This was the first time Ji Mo had ever heard a girl speak so brazenly about infidelity.
Alright, a good man doesn't fight with a woman.
Besides, he couldn't possibly win against such a formidable woman.
Alas!
Ji Mo sighed inwardly, lamenting the decline of morals and the corruption of human hearts.
Li Qiufeng spoke, "Hongxing, stop being unreasonable. This young master doesn't know you, nor does he know your name is Hongxing. How could he have deliberately composed a poem to tease you? Apologize to him quickly."
Hongxing looked displeased. She disliked Ji Mo intensely and refused to apologize.
"No apology is needed. It was merely a misunderstanding."
Ji Mo waved his hand magnanimously.
"May I ask your name, young master? Judging by your accent, you don't seem to be from around here."
Li Qiufeng became intrigued by Ji Mo and couldn't help but want to know more.
"I am Ji Mo. Indeed, I am not from Da Qin, but from Baishou Town," Ji Mo replied.
"To win one heart, to grow old together without parting!"
Li Qiufeng, being well-traveled and knowledgeable, knew the origin of Baishou Town. He sighed, "Young Master Ji, you hail from the homeland of Emperor Bai. No wonder you are so handsome, eloquent, and possess such refined literary talent."
Upon learning that Ji Mo came from Baishou Town, Li Qiufeng's favor towards him grew. After all, Emperor Bai's contributions to humanity were legendary.
Moreover, since Ji Mo was not a local, there was no need to worry about his identity being exposed, which immediately put Li Qiufeng at ease.
Then, she also revealed her name to Ji Mo, naturally keeping her true identity a secret.
"Maple leaves and reeds rustle in the autumn breeze! Young Master Li truly lives up to his name, gentle and elegant, full of poetic imagery."
Ji Mo, adhering to the principle of reciprocity, lavished praise upon the other person.
He then explained sincerely, "I don't know how to compose poetry. That verse just now was not written by me."
He wouldn't shamelessly claim credit for plagiarized poetry.
"Hmph, I knew it. How could a scoundrel like you compose poetry?"
Hongxing snorted, looking down on Ji Mo with disdain.
"Hongxing, do not be rude."
Li Qiufeng reprimanded Hongxing.
Scholars are often humble. Would she believe him if he said he couldn't compose poetry? How foolish!
Furthermore, having read countless poems, she had never encountered the line, "The garden's beauty cannot be contained, as one branch of apricot blossoms peeks over the wall." It was evident that this poem was his own creation.
And the line, "Maple leaves and reeds rustle in the autumn breeze," also displayed considerable skill, clearly composed effortlessly, indicating profound literary depth.
Instantly, Li Qiufeng's good impression of Ji Mo increased further.
"My apologies for my servant's rudeness, Young Master Ji. Please do not take offense. Fate has brought us together. May I have the honor of sharing a drink with you?"
Li Qiufeng sincerely wished to befriend Ji Mo and extended an invitation.
"Then I shall trouble Young Master Li to treat me."
Upon hearing that there would be drinks, Ji Mo immediately agreed.
Led by Li Qiufeng, the three arrived before a magnificent building.
"Tianxiang Pavilion!"
Ji Mo gazed at the exquisite pavilion adorned with red lanterns, somewhat surprised.
"Drinking at a pleasure house?"
Ji Mo couldn't help but swallow.
This Young Master Li was truly a straightforward person, bringing him to a place of revelry.
He would definitely befriend such a good brother.
Although he had visited a pleasure house in Tianshui City once before, the experience had been extremely poor. This time, he was determined to experience it properly.
"Pah, shameless. This is not the kind of place you imagine. Tianxiang Pavilion only hosts 'qing guan' who perform arts, it is a refined establishment for scholars and poets to discuss literature and music."
Hongxing looked at Ji Mo with utter contempt.
This bumpkin was truly uncultured, his mind filled only with indecent thoughts, how vulgar.
"Ahem... Actually, I have a slight understanding of zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song."
Ji Mo's face instantly became righteous.
Hongxing's contemptuous gaze intensified; she didn't believe him at all.
"I also have a slight understanding. We can exchange ideas later, Young Master Ji."
Li Qiufeng gestured invitingly, and Ji Mo followed her into Tianxiang Pavilion.
Ji Mo was prepared to be surrounded by a swarm of ravenous beauties, but the reality was different from his imagination.
In the main hall, there were almost exclusively men.
The serving girls who attended to guests brightened when they first saw Ji Mo, but upon noticing his attire, they immediately lost interest.
Ji Mo was dressed in coarse linen, clearly indicating he was poor.
In contrast, Li Qiufeng was clad in fine silk, adorned with jade at his waist, and his folding fan was a masterpiece from a renowned craftsman. This immediately earned him a warm welcome from the serving girls.
"It's a place for pleasure, yet it's so materialistic!"
Ji Mo lamented, reminiscing about Huanxi Tower.
The ladies there were so much better, speaking kindly, treating people sincerely, and most importantly, willing to offer favors.
His impression of Tianxiang Pavilion immediately soured.
"Young Master Ji, please don't mind. This place indeed values wealth, but if you possess astonishing talent, you will also receive enthusiastic hospitality."
Li Qiufeng explained. The world bustles for profit; this was understandable.
The three were led to a private seating area.
From behind a beaded curtain, melodious zither music drifted.
A woman played the zither, humming a tender and moving ballad.
The woman's voice was soft and affectionate, and her zither playing was excellent. After the performance, she received thunderous applause.
Subsequently,
The men around them became as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood, showering her with a large amount of gold and jewels as rewards.
Behind the beaded curtain,
Man Yin watched this scene, a cold smile curling her lips: "Heh, men!"
She was accustomed to such scenes. With a casual strum and a hum, she could make these infatuated men lose themselves.
To have to perform for these commoners was like playing a lute to a cow.
However, Man Yin still enjoyed it immensely. Being praised by thousands of men felt truly wonderful.
Wait, why was that person over there completely unfazed?
It's fine if you're poor and can't give rewards, but can't you at least clap as a mere bystander?
And what's with you eating and drinking over there?
Are you trying to embarrass me?
Man Yin's gaze turned icy. She had never encountered a man like this, who remained indifferent after listening to her performance.
"Pretending to be aloof, trying to get my attention? Heh, how cliché!"
Man Yin thought again, convinced it was a tactic of playing hard to get.
But how could she fall for such a petty trick?
"Young Master Ji, aren't Miss Man Yin's zither skills and singing voice exceptional? Why do you show no reaction at all?"
Li Qiufeng had been clapping excitedly, as she had long admired Man Yin and was thrilled to hear her perform live.
But when she turned and saw Ji Mo engrossed in eating and drinking, she was a little stunned.
Although she had invited him for drinks, who would come to such a place solely for food and drink?
"Young Master, Young Master Ji probably doesn't think Miss Man Yin's performance is up to par,"
Hongxing said deliberately.
In her eyes, Ji Mo was merely a country bumpkin who wouldn't understand such elegant performances.
He just kept eating, like a starving ghost reborn, without any sense of shame.