Time was approaching midnight, and the liveliness in Jiangning City was gradually reaching its peak. The carriage cut in from the Su Residence, passing through roads with relatively fewer people, and as it neared Black Gown Lane, the speed slowly decreased. Search: \(¨Complete¨Book¨God¨Station¨) to read high-quality literature for free.

Along the way, countless flickering lights of merriment danced outside the carriage. Lifting the curtain to look out, even the usually quiet streets were bustling with activity. Upon reaching the commercial street near Black Gown Lane, the road ahead was a sea of people, and the carriage could barely move, as if stuck in mud. A dragon dance troupe was coming from that direction, beating drums and gongs. The young coachman had no choice but to stop the carriage at the side.

"Sister Xiaochuan, it's difficult to pass through ahead."

The young man was probably a year or two older than Xiaochuan, but he still called her "Sister." Although it seemed that Xiaochuan had only been running around with Ning Yi for the past few months, she and her other two sisters had actually been trained under Su Tan'er for many years. Su Tan'er would likely be in charge of the Su family in the future, and her three most trusted maids would receive respect even from the large and small stewards. This was why a young girl like her could command the carriage. The young man, who had recently entered the Su Residence and signed a twenty-year indenture, knew her status and was respectful towards her. He also looked at the girl, who seemed even younger than him, with some curiosity.

"I see that. I'll get off here. You go back," Xiaochuan said, lifting the curtain and jumping off the carriage. She turned her head and smiled at him, then waved her hand. "Thank you."

"M-My name is Dongzhu." The young man mustered his courage and stuttered out his name, then looked up and said, "There are too many people ahead. Let me escort you there."

"Brother Dongzhu," Xiaochuan said with a smiling bow, then waved again and turned to leave. "No need, I'll be fine." Like a butterfly, she ran into the crowd, her small hand still visible waving a few times in the air, before being swallowed up and disappearing.

Xiaochuan had already roamed Suzhou City many times and was very familiar with it. And if one didn't consider extreme situations, Xiaochuan's ability to socialize, handle affairs, and deal with small troubles was actually much higher than that of the rural youth named Dongzhu. Moreover, in such a crowded place, it was unlikely that someone would harass a young girl who was out strolling and joining in the fun. There were indeed many纨绔子弟 (wan ku zi di - spoiled young masters), second-generation ancestors, hooligans, and bullies in this era, but they weren't so easy to encounter.

Through the noisy sounds, she skipped and jumped through the dragon dance crowd. From a nearby brothel, faint and alluring songs emerged, merging into the boiling sounds of the street. After a while, someone holding a piece of Xuan paper ran quickly from the other end of the street: "Lichuan Poetry Gathering, Tang Yu, Young Master Tang's New Poem Praising Bamboo…" Then he posted the paper on a poetry appreciation board in front of a shop. The surrounding area was crowded. An old man pushing a cart selling tea eggs and thousand-layer cakes smiled and avoided the crowd. Xiaochuan also quickly avoided the small cart, smiling as she followed along to watch the excitement.

After briefly reading a few sentences, Xiaochuan hurriedly followed the crowd towards the river at the end of the street. Black Gown Lane was not far from this street. The lane was relatively narrow, but it was also full of lively atmosphere, brightly lit and crowded. Near the riverbank, the most bustling Temple of Literature could already be seen.

This riverside street was the most dazzling pearl of the entire Jiangning City. The road was full of exquisite lanterns. The six-boat connected-barge of the Puyuan Poetry Gathering toured the Qinhuai River all night, but it would definitely pass by here at this time. Xiaochuan had experience participating in poetry gatherings, so she ran directly here to wait. She found a precious artifacts shop opened by the Pu family by the side of the road and handed in her invitation. The shopkeeper quickly called someone to intercept a small boat. At this time, the magnificent floating palace had already appeared far away at one end of the Qinhuai River, and was sailing towards this side, highlighted by the many painted boats.

Small boats by the river approached and departed from time to time. This small boat then lightly left the shore in the light and shadow of the lanterns and rowed towards the huge connected-barge approaching in the center of the river. The little girl at the bow gently hooked her fingers in front of her and looked up at the approaching painted boat. The light from the lanterns on the painted boat gradually illuminated the little girl's cute bun hairstyle and slightly yearning face. Music spread from the riverside, and another song and dance inside was probably nearing its end, but she didn't feel regretful. Being able to come and play was already very good. If she could learn a few songs here… she thought of how the young master liked to listen to songs in the evening… Hmm, the young master would definitely be very happy.

The songs and dances in the painted boat dissipated, followed by warm applause. Then, small boats from the shore brought up some of the outstanding poems that had appeared in the major poetry gatherings, some with the praise and comments of certain masters. Poetry gatherings were not just about a large group of people sitting and writing poetry. In fact, from the moment the painted boat set sail, there were many programs, such as listening to lyrics, listening to music, guessing lantern riddles, and looking at scenery, which gave everyone atmosphere and inspiration from time to time. However, at this time, it finally entered the most crucial stage of this grand event. Because, although tonight's carnival would even last until after the *chou* hour (1-3 AM), after the *zi* hour (11 PM - 1 AM), the poetry gathering would gradually decline.

The main reason was that most of the elderly, or the middle-aged people in poor health—poets were mostly in poor health—could only gather until this time at most. After this time, they couldn't support themselves mentally, and basically all went home. And in the literary world, those who could have a certain reputation were naturally these people. Tonight, if you wanted to become famous and get attention, these people's views were the main focus. And after they left, what remained was the real game of talented scholars and beautiful women. Flirting only after the *zi* hour could become the theme, equivalent to a grand prostitution gathering. Although in this era where prostitution was prevalent, this matter could indeed be given an elegant name, the meaning was no longer as important as before. If most men in this era were given a choice between fame and beauty, they would choose fame first.

Therefore, at this time, various good poems and lyrics had already been released one after another. In fact, the best ones had already been passed over earlier. Tonight, several poems praising the moon were stunningly brilliant. Su Tan'er also copied a few onto the plain white letter paper in front of her, and was currently talking softly with a female relative of the Wu family she knew next to her.

She actually loved poetry and lyrics, although she was not good at it herself. But in this era, poets were like modern celebrities. Which girl didn't have a little bit of romantic thoughts in her heart? She was not good at it, so she liked poetry even more. The feeling of a certain talented scholar displaying his literary talent in front of everyone naturally moved her heart.

Of course, this was only a part of her spiritual pursuit in life, just like many modern MMs like Andy Lau. Although she liked it, she wouldn't show it too much in ordinary times. Moreover, her husband Ning Yi probably wasn't very good at poetry and lyrics either. She understood this clearly after seeing the poem "Three Lotus Roots Floating in a Green Pool, a Raft Can Be Made for Beloved Thoughts." Besides, he himself admitted it, but this was actually indifferent.

After a while, Xiaochuan also came over with a maid leading the way.

"Is the young master asleep?"

"Yes, he's asleep."

"Juan'er and Xing'er are there. How about asking them to add a mat and squeeze in?"

"Okay, Miss, I'll go over… Hello, Third Miss Wu."

After also bowing to the female relative of the Wu family next to her, Xiaochuan trotted towards the direction where two little maids were waving. At this time, Juan'er and Xing'er were sitting together in front of a short table, which was filled with various exquisite fruits and foods. Xiaochuan sat in the middle, and the three maids squeezed together giggling.

Not far away, Su Tan'er and the female relative of the Wu family got up and walked around a bit. Similar gatherings like this usually separated male and female guests, with screens in between, but of course it wasn't strict. The Puyuan Poetry Gathering invited not only unmarried young ladies, but mostly couples who came with their families. Although they were separated to some extent, and everyone kept some etiquette, they could always meet and talk to each other while walking around. Su Tan'er accompanied the female relative of the Wu family to the side of the ship to look at the lights on the shore, and the other's husband also came over. The Wu family ran the largest cloth shop in Jiangning, and the two sides knew each other before. After exchanging a few greetings and talking about information about cloth, Su Tan'er wanted to avoid suspicion and let the couple talk intimately first. For a moment, Xue Jin and several other young masters also came over, shaking folding fans. They wore scholar's headscarves and changed out of their merchant-like clothing, dressed as scholars. At this time, the evening breeze blew, and they seemed to have some demeanor of Zhuge Liang waving a feather fan while wearing a silk turban - oh, a folding fan and silk turban.

Xue Jin was a bit of a show-off tonight. He had just written a poem praising the moon, which was sung by everyone, and it was one of the most presentable poems at the Puyuan Poetry Gathering tonight. Coming over at this time, the man from the Wu family cupped his hands and smiled: "Brother Xue is very talented. I'm afraid Miss Qilan will favor you tonight. Congratulations."

That Qilan was one of the most famous courtesans in the Qinhuai area in recent years. She only sold her art and not her body, and was called both talented and beautiful. She had some relationship with the Pu family, so she could be invited this time. She would choose a few songs from her favorite poems in the evening to sing, and of course she had prepared programs herself. However, the few poems she chose to sing were often the most outstanding ones in a certain stage of the poetry gathering.

The operation inside was complex, and talent alone didn't determine everything, but talent could indeed determine most of it. Xue Jin's poem itself was good, and he also had a family background, so he was likely to be regarded as the grand finale. And if he was favored here, he might have the opportunity to get close to Miss Qilan in the following months, be invited to banquets or discuss poetry and papers. This was a very high-profile thing. And if he could further get his hands on Miss Qilan, break her virginity and take her into his room, it would further prove his ultimate achievement of male charm.

The Qinhuai River has been flowing for hundreds of years, and stories like this happen every year, and they can become popular topics in varying lengths of time. In such topics, men naturally showed off all their charm. Afterwards, when they announced their names, people would envy you for being a romantic talent, and your reputation would be louder.

Being praised at this time, Xue Jin naturally made a show of modesty. The female relative of the Wu family next to him also smiled and said, "Master Xue's poems have moved me a little." Su Tan'er also liked the poems and praised them a few times. In fact, it was a mutual flattery. For those who were really familiar, such as the Wu family woman, such as Su Tan'er, they all understood that the other party's poems were mostly bought from a certain master to show off.

Xue Jin smiled happily and made a few more modest concessions. After the two sides talked for a while, Xue Jin said: "It's a pity that Brother Ning didn't come. Otherwise, seeing such a grand occasion, he would definitely be able to create a masterpiece…"

Su Tan'er frowned. The few people here seemed to be talking excitedly. A middle-aged man from the Pu family, who was one of the hosts, also came over. This person was the younger brother of the Pu family's head, named Pu Yangyu. He had passed the *juren* examination in his early years and had some talent himself. He himself was walking around and entertaining everyone. At this time, he smiled and interjected, asking what everyone was talking about. Xue Jin explained that Su Tan'er's husband, Ning Yi, had originally planned to come, but unfortunately he had caught a cold these days, which was a pity. Otherwise, with Ning Yi's talent and so on.

"I see that's not necessarily true. I heard that although Ning Yi has read books for a few years, he is just mediocre. It's the same whether he comes or not," someone said from behind.

Xue Jin smiled and turned his head: "Brother Feng, don't talk nonsense. I have seen Brother Ning's demeanor and temperament. The Su family searched a thousand times and finally chose Brother Ning…"

The Wu family people, who had some friendship with Su Tan'er, knew that Su Tan'er's husband, Ning Yi, had no talent. Therefore, in the conversation just now, although they had asked about Ning Yi's health, they would not involve poetry and talent. At this time, watching the other party's performance, the Wu family's two people naturally understood Xue Jin's thoughts. Xue Jin had pursued Su Tan'er before, and his marriage proposal had failed. He held some resentment and played some tricks. Honestly, the performance had no technical content, but the effect would not be discounted. If he continued to say this, it was guaranteed that these small circles would spread rumors tomorrow that Su Tan'er had married a useless person. The Wu family woman gave her husband a wink, wanting him to interrupt slightly. The man saw it, but hesitated for a moment, not knowing what he was thinking. Su Tan'er had a smile on her face and was about to speak when Xiaochuan popped out from next to her.

"Yes, the young master is very good at writing poetry," she said. She was originally playing and eating with Juan'er and Xing'er, holding a piece of cake and planning to repeat the magic trick that Ning Yi taught her, but it was exposed, and the cake also fell on the ground. Then the three of them also noticed the situation here. Juan'er and Xing'er said that the Xue family's young master had bad intentions. Xiaochuan thought about it, and then leaned over. "The young master also wrote a poem tonight."

As soon as the little girl said this, both Xue Jin and Su Tan'er here were stunned. After a moment, Xue Jin laughed: "Oh, does Brother Ning also have a masterpiece to show? That's great. Let's take it out and have everyone admire it."

He looked surprised and open, but in fact he had already laughed in his heart. He had already inquired about Ning Yi's talent. He had been reading books for so many years, and he could write poems, but what they would look like when written was hard to say. At this time, he only thought that Xiaochuan didn't know how to appreciate them. If he had taken the situation before, maybe a few people would have said a few idle words, but it didn't actually mean much. But if he really took out a bad poem for everyone to "evaluate," what would be the effect? That would completely confirm it.

"Okay," Xiaochuan nodded, taking the folded paper out of her clothes, and murmured, "At night, the young master didn't feel well and wanted to listen to Xiaochuan singing, so Xiaochuan took the poetry books and let the young master choose one. But the young master said he didn't like any of them very much, so he wrote one himself. Here, this is it. Xiaochuan copied it down…"

He didn't like any of them very much, so he wrote one himself… What a big tone, Su Tan'er and Pu Yangyu next to him both frowned. Only Xue Jin smiled more brightly and sincerely. As Xiaochuan spoke, she handed the letter paper to Su Tan'er, whose face was still uncertain. Su Tan'er looked at the Xuan paper, confirmed that there were indeed words on it, and then looked at Xiaochuan again, before finally turning back to the Xuan paper and silently reading the words on it as she opened her lips slightly.

When she read halfway, the speed at which she opened her lips slowed down, but the expression in her eyes gradually became complicated. Finally, she fixed her gaze for a moment, glanced at Xiaochuan again, and then returned to continue silently reading the poem on the paper. Xue Jin was smiling in front, stretching his neck to look, although he couldn't see it, he was still very happy…

What's the use of silently reading it? Anyway, you still have to take it out for everyone to see. I'll help you read it then, ha!

With the feeling of a prank succeeding, he thought happily.

After a moment, a large cloud of fireworks rose on one side of the ship. In the brilliant light, Su Tan'er handed out the lyrics.

"Please Uncle Puyang comment…"

Pu Yangyu had already seen the clue. At this time, he nodded and smiled. He liked the Su family's miss, who seemed gentle but was actually as good as men, very much. Even if the family adopted a husband who didn't have much talent, that was a common thing. On the other hand, Xue Jin was frivolous and mean, which made people dislike him. He immediately decided that even if the poetry was not good, he would say a few good words and try to smooth things over. He took the poetry and looked down at it, already thinking about what kind of evaluation he should use.

Fireworks rose, and others waited for his first comment. Xue Jin smiled elegantly, gentle and humble. Su Tan'er glanced at him, and her gaze fell back on the paper in Pu Yangyu's hand, gently biting her lower lip.

In the flickering light of the flames, her eyes were complex and unspeakable…

**************

Everyone, Banana is asking for a lot of recommendation tickets here ^_^

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