Liang Xiao was also preparing at the Liang Manor.
As Bai Chun Lou was a place of romance, and Zuo Wushang was a phantom, Liang Xiao dared not bring Yue Lian. He merely asked her to look after Zhen Mi at the manor.
Luo Qingxue arrived at the Liang Manor early in the morning, clinging to Liang Xiao and coquettishly insisting on accompanying him.
Liang Xiao could not bear to refuse.
"Young Master, go and return soon. Be careful," Yue Lian's advice was as always.
Just as the two were about to leave the courtyard, a door opened in the distance.
Everyone looked towards the sound. Jian Qinwan, wearing a purple veil and carrying her sword, walked out quickly from within and stood before Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao looked puzzled, "Bodhisattva, what is this..."
"Qinwan sister wants to go with Xiao Gege," Zhen Mi blurted out the truth.
"This lady will not forget her duty!" Jian Qinwan responded guiltily.
She was Liang Xiao's personal guard after all...
Liang Xiao chuckled dryly, "That place is a pleasure house, Bodhisattva. You are the Qin Xian of this era..."
Jian Qinwan ignored Liang Xiao. Before he could finish, she took another step closer and turned her head away.
This was an unspoken declaration, she was determined to go!
Seeing this, Luo Qingxue huffed, "Only you can wear a veil? Can't I?"
A moment later, Luo Qingxue also put on a green veil.
Luo Qingxue in green and Jian Qinwan in purple became two beautiful sights beside Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao could not object further.
Jian Qinwan was clearly afraid of causing him trouble, and Luo Qingxue also hoped that people's attention would be on Liang Xiao, not on their appearance.
Jian Qinwan quietly followed behind Liang Xiao and Luo Qingxue, a hint of triumph appearing in her beautiful eyes.
The convoy from the Liang Manor, led by Liang Yun, set off grandly for Bai Chun Lou with a thousand jars of fine wine.
Inside the most beautiful waterside pavilions of Bai Chun Lou, it was already a sea of people, with thousands gathered.
The wealthiest families in the capital, including the Dugu and Ouyang families who had not received invitations, had also sent representatives.
Although the price of "A Drunk for a Hundred Years" was exorbitant, and ordinary people could not afford a single jar in a lifetime.
There were still many who could afford "A Drunk for a Hundred Years"!
The Great Qian Dynasty had implemented a policy of valuing literature over martial arts for so long that 80% of the nation's wealth was held by 20% of the people. These aristocratic families even had centuries of heritage, allowing them to stand firm even through dynastic changes!
Seated at the very front were the wealthy families of the capital, including various dignitaries.
"Great scholar Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong are also here?" Soon, someone noticed the situation ahead and exclaimed in surprise!
Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong sat at the forefront of the crowd, looking triumphant.
Both served in the Hanlin Academy. They were currently seventh-rank officials, but in a few days, they were confirmed to be promoted to fifth-rank officials!
After all, even Zhang Yang, a fifth-rank official from the Ministry of Works, had them ranked higher than him in the final assessment of the national examination. Moreover, they came from aristocratic families, so there was no reason for them to be subordinate to Zhang Yang.
Gu Shaoyan was seated with Mu Wanjun, and Mu Hong was seated with Gu Xiaoxiao. The two families were old acquaintances and had already decided to arrange a marriage between them, strengthening their ties!
As the representatives of the two families, Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong were also greatly looking forward to "A Drunk for a Hundred Years."
"The national examination has concluded. With the gold bestowed upon me by the Emperor, buying a few jars of 'A Drunk for a Hundred Years' is no problem!" Gu Shaoyan smiled confidently.
Mu Hong nodded repeatedly, "I also received some gold from the Emperor's commendation. The Emperor is wise!"
They were certain that no one would be more grateful to the current emperor than they were, not even Liang Xiao!
This was because talents like Liang Xiao would eventually stand out, regardless of the national examination.
As for them, they had always been suppressed by Dugu Xiao, whom they disliked, and could only suffer in silence. After all, the Gu and Mu families did not dare to offend the Dugu family, so they had to acknowledge Dugu Xiao as the foremost scholar in the capital.
The national examination allowed them to prove themselves. Now, Dugu Xiao no longer had the face to call himself the foremost scholar!
Young men from surrounding aristocratic families and businesses praised Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong, all filled with envy and admiration.
Achieving such success at such a young age, their future was limitless!
"However, compared to the Marquis of An, we are merely fireflies, how dare we contend with the sun and moon?" Gu Shaoyan sighed.
Everyone became solemn!
They were so focused on envying Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong that they almost forgot about Liang Xiao...
Mu Wanjun looked back at the gathered scholars and ladies behind them and sighed, "The greatest regret of my life is that I underestimated General Tian and troubled the Marquis of An."
She knew very well that the scholars and ladies behind them were all here out of admiration, and for whom, it was self-evident.
Gu Shaoyan comforted her, "The past is like the wind, no need to mention it again. The Marquis of An is not a petty person."
Mu Wanjun felt a little better.
On another side, the patriarch of the Duanmu family, Duanmu Chao, personally attended this grand event.
Duanmu Xiu and his second brother, Duanmu Xian, sat behind Duanmu Chao, also looking expectant.
Duanmu Xian was a胖子 who disliked business and only enjoyed eating, drinking, and playing. He was a loyal fan of "A Drunk for a Hundred Years."
"Second brother, you must not speak carelessly!" Duanmu Xiu reminded him softly.
What he worried about most now was that this drunkard second brother would express his fanaticism for "A Drunk for a Hundred Years" and affect their negotiation for a lower price!
Duanmu Xian merely nodded, thinking of "A Drunk for a Hundred Years," his mouth began to water.
Duanmu Chao smiled, but his heart was filled with jealousy.
The Duanmu family's wineries had tried countless times but failed to produce "A Drunk for a Hundred Years"!
Now, they could only watch Liang Xiao monopolize the business of "A Drunk for a Hundred Years." All they could do was unite to suppress the price of "A Drunk for a Hundred Years" to pay less.
Everyone knew that the price of "A Drunk for a Hundred Years" would eventually drop, but some people still couldn't resist buying it.
The reason was simple: "A Drunk for a Hundred Years" had become a symbol of status and wealth. It was said that the powerful figures in neighboring countries like Manhuang and Great Liang were also seeking to purchase it!
Even Dugu Qun, Liang Xiao's political rival, did not hide his fondness for "A Drunk for a Hundred Years."
After all, Dugu Qun loved to show off his wealth the most. If he didn't even appreciate "A Drunk for a Hundred Years," he would seem out of touch and unfashionable. Even if he didn't want to drink it, he had to serve it to guests, it was a matter of prestige.
Therefore, Dugu Qun was the one who most wished to suppress the price of "A Drunk for a Hundred Years," but the Dugu family only sent a steward.
Besides these wealthy families in the capital, there were many hidden and mysterious individuals in the crowd, waiting quietly.
"The Marquis of An has arrived!"
The guards of Bai Chun Lou shouted, and everyone's spirits lifted!
Liang Xiao was seen approaching from afar, followed by Luo Qingxue and Jian Qinwan, with heavy protection from the Liang Manor's guards on both sides.
On the second-floor balcony, Zuo Wushang noticed that Yue Lian had not come and was disappointed, "This kid is too cautious. What should I do!"
For any other target, he would have had countless opportunities to strike!
Only against Liang Xiao did he seize a rare opportunity, only to underestimate Liang Xiao's martial arts...
Jian Qinwan calmly swept her gaze across the entire venue, suppressing a wave of nausea. Fortunately, she was wearing a veil, so no one could see her expression.
This place was too filthy for her; it was either the smell of money or the air of debauchery. If not for a certain flower-picking thief, she would never have wanted to come!
Everyone rose to salute Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao cupped his fists in return, then looked towards Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong in the distance, "Brother Gu, Brother Mu, I hope you are well!"
The two laughed heartily, and there was a brief exchange of pleasantries.
Liang Xiao and his entourage walked onto the high platform. Liang Yun and the guards and servants pushed several carts forward.
Everyone focused their attention and saw a pile of wooden boxes tightly bound on the carts.
Without a doubt, these must contain "A Drunk for a Hundred Years"!
Thousands of people in the crowd were filled with anticipation.
Duanmu Chao and other merchants looked at the wooden boxes and roughly estimated the quantity to be about a thousand, their faces immediately fell!
This time, they intended to sell a thousand jars, truly planning to treat them as fools?
They had sent people to ask Liang Yun, and Liang Yun had firmly stated: no price reduction!
Everyone roared in their hearts: Let's see how you sell a thousand jars!