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

Was it not made by Qian Shuileng?

After the first part of the song was sung, what was this kid pretending to be all high and mighty for?

Amidst the murmurs of the crowd, it was then that Liu Dajia, from the fourth floor of Yunlou, spoke again.

"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?"

this......

Didn't you say you were going to sing a song by Qian Shuileng? Why are you singing Xue Dalang's masterpiece again?

The expressions on everyone's faces grew increasingly strange.

Looking at Qian Qianyi again, his face turned as red as blood.

He mumbled a few words and then cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the crowd.

"Gentlemen, listen again... My poems are definitely no worse than Xue Dashan's!"

The crowd was skeptical.

On the fourth floor of the cloud tower, the singing began again.

"...Autumn frost has turned my temples, but my heart remains steadfast; my loyal soul is devoted to the sake of the holy ruler."

"Dressed in crimson and purple, wearing golden robes, I repay the emperor's kindness on the golden platform."

......

A profound silence.

In the silence, there were angry glares directed at Qian Qianyi.

No wonder you said you were "definitely no worse than Xue Dashan". Where would anyone dare to rank your poem second?

Damn it, everyone comes to brothels for fun, and you come to a brothel to wear a hat?

Normally, lyrics are written about women, flowers, moon, wind, and birds. Who would write lyrics about a "sage ruler" here?

Furthermore, your first stanza is exactly the same as Xue Dalang's, without a single word changed.

However, the meaning of the second half of the poem is exactly the same as the original, but it is far from it.

Is it plagiarism?

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Several people who thought their writing was good but were not selected made a lot of noise and demanded to start over.

After all, who would want someone who plagiarizes and "labels" to steal their chance to advance to the next level?

There was a great commotion here.

But then Qian Qianyi shouted loudly.

"What, you all have a problem with this?"

"If anyone thinks my lyrics don't deserve to be number one, feel free to stand up and argue with me!"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

No one would risk going to Yingtian Prefecture for tea just to get a chance to enter the martial arts competition.

Qian Qianyi was beaming with pride.

He looked towards the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower. Although his voice was loud, it revealed a sense of morbid self-deception.

"Ms. Liu, the people downstairs have already reached a consensus, and it's time to draw a conclusion."

"how?"

"Am I, Qian Shuileng, the top scorer in this written exam?"

A soft laugh came from the fourth floor of Yunlou, but before he could speak, someone was heard laughing and cursing.

"Qian Shuileng, you're utterly shameless."

"Unfortunately, no matter how shameless you are, this poem can only be ranked second."

"...No, that's not right. It doesn't even qualify as second. It should be kicked off the list and thrown into the latrine!"

Qian Qianyi was stunned. He turned his head and saw that familiar figure again.

It is anxiety.

Feng Ziying hurriedly pulled Jiao Si back.

He whispered his instructions, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"Brother Jiao, please stop talking!"

"It's one thing for us to criticize the Qian family, but now that his poem contains the words 'sage ruler,' it's obvious he's trying to frame us!"

"Both first and second place on the left and right can be selected, so why should we fight for this empty title?"

Jiao Si gently patted Feng Ziying's hand to indicate that everything was alright.

Then Qian Qianyi loudly launched an attack.

"Alright, you all heard that!"

"This brat has no respect for the emperor, daring to place the title 'Holy Ruler' after his lewd and vulgar words!"

"Gentlemen, my Qian family has been favored by the Emperor for generations and is the most loyal subject of the Holy Emperor. We absolutely cannot tolerate such traitors barking and howling here!"

What a clever example of "putting on a hat before choosing a side."

Unfortunately, he had already figured out a solution before he stepped forward.

With a disdainful smile, Jiao Si looked up at the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower.

"Master Liu, may I borrow a poem by Shui Leng?"

A soft laugh came from the fourth floor.

"If you have given your order, sir, I will certainly comply."

With a flick of her jade-like hand, the yellowed paper gently drifted down and landed perfectly in Jiao Si's palm.

Jiao Si lightly brushed the paper against his nose and took a deep breath.

"As expected of the head of the Eight Beauties, even such tattered and filthy poems have gained a touch of elegance after passing through the hands of Master Liu."

"Random Chicken, someone took advantage of your situation to pressure you today, and I'm here to help you out; if I ever find myself in trouble in the future, I wonder if I could trouble you, Lady Liu, for your assistance?"

Jiao Si's words, though seemingly unintentional, actually contained a deeper meaning.

In his view, Lu Yanping was from the Qinhuai River, while Liu Rushi was the leader of the Qinhuai River.

When we help Lu Yanping get rid of his slave status, he'll need somewhere to go.

Aside from her love of tidying up the house and her kind nature, she has no survival skills whatsoever. Judging from her past words and actions, she has no intention of getting married anytime soon.

If all else fails, we can ask Liu Rushi to arrange some kind of position for Lu Yanping on the Qinhuai River, so he won't go hungry...

While thinking of Miss Lu, on the fourth floor of the Cloud Tower, Master Liu had a playful expression.

I initially thought this guy was just a gunman working for Xue Dalang, but now it seems he's no ordinary person.

However, I would never make such a basic verbal mistake like him...

"My lord, you must make your words clear. Although Young Master Shui Leng's work is not as romantic as Xue Dalang's, his sincerity is still touching."

"You have all come here today to sort out this matter, and it is all out of good intentions. There is no attempt to use your position to intimidate others."

"As for helping..."

Liu Rushi's tone suddenly took a turn, revealing a touch of girlish playfulness.

"The gentleman has shown kindness to Die'er, and as her elder sister, I should repay that debt. But if she marries in a few days, how can she help other men?"

"Sir, you still need to work harder..."

Jiao Si swallowed hard.

Another difficult character.

Putting aside her impeccable speech, the allure she exuded in her conversation alone revealed her to be a woman well-versed in the ways of the world.

Anyway, I've always been worried about venereal disease and dared not make any rash moves, and she has remained chaste for so many years.

It's not good to keep it bottled up all the time, so maybe...

No, no, the imperial examinations and money are more important...

He shook his head, quickly banishing those suggestive thoughts.

Jiao Si looked at Qian Qianyi with a fierce expression.

"Qian Shuileng, you accuse me of insulting the sacred name? of being disloyal and unruly?"

"Whose holy name are you referring to? And which ruler?"

Qian Qianyi was taken aback, then put his hands on his hips and laughed.

"Kid, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"How many emperors will the Great Yi Dynasty have left?"

Jiao Si flicked the note in his hand.

"What does the Emperor of the Great Yi Dynasty have to do with you, Qian Qianyi?"

"Gentlemen, look at how the word 'Qian Shuileng' is written!"

As he spoke, Jiao Si looked around and handed the note to a man who had just expressed strong opinions about Qian Qianyi.

The man took the note, muttered to himself, and read it aloud.

"Gazing into the distance, spring sorrow fills my heart..."

"Leaning on the railing, my thoughts..."

"A loyal and devoted soul..."

"Wait, that's not right!"

As he was thinking this, the man's gaze sharpened.

On the note, someone had dug a deep mark with their fingernail.

Above the mark, directly opposite, are three large characters.

The heart is not easy.

The man frowned, then instantly understood.

"I see, I see!"

"Qian Shuileng, how dare you!"

"'The heart is not easy,' what a fine 'the heart is not easy'! Tell me, if your heart does not belong to the Great Yi, then for which holy ruler does this loyal soul serve?"

"The so-called 'reporting the emperor's wishes on the golden platform'—but which emperor is being reported to?"

Qian Qianyi's heart skipped a beat, and his face turned deathly pale.

The surrounding area was noisy, and the people looking at him were all filled with contempt and glee.

He acted out of line, disrupting everyone's enjoyment. Now that his true colors have been exposed, there's only one word left to say.

Should!

Qian Qianyi's lips trembled slightly as he looked at Jiao Si.

"Kid, you tricked me?!"