It was already close to midnight, and the liveliness of Jiangning City was gradually reaching its peak. The carriage came from the Su Mansion and passed through a relatively less crowded road. As it approached Wuyi Alley, its speed gradually slowed down.
Along the way, there were countless bustling lights outside the carriage. Lifting the curtain and looking out, even the usually quiet road was very lively at this time. When they arrived at the commercial street near the Black Cloth Alley, the road ahead was crowded with people. The carriage was basically stuck in a swamp and it was difficult for it to move forward. A group of people were dancing a big dragon and beating gongs and drums as they came from that direction. The young coachman had no choice but to stop the carriage at the side.
"Sister Xiaochan, it's not going to be easy."
The young man was probably one or two years older than Xiaochan, but he still called her sister. Although it seemed that Xiaochan was just running around with Ning Yi for the past few months, in fact, this little girl and her other two sisters had been trained under Su Tan'er for many years. Su Tan'er might be in charge of the Su family in the future, and her three most trusted maids, even the big and small deacons, had to give them some face. This was also the reason why a little girl like her could call the carriage. This young man, who had just entered the Su mansion and signed a 20-year contract, more or less knew her identity, so he was respectful to her and looked curiously at the girl who seemed to be younger than him.
"I see, I'll get off here, you can go back." Xiaochan opened the curtain and jumped out of the carriage. She turned her head and smiled at him, then waved her hand, "Thank you."
"I-I'm Dongzhu." The young man summoned his courage and said his name with a slight stutter, then looked up and said, "There are too many people in front, let me send you over."
"Brother Dongzhu." Xiaochan smiled and bowed to thank him, then waved her hand and turned around, "No need, it's okay." Like a butterfly, she ran into the crowd. Her small hands could still be seen waving in the air a few times. Then, she submerged into the crowd and disappeared.
Xiaochan had already walked back and forth in Suzhou City many times, and was very familiar with it. Regardless of the extreme situation, in terms of social interaction, work, and handling a little trouble, the seemingly innocent and cute Xiaochan was actually much better than the village boy named Dongzhu. Moreover, in such a crowded place, it was unlikely that anyone would make things difficult for a little girl who came out to shop and join in the fun. There were indeed many hedonistic second generations, gangsters, and bullies these days, but it was not so easy to meet one.
Amidst the clamor, people skipped and skipped through the dragon dance crowd. From a brothel to the side came a faint and decadent singing voice, which gathered in the bustling sounds of the street. Not long later, someone raised a piece of paper and quickly ran over from the other end of the street. "Lichuan Poetry Meet, Young Master Tang Yu's new poem on bamboo …" Then, he pasted the paper on the poetry ranking board in front of a shop. The surrounding crowd surged, and an old man pushing a cart selling tea eggs and thousand-layer pancakes smiled as he avoided the crowd. Xiao Chan also hurriedly avoided the small cart, smiling as she followed to the front to watch the excitement.
After watching for a while, Xiaochan hurriedly followed the crowd to the river at the other end of the street. Wuyi Alley was not far from this street. The alley was relatively narrow, but it was also filled with a lively atmosphere, brightly lit, and crowded with people. Near the riverbank, one could already see the liveliest Teacher Temple.
This riverside street was the brightest pearl in all of Jiangning City, and the road was filled with exquisite lanterns. The six boats of the Pu Yuan Poetry Meet cruised on the Qinhuai River all night, but at this time, they would definitely pass by here. Xiaochan had experience participating in poetry meets, so she directly ran here to wait. She found a jewelry shop opened by the Pu family by the side of the road and handed over the invitation. The shop owner hurriedly called someone to stop a small boat. At this time, the magnificent Dragon Palace on the Water had already appeared at the far end of the Qinhuai River, and under the silhouette of the many pleasure boats, it sailed over here.
The small boats on the riverside approached and left from time to time. This small boat then gracefully left the shore under the illumination of the lanterns, and rowed towards the huge pleasure boat that was approaching the center of the river. On the bow of the boat, the little girl gently hooked her fingers in front of her body, and raised her head to look at the gradually approaching pleasure boat. The lanterns on the pleasure boat also gradually illuminated the little girl's cute bun and little face with a hint of longing. Music came from the side of the river. Another song and dance performance inside was probably coming to an end, but she did not feel regretful. It was actually very good to be able to come and play. If she could learn a few songs here … She thought of the way the son-in-law liked to listen to songs at night … Yes, son-in-law would definitely be very happy.
The song and dance in the pleasure boat dispersed, and then there was a warm round of applause. Then, a small boat came from the shore and delivered a few outstanding poems that appeared in the great poetry meeting, and some even added some praises and comments from some people. It was impossible for a large group of people to sit around and read and write poems all the time. In fact, from the moment the pleasure boat set sail, there were many programs. Listening to poems, listening to songs, guessing lantern riddles, looking at the scenery, and so on. From time to time, it would give everyone an atmosphere and enlightenment. But at this time, it had finally entered the most crucial stage of this grand event. Because speaking of this, although tonight's party would last until after the Chou Shi hour, which was after three in the morning, in reality, after the Zi Shi hour, the poetry meeting would gradually become bleak.
The main reason was that most of the elderly or the physically weak middle-aged people — most poets were physically weak — would at most be able to party until this time. After this time, their spirit would not be able to support it, and it would basically be time for them to go home. And in the literary world, those who could have a certain reputation were naturally these people. If they wanted to become famous tonight and get attention, these people's views were the main focus. And after they left, what was left was the real game of scholars and beauties. Seducing girls would only become the main theme when the time came. It was equivalent to a grand party of visiting prostitutes. Although in this era where visiting prostitutes was a common practice, this matter could indeed be put on the name of elegance, but the meaning was not as important as before. Between fame and beauty, if most men in this era had to choose, they would choose to become famous first.
Therefore, at this time, all kinds of good poems had come out one after another. In fact, some of the best poems had already been sent over. Tonight, there were a few poems about the moon that were amazing. Su Tan 'er also copied a few poems on the plain white paper in front of her. At this time, she was chatting softly with a female member of the Wu Residence that she knew.
Actually, she also loved poems. Although she was not good in this aspect, poets in this era were like modern stars. Which girl did not have a little bit of romantic thoughts in her heart? She was not good at it, so she liked poems even more. The feeling of a certain scholar showing off his literary talent in front of everyone naturally made her moved.
Of course, this was only a part of the spiritual pursuit in life, just like how many modern girls liked Liu Dehua. Although she liked it, she would not show too much in normal times. Moreover, her Husband Ning Yi should not be very good at poetry. From the time she saw the poem "Three lotus roots floating in the green pond can be thought of by one's thoughts", she understood it clearly. Moreover, he had confessed himself, but this actually did not matter.
After a while, Xiaochan also came over with a female servant who led the way.
"Is Husband asleep?"
"Yes, he is."
"Juan 'er and Xing' er are there. How about letting them add a cushion to squeeze together?"
"Okay, Miss, I'll go over … Hello, Third Miss Wu."
After bowing to the womenfolk of the Wu Residence, Xiaochan then trotted towards the direction where two little maids were waving at her. At this moment, Juan 'er and Xing' er were sitting in front of a short table, which was filled with all kinds of exquisite fruits and food. Xiaochan sat in the middle, and the three maids squeezed together happily.
Not far away, Su Tan 'er and the womenfolk of the Wu Residence got up and walked for a while. Similar gatherings like this usually separated the male and female guests, and there was a screen between them, but of course it was not strict. The people invited to the Pu Yuan Poetry Meet were not all unmarried young ladies, but basically couples who came with their families. Although they were separated by a portion, everyone was a little more polite, but when they walked by the side, the husband and wife could still meet and talk. Su Tan 'er accompanied the womenfolk of the Wu Residence to the side of the boat and looked at the lights on the shore. The husband of the Wu Residence also walked over. The Wu Residence had the largest cloth business in Jiangning. Both parties knew each other before. After exchanging a few words of greeting, they talked about information about cloth. Su Tan 'er originally wanted to avoid arousing suspicion and let the husband and wife have some intimate words first. After a while, Xue Jin and a few other young masters also walked over, waving their folding fans. They were wearing scholar headscarves, changed from the normal clothes of merchants, and dressed like scholars. At this moment, when the evening wind blew, they seemed to have some style of feather fans and silk headscarves — oh, folding fans and silk headscarves.
Xue Jin was in the limelight tonight. Just now he wrote a poem about the moon, and everyone sang along. It could be considered as one of the most outstanding poems in tonight's Pu Yuan Poetry Meet. At this moment, he walked over, and the man from the Wu Residence cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Brother Xue is really talented. Tonight, I'm afraid you'll be in the good graces of Miss Qi Lan. Congratulations."
That Qi Lan was one of the famous courtesans in the Qinhuai area these few years. She only sold her skills and not her body. She was said to be both talented and beautiful, and had some relations with the Pu family. That was why they could invite her this time. She would choose some poems that she liked to sing at night. Of course, there were also prepared programs, but the poems that she chose to sing were usually the ones that were the most popular at a certain stage of the meet.
The operation here was complicated, and not everything was decided by talent, but talent could indeed decide most things. Xue Jin's poem itself was not bad, and he had a good family background, so the possibility of him being chosen as the finale was very high. If he was in the good graces here, in the next few months, he might have the opportunity to get close to Miss Qi Lan, and be invited to a banquet or discuss poems and essays. This was something that was very popular. If he could go one step further and get Miss Qi Lan, and take her into his room, that would prove the ultimate achievement of his manly charm.
The Qinhuai River had been around for hundreds of years, and this kind of story happened every year. It could also become a popular topic for a long or short period of time. In such a topic, a man would naturally be in the limelight. After that, even if he announced his name, people would also be envious of him as a distinguished scholar, and his reputation would be better.
At this time, being praised, Xue Jin naturally declined modestly. The Wu Residence's womenfolk beside him also smiled and said, "Young Master Xue's poem, I am also a little touched after listening to it." Su Tan 'er also liked the poem, and opened her mouth to praise it. Actually, there were people who supported the sedan chair. For those who were really familiar with it, such as this Wu Family woman, such as Su Tan 'er, they all understood that the other party's poems were mostly bought from a famous poet to show off.
Xue Jin smiled happily, and said a few more words of modesty. Both parties chatted for a while, and that Xue Jin said, "It's a pity that Brother Ning did not come, or else with such a grand occasion, there would definitely be a good piece of work …"
Su Tan 'er frowned. The few of them seemed to be in high spirits, and as the host, a middle-aged man from the Pu Family also walked over. This man was the Pu Family's head's younger brother, and his name was Pu Yang Yu. In his early years, he had also become a High Scholar, and had some talent. He was originally walking around to entertain people, and at this time, he smiled and interrupted the conversation, asking what everyone was talking about. Xue Jin then explained, saying that Su Tan 'er's Husband, Ning Yi, was originally prepared to come, but it was a pity that he happened to catch a cold these few days, which was a pity. Otherwise, with Ning Yi's talent and so on and so forth.
"I think that might not be the case. I heard that although that Ning Yi has studied for a few years, but he is just a mediocre person. It will be the same whether he comes or not." Someone at the back said.
Xue Jin smiled and turned his head, "Brother Feng, don't talk nonsense. I have seen Brother Ning's elegance and bearing, the Su Family's choice of Brother Ning …"
Su Tan 'er's husband, Ning Yi, did not have much talent, and the people of the Wu Residence who were friends with Su Tan' er knew that. Therefore, in the conversation just now, although they also asked about Ning Yi's health, it did not involve poetry or talent. At this time, looking at the other party's performance, the two people of the Wu Family naturally understood Xue Jin's thoughts. In the past, Xue Jin pursued Su Tan 'er, but when he failed to propose marriage to her, he held some resentment and played some tricks. To be honest, there was no technical content in his performance, but the effect would not be reduced. If he continued to speak like this, there was no guarantee that tomorrow, there would be a discussion about Su Tan' er marrying a useless person in this small circle. The woman of the Wu Family gave her Husband a look, wanting him to slightly interrupt. The man saw it, but he hesitated for a moment, not knowing what he was thinking. Su Tan 'er smiled, and when she was about to speak, Xiaochan appeared beside her.
"Yes, Young Master is very good at writing poems." She was originally playing and eating with Juan 'er and Xing' er, holding a piece of pastry, intending to repeat the magic trick taught to her by Ning Yi, but it was exposed, and the pastry fell to the ground. Then the three people also noticed the situation here. Juan 'er and Xing' er said that the young master of the Xue family was up to no good. At this time, Chan 'er thought about it, and at this time, she leaned over, "Young Master wrote a poem tonight."
As soon as the little girl said this, Xue Jin and Su Tan 'er were stunned. After a moment, Xue Jin laughed, "Oh, Brother Ning also has a masterpiece? That's great, I can take it out and let everyone have a look. "
He looked surprised and magnanimous, but in fact, he was already laughing in his heart. He had long inquired about the talent of Ning Yi. After so many years of studying, he could write poems, but it was hard to say what the result would be. At this time, he only thought that Xiaochan did not know how to appreciate poetry. If it was before, perhaps there would be a few people gossiping about it, but it wouldn't mean much to them. But if a lousy poem was really taken out for everyone to "evaluate", what effect would it have? That would be the truth.
"Well, okay." Xiaochan nodded, took out the folded paper from her clothes, and nagged, "At night, Young Master was not feeling well and wanted to listen to Xiaochan sing, so Xiaochan took out the poetry book and asked Young Master to choose one. But Young Master said that he did not really like those, so he wrote his own one. Here, it's this one, Xiaochan copied it down … "
He did not really like those, so he wrote his own one … What a big tone. Su Tan 'er and Pu Yangyu frowned, only Xue Jin smiled more brightly and more sincerely. As Xiaochan said this, she passed the paper to Su Tan 'er, who had a doubtful look on her face. Su Tan' er looked at the Xuan paper, confirmed that there were indeed words, then looked at Xiaochan, and then turned back to the Xuan paper. Her lips opened slightly, and she read the words on it silently.
When she read halfway, her lips slowed down, and the expression in her eyes gradually became complicated. Finally, she made up her mind, looked at Xiaochan again, and continued to read the poem on the paper. Xue Jin, who was in front, smiled, and stretched his neck to take a look. Although he could not see, he was still very happy …
What's the use of reading it silently? Anyway, you still have to take it out for everyone to see, and then I'll read it for you, ha!
As if the prank had succeeded, he thought happily.
After a while, a large cloud of fireworks rose from the side of the ship, and in the magnificent flames, Su Tan 'er handed over the poem.
"Uncle Pu Yangyu, please comment …"
Pu Yangyu had already seen some clues, and nodded with a smile. He was very fond of this young lady of the Su family, who looked weak but was actually not inferior to a man. It was normal for the family to have an untalented husband. On the contrary, Xue Jin was impulsive and harsh, which made people dislike him. He decided that even if the poem was not good, he had to say a few good words to smooth things over. He took the poem, looked down, and was already thinking about how to comment on it.
As the fireworks rose, everyone was waiting for his first comment. Xue Jin smiled elegantly, gentle and humble. Su Tan 'er looked at him, and then her eyes fell on the paper in Pu Yangyu's hand. She gently bit her lower lip.
As the flames flickered, her eyes were complicated …
*****
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