My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 45

Chapter 45: Futures

How could Young Master Luo be involved in this matter? If Cao Chang didn’t know the background of Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou, he would have thought that their family had connections with a big shot.

County Magistrate Huang was extremely fond of this nephew. In addition, Luo Shuang had passed the exam to become a xiucai, and his results were among the best in the county school. County Magistrate Huang had even higher expectations for him.

As for his own children, he originally had three beautiful concubines, who had given birth to several daughters and two sons. But of the two sons, one had died young, and the other had fallen into the river while playing and had been washed away. By the time he was rescued, it was too late.

After losing two sons, no matter what County Magistrate Huang did, he had no more sons. He gradually became disheartened and treated this young nephew, Luo Shuang, better and better.

Cao Chang was shocked. A ruffian causing trouble at Zhizhou’s stall was a trivial matter for people like them. Why would someone specially come to the yamen to give a heads-up?

Young Master Luo is studying at the county school. Could it be Changxu?

While Cao Chang was hesitating and speculating, Xu Zhizhou, while selling Bobo Chicken, saw a group of patrolling yamen runners and felt much more at ease.

A few more patrols by the yamen runners would deter these petty criminals. He and Jiang Zhuo had just set up the five tables with mint tea and plates when they saw the yamen runners escorting a person over.

Jiang Zhuo saw the man’s profile and quickly pulled on Xu Zhizhou’s sleeve. “Zhizhou, I think that’s the man who caused trouble a few days ago. I remember he has a scar on his face. It’s quite scary.”

Xu Zhizhou looked carefully and saw that it was indeed that man. A few days ago, he had been so arrogant in front of them. Now, being escorted by the yamen runners, he was like a dead dog.

His head was lowered. The yamen runners escorting him were also impatient and would occasionally kick him in the knee.

A person like this bullied the weak and feared the strong. Only when he ran into officials did he know his place. If he were facing a woman, a ge’er, or a common person, he would be fierce and vicious.

Xu Zhizhou’s mood completely relaxed. Seeing a customer come to buy a skewer, he immediately went to solicit business, putting this little episode aside for now.

The man was still a bit dazed after being thrown into prison. He had no idea why he had been arrested. When the two yamen runners were about to leave, he immediately called out, “Yamen runner brother, I don’t know what I’ve done wrong. When can I get out?”

“You’ve offended someone you shouldn’t have. Whether you can get out depends on the mood of the person above.”

The man’s question only made him more confused. When he wanted to ask more, the yamen runners had already locked the cell door and left, in no mood to talk.

He lay on the straw, still unable to figure it out.

“Who have I offended these past few days? I’ve been honest and law-abiding, just went to the stall… could it be that stall?” the man said in disbelief.

If they had such connections and status, why would they set up a stall?

After the heavy rain, the next few days were sunny. After class, Song Changxu and Feng Xin’ou went to the bookstore to buy books.

Feng Xin’ou: “Although we’ve been reading the Four Books and Five Classics, Teacher Zhou’s lectures are getting more and more extensive. I’m feeling more and more confused and lost. I think I’ve read too little.”

Song Changxu felt the same. “Only after reading do you realize how insignificant you are. In the vast ocean of books, we are but a small boat. Reading the books of the sages of the past, understanding their thoughts and views, always fills me with admiration.”

Feng Xin’ou: “Brother Song is absolutely right.”

Besides buying books, the two of them also had to buy paper and ink at the bookstore. The paper and ink didn’t have to be too good, as they were consumables. To save money, Song Changxu always used the cheapest paper and ink.

Feng Xin’ou was the same. He had to save where he could. Buying a book was not cheap.

“Take care, young masters,” the bookstore assistant said warmly as he saw them off.

After Song Changxu and Feng Xin’ou came out, their purses were much thinner. The two of them carried their book boxes back home, having agreed to exchange the books they had bought.

Now, Song Changxu really missed the library. With a library, they wouldn’t have to buy books and could read many more.

When Song Changxu had nothing to do, he liked to spend his time in the library. Free air conditioning and free water. Their university library would start to chase people out at 10:30 PM at the latest.

When he returned home, he first put the rice on to steam. Every time Xu Zhizhou went to the market in the morning to buy ingredients for the Bobo Chicken, he would also buy the family’s vegetables, which was much more convenient.

This time, he made stir-fried pork with potatoes and a pickled vegetable and vermicelli soup. Song Changxu also went out to buy some braised meat.

Xu Zhizhou liked to eat braised meat, so Song Changxu would always buy some. Their courtyard also had a small plot of land. They had cleared a space to plant winter melons, as well as garlic, ginger, and scallions. The winter melons took up the most space, while the garlic, ginger, and scallions only took up a small area.

Seeing the winter melon vines growing and a few small melons appearing, Song Changxu was quite pleased. The two of them had planted the winter melons together. Song Changxu had dug the holes, and Xu Zhizhou had sown the seeds.

He went to read first. When Xu Zhizhou came back, it was time for dinner.

Xu Zhizhou had also bought two bunches of grapes, two apples, and a peach, which he had placed under the pushcart.

“I’ll wash two bunches of grapes to eat,” Xu Zhizhou said. He was in a good mood today. He washed the grapes and put them on a plate.

He said with a smile, “Husband, eat.”

Song Changxu ate a few grapes. Xu Zhizhou couldn’t keep a secret and told him about the man.

“My uncle is really reliable. He caught the man so quickly. I don’t have to worry in the future. But I’m still a little worried that he’ll retaliate after he gets out of prison.”

Afraid of worrying Xu Zhizhou, Song Changxu still said, “I’ve asked Brother Luo for help. This person probably won’t be out for a while, and he won’t cause any trouble. Besides intimidating people, he probably has other cases on him.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhizhou’s eyes sparkled. He pulled on Song Changxu’s sleeve and shook it. “You’re so thoughtful, husband. You’re so amazing.”

Xu Zhizhou served some braised meat into Song Changxu’s bowl. “Eat more meat, husband.”

Song Changxu was pleased, but he still maintained a calm expression on the surface.

Xu Zhizhou said, “You don’t have to buy braised meat in the future, husband. I’m a little tired of it.”

Song Changxu nodded.

If he’s tired of it, then we won’t eat it. We’ll buy it again when his appetite comes back.

It was fine to spend a little more money on food and drink.

Song Changxu was waiting for the price of silk to rise. In the meantime, he also had to attend Cheng Maoxue’s birthday. On that day, Xu Zhizhou came back early, dressed neatly, with a silver hairpin and the betrothal gift from the Song family, a silver bracelet, on his wrist, which made his skin look as white as snow. He changed into a cotton robe. Although the material was not as good as that of the aristocratic and wealthy families, the texture was still good.

Song Changxu was dressed more casually. He just tied his hair with a ribbon, wore a green robe, and went out with Xu Zhizhou.

Xu Zhizhou looked around, took a sachet from the bedroom, and hung it on Song Changxu’s waist.

He couldn’t do such fine work as a sachet. His elder brother had made it, and he had taken it from the Xu family.

“You’re good-looking. You look good in this.”

Song Changxu’s face and temperament were enough to support him. He looked elegant and noble.

They went out together. It was not far from the Cheng residence. Song Changxu and Xu Zhizhou bought a gift and presented it. At the threshold, they showed their invitation, and the doorman invited them in.

“Please come in, guests.”

Xu Zhizhou nervously held Song Changxu’s arm, his back straight. After entering the door, there was a winding stream, surrounded by rockeries and trees. They walked along the corridor to the courtyard and heard the noisy sound inside.

Although Xu Zhizhou was very surprised and felt that he was seeing the world, he still maintained his composure.

He glanced at Song Changxu out of the corner of his eye. Song Changxu’s gaze was calm.

Xu Zhizhou muttered to himself, My husband is even better at pretending than I am. The two of them went to the courtyard together. Cheng Maoxue was chatting and laughing with others. Seeing Song Changxu arrive, he said a few words to the others, and then he came over to talk to him.

“Brother Song, you’re here, and so is your husband. Find a place to sit. It’s not yet time for dinner. You can have some more fruits and pastries,” Cheng Maoxue said generously.

“Brother Cheng, happy birthday,” Song Changxu said, cupping his hands.

Cheng Maoxue: “Thank you, Brother Song.”

Someone on the side was calling for Cheng Maoxue again. He pulled on Song Changxu and said in a low voice, “Let’s go over together. I’ll introduce you to a few people.”

In the court, scholars from the same place were more likely to help each other. In another sense, it was a faction.

When the water is too clear, there are no fish. Song Changxu knew this well, so when Cheng Maoxue pulled him over, he did not refuse.

He turned around and reminded Xu Zhizhou, “Zhizhou, I’ll be right back. Find a place to sit first.”

Xu Zhizhou was just getting curious about this courtyard. Seeing that Song Changxu had something to do, he waved his hand. “Go on.”

He was a grown man. He could take care of himself.

He was not a husband-baby.

Xu Zhizhou found an empty seat and sat down. When he saw the fruits and pastries on the table, his eyes lit up.

Today, he was going to eat his fill.

Peaches, bayberries, grapes, loquats, plums, and so on. When Xu Zhizhou saw the grapes, his eyes lit up. He had quickly finished the two bunches he had bought, and now he wanted more.

It was so good to have a banquet. You could eat and drink for free.

Xu Zhizhou ate some grapes, then took a slice of peach, and also had some water chestnut and peach blossom cakes.

He was eating happily on this side, while the ge’ers and women on the other side were all talking. They were busy socializing and didn’t have time to eat pastries.

Only Xu Zhizhou was eating just right.

Xie Cang came in with Xie Feng. His elder brother was immediately surrounded by a group of scholars. They all cupped their hands and pulled him to talk.

Xie Feng said “eh.”

Xie Cang said, “Go on, elder brother. I can take care of myself.”

Hearing this, Xie Feng went with them.

Xie Cang’s attendant smiled and said, “The young master is still so popular. He still remembers the young master, knowing that he doesn’t like to interact with others.”

Xie Cang looked around. Everyone else was talking. Only one ge’er was eating at the banquet. He was eating quickly, but he didn’t look annoying. He looked a bit cute.

He had attended many banquets in Jinhe County, but this was the first time he had seen this ge’er. He was curious and sat down next to him.

Xu Zhizhou sensed that someone was sitting next to him. He looked over and saw a ge’er with an unfamiliar face. His features were elegant and cool. The material of his clothes was well-fitting, and he had an attendant behind him. He looked like a ge’er from a rich and powerful family.

Xu Zhizhou didn’t know him, so he didn’t rashly ask. He demurely ate two pieces of pastry and then stopped. He took a sip of tea, and his eyes lit up.

This tea was so good. After the sweetness, the aftertaste was endless. No wonder some of the scholars never bought the mint tea he sold outside. The quality of the tea leaves determined the taste. The tea brewed from good tea leaves was really different.

He took another sip, not too much. Tea was the most filling. He had already eaten so many fruits and pastries. He had to save his stomach for the main course.

Besides, with someone sitting next to him, he was a little embarrassed to eat too much.

Xie Cang looked at him and said hesitantly, “Which family are you from? I’m Xie Cang from the Xie family.”

Xu Zhizhou thought over Xie Cang’s words and said softly, “I’m Xu Zhizhou from the Xu family.”

Anyway, it’s the same sentence structure as his. I’ll just change the name. He was so smart.

Xu Zhizhou was intoxicated by his own cleverness.

Xie Cang: “…” Why haven’t I heard of him?

Xie Cang: “Did you come alone?”

This time, the Cheng family had invited many people from Jinhe County, mostly from scholarly and aristocratic families, as well as wealthy merchants.

Xu Zhizhou shook his head. “I came with my husband.”

Xie Cang was shocked that Xu Zhizhou was already married. He was stunned. “Your husband is…”

“That’s my husband,” Xu Zhizhou said, pointing.

Song Changxu was talking with Xie Feng, Cheng Maoxue, and a few other scholars. He was dressed the most simply, but standing there, his presence was not overshadowed at all.

His features were handsome, his figure slender. He looked like a good gentleman. But Xie Cang had not expected the two of them to be married so young. For example, his elder brother was already twenty-three this year, and Brother Luo and Brother Cheng were also in their early twenties. They were not yet married, thinking of first achieving a good reputation before getting married and having children.

His elder brother and Brother Cheng were so familiar with that gentleman, but he had not heard his name.

Xie Cang asked again, “What’s your husband’s name?”

Xu Zhizhou saw an attendant come to clear the fruit platter and pastries and was very heartbroken. “Song Changxu.”

It matched. He had heard his elder brother mention this name.

Xie Cang started to talk to Xu Zhizhou, mostly about the trivial matters of ge’ers.

“What do you usually do?” Xie Cang asked curiously.

As the husband of a xiucai, he should also be well-read. He must be at home all day, tending to flowers and reading classics.

Xu Zhizhou answered like an honest person, “I set up a stall outside to earn money. It’s Bobo Chicken. I’m usually at… If Young Master Xie wants to try a different taste, you can come and have some. My stall’s location is fixed.”

It was the first time Xie Cang had met someone who didn’t play by the rules. All the women and ge’ers outside were good at pretending. He was so open about setting up a stall, and even solicited customers.

The attendant behind him was also dumbfounded.

Xie Cang cleared his throat. “Alright, I’ll go.”

Xu Zhizhou nodded with satisfaction. His husband could solicit customers at the academy, and he had also gotten a customer at the banquet. He was so amazing.

It was almost time. Master Cheng, a middle-aged man with a beard, said a few words, and they took their seats.

Song Changxu sat next to Xu Zhizhou, who was very expectant. This was his first time eating at such a grand place.

Xie Feng saw Xie Cang here and sat down with him. Luo Shuang followed suit. Cheng Maoxue couldn’t. He had to sit with some of the older generation.

The dishes started to be served. Delicacies were placed on the table as if they were free. There was an attendant standing on the side. If the guests had any requests, they could ask.

In Xu Zhizhou’s mind: “Wow.”

Crystal goose, braised pork knuckle, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, lotus leaf chicken, Mapo Tofu, braised eggplant, stir-fried wild rice with meat, and crucian carp and tofu soup.

Song Changxu was amazed. Brother Cheng had said that his family was in decline. As expected, having an official in the family made a difference. The foundation was still there.

Xu Zhizhou was like a country bumpkin in the city. He looked at the delicacies on the table with wide eyes. And the presentation of the dishes was very particular, pleasing to the eye, but the portions were a bit small.

Such a large plate with so little food. Xu Zhizhou suspected that the people at their table would not be able to eat their fill.

He wanted to eat, but he was too embarrassed to be the first to start. He waited silently.

When someone started to eat, Xu Zhizhou quickly followed suit.

He first ate the fish. The fish meat melted in his mouth, fresh and tender, with the sauce infused into it. After eating, his mouth was full of flavor.

Xu Zhizhou had eaten a lot of delicious food, but now he realized that the people at the table were not eating much, but preferred to drink and chat. This was to his advantage. He was so happy.

Song Changxu also had to say a few words. Actually, he wanted to eat more.

“It’s difficult to be an official now. In the past, there were still connections. Now, connections can only get you a minor official position. If you want to have a great future, you still have to take the imperial examination,” a country gentleman said.

Xie Feng replied with a smile, “In my opinion, the imperial examination is a blessing to the world. The Great Yan is vast and rich. It selects talented people to govern the world for His Majesty. We scholars also have a way to serve the court. The imperial examination is fair and just. It is also a great blessing to us aristocratic families, as it can urge our children to study harder and not be a good-for-nothing protected by the family.”

No matter what the others thought in their hearts, on the surface, they all agreed.

“Brother Xie is right. The imperial examination is a blessing to the world, and a blessing to the aristocratic families.”

“That’s right.”

Song Changxu was amazed. Brother Xie was also talking nonsense. He would believe it if he said that the imperial examination was beneficial to the poor scholars and His Majesty, but he didn’t believe a word that it was beneficial to the aristocratic families.

Song Changxu also raised his cup, clinked it, and drank it all in one gulp.

After eating, they all said goodbye. When they walked out of the Cheng family’s door, Xu Zhizhou’s stomach was full. He pulled on Song Changxu to go for a walk in the night market to aid digestion.

“Husband, the food at the Cheng family’s banquet was so delicious.”

“I think that crystal goose was very good.”

Xu Zhizhou nodded in agreement, his eyes lit up, and he mentioned a few more dishes, which Song Changxu agreed with.

It was so good to find someone who could understand him.

After wandering around the night market, they went home. Song Changxu still had Xu Zhizhou learn a few characters before he let him go to sleep.

“I’m going to sleep first. I really want to sleep all day and not get up,” Xu Zhizhou said with a yawn.

Song Changxu quickly read an article before he went to sleep. After blowing out the candle, he still needed some time to fall asleep. He used this time to review the article in his mind.

He had probably drunk a lot with them today. At night, his mind was still very excited. He only fell into a deep sleep in the middle of the night.

.

Song Changxu’s life at the county school was peaceful. It had been raining for the past two or three days. When he got home, he would go to check on the silk in the storage room from time to time.

He had written another essay at the county school and had read the Analects. Song Changxu could now recite the general content of the Four Books and Five Classics.

He remembered that when he was preparing for his master’s degree, he had also had to memorize a lot of materials. Memorizing was a piece of cake for a liberal arts student. In university, when it was almost time for the final exams, he would often cram at the last minute and memorize the key points in two or three days. Some people even crammed in one night.

It wasn’t raining after class today. He went back with Feng Xin’ou.

Feng Xin’ou saw someone selling flowers. He bought a flowerpot. “My husband likes flowers. I’ll buy a pot and put it by the window. He’ll be happy when he sees it.”

Song Changxu nodded and also bought a pot of flowers.

As the two of them were walking on the street, someone suddenly shouted, “The price of silk has gone up! One catty is now ten copper coins.”

A person selling silk at the market almost jumped up when he heard this. “It’s really gone up! I want to sell!”

A merchant immediately went up to the person to discuss the business.

Song Changxu had hoarded a lot of silk. The neighbors all knew. Feng Xin’ou looked at him with hesitation. “Brother Song, the price of the silk you bought has gone up.”

“Brother Feng, this is just the first wave of news. It looks like it will continue to rise. I’ll sell the silk when the price is right,” Song Changxu said calmly.

He was not greedy. He would sell it decisively when the price rose to twenty-five copper coins.

Feng Xin’ou thought to himself, Could it be that Brother Song had predicted that the price of silk would rise when he had hoarded it?

He had this thought, but his mind immediately refuted it. How could that be? Brother Song doesn’t have the ability to predict the future.

It was a coincidence.

In the afternoon, when Xu Zhizhou came back, he said with a smile, “The price of silk has gone up. I heard at the market that it’s already up to thirteen copper coins. We can sell our family’s silk.”

Song Changxu brought over a bowl of vegetable soup. He said, “Let’s wait a little longer. It hasn’t reached the top yet.”

Xu Zhizhou bit his chopsticks. “Anyway, you’re the one who bought it. You can keep an eye on it. I don’t understand these things, so I won’t say anything.”

Hearing this, Song Changxu explained a few more words to Xu Zhizhou. “The news has only just spread for a day. Some people haven’t reacted yet. It will probably rise again.”

Buy when no one is asking, sell when there’s a lot of noise. [1]

Silk was also a kind of futures.

Song Changxu sat on the fishing platform, unperturbed.

After three or four days, the market had reacted, and the price of silk had skyrocketed to twenty-three copper coins.

Those who had sold their silk early were filled with regret, almost slapping their thighs.

“Oh my god, how could I be so stupid? I sold all my silk. Otherwise, I would have earned so much money.”

“I sold my silk too early. Who knew it would rise so much?”

Many merchants were holding onto their silk and watching.

When the price rose to twenty-five copper coins, Song Changxu decisively sold all his silk.

“Young Master Song, you can still wait and see. What if it rises again?” someone advised.

Song Changxu: “It’s already reached my expectation. I’m not greedy for more.”

Although it was called futures, it was also a kind of gamble. Song Changxu knew when to stop and to withdraw in time.

He had made a profit of eighty taels.

When Xu Zhizhou returned home and saw the four silver ingots on the table, he immediately went forward and held them. “Oh my god.”

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: A little profit. [Milk tea]

Little Xu: Wow. [Rainbow fart]