Chapter Twenty-Six: Three Hundred Taels for This Melody

"Feng Sanshao, that's truly unfair of you! Just now it was three thousand taels, but the moment you heard that Young Master Gu was going to compose a poem, you slashed the price by ten times. With all your wealth, are you still worried you won't be able to help Miss Su snatch the title of Flower Queen?"

Feng Jingzhe cast a sidelong glance at Zheng Yongxiang. Since earlier, every word out of this man’s mouth had been a goad or a provocation. If this body still housed the original Feng Jingzhe, he would have fallen headfirst into the trap by now.

"Mr. Gu's poetry is indeed exquisite, but tonight's contest for the Flower Queen is decided by votes. My lady has pinned her hopes on everyone present, and especially on you, Young Master Feng..."

Little Wu'er fixed her gaze on Feng Jingzhe, silently urging, Don't you dare chicken out now!

"What three thousand taels? I'm afraid there’s been a misunderstanding. The tune I happened to come across is worth far more than three thousand taels. It's just that, seeing Mr. Gu composing for Tang Hongdou, I suddenly remembered this little melody, which might boost Zixuan’s popularity. With a bit of luck, winning the Flower Queen title isn't out of the question..."

"Sell a song? Young Master Feng, you must be joking! You were invited here tonight to help my lady win the Flower Queen, not to...”

Little Wu'er, suppressing a bellyful of anger, could no longer keep her words polite.

"I am helping! Trust me, this is a beautiful tune. Miss Su and I are old acquaintances, so I'm offering it for the friendly price of three hundred taels..."

Little Wu'er's face fell completely, barely restraining herself from spitting in Feng Jingzhe's face.

"What sort of lousy tune could possibly be worth three hundred taels? Even if it could boost her popularity, could it possibly compare to Mr. Gu's poetry?"

"Why not try and see? Given the current situation, it’s going to be rather difficult for Miss Su to win the title of Flower Queen... Three hundred taels for this tune is really not expensive..."

As Feng Jingzhe continued to push his pitch, Little Wu'er’s face reddened with rage, tears welling in her eyes. Meanwhile, the others present burst into laughter, fully aware that the twelve inner tables tonight were there to spend money.

Who would have thought Feng Jingzhe had become so obsessed with money, actually coming here to sell a so-called tune. Three hundred taels—did he think it was some celestial music?

Off to the side, Sun Fugui was desperately shooting glances at Feng Jingzhe, knowing full well that the two of them were now building a reputation as the grandest nouveau riche in Chang'an, attracting deposits with high interest for quick capital accumulation. To haggle over a mere three hundred taels tonight would only ruin their image. If rumors started and caused a run on the bank among the citizens of Chang'an, their entire business would collapse overnight.

"Brother, please, stop this joke! Why not just give them the tune for free? Three hundred taels is nothing, and this venture will be wrapping up in a few days. Please, don’t ruin everything at the last hurdle..."

"Oh? What sort of tune could possibly be worth three hundred taels? Now I’m quite curious! How about this: Young Master Feng, if any lady is willing to perform your tune, and if it truly rivals the poetry composed by Mr. Gu, I’ll cover the three hundred taels. But if the quality is ordinary, then you’ll pay tonight’s expenses for Miss Zixuan—how about it?"

A voice suddenly rang out behind him—Fourth Prince Zhao Lingyou. Feng Jingzhe turned around and was met with a face full of mockery.

"Hey, hey, hey... Can random strangers just jump in and steer things off course? I have an invitation, you know. I was invited tonight to help her win the Flower Queen, was I not? Now I’m offering a tune worth more than three thousand taels for only three hundred—if that’s not helping, what is?"

Feng Jingzhe had read far too many web novels in his previous life, familiar with every trope of showing off and face-slapping. But that wasn’t the persona he wanted to build—his true aspiration was to loaf around and live off others.

"If you want to compose poetry, then get on with it. Selling my tune is none of your business. Don’t just stand around on stage and hold up the next act. As for the dinner bill, the host hasn’t even mentioned it yet, so why are you so concerned...?"

Though Feng Jingzhe’s words were blunt and coarse, each one was sound and he refused to be baited. Little did anyone know, this out-of-character behavior was already vastly different from the prodigal image people held of him.

This commotion left Gu Beichuan on stage momentarily sidelined. Inspiration is like a surging tide—once interrupted, the quality of poetry suffers greatly. Gu Beichuan had just downed a pot of wine and was about to recite when all this erupted.

Now, with attention and conversation drawn back to Feng Jingzhe, Gu Beichuan felt as if he had swallowed a dead fly.

"Yes, yes, Mr. Beichuan is about to compose. Let us listen in silence..."

"A mere clown seeking attention. Why should Young Master Zhao be troubled by him..."

Only Fan Zihui at the neighboring table dared attempt to smooth things over. Zhao Lingyou nodded lightly, shifting his attention back to the stage and completely ignoring Feng Jingzhe.

At that moment, Tang Hongdou returned with a fresh pot of wine, stepping forward demurely, her eyes shy and smiling.

"Sir, please drink, and I beg you compose a poem for me..."

"Hahaha... Very well, wine gives birth to poetry—and all the more so in the presence of beauty..."

Tang Hongdou’s adoration was not feigned. In this era, a scholar who could compose poetry was the equivalent of a celebrity in the former life—let alone someone of Gu Beichuan’s status, the brightest star of them all.

"Dragon of flame holds the moon, Chang’an’s night aglow,
Illuminating hibiscus and spring waters below.
Jasper curtains drawn, a feast’s fragrance drifts anew,
Jade stairs gleam, light shattered into dew.
White sleeves ripple crossing the waves, a blue blade unsheathed,
A cold glimmer first revealed, startling jade dragon beneath.
Frost fills the chamber, clouds split, stars tumble from the sky,
Snow whirls beneath her sleeves as wind comes by.
Her every step makes pearls and jade sway,
Skillful and swift, like a startled swan in play,
Captivating all with her soul-stealing art.
The room is full of beauties, but her brilliance sets them apart.
Alas, the pure courtesan, with an icy heart sincere,
Alone like a fragment of crystal, untainted and clear..."

"Bravo! What a magnificent 'Water Dragon's Chant'..."

"Gu the Talented truly lives up to his name—this single poem is worth ten thousand taels of gold..."

The entire hall erupted in applause.

"Tang Hongdou is bound to become famous throughout Chang’an now... No, with Gu’s talent, she’ll be known to the whole world..."

Behind the upstairs screens, the eyes of all the women reddened. How could they possibly compete now? With this 'Water Dragon’s Chant' unveiled, who else but Tang Hongdou could claim the title of Flower Queen?

But those most dismayed were the proprietors of Red Sleeve Court and the other brothels. Their carefully planned gold-spending tournament had been upended by this cheat code. How could anyone else even hope to continue after this?

If only he’d waited until the other performances were over before pulling this stunt... Now what? Should the rest of the acts even go on?

Shen Xixi closed the window with a sigh, shaking her head in resignation. Su Zixuan sat at her dressing table, her face contorted with bitterness and unwillingness.

Meanwhile, Meng Xiaodie’s expression was as cold as water. Downstairs, that merchant surnamed Wang had once again approached her madam; judging by their cheerful conversation, they had almost certainly reached an agreement.

"No! My life is just beginning—I can’t let it be ruined like this! If I don’t take a chance, even if I die, I won’t rest easy..."

Her determination set, she unhesitatingly opened the small box she always carried and pressed it into Xiaodou’s hands.

Inside was the silver she had saved by scrimping and saving, meant to buy her freedom. Now, she would use all her savings to buy a single tune—a tune rumored to rival Gu Beichuan’s 'Water Dragon’s Chant'...