Chapter 63

Chapter 62: The First Challenge

Song Qingshu looked at him with a puzzled expression: "Why?"

"Nowadays, aren't there many villains plotting to assassinate me? We can have someone take my place. When they least expect it, the target will have become the highly skilled Song Brother, and they will surely fall flat on their faces." Wei Xiaobao spoke with a clear logic, but in his heart, he had another plan: Wearing this official uniform would definitely be inconvenient for his actions. The plan to secretly run to the warehouse and give the courtesan some aphrodisiac would be ruined.

"Lord Wei is truly a master of strategy, I admire you greatly." Zhang Kangnian and Zhao Qixian, standing beside him, wouldn't miss any opportunity to flatter him.

"Lord Wei's words are not without reason," Tumotuo looked at Song Qingshu and nodded, "Among our group, only Song Qingshu and Wei Xiaobao are of similar age..."

"Duan Yu is a person too; it would be better if he were killed by an assassin," Song Qingshu thought to himself, and as if guessing his thoughts, Duan Yu subconsciously took a step back.

However, reason told him that he was the best choice. Duan Yu, after all, was the crown prince of Dali. If anything happened to him, Emperor Kangxi would surely scold Wei Xiaobao to death. Fortunately, his martial arts skills were now passable, and even if he encountered an assassin, he should still be able to protect himself...

Song Qingshu put aside his thoughts and nodded in agreement: "Alright!"

To ask where the most luxurious and indulgent place in the world is, ten men out of ten would excitedly answer: Yangzhou!

To ask where the most filthy and dirty place in the world is, ten women out of ten would disdainfully answer: Yangzhou!

With a fortune of ten thousand strings of cash, riding a crane to Yangzhou, life's pleasures cannot be better than this.

As the lanterns lit up, the various brothels in Yangzhou began to buzz with activity, and among them, the most lively was the Lichun Courtyard.

"Hmph, it's just because a new courtesan named You You has arrived recently. Once someone claims the first night, I doubt she will still have such charm." A madam watched as a group of well-dressed gentlemen headed straight for the Lichun Courtyard, spat on the ground, and said resentfully.

This group of well-dressed gentlemen was naturally Wei Xiaobao and Song Qingshu's party. As they stepped into the Lichun Courtyard, the madam's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly welcomed them warmly.

Wei Xiaobao threw a silver ingot and pointed at Song Qingshu: "This is a gift from Lord Wei. Find us the best seat."

The madam glanced at Song Qingshu and quickly nodded: "Certainly, certainly, gentlemen, please follow me." She led them to a quiet and elegant spot, had the servants set up fruits and wine, and said with a fawning smile: "Gentlemen, please enjoy a cup of wine first. You You will come out soon. Whether you can win her favor depends on your skills."

"Go away first," Wei Xiaobao waved his hand impatiently to dismiss the madam. After a while, he whispered to Song Qingshu: "Brother Song, I need to go to the restroom."

"The courtesan is about to come out..." Song Qingshu was taken aback, not expecting him to go to the restroom at this moment.

"It's fine, I'll come back to watch. You don't need to send anyone with me, to avoid exposing our identity." Wei Xiaobao said, then clutched his stomach and quickly ran down the corridor.

Once out of sight, Wei Xiaobao straightened up and smiled slyly: "First, I'll go to the warehouse to get some aphrodisiac."

Not long after Wei Xiaobao left, the hall became bustling:

"You You has come out."

"I wonder which man will have the luck to be her first night's guest."

"Every frown and smile of You You is so alluring."

...

Song Qingshu looked up and saw several maids supporting a beautifully dressed lady descending from upstairs, truly swaying with every step. Her every gesture and movement exuded a charm that made Song Qingshu's heart flutter.

Seemingly noticing Song Qingshu's gaze, the lady turned and looked at him, her eyes like a painting, especially her beautiful eyes, which seemed to have a crystal-like luster, captivating and enchanting, truly full of allure.

"I don't believe this woman is a virgin." Song Qingshu quickly lowered his head, his heart racing. If she were really a young girl, to be able to display a woman's charm so effortlessly, she would truly be a natural seductress.

Unconsciously, the lady had already entered the hall and sat down behind a curtain. The madam quickly began to call out: "Gentlemen, You You has taken her seat. As usual, whoever can answer her three questions will be invited to her private chamber."

"Days have passed, and no one has answered the first question. Are you trying to trick us?" A slightly overweight merchant shouted, and the crowd around him nodded in agreement.

"You not being able to answer doesn't mean others can't. If You You's questions were so easy to answer, it would be a joke." The speaker was a young scholar who had recently arrived from nearby after hearing the news. His words also gained the support of many first-time visitors.

"Heh, you're so great, why don't you try?" The overweight merchant sneered, his expression full of disdain.

"May You You give the question." The speaker bowed to the lady.

The lady inside slightly bowed in return but did not speak. Then a maid stood up and said: "Everyone, listen carefully. Our lady's first question is not about music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, nor about classics and history. It is about mathematics. The lady wants to cut her beloved silk handkerchief into several pieces. As everyone knows, one cut can divide the handkerchief into two pieces, two cuts can divide it into four pieces at most, three cuts can divide it into seven pieces... How many pieces can the handkerchief be divided into at most after one hundred cuts?"

As soon as the question was asked, everyone in the hall began to think hard. Du Long's eyes lit up, and he took out a handkerchief and began to cut it. However, after seven or eight cuts, some parts of the handkerchief were already too small to cut further. He threw the knife in anger: "Damn, what a ridiculous question."

Duan Yu was well-read, and if the question had been about profound meanings or Buddhist scriptures, he could have given an answer quickly. Unfortunately, he knew nothing about mathematics.

Unlike Duan Yu, Wang Yuyan was well-versed in many books, not limited to martial arts classics or Confucian texts. She had read many books on mathematics, such as "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" and "Zhou Bi Suan Jing." Upon hearing the question, she quickly figured out the answer and couldn't help but smile.

Duan Yu had been secretly watching Wang Yuyan. Seeing her smile, he was surprised: "Has Miss Wang already solved it?" If it were martial arts, it would be fine, but since the question was about literary talent, Duan Yu felt embarrassed in front of his beloved, and his heart sank.

Hearing Duan Yu's words, Du Long, Zhang Kangnian, Zhao Qixian, and others immediately gathered around, flatteringly saying: "Miss Wang, why don't you tell us the answer?"

Wang Yuyan blushed but firmly shook her head. She was angry at being captured and did not want to help them harm the lady.

Song Qingshu sat calmly in the main seat, sipping tea leisurely. Seeing his appearance, Shui Sheng's eyes twinkled, and she curiously asked: "Have you solved it too?"

"Remember to call me 'Master' first, no manners." Song Qingshu glared at her but did not directly answer her question.

Shui Sheng felt a pang of anger in her heart, hating Song Qingshu. Turning her head to look at You You behind the curtain, a sly smile appeared on her lips, and she suddenly shouted loudly: "My master has solved it!"

It turned out that Shui Sheng was determined to make Song Qingshu look foolish by pretending he was just putting on an act.

Sure enough, upon hearing her words, everyone in the hall turned to look at Song Qingshu.

"Is he just guessing a random number?"

"Don't let this guy have false hopes. So many people have guessed before, and none of them were right."

...

The madam's eyes lit up, and she secretly gave a signal. The madam smiled and said: "It turns out to be Lord Wei, indeed a man of great talent. Please give your answer, and You You will judge whether it is correct."

Hearing the cold remarks from the crowd, Wang Yuyan looked at Song Qingshu with concern. After several interactions, she had a good impression of him and did not want to see him embarrassed. She was about to whisper the answer to him, but Shui Sheng quickly blocked her, smiling: "Miss Wang, there's no need to worry about my master. He is a man of great learning, and such a simple question is naturally known to him."

Shui Sheng smiled inwardly, thinking that the higher she praised him now, the harder he would fall later. Wang Yuyan, not knowing their relationship, gave up on reminding him.

Song Qingshu glared at Shui Sheng.

Du Long looked at Song Qingshu enviously, winking and saying: "Lord Song, they think you are Brother Wei. What a rare opportunity, I wish you success in winning the beauty."

"Do you really know it? Don't waste everyone's time." The crowd below was already impatient, and Shui Sheng was also waiting with a smile.

"After one hundred cuts, You You's handkerchief should be divided into 5051 pieces at most." Song Qingshu looked at the beautifully dressed lady behind the curtain and said.

Wang Yuyan nodded inwardly, thinking that Lord Song not only had high martial arts skills but also knew the mysterious and complex mathematical techniques, truly a man of great learning.

You You finally spoke, her voice soft and melodious, each word seeming to have a bewitching charm: "Lord Wei is indeed a man of great talent. May I ask how you solved it?" In her heart, she was puzzled. She had heard that Wei Xiaobao was uneducated and had a vulgar appearance, so why was this person so handsome and able to solve this question?

This You You was naturally Fanchengzhi's current wife, Xia Qingqing. Perhaps years ago, she was still a bit immature and had a tomboyish appearance, but for some reason, after marriage, she had become even more beautiful and charming, exuding a woman's allure in every gesture, truly a radiant beauty.

If Song Qingshu knew her identity at this moment, he would surely exclaim: "No wonder Fanchengzhi later didn't want to look for Ajiu, it turns out Xia Qingqing had become so beautiful!"

This question was found in an ancient book, originally intended to deliberately challenge these pleasure-seeking gentlemen, making them give up when they found it too difficult. She was waiting for Wei Xiaobao, and once he came, she would have a way to help him pass the test—after all, she knew the answer.

Chapter 63: Shui Sheng Takes the Lead

It turned out that Shui Sheng was determined to make Song Qingshu look foolish by pretending he was just putting on an act.

Sure enough, upon hearing her words, everyone in the hall turned to look at Song Qingshu.

"Is he just guessing a random number?"

"Don't let this guy have false hopes. So many people have guessed before, and none of them were right."

...

The madam's eyes lit up, and she secretly gave a signal. The madam smiled and said: "It turns out to be Lord Wei, indeed a man of great talent. Please give your answer, and You You will judge whether it is correct."

Hearing the cold remarks from the crowd, Wang Yuyan looked at Song Qingshu with concern. After several interactions, she had a good impression of him and did not want to see him embarrassed. She was about to whisper the answer to him, but Shui Sheng quickly blocked her, smiling: "Miss Wang, there's no need to worry about my master. He is a man of great learning, and such a simple question is naturally known to him."

Shui Sheng smiled inwardly, thinking that the higher she praised him now, the harder he would fall later. Wang Yuyan, not knowing their relationship, gave up on reminding him.

Song Qingshu glared at Shui Sheng.

Du Long looked at Song Qingshu enviously, winking and saying: "Lord Song, they think you are Brother Wei. What a rare opportunity, I wish you success in winning the beauty."

"Do you really know it? Don't waste everyone's time." The crowd below was already impatient, and Shui Sheng was also waiting with a smile.

"After one hundred cuts, You You's handkerchief should be divided into 5051 pieces at most." Song Qingshu looked at the beautifully dressed lady behind the curtain and said.

Wang Yuyan nodded inwardly, thinking that Lord Song not only had high martial arts skills but also knew the mysterious and complex mathematical techniques, truly a man of great learning.

You You finally spoke, her voice soft and melodious, each word seeming to have a bewitching charm: "Lord Wei is indeed a man of great talent. May I ask how you solved it?" In her heart, she was puzzled. She had heard that Wei Xiaobao was uneducated and had a vulgar appearance, so why was this person so handsome and able to solve this question?

This You You was naturally Fanchengzhi's current wife, Xia Qingqing. Perhaps years ago, she was still a bit immature and had a tomboyish appearance, but for some reason, after marriage, she had become even more beautiful and charming, exuding a woman's allure in every gesture, truly a radiant beauty.

If Song Qingshu knew her identity at this moment, he would surely exclaim: "No wonder Fanchengzhi later didn't want to look for Ajiu, it turns out Xia Qingqing had become so beautiful!"

This question was found in an ancient book, originally intended to deliberately challenge these pleasure-seeking gentlemen, making them give up when they found it too difficult. She was waiting for Wei Xiaobao, and once he came, she would have a way to help him pass the test—after all, she knew the answer.

Chapter 63: Shui Sheng Takes the Lead

It turned out that Shui Sheng was determined to make Song Qingshu look foolish by pretending he was just putting on an act.

Sure enough, upon hearing her words, everyone in the hall turned to look at Song Qingshu.

"Is he just guessing a random number?"

"Don't let this guy have false hopes. So many people have guessed before, and none of them were right."

...

The madam's eyes lit up, and she secretly gave a signal. The madam smiled and said: "It turns out to be Lord Wei, indeed a man of great talent. Please give your answer, and You You will judge whether it is correct."

Hearing the cold remarks from the crowd, Wang Yuyan looked at Song Qingshu with concern. After several interactions, she had a good impression of him and did not want to see him embarrassed. She was about to whisper the answer to him, but Shui Sheng quickly blocked her, smiling: "Miss Wang, there's no need to worry about my master. He is a man of great learning, and such a simple question is naturally known to him."

Shui Sheng smiled inwardly, thinking that the higher she praised him now, the harder he would fall later. Wang Yuyan, not knowing their relationship, gave up on reminding him.

Song Qingshu glared at Shui Sheng.

Du Long looked at Song Qingshu enviously, winking and saying: "Lord Song, they think you are Brother Wei. What a rare opportunity, I wish you success in winning the beauty."

"Do you really know it? Don't waste everyone's time." The crowd below was already impatient, and Shui Sheng was also waiting with a smile.

"After one hundred cuts, You You's handkerchief should be divided into 5051 pieces at most." Song Qingshu looked at the beautifully dressed lady behind the curtain and said.

Wang Yuyan nodded inwardly, thinking that Lord Song not only had high martial arts skills but also knew the mysterious and complex mathematical techniques, truly a man of great learning.

You You finally spoke, her voice soft and melodious, each word seeming to have a bewitching charm: "Lord Wei is indeed a man of great talent. May I ask how you solved it?" In her heart, she was puzzled. She had heard that Wei Xiaobao was uneducated and had a vulgar appearance, so why was this person so handsome and able to solve this question?

This You You was naturally Fanchengzhi's current wife, Xia Qingqing. Perhaps years ago, she was still a bit immature and had a tomboyish appearance, but for some reason, after marriage, she had become even more beautiful and charming, exuding a woman's allure in every gesture, truly a radiant beauty.

If Song Qingshu knew her identity at this moment, he would surely exclaim: "No wonder Fanchengzhi later didn't want to look for Ajiu, it turns out Xia Qingqing had become so beautiful!"

This question was found in an ancient book, originally intended to deliberately challenge these pleasure-seeking gentlemen, making them give up when they found it too difficult. She was waiting for Wei Xiaobao, and once he came, she would have a way to help him pass the test—after all, she