Chapter 80
Chapter 80
The book's sales were explosive, far surpassing those in Nansan City. People scrambled to buy copies as if they were snatching up free goods. As time went on, merchants acting like scalpers joined the fray, buying dozens of copies at once to resell at a higher price. In less than four hours, all the books Deng Xian had prepared were completely sold out.
Of course, it was an open secret that he had made an immense fortune from it.
* * *
Xu Qianqian was busy preparing for the most important event of her life. This engagement ceremony was essentially a political performance, and despite it being just an engagement, she was putting more effort into it than an actual wedding.
The director was Prefect Zhang Chong, and the actors were Zhang Jin and Xu Qianqian. The performance they were about to stage was the prelude to the encirclement of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate from all sides. Given the importance of the matter, Xu Qianqian was so preoccupied with preparing for the engagement that she paid no attention to the news of Shen Lang releasing a book.
Viscount Zhu Nantong of Nansan City had said nothing about Shen Lang's book. He could have certainly sent a copy to Zhang Jin and Xu Qianqian, letting them know how Shen Lang had subtly depicted the Xu Clan in its pages, but he was not so foolish. If he had done such a thing, the Xu Clan and Zhang Jin would not have thanked him; they would have taken their anger out on him instead. It was far better to let them discover it on their own, so he simply kept his mouth shut.
Unaware of any of this, Xu Guangyun asked Xu Qianqian a question.
"Will Jin Mulan and Shen Lang be attending the engagement banquet?"
"It doesn't matter whether they come or not. The envoy from the Governorate and Lord Ning from the Royal Weaving Bureau will be there. The heir of the Count of Jinhai's Estate from the north has also said he will attend personally, and several other high-ranking officials will be sending representatives. It's not a stage for a live-in son-in-law like Shen Lang to step onto."
"Is the Tang Clan of the Count of Jinhai's Estate also pledging allegiance to the new regime?"
"Not exactly. However, the Tang Clan has agreed to join forces with the Zhang Clan to first eliminate the Count of Xuanwu's Estate."
"It will be a grand banquet indeed."
"The Gold Mountain Island dispute will sound the trumpet, heralding the fall of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate."
"Once Lord Zhang Chong eliminates two counts with fiefdoms, his influence will soar. He will either be appointed Chief Administrator of the Governorate or take charge of an office in the capital."
"He might even be sent to Yanzhou to serve as Governor."
Xu Qianqian's hesitant words made Xu Guangyun click his tongue. To be appointed Governor was a tremendous step up in one's career.
The State of Yue had three provinces and one special administrative prefecture. While the special prefecture couldn't compare to a province in size or population, it was a unique region, ranked far above a regular commandery and only half a step below a province. The highest official of that prefecture held the title of Governor.
"A petty man like Shen Lang, who does nothing but cause trouble, can run around all he wants, but it will be of no use as the great ship of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate sinks. Tian Heng's death was just a regrettable waste."
"The day the Jin Clan is destroyed will be the day Shen Lang dies a violent death. Tian Heng's mistake was considering that petty man his equal and confronting him. That's why he fell for his tricks and was killed."
"Tian Heng tried to swat a fly like Shen Lang but failed to catch or kill it. But once the rotten meat it sits on is gone, the fly will die too."
The Xu Clan, in step with Prefect Zhang Chong, intended to focus solely on overthrowing the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. A live-in son-in-law like Shen Lang was beneath their notice as an enemy. They were aiming for a much bigger target: the Count of Xuanwu himself. Just then, the sound of urgent footsteps came from outside, followed by an even more frantic knocking at the door.
"Master, Young Lady! A disaster, a disaster has struck!"
Seeing the steward's frantic state, Xu Guangyun and Xu Qianqian frowned in unison.
"What is the matter that you are in such a rush? This is a breach of etiquette!"
With his daughter about to marry the Prefect's son, Xu Guangyun's status had risen significantly, and so had his pretentiousness.
‘The Xu Clan will soon be related to a powerful family by marriage. We must maintain a certain level of decorum. How can he be so flustered?’
The steward, Xu Guangyun's trusted servant, entered the room and spoke with a trembling voice.
"Master, Young Lady, that beast Shen Lang has written a book called *Boundless Wind and Moon*."
"And what of it?"
Both Xu Guangyun and Xu Qianqian knew that Shen Lang had published a book. Even before it went on sale in Xuanwu City, Shen Lang had hired many people to spread rumors. Thanks to this, all sorts of unspeakable whispers had circulated throughout the city. In particular, the rumor that reading the book could cure a man's impotence had become the talk of the town. It was hard for anyone in Xuanwu City not to know about it.
However, Nansan City and Xuanwu City were nearly two hundred *li* apart, so no one had actually read the book. The Xu Clan dismissed Shen Lang's publication as trivial and contemptible, paying it no mind.
‘That beast Shen Lang is trying to curry favor with the masses again. Writing such a vulgar novel just to extort money. This will completely ruin the reputation of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. Come to think of it, I heard he wrote it with Jin Mucong. Why hasn't the Count's estate reacted? With Jin Zhuo's temper, he would have beaten both those beasts to death.’
"In less than two hours, all three thousand copies were sold out."
Xu Guangyun, treating it as a trivial matter, asked the steward.
"What does that matter? Selling three thousand copies might bring in a decent sum, but the more that trashy book sells, the more the Count of Xuanwu's reputation will suffer. Isn't that good news?"
"No, that's…! Master, Young Lady, I think you should see the book for yourselves!"
The steward handed a copy of *Boundless Wind and Moon* to Xu Guangyun. The moment he saw the cover, he was stunned. The illustration was incredibly realistic, and the content it depicted was truly shameless. A man and a woman were engaged in *that* act inside a room, while another middle-aged man spied on them from outside… With such a provocative cover, it was no wonder it sold so well.
But as he continued to stare at it, Xu Guangyun felt something was wrong. The woman on the cover looked incredibly familiar. He just hadn't recognized her at first glance because she was barely wearing any clothes. When he lifted his gaze from the book, he saw the woman from the cover right before his eyes. The woman on the cover and his daughter were strikingly similar.
Then, he made an even more horrifying discovery. The pathetic, middle-aged man peeking at the couple on the cover bore a strong resemblance to himself. Even the clothes he was wearing were identical.
Xu Guangyun staggered, his vision turning dark.
At that moment, Xu Qianqian snatched the book and looked at the cover. Her eyes instantly turned red, and a chill ran through her entire body.
‘Vicious Shen Lang! That damn Shen Lang! Heavens, why don't you strike this beast down with lightning?’
Many distinguished guests were scheduled to attend her upcoming engagement ceremony. Shen Lang had chosen this precise moment to release his book in Xuanwu City. What would happen now? How many lecherous men would defile and insult her in unseen places? Shen Lang, that vile man. Not only was he determined to utterly destroy her reputation, but he was also trying to ruin the name of the Xu Clan…
Tears welled up in Xu Qianqian's eyes. Eight years. That was how long she had toiled to build her current reputation, to become known as the beauty and talent of Nujiang Commandery! How much effort had she put in, forcing smiles for so many people? And how many essays had she written for this purpose? She had even spent a great deal of money.
At every tea party where poetry or novels were presented, she invited the daughters of powerful families, as well as countless young talents, provincial graduates, and metropolitan graduates. It all cost money. She had done everything short of sleeping with them.
She had acted perfectly, eating, drinking, and enjoying their company. Only after eight or nine years of this was Xu Qianqian hailed as the great talent and renowned beauty of Nujiang Commandery.
Just then, Xu Qianqian noticed a commotion outside. Opening the window, she saw a large crowd surrounding the Xu residence. They were all men, their eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and lewdness. As the window opened, Xu Qianqian's beautiful face was revealed, and the men outside erupted in cheers.
"That's her! That's the face!"
"It's Ximen Xianxian, Ximen Xianxian."
"I can recognize her even with her clothes on."
For the first time in her life, Xu Qianqian was subjected to the insolent gazes of hundreds of men. It was a humiliation she had never experienced before. And she knew that what was to come would be even harder to bear. She slammed the window shut.
Xu Qianqian screamed in a hoarse voice.
"Shen Lang, you dog! What deep-seated grudge do you have against me to ruin me like this! All I did was kick you out of the Xu Clan! Anyone would see that was the right thing to do! Who would truly marry a fool! You enjoyed months of wealth and luxury in our family! Who the hell do you think you are to run wild like this!"
Unable to hold back the flood of tears, Xu Qianqian cried out in anguish. Xu Guangyun slammed his fist on the table and roared.
"I'll kill him, I'll kill him! I'll kill him no matter the cost…!"
Just moments ago, the father and daughter had been mocking Tian Heng's demise, calling him foolish for treating Shen Lang as an equal. But now, they understood Tian Heng's feelings more acutely than anyone. A bone-deep hatred that reached the heavens had stripped them of all reason. But suddenly, Xu Qianqian remembered a problem even more pressing than revenge.
On the cover, the man engaged in the shameful act with her… no, with Ximen Xianxian. Who was he? He looked very familiar. She quickly realized it was Zhu Wenhua, the second son of the Viscount of Nansan's estate, a man renowned as a great talent who was courting the Prefect's daughter, Zhang Chunhua.
So, what would happen now? She could easily predict the outcome. Countless people would assume that she and Zhu Wenhua were involved. After all, Zhu Wenhua had attended almost every poetry or novel presentation party she had ever hosted. Of course, seeing each other so often could lead to affections, but as heaven was their witness, she and Zhu Wenhua were innocent; neither was interested in the other. But what did such facts matter?
Her fiancé, Zhang Jin, would suspect her of cheating, and she would be remembered by all as a promiscuous woman. Moreover, for years to come, countless men would surely look at the illustration resembling her and commit unspeakable acts.
The steward said to them, "Master, Young Lady. Please read the contents of the book."
Xu Qianqian composed herself, opened the book, and quickly read through it. The first page had only a few large characters.
"This story is based on real events. If you see anything similar to the contents of this book in reality, it is no coincidence."
At that moment, a sense of foreboding washed over Xu Qianqian, making her scalp tingle. She turned the first page, and a crucial sentence caught her eye.
"In the city of Zhuque, the great merchant Ximen Qing was a dealer in silks and fabrics. He had a daughter named Ximen Xianxian, who was married to the son of an official named Zhang Jingji."
How shameless! What kind of allusion was this? It was practically naming them outright. Xu Qianqian continued to read. But despite her boundless fury, there was one thing she had to admit.
This book was exceptionally well-written.
The prose was so sharp and incisive that Xu Qianqian could never have conceived of it herself. While her reputation as a talent had been bought with money, she still had an eye for appreciating literature. Zhu Wenhua was also known as a great talent, but his writing, when compared to Shen Lang's, seemed incredibly childish, like the petty scribblings of a child.
"In my youth, I knew not sorrow, so I feigned it to write new poems."
Xu Qianqian didn't know the poem, but those two lines perfectly described Zhu Wenhua's poetry and novels. Shen Lang's book, on the other hand, seemed to be written by a wise man who had seen through all the sweetness and bitterness of the world, every sentence revealing a transcendent wisdom.
Xu Qianqian was instantly certain. This book would not only become immensely popular but would also be hailed as a classic work, the likes of which hadn't been seen in decades. It would be a book that those in power would especially praise.
In the State of Yue, any official with even a modicum of literary taste would keep a copy of this book by their bedside. The key was that it would be by their bedside, not on their desk. Books on a desk were for show, books they didn't particularly enjoy reading. But books by the bedside or in the latrine were the ones a person truly cherished for themselves.
But the more popular it became, the more miserable her situation would be. The infamy of Xu Qianqian and Xu Guangyun would spread like a stench for a thousand *li*, a stain so deep that not even jumping into the Nujiang River could wash it clean. Just then, another set of urgent footsteps approached from outside, carrying an aura of murderous rage.