Poetry is smooth and easy to recite, and it spreads quickly.
A beautiful poem about a beauty can make a woman famous overnight.
If it becomes an eternal masterpiece, it can even make her name last for centuries. Since ancient times, once people’s basic needs are met, they begin to pursue fame and profit, and in this regard, women are no different from men.
Many noblewomen are willing to spend large sums of money to invite the best scholars of the time to compose poems for them, hoping to gain a glorious reputation.
This cultural trend is now flourishing in the Great Qi Empire. Although throughout history, the number of women who truly became famous through poetry is extremely small, this does not stop noblewomen from pursuing it.
Instead, it makes them even more passionate about poetry.
Besides noblewomen, the ones who most desire fame are brothel women, especially the top courtesans.
A single outstanding poem can multiply their value several times, which is the most direct benefit. Zuìhuā Tower is hosting this poetry contest first to attract talented scholars, and second to build the cultured persona of Du Niang to win her reputation.
All these scholars know that once the Young Marquis’s poem spreads, it will be enough to push the courtesan’s fame to its peak, and countless romantic scholars will flock here for her name.
The three rounds of competition have already ended, and now it is time to select the champion poem from the three winning works.
Su Wencai has one, while the Young Marquis holds two, and either one of his poems is stronger than Su Gongzi’s “Stepping by Moonlight.”
In the end, the third poem, “Du Niang,” wins unanimous approval, and the Young Marquis becomes the Poetry Champion of tonight’s contest.
“Tonight’s poetry contest ends here. On behalf of Zuìhuā Tower, Du Niang thanks all the gentlemen for participating and wishes everyone a wonderful night.” A fter speaking, Du Niang picked up the three scrolls, turned, smiled sweetly at Ji Huaian, and said, “Young Marquis, I will go upstairs first to prepare wine and dishes.”
Ji Huaian nodded in excitement and added secretly in his heart, “And get yourself ready for me too.”
Du Niang grabbed the silk ribbon hanging from the third floor, and as it lifted her upward, she ascended gracefully under the admiring gazes of the scholars.
So many tricks… not afraid of showing too much… Ji Huaian laughed lewdly in his heart.
“Congratulations to Young Marquis for winning the Poetry Champion. Young Marquis, I toast to you.” Qianduo raised his cup and drank with Ji Huaian.
Ji Huaian laughed, “I can’t drink too much. I have to keep my strength to go upstairs and keep Du Niang company.”
“Hahaha, Young Marquis truly has great fortune with women. I envy you so much.” Qianduo’s mouth was nearly watering.
Before long, Ping’er came over and invited him upstairs.
Under countless envious, jealous, and hateful gazes, the Young Marquis proudly stood up and followed Ping’er up the stairs. New chapters come out on novelping.com first.
“Du Niang is not simple. Be careful,” a soft whisper suddenly sounded beside his ear.
Ji Huaian turned back and saw Honglian at some unknown moment standing behind him. “I know!” he nodded seriously.
As they reached the second floor, Ping’er blocked Honglian. “The third floor is forbidden to outsiders. Miss, please wait here.” “It’s fine, I’ll go myself.” Ji Huaian signaled Honglian with his eyes to stay and wait.
….
Third floor, Du Niang’s room. Ping’er led the Young Marquis to the room. The door was open. “Young Marquis, please.” Ji Huaian walked in. A woman’s boudoir came into his view, filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance.
“Du Niang greets Young Marquis.” The courtesan in a red dress came forward and bowed slightly.
Ji Huaian quickly supported her snow-white arm, soft and smooth like silk. That charming face, willow brows, almond-shaped eyes, rosy cheeks, bright watery pupils… for some reason, when he looked at Du Niang up close, he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Maybe it was because of the original owner’s memories, he did not think too much.
“Young Marquis, the food and wine are ready. Please sit.” Du Niang led him to the table. Several delicate dishes were set out, along with a pot of wine.
“Young Marquis has such literary talent yet has been hiding it so deeply. Tonight you truly opened Du Niang’s eyes.” She poured him a full cup and sat opposite him.
“I’ll tell you a secret. Actually, those two poems were stolen.”
Du Niang was stunned for a moment, then smiled softly. “Even stealing requires skill. Young Marquis, I toast to you.”
Ji Huaian raised his cup but suddenly remembered Honglian’s warning, and also recalled how the Young Marquis had gotten drunk and blacked out the last two times, remembering nothing afterward.
He smirked slyly, glanced at the wine, then deliberately “accidentally” spilled it. “Sorry, I’ve drunk a bit too much earlier.”
“It’s alright…” Du Niang immediately stood up to help clean it.
Ji Huaian took the chance to grab her delicate hand and pulled her straight into his arms. Her soft delicate body pressed against him, and her alluring fragrance instantly overwhelmed his senses.
His heart burned with desire as his blazing hands roamed upward.
“The night is long, Young Marquis. Don’t rush. Let’s drink a bit more first to spark the mood.” Du Niang gently pressed her hand against his chest, pushed lightly, and gracefully stood up, slipping free from his embrace.
She quickly picked up the wine pot and poured him a fresh cup.
As expected, this wine is problematic… Ji Huaian thought, smiling, “I’ve already had too much. If I drink any more, I’m afraid tonight’s spring night will go to waste.” You are reading on novelping(.)com, the official source.
“Then let Du Niang dance to add some charm tonight.”
“Alright!”
Du Niang removed her shoes, her delicate feet stepping softly onto the carpet. With a flick of her flowing sleeves, she began to dance. Her red skirt swayed like flames, seductive and mesmerizing.
Every smile carried countless charms, and her perfect S-shaped figure twisted gracefully with every move, capable of stealing any man’s soul. Perhaps even the legendary Daji would be no more astonishing than this.
Ji Huaian watched with dry throat and burning eyes. Without thinking, he lifted his cup and drained it in one gulp.
Seeing him drink, Du Niang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment, Ji Huaian drank another cup and then slowly stood up.
“A spring night is worth a thousand gold. Du Niang, let us not waste any more time…” The Young Marquis staggered over and deliberately fell straight into her embrace. So soft… so fragrant… his face pressed between her peaks, and Ji Huaian took in a deep breath. In truth, he had not drunk at all.
During the dance, he used his sleeve to cover while he secretly poured the wine into his sleeve. Since it was already wet earlier, no one would notice.
“Young Marquis, have you drunk too much?” Du Niang called softly twice, and seeing no response, hurriedly helped him onto the bed.
“Such a troublesome little fool,” she sighed softly and began helping him undress.
Let’s see what you’re planning… Ji Huaian lay motionless like a dead pig, letting the courtesan do as she pleased. Soon, she stripped him, covered him with the blanket, and the room grew quiet.
He secretly narrowed his eyes. Du Niang stood by the window, her long black hair cascading down to her waist. The hazy moonlight shone over her alluring figure, carrying a faint trace of loneliness.
What exactly is this woman planning?
Staring at her back, he found himself inexplicably dazed again. For some reason, this silhouette once again made him feel strangely familiar.
Silence lasted for a long time. Just when he was nearly falling asleep, Du Niang finally moved. She closed the curtains, loosened her sash, let her clothes fall, then put on a thin robe and slipped into the blanket.
Feeling the beauty lying beside him, his heart pounded wildly. Du Niang turned toward him, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
Ji Huaian suddenly felt heat burning in his lower abdomen, a raging fire flooding through his entire body. He had been nourished too much these past few days. His body felt like it was going to explode.
He couldn’t hold back anymore. He flipped over and pressed Du Niang beneath him. The sudden action startled her completely.
Before she could react, the Young Marquis’s lips were already sealed onto her soft red lips. Her delicate body trembled as she instinctively tried to push him away, but her strength failed completely. He kissed those soft lips greedily, then went down her snow-white neck, and then to the towering peaks…
After a moment of indulgence, the final decisive moment arrived. “Xiao An, don’t…”
The Young Marquis was already swallowed by desire and completely failed to notice the subtle change in how Du Niang addressed him. Although her eyes held pleading sorrow, he simply could not stop anymore.
With a cry of pain, Du Niang’s delicate body trembled violently, and two streams of tears fell silently from her beautiful eyes.