Chapter 151: Shared Joy, Shared Tastes

Miss Zhao held a silk fan half-covering her face. She felt shy and delicate, looking both charming when pouting and delightful when pleased. She basked in the attention from everyone, as if being worshiped like a celestial maiden.

All eyes were fixed on her. Some were simply appreciating the image of the lady described in Liu Liwa’s poem, while many others were lost in their own fantasies.

Liu Liwa did not expect a poem could cause such a strong reaction. Miss Zhao herself felt so elated and carried away that she almost wished to throw an embroidered ball to choose a husband right then. This time, it was Liu Liwa’s turn to seize the moment. He immediately signaled to the Leftover Warriors.

Zi Long, whose grandfather served as a Grand Councilor for two dynasties and father was a Grand Academician, came from a true scholarly family and intellectual background. Though he was a free-spirited playboy, growing up in such an environment had naturally instilled in him a literary flair. He was the first to react. Stepping out from the crowd, he bowed to the County Magistrate and Education Commissioner, then walked straight through the gathering and boldly took the hand of Miss Yanhong, who had long been waiting to play her part. With deep emotion, he recited, “Shyness veils her charming eyes, red lips part with a smiling guise. The wind tousles her grape-patterned sash, the sun shines on her pomegranate-skirted dress.”

Miss Yanhong was an experienced professional in the pleasure house. Being pretty and coquettish had become second nature to her. Zi Long’s poem perfectly captured her essence. Of course, the verse itself was not an immortal masterpiece; what astonished the crowd was Zi Long’s audacity in directly taking the hand of a girl he had ‘never met before,’ while she coyly pretended to resist, arousing envy in many.

Striking while the iron was hot, Director Liu directed with his eyes. Bing He, A Shun, and other descendants of officials stepped forward one after another, following the example. Each took a girl’s hand, and the poems grew increasingly saccharine. The so-called poetry competition slowly transformed into the script Liu Liwa had long prepared. After circling around, the play was finally unfolding.

One by one, the girls were pulled out by the Leftover Warriors. Apart from the improvised verses, everything unfolded according to Liu Liwa’s script. The classic drama of love at first sight was playing out, filling the countless eager onlookers with envy and resentment. Du Shaofu, in particular, kept squeezing toward Miss Zhao, but unfortunately, the human wall formed by the burly figures of Zhao Zhong and Zhao Cheng firmly blocked him outside.

Liu Liwa was very satisfied with the actors’ performances. Almost every scene in the official filming was completed in one take, showcasing their astonishing talent. Meanwhile, he spotted Young Master Ye and Third Miss Zhao in the crowd. These two temporary actors, heavily promoted by the sponsors, had yet to take the stage. Third Miss Zhao was eager to receive the same treatment as her sister, but Young Master Ye was sweating with anxiety. Though he considered himself a good actor, without good lines, he was powerless. This son of the Vice Minister, hailing from a military family, could hardly be expected to compose poetry!

The County Magistrate and Education Commissioner watched dumbfounded. The situation had nearly spiraled out of control, completely straying from their intended scholarly examination. The students and scholars watched with red eyes; shedding their robes would reveal their wolfish nature. Seeing the Leftover Warriors succeed so easily, they too wished to step forward immediately, rush into the crowd, and claim the girls who caught their eye. But thought was one thing; actually taking action was another. None dared, even the Leftover Warriors had undergone systematic, formal training to act so boldly.

It was precisely this eagerness among the scholars, coupled with their hesitation to act, that frustrated the other observing girls who had come to find their ideal husbands. Many of them believed their looks surpassed Miss Yanhong and the others, yet no talented scholars stepped forward to woo them. This severely dented their confidence, prompting them to search for the reason. Soon, some girls noticed that the biggest difference lay in their clothing.

Liu Liwa keenly noticed this subtle change and immediately signaled to the current lead actor, Zi Long. Zi Long truly had a talent for acting and promptly added his own lines. Addressing Miss Yanhong’s water-blue V-neck, short-skirted dress, he said, “Lovely lady, please forgive my boldness, but I must praise your uniquely designed dress. Its light blue hue seems woven from a wave in the vast sea, lively and flowing, perfectly complementing your ethereal grace.”

Miss Yanhong blushed and deliberately turned her back, saying shyly, “I bought this early this morning at the An Luwei Clothing Boutique on East Street, just to come here in search of… Oh, never mind, I won’t tell you…”

Her sugary tone made Liu Liwa’s bones melt and his skin crawl, his nerves tightening uncomfortably. However, the name ‘An Luwei Clothing Boutique on East Street’ resonated deeply with the other girls.

Miss Zhao, meanwhile, awoke from her fairy-tale dream. She was quite pleased with Liu Liwa’s timing and quick thinking. This approach felt more authentic and effective than simply jumping into the act, as everyone was focused on the scholars’ competition. The Leftover Warriors stepping out to perform with the girls garnered higher attention, much like a TV commercial inserted at a crucial moment—exactly the same effect!

Miss Zhao immediately instructed her bodyguards, sending one to escort Third Miss Zhao back to the shop to watch over it, anticipating a buying frenzy at any moment.

Just then, a voice rang out from behind the County Magistrate—loud and full of confidence. “All of you here are highly talented scholars. Wouldn’t it be too monotonous to only compete in poetry and couplets?”

At that moment, everyone was watching the beauties, struggling to summon the courage and face to approach them. This voice gave them relief, easing their urge to flirt and frustrating the girls. They turned to see the two local officials, the County Magistrate and Education Commissioner, step aside to make way. A young master in luxurious attire strode out slowly. He wore a peacock feather hat and a jade belt, appearing elegant and poised. Though he wore a smile, he held his head high, his gaze skyward, looking down on everyone with unmistakable arrogance.

Before anyone could clearly see his face, the County Magistrate and Education Commissioner bowed to him in unison, saying, “Young Master Liu speaks wisely. True talent is not confined to poetry and verse; music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are all manifestations of brilliance.”

Seeing the local authorities defer to this young master, the crowd could guess his status. Liu Liwa naturally recognized him too—this haughty young man was Liu Chengye, the only son of the new Emperor’s tutor.

During the earlier poetry recitation, he had either hidden or lurked without showing himself. Now, when the outcome was nearly decided and Liu Liwa’s advertisement had taken effect, he surfaced. Such a person would not willingly remain obscure. But he likely lacked skill in poetry and couplets, hence his emergence now to seize the final chance for glory.

Liu Chengye held a folding fan, looking imposing and conceited. He declared loudly, “The two officials speak rightly. The hundred schools of thought each have their strengths; poetry, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting all reflect talent. As everyone knows, the late Emperor excelled in both poetry and painting, earning the admiration of all court officials. The current Emperor has loved calligraphy, painting, and music since childhood and has now attained remarkable mastery. We scholars should take the late Emperor and His Majesty as our models. All of you are candidates about to take the imperial examination in the capital. If you top the imperial exam, serve the Imperial Court, and attend to the Emperor, naturally you will share His Majesty’s joy and tastes, moving in step, united in heart and virtue, to create a prosperous age.”

Liu Chengye’s words resonated deeply with many scholars present. To serve in court, one must first know how to please superiors and understand the leader’s preferences. Only by catering to those tastes could one hope to rise.

Liu Liwa, of course, was unimpressed. If everyone emulated the Emperor’s preferences, how could societal morals remain sound? King You of Zhou enjoyed fooling his nobles with beacon fires; if commoners imitated that, wouldn’t arson cases occur daily? Emperor Shunzhi favored being a monk; if everyone followed suit, all the nuns in the world would be overjoyed…