Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

Before long, all the girls flocked to Shen Qing's stall, some carrying pipa, some carrying guqin, and others carrying melon seeds.

"Madam Shen, we're here to help you attract customers!"

"Madam Shen, don't worry, just watch us! We're sure to have tons of customers coming soon!"

"Since we're right in front of Shuiyuelou, we sisters are determined to sell out of these snail rice noodles!"

"..."

Shen Qing was stunned by the enthusiasm of the girls. Before she could react, a melodious tune reached her ears.

Some girls started dancing to the music, their movements graceful and elegant.

If it weren't for this sour smell, the atmosphere here would be wonderful.

Shen Qing sighed. Sure enough, she shouldn't have sold snail rice noodles at the entrance of Shuiyue Tower.

The system is faulty.

"Come quick! This is the only snail rice noodle soup in the world! Everyone come and try it!"

"Luosifen (river snail rice noodles), selling luosifen!"

"Eat snail rice noodles and watch a free song and dance performance—"

"..."

Many girls ran a little further away and started shouting to pedestrians on the roadside.

No one had ever seen such a girl before. Without money and talent, one couldn't even see the girl, let alone watch a performance.

Now you can watch a performance just by eating rice noodles, which is a fantastic thing!

"Really? You can't be lying to people like this," someone in the crowd asked.

"Of course it's true, it's right at the entrance of Shuiyue Tower, why don't you go and see for yourselves?"

"So... how much does a bowl of that snail rice noodle soup cost?"

"Who are these people setting up stalls? Is it worth your entire team coming out?"

"Is Miss Ruyan here? I want to hear Miss Ruyan sing~"

"Where is Hui Niang? Will I be able to see Hui Niang if I eat rice noodles?"

Everyone started asking questions all at once. No one cared whether the snail rice noodles were delicious or not. Everyone just wanted to see the people they wanted to see and listen to the music they wanted to hear.

There were only two or three girls here, and they simply couldn't answer everyone; all these people were just too enthusiastic.

Just then, someone shouted, "Why ask so many questions? Why not go over and take a look, and while you're at it, try some delicious snail rice noodles?"

"Lord Wu is right. Everyone should go to the entrance of our Shuiyue Tower and see for themselves."

A young woman recognized the man who had just spoken as Lord Wu of the Hanlin Academy, the top scholar of the previous year.

Wu Zhuang was a regular at Shuiyuelou. His poems and essays were exquisite, and nowadays, several songs sung by the girls at Shuiyuelou had lyrics written by him.

"Let's go, everyone! We can enjoy delicious snail rice noodles while watching the girls perform – it would be an absolutely wonderful experience!"

Wu Zhuang called out again, waving his fan as he walked forward.

As he passed by, he quietly asked, "Is Miss Ruyan here too?"

"Yes, yes."

"If Miss Ruyan were here, that would be perfect!" He took bigger steps.

When the others saw this, they all followed suit, after all, such a good thing doesn't happen every day.

Eating while watching a performance, and it's a performance by Shuiyuelou, who wouldn't be tempted?

A huge crowd surged forward.

The two or three girls who were lobbying at the back of the group couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

"Will this work? They're eating those fragrant snail rice noodles one after another, but those snail rice noodles..."

"Hey, they're not really going there to eat noodles. What difference does it make if it's fragrant or smelly? Just you wait and see, there will be song and dance performances, and they'll even make the smelly ones sound fragrant."

"That's true, those who dabble in literature are the most hypocritical."

"..."

Wu Zhuang waved his fan, his face beaming with joy. This was the first time he had ever seen Ruyan without needing to read poetry.

In the past, if he wanted to see Miss Ruyan even once, he had to bring poems and essays with him, which was quite a hassle, to be honest.

I'm in a better mood than ever before.

Before he even reached the entrance, he could see a large crowd gathered at the entrance of Shuiyue Tower, and he could faintly hear the sounds of string and wind instruments.

"What does it taste like??"

Suddenly, his brows furrowed.

Why does it smell like a stinking sewer?

"No, it smells like rotten vegetable leaves!"

Several girls behind them also frowned. They had only been gone for a short while, so why did the smell of the snail rice noodles become even stronger?

Forcing a smile, she said, "It's getting hotter and hotter, so something might have gone bad. Don't mind it, everyone. Let's keep going, the performance is just ahead."

Wu Zhuang covered his nose with his hand, looking somewhat disgusted, and quickened his pace, wanting to get through this stretch of road as quickly as possible.

But the further we walked, the stronger the smell became, constantly rushing into our noses, and we couldn't stop it.

"Wait... why does it smell worse and worse?"

The girl forced a smile: "We're here, we're here! Look, Miss Ruyan is dancing."

Wu Zhuang: "..."

The music was pleasant to listen to, and the dance steps were pleasing to the eye; logically, he should have felt happy.

But it seems his nose is not feeling well.

"It's the smell of snail rice noodles!! It's definitely the smell, this stench is coming from snail rice noodles!" someone suddenly shouted.

These words were like a wake-up call; Wu Zhuang instantly realized what was happening.

What fragrant snail rice noodles? This is just stinky snail rice noodles!

No wonder, no wonder all the girls at Shuiyuelou came out in force to attract customers and sell snail rice noodles.

He always said, there's no such thing as a free lunch!

And a few people actually bought it, and not only that, they ate it in big mouthfuls, as if they had never eaten before.

He was simply blinded by female beauty—no, that's not right, he was blinded by female beauty.

"Lord Wu, would you like to try a bowl of snail rice noodles?" After finishing her dance, Ru Yan walked a few steps to Wu Zhuang and said with a smile.

In an instant, Wu Zhuang's eyes widened.

Good heavens! Miss Ruyan took the initiative to talk to him!

Even when he brought poems and essays with him, Miss Ruyan was usually indifferent, only her eyes would light up when she saw those poems and essays.

He simply couldn't understand what was so good about those flowery poems.

"Come on, have a bowl, of course I want a bowl." His brain couldn't process it at all, and he subconsciously nodded in agreement.

"Fifty coins a bowl, you can buy it there." Ruyan pointed to Shen Qing's stall.

Such delicate hands! Miss Ruyan's fingers are so beautiful.

Wu Zhuang didn't move an inch, his eyes filled with a deep infatuation.

Ruyan subconsciously pulled her hand back into her sleeve, feeling as if her fingers were dirty.

That gaze is truly disgusting.

I don't know how someone as disgusting as Wu Zhuang could write such wonderful poems.

God must be blind.

"Lord Wu, weren't you going to buy snail rice noodles? What are you standing there for?" Ruyan asked again.

Although this person is disgusting, she has money, and she won't turn down money.

Besides, she hadn't forgotten that the main purpose today was to help Madam Shen attract customers.