Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

City Lord Bai Letian laughed loudly, raising his hand to silence the whispers filling the hall:

"Everyone!"

Today's banquet serves two purposes: first, to celebrate the addition of two young heroes to Qingjiang City, and second, to entertain all the talented men and beautiful women present!

Young Master Xie is skilled in both literature and martial arts, and Young Master Su possesses both swordsmanship and poetic talent; both are outstanding individuals. It is a great fortune that they can gather here!

As soon as he finished speaking, all the guests raised their glasses in agreement, their eyes darting back and forth between Xie Xiaoyi and Su Mubai, a mixture of envy and curiosity.

Xie Xiaoyi lazily raised his glass in response, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Fu Yaoqin.

She was looking down, toying with her wine glass, her fingertips lightly tracing circles on the rim, lost in thought.

A woman in a yellow dress was standing next to her, which caught Xie Xiaoyi's attention.

The woman in the yellow dress had a red-gold and kingfisher feather hairpin tucked behind her ear, and a jade flute pendant tied with a red string hung from her wrist. Her every move exuded a graceful charm.

Xie Xiaoyi overheard the conversations at the banquet and realized that the woman in yellow was Mu Pingting, the owner of Yushengfang, which was as famous as Yayinfang.

She had just finished humming half of "Qing Ping Le" with the old lady, and was now tapping the table lightly with her fingertips to keep time.

Mu Pingting glanced at Xie Xiaoyi and Su Mubai out of the corner of her eye, a slight smile playing on her lips, and whispered teasingly:

"Sister Yaoqin, this young hero Xie seems quite interesting, and Young Master Su is also quite good. Which one do you prefer?"

Fu Yaoqin blushed slightly, gently slapped her hand away, and said irritably, "Sister Pingting is teasing me again."

Mu Pingting covered her mouth and chuckled, her gaze returning to Xie Xiaoyi, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

She wanted to see what other tricks this talented young master Xie could pull next.

Bai Letian saw where Xie Xiaoyi's gaze was directed and immediately burst into laughter:

"Young Master Xie, could it be that you were attracted by Master Fu's charm?"

To be honest, the reason we were able to invite this refined gentleman of Qingjiang City today is entirely thanks to you and Young Master Su!

Master Fu had already declined the banquet invitation, but upon hearing that Young Hero Xie and Young Master Su were also attending, he finally agreed to grace the occasion with his presence!

Upon hearing this, Fu Yaoqin blushed.

Just then, Su Mubai suddenly put down his wine glass and slowly walked out of his seat.

Dressed in white, he stood tall and straight like a pine tree under the lamplight, his gaze sweeping over the crowd and landing directly on Fu Yaoqin.

Su Mubai spoke, his voice drowning out the clamor of all the guests:

"Lord Bai is too kind."

Mu Bai is attending this banquet not for the sake of Qingjiang City, nor to make friends with heroes, but for one person.

The room erupted in uproar.

All eyes turned to Su Mubai.

Su Mubai ignored everyone's gaze and, meeting theirs, said, word by word:

Three years ago, at the Ya Yin Fang in Qingjiang City, I happened to see Miss Fu playing the song "Broken Heart". It was a fleeting glimpse, but I have never forgotten it.

"My only wish in coming to Qingjiang City is to be by your side, to listen to your music, and to enjoy a cup of tea."

These words were so straightforward they were almost reckless, yet they carried the unique sincerity of a scholar's spirit, leaving all the guests in the room stunned.

Fu Yaoqin tightened her grip on the wine glass, looked up, and her face flushed even more.

Xie Xiaoyi finally understood.

The reason Su Mubai gets angry whenever he sees me must be because he heard about Fu Yaoqin's invitation.

So he was jealous?

It seems Su Mubai sees me as a rival in love.

But how could he know?

I was also turned away at Fu Yaoqin's place and was even told to leave!

At this moment, Fu Yaoqin composed herself, slowly stood up, and gave Su Mubai a slight bow:

"Young Master Su is too kind."

Yaoqin is merely a mediocre musician from the Yayinfang, making a living by playing the zither. She is truly unworthy of such a generous treatment from the young master.

"Young master is a renowned scholar from Jiangnan, with a distinguished family background. I, Yaoqin, am of humble status and would never dare to presume upon such an honor."

Her words were watertight, clearly stating her position without causing Su Mubai to lose face.

Xie Xiaoyi was amused.

Should!

Su Mubai has been given a "friend zone" card.

Haha!

Su Mubai shook his head, took two steps forward, and stared intently at Fu Yaoqin.

"Status is not important to Mu Bai."

What I admire is Miss Fu's music and her refined character; it has nothing to do with her family background.

These words drew even more intense gazes from the guests, and some began to whisper among themselves—

"So Young Master Su came for Master Fu!"

"A perfect match, a match made in heaven!"

"But Master Fu's words just now seemed like a polite refusal, didn't they?"

As the murmurs reached his ears, Xie Xiaoyi gently swirled the wine glass in his hand.

Goodness, this Su Mubai looks refined, but he's quite fierce when it comes to confessing his feelings.

Fu Yaoqin is going to be very busy.

Xie Xiaoyi was engrossed in watching the commotion when he was caught off guard by Fu Yaoqin's gaze.

Those usually beautiful eyes were now fixed directly on Xie Xiaoyi.

That one glance instantly drew all eyes to Xie Xiaoyi.

People began to whisper among themselves.

"Miss Fu is here to see Young Hero Xie!"

"It seems that this young master Xie is the one Miss Fu has her heart set on!"

"It seems that Young Master Su's good intentions will be in vain!"

These words pierced through Su Mubai like needles, gradually fading his sincerity and replacing it with a chilling coldness.

He abruptly turned to look at Xie Xiaoyi, staring intently at him as if questioning him—

What gives you the right?

Xie Xiaoyi felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze.

He cursed inwardly: So this city lord's banquet today was a hellish ordeal set up specifically for me?

Bai Letian caught a glimpse of the anger in Su Mubai's eyes and, fearing that the pleasant banquet would be ruined, immediately laughed heartily:

"Young Master Su, a young man should open his heart and let his ambitions shine!"

This sincerity is certainly commendable, but today is a banquet; let's not spoil everyone's enjoyment!

Su Mubai stiffened slightly, smiled apologetically, and returned to his seat, but his eyes remained cold, and he still looked at Xie Xiaoyi with murderous intent.

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased slightly, Bai Letian immediately clapped his hands and said loudly:

"Alright, alright, let's put aside our romantic feelings for now!"

On this auspicious occasion, with talented men and beautiful women gathered together, it would be too boring to just drink!

I have a suggestion—

Let's compose a poem together, and the winner will receive my jar of Cold Pool Fragrance, which I've been storing for ten years!

These words shocked everyone present.

The "Fragrance of Cold Pool" is a unique and famous wine in the world. It is said to have been brewed by Li Qinglian, who is known as the Immortal of Wine. Ordinary people can only dream of it.

Su Mubai's eyes suddenly lit up.

Composing poems and couplets was one of his strengths.

The title "White-Clad Scholar Swordsman" is well-deserved; the reputation of this talented scholar from Jiangnan is not unfounded!

He turned to look at Xie Xiaoyi, the anger in his eyes turning into a hint of contempt, his tone carrying a deliberate provocation:

"Young Master Xie's poetic talent amazed everyone at the Floating Wine Cup Banquet, so he must be quite adept at composing couplets as well, right?"

"I am unworthy of your attention, but I would like to learn a thing or two from you."

Su Mubai thought that while reciting poetry was good, it was ultimately just expressing one's own feelings and lacked the sharp edge of confrontation.

Only by matching couplets can one truly demonstrate their skill on the spot, leaving no stone unturned.

This would be perfect for suppressing Xie Xiaoyi's nonchalant and roguish air in front of Fu Yaoqin.

Bai Letian was full of praise and immediately echoed:

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

Young Master Su's words are exactly what I was thinking!

Composing poems is a refined pursuit for scholars, and today, on this auspicious day, two young talents are also present!

Making friends through literature, what could be more delightful!