Spoiled and mad critic of powerful ministers

While preparations for the drinking contest were important, the opening of the tavern was imminent. Since receiving the order from the army, the tavern had not received any other income.

The taverns in the city must open as soon as possible, otherwise they won't be able to make ends meet. They can't let the Pei family really starve after moving to the manor.

Fortunately, the renovation of the tavern is almost complete. With the opening date approaching, Shen Qiongju led all the tavern staff in repeated rehearsals and training sessions.

The bartender, card player, greeter, accountant, cook, and performer—a total of fifteen people—have practiced extensively and even developed a tacit understanding during this period.

.

The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is an auspicious day for breaking ground and opening businesses.

Several strings of firecrackers exploded on the long street, and red paper scraps covered the ground, like a festive red snowfall.

As the smoke cleared, the plaque covered with red silk finally revealed its true form. Black background, gold lacquer, and three large characters in flowing, elegant script—"Qionghua Pavilion."

There was no lion dance troupe hired, nor any complicated worship rituals.

The door was wide open, and a strong, domineering aroma of alcohol, mixed with a strange fruity and woody scent, wafted out, as if hooked, and went straight into the noses of passersby.

The person standing at the door was not the usual obsequious waiter, but a woman dressed in a neat red dress.

Aunt Cui should now be called Manager Cui.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, adorned with a silver hairpin, and her face was lightly made up. The sassy spirit she had honed in the streets had transformed into the most radiant and enthusiastic smile.

"Dear fellow villagers! Qionghua Pavilion is now open for business. Welcome to all who enter!"

She had a loud, clear voice, her eyes were unwavering, and she made welcoming gestures with a confident and generous demeanor.

"Fresh, strong liquor, and unique entertainment! Today, all snacks are free, and main dishes are half price! Even if you don't drink, coming in to listen to some music is a good idea!"

At the street corner, a few greenhorn soldiers in uniforms were peeking around.

They had just come out of the military camp on leave, with their newly received pay in their pockets. They wanted to have some fun but were afraid of being ripped off, and even more afraid that the female shopkeeper standing at the door was too formidable.

"Boss, this...this place doesn't look like a proper tavern?"

A shy soldier blushed and pointed inside, "Look at those lights, they're blindingly bright."

The leader was a seasoned veteran with a missing front tooth. He sniffed and his Adam's apple bobbed violently.

This wine tastes just right.

It was many times better than the horse urine he drank at the border for twenty years.

"What are you afraid of! We're going for drinks, not to be forced into marriage!"

The veteran waved his hand, "Come on! It's on me today!"

The group mustered their courage and stepped across the threshold.

As soon as they entered, everyone was stunned.

The center of the hall was filled with square tables and chairs, but on both sides of the hall were two long, ridiculously tall mahogany tables.

Behind the counter stood several young men dressed in narrow-sleeved shirts and short jackets, holding gleaming silver iron tubes and flipping them up and down.

"Splash—splash—"

That was the sound of ice hitting the iron wall.

With a flick of his wrist, the young man sent the iron cylinder flying through the air in a silver line before landing steadily in his palm and then tipping over.

The amber-colored liquor flowed down the filter, appearing at that moment as if by magic.

"Gentlemen, please have a seat."

Shopkeeper Cui smiled and led them to sit on the bar stools. "We call this a 'bar.' Just tell the chef inside what you'd like to drink."

"If you would like some food and fruit, you can bring your own wine glass and sit in the lobby. Today, all vegetarian dishes are free and meat dishes are half price."

The veteran carefully sat down, feeling a little unsteady with his feet not touching the ground, but when he leaned back on the table, hey, it was quite comfortable.

"Give me the strongest one!" the veteran slammed his fist on the table.

"Alright! A cup of 'Desert Smoke'!"

The bartender responded immediately, and a moment later, a glass of layered spirits was pushed in front of the veteran.

The lower layer is crimson like blood, while the upper layer is transparent like ice.

The veteran downed it in one gulp.

The fiery liquor burned down my throat, followed by a refreshing, sweet aftertaste.

"Excellent wine!"

He slapped his thigh suddenly, his eyes lighting up, and the commotion attracted even more people.

The round table in the center of the lobby was also surrounded by people.

The former shopkeeper, now dressed in a silk robe, held several pieces of cardboard with floral designs in his hand, spitting as he spoke.

"This is called 'Dou Dizhu'! Everyone, look closely, the cards here are everything. As long as you know how to calculate, the odds of winning are in your hands!"

He was already quite eloquent, and now when he talked about these novel game rules, he did so with great vividness.

Several customers who looked like merchants listened intently, their coins flowing out of their hands like water.

"Let's play one more round! I refuse to believe you'll win this time!"

"Manager Wang, how exactly is this 'straight' calculated?"

Shen Huaide sat behind the tall counter, the abacus beads clicking away, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat.

Shen Song was so busy that his feet barely touched the ground as he carried a tray through the crowd. Although he was working so hard that his feet were practically steaming, his face was glowing with excitement.

Just then, a clear and melodious pipa sound came from deep within the hall.

The previously noisy crowd fell silent for a moment.

On the second-floor railing, a sheer veil hangs down, and a graceful, exotic woman, barefoot with silver bells tied to her ankles, dances slowly to the music.

It's Solan.

She didn't show her face, only wore a veil, and her deep amber eyes seemed to speak volumes.

With each twist of her waist, the silver bells jingled, and every movement carried a captivating, wild beauty.

Those inexperienced soldiers stared wide-eyed, forgetting to drink from their glasses.

But the dance only lasted for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

As soon as the music stopped, Solan bowed and turned to retreat to the private room area on the second floor.

"Huh? Why did you leave?"

"Jump one more time!"

Some people below started making a fuss.

Manager Cui immediately replied with a smile, "Esteemed guests, our Miss Solan only dances one dance per hour. If you wish to speak with her up close, that depends on fate."

Scarcity marketing—that's what Shen Qiongju taught us.

The more I look at it, the more it itches in my heart.

In the private room on the second floor, Solan had changed into a proper long dress and was introducing the floral plaques in her hand to several ladies in fluent Mandarin.

"Madam, look, this is called the 'Queen of Hearts,' the most prestigious..."

Shen Qiongju stood in the shadows on the third floor, looking down at the orderly scene through the cracks in the wooden window.

She let out a long breath, and her tense shoulders finally relaxed a bit.

It became.

Once this first shot is fired, the Shen family will have firmly established themselves in Wu County.

"Boss!"

Shen Song ran up, panting, her face pale. "Coming...coming!"

Shen Qiongju's heart skipped a beat. "Who's here?"

"The magistrate has arrived! And he's even brought a potted welcoming pine tree!"

Shen Song swallowed hard. "There's another carriage following behind... that's the Wen family's carriage!"

Shen Qiongju's fingers tightened suddenly, her nails digging into her palm.

Wen Xiujie, and... his wife Hu Yuzhen.

What's meant to happen will happen eventually.

She turned around, straightened her sideburns in front of the bronze mirror, and gradually suppressed the timidity in her eyes, replacing it with a humble yet dignified smile.

"Let's go greet the guests."