Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with a Chronicle of Tragic Love

Verification of words?

The Huai Shang Yun Lou has been floating on the Qinhuai River for many years, sending out countless courtesans and famous prostitutes. When has anyone ever heard of "verifying words"?

Die'er was taken aback, and then she saw that Qian Qianyi and the two guests had surrounded her.

"You little bitch, tell the truth, did you take money from Xue Dashan?"

"Even with help from others, how could someone of his skill level possibly be tied for first place with me?"

"Tell me quickly! If you utter even the slightest lie, I'll skin you alive!"

As they spoke, Xi Fengying and Hao Tianren grabbed Die'er's arms from both sides and tugged at them a few times.

"These poems... I personally presented them to Sister Liu..."

"As for the selection, it was personally overseen by Sister Liu, so there was absolutely no possibility of a mistake... Ouch..."

The little girl tried to explain, but Qian Qianyi's heart was as hard as stone. The two guests forcibly pulled and dragged her, bringing tears to Die'er's eyes.

In their moment of panic and despair, a dark shadow suddenly flashed by and leaped into the air.

With a loud crash, Xi and Hao flew backward to either side, knocking over a group of tables and chairs.

"What a beautiful 'double lotus' pose!"

Feng Ziying couldn't help but cheer from the crowd.

The person who kicked the man turned around, his face full of anger.

It was indeed a state of anxiety.

After taking the Tiger Fetus Bone-Strengthening Pill, he suddenly gained a lot of strength. Now, in a fit of anger, he kicked out and easily sent the two shameless patrons flying.

"Qian Shuileng, how could you do something like bullying a young girl?"

"He spouts classical Chinese phrases and claims to be a disciple of sages. Not only does he plunder and extort, but now he's going to humiliate a lowly courtesan begging for her life in a brothel?"

It's you again?

Xue Dashan, I can't make a move, so what, you, a nobody who makes a living by selling lyrics, dare to push your luck?

To reprimand me in front of so many people?

Qian Qianyi gritted his teeth, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

"Boy, do you know who my uncle is?"

Jiao Si stepped forward, his broad shoulders pressing down, forcefully pushing Qian Qianyi down by half a head.

"How could I not know?"

"I not only know your uncle, I also know your grandfather!"

Qian Qianyi was taken aback.

Of the entire Qian family, only his uncle had reached the rank of second-grade official in the imperial court.

Although his grandfather had been in business for many years, he had not made a great name for himself.

How did this kid meet his grandfather?

If he really knew Grandpa, he'd better think this through carefully. The old man never showed him any mercy...

"Kid, you...know my grandfather?"

Jiao Si nodded firmly.

Qian Qianyi was skeptical.

"Young man, how come you know my grandfather at such a young age?"

"Naturally, it's at the Cloud Tower on the Huai River."

Qian Qianyi shuddered.

If I were to run into my grandfather at Huai Shang Yun Lou, I would be making a huge fool of myself.

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Bullshit!"

"The old man is over seventy years old. He doesn't touch anything other than books, wine, tea, and chess. Why would he be here with you, frequenting prostitutes?"

Jiao Si sneered.

"Why not?"

"Your grandfather not only frequents brothels, but he also writes lyrics and kicks people. If you don't behave yourself and anger your grandfather, he might beat you up too!"

Qian Qianyi was momentarily dazed before she came to her senses.

"Kid, you dare call me your grandson? Then wouldn't my uncle be your son?"

"Hey, I think you're really courting death!"

"Xi Fengying, Hao Tianren, go and call the guards in! This brat has insulted a second-rank official of the court; that's a serious crime!"

As he spoke, Qian Qianyi rolled up his sleeves, ready to make a big splash.

But then, from the fourth-floor railing, a faint sound drifted down like a cloud.

"Why is Young Master Shui-Leng in such a hurry?"

"The saying goes, 'Great writings should be shared for appreciation.' Today, since we have such fine lines, we should share them so that everyone can have a chance to appreciate them."

"However, there's something slightly off about your poem, Young Master Shui Leng, compared to that of the eldest son of the Xue family. With such talent, it's impossible to determine which is better, hence this 'tied champion' competition. Young Master Shui Leng, could you please grant me the honor of letting this poetry verification go?"

"Young master, is it alright?"

Looking in the direction of the sound, one could see a figure bound by green gauze peeking out from behind the layers of white gauze on the fourth floor.

From the gap in the gauze curtain, a pair of snow-white, delicate hands emerged, holding several slips of paper on which lyrics had just been written.

Just those few calls of "Young Master" were enough to make Qian Qianyi lose his senses.

Just as he was about to agree, he glanced over and saw Xue Pan drooling beside him, and suddenly snapped out of his daze.

Not right.

Even Liu and the others don't want their words verified, which means there's definitely something fishy going on!

Moreover, I am confident in myself.

Even if this lyric-selling boy's original work is excellent, it can never surpass my own few lyrics.

Just because...

Qian Qianyi chuckled a few times, a cold smile on his face.

"It's perfectly acceptable for Lady Liu to offer a hundred billion. However, this fool Xue has repeatedly provoked us. If we can't determine his true strength, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince the public."

"Master Liu, then please put yourself in a difficult position and read it aloud so everyone can give their opinions, how about that?"

On the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower, the figure in green gauze remained silent for a moment.

He suddenly laughed.

"Alright."

"Since you all paid a lot of money to get in, I'll make a fool of myself and hopefully bring you some fun."

"Then I will choose one of the three songs and sing it."

"Butterfly, bring me my pipa."

Die'er straightened her clothes, bowed to Jiao Si, and then glared fiercely at Qian Qianyi.

He ran upstairs with a "thump-thump".

Xue Pan ran over in a few steps.

"Brother Jiao, thanks to you, I'm so glad to hear Master Liu sing a song today. This trip has been worthwhile!"

As they were talking, they suddenly heard a "clang" from upstairs.

The noisy Yunlou suddenly fell silent.

"I stand leaning against the high tower, the wind is gentle, I gaze into the distance and spring sorrow rises darkly on the horizon."

"Amidst the fading sunlight and the verdant grass, who can understand the unspoken thoughts of one leaning on the railing?"

The sound of the pipa is like pearls falling, and the beautiful woman's voice is like a celestial maiden singing.

These three lines alone captivated the crowd in the building.

Qian Qianyi lightly waved his folding fan, a smug look on his face.

"How about it, everyone? Is my poem any good enough?"

Everyone bowed.

Some people downed their drinks, sighed inwardly, and said, "With such talent as Young Master Qian, it's no wonder we failed to advance!"

Qian Qianyi looked smugly at Xue Pan.

But Xue Pan and Feng Ziying looked strange and were whispering questions to Jiao Si.

cut......

The defeated plot against each other; they are nothing to fear.

Thinking this, I heard the second half of the song drifting down from the fourth floor.

"...I intend to indulge in unrestrained revelry and get drunk, singing and drinking, but forced joy is tasteless."

"I grow thinner and thinner, yet I have no regrets, for I am wasting away for her sake."

After the song was finished, a scepter made of mutton fat was gently tapped on a golden plate, making a "ding-dong" sound, as if to indicate the end of the song.

The sound of metal and jade rang out, and everyone fell silent.

Liu Rushi's singing style was already unparalleled in the world.

Now, with this poem as its embellishment, the heavenly singing voice truly exudes a sense of ethereal transcendence.

After a long while, suddenly a woman was heard crying.

"I grow thinner and thinner, yet I have no regrets, for I am wasting away for her sake."

"Brother Qiu, I've wasted so much time and effort on you, yet why haven't you returned?"

The sound of crying came out.

It is like a dog barking at the moon and a hundred dogs chasing the sound.

In an instant, a large group of people burst into tears, sobbing and wailing.

What are "Li Lang", "Su Lang", "Zhu Lang", "Gou Lang"? They are all the sources of heartbreak for prostitutes throughout their lives.

Even though she is nestled in someone else's arms at this moment, tears are rolling down her cheeks as she thinks of her former lover.

In the world of romance, it is a major taboo to miss an old flame while in the presence of a new lover.

If all the girls are doing this now, won't it ruin the reputation of Huai Shang Yun Lou?

This made the mother in charge so anxious that she turned red in the face and her neck turned thick.

"What are you all doing? If you keep crying like that, I'll beat you to death!"

Strangely enough, despite the girls' heart-wrenching cries, none of the patrons seemed to blame them.

On the contrary, they all looked delighted.

After a long while, everyone came to their senses.

A scholar in white robes stood up and took out a silver ingot from the old woman.

"Mother, don't worry. Those who have come here today are all self-proclaimed poets who adore the wind and moon. Who would have thought they would encounter such a masterpiece?"

"Don't blame the girls for crying; such beautiful lines even bring tears to my eyes."

After saying that, he respectfully turned to Qian Qianyi.

"Brother Qian is truly talented, to have written such exquisite lines. It seems you will surely have a place on tomorrow's list of successful candidates. Congratulations in advance!"

"Hey, Brother Qian, why are you blushing?"

Before the scholar in white could ask any further questions, Liu Dajia spoke from the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the poem 'Butterfly Loves Flowers' that we just heard was written by Xue Dalang."

"The next poem, 'Butterfly Loves Flowers,' is truly a masterpiece by the Water-Cold Gentleman."