Chapter Thirty-Four: Gou Ye’s Decision

After getting drunk, Gou Ye found himself shedding his usual restraints. He spoke with far more ease, and even when he glanced at Wanxiang, the awkwardness he once felt was nowhere to be seen.

Understanding his intent, Wanxiang signaled to the maid, who poured cup after cup for Gu Shen. It wasn’t long before Gu Shen, ever the accommodating companion, slumped over the table in a drunken stupor.

With his wine cup in hand, Gou Ye mocked Gu Shen with a laugh, “Brother Gu, I have to say, your drinking capacity is pitiful. How am I supposed to bring you along on adventures in the world? Wake up, I still want to ask you—should I sell the recipe to Zhu Ling and her people or not?”

“What recipe?” Wanxiang couldn’t help but inquire.

“My secret for ‘First Love Iced Delicacy,’” Gou Ye replied.

“I see your shop is thriving. Why sell the recipe? Are you in need of money, Master Gou?”

Gou Ye gave a bitter smile. Perhaps emboldened by the alcohol, he confided the entire matter to Wanxiang, who listened patiently, offering no reply, only lending an attentive ear to his lament.

The two drifted from discussing literary scholars to analyzing ancient and modern laws, from classical poetry and Song lyrics to the articles Gou Ye himself had penned. Whatever topic Wanxiang raised, Gou Ye could respond. Despite being drunk, years of writing had filled his mind with knowledge, ready to spill forth without effort.

Standing by the window with a teacup in hand, Gou Ye recited with abandon, “Set wine before me, let me sing; for how long does life endure? Like the morning dew, days gone are bitterly few. How to ease my care? Only with Du Kang’s wine.” With that, he drained his cup in one gulp.

Wanxiang’s heart surged with feelings she could scarcely express. She gazed, enraptured, at the unruly man sitting quietly by the window. No one could guess what was passing through her mind at that moment; only the tenderness in her lingering gaze betrayed her hidden emotions.

The next morning, when Gou Ye awoke, dawn had already broken. Glancing about and finding himself still in Gu Shen’s house, he finally let out a breath of relief.

His head still throbbing, Gou Ye staggered over to the washbasin and splashed water on his face. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” he called. A servant entered, carrying a box.

Gou Ye took the box and opened it. Inside was the rouge he’d bought for Yun Niang—he must have left it behind at Drunken Immortal Pavilion the night before—and beneath it, a letter, from which a faint fragrance wafted.

On the elegant paper, in graceful script, it read: “Master Gou, a gentleman’s talent need not shine today. To preserve oneself is the wiser course. Wait for another day, and plan anew. A gentleman may be deceived by his uprightness, but a scoundrel cannot be humbled by words. You are a gentleman—how can you contend with others? A temporary retreat is no cause for worry; keep your talents for greater use. I hope you will heed this. When I parted from you yesterday, I composed a poem—do not find it presumptuous.”

He then unfolded the rice paper beneath, revealing: “The long night drags on, dusk lingers. At this rare meeting of kindred spirits, I must bid you farewell. The road home is far, no end in sight. I regret that our meeting was so fleeting.”

Gou Ye chuckled softly and put everything away. Wanxiang truly had talent. Had he not studied ancient texts while writing over the years, he might not have understood her words at all. After a long contemplation, he seemed to have come to some realization.

Stepping outside and seeing that Gu Shen was still asleep, Gou Ye left the Duke of Jing’s estate alone and headed straight for the county office.

He asked bluntly to see Madam Zhu.

Before long, a servant appeared and led Gou Ye to the back garden, where Madam Zhu was admiring the flowing stream by a rockery. Seeing Gou Ye arrive, she greeted him with a gentle smile, “Master Gou, what brings you to us today?”

Gou Ye gave a cold laugh and spoke without preamble, “I’ve thought it over. Let’s talk. I’ll sell you the recipe—provided you can meet my price.”

Zhu Ling clapped her hands and grinned, “I knew Master Gou was a man who understands the times. Wait a moment—come with me to the main hall. Let’s invite Magistrate Qin as well, and discuss this matter together.”

The three of them sat in the hall. When Magistrate Qin arrived, Gou Ye cupped his hands in greeting and stated his terms directly, “Madam Zhu, after much consideration, I’m willing to sell the business to you. After all, profit is a good thing. But I am rather greedy, so I hope you won’t hold it against me. I’ll sell you the recipe outright for one hundred thousand taels of silver—that’s about eight or nine years’ profit from my shop. In addition, I expect an annual dividend of no less than fifty thousand taels.”

At this, Magistrate Qin could no longer remain calm. He slammed the table and barked, “Isn’t that excessive? A hundred thousand taels just for the recipe? Aren’t you asking for the moon?”

Gou Ye shrugged indifferently, “No need to be angry, Magistrate Qin. You’re the ones who want to buy—I’m not the one desperate to sell. That’s my price. Take it or leave it. I won’t force you.”

What a masterful reversal of roles. Zhu Ling gently touched Magistrate Qin’s hand, signaling him to restrain himself. She turned to Gou Ye and said, “Very well, Master Gou, you are forthright indeed. But a hundred thousand taels is no small sum—I must consult my family before I can give you a decision. For now, let me give you twenty thousand as a deposit. In the spirit of good faith, perhaps you could share half the recipe in advance?”

Gou Ye laughed, “There’s no need, Madam Zhu. Once you place one hundred thousand taels of pure silver before me, I’ll hand over the recipe and sign the contract, promising never to meddle in this business again. The contract will also stipulate my annual dividend.”

In the end, Zhu Ling could only agree to Gou Ye’s terms. After Gou Ye left, Magistrate Qin, still seething, said, “That fellow is too cunning—daring to demand such an outrageous sum in my presence. He needs to be taught a lesson, or he’ll never understand who’s in charge in this county!”

Zhu Ling quickly interjected, “Husband, you mustn’t act rashly. Wait until the deal is done—then you can deal with him as you see fit. Don’t risk scaring him off and losing the recipe, or it could jeopardize our family’s interests.”

Having settled the matter, Gou Ye felt an immense relief. For days, it had been as if a stone weighed on his heart, making him inexplicably uneasy. Thanks to Wanxiang’s words, he had finally made up his mind. In truth, he was just a minor figure, while the others wielded power and influence. Why should he insist on crossing them? Earning his own silver, writing his own books—wasn’t that the true joy? To become a respected figure in the literary world, wasn’t that his real goal? It seemed that the pressures of recent days had almost made him forget his original aspirations.

Laughing heartily, he leaped onto the carriage and rode away.