If I send you to join the army and marry a woman, will you conquer the Empress?

Inside Zuixianlou, the lights were bright and the place was bustling with noise.

As soon as Qin Feng and his group stepped through the gate, a heavily made-up madam swayed her hips to greet them.

"Oh, please come in, gentlemen. Is this your first time here?"

"Judging by your bearing, you must be distinguished guests!"

"Which lady would you like to keep you company today? Every single one of the girls at our Drunken Immortal Pavilion is absolutely gorgeous!"

The madam's voice, hoarse from years of experience in the world of pleasure, yet also shrewd.

Li Hu stared intently at the women behind the madam, their figures swaying gracefully in light gauze, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"We want to see the courtesan, Li Chan'er!" Young Master Xia said directly.

The madam's smile froze, then she plastered herself with apology: "Oh, my sir, unfortunately, Li Huakui's private rooms are already full tonight. Quite a few young masters from the capital are lining up!"

"Full?"

Young Master Xia raised an eyebrow, took out a stack of silver notes from his sleeve, and casually tossed them onto the counter.

It was a thick stack of cash, worth at least a hundred taels.

"I don't want a VIP seat, I want the best seat at Zuixianlou tonight, the front row closest to the stage!"

Young Master Xia's voice was cold and clear, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"So many?"

The madam's eyes lit up instantly, and she accepted the silver note with trembling hands, beaming with joy.

"Oh dear! How could I have said so much! Young master, please wait a moment, I'll arrange it for you right away! I guarantee it will be the best seat in the entire place!"

She bowed and scraped, personally leading Qin Feng and his group through the noisy lobby to the banquet hall on the third floor.

The space here is enormous, with a high stage in the center. At this moment, dancers dressed in light gauze dresses are performing graceful dances, exuding alluring charm.

Qin Feng and the others were seated in the front row, where they had an excellent view.

He drank his wine while enjoying the dancers' performance.

It must be admitted that the Drunken Immortal Pavilion is indeed of an extraordinary standard, and the dancers' skill level is in no way inferior to that of a certain major song and dance troupe in my previous life.

"Brother Feng, this place is really impressive! I've never seen so many beautiful women in my life!" Li Hu said excitedly in a low voice.

Just then, the music in the banquet hall suddenly changed, becoming more melodious and gentle.

"The courtesan has arrived!"

Suddenly, someone exclaimed in surprise.

[Ding! A woman of "Peerless Beauty" level has been detected. Rating: Purple Myth!]

The system notification sounded in Qin Feng's ears.

Under the spotlight!

A beautiful figure slowly walked onto the stage.

She wore an elegant long dress, a simple jade hairpin in her hair, and her face was covered with a light veil, revealing only a pair of clear, watery eyes that were captivating.

Her clothes were not revealing, but rather very conservative, making her look more like a lady from a respectable family than a courtesan.

As the music played, she began to dance gracefully.

That hazy, alluring beauty, like a woman half-concealing her face while playing the pipa, is captivating and enchanting.

"Graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon!"

Qin Feng couldn't help but sigh softly in admiration.

Young Master Xia, who was standing nearby, glanced at Qin Feng upon hearing his praise.

She lived deep within the palace and had met countless talented men, but she had never heard such a fitting and poetic praise.

……

Soon, the dance ended, and Li Chan'er removed her veil.

In an instant, the entire banquet hall fell silent.

Her appearance was indeed stunning; her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows were as beautiful as a painting, and her lips were red without any makeup.

What's most striking are those big, watery eyes, clear and innocent, so pitiful that they evoke a protective instinct in one's heart.

Qin Feng mentally compared her to Yun Qingya.

Yun Qingya was like a proud white swan, keeping everyone at arm's length.

Li Chan'er's beauty was like a water lily rising from the mud, untouched by its filth, completely out of place in the bustling Drunken Immortal Pavilion, as if she were a fairy who had mistakenly wandered into the mortal world.

No wonder so many princes and nobles in the capital were infatuated with her.

"Three thousand taels!"

"I, Wang Fugui, will offer three thousand taels of silver. Tonight, I want Li Huakui to keep me company!"

Suddenly, a rough voice broke the silence.

The speaker was a pot-bellied, wealthy businessman with a face full of fat; he was clearly a typical nouveau riche.

Upon hearing this, a burst of laughter immediately erupted from the surrounding crowd.

"Hahaha, where did this bumpkin come from? A mere three thousand taels of silver, and he thinks he can buy the courtesan's innocence?"

"Who does he think Li Huakui is? One of those common, vulgar women? She's a virtuous courtesan, she sells her art, not her body!"

"Exactly! A couple of years ago, a certain young prince wanted to redeem Li, the courtesan, but she refused. What's a nouveau riche compared to that?"

Laughter erupted, and Wang Fugui's face turned a deep purplish-red.

Although he was wealthy, he had little status in the capital.

"Then... then how can I win her favor?" Wang Fugui asked unwillingly.

Li Chan'er parted her lips slightly, her voice as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song:

"This young lady does not love gold and silver, but only admires talent."

"Tonight, I wish to be accompanied by the sound of the zither. I request that you gentlemen compose a poem for me."

"Whoever's poem can move a young woman can become her lover."

This rule was known to everyone present.

However, over such a long period of time, no one has ever been able to truly move Li Chan'er.

Wang Fugui scratched his head, racking his brains for a long time, and finally managed to come up with a poem:

"The girl is so pretty."

"Big, round eyes."

"I saw you once."

I can't sleep at night.

……

The recitation of the limerick caused another burst of laughter in the banquet hall.

Such childish verses are simply laughable.

Li Chan'er simply smiled and offered no comment.

Her gaze swept across the entire room, finally settling on the table where Qin Feng and Young Master Xia were sitting.

"You gentlemen look unfamiliar; this must be your first time here. Why don't you give it a try?"

Her voice was soft, with a hint of invitation.

Li Hu immediately leaned close to Qin Feng's ear and whispered, "Brother Feng, look, Li Huakui has definitely taken a liking to Young Master Xia. He's handsome, isn't he!"

Upon hearing this, Young Master Xia frowned almost imperceptibly.

Does Li Chan'er like herself?

What kind of nonsense is this!

How could a woman like her...

Young Master Xia felt somewhat awkward, but he didn't show it on his face. He said to Qin Feng, "Brother Qin, your literary talent is outstanding. Why don't you give it a try?"

Qin Feng nodded: "Since Brother Xia has spoken, then I, Qin, will make a fool of myself. Does Courtesan Li have any requests?"

"Anything written for me is fine," Li Chan'er said softly.

Qin Feng pondered for a moment, his gaze falling on Li Chan'er's clear eyes, and then he thought of the surrounding environment of the brothel.

In his mind, a classic poem from his past life gradually emerged.

"Do not waste your golden robes."

"I urge you to cherish your youth."

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may."

"Don't wait until there are no flowers left... then break off a bare branch!"

……

The moment the poem was recited, the entire audience was astonished.

Those who wrote poems for Li Chan'er before all piled up gorgeous words, desperately praising her beauty, wishing they could use every beautiful word in the world.

But Qin Feng's poem is completely different!

It may seem simple, but it is thought-provoking and leaves a lasting impression.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

A clear, resounding exclamation broke the silence.

Young Master Xia's bright eyes shone with an unprecedented brilliance, and she stood up excitedly.

To her, this poem wasn't about love and romance at all!

It advises people not to value wealth and status, but to cherish their precious youth!

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may"—this is hardly about romantic love.

It clearly says that a young man should seize the opportunity to make achievements and establish a career, and not wait until he is old to regret it!

great poem!

These words of warning are truly thought-provoking and awakening!

She secretly decided that she would dedicate this poem to her father, the emperor!

Father will be overjoyed to hear this!

However, not everyone has such profound insights as Young Master Xia.

Many of the suave and romantic figures present immediately misinterpreted the meaning and revealed wicked smiles.

"Hahaha! Well said!"

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may! This gentleman is a kindred spirit!"

"That's right. If you don't seduce a beauty like Li Huakui, are you even a man?"

"This young master is truly talented! In my opinion, we should name him 'The Flower-Picking Gentleman.' This name will surely resound throughout the capital!"

In an instant, various noises rose and fell, mixed with laughter that all men understood.

Ding Ding Deng!

Just then, the peerless beauty Li Chan'er walked down the stage step by step and came to Qin Feng's table, bowing gracefully.

"Young master, you are truly talented; I admire you greatly."

"Would you have the honor of inviting me into my chambers for a chat tonight?"