Two days later, the annual Apricot Blossom Banquet was held in the capital.
Below Mirror Bridge, pleasure boats shuttled back and forth like a woven tapestry. On both banks, weeping willows swayed gently in the breeze. Walking along the river embankment for about six or seven li, one would find a bay of azure water, with a waterside pavilion built on an island in the lake's center. By this time, several painted boats had moored around the pavilion, all carrying elegant scholars and distinguished figures who had come for the Apricot Blossom Banquet to gather and compose poetry.
This place was serene and secluded, surrounded by water on all sides. One could see the spring scenery along the river embankment in every direction, and gazing into the distance revealed rows of apricot trees in full bloom like rosy clouds. Men of letters had always been particularly fond of this spot, and every year during the Apricot Blossom Banquet, they would come to the lake's center to admire the scenery and compile several volumes of poetry anthologies.
This year was no exception.
Just as the scholars were chatting cheerfully and their poetic enthusiasm was kindled, another painted boat docked at the pavilion, and a passenger stepped off. The newcomer wore a square cloth cap and a brand-new reddish-brown tunic, his face glowing with health and high spirits.
The visitor was Squire Zhao.
The scholars in the pavilion, upon seeing Squire Zhao, were stunned for a moment, then someone exclaimed: "Squire Zhao, what brings you to the Apricot Blossom Banquet today?"
Squire Zhao pressed his lips together. "Why shouldn't I come?"
"Weren't you perpetually troubled by sinusitis, sneezing endlessly and crying at the sight of willow catkins?" another person asked in surprise. "In previous springs, you rarely even stepped outside your door. How did you manage to come out today? There are so many willow catkins along the way."
Someone else stared at him, bewildered. "And I don't see you covering your nose with a handkerchief. Old Zhao, what's going on with you?"
Squire Zhao walked to the pavilion table and sat down composedly, raising his arm with an air of dignity. Only after everyone's gaze was upon him did he speak unhurriedly: "Today, not only have I come to the Apricot Blossom Banquet, but I also took a stroll along the river embankment and even ordered a braised goose under Mirror Bridge before boarding the boat. As for the handkerchief—" He suppressed the triumph in his heart and smiled faintly. "My nasal congestion is cleared, so naturally I have no use for such a thing."
"Old Zhao, are you pulling our leg?" Before he could finish, a fellow diner interjected skeptically. "Sinusitis has always been difficult to cure. Many of our old friends are troubled by it and thus cannot enjoy the festivities at the Apricot Blossom Banquet. How exactly did you manage to cure it?"
Upon hearing this, Squire Zhao snorted lightly: "Why would I deceive you? What benefit would lying bring me? If you don't believe it, go to the Spring Revival Pharmacy on West Market Street yourself, buy some Unblock the Orifices Decoction, take a couple of packets, and you'll know whether I'm lying."
With that, he casually snatched a poetry anthology from someone's table: "All these years, this is the first time I've been able to enjoy the willow catkins in such comfort. I think today's poetry gathering should use willow catkins as the theme!"
The lively scene at the Apricot Blossom Banquet was something Lu Li unfortunately did not get to witness.
Du Zi'an, the owner of the Spring Revival Pharmacy, had been a wastrel in the past, spending his days cockfighting and dog-fighting, lingering in brothels and entertainment venues. Yet now he seemed to have turned over a new leaf, having cast aside all those romantic escapades. On the day of the Apricot Blossom Banquet, he actually hid in the shop reading account books all day.
Though truth be told, there wasn't much in those account books worth reading.
However, even if he had been in the mood for leisure, Lu Li had no time to spare. For the past several days, Lu Li had been preparing medicinal decoctions at a leisurely pace.
The herbs for the Unblock the Orifices Decoction were not precious, so Du Zi'an was generous, letting Lu Li proceed freely with the preparation. It was Qing Luan who always seemed worried, unable help but ask Lu Li: "Miss, we've made so much of this decoction, and not a single jar has been sold. Should we pause for now?"
"There's no need." Lu Li said calmly. "Someone will come to buy eventually."
"But..."
Before she could finish, voices suddenly