With their plan taking shape, Long Yuan and Old Man Ding split up to take care of the details. Long Yuan headed to the market to gather supplies—fine brushes and sheets of high-quality paper. If he was going to create a drawing that would captivate potential buyers, it had to be done with a touch of artistry and care. Meanwhile, Old Man Ding took it upon himself to spread the word across the city.
The old man worked quickly, visiting every busy corner and mingling with groups of eager young men who were preparing for the Li Family's registration day. He spoke in hushed tones, just loud enough for those around him to overhear, creating an air of exclusivity. "I heard there's a special guide about Miss Li," he would say, glancing around as if sharing a well-guarded secret. "It's filled with insights and tips on how to win her favor. The word is it'll be available on the day of registration."
Soon, whispers about the guide began to spread like wildfire, igniting curiosity and excitement among the potential recruits.
Back at the small shop they had chosen as their base, Old Man Ding sat down and put his knowledge to paper. With a careful hand, he wrote down everything he knew or had heard about Madam Li and her daughter. Rumors, anecdotes, and tidbits of information came together to form the content of their guidebook. The more vague or unverified the information was, the more they played it up, embellishing the details to add an aura of mystique.
"The young lady has a taste for classical music... I think I heard that once," Old Man Ding mumbled as he scribbled down a note. "And she apparently enjoys poetry. The old master used to say she was raised to appreciate the arts."
Long Yuan took the notes, scrutinizing them closely. "These are enough for a start," he said. "But to make this truly valuable, we need to add something unique—something no one else can provide." He paused, his gaze steady. "I need to see Madam Li myself, even if it's only for a moment. That will give me enough to sketch a portrait of her daughter."
The old man's eyes widened in understanding. "So, you mean to make the portrait as close to the real thing as possible, eh? That would definitely make the guide stand out."
The next morning arrived quickly, bringing with it the day of registration. Long Yuan and Old Man Ding made their way to the Li Family's mansion. The street leading to the estate was bustling with activity, filled with young men from different walks of life—some from noble families, others from modest backgrounds—all dressed in their best clothes, eager to prove themselves worthy of serving the prestigious family.
As they neared the registration grounds, they saw a grand platform set up at the front of the estate. The Li Family's emblem, a graceful dragon entwined with a lotus flower, was displayed prominently, giving an air of elegance and power to the entire scene.
Before long, a hush fell over the crowd as the gates opened, and a stunningly beautiful woman stepped onto the platform. Her presence commanded immediate respect; she seemed to be in her early thirties, with delicate features and a poise that radiated authority and grace. Her dark hair was elegantly pinned up, and she wore a flowing gown of deep blue silk, embroidered with silver patterns that shimmered in the morning sunlight. This was Madam Li.
She gazed over the crowd with calm, discerning eyes, then began her speech.
"Young men, I welcome you to the Li Family's registration," she said, her voice clear and melodious, yet carrying an unmistakable strength. "It pleases me to see so many of you here today, eager for a chance to serve. Let me remind you that joining the Li Family is not just about gaining employment or earning a salary. It is about dedicating yourself to a life of discipline, loyalty, and the pursuit of excellence. Our standards are high, and we accept nothing less than the best."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing. "To serve in the Li Family is to commit yourself to a higher purpose. You will be expected to not only carry out your duties with diligence but also to uphold our values of honor, respect, and integrity. If you are here for superficial reasons or think that mere wealth can buy your way in, you will find yourself sorely mistaken."
Her gaze swept across the assembled young men. "Registration will begin at noon. Those who wish to prove themselves will have a chance. Use this time to prepare, to reflect on why you wish to join us, and how you can contribute to the Li Family's legacy."
As Madam Li stepped down from the platform, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Long Yuan's eyes lingered on her, noting every detail—the way she moved, the faint lines at the corners of her eyes that hinted at wisdom beyond her years, the calm grace with which she carried herself. This woman had a commanding presence, and the beauty that many had spoken of was indeed no exaggeration. With these details fresh in his mind, he was confident he could draw a portrait that would closely resemble her daughter.
Turning to Old Man Ding, Long Yuan said, "We need to move quickly. There's no time to lose." The old man nodded, and they immediately made their way back to the shop.
Once inside, Long Yuan spread out the paper and prepared his brushes. "Old Man Ding, get everything ready for the guide while I start the sketch," he instructed. "We need to have everything finalized by the time the registration begins."
He dipped the brush into the ink and began to work, his strokes steady and sure. The image of Madam Li was still vivid in his mind, and he drew from that memory, adjusting the features to resemble what he imagined her daughter might look like—softer, with a hint of youthful charm but still bearing that unmistakable aura of refinement.
Old Man Ding glanced over occasionally, watching in awe as the sketch took form. "Young master, you have quite the talent for this," he remarked. "It's almost as if I'm seeing the real thing."
Long Yuan didn't respond immediately, focusing instead on capturing every detail. The eyes, he thought, should carry a subtle sharpness, like Madam Li's, while the hair would be a little looser, cascading in waves down to her shoulders. Finally, he added some touches to suggest an elegant dress, one that hinted at nobility without being overly extravagant. The result was a captivating image—enough to spark the imagination of any young man who saw it.
By the time Long Yuan finished, the guide was nearly complete. Old Man Ding had added the written sections, detailing the supposed preferences of Miss Li, as well as the Li Family's customs and etiquette. Each page was designed to give an impression of insider knowledge, even if some details were more speculative than factual.
"Let's get these copies ready," Long Yuan said, glancing at the clock. "The registration will start soon, and we need to make sure we're there just in time to distribute the guides."
Old Man Ding nodded, a sly smile forming on his lips. "Well, young master, if this works out, we might just end up with a tidy sum by the end of the day."
Long Yuan's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Oh, it'll work. I guarantee it."
As they prepared the final touches, a sense of excitement hung in the air. The registration day was just beginning, and for Long Yuan, it wasn't merely about becoming a servant. It was about making his mark, using every opportunity to carve a path toward his ambitions. Whatever came next, he was ready to face it head-on.