“Is this Tang Xiaobei?”
Tiechui asked, staring at the girl who came out.
“Probably. Her eyes are a bit like Dongdong’s.”
Jin Feng nodded, looking her over.
As a girl Chunfeng Tower heavily promoted, Tang Xiaobei’s appearance and figure were naturally impressive.
About one metre sixty-five tall, she wore a special qinglou dress, looking almost ethereal, like a fairy.
“Thank you all for your support. Xiaobei greets you.”
Tang Xiaobei, holding her pipa, gave a slight curtsy.
“No need to be polite, Miss Xiaobei.”
“Miss Xiaobei’s even more beautiful. The flower queen title is surely yours!”
Two familiar guests spoke up warmly, showing off their close connection with her.
“Master Zhang, Master Zhou, don’t tease me.”
Tang Xiaobei responded graciously, then smiled at the others, “There are many unfamiliar gentlemen here today.”
Her implication was clear: she hoped the rest would introduce themselves.
Having just finished her qinglou training and started meeting clients, she knew few people.
The madam had made her memorise the names of prominent young masters in the county. If any were present, she needed to win them over to prepare for the flower queen competition.
This was a qinglou custom, and frequent visitors understood. After Tang Xiaobei spoke, the young man at the first table on the right stood up.
“I’m Wu Junlin. Pleased to meet you, Miss Xiaobei.”
“So it’s Master Wu from Wu’s Trading Company. A pleasure!”
Tang Xiaobei curtsied slightly, mentally noting his appearance.
The madam had stressed he was someone to court, not to be neglected.
Proud that Tang Xiaobei recognised him, Wu sat down smugly.
“I’m Chen Jiegu. Miss Xiaobei is as fresh and ethereal as rumoured, truly a fairy.”
The second young man showered her with praise.
“You flatter me, Master Chen,” Tang Xiaobei smiled, covering her mouth, “I’ve heard the Chen family is a scholarly lineage, and you’re among the county’s top talents. Meeting you today, you’re indeed dashing and refined.”
Flattery was mutual. Since Chen praised her, Tang Xiaobei returned the favour. Kind words cost nothing.
This was a skill every qinglou girl had to master.
One by one, the guests introduced themselves, soon reaching Tiechui.
“I’m Tiechui, here with my master.”
Tiechui grunted and sat down.
Several young masters turned to look, not at Tiechui, but at Jin Feng beside him.
After all, attending Tang Xiaobei’s tea gathering cost three taels just to enter. They wouldn’t bring a servant.
“Thank you for your support, Brother Tiechui.”
Regardless of his status, Tiechui had paid, so Tang Xiaobei didn’t slight him and curtsied politely.
Then she looked at Jin Feng.
“I’m Jin Feng, from Jinchuan County. My friend Tang Dongdong said you’re exceptionally talented and beautiful, so I came to see for myself.”
At the mention of Tang Dongdong, Tang Xiaobei’s breath caught, her lips trembled, and she looked at Jin Feng in disbelief.
Tang Dongdong thought Tang Xiaobei had been eaten by wolves, and Tang Xiaobei thought Tang Dongdong had perished.
Now, hearing Tang Dongdong’s name from Jin Feng’s mouth stunned her.
For a moment, she wanted to pull Jin Feng inside to ask about Tang Dongdong.
But her strict training held her back. She couldn’t act impulsively.
Suppressing her excitement, Tang Xiaobei curtsied to Jin Feng as she had to others, “Thank you for your support, Master Jin. Please convey my thanks to Master Tang.”
“Will do.”
Jin Feng nodded slightly and sat down.
The introductions continued, followed by Tang Xiaobei playing two pipa pieces and performing a dance.
Chunfeng Tower’s decision to promote her was well-founded.
Her pipa playing and dancing were both captivating.
Some self-styled talented young masters also performed, reciting poetry, painting, or playing instruments, making the event lively.
By custom, the standout performer at the tea gathering could stay to chat with the girl afterward.
It was Jin Feng’s first qinglou event, and finding it intriguing, he held off participating to observe more.
As the tea gathering neared its end, Tang Xiaobei kept glancing at Jin Feng, urging him to perform.
Reluctantly, Jin Feng stood, “Since everyone’s shown their talents, I’ll make a humble attempt with a poem. Please offer your critiques.”
“Please, Master Jin!”
Tang Xiaobei sighed in relief.
As the tea gathering’s sole judge, she’d decided to declare Jin Feng the winner unless his performance was abysmal.
Having prepared, Jin Feng spoke slowly, “Distant mountains, her brows extend long, slender willow waist sways soft. After dressing, she stands in the spring breeze, one smile worth more than a thousand gold. When I return to Guangyuan, I’ll tell the qinglou, I’ve seen all Xichuan’s flowers, none compare to Xiaobei.”
Scholars often disdained each other’s work, and the young masters showed little interest when Jin Feng announced his poem. But when he finished, everyone stood unconsciously.
This was a poem by the great lyricist Yan Jidao, originally for the famed courtesan Li Shishi, now adapted by Jin Feng with a changed place name to praise Tang Xiaobei, perfectly fitting the occasion.
“Master Zhou, this poem’s impressive!”
“It’s like it was tailored for Miss Xiaobei.”
“It says he’s seen all Xichuan’s flowers, none as good as Xiaobei. Of course it’s tailored for her.”
“It’s good, but isn’t the praise a bit much?”
“A bit? ‘One smile worth more than a thousand gold.’ If this spreads, Xiaobei’s value will soar.”
Most guests at a qinglou tea gathering were educated rich sons. They might not compose well, but they could appreciate quality.
Though reluctant, they had to admit this poem outshone all others.
Tang Xiaobei’s gaze toward Jin Feng changed.
She’d prepared to keep him despite any misgivings, but now it wasn’t necessary.
“You flatter me too much, Master Jin!”
Tang Xiaobei curtsied to him, “May I have the honour of inviting you to my humble room for a brief chat?”
“I’d be delighted, miss.”
Jin Feng returned the courtesy.
His goal for the day was achieved.
But the other young masters’ expressions turned odd.
Unnoticed, a maid slipped out quietly.
As Tang Xiaobei saw off the other guests and prepared to take Jin Feng inside, the madam arrived with others, blocking the door.
