Chapter 63: Plum Blossoms and Snow

Therefore, even those who did not enter the restaurant to drink mostly bought candied hawthorns on sticks before leaving.

Some people even bought several strings.

There were also those who came solely to make a purchase. With so many people coming and going on the main street, it was hard not to notice these candied hawthorns, especially among women and children.

In this way, the first signature delicacy of the overlooking-the-moon restaurant—candied hawthorns—began to build a solid reputation.

The second reason they were willing to enter the restaurant was because of Mo Shiyu. Although they could not go up to the third floor to drink, simply having the fortunate chance to catch a glimpse of the beauty was a form of satisfaction. Ordinarily, one would have to spend money just for a chance to see her at the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Moreover, going to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion did not guarantee an encounter, as Mo Shiyu did not make appearances easily.

Therefore, being able to see Mo Shiyu at the Overlooking River Restaurant was a tremendous blessing, and they had managed to see her for two consecutive days.

By this time, Mo Shiyu and her three companions had already reached the third floor. The woman in white with a veiled face spoke softly, "Was the couplet at the entrance just now composed by the Dust-Mortified Scholar you mentioned?"

"Yes."

"That first line is rather ordinary."

Mo Shiyu smiled gently, "I mentioned this to the restaurant's manager yesterday, and he said that if no one could match it, wouldn't that mean no one would ever be able to come up to the third floor?"

The veiled woman in white chuckled softly, "Even if no one else could match it, Sister Shiyu, you were still able to. Your talent is probably beyond the reach of those self-proclaimed scholars."

"Do not flatter me. Setting aside Young Master Yanyu and Young Master Wuyou, even I cannot compare to her."

"The poems and lyrics on the wall have changed again!" At this moment, Ziyan pointed to the eastern wall and said in surprise.

Mo Shiyu and the veiled woman in white walked up to the wall, and the veiled woman softly recited: "The Bian River flows, the Si River flows, flowing all the way to the ancient ferry of Guazhou. The Wu Mountains are dotted with sorrow. Thoughts stretch on and on, resentments linger on and on, lasting until the day of return begins and ceases. The bright moon shines as a person leans against the railing... The Dust-Mortified Scholar."

"Meixue, what do you think of this lyric?" Mo Shiyu asked the veiled woman in white.

It turned out that the veiled woman in white was named Meixue. She praised it, saying, "This is a lyric of longing, set against the backdrop of the gentle, murmuring water under the moonlight, reflecting endless and lingering feelings of parting, profound yearning, and the resentment born from it.

The moonlight, the flowing water, and the distant mountains are united with extraordinary harmony within the woman's inner world of lingering thoughts and grievances. By using rhyming reduplications where every single line rhymes, it naturally creates the effect of floating clouds and flowing water. The conception of this lyric is exceptionally novel and ingenious; this Dust-Mortified Scholar is indeed immensely talented."

Mo Shiyu smiled and said, "Therefore, this is the true standard of the Dust-Mortified Scholar."

"Sister Shiyu, if I could truly secure the assistance of the Dust-Mortified Scholar, perhaps I might genuinely have a chance to contend for the title of Top Courtesan at the Celestial Tone Pavilion."

"However, Manager Lin said that the Dust-Mortified Scholar's whereabouts are unpredictable, and he is unwilling to be tainted by worldly affairs, so even he cannot be certain whether the scholar will help you."

Meixue's beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment. "Must I wait another two years?"

"Sister Meixue, why don't you just look for someone else? Must it be the Dust-Mortified Scholar?" Ziyan asked.

"The others have all sought out formidable scholars to assist them. If I cannot find one, I will naturally fall behind. I heard that even Hongyi has found an extremely capable scholar."

Mo Shiyu asked, "Who did Hongyi find?"

"When she was passing through Luping Town to perform along the way to Jiangcheng, a scholar from Wei County named Xu Zhizhang composed an exceptional poem for their troupe of dancers. That poem has already spread almost all across Jiangzhou."

"What poem is it? Recite it for us to hear."

Meixue slowly recited: "On the night of the Lantern Festival last year, the flower market was as bright as day. The moon rose above the willow branches, and we made a tryst at dusk."

"Truly a fine poem... Yet, I somehow feel something is amiss." Mo Shiyu wore a thoughtful expression.

Meixue nodded. "I also feel something is not quite right, as if listening to this poem leaves one with a lingering sense of incompleteness."

"Yes! That is precisely the feeling, as if it has not been finished."

Shaoyao chimed in, "The moon rose above the willow branches, and we made a tryst at dusk—what a perfectly romantic ending! How could it be considered unfinished?"

Mo Shiyu smiled. "We are only going by intuition. Perhaps this is a kind of flawed beauty. It seems Hongyi is also determined to win."

"That is why this year's competition is so fierce," Meixue sighed softly. "I must find a truly formidable scholar."

"Do not worry. Even without the help of a scholar, I believe you can still claim the title of Top Courtesan purely on the strength of your singing and dancing. Let us order our food. The dishes at their restaurant are exceptionally good. I shall ask if they are still gifting us fruit preserves today!"

"And the candied hawthorns are also delicious," Ziyan added.

At this moment, footsteps were heard on the stairs, and a pretty young girl walked up. It was not Xiaodie from yesterday.

Instead, she was the granddaughter of the nearly starved elderly refugee taken in by Liu Ruofu, a girl named Swallow.

"Older sisters, what wine and dishes would you like to order? Today the restaurant specializes in Jiangnan cuisine, and everything is very delicious."

"Is the buy-one-get-one-free offer still available today?"

"It is. But if you older sisters wish to have them, I can bring them to you right now."

"What about yesterday's candied hawthorns and fruit preserves?"

Swallow replied, "Of course! Big Brother said that you are special honored guests, and you can have whatever you wish to eat."

Shaoyao smiled, "I am almost feeling a bit embarrassed. Won't your manager run at a loss by doing this?"

"Big Brother said that if you come every day, not only will he not lose money, but he will also make a huge profit."

Mo Shiyu was slightly startled, then smiled and said, "I understand. No wonder the moment we matched that couplet, you let us come up to the third floor without making us wait for anyone else. Your manager certainly knows how to do business."

Swallow said excitedly, "That goes without saying! Our Manager Lin is also the kindest person. We were refugees, and he brought us to work in the restaurant, giving us food and a place to live, plus three hundred copper coins every month."

Mo Shiyu's expression shifted slightly. "Giving a man a fish is not as good as teaching him how to fish; this is far better than simply setting up a porridge stall."

"Older sister, what does 'teaching a man to fish' mean?" Swallow asked in puzzlement.

Mo Shiyu gently patted the girl's small head. "You will understand in the future. Go downstairs and quietly tell your Manager Lin that we will be coming often from now on. Even if we do not go to the third floor, we can use a private room on the second floor. However, he must keep that matter in mind."

"Mm, I understand!" Swallow nodded vigorously.

"Aside from the three signature delicacies, just casually bring up a few dishes of Jiangnan cuisine for us."

"Understood, older sister!" With that, Swallow pattered rapidly down the stairs.

Swallow arrived at the backyard kitchen and walked up to Lin Feng, who had just finished stir-frying a pan of vegetables. Standing on tiptoe, she whispered quietly in his ear, "Big Brother, the Mo Shiyu sister on the third floor said they will be coming often, but she wants you to keep your mind on that matter."

Lin Feng smiled faintly, "I know."

"Also, they said they want candied hawthorns, fruit preserves, and five-spice peanuts, and any few dishes from today's Jiangnan menu will do."

"Alright, go busy yourself first, and come back shortly to serve the dishes."

"Okay, Big Brother!"

With that, Swallow scurried away in a flurry.