The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 524: Xue Hengwu wins the first prize in the Willow Catkins Poetry Competition
On the second day, Lin Daiyu hosted a party and prepared several tables of fruit wine. She also sent out invitations to everyone to start a poetry club.

At about eight o'clock in the morning, a group of people gathered in Xiaoxiang Pavilion one after another, but what surprised Jia Huan was that he did not see Da Lianbao, who was the most active in the past. What's more, this time Lin Daiyu was the host and he lived nearby. It was really strange that he was not the first to arrive!

Apparently Jia Huan was not the only one who had the same question. Shi Xiangyun asked curiously, "Why hasn't Brother Ai (Second) come yet? Did Sister Lin not invite him?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head and said, "How could I miss him? Of course I invited him."

"Did you oversleep?" Xue Baoqin asked.

Li Wan said with a smile, "That's impossible. It's hard to say about other things, but if we talk about starting a poetry club, he must be the most enthusiastic one. I'm afraid he has been held back by something. Why don't you send someone to Yihong Courtyard to ask Miss Lin?"

Lin Daiyu asked the little maid Chunxian to go to Yihong Courtyard to ask, but she came back to report that Master Bao had gone to school early in the morning and was not at home.

Everyone was very surprised that the sun really rose from the west today. Shi Xiangyun even laughed and joked, "Amitabha, this man has finally turned back. It's not too late to work hard and make progress now. I'm just afraid that it's like the straw ashes - a burst of heat."

Li Wan smiled and said, "It's a good thing that Brother Bao is studying hard. Everyone please don't make fun of him later. Since Brother Bao has gone to school, we don't have to wait any longer. Miss Lin, just give him the questions and let him make up for it later."

Xue Baochai looked at Jia Huan thoughtfully, thinking, Brother Bao suddenly behaved so abnormally, could it be that he was stimulated? I'm afraid it has something to do with Qingwen being chased to Brother Huan's room by her aunt. Alas, this method of her aunt is too...

At this time, Lin Daiyu had ordered Zijuan to take out a box that had been prepared long ago. Inside was many notes with names of poetry styles written on them. Everyone drew lots together, and whoever name they drew would use that name to write a poem about willow catkins.

Shi Xiangyun laughed and said, "The drawing of lots was indeed fair, but Sister Lin was a little too mean. Yesterday we clearly agreed to write a poem about willows, but today it became a poem about willow catkins. Although there is only one word difference, it is a huge mistake. It is clearly a prank. It made me stay up all night to write two good poems, and I can't use them. I have to write another one. It's really infuriating!"

All the girls giggled. Xue Baochai stretched out a slender jade finger like a spring onion and tapped Shi Xiangyun's forehead lightly, saying teasingly, "How dare you say that? You are not ashamed."

Shi Xiangyun argued confidently, "Sister Bao, what you said is wrong. There is a saying: A gentleman is judged by his deeds, not his heart. If you judge by his heart, there is no gentleman in the world. People have countless thoughts and they change endlessly. Many thoughts come in an instant. Even a saint cannot control them, let alone a little girl. Yesterday, I knew that the title of the poem was to chant about willows, so it was inevitable that I started to think about it. I don't believe that you didn't think about it at all. At least I admitted it generously. A gentleman is consistent in his words and deeds, so I am not afraid of being embarrassed."

Lin Daiyu's beautiful eyes flashed, she smiled and said, "Look, you all said I was a bad mouth and never let anyone off the hook, but now you know who's worse? Yun's sophistry has made even Bao-jie look like a hypocrite."

Shi Xiangyun said hurriedly: "I didn't say anything about Sister Bao. Sister Lin is too mean. Stop fanning the flames here. Sister Bao will not be provoked by you."

Xue Baochai hugged Shi Xiangyun and said with a smile, "Pin'er just told you a joke to tease you, but you got so anxious that you fell for her trick."

Shi Xiangyun said with a smile: "She was fooled. She usually can't find fault with Sister Bao. Now I said something wrong in a moment of haste, and she quickly used it to tease you. Sister Bao, you have always been open-minded and generous, but you covered up for her. It's a pity that she may not appreciate your kindness."

Jia Huan secretly said, "Oh no! Shi Xiangyun is outspoken, but this is a bit too much. Lin Daiyu can't stand it with her personality. She is afraid that she will get angry. So she hurriedly saved the situation and said, "No, no, actually I am the one who was wronged by Sister Xunbao."

Everyone was stunned. Ying'er asked in confusion, "Why is Mr. Huan looking for my daughter's fault?"

Jia Huan said seriously, "It's because our Jia family owes the Xue family 20,000 taels of silver. I want to get some leverage over Sister Bao so that I can pay back less money."

All the girls burst out laughing, but they all knew that Jia Huan was just joking and naturally didn't take it seriously. Only Lin Daiyu remained silent.

Xue Baochai glanced at Lin Daiyu indifferently and chuckled, "Brother Huan has plotted against me, but it's a pity that it's useless. Twenty thousand taels of silver cannot be less than a penny. Don't waste your time on it. It's better to think about how to write a poem."

"That's right. Let me pick it first!" Jia Huan took the opportunity to pick up a piece of paper from the box. When he opened it, he saw the words "Dielianhua" written on it.

Then the girls took turns to sing. Xiangyun picked up "Ru Meng Ling", Baochai picked up "Lin Jiang Xian", Baoqin picked up "Xi Jiang Yue", Tanchun picked up "Nan Ke Zi", and Daiyu picked up "Tang Duo Ling". Xiangling couldn't compose lyrics yet, so she didn't participate this time and just watched from the sidelines.

Within the time limit of one stick of incense, Lin Daiyu was the first to get it. She picked up the pen and wrote it down silently. Then Xiangyun got it, and then Baochai and Baoqin also got it one after another.

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "The incense stick is almost burned out. Let me finish looking at yours first, and then I'll look at mine."

Jia Tanchun said anxiously, "Oh, how come the incense is fading so quickly today? I only got half of it. Brother Huan, have you gotten it?"

Jia Huan said shamelessly: "I'm really not good at writing lyrics, so I'll read yours first, maybe inspiration will come to me."

Xue Baoqin smiled and said, "Shame on you! You're the top scholar."

Jia Huan pretended to reward her with a roasted chestnut, but the little girl quickly hid behind Lin Daiyu and said pitifully, "Sister Lin, save me."

Xue Xiaomei is sweet and lovely, with a sweet mouth, and is very likable. Lin Daiyu protects her behind her and just looks at someone with a smile, and that person immediately dares not step out of line.

At this time, the incense stick finally burned out. Li Wan, who was the referee, said, "Please write the half of Mr. Qiu Shuang first." Jia Tanchun hurriedly wrote the half of "Nan Ke Zi: Ode to Willow Catkins": The thin threads hang in the air, and the silk threads dangle in vain. They are hard to tie up and hard to restrain, leaving them to separate to the east, west, south, and north.

Li Wan's eyes lit up and she said, "This is a good piece, but it's a pity that it's only half finished. Why not continue?"

The girls all nodded in agreement. Jia Tanchun said helplessly, "I have exhausted all my talents and have no clue. What can I do?"

Jia Huan suddenly had an idea and said with a smile: "Brothers fight tigers together, and sisters write lyrics together. I will continue!"

While picking up the pen, he continued writing: Don't be sad when it falls, I know when it flies away. The orioles are sad and the butterflies are tired of the late fragrance, even if we meet again next spring, it will be a year later.

"Well continued!" the girls said almost in unison.

Jia Tanchun's beautiful eyes were blurred, and she said with a little annoyance: "Why didn't I think of it!"

Lin Daiyu chuckled and said, "This is a good sequel, but do you have your own version of Butterfly Lovers?"

Jia Huan coughed lightly and said, "Not yet... yet."

Xue Baochai said with a smile: "You can't do what is your responsibility, but you have this. Even if you make a good continuation, it doesn't belong to you."

Lin Daiyu glared at Jia Huan and picked up her pen to write the poem "Tang Duoling" she had composed:

The powder falls on Baihuazhou, and the fragrance fades in Yanzilou. They form balls one after another. Wandering is like a short life, empty lingering and talking about romance.

Even the grass and trees know sorrow, and the youth turns into white hair! Sigh, who gives and who takes in this life? Marry the spring breeze, no matter what, let you go, and bear to stay.

After Lin Daiyu finished writing, she put down her pen and deliberately glanced at Jia. Jia Huan couldn't help sweating. This was another extremely "sad and sorrowful" poem. It was clearly a "demonstration" to him. This girl is really not someone you want to mess with!

After reading Lin Daiyu's poem, Li Wan nodded and sighed, "It's good, but it's a little too sad."

The next poem is Xiangyun's "Ru Meng Ling": Is it the embroidered velvet that is left, rolling up half a curtain of fragrant mist, which is picked up by slender hands, making the cuckoo cry and the swallows jealous. Wait, wait! Don't let the spring go.

Next is Baoqin's "Xijiangyue": Hanyuan is limited in number, Sui embankment is infinite in number. The three springs of career are entrusted to the east wind, the bright moon and plum blossoms are just a dream.

In which courtyards are there fallen petals, and whose curtains are covered with fragrant snow? The south and north of the Yangtze River are the same, but the hatred of separation is heavier!
Li Wan commented: "Qin's voice is the strongest after all. The two lines 'how many places' and 'whose home' are the best."

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "It is too sad after all. In my opinion, catkins are originally a light and thin thing without roots or entanglements, but I have to describe them well to avoid being clichéd."

As Xue Baochai spoke, she wrote Linjiangxian: Spring is full of meaning in front of the White Jade Hall, and the east wind blows evenly. Bees and butterflies are in a frenzy. They have followed the flowing water, so why should they be left in the dust?

Ten thousand threads will never change, let them gather and separate as they please. Don't laugh at the youthful years that have no roots, the good winds often lend their strength and send me to the blue sky.

Everyone couldn't help but applaud: "The last line is translated with great effort, this one is naturally the best."

Lin Daiyu read it carefully again and couldn't help but show admiration. Xue Baochai's "Linjiangxian" was like a sudden surprise, overwhelming all the others.

Li Wan nodded and smiled, summing up: "Of these five poems, Hengwu Jun's is the best. In terms of lingering sadness, it's Concubine Xiaoxiang. In terms of sentimentality and charm, it's Zhenxia's old friend. Xiaoxue and Qiushuang Jushi failed this time and will be punished!"

Xue Baoqin looked at Jia Huan with a smile and said, "Of course we will be punished, but how will the person who handed in a blank paper be punished?"

Jia Huan said very bluntly: "You have all written down everything. If there is no good sentence left, I will accept the punishment."

As soon as she finished speaking, the maid Glass in the old lady's room came in with a smile and said, "There are guests at home, and the old lady asked the girls to go and meet the guests."

Li Wan asked curiously, "Where did this distinguished guest come from?"

Glass said with a smile: "She is not a distinguished guest at all, but a poor country woman who came from nowhere. She seems to have some connection with the old lady. Everyone calls her Granny Liu. I guess she came to ask for money. Although she is a bit shabby, her words are quite interesting and she made the old lady happy, so we asked the girls to go and meet her."

(End of this chapter)