Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1201 - 509: Suzhou (Part 2)_5

Amidst the crowd’s uproar, the Four Great Courtesans finally nodded in agreement, and the competition’s location was chosen on the Lotus Lantern Boat. All other boats were docked around the Lotus Boat.

Yueyao looked up at the big boat: "How can we see from here?" The big boat was taller than their boat by two heads, so looking up, they still couldn’t see.

Xiang Wei chuckled and said, "Don’t worry, there will always be a way to solve this." Xiang Wei’s solution was to give up their good spot to another larger lantern boat, but on the condition that they could watch the performance on that boat.

The other party, seeing the confident Xiang Wei, readily agreed. As for Yueyao, everyone just thought that Yueyao was Xiang Wei’s follower.

Shortly after, a person dressed in blue came out from the Lotus Boat and said to the crowd, "We invite everyone to board the boat to watch the performance of the four maidens. What do you all think?" Of course, boarding the boat came with conditions. The condition was that you had to have the qualifications to do so.

The person in blue was none other than Gu Li, who was always lost in his own world. A complex look flashed in Yueyao’s eyes; not many people knew she planned to cruise the Qinhuai River at night, besides Niu Yanghui and Mingzhu and those close to them, only Gu Zhe knew. Yueyao never suspected Niu Yanghui and Mingzhu’s associates of leaking information. If a dignified magistrate could let slip such a small matter, they wouldn’t last long in office. The only suspicious person left was Gu Zhe, but from what Yueyao knew, Gu Zhe was usually cautious and shouldn’t be the type to leak her whereabouts. This was evident from how he referred to Lady Lian instead of calling her aunt earlier. Now, the most suspicious remained Gu Li, who was with Gu Zhe.

Xiang Wei nudged Yueyao and said, "We’ll find out who leaked your information when we get back." She was half-joking with Yueyao, noting that since Niu Yanghui booked the lantern boat, they wouldn’t have done it under their real name, nor leaked the information.

Yueyao was famous throughout Jiangnan, and there were many who wished to meet her. Niu Yanghui, not being foolish, surely knew that once the news was out, people would flock over.

Xiang Wei smiled and said, "Should we watch from the big boat, or just stay here?"

Yueyao shook her head and said, "We’ll watch from here." The boat was anchored by the bow of the Lotus Boat, so as long as the Four Great Courtesans performed on the boat, they could see clearly from there.

Xiang Wei chuckled, saying, "Since Gu Li mentioned it, the Four Great Courtesans wouldn’t be performing on the boat deck. They’ll definitely perform inside the boat."

Yueyao’s expression showed discontent, but since they were here, they would surely go.

Xiang Wei cheerfully said, "We don’t have any notable identities, so we definitely won’t be able to enter the cabin like this. Calligraphy can’t be shown in public, so how about you compose a poem as our ticket?" Xiang Wei understood Yueyao well, knowing she had decent poetic skills. Though she wasn’t a master, her level was enough for tonight’s situation.

For better exhibition effect, Yueyao had inscribed poems on every painting. Mr. Yu Shan had helped modify and refine those poems. After finishing those, Yueyao was drained, and now, even if she could compose, she wouldn’t just announce it.

Xiang Wei was worried: "Then what do we do? Not go?"

Yueyao thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Using someone else’s work will do." Seeing Xiang Wei’s disapproving look, Yueyao smiled and said, "Rest assured, this poem hasn’t been circulated. Moreover, we’re not leaving our names, so even if discovered as borrowed, it doesn’t matter."

Xiang Wei led Yueyao upwards.

One by one, the famous boarded the boat, while those without reputation could only watch from afar with admiration, not daring to push forward. After all, it was a cultured event, and if they dared to make trouble, they’d surely be beaten up and unable to return to Jiangnan anymore.

Gu Zhe stopped Xiang Wei and Yueyao, who were about to board the lantern boat, and asked, "Who are you?" Only Jiangnan’s renowned individuals could board the boat.

Both Xiang Wei and Yueyao were disguised, so even with Gu Zhe right in front of them, he couldn’t recognize them. Xiang Wei smiled and said, "I’m from the Capital City, surnamed Na."

The evaluators present all shook their heads, saying, "Unfamiliar."

Xiang Wei smiled and said, "I just composed a poem while standing nearby. If you find it good, let us in; if not, we’ll leave. How about that?"

Gu Zhe replied, "That would be fine, but the poem must be agreed upon by all."