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After calming Ye Zhong down, Su Qi'an and Qin Huai finally took their seats.
The private room lived up to its reputation. Despite the noisy crowd downstairs, the atmosphere inside remained serene and undisturbed.
The group sipped on fragrant tea, watching the commotion below with mild interest. It wasn’t the crowd that intrigued them, but rather the allure of Spring Breeze Courtyard’s head courtesan, Xiaowan. What kind of charm did she possess to make the establishnt abandon its usual one-on-one service model and instead opt for an auction-style event? The highest bidder would earn the privilege of spending ti with her—not a night together, nor the right to take her away, but simply the chance to share a drink and conversation.
Spring Breeze Courtyard was a high-class establishnt, well-known throughout Chuandu County, with branches in every district. For the Lingbei branch to risk offending its regular clients by changing its usual practices spoke volus about the new head courtesan’s appeal.
Ye Zhong, now calr, glanced briefly at the crowd below before losing interest. He turned back to Su Qi'an and Qin Huai, his face lit up with excitent as he began to explain.
"Brother Su, Brother Qin, trust , today’s visit to Spring Breeze Courtyard will be worth it. I’ve seen my fair share of beauties, but soone like Miss Xiaowan is a first for . Although I’ve never seen her face, just her figure and aura are enough to leave a lasting impression. The first ti I saw her, I was practically rooted to the spot."
Ye Zhong spoke with such enthusiasm that even Su Qi'an and Qin Huai couldn’t help but feel curious. For the young master of Lingbei’s wealthiest family to speak so highly of her, Xiaowan must indeed be extraordinary.
"With Brother Ye’s status, even he couldn’t win her over? That’s quite surprising," Qin Huai teased, his words laced with implication.
The others chuckled, understanding Qin Huai’s jest. For the young master of the Ye family to be reduced to rely admiring Xiaowan from afar, without even seeing her face, was indeed unusual.
Ye Zhong, however, waved off the teasing. "Brother Qin, you don’t understand. Miss Xiaowan is different from other won. Once you see her, you’ll understand what I an. This trip will be worth it. Look at the crowd downstairs—all those scholars and wealthy patrons. They’re not here just for fun; they’re here for Xiaowan."
Qin Huai raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Well, now you’ve got intrigued."
As ti passed, more and more scholars and literati flooded into the courtyard. Within half an hour, not only was the first floor packed, but even the private rooms on the second floor were fully occupied. The cost of a private room was ten tis that of a seat on the first floor, yet that didn’t deter the eager patrons.
Su Qi'an didn’t need to think hard to realize that practically all the influential scholars and wealthy families of Lingbei had gathered here tonight. Such a grand assembly, all for the sake of one head courtesan, piqued even Su Qi'an’s curiosity, despite his initial lack of interest.
The noise from the crowd grew louder, almost threatening to lift the roof off the building.
Just then, the madam of Spring Breeze Courtyard erged from a side room and stepped onto the stage. She smiled warmly at the crowd and clasped her hands together.
"Ah, to have so many talented scholars from the county exams grace our humble establishnt is truly an honor. On behalf of Spring Breeze Courtyard, I wish you all success in your exams and future endeavors."
"Enough with the pleasantries, madam! We’re not here to listen to your well-wishes. Bring out the lady already!" one of the scholars below shouted impatiently.
The madam chuckled, clearly used to handling such crowds. Seeing the eager faces, she knew it was ti. After a few more words of flattery, she gestured toward the curtains behind her.
A mont later, a woman wearing a veil and a flowing green dress, holding a pipa, stepped out gracefully. As she appeared, the noisy crowd fell silent, their eyes glued to the stage.
Though her face was hidden, her figure was srizing—slender and graceful, her every movent exuding elegance. Her aura was unlike that of any ordinary courtesan; it was gentle, refined, and delicate, captivating everyone in the room.
Even Su Qi'an, seated in the private room, had to admit that Xiaowan’s beauty and charm were extraordinary. If there were a beauty pageant in Great Liang, Xiaowan would undoubtedly rank among the top three.
The madam, seeing the crowd’s reaction, was inwardly delighted. This was exactly the effect she had hoped for.
Xiaowan bowed slightly to the audience, her voice soft and lodious. "Thank you, esteed gentlen, for gracing Spring Breeze Courtyard with your presence. I am deeply honored. As a token of my gratitude, I shall perform a piece for you."
With that, she sat down and began to play the pipa. The room was filled with the enchanting lody, and everyone listened in rapt attention, completely absorbed.
When the performance ended, the room erupted in applause and cheers.
"Truly remarkable! Miss Xiaowan, your music is as captivating as your beauty. It inspires to compose a poem in your honor."
"A poem? Please, Brother Huang, you’re no Su Qi'an. If Su Qi'an were here and composed a poem for Miss Xiaowan, that would be a tale worth telling."
Hearing his na ntioned, Su Qi'an couldn’t help but smile wryly. Ye Zhong glanced at him, his eyes filled with the sa anticipation as the crowd below, hoping Su Qi'an would step forward.
But Su Qi'an had no intention of getting involved. He closed his eyes, pretending to ditate.
Seeing this, Ye Zhong awkwardly chuckled. He understood that composing poetry wasn’t sothing one could do on command, especially good poetry. It required the right mood and inspiration. Forcing it would only lead to disappointnt.
"Wait, did soone say Su Qi'an? I think I saw him heading to one of the private rooms upstairs earlier."
"Really? Su Qi'an is here?"
The conversation downstairs quickly shifted from Xiaowan to Su Qi'an. Soon, all eyes turned toward the private rooms on the second floor, including those of the madam and Xiaowan herself.
"It’s an honor to share this space with Su Qi'an, the pride of Lingbei County. Would Su Qi'an grace us with his presence?"
The calls grew louder, and it beca clear that Su Qi'an could no longer avoid the spotlight. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and nodded to Ye Zhong, who eagerly pulled back the curtain of their private room.
Su Qi'an stepped forward, and the crowd below erupted in cheers. Of course, the cheers ca mostly from the scholars of Lingbei County, while those from other districts watched in silence, their expressions unreadable.
The madam, seeing Su Qi'an, was overjoyed. Having the renowned scholar who composed the "Moonlit Verses" grace their establishnt would undoubtedly elevate Spring Breeze Courtyard’s reputation. If Su Qi'an were to compose a poem for Xiaowan, her value would skyrocket, and the Lingbei branch might even rise to beco one of the top three in the entire county.
As everyone eagerly awaited Su Qi'an’s next move, Xiaowan, who had remained silent until now, also looked at him with curiosity.
Su Qi'an, however, was no fool. He glanced at the madam and spoke calmly. "If you want to compose a poem for Miss Xiaowan, that’s fine. But nothing in this world cos for free. If I’m to offer my talent, Spring Breeze Courtyard must offer sothing in return."
The madam’s smile widened. "Of course, of course! If Su Qi'an’s poem is worthy, Spring Breeze Courtyard promises that you’ll receive the finest treatnt at any of our branches across the county."
The crowd below murmured in envy, but Su Qi'an’s expression remained indifferent. He chuckled coldly. "Spring Breeze Courtyard is indeed skilled at business. Your offer sounds generous, but in reality, it’s nothing more than using my na to boost your reputation. Do you take for a free promoter?"
The scholars below, realizing the madam’s ulterior motive, began to frown. Su Qi'an was right. While the offer sounded tempting, it was ultimately a ploy to increase the value of Spring Breeze Courtyard’s courtesans. In the future, ordinary scholars like themselves might no longer afford to visit such establishnts.
Ye Zhong, standing beside Su Qi'an, stepped forward and glared at the madam. "You dare sche against my brother? Do you not fear the Ye family’s wrath? Shall I tear this place down myself?"
The madam’s face paled. She had underestimated Su Qi'an’s sharp mind. Realizing her mistake, she quickly apologized. "My apologies, young master. It was my oversight. Please, na your terms, and I’ll do my best to fulfill them."
Su Qi'an smiled faintly. "It’s simple. In exchange for a poem, I want so ti alone with Miss Xiaowan."
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