CHAPTER 201: CHAPTER 35: THE ALLEY BEHIND THE INN

"Please, Manager Niu, lead the way!" Gu Chengyu observed that both Gu Wanhua and the others were somewhat exhausted, suggesting they first take a rest in their rooms before having dinner.

"Dear wife, come out and greet the guests; I will lead the esteemed guests to their rooms!" Manager Niu instructed towards the back yard.

"Hey! I’m coming!" A crisp voice echoed from the back yard, sounding like a bright-spirited woman.

"Manager Niu! How come you’re allowing your wife out today? Haven’t you been keeping her hidden carefully all this time?" A man sipping his drink lifted his head and jokingly teased Manager Niu.

"Isn’t it because we have distinguished guests?" Another man chimed in.

"Ah! You gentlemen are regulars here! Feel free and at ease; these guests are new here, so I must attend to them! Please don’t make fun of me!" Manager Niu clasped his hands towards the diners, expressing his apology.

Manager Niu led Gu Chengyu and his companions outside the guest rooms on the third floor, while unlocking the rooms. He said, "Gentlemen, please don’t mind! They mean no harm, they’re just simple folks with somewhat rough manners, all are genuinely good people."

"These rooms on the third floor are the best ones, totaling five. The rooms aren’t very big, but they are enough for two to stay! Just a bit of compromise needed, as they can’t fit two beds."

Gu Wanhua and the others expressed no problem. Though the inn was small, it was pricier than the inns in the county town, especially during exam times when most inns raise their prices. Gu Wanhua and Sun Xian shared a room, while Ye Zhiqiu and He Shunian had already placed their luggage in one.

It was now Gu Chengyu’s turn. Gu Chengyu wished to stay alone, but Ming Mo and Gu Wanqian disagreed, arguing that they needed to serve tea and water in the evenings.

Ultimately, Gu Chengyu drove them away. He wasn’t stingy, giving each of them rooms in the best quarters. Ming Mo wanted to stay in the lower room but was persuaded by Gu Chengyu that staying close in the best rooms would allow him to be readily accessible.

"Would the gentlemen prefer their meals delivered to their rooms or served in the hall?" Manager Niu estimated that they wouldn’t opt to dine in the hall.

"Of course, delivered to the rooms! Just having arrived at the inn, we’re quite tired," Gu Wanhua promptly responded.

Actually, he did not wish to dine with those men; he would feel uncomfortable. They speak of everything crudely, and being a married man, hearing their lewd jokes would make him blush, to say nothing of the unmarried ones present!

Ming Mo organized Gu Chengyu’s luggage first, then went downstairs to inform Manager Niu to prepare dinner and hot water for a bath.

Gu Chengyu gave the room a glance; the decor was simple but not shabby, the bed sheets were also clean, and he found them soft when touched. Apparently, this inn was clean, though he wondered if the lower and middle rooms were the same.

"Master! Would you prefer to freshen up before dining?" Ming Mo and the attendant brought water into the room, directing the attendant to bring another bucket.

He was acquainted with the master’s habits. Even though they traveled by carriage, dust would still enter it. The master liked cleanliness, surely to bathe first.

"Hmm! Serve the food later, select two or three dishes for me. You may go out to dine and wash yourself too! I can manage on my own!" Gu Chengyu planned to have a thorough bath to relieve fatigue.

The next day, Gu Chengyu gazed at the tranquil alley outside the window, planning to go explore and get familiar with the surrounding environment. The prefectural exam was tomorrow, so he must know the way to the exam venue.

Just as Gu Chengyu intended to withdraw his gaze, a household across the alley opened its door, a brightly dressed woman stepped out. She was somewhat charming, likely in her early twenties; however, her attire and demeanor gave the impression she wasn’t a woman from a good family.

She looked around cautiously, finding the coast clear, she waved her hand, signaling someone inside to come out. Gu Chengyu strained his eyes to see, it was a man dressed like a scholar, carrying a fan and glancing around to ensure no one was watching before quickly heading towards the courtyard entrance.

The woman called after him, "You rascal! Do come often to see me!"

But the scholar didn’t even turn his head, hurrying off. The woman sighed, ready to head back indoors. Meanwhile, the neighbor’s courtyard opened its gate, a robust woman stepped out holding a basket, intending to shop for groceries.

Spotting the woman entering the courtyard, she spat, "Filthy wench, always enticing men into her embrace, earning this kind of silver, ancestors must be stirring in their graves!"

Gu Chengyu quickly realized, this was a Dark Woman Chang. In the past, there weren’t only brothels, there were many Dark Woman Changs too, women conducting such businesses within their own or rented courtyards, without being governed by brothels!

No wonder there were no scholars lodging at the inn. One reason was the type of guests, another being the courtyards behind—not just one family surely? Gu Chengyu doubted there were no more such courtyards behind.

Regardless of what those scholars privately thought of such women, visibly they were surely disdainful, condemning them, scholars mindful of their reputation would never lodge at such inns. Those unaware would soon realize after staying a few days!

Gu Chengyu hardly minded these affairs, they didn’t concern him anyway! He shut the window, ready to call He Shunian and others to explore the exam venue!

"Master! Are you going out?" Ming Mo entered the room as the attendant arranged the dishes on the table.

"Don’t accompany me today, stroll around the streets, see what shops might be for sale. Inquire at the brokerage too if necessary; choose prime locations, shops need not be big, report back to me! I plan to establish First-class House in the Prefecture!"

After dining, Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo.

"Yes!" Ming Mo nodded in agreement, feeling somewhat excited inside.

Steward Yu won’t reach the Prefecture till in two days; entrusting matters to Ming Mo was a sign of trust—intending to become the master’s right-hand man, this task needed to be done well!

Gu Chengyu pulled twenty taels of silver from his pocket for Ming Mo, "Don’t be stingy with spending silver outside!"

At this moment, Gu Wanqian stepped out of the room, "Uncle!"

"My classmates and I plan to stroll the streets; go out with Ming Mo and get yourself two sets of clothes, the silver is with Ming Mo!"

Gu Wanqian’s attire didn’t fit quite right, needed two new sets, as nobody in the Gu Family would provide him clothing.

"Ming Mo is out, so there’s nobody with uncle; I’d rather stay with uncle!" Gu Wanqian didn’t want to leave Gu Chengyu, feeling like Gu Chengyu had reluctantly accepted him, not truly wanting him by his side. He must strive for himself not to be abandoned!

"Wasn’t I alone before? Go on!" Gu Chengyu turned away, seeking He Shunian and others.

He understood this nephew’s thoughts. Despite seeming obedient usually, Gu Wanqian was calculating, fearing abandonment by Gu Chengyu, desperately wanting to remain near, which made Gu Chengyu uneasy.

Gu Chengyu was a man with secrets; of course, he preferred not having someone constantly shadowing him!

"Chengyu! We were just about to find you, let’s head to the streets together! Also, check the exam venue, being far from here, we’ll likely need to leave early tomorrow!" Ye Zhiqiu greeted him, with He Shunian and others following behind.

"I was about to find you too! Let’s go together!" Gu Chengyu and companions descended to the first floor, noticing the dining tables were less occupied; apparently, some might have gone out early for work.

"Gentlemen, are you leaving? Have the room doors been locked?" Manager Niu was affable, attending meticulously.

"Thanks for the reminder, Manager! They’re locked! Going to check out the exam venue!" Gu Chengyu responded with a smile.