Kevin Thompson was extremely curious. He quickly walked forward, stood at the back of the crowd, looked up, and was taken aback. He saw a huge plaque hanging from the eaves of the second floor, with three large golden characters written on it—翡翠轩.

Huh? Isn’t this the very Jade Pavilion that drove Drunken Immortal Residence out of business? Sure enough, it’s close enough to Drunken Immortal Residence—at most two or three li away.

Kevin Thompson carefully observed again and saw that this pavilion had flying eaves and painted corners, carved beams and painted rafters, splendid and magnificent. On Bianhe Street, it truly had the air of standing above all others.

Damn! Could this be the five-star hotel of the Northern Song Dynasty? No wonder Drunken Immortal Residence lost to it. Just looking at the façade, the two places aren’t even on the same level. If I were a customer, I’d come here too.

Kevin Thompson sighed inwardly, then followed the gaze of the crowd. He saw two red banners hanging straight down from the third floor, fluttering gently in the breeze. The crowd pointed at the banners, discussing animatedly.

The one on the left read, “A river of wind and moon invites hearty drinking.”

The one on the right read, “Pouring bamboo leaf wine, the heart gathers green.”

Chapter 0011: Gossip and Idols

Huh? This—this doesn’t seem like a complete couplet, but rather two separate upper lines. But why are there only upper lines and no lower lines? Could it be—maybe—this is some kind of prize riddle contest?

Kevin Thompson looked at the two banners for a while, frowning, full of curiosity.

While others were thinking about how to come up with the lower lines, Kevin Thompson was pondering why these two couplets were hanging here. Was there some hidden interest behind this?

The ancients valued integrity above all, while modern people put interests first.

Perhaps this is the most fundamental difference in thinking habits between the ancients and modern people. And Kevin Thompson had once helped his father-in-law manage some business affairs, so he understood well the principle that nothing happens without benefit.

But after thinking for a long time, Kevin Thompson still couldn’t figure it out, so he wanted to find someone to ask. Before he could speak, he suddenly heard two gentlemen in front of them discussing the matter. Kevin Thompson was delighted and immediately pricked up his ears to listen.

He heard one person ask, “Brother Smith, do you think these two couplets were really written by Lady White and Young Master Cooper?”

Lady White? Kevin Thompson was startled. Could it be that Emily White has also transmigrated?

Then he heard the other say, “Of course! Didn’t you hear Steward Walker say so? The left couplet was written by Young Master Cooper, and the right one by Lady White. What’s more, Steward Walker also said that anyone who can match either couplet will be treated as an honored guest at Jade Pavilion, with free food and lodging for ten days. Just think, staying and eating at Jade Pavilion for ten days—how much silver would that cost? If these couplets weren’t written by those two, would Steward Walker dare to be so ‘generous’?”

The first person nodded, “You have a point, but I heard that Lady White has never had any dealings with Steward Walker. Why would she help him so generously this time?”

“You don’t understand,” the other said, lowering his voice, “Let me tell you, it’s all about ‘money.’ I heard from others that Steward Walker paid a hefty sum to get the couplet from Lady White.”

The first person frowned deeply and shook his head, “That—that’s impossible. Lady White is the second most talented woman in Bianjing. How could she, for the sake of worldly possessions, help that ruthless Steward Walker and ruin her own reputation? Impossible, impossible, I absolutely don’t believe such rumors.”

The other snorted, “Think about it. If the couplet wasn’t written by Lady White, would Steward Walker dare to say so? Did you forget? A year ago, the owner of a tavern in the east city, after drinking a bit, said something bad about Lady White. That very night, his shop was smashed to pieces. When he reported it to the authorities, the investigation found that all the culprits were famous scholars and young masters. They even countersued the tavern owner for slandering Lady White, demanding the magistrate punish him. In the end, it was Lady White herself who stepped in to settle the matter. Would Steward Walker dare risk the same fate?”

“Of course I remember. If my aunt hadn’t come that day, I would have been there too.” The first person shook his head regretfully, then said, “Even if the couplet was indeed written by Lady White, it doesn’t prove she accepted any benefit from Steward Walker.”

The other raised his head, “Then tell me, if not for money, why would Lady White help Steward Walker? You just said yourself, Lady White and Steward Walker have no relationship.”

The first person was at a loss for words, stammered for a while, and finally said, “Ma—maybe Lady White was invited by Young Master Cooper to help Steward Walker write the couplet. It’s no secret that Young Master Cooper admires Lady White.”

The other replied irritably, “You said Young Master Cooper admires Lady White, but Lady White has never shown any interest. Maybe Lady White doesn’t care for Young Master Cooper at all. Anyway, I don’t believe Lady White helped Steward Walker because of Young Master Cooper.”

The first person snorted angrily, “Well, I don’t believe Lady White would help for money either. I hope Brother Smith will stop slandering Lady White.”