Time Travel: The Noble Family-Chapter 1202 - 509: Suzhou (Part 2)_6

Xiang Wei nodded with a smile, then recited a poem.

Xiang Wei’s poem was quickly delivered inside, and after a while, someone came out saying: "Tang Yi says this poem is full of spirit, truly well-crafted, and worthy of boarding the ship."

Yueyao followed behind Xiang Wei but was unexpectedly stopped. Gu Zhe apologized: "The boat is small and can’t accommodate too many people, only the person themselves can enter."

Xiang Wei pursed her lips in a smile, then said: "Old Du, if you want to board the ship with me, you will have to compose a poem too."

Yueyao felt she had been truly set up by Xiang Wei this time. But after taking ninety-nine steps, there’s no stopping at the last step. Having thought of many poems while helping Xiang Wei earlier, Yueyao didn’t hesitate now and immediately recited a verse.

River Transmit

Spring shallow, red grievance, concealing twin bracelets, light rain amidst flowers. Painting leisure, silently releasing crimson tears. Declining, fragrance fades returning light dreams. Lean on the painted screen pondering past events, none are, merely conjuring longing words. Recall those days, green willow threads, flower branches, full courtyard of butterflies.

Gu Zhe looked at Yueyao strangely, it was obvious this poem was not composed on the spot but written long ago. Gu Zhe’s judgment was not simply because Yueyao spoke so fluently, but mainly because the poem was about spring, and it was early autumn now.

Yueyao looked at Gu Zhe coldly. Yueyao’s tall and slender figure, paired with Xiang Wei’s skillful disguise, made it impossible to discern her female identity, even for Gu Zhe. But if Yueyao spoke, Gu Zhe would surely realize. Yueyao was unwilling to let Gu Zhe see her in this guise to roam the Qinhuai River.

Xiang Wei was adept in this field, voice imitation wasn’t a difficult task for her. Seeing Gu Zhe hesitate, she said coldly: "Is there a problem?" With Xiang Wei’s disguise skills, not just Gu Zhe who didn’t have much contact, even Mingzhu wouldn’t be able to recognize.

Gu Zhe quickly shook his head, saying: "Dare not." He also knew that some particularly talented individuals have peculiar temperaments, disdainful of fame and fortune, perhaps he had met such people today.

Gu Zhe didn’t stay for long before coming out, beaming as he addressed Yueyao and Xiang Wei: "Mr. Tang Yi invites both of you gentlemen." Tang Yi was a renowned talent in Jiangnan, rumored to be a favored guest of the Four Great Courtesans. Whether true or not, no one could prove.

Xiang Wei had no desire to meet this Tang Yi, meeting him would surely expose her: "We only want to watch the Four Great Courtesans perform, not interested in meeting others."

Gu Zhe was quite surprised, some people actually dared not acquiesce to Tang Yi’s reputation. However, as the parties were unwilling to visit, Gu Zhe could not go against their wishes.

Yueyao entered the boat and looked at its lavish decor, thinking Niu Yanghui’s taste was truly not great, choosing such a tacky boat; fortunately, she hadn’t boarded.

Tang Yi, seeing Yueyao not approaching, didn’t mind. Tonight he was one of the three judges, so he was quite busy.

As Xiang Wei predicted, the Four Great Courtesans were performing on the boat. Miss Qianqian performed first, showcasing her calligraphy. After stepping out, Miss Qianqian greeted everyone with a bow.

Xiang Wei whispered: "This woman’s eyes seem filled with spring, her movements are tender and charming, voice seductive, truly a captivating figure."

Yueyao smiled without speaking, everyone in the cabin with a count over a hundred stayed silent, watching Miss Qianqian’s performance in the middle.

Miss Qianqian drew a landscape and bird painting, inscribing a poem atop. The crowd loudly cheered with acclaims of good, good, good.

Xiang Wei hadn’t studied painting, but accompanying Yueyao, her appreciation skill was top-notch. Watching Miss Qianqian’s artwork left her deeply disappointed; the writing and painting were decent, superior to those sold in markets but compared to Yueyao, it was just rubbish.

Yueyao noticed Xiang Wei’s disappointed look and smiled. She didn’t deny that a girl falling into a brothel could have exceptional talents too. Yet suggesting someone excels in both painting and calligraphy, Yueyao was skeptical. Those two skills require not just talent but dedicated effort. Seeing Miss Qianqian’s graceful figure, with fingers like White Jade, Yueyao knew the rumors were exaggerated.

The second performer was Peony Lady, who recited three poems in one breath.

Xiang Wei couldn’t hold back, critiquing: "Such level dare boast poetry unparalleled." Even the couple poems Yueyao just fetched from who knows where were much superior.

Yueyao whispered: "Miss Qianqian, graceful like a flower reflecting in water, delicate like a breeze-swayed willow; Peony Lady, radiant as peony; they are all captivating figures." Yueyao implied that for the Four Great Courtesans, beauty was foremost, talent secondary.