Chapter 306 - 219: Sharing the Moon Across a Thousand Miles
Chapter 306: Chapter 219: Sharing the Moon Across a Thousand Miles
"That must have been an Immortal’s Palace!"
"Good heavens, it’s an auspicious sign! An Immortal has graced Shu State on this Mid-Autumn day!"
"Congratulations! A cause for celebration..."
Lou Yuxue watched the painted boat recede into the distance, a slight frown on her face.
’The Fledgling should be at the Guiyun Academy’s Mid-Autumn poetry gathering tonight. Why was he on that painted boat?’
’Was it that carriage from before?’
Lou Yuxue was hesitant.
The incident with the Three Towns’ summer grain being burned had just happened, and the turmoil in Shu State City had yet to subside.
At a time like this, a "remnant" of the Bright Moon Building like her should not be making any sudden moves.
Besides, the Fledgling, Chen Yi, was part of the Hawk mission. Interfering rashly would inevitably have an impact.
As Lou Yuxue considered this, she made a decision.
"Someone!"
"Go to Guiyun Academy and pass on what happened here to the Simurgh Phoenix!"
"And be quick!"
...
「Guiyun Academy.」
The poetry gathering was in full swing.
The fragrance of fine wine and delicious food filled the air.
Beautiful women sang and played instruments, their melodies hauntingly beautiful.
Amidst the merry chatter and laughter, shouts of approval would occasionally ring out, mingled with words of congratulations and praise.
Through the lively noise, poems were presented one after another on the high platform to be judged by Mr. Yue Ming and the others.
By now, the scene on the high platform had completely changed.
The banquet tables had been cleared away.
Four desks were arranged neatly. Two stacks of paper were piled to the side, while on the two central desks lay only four large sheets of paper, laid out in a row.
The calligraphy on them was still fresh, the works of varying lengths.
At the end of each, four names were clearly written: "Li Huai’gu of Shu State, Pei Zhaoye of Yan State, Ji Zhiyuan of Jiangnan Prefecture, and... Liu Zhaoxue of Jing State."
Mr. Yue Ming sat upright in the Grandmaster’s Chair at the head of the platform, his eyes constantly scanning the area where Chen Yunfan, Xiao Wan’er, and the others were.
He muttered to himself, ’Qingzhou really isn’t coming, he’s really not coming,’ while casually agreeing with the other masters around him.
Mr. Zhuo Ying was just as anxious, but with Chen Yi absent, it was useless to worry, so he could only drink his tea to hide it.
Mr. Lingchuan observed their expressions, then his gaze fell upon Liu Hong, and he said with a smile:
"Lord Liu, I have long heard that your niece is as brilliant as she is beautiful, with a talent for literature that rivals any man’s. Seeing this today, I can say she truly lives up to her reputation."
Liu Hong smiled. "She has loved reading since she was a child, and she is indeed clever. But as for her talent, I’m afraid in today’s gathering it can only be called ’not weak’."
"Besides, composing poetry depends not only on one’s learning, but also on being in the right time and place."
"Among everyone present, who hasn’t had a moment of sudden inspiration?"
The people around him naturally understood the meaning behind his words and murmured a few words of agreement.
Yang Ye shot them a glance, his hands tucked into his sleeves, and leaned back in his chair to feign sleep, looking like an old farmer.
He couldn’t stand their fawning and flattery, so he figured what he couldn’t see couldn’t bother him.
Just then, Liu Si saw a gap in the conversation and asked with a smile, "There have been many fine works today, and from them, four have been chosen as the best of the best."
"I was just wondering, how will the masters and lords choose the ’Poetry Champion’?"
Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying lowered their heads to sip their tea, as if they hadn’t heard a thing.
Mr. Lingchuan glanced at the two of them and asked with a smile:
"Lord Prefect, you must have an idea already. Why not share it with the rest of us?"
Seeing this, Liu Si cursed ’Old coot’ inwardly, then began his critique without further ceremony:
"The two poems by Li Huai’gu and Pei Zhaoye are neck and neck."
"The piece by Ji Zhiyuan of Jiangnan Prefecture is a notch below Liu Zhaoxue’s."
The moment the words left his mouth, Liu Si noticed Liu Hong’s calm and steady gaze from not far away, and his heart skipped a beat.
But the words were already spoken, so he had to bite the bullet and continue:
"If it were up to me, tonight’s ’Poetry Champion’ could be none other than Liu Zhaoxue for her ’Pipa Immortal: Mid-Autumn’."
Mr. Lingchuan laughed.
The other masters present also laughed.
Even Mr. Yue Ming, who had just set down his teacup, was the same. He asked with a laugh, "Does the Lord Prefect truly think so?"
"You don’t believe me, Mr. Yue Ming?"
"The Lord Prefect misunderstands. This old man simply feels that Liu Zhaoxue’s piece is a bit... overwrought in its wording..."
Before Mr. Yue Ming could finish, Liu Hong nodded and said, "Brother Ming is right."
"The little verse Zhaoxue wrote is flashy but without substance, its mental realm crude. It is indeed unworthy of the ’Poetry Champion’ title."
After a pause, he looked at Liu Si and asked with a smile, "Wouldn’t you agree?"
Liu Si’s expression turned stiff. He gave an awkward laugh and nodded. "Your Lordship’s instruction is correct. Please forgive my shallow learning."
Liu Hong withdrew his gaze and said, "Brother Ming, it’s getting late. Why don’t we wait another quarter of an hour and then announce the results directly?"
Mr. Yue Ming glanced at him, sighed inwardly, and nodded. "Then we shall do as Brother Gong Mo says and wait a quarter of an hour."
’Ah, well.’
’Qingzhou never did like these kinds of occasions. I can’t force him.’
At this moment, the outcome of the "Poetry Champion" was not only a topic of discussion for the great masters on the high platform, but also of even greater concern to the talented scholars seated at the tables below.
"Today truly has not been a wasted trip. It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival, and so many talented scholars from the Nine State and Three Prefectures have gathered in Shu State. We are blessed with both fine poetry and a fine scene."
"He’s right."
"Take the poem by Pei Zhaoye of Yuelu Academy: ’Osmanthus seeds fall like golden millet, a fragrant wind crosses the jadeite stairs. Whose flute has begun to play, its melody filling the moonlit air?’"
"Even though it was prepared in advance, it is still a fine piece."
"And that line from Brother Huai’gu, ’A jade mirror hangs in the azure sky, a golden wind brushes the osmanthus court.’ That’s just as good."
Pei Zhaoye listened to the discussions around him, a hint of pride on his face.
The green-robed scholar next to him saw his expression and said with a smile, "Brother Pei, the poem you wrote today should be able to take first place, don’t you think?"
Pei Zhaoye said humbly, "That will be up to the masters to judge."
Despite his words, he already knew that one of the four large sheets of paper spread out on the high platform was his.
’My chances are very good.’
"This way, Brother Pei, you can make that Mr. Qingzhou who looked down on you see you in a new light."