Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 425 - 261: Desiring to See Your Beautiful Face

Chapter 425: Chapter 261: Desiring to See Your Beautiful Face

Xi Yan felt a bit repulsed when Yu Ting mentioned her. Naturally, she recognized Mr. Yu; she had met him once at a previous banquet. She found him rather frivolous and disliked him somewhat.

Despite her reluctance, she intuitively felt that outright refusal was not an option. It was better to listen first, "I wonder what proposal Mr. Yu has in mind?"

"If someone’s poetry is universally acknowledged as the best, then we shall have a glimpse of Miss Xi Yan’s beauty," Yu Ting had long wanted to see Xi Yan’s appearance. Wearing a veil all day, she had piqued the curiosity of many.

When it came to poetry, he had already prepared. As long as he could invite Xi Yan, he would propose a poetry contest, with the theme being the peony.

All this was just to catch a glimpse of her beauty. If it weren’t for the people backing Tianxiang Pavilion, whom he dared not provoke, he would’ve acted long ago, sparing no patience.

"This? Young master should know that I have no say in the matter, please don’t make things difficult for me."

Beneath the veil, Xi Yan’s face showed a hint of anger. Did Yu Ting think no one knew his true intentions? With these words, everyone present likely knew his goal.

Indeed, the gentlemen exchanged glances. Who wouldn’t want to glimpse the lady’s beauty? Even if they couldn’t win first place, surely the winner would, wouldn’t they?

Back when Tianxiang Pavilion selected the Oiran, none had seen their true faces. The ladies were chosen with their faces veiled, with a promise that they would reveal themselves later, ensuring they wouldn’t disappoint.

But not seeing their true faces left some people quite upset. However, as time went by and Xi Yan, eternally veiled, displayed her excellent musical skills, people gradually overlooked it.

This was a method of Tianxiang Pavilion; every Oiran had never failed to meet expectations, so people eventually stopped mentioning it.

Being rejected, Yu Ting’s expression turned sour. Gripping his fan tightly, he was annoyed, thinking she’s merely a courtesan from a brothel! Did she really consider herself one of those noble ladies?

In a few years, when there’s a new Oiran, wouldn’t she have to undress and submit to whatever people desire?

At this point, the atmosphere became a bit stagnant. Gu Chengyu furrowed his brow. The use of veils was likely a strategy by Tianxiang Pavilion, maintaining an air of mystery, otherwise, no matter how beautiful, one would tire of seeing the same face every day. Yu Ting really was making unreasonable demands.

Thinking of the difficulties women faced, Gu Chengyu decided to say a few words to smooth things over.

Otherwise, he would just leave, finding this poetry meeting extremely boring. Holding such an event in a brothel, wasn’t it clear their intentions weren’t pure?

Zhu Pang was somewhat displeased. He had already taken a disliking to Yu Ting. Yu Ting, compared to him, was even more profligate. At least he attended the Imperial College, while Yu Ting, being the son of the Chief of Staff’s Mansion, often bullied others with his power.

"Oh! What’s all this about? Gentlemen, just focus on the contest, Miss Xi Yan certainly won’t refuse. If someone wins first place, Miss Xi Yan will surely play a solo piece for him."

It turned out Ghost Slave, who had been standing in the corner observing the situation, had gone to fetch Madam Hua. As soon as Madam Hua arrived, she agreed without hesitation.

Some of these young masters had significant backgrounds, and Tianxiang Pavilion seized this opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Moreover, they’d been teasing the crowd for over a year now, so they had to offer some reward eventually, didn’t they?

After entering the gauze curtain, Madam Hua gave Xi Yan a knowing glance. Xi Yan had to nod in agreement. After Madam Hua left, she quickly picked up a handkerchief to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"Then let’s begin! Let’s see who has the skill to have Miss Xi Yan play for them alone." Yu Ting’s expression warmed immediately, no longer paying attention to Xi Yan, urging everyone to start.

With motivation, no one waited for Huang Junheng to write first. Everyone began to grind ink, bent over, deep in thought, determined to write a fine piece of poetry.

Gu Chengyu hadn’t started yet when Hua Lian began grinding ink for him. Gu Chengyu thought of writing something casually. However, considering if he didn’t show some real skill, soon, the streets and alleys of the Capital would call him Gu Jieyuan, and accuse him of being a mere pretender.

Glancing to the side, he noticed Zheng Lun was already contemplating how to begin, even Zhu Pang was holding a brush, looking up at the sky, deep in poetic thought. Gu Chengyu shook his head.

Usually, Zhu Pang despised writing poetry. Even the Doctor from the Imperial College often said he was like a rotten piece of wood that couldn’t be carved.

But today, for Xi Yan, he was racking his brains to write.

"Mr. Gu!" Hua Lian picked up the brush, steeped it well in ink, and handed it to Gu Chengyu.

Blushing slightly, her cheeks flushed red, she looked at Gu Chengyu with both admiration and bashful affection.

Gu Chengyu felt immense pressure, inwardly sighing at how difficult it was to resist a beauty’s kindness!

"Ah! Many thanks, young lady!"

Gu Chengyu pondered for a moment, and after a few moments, he finally began writing.

"The peony bears spring’s favor, never envying the peony. Few are the days of wheat’s harvest..."

Watching Gu Chengyu seriously composing his poem, Hua Lian was mesmerized. She often heard people talk about the elegance of heavenly appearance, and surely, it was just like this!

After finishing, Gu Chengyu put down his brush.

Yu Ting pretended to reflect for a while before finally starting to write. His peony poem was composed earlier by three of his house’s advisers. Three average minds surpassing a genius like Zhuge Liang, he refused to believe he couldn’t beat these students composing on the spot.

Huang Junheng held a similar mindset, but with the difference that he had written his poem himself earlier. If he couldn’t see Yu Ting’s aim by now, he would be a fool. Today’s meeting was just a ploy.

However, he hadn’t expected the sudden appearance of Gu Chengyu. It seemed Yu Ting was bound to be disappointed; not to mention Gu Chengyu, even Min Feng by his side, wouldn’t allow Yu Ting to take first place.

Seeing Gu Chengyu set down his brush, Huang Junheng thought, has he finished already? That was quite fast; could he also have come prepared?

No, unlikely. Huang Junheng pondered, Gu Chengyu always had quick wit, and composing a poem in such a short hour shouldn’t be difficult for him.

After waiting for about the time of one incense stick, everyone had finally finished writing, except for two who were still composing.

After the other two finished, Huang Junheng suggested, "Now that we’ve all almost finished writing, shall we begin the review? Why don’t we start with mine first?"

"Why not have Miss Xi Yan read them for everyone?" At this time, Yu Ting suddenly suggested.

Just reading the poems, Xi Yan was willing to do it, which was not as excessive as before.

And so, everyone signed their names beneath their poems, waiting for the ink to dry before handing them collectively to Xi Yan behind the gauze curtain.

"Then let’s start with Mr. Huang’s!" Xi Yan picked up the topmost sheet, and upon seeing the signature, it was Huang Junheng.

"The peony newly pruned, opening a few blooms in the courtyard.

The east wind’s restraint waits for a gentle lady to come."

Xi Yan’s melodious voice rang out, infusing Huang Junheng’s poem with a touch of artistry.

"Brother Huang is truly deserving of being called a Jiangnan talent, this poem perfectly fits the scene." Someone praised enthusiastically.

Huang Junheng, as a talent from Jiangnan, naturally carried a certain flair. Though his reputation wasn’t as famed as that of his fellow talent, Min Feng, he nonetheless upheld his own renown.