Chapter Twenty-One: The Poetry Riddle!

As the carriage entered the alley, it immediately drew the attention of many passersby. Though the carriage itself was not particularly extravagant, the steed pulling it was a prized black dragon steed of considerable value.

Curiosity sparked as people turned their heads, wondering who might be inside.

At that moment, a hand reached out from the carriage to lift the curtain, and a scholarly gentleman stepped down.

It was none other than Zhongli You, one of the Seven Great Families of Dayu and a renowned Confucian scholar known throughout the land!

The moment Zhongli You appeared in the alley, the surrounding laughter, ridicule, and insults abruptly ceased. All eyes fixed upon the distinguished scholar clad in a simple azure robe.

“That’s the great scholar Zhongli!”

“Why has Zhongli You come here?”

“Why would such a revered scholar stoop to this place? Could it be that he’s come to confront Jiang Han?”

Zhongli You approached Jiang Han with a gentle smile. Instead of rebuking him for using his name for publicity, he laughed and said, “A few days ago, when I shared a drink with young friend Jiang Han, we tasted the Dark Fragrance Dew. Its subtle scent is pure and far-reaching, intoxicating to the senses and stirring the heart. Thus, I personally penned this couplet for him.”

As Zhongli You’s voice faded, the crowd’s expressions shifted dramatically, their eyes wide in disbelief at the scene before them.

“Ah, that couplet was truly written by the great scholar Zhongli?”

“Zhongli You actually shared a drink with Jiang Han... What status does Jiang Han hold to be worthy of such company?”

“If that’s true, then the banners claiming Zhongli You’s high praise and wholehearted recommendation must be genuine!”

“Could he be hired by Jiang Han, not really the scholar himself?” someone questioned skeptically.

But another scoffed, “Who would dare impersonate Zhongli You? Who else has the right to ride such a carriage? And didn’t you see? Young masters Li Qiushui and Yuan Bin are here—they would surely recognize the true Zhongli You!”

Jiang Han smiled inwardly, thinking Zhongli You was truly showing him respect by coming as promised. Hastily, he greeted him, “Today, with the grand opening of Dark Fragrance Dew, it is an honor to have the great scholar Zhongli’s presence. I am deeply grateful.”

He then gestured to quiet the murmurs before announcing loudly, “Now, Dark Fragrance Dew is officially on sale! For those unfamiliar, allow me to explain: Dark Fragrance Dew resembles a scented balm but is different. When used by literati and refined gentlemen, it imparts a unique fragrance, as if entering a blossoming garden—refreshing and uplifting. For young ladies of noble birth, it envelops the wearer in a cloud of fragrance, every breath like a blossom in bloom, as if a fairy among flowers.”

After a brief silence, someone asked, “Is this Dark Fragrance Dew truly so miraculous?”

“Even the great scholar Zhongli You wrote a couplet for it; it must be quite remarkable.”

“That’s just flattery. It’s probably just a scented sachet renamed to fool the uninformed.”

“Hmph, do you think Zhongli You is as easily fooled as you are?”

Li Qiushui stepped forward first. “If it has Zhongli You’s personal endorsement, then I shall try it. How much does your fragrance cost?”

Jiang Han had long noticed Li Qiushui and the distinguished company around him. Their attire was refined, their bearing exceptional. They were either noble scions or famed scholars.

Precisely his target clientele: talented, wealthy, youthful, and a bit flamboyant.

Such gentlemen, once enamored with this fragrance, would be loyal customers—after all, which cultivated man does not desire a unique, captivating scent?

Facing the crowd, Jiang Han spoke confidently, “Our fragrance comes in three varieties, each with a distinctive aroma that imparts an extraordinary subtle scent. Allow me to introduce the three types.”

Producing three porcelain bottles from his pocket, he glanced around and said, “But simply explaining would be dull. Let me present them as poetic riddles—whoever guesses correctly will receive a bottle as a gift.”

“Excellent! That sounds fun. Jiang Han, give us the first riddle!”

“Yes, go ahead!”

The crowd’s curiosity was piqued.

Jiang Han laughed heartily, “Amidst icy woods this form stands, unlike peach or plum in fragrant lands. Suddenly, one night, clear scent appears, spreading spring across the world’s frontiers! This is the first fragrance. Who knows which flower it is? Guess correctly, and a bottle is yours!”

“A sudden spring fragrance one night... what a beautiful poem!”

“Did Jiang Han compose this?”

Many who knew Jiang Han were stunned.

Suddenly, someone called out loudly, “Amidst icy woods this form stands... that’s plum blossom! Plum blossoms bloom just as spring arrives!”

“You are correct! The first fragrance is plum blossom scent! Brother, this bottle is yours.”

Jiang Han smiled, handing over a porcelain bottle, then recited another:

“Green branches sway with strength to draw the breeze, revealing silver flowers and jade snow’s tease. A kindred spirit knows the heart’s delight, gently lifting white robes beyond the sight... What might this be?”

Many pondered deeply over the poem.

Suddenly, a voice said, “Could it be magnolia?”

“Correct! The second fragrance is magnolia scent.” Jiang Han happily offered the second bottle to the guesser.

With a grin, he continued, “I’ll make the third poem simpler, no need to withhold. ‘On the river, people pay no mind, ten years beyond clouds, drunk in kind. Diligently unlocking lilac’s bind, letting branches bloom and spring unwind!’”

“Diligently unlocking lilac’s bind... that must be lilac!”

Someone shouted.

Jiang Han said, “Brother, this bottle is yours.”

Zhongli You watched Jiang Han recite poems and distribute fragrances with a slight nod, thinking, “This young man is truly clever.”

Why would he use poetic riddles to give away three bottles of fragrance?

Because it stirred the crowd’s emotions.

Through these three riddles, he had already sparked everyone’s interest! Once these poems spread, so too would the fame of his fragrance!

In this way, his fragrance would surely sell like wildfire!

At this moment, Gu Xirou was utterly stunned, doubting if she was dreaming. From the start until now, she hadn’t recovered her composure. When did Jiang Han come to know Zhongli You? When did he become confident enough to speak eloquently before so many and even recite three floral poems?

Her mind was blank, struggling to accept reality.

Beside her, Wang Siyi also gaped in disbelief.

Jiang Han then announced loudly, “Everyone, quiet! The riddle guessing has ended. This fragrance is difficult to produce and limited in quantity—only three hundred bottles! First come, first served!

Celadon bottles sell for five taels of silver each! Glass bottles sell for ten taels each!”

This announcement stirred a fresh wave of murmurs.

After a moment’s silence, many gasped.

“How much?”

“Did he say how much?”

“Five taels of silver for one bottle?”

“That’s exorbitant!”

“This little bottle, so small, costs five taels? Ten for the glass bottle?”

“This guy must be crazy! Who in their right mind would pay that price?”

Even those who had won a bottle during the riddle contest were shocked. Such a small bottle, yet so costly!

Hearing the prices, Gu Xirou suddenly felt a sense of relief.

With such high prices, surely no one would buy! Though Jiang Han had changed in many ways, he was still hopeless at business!

Had he priced them at mere hundreds of copper coins, he might have made a fortune today. But alas, he had set the bar far too high!