Chapter 230: The Elegant Court
Four people quickly arrived at the gate of the magnificent Hundred Flower Valley.
The two charming girls guarding the gate couldnt help but brighten their eyes when they saw Qin Feng, a handsome man dressed in scholarly attire.
People of all kinds came and went to Hundred Flower Valley every day. Having guarded the gate for so many years, when had they ever seen such a handsome young gentleman?
They immediately revealed smiles and walked forward.
Are you here to pass through our land or to stay overnight in Hundred Flower Valley? the girl on the left, with a light laugh, couldnt help but glance at Qin Feng.
We are four people and intend to stay here for a night. replied Black Charcoal Head, tightening the reins of his horse.
Upon hearing this, the gatekeeper nodded and said softly, Do you know our rules here? If you want to stay in Hundred Flower Valley, each person needs to leave two silver coins. So, for the four of you, it would be eight coins.
Okay. Qin Feng said and reached into his storage ring to take out the money.
But at this moment, the other girl added, However, theres another rule. If you can write poetry and get selected to enter the Elegant Court, you wont have to pay a single coin. Moreover, from now on, you can enter and exit Hundred Flower Valley freely.
I see that the young master has the appearance of a scholar. Are you interested in giving it a try? she said, looking at Qin Feng with a burning gaze.
While speaking, the girl gazed at Qin Feng, her eyes filled with emotions.
The girl on the left, raising her eyebrows slightly, added, Not only that, if your poetry is selected for Elegant Court, it will be displayed for others to appreciate. You know, many people come and go in Hundred Flower Valley every day. For a literati, this is a great honor. Several young masters from the Grand Literature Academy in Imperial City have left behind poems in Elegant Court, and they are still talked about to this day.
As she finished speaking, she pointed to a flower garden not far away.
Outside the flower garden, a group of people gathered, praising the scrolls of poetry hung outside the garden.
At the top of the flower garden, a poem framed in gold was particularly eye-catching.
That flower garden was the Elegant Court mentioned by the girl.
Qin Feng pondered for a moment and then shook his head. No need.
Saying this, he took out eight silver coins from his pocket.
The two girls looked at each other, a trace of disappointment crossing their eyes.
After paying the silver coins, Black Charcoal Head drove the carriage through the gate of Hundred Flower Valley.
At the same time, he curiously asked, Sir, why didnt you give it a try? With your talent, writing a simple poem should be effortless, and it wouldnt cost much, right?
Only eight silver coins. Why bother with that effort? Besides, the way of poetry is to express feelings. How can it be motivated by these material things? Qin Feng dismissed it.
Just at that moment, from the direction of Elegant Court, came a cry of astonishment, Look, the flowers in this flower garden! Its really as rumored. As soon as a good poem is born, it can make the flowers in Elegant Court bloom!
The buds of these flowers, which were only sixty percent open, are still expanding. Unbelievable! Could this poem become a new poetic masterpiece?!
At the entrance of the magnificent gate with carved beams and jade pillars, two gatekeeper girls heard the commotion. They turned their heads in the direction of the sound, their small mouths slightly open, and their beautiful eyes widened.
The girl on the left exclaimed, The flowers are blooming seventy percent! Hurry, hurry, go report to the clan leader. Another famous poem has been selected for the Elegant Courtyard!
Alright, Ill go right away. The plump girl rushed towards the valley, her chest heaving like waves.
Young master, look at this. Black Charcoal Head pointed to the Elegant Courtyard with a curious expression.
What was once a courtyard full of flower buds was now blooming with all kinds of flowers, colorful and gorgeous, emitting a delightful fragrance.
Qin Feng, deep in thought, couldnt help but recall the old mans literary furnace from the past.
That contraption would emit smoke based on the quality of a poem, and the higher the smoke, the better the poem.
It seemed that the Elegant Courtyard was a similar treasure, but instead of smoke, it used blossoming flowers.
Inside the carriage, both the Father and the old man also heard the commotion. They lifted the curtain and looked towards the Elegant Courtyard.
The latter glanced at the scrolls of poetry, expressionless, and lay back down in the carriage.
After understanding the reason for the disturbance, Father muttered, I thought they were fighting over good tea leaves.
Having said that, he pulled the curtain back up.
Young master, do you want to take a look? Xing Sheng asked.
Qin Fengs eyes flashed with golden light as he glanced at the poetry outside the Elegant Courtyard, all themed around wind, flowers, snow, moon, and beautiful women.
It made sense; a place like the Hundred Flowers Valley naturally focused on elegance.
Some of the poems were not bad, while others were overly embellished and somewhat mediocre.
However, the poems framed in gold indeed exuded a grandeur, presumably the mentioned poetry crown.
Looking back at the flower courtyard, now eighty percent in bloom, the remaining flowers ceased to open.
Everyone sighed with regret because the previous poetry crown had triggered an eighty percent bloom, and todays poem had not surpassed that.
Nevertheless, this did not prevent everyone from admiring the poet.
After all, scenes like these hadnt appeared for who knows how long.
The gatekeeper girl walked joyfully to a young man in green, saying something.
Presumably, that young man in green was the poet. Qin Feng glanced at his back and shook his head, Lets go. I plan to explore elsewhere and not waste time here.
After finding a tavern and securing rooms, the group dispersed.
The old man, who was too lazy to move, went straight to the guest room and ordered a table of good wine and food.
Father asked the innkeeper where he could buy tea leaves, then left excitedly.
Qin Feng and Black Charcoal Head strolled in the fragrant and bustling Hundred Flowers Valley.
Although it was a leisurely stroll, Qin Feng had a purpose.
In addition to the rouge and powder popular among women in the Hundred Flowers Valley, there were also exquisite and beautiful jewelry that captivated women.
He wanted to pick a nice piece for his beautiful wife.
Of course, if there was enough time, he could also pick something for Ningshuang and Miss Cang.
Following the directions of the innkeeper, Qin Feng and the others soon arrived at an exquisite attic.
In the attic, a prominent plaque with three large characters caught the eye, reading Treasured Butterfly Pavilion.
This is also within the Hundred Flowers Valley, the best-selling jewelry shop.
Upon entering the attic, a lively young lady approached with enthusiasm.
Upon learning Qin Fengs purpose for this visit, she led him to introduce the most popular jewelry styles in the shop.
During this time, Qin Feng also sought the opinion of Black Charcoal Head but received the response Miss has been studying martial arts and swordsmanship since childhood, and she has no interest in these womens accessories.
Helplessly, Qin Feng could only choose the jewelry to be given to Lan Ningshuang and Cang Feilan first.
Young master, Miss doesnt care about these things. Buying two pieces is enough, Xing Sheng said as he saw the young master still browsing in the Treasured Butterfly Pavilion.
The jewelry here is not cheap; each piece costs at least a few hundred silver, and the two pieces the young master previously picked started at a minimum of a thousand silver!
No, you misunderstood. I havent chosen the jewelry for your Miss yet.
Qin Feng said without blushing or skipping a beat, Isnt it right to buy a few more pieces when you come to the Hundred Flowers Valley?
The lively young lady, upon hearing this, smiled and said, The young master speaks reasonably. Besides the Imperial Capitals Gathering Treasure Pavilion, the jewelry in the Hundred Flowers Valley is the most famous. I wonder which lucky lady will marry the young master.
If I tell you its Liu Jianli, you might think differently, Qin Feng didnt answer but instead asked, Besides these, are there any other jewelry? I see you have three floors in total. Can you take me upstairs to have a look?
The jewelry downstairs is designed a bit too elaborate, and he always felt it didnt match well with Liu Jianli.
The young lady nodded slightly, but before going upstairs, she inexplicably said, Young master, let me tell you in advance, the jewelry on the third floor is not something you can buy with money; it depends on fate.
Fate? Qin Feng and the others were curious and expressed their surprise.
Youll understand when you come up with me. the young lady said as she led them upstairs.
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