Chapter 58: The First Night in Luoyang

In life, every moment holds a million possibilities. Countless uncertainties are hidden within countless moments of choice. Yet those who make the choices at the time can neither foresee nor imagine what will follow.

Just as, in the instant Wei Renshi decided to rush out and carry the student who had twisted his ankle, he could never have imagined that this single decision would send him twelve hundred years into the past, back to the Tang Dynasty.

Nor, when he dashed from Jikang Hall to rescue Jiao Haiqing, performing emergency aid, did he expect that saving one life would bring him so many rewards.

The towering city walls of Luoyang suddenly loomed into view, imposing and magnificent. Rising straight from the flat plain, that long line of fortification stood like a giant shield in a military formation, emanating an awe-inspiring authority.

The carriages halted at the gates of Luoyang just as the sunset burned brightly, golden afterglow spilling over the silent, mountain-like walls. The lofty ramparts appeared all the more majestic, echoing the distant peaks.

As the sun sank westward, the golden light faded into a bloody hue, casting a somber brilliance on the city walls, lending an air of desolation—mountains vast as the sea, and the dying sun crimson as blood.

Upon entering Luoyang, the city was as bustling as ever, with carriages flowing like streams and horses like dragons. This place, which offered an illusory vision of a flourishing age, still clung to its splendor. To look upon it, who could know that the brilliant sun of the Tang Dynasty was already slanting towards the horizon like the waning light of dusk?

Having the rare fortune to return to the Tang Dynasty, Wei Renshi’s sole ambition had been to survive well in this ancient time. Everything else was a luxury beyond reach.

Now that survival was no longer an issue, gazing at this glorious city and its thriving streets, Wei Renshi could not help but feel a swell of more ambitious thoughts.

After all, how rare it is to return to the Tang! Once life is no longer in jeopardy, who could resist entertaining dreams?

“Master, the sun is setting,” Xi’er reminded him softly.

Wei Renshi snapped out of his reverie, nodded, and led his party toward the Southern Market.

With the help of the Jiao family, the deeds to two storefronts quickly came into Wei Renshi’s possession. Only after arranging everything in Changgu did he set out for Luoyang.

Having learned that Wei Renshi would arrive today, Manager Tian had sent someone to wait by the city gates all day. Upon meeting them, they guided Wei Renshi’s group toward their property in the Southern Market.

One carriage after another arrived at the large shop. Indeed, it was an enormous building; the first floor alone could seat thirty tables, and it featured a stage for performances, raised between the first and second floors. The second floor offered private booths, ten in all, divided by screens and arranged around the central stage.

Manager Tian’s letters had already described the shop as vast and an extraordinary bargain. Seeing it with his own eyes, Wei Renshi was even more astonished—and delighted.

This had clearly been a thriving restaurant. Converting it into a tavern would spare much effort.

“How did this restaurant fare in its heyday?” Wei Renshi asked the young servant sent by Manager Tian to receive them.

The servant shook his head. “To answer you, Master, business here failed long ago; it’s been closed for more than half a year. The owner wanted to sell for quite some time, but the asking price was too high. After rumors spread that he had been possessed, no one dared to buy it. He died of that affliction, and then they said the place was haunted—after that, nobody even considered it.”

“Not a single buyer?” Wei Renshi was surprised. The scale of this restaurant was beyond his expectations—surely anyone would see it as a steal.

“There were a few offers, but they were too low; the owner refused. Once my manager heard you were serious about taking over, he raised the price by three thousand strings of cash, to twenty-eight thousand, and bought it.”

Wei Renshi frowned. “Oh?”

The servant quickly explained, “My manager said those three thousand strings are his gift to you for opening.”

Wei Renshi said nothing more, directing the carriages to enter the side alley and access the rear courtyard through the side gate.

After a brief inspection, he saw that the rear housed two courtyards: one small but suitable for living, and the other larger, intended for use by the restaurant.

“Master Wei, where will you stay tonight?” the young servant asked. “There is a house in Renhe Lane belonging to the owner, and you are welcome to stay there if this place feels inconvenient.”

Wei Renshi glanced at the sky. “No need. The living quarters are small, but we can have them ready before dark. We’ll stay here tonight.”

The servant looked startled. “Master Wei, you… truly aren’t afraid? This courtyard is…”

“Not at all,” Wei Renshi replied, smiling and shaking his head. “Youqing, fetch two jars of wine for this young man to take back to Manager Tian.”

“Right away,” Sun Youqing replied, heading to the front to fetch the wine. The hired hands were already unloading goods under Sun Youquan’s supervision.

Of everyone present, only Wei Renshi and Xi’er knew the house’s reputation for being haunted; the rest were oblivious and therefore unconcerned.

The young servant, carrying the wine jars, departed. Sun Youquan oversaw the unloading of more wine, while the others began tidying up the back courtyard.

All had brought their own bedding. The previous owner had left much of the furniture behind, so after some cleaning and laying out their quilts, the rooms were ready for habitation.

There were several rooms in the rear courtyard: one for Old Sun, one shared by Sun Youqing and Sun Youquan, one each for Wei Renshi and Xi’er, and one for Sun Peng and his wife.

The courtyard was admittedly small, but the larger front yard served other purposes. Whether to use it as a workshop for brewing and storing wine or convert the whole area into storage for the tavern’s stock, Wei Renshi had yet to decide.

With everyone working together, and thanks to the modest size of the back yard, the cleaning was soon finished.

The hired carriages delivered the wine, settled their accounts, and departed, leaving only the seven of them in the entire compound.

Outside was the Southern Market; they bought some food for a simple supper. After some conversation, Wei Renshi bade everyone retire for the night.

As darkness deepened and the ward gates were closed, the once-boisterous Southern Market finally quieted down. Still, faint sounds of laughter and merriment drifted from the brothels and taverns, where revelers would not return until dawn.

Wei Renshi lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

“Master… Master…” A voice came from outside the door. “Are you asleep?”

He recognized Xi’er’s voice and got up to open the door.

Xi’er slipped inside, looking pitiful. “Master, I’m scared…”

Wei Renshi grinned, ruffled her hair, and said with a chuckle, “I can’t sleep either, having changed places. How about I tell you a story?”