Some things, if not noticed, would be fine. But the more one paid attention, the more thoughts arose, and certain impressions became increasingly profound.

She was a formidable woman.

Lights flickered and swayed as music flowed across the stage amid ethereal dancing. Gu Yanzhen watched the scene over there and made an assessment of the woman who was probably called Su Tan'er.

Having inquired about Ning Liheng's information earlier, he naturally knew he was a live-in son-in-law who had married into a merchant family. He hadn't had much concept of his wife before, but looking now, a silhouette gradually formed in his mind. This silhouette was quite clear, because the image the other party displayed truly left a deep impression on him.

At first glance, it might just seem like a beautiful and graceful wife sitting with her husband watching a play. Some refined young ladies from prestigious families with good upbringing and broad knowledge could also have such an image and bearing. But what caught Gu Yanzhen's attention wasn't just this point—it was the scene when this couple interacted with others.

Those who came to speak with them almost all chose to face Ning Yi's wife first. The ignorant Su brothers he'd seen before, as well as others coming and going, all spoke with the wife first before paying attention to the husband. This Ning Liheng had just helped the Su brothers out of trouble at the Literary Ink Building the other day, yet when they came over, they still cared first about Su Tan'er. This woman's formidability could be seen from this.

In this aspect, Gu Yanzhen was quite confident in his ability to judge people. Many past events had more or less proven this insight of his. In this world, for a woman to be formidable was very difficult. To restrain this formidable side to the current degree, seamlessly blending an apparently gentle temperament with that strength—that was even more admirable. Looking at the harmonious atmosphere over there, it was obviously this woman directing everything. On one hand maintaining her own presence and others' attention, on the other hand cleverly considering the man beside her, not letting him become completely ornamental. Her methods were truly refined to the extreme.

This is a woman... Gu Yanzhen thought about these things. If such a man had become his opponent and won Yunzhu's heart, he might truly have to accept it wholeheartedly. But relatively speaking, the ornamental man beside such a strong and excellent woman...

He couldn't focus on this matter too long, occasionally chatting with those beside him, applauding and such. In the first round of performances, the four leading courtesans all behaved properly, each performing to their strengths and characteristics. Luo Miaomiao's colored silk dance was splendid and magnificent, Yuan Jin'er's dance was nimble and lively, Feng Xiaojing's Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix dance remained dignified and grand. Finally, Qilan's ancient-style dance recreating Confucius asking the Way of Laozi, with ink-colored robes and wide sleeves, had an ethereal charm. Dancing gracefully, it truly had the feeling of lingering ink fragrance, bringing her scholarly aura to its peak.

Among the four, Gu Yanzhen actually didn't particularly like Luo Miaomiao. Her singing and dancing were splendid and magnificent, giving great first impression impact, but actually lacked depth, incomparable to the composure of the other three. Choosing her initially was actually because of the matter with Yunzhu. This colorful dance style was actually easy to write poetry about. For him it was just a perfunctory attitude. After this dance finished, he originally wanted to write a poem, but for some reason, after glancing at Ning Yi's side, he ultimately didn't write it. Instead he called the person responsible for registering flower counts and bought five hundred flowers for Luo Miaomiao.

Five hundred flowers meant five hundred taels of silver—quite a large expense for him. But since he didn't write poetry, he simply gave them all at once. Soon after came the time for acknowledgments. Some girls went up for supplementary performances. When they announced from above "Young Master Gu Yanzhen presents five hundred flowers to Lady Miaomiao," he exchanged pleasantries with those around him. On the other side, Su Tan'er also seemed to wave and call someone. The pine flower numbers on the large wooden board behind the stage kept refreshing. Amounts over one hundred flowers would be loudly announced, and then that voice was heard.

"Young Master Ning Liheng presents two thousand flowers to Lady Qilan!"

When this announcement came out, another wave of sound arose from the crowd. Two thousand flowers—this was indeed an astonishingly generous gesture. Usually such supporters would wait until after all three dances before making their move. The name Ning Liheng belonged to that somewhat mysterious "number one talent"—talented and generous, enough to become conversation material for a time no matter what. But Gu Yanzhen understood this was that woman's handiwork. To do such a thing for her live-in husband at such a venue—beneath this woman's gentle exterior, she was truly frighteningly strong and confident.

He thought of the century egg matter. He himself had only invested less than a hundred taels. Compared to this scene before him, what that Ning Liheng had done... was laughably childish.

Just as he was thinking this, Shen Miao leaned over from beside him, also looking that way: "Truly generous... Yanzhen has been watching that side for quite a while. Could it be you're truly interested in that Ning Yi's literary talent? If so, at tonight's courtesan banquet, it will truly be dragons fighting tigers—there will be a good show to watch."

Gu Yanzhen was silent for a long moment, then smiled: "Does Brother Zishan know who the man behind Yunzhu actually is?"

"Didn't we fail to find... uh?" Shen Miao reacted. "Could it be that... Ning Yi?"

"Heh, it's him."

"He... he's a live-in son-in-law."

Gu Yanzhen remained silent with an ambiguous smile. Shen Miao laughed and shook his head.

"In that case, if this matter were exposed, wouldn't we see a good show? I wonder what Yanzhen thinks?"

Gu Yanzhen looked at him for quite a while before finally sighing: "Brother Zishan, if this matter were exposed, what would happen next?"

"That couple would at minimum develop a rift. If serious, I imagine that strong merchant wife would go knocking on Miss Yunzhu's door. At that time... uh, seeing Yanzhen seems unwilling, you must still have thoughts of cherishing the fairer sex. Such magnanimous spirit is admirable."

Gu Yanzhen smiled: "I won't hide from Brother Zishan—the reason isn't actually that. Everything Brother Zishan said is correct—at minimum creating a rift, at worst going to Yunzhu's home to make a scene. But even so, even if it really became irreconcilable in the end, you and I would have watched a show. But Brother Zishan, tell me—would I obtain Yunzhu this way?"

"Uh..."

"Those who do great things don't fuss over trifles. In our conduct, we should not be confused by trivial details but face our true hearts directly. Even if I did such things, in the end I wouldn't gain anything. Instead it would spread and I'd be criticized. I disdain to do it..."

Though his words were full of pride, his tone was actually modest at this time. Shen Miao pondered for a moment and cupped his hands in acknowledgment. Gu Yanzhen smiled and changed the topic, looking toward the singing and dancing on stage and discussing it. In the flickering lights, he also glanced at Shen Miao.

Shen Zishan—just another vulgar thing. Scholarly spirit, difficult to achieve great things...

"Two thousand flowers—how generous."

When the person on stage announced Ning Liheng had sent two thousand flowers, Ning Yi also shook his head with some amusement. Amid everyone's discussion, he put on an attitude of "it has nothing to do with me"—after all, not many people really knew him. But when he turned his head, Puyang Yi was cupping his hands from over there, putting on a grateful attitude.

"I don't understand much about poetry and literature. But since she gives my husband face, I give her silver—that's all there is to it."

Su Tan'er lowered her head, her words gentle and tranquil, smiling obediently. Ning Yi naturally knew what the real reason was. He laughed a few times at this moment. The couple naturally couldn't know there was someone called Gu Yanzhen on one side of the venue watching the activity here. Meanwhile on one side of the stage, hearing the news of these two thousand flowers, Yuan Jin'er was also slightly stunned, puffing up her cheeks and glaring, then going to complain to Nie Yunzhu.

"Sister Yunzhu, he's bullying people!"

"Heh, it's clearly flowers his wife sent—what does it have to do with him?"

"I don't care. Bullying people by being rich... I won't help sell century eggs later." After sulking for a while, she pulled Nie Yunzhu toward the changing and dressing room. "Sister Yunzhu, I need to dress up again and dance better later to save face."

Though she didn't plan to compete for top courtesan in her heart, face was important and still had to be fought for.

However, since she hadn't planned to compete for top courtesan before, the arranged performances were mainly proper. Even if she got more serious now, there wasn't much that could be changed in the final result. The competition continued with magnificent singing and dancing in various styles. When the final round ended, Qilan's dance called "Mountain of Books and Sea of Ink" surpassed all others—though the Puyang family backed her, the Puyang family now most valued reputation, and Qilan's dance had clearly taken great effort. After this piece, Puyang Yi finally legitimately presented fifteen thousand flowers, sending this woman in flowing white clothes on stage to the top courtesan position.

Some people had actually already anticipated this result like Su Tan'er, but the Puyang family waiting two years to do this was considered extremely measured conduct. Those who could anticipate it basically wouldn't have major objections. Tonight's singing and dancing were also beautiful. Though slightly shorter than the previous two days, there was still a grand courtesan banquet afterward as an afterglow. This banquet was customary after the courtesan competition, hosted by the Prefect with the four leading courtesans accompanying, thanking everyone who had given various support to the courtesan competition over the past three days. The four leading courtesans would also prepare elaborate dances to perform. Literary and business circles would sit together, often becoming a celebrated story afterward.

Gu Yanzhen had been subconsciously searching for Nie Yunzhu's location all evening but hadn't found her. Not until going to the banquet with Shen Miao did he inadvertently see a figure on the side of that hall. That figure was dressed as a servant, probably mixed among the servants, hiding behind trees outside the hall as if expecting something. Too familiar with this figure, Gu Yanzhen recognized her at a glance.

After entering the banquet, he suddenly understood what that figure was expecting while waiting outside.

"I didn't expect... Miss Yunzhu to have brought her business here so quickly..."

Shen Miao sighed slightly. At this courtesan banquet, on every table's center were placed some peeled century eggs with marbled patterns, crystal clear. Over these two months, though the century egg business had been continuously expanding, Nie Yunzhu's side had remained low-key, hiring some people to help. But besides satisfying supply to various restaurants, there hadn't been many new moves. It seemed starting from this evening, she was finally ready to expand the business.

That woman—if in the past she came to such banquets, she would at least be an honored guest. Even if she didn't compete for top courtesan and kept a low profile, she would actually have the feeling of being admired by all. Yet now she was actually hiding outside like a servant for such things, watching the people inside exchanging toasts, expecting such small business... I wonder if she's seen me now...

He suddenly remembered this afternoon's matter again. He hadn't cared much about those century eggs originally—less than a hundred taels of business seemed boring. But seeing that expectant expression now, he couldn't help but laugh. What a coincidence—he wondered how she would feel tomorrow when the beginning she'd worked so hard to create with full joyful expectation became someone else's wedding dress¹.

I, Gu Yanzhen, don't care about such pitiful petty revenge... he told himself. But encountering it by such coincidence was still interesting.

So he smiled at Shen Miao: "This thing looks interesting. Actually the process probably isn't that complex. It's been several months now too. I'll bet Brother Zishan ten taels of silver—within half a month, there will definitely be imitations of these century eggs on the market. She's put in great effort, but I fear in the end it will be making wedding clothes for others... The marketplace is like a battlefield, not so simple."

Theoretically this bet would only need to wait until tomorrow to win. To lose would definitely require half a month's proof. The two chatted and laughed as they sat down, then didn't take this matter to heart. However, as if some existence in the unseen world had long ago strangled this statement, merely a quarter hour later, Gu Yanzhen somewhat gloomily discovered he had lost these ten taels of silver ahead of time...