With a bang, fireworks lit up the sky near Egret. Amidst the crowd below, Xiaochan held onto the corner of Ning Yi's clothes as she walked forward. Occasionally, she would trip on a pebble and bump her head against Ning Yi's back.
Although the venue for the Courtesan Competition was said to be in Egret, it was actually near a relay station between Egret and Jiangning. This place was backed by a mountain and faced a river, with a vast expanse of green space. The huge venue had long been fenced off, and the nearby river was lined up with pleasure boats. As the flower carriages arrived one after another, the green space outside was already filled with people. All sorts of snacks and acrobatics were set up on the grass, and as the light from the fire spread, it was extremely lively.
It was actually very simple to enter the venue to watch the performances. The fee was a flower, and if one saw a girl they liked, they could offer it to her. Each flower cost one tael of silver, which was a thousand copper coins. Even though the Jiangning region of the Wu dynasty was rich and populous, it was still a considerable sum of money for ordinary families. There were close to ten thousand people who came this time, but only about three thousand could enter. The rest would probably entertain themselves outside the venue, wait for the competition to end, or go home to sleep midway.
If one were to deconstruct it according to Ning Yi's perspective, this was a society where the gap between the rich and the poor was rather large, much larger than it would be a thousand years later. However, even though there were people who were dissatisfied, everyone had already gotten used to too many things. In their minds, this kind of situation was only natural. There were people who brought along their families to enjoy the cool air outside on the lively grass and river banks, spending tens or hundreds of copper coins was considered extravagant. There were also people who had no money, and simply came to watch the acrobatics and listen to the music coming from the venue. After a girl won the Courtesan Competition, they were also overjoyed.
Of the three thousand people who entered, more than half were not rich. Some of the poorer scholars wanted to play along and get to know some people, but many gritted their teeth and forked out money, not wanting to miss out on such an event. The truly rich were probably the top few hundred people. It was estimated that in less than a day, they would contribute more than ninety percent of the income of this event, ranging from tens, hundreds, or even thousands of taels. There were even people who contributed more than ten thousand. Every time it happened, people would talk about it enthusiastically for a long time. In Yangzhou and Tokyo, it was said that every time the Top Courtesan Competition took place, it was even more grand than that in Jiangning.
By the time they arrived, the floats had already gone in. Tickets were required to enter at the entrance. The crowd was bustling with activity, and it was extremely congested. Ning Yi and Xiaochan ran to the grassy area nearby and found a stall that was slightly free to eat a bowl of tofu pudding while watching the grand occasion. Among the crowd, acquaintances could be heard waving and greeting each other from time to time. Occasionally, people who tried to sneak in were chased out. Both sides were cursing at each other. It would probably take some time before they could get in. Xiaochan sat at the small table and bought some tofu pudding. She didn't eat it, but took out a few plums and other preserved fruits from her bosom and put them in the bowl to decorate it. Ning Yi watched helplessly.
"Is this edible?"
"It's pretty." As Xiaochan spoke, she scooped up a spoonful of tofu pudding with plums and put it into her mouth. She slowly savored the taste for a long time, somewhat intoxicated. Ning Yi admired her for being able to eat a spoonful of tofu pudding for such a long time. He inadvertently recalled that a long, long time ago, there seemed to have been a time when one could lick a cotton candy for an hour. He couldn't help but smile at Xiaochan's expression. He put down the spoon and looked around, waiting leisurely.
For him, leisurely most of the time was actually a kind of patience. After coming to the Wu dynasty, most of the time, it was the same. It was more of a habit formed from patience, a kind of determination that would not move even if Mount Tai collapsed in front of him. However, at this moment, he and Xiao Chan were sitting here amidst the clamorous crowd. Perhaps what they felt was true leisure. A moment later, Xiaochan pointed to the crowd. "Hey, son-in-law, it's young master Wending and young master Wenfang."
Sure enough, the people in the crowd were Su Wending, Su Wenfang, and the others of the Su family. Accompanying them were a few of their friends. Ning Yi had heard of them before. They were probably scholars with some reputation. As he looked over, the other side also looked over. When they saw Ning Yi and Xiaochan, they felt slightly awkward.
These people usually didn't have much to talk about with Ning Yi. Occasionally, they would exchange a few pleasantries with the Su family. Recently, every time they came back to Su Tan'er to extort money, Ning Yi was there. The reasons they used were all kinds of business and all kinds of reasons to improve themselves. Each time, Su Tan'er would nag for a long time, even giving them some tips and advice on how to do business. Although they might also understand that this cousin was well aware of what they were doing, it was still a little awkward to meet Ning Yi at this time.
To Su Wending, Su Wenfang, and the others, on one hand, Ning Yi was marrying into the Su family. On the other hand, he was really talented. The news had already spread in the Su family, so no one dared to really look down on him. And even if this didn't happen, they still had to give face to Su Tan'er. At this time, they probably hesitated for a moment, considering whether they should come over to greet him. At this time, Ning Yi only nodded and smiled at them, solving their worries for them, and didn't come over.
Then, they saw the guards of honor of Kang Xian's family. After a while, there was finally some space at the door, and the crowd decreased slightly. Ning Yi and the slow Xiaochan had also finished eating their tofu pudding and walked over. Then, they met Li Pin. There were also two scholars with Li Pin. The two parties introduced each other, and Xiaochan also obediently greeted them before entering together.
*****
The venue on the third day of the New Year was actually quite spacious. After all, there were more than a hundred girls performing on a stage. If they took turns to perform on a stage, it would be almost dawn the next day for them to finish performing.
The participants entered through the fenced door. The first thing they saw was the newly decorated courier stations, restaurants, and other buildings. Most of the buildings were already there. Drinks, tea, and various resting places were also provided here. The surrounding rocks, beaches, and circular stages were all arranged differently. It was almost like a theme park.
There were five stages: the waterside pavilion, the teahouse, the dance hall, the small building by the river, the small inn by the mountain, and the big round drum in the center. There were arrangements for which girls would perform on which side. Usually, the order was drawn, but there were also some deliberate adjustments. For example, the performance times of the four leading actors or some girls who were recognized as more popular would be staggered. This was to avoid the situation where the four leading actors performed at the same time and people didn't know who to see.
Naturally, the top and bottom of the pleasure boat were the resting places for the girls. There were also various large and small sheds around the venue. It was also the territory of the various brothels. Only those who were invited could enter and meet the performers. The surrounding few restaurants were mostly filled with literature and ink. The better poems would be hung up to support the girls. To present flowers to the stage, one didn't have to throw them up on the spot. There would naturally be people at the side who would register them.
"This time, Miss Miao Miao was able to win Brother Gu's favor and become one of the four leading actors. The last time Brother Gu wrote for Miss Miao Miao, it was like a delicacy. After reading it, it would linger for several days. Brother Gu's poetry is truly admirable. Come, let me toast to Brother Gu. "
It was already nighttime. The fireworks were released. The performances on the various stages had already started. The people in the venue gathered and dispersed to watch the performances on the stage they liked. And in the literary ink loft at the side, Gu Yanzhen was temporarily resting with a few people. Among these people, Gu Yanzhen was the leader. He mainly liked a girl named Luo Miaomiao. This girl had just debuted, but her reputation was already very high. She had many suitors. In this competition, there was no doubt that she would be in the top 16. She was a popular candidate to fight for the position of the four leading actors. A few days ago, Gu Yanzhen had written a few poems for her to boost her reputation.
At this moment, the few of them flattered each other. After a while, a beautiful girl came over to greet them. Gu Yanzhen had written a poem for her before. Now that she had finished her performance, she came over to thank him and accompanied him with two glasses of wine. She was obviously interested in Gu Yanzhen as well, but she also knew that Gu Yanzhen was pursuing Luo Miaomiao. After a while, she felt that there was no hope for Gu Yanzhen, and she had other things to attend to, so she took her leave.
This literary ink loft was occasionally accompanied by mothers to thank them. It was considered to be quite lively. After the first wave of warmth, his good friend Shen Miao poured a glass of wine and said, "How enviable, Yanzhen has the favor of beauties wherever he goes."
Gu Yanzhen laughed, "So what if he has the favor of beauties? The beauties that I like have never favored me."
The people around him thought that he was talking about Luo Miaomiao and asked with interest. Gu Yanzhen was also open-minded. He said that he had pursued a girl a few days ago and wanted to take her as a concubine. They went to Leping together, but he was slapped in the face by her. He said this naturally, and the people around him were impressed, praising him for being able to let go of things. Shen Miao knew his character. After a while, he smiled and came over, "That's not what you say in your heart."
"What else can I do?" Gu Yanzhen indifferently clinked his glass with him and drank it in one gulp.
"Do you know who Miss Nie likes?"
"I probably can't find out anything."
"Maybe Miss Nie is really indifferent and doesn't want to marry?"
"How is that possible?" Gu Yanzhen frowned slightly, lowered his voice and spoke quickly, "When that century egg was born, there must be someone manipulating it! Hateful … Unfortunately, when I asked De Xin that day, De Xin protected that person and didn't leak anything. Hmph, I just want to know who this person is. If he is really amazing, I, Gu Yanzhen, will naturally be convinced … "
"You can't ask other people?"
"What you know is that the person was joking with his friend and made a bet. Therefore, he found someone through Dexin to act as a scapegoat and even requested that he not use his reputation to help. This person might be a famous scholar … Alas, with Yunzhu's temperament, she would naturally like this kind of person. That day, Yunzhu's maidservant, Hu Tao, hinted me to pursue her family's Miss. She vaguely revealed that her family's Miss seemed to have a crush on someone, but at that time, the entanglement was not deep, and the other party was not suitable for her family's Miss. Later, after that incident, she knew that there was no hope between her family's Miss and me, so she protected her Miss and no longer revealed the identity of the other party … "Gu Yanzhen shook his head," If I think about it, I'm afraid that Yunzhu fell in love with some famous old man in his seventies or eighties. She admired his talent and knowledge, but was blinded by him … Yunzhu is not a snobbish person. With her indifferent temperament, it is not impossible. "
There were many famous people in the Jiangning area. If Nie Yunzhu really fell in love with some famous old man, even if he, Gu Yanzhen, was rich and had an official position, he would not be able to do anything about it. This kind of old man usually had a wide circle of friends. If Yunzhu really fell in love with him, a young scholar like him would not be able to deal with him. At this time, the two of them were discussing. Indistinctly, there was a commotion coming from the other side of the restaurant. It seemed that something was happening.
From this side, it looked like two groups of scholars were quarreling and laughing at each other. A young lady who came up to express her gratitude was also in a hurry. She tried to persuade them, but to no avail. One of the young men seemed to have been ridiculed to the point that his ears were red, and he looked rather embarrassed.
Then, someone from his side came over with a smile. He held a piece of paper in his hand and explained, "Haha, that lady is Tang Jing from the Willow Leaf Restaurant. She has finished singing and dancing, and her reputation is not bad. This young master here gave her a hundred fresh flowers, and she came up to express her gratitude. Afterwards, she composed a poem, and made a fool of herself. Hehe, everyone, take a look at this poem. "
The people who were with Gu Yanzhen were all famous scholars, and their knowledge was not something an ordinary person could compare to. At this time, they took the poem over and laughed. Indeed, the poem was not good enough. It only matched the tone of the poem, and was too heavy. If it was any worse, it would have become a limerick. To think that this person could come up with something like this, and still wanted to be a scholar. Gu Yanzhen looked at it and laughed, "This kind of poem … Ah, this person must have come from a merchant family."
Actually, in these days, there were many people who were not good at writing poems, but wanted to be cultured. It was just that they had to look at the right place. Some merchants would write limericks, and there would be people who would flatter them. However, if one did not know one's own place, and went to a place where the old and famous people gathered to make a mess, one could not blame themselves for being laughed at. At this time, that person was choking with laughter. On Gu Yanzhen's side, a person laughed, "Yanzhen is indeed wise. This person's family runs a cloth business, and his name is Su Wending. He doesn't have much talent, and I'm afraid that the other party has a feud with him. At this time, he was put on the spot."
"Ah, Wending, difficult." Gu Yanzhen shook his head, and laughed as he watched the show, "Don't bother, let them be."
On the other side, the people who were being mocked were Su Wenfang, Su Wending, and the others. Su Wenfang's favorite lady was Tang Jing. This time, he had saved up money to support Tang Jing, and wrote a poem that came from the bottom of his heart. It was a pity that his literary talent was not enough, and at this time, he was being laughed at. However, there was someone on his side who was slightly more talented than him, and immediately said, "What kind of crooked poem can you write?"
The other side laughed, "Of course it's better than you."
Both sides immediately began to compete in poetry. After just two poems, Su Wenfang's side was immediately stretched thin. On the other side, there was someone who was talented in poetry. At this time, he only wrote a poem praising Tang Jing, and it immediately suppressed everyone. Although Tang Jing had an artistic career, her reputation was not well known, and she could not deal with this kind of jealousy. Soon after, there were people who came over and told Su Wenfang and the others about the evaluation of Gu Yanzhen and the others, and pointed at Gu Yanzhen's side.
Although Gu Yanzhen did not want to participate in this matter, but the evaluation of the people on this side was still passed on. This matter was normal, and so he just watched the show from here. On the other side, Su Wenfang, Su Wending, and the others were even more embarrassed. The other party was basically using poetry to woo Tang Jing on the spot, and they, who claimed to be talented, had no way to retaliate.
The other side laughed, "Brother Ji Wen's poetry talent is not something that you can hope to reach. Even if he brought it to the Lichuan Poetry Meet, everyone would praise his good words. It's fine that you didn't want to compete in poetry just now, but you dare to show off with such poetry talent. Let me teach you how to write poetry."
As he spoke, he wrote a poem, which was quite standard. Soon after, another person wrote a poem, and in a moment, the crowd was enthusiastic. That Chen Jiwen's poem was not bad. Gu Yanzhen had probably heard of this name. Looking at the liveliness over there, he casually guessed if a fight would break out later. If a fight broke out here, he would most likely be chased out. Then, he turned his gaze downstairs.
An acquaintance was walking towards this restaurant.
It was Li Pin Li Dexin. The two were familiar with each other, but after being slapped by Nie Yunzhu, he went to the other party to ask about the person behind Nie Yunzhu. Although he said it casually, Li Pin was unwilling to reveal the other party's identity, and even said, "I know your personality, let's not talk about it anymore." In a sense, the two had already broken off.
Because of this, he frowned slightly.
There was also a young man that he did not know who came with Li Pin. The two were talking about something, and behind the two was a beautiful servant girl wearing a white floral dress. She must have come together with the unknown man...
*****
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