Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 289: Read the article again by light, who wrote it?
The lights on the second floor of Yuehuaxuan are dim.

If Wutong were here, he would be able to recognize two people among the people leaning on the fence on the second floor.
Zhang Yuanlai and He Xiao.

He Xiao lost contact with the two teachers that Xie Yuan found for Xie Guan after the studies ended, and never came to Xie Guan's courtyard.

On the contrary, Zhang Yuanlai became a frequent visitor and often visited Xie Guan.

Zhang Yuanlai is a bit plump, with a kind look on his round face.

At this moment, he was accompanied by a pretty woman with a beautiful face.

Zhang Yuanlai seemed quite embarrassed. His hands seemed to be nailed to his trousers, sticking straight there, and there was no expression on his face.

He Xiao found Zhang Yuanlai's appearance quite funny.

He put his big hands around the waist of Fendie'er from Yuehuaxuan beside him. Although she was not as good as the "pure prostitutes", "top beauties" or "beauties" among them, she was far from the vulgar prostitutes in the brothels of the West Chamber.

However, the price of this "Pink Butterfly" is not cheap.

The cost of one night recorded on the "flower case" alone would cost more than twenty taels of silver, which is staggering.

What's worse, the women in this building only sell their art and not their bodies. If someone wants to "blow their flowers" or "take a seat on their bed",

That’s another “price”!
Of course, if the woman is willing, they can have sex.

"Brother Zhang, you are here to have fun, so you should be happy and don't let this beautiful scenery go to waste."

"No need to be so reserved. Look, even this girl isn't nervous at all. How can you, a man of seven feet tall, be so shy?"

The woman next to Zhang Yuanlai heard what was said and chuckled with her hands covering her mouth, her eyebrows curved, with a bit of the gentleness of a beautiful girl from a small family.

The woman next to He Xiao appeared to be quite plump, and her every move revealed a mature charm.

He preferred the gracefulness of women, but it was a pity that all the girls in Yuehuaxuan were young ladies who had not yet married.

What a pity!

"Brother He, please stop teasing me."

Zhang Yuanlai looked helpless, with a hint of embarrassment in his bitter smile.

It was his first time stepping into this place of fireworks, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

You know, most of the people who have lived in Bianjing for a long time are literati and poets, and they have more or less experienced the charm of the West Wing.

But he is a unique person.

He came from the remote area of ​​Jiannan Road. He was new to the city and even after so many years, he still couldn't fully adapt to the prosperity and hustle and bustle of Bianjing.

Every year, the hard work of preparing for the imperial examinations alone left him with little money.

In Bianjing, those who have power and influence are the richest people in the world, and they can see endless nobles. If they have nothing, they will be trapped in a small rented house.

Living in Bian Jing is not easy.

Today, it was because a friend of his who was familiar with He Xiao had passed the imperial examination and had failed on the day when the results of the autumn examination were announced. However, someone happened to resign from his official position, and his friend was able to fill the vacancy. He was really lucky.

At thirty, you are a Mingjing, at fifty, you are a Jinshi!
My friend got this when he was nearly forty years old, so it’s not too late.

Zhang Yuanlai was happy for his friend, but at the same time he couldn't help feeling lonely about his own situation.

Time flies, I am getting old, but I still have accomplished nothing.

This friend was also a retainer of the Xie family. As he passed the imperial examination this time, the Xie family naturally gave him generous rewards. Madam Zhao from the Second Courtyard also received some money, and Master Xie Yuan gave him a lot out of generosity.

Of course, there is also the emotion of relying on incense and sacrifice, which is why the big families can continue to do this for a long time.

Those who pass the imperial examination are very proud and will ride their horses at full speed!

Many elderly scholars were almost crazy due to excessive joy on the day of the announcement of the results.

Passing the imperial examination not only means a promising career in officialdom, but also allows one to take advantage of the national fortune of the Great Qi to start practicing, which can be described as "reaching heaven in one step."

Today, a friend invited them to a banquet, and they gathered here. In one day, they spent more than a hundred taels of silver, and could only stay on the second floor of Yuehuaxuan.

If you want to go upstairs, you need to change the "water card" and add more silver.

There are five floors in total, just like the social classes of women in Yuehuaxuan.

The second floor is where the butterflies live, and above that are the prostitutes.

The highest fifth floor is where the oiran lives, and it is a rare opportunity to see her.

"Brother Zhang, how about we go to the third floor? Anyway, Brother Wang is in high spirits today because of the good news. He has already drunk a lot. We are bored. We should spend this money wisely."

Zhang Yuanlai waved his hands repeatedly. He was unwilling to waste his money on this.

Being a retainer in a government office was already a pretty good position among the scholars, and he could still save some money every month for other uses.

It's a pity to spend the money here.

Seeing this, Zhang Yuan did not try to persuade him any further. In fact, he knew that he was short of money and was quite conflicted.

He would come to the West Wing several times a month, and he had a mistress outside who needed to be supported.

Over the years, he had hardly ever set foot in this first-class place called "Yuehuaxuan". If it weren't for his friend's invitation today, he might have chosen to "make do" with other brothels in the West Wing.

He Xiaoze's eyes fell on the lobby on the first floor, where he saw the sound of gongs and drums, and it was very lively.

The banner of "Caotang Poetry Meeting" was hung high.

The event was so grand that it almost took up the entire space on the first floor.

He Xiao couldn't help but feel yearning and sighed, "This Master Su Yun is really generous. Today's scene must have cost more than ten thousand taels of silver."

The woman next to him covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Mr. Su was born in the Su family, so why would he worry about money? He has been sitting on a mountain of gold and silver since he was a child, and he only wants to have fun."

Zhang Yuanlai lowered his eyes and saw several noblemen from the nine major surnames slowly walking onto the stage, with Su Yun leading the way, followed closely by Xie Xuan and others.

A servant held up a plaque with the words "Poetry Appreciation Meeting in Caotang" clearly written on it.

Xie Xuan, Zhang Yuanlai and He Xiaozi were acquainted with each other. He was the son of the Xie family.

There was a sudden buzz of discussion on the second floor.

"This Caotang Poetry Gathering is nothing but a vain show made of money. It's so boring to see it going on every month. A good gathering of literati has been turned into something vulgar by them."

"Young masters of the nine major surnames, why do you have to do this? Aren't you just asking for trouble?"

Zhang Yuanlai looked around, and his ears were filled with the cold words of the people around him, mostly sarcastic remarks like this.

"Brother He, what do you think of this Caotang poetry gathering?"

He Xiao smiled slightly, with envy in his eyes.

"Besides, the monthly salary of 100 taels of silver for joining the poetry club is enough to make people jealous. Moreover, as long as you participate in a poetry gathering, all the expenses such as carriage fares, hotels, food and necessities for people and horses will be covered by Master Su."

Talking!

He Xiao's hand unconsciously touched the plump part of the woman's waist, but was gently pushed away by the woman.

He Xiao didn't care, the smile on his face remained the same, and he continued:

"I don't know how many people are trying their best to join this poetry club. Some people say they look down on others, but their bodies are very honest."

"These days, if you can't take off this Confucian robe, how can you exchange it for gold and silver? A few pounds of character can't be sold for money."

At this time, there was movement downstairs.

Everyone was already accustomed to Su Yun's clichéd opening.

But then.

As a woman slowly entered the room, the men on the second floor couldn't help but stop and look up.

"This is!"

"Hu Yunniang!" someone exclaimed.

"The courtesan of Yuehuaxuan, one of the eighteen families in Bianjing."

He Xiao looked at the slender figure, a trace of obsession flashed in his eyes, and he sighed:
"The title of Oiran is indeed well-deserved."

"No wonder the ancients said that a night of spring is worth a thousand gold coins, and dying under a peony flower is as romantic as a ghost. Seeing you today, I know that this saying is true."

Xie Xuan stood on the stage, his face filled with pride, and said with a smile:
"Yunniang has also joined the Caotang Poetry Society."

Hu Yunniang bowed lightly on the stage, her posture graceful, like a fairy.

There was a burst of cheers and thunderous applause in the venue.

now!

Inside the private room on the fifth floor of Yuehuaxuan, several women were leaning against the window, cracking melon seeds with their delicate hands. Their faces were absolutely beautiful, not inferior to Hu Yunniang in any way.

The curtains were lowered, and whispers could be heard faintly. "She is willing to show up in public, it seems that she has completely hooked up with the young master of the Su family."

"With Su Yun's help, this year's selection of the oiran will probably be exciting again."

"These sisters are more difficult than each other."

On the first floor stage!
Hu Yunniang appeared for only a moment before she nodded to Su Yun and gracefully left the stage.

In full view of the public, she stepped behind the scenes, causing everyone to look at her with a sense of regret.

The courtesans are all on the fifth floor, and it is difficult for ordinary people to get a glimpse of their beauties.

Although everyone did not hold high hopes for the "Caotang Poetry Gathering", they would rather take a few more glances at the beauties.

however.

Hu Yunniang's appearance made the place very lively.

Seeing this, Su Yun took the opportunity to order his servants to display the poems from the poetry meeting.

One masterpiece after another appeared on the paper and was held high on wooden signs. They were all excellent works that Su Yun had carefully selected from the poetry reading recently.

It is covered with red cloth, giving it a solemn feeling like the announcement of the results of an imperial examination.

Zhang Yuanlai smiled and said, "It seems that Mr. Su has really worked hard and has a plan in mind."

He Xiao, however, held a different view. He knew very well that although the Caotang Poetry Society was founded by Su Yun, the trend of poetry societies had already been popular.

Many descendants of the nine major surnames followed suit and formed poetry societies, and Su Yun was just a latecomer. Those who loved to recite poems and admire literature had already joined the old poetry societies.

The Caotang Poetry Society had no good works circulated over the past year and could only rely on money for support, gradually earning the name "Caobao Poetry Society".

You know, good works are hard to come by. There were many Confucian scholars in the Great Qi Dynasty, but there were also many who "whined without reason."

Su Yun was very generous and neglected the guests on the second, third and even fifth floors. He specially sent servants to give each of them a gift of pastries and handwritten notes.

The red cloth was unveiled, and every time a poem was displayed, servants would run up and down to present the transcribed original text.

The troupe's voice was soft and loud as they chanted: "Ode to Autumn, written by Master Hu!"

Everyone upstairs and downstairs lowered their voices involuntarily when they heard this.

"Liao Qiu often brings sadness to my body, I say the golden wind has not yet come. The clouds and warm sun are both suitable, where does the sadness of Bianjing come from?"

The voice of the singer is ups and downs and rhythmic.

After listening to this, Zhang Yuan couldn't help but sigh: "This Mr. Hu is really proficient in everything, including music, chess, calligraphy and painting. This poem is full of uplifting artistic conception and refreshing."

Then, another plaque was unveiled, revealing the poem inside, and the singer continued to recite.

This poem is also a good work, winning everyone's nods.

He Xiao patted the railing and laughed, "The young master of the Su family is making such a big fuss today. He really came prepared."

Then, the chanting of the vocalists was heard from below.

"Wing Chun, written by Mr. Xie Xuan of the Xie family - The bird is too lazy to prune its feathers, the fragrance of the white magnolia is lingering. The temple dragon sneezes, and the old leaves bloom into new branches."

Everyone in Yuehuaxuan is a Confucian scholar or has a good family background. They have read several books of poetry and are well-versed in literature.

"This poem is acceptable. Xie Xuan from the Xie family seems to be a well-read person."

"The Xie family has produced a great man like Mr. Xie, so their reputation is not lost."

Xie Xuan stood in front of the stage, and although he tried his best to hide his expression, he still couldn't hide the smugness on the corners of his mouth.

To become famous is what a man should do.

The singer paused for a moment, then recited aloud: "Ode to Ming, written by Su Yunsu - Who holds the moon in the clouds, should follow the flowing light. Performing poses by the lake, waiting for the wine to be opened in the green cup."

Zhang Yuanlai took the paper handed over by the Su family's servant and read the poem carefully. At the same time, he listened to the recitation of the singer and couldn't help but exclaimed:
"This Su Yun does have some poetic talent. This poem is very well written."

"This poem is the best poem in today's poetry gathering."

Just as Sheng Ji was about to continue speaking, Su Yun stepped forward, personally unveiled a piece of red cloth, and revealed the next poem.

"Written by Li Shuwan, a talented woman from the Li family."

"But unfortunately, there are only four fragments of poetry."

The singer then recited these four lines of poetry:
"The flowers on the intertwined branches are in full bloom, but the wind and rain are urging them to bloom. I wish the Green Emperor would always be my master, and not let them decorate the green moss with green leaves."

The field suddenly fell into silence.

"...I wish the Blue Emperor would always be my master, and not allow him to dot the green moss." Many women repeated these two sentences in a low voice, as if they were savoring the deep meaning in them.

Isn’t this poem the voice of the women in Yuehua Tower?
The flowers on the intertwined branches are in full bloom, but they are envied and destroyed by the wind and rain, urging them to wither all the time. How they wish that the god in charge of spring can keep spring forever and not let these delicate and lovely flowers fall on the green moss.

Life has its joys and sorrows, separations and reunions. Everything in the world is like this and it is difficult to be perfect.

They are like "birds in a cage", their youth is fleeting and good times are hard to come by. The artistic conception of this poem touches their hearts deeply.

The words fell.

Perhaps it was because this woman in the world was most "sad about the passing of spring and autumn" that a low sobbing sound was heard in the building.

Zhang Yuanlai looked at the woman who was accompanying him, who was also crying with her head down, and felt a little at a loss.

He had never encountered this scene and didn't know how to comfort her.

He Jin kept looking at him, asking him to look at the people around him, and saw that all of them were men taking the opportunity to pull women into their arms.

Zhang Yuanlai still didn't dare and could only cough.

"The talented lady of the Li family? She wrote it really well. Although I don't understand it, this work should be the best today. I'm afraid it will be circulated in the West Wing."

"This Caotang Poetry Gathering has really gained momentum today. If it happens a few more times, I'm afraid it will lose its reputation as a moneybag poetry gathering."

Seeing the scene in the building, Su Yun couldn't help but take a deep breath. It was a man's pleasure to make a name for his beloved woman.

The next two lines of poetry are also the key to the fame of today's Caotang Poetry Festival.

He personally uncovered the last red cloth, revealing a carefully framed manuscript inside.

It was exactly what Xie Guan wrote that day!
Su Yun was still amazed when he looked at the flying words on the paper.

"This is the last poem of the Caotang Poetry Meeting today."

"Unfortunately, it is also a fragment."

"Su Yun sent it over!"

Sheng Ji looked at the words above and saw Su Yun bowing his head and greeting everyone, so she did not dare to be negligent and hurriedly read aloud.

"When your name is not well known, your heart will not fade away. Keep reading by candlelight."

"Peng Beihai, Feng Chaoyang, carrying books and swords, the road is endless."

The sound was not loud, and the place became quieter.

Then the servants handed the original text to everyone present.

Zhang Yuanlai looked at the words on the paper, holding the railing tightly.

My eyes gradually turned red, I couldn't help feeling pain in my eyes, and finally tears fell.

For more than thirty years, I have worked hard and knocked on the railings, but no one is willing to climb up. Isn't this the path to study and success?

Even if your name is not well known, your heart will live forever!
Being in a foreign land, spending your hair down and burying your head in the sand, is all for the sake of studying hard for ten years and becoming famous.

Read the article by light again!
No matter how hard it is, I still yearn for it, "Peng Beihai, Feng Chaoyang, and I will take my books and swords and set off on the endless journey."

May I ask if your original intention is still there?

Most of the people in the building are those who have failed in their official careers or imperial examinations. This is not the ambition of a real man. Most of them are frustrated people, otherwise they would not hang around in brothels.

The building was completely silent for a moment.

Someone shouted loudly:
"Excuse me, Mr. Su, who wrote this?"

Su Yun said in a loud voice:
"The Caotang Poetry Gathering, Xie Family, Xie Guan."

Zhang Yuanlai suddenly raised his head.

“Xie Jia, Xie Guan!”

~

[It was already afternoon when you slowly got up, and your dizziness and headache were relieved.]

[You put on a coat and walked into the yard, then you sneezed loudly.]

(End of this chapter)