Ji Han Grand Commander

Chapter 421 415. Drinking to relieve sorrow makes one more sorrowful

"Boss, is there any private room on the fourth floor today?"

Cao Rui came to Qianzuifang with his attendants. The guards under him were very familiar with the shop. They strode into Qianzuifang and asked the shopkeeper who was busy behind the counter.

"Hey, you're here? Yes, there is a seat on the fourth floor. Li Er, go and take the distinguished guest to the bamboo hall on the fourth floor!"

As the manager of Qianzuifang, the shopkeeper naturally had a pair of sharp eyes. He recognized at a glance that the man outside the door with red lips and bright eyes, dressed in exquisite black silk clothes and a flawless jade pendant hanging around his waist was the Marquis of Pingyuan, who was once designated as the crown prince and is now also a strong candidate.

Only high-ranking officials or members of the royal family were eligible to go to the fourth floor, so it was impossible for the seats to be full. Even if Sima Yi came, he would have to sit on the third floor, and he was not eligible to go to the fourth floor.

"Sir, please come in."

The servant named Li Er was also very attentive. He immediately came to the door, bowing and nodding, and invited Cao Rui and his party to go upstairs.

Cao Rui nodded with satisfaction, and the gloom in his heart was slightly relieved. It is true that Qianzuifang is very capable. Its main feature is its considerate service. Whether it is a laborer or a high-ranking prince, they can make everyone feel comfortable.

Of course, this does not mean that they are weak and can be bullied. Some idlers and hooligans who wanted to cause trouble were decisively pinned to the ground and reported to the authorities after the store owners tried to dissuade them many times in vain.

The environment of Qianzuifang is even more interesting. The first and second floors are open to the public. The first floor has classic wooden square tables and chairs, while the second floor has some small seats separated by screens, which are obviously reserved for people who want to talk privately.

Starting from the third floor are the private rooms for dignitaries. The rooms are named after flowers such as roses, peonies, and roses. There are special staff to serve, the maids are well-dressed, and the servants are also dressed in silk. The food, clothing and other expenses are naturally different from those on the first and second floors.

As for the fourth floor, there are various potted plants and flowers, and the decoration is even more magnificent. Just coming to the fourth floor is pleasing to the eye.

At the same time, there are only four private rooms on the fourth floor, named after plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum respectively. The layout of the rooms can be said to be even more jaw-dropping. Rare corals, cultural relics and other items are as if they are free; and there are all kinds of gems as decoration on the lamps above the heads. As long as the lanterns are lit, the whole room will be illuminated by the colorful gems; there are even colored glaze, gold foil and other items as decorations. It is obvious that this is not a place for ordinary people to enjoy.

The fourth floor is served by handsome, smart and capable servants and maids. Not only are they neatly dressed, but the shopkeeper has also hired someone to teach them etiquette. Each room is equipped with a maid and two servants, so that every distinguished guest feels at home.

Although Cao Rui had been the designated crown prince and had seen a lot of things before, he was still shocked when he first came to the fourth floor of Qianzuifang. Even he did not dare to arrange it like that.

After all, labels like thrift and integrity are still very useful in this era, while adjectives like luxury obviously do not have a good reputation, so even Cao Rui did not dare to be so extravagant in his own mansion.

If it was just about good decoration and attentive service, Qianzuifang would not have become the leading winery in Luoyang City like it is today.

A good blacksmith must have good skills himself, and the wine of Qianzuifang is even better. Even the loose wine sold on the first floor to the peasants and lazy people is more fragrant than the old wine of ordinary wine shops, and the price is not much higher.

The fine wines specially supplied to the upper floors were something Cao Rui had never seen before. The first thing he drank was a jar of so-called fruit wine, which Cao Rui didn't think much of, but it actually retained the fragrance of plums, the sweet and sour taste of plums, and the endless aftertaste of wine.

Thanks to Cao Rui's status, the young man who invited Cao Rui was able to go up to the fourth floor for the first time and enjoy an experience with Cao Rui that he had never enjoyed before.

Of course, people of their status would not care about the price. Even if the price of a jar of fine wine is enough for an ordinary person to save for half a year, it is just a drop in the bucket for them. How can it be as important as satisfying their taste buds?
Just as Cao Rui and the others were walking upstairs, they suddenly heard the shopkeeper yelling at the back kitchen. "Hurry up! If you delay the good work of King Yuancheng, I will skin you all alive!"

Prince Yuancheng was Cao Li, the one who was most capable of competing with Cao Rui for the position of heir.

The speaker may not mean it, but the listener may take it seriously. Cao Rui frowned when he heard the shopkeeper's unintentional words. He said nothing and went upstairs with the servant.

Passing by the second floor, I found that the environment on the second floor was quite different from that on the first floor. The first floor was generally inhabited by men in untidy clothes, most of whom made a living by doing hard labor, while the second floor was mostly inhabited by scholars. The environment was much quieter than the first floor, but even so, they were still smiling and chatting about the recent topics in Luoyang City.

"Have you heard that recently Prince Yuancheng held a grand banquet in his palace, and I don't know what happened..."

"Hey, this is definitely not something that ordinary people like us have to do with. Don't ask too much..."

When Cao Rui passed by a table of two people who looked like they were of some wealth and looked like businessmen, their conversation went straight into Cao Rui's ears, making his mood, which had been slightly relieved, worse again.

After all, Cao Rui was just an eighteen-year-old teenager. Under the stimulation of hormones, he had a competitive personality. He was already a little depressed because he was demoted to Marquis of Pingyuan by Cao Pi because of his mother's affairs. He originally wanted to go out and relax, but he didn't expect to hear so many things about his younger brother along the way. It was really what he feared.

However, given Cao Rui's status, he didn't bother to argue with these passers-by. He just frowned and followed the servant straight up to the fourth floor.

Today, apart from him, the other three halls on the fourth floor were empty, allowing Cao Rui to have this great environment all to himself.

"King Pingyuan, what would you like to drink today?"

When the servant led Cao Rui to the door of the bamboo hall, he left on his own, because the follow-up service was the responsibility of the servant in the bamboo hall.

The servant in the bamboo hall was well-dressed and bowed respectfully when he saw Cao Rui, which made Cao Rui nod with satisfaction. This courtesy and attitude was also the reason why Cao Rui did not mind coming to Qianzuifang.

"Today we'll have some of your 'God's Wine' and 'Monkey Wine', and any dishes you like."

Cao Rui was quite familiar with the menu of Qianzuifang and ordered a few items casually.

"As you command. I wonder if King Pingyuan will enjoy the feast himself or entertain guests?"

The servant still asked, because there is a difference between entertaining others and eating by oneself, and they also have to prepare early.

"Just me."

Cao Rui waved his hand, sent the servant away, and stared at the sky outside the window in a daze.

(End of this chapter)