Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 468 - 304 Quotation

Madam Hua led the ladies to stand on the high platform for a while and then had them leave.

"Gentlemen, young masters, you’ve all seen the ladies. Are you satisfied? Talented scholars, if any of you wish to compete in composing verses, let’s begin!"

The rules at Tianxiang Pavilion prioritize literary gatherings. No matter how eager someone might be, they have to wait until the poetry contest is more than halfway through before starting to bid Silver.

Mr. Jia had already noticed Hua Lian on the high platform. Ever since he saw Hua Lian at Tianxiang Pavilion last time, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. There are many ladies at Tianxiang Pavilion, many more beautiful than Hua Lian, but the moment he saw those shy and timid eyes and her soft, delicate figure, he couldn’t resist pulling her into his embrace to shower her with affection.

Thinking about this, Mr. Jia felt his whole body heat up. He couldn’t wait any longer; even if it cost him a thousand taels of Silver tonight, he wouldn’t mind.

Since it’s a poetry contest, someone has to lead. Sure enough, at the bottom floor, there was a scholar who couldn’t wait. Presumably prepared beforehand, he began spouting poems, composing two pieces in rapid succession before stopping.

Gu Chengyu caught a bit of it; the poems were quite fitting, describing a beauty.

With someone taking the lead, others followed suit consecutively. Gu Chengyu glanced at Min Feng, seeing he was still calmly seated, likely planning to contribute last to steal the show—after all, showing up last is always saved for the grand finale, right?

Liu Haonan wiped the sweat off his forehead, entered the ground floor of Tianxiang Pavilion, and found it already packed. Looking upwards, on the right-side elegant seat, he saw Min Feng and Huang Junheng. As all three of them were part of the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan, he figured they wouldn’t refuse his company, especially after hearing that Miss Xiyuan would perform a musical piece tonight, which he didn’t want to miss.

Liu Haonan weaved through the tables and chairs below, making his way upstairs.

Gu Chengyu spotted Liu Haonan the moment he appeared. Everyone else was seated, except for the servants and followers who had no seat, making Liu Haonan’s entry quite conspicuous. Originally, he was puzzled why Liu Haonan hadn’t shown up, as who wouldn’t be tempted by such an opportunity? Seeing him rush so hurriedly, it seemed he was delayed by something.

"Senior Brother Min, Senior Brother Huang!" Liu Haonan climbed to the elegant seats, greeting Min Feng and Huang Junheng.

"So it’s Junior Liu. I thought you might not be able to make it to Tianxiang Pavilion due to a rendezvous with your beloved. You’re just in time; the literary gathering has only just started. Junior Liu, you must compose a few good pieces today and let everyone experience your literary talent."

Huang Junheng watched Liu Haonan, drenched in sweat, with mild amusement. He had assumed Liu Haonan wouldn’t make it today, having heard about a cousin from Yingnan Mansion who came to the Capital looking for him. Judging by how things looked now, shaking her off must have taken some effort.

Though Liu Haonan’s scholarly aptitude was somewhat inferior to that of Huang and Min, he had prepared quite well at home, making his poems stand out among many scholars.

Invited to sit by Huang Junheng, Liu Haonan finally took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Gu Chengyu observed coldly, pondering how a mere literary gathering at a brothel could gather so many talented scholars. It seemed the allure of beautiful women was genuinely irresistible to these scholars.

"Chengyu! Aren’t you going to compose one? There are already dozens of poems up there, but I think they’re all quite mediocre." Although Zhu Pang wasn’t skilled in composing, his appreciation was somewhat refined.

Gu Chengyu shook his head, "Not much interest; I’ll wait until they start bidding Silver, rescue that lady, and then we’ll leave."

Some scholars, who appeared proper outside, indulged in lewd and lustful verses once within the brothel. The verses were vivid, yet shockingly, even drew admiration from some. It seemed entering Tianxiang Pavilion meant leaving one’s morals at the door.

"Since you’re here, why not stay a while longer! Look, those Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan haven’t even composed yet! Min Feng’s glanced over, likely waiting for you to make a move! If you don’t compose, won’t it just let them down?"

Zhu Pang was here for the spectacle, and the highlight hadn’t arrived; how could he be content to leave?

Mr. Jia found the sour verses from those scholars excruciatingly boring. They came to purchase a night’s passion with a lady; who had the leisure for all this poetry nonsense?

"Madam Hua, when does the bidding begin? We’re all simple folk, don’t appreciate these compositions; let’s get on with the bidding first."

Madam Hua noticed the real scholars hadn’t started composing yet and wished to wait a while. However, she also knew that the ones with the most Silver were these robust men—her efforts were to earn Silver, after all.

Already, many down below were growing impatient. Madam Hua decided to start the bidding first. As for the first place, they’ll wait a bit after the bidding, then pick the first place, satisfying both parties.

"Since the gentlemen are so eager, let’s begin! There are eight ladies, and we’ll go one by one."

Mr. Jia and the few gentlemen with him felt extremely excited upon hearing the bidding could begin.

"Chengyu, they started bidding over there. Which lady caught your eye? Given your wealth, even using Silver, you can certainly secure that lady." After watching for a bit without any exceptional verses, Zhu Pang turned his focus to the bidding.

Gu Chengyu turned to look; Hua Lian was the third one; it was still the first lady’s bidding. Gu Chengyu scrutinized the lady; her appearance slightly surpassed that of Hua Lian. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

In an attempt for a grand opening, Madam Hua specifically arranged one of the more beautiful ladies to be first.

"This is Miss Yan Hui, slightly versed in poetry and literature. Her appearance and figure go without saying. If any of you gentlemen have taken a liking, don’t hold back your Silver from your pocket."

Madam Hua’s words were quite blunt, yet Miss Yan Hui showed no sign of anger; instead, she seemed shy, with an abundant smile. Yan Hui knew she couldn’t escape tonight; she only hoped for a good price, as it concerned her future clientele status.

If the Silver was scant today, she’d fetch inadequate rates even in the future, resulting in Madam Hua randomly assigning patrons to her at ten or twenty taels, reducing her to the lowest rank of girls at Tianxiang Pavilion.

"I like this lady. I’ll bid eighty taels." A gentleman was the first to speak, only to be scorned by the others present.

Madam Hua beamed with a broad smile, though she cursed inwardly. Expecting to buy Yan Hui’s first night with just eighty taels was pure fantasy; the bid was far too low.

Yan Hui was extremely anxious inside, simultaneously worrying about her future. However, remembering that even the courtesan Xiyuan, upon reaching eighteen, had to face this once, there was no difference.

After several rounds of bidding, when it reached four hundred and twenty taels without budging, Gu Chengyu knew that was the limit. Gu Chengyu stopped paying attention; though uncomfortable watching it unfold, he wasn’t so saintly as to rescue all the ladies.