"It's Young Master Chen!"

A person's name, a tree's shadow.

As soon as the handsome young man finished speaking, the dejected scholars in the hall instantly became enthusiastic again.

Jing Zhe pointed to the handsome young man and asked a scholar in front of him, "Brother, may I ask who this young master is?"

The scholar, who was being questioned, was a little impatient, but his expression softened considerably after he turned around and saw Jing Zhe's clothes and appearance.

"Young master, you're not from around here, are you?"

"..."

After being asked this question repeatedly, Jing Zhe finally gave up. Was his status as an outsider really that obvious?

Seeing Jing Zhe nod, the scholar laughed and said, "Just as I thought! Who in Yongzhou City doesn't know the name of Young Master Chen?"

Jing Zhe nodded repeatedly, humbly seeking guidance, while the scholar spoke eloquently.

"Young Master Chen's name is Chen Jiannan, and he is the son of Master Chen, a wealthy man."

"Young Master Chen is highly talented and is known as the number one scholar in Yongzhou."

"Moreover, the Chen family is a distant relative of the current prime minister. I heard that Young Master Chen is preparing to take the imperial examination in Jingzhou this year. If he passes, he will ask for the prime minister's daughter's hand in marriage!"

"Young Master Chen is already handsome and learned; if he were to become the Prime Minister's son-in-law, his future would be limitless!"

The scholar was lavish in his praise, indicating that Chen Jiannan had a good reputation in Yongzhou City.

But for some reason, Jing Zhe didn't have a good impression of him, always feeling that this person was a bit pretentious.

Especially when he heard that he was going to marry the Prime Minister's daughter—wasn't that his older sister? Wouldn't that mean he wanted to be his brother-in-law?

Judging from how well he gets along with everyone at Chunshuilou, he must be a regular customer there. With a character like that, how can he possibly want to be his brother-in-law?

Dream on!

Jing Zhe spat and frowned in thought.

...

"Who do we have here? It's Young Master Chen!"

Lin Wenyao turned around and stared at Chen Jiannan with a gloomy expression.

"I was just disciplining these stinking scholars. What does it have to do with Young Master Chen? Does Young Master Chen intend to interfere?"

Chen Jiannan sneered, "I have been well-versed in literature since childhood and am proud of my identity as a scholar! When Young Master Lin calls someone a stinking scholar, isn't he referring to me?"

Chen Jiannan's father had served as an official in Jingzhou in his early years. He resigned and returned to his hometown when he was old. In Yongzhou, everyone who saw him would respectfully call him "Master Chen".

Moreover, the Chen family is related to the Prime Minister's family by marriage, so Chen Jiannan is naturally not afraid of a prefect's son.

After hearing Chen Jiannan's words, Lin Wenyao's face darkened even more. He remained silent for a long time before laughing again, "But what I said doesn't seem to be wrong, does it? If you have money, just give it to her. Miss Wan'er never said she wouldn't accept it. Who knows if she likes it or not?"

Before he could finish speaking and before Chen Jiannan could retort, the madam stepped out from behind the curtain.

All the scholars below the stage were tense, their hearts in their throats, fearing that Miss Wan'er would really be moved by the three hundred taels of silver, which would not only make them heartbroken but also humiliated them.

The madam glanced down, then looked at Lin Wenyao with a hint of apology, and said with a sneer, "Young Master Lin, my Wan'er asked me to thank you for your kindness, but as for the matter of going upstairs for a chat..."

She didn't continue, but it would be foolish not to understand such an obvious rejection.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"I knew it! How could Miss Wan'er be a money-loving woman?"

"If you want to win Wan'er's heart, you'll have to rely on poetry!"

"hey-hey…"

The sneers from the crowd were particularly grating to Lin Wenyao's ears. And that wasn't all. Everyone understood the principle of kicking a man when he's down, and Chen Jiannan naturally wouldn't let this opportunity pass.

"Young Master Lin, you're disappointed now, aren't you? Since you can't see Miss Wan'er, you don't need to spend the three hundred taels of silver, so you won't have to waste your money."

Chen Jiannan had a bright and cheerful face, but he was actually cunning and wicked.

It would have been better if he hadn't said it. Now that he had said it in front of everyone, how could Lin Wenyao possibly ask for it again?

"It's only three hundred taels of silver. Since I've already given it to you, I won't take it back!"

Lin Wenyao, his neck stiff and face flushed, said, "You scholars always claim to be so talented, but why can't you compose a single poem that Miss Wan'er would even like?"

The scholars remained silent. They had written poems before, but Miss Wan'er's standards were too high, and they were not satisfied.

They then turned their attention to Chen Jiannan.

...

He took a few steps up the stairs and then stopped.

That's because...

Chen Jiannan turned around, the hem of his brocade robe fluttering wildly in the cool breeze blowing in from outside, making him look even more handsome.

"I haven't done it yet!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was resounding. Chen Jiannan's gentle yet arrogant and confident demeanor attracted many women hiding in the side rooms to open their doors and peek.

"Hmph, anyone can talk big."

Lin Wenyao dismissed this with disdain.

"Because of the matter of taking the imperial examination, I have been studying hard at home recently. I never expected that such a wonderful person as Miss Wan'er would come to Chunshui Tower. Listening to your song today has made me feel very relieved."

Chen Jiannan ignored Lin Wenyao and continued, "I am itching to write a poem, and I hope Miss Wan'er will like it!"

"Whoosh!"

Upon hearing this, the scholars puffed out their chests, as if Chen Jiannan had already won, their excitement practically overflowing.

Seeing everyone's reaction, Chen Jiannan was extremely pleased with himself.

My legend is everywhere in Yongzhou City!

Today, this legend is about to add another element!

He took two steps forward, and the others quickly stepped back, as if deliberately providing him with a spacious place to show off.

When it comes to showing off, Chen Jiannan is undoubtedly a veteran.

For example, right now, he hasn't even started to put on airs yet, but the atmosphere has already been created. Now it's just a matter of seeing if he can make the act even smoother...

Chen Jiannan opened his folding fan, pretended to fan himself a few times, then suddenly stopped, snapped the fan shut in his hand, and a slight smile appeared on his face.

"The sound of the zither behind the beaded curtain disturbs my heart; as I awaken from my sweet dream, I am already anew."

Alone in my quiet chamber, I listen to the rain, feeling forlorn; then a beautiful woman appears, bringing good news.

"What a beautiful poem! What a beautiful poem!"

"As expected of Young Master Chen, this poem is truly wonderful!"

"It seems Miss Wan'er is about to make her appearance! All things considered, Miss Wan'er still values ​​scholars more!"

As soon as Chen Jiannan finished composing the poem, he started showering Lin Wenyao with flattery, and of course, he didn't forget to take a jab at Lin Wenyao.

This is understandable, after all, Chen Jiannan boosted the morale of the scholars, and his poems were not bad, so it was worth cheering for him.

Chen Jiannan smiled gently and waved to everyone, appearing very humble.

Although Lin Wenyao wasn't a talented scholar, he could still tell the quality of a poem. Chen Jiannan's family background, combined with this poem, was enough to make Miss Wan'er appear.

Taking advantage of the moment when the madam went behind the curtain, Lin Wenyao, still not giving up, prepared to annoy him again.

"I've heard that Young Master Chen is deeply in love with Prime Minister Zhu's daughter, and he's even planning to propose marriage during his trip to the capital?"

Chen Jiannan's silence was taken as tacit agreement.

"If that's the case, why would Young Master Chen want to become Miss Wan'er's lover?"

"..."

————