Chapter 11

Inviting the three great talents and He Zhu, of course, was to have them write a few popular lyrics. With Zhao Yougong using both soft and hard tactics, and Nian Nu'er’s clear voice, the four great scholars couldn’t possibly enjoy a free meal.

Night soon fell, and the Bianliang River began to bustle again. At this time, only Zhao Yougong and Nian Nu'er remained in the boudoir, even Xiao Tan was chased out to prepare the food. Zhao Yougong was never a good person. After the four great scholars left their new lyrics, he drove them out of Xiefang Tower with various excuses. It wasn’t that he was heartless, but who knew if these new lyrics would work? If they really helped Nian Nu'er win the title, he could thank them in person later. For now, he couldn’t indulge them.

Nian Nu'er couldn’t say much about Zhao Yougong’s domineering and unreasonable behavior. Even if she did, Zhao Yougong wouldn’t listen. Lighting a candle, Nian Nu'er reclined at the desk, holding a thin blue book in her hand.

Zhao Yougong looked at the papers on the desk, scratching his head as he read, "Nian Nu'er, how about Hou Yuxin’s 'Dian Jiang Chun'? 'Amidst the leaden splendor, the cloud robes follow the spring breeze. In the song, the fine rain, only the flower-burier remains. In dreams, the longing, after the storm in the old garden, the grass sings. The crows weep blood, the sword dances at sunset.'"

Zhao Yougong read with his rough voice, but could a dissolute prince who knew nothing of poetry understand its beauty? Ultimately, it was up to Nian Nu'er to judge.

Though her eyes were fixed on the book, Nian Nu'er had been listening all along. When Zhao Yougong finished reading, she sniffed and frowned slightly, "Burial of flowers and weeping blood, it sounds so sorrowful, how can it be used?"

"Indeed," Zhao Yougong nodded seriously. Hou Yuxin was really something. Nian Nu'er was competing for the title of flower queen, and he wrote a new lyric like a funeral ode. No wonder Nian Nu'er was so unhappy.

"It’s fine," he crumpled Hou Yuxin’s work into a ball and tossed it to the ground, "What about Bai Hanrui’s 'Chang Xiang Si'? 'New grass green, new moon bright. The misty rain, the person not yet awake, the world a lone old man. Old river ice, old people walking. Alone, embracing the wind and moon through the window, the solitary light of two lamps.' This should be fine, right? There’s a person, a moon, and a lamp!"

"Listening to this lyric, it’s full of loneliness. How can it be sung to others? No, no," Nian Nu'er shook her head and sighed, but her eyes remained on the book.

Still no? Zhao Yougong didn’t give up, crumpling another paper ball, "What about Fang Tengmou’s 'Shan Cha Hua'? 'The delicate flower is lost in the misty grass, the cloud trees fill the red river. The lonely sunset on the green mountain, the scattered red. The golden horse and jade edge dream away, the brocade handkerchief sent far, the tower is empty. Only the lovebirds remain, drunk in the east wind.'"

"Hmm, the lyric is beautiful, but the lovers can’t be together, isn’t that sad? No, no!"

"Still no?" Zhao Yougong was dumbfounded. If Fang Tengmou’s masterpiece didn’t work, there was only He Zhu’s 'Qing Yu An' left, "The waves do not cross the horizontal pond, but I watch the fragrant dust depart. Who will spend the golden years with you? The moon bridge, the flower garden, the latticed windows, the vermilion doors, only spring knows the place. The flying clouds slowly drift, the evening on the fragrant marsh, the new verses written with a colorful pen, breaking the heart. If you ask how much idle sentiment there is, it’s a river of tobacco, a city of wind and fluff, the yellow plums in the rain!"

As a穿越者 (穿越者 means a person who has traveled through time), Zhao Yougong naturally understood how wonderful He Zhu’s masterpiece was. Because of this, he shook the work in his hand and chuckled, "Did you hear that, Nian Nu'er? He Zhu’s lyric should be fine, right?"

Nian Nu'er sat up, lazily stretching her arms, her elbow on the desk. She pouted and shook her head, "He Zhongpan’s lyric is good, but it can’t help me surpass Shishi!"

"Hey, Nian Nu'er, what do you mean? You said He Zhu’s lyric is good, why can’t it surpass Li Shishi?"

Zhao Yougong was getting anxious. He never had much patience. Nian Nu'er frowned, her lips twitching, and two small dimples appeared on her fair cheeks, "Your Highness, you don’t know, recently the Emperor has written a new lyric for Shishi, and Shishi has also obtained a 'Man Jiang Hong' from Qingzhen Jushi!"

"So what? Is the Emperor’s lyric better than He Zhu’s?"

"Silk and brocade exude the fragrance of spring. The golden lotus blooms in the sea of land, dazzling the city. Looking back at the green peaks from the treasure carriage. The east wind drums, blowing down half the stars. Ten thousand wells celebrate peace. Songs fill the flower-lined roads, the moon follows the people. The dragon pavilion has a single jade lamp. The distant music, the grand banquet in the fairyland." She recited softly, holding the thin book, covering half her delicate face, "Your Highness, this is the Emperor’s new 'Xiao Zhong Shan.' Although I don’t want to admit it, He Zhongpan’s lyric can’t compare to the Emperor’s, let alone Zhou Jushi’s 'Man Jiang Hong.'"

Her beautiful eyes blinked gently, Nian Nu'er waited, but Zhao Yougong was silent for a long time. Looking closely, the little prince was entranced again.

"Your Highness, are you listening to what I said?"

Wiping the moisture from his lips, Zhao Yougong straightened up, "I’m listening, Nian Nu'er. What do you suggest? This one doesn’t work, that one doesn’t work. Is there anyone better than He Zhu?"

Zhao Yougong racked his brain but couldn’t think of anyone who could match He Zhu and Zhou Bangyan. Unless Xin Qiji could appear earlier.

Although the late Northern Song Dynasty was already in chaos, different from the historical late Northern Song Dynasty, at least Zhao Yougong hadn’t heard of a person named Xin Qiji in the Song Dynasty.

Pouting, Nian Nu'er actually smiled, placing the book on the desk, she clasped her hands and said lightly, "I don’t know what to do. If I don’t win the title of flower queen, Your Highness won’t get me either!"

"You... Nian Nu'er, aren’t you afraid I’ll force you?"

"Ha ha, Your Highness can try, see if I’m afraid," Nian Nu'er continued to smile, supporting her chin. Her neck was as white as snow, her skin like congealed fat, her delicate nose glistening with a bit of sweat, making one want to bite her. Her features were like a painting, her beauty like a mountain, truly a bewitching beauty.

"You’re clever, I’ll help you with the lyrics, but don’t play me!"

"Your Highness, I wouldn’t dare to deceive you!"

"Humph!" Zhao Yougong sneered. Nian Nu'er was too unpredictable, sometimes mature and steady, sometimes playful and cute. He didn’t know whether to trust her. Noticing the book Nian Nu'er was reading, he glanced at the cover, and his brows furrowed slightly. It was the 'Luo Zhi Jing.' This book, compiled by the cruel official Lai Junchen during the Tang Wu Zhou period, was all about forging evidence and weaving false charges. Even Di Renjie was scared by this book. He never expected Nian Nu'er, a delicate woman, to like such a book.

Surprised, Zhao Yougong couldn’t help but look into the inner room, but the screen in front of the door blocked his view. He really wanted to see what was hidden in Nian Nu'er’s inner room.

After the third hour of the evening, Zhao Yougong, full and satisfied, left Xiefang Tower with a smile. But after leaving, he still looked back at the small window.

In the boudoir, Nian Nu'er stroked the 'Luo Zhi Jing' on the table. Although she wasn’t sure if the little prince had noticed anything, she knew he wasn’t an ignorant person. An ignorant person wouldn’t understand the power of the 'Luo Zhi Jing.' The little prince thought no one noticed his expression, but Nian Nu'er wasn’t stupid.

"Ha ha, my little prince, I’m really starting to like you more and more!"

The moon was bright, surrounded by a faint yellow halo. The next day would be windy or overcast. After returning from Xiefang Tower, Zhao Yougong handed Dazhuang to Su Ying, and rushed into the house. The sisters seemed to be waiting, and as the candle was extinguished, another wild and passionate night began. Silk and gauze scattered, the bed curtains swayed, the three bodies entwined tightly, eventually falling into a deep sleep.

The night was intoxicating, especially the night by the Bianliang River. The night here was always tinged with a touch of the mundane, wrapped in tenderness and affection.

At the third hour of the night, the bustling Bianliang River fell silent. Xiefang Tower’s doors remained open, and a red lantern still hung by the small window on the third floor. The spring breeze blew, the lantern swayed, the candle flickered, but it didn’t go out.

Everyone was asleep, but a black figure cautiously approached Xiefang Tower. Facing the side of the building, he looked up to see Nian Nu'er’s room window. Since the window was in the outer room and it was early spring, Xiao Tan wouldn’t close it.

Looking around to ensure no one was around, the black figure examined the area. He was fully dressed in black, even wearing a strange black hood that only exposed his eyes and mouth. After a moment, he took a deep breath, leaped up several feet like a swallow, and with one hand, grabbed the window frame, flipping into the room like a cat.

Xiao Tan was sleeping soundly, her little mouth gently moving, dreaming sweetly. She had no idea that an uninvited guest was calmly watching her.

Taking a letter from his chest, he tossed it into Xiao Tan’s arms. The black figure didn’t leave immediately. He circled the screen, confirmed that Nian Nu'er was asleep, and gently pushed the door open. Of course, the door was locked, but that didn’t stop the black figure.

The curtains fell, but Nian Nu'er could still be seen lying on the bed, sleeping soundly. The black figure, afraid of making too much noise, carefully searched the room and then quietly left.

Closing the door, the black figure quickly left Xiefang Tower through the window.

By the Bianliang River, willows swayed gently, and the spring breeze rippled the water. A black figure ran swiftly, like a shadow, heading for the dark locust forest.

The black figure had to run to the locust forest because he realized he was being followed as soon as he left Xiefang Tower.