Chapter 10: Opportunity

  Chen Jiong arrived at Jingzhong Alley at noon, when the sun was shining brightly. The leaves on the trees were layered in light and shade, with a subtle interplay of yin and yang.

  The three houses are located at the southeast corner of Jingzhong Alley and can be entered directly from the east gate without going through the main entrance.

  If he went through the front door, it would be a bit too formal and suspicious, and he would have to go to his uncle and great-uncle's place to pay his respects. Chen Jing found this troublesome. He directly bypassed the main street and headed east.

  At the main gate, I happened to meet a horse-drawn carriage entering.

  The one following the car is Third Uncle's young servant boy.

  Third Uncle happened to be back from visiting friends.

  Seeing Chen Jing, San Shu was surprised and smiled: "Yang Ji, how did you come?" Then slightly frowned, "Is it my illness..."

  He thought Chen Jing was coming for a follow-up examination.

  "No, no." Chen Jiong hastily interrupted San Shu, "Staying at home reading books is really boring. My sister-in-law said that if there's nothing to do, one should go out and move around, exercise the limbs. I don't have any other friends, so I thought of coming to see San Shu. Do you want to play chess?"

  Third Uncle heard this and let out a sigh of relief.

  Chen Jiong said he had no friends to socialize with, which made Third Uncle feel heartbroken.

  He hastily invited Chen Jing to his home.

  The three houses live in a three-entry courtyard.

  The outer house was the study of Third Uncle and Fourth Brother, as well as Ninth Brother, and also the main hall for receiving guests; after passing through the hanging flower gate, behind it were the quarters of Third Aunt and the sisters; further back were those of Fourth Sister-in-law and her children.

  Chen Jiong arrived and didn't plan on entering the inner courtyard, so he went straight to Third Uncle's study.

  Third Uncle was a bit of an old child, and he didn't stand on ceremony. As soon as they entered the study, he casually invited Chen Jing to sit down, ordered the book boy to hurry up with the tea and snacks, and then brought out his jade chess set.

  This is still the chessboard from Chinese New Year, Third Uncle rarely uses it.

  Because the opponent is not qualified.

  Only when Chen Jing arrived did Third Uncle take it out without hesitation.

  Chen Jiong smiled and sat down opposite his third uncle. The two of them first flipped a coin to decide the order, Chen Jiong guessed odd or even and happened to win, so he played with white first.

  This time, his chess style was more gentle, and the opening layout was a popular chess pattern.

  Third Uncle rubbed his fists and wiped his palms, eager to give it a try.

  The chessboard was quickly set up.

  "Third Uncle, one hundred and fifty taels of silver, how long can it be used here?" Chen Jing asked Third Uncle.

  Third Uncle's mind was on the chessboard. He saw Chen Jing's attack this time so gentle, and thought that this kid had some trick up his sleeve, so he concentrated his spirit, not expecting Chen Jing to ask him like this.

  He let out an ah, but didn't understand what was going on.

  Chen Jiong had no choice but to ask again.

  "150 taels, huh?" Third Uncle calculated in his heart and then said, "It depends on how it's used. If you're treating friends at a high-end restaurant like Drunken Mist Pavilion, it's just enough for one meal. But if you use it for personal expenses, not counting social interactions, just basic living costs like mine as the head of the household, it'll last three or four months."

  Chen Jiong listened, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

  It's just three or four months...

  His elder sister-in-law planned to sell those sacrificial fields, exchanging them for 150 taels of silver, which was prepared for the annual expenses, and also included socializing. Socializing is a major expense in daily life.

  Third Uncle said that if you don't count the favors they owe each other, this household can only make 150 taels of silver last three months. The number of people in the Third House is about three times that of Qianjin Alley.

  So if it's Qi Wan Xiang, 150 taels would only be enough for nine months of food, not to mention social expenses.

  It's far from enough!

  If Eldest Sister had anything else she could sell, she wouldn't have thought of selling the sacrificial field. So after they spent all the silver from selling the sacrificial field, they were truly destitute.

  Even if Eldest Sister really bought the sacrificial field, our family still can't afford it.

  "What's wrong, are you short of money?" asked Third Uncle, seeing that Chen Xiang had been silent for a long time, furrowing his brow in deep thought, and knew that Chen Xiang was having some difficulties, so he asked.

  He has only one child and doesn't have to support his family, what's he worried about money for?

  Third Uncle looked at Chen Jing with suspicion.

  Chen Jiong snapped back to reality and smiled: "No. I don't socialize or make friends, so I wouldn't be invited to gatherings anyway. What do I need money for?"

  Household chores are all taken care of by women. Men only need to read books, and when it's time to eat, they just open their mouths, and when it's time to wear clothes, they just stretch out their hands, and the women will take care of everything.

  Not going out and socializing indeed saves money.

  Third Uncle was somewhat skeptical of this.

  Chen Jiong smiled and dropped one son.

  Third Uncle's attention immediately returned to the chessboard.

  Just then, a servant came back and reported: "Third Master, Second Master He has arrived..."

  "Has Yan Qi arrived?" Third Uncle was delighted, it's clear that an old friend had come to visit. "Quickly invite him in."

  Chen Jing didn't know what to say about He Er Lao Ye, so he naturally couldn't stay here any longer. He stood up and said to San Shu: "Go pay respects to Bo Zu Fu, it's time to go back. If the sky gets dark later, my sister-in-law will worry."

  "Don't go, don't go! Yan Qi also likes to play chess and has long heard of your skills. It's rare to meet someone like you, and it would be a shame for him to lose face." Third Uncle pulled Chen Jing back.

  Chen Jiong smiled and said: "I won't help you take revenge!"

  Third Uncle saw through his own thoughts, burst out laughing and didn't mind, only scolding: "You little brat, you're clever in every way and cunning in many ways, how come I never noticed before?"

  Chen Jiong also smiled.

  He didn't wait for Third Uncle to send him off and went to Songhe Hall by himself.

  Coming to Jingzhong Alley, if you don't go before your great-grandfather to pay respects, it will be said that he doesn't understand etiquette.

  Not yet arrived at Song He Tang, met Chen Qi.

  Chen Qi wore a dark-colored, subtle-patterned, embroidered silk changshan, looking dignified and majestic. He was accompanied by his trusted personal attendant, walking quickly towards the outside, as if trying to sneak out secretly.

  Chen Jiong was slightly surprised.

  Chen Qi isn't being locked up in Song He Tang to study? Looking at his outfit, he's going out to have fun.

  "Seventh Brother!" Chen Jing deliberately shouted loudly.

  Chen Qi was startled and hid behind a clump of bushes, then looked around to locate the source of the sound. Seeing that it was Chen Jing, Chen Qi hastily approached him and said in a stern voice, "Keep your voice down!"

  After a while, he asked Chen Jing: "What did you come here for?" His tone was unpleasant.

  "Where is Seventh Brother going?" Chen Jing didn't answer him, but instead smiled and asked, "Aren't you supposed to be studying at Song He Hall? Is Seventh Brother trying to sneak out?"

  Chen Qi last time was rough on Chen Jing, ended up losing big, didn't dare to have any more ideas about using force again, and had a bit of apprehension towards Chen Jing. He indeed sneaked out, coincidentally ran into Chen Jing, and was even more afraid that this little guy wouldn't know his place and would shout it out, adding to his apprehension.

  Chen Qi lowered his voice and said viciously, "Second Brother begged Grandfather to let me study with him, I haven't been in Song He Tang for a long time. Keep your voice down, just pretend you didn't see me, got it?"

  Because he was locked in Songhe Hall to study, Chen Qi's mind was dazed all day.

  Mr. Chen was heartbroken.

  He himself did not dare to ask Old Master, so he instigated Chen Er to act as a guarantor and brought Chen Qi back from Songhe Hall to the main house.

  Chen Er is the next generation of the Chen family, and Old Master Chen deliberately cultivated Chen Er's prestige in the family. Therefore, Chen Er's face must be given. The old master agreed to let Chen Qi return to the main house. He only stipulated that he was not allowed to go out for two months and had to focus on studying.

  Two months later, Old Master will take the exam. If Chen Qi passes, this matter will be settled and everything will return to normal afterwards.

  Back in the big house, Chen Qi was much freer.

  Today Chen Er's elder brother-in-law is taking a concubine, Chen Er has gone to drink the wedding wine. Chen Qi can't help it and wants to sneak out.

  "Heh heh." Chen Jie smiled slyly, "Seventh Brother, just because you're not in Song He Hall doesn't mean you can go out, does it?"

  "Who says we can't go out?" Chen's face turned red with anger, but in his heart he thought, "How did this kid guess it right again?"

  "Then I'll ask my great-grandfather." Chen Jing turned around and was about to leave.

  Chen Qi hastily grabbed Chen Jing's sleeve, saying with hatred: "You little brat is trying to exhaust me, isn't that right? Don't think I have no way to deal with you, it's just that I'm showing mercy because we're brothers of the same clan. If you dare to speak more, don't blame me for not being polite in the future!"

  "Where are you going?" Chen Jiong's expression slightly relaxed, and he smiled as he asked, "Take me with you, and I won't report this."

  Chen Qi was the most spoiled of the Chen family's children. He had a lot of money on him and he went in and out of places that cost a lot of money.

  Chen Jiong wants to take a look.

  Knowing where to spend big money means knowing where to make it.

  Chen Qi's destinations were all gold-digging caves, and the other guests were either rich or noble. If there was an opportunity, Chen Xuan could make a fortune and alleviate the urgent need of Qi Wan Alley.

  A person's body has some minor ailments. As long as there are some minor ailments and they believe in Chen Jiong, Chen Jiong can play to his strengths.

  Chen Jiong needs someone to voluntarily give him money.

  "Who, you?" Chen Qi looked Chen Jing up and down a few times with a look of disdain. "With the way you're dressed, I'd be embarrassed to have you as my servant. The places I go, your attire wouldn't even get you in the door. Don't embarrass me!"

  He feared Chen Jing would show a shabby appearance. After all, being brothers of the same clan, if Chen Jing was shabby, Chen Qi would also lose face.

  Chen Qi's clothes were also half-new straight robes. However, they were not made of expensive materials, nor were they crafted with exceptional workmanship. People who frequently entered the Jin Kong Cave could tell at a glance that they looked shabby.

  "I can play the role of your servant, it's not impossible." Chen Jing said with a smile.

  As soon as he said this, Chen Qi's eyes lit up slightly.

  Chen Qi was naturally willing to treat Chen Jing as a servant.

  Chen Qi still remembered the grudge from last time. If he weren't afraid of his grandfather, he would have taken Chen Xuan down long ago. Now that Chen Xuan had delivered himself to be humiliated, how could Chen Qi possibly let him off?

  Chen Qi was going to Wanjun Pavilion. There were his friends and acquaintances. When he arrived, wasn't Chen Xuan still letting him have his way?

  Just thinking about it makes me feel happy.

  But can Chen Xiao be so stupid?

  "What kind of nonsense are you thinking about again?" Chen Qi was a bit worried, "You've been harboring evil intentions lately."

  "What kind of nonsense is this?" Chen Jing said, "I've never been to a fun place before. My brother and sister-in-law don't allow it. If Seventh Brother is willing to take me out for some fresh air, I'll be grateful."

  Chen Qi couldn't help but narrow his eyes, with a hint of cunning and satisfaction: it turned out that Chen Yang and this kid had guessed that he might go to the brothel, and they were itching to go and experience it for themselves.

  Like Chen Yang and his family, they would never have money for him to spend in brothels or such places.

  It turns out this kid has fallen in love for the first time and is thinking about women!

  Chen Qi was almost laughing out loud.

  Take him away, take him away. Wait until we get to the place and see how to deal with him.

  Chen Qi nodded and said: "Alright, you follow me, just say you're my young servant, don't make any trouble, otherwise I'll tell your sister-in-law!"

  "Good." Chen Jing said.

  The two brothers each had their own purpose, lost the young servant, borrowed the path of Sanfang's courtyard, slipped out from the east corner gate, and went to Yuankun Pavilion.

  Wan Jun Ge is the most famous brothel in Wang County. The madam, Wan Niang, was once a top courtesan in Mingzhou and had a glorious time. Later, she married a rich merchant as his concubine and moved to Wang County. After the old man passed away, he left behind a sum of money for Wan Niang.

  Wan Niang was not tolerated by the rich merchant's wife and son, so she had to leave the rich merchant's house, taking with her the private money from before and the money the rich merchant secretly left for her, and opened a brothel, returning to her former occupation.

  At first, Wanjun Building didn't have much of a reputation.

  Until three years ago, the name of Wen Xiangming rose to fame and occupied the top spot, from then on, the gentle lady's pavilion also became prosperous. The old madam, Wen Niang, was also good at socializing, and over the past few years, business had been booming.

  Xian Wen is a famous and influential person, with a high social status, and ordinary people can't usually see him.

  Chen Qi had been suffering from famine for more than a year, and he had only seen Xiwen playing the zither from afar, never entering her boudoir. He didn't know how much silver he had spent, but all the Chen family knew about it.

  Chen Jiong also made fun of Chen Qi about this matter last time.

  Chen Qi's carriage soon arrived at the Wenyuan Pavilion. Although it was not yet evening, the entrance to the Wenyuan Pavilion was already crowded with luxurious carriages and precious horses, packed in like water overflowing a dam.

  Chen Jiong was slightly surprised.

  The lanterns have just been lit, and the business of the green building is starting. This should be in line with common sense, but it's only half past two now.

  Is it now popular to go whoring in broad daylight?

  Chen Qi's carriage stopped far away and squeezed Chen Xuan to the door.

  Guī Nú recognized Chen Qi and greeted him with a lukewarm "Seventh Master", without showing much enthusiasm. Chen Qi was a familiar customer, but not an honored one.

  Chen Qi also thought it was normal and walked in directly.

  A girl came up to greet us.

  Chen Qi also had a familiar girl, and went straight to her room. In that girl's room, there were already three guests. Two of them were young men in elegant clothes, listening to the zither with a pleased expression, they were about the same age as Chen Qi.

  Another one, about fifty years old, slightly fat, wearing silk clothes, with a proud expression, showing some impatience, and a solemn face.

  The sound of the zither is lingering and long, the fragrance of tea is soothing and pleasant.

  Chen Qi entered, and both of the brocade-clad young masters and the old man in a thick shirt stood up to exchange greetings.

  Then Chen Qi introduced Chen Xuan to his companions: "This is my cousin Chen Xuan, and his brother is Chen Zhang."

  Judging from his tone, Chen Qi was up to no good again. The little scoundrel had changed his mind, which meant he must have thought of a new way to deal with Chen Xuan.

  Chen Jiong smiled slightly.

  Chen Qi is really someone who won't turn back until he hits a wall.

  The old man in the sweater glanced at Chen Jing and then shifted his gaze away, showing no interest.

  It was Chen Qi's two companions who had a spark in their eyes and seemed interested, sizing up Chen Jing.

  Chen Jiao stood with a relaxed posture, letting them measure her up at will.

  "Come on, sit down." Chen Qi called out to Chen Xing.

  Chen Jiong thanked him and sat down.

  "This is Gong Daifu." One of Chen Qi's companions said to Chen Qi, "He is a renowned divine doctor in Mingzhou, and we paid a high price to invite him."

  Chen Jing listened up to this point and glanced at Doctor Gong.

  Please invite a doctor to come to the brothel, what do you want to do?

  "Gong Daifu, it's all up to your skilled hands to bring her back to life later." Chen Qi said with a smile, addressing Gong Daifu.

  Gong Daifu lazily said: "Mr. Chen is too polite, I'll do my best."

  "Seventh Brother, are you ill?" Chen Jiong asked.

  "It's not me, it's Xiwen girl." Chen Qi sighed, "I heard she was seriously ill and couldn't even speak. Yuanniang said that whoever can invite a doctor to cure Xiwen will marry her off with the dowry from Yuankun Pavilion."

  Chen Qi's heart was slightly boiling at this point.

  He finally had the opportunity.

  Even if Wenwen can't be cured, it's good to walk into her room for a while.

  "...It's not that he can't speak. I heard, he's gone mad." A companion dressed in a dark blue silk robe said in a low voice, "He ran out into the street with his hair disheveled and people saw him."

  Chen Jing's heart skipped a beat.

  He thought of the woman and the old procuress he had bumped into on the street yesterday.

  Isn't this a coincidence?

  I told you, who goes to a brothel in broad daylight? It turns out they came to cure Wen's illness.

  There are quite a few people coming.

  The popularity of Xiwen is quite high.

  However, the mother from yesterday called the woman "Qing'er" and didn't spare any words...

  Chen Jing's mind was turning around and around, but in the end, he didn't bother to think too much. Someone fell ill, and he had an opportunity. This time, it just so happened that he coincidentally took a deep breath of relief.