Chapter 32

Ye Yu's fingers lightly tapped the table as he recounted from beginning to end:

"This phrase '杏花过雨' (apricot blossoms after the rain) borrows from Chen Zigao's '寒食词' (Cold Food Festival Poem) with the line '杏花过雨滴' (apricot blossoms after the rain drip);

The second line: '渐残红，零落胭脂颜色。' (gradually fading red, the rouge color falls) borrows from Li Qingzhao's '暮春词' (Late Spring Poem) with the line '零落残红，似胭脂颜色' (falling red, like the color of rouge);

The third line: '流水飘香' (fragrance floats on the stream) borrows from Su Dongpo's '浣溪沙' (Washing Silk Gauze) with the line '流水飘香乳燕啼' (fragrance floats on the stream, young swallows chirp);

The fourth line: '人渐远，难托春心脉脉。' (people grow distant, hard to convey the silent spring heart) borrows from Baoyue Chan Master's '柳梢青' (Green Willow Tips) with the line '脉脉春心，情人渐远程' (silent spring heart, the lover grows more distant);

The fifth and sixth lines: '恨别王孙，墙阴目断，' (hate parting with the prince, eyes fixed on the wall's shadow) borrows from Ouyang Xiu's '清明词' (Qingming Poem) with the line '恨别王孙愁多少、墙阴目断无人到' (hate parting with the prince, how much sorrow, eyes fixed on the wall's shadow, no one comes);

...

Finally, the seventeenth and eighteenth lines: '而今无奈，寸肠千恨堆积。' (now helpless, a thousand sorrows pile up in the heart) borrows from Ouyang Xiu's '蝶恋花' (Butterfly in Love with Flower) with the line '而今无奈寸肠思，堆积千愁空懊恼' (now helpless, the heart aches, a thousand sorrows pile up, empty regret)."

Ye Yu's calm and detailed explanation left Liu Qianyu, who was listening beside him, both surprised and delighted. These eighteen lines of poetry not only included works by famous poets but also those by less prominent literati. The scope was broad, encompassing the essence of poetry from Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist traditions! Liu Qianyu praised repeatedly, "Amazing! Sir, your extensive knowledge and precise guidance are truly admirable. I am utterly impressed!"

Faced with Liu Qianyu's praise, Ye Yu smiled but said nothing. He thought to himself that Liu Qianyu was indeed no ordinary person. Just from this one poem, it was clear that this woman was highly learned, far from the average woman from a common family.

"Miss Qianyu, have I passed the third test?" Ye Yu had come with a serious matter to discuss and did not want to waste time on poetry, so he asked directly.

However, Liu Qianyu replied unhurriedly, "This is a rare opportunity. Why not compose a poem yourself, Sir? I will treasure it forever!"

Ye Yu felt helpless upon hearing this. He usually disliked writing poetry, but since he had no choice, he decided to show his skills to pass the test. He then picked up the brush and wrote a 'Water Tune Ode':

"Jade hands push back the sleeves, delicate fingers reflect on red lips.

The phoenix's elegant melody is clear, like the tinkling of a waterfall.

Wishing to play a tune on the jade zither, do not imitate Huan Yi's three tunes.

Listen to the music in the strings.

Recalling the old friend, the discerning one in Koting.

At midnight, the moon is bright, the stars are sparse.

The autumn air is crisp, the mountains and waters are quiet, the strings are still.

Fortunately, we meet on a beautiful night, playing an ancient tune, the ears feel refreshed.

The sound splits the stone, pierces the clouds, all sounds are silent.

After more than a year of practice, Ye Yu's calligraphy had improved significantly. Though not a master, he had certainly reached a level of proficiency. He had always favored cursive script, admiring its wild and unrestrained elegance.

This 'Water Tune Ode' might not be as renowned as Su Dongpo's masterpiece, but it was well-suited to the context. Both he and Liu Qianyu used Su Dongpo's famous poetic forms, and Ye Yu's poem described a woman, making it closely related to their shared experiences.

The poem's depiction of a woman's inner voice inadvertently touched Liu Qianyu's heart. Ye Yu did not realize that his unintentional act could easily be misunderstood...

Liu Qianyu lowered her head and silently recited the poem, her face flushed as if drinking fine wine. This was truly: "High talent meets high talent, not in vain, the good time and beautiful scenery!"

During this time, Ye Yu accidentally touched Liu Qianyu's hand, and she shrank back as if electrocuted, her face turning red. Even through the light veil, Ye Yu could see the hidden blush.

"Miss Qianyu, are you satisfied...?"

Ye Yu's implication was that if she was satisfied, they should quickly discuss the main matter. It was almost time for the evening lamps to be lit, and he did not want to linger here all night.

Liu Qianyu, seeing Ye Yu's eager expression, smiled and said, "Sir, with such talent, I am already admiring you! How could I make things difficult for you?

I will agree to your request, but you must promise that the girls at the Drunken Spring Pavilion will not be harmed by using your products..."

"Ha ha! You can rest assured. Ye Yu hereby promises that if anyone is harmed by my products, I will compensate tenfold upon verification!"

Seeing that Liu Qianyu understood his purpose and agreed readily, Ye Yu felt much more at ease.

"Very well!"

The two then chatted for a while. During this time, Ye Yu did not make any advances on Liu Qianyu, as that was not his style. Moreover, he needed her help, and provoking her would be counterproductive.

Therefore, when it was getting late, Ye Yu said, "Today's conversation with Miss Qianyu has been a great honor! It is getting late, so I will come another day to seek your guidance..."

"That I will always be ready to welcome you, Sir!" The intelligent Liu Qianyu did not try to retain him, seeing that he was determined to leave.

Liu Qianyu watched Ye Yu's departing back, feeling both relieved and inexplicably lost, standing there for a long time...

Her poetic inspiration still unspent, she recited aloud, "At dusk, welcoming you in the fragrant pavilion, meeting late, our interests align. Crows flap their wings outside the window, feelings follow the morning breeze..."

"He is just a disabled person, why should you harbor feelings for him?" At this moment, a woman walked in, her waist swaying like the wind, none other than the dancer Mei'er from the Drunken Spring Pavilion.

Mei'er's words made Liu Qianyu frown and respond coldly, "My affairs are none of your concern. Just do your job!"

"Oh, oh, oh, why are you angry? I was just reminding you, don't let him ruin your plans!"

Mei'er gently stroked her chestnut hair and continued irritably, "I brought Ye Yu here as you asked, and you treat my kindness like a horse liver!"

Liu Qianyu glanced at Mei'er and sat back down, huffing, "Your kindness? I think it's more like self-interest!"

"You! You're talking nonsense! I, Hu Mei'er, have never had any self-interest in serving you!"

Liu Qianyu's words thoroughly enraged Mei'er, who glared at her, determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Hmph! Don't you feel a strange smell in this room?"

"Smell?" Mei'er furrowed her brows and sniffed the air.

"A mix of fox scent and vinegar, suffocating..." Liu Qianyu looked at Mei'er and teased irritably.

"You!..."

"Enough, I won't argue with you. You should be more concerned about yourself! You were supposed to approach Ye Yu, but now you're trapped by him! Hu Mei'er, what right do you have to remind me?"

"I... I couldn't help it... It's all your fault. You clearly have feelings for him, yet you made me pursue him, and now I'm getting more and more involved..." Although Mei'er's thoughts were revealed by Liu Qianyu, she became extremely honest after her initial embarrassment.

Liu Qianyu shook her head and sighed, "Mei'er, you're overthinking it! I just think this person might be related to our mission..."

"Oh? Do you mean...?"

"It's not certain yet. Just do what I've asked you to do for now!"

...

After the girls at the Drunken Spring Pavilion started promoting Ye Yu's soap, shampoo, and other household items, they became popular in the city.

The girls at the Drunken Spring Pavilion, after using Ye Yu's soap, found it a daily necessity. The fragrance lasted long and was more practical than the so-called petal baths.

For a time, soap and shampoo became essential items for the girls.

The girls at the Drunken Spring Pavilion, who were initially cautious users, eventually became true promoters of the soap.

At this time, Ye Yu expanded his workshop and store, naming his products "Qiu Lan" (Autumn Orchid) soap and "Qiu Lan" shampoo. He also created a series of advertisements:

"Qiu Lan soap, removes dead skin and resists aging, who uses it knows it!

Qiu Lan shampoo, both light and silky, you will be more beautiful!"

In just a few months, Qiu Lan products swept through Qingliu County and then spread throughout Chuzhou with unstoppable force.

This rapid success was something Ye Yu had not anticipated. With the wealth pouring in, he invested it in the fabric business and the production of soap and other daily items.

He was not a miser and did not value money highly. For him, establishing a foundation in Qingliu County was the most important thing.

He had made a promise to Liu Yuanshan, which also served as a motivation for himself.

The summer weather in the south was hot, but it was also the peak season for soap and shampoo sales. Although these products were only accessible to the wealthy, Ye Yu was satisfied with this situation.

He believed that in the near future, these daily items would benefit every household, as he had already started researching mass production.

Ye Yu did not monopolize this new business. Under his leadership, he also involved the Su family.

This made Su Quanzhong tell everyone that his past kindness had been repaid many times over, praising Ye Yu as a grateful person.

In fact, with Ye Yu's current wealth, expanding his business on his own would not have been difficult. But he did not forget the principle of repaying a drop of kindness with a gushing spring.

If it weren't for Su Quanzhong's generous gift of the dye shop, he would not have achieved his current success.

Su Quanzhong was not originally from Qingliu County. His ancestors had a thriving silk business in Suzhou, but the family's decline led him to Qingliu County. Ye Yu only learned this later.

When Su Quanzhong helped him open up the market, the extensive business connections he displayed were initially puzzling and surprising. But later, he realized that even a fallen camel is still larger than a horse, and the family's connections remained.

It was precisely these connections of the Su family that added value to Ye Yu's various businesses.

However, just as Ye Yu was rejoicing over the promising situation, a piece of bad news reached his ears...

Page break for ads

Page break for ads end