Chapter 47

When Yue Xi saw Yue Heng, she was taken aback and couldn't help but exclaim, "Young Master Yue, why are you here? Don't pull me, I really know Young Master Yue and Sister Su!"

The soldiers beside her, who were pulling her, were helpless. Yue Heng waved his hand, and the two men released Yue Xi's arms and stepped back.

"Miss Yue, why are you here?" Yue Heng asked.

Yue Xi rubbed her sore arm, spat at the retreating soldiers in anger, and then ran joyfully to Su Weiwei, saying admiringly, "Sister Su, your singing just now was so beautiful. Was it the 'Ruan Huaxi' and 'Die Lian Hua' tune? You don't know, those men who call themselves talented scholars were all enchanted, and some even jumped into the lake to show their admiration! Oh, right, the lyrics were written by Young Master Yue! Sister Su, have you heard Young Master Yue sing? His singing is also very beautiful!"

She asked a series of questions, and Su Weiwei couldn't help but laugh, her smile like the warm sunlight of early spring, genuinely happy, far more beautiful than the professional smile she gave Yue Heng earlier. Yue Heng was almost entranced.

Before Su Weiwei could speak, Yue Xi picked up the dragon and phoenix pot on the table, grabbed a cup, and poured herself a drink. Only then did she ask Yue Heng, "Young Master Yue, why are you here with Sister Su?"

Yue Heng smiled, "At tonight's celebration banquet, Miss Su will perform 'Who Says Women Are Inferior to Men.' I came to deliver the lyrics."

Su Weiwei's bright eyes looked at him, and she smiled gently, "Young Master Yue, I haven't agreed yet~"

Again, didn't the magistrate send someone to tell you?

Do you have to play word games with me here? Is it fun?

Yue Heng didn't want to tangle with this woman who liked to play tricks. Whether she was deliberately making things difficult or testing him, he would overlook it for her beauty. Anyway, he would leave for Qi City tomorrow, and everything in Hong County might become a fleeting memory.

"Miss Su, I'm just delivering the message and the lyrics. Whether you go or not, well, I won't be involved in other matters. I'll sing this Yu-style version of the song to complete my task."

Without waiting for Su Weiwei's response, Yue Heng, at Yue Xi's enthusiastic request, performed a series of gestures and, dressed as a woman, sang the complete Yu-style version of 'Who Says Women Are Inferior to Men' to Yue Xi, who was dressed as a man. They interacted smoothly, and the performance was enjoyable.

Compared to Su Weiwei's unpredictable attitude, Yue Heng preferred talking to Yue Xi, who was straightforward and carefree.

He liked dealing with open and intelligent people and disliked scheming. No matter how beautiful Su Weiwei was, what if she had a venomous heart? Troubles usually come with women, especially very beautiful ones. Master Gu Long had seen through all this long ago!

After the song, Yue Heng smiled at Yue Xi's praise, then smiled politely at Su Weiwei, took out the full text of 'The Ballad of Mulan' from his pocket, placed it on the table, and left without hesitation, getting into the soldiers' carriage and departing from the Moonlight Tower.

Anyway, I've delivered the message, you can go or not, as you please!

...

After seeing Yue Heng off, the two women closed the door and began chatting.

"Sister Su, Young Master Yue seems a bit unhappy?"

"I don't know why! Xi Xi, do you know him well?"

"Of course, he is the top scholar in today's re-examination, with a score of 730, surpassing even warriors and craftsmen! Yes, he seems to have a good relationship with the top warrior, Wen Er. And he is really very talented! Oh, have you heard 'The Ballad of Mulan'? His poem brought us all into a poetic realm! Unfortunately, I can't remember the whole poem to recite it to you. And, and, wasn't the song 'Who Says Women Are Inferior to Men' he just sang very beautiful? It's a war song that lingers in the air, adapted from 'The Ballad of Mulan,' and it only affects women! And, and..."

Su Weiwei watched her neighbor, whom she had known since childhood, speak enthusiastically, describing Yue Heng with almost worshipful admiration, whether from personal observation or hearsay. The words, spoken by this carefree girl, were filled with joy.

This person is really quite strange~ When I tested him just now, he reacted with such arrogance. His literary pride is quite unique!

"Just a somewhat talented and proud scholar~"

Su Weiwei smiled inwardly, not at all angry about Yue Heng's abrupt departure.

She entered the pleasure quarters at the age of thirteen, becoming famous throughout the Honghu Basin and the State of Chu. Not only did high officials and wealthy people invite her, but scholars from neighboring countries also visited. What kind of men hadn't she seen?

Putting Yue Heng aside, she picked up the lyrics again.

The Yu-style was a completely new singing method she had never seen before. From just Yue Heng's simple gestures and singing, with her professional eye, the lyrics and the tune were perfectly matched.

Or rather, they were originally complementary, the song and the poet's creative intent being one.

"Is this really a war poem that lingers in the air?"

Su Weiwei read the lyrics carefully, brought out her most precious instruments, such as the qin and pipa, frowned slightly, and carefully recalled Yue Heng's every move, trying to adapt the song.

The sound of the qin and the song drifted out of the second-floor window of the Moonlight Tower. The group of scholars and poets waiting nearby, hoping for the favor of the beauty, went wild. Hearing the exciting parts, they shouted, "I love you, Miss Su!" "Hearing Miss Su sing a song would make me die content!" and jumped into the Honghu Lake to show their sincerity.

...

"Where do you want to go, Young Master Yue?"

"My home is empty, all my things are packed. I might as well not go back. Should I go to the Zhuangyuan Pavilion for the banquet? It seems too early, the banquet is in the evening. Um, do you know how to get to the Xiling Tower?"

"The Xiling Tower? The specialized tavern for spirit masters?"

"Exactly, please take me there. In Hong County, I feel that only there can I find inner peace..."

Yue Heng's words were quite bitter. In such a large county, he had nowhere to stay and no close friends.

The first person he thought of was Min Xuhuai. Though not a close friend, he was at least a smart person who knew what to say and what not to do. Drinking and chatting with him was very comfortable, and they had a sense of gentlemanly friendship, light as water.

At the very least, he should thank Min Xuhuai for the forged diagnosis.

He had heard from Captain Shi that after Bai Ming was thrown out of the county school by the soldiers, a team of experts was sent to the Bai family, and Captain Shi personally executed him in front of the Bai family, charging him with betraying the Ministry of Literature and the human race. He also killed the servant called Shun Hou, as if crushing an ant.

"The charges are... a bit better than 'unfounded'!" Yue Heng smiled. Bai Ming and Shun Hou had plotted against him, and their deaths were well-deserved!

The Xiling Tower usually did not serve non-spirit masters. Yue Heng gave Min Xuhuai's name, and the innkeeper who received him was the same one from a few days ago, who remembered Yue Heng.

Upon hearing that Yue Heng had become the top scholar this year, the innkeeper immediately became very welcoming, seating him in a private room and contacting Min Xuhuai through internal communication.

"Here is the Xiling alcohol and Bai Ling fruit, Zijun fruit you requested, Young Master Yue. Please enjoy, and Lord Min will be here soon!"

The waiter brought the drinks and dishes and respectfully left.

Yue Heng enjoyed the fruits and delicacies grown by spirit masters, occasionally sipping the Xiling alcohol, which was sweet and smooth, with a unique taste, making him feel relaxed both physically and mentally. He began to reflect on the entire re-examination process, summarizing his mistakes and experiences.

He thought for a long time, drinking alone, a smile occasionally appearing on his face, not even noticing that Min Xuhuai was standing in front of him.

"Congratulations, Brother Yue!" Min Xuhuai was still wearing his Level 2 Spirit Master robe, maintaining his gentle demeanor, smiling at Yue Heng.

Yue Heng finally realized and quickly stood up to greet him. After they sat down, the waiter replaced the drinks and dishes, brought hand-washing utensils, and set up a light incense burner. They raised their cups and toasted.

"Brother Min, did you come from the clinic?"

"Exactly. The scholars, warriors, and craftsmen are re-examining today, and the spirit masters are being selected these two days. I was handing over duties at the clinic today and preparing to leave for Lingjiu Mountain tomorrow."

"Ah! Does returning to the mountain mean you have become a Level 3 Spirit Scholar?"

"Currently, I have just taken the first step. After returning to the mountain, I will undergo three months of assessment to stabilize my realm."

"Congratulations, congratulations! Here, let's toast again!"

They drank the second cup, and Min Xuhuai asked, "Brother Yue, are you also leaving for Qi City tomorrow? Don't look at me like that. Every year, the top ten scholars from Hong County receive invitations from the Qi City Academy. Some go, some don't, but I know you will go."

Yue Heng was puzzled, "Isn't the Qi City Academy much better than the county academy? Why would anyone not want to go?"

Min Xuhuai smiled, "It's a choice between being a chicken's head or a phoenix's tail, depending on one's mindset. You should know that any prefectural academy is full of talented people, and the national academy is even more competitive. So, Brother Yue, if you really want to go to the prefectural academy, I would advise you to be low-key and endure hardship."

Yue Heng laughed, raising his cup to clink with Min Xuhuai's, "Is the prefectural academy like a Wu Kingdom prison, where I have to endure hardship like King Goujian?"

Min Xuhuai smiled and drank, "You can try being arrogant and domineering in the prefectural academy!"

Yue Heng laughed, he wanted to be arrogant and domineering, but he needed the capital to do so.

Min Xuhuai handed him a gold-foil card, with his signature on the front and a towering tree on the back, along with multiple irregularly placed protrusions and depressions.

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