Chapter 41: The Resentful Gu Xirou

Gu Qingqiu stared at the calligraphy in silence, his expression becoming increasingly vivid with every passing second.

He clenched his fists in agitation, his face flushed with uncontainable excitement, and exclaimed, "A magnificent poem! Truly a masterpiece!"

"Majestic and grand, bold and unrestrained—'Call the boy to exchange it for fine wine, that I might drown ten thousand years of sorrow with you'… It truly makes one long to drink down three large bowls in one sitting!"

Beside him, Yuan Bin was stunned. His teacher rarely praised a poem in such a manner. Could the poem on this scroll truly be that exceptional?

He leaned in to savor the verses, only to feel a surge of heroic spirit that made him yearn for a drink.

Many great poems are remembered for just one or two brilliant lines, but this piece was exceptional from the first character to the last. Every single line was so stunning that, taken individually, any one of them could have been celebrated throughout the world.

Gu Qingqiu looked up at Zhou Hu, asking urgently, "Was this poem written by Zhong Liyou?"

*That old scoundrel actually wrote something this good?! Damn it, I’m so jealous!*

The servant replied, "This poem was not written by my master, but by Jiang Han of Yunyang County yesterday."

*Clatter.* The rice paper slipped from his hands and drifted to the floor, but Gu Qingqiu seemed not to notice.

Yuan Bin stood with his mouth agape, frozen in a long silence.

"I shall take my leave!" The servant mounted his horse and rode away.

After a long while, the great Confucian scholar regained his composure. He picked up the rice paper and savored the poem once more. Suddenly, he gripped the paper tightly, lamenting with deep regret, "I was blind! I’ve been blind! I spent my whole life playing with hawks, only to have my eyes pecked out by one in the end!"

Yuan Bin remarked softly, "Teacher, didn't you say that Jiang Han's poems weren't necessarily all of this caliber? This poem… it might even be recorded in history, might it not?"

Gu Qingqiu did not answer. He read the poem carefully three more times, feeling with every reading that it was truly extraordinary. It wouldn't just be recorded in history; it was destined to be immortalized.

The more he read, the more his heart ached. *What a brilliant student I missed out on! Why on earth did I ever believe the nonsense Jiang Zhensheng told me!*

"Zhong Liyou, Ruan Ziqian, I sing a song for you, please pour for me..." These lines immortalized them within the poem; it meant both of them were likely to be etched into history alongside these verses!

What is the greatest dream of a scholar? Is it not to leave a lasting name? To have future generations know who they were?

Taking a deep breath, Gu Qingqiu folded the paper and tucked it into his robe. His expression calmed, and he said indifferently, "Zhong Liyou's name will certainly be recorded in history because of this poem, but so what? It is merely an empty title. Even if one is immortalized, it is only by basking in the reflected light of this poem. A scholar should strive for the Three Immortalities: virtue, merit, and words! We scholars, even if we are to leave a mark on history, must do so with integrity, not by relying on a single poem!"

Yuan Bin looked at Gu Qingqiu and opened his mouth to speak. *Teacher, you’re so jealous your face is turning blue; how can you still be so stubborn?*

"Teacher is right," Yuan Bin echoed.

Gu Qingqiu continued, "Besides, poetry is a minor pursuit. What does it matter if one’s poetry is exceptional? It cannot govern the country or benefit the people; it is merely an affectation of elegance. Prose is the true path for a scholar."

"Teacher is correct," Yuan Bin agreed, though he muttered to himself, *Teacher’s mouth is stiffer than the head courtesan I saw at the Ministry of Rites!*

...

Jiang Han was unaware of what had transpired at the Spring Breeze Pavilion. After visiting the First Madam, he returned to his own courtyard.

The First Madam had hoped he would return to live at the Jiang estate, but Jiang Han was not yet accustomed to the environment, nor did he know how to face the father and mother of this world, which was why he had offered those words of filial piety to his father.

Upon returning to his courtyard, he saw a grand, magnificent sedan chair at the entrance. Just as he was wondering who it could be, a woman stepped out.

Gu Xirou.

She was dressed in a pale green gown, a jade hairpin tucked into her hair. It had to be said that Gu Xirou was indeed a beauty among thousands.

With cloud-like hair, misty eyes, eyebrows like slender willows, a nose like fine jade, and lips like crimson cherries… her figure had fully matured, her chest rounded and her hips shapely.

However, Jiang Han had little affection for his former fiancée. It wasn't because of the broken engagement—in his view, the original owner had been a failure at everything, even managing to poison himself while studying medicine, so it was only natural that Gu Xirou would look down on him and want to call it off.

It was because Gu Xirou’s younger brother, Gu Ting, was utterly despicable. *Guilt by association.* This had led Jiang Han to develop a sense of disgust toward Gu Xirou as well.

Seeing Jiang Han, Gu Xirou wore a faint smile and said, "Brother Jiang Han, why haven't you come to see me lately?"

Jiang Han was stunned. "We’ve already broken off the engagement; why would I come to see you?"

Gu Xirou’s brow furrowed slightly, but she whispered softly, "Even if the engagement is broken, didn't we agree to remain like brother and sister? Just like before… I can be your sister for the rest of my life, and you can be the brother who cares for and protects me!"

*Oh? Keep fawning over you just like before? Watch you and Yin Rong act like lovebirds?*

Jiang Han was almost amused to the point of laughter. Refusing someone but still giving them hope, keeping them as a "brother" to offer occasional scraps of attention like a dog on a leash—wasn't this the classic behavior of the "little princesses" from his past life?

Seeing his silence, Gu Xirou assumed he was tempted. She smiled and said, "Brother Jiang Han, I didn't expect you to be able to make 'Fragrant Dew.' Many girls are absolutely crazy about it… which girl did you make that 'Secret Fragrant Dew' for?"

She asked this deliberately, hoping to hear him say it was for her, so she could then act all bubbly and ask him to give her a few bottles.

She had initially looked down on the Fragrant Dew, but later discovered that the girls around her were all using it—even Wang Siyi had started using it secretly. And the scent was truly unique, fresh, and long-lasting.

This left her with complicated feelings. This product was clearly something Jiang Han had created for her, yet in the end, even Wang Siyi had it, while she did not.

Jiang Han frowned. "What do you mean, for which girl? I made it to make money, of course. Did you actually think I made it for you?"

Gu Xirou froze. "You..."

She felt a surge of anger. *I broke the engagement, and you were angry. Now I’ve come to talk to you, haven't I? I’ve even called you 'Brother,' and you speak to me in that tone? Who do you think you are? Just because your Fragrant Dew sells well, you think you’re something? I haven't even settled the score with you for hitting my brother!*

Jiang Han really couldn't be bothered to say more to her and began walking toward his courtyard.

Seeing that Jiang Han wouldn't even offer more words, Gu Xirou couldn't help but say, "Brother Jiang Han, what—what is the meaning of this? Are you going to abandon me as your sister?"

"That’s right! Didn't I tell you long ago? We don't even need to be brother and sister."

Gu Xirou clenched her fists, feeling that her dignity had been trampled into the dust. She gritted her teeth and said with annoyance, "You... fine! You don't want to be brother and sister? Who cares about being your sister anyway! From this day on, we are completely finished!"

Jiang Han turned around.

Gu Xirou sneered slightly. *What? Scared?*

To her surprise, Jiang Han said, "Good. Remember what you said. We are completely finished. Do not come looking for me ever again."

"Fine, fine... a man as petty as you will never find a good match in your entire life!" Gu Xirou spat, her teeth clenched in frustration.

Jiang Han laughed at this. Why was it so necessary to find a "good match"? Were the head courtesans not delightful enough?

Just then, a carriage arrived at the gate, and a cold voice rang out: "What business is it of yours whether he finds a good match or not? Why do you feel the need to stand here and spout nonsense?"

Gu Xirou turned to see a beautiful young woman stepping down from the carriage.