Sometimes, when one doesn't pay attention to something, it hardly matters. But the more you notice it, the more thoughts arise, and certain impressions become increasingly profound.
That woman is remarkable.
Under the flickering lamplight, music swirled on stage, and the atmosphere shimmered with ethereal grace. Gu Yanzhen observed the scene, evaluating the woman he presumed was Su Tan'er.
Having inquired about Ning Liheng's background earlier, he naturally learned that Ning was a son-in-law who had married into a merchant family. Gu had not given much thought to Ning's wife before, but now, as he watched, her presence became more defined in his mind—so vivid that it left a deep impression.
At first glance, she might simply appear as a graceful and elegant wife accompanying her husband to watch the performance. Many refined ladies from prominent families carried similar poise and charm. Yet, what truly caught Gu's attention was how this couple interacted with others.
Those who approached them invariably addressed Su Tan'er first. Even Ning Liheng's brothers-in-law—those notorious scoundrels of the Su family—along with other guests, prioritized speaking to her before acknowledging her husband. Despite Ning's actions just the other day to stand up for the Su brothers at the Wenmo Tower, people still gravitated toward Su Tan'er. This alone spoke volumes about her influence.
Gu Yanzhen prided himself on his ability to judge character, a skill honed by numerous experiences that proved his insights. For a woman to be as formidable as Su Tan'er in this era was already exceptional. Yet, for her to temper her strength with such finesse, blending it seamlessly with a gentle demeanor, was truly extraordinary. Watching the harmonious atmosphere around her, it was evident that she orchestrated everything. She commanded attention while ensuring her husband did not fade into the background, an artful balance that was nothing short of masterful.
Such a woman... Gu thought. If this were a man who had won Yun Zhu's heart, Gu might have conceded defeat with admiration. But seeing a man of seemingly lesser stature—merely a supporting role beside such a powerful woman—triggered a twinge of disdain.
Gu could not dwell on the matter for long. Occasionally, he exchanged remarks with those beside him, applauding the performances on stage. The first round of performances saw the Four Leading Courtesans showcasing their individual talents. Luo Miao-miao's colorful ribbon dance dazzled with brilliance; Yuan Jin'er's lively and spirited moves captivated the audience; Feng Xiaojing's stately "Hundred Birds Paying Homage" dance exuded majesty; and finally, Qilan's elegant interpretation of "Confucius and Laozi's Debate" mesmerized the crowd with its scholarly and ethereal charm.
Among the four, Gu Yanzhen was least impressed by Luo Miao-miao. While her dazzling style provided immediate visual impact, it lacked the depth and composure of the other three. Choosing her previously had been more about convenience due to the Yun Zhu incident. Her colorful aesthetic made it easier to compose poetry, a task Gu treated with indifference. After her performance tonight, Gu initially considered penning a poem but instead opted to gift her 500 flowers—a significant expenditure of 500 taels of silver—without much thought.
When the gifting ceremony commenced, performers took the stage for encore presentations as the announcers called out contributions exceeding 100 flowers. The loud declaration rang out:
"Ning Liheng, Master Ning, has gifted 2,000 flowers to Qilan!"
The announcement stirred a wave of chatter among the crowd. A gift of 2,000 flowers was an extravagant display. Typically, such grand gestures were reserved for the culmination of all three rounds of performances. Ning Liheng's name, shrouded in mystique as the "First Talent," coupled with such generosity, was enough to become the night's hot topic.
Gu Yanzhen, however, discerned Su Tan'er's handiwork behind the scene. For her husband, a son-in-law, to make such a gesture in this setting showcased her strong will and unwavering confidence.
Gu recalled the century egg incident. Compared to tonight's spectacle, his investment of less than 100 taels seemed laughable.
As he mused, Shen Miao leaned closer, also casting his gaze toward Ning and Su's table.
"What a grand gesture... Yanzhen, you've been watching that side for quite some time. Could it be you've developed a genuine interest in Ning's talents? If so, tonight's Flower Queen Banquet promises to be a fierce battle. There'll be much to enjoy."
Gu Yanzhen remained silent for a moment before breaking into a smile.
"Zishan, do you know who the man behind Yun Zhu is?"
"Didn't we determine that he couldn't be traced? Wait... are you saying it's Ning Liheng?"
"Precisely."
"But... isn't he a son-in-law?"
Gu Yanzhen responded with a knowing smile, remaining silent as Shen Miao chuckled and shook his head.
"In that case, if we reveal this, wouldn't it make for quite the spectacle? What's your plan, Yanzhen?"
Gu Yanzhen gazed at him for a long time before letting out a sigh.
"Zishan, if we expose this, what do you think will happen next?"
"At the very least, there'll be tension between that couple. At worst, his domineering wife might storm Yun Zhu's residence, causing a scene. I see, you're reluctant because you cherish Yun Zhu's beauty. Such magnanimity is admirable."
Gu Yanzhen laughed. "To be frank, that's not the reason. You're right; tension could arise, or even conflict. But, Zishan, tell me—after all that chaos, would Yun Zhu end up in my arms?"
"Uh..."
"To achieve greatness, one must not be distracted by trivialities. Our actions should align with our goals, not be swayed by petty concerns. This course of action gains me nothing and only tarnishes my reputation. I refuse to stoop so low."
Although his words carried an air of arrogance, his tone was quite modest. Shen Miao pondered for a moment before clasping his hands in acknowledgment. Gu Yanzhen smiled and shifted the conversation, directing attention to the singing and dancing on the stage. Amidst the flickering lights, he glanced at Shen Miao.
Shen Zishan is merely a commoner, a scholar's pride but incapable of achieving great things…
"Two thousand blossoms—what a grand gesture."
When the host announced that Ning Liheng had sent two thousand blossoms, Ning Yi couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head. Among the discussions around him, he maintained a facade of nonchalance, as few in the crowd truly knew him. Meanwhile, from across the way, Pu Yangyi cupped his hands with a courteous smile, showing gratitude on Ning Yi's behalf.
"I don't understand much about poetry," Su Tan'er said softly, her head slightly bowed, her tone gentle and sincere. "But since she's giving my lord face, I'm willing to spend the silver for her sake. That's all there is to it."
Her obedient smile carried an innate charm. Ning Yi, naturally aware of the true reason behind her actions, responded with a hearty laugh. The couple had no idea that on the other side of the venue, Gu Yanzhen was closely observing the commotion.
Meanwhile, behind the stage, Yuan Jin'er froze momentarily upon hearing about the two thousand blossoms. Her cheeks puffed indignantly as she shot an irritated glare before running off to complain to Nie Yunzhu.
"Yunzhu-jie, he's bullying me!"
"Haha, it was clearly his wife who sent the flowers. What does it have to do with him?"
"I don't care! He's flaunting his wealth to bully me... I'm not helping him sell century eggs later!" Yuan Jin'er sulked briefly before dragging Su Tan'er toward the dressing room. "Yunzhu-jie, help me touch up my look! I need to perform my best and save face later!"
Although she hadn't initially intended to compete for the flower queen title, pride was at stake, and she refused to back down completely.
Nevertheless, the routines had been prepared with modest expectations, and despite her renewed effort, the outcome didn't change much. As the competition continued, with dazzling performances showcasing diverse styles, the final round concluded with Qi Lan's Book Mountain and Ink Sea. Her extraordinary singing and dancing captivated the audience, earning her the crown.
Though backed by the Pu Yang family, known for valuing reputation above all, Qi Lan's performance clearly showed exceptional effort. Following her triumph, Pu Yangyi ceremoniously presented fifteen thousand blossoms, officially crowning the white-clad beauty as the flower queen.
Some, like Su Tan'er, had anticipated this outcome. The Pu Yang family had waited two years before taking such action, demonstrating their restraint. For those who saw it coming, there was little cause for complaint. The evening's performances had been exquisite, and though slightly shorter than the previous two days, they were followed by a grand flower queen banquet. This tradition, hosted by the prefect himself, included the four leading courtesans and served as a way to thank supporters of the event. It featured carefully choreographed dances, and the mingling of scholars and merchants often became the stuff of legends.
Gu Yanzhen spent the evening subconsciously searching for Nie Yunzhu, but she was nowhere to be found. It wasn't until he accompanied Shen Miao to the banquet that he noticed a familiar figure near the hall's edge. Dressed as a servant, she blended with the staff, hiding behind a tree outside the hall, seemingly waiting for something.
The sight of her was all too familiar, and Gu Yanzhen recognized her instantly.
As the banquet commenced, the purpose of Nie Yunzhu's presence became clear.
"Who would've thought... Yunzhu would expand her business so quickly," Shen Miao remarked.
To their surprise, the centerpiece of each banquet table was a plate of peeled century eggs. The marbled patterns gleamed like jade, translucent and appetizing.
Over the past two months, while the century egg business had been gradually expanding, Nie Yunzhu had kept a low profile. She hired help to fulfill orders for various restaurants but refrained from making any bold moves—until tonight.
The woman who once would have been an honored guest at such events, whether competing for the flower queen title or captivating all with her quiet elegance, now stood outside like a humble servant, eagerly awaiting the reception of her small venture.
Would she notice me, I wonder?
Suddenly, Gu Yanzhen recalled the events of that afternoon. He'd paid little attention to the century egg business earlier, dismissing it as a trivial deal worth less than a hundred taels. But seeing her anticipation now, he chuckled to himself. What an ironic twist—she'd poured her heart into this effort, only for it to serve someone else tomorrow. He couldn't help but wonder how she'd feel when her excitement turned into disappointment.
I don't care for petty revenge... he assured himself. Still, the coincidence amused him.
He turned to Shen Miao with a grin. "This product is interesting, but its process doesn't seem overly complex. It's been a few months already. I'd wager ten taels that within half a month, knockoff century eggs will flood the market. She'll have worked hard only to make others rich... Business is just like war; it's never simple."
In theory, winning this bet only required patience until the next day, as losing would take half a month to confirm. Laughing, the two took their seats, quickly forgetting the matter.
But it seemed fate had other plans. Within a mere quarter-hour, Gu Yanzhen realized, much to his dismay, that he'd already lost the bet.