Chapter 608: Zhang Yuanlai

【You have just entered Group B of the Group of Beauties Banquet.】

【The A, B, C, and D zones are not far apart—merely a few streets apart.】

【The venue is filled with laughter and chatter; people converse as if strolling through a theater.】

【Waiting for the Group of Beauties Banquet to begin!】

【You stroll leisurely along the path left open between the tables.】

【At that moment, a voice of delight called out, "Master Guan, you've finally arrived."】

【You slowly turned to look, and saw—】

【A middle-aged man, slightly plump, wearing a fur cap, round face, small nose, and a genial expression now radiant with surprise.】

【You were slightly startled—it was Zhang Yuanlai, who once read to you in the small courtyard.】

【As a guest of the Xie household, his monthly stipend was decent compared to others, yet with annual preparations for the imperial examinations, he barely managed to make ends meet.】

【Seats at the Group of Beauties Banquet are exceedingly precious; without prominent status, each seat is worth a thousand taels of silver.】

【How, then, did Zhang Yuanlai acquire both the silver and the connections to be here?】

【Yet!】

【Reuniting with an old friend at this splendid gathering, you naturally felt joy.】

【"Master Guan, I sought you out specifically, knowing you'd attend the Group of Beauties Banquet."】

【"I waited and waited, began to fear something had happened."】

【Zhang Yuanlai knew you had been invited by the Sima family and would attend the Group of Beauties Banquet.】

【"I was delayed on the way."】

【You smiled: "Master Zhang, you look radiant—surely some good fortune has befallen you."】

【Zhang Yuanlai, familiar with your character, had no intention of hiding anything.】

【"Master Guan, you're wondering how I got here, right? This story is a long one."】

【As you watched the uncontainable joy on Zhang Yuanlai's face, you recalled He Xiao's earlier words: "Brother Zhang recently met a courtesan at Yuehua Pavilion; they fell instantly in love and are now deeply devoted."】

【When joy strikes, one's spirit lifts.】

【You smiled: "This must be connected to the courtesan from Yuehua Pavilion that Master He mentioned."】

【Zhang Yuanlai rubbed his head. "Can't fool Master Guan."】

【"Ya Ya is a courtesan from Yuehua Pavilion—graceful, well-bred, and cultured. To be honest, I'm the one who's beneath her."】

【You smiled: "Then congratulations, Brother Zhang—you've won a beauty's heart. Ya Ya has keen eyes to recognize gold set in jade."】

【At this, Zhang Yuanlai waved his hands quickly. "Master Guan, don't tease me further."】

【"This time, He Xiong and I were able to attend the Group of Beauties Banquet thanks entirely to Ya Ya's generosity. I, a stingy man, could never have afforded such an expense—my purse is too thin."】

【Zhang Yuanlai sighed softly. "Master Guan, you know I've wandered half my life; I've seen every moon over Bianjing, and I've long made peace with it."】

【"At sixty, I stand at the midpoint of mortal life."】

【"I've decided: after this Group of Beauties Banquet, I'll take Ya Ya back to Longxi, to spend my remaining years in peace."】

【Your words faltered slightly upon hearing this.】

【Indeed, though Bianjing is prosperous and rich, housing prices are exorbitant—even high-ranking officials struggle to afford them, let alone a guest like Zhang Yuanlai. Add to that the costs of social obligations, and saving any silver at all is no small feat.】

【Thus, Zhang Yuanlai's choice is entirely understandable.】

【"Ya Ya didn't want to miss this banquet—she's close friends with the Yuehua Pavilion's courtesan Yun, and she spent heavily to secure seats for both me and He Xiong."】

【Here, his expression turned pained: "I want to see this banquet with her properly—Longxi is far colder and harsher than Bianjing; we may never have such an opportunity again."】

【You looked back and saw that Zones A, B, and C were lined with seats, while the "Zone D" behind was an open space, where people stood or sat in small groups, chatting merrily.】

【This Group of Beauties Banquet was held to raise relief funds for the Jiangnan Circuit, so seats were sold in large numbers, drawing many guests.】

【At this, Zhang Yuanlai's face lit up again: "In my decades in Bianjing, I've had few true friends—but with you, Master Guan, I felt an instant kinship."】

【"Master Guan is different. We all harbor lofty ambitions, yet lack the means to rise. You, however, merely need to keep your cloud-winged wings ready—when the time comes, you'll soar straight to heaven."】

【Zhang Yuanlai spoke from the heart. He had spent years in Bianjing, seen countless young scholars, but never one as calm and unshaken as you.】

【You did not respond to his words, but asked: "Master Zhang, have you arranged for Ya Ya's redemption?"】

【Redeeming a courtesan from Yuehua Pavilion is no simple matter; if silver alone sufficed, many girls would have long saved enough.】

【It also requires guarantee from one of the Nine Great Families before the brothel will release her.】

【At this, Zhang Yuanlai's expression turned serious: "I dare not take this lightly. I've already asked Young Master Xie—he agreed to mention it to Madam Zhuge."】

【"After the banquet, the Xie household will act as our guarantors."】

【"Young Master Xie may be hard to get along with, but his word is always binding."】

【You nodded slowly. Xie Yuan was indeed like that—possessing a knightly spirit, his promises were worth a thousand taels.】

【When Wu Tong was in trouble, Zhang Yuanlai lent a hand—he was worth befriending.】

【"Master Zhang, if you need any help, don't hesitate to ask."】

【Zhang Yuanlai smiled: "There's one thing right now I'd be honored if Master Guan would assist with."】

【You frowned slightly, puzzled.】

【Zhang Yuanlai explained: the courtesan named "Ya Ya" at the Group of Beauties Banquet had gathered several close friends from Yuehua Pavilion, including not only the courtesans but also young scholars familiar with them.】

【Zhang Yuanlai continued: at the Group of Beauties Banquet, the courtesan named "Ya Ya" wished to host a private gathering with several close friends from Yuehua Pavilion—not only the courtesans themselves, but also the talented young men who knew them well.】

【This gathering aimed to admire the courtesan Yun's peerless beauty, drink wine, compose poetry, and chat of romance—a refined private reunion.】

【Zhang Yuanlai knew you were alone at the banquet, surrounded by strangers, everyone else in groups, leaving you isolated and lonely—so he came specially to invite you.】

【"Master Guan, sitting alone is dull. Why not join us? He Xiong is already having a wonderful time."】

【Zhang Yuanlai grinned: "I've already boasted to Ya Ya and the others that I'd bring a young man of dazzling charm."】

【The banquet was about to begin; the stage in the four corners already had people setting up.】

【You lowered your head, thinking quietly.】

1. Agree to this. (Hint: May benefit your future.)

2. Refuse this. (Hint: May affect your future.)

3. Participate personally. (0/3)

The great tripod rang, spewing a thousand rays of radiant light; the characters upon it slowly stabilized.

Yu Ke looked at the three options and felt no hesitation.

He eliminated "Participate personally."

He found it strange: since his heavenly reincarnation, he had never had the chance to use "Participate personally."

He made his choice directly.

1. Agree to this. (Hint: May benefit your future.)

【Zhang Yuanlai, seeing your lingering hesitation, said: "Master Guan, why not come take a look first? If you find it dull, you can leave—no harm done."】

【You raised your head and smiled: "Master Zhang, such warm invitation—I cannot refuse."】

【Zhang Yuanlai's face lit up with joy.】

(End of Chapter)