Many years later.
The Drunken Fragrance Tavern had become the most renowned restaurant in the entire dynasty.
Over the years, the Drunken Fragrance Tavern continuously introduced new dishes, such as braised delicacies, constantly satisfying everyone's palates.
Whenever people wanted to dine out at a restaurant, their first choice was always the famous Drunken Fragrance Tavern, known for its excellent food and outstanding service.
Regarding this, people would only say:
"The food is delicious, and regular customers even get discounts. Naturally, the Drunken Fragrance Tavern is the top choice for dining out."
...Meanwhile, the Wind and Cloud Escort Agency lived up to Gu Jinchen's initial expectations. After years of hard work, it had now spread throughout the kingdom and even gradually expanded to many foreign countries.
Nowadays, when people mention the words "Wind and Cloud," whether within the kingdom or abroad, anyone asked could at least say a thing or two about it.
Similarly, under the Wind and Cloud Escort Agency, there was also the Wind and Cloud Inn. Wherever accommodation was needed, the Wind and Cloud Inn was rarely absent.
Uniformly, in places with the most beautiful scenery, not far from the local Wind and Cloud Inn and Escort Agency, there would always be an extremely elegant small courtyard.
Oh, regarding this matter, people were very curious and had asked about it long ago.
Boss Gu said that these small courtyards were prepared for his wife.
He mentioned that he had made a promise to his wife long ago: when their children grew up and no longer needed looking after, they would go out and travel extensively. These small courtyards were prepared to ensure his wife would have comfortable accommodations during their travels.
The proximity to the Escort Agency and Inn was for his wife's safety considerations.
Upon hearing this, the common people understood.
After all, times had changed. With these businesses gradually accumulating in their hands, the once obscure Gu family had long since become one of the wealthiest and most renowned families in the land, so it was necessary to be cautious and thorough.
Moreover, the Gu family wasn't just known for this fortune.
Remember the once-famous Gu Mansion that produced both a top scholar and a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations?
That's right, it refers to the Gu family behind the Drunken Fragrance Tavern and Wind and Cloud businesses.
Now, the eldest son of the Gu family, who was once the top scholar, had long since become an influential Prime Minister in the court.
Meanwhile, the second son, who was the third-ranked scholar in the same examination, chose to go into business, reasoning that it wasn't good for two brothers to compete for power in the same place.
Now, he too had long since become a wealthy magnate in his own right.
"Besides, the three children of Madam Gu - the Third Young Master, Fourth Miss, and Fifth Young Master - are all extraordinary in their own ways!
The closely related Luo family is also remarkable. Would you like to hear about them? Just ten coins per person, consider it a tip for the tea."
Hearing the storyteller's words in the teahouse, the crowd sighed in amazement.
The storyteller, however, remained unfazed and instead gave a sly smile.
"This is exclusive information from our pavilion, unavailable anywhere else. Don't miss this opportunity as you pass by.
Exclusive news about the Gu family, any member of which could shake our kingdom. This offer won't last!"
Indeed, it was exclusive to the Listening Wind Pavilion, but surely their pavilion wasn't the only one of its kind.
"Big brother, second brother, third brother, fourth sister, how was that? Not bad, right?" Gu Ran asked mischievously, watching the scene below.
Like his parents and second brother, this fellow wasn't obsessed with medicine or officialdom, but instead became fascinated with the world of finance.
Don't be fooled by his young age of 16; he truly had an incredibly sharp business acumen.
The so-called 'exclusive news' downstairs had already earned him a fortune.
Hearing the words of their youngest brother, the older siblings all wore forced smiles.
Gu Chen was the least courteous, directly giving him a flick on the forehead.
"Planning to make money off our family history, how dare you ask us what we think?" he said, about to deliver a second flick.
He always refrained from even speaking harshly to his sister, but his brother... well, that was a different story.
Seeing this, Gu Ran quickly dodged his brother's attack, covering his head with a look of grievance.
"Big brother, second brother, fourth sister, look at third brother, he's bullying me again!"
The others, long accustomed to such scenes, just shook their heads and smiled helplessly, silently watching as Gu Chen and Gu Ran chased each other around the private room.
"However, it seems little Ran's martial skills have improved somewhat compared to before," Gu Yunxi observed, stroking his chin.
Zi Qin also nodded in agreement: "I think so too."
Although the triplets were born from the same parents, each sibling had their own unique appearance.
Gu Chen resembled Gu Jinchen more, with about seventy percent similarity when father and son stood together. Both had a cold appearance that didn't lack masculinity.
Gu Ran, on the other hand, looked more like Luo Ge, inheriting some of her youthful features.
While his brother already looked like a dashing young man, Gu Ran still had the appearance of a young boy.
But given his inherent qualities, it wasn't hard to imagine what a charming young gentleman he would become in a few years, easily capturing the hearts of young ladies.
Zi Qin, the darling of both the Gu and Luo families, perfectly combined the best features of Gu Jinchen and Luo Ge.
With delicate and captivating features, skin so fair it seemed translucent, she could carry herself with a cold nobility in plain clothes, yet not lack the vivacity and liveliness of a young girl in others.
She was a beauty capable of mastering various styles.
She was the collective darling of her four brothers, as well as her cousin Zhen Heng, Yun Yan, and the others.
Over the years, she had become the object of envy, jealousy, and admiration for countless young ladies.
As for Gu Yunmu and Gu Yunxi, the eldest and second eldest brothers, there was even less to say. They had grown up being praised for their handsomeness since childhood.
Gu Yunmu, who had entered the court as an official, carried a stronger scholarly air.
The noble ladies of the capital had always described him with phrases like, "His face is like jade on ink, a gentleman unparalleled in the world."
Gu Yunxi, on the other hand, gave more of an impression of a carefree youth. A dashing young gentleman, with wit as quick as divine inspiration.
In short, there wasn't a single person in the Gu and Luo families who wasn't exceptionally good-looking.
Each was a prime example of beauty.
"Indeed, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to win the martial arts championship so easily," Gu Yunmu nodded and smiled, hearing his younger siblings' words.
Gu Ran, who was still engaged in a chase with Gu Chen, couldn't help but feel a bit smug upon hearing these words.
"That's right, ouch, brother, can't you be gentler?"
Just as he was feeling pleased with himself, Gu Chen caught up, and Gu Ran cried out in pain after being hit, sounding aggrieved.
As the youngest in the family, he was used to being spoiled. After all, his grandfather, uncles, and older siblings all doted on him.
Of course, his blood brother standing before him was the exception.
Hearing his cry, the onlookers indeed stopped merely watching and quickly stepped forward to restrain his brother.
"Fifth Brother has always been a bit foolish. Why bother with him?" Though the second brother's words seemed to be mediating, they didn't quite sit right.
Zi Qin also stepped forward to stop the two brothers: "Alright, enough quarreling. The rankings should be out today, right? Shall we go check them together?"
This year's martial arts champion had been decided on the spot, with results announced immediately. However, the process for the scholarly champion involved more procedures, so it took a bit longer.
But by their calculations, the results should be out today.
Hearing this, Gu Chen indeed withdrew his hand, his expression unusually tense.
"Then let's hurry and take a look." Seeing Gu Chen back down, Gu Ran instantly relaxed.
He wasn't particularly excited about this, as long as his name was on the list, it would be fine. It was just his fierce older brother who seemed a bit nervous.
He... he was just feeling anxious on his brother's behalf, that's all.
Yeah!