Translated by Pure

Edited by Leilaz and cookiecrunch

Chapter 4: Gutang Bookstore (2)

Since he wanted to inquire about something, Tang Tianyuan thought he should at least make a purchase. So, without looking at the paper, he swiped the first half of the page and said, "Let's get a copy of these."

With such a refreshing customer, the shop assistant cheerfully went to look for the books.

The weird girl went to the corner to clean her hands before eating a small plate of peanuts as she stood in front of the counter. The way she ate was not proper either: she was throwing the peanuts into the air and catching them with her mouth. He was unsure how long she had practiced this stunt, but every throw was accurate.

Tang Tianyuan was dumbfounded. Regardless of whether the girl's brain was working or not, her skills were definitely exceptional.

Another assistant brought a cup of herbal tea, and Tang Tianyuan thanked him and said, "I want to ask you about someone."

"Gongzi, please speak."

"Do you know where Miao Miao Sheng is?"

"Well..." The assistant was a little embarrassed.

Tang Tianyuan very politely took out a piece of silver for him.

The shop attendant didn't accept the money, but looked at the girl at the counter, "Sister Lingyin, this gongzi wants to find Miao Miao Sheng, do...do you know where Miao Miao Sheng is right now?"

The girl called Lingyin wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, drank a big mouthful of sour plum soup, and asked Tang Tianyuan, "Why are you looking for Miao Miao Sheng?"

I'm here to seek revenge... Tang Tianyuan swallowed the truth back into his stomach, and said hypocritically, "I admire him very much, we are friends in spirit, who have never met. Since I just so happened to be traveling to his homeland, I wanted to see him, and fulfill my wish." He really wanted to vomit.

"Oh, there are a lot of people who admire him. I will definitely pass your words on to him, so there is no need to meet him."

Tang Tianyuan took out a piece of gold.

Lingyin swallowed, but still shook her head, "Let’s pretend I didn’t see the money. Safe travels, I will not see you out."

She was in a hurry to kick him out, but Tang Tianyuan was unconvinced. "I haven't gotten my books yet."

As he was talking, the shop assistant had already found all the books Tang Tianyuan had ordered. The employee placed them on the counter to name them one by one, "A picture album <Erotic Arts - Dream of the Red Chamber>; a copy of <The Romantic Accomplishments of Empress Wu Zetian>; a copy of <The Secret History of Boys’ Love>..."

"Don't– don't read anymore..." Tang Tianyuan's righteous arrogance soon shriveled up. He tried to stop the shop assistant in a low voice, completely embarrassed.

Lingyin covered her lips and let out a chuckle, "Sex fiend."

Tang Tianyuan felt even more embarrassed and his face started to burn. He could no longer explain himself. Who would have thought that at least half of the new books in this bookstore were pornography? What kind of bookstore was this...

The shop assistant packed the books and handed them to him. Tang Tianyuan put down the money, but didn't pick up the books, "You guys keep it."

Lingyin laughed again, "A lecher with a heart but no guts."

"You...!" Tang Tianyuan frowned and snorted, "Your words and deeds are vulgar, this is unfit for a lady."

Lingyin smiled, "That’s the way I am. What, are you going to bite me?"

Tang Tianyuan was not good at quarreling, let alone dealing with such shameless people. He didn't plan to argue with her, so he said goodbye and left. As soon as he went out, he turned back and took away the books from the counter.

He was already labeled a "sex fiend", but he couldn’t allow the label of a "lecher with a heart but no guts" on himself. Carrying a heavy pile of books, he stood in the shade of the ginkgo tree and looked back. It seemed this bookstore had used up all of its elegance on the plaque, but the inside was a den of thieves; they really were one and the same with Miao Miao Sheng.

In the bookstore, Lingyin resumed eating her peanuts again.

The attendant asked strangely, "Sister Lingyin, don't you like that person?"

Lingyin stopped, frowned, and shook her head. She touched her chin and said, "To be honest, I felt uneasy when I saw him. It felt as if meeting him was bad luck."

Another attendant leaned in and said, "But he's pretty handsome."

Lingyin pointed to her eyes, "Don’t talk like you don't know I’m nearsighted. Anything past six centimeters, I see double. Why should I care if he’s handsome anyway?"

The guy nodded and continued, "Sister Lingyin, what do you plan to write now?"

Lingyin looked at her right hand wrapped into a bear's paw, "I don't know, we’ll talk about it once my hand is healed... Actually, I have a plan."

"What's the plan?"

"You won't understand even if I explain it. Don’t worry, when I make a fortune, I will share a part of the profits with you guys."

In the end, Tang Tianyuan returned to the inn with a pile of messy books. There, he saw the chief of the inner court, Sheng gonggong[1], waiting for him.

Sheng gonggong was the eunuch from Qianqing Palace. Tang Tianyuan couldn't understand why he appeared here.

He thought he had mistaken him for someone else, but Sheng gonggong greeted him first.

Tang Tianyuan discreetly placed the books in his hands behind him. He chatted with Sheng gonggong uncomfortably for a while, and Sheng gonggong explained the purpose of his visit.

Tang Tianyuan read the imperial decree carefully and finally understood what his father meant by the so-called "practice and experiences" that day. He had realized that he was being kicked into the pit by his father and the Emperor…

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Footnotes:

[1] Gonggong- Honorific used to refer to an eunuch. 

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