Chapter 256: Storyteller

Wang Li, dressed in a gray gown, stumbled along the deserted city streets. It was just after dawn, and pedestrians were exceptionally sparse.

"Ugh... cold..."

Wang Li felt a chill in the morning wind and shivered. The initial warmth of drunkenness had quickly given way to cold, especially on the streets in the early spring morning after a rain.

Wang Li shook the wine flask in his hand. Finding it empty, he casually tossed it aside. The flask arced through the air and shattered on the street not far away.

"Shatter!"

After a crisp sound, the wine flask completely broke apart, and Wang Li continued to sway as he walked away.

Ji Yuan looked down at the broken pottery shards that had fallen at his feet, then at Wang Li, who was staggering into the distance. He couldn't help but frown; this man's current state was somewhat different from what he had imagined.

"Wan'er... Wan'er..." Wang Li mumbled, tightening his clothes as he headed for his residence. He was no longer in the capital city but in Chengsu Prefecture, east of the capital section of the Tongtian River, within Youzhou territory.

As was typical for Wang Li in any new place, he lived in a private residence, renting a side room from the owners. This was far more cost-effective for long-term stays than an inn.

"Ah... oh, Mr. Wang, just getting back?" The male homeowner happened to stretch and emerge from his house, greeting the swaying Wang Li.

"Heh heh, good morning..." Wang Li swayed and awkwardly cupped his hands in greeting. He walked to his side room, pushed open the door, and stumbled, grabbing the doorknob to prevent a full fall as he tumbled inside.

"Oh dear, Mr. Wang, how much did you drink?!" The homeowner quickly rushed over to help, assisting Wang Li onto the bed.

"Th-thanks..." Wang Li lay on the bed, dazed, vaguely cupped his hands, then pulled the quilt over himself. Soon, he was snoring.

"Tsk tsk tsk..." The homeowner shook his head, exited the room, and closed the door.

Later, the female homeowner, fully dressed, emerged from the main house. Seeing her husband coming out of the side room, she quietly asked, "He drank too much again?"

"Yes... quite a bit. He just collapsed and fell asleep."

"Mr. Wang was such a good person when he first arrived. Now he's like this every day."

"We can't really control him, as long as he pays the rent."

They whispered as they went back to wash up.

It wasn't until the sun began to set that Wang Li woke up. He rubbed his temples and sat up on the bed, looking around in a daze for a while before gradually clearing his head. Wang Li's face was somewhat pale. He threw back the quilt, got out of bed, and opened the door. The setting sun's afterglow was so bright it made him squint. In the kitchen next door, cooking smoke was already rising.

"Mr. Wang, you're awake?" The female homeowner, who was hanging clothes, saw Wang Li come out and greeted him with a smile.

"Sister Liu, what time is it now?"

"I haven't checked the sundial, but I'd guess it's almost Mao Shi (5-7 PM). Good thing you're up; we have fish for dinner tonight..."

"Mao Shi? I need to leave right away!" Upon hearing the time, Wang Li quickly patted his face, then rushed back into his room to pack his things: a paper fan, a storyteller's clapper, books... all into a single bundle. He then hurried out the door with the bundle.

"Hey, hey... Mr. Wang, aren't you eating?"

"No, no, I'm late for a performance!" Wang Li left the courtyard in a rush. Today, he was scheduled to perform storytelling at a large restaurant. A prominent family had booked the entire restaurant for a banquet to celebrate their son's success in the spring imperial examinations, which meant he was now qualified to be an official.

It was already Mao Shi, and the banquet might have already begun. If Wang Li, the storyteller, didn't arrive after the banquet started, it would certainly be a breach of contract. Not only would he not get the rest of the payment, but he'd also have to return the deposit. But the deposit had already been spent.

The streets were now bustling with people. Wang Li hurried along, not daring to wipe his sweat, jogging continuously. When he finally arrived, breathless, outside the Zhongtai Tower on a bustling street, he was panting heavily.

"Hoo... hoo... hoo... hoo..."

Outside Zhongtai Tower, people were welcoming guests. Well-dressed individuals, both old and young, were heading into the building, each cupping their hands in greeting as they arrived.

"Master Gao, congratulations!" "Young Master Gao is so accomplished!"

"Hahahaha... The pleasure is mutual, please, come in!"

"Master Gao, what good fortune! Your son has passed the imperial examinations; from now on, he will be an official, and we will be commoners!"

"Ah hahahahahahaha..."

"Master Gao, Young Master Gao, please look out for us common folk in the future!"

"Hahaha, Master Wang, if you're still a commoner, wouldn't my Gao family be mere street vendors? Hahahaha... please, come in!" "Uncle Wang, you're too kind!"

"Hahahahaha..."

The Gao family members welcoming guests outside wore beaming smiles, tirelessly cupping their hands and returning greetings, seemingly even more joyful than at a wedding.

Wang Li leaned against a nearby wall, breathing heavily. Seeing the situation, he couldn't catch his breath immediately, but he felt a sense of relief in his heart; it seemed the banquet hadn't started yet. After catching his breath, Wang Li looked himself over, tidied his clothes, and wiped the sweat from his face and neck with the bundle on his back. Only then did he resume a steady pace and walk towards Zhongtai Tower.

Before even getting close, Wang Li was already smiling and cupping his hands in congratulation. "Master Gao, Young Master Gao, congratulations! I hope I'm not too late?"

Master Gao was a spry old man in brocade robes, and Young Master Gao was also tall and respectable. Both politely returned the greeting. "Mr. Wang, you've arrived at just the right time. The banquet hasn't begun yet. I've already instructed them to prepare a meal for you in advance. Someone will attend to you inside!"

"Excellent, thank you, Master Gao!" Wang Li cupped his hands again and quickly entered Zhongtai Tower. At this moment, he was genuinely hungry and thirsty, and Master Gao's arrangements were exactly what he needed.

As a storyteller, he would entertain the guests at the banquet. Others could eat while listening, but Wang Li couldn't eat while performing. Considering storytelling was also physically demanding, it was natural for him to eat beforehand.

Upon entering the restaurant, a young attendant immediately led Wang Li to a private room on the second floor. A large table of dishes had already been prepared, but Wang Li wasn't the only one eating. There were also women playing instruments, who had already started their meal, indicating Wang Li was still a bit late.

"Mr. Wang, please eat here."

"Alright, thank you." The attendant said no more and left to attend to his duties.

Wang Li awkwardly greeted the people in the room, then took his seat and began to eat. Because he was both hungry and thirsty, he naturally ate and drank heartily, which amused the women nearby, who chuckled softly.

After a while, the flow of guests arriving at Zhongtai Tower gradually slowed. Master Gao, whose facial muscles were aching from smiling for so long, also prepared to go inside the restaurant, while Young Master Gao had already gone in earlier.

"Master Gao, congratulations! Congratulations on your son's success in the imperial examinations!"

A clear, articulate, calm, yet strong voice rang out, causing Master Gao, who was about to enter and had just turned his head, and his servants to instinctively turn back around. They saw a gentleman in a blue gown standing outside. Aside from an ink-jade hairpin in his hair, he wore no other accessories like jade pendants. He appeared simple yet exuded an extraordinary demeanor, and was now cupping his hands in polite congratulation with a pleasant expression.

"Uh... and you are, sir?" Master Gao returned the greeting, asking with a puzzled look.

"Oh, my name is Ji Yuan. I had intended to dine at Zhongtai Tower, but seeing that the Gao family has booked the restaurant to celebrate Young Master Gao's success in the examinations, I simply offered my congratulations. Congratulations!" Ji Yuan pointed to the red paper sign leaning outside the building, which stated that the restaurant had been booked by the Gao family for a day to welcome guests and celebrate Young Master Gao's success, apologizing to other patrons who would need to return another day.

Master Gao, realizing, also cupped his hands in return. "Oh, oh, thank you for your congratulations, sir!"

Ji Yuan nodded, lowered his hand, flicked his sleeve, and turned to walk towards other restaurants and eateries on the street.

"Wait, sir, please stay! If you don't mind, please join us upstairs for the banquet." Seeing the extraordinary bearing of this Mr. Ji, Master Gao couldn't help but call out. After all, it was just one meal.

Ji Yuan turned around, feigned a moment of consideration, then smiled and cupped his hands in thanks once more. "Ji Yuan is new to this place and has long heard that Zhongtai Tower's dishes are excellent. In that case, thank you, Master Gao!"

"You're too kind, sir. Please!" Master Gao beckoned Ji Yuan, and they entered the building together.

Since he didn't know Ji Yuan beforehand, although encountering such a distinguished gentleman who offered congratulations was pleasant, it was impossible to arrange for him a central, lively spot. He was instead placed slightly to the outer side of the second floor. Ji Yuan didn't mind; besides, when freeloading, what right did he have to be picky? The people at this table were clearly not well acquainted with each other, but after exchanging a few words and with the arrival of the fragrant, steaming dishes, everyone became more amiable.

"Everyone, my Gao family is blessed with literary fortune, and our prosperity is thriving! We have also had the honor of inviting a renowned storyteller from the capital. Now, please welcome Mr. Wang Li to tell us a story and add to the joy of this banquet!"

"Ah, wonderful!" "Renowned in the capital?"

"Tell us a story we haven't heard before."

"Yes, yes, yes!"

"Wang Li? I think I have indeed heard that name in the capital. They say he's also skilled in ventriloquism, quite impressive!"

"Really?" "Of course it's true!"

Ji Yuan could hear the guests in the hall expressing excitement. In the open space in the center of the hall, servants carried a table, on which a storyteller's clapper and other items were already placed. Others carried two screens, positioning them in front and behind to form two semicircles enclosing the table.

Meanwhile, Wang Li, holding a white paper fan, slowly emerged from a private room used as a preparation area, walking behind the screens. Some women with pipa and other string instruments also took their places, getting ready.

"Esteemed guests, today is a day of new joy for the Gao family. I, Wang, have brought for you a brand new story that you have absolutely never heard before. This story came to be through extraordinary circumstances; it was bestowed upon me in a dream by a divine being, and it is titled 'The White Deer's Fate'!"

Wang Li's opening immediately raised everyone's interest to a new level. Even Ji Yuan enthusiastically put down his chopsticks; he was very much looking forward to hearing the story Wang Li had adapted.