176 Selection of the Oiran

Lanterns were lit on the bows of the boats, the colorful lanterns shone on the water, reflecting shadows, the shimmering water and the gentle breeze. Ruzhou has a mild climate. Even though people in the north are still wearing winter clothes, people in Ruzhou can already wear spring clothes.

Caixing helped Xiao Tingyun onto the boat that Song Shiyu had arranged in advance.

The lake is wide and deep, with dozens of small boats sailing quietly on the lake. A breeze blows by, and the bells on the bows of the boats sway slightly, making crisp sounds.

The large ship in the middle is the main body, which looks like an alternative house.

The small boat quickly approached the big ship. As the boatmen on both sides got close, they hooked ropes around it and opened the bottom plates to connect them, thus forming a bridge to the big ship.

Song Shiyu went first, and when he arrived, he extended his hand to Xiao Tingyun, the rear minister, and said, "Come."

As a result, Caixing took the lead and boarded the boat steadily, and also stretched out her hand to Xiao Tingyun, "Miss, come here."

Xiao Tingyun looked at the two hands in front of her. The slender and distinct hands were spread out in front of her. Xiao Tingyun put away her sword-like expression, reached out and held Caixing's hand, and got on the ship safely.

He smiled at Song Shiyu again, "Thank you, cousin."

Song Shiyu slowly withdrew his empty hand and put it behind his back, smiled and shook his head with a gentle face, then slowly clenched his hands in a corner where no one was paying attention.

There was a fleeting hint of loneliness in his eyes.

"Oh! Finally I'm up!" Song Shili boarded the big ship with a quick step behind, and laughed with his hands on his hips.

He hadn't felt so lively in a long time, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Looking around with great interest.

"Tonight, Jiang Manlou's opera troupe will be performing..." Song Shili followed Xiao Tingyun and walked behind him. He looked at his elder brother and covered his mouth with his hand. He whispered to Xiao Tingyun, "And Hongdian Pavilion will select a new courtesan tonight. I heard that... all the rich young men in Ruzhou are coming!"

Oiran?

Xiao Tingyun was surprised. He had never heard of this step.

It seems to be a different kind of talent show.

However, Ruzhou does not have so many red tapes, and the courtesans here are not judged solely by their appearance. They must be good at playing the piano, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs, and have good temperament and image.

Xiao Tingyun became interested, after all, this kind of thing was rare.

Once on the big boat, the scenery of the entire lake becomes more open, and people are coming and going on the boat, all of them look wealthy.

Song Shiyu took them to his own cabin. The sounds of chatting and drinking from next door were faintly audible. When he opened the windows and doors, the sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras were particularly pleasant.

"Ayun, would you like some plum blossom wine?" Song Shili asked someone to bring some snacks and fruits, as well as a pot of freshly warmed wine.

"This wine was given to you by Master Shanyue as an apology."

Xiao Tingyun was surprised, "Apologize to me?"

Song Shili was also very surprised. "Originally, my elder brother was going to find Shanyue Bookstore to take down your portrait, but it was taken down before he could tell you. Their manager also gave you a lot of things as an apology. I think the things have been sent back home."

It was the first time for Song Shiyu and Song Shili to see Master Shanyue lower his head, and they could not figure out the reason after thinking about it.

"Didn't Big Brother ask?"

Song Shiyu shook his head. "He has been in Ruzhou for so many years, and his relationship with everyone is superficial. I have only chatted with him for a few words."

That Master Shan Yue was indeed a talented and well-educated man, and he acted unruly. He had a powerful backer behind him, and no one knew his origins.

"Why bother with this kind of thing? It's enough if he can take him down. I don't want to be treated like a monkey by the entire Ruzhou city." Xiao Tingyun said helplessly.

"Hahahaha..." Song Shiyu and Song Shili burst into laughter.

"Cousin, you... are most afraid of becoming famous, but your fame is not inferior to that of Master Shanyue, otherwise how could everyone recognize you at the first sight." Song Shili joked with his big teeth bared.

Xiao Tingyun was so angry that he glared at him and said threateningly, "Second cousin, do you think you are not famous enough? I can help you, cousin!"

Don’t offend anyone, especially women. Song Shili shook his head awkwardly.

"Okay, Ayun, don't be angry. You must be hungry. Eat something first." Song Shiyu poured Xiao Tingyun a glass of plum wine, and then carefully cut her favorite roasted lamb and placed it in front of her.

"Try it first and see how it tastes?"

Xiao Tingyun curved his eyes and said, "Thank you, cousin."

He took a sip of the plum wine first. It tasted sweet and mild, with a light aroma. Xiao Tingyun's eyes lit up, "Delicious!"

Song Shiyu smiled gently and said, "Even if you like it, don't drink too much. Although this wine tastes very light at first, it has a strong aftertaste."

"If you ask me, you won't get drunk even if you drink another jar of this wine. But Ayun, you should drink less. It seems that you are still as thin as before. Did you not eat well in Kyoto?" Song Shili stuffed a mouthful of mutton into his mouth and asked her worriedly.

After all, although we often exchanged letters to learn about each other's recent situation, each letter only reported good news and not bad news.

I didn't know why he suddenly came back this time, and when I asked my grandfather, no one told me.

Xiao Tingyun felt warm in his heart. This is what family feels like, caring about you all the time. "Of course I eat well, and what girl likes to be chubby?"

"You girls are like this. If you eat one more bite, you'll be like nothing. Miss Zhou..."

Song Shili paused as he spoke, "All the women around here are like this!"

Xiao Tingyun raised his eyebrows, "Miss Zhou?"

"Where is the Miss Zhou?!" Song Shili was so angry that he gulped down the wine in one gulp!

Xiao Tingyun and Song Shiyu smiled at each other.

"The lights are shining brightly, and the atmosphere is filled with fragrance. Ladies and gentlemen, with such a beautiful view, why don't you raise your glasses to celebrate?"

"good!"

"The beautiful woman is reflected in the bright lights of the fragrant boat. Let's get drunk if we want. Hahahaha..."

"Hongdian Pavilion will select the most beautiful lady tonight. All of our ten upper rooms with the character "A" are guests personally invited by Hongdian Pavilion. You can throw the cards and other guests can also participate in the selection based on their numbers. I hope everyone can enjoy the show!"

When Xiao Tingyun had almost finished eating, the selection of the courtesan was about to begin.

The design of this ship is very interesting, with several floors of cabins and a large stage in the middle. If people inside don't tell you, they would think they are in a theater.

The boat swayed slightly in the water, and the fragrance of the warm wind wafted into his nose, but it was not pungent and Xiao Tingyun could barely bear it.

There were no incense burners in their room, but there were a few plates of fruits, which made it look very fresh.

Xiao Tingyun suddenly remembered that their room was also of Class A, "We have to vote too?"

Song Shili nodded, "Yes!"

"This room has the best view. Sitting here, you can see everything clearly."

But why would they be allowed to vote for no reason?

Xiao Tingyun thought so and asked.

Song Shiyu explained, "This voting is not just a vote. One vote is worth one hundred taels. They select the courtesan for five rounds, and you have to vote in each round. The one with the most votes wins. Of course, the guests with the A-level will invite the courtesan to perform a show, either chess, calligraphy, painting, or poetry. In short, it takes one hour."

"So, we have to spend five hundred taels tonight?" Xiao Tingyun was stunned. "This is not a small amount!"

"If grandfather knew that we spent our money on selecting the most beautiful woman, he would break our legs, right?" Xiao Tingyun suddenly had a bad feeling.