A moment later, he smiled again.
Looking up at the sky, the spring sunshine was bright, and the breeze was gentle.
The new ruler respectfully bowed to the heavens, then knelt and knocked his head on the ground.
This act shocked the nearby guards. Only the original character, Zhang Fang, understood the emperor’s behavior.
It turns out that what he thought back then was true. That person really is a celestial being descended to earth!
The new ruler said nothing and silently left Dou County.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the thin paper windows, illuminating a man in a gray coarse cloth robe, bowing and wearing a fawning smile as he persuaded two young boys.
“Fourth Young Master, Fifth Young Master, this is just like the divine nectar that celestial beings drink! No! Smoking it is even more enjoyable than being a celestial!”
“Is this really as good as you say?”
Zhang Fourth raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical as he poked at the substance with a folding fan. If it weren’t for Fifth’s insistence on coming here today, he wouldn’t have shown any interest in it. After all, the court had explicitly banned the purchase and use of drugs. If his father, that old man, found out they dared to use drugs, he might get furious enough to break their legs!
The man nodded vigorously, pounding his chest to assure them, “I assure you! Smoking it will make you feel absolutely wonderful! Better than drinking!”
Zhang Fourth did not like this statement. He was a lover of wine, having often boasted that he would taste fine wines from around the world! What could beauty or food compare to his exquisite wine!
Turning, Zhang Fourth called over the youth behind him, “Old Fifth, I think this stuff is just as you said—what sounds pleasant may not taste good! Let’s just go drink! Someone brought new wine today; let’s enjoy it!”
Upon hearing this, the man became anxious and quickly pulled the handsome young man, trying desperately to persuade him, “Oh no! Fifth Young Master! I would never dare to lie! This stuff is truly amazing! You’ll know it once you try it!”
The young man, although handsome, was clearly exhausted, his body feeling hollow. As he was pulled, he staggered and fell to the ground, weak and powerless.
“Old Fifth!” Zhang Fourth immediately pushed the man aside and reached out to pat Zhang Fifth’s face.
The man was also stunned, not expecting that just tugging on him would lead to Zhang Fifth being so fragile! He quickly explained, “I only gave a light pull; it wasn’t intentional! Fourth Young Master, you must believe me!”
“Shut up! If anything happens to Old Fifth, I’ll make you eat dirt!” Zhang Fourth glared at him and tried to pinch Zhang Fifth’s acupoint.
Zhang Fang felt dizzy, but the sharp pain forced him to open his eyes.
What appeared before him was a handsome face, filled with worry, while a segment of text appeared in the air, introducing the identity of this person.
In this world, Zhang Fifth was the youngest in his family, with four older brothers who were all from the same parents. However, not long after giving birth to Zhang Fifth, Mrs. Zhang passed away. Among her five sons, Mr. Zhang favored the youngest, as this child had lost his mother before he was weaned.
After Mrs. Zhang’s death, many tried to persuade Mr. Zhang to remarry, but he and Mrs. Zhang had a deep bond as young spouses. He had no intention of marrying anyone else. Transforming his sorrow into strength, he expanded the family business step by step, growing from a small fabric shop into the largest one in Jiangnan.
Because Mr. Zhang devoted most of his time to managing the business, he neglected the upbringing of his children. By the time he discovered that his five sons were unruly, it was already too late.
Zhang Eldest was in his early twenties, infatuated with beauty. Eighteen-year-old Zhang Second was carefree and addicted to gambling. Compared to his brothers, Zhang Third had not gone astray, but he had a hearty appetite! Though Zhang Second and Zhang Third were twins, they looked vastly different. In reality, Zhang Third had just become too overweight!
Zhang Fourth was sixteen this year, having set a goal at fifteen to taste wines from around the world!
In contrast to his four brothers, Zhang Fifth indulged in a bit of everything: drinking, womanizing, and gambling. He was even more extravagant than they were and was the one who vexed Mr. Zhang the most!
The favorite youngest son, after Mr. Zhang went away for a year, fell into various vices, causing Mr. Zhang deep heartache.
Recently, Zhang Fifth had heard from a courtesan in a brothel that drug use surpassed even celestial beings, and he was recommended to a person, so he had dragged Zhang Fourth here today to buy drugs.
Zhang Fang did not expect to be transported into such a turbulent environment. Luckily, he crossed over before the original character fell into drug use! Otherwise, once the original character became addicted, even if Zhang Fang had the willpower to quit, he would still endure a painful process.
“Fourth Brother, he hit me! Arrest him!” Zhang Fang pushed away Zhang Fourth’s hand, covering his sore acupoint with one hand and pointing at the man selling drugs with the other.
He Jiu hurriedly waved his hands, justifying himself: “It’s a misunderstanding! Fifth Young Master, you misunderstood me! I would never dare to hit you! I only wanted to help you! It was an accident! I didn’t mean it!”
Zhang Fourth was someone who cherished his younger brother; seeing Zhang Fang in such pain, he raised his foot and kicked He Jiu, knocking him to the ground.
He Jiu, in the wrong, dared not retaliate and could only cover his head with both hands as he endured the beating.
At this moment, hurried footsteps could be heard outside.
The door was violently kicked open from the outside, and several official soldiers burst in.
“Sure enough, selling drugs! This is banned merchandise! Everyone, take them away!”
The leading soldier resembled Mu Qing from the previous two worlds. He picked up the item from the ground, smelled it, and his expression turned serious. He immediately ordered for everyone inside to be arrested and taken away.
Zhang Fang immediately reacted, shouting loudly, “Officer! I report him for selling drugs! I learned about him through the courtesan Lin Yuanyuan from Chunmei Pavilion! I came here specially pretending to buy to catch him! I am the informant!”
These soldiers had come here with a purpose, surely having received reliable whistleblower information. Zhang Family was the richest in Jiangnan; who would dare to directly offend them? Thus, Zhang Fang was certain this report was an anonymous tip!