According to Lian Gui, the man named Ge Wenjie got so excited after just glancing at the outline. He signed the contract and stayed up all night familiarizing himself with the entire story and characters, and then wrote three Chapters in one go.
Being in a favorable position, Lian Gui also took a peek. Two words to describe it: excellent! Three words: really excellent! Add a few more words, it should be: damn, it’s excellent!
Ye Xinyan only skimmed through it. The opening was about how the Lin family was almost wiped out due to external envy. Although the main character hadn’t appeared yet, the plot already had a strong sense of vengeance. In this era where popular novels aren’t very developed, there are storybooks involving such plots, but none are as captivating as the opening of "The Smiling Proud Wanderer."
This is just the opening of the main text, so it doesn’t greatly affect the follow-up, as long as it’s written to be engaging. Ge Wenjie’s writing skill is quite good, and given he’s already an easygoing and unrestrained person, his writing is not pedantic at all, it’s quite brilliant.
These three Chapters passed the test, so Ge Wenjie can continue writing. Ye Xinyan can also take these three Chapters, which are what we would call the first three Chapters in modern terms, and show them to Zheng Pengfei.
Jiang Yifan looked embarrassed as he accompanied Ye Xinyan to Zheng Pengfei’s room.
At a square table, Zheng Pengfei sat on one side, while Jiang Yifan and his wife sat on the other.
Zheng Pengfei received the thin booklet of three Chapters of the novel but wasn’t in a hurry to open it.
Despite his unremarkable reputation in Jianghu and the fact he was just muddling through life, it wasn’t because he lacked ability or intelligence; rather, it was because he was indifferent and found things troublesome.
After more than a year, it was enough time for him to understand the temperaments of Miss Ye and Grandma Jiang.
Out of nowhere, Jiang Yifan’s wife went out of her way to bring him a storybook and praised it to high heavens... and then look at Jiang Yifan’s expressionless face... definitely a weasel paying respects to a chicken.
Zheng Pengfei placed the novel on the table and asked with a smile, "Why is my sister-in-law being so polite, what do you want me to do?"
Ye Xinyan said with a smile, "There is something, but it’s not too difficult. Brother Zheng, take a look at this storybook first. If it’s passable, we can discuss the matter in a few days."
Zheng Pengfei pushed the book to the side, "For Jiang brother and his wife to come personally, and bring something, it shouldn’t be a small matter. Taking without merit is not my style, sister-in-law should make things clear. If it’s doable, I’ll then read this wonderful storybook. If it’s beyond my capabilities, it’s inappropriate to take benefits without doing anything."
Ye Xinyan smiled and pushed the book back, "The matter isn’t difficult, just involves a lot, so my husband came with me. As for the storybook, it’s nothing, just the beginning, still far from the main text. Brother Zheng can read it in your spare time to pass the time."
Ye Xinyan spoke very candidly, without any psychological burden. Indeed, the matter involves a lot, although things like a woman’s corset aren’t big issues. But it’s about Zheng Pengfei’s moral boundary, which is the biggest issue for someone upstanding.
Zheng Pengfei lives through a special occupation, making moves on wealthy targets. But he’s managed to live well for so many years without making any noise, revealing no name besides to a few close friends. His reliance is not on luck, but on acuity, wit, and intelligence.
He shook his head, "Sister-in-law should clarify the matter first, otherwise, I dare not read this storybook."
It’s not that he doesn’t trust the brother and sister-in-law, it’s the deep impression this sister-in-law left on him. Just last year when he came, he witnessed this woman’s prowess. She faced so many civil and military officials head-on, and won completely, with no issues afterward.
This level of difficultness is rarely seen.
Given his position, if he were to have any handle on this situation, it would really be unbecoming. He is still waiting for Jiang Yifan and Prince Yu to fulfill their promise, so he can enjoy more years of leisure at the teahouse, listen to more storybooks.
Having said that, Ye Xinyan didn’t linger, stood up with a smile and said, "Brother Zheng, you are too polite. It’s just a beginning teaser of a storybook; it’s really nothing significant. Maybe since you’ve seen and heard so many storybooks, Brother Zheng won’t find this eye-catching."
Saying that, she tugged on Jiang Yifan’s sleeve, ready to take her leave with Zheng Pengfei. She didn’t believe it, leaving the book in front of Zheng Pengfei, he could resist not reading it.
Jiang Yifan awkwardly stood up, clasped his hands towards Zheng Pengfei, and made a helpless expression. There was no choice; all his brothers knew how formidable his wife was, with one amazing thought after another, he couldn’t handle it.
Zheng Pengfei helplessly watched Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Yifan leave, followed by several maids and old woman servants. Without being serious, he genuinely couldn’t stop these people.
His gaze involuntarily fell onto that thin booklet.
Early next morning, Jiang Yifan was leaving for the court, just leading the horse out of the courtyard gate, and was utterly blocked by Zheng Pengfei, unable to move even a step. Without Ye Xinyan there, and only Jiang Yifan, Zheng Pengfei considered himself totally free to act.
Jiang Yifan quickly smiled accommodatingly, "Good morning Brother Zheng, why aren’t you practicing, but here instead?"
Though Zheng Pengfei looked calm, he seemed not in great spirits, stared at him with calm eyes, not speaking, yet showed no intention of stepping aside.
Jiang Yifan clasped his hands, continued smiling submissively, "Little brother understands what Brother Zheng wants to say; I was originally planning to talk to Brother Zheng after the yamen. How about we discuss it in the afternoon?"
Previously, he might have asked for a leave from a superior and skipped the yamen. But now he couldn’t; he had just been appointed Director of the Ministry of Works, with quite a leap in position, so many people were watching; he genuinely dared not slack.
Zheng Pengfei’s face darkened, saying, "You talk to me frankly now or don’t bother going to the yamen today!" What a joke? The booklet left on his table, disturbed his sleep all night. Wait till Jiang Yifan returns from yamen? What would he do during that time?
He’d better be frank, if it was something unachievable, he could just set that booklet on fire, and stop worrying about it.
Jiang Yifan pondered briefly, looked at Zheng Pengfei’s expression, and almost figured it out, couldn’t help but find it amusing. This update is available on novel⸺fire.net
Ah Yan truly was not easy to deal with, playing such a trick on Zheng Pengfei, watching Zheng Pengfei at the brink. Fortunately, "The Smiling Proud Wanderer" storybook was good enough, otherwise, keeping Zheng Pengfei hanging , only to feel let down upon opening the book, he feared Zheng Pengfei might go for his life.
Jiang Yifan turned back and ordered, "Shi Yu, get a carriage ready."
Two grown men sat facing each other in the carriage, strangely awkward.
Jiang Yifan smiled wryly, saying, "Brother Zheng, please don’t hold it against Ah Yan; she just has a lively nature and doesn’t pay much attention to rules and etiquette. But in reality, she’s very straightforward and considerate."
Whether Ye Xinyan was considerate, that was hard to say.
Zheng Pengfei felt more and more uneasy with Jiang Yifan’s explanation; whatever Ye Xinyan wanted him to do must not be good.
"Brother Zheng must’ve heard from my senior brother, that it wasn’t easy for me to marry my wife. Brother Zheng, you’re a generous person; if I tell you, you must promise not to get mad at me." Jiang Yifan noticed Zheng Pengfei’s frown tighten and quickly added, "Or I won’t say, Brother Zheng can directly ask Ah Yan."