My Demonic Cult's Holy Maiden

Even if you don't do anything and just look around, you still have to pay an entrance fee to go to Zuiqingfang.

Song Yuntao's monthly salary was only seven taels of silver, so the only explanation for this guy's decision to invite me to a brothel was that he had struck it rich.

"Did you pawn your ancestors' memorial tablets? Or did some wealthy man take a liking to you and want to marry his two-hundred-pound daughter to you?" Qi Yu asked with a strange look.

"Can't you watch your mouth? You're going to get beaten up easily. Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Song Yuntao rolled his eyes and said.

"Then where did you get the money?" Qi Yu asked.

"I don't know either, but everyone in the government office will receive twenty taels of silver today," Song Yuntao said.

Qi Yu raised an eyebrow. Everyone? Twenty taels?

Three months' salary!

Something's not right!

If it were a joyous occasion, or if the Jiangzhou city government had done a good job and received commendation from the imperial court, thus being rewarded with silver, then that would be understandable.

But usually, this kind of silver has nothing to do with the yamen runners.

Basically, all of it ended up in the magistrate's pocket. If he had any conscience, he'd add some fruit to your lunch; if he didn't, you wouldn't get a single penny.

Having worked in the prefectural government office for a month, I have gained some understanding of the county magistrate of Jiangzhou City.

He's not the kind of person with a conscience!

But how come the money wasn't swallowed up? It even ended up in the hands of Song Yuntao and the other constables. It feels really strange!

After much thought, there's only one explanation.

The county magistrate dared not embezzle this money!

If even the county magistrate wouldn't dare embezzle the money, then the source of this money is worth investigating.

Does anyone want to know what these guys are up to?

Qi Yu couldn't understand it, but it didn't matter anymore. He was no longer a member of the government, so it was none of his business.

"I won't be going to Zuiqingfang. I'll leave you some money so you can get married and save yourself from running around in these brothels every day!" Qi Yu waved his hand and said.

Song Yuntao hurriedly said, "No! I don't need that little bit of money, let's go together!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yu narrowed his eyes. Why was she so eager to invite him to a sauna? There was definitely something wrong with her!

"Just tell me what you need my help with!"

Song Yuntao scratched his head, looking somewhat hesitant and embarrassed.

Wang Defa glanced at Song Yuntao and said, "Tonight, Zuiqingfang has been booked by Chang Lian, the young master of the Chang family, and he has invited many famous scholars to attend. I heard that Meixiang, the top courtesan of Zuiqingfang, will also perform a song."

"Old Song has admired Mei Xianggu for a long time, so he has always wanted to go to Zuiqingfang to meet Miss Mei Xiang."

Qi Yu blinked, puzzled, and said, "Then let's go! Don't you have money? Why do you have to ask me to come along?"

Wang Defa said, "Because tonight, Young Master Chang has invited scholars, and it is said that they will also have a poetry contest! Old Song wants you to be his backer."

Qi Yu understood; he was asking a scholar like himself to oversee the event!

“I understand, but I still won’t go. It’s just a poetry contest, right? I’ll write two poems for you. You can take them. What kind of poems do you want? Descriptive, emotional, or aspirational?” Qi Yu asked.

Song Yuntao hurriedly said, "Anything is fine, but it would be best if the poem contained the fragrance of plum blossoms."

Qi Yu thought for a moment, then turned around and went back to the pharmacy. He asked the shopkeeper for paper and pen and wrote a poem in a hurry.

"Here, take this! Two poems, enough for you to show off!" Qi Yu handed the paper to Song Yuntao and said.

Song Yuntao took it and started reading.

Unable to sleep, I awoke with a start that autumn had arrived; rootless leaves fell like flowing water.

With pen and paper, I will display my grand ambitions and strive to have my name inscribed on the golden list.

……

Song Yuntao was not a scholar, but it was still clear that this poem was written for scholars.

He couldn't help but look at the next song, nodded, and even this rough-around-the-edges guy felt confident.

Plum blossoms and snow vie for spring's favor, neither willing to yield; poets struggle to find words to describe them.

Plum blossoms may be three parts less white than snow, but snow lacks the fragrance of plum blossoms.

……

He didn't understand poetry, but the words "fragrance of plum blossoms" were enough for him.

Looking at the rough-around-the-edges expression, Qi Yu knew he didn't understand, and helplessly pursed his lips.

You have no culture, yet you go to brothels to pretend to be cultured. Are brothels no longer enough for you?

Aren't brothels and entertainment venues just places for pleasure? They're all the same once the candle is blown out!

I must have lost my mind to help this guy.

If Lu Yue found out that he had copied his poems with the ultimate goal of winning the heart of a courtesan, wouldn't he jump out of his coffin and beat himself up?

The courtesans in brothels sold their art but not their bodies; they generally had their own helplessness.

Lu Yue's poem "Snow Plum" praises the plum blossom's resilience in blooming in winter.

The cold winter perfectly reflects Meixiang's current situation, helpless in a place of pleasure.

The contrast between plum blossoms and snow further reflects the difference between a courtesan and a woman of the night, highlighting the uniqueness of Meixiang, a courtesan.

Others might not understand this poem, but Meixiang will definitely understand it.

Sending this to that old gentleman Song Yuntao to visit a brothel will be a sure thing.

It's still a bit of a pity!

With a sigh, Qi Yu said helplessly, "You can recite the first poem when you're playing the drinking game; it should have a good effect."

"The second poem is about plum blossoms. You can give it to Miss Plum Blossom alone, or you can read it aloud in public. I believe she will take a second look at you. If she asks if you wrote it, just say yes."

Song Yuntao patted Qi Yu on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, I understand! I'll treat you to dinner later if it works out!"

Qi Yu rolled his eyes helplessly and said, "Don't bother inviting me to dinner. With that money, buy your old mother a few more sets of autumn clothes. Autumn is coming and it's getting cool."

Song Yuntao folded the paper neatly, then stuffed it into his pocket, saying, "You don't need to tell me, I can do it myself. What do you take me for?"

Qi Yu shook his head helplessly, knowing that this guy wouldn't listen.

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Chapter Fifty-Six: Brothers? What's that?

After parting ways with Song Yuntao, Qi Yu headed to the pastry shop, intending to buy some chestnut pastries for Su Yue before returning home.

Chang Lian is holding a poetry gathering at Zuiqingfang tonight, and his purpose is very easy to guess.

The autumn imperial examinations are just around the corner, and at this time, he is extending an olive branch to these scholars.

If these people do get into high school, this poetry gathering can act as a connection, allowing them to bring the other person into their camp.

Although martial artists are rampant now, the status of scholars is still very high. The saying "Of all professions, only studying is noble" is not just a saying.

Education is important everywhere!

Qi Yu had no idea what Chang Lian was planning.

In any case, the Chang family will be destroyed, and anyone who stands in their way will be destroyed.

Upon arriving at the pastry shop, Qi Yu was immediately drawn to a graceful white figure as soon as he stepped inside.

Her dress was as white as snow, without a speck of dust, and her face was covered by a thin veil. Although her face could not be seen clearly, Qi Yu still recognized who she was.

This person saved my life; he is my benefactor.

However, he was preoccupied with Su Yue's safety that day and was unable to properly repay her.

"Girl, what a coincidence, we meet again!" Qi Yu greeted her.

Qin Xiyao turned around and saw Qi Yu, and was slightly taken aback.

Qi Yu left a very deep impression on her because his temperament was different from most of the men she had met.

He possesses both the refined elegance of a scholar and the boldness and untamed spirit of a warrior; these two qualities combined create a unique and captivating aura.

"It's you! Are you here to buy pastries too?" Qin Xiyao asked.

Qi Yu smiled and nodded, saying, "My wife loves the chestnut pastries from this shop, so I always buy some whenever I go to town."

Qin Xiyao nodded, but in her heart she thought to herself, "They're already married! Was that chestnut pastry he bought for his wife last time?"

It seems like I did something wrong.

"Young lady, here are your lotus cake and hazelnut shortbread!" A middle-aged woman came out, carrying two oil paper bags.

Qin Xiyao took the money and was just about to pay when someone else paid first.

"Boss, give me a chestnut pastry, and pay for this young lady's too," Qi Yu said.

Qi Yu was a regular at the shop, and the proprietress recognized him.

"Okay, wait a moment!" The proprietress took the money, turned around, and went into the inner room.

After the proprietress left, Qin Xiyao turned around, looked at Qi Yu indifferently, and asked, "What do you mean by this?"

Is it because she can't afford those few dozen coins?

Qi Yu hurriedly waved his hand and said, "I was fortunate enough to be rescued by you a few days ago, and I have been thinking about how to repay you these past few days, but the world is so vast, and I don't know how to find you."

"I have met you by chance today, and I will certainly repay your kindness. How could I let you spend money on me? This is just a small token of my appreciation. I do not mean to look down on you, and I hope you will not take offense."

Qin Xiyao stared at Qi Yu for a long while before turning her gaze away and saying, "Saving you was just a small favor. I don't need your repayment, and you can't repay me anyway."

"You paid for the pastries this time, consider it your way of repaying me, so don't worry about it."

After saying that, Qin Xiyao stepped out of the pastry shop. With a sway of her white dress, her beautiful figure disappeared at the doorway.

Qi Yu scratched his chin and shook his head helplessly.

Just like she said, it seems like she can't repay them in any way!

Judging from her clothes and demeanor, she must be a rich young lady from a wealthy family. As a poor man like myself, there really isn't anything that would catch her eye.

Never mind, I'll remember this kindness and repay it when I have the chance.