C8 The Midautumn Poetry Gathering

As Lin Han was being unceremoniously ejected by the blacksmith, Lau Mingzhu and her maidservant Xiaoqin were also preparing to set out for the Mid-Autumn Festival Poetry Meet.

"Miss, Miss, are we truly not taking the Young Master with us?"

Xiaoqin's eyes were wide with bewilderment as she gazed at Lau Mingzhu. She couldn't fathom why, even if Lin Han's poetry was plagiarized, her mistress would choose not to include him. Especially since just a few days ago, Miss had spoken of introducing the Young Master to society...

"Hmph, Xiaoqin, let's go. If you utter one more word, I'll attend the Mid-Autumn Festival Poetry Meet by myself..."

Lau Mingzhu fixed Xiaoqin with a stern look, and Xiaoqin promptly became much more subdued. Lau Mingzhu herself wasn't particularly enthusiastic about the event. Before, she might have harbored dreams of a romance with a gifted gentleman, akin to the legendary love between Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun. But since the incident with the County Magistrate's son, such girlish fantasies had significantly waned.

Besides, she was now a married woman. Even though it was in name only, there were still social conventions to uphold. Each time she remembered this, her interest in the poetry meet waned further.

Yet, Xiaoqin was eager to experience the excitement, and considering that the girl spent most of the year confined to the house, Lau Mingzhu's resolve softened.

...

After the two women departed from the Liu Residence, Lin Han returned home. Learning that Lau Mingzhu was off to the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering sparked an interest in him, despite his previous indifference to the event.

The gathering typically attracted dignitaries and nobles, and the pursuit of elegance was a constant across all eras. Perhaps he might encounter a wealthy patron willing to spend lavishly for fame, much like seeking sponsors. There were always those who couldn't see the true value of things.

With this thought, Lin Han's spirits lifted. The West Lake of his time bore no resemblance to its future splendor; the famed Bai Causeway and Su Causeway did not yet exist. It was merely a larger freshwater lake, and if not for the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering, locals would scarcely visit West Lake for leisure.

Shuixiu County, though merely a county within Jiangnan Prefecture, benefited from its strategic location nestled between mountains and rivers, serving as a hub for both water and land routes. Consequently, it was a bustling place, especially during an era short on entertainment. With the Mid-Autumn Festival upon us, the number of people heading to the lakeside to enjoy the moonlight swelled considerably. Lin Han, still new to this world, was taken aback by the sight of the streets teeming with beautifully dressed young women, each with her own unique flair. It dawned on him that it wasn't a lack of beauties in this world, but rather that he had been looking at the wrong time.

"This wretched feudal society... The scarcity of entertainment is truly lamentable..."

Lin Han gazed at the passersby with a lecherous grin, though in truth, he was merely intrigued by the festivities, being a newcomer. Considering Lau Mingzhu was already among the most beautiful women he knew, he wasn't one to salivate over any woman he saw. However, he was utterly mesmerized by a woman in a matcha-colored gown until she sensed his stare and turned around.

Lin Han was rooted to the spot, now fully understanding the term 'back view killer.' Indeed, her silhouette could captivate legions, but as she faced him, her heavy makeup and pockmarked complexion, accentuated by garish blush, were a stark contrast to her elegant figure. Lin Han's jaw dropped in shock.

Yes, shock. The woman seemed to realize Lin Han was there, lightly fanning herself and half-concealing her face as she murmured something before gracefully disappearing into the crowd. Lin Han remained in a daze long after she was gone, still reeling from the encounter.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, my good man, you truly have... quite the... refined taste. To find such... such... unique beauty appealing, I must say, I'm impressed... thoroughly impressed..."

Clearly, Lin Han's little spectacle hadn't gone unnoticed. A young, unripe voice attempted to sound grave behind him, reminiscent of a duck's quack. The onlookers, having caught the youth's comment, turned their attention back to Lin Han. The throng that had been crowding around him promptly gave way, leaving him in a clearing, their glances now tinged with a mix of sympathy and pity.

At that moment, Lin Han felt an overwhelming urge to silence the man with the duck-like voice. Turning towards the source of the noise, he saw a little chubby fellow standing there, just three steps away, oozing arrogance. The look of genuine admiration on his face was unmistakable and sincere, which only served to stoke the fires of Lin Han's frustration.

Having spent considerable time in the Great Ning Dynasty, Lin Han had never encountered anyone with such audacity, let alone a chubby kid. Yet, this very kid had caught his attention. Commoners typically wore linen, and Lin Han himself, despite being a scholar, would likely be clad in the same if not for his affiliation with the Lau family. Now, he was fortunate enough to wear silk, but standing next to this opulent little fellow, he felt utterly outclassed.

Despite his chubbiness, the boy's outfit was impeccably tailored, as if made just for him. Lin Han couldn't place the patterns on the fabric, but he knew they weren't the sort common folk could afford. The boy lacked a waist, but the jade pieces on his belt and the pendant hanging from it were clearly of high quality.

Clutching a folding fan, the boy seemed to be striving for a dashing look, but his rotund figure made it a lost cause. Combined with his distinctive voice, he was a true original, as much an oddity as Lin Han ogling young women on the street.

Observing the boy, an idea sparked in Lin Han's mind.

"Hahaha, it's no big deal, my friend. You flatter me too much. I'm not nearly as good as you think. I've truly given you a reason to laugh. The skill isn't quite there yet... Ah... I'm embarrassed..."

Lin Han eyed the boy's attire and saw opportunity. Setting everything else aside, those clothes screamed wealth. The boy was undoubtedly a potential client, someone who warranted special treatment. After all, one might pick a fight with anything else, but never with money.

"What... What do you mean? Wrong taste? Not quite there? It's no big deal?"

The chubby boy was genuinely taken aback this time, his eyes bulging as a droplet of liquid escaped the corner of his mouth. He had never before met someone with a thicker skin than his own. How could he have encountered such an oddity on his very first outing?

Unbeknownst to Lin Han, he found this plump fellow to be quite the oddity... Good grief, could this guy be into men? A shiver ran down Lin Han's spine, and he couldn't resist shuddering dismissively.

"Uh, absolutely, a real 'shadow killer'..."

Lin Han subtly stepped back, his eyebrows dancing with amusement. If this chubby guy were a rabbit, Lin Han would bolt without a second thought, money be damned.

"What's a 'shadow killer'...?"

Yet, the little chubby guy was captivated by the novel term Lin Han had used, paying no mind to his retreat. After a brief exchange, the chubby fellow found himself intrigued by Lin Han.

"A 'shadow killer' is one whose silhouette can enchant legions, but whose face can send armies fleeing in terror..."

Lin Han had intended to flourish a folding fan to demonstrate his erudition, but when the moment came to impress, he realized he didn't have one. His attempt at looking clever ended in failure, much to the amusement of onlookers.

"Pfft... Your description is spot on, truly amusing... Are you here for the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering as well? How about we join forces and go together?"