I was a conman in the Ming Dynasty.

Chapter 83 Liu Rushi

Chapter 83 Liu Rushi

"Next is the last program of the evening. Please welcome Lord Wang Wenzhou." Sheng Lan smiled and waved to Wang Wenzhou.

Amidst enthusiastic applause from the audience, Wang Wenzhou slowly walked onto the stage.

Wang Wenzhou waved his hand, and the female police officers came onto the stage carrying musical instruments, and the music began.

"No matter the ups and downs of life, we still have dreams in our hearts. As long as we have love and dreams in our hearts, without suffering and pain, no matter when, music will touch our hearts, because people in this era need it..."

Wang Wenzhou started by singing a lively song called "Go Go Go," and he felt that he sang it quite well. Singing in front of 15,000 people suddenly gave him a feeling of being a star, although the audience's reaction was somewhat lukewarm.

The audience below the stage all looked bewildered, wondering why Lord Wang was singing while jumping around.

Sheng Lan stood by the stage, gazing at Wang Wenzhou with deep affection. The adult's singing was surprisingly beautiful.

After Wang Wenzhou finished singing, he said, "Tonight's party is over. Tomorrow, the Flower Queen Contest will officially begin. I hope everyone will participate enthusiastically and vote for their favorite Flower Queen."

"Ah! It's over just like that?" The audience below the stage was reluctant to leave. The gala was truly amazing for the people of the Ming Dynasty. They had never imagined that songs could be sung like this! That dances could be performed like this! And why were the policewomen so beautiful!

"Please do not push, line up and leave in an orderly manner!" Zhang Jiao, along with policewomen and constables, directed the crowd.

Wang Wenhua walked out of the gymnasium dejectedly, his mood low. He never imagined that Silly Xiao Wu would turn out like this. He thought the "party" would be like a grand opera performance, but it turned out like this.

"I must return to the county government office. Farewell, my esteemed brothers!" Wang Wenhua cupped his hands and boarded the carriage.

"Cousin, what's wrong with Brother Wang?" Ma Deyun asked Yang Sheng.

“He’s in a bad mood, it’s okay, let’s find a place to drink.” Yang Sheng knew what was on Wang Wenhua’s mind, but didn’t point it out.

"Why bother finding a place to drink? Of course, we'll go to Chunfeng Pavilion! These past few days, Chunfeng Pavilion has seen a lot of top courtesans! I have to thank my cousin and Brother Wang for their help," Ma Deyun said with a smile.

"We're brothers, no need for thanks, let's go!" Yang Sheng and the four talented scholars also boarded the carriage.

The carriage was arranged with Wang Wenhua's help. It wasn't that the Four Talented Scholars were too poor to afford a carriage; rather, this particular carriage was a "privileged carriage" in Hanshan. This was because it bore four gilded characters: "Xinjian Earl's Mansion."

It was quite easy for Wang Wenhua to get a privileged carriage for his friend. In fact, if it weren't for the dispute over the title, the relationships among the members of the newly established Earl's mansion had always been very good. Wang Wenhua's mother had passed away early; he was raised by Wang Wenzhou's mother, who treated him like her own son. The old lady doted on Wang Wenhua, even more so than on Wang Wenzhou.

Yang Sheng was chatting with the four great scholars in the carriage when suddenly there was a rapid sound of horses' hooves outside.

Ma Deyun was quite puzzled. They had already entered the city, and only the wealthy would ride horses. A "nouveau riche" could pay a fine of fifty taels of silver and ride around the city for a day with the ticket. In the past, the Four Great Talents would occasionally show off by paying their fines and making a grand entrance in the city.

But right now, the four great talents are all strapped for cash; they still need to collect tax invoices, and they haven't yet made up for past losses. These past few days have been relatively good; thanks to Wang Wenhua's connections, Wang Wenzhou hasn't been causing trouble at Chunfeng Pavilion. Chunfeng Pavilion is open for business, and its daily income is truly the envy of everyone.

Ma Deyun lifted the carriage curtain and peeked out, only to see seven or eight people riding horses, galloping past.

Ma Deyun frowned and said softly, "Why are there so many rich people in Hanshan City?"

Zhang Shize had just caught a glimpse of "Xinjian Earl's Residence" on the carriage, and immediately pulled on the reins, turning the horse around.

Zhang Shize, 22 years old this year, is the eldest son of Zhang Zhiji, the eighth Duke of Yingguo, and also Wang Wenzhou's classmate at the Imperial Academy in Nanjing. He came to Hanshan this time for two reasons. First, he heard about the Flower Queen Competition, which attracted flower queens from all over the country, and he wanted to join in the fun.

Zhang Shize came to Hanshan for another purpose: to investigate Wang Wenzhou.

Zhang Shize has a younger sister who is 17 years old this year. In the Ming Dynasty, 17 was considered old for a woman to be unmarried. Wang Wenzhou's father recently asked a matchmaker to propose marriage. Upon learning this, Zhang Shize strongly objected. As a classmate, Zhang Shize knew Wang Wenzhou very well. Even if Wang Wenzhou looked like a pig, or even if he was mentally challenged, Zhang Shize still wouldn't allow his sister to marry him.

But his father, Zhang Zhiji, said that Wang Wenzhou had changed and asked him to come to Hanshan to investigate.

So Zhang Shize came to Hanshan. In the past two days, he inquired everywhere. When he mentioned Wang Wenzhou, the people all gave him a thumbs up and said, "Wang Qingtian!"

Zhang Shize initially thought, like Wang Wenhua, that Wang Wenzhou was simply buying his way into office. But after watching the "gala" today, he felt like he didn't even recognize Wang Wenzhou. Watching Wang Wenzhou sway his big hips and sing on stage, Zhang Shize felt like he was dreaming.

"Is it Brother Boren or Brother Boxin in the carriage?" Zhang Shize asked.

Yang Sheng lifted the carriage curtain and quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Young Master, you've come to Hanshan too. Bo Ren and his brother aren't in the carriage; this carriage was lent to me by Brother Bo Ren."

"So it's Brother Yang. Let's meet again another day. I'll be going now." After saying this, Zhang Shize turned his horse around and left without looking back.

"Cousin, who is he? He's so arrogant." Ma Deyun asked.

“The heir of the Duke of Cheng, Zhang Shize,” Yang Sheng said.

"Are the others with him all sons of noble families?" Ma Deyun asked.

"Yes, they're all sons of noble families from Nanjing. Hanshan City is going to be lively these days," Yang Sheng said with a smile.

Ma Deyun curled his lip, no wonder he was so awesome, riding around the city.

A handsome young man rode on horseback, his black hair tied with a white ribbon, dressed in snow-white silk. A long white silk tassel tied around his waist, adorned with a piece of mutton-fat jade, and covered with a soft, light gauze. His eyebrows were long and swept into his temples, his eyes were slender and gentle, his nose was straight and delicate, and his skin was fair. His eyes, which seemed to possess the spirit of heaven and earth, were clear and unfathomable, without any impurity. His long, dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, giving him a dashing and heroic appearance.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that this young man is actually a beautiful girl disguised as a man; she is none other than Liu Rushi, who became famous in later generations.

Liu Rushi turned to look at Zhang Shize and asked, "Brother Zhang, have you encountered an old friend?"

Zhang Shize shook his head and said, "No, that was the carriage of the newly established Marquis's residence. I thought Bo Xin was inside."

“I have decided to participate in the Flower Queen Contest,” Liu Rushi said.

"Ah! Master Liu, didn't you not want to participate?" Zhang Shize frowned.

"I really enjoyed many of the songs just now, even though they were unconventional. I'd like to see who will be crowned the queen of courtesans," Liu Rushi said with a slight smile.

Zhang Shize stared at Liu Rushi's smile, completely mesmerized. Miss Liu was simply too beautiful; her smile was absolutely breathtaking.

"How could the first place go to someone else when Liu Dajia participated in the competition?" Xu Rongjie, the heir of the Duke of Dingguo, said.

"That's right! That's right!" Zhang Shize nodded repeatedly.