Chapter 60 Auction

Shen Xuan shook his head. Seeing that everyone was about to start arguing again over a single portion of medicated diet, he couldn't help feeling a slight headache.

Resting his chin in his hand, Shen Xuan pondered and decided that letting things go on like this was not a solution.

If everyone continued to fight tooth and nail every morning over a single bowl of medicated diet, they might as well shut down their restaurant business.

After thinking for a long while, Shen Xuan's eyes lit up as a win-win solution came to mind.

"Everyone, please lend me your ears once more!"

Shen Xuan clapped his hands and spoke to the noisy crowd in the courtyard.

As soon as he spoke, for some reason, everyone instinctively took a step back. When they realized what they had done, they couldn't help smiling awkwardly.

Even Shen Xuan paused his clapping, his eyes filled with confusion and the corners of his mouth twitching as he thought to himself:

"It was just a bowl of water I splashed on you. Is the stress response really this severe?"

"Ahem! I wonder what instruction Proprietor Shen has for us?"

Seeing the awkward atmosphere, the plump middle-aged man coughed heavily a couple of times before smiling and speaking to Shen Xuan.

"It's like this. Since everyone is so fond of our Jun You Lai's medicated diet, and today has wasted a lot of your time, I've decided to hold an auction!"

Shen Xuan also gave an awkward smile, steadied his mind, and then spoke seriously.

"An auction? I wonder what Proprietor Shen plans to sell? Could it be this Ten-Herb Vitality Porridge?"

Hearing this, the crowd wore identical expressions before someone asked with hesitation.

"Precisely! Tonight at the Hour of Xu, I plan to hold an auction for the medicated diet right here inside Jun You Lai. The quantity will be twenty portions, and the starting bid will remain fifty taels of silver."

Shen Xuan nodded, speaking in a serious tone.

"Proprietor Shen truly has a wonderful idea. Not only do you keep us patrons here, but you also plan to make a little extra profit from our pockets."

Hearing these words, the plump middle-aged man instantly saw through the intention and stroked his short beard with a smile.

Shen Xuan did not refute, instead putting on a helpless expression and saying:

"There's no other way! Everyone is simply too enthusiastic, and this medicated diet is difficult to prepare. Twenty portions is already the limit for our restaurant. Since all of you wish to taste it, the only way is to let everyone compete for it in an auction."

Naturally, Shen Xuan knew that the plump middle-aged man meant no malice.

Moreover, in the eyes of these people, money was merely a number. Tossing out several hundred taels of silver wouldn't even make them blink.

As for how Shen Xuan knew this, let's not forget he used to be the young master of the Qin family. Aside from the young lords of those major merchant associations in the capital, probably no one was wealthier than him back then.

In those days, throwing away hundreds, or even thousands and tens of thousands of taels, wouldn't have caused Shen Xuan to frown in the slightest.

As long as the medicated diet was effective, these people wouldn't feel a twinge of heartache even if they poured several thousand taels of silver into it.

"Very well, this way everyone can just arrive punctually every day without having to wake up early and rush to secure a spot."

The young dandy nodded, gently waving the folding fan in his hand and speaking in agreement.

"Exactly! When the time comes, it will all depend on whose family fortune is deeper. In any case, our Sun family will definitely not lose."

A middle-aged man in cyan robes flicked his wide sleeves and spoke with utmost confidence.

"Mr. Sun, don't get too smug. When it comes to assets, our Bai family won't lose to you either."

A regal young man stepped forward, the corners of his lips curling up as he looked at the cyan-robed middle-aged man with unconcealed provocation.

Seeing that the crowd had been swayed by his words, Shen Xuan spoke up once more.

"Since everyone has no objections to my proposal, then it's settled. Tonight at the Hour of Xu, I hope you will all come to grace us with your presence."

"Definitely!"

"Proprietor Shen can rest assured, I will certainly be here!"

Everyone present chimed in with broad smiles on their faces.

With the matter settled, the crowd naturally dispersed, and the restaurant returned to its usual hustle and bustle.

Diners who had been waiting outside for a long time, not daring to enter earlier, now poured in, and Jun You Lai was once again plunged into a busy rhythm.

"Brother Shen! This scholar has brought today's vegetables for you!"

Right at that moment, Fang Tangjin's voice drifted in from outside the restaurant doors.

Hearing this, Shen Xuan hurriedly led Lin Gui out from the interior of the restaurant.

Looking at Fang Tangjin, who seemed no different from usual, Shen Xuan couldn't help teasing with a smile:

"Why has Brother Fang arrived so late today? Could it be that you didn't rest well last night?"

Upon hearing the inquiry, Fang Tangjin sheepishly scratched the back of his head and smiled with shyness.

"With the Autumn Imperial Examinations just around the corner, I wanted to work harder. I accidentally lost track of time while reading, which delayed the hour. I am truly sorry, Senior Brother, for holding up your restaurant business."

"It's no matter. It's just a small thing, Brother Fang need not mind."

As Shen Xuan spoke, seemingly remembering something, he turned to Fang Tangjin and asked:

"By the way, Brother Fang, I still don't know which academy you are studying at?"

Although Fang Tangjin didn't understand why Shen Xuan suddenly asked about this, he didn't conceal it and replied directly:

"This scholar is currently studying at Taiping Academy."

Hearing Fang Tangjin's words, Lin Gui widened his eyes and exclaimed in shock:

"The scholar is actually a student of Taiping Academy! To think you possess such profound learning!"

Though Lin Gui was only an ordinary person, he had certainly heard of the great reputation of Taiping Academy; it was, after all, the finest academy in the entire Great Qian.

Feeling somewhat embarrassed by Lin Gui's adroit gaze of admiration, Fang Tangjin hurriedly changed the subject.

"Right, Brother Shen, why did you suddenly ask about this? Is there anything this scholar can assist you with?"

Shen Xuan smiled without hiding anything, simply giving Fang Tangjin a brief account of the situation.

"What! Young Master is also going to Taiping Academy in a couple of days!"

Lin Gui was startled once more, speaking with absolute astonishment.

Shen Xuan didn't make much of his reaction, merely waving his hand nonchalantly to tell Lin Gui not to be so emotional.

"So that's how it is. That means Brother Fang and I will be fellow students from now on!"

Fang Tangjin nodded in sudden realization, his face then blossoming with pleasant surprise.

"Then I must ask Brother Fang for much guidance in the future."

Shen Xuan smiled and cupped his hands in salute.

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Brother Shen was personally invited into the academy by Mr. Lu. If we talk about guidance, it should be Brother Shen guiding this scholar more."

Fang Tangjin waved his hands repeatedly, his tone filled with deep admiration.

In the eyes of scholars like them, Lu Wenyong was not only the vice-principal of the academy, but also the respected teacher who imparted knowledge to them.

"Brother Shen, rest assured! When the time comes, this scholar will definitely sweep the threshold to welcome you at the academy gates!"

Fang Tangjin cupped his hands toward Shen Xuan and said with a smile.

"Then I shall trouble Brother Fang!"

Shen Xuan likewise smiled and returned the gesture.

After chatting idly in front of the restaurant for a little while longer, Fang Tangjin took his leave.

There were still many matters to attend to at his mother's vegetable stall, and he had to hurry back.