Chapter 8 – The Bookstore

Autumn passed quickly, and before they knew it, winter had arrived, and the court was on break for the New Year. The New Year was a rare time when the mansion enjoyed peace and tranquility, as all the preparations for the festive season, ancestral worship, banquets, and entertaining guests was left to Lady Sheng, the national duke’s wife, to handle.

Ordinarily, people said that ordinary folks found the New Year’s Eve hard to get through, but who would have thought that even in wealthy households, the New Year was also a major challenge? After all, the rents collected from their estates across the country were far from enough to cover the expenses of the extravagant feasts and celebrations. Even the matriarch treated Lady Sheng with unusual kindness and warmth during this time, allowing everyone to enjoy a peaceful and harmonious New Year.

This year, Lady Sheng received the rank of first-class imperial consort, prompting many to send gifts in celebration. The steady stream of guests kept her busy, and even the matriarch and Lady Bai couldn’t avoid meeting female guests. The national duke’s residence hadn’t been this lively in years. Each congratulatory visit, however, seemed to make the matriarch unhappy, but she could only force a smile. Lady Bai, being a widow, only appeared twice to meet guests from her own family before declining further visits.

Lady Sheng became the main hostess, and with her imperial consort title and connections to the capital’s elite, news spread about how her title wasn’t bestowed by the Ministry of Rites following protocol, but rather came directly from the palace. This distinction held significant meaning. It was the first time Lady Sheng had been so popular, and fortunately, she was from a wealthy family and had managed businesses for years, so she wasn’t an overly shy and timid housewife. She handled the comings and goings with poise, earning herself a good reputation among the high society.

On the seventh day of the new year, after a busy day, Lady Sheng returned to her room and habitually asked about what the crown prince was up to. Sheng An replied, “The crown prince found the noise unbearable early this morning and went to the Leisure Cloud Bookstore.”

Lady Sheng said, “It’s rare for him to stay at home peacefully these days. How’s business there?”

Sheng An replied, “Although the crown prince opened it just for fun, the profits are actually quite decent. He’s sent several books for printing, but…”

Lady Sheng asked, “Let him print whatever he wants. We’re paying those workers anyway; they’d just be idle otherwise.”

Sheng An chuckled. “My lady opened this shop for the crown prince and spent a fortune buying the printing factory. Before, it couldn’t afford to operate, but now, it has work every day and money to pay its employees. They’re grateful to their patron and wouldn’t dare refuse. But you know, the crown prince’s temperament is increasingly unpredictable. Lately, he’s been ordering the printing of…books about homosexuality, and some illustrated ones…”

Lady Sheng’s face turned green, but she said, “Let him have his fun.”

Sheng An glanced at her expression. “He even drew a book himself…”

Lady Sheng’s hand shook, and she took a deep breath, unable to hold back her frustration. “Tell him that drawing for his own amusement is fine, but printing and selling it is absolutely forbidden. He’s going to inherit the dukedom; how can such things be allowed to circulate?”

Sheng An smiled. “Alright, I’ll properly advise the crown prince.”

Lady Sheng touched the bracelet on her wrist and complained, “How did I end up with such a troublemaker?”

Sheng An said, “I suspect the crown prince is deliberately causing a fuss, waiting for you to discipline him.”

Lady Sheng’s complexion paled slightly. After a moment, she whispered, “Let him be.”

Sheng An didn’t understand how estranged this mother and son had become. He guessed that behind the facade of a noble household lay countless strange rules that a merchant like him couldn’t comprehend. He bowed and said, “I’ll persuade the crown prince again. Although the crown prince says he’s doing it for fun, I’ve noticed that both his bookstore and theater are quite profitable. Even the old master said that our young master’s talent for business surpasses that of our clan’s other legitimate sons.”

“Just take the bookstore. In this city, there’s probably no other bookstore that doesn’t rely on the printing of textbooks for the Imperial College, official schools, and clan schools to make a profit except for the Leisure Cloud Bookstore. Who would have thought that the crown prince could come up with the idea of collecting membership fees for free access to books and then selling tea, calligraphy, paintings, bookmarks, writing utensils, paper, and ink in the reading room? He’s making a tidy profit from this. I heard that just the snacks like tea, peanuts, and melon seeds alone bring in considerable monthly earnings. These small profits are surprisingly substantial. As for the Thousand Autumns Pavilion, countless drama troupes and acrobatic performers are lining up to perform there, offering money. It’s amazing that the crown prince, at just eighteen years old, has already achieved such ease with only two businesses.”

Lady Sheng gave a bitter laugh. “A crown prince of the national duke’s residence doesn’t need any business talent. Let’s just say it ourselves; we mustn’t let others hear us say it too often, or we’ll be laughed at by the world.”

Sheng An laughed. “Your good fortune is yet to come, my lady.”

Xu Chun was unaware of the distress his new hobby caused his mother. He had merely had a sudden urge to print something but decided against it after being dissuaded by Sheng An. It wasn’t because of his identity as the crown prince of the national duke’s residence; he simply thought that it was fine to draw out of curiosity for his own amusement. If he really printed and distributed it, and Prince Helan found out, wouldn’t he think he was dirty…

In the past, he had lived recklessly, unbridled and without restraint. Now, whenever he thought of Prince Helan’s reserved and aloof demeanor that day, he felt as if a line had been drawn in his heart, restraining him from indulging in excess.

Thinking of Prince Helan, Xu Chun felt an itch in his heart, as if it was being lightly scratched by a cat’s claws. He knew he was pining for love, and he couldn’t help but pick up a brush in his room and sketch a few strokes, depicting Prince Helan standing on the ship. However, he couldn’t capture the grace and elegance of his posture, so he threw down the brush and sighed in his study.

The four attendants serving outside couldn’t help but chuckle. Qiuhu brought in a cup of hot tea and said, “Enough, it’s the New Year, why are you sighing again? I think the bookstore business is quiet during the New Year. Perhaps poor scholars are hiding from debt collectors and aren’t reading. Why don’t you go to the Thousand Autumns Pavilion to listen to some opera and enjoy the festivities? That’s where the action is right now, and it’ll save you from sighing away your good luck during the New Year.”

Xu Chun looked bored and put the page of drawings under the Green Window drawer to dry. “There aren’t any new plays, and nowadays, scholars are unwilling to write them. I haven’t seen a good script. Besides, there are too many people during the New Year, and bumping into someone wouldn’t be good. Last time, I ran into the old man head-on, which was embarrassing. He even had the nerve to punish me by making me copy books! If he found out the theater was mine, he might break my legs.”

Xiaochao was roasting chestnuts near the charcoal stove and said crisply, “His Grace the Duke wouldn’t punish you for this, but if the matriarch finds out about your lucrative business, she’ll surely have ideas.”

Chunxi, being older, nudged Xiaochao not to criticize the master behind his back. He said to Xu Chun, “Last time, the manager of the Thousand Autumns Pavilion had a back staircase built specifically for you, ensuring you could reach your private room without encountering anyone else.”

Xiaochao urged, “I heard that the Thousand Autumns Pavilion has received a lot of scripts from various drama troupes, waiting for you to choose. Everyone says our theater has the best shows, but they don’t realize it’s because of the scripts you select.”

Xu Chun folded his sleeves. “Fine, I’ll go once. I think you guys just want to watch a show.”

Xiaochao stuck out his tongue. “Our young master is kind to us. Going now is perfect for dinner. Have some exquisite dishes prepared, and we’ll spend the night there. It’s snowing outside, I’ll get your snow cape ready.”

Xu Chun smiled and changed into his cloak. Just as he walked out of the corridor of the bookstore, he saw Luo Yuzhou, the bookstore manager, talking to a servant boy. Luo Yuzhou turned around and brightened upon seeing Xu Chun. He jogged over and said, “Young Master, there’s a scholar who wants to sell us a book, but he insists on meeting the owner in person. We told him we’d pass it on to the owner, but he couldn’t wait. He said he must meet the owner, as he seems to be in a hurry. This scholar, Mr. He, is a regular customer at our bookstore. He’s been copying books for money, so everyone here knows him. They know we’re not the owners and can’t easily refuse him. What do you think…”

Xu Chun looked downstairs from the second floor and indeed saw a young scholar standing in the dimly lit corner of the bookstore. His clothes were thin, and he kept looking around, seemingly avoiding people. His expression was anxious. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Invite him to the inner study. Serve him some hot tea, pastries, and sesame cakes. Tell him the young master will arrive shortly.”

Luo Yuzhou was taken aback but hurried out to follow the instructions.

Xiaochao asked, “Young Master, you usually avoid meeting these scholars, afraid they might recognize you if they pass the imperial exams.”

Xu Chun said, “Seeing how the scholar is avoiding crowded areas and wearing tattered clothes, I assume he’s in a difficult situation and has something hard to talk about. If we meet in the front hall, scholars are proud and might feel embarrassed. Moreover, it’s cold and the New Year, so let him have a bite to eat and calm down first—also, since he copies books regularly, his home should be nearby. Xiaochao, send someone to find out what trouble this scholar’s family is in, trying not to be too obvious.”

He went inside and had a cup of tea himself. True to his word, Xiaochao sent someone to investigate and returned with a surprised look on his face. “We spent a bit of money asking a few middlemen and matchmakers and found out clearly. This scholar’s name is He Zhiqiu. He looks like a poor scholar, but unexpectedly, he already holds the degree of a juren. He’s supposed to participate in the spring examinations this year. Unfortunately, he has a gambling-addict father who owes a mountain of debt. During the New Year, debt collectors came to their door, and his mother fell ill at home. Unbelievably, his gambling-addict father got his legs broken when the debt collectors came to collect the debt. Now, he’s paralyzed at home recovering, but the creditors are blocking the door, demanding that they sell their house to pay off the debt.”

Xu Chun was somewhat surprised. “If he has the status of a juren, he could rely on some land and receive some silver. And isn’t there anyone in his clan, teacher, or classmates who could help him? Did you ask how much debt he owes?”

Luo Yuzhou said, “Just the gambling debts amount to hundreds of taels. They’ve borrowed from everyone in their clan and offended them all. They’ve even sold all their ancestral lands. I heard that even his in-laws disowned him for bringing shame to the family. He still owes his teacher’s tuition, and his classmates have already lent him money. Before, the families considering marriage arrangements hastily broke off engagements. Scholar He probably has no one left to borrow from. Now, it’s said that the patriarch is mediating, and the creditor has agreed to accept the house as collateral for the debt, planning to raise funds after the New Year.”

Xu Chun nodded and sighed. “To have such a scoundrel for a father, what can he do? The more they are scholars, the less likely they are to commit the great sin of filial impiety, which means they have even less future ahead of them. People, after all, can’t choose their parents. Scholar He has struggled hard to make a decent living in the mud.”

The four attendants, Chunchao, Xiachao, Qiuhu, and Dongxue, didn’t dare to comment. Xu Chun looked at the servants’ expressions and laughed. “What are you looking at? Although Father the Duke of the National Duke’s Residence is a scoundrel, at least he hasn’t gambled away everything. He’s incredibly lucky with his title, rich father-in-law, and capable wife. Who wouldn’t say he’s blessed? Look at Scholar He. I’m fortunate to have been born into a good family.”

He glanced at the clock on the wall and gauged that the scholar should have eaten a few pastries by now. Then, he slowly stood up and walked over.