"Miss, do you still want to paint today?" Xiao Cui hurriedly stood up and asked.
During the Courtesan Competition, everyone else was busy earning popularity to increase their chances. Only her young miss was not worried at all. She buried herself in painting all day as if she could never finish. Moreover, the paintings that she took with her every time she left never appeared again.
"I'm not painting anymore. Help me prepare the bath water. We're going out in a bit."
Zeng Zuimo shook her head. She had already raised enough money to redeem herself, so there was no need to sell her paintings anymore. Moreover, the rarer something was, the greater its value. The few 3D paintings that occasionally appeared could be sold for a good price. If there were too many of them, it wouldn't be so easy to rely on selling paintings to make money in the future when they lacked money.
Watching the young miss enter the inner room, Xiao Cui touched something in her bosom. Only then did her anxious heart calm down.
This time, she would be the one to protect her young miss!
"Xiao Cui …" Just as she was in a trance, she heard a voice coming from the inner room. The young girl immediately stood up and responded, jogging over.
…
…
Mian Xiu Garden was filled with fake mountains and waterside pavilions. It was a rare place of elegance. Anyone with a bit of status in the city would all treat this place as the first choice for inviting guests to a banquet.
Especially in recent days, the garden was brightly lit almost every night. Tonight was no exception. The famous young master of a wealthy merchant in Qing 'an Prefecture, Zhu Qing, was the host. Those invited included wealthy young masters of merchants, as well as many famous scholars of Qing' an Prefecture.
With the scholars, there was naturally no lack of beauties. Any courtesan with a bit of fame also received an invitation. Of course, it was not certain if they would come.
After all, Zhu Qing had promoted Liu Yiyi this year, and he had spared no effort. He could be considered as their competitor. Naturally, some people would not come, but with Young Master Zhu's reputation, many people would still give him face.
"Thank you, Young Master Zhu, for everything you've done for Yiyi. Yiyi is very grateful." In one of the pavilions, a tall green-clothed woman bowed to the young man opposite her.
"Ah, Yiyi, what are you saying? Helping you is helping me. There's no need to be so distant between us." The young man smiled and waved his hand, saying nonchalantly.
At this moment, many people were looking at the pavilion.
Of the two people in the pavilion, one was a wealthy young master, and the other was one of the most famous courtesans in Qing 'an prefecture. This banquet was obviously held for her.
When it came to the level of the top ten courtesans, it was actually very difficult to distinguish who was superior in terms of beauty or talent. If they really used these to rank them, no one would be convinced.
Every year, the Top Beauty Competition was not only a contest between them, but also a contest between the powers behind them.
This year's situation, with Zhu Qing as the leader, the young masters of the wealthy merchants mostly stood behind Liu Yi Yi, and behind Lu Qiaoqiao stood the many scholars of Qing An Prefecture. The others naturally also had their own supporters, but compared to these two people, they were still somewhat lacking. The battle for the championship, would most likely be the battle between Lu Qiaoqiao and Liu Yi Yi.
"In a while, there will be a few friends coming. They are scholars from the capital, I'll introduce you to them." Zhu Qing smiled. "Miss Lu has the support of the scholars led by Yang Yanzhou. In terms of poetry, we are already at a disadvantage. In a while, you must take advantage of the opportunity. If you can make them sincerely help you, this time, we will have more than a 70% chance of taking the championship."
Liu Yi Yi nodded, then said with some pity, "It's a pity that we didn't win over that mysterious Li. If we had his help, the many scholars of Qing An would not be a problem …"
Although Zhu Qing was a merchant, he had clearly heard of the "Li" that Liu Yi Yi spoke of. Hearing this, he said, "Don't worry, although the invitation we sent out was like a rock in the ocean, and the silver was returned, I heard that he did not participate in anyone's banquet. I'm afraid he doesn't have much interest in these things. Just keep an eye on Yang Yanzhou and the others."
Just as he finished speaking, he saw Liu Yi Yi look in front of her and say in surprise, "Why are they here?"
Zhu Qing followed her line of sight and saw a few figures walking over from afar.
"That's … Yang Yanzhou, Wan Qiliang, and Miss Lu, why are they …" A look of surprise also appeared on Zhu Qing's face. Although he had sent out invitations to these people, he had never thought that they would come. After all, Yi Yi was Miss Lu's greatest rival. Why would they come to such an occasion?
Although he was surprised, everyone had a legitimate competitive relationship. The necessary etiquette was still needed. It was precisely because the two of them were the greatest rivals that they had to give each other even more respect.
"Brother Yang, Brother Wan, I didn't think that you would come, sorry for not going out to meet you …" Zhu Qing walked over and said with cupped hands.
"Sister Lu." Lu Qiaoqiao had become famous earlier than her, so Liu Yi Yi took the initiative to greet her.
No matter how intense the competition was in the dark, it could not be seen at all on the surface. The crowd only saw Zhu Qing, Yang Yanzhou, and the others laughing and chatting along the way. Lu Qiaoqiao and Liu Yi Yi, the two popular courtesan candidates, held hands and were as close as sisters …
"I still have a few friends over there that I need to greet. I am truly sorry for neglecting Brother Yang." After some polite small talk, Zhu Qing and Liu Yi Yi went somewhere else. Yang Yanzhou and the others could not have come to cause trouble, so they let them be.
"How was it?" Looking at Liu Yi Yi's departing figure, the young man beside Yang Yanzhou turned his head and asked.
"You live up to your reputation." Yang Yanzhou nodded and said.
To be able to receive such praise from the number one of Qing 'an Prefecture — the former number one scholar of Qing' an Prefecture — was already very impressive. Wan Qiliang smiled and said, "It looks like it won't be so easy for Miss Yi Yi to win first place."
Lu Qiaoqiao said with a smile, "Do your best and leave it to fate. If Sister Yi Yi wins the final courtesan title, Qiaoqiao can only congratulate you."
Wan Qiliang laughed and said, "Miss Qiaoqiao, don't worry. Brother Yanzhou's chest is full of ink. Just a little bit will be enough to help you win first place. The title of number one scholar of Qing 'an Prefecture is not an undeserved reputation."
Yang Yanzhou's expression was bitter as he said, "Qiliang, please don't say anything about being the number one scholar of Qing 'an Prefecture. Aren't you making fun of me …"
Wan Qiliang also finally realized that he had made a mistake just now. No matter how famous Yang Yanzhou was, as long as that person was around, the title of number one scholar would never fall to him.
Then, he realized another problem and said, "I wonder which girl that person is supporting, if …"
Yang Yanzhou continued, "I had originally thought that he would support the top artist of the Jades Yard, Lady Zui Mo, but that Lady Zui Mo does not seem to have any interest in this competition. It is said that she only studies painting in her room every day. You may not know, but one of Lady Zui Mo's paintings is in high demand. A few days ago, I spent two hundred taels of silver to buy one."
Wan Qiliang nodded and said, "It is also fortunate that she has no intention of competing for the title of courtesan. Otherwise, she would throw out a few more frightening poems and the competition would be meaningless."
Lu Qiaoqiao also secretly rejoiced in her heart. Although she did not have any relationship with that person, everyone was the same. This time, the competition would still be fair.
As she thought this, she raised her head and inadvertently glanced around. Two figures who had just walked in appeared in her line of sight.
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