Chapter 12: Poetic Wine Party on Qujiang Pond (6)

  Xiao Fuyi thought of this and immediately stood up, walked to the middle of the court, and said with a bow, "Madam, gentlemen, seniors, I also happened to have a work, please correct me."

  After finishing speaking, Xiao Fu also wrote it down and then entrusted a servant to pass it on to Yang Ci.

  "Weeping Willows on the Embankment - a million silken threads of weeping willow, summer's arrival weaves separation. Where passersby pluck them, is when my heart breaks."

  Yang Qiyin finished, couldn't help but laugh and say, "Xiao Fuyou is young and talented, elegant and refined, quite like Xiao Zhongyou in his youth. Even a simple poem about willows, Xiao Fu was able to create such a romantic and sentimental piece."

  Yang Qi's evaluation made everyone in the room burst out laughing.

  Qiu raised an eyebrow in disagreement, thinking that Xiao Fu's poem was too frivolous, but since Yang Xi had already spoken in praise of it, he didn't say anything more.

  The lady of Guo State raised an eyebrow, a strange smile floating at the corner of her mouth. "I didn't think that Xiao Furen was so clever and skilled, not only in literature but also in this game of love. The place where travelers pick flowers is where I broke my heart... Ah, which young beauty's heart did the young master of the Xiao family break?"

  "Want to tell me about it?"

  Everyone burst out laughing.

  In the Tang Dynasty, literati consorting with courtesans was actually not a shameful thing, but rather a refined interest. Only when talented scholars consorted with courtesans did it become truly elegant and refined, whereas those who were unlearned and without skills yet indulged in this pursuit became true libertines, just like Zhang Huan previously.

  Xiao Fu smiled lightly and didn't explain, then Madame Guo curtsied deeply once again.

  The lady of Guo gazed at the handsome and interesting young man in front of her, feeling delighted, and couldn't help but burst into giggles. After a while, she covered her mouth with her sleeve and said, "Alright, I'll join in on the fun too! Flower girl, reward this young master from Xiao's family with a small beauty, to add to the excitement."

  The maid behind Madame Guo nodded in response, turned her head and casually pointed to a 14 or 15-year-old delicate servant girl. The servant girl's expression changed, but she didn't dare say anything, immediately cleverly lowered her head and walked to the back of Xiao Fu's seat, standing silently.

  Xiao Fu was taken aback, and hadn't expected Madame Guo to be so accommodating. Although he didn't think it was right in his heart, he also didn't dare refuse her directly, so he could only bow again to thank her before retreating.

  ……

  ……

  "Willow by the River - Swaying gently in the breeze, soft as silk on the riverbank. Who can recognize its elegance, it's hard to hold onto its weakness. Learning to dance with branches and sleeves, showing off its beauty with leaves and eyebrows. How can one pluck and break it, cherishing friendship and writing poetry."

  After Cui Huan and Xiao Fu, another of the three heroes of Chang'an - Chen Xiliang's grandson Chen He also stood up to recite a poem, which immediately triggered a burst of applause from the crowd.

  This time, the three heroes of Chang'an took turns to recite poems, winning great applause. The atmosphere on the scene was greatly mobilized, and several young scholars also came up to recite poems one after another, although their improvised poems were not very impressive compared to Cui Huan's trio, but still won rounds of applause.

  Madam Guo was in high spirits, repeatedly giving out rewards with a generous hand. After all, she had prepared many prizes today and had come fully prepared. The quality of the poems was not important; what mattered was to have fun and lift everyone's mood. To achieve this, she didn't mind spending some money.

  Zhang Xuan stood on the periphery, smiling faintly as he watched a group of young scholars eagerly take turns reciting poetry and showing off. The smile at the corner of his mouth grew thicker and thicker. Tang was a land of poetry, and according to legend, even vendors and runners could recite a couple of lines with ease. While this might be an exaggeration, it wasn't entirely far-fetched either.

  He had no intention, but unexpectedly, Xu Wenbin, who was standing on one side with ulterior motives, looked at him with a smile and a carefree expression, which made him angry. He gritted his teeth, and Xu Wenbin suddenly shouted loudly, "Everyone, everyone, the third young master of the Zhang family, Zhang Xuan, is a descendant of a famous family, and it's said that he is well-versed in learning and has some of the elegance of Minister Zhang. Today, coincidentally, we have a grand gathering, so why not recite a poem to let us open our eyes?"

  "That's it, that's it! Young Master Zhang has just learned how to be human, let's have a poem!"

  "Zhang Xiang's scholarly reputation is renowned throughout the world. How could the third son possibly fall behind others? Is that what everyone says?"

  As soon as Xu Wenbin's voice fell, his several companions also knew the tone and echoed. Immediately afterwards, many young scholars with ulterior motives also shouted out of ill intentions, and the scene became chaotic.

  Everyone can hear that Xu Wenbin's intention is to tease and mock Zhang Xuan, but there are still many people who follow suit, ready to watch Zhang Xuan make a fool of himself. The Zhang family has encountered trouble recently, and those who want to kick them while they're down are not in the minority.

  In an instant, the eyes of everyone on and off the court were focused on Zhang Xuan.

  Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow and gave Xu Wenbin a cold glance.

  Xu Wenbin burst out laughing, thinking to himself: "Zhang family's little thief, aren't you mocking me? Today, I'll use the same method to deal with you and make you lose face!"

  Everyone's attention is focused on it, but it doesn't live up to everyone's expectations.

  Zhang Xuan's trip to Qujiang today is mainly to seek a major breakthrough for the Zhang family crisis, without the intention of participating in a poetry duel to show off his personal style. Because things have their own priorities and urgencies, resolving the family crisis is far more important than showing off personally. Before achieving his goal, he does not want to create unnecessary branches.

  It is often said that plans are inferior to changes, just like Zhang Jiuyi and Zhang Jiu'ao ignored his advice and suddenly went to surrender to Li Linfu. He had no intention, but was pushed onto the stage after all.

  Zhang Xuan understood in her heart that at this time, Xu Wenbin's malicious provocation was one thing, and if he retreated without advancing, it would be another matter.

  If he was still the young master of the Zhang family, it would be fine if he made a fool of himself, because his reputation was already rotten; but now that he has grown up and become a respectable person, Zhang Xuan has his own dignity!

  If he doesn't take this step, it will be very difficult for him to stand firm in Chang'an and in the Great Tang Dynasty from now on. He will truly and thoroughly become a piece of shit that everyone shouts at and keeps away from, and there will never be another day when he can turn over a new leaf.

  What are we waiting for then? On the other hand, isn't this a great opportunity to clear our name and make up for past mistakes?!

  When he made a decision, he would never drag his feet. As a modern scholar and former high-ranking official, Zhang Xuan was resolute and determined, once he decided on something, he would absolutely not hesitate or waver.

  With this in mind, he calmed himself and walked forward calmly under everyone's gaze.

  "Greetings, milady! Greetings, esteemed gentlemen." Zhang Xuan was composed and calm, first bowing to the Lady of Guo, then making a deep bow to everyone else, his movements measured.

  Madam Guo's slender willow eyebrows slightly raised, and she smiled as she turned her head to quietly ask Yang Xi beside her, "Third brother, is this the Zhang Jiuling's son, that scamp Zhang Xuan? Such a handsome young man, how did he get such a reputation for being a debauched wastrel?"

  Yang Kai shook his head and smiled without saying a word. He had never met Zhang Xuan before, only heard that he was the youngest son of Zhang Jiuling, and that was all.

  Wang Wei also looked at Zhang Xuan with some curiosity. For some reason, Zhang Xuan's gaze fell on him, and the leader of the literary world suddenly felt a very deep and strange feeling, as if he had been seen through. This was an unprecedented feeling for Wang Wei.

  Qiu shook his head and sighed, he had met Zhang Xuan twice at the Zhang Mansion before, and was very familiar with this young master's character. It was even more heartbreaking that Zhang Jiuling, a famous minister and scholar of his generation, had given birth to such an unfilial son!

  Xu Wenbin and others off the court did not expect that Zhang Xuan would actually dare to come on stage. Shrinking back is for clowns, but once on stage, if you can't recite poetry or recite nonsense poems, then it's a big joke.

  ——————

  Sorry, there are guests at home today, so the update is late. Click. New book needs care.