CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 330: JOURNEY AFAR

Yu Xiaolian’s betrothal banquet was extremely lively.

In most village families, the betrothal banquet usually includes three meat and three vegetable dishes. Families in good conditions might prepare larger portions of meat dishes, but that’s it. There’s no custom of replenishing dishes after the plate is emptied.

Yu Changhe wanted the entire village to give their blessings to Yu Xiaolian’s match, so he decided to host a banquet for the whole village, ensuring everyone ate and drank well.

All dishes were increased in portion size, and once a plate was emptied, more could be added. It was unlimited!

Most village families rarely had the chance to eat meat, so some people simply ignored the vegetable dishes and devoured only meat dishes. This meal alone consumed five pigs, dozens of fish, and dozens of rabbits from Yu Changhe.

Wang Zhanming, full and satisfied, headed home with a protruding belly. Spending ten coins for a meal covered in oil and a belly so round was worth it, extremely worth it!

"Yu, the wealthy master, is so generous. I’ve attended many banquets over the years, but this is the first time I’ve seen meat dishes in abundance. I ate so much, I’m stuffed." Wang Zhanming’s wife said while picking meat from her teeth with a thin grass stalk.

Wang Zhanming rubbed his full belly and scoffed, "Hmph, generous? If he were truly generous, why not give everyone in the village ten taels of silver?"

Wang Zhanming’s wife rolled her eyes, "What nonsense are you talking? People aren’t foolish. If you had money, would you be willing to give it away?"

Wang Zhanming was slightly choked by his wife’s words but stubbornly responded, "If I had money, I’d definitely be more generous than him!"

Just as Wang Zhanming finished speaking, his wife threw the toothpick grass stalk at his face, cursing, "If you can strike it rich, then pies would fall from the sky."

The toothpick grass had an unpleasant odor, and Wang Zhanming almost vomited from the smell. He blurted out, "If I struck it rich, I’d first replace you, you dirty old woman, don’t even brush your teeth!"

Hearing Wang Zhanming say this, his wife wasn’t angry, "Tsk, tsk... I don’t fear you replacing me. Speak again when you have money.

If you’re so capable, then indeed make a fortune so I can see."

"Just you wait, I’m about to get lucky!" Wang Zhanming, provoked by his wife, almost revealed a secret.

He thought to himself that it’s fortunate he didn’t impulsively blurt it out, or else he might not get the money, and possibly lose his life.

Wang Zhanming’s wife did not believe her husband would strike it rich at all and strutted home.

Wang Zhanming, however, slowed his pace, counting the days in his mind.

Calculating, it was nearly half a year since what happened last winter, it’s probably safe now.

Thinking about it, Wang Zhanming couldn’t help but happily hum a tune, and his footsteps became lighter.

He casually pulled a foxtail grass from the roadside and bit it in his mouth, impatiently heading home.

After Yu Xiaolian and Su Jingchen were betrothed, they began to organize matters involving the Music Workshop.

Although they didn’t buy the neighboring pharmacy, Zhang Zhihe agreed to sell his family’s tinware shop, not for any other reason but because Yu Xiaolian offered a high price. After discussing it with Zhang Family, they could take the money and find a smaller shop.

The Zhang family’s tinware shop was inherited through generations, larger than Taotao Residence by quite a bit. Yu Xiaolian spent twelve thousand taels to purchase it and immediately tore down both the tinware shop and Taotao Residence for reconstruction.

As for the rouge workshop, Yu Xiaolian moved it to a four-entry courtyard on Xiangyang Lane.

The craftsmen worked day and night, and by the time the new building was completed, over three months had passed.

In the beginning of August, Yu Xiaolian’s nearly year-long preparations for the Music Workshop finally led to its opening. The workshop was named Immortal Music House.

Within this year, Song Qingrui had transformed those forty girls with artistic talent into versatile performers skilled in singing, playing instruments, and dancing.

At the opening of Immortal Music House, Yu Xiaolian initially set the admission fee at eighty coins per person, which included a pot of tea and a small plate of melon seeds.

Of course, eighty coins was the lowest tier, and entry only granted seats on the sidelines. If one wished for a closer listening experience, additional payment was required.

However, anyone coming to the Music Workshop for entertainment wasn’t lacking in money; the poor wouldn’t be willing to spend money on such things.

Those wealthy would spend generously to avoid outside noise disturbing their musical enjoyment, simply hiring performers to sing privately for them in a separate room.

Due to its unique music style, different from other venues, Immortal Music House quickly sparked a wave of trends in the music scene of Luocheng, establishing its footing within a few months.

With Immortal Music House officially operating, Yu Xiaolian and Su Jingchen planned to depart.

Another year passed, and on the tenth day of the twelfth month, the academy went on holiday.

Yu Xiaolian and Su Jingchen each returned home to bid farewell to their families.

Su Jingchen merely informed Su Dafu symbolically that he would be traveling to the Western Regions in pursuit of renowned physicians, which Su Dafu did not oppose.

Opposing served no purpose; during the Autumn Examination, his son was so weak that he fainted at the exam venue, nearly dying. Su Dafu no longer had any other expectations; as long as Su Jingchen wanted, he let him go. With death looming, why struggle? What use is it?

For no other reason than to honor the face of the Zheng Family, he should let this child experience carefree desires before his impending death.

Su Dafu instructed Su Jingchen to bring along servants, clothes, and cough medicine, which Su Jingchen agreed to do.

Compared to the carefree nature of the Su Family, the atmosphere at the Yu Family was considerably sorrowful.

The Sun family was tearful and red-eyed, and besides comforting Mrs. Sun, Yu Changhe had to repeatedly advise Yu Xiaolian.

Yu Xiaolian was quite speechless about Yu Changhe’s advice.

This is because Yu Changhe believed that the biggest safety hazard for Yu Xiaolian on her journey was accompanying Su Jingchen.

His daughter had a life-saving space, so he wasn’t worried about her personal safety; what he worried about most was his daughter being charmed by Su Jingchen.

Thus, Yu Changhe’s most frequently urged advice was for Yu Xiaolian to maintain a safe distance from Su Jingchen.

Yu Xiaolian understood her father’s concerns, knowing Yu Changhe feared she might falter and become pregnant before marriage. However, no matter how much assurance she gave Yu Changhe, he still wore a worried expression.

Initially planning to leave before the New Year, Yu Xiaolian was softened by Mrs. Sun’s tears and ended up departing after the New Year.

On the third day of the New Year, Yu Changhe prepared a carriage driven by two horses for Yu Xiaolian, claiming to be heading to the Northern Land to pay respects to ancestors, thus departing from Luocheng.

Su Jingchen bluntly told Su Jingyue, waited until his father wasn’t home, and jumped directly onto Yu Xiaolian’s carriage.

As for the servants and medicine instructed by his father, Su Jingchen did not bring any.

Su Jingchen told Su Jingyue to inform Su Dafu not to worry about him.

Su Jingyue knew the truth; he understood his brother was feigning illness. He had cooperated with his brother’s charade many times recently, so he wasn’t too concerned about his brother’s travel plans.