Zheng did not dare make any guarantees. "Let's go look at furniture for the new house."
When they arrived at the carpenter's furniture shop, the owner saw that Rong Zheng's family intended to buy furniture for an entire house, and his shrewd eyes lit up. These were big customers, and he had to attend to them carefully.
The owner enthusiastically recommended his wares, serving tea and water and attending to them eagerly, all to keep these big customers.
"Shopkeeper, can you deliver to our home?"
"Of course, sir. Since you're buying so much, we can deliver everything straight into the house and arrange it however you wish."
They chose suitable beds, wardrobes, tables, chairs, and other furnishings, while the owner stood beside them, grinning so broadly his eyes all but disappeared.
While settling the bill, the owner worked his abacus and said, "Sir, the total is ten taels and one hundred copper coins. I'll waive the extra, so just pay ten taels. Since you've bought so much from our shop, I'll also throw in another chair. Everything will be delivered to your home on the day you specify. Please come again."
The owner handed Rong Zheng the bill to look over. Rong Zheng checked it, found no problems, and turned to Ye Yun.
The owner was wondering why when Ye Yun calmly took ten taels out of his money pouch and handed them over.
His expression turned startled. So the husband held the household purse strings! How dearly he must be cherished!
Well, this husband really was exceptionally good-looking. No wonder, no wonder!