Chapter 11: Poetic Wine Party on Qujiang Pond (5)

  Taking willows as the theme, it's actually quite common. During the Tang Dynasty, the fashion of "wind, flowers, snow and moon" was prevalent, and many literati and travelers expressed their emotions through poems about willows. In this way, it can be considered a very clichéd and ordinary poetic topic.

  The onlookers burst into applause. Zhang Xuan stood there, but was secretly disappointed, thinking that the poem was too plain and lacked depth. Looking at the situation, this was not a gathering of scholars and literati exchanging poetry as friends, but rather a "tonic" to amuse the noblewoman in front of him.

  However, this thought only flashed by. He didn't come today to participate in the poetry contest and show off, but had other plans. After the poetry contest was a purely wine feast, no matter whether there were qualified guests or not, even the servants could indulge in drinking at the subsequent free banquet, and naturally, someone from the Fu Guo lady's side would be arranged to entertain them.

  Drinking is not the purpose, but in the Tang Dynasty, the social atmosphere was open. In this kind of gathering of scholars, accompanied by drinking, they often discussed state affairs freely, regardless of whether they had official positions or not - Zhang Huan was waiting for just such an opportunity.

  As for the poem's title, it has nothing to do with him, just patiently observe from the side.

  Whether the dignitaries sitting or the scholars and ladies standing in the outer circle, they all cast their eyes on the weeping willows swaying in the wind by the Qujiang Pool, frowning and pondering.

  Zhang Xuan's eyes caught a glimpse of Xu Wenbin, who was also scratching his ears and cheeks, as if he couldn't wait to recite a shocking masterpiece in front of everyone, thus becoming famous overnight. She couldn't help but feel a wave of amusement.

  His memory told him that this person lacked talent the most, but was not lacking in evil ways of seeking pleasure. Such a mediocre person actually wanted to show off in a gathering of literary figures, which made Zhang Xuan feel ashamed.

  Xu Wenbin was scratching his head when he suddenly saw Zhang Xuan casting a sly smile at him, which made him furious.

  He himself is an uncultured "thug", but how much better is Zhang Xuan than him? You're even more rotten than me... Xu Wenbin sneered coldly, glaring at Zhang Xuan.

  Zhang Xuan smiled and turned her head away.

  Xu Wenbin suddenly became furious, and immediately strode over to Zhang Xuan, lowering his voice to scold, "Zhang Xuan, you little thief, are you sneering at my family?"

  Zhang Xuan's mouth corner raised slightly, and he said lightly, "Where did Second Master Xu get this from? I've always heard that Second Master is well-versed in learning and has many talents, able to recite poetry and compose couplets with ease. Today, Madame Guo has chosen the topic of 'Ode to the Willow', which must be right up Second Master's alley. I am eagerly awaiting Second Master's masterpiece, how could I dare to mock?"

  "Xu Wenbin's face immediately turned red. To say that this prodigal son was well-read and talented was simply a sarcastic joke. But Zhang Xuan remained calm, scolding without revealing his true feelings, Xu Wenbin was furious in his heart but didn't dare to erupt on the spot."

  In the presence of Madame Guo, he didn't dare to act recklessly. If he ruined Madame Guo's mood, he would be in for a world of trouble. Although he was the son of the Duke of Dali Temple, in Madame Guo's eyes, he was nothing but an insignificant little ant.

  "You little thief, let's see how you die! I'll make sure to watch you!" Xu Wenbin stomped his foot in anger and spat out a vicious curse before walking away.

  ……

  ……

  As everyone was deep in thought, the lady of Guo State leaned back lazily on the soft couch and waved her hand backwards. A slender and beautiful dancer floated forward, dancing lightly to the gentle and melodious music.

  The song ends, and the dance also stops.

  After the dancers withdrew, Cui Huan stood up with a calm smile, bowed to Madame Guo and said loudly, "Madam, I, Cui Huan, have made bold to throw out a brick to attract jade."

  Madam Guo smiled and looked at Cui Huan, nodding her head and saying, "Young Master Cui is a student of Wang Mojie, and his name has spread throughout Chang'an. Even the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine have heard of him... Alright, I'll listen to your masterpiece with great respect."

  King Wei's calm face finally revealed a warm smile as he gazed at his proud student, nodding lightly.

  With the support of his teacher, Cui Huan stood up with a confident expression, walked into the arena with big strides, bowed down at the desk that had been prepared in advance, picked up his pen, hesitated for a moment, and then wrote.

  After finishing writing, Cui Huan held the paper with both hands, smiled slightly, and handed it to a young servant standing by the side of the Guo State Lady's mansion.

  Xiao Cong held up Cui Huan's new work, which was full of poetic charm, and respectfully handed it to Yang Xi, the imperial son-in-law who was sitting beside Madame Guo and acting as the "poetry judge" for today's banquet.

  Yang Qi was the paternal first cousin of Yang Guifei, and married Princess Taihua, a daughter of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. He was made the Silver Blue Light Lu Daifu, Weiwei Junqing, Fuma Dajiangjun, and Shiyushi.

  The relationship between the Yang and Li families is indeed complicated. The younger sister married the father, while the older brother married the daughter, making the younger sister also the older brother's elder. And if we go back to when Yang Yuhuan was married to Prince of Shou Li Xian... this is truly chaotic.

  This is also the extremely open and tolerant Tang Dynasty. If it were replaced by any other dynasty or era, such a grand and chaotic phenomenon of incest would not have appeared.

  It also represents the unique charm of the great Tang Dynasty.

  Yang Qi cleared his throat, put on an air, and gazed at Cui Huan's poem, loudly reciting, "Folded Willow by the River - Once planted willows by the Qujiang Pool, parted from the imperial capital for two springs. Far away, I recall the green riverbank, who knows who broke off the branch?"

  "What a great poem! If I'm not mistaken, this poem by Cui Gongzi is a masterpiece that uses objects to express emotions and reminisce about old friends from his early years in the capital. Truly genuine emotions and talent, the name of one of the Three Greats of Chang'an is indeed well-deserved!" Yang Qi finished reciting the poem, and the Imperial Doctor Huang Ming couldn't help but applaud enthusiastically.

  Qiu Wei smiled and turned to Wang Wei, "Mo Que brother, Cui Huan's poem has a good antithetical couplet and a nice atmosphere, not bad, not bad..."

  Wang Wei smiled silently. Although he was quite satisfied in his heart, on the surface, as a teacher of his own student, he had to be more reserved and couldn't openly praise him.

  And the other dignitaries present also nodded in approval.

  Chui Huan not only had talent, but also a superior family background, and his talents were elegant and refined. In the Chang'an scholarly community, he had always been highly respected. He threw out such a clever remark, although it didn't elicit thunderous applause, it was still a good start.

  Although Yang Qi was quite familiar with poetry and literature, his attainments were far inferior to those of the famous scholars of today such as Huang Ming. Seeing Wang Wei and Huang Ming praising him, Yang Qi also gave Cui Huan a bit of face and chimed in with a smile, "What you said is absolutely right, Mr. Cui's work is truly wonderful, truly wonderful, worthy of being considered top-notch."

  In fact, Cui Huan's poem is regular and square, although it is also true feelings, but there is no great highlight.

  Cui Huanlang smiled and said, "Everyone is overpraising me, I really don't dare to accept it."

  With that, Cui Huan retreated back to his seat with a satisfied heart. Although he was calm and reserved in nature, he was still in his early twenties, and young people, especially talented ones like him, were prone to being competitive and proud.

  Cui Huan had a great time, and Xiao Fu, who was sitting there, couldn't help but feel a little restless. The three of them were known as the "Three Heroes of Chang'an", and on the surface, they got along well as poet friends, but in reality, their relationship wasn't harmonious, and behind each other's backs, they competed with each other, trying to step on each other's shoulders to climb up.

  Literati often belittle one another; this ancient saying is indeed no deception.

  Cui Huan is a straightforward and upright person, with a strong scholarly air. He prefers to be open and aboveboard in all his dealings, whereas Xiao Fu and Chen He are more cunning and sinister, often resorting to deceitful tactics.

  That's the difference.