Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

The spring breeze in March is like a pair of scissors, cutting out the green willows and red flowers all over Wuxian County, but also cutting out a bit of restless noise.

Since Qionghua Pavilion became incredibly popular, the business community in Wuxian County has been thrown into a pond with a huge rock, creating ripples everywhere.

Along the entire East Street, even the shops selling steamed buns had their shop assistants wearing silk sashes around their waists.

Even more extreme, several restaurants that were already barely surviving painted their signs in the same vermilion color as Qionghua Pavilion overnight, and put up welcoming signs at their entrances.

However, the greeter lacked the outspokenness and cheerfulness of Manager Cui. He stood there blankly, simply gesturing for guests to enter, which not only looked unrefined but also gave off an awkward, pretentious air.

Boss Gao returned at this time.

During his trip south to Jiangnan, he cleared out all the goods from the Western Regions and made a fortune. He not only brought back scarce silk and tea from Jiangnan, but also his troublesome younger brother, Gao Hong.

"Brother, where are we going?"

Gao Hong rode on his horse, looking completely nonchalant.

He was about thirteen years old and had delicate features, but his eyes were always slanted, as if everyone owed him eight hundred taels of silver.

"I'll take you out for a nice meal to wash away the dust of your journey."

Gao Yisheng pointed to a restaurant in front of him with a sign that read "Juxianlou". "I heard that this restaurant has recently adopted the style of the capital and its business is booming."

The two dismounted and had just reached the door when they were choked by a strong smell of cheap cosmetics.

Two hostesses with paint that looked like monkey butts stood at the entrance. When they saw guests arrive, they didn't even bother to greet them; instead, they pounced on them.

"Oh, sir! Please come in!"

Gao Hong turned away in disgust and patted the dust off his sleeve.

The lobby was filled with smoke and grime, and the floor was covered with sunflower seed shells and phlegm stains. The so-called "glass lamps" were nothing more than a few broken lanterns covered with oiled paper, so dim that they made people feel irritable.

"Is this what you call the Beijing way of doing things?"

Gao Hong sneered and found a relatively clean table to sit down.

Even the owner, Mr. Gao, was losing face. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Waiter! Bring the best wine! And a few more of our signature dishes!"

"Okay!"

The waiter, dragging out his words, lazily draped a rag over his shoulder and walked over.

Soon, the food and drinks were served.

Gao Yisheng picked up his wine glass, took a sniff, and his brows instantly furrowed.

"Is this Jingbian Spring?"

He took a sip and almost threw up.

This isn't wine at all; it's clearly diluted with water, and it has this indescribable taste.

"Sir, this is our shop's prized possession, five taels of silver a jar!" The waiter rolled his eyes, his expression saying, "Take it or leave it."

As they were talking, a woman carrying a pipa walked up to the platform in the center of the hall.

The woman was thinly dressed and shivering from the cold, yet she still managed to force a fawning smile.

He had barely played a couple of notes when several drunk men below started making a ruckus.

"What are you playing for! Give me a striptease!"

A burly man with a fierce face smashed a wine bowl on the table, sending shards flying and tearing the woman's skirt.

The woman screamed in fright and tried to back away, but the man grabbed her clothes.

"What are you pretending to be so high and mighty for! Selling your wares in a place like this, what's with the 'virtuous facade'?"

The surrounding diners not only didn't try to dissuade him, but instead burst into laughter. The shopkeeper, standing behind the counter, fiddling with his abacus, didn't even lift his eyelids.

"stop!"

A furious shout rang out.

Gao Hong suddenly stood up and smashed the wine glass in his hand.

"In broad daylight, you people bully a weak woman! Have you no shame?!"

The man, his head bleeding profusely, clutched his head and howled, "Where did this little brat come from! Daring to meddle in my business! Beat him up!"

Seeing that a chaotic battle was about to break out, Gao Yisheng turned pale with fright.

Although his younger brother was a troublemaker, he wasn't a bad person at heart and couldn't stand such filth.

"Go! Go quickly!"

Gao Yisheng threw down a silver ingot, grabbed Gao Hong who was still shouting, and dragged him out of Juxianlou.

Standing on the street, Gao Hongqi's chest heaved.

"This is the restaurant in Wuxian County? It's practically a bandit's den!"

Gao Yisheng wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, looking equally gloomy.

"Juxianlou wasn't like this before... It seems they tried to imitate a tiger but ended up with a dog, and their attempt went astray."

He sighed, his gaze swept across the street corner, and suddenly his eyes lit up.

"Come on, I'll take you to a really great place."

After an incense stick had burned, the two stood at the entrance of Qionghua Pavilion.

Before even entering, a refreshing aroma of wine mingled with a faint scent of sandalwood wafted out.

There were no heavily made-up girls at the entrance, only two servants dressed in neat blue robes.

As the two approached, the servant immediately stepped forward, bowed respectfully in perfect unison.

"Please come in, gentlemen, and watch your step."

The voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and it conveyed a pleasant and polite tone.

Upon entering the lobby, Gao Hong stopped in his tracks.

There was no noise or odor here. The floor was polished to a shine, and each table was separated by an exquisite screen, which was both open and ensured privacy.

In the center of the lobby, someone was playing the piano. It was a musician dressed in an elegant long dress. The music was melodious, like flowing water in the mountains, instantly calming people's minds.

"That...that's more like it."

Gao Hong muttered something, and the fierceness in his eyes subsided somewhat.

Cui Ya, with her sharp eyes, recognized Gao Yisheng at a glance.

"Hey, isn't this Boss Gao? What a rare guest!"

She quickly came to greet him, a polite smile on her face, neither obsequious nor aloof.

"Master Shen was talking about you a few days ago, saying that if you didn't come back soon, all the good wine would be snatched up by others."

Gao Yisheng laughed heartily: "Manager Cui, you're getting better and better at talking! Are there any private rooms available?"

"Yes, we've reserved the best 'Wealthy Hall' for you."

Upon entering the private room, Gao Hong's eyes widened even more.

This is no private room in a restaurant; it's clearly the study of a wealthy family.

The walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, and blooming orchids adorn the corner. Even the tableware on the table is a set of fine porcelain.

The food and drinks were served quickly.

A genuine ten-year aged Jingbian Spring liquor, with a viscous consistency that clings to the glass, and a smooth, sweet aftertaste.

Gao Hong took a bite, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"This is real wine!"

He downed three glasses in one go, and his previous frustration vanished.

"Brother, who owns this shop? That's interesting."

Gao Yisheng stroked the stubble on his chin and revealed a meaningful smile.

"She's an extraordinary woman."

"He's also a business genius."

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door of the private room.

"Boss Gao, I heard you were here, so I came here to offer you a toast."

Shen Qiongju pushed open the door and entered.