The poem was delivered, and silence fell within the Misty Rain Pavilion.

It was as if time had stopped.

Then, in the next moment, the room erupted in laughter.

The burly man, with his neck craned, didn't seem to care and instead shouted loudly:

"Miss Xiaoyue, does my poem meet your approval?"

"Crude words like that are best kept to yourself."

The scholar from earlier scoffed.

"Boy, what did you say?"

"I'm referring to your poem, of course. The lines are not even properly structured, so how can it be considered poetry?"

"Then you try," the burly man said, staring intently at the scholar.

The scholar took a deep breath, holding his folding fan, and paced back and forth as he recited loudly:

"Hundreds of flowers compete in fragrance on the land,

The quiet pool reflects a silent scent.

Not vying with peach or plum for spring's breeze,

July's meteor shower sends coolness."

Chen Yuan nodded silently. Compared to the previous one, this one could be considered a poem, but the scholar's arrogance was quite annoying.

"This poem is dedicated to Miss Xiaoyue."

The scholar's gaze slowly swept over the crowd, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"Brother Yuan, can you also compose a poem on the spot to overshadow this kid's arrogance?" Wang Ping snorted softly.

"I haven't read as many books as you have, how could I write a poem?"

Chen Yuan glanced at Wang Ping.

He could copy a few poems, but it was pointless to compete for a courtesan, even if she was beautiful. Chen Yuan wasn't the type to be mesmerized by women.

There was no benefit for him to get involved, so why should he?

He came here suspecting that Xiaoyue might be related to destiny. Since there wasn't anything, Chen Yuan didn't want to cause any trouble.

"I guess..."

Wang Ping mumbled.

He was just impressed by some of Chen Yuan's words before, and subconsciously thought that Brother Yuan was well-read.

"Is there anyone who can do better than this young master?"

The madam shouted.

Xiaoyue's eyes flickered, her charm overflowing as she scanned the crowd, finally landing on Chen Yuan, as if contemplating something.

"I am willing to compete with all of you gentlemen."

The scholar smiled softly, looking at the various people below, his eyes filled with contempt.

He had studied poetry for many years and only obtained this poem from a friend, how could he lose in this small county town?

"Boy, don't be too arrogant."

The burly man threatened.

"What, in broad daylight, you want to commit violence?" The scholar in blue robes glanced at the crowd, focusing on Chen Yuan and Wang Ping,

And said loudly: "You two constables, this person intends to commit violence, can you arrest him?"

Chen Yuan glanced at him:

"This constable's eyes are not good, I don't see anyone committing violence."

"You..." The scholar's words were cut off.

"Haha, brother, you have my approval, if anything happens in the east of the city, mention my name, Ma Dayuan." The burly man stood up and laughed heartily.

"Alright."

Chen Yuan smiled and nodded.

"Hiss... wait, does this brother happen to be surnamed Chen?" Ma Dayuan took a sudden breath when he saw the pattern on Chen Yuan's official uniform, different from Wang Ping's.

Vaguely aware of something.

"Yes, Brother Ma recognizes me?"

Chen Yuan picked up his wine glass and took a sip calmly.

"Could it be Chen Yuan, Officer Chen?"

Ma Dayuan stared intently at the pattern on Chen Yuan's clothes.

"That's right, this is the new head constable of the county."

Wang Ping said loudly, glancing at the scholar in the green robe from earlier.

"Oh my, it's actually Officer Chen, really... truly I was blind and didn't recognize Mount Tai, I apologize for any offense in my earlier words." Ma Dayuan raised his wine glass and quickly walked to Chen Yuan.

His face was a bit fawning.

"There's nothing to apologize for, Gang Leader Ma is being too serious."

Chen Yuan had heard of the name Ma Dayuan. He had some influence in the east of the city, with dozens of gang members under his command, and he had never caused any trouble.

It was said that his connections were not weak either.

"Constable Chen is indeed as forthright as the rumors say, today it was my old Ma who didn't recognize Mount Tai, how about I use Miss Xiaoyue to apologize?" With that, he shouted to the madam:

"Today, whatever the price is for Miss Xiaoyue's time, whether it's thirty taels or fifty taels, I'll pay it. Name your price."

The madam was a little tempted, looking at the scholar in the green robe, and then at Xiaoyue not far away, unsure of what to do.

"You... vulgar, how can Miss Xiaoyue be measured by money? This is a matter of romance and refined pleasure, you..."

The scholar in the green robe said anxiously.

"Boy, are you still thinking about romance? Do you believe that you won't be able to leave the Misty Rain Pavilion?" Ma Dayuan's eyes turned cold, and a dangerous aura surrounded him.

"You... you..." The scholar in the green robe was a little flustered.

This burly man looked like he could really prevent him from leaving the Misty Rain Pavilion, and the person next to him was also the head constable of the county, no one would even collect his body if he died.

"Get lost if you don't want to die."

Ma Dayuan shouted coldly.

The scholar in the green robe looked at his fierce appearance, feeling a burst of fear in his heart. He snorted softly and quickly covered his face and retreated, drawing a chorus of boos.

"How about it?"

Ma Dayuan turned his gaze back to the madam.

Xiaoyue smiled, draped in a red silk veil, and slowly walked forward:

"I've long heard that the newly appointed Constable Chen is a talented young man, and many wealthy young ladies in the city have secretly admired him. Now that Constable Chen has graced us with his presence, how could Xiaoyue possibly accept money?"

As she spoke, she sent flirtatious glances.

Chen Yuan remained unmoved and smiled:

"How come Chen doesn't know that so many people secretly admire me? Miss Xiaoyue is joking, Brother Ma was just teasing just now, I'm just here to listen to a song, I have no other intentions."

Xiaoyue looked into Chen Yuan's eyes, as if trying to see if he was being sincere or pretending, but after staring for a few breaths, Chen Yuan's expression didn't change at all.

She said softly:

"Does Constable Chen think that I am too old to be pleasing to the eye?"

"Miss Xiaoyue, although you are an aging beauty, you still have your charm, but... Chen can't be near women because of cultivation, it's not that I dislike you." Chen Yuan's eyes were indifferent.

For some reason, when this woman got close, Chen Yuan had a very uncomfortable feeling, so he didn't want to get close to her, lest it cause other troubles.

From the moment the red silk danced, Chen Yuan had secretly determined that this Xiaoyue was not a simple character.

And he had no interest in dealing with such people, even if she was a big 'household'.

As he said that, Chen Yuan glanced at Xiaoyue's abdomen, three inches below.

Wang Ping was a little stunned, Brother Yuan remained unmoved with such a good opportunity?

Could it be that he really had no interest in women?

Xiaoyue covered her mouth and chuckled, and said:

"I see, then how about I invite Constable Chen into my boudoir to listen to a tune played by me?"

Chen Yuan sized up Xiaoyue, as if pondering something, and then smiled after a moment and said:

"Alright."

Wang Ping smiled knowingly, this was the Brother Yuan he knew.