Spring passed and summer arrived. When the weather became warmer in April, it was the busy farming season outside Jiangning. If one were to be in the middle of it all, the entire world would give off a feeling of exuberant vitality. For people of this age, summer and autumn were probably the best days to live. There was neither the softness of spring nor the coldness of winter. The sun was at its peak, and the white clouds were like cotton. Everything was so bright and beautiful that it made people feel relaxed and happy.
The Su family was also busy. The first batch of spring silk had been produced, which was the heaviest batch of the year. The small workshops of the Su family in various places had also been operating in full swing. Although ordinary people didn't pay much attention to it, they still had to do things like putting new goods on the shelves and distributing old goods. Su Tan'er continued to be busy since the beginning of spring. She often worked late at night. Every few nights, when she felt a little more free, she would see Ning Yi on the second floor opposite her house. She would quietly go over to chat with him and eat some fruits and snacks. She didn't usually eat these. Sometimes she wanted to say something, but Ning Yi wasn't there. She felt a little disappointed.
At the end of the year, she also noticed something. Sometimes she would think hard about the next step according to the news from various places, or sort out some accounts, or deal with some problems from some places. She would be busy until late at night. Xing'er would come in and give her a cup of tea. Chan'er and Juan'er would play five-in-a-row outside. Sometimes they would take a nap. But even late at night, the lights in her bedroom and living room were still on. In the small building opposite her house, there was a window with a light always on. Liheng would read and write there. If she left and Xiaochan went to sleep, the light would go out quietly.
At first, she thought it was a coincidence. Later, she deliberately paid attention to it and was able to confirm it. A few days after she finished her work, she deliberately stayed late and then blew out the light. Soon after, the figure on the other side also appeared in front of the window and blew out the oil lamp.
She didn't say it out loud, nor did she think about why he did it. Some things didn't need to be said or asked. Since then, every time she prepared to sleep, she habitually looked at the opposite side. In the dark, when she saw the light on the opposite side also went out, she went to bed. She felt warm.
To Ning Yi, perhaps it was just something he did casually. He did not intend to get involved in many troublesome matters, nor did he have any ambitions. Of course, other than becoming the number one expert in the martial arts world. But with his character, since they were living in the same courtyard, he felt a little helpless to watch a girl who more or less resembled him in the past work until late into the night, while he slept casually. He only slept after watching the lights on the opposite side go off. It was just something he did casually. As for Su Tan'er, it was her business. He did not intend to stop her.
Summer had arrived, and Old Qin's side had already started to set up a chess stall. Sometimes, he would play chess with various people. They were all older than Ning Yi, who was 21 years old this year. There were quite a few people who were somewhat famous, but of course, there were more people who were not famous. Ning Yi already knew quite a few of them last year. This year, they came to ask him if he was the gifted scholar who wrote the Shuidiao Getou and the Green Jade Case. Ning Yi just smiled and nodded.
His relationship with Li Pin was a lot closer. After class at noon, he would occasionally go to a restaurant with him to eat. The most important thing was that he owed him a favor for the century eggs. Although there was the matter of Gu Yanzhen later, it was not his fault.
Li Pin was a person with a sense of propriety. In the past few months, Ning Yi had more or less understood this person's character and experience. A few years ago, he also went to the capital to take the imperial examination and became a Jinshi. But because his policy was too radical, he offended a high-ranking official of the Ministry of Personnel. He couldn't fill the vacancy, so he returned to Jiangning. Although he looked modest, he was probably the type of angry youth a thousand years later. He didn't talk about it when they were chatting. But when it came to knowledge, some of his ideas couldn't be hidden.
To put it simply, this fellow came from a well-off family. He was proficient in Confucianism, mathematics, and archery. He was also proficient in the six arts of a gentleman. In this era, he was considered to be quite good. He treated people well and responded appropriately. But because he thought too much, he basically hated pedantic Confucianism. He liked to do things but didn't deviate from the Great Way. He wanted to do things for heaven and earth, for the people, for the saints, and for the peace of the world. But he was cut off for a while. If a normal Confucian scholar offended a high-ranking official, he wouldn't be promoted and would probably be depressed for the rest of his life. He had been depressed for a period of time. Now he pulled himself together and thought about Confucianism, the Wu dynasty, and the road ahead. He was a person who could take it and let it go. After all, he was still young.
After a few decades, he might become another Qin Siyuan. Ning Yi appreciated smart people and didn't like to mingle with other scholars, but he could still chat with Li Pin. Of course, the best way to make friends was not to talk too much. Li Pin also had a sense of propriety. Now the two of them were colleagues who had a good relationship in the academy. It was still too early to say that they were good friends or confidants.
Of course, the two of them were the only teachers in Yushan Academy who were slightly younger. And because Li Pin had come here, the academy had accepted a dozen more students in the first half of the year even though there hadn't been much publicity … but this was a digression.
Time passed gradually. It had been a year since Ning Yi arrived in Jiangning. Come to think of it, he did not experience much in the past year. He copied two poems, made a name for himself, got to know a few people, and became familiar with them. He had more or less adapted to this era, and his days were still leisurely. Occasionally, he would hear the discussion about the friction between the Jin and Liao Kingdoms in the north. Occasionally, he would hear some merchants and escorts talking about how the roads were not peaceful outside. There were bandits everywhere, and some bigger groups of bandits were now being encircled and suppressed by the imperial court. Rebellions weren't widely known. In the affluent Jiangning, it didn't sound real.
At the end of April, the seedlings were planted. A festive atmosphere quietly rose inside and outside Jiangning. It didn't feel like the New Year, mainly because the Dragon Boat Festival was coming. In addition to the Qinhuai Dragon Boat Race on the fifth of May, there was also a six-day event that would be held during the Dragon Boat Festival. The brothels in Jiangning would take advantage of this time to hold an event to determine who was better and who was the Top Beauty.
*****
If the annual festival poetry meeting in Jiangning and the Mid-Autumn Festival were mostly a carnival for scholars, then the Top Beauty selection in early May should be a grand event for beauties. Of course, most of the girls from noble families or married "beauties" were often not very happy these days. Maybe it was something worth thinking about. But there was no need to criticize. In this era, the fashion was like this. Stories that involved prostitution were more often seen as elegant and not dirty.
As one of the most elegant events every year, just like the carnival of the Mid-Autumn Festival, there would always be the support of the government behind it. There was no difference in poetic talent, and the atmosphere between the scholars was not that thick. It was more about the free evaluation of the literati. Therefore, the government only needed to maintain the basic order. However, this could be considered as a real competition. To determine the four Head of the Line, and then to determine the Courtesan Belle, they needed an impartial judge. This relatively impartial judge was actually the responsibility of the government, in order to prevent cheating and wrangling.
The rules of the competition were actually quite simple. The Top Beauty, after all, was there to earn money. As long as you could get people to throw money to support you, it was fine. But there was also a complicated side to it. During these six days, the brothels in Jiangning almost opened up to welcome guests. They canceled many wine and water bills, or let the girls in their courtyards perform on the balcony that they had prepared beforehand. If they liked it, they would buy flowers and send them over. These flowers were proof of popularity. During this period, there were actually many ways to hype things up. How to stir up the emotions of the audience, how to set off the enthusiastic atmosphere of the Top Beauty selection, how to add elements of elegance to it, and how to raise the value of the girls, such as letting scholars write poems to praise them … In short, it all depended on the methods of the brothels.
There were about 60 to 70 large and small brothels in the Qinhuai area of Jiangning. The first three days were actually just the beginning to hype up the atmosphere. At this time, all the brothels would have a tacit understanding to constantly advertise. But the ones who put in the most effort on the stage were actually the girls who were usually not that famous. Some of them only sold their skills, and some sold their bodies as well. They didn't have any foundation. Just by relying on these few days of performances, they could always pull in a lot of popularity.
She would also remember the customers who had supported her these few days. Those who patronized her felt that they did not have much literary talent or did not have much money, so it was impossible for them to get the attention of those famous girls. Naturally, they would also choose these girls. For example, the cousins of the Su family. Although they always thought that they were talented and romantic, and most of them thought about Lu Caicai and Yuan Jin 'er, in fact, their partners in the brothels were naturally girls who were slightly less famous. These few days, they were more diligent in extorting money from Su Tan' er. It was mostly because they wanted to come and support the girls they liked.
The last three days would be the highlight. Although there was no difference between the day and the first three days, there would be a large gathering near Egret Island at night. The magistrate and many social celebrities would also be there to participate in this grand event. According to the results of the first three days, basically every brothel would have one to two spots. On the third night, there were more than a hundred girls who would perform, and sixteen of them would be chosen. On the fourth night, four of the sixteen would be chosen. On the fifth night, the Courtesan Belle would be born. Those who could participate in these three nights were mostly rich people. Naturally, the Courtesan Belle would be chosen with their support. "The selection of the Courtesan Belle is organized by the Jiangning government every year.
Those bouquets are also prepared by the government. The so-called sending of flowers is just to make a name for themselves. A few years ago, there was even someone who sent ten thousand bouquets. Ah, how could there be ten thousand bouquets for him … But these things are done beautifully. They can't do this just by relying on the brothel. Only through the government can they liven things up. The government takes twenty percent of the money used to buy the flowers, and the monthly tax is still calculated as usual. This twenty percent is obtained out of thin air, and this amount of money every year is not a small amount … "
By the Qinhuai River, at noon, Ning Yi and Li Pin were coming down from the restaurant. Li Pin was also smiling as she talked to Ning Yi about the Courtesan Belle selection that had been the talk of the town recently. Today was the thirtieth of April, and the first day of the Courtesan Belle competition had already begun. Many of the brothels in Jiangning City were very grand. The sound of stringed instruments could be heard from afar. A gaily-painted pleasure boat was sailing slowly on the river, with colorful silk fluttering in the wind. A small boat was being pushed along the bank of the Qinhuai River. Other than the boatman, there was actually a beautiful woman on the boat. She suddenly waved at them and said, "Young Master Li, Young Master Li …" She recognized Li Pin.
"It's hot at noon. If you two young masters have nothing to do, would you like to have a cup of tea on the boat and rest for a while?"
Ning Yi looked at Li Pin with a strange expression. Li Pin looked at his expression and smiled. She cupped her hands at the girl on the boat and refused. The girl said a few words and finally didn't insist. When they were a little further away, Ning Yi laughed and said, "Haha, Brother Li has a wide circle of friends."
"I've been there before, so she remembered it." Li Pin laughed a little proudly. "If Liheng was interested just now, we could go up and have a seat. The other party would also have to respectfully welcome us. Money doesn't need to be spent. If we can write a poem to praise a girl, they would even gift us with a brush. If it's a famous scholar, the other party would willingly offer to sleep with you …"
"With Brother Li's talent and reputation, there must be many people who would recommend themselves?"
"There have indeed been. However, if Liheng is willing to say his name and enter the room, it would be very simple. Haha, I'm afraid not many girls would be able to refuse. Since the New Year's Eve, I have also met Miss Qi Lan a few times. She is very concerned about Liheng. I think if Liheng is willing to compose a poem for her, even a kiss is not impossible. Haha. "
In the past, Li Pin and Ning Yi did not often talk about these things, but now that they had opened the topic, they continued to chat and laugh. The poems of scholars become famous because of beautiful women, and beautiful women can't be separated from the contrast of scholars. Every year in the Courtesan Assembly, there would naturally be many poems to complement each other. With Li Pin's identity, if she wrote a poem to praise a girl, it would immediately increase the value of the other party. Last year's top four were Qi Lan, Lu Caicai, Yuan Jin'er and the Courtesan Feng Xiaojing. It was said that Li Pin was on Feng Xiaojing's side, cheering for her.
"Speaking of which, it's actually a battle of personal feelings." Li Pin shook her head with a smile. "The year before last New Year's Eve, last year's Lichuan Poetry Meet and Still water Poetry Meet were evenly matched. Both sides had some anger. At that time, Cao Guan was in the limelight and became the head of the scholars in Still water. He wrote two poems for Yuan Jin'er, and the other people in Still water also stood on Yuan Jin'er's side, so — — haha, a group of people in Lichuan chose Feng Xiaojing. At that time, the Wu Family supported Qi Lan, who was actually the strongest, but the Wu Family are businessmen and wanted to keep a low profile, so they did not throw money around. In the end, Xiaojing gained the upper hand. This is really strange — — this year it won't be like this, mainly because Liheng suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Now everyone's hearts are empty, and most likely there won't be a battle of personal feelings. But it's hard to say, if Liheng also has someone he admires, haha, maybe everyone will gang up on him — — "
Ning Yi usually didn't go to brothels and didn't socialize much. Li Pin was also clear about this. After saying this, she smiled and said, "Liheng, do you have any plans for the next few days?"
"On the third night of the New Year, I'll go to Egret Continent to see a performance."
"Sister-in-law allowed you to go? Then you have to make a good plan — — "Li Pin said mischievously. In fact, he was currently teaching at Yu Shan Academy, and in a sense, he could almost be regarded as a guest of the Su mansion. The Su family had also invited him to dinner several times, and he had seen Old Grandpa Su and Su Tan'er. Su Tan'er would occasionally go to the academy, and he knew that Su Tan'er was not an evil woman. But sometimes, women were women. The plan he was talking about was to attend a banquet for a beauty after the performance. Usually, if you helped a woman, there would naturally be a celebratory banquet that night. The other party would come out to thank you, and there would be an additional performance. Many scholars would be satisfied, and they would compose poems to spread their fame, as well as their own.
After hearing Li Pin say this, Ning Yi smiled and shook his head. "I went with Tan'er."
Li Pin was stunned, and then reacted. "That's true. For those days of performance, everyone naturally gave it their all. It was quite good just to watch."
This could be considered the highest level of performance in Jiangning. A few days earlier, when Ning Yi and Su Tan'er were chatting by the railing on the second floor, Su Tan'er had said that she would spare some time to watch with Ning Yi. In fact, she also knew that Ning Yi also liked to join in on such liveliness. Li Pin felt that it was a pity. He had wives and concubines at home, but he did not intend to bring them along. The main point was that the banquet later was not just to get close to the beauty, but to make friends and expand his reputation. This was his main goal.
The two walked for a while, and went in different directions at the intersection. Ning Yi did not have much to do, and on the way home, Su Tan'er and a few servant girls had already returned. Chan'er and Juan'er chattered about the performance they saw on the road, and the things they heard. They looked forward to the third, fourth, and fifth days of the New Year. However, in the evening, a letter was sent in. Then, two shopkeepers rushed into the residence, and discussed with Su Tan'er for a long time in the courtyard next door. When it was time for dinner, Su Tan'er said apologetically that she would not be able to attend the performance.
"Something urgent suddenly came up, and I'm afraid I can't accompany Husband. Husband, go with Xiaochan." Not long after, she laughed softly, as if she was upstairs, "Wen Ding and Wen Fang also have a few hundred taels of silver. This concubine will give my private money to Xiaochan. If Husband sees any lady who performs well, just buy some flowers and give them to her. If you give more, there will be a thank-you banquet at night... After Husband wins the lady's favor, you can't say that this concubine is stingy..."
"Unscrupulous merchant..." Perceiving some of the other party's schemes, Ning Yi sighed and laughed.
Su Tan'er smiled and wrinkled her nose, "Hmph!"
She appeared full of confidence in front of Ning Yi, but there were some things that she had to consider. On the last night of April, when she returned to her room, Su Tan'er actually felt a little melancholy. She looked at the brightly lit room opposite her, and quietly thought for a while. She still had the figure and face of a young girl, and she usually had a unique maturity when she was thinking. When her brows were slightly furrowed, she would often have an imposing and steady aura that she had cultivated for several years. However, it was different at this time. Although she was thinking and thinking, her expression did not have much of that solemnity. She was just like a young girl, thinking about the things that belonged to a young girl. Sometimes, she would sit at the table with her chin in her hand, and reach out to flip through the pages of a book. Under the light of the oil lamp, those were just the worries of a young girl.
Then, she called Xiaochan in and told her about the performance on the third day of the New Year with a smile as usual. She also took out some money and put it outside. She was a little upset that Juan'er and Xing'er could not go to the performance. Of course, she was happy that she could go to the performance. After struggling for a long time, she said, "Miss, let me... let Juan'er accompany the young master. Sister Xing'er and I will accompany you to deal with the matters at the workshop... Juan'er has been wanting to see the performance for a long time..."
"After dealing with the matters on the fourth day of the New Year, we can go together on the fifth day of the New Year." Su Tan'er smiled, and then reached out to touch Chan'er's cheek. She looked at the young girl's beautiful face, and then turned back to look at the window in the courtyard. After thinking for a while, she took a deep breath and made a decision.
"Xiaochan, you actually like the young master, right?"
There was no answer from the other side. Xiaochan's body suddenly froze. Then, her eyes panicked, and her whole face turned red. For a moment, her whole body seemed to have shrunk... * * * * * *
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