Many people just stood around, and some asked, "What is this?"
"This is a rolled noodle, ten coins each. Would you like one? You can take it and eat it."
Gradually, some young people bought it to try, and after tasting it, they found it to be quite delicious. Word spread quickly, and soon many people came to try it.
Gu Nanjiao gave Lu's mother a few instructions and then said to Lu Yanzhao, "Today you and your younger sister will help Mother."
Lu Yanzhao glanced at Gu Nanjiao: "Where are you going?"
"I have a lot to do today. I need to go to Lü Siniang's place. Jiaoniang Pavilion is going to do some promotion today."
After giving her instructions, Gu Nanjiao walked towards Lü Siniang's stall.
Lu Siniang's stall was already set up, and Liu Shi came over to help. Wen Zhang and Zhang Xiaohu were also there. The two children were holding pens and said in a serious tone that someone had placed an order and they could help record it.
The Pear Blossom Fairy competition is about to begin, and Lü Siniang and Gu Nanjiao had previously discussed finding some models to participate, mainly to promote the clothing of Jiaoniang Pavilion. Lü Siniang was efficient. The models she found all had slender shoulders and graceful waists. They wore veils that were partially hidden, adding to their mystery and allure. Their faces ensured that the clothes wouldn't be overlooked.
The girls, dressed in flowing, fairy-like clothes, had already attracted a large crowd even before the selection process began.
"Are these the girls who are competing to become the Pear Blossom Fairy?"
"Yes, I think they will definitely be selected. Look at their clothes, how beautiful they are! They look like fairies when they wear them."
"Indeed, I've never seen such a novel and beautiful style of clothing before. And I must say, it really is beautiful."
Seeing the positive reaction from the crowd, Gu Nanjiao cleared her throat and announced loudly, "Everyone, the clothes these girls are wearing are all custom-made by our Jiaoniang Pavilion. They will represent our Jiaoniang Pavilion in the Pear Blossom Fairy competition, so please give them your support."
The selection ceremony for the Pear Blossom Fairy is about to begin.
The event started with a dance performance, followed by music and singing, before the real election began.
The girls participating in the election went on stage in groups of ten, waving their sleeves and performing their talents.
The women that Lü Siniang recruited were all poor peasant girls who had no special talents. She only required good figures; looks didn't matter, so they wore veils, creating an air of mystery.
Gu Nanjiao was a little worried. If she went on stage, she would be eliminated in the first round, and then there would be no chance to show off her clothes.
After thinking about it, the Pear Blossom Festival is a cultural birthplace, so having everyone recite a line or two of poetry about pear blossoms should be considered a talent show.
Gu Nanjiao racked her brains and finally came up with a few lines of poetry about pear blossoms. She told the participating girls to each recite a couple of lines when they performed their talents, which would be enough to fool them.
Finally, it was the girls' turn to go on stage. When it came to the talent show, the first girl thought for a moment and said, "Suddenly, like a spring breeze overnight, thousands of pear trees bloom." Then the second girl twirled on the stage, showing off her skirt, and continued, "The lonely courtyard is quiet as spring draws to a close, pear blossoms cover the ground, and the door remains closed."
The third line reads: "Pear blossoms are pale white, willows are deep green, and when willow catkins fly, flowers fill the city."
These three sentences were all Gu Nanjiao could think of; that was her limit.
The girls who followed had no more poetry to recite. They simply circled the stage a few more times, displayed their clothes to their heart's content, and then went offstage.
Gu Nanjiao was surprised to find that Wang Fu had also come to participate in the election.
They'll be the grand finale.
Without a doubt, Wang Fu deserved the title of Pear Blossom Fairy.
It seems her father is indeed very wealthy; no matter how talented the contestants are, the final selection is predetermined. I heard last year's Pear Blossom Fairy was the county magistrate's daughter. Whether in modern or ancient times, one's father is always important—either powerful or wealthy.
Gu Nanjiao and the others didn't really expect to be selected as the Pear Blossom Fairy; they just wanted to take this opportunity to promote Jiaoniang Pavilion.
Wang Fu immediately spotted Gu Nanjiao in the crowd; the group of girls that Lü Siniang had found were dressed too conspicuously. Standing together, their elegant and beautiful appearance drew attention.
She never expected that this village woman would actually ask someone to participate in the selection of the Pear Blossom Fairy. She clearly had no talent, but she insisted on reciting a few pretentious poems.
Wang Fu raised his hand, and a maidservant hurriedly stepped forward. Supported by the maidservant, Wang Fu slowly descended the stage and came to Gu Nanjiao's side, mocking, "I really didn't expect that you, who are too ashamed to participate in the selection, would invite so many young ladies, thinking that reciting a few pretentious poems would win you the prize. How laughable!"
A maidservant interjected arrogantly, "That's right, in the end, wasn't it my young lady who got the title of Pear Blossom Fairy!"
Gu Nanjiao glanced at Lü Siniang, pretending not to hear, and asked, "Did you hear anything barking?"
Lu Siniang readily agreed, "I heard two dogs wagging their tails and showing off."
Wang Fu, who was standing to the side, was immediately enraged: "You filthy woman, who are you talking about?"
Gu Nanjiao said coldly, "Whoever answers, that's who we'll talk about."
"Do you know that I am the Pear Blossom Fairy today? How dare you be so rude?"
Gu Nanjiao chuckled softly: "The requirements for being selected as the Pear Blossom Fairy are beauty, kindness, and elegant speech. And you? Tsk tsk tsk, you keep calling me a slut. I really want to know how you got selected." After saying that, Gu Nanjiao glanced at the crowd and slightly curled her lips: "Don't you all agree?"
"Exactly, I really don't know how they were chosen."
"I will never participate in the election again. It's pointless. How could someone like this be chosen as the Pear Blossom Fairy?"
"Who knows how much money his family gave him? He actually accepted bribes."
"This is so boring. This pear blossom festival is really pointless. Let's go."
Those around were indignant, never expecting that such an uncivilized person would be this year's Pear Blossom Fairy.
"I protest! What kind of people were chosen?"
"that is…"
Wang Fu panicked instantly, staggered a few steps, and his fingers trembled slightly: "You... Gu Nanjiao, you actually incited them to protest?"
Gu Nanjiao raised an eyebrow: "Don't you know how you got chosen? Do you need me to incite you? If you don't get out of here, you really won't be able to keep your position as the Pear Blossom Fairy."
The maidservant next to her stepped forward again, angrily pointing at Gu Nanjiao: "Don't talk nonsense! My young lady was clearly chosen based on her own abilities!"
Gu Nanjiao looked directly at Wang Fu, slowly walked towards her and whispered in her ear, her breath sweet as orchids: "Your every move might have been seen by Young Master Bai, should I call him?"
Wang Fu's face paled instantly, and he asked in a panicked voice, "Where...where is he?"
Gu Nanjiao chuckled softly: "If you don't leave, he really will see it."
Wang Fu fled in disarray.
Thanks to the hype created by the girls of Jiao Niang Pavilion, many people came to ask which clothing shop produced such beautiful clothes, with flowing sleeves, making them look like fairies.
Many students were captivated by the poem and inquired about the author, hoping to learn more about it.
At that moment, Lu Yanzhao happened to come looking for Gu Nanjiao.
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