Chapter 11: Buying It to Stew into Soup

Mama Wen belonged to the Chunhui Garden, so she was free to come and go as she pleased.

It took her three days to get a clear picture of Lu Zhi’s situation.

The academy Lu Zhi attended was quite famous in the capital. Most of his classmates were sons of nobility; they lived and ate at the academy, only taking a day of rest every ten days.

Previously, during the family ancestral rites, Lu Zhi had requested leave.

Since the homecoming banquet was held in the evening, returning before the lamps were extinguished was considered within the rules.

"In other words, the time between the end of classes in the afternoon and bedtime at night is relatively loosely supervised," Mama Wen whispered. "And since they are all young masters from various noble houses, protected by their elders and not following the path of the imperial examinations, the instructors aren't very strict."

Those who truly intended to enter the examination halls would either attend the Imperial Academy or academies known for their academic rigor.

They were not on the same path as Lu Zhi, who was the heir to a Marquisate in name.

A-Wei asked, "If the students go out to play after class, as long as they return to the academy to sleep and don't cause any major trouble, no one follows up or manages them?"

"That is how it is," Mama Wen glanced at the courtyard outside and lowered her voice. "The young master doesn't like other things; he only likes cockfighting."

A-Wei’s brows furrowed.

Cockfighting, to put it mildly, was a lively pastime that most people enjoyed joining in on. To put it strongly, it was just like fighting crickets or rolling dice—a staple for the dissolute.

Young masters with such hobbies, if guided by someone with ulterior motives, could easily end up gambling heavily or indulging in increasingly decadent behavior.

Once they became addicted and hit rock bottom, it would take a layer of skin off them to climb back up.

"Our 'golden grandson' doesn't look like he has a firm will," A-Wei hummed softly. "When is his day of rest?"

"The day after tomorrow."

"That means he will return to the manor after class tomorrow," A-Wei decided. "When he gets back, I will go see him first."

——

The next day was the day of rest, so classes ended earlier than usual that afternoon.

After the time of *Wei Zheng* (2:00 PM), students began to emerge from the academy in groups.

Mama Wen quickly spotted Lu Zhi; he was laughing and chatting with three or four other young masters of similar age.

When a servant stepped forward, Lu Zhi gave a few instructions and then left with his classmates.

Mama Wen watched, ignoring the servant, and quietly followed Lu Zhi’s group. After walking for about two quarters of an hour, they arrived at a bustling place.

Looking up, she saw: General’s Square.

Mama Wen had lived in the capital before; how could she not know this place?

With a clear understanding, she asked a few questions at a nearby shop before turning back to the manor to report.

"The fighting cocks are called 'Generals,' and the crickets are also called 'Generals,' hence the name 'General’s Square.' They usually only do business with the powerful and wealthy; those who come and go are either officials or wealthy merchants with some background," Mama Wen said. "The most anticipated cockfight today featured a black-feathered one and a barred-feathered one, both long-standing 'Generals.' With this match, not to mention the bets placed inside the square, there were several gambling dens in the surrounding shops outside."

"Lu Zhi went to watch this match? How much money did he have to place bets?" A-Wei stood up and walked out. "Let's go to the front and wait for him."

This wait lasted until the end of the *You* hour (7:00 PM).

The sky had already darkened, and lamps were lit everywhere.

Lu Zhi had just rounded the spirit wall when he suddenly encountered two figures. He couldn't help but be startled: "Why aren't you carrying a lantern? You scared the life out of me."

A-Wei stepped forward and scrutinized Lu Zhi carefully.

At twelve years old, he was growing fast and was about as tall as her, but he was too thin, making him look lacking in spirit.

He was a bit shaken, and his complexion wasn't great, but there was a look of joy in his eyes; he must have won his bets today.

Why did cockfighting lead to dissoluteness?

Wasn't it because one wins today, but might lose everything tomorrow?

Countless families had been ruined by the single word "gambling."

A-Wei had a keen sense of smell. One sniff told her that Lu Zhi had already eaten dinner outside and had even had a little wine. The smell of alcohol was faint in the wind, but it couldn't mask the fishy odor on him.

That was the smell of live chickens.

One wouldn't get that smell just by watching a cockfight from a private room.

It must be that Lu Zhi was exceptionally familiar with General’s Square and had handled the fighting cocks himself, to the point where the smell had stained his outer garments.

After making her judgment, A-Wei didn't say much to Lu Zhi and walked past him.

Lu Zhi already disliked this aunt and cousin who had returned to the manor, and seeing her attitude, he muttered "annoying" before heading to the back courtyard.

On the other side, A-Wei left the manor, and Mama Wen hailed a carriage, rushing toward General’s Square.

General’s Square at night was far less lively than during the day, but there were still many guests who hadn't left after watching the cockfights and cricket matches, gathering in private rooms to drink.

It looked just like a bustling tavern.

A tavern where one could roll dice and play *pai gow*.

The carriage stopped at the entrance, and the boy welcoming guests came up. Seeing only a young lady and a mama step out, he couldn't help but be curious.

It wasn't that there were no wealthy female guests in the square, but they were always accompanied by elders or brothers to join in the fun. He had never seen one come alone, especially at night.

"My lady," curiosity aside, he remained attentive. "If you want to watch the cockfights or cricket matches, you'll have to come back tomorrow. At this hour..."

A-Wei took out the Dingxi Marquisate’s waist medallion and showed it to him: "I have business with your manager."

The boy had sharp eyes and saw it clearly. Once Mama Wen slipped him some silver, he happily accepted it and immediately led them inside.

The square was winding and complex, but fortunately, there were many lanterns, so it was quite bright.

They circled to the side of the arena. There were no guests left here, but there were many voices coming from the small building built around the arena—people drinking.

The manager had already received word and hurried to greet them: "I didn't know a distinguished guest was visiting, please forgive my lack of a proper welcome. Miss, would you like to sit in a private room upstairs and have some tea?"

A-Wei had no intention of sitting down for a slow chat and went straight to the point: "Between the black-feathered one and the barred-feathered one that fought today, which one won?"

"The Black-Feathered General won the first battle."

A-Wei nodded: "I’ve come to buy that black-feathered chicken."

"Ah?" The manager was stunned and couldn't help but look the visitor up and down.

The report from below said the visitor held the Dingxi Marquisate’s waist medallion, but how could the Marquisate have a young lady of this age...

No, there actually was one!

Recently, there had been rumors flying everywhere that the Aunt of the Marquisate, who had married far away to Shu, had returned to the capital with her daughter.

This mother-daughter pair had arrived aggressively; they had even caused the shed to collapse during the ancestral rites, leaving all the visiting relatives and guests drenched like drowned rats.

It was said that the two had wreaked havoc in Shu before returning.

They were cursed by fate!

How cursed they were, the manager couldn't say, but one couldn't be careless with someone holding the Dingxi Marquisate’s waist medallion.

The manager apologized with a smile: "Miss, you haven't been in the capital long, so you probably don't know. Our General’s Square mainly deals in cockfighting; we don't sell the chickens. If you want to buy chickens, there is a poultry market on Ping'an Street to the west of the Marquisate. You can go take a look there during the day."

"It is precisely the fighting cock you have here that I want," A-Wei said.

The manager was used to dealing with guests: "Why would you want to buy a fighting cock? If you want to enjoy cockfighting, just come to our General’s Square. I will reserve a top-tier private room for you, guaranteed to be clear and interesting..."

Without listening to the manager's pitch, A-Wei said directly: "I'm buying it to make soup."

The manager’s eyes widened: "Ah?"

Make soup?

Using a fighting cock to make soup?

He had worked at General’s Square for over a dozen years, and apart from people who had lost heavily and were spouting nonsense in their frustration, this was the first time he had ever heard someone seriously talk about making soup!