Chapter 13: Idle Guest Residence

“Dad, how do you know there’s an ‘Xianke Ju’ in Qingshui Town?” Li Menglan asked with a blink of confusion, while simultaneously muttering curiously to herself, “Uh... could it be that this Li family I’ve transmigrated into has some unknown background?”

Li Menglan recalled the scenes of struggles between wealthy and powerful families described in the transmigration novels she had read before her arrival; many of the losing sides... weren't they all kicked out of their manors and sent to the countryside? Could it be... A hint of anticipation appeared on Li Menglan's small face.

Uh... as it turned out, the girl was overthinking things. “Daughter, just because you haven't eaten pork doesn't mean you haven't seen a pig walk, does it?” Li Dazhu’s opening words immediately shattered the anticipation in Li Menglan's heart.

Li Dazhu gave his daughter an amused look. “Your dad has been to Qingshui Town many times. Anyone who has been here knows about it; the most luxurious place in the center of town is a teahouse called ‘Xianke Ju.’ According to the locals, the owner of ‘Xianke Ju’ is a high-ranking official who resigned from the capital to return to Qingshui Town to live out his golden years in peace.”

Li Dazhu shared the news he had heard about ‘Xianke Ju’ from others with Li Menglan. This kind of gossip... was loved by everyone regardless of time or space; especially in ancient times... where there wasn't much entertainment or leisure, gossip occupied an even greater center of gravity in the lives of the common people; after all, if life was too dull... it would be very hard to endure.

Li Menglan had originally planned to take her sugar-roasted chestnuts on a high-end route. She only had this much stock, and she had no intention of selling them cheaply. However, if the price was too high... there certainly wouldn't be many buyers. Therefore, Li Menglan didn't plan on retailing; instead, she wanted to find a high-class teahouse for a long-term partnership.

Hearing her father say this now, Li Menglan's plan became even more firmly set in her mind. “Dad, take me to ‘Xianke Ju’ to take a look, okay?” Li Menglan said, reaching out to grab Li Dazhu's arm and looking up at him.

“Daughter, I only have about ten-odd wen on me.” Li Dazhu thought his daughter was simply craving sweets and wanted to go eat pastries at a grand teahouse, so he spoke with a face full of difficulty. “How about this: once Dad sells the sugar-roasted chestnuts, we'll go to ‘Xianke Ju,’ alright?”

“Dad.” Looking at the honest-looking man before her, Li Menglan felt a pang of bittersweetness in her heart, but she forced a smile. “Just listen to me, you won't be wrong. Once we get to ‘Xianke Ju,’ you'll realize I'm not going there to eat pastries.”

“Not to buy pastries? Then what are you going to do, daughter?” Li Dazhu looked completely puzzled.

“It's a secret. I can't tell you yet, Dad,” Li Menglan said with feigned mystery, tugging at Li Dazhu's sleeve as she pulled him forward. “Dad, walk faster; once we sell the sugar-roasted chestnuts, we have to go buy other things too,” Li Menglan urged him.

“Oh... I say, daughter, can you go a bit easier? I'm worried you'll tear my clothes; we don't have any extra money at home to buy cloth for new clothes.” Seeing his daughter using so much strength, Li Dazhu immediately spoke with a look of heartache.

“I know, Dad, I'll be gentler,” Li Menglan said softly, loosening her grip.

Although Qingshui Town was the largest town in the vicinity, it wasn't very big; it was only about four or five streets wide, but its level of bustle and prosperity was quite decent.

‘Xianke Ju’ was situated on the largest main street of Qingshui Town; it was a two-story building that possessed a certain flavor of Ming and Qing dynasty ancient architecture.

Ming and Qing architecture not only achieved outstanding success in the artistry of creating collective spaces but also made progress in architectural technology. Ming and Qing architecture emphasized the direct combination of beams, columns, and purlins, reducing the role of the intermediate layer of dougong (bracket sets). This not only simplified the structure but also saved a large amount of timber, thereby achieving the effect of obtaining larger architectural spaces with fewer materials. Ming and Qing architecture also made extensive use of brick and stone, promoting the development of masonry structures.

What stood before Li Menglan now was a two-story teahouse in the Ming and Qing architectural style, which even carried a certain feeling of the Jiangnan water towns of that era. Why say that?

The reason was simple: Jiangnan residential architecture showed a distinct difference from Northern residential architecture; the carved decorations were extremely numerous, yet there was very little colorful painting, the walls used white tiles and blue-gray tones, and the wood was brown-black or reddish-brown... compared to the brilliant colors of the North, it was very elegant and understated.

At this moment, the ‘Xianke Ju’ before Li Menglan was like a lady from Jiangnan, exuding elegance and grace in every detail. With just one glance, Li Menglan fell in love with it. “As expected of a high official returning from the capital,” Li Menglan thought with wonder. “Look at this teahouse; it's permeated with a thick scholarly atmosphere; it truly is something special!”

“Welcome, honored guests, please come inside.” A waiter dressed in green clothing greeted Li Dazhu and Li Menglan with an enthusiastic smile, showing no disdain for their simple clothing.

“Honored guests, what would you like to drink? Pu'er, Tieguanyin, Longjing... would you like some pastries as well?” A grand teahouse was indeed a grand teahouse; the service was truly first-class. The waiter led the father and daughter to their seats and spoke warmly.

“I... I'm sorry... uh...” This was Li Dazhu's first time entering such a high-class place and receiving such good treatment; under the pressure, he actually began to stutter.

“Dad, don't worry; I'll talk to this big brother.” Li Menglan spoke to soothe her father, then said crisply to the waiter, “Big brother, we aren't here to drink tea. Is your manager in? I have business I want to discuss with your manager. Could I trouble you to ask your manager to come out for a moment?”

“Discuss business?” The waiter was stunned by Li Menglan's words, but quickly regained his composure. “Little girl, your timing is quite unfortunate. Our manager left before dawn; I'm afraid this trip might be in vain for you,” the waiter said with an apologetic face.

Uh... what? Not here? Li Menglan was stunned. Tell me, was it easy for me to make this long trip? How could I be so unlucky?

“Big brother, then... when will your manager return?”

“Little girl, our manager went to the county seat; uh... at the earliest, he probably won't be back for three or four days.” The waiter looked at the father and daughter with a hint of pity.

Li Dazhu was wearing a short shirt covered in patches, washed so much that its original color was unrecognizable; even though it was late autumn, he was still wearing a pair of straw sandals. Li Menglan was even worse; the clothes she wore were all repurposed old clothes from her mother, Zhang Yuniang; her cloth shoes already showed her big toes.

Looking at the pair's attire, their family situation must be very difficult! The waiter shook his head silently in his heart. He also wanted to help, but unfortunately... he was just a lowly worker and had the will but not the ability.

Ah... the waiter's words caused Li Menglan's hopes to be completely shattered.