novelraw Chapter 1970 - 1968: Talented Woman
Chapter 1970 - 1968: Talented Woman
"This..." Upon hearing the emcee’s words, the auction hall began to buzz with chatter.
Clearly, everyone was puzzled by the auction rules this time.
Since it’s an auction, isn’t it all about money? But this auction allows anything, except money.
It’s truly quite unconventional.
However, this is better. Originally, only a few had the financial means to compete for Luo Qingcheng. Now, perhaps everyone present has a chance.
After all, the emcee just said, anything but money is allowed.
It could be talent, knowledge, treasures...
As long as Luo Qingcheng approves, she can be taken home.
Isn’t it possible that just a simple poem could win the beauty?
"Interesting, very interesting!"
"I’ll go first!"
"..."
Once the emcee announced the rules, someone immediately couldn’t hold back and wanted to try winning the beauty’s approval.
At this time, Luo Qingcheng had stopped dancing and sat in front of a guzheng, her slender fingers danced on the strings like nimble spirits, and a melodious tune began to reverberate in the auction hall.
It’s undeniable that besides her stunning looks, Luo Qingcheng not only excelled in dance but also in music, almost making her a talented woman.
"I would like to compose a poem on the spot for Goddess Luo," a young man who fancied himself talented stepped onto the stage.
The young man pondered for a moment with the microphone, then recited to Luo Qingcheng:
"As light as a swallow’s shadow, leaving no trace,
The air filled with echoing tunes.
Who could match such peerless grace?
Except the original Luoshen, is Luo Qingcheng!"
The young man truly had some skill, creating a poem spontaneously.
This poem praised Luo Qingcheng from three aspects.
"As light as a swallow’s shadow, leaving no trace," praised her superb dancing skills.
"The air filled with echoing tunes," was a compliment to her guzheng performance.
"Who could match such peerless grace? Except the original Luoshen, is Luo Qingcheng!"
This praised her beauty.
These two Luoshens are not the same.
The first Luoshen refers to the Luoshen in "Ode to the Luoshen," also known as Mi Fei, originally a daughter of the Fuxi Clan who descended to the mortal world drawn by the beauty of the Luo River banks, arriving in Luoyang.
She was a legendary beauty of unmatched grace.
The second Luoshen refers to Luo Qingcheng.
Comparing Luo Qingcheng’s beauty to the legendary beauty Luoshen was indeed high praise.
Though many present were business elite, they weren’t skilled in literature, and many were impressed by the young man’s poetic talent, casting admiring looks.
The seven-character quatrain may not be perfect, but considering the young man almost didn’t think at all while creating it, it shows his literary talent and quick thinking.
"I know who he is, one of Jiangdu’s four great scholars, Wang Luo, has published many literary works, no wonder he could create such a good poem so effortlessly!" Someone seemed to recognize the young man.
"What? He’s Wang Luo? I’ve heard of him, he’s deeply accomplished in Huaxia literature, skilled in poetry, and some even call him Little Wang Wei."
"..."
Upon the revelation of the young man’s identity, a commotion erupted in the auction hall.
In today’s restless age, few people can calm down to study Huaxia’s language culture, with fewer literati around, making accomplishments feel even rarer.
This young man, Wang Luo, appeared only in his early twenties but had already published many literary works, truly a scholar.
Talented scholars have always matched with beauties, and at that moment, many thought Wang Luo and Luo Qingcheng seemed well-matched.
"I wonder if I could win Miss Qingcheng’s heart?" Wang Luo asked with confidence.
Although he spent very little time creating this poem, its readability, and elegance were just right, and it was quite acceptable. Though it might not withstand scrutiny from experts, it was more than enough to impress these business elites who knew little about literature.
Luo Qingcheng raised her head, a slight smile on her lips, then began to sing softly:
"Tea tree blooms, tea tree roots,
Can’t get it, can’t get it.
Sun rises, life begins,
Far and near, don’t ask..."
The enchanting voice, paired with the beautiful guzheng music, instantly created an echoing effect, although many present had no idea what Luo Qingcheng was singing.
Only the young man looked visibly shocked, his face turning pale.
After a long while, he sighed softly, "Miss Qingcheng’s literary talent, I can’t compare. I’ve embarrassed myself."
With that, he left the auction hall without looking back.
Scholars have their pride.
Wang Luo, relying on his literary achievements, wanted to show off, but didn’t expect Luo Qingcheng’s literary skill to match his.
Moreover, Luo Qingcheng took less time than he did. He had paused to think, but Luo Qingcheng began to sing on the spot, even with musical accompaniment, that’s true effortless creation.
In terms of content, it was far superior to his.
Luo Qingcheng’s poem was more simple, more flavorful, and more meaningful, even he only understood its meaning after careful contemplation.
But that wasn’t the most disheartening part for Wang Luo.
The most discouraging thing was that Luo Qingcheng’s impromptu poem was also an acrostic.
Read the first character of each line, and it says, "Far too far off."
A scholar getting defeated by a courtesan in his best field was utterly humiliating, no wonder Wang Luo left the auction directly, for he couldn’t face staying any longer.
"What, Wang Luo admitted he’s not as talented as Luo Qingcheng?" Wang Luo’s departure left many wide-eyed.
"But I think Wang Luo’s poem is quite good."
"Wang Luo’s is good, but Luo Qingcheng’s is indeed better. Try reading the first character of each line of her poem?" Someone seemed to notice the subtlety.
"Far too far off? Isn’t that a pun for falling short?"
"Oh my god, it seems Luo Qingcheng’s literary accomplishment is really high too, Wang Luo even took time to think, maybe he prepared beforehand, but Luo Qingcheng, she truly created it on the spot, undeniably a talented woman!"
Skilled in singing and dancing, coupled with such literary talent, everyone’s eyes turned towards Luo Qingcheng, filled with admiration once again.
Such a woman, if one could marry her, would bring endless joy to life.
However, if one truly wishes to marry Luo Qingcheng, a significant challenge still awaits.