Upon hearing the white-haired woman announce her identity, even Liang Xiao could not remain entirely composed, looking at her with a hint of doubt.
The Three Sages of Great Qian: Sword Sage, Qin Sage, and Medical Sage!
The Qin Sage was an extraordinary woman, past fifty, and the emotional entanglements among the Three Sages were a topic of much public discussion.
It was widely known that the Sword Sage and Qin Sage enjoyed wine heartily!
The white-haired woman praised, "Seeking a kindred spirit through poetry and wine, Young Master Liang Er speaks exquisitely. I have followed my master my entire life and have never smelled such fragrance. I can assert with certainty that this wine surpasses any fine vintage my master brews himself. Moreover, paired with this unparalleled poem, its significance is extraordinary!"
After speaking, the white-haired woman looked again at Liang Xiao's half-finished poem and said gravely, "I have a premonition that within ten years, this calligraphy of Young Master Liang Er will be priceless!"
The others snapped back to attention, nodding in agreement, "She speaks the truth!"
If it were just wine, perhaps it would fetch a thousand taels of silver at most.
After all, no one could guarantee if Liang Xiao would offer another jar in the future.
But because the poem was bound to the wine, the situation was entirely different.
Perhaps Liang Xiao, who wrote the poem and brewed the wine, and the one who bought it, would be remembered by future generations!
Even Duanmu Xiu hurriedly apologized to the white-haired woman, "It was my junior's transgression; I beg your forgiveness!"
The white-haired woman simply smiled calmly, approached Liang Xiao, and handed over the silver.
"Please complete the poem for my master, Young Master Liang."
The crowd erupted in applause.
Dugu Xiao could no longer restrain himself, shouting angrily, "Liang Xiao, your first half of the poem is a rebuke to Qingxue for her change of heart!"
As soon as he spoke, everyone present was stunned, and the white-haired woman stared coldly at Dugu Xiao.
Dugu Xiao dared not meet the white-haired woman's gaze, fixing his eyes only on Liang Xiao, his own eyes burning with the fire of hatred.
"Young Master Dugu, is this truly necessary?" Yirou looked at Dugu Xiao with disappointment and shook her head.
The crowd also cast looks of disdain at Dugu Xiao, while Gu Shaoyan and Mu Hong frowned deeply.
Dugu Xiao at this moment was nothing more than a clown seeking revenge…
Luo Qingxue, having recovered from the shock of ten thousand taels of silver, also realized something, lowering her head in shame, not daring to meet Liang Xiao's gaze.
Even if her conscience was clear, she was now speechless, for the news of her desire to break the engagement had originated from the Luo estate!
Seeing Luo Qingxue's reaction, a smile of satisfaction flickered across Dugu Xiao's face.
At least, his objective had been achieved!
Liang Xiao ignored him entirely, turned, picked up his brush, and gently urged Luo Qingxue, "Qingxue, please help me grind the ink."
"Mm!" The gentle address made Luo Qingxue blush, and she happily agreed, beginning to grind the ink, much like a young bride.
Dugu Xiao faltered, his hope extinguished.
Under the tense gaze of the onlookers, Liang Xiao finally began to write.
The white-haired woman gazed at the wine jar, her eyes shining, her heart filled with trepidation.
She had been ordered to handle matters in the capital, and the Qin Sage had granted her full discretion, even permitting her to spare no expense.
However, if the second half of Liang Xiao's poem suddenly plummeted in quality after a bid of ten thousand taels of silver, she would have difficulty accounting for it.
But as Liang Xiao wielded his brush and ink, completing the latter half, the white-haired woman finally let out a long sigh and could not help but laugh heartily.
"On Lishan's slopes, half the night we talked, tears like rain, but I bore no resentment. How can I compare to a fickle lord in fine brocade, whose vow was to fly wing-to-wing, branch-to-branch on that day."
The poem's title was prominently displayed above.
Mulan Ci!
"Exquisite!" Exclamations of awe rippled through the hall.
Many of the courtesans at Bai Chun Tower, some in their fifties, wept openly, and Yirou also could not hold back her tears.
Luo Qingxue, looking at the complete poem, covered her mouth with one hand, tears streaming down her face.
Gu Shaoyan exclaimed, "I had thought it was as Young Master Dugu claimed, but it turns out…"
Mu Hong clapped his hands in admiration, "So, Liang Xiao, you wrote this poem from a woman's perspective!"
"Just you wait!" Dugu Xiao's heart seethed with hatred, his face full of shame. Unable to bear the atmosphere any longer, he stormed out of Bai Chun Tower, leaving without looking back.
The white-haired woman, too, was moved to tears, sighing, "Well written, truly well written! My master will surely cherish this poem. Ten thousand taels of silver was well worth it!"
Duanmu Xiu beat his chest in regret, finally slumping onto his chair.
If only he had mustered the courage to bid higher, gambling on the second half of the poem, he too could have achieved widespread fame, perhaps even lasting renown!
The Duanmu family could even have leveraged this opportunity to gain favor with the public, potentially elevating their family business to new heights!
"This poem, compared to Man Jiang Hong, has a completely different style – gentle and melancholic, forming its own school…" Yirou choked back her sobs, unable to continue.
Only then did Liang Xiao turn around and gently wipe away Luo Qingxue's tears.
"Qingxue, you have not failed me, Liang Xiao. Rather, it is I who have failed our childhood bond and disappointed you."
As his words fell, all the women in the hall erupted in renewed weeping.
"So this is Qingxue's perspective?" Gu Shaoyan exclaimed, slapping his thigh in admiration.
Luo Qingxue threw herself into Liang Xiao's arms, weeping uncontrollably.
"Don't blame yourself! It was I who was wrong to be disappointed in you before…"
At this moment, Luo Qingxue felt herself to be the happiest woman in the world, and also the one who had wronged Liang Xiao the most!
The white-haired woman praised, "One 'Man Jiang Hong', one 'Mulan Ci'—these are enough to ensure Young Master Liang Er's name is etched in history! May I presume to ask, who holds the calligraphy for 'Man Jiang Hong'?"
Liang Xiao pursed his lips, "Zhuo Lingjun."
"Zhuo Lingjun!" The crowd was astonished, yet it felt fitting.
Besides the current Emperor and the Three Sages of Great Qian, it seemed only a master of Zhuo Lingjun's caliber would be qualified to collect 'Man Jiang Hong'!
The white-haired woman sighed regretfully.
The onlookers noticed this, and their breaths caught.
Judging by her demeanor, if she had the chance to acquire the 'Man Jiang Hong' calligraphy, she would also have been prepared to spare no expense?
The white-haired woman beckoned towards the crowd, and two young boys with sharp eyebrows walked forward.
Before departing, the white-haired woman asked, "My name is 'Qinjiao'. Young Master Liang, if you have time, would you be willing to visit my master on Tianqin Mountain for a chat?"
Upon hearing this, the crowd was so envious their eyeballs nearly popped out.
An invitation from someone of the Qin Sage's retinue?
In the past few decades, the Qin Sage had never proactively invited anyone!
Liang Xiao shook his head, "My apologies, I'm afraid I cannot."
The crowd gasped, and Gu Shaoyan quickly reminded him, "Liang Xiao! Tianqin Mountain is indeed the Qin Sage's residence!"
Liang Xiao smiled, "It's not that I doubt the senior's identity, but I am genuinely unable to at this time."
The white-haired woman, Qinjiao, did not take offense, nodding, "Then, if my master sends word to His Majesty in the future to invite Young Master Liang, will you deign to accept?"
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment, then sighed, "It will depend on the circumstances."
"Liang Xiao…" Even Luo Qingxue became anxious this time.
Anyone else would likely be eager to fly to Tianqin Mountain to meet the Qin Sage and await widespread fame!
This fellow was still considering the circumstances? It was such a lack of respect for the Qin Sage!
Qinjiao clapped her hands in praise, "Young Master Liang Er is a man of true character! Rest assured, my master will not make things difficult. If it is convenient, you are welcome to grace Tianqin Mountain with your presence at any time."
Liang Xiao nodded solemnly.
Just then, Yirou spoke, "Young Master Liang, would you be willing to have a private chat with this humble woman…"
The entire hall erupted in another chorus of exclamations!
The top courtesan of Bai Chun Tower had never proactively invited anyone for a private chat in three years, and even Dugu Xiao had not received such an invitation.
Luo Qingxue, as if facing a formidable enemy, stood protectively in front of Liang Xiao, displeased, "He is my fiancé, how can you be so rude!"