Chapter 31

Since making soap, Ye Yu's research into daily necessities had become uncontrollable.

In the past year, he had been on edge every day due to the cloth business. Now that everything was on track, he needed to implement these ideas that had long been brewing.

Therefore, after the soap, he developed a soapnut shampoo. Initially, Ye Yu's idea was to improve his own life, but after he had developed all of them, he realized there was a great business opportunity.

So, Ye Yu built a small workshop next to the dyeing shop. At first, Ye Yu only intended to try it out, as it was always difficult for new things to be accepted by the world at the beginning.

As expected, the results were as Ye Yu had predicted. Although he had bought a shop in the city to sell these new products, the business was not very optimistic.

However, this did not bother Ye Yu. At this moment, he thought of Mei'er from the Drunken Spring Tower. In his view, women were naturally fond of beauty and cleanliness. If these products were promoted by the courtesans, the effect would be immeasurable.

However, when he discussed this with Mei'er, her response surprised Ye Yu greatly.

"Miss Mei'er, are you joking with me?" Ye Yu looked puzzled after hearing Mei'er's response.

Mei'er lowered her beautiful eyes and giggled, gently patting Ye Yu's left arm and said with a seductive smile, "Sir, your words make Mei'er feel very sad. Mei'er has always wanted to help you, but she is just a dancer at the Drunken Spring Tower, not as influential as the courtesan Liu Qianyu!

Now she is deeply favored by the madam. She has already said that if the girls at the Drunken Spring Tower neglect their duties for personal reasons, they will suffer physical punishment..."

At this point, Mei'er suddenly looked worried and pitiful, making people feel a deep sense of sympathy.

"Miss Mei'er, I don't seem to have offended Miss Liu. Why does she want to make things difficult for me?"

Ye Yu was now immune to Mei'er's acting, but he was puzzled by Liu Qianyu's apparent intention to target him.

"Hehe! Sir, you really forget things easily. You left the Drunken Spring Tower without a reason before, which made Liu Qianyu lose face. Do you think she wouldn't resent you?"

Ye Yu pursed his lips and laughed awkwardly, "I was doing her a favor. If I had passed the third test that day, she would no longer be a high-ranking courtesan. Would her value continue to increase as it does now?"

Ye Yu's words made Mei'er sigh softly. She then leaned her head on Ye Yu's arm and said softly, "You still don't understand women's hearts. Women, especially beautiful women, may say they hate those who lust after beauty, but deep down, they hope their beauty is recognized and praised by more people..."

Mei'er's gentle voice, as if she were confiding in him, made Ye Yu feel a sense of illusion. He felt that Mei'er was talking about herself.

At this moment, Ye Yu looked at Mei'er seriously and thought that she was indeed quite beautiful. If she were in the modern era of plastic surgery, she could be considered a great beauty.

"That day, when you left decisively, though it was out of good intentions, it made Liu Qianyu feel disrespected, do you understand?" Mei'er's voice grew softer, and Ye Yu could hear the loneliness in it.

Ye Yu wanted to push Mei'er away, but at this moment, he did not do so. Instead, he whispered, "According to Miss Mei'er, I should go and apologize to her?"

Mei'er nodded and then slowly raised her head, smiling at Ye Yu, "If you want the girls at the Drunken Spring Tower to help you build your reputation, you need to see her..."

"But why does your expression tell me that you don't want me to see Liu Qianyu?" Ye Yu stroked his chin and smiled meaningfully.

At this moment, Mei'er was not as seductive as usual, but only smiled faintly, leaning on Ye Yu's shoulder without saying anything. Her silence made Ye Yu feel a bit unusual.

However, he had no time to think about it. He sighed and said, "Alright, I'll see the courtesan of the Drunken Spring Tower!"

...

Beauty is something everyone desires. If Ye Yu said he was not moved by Liu Qianyu's beauty, he would be lying to himself.

However, the steady Ye Yu left after only two tests that day, not out of pretentiousness, but for three reasons.

First, as the courtesan of the Drunken Spring Tower, Liu Qianyu was coveted by many in the county, especially by the magistrate's son, Lu Zheng.

If he had not known his limits and passed the third test that day, it would have undoubtedly created many enemies! After all, the courtesan of the Drunken Spring Tower had been a hot topic for the past half year.

So, it was better to avoid trouble. Lu Zheng, being the son of a magistrate, could act without restraint, but Ye Yu was just a young sprout at the time.

Second, although Ye Yu did not reject women, he was not a lecher. Spending a fortune on a courtesan was not worth it for him.

Third, and most importantly, he was not confident about passing the third test. It was better to leave a graceful impression than to embarrass himself in public.

Now that he had something to ask, he had to see the courtesan of the Drunken Spring Tower. He just hoped he wouldn't have to go through the third test again. The thought of it made him uneasy.

He did not consider himself a talented scholar, but he was well-read. If Liu Qianyu intended to challenge him, he was not sure how to handle it.

Ye Yu shook his head helplessly, put these thoughts aside, and visited the courtesan of the Drunken Spring Tower in a wheelchair.

Ye Yu followed Mei'er, chatting as they walked, and soon arrived at the Drunken Spring Tower. It was not the busy midnight, so there were not many people drinking.

Ye Yu was no longer an unknown in the city, so many people greeted him. Ye Yu responded politely, maintaining a humble demeanor.

After greeting everyone, Ye Yu was invited to Qianyu Pavilion.

As soon as Ye Yu arrived at the door, Liu Qianyu heard the sound and welcomed him at the door, bowing deeply, "This humble girl, Qianyu, greets Master Ye!"

Ye Yu thought this was strange. Mei'er had said Liu Qianyu did not like him, so why was she being so热情?

Thinking of this, he hurriedly returned the greeting, "I am just a commoner, how can I accept such a grand gesture from Miss?"

Liu Qianyu led Ye Yu into her room and then said admiringly, "Are the nobles and generals born to their positions? Master, though poor, is full of talent and wisdom, which is truly rare and precious!"

"Ha ha! Miss Qianyu flatters me!" Ye Yu smiled, but his eyes showed a hint of surprise.

Although Ye Yu's expression was calm, Liu Qianyu seemed skilled at reading people's thoughts. She then said softly, "Master's talent surpasses that of Pan, and in just a year, you have built a fortune from nothing! Even a child in the market knows this, how could this humble girl not know?"

"Rich merchant is an exaggeration, I just manage to make ends meet! As for building a fortune from nothing, it was just luck, Miss Qianyu flatters me!"

"Oh? If it was just luck, then Master's luck is truly remarkable, to be able to mobilize the entire county with a single copper coin to fill the toad pond..."

Liu Qianyu was still veiled, but her eyes showed a deep smile.

Seeing Liu Qianyu dwell on this, Ye Yu smiled, "Miss Qianyu is truly resourceful. I came today to discuss something with you!"

"Master's single copper coin mobilized the entire city, it's hard for Qianyu not to know! However, since Master left decisively last time, you should complete the third test today!"

At this moment, the maid Xiaohuan served tea. Ye Yu took a sip and thought, "What I have to face will eventually come." He then shook his head and asked, "What is the third test?"

Liu Qianyu smiled gently, took a poem from the table, and placed it in front of Ye Yu, asking, "What do you think of this poem?"

Ye Yu sipped his tea and then focused on the poem in front of him. After careful consideration, he could not help but admire it.

The poem was in the tune of "Nian Nu Jiao." Since Su Dongpo's "Nian Nu Jiao: Chibi Huai Gu," few people had used this tune, as it was difficult to surpass the classic.

However, the poem he saw today, though not as grand as Su Dongpo's, had a unique elegance:

After the apricot blossoms, the red petals gradually fall, their color like rouge fading.

The fragrant water flows, the person gradually moves away, unable to convey the silent spring heart.

Hating the parting from the prince, the eyes follow the wall, who picks the green plum?

Where is the golden saddle? The green willows still line the southern path.

The clouds and rain scatter in an instant, why is there such a light parting and separation?

A thousand words of the swallows, struggling to convey a bit of news about him.

Deep vows and solemn pledges, unless we meet again, only then will they be true.

Now, helpless, the inch-long intestines are filled with a thousand sorrows.

"Is there anything wrong? I hope Master can give me some advice..." Liu Qianyu saw Ye Yu staring at the poem, her eyes showing a hint of joy.

She thought, "That day, you ignored me in public, today I will make you leave disappointed. This will ease the resentment in my heart."

Ye Yu was asked by Liu Qian, and he finally looked away from the poem. He put it down and praised Liu Qianyu, "Miss Liu is truly talented. This 'Nian Nu Jiao' seems plain but is full of hidden beauty. The poem skillfully uses many famous lines, and I am truly impressed!"

Liu Qianyu's heart was moved by his words. She then pretended to be surprised and asked, "Oh? How so? I am dull, please enlighten me, Master!"