In the Northern Song Dynasty, he started by marrying the eighth daughter of the Su family.

Zhao Xiangxiang was also somewhat dissatisfied at this moment, saying, "But that person's mouth was full of lewd words, I think my sister was blinded by him!"

"What nonsense are you spouting, you little brat?" Chen Shishi laughed and patted him on the shoulder, then said, "That poem wasn't written by him."

"Brother! How did you know? Just based on his handsome appearance and his simple-minded look?" Zhao Xiangxiang crossed her arms and sat down next to Chen Shishi, huffing and puffing.

At this moment, Chen Shishi explained, "Good sister, you must have seen whose carriage that Master Han got out of?"

"Who?" Zhao Xiangxiang didn't care about anything else at this point, and she didn't even want to guess anymore.

"This is the carriage of Bao Zheng, the Imperial Secretary of the Tianzhang Pavilion and the Grand Master of the Censorate," Chen Shishi said.

"But what does this have to do with him?" Zhao Xiangxiang didn't understand.

“Who is Doctor Bao? He is upright and honest, and does not show favoritism. If someone can ride in Doctor Bao’s carriage, how could he be such a shallow and vulgar person?” Chen Shishi said.

"If you want to judge a person, you should look at the people around them. Vulgarity is unacceptable in refined settings; don't you understand this simple principle?"

Zhao Xiangxiang, however, disagreed, saying, "Who would know?"

Chen Shishi sighed, not wanting to argue with her anymore, and simply said, "Alright, alright, let's tune the zither first, the guests will be here soon."

"Yes, yes, good sister, I won't nag anymore." Zhao Xiangxiang had no choice but to obediently sit back down at her table and start tuning her zither.

......

Pingluan Tower was as lively as ever today. Zhao Xiangxiang, Chen Shishi, and another woman in green robes sat in the center of the restaurant, playing music together.

When the music ended, countless red silk ribbons and silver coins were thrown onto the stage.

At this moment, an ordinary-looking man walked in. He entered Pingluan Tower, his gaze sweeping over the three courtesans before slowly stepping aside.

The madam, beaming, stepped forward and asked, "Sir, would you like some wine?"

"Yes."

This man was tall and slender, somewhat old, with black hair tinged with white, tied up with a simple hairpin, a few stray strands swaying gently in the wind. Although his clothes were not luxurious and his appearance was somewhat disheveled, he possessed a unique and charming demeanor.

"Well, you've come at the perfect time! May I ask your name, sir? Would you like a lady to accompany you?"

"My name is Liu Yong. I have long admired the reputation of the three leading poets in the capital. Today, I would like to compose a poem in response to your request," the man said.

Upon hearing this, the previously enthusiastic madam's smile froze. Her eyes subtly scanned the man before her—

No good looks; no nice clothes; that flat wallet... and no money either. To come out and immediately claim to be one of the top three banks—isn't that a bit ridiculous?

But Liu Yong smiled and said, "I have only written a poem; the rest is up to you ladies."

The madam looked him up and down, then, as if remembering something, said, "You, Liu Yong, could you be the one who writes lyrics by imperial decree?"

Liu Yong bowed slightly and said, "But what happened back then is not worth mentioning now."

The madam's expression changed several times before she said, "In that case, please make yourself at home, Master Liu."

Everyone knows that this so-called "composing lyrics by imperial decree" was simply because Emperor Renzong of Song, Zhao Zhen, disliked his lewd and obscene lyrics, and therefore crossed out his name. Later, when he wanted to ask someone for an introduction, he received a reply from Zhao Zhen: "Go and compose lyrics."

At this point, Liu Yong claimed to be "writing lyrics by imperial decree." Those who didn't know the truth might think it was impressive, but those who did knew understood it was just a joke.

Once someone brought paper and pen, Liu Yong prepared to begin writing. However, those around him were also there to see Liu Yong's poem; whether they intended to make fun of him is unknown.

Finally, the poem "Joy of Day and Night" came to life on the page:

"Xiuxiang lives in Peach Blossom Path, her natural beauty surpassing even that of a fairy. Her bright eyes are like rippling waves, her smooth neck like round jade. She loves to sing her heart out at banquets, her voice so enchanting that even clouds gather in sorrow. Her words are as gentle as a nightingale's, each note melodious and delightful to hear."

The wedding night is over, the curtains are drawn, and the joy of the occasion is palpable. Embraced in the fragrant quilt, happiness abounds. The golden incense burner emits wisps of musk smoke, and the candlelight flickers, casting red shadows. The wine's effects are exuberant, the heart restless, and the pleasure deepens. Yet, one still laments the neighbor's rooster's early crow, lamenting that a sweet autumn night's dream is fleeting.

Seeing this, the madam simply hung the poem on the board and put it aside. Zhao Xiangxiang glanced at the poem and, upon hearing others whisper that the author was Liu Yong, a look of disdain immediately appeared on her face.

"I thought it was some clever phrase, but it's not as charming as I expected. Bah..." she said softly.

"Xiangxiang, don't be rude," Chen Shishi said softly. "No matter how you try to explain, there is some talent in these words."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiangxiang snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, what talent? It's nothing but lewd lyrics and songs. I don't believe he can really have any talent."

“Dongdong, tell me, these lyrics and music are all erotic, where is the talent?” Zhao Xiangxiang said to the green-robed woman beside her.

This is the last of the three top executives: Xu Dongdong.

Xu Dongdong glanced at the poem and said, "It does indeed have some erotic and lewd connotations, but it can't be said that it lacks talent. In my opinion, it does have talent."

Seeing that Xu Dongdong wasn't on her side either, Zhao Xiangxiang snorted and ignored her. Meanwhile, the patrons in the audience, after listening to the performance of "Joy of Day and Night," all expressed their approval.

Chen Shishi felt helpless, but then she saw Zhao Xiangxiang standing up, clutching her zither, preparing to leave. She quickly reached out and stopped Zhao Xiangxiang, asking:

"Good sister, what are you doing?"

Zhao Xiangxiang said, "I just don't believe that Liu Yong is really that good. I'll go find someone and see if I can believe that Liu Yong is the only talented person in the world."

After saying that, he shook off Chen Shishi's hand, walked around the stage, and left.

Upon seeing this, the madam rushed forward and asked, "What happened? Why did Xiangxiang leave?"

Helpless, Chen Shishi said, "She had already made an appointment with a guest, but the guest hasn't arrived yet, so she went to look for him."

"Is that really so? But I just saw that she seemed a little angry?" The madam asked again, somewhat skeptical.

Xu Dongdong chimed in, "Good mother, it's because the guest hasn't arrived for so long. If it were Shishi, she would probably be annoyed too. Not to mention Xiangxiang's straightforward nature."

The madam looked at the two women suspiciously, then quickly tossed a red handkerchief at them and turned to leave. Chen Shishi and Xu Dongdong exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

At this moment, Liu Yong spoke up again and asked, "I wonder if the two ladies would like to come down and have a drink with us, so that we can discuss the meaning of poetry?"

Xu Dongdong looked at Chen Shishi and handed over the decision to her, who shook her head slightly. She started plucking the pipa again and played another tune, suddenly thinking of Han Zhi from earlier that day.

If her guess was correct, then Han Zhi hadn't lied to her after all. That rather unpleasant poem, "Xi Jiang Yue," might very well have been written by Liu Yong.

Whether it is true or not, there is already a lingering resentment in one's heart, so naturally one is unwilling to go forward.