Mo Sang – CH 097

Chapter 97. Longevity Noodles

The next morning, Li Sangrou arrived at the shop. Standing at the entrance, she first had Chuantiao and Datou lower her large, auspicious flag to inspect it.

This was Blind Mi’s instruction: the flag could not be torn; a torn flag meant financial loss.

Every three to five days, Li Sangrou would have Datou and the others lower the flag to check it.

Losing money was a serious matter.

Chuantiao and Datou each pulled on one side, peering over to examine it closely, then flipped it over and checked again—it was perfectly fine.

Just as Li Sangrou was about to turn and go inside, she glanced up and saw Ting-Xi galloping towards her on horseback.

Li Sangrou stopped, watching as Ting-Xi dismounted before her, took a large, square, red invitation card from a bag hanging on the side of the horse, and presented it to her. Only then did she realize that there were not just one but two invitation cards of such size and color. “Good morning, Boss! These are invitations from our Seventh Master and our Eleventh Master.

The sixteenth is our Eleventh Master’s birthday. He’s hosting a banquet and would like to invite you, Boss, for a drink and a bowl of longevity noodles.

Our Seventh Master was worried that one invitation from our Eleventh Master would not be enough for you, so he added another one. These two invitations are for the same thing.

Our Seventh Master also said that he would like you to bring Master Ma and Master Mao, and if the other gentlemen are available, he would also like you to bring them along. The more the merrier!”

Ting-Xi explained clearly with a smile.

“Your Seventh Master cannot talk nonsense like that. What do you mean by ‘not enough for me’? Whether it’s your Seventh Master or Eleventh Master, if you want me to do something, it’s just a matter of a word, is it not?” Li Sangrou replied with a smile, accepting the two large, bright red invitations.

“I knew it,” Ting-Xi said with a smile. “Our Seventh Master’s words offended someone on behalf of the Boss. Luckily, it’s our Eleventh Master. Our Eleventh Master has not offended our Seventh Master at all.

By the way, our Seventh Master also said that the Boss can go empty-handed. He said he’s already prepared and sent over our Eleventh Master’s birthday gift for the Boss.”

“What did your Seventh Master send for me?” Li Sangrou wanted to laugh, but held it back.

“Our Seventh Master has not decided yet.”

Li Sangrou chuckled. “Alright, I understand. I will be there on the sixteenth, no doubt.”

“Oh dear, I almost forgot! It’s not the sixteenth; it’s today!” Ting-Xi exclaimed, slapping his forehead. “On the sixteenth, the actual day, our Eleventh’s wife is celebrating our Eleventh Master’s birthday. On the fifteenth, our Eleventh Master is treating the clan brothers to longevity noodles. The day before that, he’s inviting his classmates from the Imperial Academy. There are so many people; there will be seven or eight events in a row.

It’s like this every year.

Today’s event is an extra one this year. Our Seventh Master said this one is especially for the Boss and a few like-minded friends, so everyone can have some fun together.

The Boss should go early; it’s sure to be lively today.”

“Do your Seventh’s wife and your Eleventh’s wife know about this extra event this year?” Li Sangrou raised an eyebrow upon hearing the words “like-minded friends.”

Ting-Xi chuckled, leaning forward and lowering his voice, “I understand what the boss means. Seventh’s wife and Eleventh’s wife know. If they did not, where would Seventh Master and Eleventh Master get the money for the banquet?

Today’s banquet is at Zhou Family Garden; it’s quite expensive.”

Li Sangrou gave a long “Mmm,”

“Alright, I understand; I will be there on time.”

Li Sangrou placed the two large, bright red invitations on the table beside the vegetable garden, lit a fire to boil water, and made tea. She sat down, looking at the invitations, thinking about the three or four short notes Princess Ninghe had written, repeatedly asking if she had returned and if she was very busy.

Her trip had only taken about ten days, and this princess wrote a letter every two days on average.

Sigh, this child must be addicted to reading literary works.

After thinking for a while, Li Sangrou placed her hand on the bright red invitations, her smile widening as her eyes narrowed. She should take the princess to see the birthday longevity noodles tonight.

Li Sangrou called out to Hei Ma, who was checking inventory in the nearby warehouse, and told him to go find Ru-Yi. If Ru-Yi was not there, he was to find Bai-Cheng and tell Princess Ninghe that she was going to celebrate Pan Dingbang’s celebration of Eleventh Master Tian’s birthday that afternoon and ask if the princess would like to join.

Hei Ma happily agreed and trotted off to find Ru-Yi.

He loved errands like finding Ru-Yi.

Princess Ninghe replied very quickly; of course, she would go.

Li Sangrou arrived a quarter of an hour early, with Hei Ma, Jin Mao, and the nervously stiff Chuantiao, waiting outside Zhou Garden.

But even from a distance, Li Sangrou saw Princess Ninghe sitting in an ordinary blue silk-curtained carriage. She had lifted the curtain a crack, her face tense, looking around. Upon seeing Li Sangrou, her face immediately lit up with a smile.

Li Sangrou hurried to greet her.

“That’s…the Princess?” Chuantiao was so nervous he almost stumbled over his feet.

Hei Ma could not be more disgusted. Jin Mao patted Chuantiao on the shoulder. “Do not be afraid; just treat her like Xiao Xiu or Xiao Cui from Sister Zhang’s family.”

“Hey! Brother Mao, you really dare to say that!” Chuantiao’s lips curled, forming a 八¹.

That was a princess! She was worlds apart from Xiao Xiu and Xiao Cui! Completely different.

“Third Brother said you went to Fuli Prefecture, saying it was extremely important. Is everything settled?” Princess Ninghe, holding Li Sangrou’s hand, lightly jumped out of the carriage. She had not even stood up properly before chattering incessantly.

“It’s all settled. We are a bit early. Let’s go in through the main gate,” Li Sangrou replied, immediately changing the subject.

She did not want to talk about Fuli Prefecture anymore.

“Is it the Seventh Master’s birthday or the Eleventh Master’s? I asked Ru-Yi, but he said he did not know either. Hei Ma told him they were talking about it together.

I thought it would be too much trouble to keep asking, so I prepared two birthday gifts. Since they are about the same age, I prepared two identical ones!” Princess Ninghe said, laughing to herself.

“It’s Eleventh’s. The Seventh Master said he’d prepare our birthday gifts. It’s never a bad thing to give more gifts, so it would be even better if you gave him an extra one,” Li Sangrou said a few words to Princess Ninghe, gesturing for her to go inside.

Princess Ninghe turned to look at Hei Ma and Jin Mao, greeting them with a smile, then asked, “Who won our bet? We definitely won; we cannot let the Eleventh Master fool us.”

“We definitely won. I will ask the Eleventh Master when I see him later.” Hei Ma confidently gave a thumbs-up, then indicated he needed to ask.

Princess Ninghe laughed.

The Zhou family estate was not large, only about an acre and a half, but it was exquisitely decorated.

Li Sangrou was also visiting the Zhou family estate for the first time. Following the servant at the gate, she was greeted by Pan Dingbang, who rushed out to greet her at the second gate.

“Why are you here so early? Oh! It really is her! Why did you bring her… cough, I mean, you are here now! Please, please!” Pan Dingbang was so flustered he was practically exasperated, and before he could finish his sentence, he spun around in a circle.

“We did not expect you to arrive so early.

We came early so we could explore this garden properly before you. Visiting this Zhou Garden is a first for both of us,” Li Sangrou said with a smile, looking at the flustered Pan Dingbang.

She knew that this unprecedented banquet was significant.

“What’s so great about this shabby garden? Let’s go inside and have some tea first. Honestly, she sees the palace gardens every day; how could she possibly appreciate this one? It’s tiny, with nothing here.

Never mind, we have good tea today. Let’s have some tea first!” Pan Dingbang rubbed his face with both hands.

He was usually quick-witted, and his mind was a complete mess. He could not think of anything to do; he just instinctively agreed with whatever she said.

Princess Ninghe looked at the flustered Pan Dingbang, then at Li Sangrou, and seeing her smiling, she smiled back.

Li Sangrou glanced sideways at Pan Dingbang, offering no insistence; whatever he said, they’d go along with it.

Li Sangrou and Princess Ninghe followed Pan Dingbang into the hall, standing at the entrance, surveying the rather unusual space.

The hall was draped with sheer curtains, swaying gently in the breeze. Amidst the curtains, rows of low couches were arranged with meticulous care, their surfaces subtly spaced yet inviting.

“These curtains are so beautiful. And there are thin blankets on these couches—are they for lying down when you are drunk? How much wine are you planning to drink today?” Princess Ninghe turned and looked around, her expression one of surprise and curiosity.

Li Sangrou smiled enigmatically, glancing sideways at Pan Dingbang.

Pan Dingbang’s face turned ashen. He had truly lost his mind; how could he have let them in here?

“No, no, not here, no, I mean, this place… It’s not tidied up yet, Ting-Xi!” Pan Dingbang roared. “Hurry up and tidy it up! The guests are all here! Look at this mess!

Let’s sit on the veranda and have some tea first. On a day like this, sitting on the veranda is the best.” Pan Dingbang, sweating profusely, quickly ushered Princess Ninghe out.

“You invited me in, and you are also the one who invited me out. Is this how Seventh Master treats his guests?” Princess Ninghe laughed.

“No, no, no, no, it’s because I did not think it through. This room is not tidied up yet; it’s all my fault.” Pan Dingbang was at his wits’ end.

“You arrived so early just to watch this be tidied up?” Li Sangrou asked ambiguously.

“Yes, yes, yes! That’s exactly it! Just to tidy it up properly so we could wait for you! That’s exactly it!” Pan Dingbang grasped at a straw.

“I heard there’s a little scenic spot behind this garden, something like ‘A Little Paradise.’ Let’s go check it out, sit there and have a cup of tea, and wait for you to finish tidying this place up.” Li Sangrou glanced at Pan Dingbang, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile.

“Alright, alright, that’s perfect!” Pan Dingbang was already wiping sweat from his brow.

“You go ahead with your work; we will go ourselves,” Li Sangrou said, letting Princess Ninghe pass and winking at Pan Dingbang as she went.

Pan Dingbang was flustered and confused, only nodding, completely oblivious to Li Sangrou’s mocking wink.

Li Sangrou gave Hei Ma a look and whispered, “Follow him and see.”

Hei Ma understood and followed Pan Dingbang to watch the spectacle.

Li Sangrou and Princess Ninghe had just sat down in a small pavilion in the back garden when Ting-Xi rushed over, waving at Li Sangrou. “Boss, our Seventh Master said, could you come over? Hurry up!”

As he spoke, Ting-Xi winked vigorously at Princess Ninghe.

Li Sangrou understood his meaning, smiled, gave Princess Ninghe a brief explanation, and went to the front.

Upon seeing her, Pan Dingbang stamped his foot and exclaimed, “You! Why did you bring her? Why… Ugh! What are we going to do now that you brought her? What are we going to do now?”

“What do you mean, ‘What are we going to do now that I brought her?’ So what if she’s here? What’s there to do? Did she not grow up with you? What’s wrong with her coming over for a bowl of longevity noodles? What do you mean by this?” Li Sangrou said, hands on her hips, facing Pan Dingbang.

“Sigh! You are such a smart person, right? How come… sigh! This matter, this matter!” Pan Dingbang’s hands trembled. “How can someone as smart as you not understand? Sigh!”

Li Sangrou wore a completely bewildered expression.

Pan Dingbang sighed repeatedly, looked around, then pinched Li Sangrou’s sleeve with two fingers, pulling her aside to a corner. He lowered his voice and said, “These past few days, Little Eleventh Master has been suffering terribly because of this literary gathering.

It was my Second Brother who started it all. Sigh! This whole thing, to be honest, is all your fault. What’s with all this talk about literary pursuits? Can you even get involved in that?

Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore; it’s too long to explain.

I was thinking of letting Little Eleventh Master relax since it’s his birthday, so I invited a few friends he gets along with and about ten ladies that everyone likes. Tonight, I wanted to give Little Eleventh Master a good time. What do you think we should do now?”

Pan Dingbang’s hands trembled uncontrollably.

His mind was in turmoil, and his head was spinning.

“Oh! Now, I understand!” Li Sangrou crossed her arms, glanced sideways at Pan Dingbang, and chuckled twice. “I am asking you, how are you going to explain this whole ‘fun’ to your wife and Little Eleventh Master’s wife?”

“Is it not because of you? Inviting you meant…” Pan Dingbang spread his hands, a dry laugh on his face. “You are the guest of honor; Ah Tian certainly will not think much of it, and neither will Little Eleventh Master’s wife. But now, sigh, tell me, what do we do now?”

“Which girls did you invite? Are they all only good in bed?” Li Sangrou looked Pan Dingbang up and down.

Eleventh Master Tian’s birthday banquet, which was unprecedented in previous years, was attended by women who shared their interests. There must be something fishy going on. She had thought of that, but the sight of the room full of low couches just now was something she had not expected.

Right now, she really wanted to hit him.

“Look at what you are saying! You are so rude. Eleven and I are not like you! Even though they are young ladies, we are refined people, much better than you.”

Pan Dingbang was completely oblivious to Li Sangrou’s intention to hit him.

“Could you send the princess back? Today is really inappropriate. Please send her back.”

“Sending her back is easy for me, but…” Li Sangrou glanced at Pan Dingbang, drawing out her words, “The princess came, and left in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Can you hide this from your wife and Eleven’s wife?

If you cannot, will your wife and Eleven’s wife not ask why the princess left in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea?

If they ask, can you two fool them?” Li Sangrou asked three questions in a row, leaving Pan Dingbang speechless.

This really could not be hidden; they really would ask. He could definitely fool them, but Eleven definitely could not. If Eleven could not fool them, but he could, then the offense would be even greater!

“Ugh! What were you thinking! Why did you bring her here? Look at her now! Ugh! What are we going to do?” Pan Dingbang was practically in tears.

“The lady you invited, since she’s skilled in everything—singing, music, and playing instruments—why not just bring her over? Could she not just listen to some music? Did she have to cause all this trouble in bed?” Li Sangrou glared at Pan Dingbang.

“Fine! Fine, why not? Ugh, I have to wait at the door and explain things to everyone. Ugh, you, why did you bring her here? I promised Little Eleven… Ugh, never mind.”

Pan Dingbang walked out dejectedly.

As one of the most famous restaurants in Jianle City, Zhou Family Garden was naturally efficient and clean. In no time, the hall, once filled with sheer curtains and low couches, was rearranged.

When Li Sangrou accompanied Princess Ninghe into the hall again, all the sheer curtains had been removed, and tables and chairs were placed around the room.

Those who shared Pan Dingbang’s and Eleventh Master Tian’s views stood in one group to the right of the door and another group to the left—the courtesans of Jianle City.

Princess Ninghe stared wide-eyed at the group of courtesans, unable to look away; each one was exceptionally beautiful.

These courtesans were extremely adept at reading people’s expressions. They clearly saw the admiration in Princess Ninghe’s eyes, and meeting her gaze, they bowed deeply, almost kneeling.

“They are…” Having just settled into her seat at the head of the table, Princess Ninghe reacted, her breath uneven with excitement, and hurriedly leaned over to ask Li Sangrou.

“Hmm,” Li Sangrou gave a firm “hmm,” glancing at the group of like-minded people who were feeling guilty and hesitant, then looking at the huddled group of courtesans who dared not act rashly, and asked with a smile, “Do you have any auspicious songs for the birthday celebration? Do not just stand there, quickly wish the Eleventh Prince a happy birthday.”

“Yes,” a courtesan standing at the front answered boldly, and together with the other courtesans, they sat down gracefully and began to play and sing a popular birthday song.

Princess Ninghe’s interest was entirely focused on the courtesans. After listening to the music, watching the dance, and seeing one of the courtesans paint a picture of the God of Longevity, she left satisfied and got into her carriage to go home.

Li Sangrou sat down in front of Princess Ninghe’s carriage. Princess Ninghe lifted the curtain halfway, rested her chin on her hand, and sighed with satisfaction and excitement. “I think their lives are so good, so carefree.”

“Every day, it’s just singing and dancing, going around to banquets and literary gatherings, drinking and making merry?” Li Sangrou smiled at Princess Ninghe.

“Is that not so?” Princess Ninghe, feeling uneasy after Li Sangrou’s laughter, asked back.

“Yes, they are like wine. Wherever there’s wine and them, there’s usually feasting and revelry.

But they are also like wine. Just like wine, anyone who buys it can drink it. Anyone who pays money to summon them can eat and drink as they please.” Li Sangrou sighed.

Princess Ninghe blinked, not quite understanding.

“For example, um, among the old scholars of the Hanlin Academy, which one is the oldest, ugliest, and most disgusting?” Li Sangrou asked first.

Princess Ninghe hesitated for a moment, then leaned close to Li Sangrou’s ear. “Hanlin Academician Chu is like a toad. We should only say this between the two of us; otherwise, my Elder Brother will scold us.”

“Hmm, and he’s quite the womanizer, too. Like, someone like him, if he fancies a courtesan, he will hug her, press his face against hers, and kiss her…”

“Ugh!” Princess Ninghe gagged loudly.

“Sigh, those courtesans, not only cannot gag like you, they have to put on a very…”