newbobooks Chapter 108: One day in a brothel, a lifetime in a brothel
Chapter 108: One day in a brothel, a lifetime in a brothel
The students from the School of Engineering all raised their heads arrogantly and looked at Shangguan Qing'er.
Shangguan Qing'er shook her head and said, "Victory is victory, the top scholar is very talented."
"This round, Li Academy lost."
The Etiquette College took advantage of the opportunity, and the Engineering College was in an uproar!
"Top scholar, you have brought honor to the Institute of Technology!"
"When the Imperial College Competition is over, we will celebrate for you. You are so beautiful!"
"Defeat them using the method that Li Academy is best at. Great!"
The students from the School of Engineering all gave Chen Changan a thumbs up.
Although they didn't get the answer right, they still felt proud of it!
Shangguan Qing'er bit her lip and said hastily, "It's the turn of the School of Engineering to set the questions, but please be lenient, Mr. Champion."
"I hope the School of Engineering can give questions related to music. If they give questions related to professional knowledge... we admit defeat."
Shangguan Qing'er spread out her palms.
If the School of Engineering asks how many rivets are on a wheel, how should the school answer this question?
Zhu Zigeng saw Le Yi’s face turn pale and shook his head slightly.
"Chang'an, Shangguan Qing'er is right. If we give you a matching topic, engineering and etiquette are both in great trouble... Do you understand?"
Zhu Zigeng didn't make his words very clear.
He is the second to last and I am the last. What can we do after competing with each other?
What Zhu Zigeng competed in was not competition, but human relationships and worldly wisdom.
Chen Changan naturally understood Zhu Zigeng's difficulties, and nodded and said, "Well, the Academy of Etiquette has produced a couplet with rhythm, so I will also produce a couplet with rhythm."
"However, the story is a bit long, please listen carefully, Li Academy."
Shangguan Qing'er breathed a sigh of relief.
As for musical couplets, that’s easy.
Shangguan Qing'er pricked up her ears and listened to what Chen Changan said.
"In the State of Chu there was a man from the lower classes, who was proficient in poetry, songs and prose, and was extremely filial to his parents. He was a top scholar."
"My mother passed away half a year before the imperial examination. In the Chu state, there is a tradition of mourning for three years."
"When the three years were up, I had another imperial examination, and unfortunately my father passed away."
"The untouchables were grief-stricken, grieving the loss of their parents and lamenting the cruelty of fate."
"Thinking of my father's last words, I want to have a descendant and pursue the imperial examination again."
In just a few words, the man's situation is outlined.
He should have served as an official in the court and made great achievements, but he was burdened by family affairs. It's a pity.
The emperor also sighed slightly and continued listening.
"As luck would have it, during one of his outings, he ran into a young lady and was delighted to see her."
"When talking about everything, the woman was able to show her knowledge and help the untouchables get rid of their depression."
"When they parted that night, the untouchable decided that the woman was the love of his life."
"I thought the girl would be a daughter of a wealthy family, but I didn't expect that she was the most beautiful girl in a brothel."
"…the kind that has already lost its virginity."
"what???"
Everyone thought it must be a beautiful story, but when Chen Changan changed the subject, the story took a turn.
Which lowly person from a decent family would marry an oiran?
You will be criticized by your fellow villagers!
Sister Hong listened carefully and sighed indifferently.
Looking at Su Yu and Qiu Xiang, he sighed: "Girls, what can you do even if you become the most beautiful woman?"
"Once you enter a brothel, you will be a brothel for life."
"…There are many heartless and unfeeling men in this world."
The girls in the brothel were all silent, gritting their teeth.
Chen Changan did not delay and continued: "The untouchables are in a dilemma."
"The left hand represents wealth and honor, and a career as an official; the right hand represents the love of one's life, which would be a pity to abandon, but one can only choose one."
"It's not like he didn't try to forget the oiran, but the image of the oiran was left in his mind and couldn't be erased."
Chen Changan paused: "The untouchable finally made a decision and raised his hand to write down the poem."
"Even if we have to go to hell, I will never regret loving you."
"Yes, he decided to give up his future for love."
Many people shook their heads, thinking that this pariah was indeed a fool.
As long as you become an official and have power, you can have as many women as you want. What kind of women are there?
Why bother?
Shangguan Qing'er is a woman and doesn't have as many ideas of becoming successful as men do.
Find a good man and be faithful to him forever.
Perhaps this is the happiness that women pursue throughout their lives.
"What was the result? Are they... together?"
Chen Changan smiled and said, "The untouchable resisted everyone's persuasion, took out the silver to propose marriage, and gave up everything."
"Ever since she separated from the lowly people, the courtesan has been thinking about him day and night."
"When she knew that the untouchables were coming ahead, she almost subconsciously agreed!"
"——But the madam said something."
Chen Changan shook his head and said, "The madam said that you are the most beautiful woman and you will be one for your whole life. If a lowly person marries you, will he treat you well?"
"He just covets your body, and will throw you away when he's done with you!"
"Besides, do you think you deserve it if the untouchable sacrifices his future for you? Is it worth it for him to do so?"
When Xiang Yingyu first heard what the madam said, she instinctively wanted to curse.
After hearing the last sentence, she swallowed the curse back into her stomach.
The madam was right.
...Are you worthy?
Is the Oiran worthy of love, damaging the future of the untouchables?
"The Oiran thought hard for seven days and seven nights, and finally decided to leave the matter to God."
"She took out paper, pen and silver and wrote a couplet."
"Tell the matchmaker that if the untouchable can match her, it means that God has permitted her to go to Wushan with him."
"If it doesn't match, then it's God's will that the untouchables take the silver and go to the imperial examination."
Chen Changan said seriously: "This pair is very interesting, ice wine, a little water, two drops of water, three drops of water."
Chen Changan stopped talking and nodded to Shangguan Qing'er.
Everyone was immersed in Chen Changan's story, and the emperor couldn't stand it when he didn't speak.
"Chen Qing, what happened next?"
"Will the untouchable go on the science exam, or stay with the oiran?"
The ministers all nodded.
How can you stop when you are listening to something so exciting?
Chen Changan clasped his fists towards the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, you forgot that we are competing."
"The couplet I'm talking about is ice wine, a little water, two drops of water, three drops of water. I beg the Etiquette Academy to give you an answer."
The emperor was surprised, and everyone exclaimed.
I actually forgot about this!
The emperor's interest was abruptly cut off, and he was naturally unhappy: "Master Le, hurry up and answer, I am ready to hear the story."
Le Yi: “…”
I wanted to answer, but couplets are not what the Academy of Etiquette is good at!
Le Yi glanced at Hu College.
Li Desheng pondered in silence, Tong Bailiang had a worried look on his face, and it was obvious that he couldn't answer either!
Chen Changan was not in a hurry: "Dean Le, think about it carefully, I can wait."
You can wait, but the emperor can't!
Le Yi stood up helplessly and raised her right hand: "In this first round, the School of Engineering wins."
"Old Zhu, you are really good!"
"I got the last place without making any noise. How lucky are you to be favored by the number one scholar?"
Zhu Zigeng kept shaking his head.
How would I know what luck is? The top scholar insists on following me, what can I do?
The Etiquette Academy had already admitted defeat. Chen Changan smiled and said, "Then... can I continue?"
"Keep going, keep going!"
Everyone urged loudly, "We are still listening to a story!"
……
Note 1: Bing means ice.