I just wrote a love poem, how did that make me so powerful?

Several sharp-eyed old women were whispering among themselves at the alley entrance.

"Miss Gu has come out."

"The Xiao family has quite a lot of influence."

"I heard that she won't show her face unless she receives a hundred taels of silver from a guest."

"Yeah, and this is just talking, they can't even hold hands..."

"My goodness, I wonder what amazing thing happened today."

Next up is Su Man.

She arrived in a blue-curtained carriage and alighted wearing a light green, long, double-breasted dress with a silver sash tied around her waist, giving her a neat and refreshing appearance.

But the noble air that emanated from within made the servants at the door unconsciously lower their heads.

She stepped onto the steps, and Chong Xiaowan bowed slightly, his gaze sweeping around the courtyard.

She noticed Gu Zhiyi's maid standing in the corridor, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look flashing in her eyes.

Several ladies and young women who had dealings with the Xiao family arrived one after another.

One of them was the wife of Manager Ma of the clothing store in the south of the city. She was in her early forties and was dressed in gold and silver.

One of them was the wife of the county magistrate's household registration officer. She was in her thirties, didn't talk much, but had exceptionally sharp eyes.

Two other women were close friends of Xiao Mingyuan's mother, and each brought their unmarried daughters with them.

After the ladies and young women entered the gate, they all glanced in unison toward the main hall.

The sight of Gu Zhiyi sitting in the hall drinking tea made them pause in their tracks.

The shopkeeper's wife asked the person next to her in a low voice.

"Is that Miss Gu from Chunhong Courtyard?"

"You're not mistaken, it's her."

"The Xiao family can even get her to come to their aid?"

Another chimed in, "That's for sure. I heard that the matter of Chunhong Courtyard changing the fabric was a scheme orchestrated by the Xiao family."

"Tsk tsk, the Xiao family's methods this time are really impressive."

"Oh my, seeing Miss Gu from Chunhong Courtyard, I finally understand why men all want to see her. If I were a man, I would also fight tooth and nail to see her. She is just too beautiful."

……

As Xiao Mingyuan walked, he bumped into someone who shouldn't be there.

He quickly stepped forward and blocked their way.

"Young Master Li, today's banquet is for ladies and young women, what brings you here?"

The newcomer was Li Yan, who was holding a folding fan and had a strange smile on his face.

"Look at what you're saying. You invited my sister, so I can't come? I'm here to see what you're up to."

He said he was about to walk inside.

Xiao Mingyuan grabbed his arm.

"Brother, take my advice, it's really not a good day for you inside. You stay outside and keep us company."

Li Yan shook off his hand and was about to struggle.

Looking up, I saw the few people sitting in the flower hall in the front yard.

Xiao Wanjin was having tea and chatting with the men brought by the ladies, laughing and talking.

Clearly, today's banquet was divided into two groups, with all the male guests being kept in the front yard.

Li Yan then put away his fan and smiled.

"Alright, it seems the main character today is indeed a female guest. I'll wait here then."

He found a chair in the front yard and sat down, not in a hurry.

……

In the main hall of the inner courtyard, behind a screen, Song Yao stood in front of a bronze mirror about half her height, holding the light blue bra in her hand, her cheeks so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

Xiao Lanzhi stood behind her, holding a spare thin rope in her hand, laughing as she spoke.

"Miss Song, who wouldn't envy your figure? This bra was made for someone like you, what are you shy about?"

Song Yao blushed, lowered her head, and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.

"I'm shy about showing it to them."

Xiao Lanzhi patted her on the shoulder.

"Don't be afraid, just walk out confidently. They'll be envious. If I were your age, I'd love to wear this out on the street. If you behave well, this is how we'll make big money in the future."

Song Yao then raised her head and asked in a low voice.

"How much...how much money? A few hundred coins? A few dozen taels?"

Xiao Lanzhi couldn't help but burst into laughter, laughing so hard she bent over.

"Silly girl, what's a few dozen taels? Let me tell you, it's hundreds of thousands of taels! If this business is to grow big, hundreds of thousands of taels of silver a year won't be a lot."

Upon hearing this, Song Yao's eyes widened suddenly, her blush still lingering, and she was shocked once again.

She looked down at the light blue bra in her hand, gritted her teeth, and began to put it on.

Halfway through dressing, she suddenly stopped and asked a question without turning her head.

"Sister Lanzhi...did you also invite that Miss Su Man outside?"

Xiao Lanzhi nodded. "Yes, she's here too."

Song Yao paused for a moment, then continued tying the straps at the back of the bra, pursing her lips.

Xiao Lanzhi looked down at Song Yao's profile without saying a word, but she already knew what was going on.

After a while, Song Yao put on the bra and then put on a thin, plain gauze outer garment.

Xiao Lanzhi straightened her clothes and shoulder straps, took a half step back, and examined her closely. Then she nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright, let's go. Let's see if we can't seduce them."

Song Yao took a deep breath and followed Xiao Lanzhi out from behind the screen.

In the main hall, several ladies and young women were already seated.

Gu Zhiyi and Su Man sat on the left, while Madam Ma and the Registrar's wife sat on the right. The other two ladies, along with their daughters, sat by the window.

Li Yan's older sister, Li Wan, sat in the very center.

She had no choice; everyone else was being considerate, so she could only sit there.

After Song Yao entered, all eyes were on her.

At that moment, the hall fell silent.

Song Yao was naturally slender and tall, with a narrow waist and thin shoulders and back.

Her long-term malnutrition, ironically, gave her an excellent model figure.

Especially after putting on that bra, her entire silhouette was redefined.

With improved posture, the curves of the body become more natural.

The originally somewhat thin lines have become fuller and more graceful, making the person look much more energetic.

The plain gauze outer garment was partially transparent, vaguely outlining the contours of what was underneath.

It's neither too explicit nor too captivating.

Mrs. Ma held the teacup to her lips but forgot to drink from it, and only put it down after a long while.

"What...what kind of clothes are these? My family runs a clothing shop, and we've never seen anything like them before."

The clerk's wife stood up abruptly, circled her twice, and marveled at her.

"My niece just got married last month. If this dress were made bright red and worn under her wedding gown, it would look so beautiful."

The two unmarried girls stared intently at them.

One of them whispered to the other, "Where can I buy this dress? I really want to wear it..."

Gu Zhiyi sat in the chair and leaned forward slightly.

His gaze lingered on Song Yao's shoulders and chest for a moment before he slowly sat back down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

Her expression didn't change much, but she was a few seconds slower than usual when she was serving tea.

Su Man kept looking at Song Yao with a calm gaze, but a faint smile played at the corners of her lips.

She didn't speak, but whispered a few words to Cui'er beside her, and Cui'er nodded.

Song Yao stood there, being stared at by so many people, and her ears burned again.

But this time, she didn't dodge.

She noticed that Su Man's gaze lingered on her for a moment.

There was no hostility in his gaze, but Song Yao was sensitive enough to sense that he was being scrutinized.

She unconsciously straightened her back to make herself stand more steadily.

Xiao Lanzhi stepped forward at the opportune moment and spoke with a beaming smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this garment is called a bra, and it's worn close to the skin. We invited you all here today to hear your opinions. If you like it, everyone who comes today will receive five bras as a small gift from the Xiao family."

Upon hearing this, the ladies' eyes lit up.

Madam Ma was the first to stand up, pulling on Xiao Lanzhi's sleeve.

"Lanzhi, that's not very kind of you. Why did you only bring out such a good thing now?"

Xiao Lanzhi smiled and said, "Isn't this just made? If Aunt Ma likes it, there will be plenty more later."

At this point, Gu Zhiyi and Su Man both looked towards the front yard.

It seemed their gazes pierced through the house, focusing on the people on the other side.

The two ladies, along with their daughters, gathered around, asking about the size, color, and price.

For a moment, the hall was as lively as a stage.

When the crowd dispersed a little and then gathered around Song Yao, looking her up and down, they realized that the crowd was still dispersing.

Gu Zhiyi walked over to Xiao Lanzhi with a teacup in her hand and said in a low voice, "Miss Xiao, may I speak to you in private?"