Some things are better left unnoticed, for the more attention you pay, the more your thoughts multiply, and certain impressions become increasingly profound.

She was a very capable woman.

The lights flickered, music flowed across the stage, and a delicate dance filled the air. Gu Yanzhen, observing the scene, made an assessment of the woman who was probably named Su Tan'er.

Having inquired about Ning Liheng earlier, he naturally knew that Ning was a live-in son-in-law, married into a merchant family. He hadn't given much thought to his wife before, but now, a clearer picture gradually formed in his mind. This picture was quite vivid, because the image she projected was indeed impressive.

At first glance, it might seem like a beautiful and graceful wife sitting with her husband watching a play, a common sight among well-educated and knowledgeable daughters from prominent families. However, what caught Gu Yanzhen's attention wasn't just that, but the way the couple interacted with others.

Those who came to speak to them almost always chose to address Ning Yi's wife first. The previously seen, good-for-nothing Su brothers, and even other people who came and went, all spoke to the wife first, before paying attention to the husband. Ning Liheng had defended the Su brothers at the Wenmo Tower the other day, yet they still prioritized Su Tan'er when they approached. The woman's capabilities were evident from this.

Gu Yanzhen was quite confident in his ability to recognize people, and many past events had proven his judgment. In this world, it was difficult for a woman to be capable, and even more so to restrain that capability to the degree shown before him, seamlessly blending a seemingly gentle demeanor with her strength. It was truly admirable. Looking at the harmonious atmosphere, it was clear that this woman was leading everything, maintaining her own presence and the respect of others, while also skillfully considering the presence of the man beside her, preventing him from becoming a mere accessory. Her skills were extraordinarily high.

*This is a woman…* Gu Yanzhen thought. If such a man were to become his rival and win Yunzhu's heart, he might truly have to admit defeat. But comparatively, the man next to such a strong and outstanding woman was just an accessory…

He couldn't dwell on this matter for too long, occasionally talking to the people beside him and applauding. In the first round of performances, the four top courtesans were all very professional, showcasing their strengths and unique characteristics. Luo Miaomiao's colorful silk dance was dazzling and magnificent, Yuan Jin'er's dance was lively and agile, Feng Xiaojing's Phoenix Paying Homage to the Birds dance was still dignified and graceful, and finally, Qi Lan recreated the ancient dance of Confucius and Lao Tzu discussing the Dao, with flowing ink robes and an ethereal charm. Her leisurely dance truly had the feeling of ink lingering in the air, showcasing the scholarly aura she possessed to its fullest.

Among the four, Gu Yanzhen didn't actually like Luo Miaomiao very much. Her songs and dances were dazzling and magnificent, capable of giving people a strong first impression, but her foundation was insufficient compared to the other three's composure. Choosing her in the first place was actually because of Yunzhu's matter. This colorful dance style was also easy to write poems about, which was just a perfunctory attitude on his part. After the dance ended, he originally wanted to write a poem, but for some reason, after looking at Ning Yi's side, he ultimately didn't write it. Instead, he called the person responsible for registering the number of flowers and bought five hundred for Luo Miaomiao.

Five hundred flowers was five hundred taels of silver, which was quite a large expense for him. However, since he didn't write any poems, he simply gave it all at once. Soon after, it was time for the thank-you ceremony. Some girls went up to perform additional performances, and when it was announced that "Gu Yanzhen, Young Master Gu, has gifted Mistress Miaomiao five hundred flowers," he also cupped his hands to the people around him and said some polite words. On the other side, Su Tan'er seemed to wave someone over. The number of *Songhua* flowers on the large wooden sign behind the stage was constantly being updated, and numbers above one hundred were announced loudly. Then, he heard the voice.

"Ning Liheng, Young Master Ning, has gifted Mistress Qi Lan two thousand flowers!"

This announcement caused another wave of cheers in the crowd. Two thousand flowers was indeed an astonishingly generous gesture. Usually, such supporters would wait until all three dances had finished before taking action. Ning Liheng, the somewhat mysterious "First Talent," was talented and wealthy, making him a topic of conversation for the time being. Gu Yanzhen understood that this was the woman's doing. For her to do such a thing for her live-in husband at such a gathering, this woman was truly strong and confident beneath her gentle exterior.

He thought of the *Songhua* egg incident. He had only invested less than a hundred taels, which, compared to the scene before him, made Ning Liheng's actions… ridiculously childish.

Just as he was thinking this, Shen Miao leaned over from the side, also looking in that direction: "Such a generous gesture… Yanzhen has been looking over there for a long time. Could it be that you're truly interested in Ning Yi's talent? If so, the flower banquet tonight will truly be a battle of dragons and tigers, and there will be a good show to watch."

Gu Yanzhen was silent for a long time, then smiled: "Does Brother Zishan know who the man behind Yunzhu is?"

"Wasn't it impossible to find out… Eh?" Shen Miao realized, "Could it be that… Ning Yi?"

"Heh, it is him."

"He… he's a live-in son-in-law."

Gu Yanzhen smiled noncommittally in silence. Shen Miao laughed and shook his head.

"In that case, if we were to expose this matter, wouldn't we be able to watch a good show? I wonder what Yanzhen thinks?"

Gu Yanzhen looked at him for a long time before finally sighing: "Brother Zishan, if we expose this matter, what will happen next?"

"At best, the couple will have a grudge in their hearts. At worst, that assertive merchant wife will go to Yunzhu's door and… uh, seeing as Yanzhen seems unwilling, it seems you still have thoughts of cherishing beauty. Such an open-mindedness is admirable."

Gu Yanzhen smiled: "To be honest, Brother Zishan, that's not the reason. What Brother Zishan said is all true. At best, they'll have a grudge; at worst, they'll go to Yunzhu's house and make a scene. But even if that happens, even if it really ends in a complete breakdown, you and I will have watched a show. But Brother Zishan, tell me, will I get Yunzhu then?"

"Uh…"

"Those who achieve great things do not dwell on trivial matters. When we act, we should not be confused by minor details, but face our true intentions. Even if I do such a thing, in the end, I won't get anything, and it will spread out, causing me to be criticized. I disdain to do it…"

Although his words were full of arrogance, his tone was humble at this time. Shen Miao pondered for a moment and cupped his hands to accept the teachings. Gu Yanzhen smiled and changed the topic, looking at the songs and dances on the stage and discussing them. In the hazy light, he also glanced at Shen Miao.

*Shen Zishan, you're just a vulgar person, a scholar's idealism, incapable of achieving great things…*

*****************

"Two thousand flowers, a generous gesture."

When the person on stage announced that Ning Liheng had sent two thousand flowers, Ning Yi shook his head with a chuckle, putting on an attitude that it had nothing to do with him in the midst of the crowd's discussions. Anyway, not many people really knew him. But as soon as he turned his head, Puyang Yi was cupping his hands over from the side, showing an attitude of accepting his kindness.

"I don't know much about poetry and prose, but if she gives my husband face, I'll give her silver. That's all there is to it."

Su Tan'er lowered her head, her words gentle and peaceful, smiling obediently. Ning Yi naturally knew the reason why. At this time, they laughed a few times. The couple couldn't possibly know that a guy named Gu Yanzhen was staring at them from the side of the venue to see what was going on. On the side of the stage, upon hearing the news of the two thousand flowers, Yuan Jin'er was also slightly stunned and glared with puffed-up cheeks. Then, she went to Nie Yunzhu to complain.

"Sister Yunzhu, he's bullying people!"

"Heh, it was clearly his wife who sent the flowers, what does it have to do with him?"

"I don't care, he's bullying people because he has money… I won't help sell *Songhua* eggs later." After sulking for a while, she pulled Su Tan'er to the dressing room, "Sister Yunzhu, I want to dress up again, so that I can dance better in the next performance and save face."

Although she didn't plan to compete for the title of Flower Queen, face was a major issue and had to be fought for.

However, since she hadn't planned to compete for the title of Flower Queen before, the performances she had arranged were mainly about being professional. Even if she was more serious at this time, the final result couldn't be changed much. The competition continued, with beautiful songs and dances of various styles. By the end of the last round, Qi Lan's song and dance, entitled *A Sea of Books and Ink*, outshone the crowd—although the Puyang family was backing her, the Puyang family valued its reputation the most now, and Qi Lan's song and dance had clearly been worked on hard. After this song, Puyang Yi finally legitimately sent 15,000 flowers, sending this woman in white on the stage to the position of Flower Queen.

Some people had actually expected this result, just like Su Tan'er. However, the Puyang family had waited two years to do this, which was considered a very measured approach. Those who could have foreseen it basically wouldn't have a big opinion. The songs and dances tonight were also beautiful. Although it was a little shorter than the previous two days, there was still a grand Flower Queen Banquet afterward as an aftertaste. This banquet was a custom after the Flower Queen competition, hosted by the Prefect and attended by the four top courtesans, to thank everyone who had supported the Flower Queen competition in the past three days. The four top courtesans would also prepare elaborate dances to perform at it. Scholars and businessmen sat together, and this was often passed down as a beautiful story.

Gu Yanzhen had been subconsciously looking for Nie Yunzhu's location all night, but he hadn't found her. It wasn't until he went to the banquet with Shen Miao that he accidentally saw a figure on the side of the hall. The figure was dressed as a servant, probably mixed in with the servants, hiding behind a tree outside the hall as if expecting something. Being too familiar with this figure, Gu Yanzhen recognized the other party at a glance.

After entering the banquet, he suddenly understood what that figure was waiting for outside.

"I didn't expect… Miss Yunzhu to have expanded her business here so quickly…"

Shen Miao sighed slightly. In this Flower Queen Banquet, each table had some shelled *Songhua* eggs in the center, with distinct patterns and crystal clear appearance. In the past two months, although the *Songhua* egg business had continued to expand, Nie Yunzhu had been keeping a low profile, hiring some people to help, but other than meeting the supply of various restaurants, there hadn't been much new action. It seemed that from tonight, she was finally ready to open her business.

That woman, if she were to come to this banquet in the past, would at least be an honored guest. Even if she didn't compete for the title of Flower Queen and kept a low profile, she would actually have felt like she was surrounded by stars. But now, she's actually hiding outside like a servant for such a thing, watching the people insideasting and toasting, looking forward to this small business… I wonder if she's seen me now…

Suddenly, he thought of what had happened this afternoon. He hadn't been very interested in the *Songhua* eggs to begin with. A business of less than a hundred taels seemed boring. But seeing that expectant expression at this time, he couldn't help but chuckle. It was really a coincidence. He wondered what it would feel like if she spent so much effort to make a good start today, full of joyful anticipation, and then found out that she had been preparing a wedding gown for someone else.

*I, Gu Yanzhen, don't care about this kind of pitiful petty revenge…* He told himself this. But running into it so coincidentally still felt interesting.

So he smiled at Shen Miao: "This thing looks interesting, but the process might not be that complicated. It's been a few months now. I'm willing to bet Brother Zishan ten taels of silver that within half a month, there will definitely be imitations of these *Songhua* eggs on the market. She put in so much effort, but in the end, she's probably preparing a wedding gown for someone else… The business world is like a battlefield, it's not that simple."

Theoretically, to win this bet, he only needed to wait until tomorrow. If he were to lose, he would definitely need half a month to prove it. The two of them talked and laughed as they sat down, and then didn't pay much attention to the matter. However, as if some being had long ago nipped this idea in the bud in the dark, Gu Yanzhen found somewhat gloomily that he had lost those ten taels of silver early within just a quarter of an hour…

************

Seeking monthly tickets! If I get the title of Flower Queen, I'll hold a Flower Queen banquet to entertain everyone ^_^

Okay… I'm just learning to sell *meng*… (act cute)

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