Eroge: I can Travel To The Ancient World

259  Poem As Apology

Red lanterns lit up around the entire building of Phoenix Cloud Pavilion, like glowing jewels around a maiden's body.

The name plaque shone with a gentle light, attracting the pedestrians of Nanhai City.

As Jia Hao walked inside, he was greeted by several maids.

" Greetings, Young Lord Jia!"

" Aha, Young Lord Jia has arrived."

" Young Lord Jia, are we fortunate enough to hear another poetry from you?"

Jia Hao chuckled as he simply walked in, holding a paper fan in his hand.

" Well, Who knows? If my mood allows, I might write one."

" Young Lord Jia, I am Ye Jing, from Scholar Ye's household. It's a pleasure to meet you."

" I am Meng Ya, From Golden Triad Merchant Group."

" Greetings…"

Jia Hao was perplexed when he saw the sudden surge of young men trying to get acquainted with him. But he also understood the reason of the sudden boost in his popularity.

Since the influence of the Cai Family has grown so much, it's natural for everyone to curry favors with them. And currently, other than the Patriarch, the second male in command is naturally his son in law Jia Hao.

' Ugh, I came here to admire beauties. And here I am getting swarmed by these smiling bastards.'

" Yeah yeah, I accept your greetings." Jia Hao pushed through the crows as he hurried towards the room of Xu Chenlan.

However, before he could go up, he was stopped by her maid.

" Young Lord Jia, Lady Xu didn't allow you to go to her boudoir yet."

" Huh? I think I already sent the news of my arrival early in the morning?" Jia Hao was surprised.

" It's true. However, Lady Xu isn't in a good mood. She needs some sort of compensation before you go to her room."

" I see…"

Jia Hao took a few steps back, crossing his arms with a look of understanding. " Looks like someone is annoyed because I didn't come often."

The maid only smiled and spoke nothing. However, her smile alone gave confirmation to Jia Hao's question.

" Fine by me, Bring me a brush and paper." Jia Hao took a seat as he spoke in a calm voice.

His words attracted the attention of many as they surrounded him.

" Looks like Young Lord Jia is going to compose something."

" Lady Xu must be so lucky. Young Lord is composing only for her."

" Let's see what kind of surprise Young Lord going to give us tonight."

Jia Hao rested his face on his fist as he gave a rueful smile. His hands moved, but his gaze fixed on the curtain blocking the view of Xu Chenlan's room.

*SWISH! SWWISSH!*

His strokes were light and long like he was drawing a painting with his words. After writing for a while, he placed the brush back and gave the parchment to the maid.

" Send it to her. Let's see if she allows me to come or not." Jia Hao chuckled.

" No! I want to see it!"

" Young Lord, It's unfair. We also wish to hear your poetry!"

Jia Hao waved his hands. " I think the person I wrote the poem for should view it first, no? Otherwise, it will reduce its significance."

Everyone shut up when they heard Jia Hao's reasoning. After all, he wrote it for Xu Chenlan. Only she deserves to read it first, yes?

Not long after, the maid came down and bowed before Jia Hao.

" Young Lord, Lady Xu is waiting for you."

" Alright, I shall go then."

Jia Hao secretly breathed a sigh of relief as he walked to her boudoir.

The maid bowed to the audience. " Lady Xu already kept the original copy. However, she can't bear everyone to yearn for Young Lord Jia's poem."

" So I brought the copy for everyone to see. Please, enjoy it."

The maid held the paper and sang the poem.

The autumn wind blows white clouds

About the sky. Grass turns brown.

Leaves fall. Wild geese fly south

The last flowers bloom, orchids

And chrysanthemums with their

Bitter perfume. I dream of

That beautiful face I can

Never forget.

I go for n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

A trip on the river. The barge

Rides the current and dips with

The white capped waves. They play flutes

And drums and the rowers sing.

I am happy for a moment

And then the old sorrow comes back.

I was young only a little while

And now I am growing old.

The crowd was stunned as the maid finished reading the poem, she simply gave a bow and left the scene.

" What was that?"

" Such a beautiful poem."

Everyone understood Jia Hao's intent behind this poem.

" It looks like he was apologizing to Lady Xu for not visiting her often."

" Well, It's not unjust that Lady Xu allowed him an audience so quickly. If I was a lady, I would have invited him personally."

" Whoa, Man, That sounds pretty gay to me."

" Why? Do you wish to try me? Huh?"

Two men sat amidst the clamoring crowds as they drank tea.

" An exquisite poem, I admit." A young man wearing a conical hat nodded with a sigh.

" Even in Three Sage Academy, It's hard to find such a literary talent."

" Hmm, I guess him being an excelling investigator isn't false. After all, one needs a high intelligence to be able to solve crimes." The man beside Luo Qiang nodded.

" Then Brother Ye Kong, Shall I bring him here?"

Ye Kong was speechless when he heard Luo Qiang.

" Do you know where he went?"

" Into the room of one of the Three Pearls, Xu Chenlan?"

" And what do you think he is going to do there?" Ye Kong asked again.

" This… They will have a literary talk?" Luo Qiang shrunk his neck.

" Your brain only fed on books or what?" Ye Kong couldn't help but spat. " They are going to do much more than talking! Why do you think Phoenix Cloud Pavilion is famous for?!"

" Anyway, We will wait till he is finished. It's not good to interrupt." Ye Kong snorted.

" He will be probably out in an hour or two."

Unfortunately, Their speculations turned out to be entirely wrong.

.

.

.

.

" Well? I didn't expect Lady Yin Hua to see me with Xu Chenlan?" Jia Hao's steps paused as he looked at a figure sitting beside Xu Chenlan.

Her entire face was covered with a beaded veil. However, the deep violet gown with flower patterns outlined her curvaceous figure perfectly.

" Young Lord Jia's eyes are sharp as rumored. Not many in the younger generation can recognize me that quickly."

Her voice was melodious, like a chirping bird on a winter morning. However, Jia Hao was more focused on her strength which she was hiding deeply.

' She is an Innate Realm martial artist. Not to mention, her internal energy is quite stable and abundant.'

Jia Hao compared his strength with hers and realized he didn't have full confidence to beat her.

' Tsk, even an owner of a brothel is a hidden martial artist. This world is really filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers.'

" I am glad that my worn out beauty still captivates your gaze." Her voice startled Jia Hao, waking him up from his stupor.

Her meaning was clear, Jia Hao was staring at her for quite a long.

" Even when a tree dries, its bare branches still show their own elegance under the moonlight." Jia Hao shook his head.

" Not to mention, Lady Yin Hua whose beauty is just one among her many virtues."

" You are quite a flatterer, Young Lord. You are going to cause heartbreak for quite a lot of women." Lady Yin Hua's giggle was small yet melodious.

" I believe you have some work with me?" Jia Hao cut to the point. He didn't believe Lady Yin Hua was here only to talk with him.

" Young Lord, Do you wish to bring Chenlan with you?" Lady Yin Hua spoke in a slow voice.