xymnovel Chapter 35: Celebrities
Chapter 35: Celebrities
Chang'an City had two markets, East and West, with the West Market being the most prosperous.
Although the name of this Zhang Family Restaurant sounds simple and unpretentious, it is actually one of the most luxurious high-end restaurants in the West Market, frequented by scions of prominent families, officials, gentry, and wealthy merchants.
In a place like this, the waiter is naturally very perceptive. Even disregarding the dozens of followers Li Ang brought, just by looking at his luxurious brocade robe, one can tell that the young man before him is no ordinary person.
Such trivial matters as dealing with servants were naturally not something Li Ang had to worry about personally. In fact, even Liu Hongyi was too lazy to do anything and only sent two low-ranking eunuchs to make the arrangements.
A moment later, the eunuch returned and reported a few words, and Liu Hongyi then stepped forward to speak.
"My lord, I have already spoken with the shop owner. The private rooms on the third floor have been prepared, and the guests who originally made reservations have been turned away. I have also asked them to prepare the best singing girls to play music. Although they cannot compare to the famous courtesans of the Imperial Music Bureau, they can still add some elegance to the experience."
As he spoke, he gestured to the servant in front to lead the way.
The servant initially thought he was some kind of young master from a prestigious family, but seeing the shop owner's fearful and apprehensive demeanor, he became even more convinced that this was some extraordinary figure.
Li Ang nodded and started walking forward. However, just as he reached the second floor, he suddenly heard a murmur of discussion coming from a private room next door.
He hadn't paid any attention at first, but as he passed by, he overheard a few words mentioned, such as "court politics," "eunuchs," and "Shence Army."
He stopped in his tracks and asked.
Who is inside?
Upon hearing this, the servant hesitated, seemingly afraid to answer.
Seeing this, Liu Hongyi's face darkened and he lowered his voice to reprimand him.
"The master is asking you a question, so answer quickly!"
The servant was startled by the imposing aura and quickly bowed his head, saying, "Your Excellency, it is Secretary Duan of the Secretariat who is hosting a banquet to welcome a friend who has just returned to the capital."
"Duan, the Proofreader?"
Li Ang frowned, somewhat unfamiliar with the title.
So Liu Hongyi, who was standing nearby, quickly stepped forward and whispered.
"Young master, you should be Duan Chengshi, the son of the late Duan Wenchang, the military governor of Xichuan. He once served as a proofreader in the Secretariat and later followed Duan Wenchang to Xichuan to take up his post. At the beginning of this year, Duan Wenchang died in office, and he escorted the coffin back to the capital and is currently observing the mourning period."
Duan Chengshi?
Li Ang vaguely recognized the name, but couldn't recall where he had heard it before.
After a moment's thought, he asked again, "Do you know who he invited today?"
This time, the servant dared not hesitate and hurriedly replied, "Your Excellency, they are all scholars in the capital awaiting the imperial examinations. I don't know anything else, but when they entered, I heard that the one who was to be welcomed was named Li Shangyin."
This name immediately piqued Li Ang's interest, after all, who hadn't heard of the reputation of "Little Li Du"?
Yes, he remembered where he had heard the name Duan Chengshi before.
Li Shangyin was a close friend of Wen Tingyun, a lyricist of the "Huajian School". Wen Tingyun had been a staff member of Duan Wenchang and studied with Duan Chengshi in his early years. Later, their children became in-laws.
Since it's a welcome dinner for Li Shangyin, it's highly likely that Wen Tingyun will also be there.
This was the first time he had met such renowned poets since he came to this era, and he immediately became interested in meeting them.
However, he hesitated for a moment, feeling it was inappropriate to rush in.
Liu Hongyi, who was standing to the side, was also good at reading people's expressions and quickly noticed this thought. He also didn't really want Li Ang to go to the Shence Army Workshop.
So he immediately said, "Does Your Excellency wish to meet these young scholars? Perhaps this old servant could go and fetch them to join you for a feast?"
Li Ang nodded, then, as if remembering something, instructed, "Don't be too ostentatious. Just say that I heard their poems and was impressed by their talent, so I invited them to a gathering. If they are unwilling, don't force them."
Liu Hongyi bowed his head and said, "Rest assured, my lord, this old servant understands."
After saying that, he turned and walked towards the private room, while Li Ang went to the private room on the third floor that he had reserved.
As a famous high-end restaurant in the West Market, Zhang Family Restaurant is decorated in a very luxurious style, with colorful silks and pearls everywhere.
Whether Liu Hongyi used some means or not, there were no other guests on the third floor at this time.
Apart from a few courtesans playing the pipa behind a screen not far away, the private room was surprisingly quiet.
The music is soothing, the fragrance is warm and pleasant. Sitting in the private room, you can look out at the scenery of the capital city through the half-open window, and also take in the bustling street scene nearby.
Not long after, Liu Hongyi returned to the private room and said.
"My lord, the person has been brought here."
Li Ang looked up and saw several young men dressed in brocade robes standing outside the private room.
The leader was around thirty years old, already had a beard, was tall, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and had the air of an official.
If nothing unexpected happens, this should be Duan Chengshi.
Behind him was a young man in his early twenties, not as tall as Duan Chengshi, but with a very handsome face. Especially in this early winter season, he was holding a folding fan, exuding the air of a refined scholar.
In contrast, the last person appeared more ordinary, with somewhat worn-out robes and a very simple appearance.
Led by Liu Hongyi, the three entered the private room, their faces showing some suspicion, but they remained polite, bowing with their hands clasped before speaking one after another.
"My name is Duan Yuanshi..."
"My name is Wen Tingyun..."
"My name is Li Shangyin..."
Just as Li Ang had guessed, among the three, Duan Yuanshi was the tallest, Wen Tingyun was the most handsome, and Li Shangyin was the most unassuming.
Li Ang stood up and returned the greeting, saying, "My surname is Li, and I am the second son in my family. I happened to come here today and heard that Duan, the Proofreader, is hosting a banquet for his friends. I admire your talent and reputation, so I took the liberty of inviting you all to join me. I hope you will not be offended."
"Li?" Of the three, Duan Chengshi, having served as an official, was the first to react, and hesitantly asked, "Could you perhaps be a member of the imperial clan?"
As he said this, he couldn't help but glance at the guards on the third floor and the attendants around him.
He came from a prestigious family and had met quite a few members of the imperial clan, but he rarely saw anyone with such a grand display.
Li Ang neither denied nor explained, but simply smiled and nodded, saying, "Indeed, my ancestor was a descendant of Emperor Suzong. You may call me Li Erlang. Please sit down."
Among the emperors of the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Suzong had the most children, but saying that is really meaningless.
Regardless of the circumstances, Duan Chengshi and the others could tell that Li Ang was no ordinary person, so they couldn't refuse. After exchanging a few polite words, they entered the banquet.
A moment later, the restaurant quickly served a table of fine wine and dishes. Li Ang was not in a hurry to bring up politics, but instead chatted enthusiastically with Duan Chengshi and the others about poetry and literature.
Although he was completely clueless in this area as a modern person, he was fortunate to have the original owner's memories. While he couldn't be a complete expert, he still had the basic skills.
After a few rounds of drinks, seeing that the people opposite him were gradually relaxing, Li Ang turned his gaze to Li Shangyin, who had spoken the least, and asked.
"The servant who led the way said that Brother Duan is hosting a banquet today to welcome Brother Shangyin. So, Brother Shangyin, you just arrived in the capital a few days ago?"