Chapter 15: Jealousy Burns Fiercely

  Lady Guo had her attendants place a table beside her, parallel to those of Yang Ci, Wang Wei and Qiu Wei, which made him slightly hesitant.

  Yang Kai turned back with a smile and waved his hand, saying, "But it's no trouble at all, sit down."

  Madam Guo glanced at Zhang Xuan, saw him sit down, and then raised her cup with a smile. "Today's poetry and wine party has been wonderful, with excellent works coming out one after another! Although I'm just a woman, I'd also like to join you gentlemen in drinking three big cups!"

  "Thank you, madam." The crowd also raised their cups and took a bitter drink.

  Zhang Xuan sat there, also smiling as he drained the wine from his cup. After putting down the cup, he felt the complex gaze of Cui Huan, Xiao Fu and Chen He cast over from across the way.

  From a Long'an spoiled brat with no qualifications to sit at the table, notorious for his bad reputation, to the guest of honor on the seat, surpassing the three talents of Chang'an in poetry, Zhang Xuan's transformation speed is too fast, and the process also seems a bit strange, which makes the three proud people unable to fully accept it for the time being.

  Cui Huan's emotions were shocked and complex, but his mind was relatively calm. He studied under Wang Wei and not only inherited 70-80% of Wang Wei's true transmission in poetry and painting skills, but also learned his teacher's famous scholar style. Zhang Xuan's rise to fame this time, he had no feeling of jealousy in his heart.

  But Xiao Fu and Chen He were not feeling well at this moment, with mountains and ridges in their chests. This originally despised and unlearned rogue suddenly rose to fame in the field of talent, surpassing them by a head, and his rise and redemption were built on the basis of damaging the reputation of the two, how could they not be jealous?

  Seeing Zhang Xuan looking over, Cui Huan smiled and raised his cup to gesture to Zhang Xuan. Zhang Xuan also raised his cup in return, and they each took a distant toast.

  Wang Wei also smiled and turned his head to look at Zhang Xuan, raising his cup. For this young man, Wang Wei had a very special feeling from the beginning. He didn't quite believe that such an elegant and clear-eyed young man with no evil intentions could really be some kind of rogue. Later facts proved that his judgment was not wrong.

  Zhang Xuan stood up, bowed slightly, and then sat down again to raise his cup in a toast. This elegant demeanor earned him the silent admiration of many scholars and officials present.

  It is said that seeing is believing, but hearing is deceiving. Zhang Huan's notorious reputation was all hearsay, but in reality, it wasn't like that at all. Such a talented and elegant young man, somehow got misunderstood and framed as a dissolute... Thinking about it, as the son of Zhang Jiuling, how could he be so unscrupulous?

  This is the real mentality of many people now.

  Only Chi's face still had a hint of doubt. He kept sizing up Zhang Xuan, because he had a slightly better relationship with the Zhang family and had some dealings with them, so he knew what kind of person Zhang Xuan used to be. But now...

  Qiu shook his head, couldn't quite understand, and simply stopped thinking about it. In any case, the fact that Zhang Jiuling's son had turned over a new leaf was a good thing.

  Guo Guo's wife was talking to Yang Dang on her side, while using her charming eyes to glance at Zhang Xuan. The more she looked, the more she felt that the young man in front of her, with his elegant and refined appearance, was lovable, and some inexplicable emotions were brewing in her heart.

  She raised her wine cup and smiled at Zhang Xuan, "Xuan Ge, come on, have a drink with me!"

  Zhang Xuan sat cross-legged as a courtesy and smiled, then stood up and said, "Thank you, madam."

  The lady of Guo State laughed loudly and unrestrainedly, the snowy waves on her chest undulating, she turned sideways, her charming eyes like silk, and drank a cup with Zhang Xuan.

  Her unreserved coquettishness made Wang Wei and others frown. Yang Kai, who was standing aside, secretly smiled to himself, thinking: Has this woman taken a liking to that young Zhang?...

  The lady of Guo State looked at her with an unusual expression, how could Zhang Xuan not notice?

  This lady was first married to the Pei family, and after Mr. Pei's early death, she has been a widow until now. However, these ladies in Chang'an have not had a good reputation, it is said that there are many guests who enter their homes, and also have an affair with Yang Guozhong, but it is unknown whether this is true or false.

  But whether it's true or false has nothing to do with Zhang Xuan. The reason he pretended to be on good terms with Madame Guo was just a coincidence, and he wouldn't really have any deep connections with this woman.

  ……

  ……

  The music and dance ended. Under the arrangement of the lady of Guo State, the musicians in her residence set Zhang Hua's last poem to music and danced it on the spot, which was greeted with thunderous applause from the audience.

  Xiao Fu looked over at Zhang Huan, seeing him either chatting with Madame Guo or laughing and drinking with famous scholars like Wang Wei. He furrowed his brow. But when he turned back around, he inadvertently caught sight of Cui Ying, the young lady from the Cui family, standing off to the side surrounded by several flower-like maidservants, staring blankly at Zhang Huan on stage. The flames of jealousy in his heart were ignited once again.

  Cui Ying was a talented woman from Chang'an, born into the prominent Cui family, with a beautiful appearance. Xiao Fu fell deeply in love with Cui Ying at first sight, but since she was already betrothed to Zhang Huan, he didn't dare express his feelings openly, fearing it would tarnish his reputation.

  Originally thought that Cui Ying and Zhang Xuan's engagement was a matter of time, with his background and talent, going to the Cui family to propose, how could the Cui family possibly not agree?

  Now, however, Xuan has suddenly "turned over a new leaf" and appears in the upper echelons of Chang'an society with a completely new and extraordinary talent... Whatever this is all about, it seems to help solidify his engagement to Cui Ying.

  Xiao Fu could not accept it.

  As soon as he thought of this, he suddenly stood up, left his seat and walked forward, bringing a gust of wind.

  He walked up to Madame Guo, composed himself, smiled and bowed, "Madame, today's poetry and wine gathering is a grand occasion. After three rounds of drinks, I, being less talented, would like to recite another poem with Zhang Xuan to help the excitement, please give us a topic."

  As soon as Xiao Fu spoke, everyone in the room stopped talking and put down their wine cups to look at this slightly flushed young man from Chang'an. Many people guessed that he was probably dissatisfied with Zhang Xuan's "outburst" and took the opportunity to come out and deliberately "make things difficult", with the intention of continuing to compete with each other.

  The lady of Guo State is in a great mood today, drinking wine repeatedly and already showing signs of intoxication. A faint blush floats on her charming face, her seductive eyes sparkle with wandering glances, and an inexplicable charm emanates from her mature and plump body.

  She heard the words and smiled, her body leaning back lazily with her chest out and head turned to look at Zhang Xuan. With a flirtatious glance, "Xuan Ge, it seems that Xiao Lang Jun of the Xiao family is not too convinced of your poetic talent. Are you willing to have another competition with him?"

  As she spoke, she stretched out her slender white jade-like tender hand again, pinched a piece of pastry with two fingers and sent it to her bright red lips.

  Zhang Xuan raised her eyes and swept a glance at Xiao Fu, seeing that his gaze had several points of anger in it. At first, she was startled, but then she relaxed.

  To be honest, Zhang Xuan had already achieved his goal of washing away his bad reputation and was unwilling to show off in front of others again. But just as he was about to refuse, Guo Guifei laughed loudly from the side and said, "Xuan'er, let's have a try, let me see if you can win over this young master of Xiao family... If you win, I will heavily reward you."

  Madam Guo's sudden mention of "off-topic" made Zhang Xuan's heart skip a beat. After a brief moment of contemplation, he immediately began to adjust his previous "plan" - perhaps, through Madam Guo, he could also achieve his goal of saving the Zhang family from crisis?

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