Chapter 9: A Night of Lively Conversation
The corner of Ruan Yuze's mouth twitched as he thought to himself that the phrase "a woman's heart is the most poisonous" wasn't exactly used correctly here.
You tried forcing yourself on her and failed, and now she's supposed to thank you for it?
The Fourth Young Master really is shameless.
I still have much to learn.
Ruan Yuze quickly raised his cup. "Fourth Young Master speaks the truth. That woman simply doesn't know what's good for her. Being noticed by Fourth Young Master should be the blessing of several lifetimes, yet she doesn't know how to treasure it."
Fu Tianling nodded slightly and said with a look of approval, "Brother Ruan speaks well. If everyone in this world possessed your level of understanding, this young master wouldn't be so deeply misunderstood."
"Haha, Fourth Young Master is right. Those mediocre fools understand nothing. Fourth Young Master is handsome, bold in thought and action, truly a role model for our generation."
Ruan Yuze never expected that he would get the chance to speak with the Fourth Young Master today. He absolutely couldn't miss such a good opportunity, so flattery poured from his mouth without pause.
Everyone knew that the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's residence was extremely mysterious and nearly impossible to meet.
The second young master of the Prime Minister's residence had a strange temperament and was difficult to deal with.
The third young lady traveled the world frequently and was rarely seen.
The only one people could easily meet was the Fourth Young Master, Fu Tianling.
Ruan Yuze's father belonged to the Prime Minister's faction, so building a relationship with Fu Tianling was naturally the best option for him.
Rumor said the Fourth Young Master was difficult to get along with and usually ignored anyone who tried to speak with him. Now it seemed those rumors were wrong. The Fourth Young Master was actually quite easy to talk to.
His words even carried a sense of humor and charm, nothing like the disgraceful figure described in the rumors.
Fu Tianling chatted casually with Ruan Yuze, one sentence here and another there, and gradually the conversation became more lively.
With a slightly flushed face, Ruan Yuze pointed at Meng He. "Fourth Young Master, is this your guard?"
Fu Tianling replied, "He's a retainer of the Prime Minister's residence. Grandmaster Meng He. He's not some ordinary guard."
Ruan Yuze immediately raised his cup respectfully. "My apologies, my apologies. So you're a Grandmaster."
Since this was a world where cultivation existed, one's cultivation realm naturally represented status and strength. The moment he heard Meng He was a Grandmaster, Ruan Yuze's attitude immediately grew much friendlier.
If someone reached the First Rank, their status would absolutely surpass even the emperor.
At that level, a cultivator already existed on an entirely different plane, almost like the "immortals" spoken of by common folk.
Ten thousand years ago, when the human race had not yet unified and countless dynasties filled the land, legends told of First Rank experts destroying entire dynasties single handedly.
Of course in the current era, First Rank experts were rarely seen.
Grandmasters were still somewhat common, but cultivators above that realm had become the stuff of rare rumors.
Meng He drained a bowl of wine in one gulp and said nothing. Socializing didn't interest him, and he had even less interest in noble young masters.
He joined the Prime Minister's residence for one reason only.
Money.
Cultivation consumed enormous wealth.
Martial Apprentices had to temper their bodies constantly, and precious medicinal herbs were often needed to relieve muscle pain and hidden injuries.
So even after joining the Prime Minister's residence, Meng He still only cared about cultivation.
Fu Tianling slung an arm over Meng He's shoulder with a warm smile. "Brother Meng He, if any girl here catches your eye, just tell this young master. I'll pay for it."
Ruan Yuze immediately shouted, "How could we trouble Fourth Young Master with such expenses? I'll cover it! I still have a bit of silver."
Fu Tianling smiled slightly. This Ruan Yuze really knew how to behave.
"My duty is protecting Fourth Young Master. I can't slack off like that." Meng He shook his head and refused the offer.
Fu Tianling waved his hand casually. "Relax. Inside here, who would dare harm this young master?"
Meng He still refused. "I have my duty. Fourth Young Master, don't make things difficult for me."
Fu Tianling raised his wine cup and said, "This big fool doesn't understand romance. Later, if Brother Ruan takes a liking to someone, just take Meng He along with you. The two of you can become fellow travelers."
Ruan Yuze burst into laughter and slapped the table. "Fourth Young Master's literary talent is extraordinary. Being fellow travelers with a Grandmaster would be my honor."
Meng He looked completely confused, his tiger like eyes wide open. "Fourth Young Master, what are you two talking about? I don't understand a single word."
Fu Tianling shook his head and sighed. "Looks like he isn't one of our fellow travelers."
Ruan Yuze nodded. "Indeed. Fourth Young Master must guide him more in the future."
Meng He stared at them blankly.
What were they even talking about? Was this some strange coded language?
The way nobles spoke twisted around too much. Couldn't they just speak plainly?
After that, Fu Tianling and Ruan Yuze occasionally tossed around phrases that Meng He couldn't understand at all. Meng He stopped asking questions and simply focused on drinking large bowls of wine.
As Wan'er finished her performance, the dancers also stopped.
A mature beauty with a seductive figure, looking a little over thirty, slowly walked onto the platform.
She was the public manager of the Imperial Courtesan House, named Cui Niang.
"Honored guests, the Mid Autumn Festival will arrive shortly. On such a wonderful night, we should naturally add a little excitement."
"Everyone present tonight is talented and refined. Why not make friends through poetry? The theme will be Mid Autumn."
"The Imperial Courtesan House has specially invited several renowned poets to serve as judges. The top three will have all their expenses waived tonight. Whoever takes first place may spend the night chatting privately with Wan'er."
"What do you gentlemen think?"
As Cui Niang's charming and mature voice echoed across the hall, loud applause immediately broke out.
"Cui Niang, just chatting privately? Can we spend the night with Miss Wan'er instead?"
Someone immediately began shouting teasingly from the crowd.
Everyone had already drunk some wine, and the atmosphere was extremely lively.
Cui Niang chuckled. "You all know Wan'er's temperament. Forcing her is impossible. Whether you spend a night of spring together will depend on your own abilities."
Cui Niang was an experienced operator, and speaking a few risqué lines didn't embarrass her in the slightest.
"Then let's begin. What are we waiting for?"
Several young nobles who believed their literary talent was decent already looked excited, preparing to show their abilities and amaze the crowd.
Some people came here not entirely for women but for reputation.
If a poem composed during a festival like this spread throughout the capital, their fame would instantly rise.
For young nobles who prided themselves on their literary talent, this was an incredible opportunity to gain recognition, far more important than sleeping with the courtesan queen.
In this era, literary reputation itself was a powerful ladder for advancement.
A famous scholar shone just like a celebrity on Earth.
And who wouldn't want to become a celebrity?
Cui Niang scanned the crowd with a blooming smile. "Which young master will go first?"
The crowd fell silent for a moment as people looked at each other.
Going first carried some pressure. Everyone was waiting for someone else to step forward.
"What's this? No young master willing to volunteer? Whoever composes the first poem will also have tonight's expenses waived."
Cui Niang was very experienced and knew she couldn't let the atmosphere grow cold, so she tossed out a tempting reward.
"I'll go first!"
Where there were great rewards, brave men always appeared.
A young noble immediately stood up and strode toward the writing desk.