My transformation into a beautiful girl started with a hemorrhage.

Being redeemed and made a concubine is the best outcome for a prostitute, as it's the only way to escape her lowly status. Otherwise, her descendants would be forced into this profession for generations, unable to pursue other occupations.

In addition, prostitutes were not allowed to own any other form of property, such as real estate, land, or shops; they could only possess cash or silver from their clients' tips. Since prostitutes owned nothing but their bodies, where could they hide this cash? Therefore, it was very difficult for prostitutes to save money; most of them would earn money and then quickly spend it.

After following the young lady leading the way through several turns, Hui could hear the clear sounds of voices and clinking glasses ahead.

The maid led Hui to a curtain and stopped there. After waiting for a while and seeing that Hui had not made any move, she gave Hui a resentful look and then withdrew.

Hui felt bewildered by the stares, but simply assumed it was a woman's unfathomable heart, and went inside alone.

With a flick of the curtain, the view suddenly opened up.

What came into view was a large hall, about the size of one or two basketball courts, illuminated by lanterns hanging high on the walls, making it as bright as day. About a hundred guests were chatting and laughing, discussing various topics.

With wine and music, there were naturally beautiful women. In the center of the hall was a square platform more than a meter high, on which twenty dancers were gracefully dancing to the music of string and wind instruments. They all looked to be between 16 and 18 years old, with beautiful faces, smiling expressions, and graceful figures. Although their dance movements were slow, they were very neat and gorgeous, with an indescribable elegance.

However, Hui looked at the dance with a strange expression.

It wasn't that the dance wasn't beautiful, but Hui recognized it; these dancers were performing the "White Silk Dance," one of the court dances of the Xia Dynasty. Dong'er had memories of learning this "White Silk Dance," which had very strict requirements for the movements, making it much more difficult than dances like the "Rainbow Skirt Dance," which were specifically designed to seduce men.

Because the "White Silk Dance" was used for banquets and entertainment of high-ranking officials and nobles, it was elaborate and magnificent in form and rigorous in structure. The dancers who could perform this dance well were all rigorously trained from a young age. Hui believed that even if she had received all of Dong'er's gifts, she would not be able to reach the level of the older sisters when she went up to dance the "White Silk Dance".

'These dancers must have been rented by Yu Youwei from the palace,' Hui thought, convinced it was the truth. 'It seems Yu Youwei knows quite a few high-ranking officials; she can even rent dancers from the palace. But I'm just making a little extra money and leaving; we'll keep to ourselves.'

Unlike the groups of people gathered inside, Hui didn't know anyone here, nor did she have any intention of getting to know anyone else.

So he sat quietly in the corner, eating his food and watching the seniors dance.

It must be said that the senior dancers above danced really well. They either fluttered their long sleeves, did splits and bent over backwards, swayed like willows in the wind, or twirled and spun. Their movements were graceful and beautiful, like a fish lying on its back, exploring the sea, or shooting a swallow. Their clothes fluttered, and their dance was exquisite and beautiful.

After the dance ended, the dancer suddenly withdrew.

The surroundings quieted down.

Then, amidst the expectant gazes of the crowd, a seemingly delicate and frail beauty from Jiangnan emerged from behind the stage.

This beauty was about 15 or 6 years old. She was extremely beautiful, with skin as smooth as cream and as white as snow. Her eyebrows were curved like the moon in the sky, her eyes were as bright as stars, her nose was delicate, and her lips were as red as cinnabar. Her exquisite little face seemed to be a gift from heaven. She was beautiful to the extreme. At this moment, she had a faint smile on her face, which made everyone who saw her feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze and felt good about her.

However, with the keen eyes of a martial arts master, he noticed a slight inconsistency in the way this beauty walked.

Hui didn't think much of it, assuming the other person had simply twisted their ankle by accident.

When the beauty walked onto the stage, some impatient people below shouted, "Master Yu, you've finally come out! We've been waiting so long we've drunk three jars of wine!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Youwei stood up straight, folded her slender yet plump and fair hands in front of her delicate waist, with her right hand on top and her palm facing inward. She then bowed slightly at about twenty degrees and performed a textbook-perfect female bow to the crowd.

After the ceremony, Yu Youwei smiled and spoke in a beautiful voice as melodious as a flowing spring: "I, Yu Youwei, have kept you all waiting!"

Chapter 190 It's a sure thing

A cheer erupted from the crowd below: "We won't wait any longer! As long as we can see everyone, it's worth the wait!"

Yu Youwei smiled slightly and said, "I think it's about time, so let's begin the poetry gathering!"

Upon hearing this, the group of men below became excited, rubbing their hands together, ready to use their talents to conquer the stunning beauty Yu Youwei and win her heart.

Hui looked at the men around her, their eyes filled with such hatred as if they wanted to devour Yu Youwei, and immediately showed disgust, letting out a low snort: "Hmph! Men."

"Fish, hurry up and give me a question!"

"Yes! Hurry up and give me the questions!"

···

"Then, I shall respectfully comply."

Yu Youwei pondered for a moment, then softly uttered: "The reeds are green, the dew is white as frost. The one I long for is on the other side of the water. Since ancient times, beauties have been many. The poem 'Reeds' from the Book of Songs has inspired countless scholars to endlessly imagine beauties. Today, there are many talented people, so please write down the peerless beauty in your hearts! Poems, lyrics, and songs are all acceptable."

"what?"

"beauty!"

"Brother Zhao, do you have any clues?"

After hearing Yu Youwei's question, everyone started discussing it, and some people were already sitting down, grinding ink and searching for inspiration.

Yu Youwei wasn't in a hurry.

Because it's unrealistic to expect someone to spontaneously compose a good poem. Even the most talented scholars need to sit at their desks and think carefully, making countless additions, deletions, and revisions. That's why she didn't set a time limit, precisely to allow these scholars time to ponder and create masterpieces.

So why is Yu Youwei so keen on organizing poetry gatherings, something that requires so much effort?

Because she wanted fame, fame that would be known throughout the world!

For a courtesan as popular as her at the Drunken Red Mansion, she had no shortage of money or people willing to redeem her.

But she lacks fame!

Although she was the most famous courtesan in the Drunken Red Pavilion in Yangzhou, Jiangnan, and everyone in Yangzhou knew her, how many people outside of Yangzhou and Jiangnan knew her?

Furthermore, while Yu Youwei is the most beautiful courtesan, the most beautiful courtesan is not necessarily Yu Youwei.

Because the reputation of a courtesan is too easily forgotten.

"A new generation replaces the old" is the most accurate description of the position of courtesan.

It sounds like the top courtesan, at the pinnacle of prostitution, could have everything she wanted.

However, hidden behind this false luxury is a huge crisis.

Because, courtesans! The world has no shortage of courtesans. Every brothel has its own courtesan, and... countless beautiful young prostitutes who can replace the current courtesan.

Once a courtesan has passed the most golden and fleeting years of her life, and her beauty fades with age, she will be ruthlessly replaced.

Therefore, if you are content with your current reputation as the most beautiful courtesan in the Drunken Dream of the Red Chamber, then you are like a frog being slowly boiled in water, and once you are cooked, the next one will take your place.

Everyone will focus on the current courtesan; no one will care about the frog that was boiled alive before.

Just like how, after she replaced Su Yingying, the former top courtesan of the Drunken Red Mansion, no one paid any more attention to Su Yingying.

Even though Su Yingying was cheated out of her money by the wrong person and abandoned, she could only return to the brothel, going from a high-ranking courtesan to an ordinary prostitute who could only afford a night's sleep for a tael of silver a day. After the last embers of her former title of 'courtesan' were gone, all that awaited her was being sold to the lowest brothel by the Drunken Red Pavilion, receiving dozens of customers every day, and finally, completely ruined and dumped in a mass grave.

Whenever Yu Youwei thinks of Su Yingying, she feels a sense of crisis and fear. She is afraid that Su Yingying's present is her future.

Therefore, Yu Youwei wanted to go further, become famous throughout the world, and become a renowned courtesan.

Only in this way, even if she grows old and loses her beauty, she will not be forgotten like countless other courtesans of the past.

If she becomes famous, even if she is deceived again in the future, she will have the opportunity to make another choice, unlike Su Yingying, who made the wrong choice once and had no chance to recover.

However, while beauty is essential for becoming famous, it is not enough on its own.

Nangong Bingqing, the most beautiful woman in the world, is famous throughout the land for her purity and innocence.

Consort Hui, a notorious femme fatale who brought ruin to the country, was known throughout the land for her seductive charm that bewitched the emperor and her venomous heart.

However, Yu Youwei felt no disgust or disdain for Consort Hui's infamous reputation; on the contrary, she was filled with envy.

Because she understood men too well. Men said that Consort Hui was seductive and bewitching, lewd and vulgar, but it was only because they were jealous of what they couldn't have. In their hearts, men wished Consort Hui would come and ruin them! The more she ruined them, the more men liked her and the more they loved her!

Hmph! That's just how men are!

At the same time, Yu Youwei knew that neither Nangong Bingqing nor Consort Hui could replicate their success, because she was just a prostitute and could not reach such a high level as the top of the world.

Even if it's not easy, Yu Youwei will strive towards this goal!

What is the fastest and relatively easiest way to become famous worldwide?

Of course, it's literature.

The topic she chose, "Beauty," also carried her own little scheme, because as the initiator of this poetry gathering and the most beautiful woman, she was destined to be associated with the poems that would circulate from this gathering.

If a masterpiece is created tonight, the wider the spread of that masterpiece, the deeper the fame of Yu Youwei will reach!

If a poem from today's poetry gathering were to become a timeless classic, Yu Youwei would be laughing in her sleep. However, she also knew that the probability was extremely low. Timeless masterpieces don't come easily; they truly require the right timing, location, and people.

on site,

The murmurs among the talented scholars gradually subsided. Some scholars, who were particular about their creative environment, even had their maids lead them to private rooms made up of painted boats outside the main hall to contemplate in peace.

Of course, many were just going through the motions. While they appeared to be writing something, their eyes were constantly fixed on Yu Youwei on the stage. This included the young master of the Li family whom Hui had seen earlier…

In the back corner of the hall,

When Hui heard the theme of "beauty", a timeless masterpiece immediately came to mind, a truly timeless masterpiece!

It's important to know that Hui's major is not classical poetry.

Therefore, the poems that can be remembered by a passerby like Hui must be extremely, extremely, extremely... awesome!

"It's safe!" Hui exclaimed excitedly.

"Brother, what does 'it's settled' mean?" asked a portly man next to Hui after hearing Hui's words.

Hui turned to look at the fat man. This fat man was not the kind with a face full of fat, but rather a round belly with a slightly simple and honest appearance. He had fair skin and was wearing a luxurious brocade robe, making him look extremely wealthy.

In fact, Elder Hui had noticed the fat man next to him long ago.

Unlike himself, who didn't want to have contact with the people around him, this fat man seemed to be the one disliked and rejected by those around him.

Hui was in a good mood, so she explained, "This is a sure thing, it means 'I'm going to win!'"

"Oh, I see. My name is Sun Fang. May I ask your honorable name, sir?" the fat man asked, clasping his hands in greeting.

Hui reflexively reached out to fold her hands in front of her waist and bow slightly in a woman's greeting, but immediately realized that she was a woman disguised as a man, so she quickly changed her words and said, "This humble servant... is Lin Hui."

The name "Lin Hui" is neutral and can be used by both men and women, so Sun Fang didn't find it strange.

Upon hearing this, Sun Fang was filled with respect and clasped his hands in a fist salute again, saying, "So you are Young Master Lin. I have long admired you!"

"I've heard so much about you!" Hui returned the greeting, mimicking the other person's gesture.

The fat man seemed to enjoy the words, fanning himself with a look of satisfaction: "Hey! You're too kind! You're too kind! Brother Lin, you know it's fine as long as you know it, there's no need to say it out loud."

"..."

"Isn't 'I've heard so much about you' just a polite way of saying it? Is this person out of their mind?!"

Hui ignored the man and turned to write this timeless masterpiece!

Chapter 191 One in Ten Thousand

Hui picked up her pen and wrote: 丬......

However, Hui crossed out the last two words she wrote.