Chapter 14: A Song, a Harmony, and a Gamble (2)

  After finishing, Zhang Xuan handed the poem to a young servant by his side, but there was no reaction. Instead, he continued to write with his head down, and everyone was shocked. Even the young servant felt extremely surprised, thinking that this prodigal son of the Zhang family could write a poem at all, let alone...

  The second poem was completed, but Zhang Xuan still didn't come down. After a moment's hesitation, he continued to write.

  As a result, the original laughter, whispers and heavy breathing on the field all disappeared, and more than 100 incredulous gazes were cast on Zhang Xuan's tall back, with an extremely strange feeling floating in their hearts.

  Finally, Zhang Xuan laughed loudly and put down his pen, standing up straight.

  Xiao Cong presented the three poems with the same title "Yong Liu" written by Zhang Xuan during tea time to Yang Ci.

  Yang Kai curiously took it over, swept a glance, and then loudly recited...

  "Folded willow by the river, and Cui Huan - Wounded seeing curved river willows in spring, one fold is exhausted and another begins anew. This year's folds have gone to last year's place, not sending off last year's parting people."

  Yang Ji finished reading, and the scene suddenly became silent.

  All of you are scholars, how can there be a reason for not recognizing goods?

  Zhang Xuan's poem is extremely brilliant, not only does it match the topic, but also intentionally approaches the artistic conception of Cui Huan's poem "Yong Liu", its difficulty is even higher than Cui Huan's.

  How is this possible? This mediocre poet has actually produced a masterpiece? Most people couldn't accept it at first, if the author of this poem wasn't Zhang Xuan, the whole audience would have erupted in thunderous applause or cheers by now.

  Choi Hwan's lips trembled slightly, and he suddenly raised his head to gaze at Zhang Xuan, seeing Zhang Xuan smiling back at him, leaving him stunned in place.

  He wasn't jealous, but shocked. Both were poems about parting and longing, but Zhang Huan's poem was better in both meaning and form - when did this rogue develop such talent?

  Xiao Fu and Chen He were also somewhat surprised, but they still didn't think much of it, thinking that it was just a blind cat bumping into a dead mouse by chance.

  The notorious reputation of Chang'an's idle son wasn't forged in a day, and wanting to change his image with just one poem is still far from enough.

  Qiu and Wang Wei exchanged a glance, both reading the unmistakable surprise in each other's eyes.

  Madam Guo waved her hand impatiently, "Third brother, continue reading, aren't there still two more poems?"

  Yang Jigang coughed twice and continued reading -

  "On the embankment willows, and a gentle breeze - swaying on the ancient embankment's edge, a single tree's misty green. As if silk threads unbroken, left to tie the young man's boat."

  Yang Qi finished reciting, Qiu Wei couldn't help but slap the case and shout "Wonderful! Extremely wonderful! Although this poem does not depart from the old intention of emotions, it has a new idea, clever words, strange imagination, and fits the scene, making people's ears and eyes refreshed.

  "On both sides of the ancient embankment of Qujiang, willows hang in rows, elegant ladies fluttering and swaying, with tears streaming down their faces." Wang Wei, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up to praise, "One tree of smoke, extremely wonderful. Young Zhang's poem has a fresh tone, it can be considered a top-notch work."

  Wang Wei rarely publicly praised the poetry of young scholars, and many scholars brought their collections to his door, entreating him for several days, but could not get him to open his golden mouth. But today he opened his golden mouth for Zhang Xuan, which was a confirmation of the quality of Zhang Xuan's poetry today, and Wang Wei's attitude directly affected the attitudes of many scholars.

  Thus, the appreciative comments of the two celebrities gradually led to a sympathetic response from scholars both on and off stage, slowly giving rise to some applause.

  Of course, more people remained silent, casting incredulous glances at Zhang Xuan.

  "Recalling the willows by the river, harmonious with Chen He - powerless to shake off the new colors of dawn, slender waists competing in jealousy, glancing back frequently. The green shade has not yet covered the long dike's water, golden tassels first welcome the spring at the upper palace. Several places bring heartache on distant roads, a branch accompanies the rain sending off the traveler's dust. Outside the eastern gate, many partings, sorrow killing people morning and evening."

  Yang Kai finished reciting Zhang Xuan's last poem and turned to Madame Guo, sighing, "Third sister, people say that Zhang Jiuling's youngest son is a prodigal son who doesn't learn or study, but today I see that it's just rumors. Zhang Xuan's three poems are all excellent works, such talent has been buried for too long..."

  "It's not bad, really not bad." Madame Yuanguo smiled strangely, with a rosy glow on her charming face, turning her head to gaze at Zhang Xuan who was walking slowly towards her, with a certain enchanting light flickering in her eyes.

  Choi Hwan and three others looked at each other in dismay, their faces all flushed red.

  They were known as the Three Talents of Chang'an, and were considered the most outstanding among the young talents in Chang'an. Today's poetry gathering was going strong, but unexpectedly, this Zhang Xuan appeared out of nowhere, with his three poems and three heroes' extraordinary talent, instantly overshadowing the three of them. And afterwards, it would inevitably leave a legendary tale that would be passed down for a long time on the literary scene in Chang'an.

  Choi Hwan felt a sense of relief at this moment. Since Zhang Xuan was a true talent and not just a spoiled rich kid, his engagement to Choi Hyun's sister could be maintained... However, the eldest son of the Zhang family, Zhang Hwan, had committed a serious crime, and the future of the Zhang family was uncertain. Whether the Choi family would still be willing to marry Choi Hyun off to Zhang Xuan was also hard to say.

  "Three poems and three heroes, it's indeed a wonderful story." Qiu Wei faced Wang Wei and said loudly with his hand on the table, "Mr. Zi Shou has someone to carry on his legacy, what a joyous occasion!"

  Qiu Wei and Wang Wei were both considered juniors of Zhang Jiuling, and had always admired and respected his official virtues and reputation. Seeing Zhang Hua wash away the superficialities and reveal his true nature as a member of a renowned family made them truly delighted.

  ……

  ……

  "Outside the east gate, there are many farewells, and people are killed by sorrow every morning and evening." Cui Ying murmured outside the court, with a certain light in her eyes growing brighter and brighter. In her heart, she inexplicably felt a few happy and a few melancholic emotions. "Who is this for, to be sad about parting, and who is it that you think of every morning and evening without cease?"

  "Miss, it's all rumors that killed people. Who said the third young master of the Zhang family is unlearned and untalented? This poem has just come out, and even Mr. Mo has praised it repeatedly..." The maid beside Cui Ying interjected softly.

  Cui Ying didn't respond, but instead looked up dazedly at Zhang Xuan in the distance, who was still as calm and carefree as ever. In her heart, she sighed softly: "Three Poems and Three Heroes, their talents are truly matchless. Could it be that Zhang Xuan's former reputation as a rogue was just a rumor?"

  He stood outside the crowd with his eyes wide and his mouth agape, unable to utter a single word. His simple brain couldn't comprehend how his own good-for-nothing, idle third young master had suddenly transformed into a great talent?

  ……

  ……

  The lady of Guo's country looked at Zhang Huan and felt that his face was like jade, his figure was tall and straight, and his temperament was extraordinary. The more she looked, the more pleasing to her eyes, far surpassing Cui Huan, Xiao Fu, and Chen He. Seeing Zhang Huan still standing in the hall, she smiled happily and said, "What a handsome and talented young man from the Zhang family! Rare indeed! Come, let's give this young master a seat."

  "Thank you, madam." Zhang Xuan bowed and saluted, then turned his head to look at Xu Wenbin who was standing awkwardly on the other side. He laughed loudly and said, "Xu Er Gongzi, our bet is over, what else do you have to say?"

  Madam Guo burst out laughing, "Ahah, gotcha! My servant will be the witness. You can't weasel your way out of this, Xu family's young master! Come on, come on, apologize to Zhang family's young master and fulfill your bet!"

  Xu Wenbin's face turned pale. He had not expected that Zhang Xuan would actually have such extraordinary talent, nor had he expected that Zhang Xuan's elder brother was now in trouble at the Dali Temple under his father Xu Ye's hands, and yet Zhang Xuan still refused to give up, insisting on making him lose face in public and admit to being a fool.

  But Guo's wife had already spoken, and there were many people as witnesses, so he didn't dare to go back on his word. He could only lower his head, grit his teeth, and hastily come over, briefly bowing to Zhang Xuan with a "hao". Then, with a hint of resentment, he whispered quickly, "Xu Wenbin is a good-for-nothing..."

  After finishing speaking, Xu Wenbin covered his face and left in embarrassment, and the crowd on the scene burst into laughter.

  Xu Wenbin escaped from the crowd, turned his head and looked at Zhang Xuan with a gloomy gaze, who was in high spirits and galloping on horseback. He said viciously, "You little thief! You've made me suffer so much! Fine, fine, your brother is trapped in Dali Temple, this debt will be repaid by the Zhao family!"

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  The second update is delivered, collected, clicked, and recommended. Also: Around 5 o'clock in the morning, I will update again, please ask online book friends to help Lao Yu rush to the list, cast a few free recommendation votes, thank you.