Chapter 48 : Not a Saint

The man looked Song Ying up and down. An ordinary mask covered half of her pretty face. Her clothes were neat and tidy, with no accessories at her waist. Overall, she looked quite fresh and clean.

“Hello, Boss Fang. My name is Chen Ju, and I’m a wine merchant from Xihou Street.”

Song Ying had heard of this man. Several taverns on Xihou Street were owned by this Boss Chen.

Of course, that was only what Chen Ju made public. Song Ying had also heard that he was involved in other industries.

Everyone here had a golden abacus in their minds that is, everyone was calculating including Song Ying.

“I’ve heard of Boss Chen’s wine shop. Everyone who’s tried it says it’s excellent.”

Chen Ju smiled. He had heard such polite compliments far too often.

He pointed at the Zuilihong wine on Song Ying’s table and asked, “What do you think of my wine compared to that one, Boss Fang?”

Song Ying replied, “Each has its merits. Zuilihong is in a league of its own refined and rich. But Boss Chen’s wine is flavorful and the most popular among the people.”

These words made Chen Ju’s eyes light up. He was well aware of the difference between his wine and Zuilihong.

Outsiders usually just flattered him on the surface. But Song Ying’s answer acknowledged the unique strengths of each, which he appreciated.

Chen Ju stared at Song Ying’s teacup. “Then why isn’t Boss Fang drinking today?”

Song Ying said apologetically, “I can’t drink.”

Chen Ju: “That’s a pity.”

Just then, another person walked over someone clearly very familiar with Chen Ju. “I was wondering where you’d gone. So you came here to meet a ‘new love,’ huh?”

Chen Ju scolded lightly, “Quit talking nonsense!”

The newcomer looked about seven or eight years younger than Chen Ju. He clasped his fists in greeting toward Song Ying and said, “We’re all men here. You won’t get angry over a joke, right?”

Song Ying remained polite and reserved. “I’m not angry.”

“My name is Chen Hong. I’m his uncle.”

Chen Ju covered his face with his palm. “Please stop talking, you’re embarrassing me.”

Chen Hong grinned, his two little canine teeth showing. “If I embarrass you, then you should take me out more and let me see the world.”

Chen Ju turned away. “I don’t want to take you anywhere.”

Chen Hong was an optimist. “Hey, nephew, don’t be like that.”

Song Ying asked Chen Hong, “Is this Boss Chen’s first time here too?”

It was the first time Chen Hong had ever been addressed like that. He tugged on Chen Ju’s sleeve in surprise. “Did you hear that? Nephew, she called me Boss Chen!”

Chen Ju was speechless. “I heard it.”

Chen Hong raised his hand and placed it on Song Ying’s shoulder. “You’re a good young man. I like you a lot. Come, have a drink with me.”

Song Ying declined, “Sorry, I can’t drink alcohol. Is tea alright?”

Chen Hong wasn’t one to insist. “Tea works.”

Song Ying downed the tea in one gulp. Chen Hong also finished the Zuilihong in his bowl in two gulps.

Chen Ju warned, “Take it easy. That drink has a strong aftereffect.”

Chen Hong boasted, “I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk!”

Chen Ju was speechless.

Song Ying invited the two to sit down. During the conversation, Chen Hong curiously asked, “Boss Fang, why are you wearing a mask?”

Song Ying told the lie she had prepared. “Half of my face was burned in a fire. I didn’t want to scare people.”

Chen Hong was simple-minded and believed it completely. He looked genuinely sorry. “Poor thing. No wonder your voice sounds a little strange.”

Song Ying, afraid of being exposed, even wrapped a bandage around her neck to complete the illusion.

Chen Ju hesitated as if wanting to say something, but in the end just took a sip of wine.

There were all kinds of people here, and it was perfectly normal for everyone to have secrets they didn’t want to share.

Song Ying asked Chen Ju, “Are there any other programs later?”

By now, more and more people were arriving, but the host of the event had yet to appear.

Chen Ju said, “Actually, this Banquet is being held to raise funds.”

Song Ying: “Raise funds?”

Chen Ju: “Right now, Dayin is in conflict with Yue and Xiyue. The cities near the borders are suffering due to the war. Several prominent members of the guild are discussing sending supplies to help the people there survive.”

Originally, this should have been the responsibility of the imperial court. But the Chamber of Commerce’s actions not only helped ease the court’s burden it also earned them a good reputation.

However…

Song Ying asked, “Does everyone who attends today have to contribute?”

Chen Ju said, “I won’t force it. If you have money, give money. If you have goods, give goods.”

Why did Song Ying feel like this Banquet was organized just for her?

She thought it was merely an opportunity to broaden her horizons, but it turned out to be a fundraising event.

If her mother Han were still alive, she would have agreed without hesitation but Song Ying wasn’t a saint.

Song Shihe said she was stingy and snobbish, and that was true. She had always treated outsiders that way.

Seeing Song Ying frown, Chen Hong comforted her, “Don’t worry, they’re targeting the big bosses. Small bosses like us can just donate a few kind words.”

The furrow between Song Ying’s brows relaxed. “That’s true.”

Maybe she was just overthinking it.

After watching two singing and dancing performances, it was time to get down to business.

The main seat that had remained empty was finally filled by Fang Xuhui, the second manager of Juya Pavilion.

Chen Hong whispered to Song Ying, “What a coincidence, you two have the same surname.”

Song Ying replied, “Yes. But why is it the second shopkeeper? Who’s the first shopkeeper?”

Chen Ju said, “I’ve been in the guild for three years and have never seen the chief manager. Whenever something comes up, it’s always the second manager who shows up.”

Chen Hong added, “If the second shopkeeper is already so charming, then the first one must be a great beauty.”

Chen Ju said, “The chief shopkeeper is a man.”

Chen Hong’s expression went blank for a moment, then he said, “Maybe that’s just a lie. He could be a great beauty in disguise.”

Chen Ju ignored him completely.

Chen Hong, being a chatterbox, turned to Song Ying again.

“Let’s guess, who’s going to donate money, who’s giving goods, and who’s giving the most?”

Song Ying said, “I don’t like guessing. Why don’t you tell me your opinion, Boss Chen?”

Chen Hong looked around and said, “I think the bank owners will have to give the most. Then the second shopkeeper and his group, since they’re the main organizers will have to contribute both money and goods. And after that…”

His predictions made sense, and Song Ying nodded in agreement.

Sure enough, those big bosses contributed money and supplies just as Chen Hong had predicted.

Even Chen Ju gave a little, one or two items.

Since no one mentioned her, Song Ying figured her purse was safe.

At the end of the banquet, people began to leave one by one. But Song Ying was stopped by a servant.

“Boss Fang, please stay. My second shopkeeper wishes to see you.”

As expected, no banquet comes without a price.

After saying goodbye to Chen Ju and his uncle, Song Ying followed the servant to a room on the second floor.

Fang Xuhui was seated at the table. She raised her hand to gesture for Song Ying to sit. “Please.”

Song Ying sat down in the seat next to her and asked, “Why did the second shopkeeper want to see me?”

Fang Xuhui said, “Boss Fang, what do you think of the Jialing Banquet?”

Song Ying answered simply, “The people are nice, and the wine is good.”

Fang Xuhui smiled. “Boss Fang is quite amusing. I won’t waste your time, let me get straight to the point. I would like to ask you to provide some medicinal herbs for me to send to Wucheng.”

Song Ying picked up on a key word: “Provide? Wucheng?”

Fang Xuhui replied, “Yes, I’ll pay you. I’d like to purchase some herbs from you and send them to Wucheng.”

Song Ying immediately thought of Huo Zhen. “May I ask, why Wucheng?”