Poetry Sage Crown

Ye Tong's name was destined to be remembered by many tonight. If Ye Tong committed no heinous crimes in the county town in the future, Fu Tianlong, the foremost general of Zifu County, would be his most steadfast backer.

"Disperse, disperse." The conflict, which felt like a farce, ended as the street returned to its usual liveliness.

Piaoxiang Tower.

The largest, most famous, and most populated brothel in the entire county town. In the evening, it shed its daytime desolation, bustling with crowds and brimming with excitement.

"A brothel?" Ye Tong stood outside the imposing main gate, looking at the scene of lanterns and colorful streamers in the courtyard within, inhaling the strong scent of rouge and powder. His steps immediately halted.

The Medicine Slave let out a dry laugh, "Indeed, it's a brothel."

Ye Tong was somewhat speechless. Although he still took a step forward, he muttered, "This Second Master Jin is really messing around. How old am I? He's still inviting me to a banquet in a brothel?" At this moment, Ye Tong was projecting his age from his past life. A person over a hundred years old visiting a brothel would be a joke if told.

"Ahem, Young Master, you are still young..."

The Medicine Slave coughed twice, his old face flushing. These words seemed to be directed at himself?

Ye Tong glanced at the Medicine Slave in surprise, only then suddenly remembering that he was currently in the body of a youth. In contrast, the Medicine Slave looked decrepit. His muttered words had probably been fully heard by him.

"Heh heh!" Ye Tong chuckled, saying, "Medicine Slave, if I recall correctly, doesn't our Cold Mountain City also have a Piaoxiang Tower?"

The Medicine Slave replied, "That's right, Cold Mountain City's Piaoxiang Tower is a branch. This is the main branch."

"Oh, you even know that?" Ye Tong had never been to such a brothel before, so he said, "Tell me about Piaoxiang Tower! By the way, when you were young, you must have... must have come here before, right?"

"I..." The Medicine Slave was somewhat speechless. Although he was an assassin in his youth, he was also a frequent visitor to brothels. They were excellent locations for assassinations and gathering information.

His old face slightly flushed, the Medicine Slave sighed and said, "The girls at Piaoxiang Tower are divided into virtuous courtesans and licensed courtesans. Virtuous courtesans sell their art but not their bodies. If they meet a man they fancy, they can even use their own money to buy their freedom. Licensed courtesans sell their bodies. If they reach forty years old, they can reclaim their indentured contracts and either continue to stay here or leave on their own, but it's quite difficult to buy their freedom."

"That's right."

The Medicine Slave seemed to recall something and continued, "The people of Zifu County are fierce. Even women from ordinary families do not stay indoors all day. They even often disguise themselves as men and come here for entertainment. However, such women usually seek out virtuous courtesans to discuss their skills. This old slave, back then..."

Ye Tong laughed, "Why did you stop? Tell me about your glorious past deeds! I'm quite curious!"

The Medicine Slave gave an embarrassed smile and said no more.

The two walked through the courtyard, passing pavilions and towers. Young and beautiful women came forward to greet them, but Ye Tong refused them one by one.

Under the eaves.

Four or five beautiful women were laughing and playing. Upon seeing Ye Tong, one woman said with a charming laugh, "Yun'er, another one of your favorite young men has come here! We sisters are generous, we'll let you have him this time."

"My sisters are the best."

The woman called Yun'er giggled.

"Wait!" Another woman grabbed Yun'er by her clothes and then gestured with her chin towards the back. Immediately, all of them noticed a rather handsome young man a few meters away, wearing a displeased expression.

Yun'er's expression changed slightly, but in an instant, she returned to her cheerful demeanor and walked towards the handsome young man, saying with a charming smile, "Young Master Jin, what wind blew you here today?"

"Hmph, the standards here are getting lower and lower. Any Tom, Dick, or Harry can come in now." The handsome young man snorted coldly. Seeing Ye Tong approaching, he moved to block his path and reprimanded, "Whose young man are you? Is this a place you should be coming to?"

"What's wrong? Why shouldn't I come?" Ye Tong looked at the somewhat inexplicable young man, a bewildered expression in his eyes.

The handsome young man said coldly, "Scram. You're young and not learning anything good. If I find out which family you belong to, I'll go to your house and report you."

The women exchanged glances, then a strange smile appeared on their faces.

Ye Tong asked, "Who are you?"

The handsome young man proudly declared, "From the Jin family, Jin Shixue."

The Jin family?

Ye Tong didn't know if it was the same Jin family as Jin Qiusheng's, nor did he care much. He calmly said, "Never heard of you."

"You..." Jin Shixue was enraged upon hearing this.

Ye Tong calmly asked, "My old servant lived to be eighty years old. Do you know why?"

Jin Shixue was stunned and frowned, asking, "Why?"

Ye Tong said faintly, "Because he never meddled in other people's business."

"Pfft..."

"Hahaha..."

The women around them couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Ye Tong watched his face turn from green to white, then he walked around him and headed inside.

Jin Shixue was furious and wanted to teach Ye Tong a lesson, but upon sensing the aura emanating from the Medicine Slave behind Ye Tong, his expression changed slightly, and he suppressed his anger.

Ye Tong had no intention of wasting time with that boring person. He found a servant and inquired about the location of Jin Qiusheng's banquet. Under the guidance of a young lady, he hurried over.

"Wonderful, truly a magnificent poem!"

"Young Master Yu is truly worthy of being the foremost literary scholar of Zifu County, possessing immense talent and vast knowledge. This poem has already spread, and I fear even the scholars and talents in the imperial capital would feel inferior."

"The moon casts fleeting shadows, leaves dance gracefully, in the quiet depths, my heart yearns for my old home. Gazing at the moon, I think of home and loved ones, how exquisite!"

"I am ashamed of my inferiority!"

The hall, adorned with colorful streamers and exuding scholarly fragrance, was exceptionally lively. Youths of distinguished demeanor and extraordinary conversation, surrounded a handsome and elegant young man, showering him with praise. Even the dozen or so virtuous courtesans gathered there had their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Ye Tong, who happened to be passing by outside, heard the exclamations from within and felt a faint amusement. Brothels are often places of elegance and refined sentiment, frequented by scholars and poets who lose themselves there. In ancient times on Earth, many famous poems and masterpieces originated from such establishments.

"Today, that ten thousand Blue Gold will likely end up with Young Master Yu. How enviable!" another voice drifted from the main hall.

Hearing this, Ye Tong couldn't help but pause.

Ten thousand Blue Gold? One hundred thousand Blue Silver?

Behind him, Jin Shixue, who had been trailing Ye Tong, noticed where Ye Tong stopped and immediately showed a look of disdain. He glanced at the lively scene inside and sneered, "The most talented young scholars in the entire county city have gathered here to collect poems and challenge the Poetry Sage Crown of Zifu County. You, at such a young age, still want to join the fun?"

Ye Tong didn't care about collecting poems or the Poetry Sage Crown. What he had just heard was ten thousand Blue Gold, so he asked, "Is there a reward for obtaining the Poetry Sage Crown?"

Jin Shixue replied as a matter of course, "Of course, there's a reward, and it's ten thousand Blue Gold. If writing poetry and calligraphy weren't my weaker suit, this crown would surely be mine."

Ye Tong's eyes lit up, and he inquired, "As long as I go inside and compose a poem, I can participate in the challenge?"

Jin Shixue said disdainfully, "While that's true, you should still save yourself the trouble!"

Ye Tong's interest was piqued. He was very poor at the moment; all his possessions combined were barely enough for the most basic necessities. If he could earn ten thousand Blue Gold by simply writing a poem, he wouldn't hesitate. Ignoring Jin Shixue's sarcastic remarks, he stepped inside.

"Excuse me." There were easily a hundred people in the hall, and the area furthest inside was particularly crowded. Ye Tong didn't want to push through others, so he spoke up.

Despite the large number of people, the hall was remarkably quiet. When Ye Tong spoke, many heads turned. A young man with an extraordinary aura looked at Ye Tong and smiled, "Little brother, are you also here to compose poetry?"

Ye Tong asked, "If I win the Poetry Sage Crown, will I really receive ten thousand Blue Gold?"

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

"Hahaha..."

After the silence, everyone burst into laughter, finding the notion of a young boy attempting to win the Poetry Sage Crown amusing. Even the dozen or so beautiful virtuous courtesans couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle.

How many of those who came here to compose poetry and couplets actually cared about ten thousand Blue Gold? They sought fame. Winning the Poetry Sage Crown was far beyond the value of mere ten thousand Blue Gold.

Jin Shixue laughed the loudest, saying, "Little fellow, if you don't have any talent, don't try to fake it, lest you make a fool of yourself in front of everyone."

"Ink, brush, paper, inkstone," Ye Tong said in a deep voice, ignoring him.

A virtuous courtesan dressed in a blue dress stood up from her chair with a smile and said, "Since little brother wants to compose poetry, come to Sister! If you can write a decent poem today, Sister is willing to drink three cups with you."

Ye Tong walked over and said, "Forget the three cups. I'm underage, and drinking is bad for my health. Just guarantee that my poem surpasses everyone else's, and give me the ten thousand Blue Gold."

As he spoke, Ye Tong stopped at the table, picked up a brush, spread the paper, dipped it in ink, and began to write with swift, powerful strokes. The onlookers within his field of vision saw the characters on the white paper and their eyes immediately brightened.

"What beautiful calligraphy!"

"Even a master calligrapher wouldn't be much better!"

"So fluid and powerful. How can one achieve such calligraphy without decades of practice?"

"Who is this young man? Regardless of the poem itself, just this master-level calligraphy is enough to make us feel ashamed! Amazing, truly amazing!"

Ye Tong finished in one go and then casually put down his brush, saying, "I overheard someone outside lamenting their longing for home while gazing at the moon. So, I've also composed a poem that fits the mood and occasion. I hope everyone will offer their critiques."

"You're not qualified!"

"None of us are qualified!"

The virtuous courtesan closest to Ye Tong stared blankly at the poem before her, murmuring.

Ye Tong glanced at her, then turned to Jin Shixue and asked, "When will the evaluation results be announced?"

Jin Shixue replied, "In two days."

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flickered in Ye Tong's eyes. Waiting two days to earn ten thousand Blue Gold? How could that compare to receiving it immediately?

Therefore.

He didn't wish to linger any longer. He squeezed through the crowd and, with his Medicine Slave, disappeared out the hall door.

"Shui Diao Ge Tou?"

"When did the bright moon first appear? Raising my cup, I ask the blue sky."

"What a line, what a line! Continue reading..."

"People have sorrow and joy, separation and reunion; the moon waxes and wanes, bright or dim. This has been so since ancient times."

"May we all live long, and share the beauty of the moon, though miles apart."

As this poem was affixed to the wall, eyes shone with admiration, all immersed in the artistic conception of the verses. The entire hall fell into a profound silence.

"This poem... its elegance and depth are unheard of!"

After a long while, a voice filled with complex emotions finally broke the silence.