Chapter 15 Springtime Scenery in the Spring Pavilion
The first place went to Xiang Ruzhen, but the second place did not go to Lu Jinlan.
The three searched from top to bottom, and finally Lu Jinlan's name appeared in the eleventh position. A small note followed: "This student caused trouble in the examination room, with a very negative impact; therefore, he/she was admitted as the last-place student as punishment."
Lu Jinlan gritted her teeth. This ranking was truly speechless. You could say it's unfair, but they said there were reasons for their actions. You could say it's fair, but there are so many people ahead of her who aren't as good as her. She'd tried everything, yet she'd ended up in last place again.
Zuo Sui patted her shoulder hard, "Jinlan, you must hold on."
Lu Jinlan pretended to be nonchalant and said, "So what? It's just last place. Anyway, I passed the exam, so I don't care. Sui Zhi, you should also take it easy. If this place doesn't want me, there are plenty of other places that will."
Zuo Suizhi: "I can take it easy, after all, not many people are talking about me. But you... I heard that a few storytellers saw the list and have already gone back to write your stories."
Ah! No wonder it triggered the "Make a Name for Yourself" achievement.
The storyteller embellished her story, and soon the whole capital knew about her deeds.
Lu Jinlan sighed helplessly, "It's come to this, there's nothing I can do. I'll just do my own thing and let others talk."
Xiang Ruzhen and Yan Wuxin both gave a thumbs up, "Sisters, you're so open-minded!"
Lu Jinlan chuckled; they should still have fun. She boarded the carriage with everyone and headed straight for Yan Wuxin's estate in the suburbs.
School starts in three days; those three days are plenty of time for everyone to have fun.
With nineteen out-of-town examinees and Yan Wuxin, a local, there were twenty young people gathered together, making it extremely lively.
The first day was spent reciting poetry, drinking, chatting, and galloping on horseback; the second day was spent touring the capital and traveling with friends. While others were enthusiastic, Yan Wuxin, who had played these traditional activities since childhood, was already tired of them. On the evening of the second day, she started thinking about trying something more creative.
*
Lu Jinlan had just taken a shower and was about to log into her class in the system before going to sleep when Yan Wuxin knocked on the door and came in.
"Change into some nice clothes, and I'll take you to a nice place."
Lu Jinlan assumed it was some kind of stargazing or firefly-catching activity and, without suspecting anything, changed her clothes and got into the carriage. Once the carriage started moving, she asked curiously, "Aren't we going to call Ruzhen?"
Yan Wuxin: "Can this be called Ruzhen? She keeps saying that the sage said form is emptiness, and that the sage said emptiness is form. Yesterday she even advised me to send away all those servants and marry a proper husband to live a good life. If I asked her to do something like this, she wouldn't come, and she would just scold me."
Lu Jinlan felt increasingly uneasy. "Where are we going?"
"Fengchun Pavilion, tonight Fengchun Pavilion is holding its annual Hwarang (Hall of Flowers) selection. You and I are among the most dashing figures in the capital. When it comes to appreciating male beauty, who can compare to us? If we don't go, what good ones can those mediocre and shallow people choose?"
When Yan Wuxin said this, a proud gleam flashed in his eyes, full of confidence.
Lu Jinlan, however, felt inexplicably resistant. "Um... I didn't bring any money, so let's forget about it."
"Oh, I brought it. It's on me tonight."
"No, it's not about whether or not to invite them..."
When the carriage arrived at the entrance of Fengchun Tower, Yan Wuxin was still trying to persuade him: "Let's just go in and take a look. If there's nothing you like, we'll turn around and come out."
Just as Lu Jinlan was about to say something, a new notification popped up from the system.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have triggered a new mission—visiting a brothel."
Alright, no need to resist now. Lu Jinlan resignedly straightened her clothes. "Okay, let's go in and take a look."
Watching Lu Jinlan stride away, Yan Wuxin clicked his tongue and said, "You're such a hypocrite."
*
Tonight, Fengchunlou was packed with distinguished guests, filled with the sounds of music and the clinking of glasses, creating a lively atmosphere. Even so, the arrival of the two still caused a stir.
"Whose young lady is this? The young man is so dashing and elegant, what a fine air he has!"
As soon as the two stood there, the proprietress immediately greeted them with a beaming smile, saying as if they were old friends, "Why are you two so late? All the private rooms are full. Waiter, please check if there are any seats available."
Upon hearing this, Lu Jinlan quickly whispered to Yan Wuxin, "It's alright if there are no seats, but we're already somewhat famous. What if someone sees us..."
She meant that it would damage her reputation if people saw her frequenting brothels, but Yan Wuxin misunderstood her meaning.
She assumed Lu Jinlan was unhappy with the treatment, so she deliberately made a scene, put one foot on the stool, and shouted, "The most talented woman in the capital has graced us with her presence, and you treat her so poorly? Husband, do you even know how to do business?"
Upon hearing this, the crowd suddenly fell silent and all turned to look at them, making Lu Jinlan feel extremely uncomfortable.
The shopkeeper was stunned for a moment, then his surprise turned to delight. "Could it be... that you are Lu Jinlan, the most talented and romantic woman of this year?"
Yan Wuxin flicked his folding fan and shook it. "My surname is Yan."
The shopkeeper's eyes widened. "You're Yan Wuxin?"
This time, Yan Wuxin was stunned. "This is my first time visiting your house. Do you know me?"
The proprietress laughed and said, “Yan Wuxin and Xiang Ruzhen, let’s drink! This poem, ‘Bring in the Wine,’ originated from your Yan family. Now, even three-year-olds in the capital can recite it. You two also displayed your talents in the examinations, and your loyalty to your friends was truly admirable. Such tales are praised by everyone in the streets and alleys. Who doesn’t know? You are young heroes who have become famous overnight, and countless men throughout the country are captivated by you. I never expected that you two would deign to grace my humble abode with your presence. How fortunate I am to have you two visit my little Fengchun Tower!”
As the boss spoke, he tugged at Lu Jinlan's sleeve, as if afraid she would leave.
His eyes lit up as he showered the entire cart with praise, repeatedly urging the waiter to add a table on the second floor. He personally led them upstairs and immediately ordered the musicians to change the tune, "Play 'Bring in the Wine'!"
"We at Fengchunlou have composed the tunes for 'Bring in the Wine' and 'Spring River Flower Moon Night.' We would appreciate your feedback, ladies."
Yan Wuxin happily agreed, his chin practically pointing to the sky. Lu Jinlan, however, was filled with mixed emotions. She knew she had gained some fame recently, but she hadn't expected it to reach the point of being a household name. It was conceivable that news of her visiting a brothel tonight would inevitably spread, and her reputation as a womanizer would likely be impossible to shake off.
Well, I can't let this empty reputation go to waste.
Lu Jinlan steeled her resolve and strode upstairs. Along the way, people would occasionally bow to them, and Lu Jinlan would nod slightly, then bow to those around her before sitting down as a gesture of return.
Yan Wuxin nudged her shoulder smugly, “Tonight’s guests include many high-ranking officials and nobles, and the people of Shenjing are very xenophobic. The fact that they are so respectful to you, a talented woman from Yunzhou, means you’ve made a name for yourself in the capital.”
Lu Jinlan glanced at her indifferently and said sarcastically, "Then should I thank you for making me famous?"
Yan Wuxin chuckled, “A fine article should be shared. Such a masterpiece has shaken the literary world of Huaguo. How can I keep it to myself?”
Lu Jinlan took a sip of tea and remained silent.
Yan Wuxin suddenly said, "You don't blame me, do you?"
"Um."
"I wasn't talking about spreading poems and essays."
Lu Jinlan asked, puzzled, "Is there anything else?"
Yan Wuxin pursed his lips, looking rather guilty, and said, "That day in the examination hall, I... I was slow, you don't blame me, do you?"
"Oh, you mean that matter?" Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "It's all thanks to you for bringing the dean here in time, otherwise who knows how things would have turned out."
Yan Wuxin sighed, "Actually, I should have stood up much earlier. I admit I was scared at first. I've never seen anything like this before. When you stood up, my mind went blank, and I thought of a lot of random things, which wasted time. Sigh, it's really strange. The capital is full of hidden talents, but I've never respected anyone except my mother and sister since I was a child. You and Ruzhen are the most special people I've ever met."
Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "No need to say anything. I know your difficulties. You are among a group of candidates from Shenjing. Even if you don't help either side, I won't blame you."
Yan Wuxin smiled helplessly, "I already feel guilty for being late. If I don't help either side, how can I be worthy of being your friend? I promise you, no matter what happens in the future, I will stand with you immediately without hesitation."
As they were talking, the music stopped, and the boss's husband officially began the Hwarang election.
He clapped his hands, and ten handsome and talented young men walked onto the stage one by one, singing or dancing, trying their best to show off their charm.
The first young master made a striking entrance, singing and dancing as he came on stage, his big, round eyes full of life.
Yan Wuxin looked at Huanxi and asked, "What do you think of Number One?"
Lu Jinlan: "It's alright, the singing and dancing are not bad. As for looks, they're about the same as my Qing'er's."
"Tsk tsk, what are you showing off?"
Lu Jinlan shook her head helplessly, "I'm not showing off, I just don't like this one."
"I like it. I'm just missing someone like that by my side. I'll vote for this one later. You already have Qing'er, so don't try to take her from me."
Lu Jinlan: "Qing'er and I have a master-servant relationship, not what you think."
Yan Wuxin snorted coldly, "If Qing'er doesn't like you, gouge out my eyes and use them as a snack."
Lu Jinlan was silent for a moment, then said, "Lively and docile types don't suit me. I prefer the unique."
Yan Wuxin scoffed, "What's so special about men? They're all the same when they take their clothes off."
“…” Lu Jinlan took a deep breath and was speechless for a moment.
She's been in the book for over two months now, and she's still trying to adapt.
In a daze, she thought of the white-robed gentleman she had met that day. It seemed that only someone who matched her aesthetic and possessed a unique soul could move her heart. However, Lu Jinlan was quickly proven wrong. Because someone appeared on the stage who also perfectly matched her aesthetic.
This young man was the last performer. He had a rugged appearance, a broad build, and a tall, slender figure that exuded a mature and composed air. He had a high nose bridge, a deep melancholy between his brows, and a coldness in his eyes that clashed with the fiery passion of the Fengchun Pavilion.
Lu Jinlan took a sip of tea. "This number ten is quite interesting."
Yan Wuxin glanced at it and shook his head. "Why the long face? It looks like you're unwilling. It's weird."
Lu Jinlan smiled without saying a word. In a place like this, doing this kind of job, it would be strange to be happy, right?
This young man's talent was far from ordinary singing and dancing. Holding a long sword and half a pot of wine, he slowly walked onto the stage. With a tilt of his head back, the wine flowed into his sorrowful heart, and the musicians began to play "Bring in the Wine." He then began to dance with his sword, and his beautiful swordplay immediately won cheers.
"Oh, this guy's obviously trained." Yan Wuxin's eyes changed slightly. He took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and placed them in front of Lu Jinlan. "This guy's a bit conspicuous. You'll have no shortage of competitors. See that gold ribbon wrapped around their belts? You'll have to offer the highest price to get it."
Lu Jinlan thought to herself: Anyway, it doesn't cost me any money, so I'll experience the joy of being a top-ranked fan and collect some merchandise to play with.
At that moment, she was completely unaware of the seriousness of the problem.
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