"Uh... out of money?"
Hearing Ye Tian's explanation, Lin Wan finally realized that the man had indeed spent ten—no, five copper coins just a moment ago to ask the innkeeper about the Bright Moon Pavilion. Coupled with the offhand remark he had muttered earlier, it all confirmed her suspicion that his current financial situation was quite dire.
"I see. It seems I was being presumptuous, unaware that you were troubled by financial worries."
Lin Wan took the initiative to apologize. With a subtle glance at Xiaolan, the little maid immediately produced her coin pouch. Lin Wan took out the silver inside and placed it directly on the table beside them.
"I didn't bring much money with me when I went out today, but I hope you will accept these dozen or so taels of silver. First, as an apology for misunderstanding you just now, and second, in the hope of helping you tide over this temporary difficulty," Lin Wan said sincerely.
???
!!!
Across the table, Ye Tian was stunned by this turn of events. Could this be the sheer charm of literary talent? Was this the legendary societal preference for scholars over soldiers? If this was really how things worked, then this world was simply wonderful!
Glancing at the silver on the table, Ye Tian swept it into his possession without hesitation. As a time traveler, spending a woman's money was, in his mind, by no means a disgrace or something shameful; rather, it was a testament to one's capability and honor.
Besides, he was a newcomer in a strange land, and without money, he might well starve to death in a few days. Now that he had a chance to extend his stay in this world, he certainly wasn't going to stand on ceremony.
"Thank you very much for your help, Miss. I can see that you have a particular fondness for poetry. May I ask what kind of verse you prefer? Though I am poor, I understand a bit of poetry. If you wouldn't mind, please give me a prompt, and I would be delighted to gift you a poem as a token of my gratitude," Ye Tian said, reciprocating her kindness.
That she liked poetry was certain; otherwise, she wouldn't have approached him on account of his casual remark. Since that was the case, composing a poem to thank her was undoubtedly the best gift he could offer.
"Is that so? If you are so inclined, how about composing a Mid-Autumn poem? Coincidentally, the Mid-Autumn Festival is in three days. If you can produce a fine work, it will be a wonderful opportunity to display your talent," Lin Wan said with a smile.
Though somewhat surprised by his offer, she also felt a flutter of anticipation. After all, not only had the young man passed the Xiucai examination at a tender age, but he could also compose prose extemporaneously and utter exquisite gems. No doubt he possessed considerable talent in the realm of poetry.
Naturally, while she looked forward to it, she had no intention of deliberately making things difficult for him. Since the Mid-Autumn Festival was just around the corner, if he loved poetry, he surely had a suitable piece ready on that theme.
"Very well," Ye Tian nodded, then continued, "Since there are no brush and paper here, I shall simply recite the poem aloud. I hope you won't mind."
"Please go ahead, Young Master," Lin Wan said with a soft smile.
"If today were the night of the full Mid-Autumn moon, I would naturally compose a poem centered around the bright moon. But since it isn't, I will recite a poem called *Chang'e* for you." Pausing for a moment, Ye Tian cleared his throat and continued:
"The mica screen reflects the flickering candle deep,
The Milky Way slowly fades as the morning stars sink.
Chang'e must regret her theft of the elixir divine,
Through the blue seas and vast skies, her heart aches night after night."
Of course, this *Chang'e* was not the absolute best Mid-Autumn poem in existence, but surely he couldn't pull out *Water Melody* just for a dozen taels of silver? Besides, this poem was one of Li Shangyin's classic masterpieces, and a brilliant work in its own right.
In plain prose, it meant: Quietly sitting alone behind the mica screen, the light of the dying candle is deep and dim. The long Milky Way has gradually slanted downward, and the morning stars are slowly sinking and fading. Chang'e perhaps regrets stealing the elixir of immortality back then, and now she faces the vast blue sea and sky alone, her lonely heart tormented night after night.
Across the table, Lin Wan hadn't thought much of it at first, but by the time she heard the poem to the very end, she was frozen in place.
She couldn't help marveling inwardly: *"Chang'e must regret her theft of the elixir divine, through the blue seas and vast skies, her heart aches night after night... Night after night! What a magnificent couplet! This poem will definitely make it onto the Bright Moon Pavilion's poetry rankings this month!"*
For a moment, a brilliant light danced in Lin Wan's eyes. She looked at Ye Tian with a gaze filled with mounting curiosity and bewilderment. Who on earth was this man before her? He could casually utter such fine lines as "They say the flowers in Luoyang are like brocade, yet when I arrive, it is never spring," and yet he could also write an immortal masterpiece like *Chang'e*.
Even if he weren't a renowned and brilliant scholar of the Capital, he certainly shouldn't have to worry about making a living—yet here he was, haggling over a few copper coins.
"You have immense talent, Young Master! This *Chang'e* is undoubtedly the finest Mid-Autumn poem of recent years. At the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering three days from now, it is bound to claim a spot in the top three of the Bright Moon Pavilion's poetry rankings!" Lin Wan offered her congratulations.
"Whether it makes the Bright Moon Pavilion's rankings doesn't matter in the least. As long as you like it, Miss, that is enough," Ye Tian said.
This came straight from the heart. Having now verified that the preference for scholars over soldiers was real, the rankings of the Bright Moon Pavilion were indeed of no consequence to him.
After all, such rankings might hold some appeal for ordinary literati who wished to use them to make a name for themselves. But for someone like him, who possessed a photographic memory and had read the complete collections of Tang and Song poetry, his literary fame had no need of the Bright Moon Pavilion's endorsement. Whether he made the list or not truly mattered not at all.
Yet, while the speaker had no hidden meaning, the listener read volumes into it.
To Lin Wan's ears, those words transformed into: *"Forget the Bright Moon Pavilion's rankings—you are what matters most."* They sent her heart racing and made it difficult for her to meet Ye Tian's gaze directly. Of course, as things stood, that was precisely the truth. If Ye Tian had to choose, Lin Wan was vastly more important than any poetry ranking.
After all, what good was the Bright Moon Pavilion? It wouldn't give him any money, whereas Lin Wan had genuinely handed him cold, hard cash.
"I love it very much," Lin Wan said, lowering her head with a shy blush. "By the way, we've chatted for so long, and I still don't know your esteemed name?"
"I am Ye Tian, originally from Jiangnan. May I ask your honored name, Miss?"
"This humble maid's surname is Lin, given name Wan."
"..."
Having exchanged names, Lin Wan had matters to attend to back home and reluctantly took her leave with her maid.
Before departing, however, she first promised him that she would personally deliver *Chang'e* to the Bright Moon Pavilion three days hence. At the same time, she reminded Ye Tian that should he ever encounter difficulties in the future, he could come to the Lin Estate in the West City to find her.
To this, Ye Tian naturally expressed his gratitude once more.
Though he did not know Lin Wan's exact background, judging solely by her bearing and deportment, she was clearly someone of extraordinary status.
Moreover, while he hadn't paid attention at first—wondering if two young women out in the open weren't afraid of running into danger—as they talked, he had noticed several sturdy men glaring at him from the surroundings. Nine times out of ten, they were guards sent by Lin Wan's family to protect them.
Now, facts proved his guesswork was entirely correct.
The moment Lin Wan left, this group of men immediately fell in step behind her.