Chapter 64: The Tavern

The two were walking down the street, with Mei Niang looking around curiously and trailing a few steps behind Zhang Jing Yun. He would occasionally stop to wait for her, noticing how intrigued and excited she seemed, as though it was her first time out in the streets. Amused, he slowed his pace and let her enjoy the sights at her leisure.

But Meinang soon snapped back to reality, recalling that Zhang Jing Yun had to head back to the Gui Yun Villa, thirty miles outside the city. She hurriedly urged him, “Hurry, hurry! If you delay, it’ll be too late to leave the city.”

Zhang Jing Yun reassured her, “It’s fine. My mount is left at the Qin Manor, and the medicine delivery will come for it tomorrow. I’ll have Qian Cao Tang prepare another carriage for me. I’m used to traveling at night, it won’t take long to get back to the villa.”

Meinang nodded, “That’s best. I was worried about you traveling through the fields at night, the cold wind would be worse than in the day. You might freeze. You should take a couple of people with you when you head back.”

Zhang Jing Yun smiled, “There will be a coachman with me. I’ll teach him how to drive the carriage back to the city tomorrow.”

As they spoke, they passed by a storefront with six intricately carved redwood doors wide open, the strong scent of wine wafting through the air. Meinang glanced up at the signboard above the door, which read “Xian Ke Lai” in wild cursive script. It turned out to be a tavern.

She smiled at Zhang Jing Yun, “What a pity, it’s getting late. Otherwise, I would invite you to have a drink here.”

Zhang Jing Yun looked at her but said nothing. After a pause, he remarked, “This tavern, I often come here with Ling Xu Zi. Their wine is rich, and the dishes are excellent. It’s a very popular spot. The owner is from Liu Zhou, and has been running it for over ten years. Unfortunately, he has to let it go now.”

Meinang paused, surprised. “If it’s doing so well, why is he selling it?”

She looked up at the four-story building, made of solid brick and wood, with an antique style. It was a prime location with street-facing storefronts and had been pains takingly built over the years. It seemed such a pity to let it go.

Zhang Jing Yun explained, “The owner is someone I know. His surname is Cen. When I came back in previous years, I would sometimes rest upstairs in his tavern, meeting friends. The rooms inside were well-decorated and elegant. He came to the capital to run this tavern when he was young and invested a lot of effort into it. But recently, his family has had some misfortunes both his father and brother passed away. His widowed mother wishes for him to return home and look after the family business. Despite his reluctance, he has to obey his mother’s wishes and bring his whole family back.”

“Does the tavern still have rooms upstairs?” Meinang asked.

Meinang suddenly stopped, deep in thought. She turned back to stare at the large sign “Xian Ke Lai,” her heart racing.

“Mr. Zhang, you said you know the owner? His surname is Cen? Has anyone taken over the tavern?”

Zhang Jing Yun replied, “He saw me the day before yesterday and told me goodbye. I’m not sure if anyone has taken over yet.”

Meinang asked directly, “How much is he asking to sell it?”

Zhang Jing Yun blinked and looked at her, “I didn’t ask. Do you… want to buy it?”

Meinang responded confidently, “Yes, I want to take it over.”

Zhang Jing Yun was stunned. “You? Madam Hou wants to run a tavern? Do you know how to do that?”

Meinang smiled, “I can learn if I don’t know. Besides, I’m not completely unfamiliar with this. The owner Cen is only taking his family back to their hometown. He’s not taking the entire tavern staff with him, so I can keep them to work for me.”

Zhang Jing Yun looked at her in confusion, “But why? You live comfortably in the Hou residence, managing the household, raising children. You’re busy enough already. Xu… He would never allow you to do this.”

As the sky darkened, Meinang tugged at his sleeve. “It’ll be too late if we wait any longer. Let’s go find Mr. Cen and ask if there’s still a chance.”

Zhang Jing Yun hesitated but reluctantly followed her to the tavern’s door. When they reached the steps, he stopped again. “Maybe we shouldn’t go in. This is a big matter, and what if…”

“There’s no ‘what if.’ I’ll take full responsibility for this. It has nothing to do with you,” Meinang interrupted, pulling him forward. “You’re a gentleman, and gentlemen should help others. Please help me with this.”

Reluctantly, Zhang Jing Yun followed her up the steps. Just as they entered, a man in a plain brocade robe, slightly plump and in his thirties with a fair complexion, came forward and greeted Zhang Jing Yun.

“I’m not mistaken, am I? Mr. Zhang, on such a cold snowy day, please come upstairs to the private room.”

Zhang Jing Yun returned the greeting and gestured to Meinang. “This is…”

Meinang smiled and stepped forward, greeting the man. “I’m from the Cen family. I heard Mr. Zhang mention that the tavern owner is also surnamed Cen, so I came to inquire about any family connections.”

The man, who was indeed Cen Gui Quan, the tavern’s owner, immediately bowed. “Ah, it’s my cousin. I must apologize for my rudeness earlier.”

He quickly invited them upstairs to a private room, where tea was served. He also ordered wine and a few dishes to entertain them.

Zhang Jing Yun stopped him, saying, “Cen brother, you’re still in mourning, so you shouldn’t drink. We just came to ask something, so we won’t take up too much of your time. A cup of tea will suffice.”

Meinang also sighed, “The winds blow when the tree wishes to remain still, and the son wishes to care for his parents, but time doesn’t wait. I only just learned of your family’s misfortune from Mr. Zhang. It’s truly regretful that you couldn’t fulfill your filial duties before your father passed.”

Cen Gui Quan bowed his head, tears falling as he choked up. “I’m the second son in the family, and my older brother was supposed to inherit the family business. I came to the capital at a young age and worked hard to build this tavern. I had hoped to bring my parents to the capital in recent years, to show them a better life. But who would have thought… Now, both my older brother and father are gone, and my mother insists I return home to manage the family business. I’ve poured so much effort into this tavern, but I cannot just hand it over to someone I don’t trust. I’ve been worried about it for days, especially with the guests staying here. I can’t just close it, but I also can’t abandon it. My heart is heavy, wearing mourning clothes every day, thinking about my family’s loss.”

Meinang sympathized and sighed. “Brother, if you’re willing to trust me with this tavern, I’ll take it over. I come from a family of merchants, and though I’m young, I can manage it. You’ve put so much effort into this place, I understand that. We’ll settle the price, of course. I’ll run it according to the original plans, just as if you were still here. If you ever decide to return, I’ll hand it back to you without hesitation.”

Cen Gui Quan looked at her, stunned. “You? You’re quite young, but your words are convincing. Running a tavern is no easy task, and you seem so delicate. I’m worried you won’t handle the workload.”

Meinang exchanged a look with Zhang Jing Yun and smiled. “Don’t doubt me. Mr. Zhang is my trusted friend; he knows me well.”

Zhang Jing Yun helplessly spoke up, “Cen brother, you can trust me. This young cousin of mine has done business all alone, from his hometown to the capital, and he has achieved quite a bit.”

Cen Gui Quan was astonished. “Where is your hometown? What business do you do?”

Meinang quickly fabricated a story, and Zhang Jing Yun stared in disbelief. “My family is from Guang Zhou, and we specialize in shipping. We own three cargo ships now, and I’ve left everything in the hands of my subordinates. I’m only staying in the capital.”

“Ah, impressive! Truly impressive!” Cen Gui Quan praised, admiring her greatly.

With Zhang Jing Yun’s support, Cen Gui Quan couldn’t doubt her. He carefully studied Mei Niang and nodded. “You may be young, but you seem reliable. I’ll entrust the tavern to you, as you’re family. If you run it well, you’ll see the benefits.”

Meinang restrained her excitement and calmly nodded. “I will manage it to the best of my ability.”