Chapter 76: Year after year, what is sent to the willow branch?

  Looking at Yi Xiao's distant back, Zhao Xiao Yu couldn't help but chuckle: "You've really gotten him angry".

  "Is it funny?" Chen glanced at Xiao Yu with a white eye.

  "It's hilarious, it feels like a child is having a tantrum." Chao Xiao Yu replied matter-of-factly.

  "At that time, this guy and I were like brothers, but now he's admitting his mistake with such a low attitude, it's unbearable," Chen Jiu complained.

  "Are you going to forgive him?"

  "We're just friends who drink and eat together, having one more or less doesn't make a difference, although we are just friends who drink and eat together, but in the future, there might be a time when it's actually useful."

  "Is that really what you think?"

  "Do I look like I'm lying?"

  "Your idea is too extreme, it's not good."

  Chen Jiuxi got up, picked up the cushion and walked to the front of Chao Xiaoyu, bowing his head to look at her: "People can't be perfect, this world is also flawed, I'm human, making a few mistakes, being extreme in character, it's not a big deal".

  After finishing speaking, he didn't wait for Xiaoyu's response and turned around to leave.

  The little fisherman shook his head and sighed softly behind him: "This guy is a dead duck with a hard mouth."

  On New Year's Eve, Chen Jiuyi wore a purple robe and flat boots, using a hairpin to simply pin up his hair, the horse carriage outside the door was already ready.

  Horse-drawn carriages rumble, the streets are brightly lit, countless lanterns float by, acrobats and food vendors perform, not a hint of darkness can be seen.

  "Gentlemen, Qujiang Pool has arrived."

  Chen Jiuzi opened the horse cart and left by himself. The carriage fare was naturally arranged by the old shopkeeper and others.

  Chen Jiulai's arrival was neither early nor late, as the place was already packed with people, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they were rubbing shoulders and treading on each other's heels.

  Looking at the distant flower lanterns, Chen Jiu's mouth corner revealed a hint of a smile. As someone from the future, he was still willing to experience the atmosphere of ancient times.

  "Boss, how much is this blue and white porcelain-style lantern?"

  The boss was a thin man, looking at Chen's luxurious attire, and after an exaggerated "aiyo", he said: "Young master, the prices of other flower lanterns are not high, but this one you're interested in is absolutely top-notch, made by a famous craftsman from Qingzhou, it's worth at least one or two silver coins."

  "A deal, just a few pieces of silver" Chen Jiu was too lazy to haggle over prices, he made a fortune every day and didn't miss this small amount of money.

  The merchant's eyes widened in shock, his face showing a pained expression. This pained expression was genuine, as he realized that the one in front of him was a super big fat sheep, and he had slaughtered it lightly.

  Holding a flower lantern, I looked for a place with fewer people and searched for half a day but couldn't find anywhere selling pen and ink, it's really frustrating.

  Looking at the nearby scholar who was composing a poem on a lantern, Chen Jiu couldn't help but go up and interrupt him: "Sir, may I borrow your brush and ink for a moment?"

  That scholar's clothes were shabby, and he had just been interrupted in his thoughts by someone who broke into his study. He was about to open his mouth to scold him, but as soon as he saw Chen Jiu's magnificent clothes, he knew that the person in front of him must be either rich or noble, so he didn't dare get angry and simply put down his pen and ink.

  Chen Jiu revealed a hint of a smile: "Brother, are you studying at that academy?"

  The young scholar looked at Chen Jiu's lantern and said: "It's just a private school, can't go to the academy".

  Chen Jiu picked up his brush and said to the scholar: "Qingyang Academy is having a poetry gathering tonight, I wonder if you have any interest in attending?"

  "Qingyang Academy's poetry meeting, isn't Brother Mo a student of Qingyang Academy?" The student asked excitedly.

  "Exactly," Chen nodded, but seeing that the ink was ground too coarsely, he had to put down his brush and grind the ink himself.

  "Since that's the case, I thank you, brother." This scholar had discerning eyes and could tell from Chen Jiu's luxurious clothes that this person was telling the truth. Otherwise, who would take the trouble to deceive a poor little fellow like him for no reason?

  After sharpening his ink, Chen Jiuzhou lightly picked up his brush: "Last year on New Year's Eve, the flower market was as bright as day".

  "The appointment is at the tip of the willow branch in the moonlight, and we'll meet after dusk."

  "This year's New Year's Eve, the moon and lamp are still there."

  "Last year's people are gone, tears wet the spring sleeves."

  "Yuè Xiǎo", by Chen Jiǔ of Qingyang Academy.

  One of the scholars recited it twice and couldn't help but praise: "What a great poem! So Brother Chen Jiu, the top freshman of Qingyang Academy, who is known as the future sage, is indeed a sage. I am blind to have not recognized you earlier, please forgive me."

  Chen Jiu shook his head: "What a mess, I'm not worthy of the title of saint, brother, don't call me that, it's embarrassing for Chen Jiu, if it gets out, I'll lose face in front of everyone".

  "Chen, brother, outside they are all saying that you are the reincarnation of a sage, and in the future you will definitely become a Confucian saint. This is not something your younger brother said."

  Chen Jiuyi smiled, took out a lighter, and gently lit the flower lantern. As he watched it slowly rise into the air, a smile spread across his face: "Happy Lantern Festival".

  "Come on, let's go attend the poetry gathering." After saying that, he ignored the somewhat stunned scholar and walked forward by himself.

  Here I really see many familiar faces, all freshmen, no senior students.

  "Chen Jiu is coming, Chen Jiu is coming."

  A student with sharp eyes exclaimed.

  As soon as this was said, the whole scene suddenly fell into chaos, with everyone looking up and searching for Chen Jiu.

  Where is it?

  "If we can gather with the saints of the future today, perhaps one day we will also be famous in history."

  "It's extreme, it's extreme, but being a bit literary is good too."

  Looking at the enthusiastic crowd, Chen Jiu couldn't help but stand up: "Gentlemen, we're all gathered here today, don't mention anything about saints, or else I, your younger brother, will have no face to stay here".

  "Brother Chen, why have you come so late?" Chen Yi naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to show his face.

  "It's okay, I'm here anyway." After saying that, Chen Jiu walked to a quiet corner and said to the scholar: "You can walk around casually, this is where Qingyang Academy gathers."

  "Thank you, Brother Chen." After the scholar bowed and left, he knew that Chen Jiu had given an order to expel guests, so instead of lingering around Chen Jiu's side, he went to another place to join in the bustle.

  Chen Yi walked over with a cup of wine: "I didn't expect you to come today, many people guessed that you wouldn't come today, after all, the expression on Yishaoxiao's face when he left your place yesterday was really not good-looking".

  Chen Yi's eyes narrowed as he said, "What's going on between you and Yi Xiao? I had a feeling something was off when you wanted to switch seats with me the other day. And yesterday, I saw how unfriendly your encounter was. It seems like there must be some issue between you two."

  Chen Ji shook his head: "That's impossible, don't imagine things".

  Chen Yi walked around Chen Jiu and said: "Could it be that you both fell in love with Chao Xiaofu at the same time, and then became sworn enemies?"

  "Ptui!" Chen Jiu spat out a mouthful of wine and stared at Chen Yi with wide eyes.

  "How did I guess it right? Unbelievable! It's actually so cliché!" Chen Yi exclaimed, looking at Chen Jiu's expression.

  "Cough cough, Brother Chen, you're thinking too much, it's fundamentally a baseless matter." Chen Jiu said with a bitter smile, this guy's imagination is too rich.

  Chen Yi made a knowing expression: "Don't worry, I won't say anything. Besides, falling out with friends for the sake of women isn't a big deal. Who knows, it might even become a legendary tale. Look at how close you are to Fuzi now, you've even monopolized all the benefits. It's clear that Fuzi has chosen you, and if this gets out, it'll be a good thing for you too."

  Chen Jiu quickly covered Chen Yi's mouth: "You little devil don't think wildly, things really aren't that way".

  After finishing speaking, Chen Jiu changed the subject: "So many people have arrived, why hasn't the poetry meeting started yet?"

  "Ah, I was so busy chatting with you that I forgot about the poetry meeting. I'll go host it now."

  After finishing speaking, Chen Yi stood up and walked out, standing on the high mountain stone: "Gentlemen, now that everyone has arrived, let's start our poetry gathering. How about writing a poem with the Lantern Festival as the theme?"

  "Good, good, good."

  "Go by the old rules."

  “······”。

  "Gentlemen, gentlemen, since Brother Chenjiu is here again, then the opening poem of this first chapter should be his, don't you think?"

  "Right"

  "It is exactly this principle."

  Chen Jiu saw this, stood up, stared at Chen Yi for a moment, and walked to the riverbank saying: "Since all of you gentlemen are willing, then I, Chen Jiu, will not decline".

  "The gentle breeze on the night of the full moon, firecrackers and drums resound through the night. Not for the people who have passed away, but to inform my beloved. Year after year, where can I send my message? The willow branch knows. Every year, I report back at dusk. Dong Lang still has time, the white bird builds a magpie bridge. Sighing, I'll follow Du Yu's heart, the clear wind will understand."