C16 Champion!

Lin Han, Zhao Yan, and Bai Jingxuan all breathed a sigh of relief. Zhao Yan, in particular, was relieved that his poem wasn't in the running for the Mid-Autumn Festival Poetry Meet. Otherwise, he would have been the one responsible for sabotaging Bai Jingxuan's chance at the championship, and he knew he would have faced dire consequences.

Bai Jingxuan, too, was still feeling shaken. He was grateful for Lau Mingzhu's withdrawal. A sense of powerlessness surged within him, momentarily causing him to lose his composure—all because of Zhao Yan. With this thought, Bai Jingxuan shot Zhao Yan a withering glare.

At that moment, if Lin Han could have bested Lau Mingzhu, he would have gladly given her two kisses. She was truly a lifesaver in the rollercoaster of life that was proving to be quite the ordeal.

"Well, to give such an exquisite verse a mundane name does seem rather insulting..." Elder Gao mused, shaking his head with a wry smile. He suddenly noticed he was holding a strand of his own beard, which he hadn't realized before, and now it smarted a bit.

The incident seemed to be over...

The poem "Meditation in the Night" had, ironically, dampened the enthusiasm for the Mid-Autumn Festival Poetry Meet. It was then that a woman named Yanyuan let out a gasp of surprise.

Indeed, upon hearing "Meditation in the Night," she was deeply moved. She had not expected to encounter any poem that would truly stand out, but then, a new verse captured her attention:

"Frost Moon"

The jade maiden and the moon goddess, both unfazed by the chill,

Unable to resist, Yanyuan read it aloud. The previously disinterested group was now captivated by the poem. The other three seasoned scholars couldn't help but chuckle as they watched Yanyuan and Su Xiaoxiao. Su Xiaoxiao was fine; the poem's allusions didn't quite match her personality. But it was clear to the discerning that the poem was a tribute to Miss Yanyuan. And then there was the author's name...

Lingfei? I've never heard of him!

While his poem didn't quite measure up to "Quiet Night Thoughts," it was only a slight gap. As for the other poems, aside from the one Su Xiaoxiao had revised, courtesy of some reclusive master, the rest were utterly unengaging.

Even the astute Tong Tong was taken aback. She could clearly discern the subtext—it was an expression of one's feelings, after all. Yet, for someone capable of crafting such verses, sacrificing oneself wouldn't be too great a concession.

The Mid-Autumn Poetry Meet ended on a somewhat underwhelming note, but it still concluded beautifully. It gave rise to the world-renowned "Quiet Night Thoughts," not to mention the first-prize-winning "Frost Moon." Both poems were nearly equal in literary merit, but the profound symbolism of "Quiet Night Thoughts" somewhat overshadowed "Frost Moon."

Bai Jingxuan left in defeat, with no outlet for his frustration but to take it out on Zhao Yan. He shot Zhao Yan a venomous glare before storming off the pleasure boat. The rest of the guests, after a round of toasts and laughter, departed one by one, save for a few who intended to stay the night.

Overall, the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion's reputation soared as a result of the successful Mid-Autumn Poetry Meet. However, Lau Mingzhu, the pavilion's owner, was somewhat disheartened. She had hoped to leverage the event to forge a connection with the Governor, but things hadn't turned out as she wished. The night was a bittersweet one for her: elated that the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion had made a name for itself, yet dismayed that her plans to align with the Governor had fallen through.

Moo Lingfei, still in a daze from his unexpected victory, could hardly believe he had taken first place. After a moment's indecision, the chubby young man chose to stay. But as for what to do next, Moo Lingfei was utterly at a loss—so he thought of Lin Han.

Lin Han had no clue about the young man's thoughts. He had planned to take the money and make a quick exit, having achieved his goal for the event. Little did he know, he would be stopped by the very same young man, Moo Lingfei.

"Big brother... I won first place, so what do I do now?"

Moo Lingfei was on the verge of tears. He had never expected to actually win first place. Spending a romantic evening with her was merely a dream, and now that it had come true, he was overwhelmed by a sense of unreality. In the heat of the moment, spurred on by Lin Han's challenge, his only thought was to win the opportunity to be with her. But now that he had, he was at a loss.

As his adrenaline subsided and his thoughts cleared, Moo Lingfei turned to Lin Han for guidance. Having won first place and the accompanying reward based on Lin Han's advice, Moo Lingfei felt an indescribable trust in him.

Lin Han was taken aback. What to do next? As someone born into wealth, he was incredulous that Moo Lingfei didn't know how to proceed with a romantic encounter. How had this guy gotten by?

"Follow the maid into Miss Yanyuan's room, strike up an engaging conversation, and if there's mutual affection, things will naturally progress. She'll be yours tonight. If your feelings are genuine, just call the owner, reveal your identity, and offer some money to buy her freedom. You know the nature of this place. Once there's a first time, there will be many more... The choice is yours."

Lin Han sighed and gave Moo Lingfei a reassuring pat on the shoulder. The young man's naivety was amusing; he was on the threshold of a romantic night, yet still seeking advice. Surely Lin Han couldn't take his place?

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, Lin Han's expression shifted. He gestured to Moo Lingfei and made his way to leave, having done all he could. As someone who had lived in another world, he couldn't bring himself to be heartless.

They had made their own choices; no one else was to blame. Lin Han repeated this to himself, wary of acting foolishly.

"My dad is going to kill me..."

Moo Lingfei's voice trailed after Lin Han, not so much a scream as a howl of despair.

As a man, there are certain responsibilities you must shoulder. Don't ask me—ask your own heart. Whether right or wrong, if you've made a choice, your father should be proud of you regardless of his words... Money is just a material possession to you. Let's not dwell on it; I won't take advantage of you. If one day your father truly disowns you, come find me at the Liu Mansion in Shuixiu County. Together, we can start a new venture..."

Lin Han seemed reluctant to continue his conversation with Moo Lingfei, the plump young man before him. Discussing money could damage their rapport, and since Moo Lingfei was after financial gain, Lin Han preferred not to mix in personal feelings. "Damn, these hundred taels are burning a hole in my pocket..."

"Young Master Lin, please hold on... My mistress would like a word with you..."

As Lin Han was about to depart, a voice tinged with both respect and confusion called out from the attic, carrying an undertone of arrogance, reminiscent of a proud little hen. The voice caused Lin Han to furrow his brow in annoyance.

Turning his head, Lin Han's gaze fell upon a maid clad in pink, standing on the staircase. She regarded him with a mix of curiosity and scorn. Her large eyes, though striking, were marred by imperfections, like bubbly glass, detracting from their natural allure. Her thin lips, even when closed, conveyed a sense of pettiness...

From the attitude of the servant, one could only imagine what her mistress was like.