Chapter Sixteen: I've Seen People Looking for Arguments, But Never Someone Seeking Insults

As soon as the other party spoke, it was with accusation.

“I'm asking you a question—who gave you the courage to speak such arrogant words!”

The troublemaker saw Qin Hao was momentarily stunned and raised his voice another three decibels.

Qin Hao curled his lips. Fine, bring it on.

He wasn’t one to back down from provocation and immediately shot back, “I said what I said. None of your damn business!”

“I’ve seen people eager to make conversation, but never someone eager to invite a beating!”

“How low do you have to be to take offense over a few words and make it personal?”

After Qin Hao’s retort, he understood the provocation was triggered by his claim to the championship.

Clearly, the other side was seeking empty fame.

Qin Hao knew all too well the so-called scholars.

They fought for fame and profit, obsessed with vanity.

In literature, there was no first; in martial arts, no second. That was just how it was.

“You’re a rude little brat.”

“Who in the capital doesn’t know Miss Mei is the one the Young Master of Qingqiu favors? They’ve long harbored affection for each other. Tonight, the Young Master will surely claim the championship. And who do you think you are, speaking so shamelessly and arrogantly here?”

Among the three men, the one on the left spoke angrily after hearing Qin Hao’s sharp words.

The sudden conflict drew the attention of many talented scholars nearby.

Upon seeing it was the Young Master of Qingqiu and his entourage against others, they couldn’t help but anticipate a spectacle.

The Young Master of Qingqiu was one of the top three young talents in the capital.

Many knew of his obsession with Miss Mei from the Wind and Moon Pavilion.

Gifts and poems were a regular occurrence.

Looking at the other man, no one recognized Qin Hao.

But since he was up against the Young Master, he was bound to be in trouble.

Last time, someone had insultingly spoken ill of Miss Mei, and the Young Master’s few words had left that person utterly ashamed, forcing them to leave.

Since then, that person hadn’t dared return to the Wind and Moon Pavilion.

Qin Hao smiled cheerfully.

“So, does that mean Miss Mei is your master’s chosen?”

“What master? We’re just friends,” the man said angrily, clearly upset at being demeaned as a servant, glaring at Qin Hao with fury.

Qin Hao remained calm and teased, glancing at the man.

“Oh, if you hadn’t said it, I would have thought you were his kept man.”

“You… you…” The man was so furious he couldn’t reply.

Qin Hao ignored him and turned to the middle man, the Young Master of Qingqiu.

“Is that what you meant?”

The Young Master replied coldly, “Brother Tu just can’t stand your arrogance. As for Miss Mei, we are indeed close friends.”

Qin Hao gave a noncommittal “Oh.”

Then, he loudly called towards the Wind and Moon Pavilion, “Miss Mei, the Young Master says you like him. Is that so?”

Inwardly, Qin Hao looked down on the Young Master.

If his friend stood up for him, Qin Hao might have scolded him.

But the Young Master said it was just his own opinion and didn’t even defend his friend.

In the end, he still pretended to be indifferent, secretly enjoying the praise from others.

Hypocrite!

Qin Hao despised such people.

Most scholars were like this.

Within two breaths, a maid’s voice came from upstairs.

“My lady says she is only ordinary friends with the Young Master of Qingqiu. She asks the Young Master not to spread rumors.”

As soon as this reply came out, the Young Master’s face darkened.

Pitch black.

It was as if the girl he admired had slapped him publicly.

The pain was unbearable, piercing his heart.

Surrounding talents’ eyes sparkled.

This gossip was delicious.

Qin Hao laughed aloud.

“You see? Miss Mei says she doesn’t like you.”

“I thought so too. How could Miss Mei like someone who doesn’t even care for his own brothers and steps on them to rise?”

“Look at your friend. I’ve insulted him so badly, and you’re still thinking about wooing girls. I don’t even know what he’s sticking with you for.”

The Young Master’s face turned purple-red with anger, about to retort.

A loud, hearty laugh came from the side.

“Hahaha, well said, brother! I can’t stand these scholars, always pretending to be indifferent and aloof, yet wanting everything with such a pathetic attitude.”

The speaker was a robust young man who looked strong but not very bright, striding over.

The Young Master’s expression changed, coldly saying, “Ma Yingze, this is none of your business.”

“How is it not my business? I’m happy when my brother scolds you. Of course it’s my business. By the way, brother, what’s your name?”

The rough young man Ma Yingze immediately threw an arm around Qin Hao’s shoulder, as if reunited with a long-lost brother.

But the last question—“Brother, what’s your name?”—was irresistibly amusing.

“Of course, brother, my surname is Shen.”

Qin Hao also put an arm around the rough youth’s shoulder.

“Brother Shen, long time no see. Come on, let’s go upstairs and drink. I’m happy to hear you scold with gusto. Tonight’s bill is on me.”

Qin Hao’s eyes lit up.

“Brother Ma, you’re a man of principle. Then I humbly accept.”

The two laughed heartily and immediately stood on the same side.

The Young Master knew Ma Yingze’s status was high and dared not offend him, only able to sneer in anger.

“Boorish ruffians! The Wind and Moon Pavilion is a place of elegance. If you have the skill, compete upstairs with poetry and songs. Merely talking big is nothing.”

“What did you say!”

Ma Yingze was about to strike.

He hated being called a boorish ruffian more than anything.

Every time he came to the Wind and Moon Pavilion, he was humiliated.

But he couldn’t tolerate this and always came back to set things right.

What irritated him most was being called boorish.

Qin Hao saw the Young Master trying to provoke Ma Yingze and quickly said, “Brother Ma, isn’t the Wind and Moon Pavilion a brothel?”

“Yeah.”

Ma Yingze glanced at Qin Hao oddly.

As if to say, what else could it be?

Qin Hao continued, “A brothel is a place to sleep with women, right? So in the Young Master’s eyes, a place to sleep with women is a place of elegance. Shall we go upstairs and be elegant then?”

“Looks like the Young Master and I share the same view.”

The Young Master’s face darkened further and retorted, “Who said the Wind and Moon Pavilion is a place to sleep with women? Boorish! Simply boorish.”

“Oh,” Qin Hao said thoughtfully, “Since the Young Master doesn’t think the Wind and Moon Pavilion is a place to sleep with women, then if you win first prize, don’t go to Miss Mei’s room.”

“Be careful not to sully the elegant place in your heart.”

“You… you…” The Young Master was so furious he nearly lost his breath.

Ma Yingze looked at Qin Hao with sparkling eyes.

Good brother!

For the first time, he had the upper hand in an argument against these shameless scholars.

Qin Hao didn’t forget to play up to Ma Yingze.

“Brother Ma, since the Young Master says this is a place of elegance, we shall go upstairs and be elegant too.”

Ma Yingze was delighted, completely soothed, his face blooming with a smile.

He quickly agreed, “Brother Shen, well said. Tonight, we too shall be elegant.”

The Young Master was so angry he felt like vomiting blood.

But for the sake of face, he panted and sneered, “Miss Mei would never like crude people like you.”

Ma Yingze’s smile faded, and he was about to lose his temper.

Qin Hao stopped him again and asked, “Brother Ma, how much silver did you bring?”

Ma Yingze, puzzled, replied, “Quite a bit. Finding ten or so together won’t be a problem.”

Qin Hao showed a line of black veins on his forehead.

This guy was truly straightforward.

“Alright then, that’s not enough. Go get more—at least ten thousand taels.”

“Why so much?” Ma Yingze was alarmed.

Ten thousand taels wasn’t easy for him to gather.

Even with his family’s status, he had little wealth.

Just enough for occasional splurges.

Qin Hao calmly glanced at the Young Master and smiled.

“Brother Ma, the silver is for redeeming Miss Mei’s freedom. A thousand taels isn’t enough, then two thousand; two thousand isn’t enough, then three thousand; ten thousand still not enough, then thirty thousand.”

“I see Brother Ma is well-dressed and presumably of high status. This money needn’t go to the courtesan; it could go to the owner behind the Wind and Moon Pavilion.”

“Ten thousand taels, or even a hundred thousand taels, would be enough for the Wind and Moon Pavilion to nurture two or three more courtesans. The owner would have to give you face.”

“Even if you can’t redeem Miss Mei, spending for a night is probably no problem.”

“What do you think?”