The annual Oiran Contest has always been one of the most lively events in Shengjing Prefecture, comparable to the Mid-Autumn Festival riddles and Lantern Festival lanterns. It is one of the most popular programs for scholars and ordinary people.
Before the day even arrived, many idle people came to the competition site to watch.
The Oiran Contest is held on the Jinshui River.
By the time Zhao Lin, Wang Ziyao and Su Di arrived, both banks were already filled with people, at least several thousand.
There were huge crowds of people and waving flags.
"It's quite lively." Sudi said casually.
Wang Ziyao looked at Sudi strangely and said, "Aren't you from here? Haven't you been here before?"
Sudi coughed lightly and said, "Before, my family kept me from going out, so I had no time to come and see you. Now that I've passed the imperial examination, I have time for myself."
Wang Ziyao said sympathetically, "How pitiful! Why don't you come with me to the army? It's more comfortable there."
Sudi rolled his eyes. "And then be court-martialed?"
Wang Ziyao laughed dryly.
Zhao Lin asked, "Is it forbidden? Wouldn't it delay things if other ships weren't allowed to pass?"
At this time, no boats were allowed to pass through the Jinshui River. Only a few boats participating in the top flower competition were allowed to enter.
Many porters and drivers waiting to move goods at the dock were cursing. If they didn't move goods for a day, they would lose a day's income, and if things went wrong, their wives and children at home might go hungry for a day.
The rich have wine and meat, while the poor freeze to death on the streets. This is what it means.
The Jinshui River, originally named Jinshui River, is a north-south passage. Countless grain ships and merchant ships pass through it every day. If it is not allowed to pass for one day, the river will be blocked for one day, causing losses of several million.
But who can blame the person behind this Oiran contest, who is nobody to be trifled with?
At the beginning, there were people who wanted to force their way in by relying on their unusual background, but before they could even break in, their master was grabbed by the collar and beaten.
No one dared to make trouble again from then on.
Wang Ziyao said carelessly, "Military and national affairs are not as important as the entertainment of those playboys."
After hearing this, several people nearby looked over here, and when they saw that it was three young men, they all sneered.
"You dare to say that? I'm afraid you're tired of living."
"Those organizing the Oiran Contest are really hoping someone will come out and cause some trouble to liven things up."
"Hush, that's General Wang's grandson, it's no big deal if he says a few words."
"No wonder, none of these officials are good people."
The discussions around him made Wang Ziyao embarrassed and he cursed loudly: "I didn't organize this competition, why are you scolding me? If you have the guts, go smash those flower boats."
The people around dispersed.
Zhao Lin shook his head. This Wang Ziyao really had no self-control at all. Even on the battlefield, problems would easily arise.
Zhao Lin asked, "Which one is Miss Zhu's boat?"
"The one with the big red flag."
Wang Ziyao pointed and saw that among the eight large ships on the river, there was a ship with a bright red flag hanging on it, and all kinds of strange things were carved on it.
On the big ship, Zhu Wanting just came out. She was wearing a bright red dress, like a bride about to get married. She bowed to everyone around her, then sat at the bow of the ship, where there was a zither, and began to play the zither with her slender fingers dancing.
The sound of the piano drifted across the river, and the chattering voices around immediately stopped.
"Starting already? What projects are there?" Zhao Lin asked.
Wang Ziyao said disdainfully, "What kind of events can these people compete in? They just play the piano and dance to please the guests and get chosen as the top courtesans. Once they become top courtesans, their value goes up immediately. Damn, I could still go in for a drink before, but now that I'm a top courtesan, I probably can't even afford to pay for drinks."
Zhao Lin frowned and said, "Then they just need to serve those people well. What do they need poetry for?"
Wang Ziyao grinned and said, "You don't understand this, do you? You should learn from your brother in the future. These people want to raise their status, not only do they want those nobles to say good things, but they also want those poor scholars to say good things. Those nobles are willing to spend money, but the only people who can go a few times and really show their support frequently are those scholars. Tell me, if you are a man who likes to visit brothels, would you prefer a woman of no reputation or a woman of good reputation?"
Zhao Lin nodded and said, "That's right, I'm just ignorant."
Wang Ziyao patted Zhao Lin on the shoulder and said, "You still have a lot to learn in the future."
Su Di complained, "Brother Zhao, you just need to study hard. Only useless people would study those messed-up books."
Wang Ziyao said unhappily, "You said I'm useless?"
Sudi snorted, "I didn't say a name, whoever agrees will be the one."
Wang Ziyao said angrily: "What do you know? This is called elegance, understand?"
"cut!"
Sudi's look of disdain made Wang Ziyao very unhappy, and he was ready to practice right away.
Zhao Lin didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He quickly stopped the person and said, "I'm almost done playing."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhu Wanting finished playing the piano. She stood up, bowed to everyone around her, and then turned back to the cabin. When she entered the cabin, she turned back and glanced at the shore, as if she was looking for someone.
"I'm looking for you." Wang Ziyao nudged Zhao Lin. "If you win the title of Oiran with one of my poems, maybe I can win her heart tonight."
Zhao Lin shook his head: "If I don't win the title of Oiran, it's still possible. But if I do, I won't have to go and thank the benefactor behind her, right?"
Wang Ziyao nodded and said, "That's right."
If you don't win the title of top courtesan, then there's no need to celebrate. Just do what you need to do and you'll have time to entertain guests, like Zhao Lin.
If she wins the title of the most beautiful girl, there will definitely be a celebration party or something. The first person to thank her may be Zhao Lin, but the one who thanks her with her body in the evening is the noble man who has always supported her.
This is just like how some female celebrities in previous lives won big awards, all thanks to the financial backers behind them, so shouldn’t they be grateful?
It's all the same principle.
After Zhu Wanting finished playing the piano, Yun Zhiyi was the second to appear.
She was wearing a light blue dress. After coming out, she glanced at the shore, then plucked the piano lightly with her bare hands, and the lingering sound of the piano echoed on the river.
The people around were fascinated by what they heard.
When the song was finished, everyone applauded.
"Miss Yun's piano skills are better than Miss Zhu's." Su Di said.
Zhao Lin nodded. "Indeed. If we're just competing in piano skills, Miss Zhu has no chance of winning."
People around were talking about it, and most of them were saying the same thing.
"You can't blame Miss Zhu. Miss Yun is the descendant of a criminal and was exiled to a brothel. She has been taught by famous teachers since she was young. There are not many people in the whole capital who can surpass her." Wang Ziyao said.
Zhang Fan nodded slightly. He heard someone say last time that Yun Zhiyi had a good relationship with Fu Liqing, so after the Yun family got into trouble, Fu Liqing tried every means to protect Yun Zhiyi and prevent her from being bullied.
Thinking of Fu Liqing, Zhao Lin looked towards Yun Zhiyi's Qingxuan flower boat to see if she had come out.
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