Xu Yuandao, however, did not take it seriously and said, "Go and try it quickly, otherwise someone will get there before you."
Chang Lili didn't know why she wanted to try it; she just wanted to watch the excitement. But when Xu Yuandao said that, she was pushed forward in a daze. Xu Yuandao said from behind, "Young master, I've got it."
It's not surprising that someone could do it; there are plenty of people who want to try. A few scholars nearby glanced at Chang Lili, then continued rubbing their foreheads and looking at the slip of paper in their hands. They didn't think that this refined young master could match Bai Cha's couplet.
Only one maid came and took the note from Chang Lili's hand, leaving her with a white camellia wreath.
Chang Lili looked at the little white flower on her wrist, then at Xu Yuandao, and asked, "Will it work?"
Xu Yuandao said, "Alright."
Putting aside whether Bai Cha would find the couplet offensive, even if it actually worked, what would she do? Marry Bai Cha?
Moreover, she doesn't really want Bai Cha and Meng Yuxiu to meet right now.
Chang Lili looked at Meng Yuxiu's friend beside her and said, "By the way, do you know about Bai Cha and Meng Yuxiu?"
Xu Yuandao looked surprised and asked, "What is it?"
Chang Lili said nonchalantly, "Don't you know? I heard that there's a gold belt belonging to General Meng at Bai Cha."
Whether it was her sour tone or what she was talking about, Xu Yuandao laughed out loud and said, "Who told you that?"
"Could it be fake? Impossible, how could a fake fool the governor?"
Xu Daoyuan asked mysteriously, "Why don't you ask him directly?"
"I don't care."
Chang Lili said nonchalantly, glancing at the second floor where she could vaguely see the graceful figure of a beauty. She silently gritted her teeth, staring at the small white flower in her hand, thinking that if it were true, she would... ride back to the capital!
Just as Xu Yuandao was about to speak, he suddenly caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye, his expression stiffened, and he asked, "Have you ever been exposed?"
"No, what's wrong?"
Meng Yuxiu was particularly cautious and always had people planted around him. Today, some of his people went to investigate. There were four people who came to Wenxiang Pavilion with him, all of whom mingled among the guests.
Upon hearing Xu Yuandao's words, Chang Lili glanced around warily and saw several people dressed as aliens go upstairs. She asked, "Do you suspect him?"
Xu Yuandao stared at the group of people, tapping his fingers on the table. He said, "It's not uncommon to see people of other races, but they hate Meng Yuxiu. We need to be careful. Is Meng Yuxiu on the second floor right now?"
Chang Lili couldn't help but worry and immediately said, "I'll go check."
He had barely taken half a step when a maidservant ran down and said, "Young master, our young lady invites you to come up."
People around: "!"
Chang Lili: "?"
Almost everyone around stopped what they were doing and looked at Chang Lili with surprise, as well as jealousy.
Chang Lili looked at Xu Yuandao in surprise. Xu Yuandao raised an eyebrow and gestured with his chin for her to follow the maid.
Chang Lili had no choice but to follow along, albeit awkwardly.
Behind them, everyone was asking, "Who is this person?"
"What's your background?"
"Has any of you seen his couplet?"
"I think I just saw something, a widow..."
When Chang Lili reached the second floor, she finally saw the stunningly beautiful Bai Cha. Upon closer inspection, she realized that Bai Cha was indeed a beauty, and even she, a woman, was somewhat moved.
Beside Bai Cha sat a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in official robes and wearing a golden crown, exuding an arrogant and imposing aura. This must be the prefect.
The prefect also saw Chang Lili and asked, "Did you write this?"
"Um."
The prefect hadn't expected that a mere scholar would be so unafraid of him, and even so humble and arrogant. He glanced at him and said, "Bai Cha said your couplet was neat, but I think it's vulgar. I have to test you."
What's the point of this exam? The person who helped Chang Lili cheat is still downstairs!
Chang Lili glanced downstairs out of the corner of her eye, but didn't see Xu Daoyuan among the people craning their necks to watch the commotion.
She thought to herself, "Meng Yuxiu, hurry up and come! If you don't come soon, I'm going to marry your confidante!"
The prefect was displeased that this young scholar was not someone he had hired and was deliberately trying to make things difficult for him. Just as he was about to ask someone to give him a test, Bai Cha, who was playing with a round fan to the side, stood up leisurely and said, "Sir, this is the one I chose. I want to test him alone. He must pass my test first, and then I will let you see how he does."
The prefect was clearly dissatisfied. He said, "This poetry gathering was originally organized for you, so naturally we should listen to you. However, this person doesn't seem to be from around here. I'm afraid he's a fraud and will waste your talent..."
"Is Your Excellency afraid that I'm in cahoots with him? Rest assured, Your Excellency, I don't know this young master. I just think his couplets are a bit too casual, and I'd like to have a private chat with him. As for the poetry gathering, if you think there are any other suitable ones, please leave them here. I'll take a look when I get back."
Bai Cha interrupted the prefect, showing no fear whatsoever, and led Chang Lili away from the second-floor railing.
Even without turning around, Chang Lili could imagine that the prefect's expression was utterly ridiculous.
This white tea is actually quite interesting.
Chang Lili followed her to the house next door. Bai Cha poured her a cup of tea and asked, "Did you write that couplet?"
Chang Lili sensed that she wouldn't like the couplet, unsure whether she was just using her to extricate herself or to mock her. She calmly took a sip of tea and said, "Does the young lady not like it?"
I saw you on the second floor.
With so many people below, how could she, an ordinary person, have caught her attention? Chang Lili raised her eyebrows slightly, but did not reply, instead holding her teacup and pondering other matters.
She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but ever since she walked into the room, something felt off.
**Quiet down?** Indeed, it became much quieter downstairs after Bai Cha invited her up to the second floor. People are probably still secretly discussing who she is.
It smells so good!
Chang Lili usually deals with weapons and rarely wears cosmetics, so she is not familiar with the smell of soft, fragrant cosmetics and is indeed a little unaccustomed to it at first.
But this is a brothel, and even the streets outside are filled with the scent of cosmetics.
What exactly is wrong?
Chang Lili didn't speak, and Bai Cha continued, "Did you come with your friend?"
Chang Lili's heart skipped a beat: Could she have seen Meng Yuxiu? Where is Meng Yuxiu? Why haven't I seen him for so long?
“I know your friend.” Bai Cha stared at her face, her delicate, flower-petal-like face carrying a hint of indifference and scrutiny. “He’s General Meng’s friend. You know General Meng too? Or are you friends with him?”
It really is related to Meng Yuxiu!
Chang Lili frowned, looked up at Bai Cha, and said, "Miss, is this the question you wanted to ask?"
The moment she looked up, Chang Lili realized something was wrong!
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