With such a requirent, naturally there would be no illiterate commoners coming and going, and the whole brothel’s quality and cultural atmosphere were instantly elevated.
Various talents, recluses, and literary enthusiasts stopped by, and when scholars gathered, excellent prose and poetry frequently erged from Wentao Pavilion, not only making the composing scholars famous, but also bringing prominence to Wentao Pavilion throughout Great Zhou, with a distinguished reputation. All the literary n made a point of bustling about, taking pride in being an honored guest there.
Not to ntion, inside Wentao Pavilion, every Qing Guan and artiste was talented and beautiful, considerate and charming, reciting poetry in pairs, with won not inferior to n.
This made the literary n flock to them like ducks to water.
The topic hung outside Wentao Pavilion today was Bai Juyi’s "Recalling the South": The South is lovely, with landscapes I knew well. At sunrise, the river blooms outshine the flas, in spring the river waters are as green as blue. How could one not miss the South?
The topic was set, which basically ant to compose words following this poem "Recalling the South".
When Su Ke and Xue Qian arrived at the entrance of Wentao Pavilion, there was already a crowd gathered under the hung topic. Each person among the crowd had a pretentious air, their faces bearing forceful smiles, mutually offering their deference with clasped hands, pushing and shoving but none coming forward to compose poetry.
However, after the arrival of Su Ke and his companion, Xue Qian couldn’t avoid exchanging a couple of polite deferrals.
Although Su Ke had cleaned up a bit, his face still carried a sickly pallor. He had obviously lost a lot of weight, and his deanor was lackluster.
"If I, Su Ke, have insufficient energy at the mont and this Wentao Pavilion proves too difficult to enter, it might be better to go elsewhere." He really didn’t see what was so appealing about those preening courtesans.
His words caused the others, who were still pushing and shoving in false modesty, to all turn their gaze his way.
Laughing, Xue Qian said, "We agreed to entertain at Wentao Pavilion, how could we possibly not enter after coming all this way? Write quickly, write, and once we’re done we’ll go in and find a few beautiful artistes to sing us so tunes, how nice that would be!"
Su Ke’s face still wore a look of indifference.
"Oh my! To see such a handso young master so disinterested in our girls here. Could it be that he’s too young and still unenlightened?"
The old bustard who ca over to greet them was in her forties, her eyes barely visible when she laughed, cleverly hiding the shrewd glint within. She sized up Su Ke for a mont, her smile growing sweeter: "It’s rough for young Master Su to look so wan at such a young age. Could it be that you’ve also entered the examination hall? It doesn’t matter if you’re inexperienced, we have understanding girls here, guaranteed to take care of you to your satisfaction, forgetting about returning ho, so imrsed in pleasure!"
First, she insinuated that he was young and naive, and then she inquired if he had participated in the Spring Imperial Civil Service Examination. Her words put Su Ke in a spot in every sense.
"Mother, you’ve actually hit the nail on the head! Our Master Su the great talent indeed still needs to grow up! Ha ha..."
Xue Qian imdiately burst into laughter!
He patted Su Ke’s shoulder vigorously.
Feeling sowhat irritated, Su Ke instantly shook off his arm and glanced at Xue Qian, who wore a mocking expression: "Very well, Xue Qian, we agreed that you would be the host, yet now you mock , and expect to struggle with composing the poem. What a clever sche!" Saying this, he prepared to write.
"We shouldn’t be separating ourselves into you and ,"
Xue Qian laughed and deflected his hand: "Didn’t you say it yourself just now? Today, Brother Xue is the host. It’s only right that you help out a bit, isn’t it?"
These words left Su Ke speechless, and he subsequently shook his head.
"Fine! It seems that I’ve been roped into your trickery with no way down. If I must write a poem, then I’ll write, just as long as you are content with your jibes and laughter!"
Having said that, he stepped forward, picked up the brush, and began to write on the fine writing paper that was already spread out: "Beyond the Pavilion’s edge, green willows are trimd for whom? The cuckoo’s incessant calls confound the scene; bees buzz and flit chaotically around the spring scholar tree. Could it be a night for falling in love?"
After finishing, he casually threw the Writing Brush aside, and with a loud laugh, he strode into Wentao Pavilion like a shooting star, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Lost in emotions for one night? Qinhuai... this Su Ke."
Xue Qian also laughed heartily and quickly followed.
The old bustard had mingled in Wentao Pavilion for many years; her literary accomplishnts might not have been great, but she naturally understood the literal aning.
Just now she had said that Master Su knew little of worldly affairs, yet before she could turn around, he had written such a line of poetry to slap her in the face—and it resounded loudly.
It really hurt!
Such a sensation twisted the old woman’s face, but years of experience had taught her to keep her emotions from showing. She imdiately put on a smiling face and followed them again.
Walking with an even stride, Su Ke passed through Alley’s air well and entered a small pavilion by Willow Bank.
There sat a group of talented n, each accompanied by one or two beautiful won. They discussed poetry and prose, laughing and talking loudly.
Naturally, the most talked about topic was the recently concluded Spring Imperial Civil Service Examination.
Everyone eagerly inquired about the previous exam questions and answers, even though several days had passed, and the group seed to gleefully engage in the discussions.
"Master Su, Young Master Xue, you both just arrived today; have you taken a fancy to any of the ladies? Are you planning to listen to music, or would you prefer to talk poetry? Not to boast, but the girls of our Wentao Pavilion are each a match for Xi Shi, perfection itself!"
"Of course, we ca because your girls are good. Don’t talk nonsense; show us sothing substantial."
Xue Qian was clearly accustod to the situation and casually responded to the old bustard: "Mother, did you see? Our Master Su isn’t feeling very well today, so go and pick out two congenial girls and send them over. Let’s not drain Master Su’s vigor and spirit."
"Oh my! Young Master Xue, what are you saying? Our girls here are all top-notch and sure to please."
The old bustard, waving her handkerchief, dispersed a choking scent of rouge and powder with the breeze. She was eager to say more, but when she caught Su Ke’s seemingly smiling face, she quickly changed the subject: "Please wait a mont. I will go select soone right now, and the girls will be here in no ti! I assure you both will be satisfied."
"That would be good, very good indeed."
With a flip of his hand, Xue Qian dropped a Silver ingot into the old woman’s palm.
The old bustard’s face bead with a smile as she wiggled her Fat butt away, and soon she brought two girls over.
The two girls, over-familiar, leaned in close, rubbing against Su Ke with their protruding chests.
The cheap scent of rouge and powder was suffocating, causing Su Ke to frown repeatedly. Fortunately, he was never particular about such comforts, and while one girl clung to his shoulder, he held a cup of wine in his hand without drinking it.
His eccentric behavior could not escape the notice of those looking on.
"Is this Lord Su, brother of the Empress? I’ve heard that our Uncle-in-law has unparalleled talents and is of great erudition and scholarship. Seeing you today proves your reputation is well-deserved. Under such a charming springti scenery, would Lord Su be willing to compose a poem to let us witness your literary grace?"
Su Ke naturally recognized the speaker; he was his schoolmate from Yingtian Academy, and like him and Xue Qian, they were classmates. He was the legitimate son of the Imperial Censor Cui, a gentleman nad Cui Minghao.
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