The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 431 The girl from Luoyang named Mochou

I got up, washed up, ate breakfast, all in one go, and then went out to the state school.

The bell had not yet rung in the classroom, and the teacher had not entered. The students were chatting and whispering among themselves. Mo Xun whispered to the side, "Brother Zhao, my sister is here."

"Has Miss Mochou arrived in Yuzhou?" Zhao Ti glanced at him. "But Brother Mo... why did you tell me this?"

“Well…” Mo Xun chuckled twice, “To be honest, my sister wants to meet Brother Zhao.”

Zhao Ti was taken aback upon hearing this: "Brother Mo, I have never met your sister before. What brings you here?"

“Elder sister, elder sister…” Mo Xun sighed softly, “Elder sister has learned about the poems Luo Fu Ci and Qing Qing Ge, so she wants to get to know Brother Zhao.”

"The Farewell of Luo Fu, the Song of Green Green?" Zhao Ti frowned upon hearing this, and said with a wry smile, "It has spread so quickly? It has already reached Luozhou?"

Mo Xun said, "That's right. The Qin family and the Zhuge family are famous throughout the world. At this moment, Brother Zhao's poetic reputation has already risen in the world."

Zhao Ti thought for a moment: "Brother Mo, it seems inappropriate to meet him. Originally, Young Master Fuyao wrote the 'Mo Chou Qu' for your sister, which became widely known. Now that I have written two other poems, they have somewhat overshadowed your sister... I think it would be better not to meet him to avoid any awkwardness."

"Brother Zhao, you're overthinking it. My sister didn't mean that. After hearing your two poems, she was amazed by your talent and wanted to meet you to learn about poetry and literature," Mo Xun explained.

Zhao Ti remained silent for a long time before saying, "This is not good. Your sister is not like Brother Mo, who has been my classmate for many years. We can set aside our status and background to talk freely about matters of state and family, and have a gentlemanly friendship that has nothing to do with fame or fortune. Your sister is the legitimate daughter of a noble family and one of the Ten Beauties. She is noble and can only be admired from afar. I am just a commoner from a humble family. I think it is better not to meet her."

Upon hearing this, Mo Xun's eyes widened in surprise. He said, "Brother Zhao, what kind of outrageous words are these? What do you mean by 'noble in character, to be admired from afar but not approached'? What do you mean by 'clad in plain clothes, from a humble family'? Brother Zhao, aren't you seeing my sister because of me? What do those worldly prejudices have to do with anything? My sister has never cared about such things, never even bothered with them. If Brother Zhao had ever been to Luoyang, he would know of my sister's reputation. The people of the city all praise her and call her 'Mo Chou, the daughter of Luoyang'..."

Zhao Ti scratched his head: "I admire Miss Mo Chou's approachability very much, but I am not from Luoyang. We are from different places, so I don't know her. There is a barrier of social status, and there is also the matter of those two poems... They are gone, gone."

Mo Xun's lips twitched: "Brother Zhao and Miss Luofu, are there no obstacles between you, no difference in environment or climate? You can attend poetry gatherings, compose poems to your heart's content, stand out from the crowd, and not feel proud or sad. Why did you refuse when my sister invited you?"

Zhao Ti said, "Brother Mo, how can you make such a comparison? Poetry gatherings are places for academic pursuits. I went there to compose poems and learn. How is that the same as your sister inviting me?"

Mo Xun frowned and said, "Brother Zhao, you say that again. I remember you used to say that poetry gatherings are mostly for fun and there's not much to learn. Attending them is just a waste of time for studying."

Zhao Ti said, "This time is different from that time, and besides, things will be different again if I go down..."

Mo Xun said resentfully, "Brother Zhao, you're so reluctant to attend Miss Luo Fu's poetry gathering, but you refuse to go to my sister's invitation. Do you look down on my sister?"

Zhao Ti glanced at Mo Xun and said quietly, "Brother Mo, how can you assume such a thing about me? Doesn't Brother Mo know my character? It's just that... men and women shouldn't touch each other!"

Mo Xun laughed in exasperation: "What do you mean by 'men and women shouldn't touch each other'? I think Brother Zhao is afraid that Miss Luofu will find out, right? Brother Zhao is worried that if he goes to see my sister, Miss Luofu will find out and be unhappy and jealous, so he refuses in every way, isn't that why?"

Zhao Ti thought to himself, "Why would I be afraid of her finding out? I don't want Zhuge Qingqing to know. After all, I have a responsibility to Zhuge Qingqing. How can I go to see other women when she's not around?"
Zhuge Qingqing said she was going to find a way to control her left hand. It wouldn't be good for her to go see a woman from a noble family who was also one of the Ten Beauties and whom she didn't know. It would be understandable for ordinary women to meet if they had something to discuss, but not for Mo Chou. It wasn't that she was afraid Zhuge Qingqing would overthink it, but she couldn't get over her own conscience.

"Brother Mo, please don't talk nonsense. What does this have to do with Miss Luofu? Don't slander Miss Luofu's reputation out of thin air. If you say such things, how can you ever see Miss Luofu again?" Zhao Ti shook his head and said.

"Since... it has nothing to do with Miss Luofu, if Miss Luofu wants to see Brother Zhao, will Brother Zhao see her or not?" Mo Xun said angrily.

"Well... of course I should see him. After all, he is an acquaintance and friend. If there is something he needs to discuss, how can I refuse to see him?" Zhao Ti pondered.

Meeting Luofu was different from meeting Mochou. After all, Luofu had known Mochou before Zhuge Qingqing, and they had exchanged poems and gifts, so they were considered friends. Zhuge Qingqing would understand, and he felt no shame.

As for Mo Chou, she doesn't know her at all, so what's the point of her coming? Besides, there's the matter of her poetry overshadowing hers, which is already a grudge. Even if the other party doesn't care, there will still be some awkwardness. How could she not care at all?

"Brother Zhao is so hypocritical, so hypocritical..." Mo Xun was indignant. Zhao Ti blocked all his words, and he couldn't think of any words to say. He could only keep saying that Zhao was hypocritical.

Zhao Ti pondered for a moment and said, "Brother Mo, you flatter me. It's not hypocrisy at all. It's just that there's no benefit in seeing your sister. It might even make both sides angry. Besides, it's not proper for people to be close to each other, so I won't go to see her."

"I already said that my sister isn't such a narrow-minded person. So, Brother Zhao, seeing Miss Luofu will bring you benefits? And there's no question of propriety between people? Brother Zhao usually prides himself on being a gentleman, but I didn't expect him to be so hypocritical in this trivial matter. I'll be there with you then, so where does this talk of propriety between people come from?" Mo Xun said angrily.

Zhao Ti smiled but remained silent. Just then, the bell rang for class, and the teacher's footsteps sounded outside. Mo Xun said in a low voice, "I'll talk to Brother Zhao after school!"

A day passed in the blink of an eye. After the last class, Zhao Ti, afraid that Mo Xun would continue to nag, picked up his study box and left when Mo Xun wasn't looking. But before he reached the gate of the state school, he heard Mo Xun chasing after him and calling out, "Brother Zhao, why are you running?"

Zhao Ti had no choice but to stop, then turned around and said, "Today I really didn't finish my lessons with my teacher, and I was in a hurry to go home to continue my studies, so I didn't wait for Brother Mo to come with me."

Mo Xun said, "Does Brother Zhao think I'm as easy to fool as a child? Isn't it just that you're annoyed by my nagging about my sister and want to avoid me?"

Zhao Ti rubbed his forehead and said, "Brother Mo, what are you saying? Let's go together, let's go."

Mo Xun's face twitched as he walked side by side with Zhao Ti, and they soon exited the state school gate.

At this time, the students who had finished school parted ways. Mo Xun had not ridden in a carriage for some time and traveled with Zhao Ti to the banks of the Yujiang River.

"Brother Zhao, you should go see my elder sister. Otherwise, I really won't know how to explain it to her."

Zhao Ti asked, puzzled, "Brother Mo, you're siblings, what's there to be embarrassed about? It's just a small matter like inviting someone; you can just say I refused, add a few words about me being ungrateful and ungrateful, it won't hurt." Mo Xun patted his chest and said, "Brother Zhao, oh Brother Zhao, I already boasted to my sister that I could definitely invite you..."

Zhao Ti asked, puzzled, "What kind of 'promise' is this?"

Mo Xun stammered, "I told my elder sister that your poetic talent far surpasses that of Young Master Fuyao. Not to mention Young Master Fuyao, even if all four young masters came together, they would not be a match for Brother Zhao. They would only make a fool of themselves. And if we can't invite Brother Zhao, wouldn't it all be just bragging? I would lose face in front of my elder sister. Not only my elder sister, but some of my clansmen also heard my words and would probably laugh at me. If I go back to Luoyang and spread the word, I'm afraid it will be even harder for me to go home."

Zhao Ti was stunned upon hearing this: "How could Brother Mo be boasting on his own? This is clearly a boast made to me. Brother Mo is always dealing with family matters, so what's so funny about it? But if I don't see your sister, I'll seem timid and afraid. You boast that the Four Young Masters are not as good as you, but you don't dare to show your face. In fact, you are just exaggerating and making me seem like an insincere person."

"Ah, this..." Mo Xun wiped his face and said, "In short, Brother Zhao, we are now in a situation where we share both glory and loss. What's wrong with Brother Zhao going to see my sister once? It's just a matter of discussing poetry and literature, which is a refined activity. Why do you keep declining?"

"What do you mean by 'one for all, all for one's own'?" Zhao Ti scoffed. "My family are just commoners, how could we talk about honor or loss? Besides, even if your sister thinks I'm bragging or dishonest, so what? It's all what Brother Mo said, I don't know anything about it. There's nothing wrong in the world, I just want peace of mind, as bright as the moon."

"Brother Zhao, why are you so stubborn?" Mo Xun stamped his foot upon hearing this. "Not only that, my elder sister wrote to Young Master Fuyao, saying what I said. I reckon Young Master Fuyao will arrive soon, wanting to meet Brother Zhao..."

"Brother Mo, you really know how to cause me trouble." Zhao Ti was exasperated. "What do you mean by 'meeting'? I suppose you're here to help your family seize the treasure. What would you want with me? I don't even want to see your sister, let alone the Four Young Masters. Brother Mo, we've reached the Jade Belt Bridge. You should cross the bridge and head north. I should hurry home and take my leave."

He cupped his hands in greeting, turned around, and strode forward, leaving Mo Xun glaring at him in anger, but there was nothing he could do.

Zhao Ti walked along the riverbank without looking back. After a while, he was far away from the Jade Belt Bridge, and only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and slow down.

He wouldn't go to see Mo Chou, and now that Mo Xun says Young Master Fuyao is also coming, it's even less likely he'll go.

There is nothing inherently wrong in the world; it is the foolish who trouble themselves. A virtuous person is open and honest, while a petty person is always anxious and worried. Since I do not yet have the ability to fully protect my family and myself, I must act cautiously and avoid getting involved in external causes and effects. I should avoid contact with people like the Four Young Masters if possible, and avoid seeing them if possible.

As he walked, lost in thought, the sun began to set in the west, its rays illuminating the Jade River and casting a golden glow upon his eyes. A warm breeze occasionally blew by, making him feel intoxicated and utterly content.

Just then, a song suddenly came from the river ahead: "A Yue maiden picks lotus by the autumn waters, her narrow sleeves and light silk revealing her twin gold bracelets. She plucks flowers, her reflection mirroring her face, her heart entangled with the silk threads."

At dusk, the wind and waves ripple along the Jichi Creek, heavy with mist and light with smoke; the companions who came with me are nowhere to be seen. Faintly, the songs of returning boats drift far away, and the sorrow of parting draws me to the southern bank of the Yangtze River.

Her voice was sweet and soft, very pleasant to listen to, and her singing was clear and accurate, with perfect rhythm, which naturally attracted Zhao Ti's attention.

This is a poem titled "Butterfly Loves Flowers" written by a great poet of the early Ming Dynasty. It describes the scene of Yue girls picking lotus flowers in Jiangnan. Although it is only sixty characters long, the characters' clothing and appearance are vividly depicted. The second half of the poem combines description and narration, and narration with expression of feelings. It moves from near to far, leaving a lingering impression.

But the one singing this song at this moment is a young girl. She is riding a light boat, using a bamboo pole, and coming downstream from the riverbank ahead. She is singing softly, and the song is carried far away by the wind.

Zhao Ti looked at the girl. Although she wasn't very close, his inner strength was so great that he could see her clearly.

The young girl stood at the bow of the small boat, her hair styled in a bright moon bun, her black hair swaying gently in the wind. A newly picked white jasmine flower was tucked into her hair. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters, and her lips were naturally red. She smiled, revealing shallow dimples, and her every glance exuded a captivating beauty.

She wore a delicate lotus-green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a few pale blue water plants embroidered on the hem. The dress was slightly damp from the river mist, which only accentuated her slender figure, making her look like a fairy gracefully emerging from the water.

What a beautiful picture! Zhao Ti couldn't help but admire it. The sunset was beautiful, the river was beautiful, the girl was beautiful, and the singing was beautiful. All these elements blended together, making people feel refreshed and happy. He couldn't help but praise it.

At this moment, the girl rowed her small boat closer and closer, but gradually slowed down. Her gaze fell on Zhao Ti, who was walking along the riverbank, and a slight smile appeared on her face.

Zhao Ti was puzzled. Why was she smiling at him? He didn't even recognize her.

The girl rowed her small boat to a spot not far from Zhao Ti, then suddenly stopped with her pole. With a light leap, she floated to the shore like a willow leaf, landing perfectly in front of Zhao Ti.

Zhao Ti stopped in his tracks. The two were now only half a zhang apart, and they would inevitably collide if they continued walking. He looked at the girl with suspicion: "Young lady, you..."

"Could it be that Young Master Zhao Ti is here in person?" the young girl asked softly, her voice as gentle and melodious as a nightingale's song.

"It is I, Miss Zhao Ti. May I ask who you are...?" Zhao Ti was completely baffled. How did the other party know his name? And why did she come down the river and stop him here, seemingly waiting for him?

"The river flows eastward, and the girl from Luoyang is named Mochou. I am the sister of Mo Xun, a classmate and friend of Young Master Zhao. I was afraid that my brother's invitation to Young Master Zhao would be unsuccessful, so I waited here specially, hoping to meet Young Master Zhao." The girl smiled sweetly.

"Huh? This..." Zhao Ti was speechless upon hearing this. How did this person end up blocking him? Did they expect him to be unwilling to meet, so they waited here on purpose? But how could they recognize him?

"I apologize for my rudeness, Young Master Zhao, I hope you won't mind?" the girl said softly.

"I...don't mind," Zhao Ti said, forcing a smile, thinking to herself, "What exactly are you trying to do? Is it really okay for a young woman like you to do this?"
"I wonder how Miss Mochou... came to recognize me?"

The young woman smiled and said, "I asked my younger brother about the young master's appearance before. He described it in great detail, especially... the fine mutton-fat jade pendant that the young master was wearing. Few people can match it. One look and you know it is the young master in person."

Zhao Ti glanced down at the jade pendant on his waist and thought to himself, "No, this won't do. Mo Xun has his eye on this and will tell everyone. It will inevitably ruin Luo Fu's reputation. I'd better take it off when I get home."

Thinking of this, he straightened his expression and said, "Miss Mochou, may I ask what business you have with me?"

(End of this chapter)