Fan Lou, this was the foremost of Tokyo's seventy-two prime establishments.
The seventy-two prime establishments referred to the seventy-two most renowned restaurants in Bianliang City.
Fan Lou was located at the northern end of Imperial Street. As the grandest purveyor of luxury in the entire Bianliang City, it was a favorite haunt for affluent merchants, noble families, princes, and scholars every evening.
What's more, not only was Li Shishi performing her zither today, but two celebrated talents, one old and one new, had also arranged a contest here.
This was a rare spectacle in Bianliang City. The Chinese people's penchant for excitement was as strong as ever, even in the Great Song Dynasty a thousand years prior.
It wasn't just the princes and nobles who enjoyed the festivities; even the common folk of Bianliang City couldn't resist the urge to catch a glimpse of these three figures.
Li Shishi, Zhou Bangyan, and Han Mo had all drawn countless gazes to this Fan Lou tonight.
Naturally, even the vendors in the night market were enjoying brisk business tonight.
The entire exterior of Fan Lou was already teeming with people at this time.
Fortunately, it was on Imperial Street. Had it been any other street, it would likely have been completely blocked by now.
By the time Han Mo and his party arrived at the foot of Fan Lou, the entire building was already surrounded three layers deep.
"Young sir, there's no space to park the carriage. Perhaps you could alight and walk a bit!"
Seeing the bustling crowd, Xu Fengnian felt a sense of helplessness.
He had originally wanted to follow Han Mo inside to join the excitement, as a place like this was not somewhere a mere servant could normally frequent.
Just being able to stroll through it would be enough bragging material for a lifetime.
"No rush, you go find a place to park the carriage first, and we'll enter slowly!"
Han Mo smiled. Regardless, he was the protagonist tonight.
No matter how late he was, these people would have to wait for him.
Meanwhile, almost all the seats inside Fan Lou had been booked.
Many who arrived late, even if they could only stand and watch, were unwilling to leave.
Looking at the throngs of people, Zhou Bangyan's expression grew increasingly displeased.
He had personally sent out the invitation today. The sky had long since darkened, yet this fellow still showed no sign of appearing.
Was he really going to wait here foolishly for him all night?
"Tell me, Master Zhou, are you sure the invitation was delivered? Why hasn't this person arrived yet?"
Not only was Zhou Bangyan impatient, but even the princes and nobles were starting to lose their patience.
"When I left the Imperial Academy today, I saw Brother Han heading towards Hu Ji Perfumery. I suspect he's cleaning up and dressing up before making his appearance!"
As the main focus of the evening, Han Mo naturally attracted attention.
Zhong Yanchong, naturally, would not miss such juicy gossip.
He had gone to great lengths to squeeze out a chair amidst the crowds of Fan Lou.
"Cleaning up? I think he's afraid to come!"
As soon as his words fell, a familiar voice echoed from behind him.
"Who did I think it was? It's Master Cai. What, are you here to lecture on the Book of Changes tonight?"
"Hahahaha!"
The moment Zhong Yanchong finished speaking, peals of laughter erupted from the crowd.
Cai Shu lecturing on the Book of Changes had become the funniest joke in Bianliang City recently.
Because of this, he had been punished by his grandfather, Cai Jing, to copy the Book of Changes three hundred times.
He had been copying at home for several days, his wrist almost breaking, yet he hadn't even completed half of the task.
He wasn't supposed to be out, but upon hearing that Han Mo and Zhou Bangyan were set to duel here tonight, he had climbed over the wall and sneaked out, risking another beating.
"You, Zhong, are you trying to pick a fight?"
It was considered rude to bring up someone's shortcomings. This fellow had immediately touched upon his sore spot, and Cai Shu's eyes immediately turned fierce as he glared menacingly at Zhong Yanchong.
"Pick a fight? Are you kidding me? Do I need to pick a fight with you? Wasn't what I said the truth? What's wrong, Young Master Cai? Are you planning to 'shelve' me for ten years too?"
As Zhong Yanchong spoke, the previously bustling Fan Lou suddenly fell silent.
"Alright, alright, tonight let's only talk about romance and pleasantries, not these unpleasant matters!"
Seeing the scene starting to become awkward, several students from the Imperial Academy quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
If they continued arguing like this, the situation would truly become difficult to manage.
"So Han Mo has only composed two poems, and you all have lauded him to the heavens. Is this kind of person even qualified to compete with Master Zhou?"
Cai Shu snorted coldly and swaggered towards a seat designated exclusively for him.
As a top-tier dandy of Bianliang City, he naturally had his own reserved spot in Fan Lou. Even if he didn't come, that seat wouldn't be offered to anyone else.
"Two poems? What's wrong with two poems? Some people spend their entire lives composing poems and can't produce a single masterpiece! Although Brother Han has only written two, they are both masterpieces. What? If you're not convinced, you can try too! If you can write with the same grandeur as Brother Han, I'll respect you!"
Their families had a long-standing feud, and enemies meeting naturally meant intense animosity.
The moment they spoke, the air became charged with gunpowder.
"Since you say that, how about we have a proper wager tonight? I, this young lord, will set the odds. We'll bet on who wins between Master Zhou and that brat Han Mo! If Master Zhou wins, it's one to one. If Han Mo wins, I'll pay ten to one!"
The Song people were fond of gambling, and this extended from the top down, with even the emperor not being averse to it.
Even Emperor Renzong had often gambled with his eunuchs and maids in the palace back in the day.
Hearing Cai Shu's words, the entire Fan Lou immediately became a hubbub of voices.
This time, it was Zhong Yanchong's turn to feel nervous.
With this kind of momentum, if he were to bet on Zhou Bangyan winning, wouldn't that be slapping his own face?
But Han Mo had already said he might not come tonight.
If he didn't show up today, wouldn't that mean he was guaranteed to lose?
"What's the matter? Are you afraid to gamble? Or perhaps your purse is empty, and you don't have enough money for this!"
Cai Shu laughed heartily, unbuckling a bulging money pouch from his waist.
"Brother Zhong, this is a great opportunity to make a fortune. Bet with him!"
Just as Zhong Yanchong was in a dilemma, Han Mo's voice suddenly sounded behind him.
"Young Master Han has arrived!"