Misty Rain of the Old Times

To encounter something like this in such a vast city as the capital, Chen Xuan was truly impressed.

Judging from the looks of it, Ning Guiliang had just rushed over from the brothel. He hadn't even had time to wipe off his lipstick, and he smelled of alcohol and women's perfume. He must have been having a good time. It hadn't been dark long before he started.

Back when this guy was still studying at Liuyu Academy, he was already a womanizer, spending his days chasing after women and spending nights in brothels. Years have passed and he hasn't changed at all. He might even have completely let himself go without the restraint of his academy teachers.

To be able to stick to a hobby without regard for whether it's serious or not, is truly a talent. I admire Chen Xuan more than anyone else.

After many years, upon seeing each other again, Chen Xuan almost gasped. Dude, how did you become so weak? You look healthy on the outside, but why do you seem to be walking unsteadily?
Your cheeks are flushed an unnatural red, your lips are pale, and you have dark circles under your eyes. My God, you have severe kidney deficiency. You must be soaking in a juicer every day!

Considering his womanizing nature, Chen Xuan...

Back then, all those Xiaoyao pills you bought from me weren't enough for your extravagant spending? The thing is, Xiaoyao pills underwent rigorous testing by me, and after taking them, they can nourish the body, improve fitness, and enhance sexual performance. How could you possibly turn that into something like this?

Good grief, you're not here to ruin my reputation, are you?!
Could it be that Ning Guiliang was both the cause of Xiaoyao Pills' success and its downfall? It should be noted that back then, there was a saying that everyone who ate it, including Ning Guiliang, said it was good, and that's how Xiaoyao Pills became so popular.

That can't be! Logically speaking, after taking so many Xiaoyao pills, even if you were a stud pig, you shouldn't be this weak. Something must have gone wrong. Could it be that this guy encountered a female demon who was trying to replenish her yin energy by absorbing yang energy?

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, this guy is shameless. Originally, many people would avoid Chen Xuan's signboard like the plague, but he came up to him like a second parent, shamelessly trying to get close to him, without even trying to hide from people. He probably knows what kind of person he is and has completely exposed himself.

Chen Xuan pretended not to recognize him and shook his head blankly, saying, "Ning Guiliang? Who's that? I don't know him."

Firstly, Chen Xuan wanted to tease him, and secondly, since he needed to use the Xiaoyao Pill as bait to obtain materials, he couldn't sell it to him cheaply for ten taels of silver like before. After all, the words had already been spoken, otherwise how could the transaction with the young master continue? So it was better to be a little less familiar.

Upon hearing this, Ning Guiliang immediately became anxious and said pitifully, "Me? Ning Guiliang, brother, don't you recognize me? Back when I was studying at Liuyu Academy, I had a bit of a reputation. I even helped you open your Xiaoyao Pill store. Oh right, do you remember when someone caused you trouble and I wanted to help but couldn't?"

"Oh..." Chen Xuan looked enlightened, then shook his head at Ning Guiliang's surprised expression and said, "I forgot, is that true?"

Ning Guiliang: “…”

He wasn't stupid; he quickly realized Chen Xuan was joking with him, and immediately said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Brother, stop teasing me, it really is me! I didn't expect to run into you again after all these years. And you know what? Aside from the location, the scene is almost identical!"

With a chuckle, Chen Xuan stopped teasing him and said sullenly, "Just kidding, don't mind me, talented Ning. Your nightlife is quite vibrant, just like back then, it's enviable. But let's put our reminiscing aside for now, I'm busy with business right now, so..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ning Guiliang impatiently said, "Of course I know you're doing business, brother. I came as soon as I noticed. My... friend... another friend of mine was unable to buy Xiaoyao Pills back then and felt very regretful. He's shy and embarrassed to come over, so he asked me to help him buy them. I've brought the money, and the price hasn't changed, right? I brought three thousand taels of silver with me, so just give me three hundred pills!"

Back then, Chen Xuan sold out and disappeared without a trace. Ning Guiliang tried every means to find out how to buy it again, but to no avail. This time, he couldn't miss the opportunity. He had to buy a large quantity before anyone else. He would keep some for himself, and as for the rest, well, he could make a fortune as a middleman. If he used it as gifts, he could move up his position. So many people would want that.

As he spoke, he reached into his pocket, ready to take out his money.

Chen Xuan waved his hand and said, "Wait, wait. We may know each other, but we're not close. Besides, Xiaoyao Pills are difficult to make, and the ingredients are hard to come by. We sold out back then, and it took me many years to get some stock. I've also looked into the current price of Xiaoyao Pills, and just thinking about it makes me regret it to the point of vomiting blood. We lost a fortune back then, so I'm not selling them this time."

"Huh? The price has gone up? I understand, but how much? No matter how much, I'm going to buy it!" Ning Guiliang said with a pained expression, but he gritted his teeth and was determined not to miss this opportunity. Who knows when the Xiaoyao Pill will appear again?

He had already made up his mind. Even if Chen Xuan's prices increased tenfold compared to before, he would borrow money to buy a batch. He really needed them.

There are similar products on the market, but the problem is that Xiaoyao Pills are different. Among similar products, those that work quickly don't last as long as Xiaoyao Pills, those that last as long don't nourish the body as Xiaoyao Pills, and those that nourish the body don't work as quickly as Xiaoyao Pills... and most of the others have side effects to some extent. In any case, Xiaoyao Pills are unique.

Shaking his head, Chen Xuan chuckled and said, "It's not a price increase, it's that we're not selling anymore. I'm not short of money, so this time I want to exchange the Xiaoyao Pills for something else."

Upon hearing this, Ning Guiliang's face paled, and he muttered, "Not selling anymore? Trading it for something? Why not? What do you need, brother?"

"Fire copper, ice silkworm silk, white cloud wood, if you can get them, I'll trade them to you. I'll trade you as many as you have," Chen Xuan said with a smile, and also mentioned the conditions for the exchange.

Ning Guiliang was dumbfounded. He had heard of Fire Copper Ice Silkworm Silk, but could he possibly obtain it? As for White Cloud Wood, even though he considered himself extremely knowledgeable, he had never heard of it.

Just as he was about to die of inner turmoil, Chen Xuan asked curiously, "Back then, your friend bought a lot of Xiaoyao Pills from me, right? If you had followed my advice, your body should have been properly nourished long ago and you wouldn't need them anymore. Why are you still so eager to buy them? Also, your health is a bit..."

Ning Guiliang's expression changed, and he said with tears in his eyes, "Don't even mention it! I bought those Xiaoyao Pills from you back then, but I hadn't even taken two before Master confiscated them all. I only got to taste them a little. Ah, Master is so successful now, still vigorous despite his age. Countless people of his generation are green with envy. Now Master has even married a little mistress... oh wait, I mean my friend. It has nothing to do with me." Hearing this, Chen Xuan suddenly realized, "So that's why my Xiaoyao Pills are of such high quality. How could you ruin the reputation? You didn't even get to take any, no wonder you're so weak now."

It is said that after the Xiaoyao Pill incident, this guy became a disciple of Master Pei, the headmaster of Liuyu Academy. He was then confined to his home to study diligently. Could it be that the Xiaoyao Pill he sold was a gift for becoming a disciple?

No wonder I saw Mr. Pei, one of the examiners, in the Golden Palace a few months ago. Despite his advanced age, he was still radiant. Aside from his innate cultivation, the Xiaoyao Pill must have played a significant role. Cultivation and that aspect are not the same thing.

If Ning Guiliang hadn't become a disciple of Mr. Pei and been restrained, he probably wouldn't have passed the imperial examination so quickly, entered the court as an official, and achieved what he has today.

Giving a helpless look, Chen Xuan said, "Given the current market value of Xiaoyao Pills, I'd be crazy to sell them for money, so this time I'm only exchanging, not selling."

"Brother, we were acquainted back then, so please do me a favor and spare me some money. I'm willing to spend any amount of money, even if it's just borrowing, stealing, or cheating. If all else fails, I still have some reputation, and my calligraphy and paintings are still worth something," Ning Guiliang pleaded pitifully, desperate. A man can be incapable of anything, but if someone can save him in that area, he'll kneel down and call them godfather. He doesn't care about saving face.

The young master, who was waiting for his servant to bring over the Fire Copper, wanted to exchange it for a Carefree Pill to expose Chen Xuan's fraud, didn't interrupt the conversation between the two, as long as Chen Xuan didn't run away.

But as he listened, he gradually began to understand. Could it be that the swindler wasn't really a swindler after all? And that the "Xiaoyao Pill" in his hand was genuine?
But this is too outrageous! So many people have been longing for the "Xiaoyao Pill," and he just happened to get it by accident?

Having been deceived so many times, he was cautious and hesitated for a moment. Taking advantage of a lull in their conversation, the young master looked at Ning Guiliang, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Master Ning. May I ask if you two know each other?"

Just as he was overwhelmed with mixed feelings, Ning Guiliang was interrupted and turned around, saying somewhat perfunctorily, "Oh, it's Young Master Wang. My apologies, my apologies. You're out having fun too?"

"Master Ning?" Chen Xuan looked at Ning Guiliang speechlessly. He'd become a master?
Suddenly, Wang Shao's attitude changed. He looked at Chen Xuan, nodded, and smiled, "That's right, Master Ning is now an Assistant Director of the Reception Department under the Ministry of Rites."

"I see, congratulations," Chen Xuan said with a smile to Ning Guiliang.

Although he didn't know much about officialdom, he roughly knew what kind of position Ning Guiliang held as an Assistant Director. The Assistant Director of the Ministry of Rites was a sixth-rank official, above whom were the Director, the Assistant Director, and above them were the Vice Minister and the Minister of Rites.

The Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs is probably in the diplomatic field. Ning Guiliang was a talented scholar who excelled in both calligraphy and painting. With such artistic attainments, being involved in diplomacy could promote cultural exchanges between countries. In Chen Xuan's words, it's a perfect match for his profession.

Ning Guiliang was a second-class Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination). Although he was listed on the imperial list, he was not directly granted a rank like the third-ranked candidate in the first class. He had to go to the Six Ministries to observe the internal affairs of the government. Several years have passed, and he has probably finally emerged from the ranks.

The title of Yuanwailang may seem like a mere sixth-rank official, but it represents a middle-third rank within the nine-rank system of officialdom, a height that countless scholars could never reach in their entire lives. In local terms, it's one rank higher, equivalent to a regular sixth-rank official, signifying a promising career and a bright future. This is the true value of the title of Second-Class Jinshi (进士).

Of course, his achievements don't rule out the possibility that he has connections. Although he comes from a poor family, his master, Pei Zhenlong, is no mere figurehead. As the headmaster of Liuyu Academy, he has students all over the world, so it wouldn't be difficult for him to take care of his disciple.

However, it is true that the title of Second-Class Jinshi is highly prestigious, but it is far inferior to that of Zhuangyuan, since Xiaogao starts from the sixth rank.

"So, brother, could you spare some for me?" Ning Guiliang turned around and continued to plead pitifully.

Wang Shao's attitude became even more enthusiastic, and he looked at Ning Guiliang and lowered his stance, saying, "Master Ning, won't you introduce him?"

Seeing that Chen Xuan remained unmoved, Ning Guiliang said listlessly, "Oh right, I apologize for my rudeness, Young Master Wang. This brother... well, I've never exchanged anything with him. It's just that we bumped into each other by chance in Mo City when we were studying at Liuyu Academy. Back then, this brother was selling Xiaoyao Pills in Mo City, and I was fortunate enough to... buy some for a friend. Later, my elders took them away because they wanted to focus on his studies, and I haven't seen him since. It's truly a coincidence that we've met again. It's like meeting someone again anywhere in life."

As he spoke, he looked at Chen Xuan and said, "Brother, this is Wang Le, the third young master of the Wang family. I can't say more about him."

Wang Jia's Third Young Master? Could it be the Wang family, one of the five great families of Jing Kingdom?
No wonder he dares to say he's not short of money and has some influence in the capital. If it's the Wang family, it's not surprising that they have a stockpile of copper. The wealth and influence of a powerful family are beyond the imagination of ordinary people.

The Zheng family's business association would need a month to get something, but this person just took it from their own home!

Upon hearing Ning Guiliang's introduction, Wang Le's eyes widened, and his attitude became even more enthusiastic. Realizing that he had truly stumbled upon this serendipitous opportunity, he didn't have time to apologize to Chen Xuan. He turned to another subordinate beside him and said, "Hurry back and bring all the fire copper from home. I remember there were still more than ten catties left. Get it quickly. Oh, and also find out if anyone has ice silkworm silk and white cloud wood. Get it for me if you can. Don't be stingy with money or favors!"

At this point, all he was thinking about was how to get the Xiaoyao Pill from Chen Xuan. As for the swindler, what swindler?
The source of Xiaoyao Pills was personally verified by Ning Guiliang. Where did this fraudster come from? Take advantage of this opportunity before it spreads too far, or you'll miss out!

With keen eyesight, Chen Xuan's heart skipped a beat. He thought to himself that Ning Guiliang was here to give him a helping hand. The fire copper, one of the three materials, was almost ready.

Since he's already provided the assist, let's reward him a little later... (End of Chapter)