Chapter 12: On the Painted Boat

The time approached midnight as Jiangning city's excitement was gradually reaching its peak. The carriage cut across from the Su residence, passing through roads with relatively fewer crowds. Approaching Wuyi Lane, the speed slowly decreased.

All along the way, countless lively fires flickered outside the carriage. Lifting the curtain to look out, even usually quiet roads were extraordinarily lively at this time, and reaching the commercial streets near Wuyi Lane, ahead the road surged with crowds. The carriage simply became mired as if in a swamp, unable to advance as a dragon dance troupe was passing by with gongs and drums. The young driver had no choice but to stop the carriage at the side.

"Sister Xiao Chan, we can't get through ahead."

This youth was probably one or two years older than Xiao Chan but still called her sister. Though it seemed these past months Xiao Chan merely ran about following Ning Yi, actually this little girl and her two sisters had trained under Su Tan'er for many years. Su Tan'er might control the Su family in the future. Even various stewards had to give face to the three maids most trusted by her. This was why she, a little maid, could summon a carriage. This youth who'd recently entered the Su residence on a twenty-year indenture somewhat knew her status, so was naturally respectful toward her, and somewhat curiously watched this girl who looked younger than him.

"I see. I'll get off here. You can go back." Xiao Chan lifted the curtain and came out, directly jumping from the carriage. She turned and smiled at him, then waved. "Thank you."

"I... I'm called Dongzhu." The youth gathered courage and somewhat stutteringly spoke his name, then raised his head. "There are too many people ahead. I'll escort you over."

"Brother Dongzhu." Xiao Chan smiled and bowed in thanks, then waved again and turned. "No need. It's fine." Like a butterfly she ran into that crowd. Her small hand could still be seen waving in the air a few times before submerging and disappearing.

Xiao Chan had already wandered Suzhou city back and forth many times—very familiar—and excluding extreme situations, purely in terms of socializing, handling affairs, and dealing with small troubles, the seemingly pure and lovely Xiao Chan actually surpassed that rural youth named Dongzhu by far. Moreover, in such crowd-gathering places, presumably no one would trouble a little girl out browsing and joining the excitement. Playboys, second-generation wastrels, ruffians and bullies indeed weren't few in this era, but they weren't truly that easy to encounter.

Bouncing through the dragon dance crowd amid the clamor, ethereal sensuous singing transmitted from a nearby brothel, merging with this boiling market sound. Before long, someone also ran quickly from that end of the street holding rice paper: "Lichuan Poetry Gathering, Master Tang Yu's new poem praising bamboo..." Then pasted that paper on a poetry evaluation board in front of a shop. Crowds surged around as an old man pushing a cart selling tea eggs and thousand-layer cakes smiled and avoided the crowd. Xiao Chan also quickly avoided that cart, smiling as she followed forward to watch the excitement.

After briefly reading a few lines, Xiao Chan quickly followed the crowd toward the riverside at that end of the street. Wuyi Lane was not far from this street. The alley was relatively narrow but also filled with lively atmosphere, brightly lit and crowded. Near the riverbank, one could already see the liveliest Confucius Temple.

This riverside street area was the most brilliant pearl of all Jiangning city. The roads were full of exquisite flower lanterns, and Puyuan Poetry Gathering's six connected boats cruised the Qinhuai River all night, but at this time, they would definitely pass here. Xiao Chan had experience participating in poetry gatherings, so ran directly here to wait, finding a curio shop run by the Pu family beside the road and presenting her invitation. The other party quickly called someone to intercept a small boat, and at this time, that magnificent water palace had already distantly appeared at one end of the Qinhuai River, sailing this way reflected by numerous painted boats.

Small boats by the riverside constantly approached and departed, and this small boat then also lightly left the bank amid the lamplight, rowing toward that huge connected vessel approaching in the middle of the channel. The little girl on the bow lightly clasped her fingers before her, raising her head to watch the gradually approaching painted boat. The painted boat's lantern light also gradually illuminated the little girl's cute bun hairstyle and slightly yearning little face. Music transmitted from the riverside—the performance inside was probably nearing its end, but she didn't feel regret. Being able to come play was actually already very good, and if she could learn a few songs here... She remembered how Young Master liked listening to songs in the evening... Mm, Young Master would definitely be very happy.

Song and dance dispersed in the painted boat, followed by enthusiastic applause, and then small boats coming from shore brought up excellent poems that had appeared at several major poetry gatherings, some also attached with praise and evaluation from certain masters. Poetry gatherings couldn't possibly be a large group constantly sitting dryly appreciating and writing poems. Actually from when the painted boat set sail there were numerous programs—listening to lyrics and tunes, guessing lantern riddles, viewing scenery and such, constantly giving everyone atmosphere and inspiration. But at this time, it ultimately entered this grand gathering's most crucial stage. Because though tonight's revelry would even last past the third watch—that is, past 3 AM—actually after midnight, poetry gatherings would gradually become desolate.

The main reason was that most elderly, or middle-aged people with poor health—poets mostly had poor health—would at most gather until this time, and past this time, unable to spiritually support themselves, it was basically time to go home. And in literary circles, those who could have certain fame were naturally still these people—tonight wanting to gain fame and attention, these people's views were the main event. After they left, what remained was truly talented scholars and beautiful women's games. Picking up girls only became the theme after midnight, equivalent to a grand courtesan-chasing gathering, and though in this era of prevalent courtesan-chasing, this matter could indeed be draped with refined names, the meaning was already not as important as before. Given a choice between fame and beauty, most men of this era would first choose gaining fame.

Therefore at this time, various good poems had already successively emerged, and the best ones had actually already been transmitted earlier. Tonight there were several moon-praising poems of stunning brilliance, and Su Tan'er had also copied several on the plain white paper before her, currently conversing softly with an acquainted Wu family lady beside her.

She actually also loved poetry—though not personally skilled in this area, poets in this era were like modern celebrities. Which girl's heart didn't have a bit of romantic thoughts? She wasn't skilled, so instead elevated her liking for poetry even more. The feeling of certain talented scholars displaying literary talent before everyone naturally also moved her heart.

Of course, this was merely part of life's spiritual pursuits, just like how numerous modern girls all liked Andy Lau. Though she liked it, ordinarily she wouldn't express it too much. Moreover, her own husband Ning Yi probably wasn't very good at poetry either. After seeing that "Three lotus float in emerald pond raft whereon lovely one thinks," she understood clearly—besides, he'd confessed himself. But this actually didn't matter.

After a while more, Xiao Chan also came over following a guiding maid.

"Has Husband gone to sleep?"

"Mm, he's asleep."

"Juan'er and Xing'er are over there. How about having them add a cushion and squeeze together?"

"Alright, Young Miss, I'll go over... Third Miss Wu, greetings."

After also bowing to the Wu family lady beside them, Xiao Chan then jogged toward where two little maids were waving. At this time Juan'er and Xing'er sat together at a low table covered with various exquisite fruits and foods. Xiao Chan sat down between them. The three maids then squeezed together laughing.

Not far away, Su Tan'er and that Wu family lady stood up and walked about. At gatherings like this, male and female guests were generally separated with screens dividing them, but of course not strictly. Puyuan Poetry Gathering hadn't invited all unmarried young misses but basically couples bringing family members. Though partly separated, everyone slightly observed etiquette. But walking around nearby, couples could always meet and talk, and Su Tan'er accompanied that Wu family lady to the boat's rail looking at those lights on shore. The other's husband also walked over—the Wu family ran Jiangning's largest cloth store. Both sides knew each other from before, and after exchanging greetings and chatting about cloth-related information, Su Tan'er originally wanted to avoid suspicion and let the couple first say some intimate words. Her vision shifted—Xue Jin and several other young masters also came over waving folding fans, having changed out of merchant-like clothing for scholar attire with scholar caps. At this time with the evening breeze blowing, they seemed to have several parts of the bearing of feather fans and silk scarves—oh, folding fans and silk scarves.

Xue Jin had shown off somewhat tonight. He'd just written a moon-praising poem that everyone sang in harmony, counting among the most presentable poems of tonight's Puyuan Poetry Gathering, and walking over at this time, that Wu family man cupped his hands and smiled: "Brother Xue's great talent—tonight I fear you'll gain Miss Qilan's favor. Congratulations."

That Qilan was one of the famous courtesans around Qinhuai these years, selling art not body, praised as having both talent and beauty. She had some relationship with the Pu family, so could be invited this time, and she would choose poems she liked from the evening to sing a few songs. Of course she also had prepared programs herself, but the several poems she chose to sing often were the most outstanding of a certain stage of the poetry gathering.

The operations here were complex, not purely determined by talent alone, though talent could indeed determine most of it. Xue Jin's poem itself was good, with family background too, so the possibility of being treated as the finale was great. If he received favor here, in the following months he'd probably also have opportunities to get close to that Miss Qilan, being invited to banquets or discussing poetry and literature. This was very prestigious. If he could further get Miss Qilan in hand, break her body and take her into his rooms, that would further prove his ultimate achievement of masculine charm.

The Qinhuai River flowing for several hundred years, such stories happened every year, always becoming popular topics for longer or shorter times. Men in such topics naturally showed off completely. Afterward reporting their names, others would also envy them as romantic talented scholars, their reputation resounding several degrees louder.

Being praised at this time, Xue Jin naturally made a show of modesty as the Wu family lady beside them also smiled: "Young Master Xue's poem, even I felt somewhat moved hearing it." Su Tan'er also liked that poem and spoke several words of praise. Actually everyone carrying sedan chairs—for those truly familiar, like this Wu family woman, like Su Tan'er, all understood the other's poems were mostly bought from some famous master to show off.

Xue Jin smiled happily, making more modest remarks. Both sides conversed a while. That Xue Jin said: "Too bad Brother Ning didn't come. Otherwise seeing such grand occasion, he'd definitely have fine works emerge..."

Su Tan'er frowned slightly. Several people here seemed to be talking excitedly when a middle-aged Pu family member as host also walked over. This person was the Pu family head's younger brother, named Puyang Yu, who'd passed the provincial examinations in early years and had some talent himself. He himself walked about everywhere entertaining everyone, and at this time he smiled and inserted into the topic, asking what everyone was discussing. Xue Jin explained, saying Su Tan'er's husband Ning Yi had originally prepared to come, but unfortunately caught a cold these few days—very regrettable. Otherwise with Ning Yi's talent and such and such.

"I think not necessarily. I heard that Ning Yi though he studied several years, is merely mediocre. Coming or not is all the same." Someone spoke from behind.

Xue Jin smiled and turned back: "Brother Feng, you mustn't speak randomly. Brother Ning's bearing and manner, I've also seen. The Su family searched thousands to select before choosing Brother Ning..."

That Su Tan'er's husband Ning Yi had no talent—the Wu family people with some friendship with Su Tan'er knew this. So in their earlier conversation, though they'd also asked about Ning Yi's health, they wouldn't touch on poetic literary talent and such. Watching the other's performance at this time, the two Wu family people naturally also understood Xue Jin's thoughts. Xue Jin had previously pursued Su Tan'er, proposing unsuccessfully, harboring some resentment and playing some tricks—honestly, the performance had no technical content, but the effect wouldn't be discounted. If this continued being said, who could guarantee tomorrow these small circles wouldn't spread talk about Su Tan'er marrying a good-for-nothing. That Wu family woman signaled her husband, wanting him to intercept slightly, but the man saw it and hesitated a moment, not knowing what he was thinking. Su Tan'er smiled slightly and was about to speak when Xiao Chan popped out from beside her.

"Yes, Young Master writes poems very well." She'd originally been playing and eating with Juan'er and Xing'er, holding a pastry planning to repeat Ning Yi's magic trick but bungled it, and the pastry also fell on the ground. Then the three also noticed the situation here, and Juan'er and Xing'er said that Xue family young master harbored ill intentions. Chan'er thought, then came over at this time: "Young Master even wrote a poem tonight."

When the little maid said this, both Xue Jin over there and Su Tan'er here froze, and after a moment, Xue Jin then laughed: "Oh, Brother Ning also has a great work emerging? Too good. Just right to bring out for everyone to observe."

He appeared pleasantly surprised and frank, though actually he'd already laughed open inside. What talent that Ning Yi had, he'd long inquired about. Reading so many years, he could write poems, but what they'd become when written, that was hard to say—at this time he only thought that Xiao Chan didn't understand appreciation. If handling the previous situation, perhaps several people would speak idle words, but actually not very meaningful. But if a poor poem was truly brought out for everyone to "evaluate," what effect would that have? That would completely confirm it.

"Mm, alright." Xiao Chan nodded, digging out that folded paper from her clothes, chattering: "In the evening Young Master wasn't feeling well and wanted to hear Xiao Chan sing, so Xiao Chan brought the poetry book for Young Master to choose one. But Young Master said he didn't really like those, so he wrote one himself. Here, it's this one. Xiao Chan copied it down..."

Didn't really like those, so wrote one himself... Such arrogance that both Su Tan'er and Puyang Yu beside them frowned. Only Xue Jin smiled even more brilliantly and sincerely as Xiao Chan spoke, handing the paper to Su Tan'er whose expression showed undecided doubt. Su Tan'er looked at the rice paper, confirming there were indeed characters, then looked at Xiao Chan before formally turning back to the rice paper. Her lips parted slightly, silently reciting the characters on it while reading.

Halfway through reciting, the speed of her slightly parted lips slowed as the expression in her eyes gradually became complex. Finally settling, she looked at Xiao Chan once more before returning to continue silently reciting the poem on that paper while ahead Xue Jin smiled, craning his neck to peek. Though he couldn't see, he was still very happy...

What use was silent recitation? You still have to bring it out for everyone to see anyway. When the time comes I'll help you recite it. Ha!

As if a prank had succeeded, he thought happily.

A moment later, great fireworks rose from one side of the boat, and amid the magnificent flames, Su Tan'er then passed out those lyrics.

"Please, Uncle Puyang, evaluate..."

Puyang Yu had already seen the clues and at this time nodded and smiled. He extremely liked this Su family young miss who appeared gentle but actually didn't yield to men—even if the family had taken in a live-in husband without much talent, that was also common. Instead that Xue Jin was rash and mean, making people dislike him, so he immediately decided even if the poem wasn't good, he'd still say several good words, trying his best to smooth things over. He received the poem and lowered his head to look, already thinking in his heart exactly what evaluation to use.

Fireworks rose as others waited for his first comment. Xue Jin smiled refined and elegant, cultured and modest, while Su Tan'er glanced at him, her gaze falling back on the paper in Puyang Yu's hands. Gently, she bit her lower lip.

Amid the flickering flames, the light in her eyes was complex beyond words...

Dear readers, Banana here requests lots of recommendation votes ^_^

(End of Chapter)