Chapter 11: Gossip and Idols

Chapter 11: Gossip and Idols

Huh? This—this doesn’t look like a complete couplet, but rather two separate ones. Yet, why are there only the first lines and no second lines? Could it be—perhaps—a promotional contest with a prize?

Li Qi stared at the two banners, his brows furrowing in curiosity.

While everyone else was preoccupied with how to compose a matching line, Li Qi was pondering why these couplets were hanging here at all. Was there some hidden profit behind this?

Ancient people prioritized integrity, but modern people prioritized profit.

Perhaps that was the fundamental difference in the thinking habits between the ancients and the moderns. Having once helped his father-in-law manage various aspects of his company, Li Qi understood well the principle that "one doesn't get up early without a profit motive."

After thinking for a while without arriving at any conclusion, he looked to ask someone nearby. Before he could speak, he heard two men standing in front of them discussing the matter. Li Qi felt a surge of excitement and immediately pricked up his ears.

He heard one ask, "Brother Liu, do you really believe these two couplets were composed by Lady Bai and Master Song?"

Lady Bai? Li Qi was startled. Could it be that Bai Suzhen had also time-traveled?

He heard the other reply, "There’s no mistake about it. Didn’t you hear what Honorable Cai said? The couplet on the left is the work of Master Song, and the one on the right is from the hand of Lady Bai. Furthermore, Honorable Cai promised that anyone who can successfully match either of these lines will be treated as an honored guest of the Jade Pavilion, receiving ten days of free food and lodging. Think about it—how much silver would ten days of food and lodging at the Jade Pavilion cost? If these couplets weren't truly from their hands, would Honorable Cai dare to be so 'generous'?"

The first man nodded. "What you say makes some sense. But I’ve heard that Lady Bai has never had any dealings with Honorable Cai. Why would she be so generous as to help him this time?"

"That’s where you don’t understand. Let me tell you, it’s all about the 'money' at play here." Lowering his voice, the man added, "I heard from others that Honorable Cai paid a hefty sum to obtain these couplets from Lady Bai."

The first man frowned, shaking his head. "That—that can't be true. Lady Bai is the second greatest female talent in Bianjing. Why would she stoop to helping a man like Honorable Cai—a man who eats people without spitting out the bones—just for mere worldly possessions? Wouldn't that ruin her reputation? Impossible, impossible. I refuse to believe such rumors."

The other man scoffed. "You don't think? If these weren't Lady Bai's work, would Honorable Cai dare to make such a claim? Have you forgotten that a year ago, a tavern owner in the East City made the mistake of speaking half a word against Lady Bai after a few drinks? That very night, his shop was smashed to pieces. When he took the matter to the magistrate, they investigated and found that the ones who smashed the shop were all famous scholars and young aristocrats. They even countersued the tavern owner for slandering Lady Bai and demanded the Prefect punish him. It was only after Lady Bai personally intervened that the matter was settled. Would Honorable Cai risk repeating such a disaster?"

"Of course I remember that. If my aunt hadn't come to visit that day, I would have been there too," the first man said with a regretful shake of his head. "Even if these couplets are indeed by Lady Bai, it doesn't prove she took any benefits from Honorable Cai."

The other man tilted his chin up. "Then you tell me, if not for money, why would Lady Bai help Honorable Cai? You just said yourself that they have no friendship."

The first man was momentarily at a loss for words. After stammering for a long time, he finally said, "Maybe—maybe Lady Bai was invited by Master Song to write these for Honorable Cai. It’s no secret that Master Song is infatuated with Lady Bai."

The other retorted sharply, "You say Master Song is infatuated with her, but Lady Bai has never expressed any feelings in return. Perhaps she doesn't even care for him. In any case, I don't believe she helped Honorable Cai for the sake of Master Song."

"Then I certainly don't believe she did it for money!" the first man shouted indignantly. "I ask you, Brother Liu, to stop slandering Lady Bai."

The other man grew angry, flicked his long sleeves, and waved his hand. "Believe what you will. Farewell!" With that, he turned and left. The first man snorted and stormed off in a rage.

Good grief! It’s just a couplet—is it really worth getting this worked up? Who cares what their motive was; it has nothing to do with you. Sigh! It seems that gossip and idols will always be the subjects of human contention.

Li Qi was left feeling both amused and frustrated by these two men. He had caught the gist of the conversation: although he didn't know who this "Lady Bai" or "Master Song" were, it was clear from their words that they were highly influential figures—the sort of superstars with fans everywhere, much like Tony Leung or Maggie Cheung.

Regarding their argument, Li Qi leaned more toward the man who had been driven away. How much effort does it take to write a couplet? It’s not as if it’s some heinous crime. If she didn't take money that was essentially lying on the table, then this Lady Bai would truly be an idiot.

Regardless of Lady Bai or Master Song, Li Qi knew that the person benefiting the most was Honorable Cai. While he didn't know how much silver he had paid, he was very clear that the popularity and profits these couplets brought to the Jade Pavilion were immeasurable.

This was the so-called "star effect." Li Qi never expected that this phenomenon would have already begun to emerge during the Song Dynasty.

In his own time, even a moderately famous star could land a lucrative advertising deal, let alone international celebrities. Businessmen were not fools; if they spent tens of millions just to have you stand in front of a camera and strike a few poses, and you couldn't bring them several or even dozens of times that amount in profit, those tycoons wouldn't even bother looking at you.

Of course, that’s assuming there aren't any "hidden rules" involved.

It seems Wu Furong and the Drunken Immortal Pavilion didn't lose unjustly!

Li Qi sighed. Judging solely by these couplets, Honorable Cai’s foresight and strategy were miles ahead of Wu Furong. As a decision-maker, Wu Furong didn't even dare tell Master Zhou that it was time to retire. With such a soft-hearted and overly kind manager, how could the Drunken Immortal Pavilion not fall?

Since Lady Bai and Master Song were so popular, surely the couplets they produced couldn't be too bad.

With this understanding, Li Qi began to focus on the couplets. According to the two men, the one on the left, "A river of moonlit breeze invites a long, deep drink," was likely composed by Master Song, while the one on the right, "Pouring bamboo-leaf wine, the heart turns a verdant green," must be Lady Bai's.

Li Qi was no stranger to composing couplets. In the past, to come up with elegant and meaningful names for his new dishes, he would often flip through ancient books or search online for classic poems and couplets. In his era of advanced information, the internet had no shortage of brilliant and eccentric couplets; having seen so many, he had naturally picked up the skill.

Whew! So these were two couplets about the food and beverage industry. It seems Honorable Cai had truly put a great deal of thought into this!

While these couplets weren't necessarily world-class masterpieces, they were certainly challenging. Yet, for Li Qi, they felt tailor-made for him. The food and beverage industry? Ha! That was his own specialty!

Li Qi pondered for a while, then suddenly let out a soft chuckle. Shaking his head, he murmured, "So, it’s just two idols."