Chapter 112: Chapter 112: A Portrait
Prince An’s anger basically represents the emotions of other readers seeing this scene.
Some raise their fists, wishing they could rush into the book and knock some sense into the muddled Tang Seng.
Or they might just start cursing Tang Seng outright.
There are even those who shut their doors and silently shed tears for Sun Wukong.
In short, everyone who has read "Journey to the West" is deeply captivated, moved, saddened, and a mix of emotions intertwine, eventually turning into a sense of frustration and anger.
Those who finished reading the book hurried to "Ten Thousand Books Bookstore" to ask the shopkeeper when the next volume would be released.
Upon receiving the answer, they left with cries of lament.
It would be another month.
But soon they thought maybe they wouldn’t have to wait so long; they could go to "Flower Garden Ode" to listen to the book then!
This is a choice that those with money can make.
As for those poor scholars, who were drawn into the bookstore, read a section of "Journey to the West," and couldn’t resist wanting to buy it. Yet ten taels of silver is so expensive, they can only crowdsource to buy a book and then pass it around one by one.
People like them are unable to enter "Flower Garden Ode," as once inside, the expenses would probably exceed the price of a book.
They can’t afford it.
Nevertheless, no matter how expensive the book is, there are still many who walk into "Ten Thousand Books Bookstore" and then pay for the book.
This is, after all, the Capital City, under the emperor’s feet, where a brick thrown might land on an official, it’s a place of wealth, and the majority are still rich.
Manager Wu was so happy that his mouth developed blisters; he was so busy he didn’t even have time to sip tea.
"Shopkeeper, do you still have ’Journey to the West’ for sale?"
"Shopkeeper, I want to buy a copy of ’Journey to the West’!"
"Shopkeeper..."
"Yes, yes, yes, I’m coming..."
Look, he just took care of a brief moment, and upon return, it was like this.
Qu Fulan received the news by evening.
It was heard that the thousand copies rushed out last night were also about to be sold out, and the shopkeeper had already arranged for people to print them, able to guarantee stock.
Qu Fulan raised her brows; it was far better than she had anticipated.
A book costs ten taels, a thousand books total ten thousand taels; deducting various costs and labor fees, about four or five thousand taels would be the profit... Of course, this only represents today. In the future, if daily earnings could maintain at one or two thousand, it would be great, over a month...
Qu Fulan calculated till the fifteenth of August; by then, she’d take the beautiful results to negotiate terms with Heir Pei, perfect.
The shopkeeper also mentioned in the letter everyone’s thoughts after reading "Journey to the West," and Qu Fulan felt very gratified after seeing it.
The "Three Battles with the White Bone Spirit" was the most memorable scene.
Qu Fulan recalled watching the drama originally to this part; she was so angry she couldn’t eat, only cursing Tang Seng’s ancestors up to eighteen generations.
During childhood, she only focused on cursing Tang Seng, unaware of others’ issues. Later, upon growing up and rewatching, she gained different insights.
Tang Seng has kindness but can’t discern right from wrong, easily deceived, and often misunderstands Sun Wukong. Zhu Bajie’s sowing discord caused conflicts between Tang Seng and Sun Wukong. Moreover, Sha Wujing just watched by the riverbank without speaking, too stiff. Sun Wukong’s advantages are being intelligent and insightful, able to see through others’ schemes, but simultaneously, he has flaws, being competitive, arrogant, impulsive, and overly reckless.
Ultimately, the hastily assembled team lacked harmony and sufficient trust.
Now the book stops at this part, most likely to leave suspense, and most capable of captivating hearts.
Even if "Flower Garden Ode" reveals the next plot in the future, it wouldn’t hinder everyone from continuing to buy the book, to slowly savor, after all, listening to the story is good, but they can’t listen as they wish, but buying the book home is different.
As for the shopkeeper mentioning the complaints about the book being expensive from poor scholars in the letter, she was unfazed.
Due to various reasons like the era’s expensive paper and printing costs, prices are such; it’s not something she alone can change.
She also couldn’t easily disrupt market rules, otherwise, she would suffer repercussions sooner or later.
The idea that one person can save the world is a scenario only in movies.
Not present in reality.
In reality, even without someone, the Earth keeps rotating the same.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Ji Nishang was at the third floor of "Tingya Building" during the day, socializing with those noblewomen, who all gave face upon knowing she was a relative of the Xiao Family, and enjoyed pleasant conversations.
Some women even compared it to "Flower Garden Ode," saying the hospitality there was insincere, after going so many times, they never saw a proper manager, implying "Tingya Building" was better.
Ji Nishang naturally was pleased, under her guidance, the taste of the food in "Tingya Building" has also improved significantly, though still couldn’t compare to "Flower Garden Ode," not too far off.
Ji Nishang calculated the day’s accounts.
Mrs. Xiao was by her side, unable to stop smiling.
Ji Nishang wasn’t quite pleased though; in her view, this achievement was not considerable, her plans and goals reached much further.
Mrs. Xiao held Nichang’s hand, spoke earnestly, "With your intellect and cleverness, you must stay by my side for at least two more years."
Ji Nishang heard the implication of the words, naturally going along with them, "I’m also quite mischievous, Aunt, don’t be annoyed with me in a couple of days and hasten to send me home."
Mrs. Xiao laughed, "I dote on you dearly, why would I rush to send you away? It’s just that there’s a stubborn troublemaker at home who always wears a stern face; just don’t get scared by him."
The topic shifted to Prince Xiao. Ji Nishang’s face instinctively heated up, yet she said, "Cousin is exceptional among men, courteous to people; how could Nichang be scared? It’s just that cousin is busy with affairs each day, hence furrowed brows make him appear a bit stern."
Mrs. Xiao nodded along, her daughter could speak ill, but others couldn’t; her niece’s words pleased her, "As long as you’re aware. When men are busy, sometimes they neglect to eat; see, it’s already this time, but he’s still occupied in the study. Help me deliver some pastries over, or else what if he goes hungry?"
Ji Nishang, being naturally smart, carried the food box, and easily reached cousin’s study.
Yet there was no one guarding, and it was quiet inside; curiously she pushed the door and went in, not seeing cousin’s shadow, was about to leave when the wind from opening the door blew paper on the desk, causing it to fall to the floor.
Ji Nishang put down the food box, picked up the paper.
It was a painting, with an incredibly beautiful figure.
"What are you doing?"
A low voice suddenly sounded out; Ji Nishang was startled, the painting slipped from her hands, falling to the ground, coincidentally landing at the person’s feet, who instantly picked it up.
"I’m sorry, cousin. I didn’t mean to intrude; Aunt asked me to bring you some snacks, knocked but nobody answered, so I came in to take a look..." Ji Nishang hastily explained.
Xiao Shiqing carefully rolled up the painting and headed toward the desk, his expression unperturbed, "I appreciate your efforts, but the study is a restricted area; please do not enter randomly in the future."
Ji Nishang was immediately red-faced with shame, apologized repeatedly, and withdrew.
Turning around facing no one, her eyes showed unclear emotions.
The same night, the door of Manager Wu’s house was knocked upon.