Chapter 51: A Single Melody Shocks the Entire Hall

  In the distance, on the painted barge, songs and dances rose in harmony. On the surrounding boats, many talented scholars also began to drink wine and recite poetry. If they thought it was good, they would write it down on paper, circulate it everywhere, and send it to the number one boat.

  Song Kai watched the performance in the distance, but soon got bored. Firstly, it was too far away and he couldn't see Yang Liu's appearance clearly. Secondly, he had seen many such galas in his previous life, and even a large company's year-end party would be more luxurious than this one.

  At this time, people began to send flower baskets to Yang Liu one after another. Each basket cost one or two silver coins, which was not expensive, but if more than a hundred were sent at once, the value would be considerable.

  The flower baskets are compared to the popularity of each courtesan, and of course, it's also a competition between the strengths of each brothel. Yang Liu was already the number one courtesan in Suzhou last year, so her popularity is naturally high. Plus, Meng Xian Yuan is also the largest brothel, so basically, Yang Liu will definitely get the most points for sending flower baskets.

  Song Kai looked bored.

  Nie Lingdang supported her chin with one hand and gazed at the painting boat above.

  "Does it look good?" Song Kai asked in a low voice.

  "Not good-looking," Nie Lingdang replied subconsciously, "But these courtesan women, sometimes thinking about it, living is indeed quite pitiful."

  On the other side, Lu Botao was eating pastries with a big mouth. When he heard Nie Zhong's words, he couldn't help but interrupt: "Sister-in-law, you're wrong this time. Yang Liu is the number one courtesan in Suzhou City. There are many people who want to see her, and I spent ten taels of gold just to...cough, sorry sister-in-law."

  "Who is your sister-in-law?" Nie Lingdang glared at Lu Botao, "Be careful or I'll tear your mouth apart!"

  Lu Bo Tao shrank his fat head, nervously glanced at Song Kai, and muttered to himself, such a domineering woman, only Song Da Xia can enjoy it.

  Nie Ling Tong didn't pursue the matter of his sister-in-law, drank a cup of tea and said: "They are just superficially brilliant, but not as good as you, Fatty, living freely."

  Song Kai waved his hand and said, "It's boring to just watch, why don't we play a game of chess?"

  "Alright!" Nie Lingdang chuckled and pulled out a small wooden box from his sleeve, opening it to reveal a Go board.

  Song Kai and Nie Zhongtang got down.

  On the other side, the music and dance continued. The second to take the stage was a girl from Lishui Pavilion. These women's singing voices were not bad, but in Song Kai's opinion, they were slightly inferior to Qiu Yue's. However, Qiu Yue had become somewhat thin, which made her less favored in this era where plumpness was considered beautiful.

  Song Kai and Nie Zhongtang were playing Go, by the fourth round, the scene of sending flower baskets became more intense, with only two rounds left, at this time, everyone had also roughly selected the most beautiful woman in their hearts, so they generously took out their wallets.

  "Your Autumn Moon girl is in danger," Nie Lingdang said with a smile while playing chess.

  "Hah! If she can't get first place, it's our guest house that will suffer losses," Song Kai muttered.

  "Right! Old lady's gold, that... fatso, do you have money or not? Give a generous reward to Autumn Moon later," Nie Lingdang turned his head and said bluntly to Lu Botao.

  Lu Bo Tiao hastily nodded, "Sister-in-law... little wife, rest assured, I Lu Bo Tiao have no other skills, but when it comes to money, I'm still quite capable."

  By the sixth round, Autumn Moon finally took the stage. At this point, everyone's enthusiasm for rewarding had already begun to dissipate, and the Mid-Autumn Poetry Dance Party had also progressed more than halfway. By then, Yang Liu, who was the first to take the stage, had received over a thousand flower baskets, which added up to more than 200 taels of gold, making her an overnight sensation. The second-place winner had also received five or six hundred flower baskets, although it was a lot, but compared to Yang Liu, it was much less impressive.

  On the first boat, seven or eight people sat in a circle, with Dong Changyun, the son-in-law, at the head.

  Dong Changyun was beside Suzhou Sima Kongshan.

  Today is a poetry gathering, so the ranking of seats is not strictly according to official rank, but rather according to everyone's reputation and generation. Dong Changyun, although not very old, is seated in the first position because he is not only the emperor's son-in-law, but also the top scholar of his year and a renowned polymath.

  "It seems that this year's flower queen should be Yang Liu girl again," a fat official laughed and said while drinking wine.

  Everyone nodded in agreement.

  Dong Changyun just smiled.

  Although many of those present hold official positions, there are few who actually wield power. The governor, the chief historian and the county magistrate are not among them, so everyone speaks quite freely without much reserve.

  "Mr. Dong, what do you think of this weeping willow? Can it live up to its reputation and deserve the title of Suzhou's number one flower?" someone asked from below.

  Dong Changyun raised his teacup and said, "The sixth girl has not performed yet, so it's hard to say who is the first. However, looking at it now, Yang Liu's piano skills, figure, and singing voice are all top-notch. Even in Chang'an City, I believe there aren't many people who can surpass her."

  "Haha, Mr. Dong is a man of great reputation in Chang'an City, with extraordinary insight. Since Mr. Dong says so, Yang Liu's fame is indeed well-deserved. Now it seems that the title of First Flower Girl is unlikely to escape her," someone below laughed and said.

  Dong Changyun just smiled and picked up his cup, saying: "Everyone, come on, let's have some tea. This tea tastes pretty good, it's refreshing and fragrant, with very little bitterness."

  Everyone nodded in agreement, saying that the tea was good. Then someone started talking about the Red Dust Inn and mentioned a strange Water Tune Song Head from there.

  "This year's champion is unknown, but whoever it is, it's hard to surpass that 'Water Tune Song Head'." someone sighed.

  Just as they were speaking, Autumn Moon on the distant pleasure boat loudly said: "I am Autumn Moon, and next I will sing a song for everyone called 'Water Tune Song Head', and sincerely thank the owner of Hongchen Guest House, Mr. Song Kailang, thank you."

  The sound spread far and wide, everyone was stunned, and several people on Dong Changyun's table couldn't help but smile.

  "This Song Kai has recently become quite famous, we just discussed his guest house matters, now Autumn Moon girl directly thanked him, could it be that this song was also written by him?"

  "Haha, maybe it's because of the money,"

  "That's right."

  Everyone burst out laughing.

  Song Kai was also somewhat surprised, didn't expect Qiu Yue to be so righteous, and before the game even started, he was already doing an advertisement for his own Hongchen Inn.

  On one side of the table, Yang Huaiyan sneered, "It's just a heretical way, today, Autumn Moon will not enter the top three no matter what."

  Everyone had their own thoughts, but no one thought of the lead singer. After all, it was already the last song of the concert. Those who should give rewards gave rewards, and those who should send bouquets sent bouquets. The remaining gold in their belts was not much.

  Song Kai put down the chess piece in his hand and gazed at the autumn moon on the painted boat.

  Autumn Moon neatly arranged the guqin, and soon three women stepped out with light footsteps, wearing large dance costumes, twisting their waists, surrounding Autumn Moon.

  "Ding dong..."

  The sound of the guqin echoed out, spreading far and wide. Just a few notes at the beginning had already stunned several cabins.

  "Is this the tune of Shui Diao Ge Tou?"

  "Isn't that right? I've never heard of it, could Miss Qiuyue be wrong?"

  "Autumn Moon girl has lost some weight, but her piano skills and singing voice are still top-notch, she won't make this kind of mistake."

  Just then, in the midst of all the chatter, Akizuki's voice rang out like a bell.

  "Bright moon, when will you be full... I hold up my wine cup... and ask the blue sky, not knowing what palace or temple is in the heavens... What year is it tonight... I want to ride the wind and go back home... but fear the jade towers and crystal halls... high places are hard to bear the cold... get up and dance with the clear shadows... how can this be like being among people... turn the vermilion pavilions, lower the decorated doors, shine on the sleepless... should not have sorrow... why always long for parting at the end of the year... people have joy and sorrow, parting and reunion... the moon has its phases of fullness and emptiness... this is an ancient difficulty to be whole... just wish that people will last long... a thousand miles share the beauty of the moon..."

  Completely transcending the melody of the lyrics, a heavenly voice like silken moonlight enveloped every person present, piercing into the depths of each heart.

  Who would have thought that a Shui Diao Ge Tou could still be sung like this.

  The sound of the zither fades away, slowly disappearing; the dance steps flutter and pause, slowly coming to a stop...

  However, on the surrounding boats, the vast majority of people still maintained their previous movements, with their mouths half open, staring blankly at the distant painting boat.

  The fourth boat was the most miserable, where all the women gathered. Upon hearing such a melody, combined with the lyrics, for a moment, separation, love, sorrow, and joy, all sorts of thoughts, suddenly disturbed every woman's heartstrings. Most people unknowingly had tears streaming down their faces.

  The singing has long since stopped, but people still feel that the sound of the song is floating on the surface of the lake.

  Yang Huaiyan stared blankly at Autumn Moon, he suddenly woke up with a start, and then turned his head to glare at Song Kai with a scowl.

  Song Kai is talking with Lu Botao.

  Suddenly, Lu Botao shouted loudly: "Too good to hear! Too damn good to hear, I'll change all my money into flower baskets, and I must help Autumn Moon girl win the championship!"