Time turned back to an hour earlier.
The wind howled and the rain fell hard at North Wind Tower.
Nanyuan Xi took a deep breath, drank some cool tea to soothe his throat, raised his head and puffed out his chest, then stepped onto the platform.
The moment his figure appeared on the platform, a wave of cheers rang out from below.
The students of Willow Academy all frowned. The scene looked just like a street performer putting on a show, making them feel it was beneath the dignity of scholars.
Nanyuan Xi had long since grown used to such enthusiastic applause. He swept his gaze around, pausing briefly on the section where the Willow Academy students sat before looking away.
"Good morning, everyone." Nanyuan Xi clasped his hands in a formal bow and slowly straightened.
"Mr. Nan, hurry up and tell us about Zhong Kui. I woke up late yesterday and was miserable the whole day," a richly dressed tycoon shouted.
Nanyuan Xi gave a slight shake of his head and turned around. The entire text of Du Shiniang flashed through his mind, and an indescribable emotion stirred within him.
Watching Nanyuan Xi's back, the people below had no idea what was happening. Just as they were about to whisper among themselves, Nanyuan Xi suddenly spun around and shouted, "How hateful!"
Everyone was startled by the sudden cry. Their attention instantly focused on him, and they looked toward Nanyuan Xi once more.
Nanyuan Xi let out a long breath. "Today, I shall be so bold as to share a wondrous text with you all. Everyone, listen closely—"
"Her surname was Du and her given name Mei. She ranked tenth, so everyone in the courtesan house called her Du Shiniang. She was born—"
"Elegant and enchanting from head to