Long Yuan gazed at the nearly lifelike portrait of Miss Li that he had just completed. The image on the parchment radiated a delicate beauty that seemed to captivate the viewer's attention, as if Miss Li herself were looking back through the paper. His [Artisan's Touch] skill had proven to be remarkably effective—he had drawn a portrait that blended elegance and subtle mystery, enough to intrigue any who laid eyes on it.
With the drawing complete, he carefully rolled up the parchment and made his way toward the local painter's store. This shop was well-known for producing high-quality reproductions of manuscripts and scrolls, and it was the perfect place to get their guidebook copied. When Long Yuan arrived, the old shopkeeper took one look at the portrait and the title "How to Win the Heart of Miss Li" and smirked knowingly.
"Young master, you certainly know how to play to the whims of the heart," the shopkeeper said with a grin. "How many copies would you like?"
"One hundred," Long Yuan replied, his tone calm and calculating. "I need them within two hours."
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by the ambition of such an order. "That'll be no easy task, but for the right price, anything can be done."
They settled on a price of two silver coins per guide—steep, but worth the investment considering the potential profits. As the shopkeeper got to work, Long Yuan nodded in satisfaction. With the price of two silvers per guide, he planned to sell each one for ten silvers to the young, wealthy men vying for Miss Li's attention. It was a bold scheme, but Long Yuan knew that their desperation to stand out would drive sales. After all, no expense was too great when trying to win the heart of a rumored beauty.
With the copying process underway, Long Yuan realized he still had two hours to spare before the registration would begin at noon. That left him enough time to prepare for his next move. He couldn't appear at the registration looking like just another poor recruit. He needed to present himself as someone who belonged among the wealthy and powerful, and that meant acquiring new clothes.
---
The streets were bustling as Long Yuan made his way to a tailor's shop known for its fine garments. He stepped inside, the smell of rich fabrics and fresh linen filling the air. As he approached the counter, he overheard a conversation between a customer and the tailor, piquing his interest.
The customer, a young man dressed in fine robes, was having his measurements taken. His name, as Long Yuan soon learned, was Zhong Yan, one of the prominent figures in town. Zhong Yan was tall and well-groomed, the kind of man who carried himself with the confidence of someone who was used to getting what he wanted.
"I want something that will make me stand out at the Li Family's registration today," Zhong Yan was saying. "I'm not going there just to serve—I'm going to ask for Miss Li's hand in marriage."
The tailor chuckled softly as he continued working. "Many young men have similar hopes, but Miss Li is said to be quite selective. You'll need more than just fine clothing to catch her eye."
Zhong Yan smiled confidently. "Ah, but I have a plan. I'll impress her with my wit and my status. After all, what lady wouldn't want to marry into the Zhong family?"
Long Yuan's eyes gleamed as he listened. Here was an opportunity. He stepped forward casually, drawing Zhong Yan's attention. With a polite smile, Long Yuan said, "Forgive me for overhearing, but if you truly want to stand out in Miss Li's eyes, I may have something that can help."
Zhong Yan raised an eyebrow, intrigued but skeptical. "And what might that be?"
"There's an old man near the registration area," Long Yuan said smoothly. "He's selling something quite rare—an exclusive guide about Miss Li. It's filled with insights about what she values and how to win her favor. It's not something you'll want to miss if you're serious about your intentions."
Zhong Yan looked intrigued now, though he tried to hide it. "And how would you know about such a guide?"
Long Yuan smiled, his expression calm and assured. "Let's just say I know how to recognize an opportunity when I see one. If you're looking to stand out, this guide will give you the edge."
Zhong Yan considered this for a moment before nodding slowly. "I see. Well, if what you say is true, I'll certainly look into it. What's the price?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Long Yuan replied, feigning ignorance, "but something this rare won't come cheap. Still, it could be the key to securing Miss Li's hand."
Zhong Yan smiled faintly, a glimmer of greed in his eyes. "Thank you for the information. I'll see what this old man has to offer."
Satisfied with the seed he had planted, Long Yuan turned back to the tailor. "I'll need something that exudes class," he said, his tone firm. "I don't need to stand out as much as blend in among the wealthy."
The tailor nodded and quickly took his measurements, showing him a selection of robes that were elegant yet understated. After selecting a finely made set of clothes, Long Yuan paid for his purchase and stepped out of the shop, feeling a renewed sense of confidence.
As he walked back toward the registration area, he couldn't help but notice the glances of the women on the street. They giggled softly, casting him curious, playful looks as he passed by. Dressed in his new attire, Long Yuan's handsome appearance now matched the sharp mind he possessed, and he could feel the shift in how others viewed him. He smiled lightly at the attention but kept his focus on the task at hand. There was no time to be distracted by such things.
---
Long Yuan soon found himself back at Old Man Ding's stall, where the copies of the guidebook were nearing completion. Old Man Ding looked up from the growing stack of freshly copied guides, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Everything's going according to plan, young master," the old man said, his voice filled with anticipation. "These guides will fetch a handsome price. Are you ready to make some sales?"
Long Yuan nodded, a smile playing at his lips. "More than ready. Once the registration begins, we'll have our audience."
Old Man Ding handed him one of the completed guides, flipping through the pages with satisfaction. The cover, adorned with the beautiful image of Miss Li, was sure to catch the eye of any young suitor. The title, "How to Win the Heart of Miss Li," practically screamed opportunity to those hoping to stand out.
"We have two hours before the registration begins," Long Yuan said thoughtfully. "That gives us just enough time to set up and begin making our sales. We need to be ready the moment the young masters arrive."
Old Man Ding nodded eagerly. "They'll be clamoring to get their hands on these guides. Just you wait."
As they prepared for the rush of customers, Long Yuan couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The plan was coming together perfectly, and with each step, he was positioning himself closer to his ultimate goal. The registration was merely a stepping stone—his true aim was to rise through the ranks of the Li Family, using wit, strategy, and charm to carve out a place for himself in this new world.