Chapter 62: Following the Moonlit Boat, Listening to Fishermen's Songs

Hurry up! Wangjiang Pavilion has posted a new couplet!

As noon approached the following day, a large crowd once again gathered in front of the entrance of Wangjiang Pavilion.

A talented young scholar swayed his head as he read the vertical scroll hanging on the left side of the restaurant aloud: "The moon follows the boat's shadow, listening to the fisherman's song."

"This first line is a bit easier than yesterday's, but the verse is written with exquisite beauty."

"The person who composed this couplet still has some genuine skill."

"I see 'Dust-Bound Scholar' written in the lower right corner of the couplet. Could it be that he is the one who composed it?"

"Who on earth is this Dust-Bound Scholar?"

"Could he be a newcomer from outside our Jiangcheng?"

"We cannot allow an outsider to show off so prominently in Jiangcheng! We must quickly compose a matching line!"

Just then, the doors of Wangjiang Pavilion swung open. Liu Xi carried out a long table and placed upon it packages of five-spice peanuts, garlic-flavored peanuts, and candied haws on skewers.

Shortly after, Fan Tong sauntered out with an air of flamboyant swagger.

"Respected elders, brothers, and sisters of Jiangcheng! Today marks the second day of Wangjiang Pavilion's grand reopening. You've come to the right place again today, for Wangjiang Pavilion is offering a super perk for our second day back in business! Anyone who dines here today will still enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free deal!"

"Master Fan, what is Wangjiang Pavilion giving away today? Are you still giving away candied haws?" someone asked, swallowing hard.

Those who had dined there the previous day naturally all left with a skewer of candied haws, and after tasting them, found them to be exceptionally delicious.

It would be best if they gave them away again today. If not, they were determined to buy a couple of skewers to take home.

Fan Tong announced loudly, "As I mentioned yesterday, starting today, candied haws can only be purchased individually. However, if you dine on the third floor, you will still enjoy the privilege of eating candied haws for free."

"Then what is being given away today?"

Fan Tong declared, "Anyone who comes to dine at the restaurant, regardless of how much they spend, can claim a complimentary small package of either five-spice or garlic-flavored peanuts before they leave. You have never tasted these five-spice and garlic peanuts before. These are no ordinary peanuts; they are roasted through a variety of complex processes. Their oily, crispy, and savory flavor leaves a lingering aftertaste that is absolutely unforgettable! They are truly a man's soulmate when it comes to drinking alcohol. If sold separately, they cost five hundred wen per catty. The small package given away today is two liang, which is easily worth one hundred wen. After today, if you want to eat them tomorrow, you will only be able to buy them at our restaurant's takeout stall."

"What? So expensive!?"

"These two liang of peanuts are actually more expensive than candied haws!"

"Once you finish your meal and come out to claim a pack to taste, you will know what it means to get your money's worth!" Fan Tong proclaimed. "Today, we are continuing to offer a special perk prepared specifically for the talented scholars and ladies of Jiangcheng! As you can all see, our restaurant has changed its couplet today. The old rules apply: if anyone can compose a fitting and excellent matching line, they are welcome to the third floor of Wangjiang Pavilion, and all the food and wine will be on us!"

One of Fan Tong's sycophantic friends shouted, "We aren't aiming for the third floor. In short, when I came to taste the food at Wangjiang Pavilion yesterday, the flavors were truly superb. Even this morning when I burped, I could still taste yesterday's dishes. Furthermore, the prices for food and wine are fair and honest to all, young and old. I must come and have another meal here today no matter what!"

Fan Tong laughed, "The featured cuisine of our Wangjiang Pavilion today is Jiangnan cuisine. Everyone is welcome to come and taste it!"

"Stop talking, we're all starving!"

"Please come in, please come in..." Fan Tong immediately cleared the doorway.

Fan Tong's circle of flattering friends once again took the lead and swarmed inside. They loved doing this sort of thing: they got to drink and eat for free, and were even handed a gift package upon departure. The crucial point was that the food was genuinely delicious!

Those talented scholars and ladies certainly couldn't go in first; they still needed to rack their brains over the couplet hanging at the entrance.

"Everyone, the rest is up to our Manager Lin, who will preside over the couplet assembly. Let us welcome the dashing, elegant, and debonair Head Manager Lin of Wangjiang Pavilion!"

Lin Feng stepped out of the restaurant with a smile. Fan Tong lowered his voice and said, "Big Brother, I'm going in to drink with them."

"Go drink later. You and Brother Zhang first attend to the guests on the first floor and keep an eye on the newcomers. Make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Leave it to your younger brother!" With that, Fan Tong hurried inside the restaurant.

Looking around at the growing crowd, Lin Feng spoke in a clear voice, "I wonder which brilliant talent has composed the matching line?"

"I have one!" a man announced: "The sun follows the boat's shadow, listening to the fisherman's song, while the shepherd boy blows his flute to accompany the returning cattle."

Everyone shook their heads.

Lin Feng smiled, "Mediocre, mediocre. Are there any others?"

"The moon follows the boat's shadow, listening to the fisherman's song; the wind stirs the willow's posture, disturbing the cicada's chirp," someone offered.

Lin Feng nodded, "Acceptable. I wonder if anyone has a better matching line?"

"I have one!" a talented young youth fluttered his folding fan: "The moon follows the boat's shadow, listening to the fisherman's song; clouds entrust the wild geese's cries to accompany the woodcutter's ballad."

"Wonderful! Young Master Wang is indeed a scholar of Lishan Academy. This matching line is exceptionally clever."

"You flatter me, you flatter me." Young Master Wang cupped his fists in a bow, an expression of undisguised smugness on his face.

"The moon follows the boat's shadow, listening to the fisherman's song; stars assist the candlelight, relieving a traveler's thoughts."

A soft woman's voice drifted from the back of the crowd.

Everyone turned around.

"Mo Shiyu!"

Young Master Wang's eyes lit up as he cupped his hands. "It is still Miss Mo Shiyu's matching line that possesses a more exquisite artistic conception and poetic charm."

Mo Shiyu smiled faintly. "Young Master Wang flatters me. The matching line was not composed by me; it was composed by my friend." Mo Shiyu pointed toward a woman dressed in white standing beside her.

Many people had already noticed the veil-wearing woman in fluttering white robes standing next to Mo Shiyu. Although her face was covered by a veil, her graceful posture and ethereal temperament meant she did not look the least bit inferior even standing beside Mo Shiyu, while adding a mysterious beauty to her presence.

The woman in white looked at Lin Feng, "Manager, I wonder if this matching line of mine is satisfactory?"

"This young lady's matching line has well-balanced parallelism and strict tonal meter. I consider it the best matching line so far. Does anyone have any objections?"

Everyone nodded in succession.

"Very well, then please ascend to the third floor, Milady."

Mo Shiyu spoke up, "Manager Lin, I composed two matching lines yesterday..."

"Welcome Miss Shiyu to Wangjiang Pavilion once again. Please, Miss Shiyu, ascend to the third floor as well."

Mo Shiyu, her companions, and the veiled woman in white bowed respectfully to Lin Feng before entering the restaurant.

"Talented scholars and ladies, if any of you have superior couplets, you may continue to voice them, provided they surpass the matching line of the young lady in white from just now."

"Can we go inside to drink and think about it at the same time?"

"Of course you can! If your matching line turns out to be superior, today's food and wine will still be free of charge. Naturally, you may also come straight to the third floor tomorrow for free drinks."

"That's fantastic! A little wine might just spark some inspiration. Let's go! Inside we go for a drink!"

Many of the people had visited the previous day. Having already tasted the dishes at Wangjiang Pavilion and finding them exceptionally delicious, they were naturally more than willing to return today.

Of course, there were two other reasons: one was that everyone found the candied haws given away yesterday to be incredibly tasty, and today they all wanted to buy a couple of skewers individually to satisfy their cravings or to bring home for the women and children.