Chapter 1124: Tong San Courting Death

Qiu Hao is no stranger; he is the young master of the Fugui Building.

Fugui Building used to be the largest restaurant in Linhe Prefecture, but it has declined over the past few decades. Its reputation is not as good as Gaosong Building or Golden List Tower, but the Qiu Family still holds some status in Linhe Prefecture. Qiu Hao is like a fearless calf, having grown up listening to storytelling. His voice is not only loud and fast but also diverse in words.

Upon hearing someone criticize him, he directly threw a piece of silver at the person. With a thud, the silver landed on the person’s foot, causing them to howl in pain.

"What are you yelling for? This piece of silver is your reward; it’s more than the Tong Family paid you to put on a show, right? The Tong Family is so stingy; everything they do is worth a penny. At most, they can give you three taels of silver, but I’m giving you ten taels. Hurry up and thank me for the favor!"

After speaking, Qiu Hao pointed at the guests in the hall and said: "You, you, you, and you, Wu Dafa, you bunch of poor wretches can’t even afford braised meat without credit; where did you get the silver to dine at the Golden List Tower? Claiming you weren’t bribed by the Tong Family to praise Tong San, who would believe that?"

Several people, including Wu Dafa, turned green at these words and pointed at Qiu Hao, saying: "Qiu Hao, you damn brat, stop spouting lies. We weren’t hired by the Tong Family specifically to praise Young Master Tong San. But you, were you bribed by Gu Jin’an to praise him?"

Thud, thud, thud!

Three pieces of silver were thrown down by Qiu Hao, nearly hitting Wu Dafa and the others on the head.

Qiu Hao laughed and said: "Did you see that? What did I just throw down? Silver. Does the Qiu Family lack money? Can Gu Jin’an bribe me? I don’t even know if Gu Jin’an is round or flat. But you poor wretches, hurry up and tell me, where did you get the silver to dine at the Golden List Tower? Did the Tong Family give it to you, or did you rob someone last night?"

Qiu Hao’s words were like gunfire, reasonable and well-founded, choking Wu Dafa and his company.

Seeing this, the porter knew things were bad and quickly slipped away.

The shopkeeper of the Golden List Tower was angry to death and hurriedly came out and said: "Young Master Qiu, you misunderstand. Our Tong Family is upright and has never invited people to praise or belittle others. We don’t know where Wu Dafa and their silver come from, but guests are guests, and we ask Young Master Qiu not to trouble our guests at the Golden List Tower."

Qiu Hao was furious and pointed at his still-childish face, saying: "Am I not your guest at the Golden List Tower? You, as the shopkeeper of the Golden List Tower, don’t stand by me and instead bully the distinguished guests of the private room? Do you believe I could have our storyteller talk about how you bullied me for three days straight?"

The shopkeeper of the Golden List Tower felt like dying from frustration; how did they end up getting involved with this little rascal? Knowing this, they should have never let Qiu Hao in today.

But it wasn’t that they hadn’t stopped him; they tried, but didn’t succeed. If they didn’t let Qiu Hao in, the Golden List Tower would also be accused by him of bullying guests, leaving them helpless.

Young Master Tong San heard Qiu Hao’s words, his face turned blue with anger... Qiu Hao, that little brat, always opposing the Tong Family. Fine, wait for me, one day I will bring you to my bed!

"Dafu, go apologize to Young Master Qiu." Young Master Tong San wanted to maintain his image as a gentle and graceful young man, so he had to swallow this bitter pill.

"Yes." Dafu hurried to the adjacent private room to apologize to Qiu Hao.

But when Qiu Hao saw him, he spat on him and cursed: "Phew, disgusting!"

He then returned to the private room, slammed the door shut.

Dafu frowned, wiped off the saliva on his clothes, and after venting his anger, went back to report the situation to Young Master Tong San.

Young Master Tong San listened, frowning slightly, but he did not delve into the matter deeply, only regretting he had not taken the opportunity to deal with Qiu Hao when he was drunk. If that had happened, and he had something on Qiu Hao, Qiu Hao wouldn’t dare defy him like this.

Nonetheless, Young Master Tong San did not worry that Qiu Hao would bring up the matter from two years ago because Qiu Hao wouldn’t dare tarnish his own reputation.

Young Master Tong San said: "Don’t blame him, it’s youthful temper; he’ll grow out of it."

He then started dealing with the congratulatory visitors, sending away three porters before the government official came to deliver congratulations to Young Master Tong San. He said: "Another wave of officials has gone to your residence; if Scholar Tong has finished entertaining guests, please return home promptly to greet them."

Young Master Tong San heard this and replied positively, asking the official: "I heard Brother Gu from He’an Prefecture has become the top student, becoming a small three yuan; this is a great delight for our Jianghuai. I want to visit the Gu Mansion to congratulate and inquire about where Brother Gu resides."

Where each candidate lives is registered at the government office, sealed before the list announcement, only known by officials. After the announcement, officials learn the addresses to deliver the congratulations.

Thus, the official knew and accepted the silver note from Young Master Tong San, smilingly saying: "First Place Gu’s family doesn’t have a mansion in the prefecture; they reside in the Xu Family’s mansion, right in Qingzhu Lane. Squad Leader Song has already personally gone to report the good news."

It won’t be long before the entire prefecture knows that Gu Jin’an lives in Qingzhu Lane, and therefore, this silver is earned wisely.

Young Master Tong San heard this, smiled and immediately invited everyone in the private room: "Gentlemen, come with me to Qingzhu Lane to congratulate Brother Gu, shall we?"

Liu Wenqing had quietly returned, seeing no one in the room spoke, quickly said: "Of course, let’s go with Brother Tong to Qingzhu Lane to congratulate Brother Gu!"

He cursed Tong San in his heart, you really know how to act, clearly hating Gu Jin’an and wishing for his demise to snatch the top position, yet pretending to congratulate him; maybe... I heard Gu Jin’an has the beauty of orchids and jade trees, is Tong San trying to indulge himself?"

No wonder Liu Wenqing thought so; Tong San even had a liking for Liu Wenqing, much less Gu Jin’an with his renowned beauty.

And indeed, Tong San harbored this intention. His plan was if Gu Jin’an became the top student, he would openly show goodwill towards him while secretly spreading rumors that Gu Jin’an was unfilial, then organize scholars and madmen to resist him. When Gu Jin’an fell from grace, he would then lend a helping hand, and savor his beauty secretly.

He believed that by then, Gu Jin’an would have no strength left to resist, even if it were a disgrace, it would have to be endured.

Therefore, before leaving, he instructed Dalun, who had just returned from escorting Liu Wenqing: "Inform Da’an that the matter I instructed him can proceed."

Dalun nodded: "Yes, I’ll go notify Da’an now."

Tong San smiled contentedly after Dalun left, taking several young masters along to Qingzhu Lane... Heh, Gu Jin’an, wait to be destroyed by me and serve me on your knees.

But Tong San had misjudged; his tactics might work against Yan Xiaowu, but against Gu Jin’an, it would be courting disaster.