Chapter 43: The Moon is Half Slanted

  Xiao Jia Ding chose this poem because it was written by Northern Song poet Zhou Bangyan for a courtesan, saying that he had to leave but would return. Although she would have to entertain other men with dance and song, he wouldn't be jealous, but hoped their love wouldn't burn out like charcoal in the furnace. He chose this poem just because it was written for a courtesan, intending to mock Huang Shi Yun as a courtesan. How could they look so puzzled, hadn't they understood the meaning of the poem?

  No, Huang Shi Yun is known as the number one talented woman in Yi Zhou. It's absolutely impossible that she can't understand poetry. Is there a misunderstanding?

  He immediately turned his head and thought about this poem, and couldn't help but secretly sigh. He had only been thinking that this poem was written for the songstress, wanting to use it to mock Huang Shi-yun, but hadn't considered that this poem was also a love poem, and moreover, the poem didn't mention anything specific, so it could be understood as Huang Shi-yun singing and dancing at home for other guests, which wouldn't be inappropriate. On the contrary, they thought that he had written such a poem in seven steps to express his admiration for Huang Shi-yun. No wonder they were like this.

  Xiao Jiading had to pretend to be drunk and stagger, Huang Shiyun reacted quickly, got up and went over, actually supporting his arm, blushing and saying: "Be careful, big brother!"

  Xiao Jiading shook his body and said: "Sorry, I...I'm a bit drunk, I forgot what I wrote earlier, don't laugh at me!"

  "Huang Shiyun said softly: 'Big brother is indeed a genius, can really make seven-step poetry, and it's so neat, the meaning is so fitting, little sister has already memorized it...'"

  Xiao Jiading smiled and returned to his seat.

  Huang Lu Shi said: "Quickly, have Xiao Zhiyi send a bowl of hangover soup! Hurry up!"

  Huang Shi Yun sat down beside Xiao Jia Ding and said, "Big brother, please don't drink for now. Let little sister play a tune on the bamboo flute to help big brother sober up, okay?"

  "Are you going to play the sheng to sober me up?" Xiao Jiading's mouth curled up in a sly smile, "Alright! Come on!"

  Huang Shi Yun herself couldn't hear the other layer of meaning in his words, stretched out her slender arm, took a white jade flute, placed it on her delicate red lips, sat up straight on the couch beside Xiao Jia Ding's body, and began to play a melodious tune.

  To be honest, Huang Shi Yun's flute playing was quite beautiful. However, in Xiao Jia Ding's eyes, her small mouth seemed to be blowing a different kind of flute, just like the one Chi Mei blew for him that day at Cui Yu Lou. Xiao Jia Ding couldn't help but praise his own obscenity.

  As the piece came to an end, Xiao Jia Ding applauded and cheered, offering repeated words of praise.

  Huang Shi Yun smiled and said: "Please, elder brother, compose another poem, how about it?"

  Xiao Jiading wanted to cover up his own embarrassment from the previous poem, so he nodded and said: "Good! Xiao will make a fool of himself!"

  Huang Shiyun poured him a cup of wine, he took it and stood up, walking towards the window. Without taking seven steps, he was already in front of the window. He turned his head to look at the intricately carved beams and painted rafters inside the house, then looked at the slender servant girls standing by the wall. He turned around again, lifted his head and gazed out, seeing only a crescent moon hanging in the sky. Then he slowly recited a poem by Wei Zhuang, a poet of the late Tang Dynasty:

  Songs fill my ears and flowers fill my eyes.

  The pearls and jade of Manlou surpass those of Wuwa.

  Because of knowing the heavenly cave above the sea

  Only resembles a wealthy and noble family in the mortal world.

  Embroidered curtains at night, gathered red candles market

  Dance skirt sways in the blue sky and rainbow-colored clouds.

  But alas, the banquet is over and the blue maidens have dispersed

  A small town by the river, with the moon half-slanting down.

  This poem was written by the great poet Wei Zhuang at a banquet hosted by Zhou Bao's family, the military governor of Zhenhai. It describes the scene of feasting and singing, beautiful women with red makeup, pearls and jade, comparable to the "beautiful woman, radiant and resplendent, with skin as smooth as silk" Wu Wa girl. Such a luxurious and wealthy household is no more than a place where gods reside. Thinking that this dazzling and colorful banquet will eventually disperse, the beautiful women will disappear, leaving only half of the moon in the sky to accompany oneself.

  After he finished reciting the poem, he turned his head to look at Huang Shi Yun and others, only to see her looking at him with deep affection, her eyes full of admiration and reverence. Before this, she had always thought that her poetry was among the best in Yizhou, but now, after listening to Xiao Jia Ding's two poems, she felt like a frog at the bottom of a well, and Xiao Jia Ding was the real talented scholar. It turned out that on that day in the peach forest, he was just pretending to be a farmer, and she had been blind to his true identity, speaking out of turn. Now, thinking back, she couldn't help but feel ashamed and regretful. Fortunately, it seemed that her apology today was sincere, and she had gotten his forgiveness, and even gained his affection, which made her heart both happy and proud.

  Xiao Jiading saw her sentimental look and knew that this vixen had moved herself, but he himself was not interested in her at all. He drank the wine in his cup expressionlessly and said, "I've made a fool of myself!" before returning to his seat.

  Huang Shi Yun busily poured him a drink and softly said: "Big brother is alone, it's hard enough, if you think this is good, come often in the future, this place can be your home."

  Huang Lu Shi smiled and said: "Right, right, Xiao Zhi Yi ah, I'm also not a young man who has been playing with pen holders for many years, but I've never seen such talent as yours. Compared to you, what is Zhong Wenbo? From now on, you are the number one talented scholar of Yizhou, no, should say the number one talented scholar of the Tang Dynasty!"

  Xiao Jiading said: "I'm afraid it's not that easy to get, this so-called number one talented man and woman."

  Huang Shiyun said: "It is a yearly poetry competition champion that can seal this elegant title."

  "Shall we recite poetry?"

  "Yes, every spring in the peach forest in front of Shaoshi Temple in Yizhou. The governor himself presides over it, and there are prizes too! The champion gets 10 guan, the runner-up gets 7 guan, and the third place gets 3 guan. Men and women can participate. —— Xiao Gege, with your talent, you must go at that time. If you go, you will definitely win first prize!"

  Xiao Jia Ding looked at her sideways and smiled: "Then you two, also from Yizhou's number one, want to participate as well?"

  "Yes. Of course I'll participate. In the past few years, he and I separately took first place, so that's why they call us that. Actually, the real number one should be you, Xiao Ge!"

  Xiao Jia Ding originally did not want to attend any poetry gatherings, especially since Li Ke, the Governor and Magistrate, was also attending. He really didn't want to get involved in this imperial family feud. However, a poetry gathering wasn't a political event, so he probably wouldn't be implicated because of it. Deep down, he actually felt some sympathy for Li Ke, wanting to take one last look at the Shu King who excelled in both literature and martial arts, perhaps tomorrow he would lose his head. Thinking this, he asked: "Are there any requirements for participating?"

  "No, men and women, young and old can all participate. On the day of the competition, each person needs to compose a poem within the specified time according to the requirements, and five assistant instructors from the county government office and the prefectural school will judge it. If three people think it's acceptable, they'll get the qualification to participate in the next round.

  Then, there will be an elimination round, where participants will compose poems again according to the requirements, and another five assistant instructors will judge on the spot. Each time, the last ten people will be eliminated until only the last ten are left to enter the final round.

  The governor will provide the topic, and the governor along with nine professors from the state and county schools will judge it. They will select the top three winners. The governor will personally present the awards, and the winners will wear red sashes and ride horses around the city."

  "It's interesting." Xiao Jiading said: "When will it be held?"

  It is held on March 1st every year.

  "Yangchun in March? Okay, I'll go take a look then. Don't need to sign up or anything?"

  "No need! We'll go together when the time comes, okay?"

  "Let's go."

  "That's settled then!" Huang Shi Yun looked very excited and poured another cup of wine for Xiao Jia Ding.

  Xiao Jiading said: "Just me drinking and you not drinking, that won't do."

  Huang Shi Yun's alcohol tolerance was average, and she didn't dare drink in front of her father. Unexpectedly, Huang Lu Shu smiled and nodded, saying: "Shi Yun, why don't you just keep your younger brother-in-law company for a few cups?"

  "Yes!" Huang Shi Yun raised her cup in a toast, Xiao Jia Ding downed three large cups in one breath, and Huang Shi Yun also followed with three cups. Immediately, her face turned rosy red. Under the lamp, she looked even more delicate and lovely. Xiao Jia Ding glanced at her sideways, thinking that this little woman actually had some charm. Unfortunately, she was just a decorative pillow.

  It was almost two watches when Xiao Jiading stood up and bid farewell.

  Huang Luji was busy and said to his daughter: "Jun'er, your father is drunk, you see off your brother-in-law Xiao."

  Huang Shi Yun nodded shyly, as Xiao Jia Ding was also a bit unsteady on his feet. She took his arm and they walked out into the moonlight towards the door.

  Walking in the quiet courtyard, the clear moonlight shines on them, as if they were a pair of lovers under the flowers and the moon.

  As they approached the entrance of the courtyard, Huang Shiyun was supporting him, her slender body trembling slightly, it was unclear whether it was due to the chill of early spring or the excitement and tension in her heart. She stole a glance at Xiao Jiading and whispered: "Xiao Da Ge, you... really aren't angry with Little Sister anymore?"

  Xiao Jiading stopped and looked at her: "What did you say?"

  Huang Shi Yun lowered her head and said: "I'm sorry, really sorry, little sister was wrong, please forgive me, Xiao Ge..."

  "No sincerity!" Xiao Jiading said coldly on purpose.

  Huang Shi Yun raised her eyes and looked at him: "Then... what does it take to show sincerity?"

  "What about you?" Xiao Jiading kicked the ball back to her. He wanted to see how this sly fox would react to what he just said.

  Huang Shi Yun's face turned red as she lowered her head, her voice trembling: "Little sister... won't... big brother, you teach me..."

  Xiao Jia Ding took a step forward, almost sticking to her, gazing at her small mouth, slowly approaching her tender red lips.

  Huang Shi Yun was so nervous that her heart almost jumped out. She quickly closed her eyes, tilted up her pretty face, and waited for the girl's first kiss.

  However, I never felt Xiao Jiading's lips, but heard his faint voice: "Remember two things: don't look down on farmers, without them farming, you can only starve to death! Also, don't be as arrogant and self-righteous as before, that's extremely annoying! Unless you achieve these two things, I won't forgive you!"

  Huang Shi Yun opened her eyes, gazing at Xiao Jia Ding's handsome face under the moonlight. She felt both shy and embarrassed, lightly biting her red lips, unsure of what to say.

  Xiao Jiading didn't say another word and strode out of the courtyard with large steps, but where was there even a hint of drunkenness?