The first time in history

"I was the first one to pass the provincial examination." Qian Mingduo said lightly.

"Oh!" The shopkeeper was surprised and immediately walked over from the counter. "Could it be Lu Jieyuan?"

Qian Mingduo also looked at the shopkeeper in surprise, "How did the shopkeeper know Lu? This is strange. This is my first time in Yingtian Prefecture, and also my first time in your inn."

"Lu Jieyuan, please accept my greeting." The shopkeeper bowed deeply.

"What's the meaning of this, shopkeeper?" Qian Mingduo also hurriedly returned the gift, "Why are you giving me such a big gift for no reason?"

The shopkeeper leaned over and said, "Master Jieyuan, please take a seat."

After the two of them sat down, the shopkeeper personally took the teacup from the waiter. "Jie Yuan, please have some tea!"

"I can't get used to your tea, it's just like noodle soup." Qian Mingduo asked, "How did the shopkeeper know about Lu?"

"Ha, ha, ha..." The shopkeeper laughed, "Jie Yuan doesn't know that after you took the provincial examination, your name has spread all over the capital."

Qian Ming looked at the shopkeeper. He actually had the same idea as Li Shishi. He didn't want to be too conspicuous, but he already had the answers to the exam. After writing it, he couldn't just sit there.

"I want to be quiet, but the wind won't stop!" Qian Mingduo sighed softly, "Boss, where is my room? I'm sleepy. Please don't tell others that I'm in your inn."

During dinner, more and more people came to the inn, many of whom were candidates for the imperial examination.

Qian Mingduo asked the waiter to bring the food to the house. When the lights were on, Qian Mingduo walked out of the inn from the backyard. He wanted to see the scenery of Yingtian Prefecture.

The night was as dark as ink, slowly permeating Shangqiu Yingtianfu. The lights were turned on, and the lanterns on the street lit up one by one, like stars falling into the earth.

The main street in the city is like a long river of flowing light, with shops lined up and their signs swaying gently in the wind.

In the silk shop, the silk and satin gleam softly under the candlelight, as if telling the prosperity of the past.

The food stalls on the street were steaming, and the aroma filled the air. The craftsman selling candy figurines was surrounded by children, their eyes full of desire for sweetness.

The bluestone road glowed with cool yet warm light under the interweaving of moonlight and lamplight. In the distance, the Drum Tower, with its flying eaves and brackets, outlined a majestic outline in the night sky. The copper bells under the eaves occasionally made crisp sounds, as if whispering to the breeze.

The river in the city runs through the city, and the lights on both banks are reflected on the river surface, making the water sparkle. Occasionally, a pleasure boat slowly passes by, and the lanterns on the bow and the reflection in the water complement each other, making it look like a dream. People come and go on the bridge, some stop to appreciate the night view, and some are in a hurry.

A warm yellow light shone through the windows of the houses, and the sounds of laughter and conversation could be heard faintly, adding a touch of worldly air to the night.

In the deep alley, the moonlight shines on the mottled walls, making it even more quiet, as if hiding countless unknown stories. The night in Shangqiu Yingtianfu is like a gorgeous and mysterious painting, slowly unfolding in the long river of time.

Qian Mingduo walked along and gradually entered a street full of red lanterns. Yihong Courtyard, Cuixiang Tower, Wanhua Pavilion... these were all places full of red smoke and green willows.

Qian Mingduo smiled and quickened his pace, wanting only to get out of this flower street as quickly as possible.

"Brother Lu, are you here to visit this gentle place as well?" Feng Yixuan was walking out of Cuixiang Tower. "Brother and I are really destined to be together!"

"Brother Feng," Qian Mingduo clasped his fists and bowed, "How are you?"

Feng Yixuan held Qian Mingduo's hand and said, "Mr. Jie Yuan was not a good friend. He left me alone in the inn that day and went to Beijing alone. He really missed me."

"You have that girl by your side, how can you say you are alone?" Qian Mingduo joked, "If you say you are alone, it's me, not you, right?"

"Ha, ha, ha..." Feng Yixuan laughed and said, "I sent the girl back to Lin'an Prefecture the day I arrived in Beijing. Now she is all alone."

"Brother Feng." Two young men in gorgeous clothes walked out of Cuixiang Tower and asked, "Where are we going this time?"

"Excuse me, who is this..." a tall and thin man asked, "Is this an old acquaintance of Brother Feng?"

Feng Yixuan became excited, "This brother Lu is not an ordinary candidate, he is the first place winner of our Lin'an Prefecture's provincial examination."

"May I ask if this is Lü Jieyuan?" The two young masters saluted at the same time and said, "I have heard of Jieyuan's name for a long time! It is a great honor to meet you today!"

“I dare not,” Qian Mingduo bowed slightly, “I am Lü Zhengyi.”

"During the provincial examination, Brother Lu was the first to hand in his paper and won the first place." The tall and thin young man said, "In this imperial examination, Brother Lu was the first to hand in his paper. It seems that Brother Lu will be the first place in this subject. What do you think?"

Feng Yixuan's mouth was full of alcohol. "I saw Brother Lu's test paper in Lin'an. The essay was so powerful and the words were gorgeous and beautiful. I am sure that this time the first place will be Lu!"

"I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, brothers." Qian Mingduo bowed to them, "I don't want to disturb you. Zhengyi is a little sleepy and wants to go back to the inn to rest. Goodbye!"

"No!" Feng Yixuan stopped Qian Mingduo, "We finally met each other, why did Brother Lu leave so early?"

The tall and thin young man said, "It is our honor to meet Brother Lu. I will treat Jie Yuan and the other brothers to the best Yihong Courtyard here. Please do me the honor and don't refuse!"

"Mr. Lu is really sleepy and I don't want to spoil your fun. Goodbye!" Qian Mingduo turned around and prepared to leave, but he was surrounded by three people.

"No, no, no."

"Brother Lu must come with us."

......

Qian Mingduo was forced by the three men to enter Yihongyuan.

Entering Yihong Courtyard, you will be dazzled by the carved beams and painted buildings. The vermilion columns are painted with exquisite floral patterns, which are lifelike.

In the hall, the high-hanging colored glass lamps emit soft and hazy light. The floor is covered with a thick carpet embroidered with flowers, and every step you take seems to be in a spring garden.

The light gauze curtains hung down from the beams, dancing in the wind like clouds and mist. The tables and chairs were all made of fine sandalwood, exuding a faint fragrance.

On the piano stand nearby, there was an antique zither, the strings of which shone with a silver luster under the light. On the wall hung paintings and calligraphy by famous people, adding a touch of elegance to this fragrant place.

Look at the girls, all of them are graceful. Some are wearing pink gauze skirts, like peach blossoms in full bloom in spring, with smiling eyes and round fans in their hands, half of their faces covered; some are wearing green silk skirts, like fresh lotus leaves, with long black hair like waterfalls, pearls and jade in their hair, and the rings and bracelets jingle as they move lightly.

They were either dancing in the hall, their sleeves fluttering, or sitting by and singing softly, their voices as melodious as nightingales. Some girls were sitting by the window, holding a scroll, as if in deep thought, occasionally looking up, with a sparkling light in their eyes that was so fascinating.

Their every smile, every move exudes charming charm, making Yihongyuan a luxurious place of debauchery in the eyes of everyone.

Qian Mingduo knew that behind this prosperity, there was also the sadness and helplessness that they had no control over.