c1 (1/2)

Chapter 1 – Sir, Sir (1)

The amiable autumn wind; the elegant trees’ shadows. The vast Profound Martial Lake was akin to an enormous and sleek mirror. Beneath the rays of the setting sun, it dazzled with golden brilliance.

Scales glimmered atop the broad lake surface as a s.h.i.+p darted through. On it came laughters; who knew which family’s ladies were out travelling. It appeared quite lively there.

Countless scholars stood at the front of the s.h.i.+p as they looked at the other s.h.i.+p with the wealthy ladies, revealing wolf-like, desiring eyes. When they neared the s.h.i.+p, their faces completely changed. They put on a clean and refined appearance, eyes straight forward, fanning themselves lightly, reciting poems, writing essays . . . They had a rather graceful display.

On the lake, behind the curtains of several officials’ s.h.i.+ps, there were ladies who furtively examined the graceful geniuses coming to and fro, choosing the people they liked.

Standing on the side by the Profound Martial Lake, if one had to find an adjective to describe Lin Wanrong’s current emotions, that would be bad luck. Truly, some d.a.m.n bad luck.

He’s been here for a month, but bad luck had never left him. Starting in the moment he chose to partic.i.p.ate in the company’s touring group to Mount Tai, perhaps bad luck had always been with him. When he, in the tour’s list of names, saw that little girl’s name, he had a particularly uneasy feeling.

Reality proved his speculation.

Lin Wanrong fiercely spat at the lake. Only then did his mood improve slightly; a feeling of leisure was suddenly born. What a refres.h.i.+ng feeling it is to spit. I haven’t felt this good in a while. h.e.l.l, in this age, there wouldn’t be some old, condescending woman that comes to fine me fifty dollars, right?

Lin Wanrong looked at the reflection on the water surface: sharp brows, bright eyes, courage hung upon his nose, his smile was amiable . . . If he changed into a set of scholar clothes, he would likely be even more playful than those idiots who enjoyed reciting broken poems on the lake.

Sadly, he was clothed in only a set of blue robes, and a pair of shoes that didn’t have a top to them. In comparison to those graceful geniuses’ attire, it was quite miserable. Moreover, he had a completely different appearance than the people who pa.s.sed by—short hair—and even the hats they wore were incongruous. He was truly unable to blend into such an environment.

The ladies who pa.s.sed by required only to take a glimpse at Lin Wanrong’s attire. They was no need to glance at his face to immediately give him a “pa.s.s”. Their gazes were cast immediately towards the so-called geniuses—who were trembling from the cold wind—standing at the front of the s.h.i.+p.

Suddenly, the beauties on the road all squeezed towards the lakeside, as though mad, and their bird-like cries were rather mellifluous.

“Waa, look, look! It’s Nanjing’s number one scholar Hou Yuebai, Sir Hou!”

“Waa, so handsome!”

“Waa, I’m in love!”

“Ahh, which family’s miss has such luck . . .”

Lin Wanrong looked towards the direction pointed by the ladies’ gaze.

Three decorated s.h.i.+ps floated along the flow of the lake’s surface. Every s.h.i.+p had two layers, roughly six to seven meters tall. Lamps were raised high, and on the buildings there were eaves that pointed upward. They could be said to have quite the grand appearance.

On the three s.h.i.+ps, there were scrolls fluttering about. On the left and right one, they both had an enormous scroll that rolled straight down.

The right one read “THE SPRING WINDS CARRY MY HEART” and the left one read “MY HEART BELONGS ONLY TO YOU”.

On the middle s.h.i.+p, a young man was standing at the front of the s.h.i.+p. His countenance was fair, he fanned himself lightly, he wore a light smile on his face, his robe fluttered from the wind . . . There was some sort of elegance that exuded from him.

Facing the three s.h.i.+ps was an even larger, exquisite s.h.i.+p. Larger than the three s.h.i.+ps combined, with similarly, eaves that pointed up. Some sort of airs emanated from it as well. But sadly, there were many surrounding curtains, so no one could see the appearance of the person inside. On a lantern that faced the wind, located at the front of the s.h.i.+p, there was a large golden character written on it: “LUO”.

“It’s Miss Luo! The number one beauty of Nanjing, Miss Luo—” shouted a woman who stood next to Lin Wanrong. Her complexion was full of excitement. Obviously, she was a fan of this Miss Luo.