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

Chapter 434 Easily
"In my opinion... he has indeed run out of ideas!" As the words fell, a man walked in with his head held high and chest puffed out.

The man had his hair tied up with a golden crown, wore a brocade robe, a jade belt with pearls inlaid on it, and a snow-white pendant hanging from it. Even before he got close, a fragrance of perfume wafted over.

Zhao Ti sized up the man expressionlessly. He was a young man with a handsome face, narrow eyes, and a straight nose. He was considered good-looking, but at this moment his eyes were full of mockery and his face was full of arrogance.

"Young Master Fuyao, you've actually arrived?" Mochou asked in surprise.

“Miss Mochou, I have only been in Yuzhou for a short time. I heard from your Mo family that you saw the scholar who wrote the poem ‘Luo Fu’s Farewell to Green Green’ when you passed by this Tea and Fragrance Pavilion, so I came looking for him.” The young man turned his gaze to Zhao Ti and said indifferently, “I suppose this is the scholar. I heard him say that he has run out of talent. He does have some self-awareness.”

Young Master Fuyao? How did he manage to find his way here? Zhao Ti glanced at Mo Chou, wondering if the two of them had planned this all along and were putting on an act for him.

“Young Master Fuyao, since you’re here, let’s have some tea and discuss literature together. Let me introduce you…” Mochou stood up, an awkward smile on her face.

"It's rare for Miss Mochou to personally brew tea. We've known each other for so many years, and I've only had it once. I never thought I'd get to drink it a second time today." The young man sat down casually.

"Young Master Fuyao, this is Young Master Zhao Ti. Young Master Zhao, this is Young Master Fuyao, one of the Four Great Young Masters of the Great Qian Dynasty, Yuwen Fuyao."

Yuwen Fuyao? So it turns out that Young Master Fuyao's surname is Yuwen. Zhao Ti thought for a moment. There is only one family with this surname in the Great Qian Dynasty. Although it is not a prestigious family, it is comparable to one, because it is the surname of Yuwen Tian, ​​one of the eight founding pillars of the Great Qian Dynasty.

When the Great Qian Dynasty established its rule over the world, it bestowed titles and honors upon its founding heroes, including three kings, six dukes, eight pillars, and thirteen marquises from different surnames.

These were not members of the Yang family, but rather ministers who followed Emperor Taizu in conquering the country.

Inside, "Duke" and "Marquis" are titles of nobility, while "Pillar of State" is an honorary official. However, the founding Pillar of State of the Great Qian Dynasty was no less powerful or prestigious than a Duke or Marquis. Although the title of Pillar of State was not hereditary, he held military power. Even if he was no longer alive, he laid a solid foundation for his descendants, ensuring that his descendants would have a smooth career path and receive support from all sides.

This young master Fuyao comes from the Yuwen family and is an ally of the Mo family. No wonder he is so casual in front of the Mo family.

Zhao Ti pondered in his heart, but his face remained expressionless. He did not bow, but picked up the tea and took a sip.

Judging from the other party's words outside the house to their demeanor upon entering, they are by no means a magnanimous person. Therefore, my poems "Luo Fu" and "Qing Qing" must have offended them. I have outmaneuvered them in this matter, and their fame has diminished because of the "Mo Chou Qu" song. Even if I have status and position, it will breed resentment. Since I am just a commoner, I will inevitably make them resentful.

Since enmity has already been formed, there is no need to pretend to befriend them. Just let things take their course and be cautious.

“There’s no need for introductions.” Young Master Fuyao shook his head and took the tea from Mochou. “This scholar Zhao just said that he has run out of talent, and I think so too. Since he can no longer write poetry, what’s the point of him staying? Miss Mochou, there’s no need to entertain him any further. Just tell him to go back.”

Hearing this, Mo Xun couldn't help but say, "Young Master Fuyao, Brother Zhao is just being modest. How could he really be unable to compose poetry!"

"Oh, so he said he's run out of talent?" Young Master Fuyao said calmly, "But a person with real talent wouldn't be so self-deprecating as to say he's run out of talent. I think his previous talent might not have been real talent at all. Maybe he just cobbled together a few sentences from somewhere and put them together into a couple of poems. Now that he can't find any more, he can only make excuses like this. He won't be able to write a single poem or lyric again in the future!"

"That's impossible! Brother Zhao's talent is evident to all. At the poetry gathering of Miss Luofu, the topics were all given on the spot. How could there be any talk of piecing things together? Young Master Fuyao's words are a bit too nonsensical!" Mo Xun said loudly.

"Hmph!" Young Master Fuyao snorted coldly: "Then why can't he compose one now? Aren't you two classmates and good friends? Since he has accepted the invitation, it is only right and proper for him to compose a poem for each other to appreciate, and even compose one for Miss Mochou like I do, in order to show his true talent, instead of being modest and saying that he has run out of talent, when in fact he has no talent at all!"

Mo Xun was furious upon hearing this, but he had no words to defend himself, so he could only look at Zhao Ti and say, "Brother Zhao, you..."

Zhao Ti sighed inwardly. He had originally planned to come here today to talk about poetry and prose, and he would brush off any difficult questions Mo Chou might ask, but he would never write a poem. However, it seemed that he had no choice but to write one now.

This young master Fuyao is pressing me relentlessly. If I don't take action, not only will I be ridiculed by him, but he will also ruin my reputation outside.

Even if Mo Chou wasn't acting, it wouldn't prove she was helping him, because he hadn't actually shown any poetic talent. It was already a favor that she didn't kick him while he was down.

Now, the only thing to do is to compose a poem to severely suppress this young master Fuyao, making him unable to raise his head, making him feel inferior, and leaving him without even the confidence to argue, so that today's matter can be resolved.

If one wants to severely suppress the other party, then writing ordinary poems will definitely not work, because one does not know what poems this Young Master Fuyao has written in the past. One must target the poems he has written in order to suppress him. In that case... one can only target that "Song of No Sorrow".

Thinking of this, he smiled and said, "Who says that just because someone has run out of talent, they can't write poetry anymore?"

"Ah, Brother Zhao, you..." Mo Xun's face lit up with joy, but then his expression darkened. He glared at Zhao Ti with a resentful look, as if he was angry about Zhao Ti's previous words.

"Hmph, Zhao Shusheng's words are nothing but empty talk. If he has already exhausted his talent, how can he still write poetry?" Young Master Fuyao paused for a moment, then frowned and said coldly.

"I compose poems on my own, but it's just something that comes naturally and spontaneously. It has nothing to do with talent or lack thereof. It's as easy as eating and drinking every day. It's a basic human instinct. Just as people need to eat and drink every day, I can compose poems and lyrics every day," Zhao Ti said leisurely.

"You..." Young Master Fuyao was stunned for a moment, then his face darkened: "Scholar Zhao's words are far too arrogant!"

"Brother Zhao, this..." Mo Xun couldn't help but show a look of joy, but he immediately suppressed it and became angry again.

Mo Chou's beautiful eyes flickered, and she said in a strange voice, "Young Master is truly fickle. Just now you were saying..."

"This..." Zhao Ti's lips twitched upon hearing this. Now that he was in a difficult situation, he waved his hand and said, "Miss Mo Chou, please don't be surprised. Times have changed."

"Well done, Brother Zhao! You use that phrase so skillfully. You said the same thing before about attending the poetry gathering. You're so inconsistent. You're truly a silver-tongued man, capable of endless reversals." Mo Xun said angrily upon hearing this.

“Brother Mo, you are mistaken. As we both study things, we know that all things in the universe are constantly in motion and changing. This time is different from that time... This is in accordance with the principles of the operation of the heavens and the way of development in the world. Whether it is reading or studying, we cannot be rigid and constrained. Nothing is immutable. We must adapt to various changes at all times in order to make progress.” Zhao Ti said seriously and eloquently.

“But Brother Zhao…” Mo Xun glared, something didn’t sound right, but he couldn’t think of any rebuttal.

"Very well!" Young Master Fuyao snorted, "Since Scholar Zhao says that writing poetry is as easy as eating, then write one for Miss Mochou to judge and see if it is really as rumored, or if he is just a fraud."

Mo Chou looked at Zhao Ti: "Young Master..."

Zhao Ti smiled slightly: "Please ask Miss Mochou to give me a topic, so that no one will talk nonsense and say that it is a poem that is cobbled together from sentences collected in daily life."

"You!" Young Master Fuyao's face was ugly, as if he was about to explode, but then he took a breath and sneered, "You may write it. If it is truly unbearable to look at, I will not bother with you now, but I will definitely spread this poem out to the world so that people can see that you are nothing but a fame-seeking, deceitful person."

Zhao Ti glanced at him; this Young Master Fuyao was a true scoundrel, not some hypocrite. "Young Master Zhao..." Mo Chou said with a smile, "May I ask you any kind of question?"

Zhao Ti nodded: "Above and below the heavens, throughout history, and in all things in the world, Miss Mo Chou may set any question you desire."

“Then I will…” Mo Chou’s cheeks flushed slightly: “Young master, please write a poem about me.”

"Write a poem with Miss Mochou as the title?" Zhao Ti thought to himself, as expected, he knew it would be this kind of topic.

Although he didn't want to, he had to do it in order to suppress Young Master Fuyao. Not only did he have to do it, but he also had to do it well. As for Zhuge Qingqing and Luo Fu finding out, he would explain later.

“Very well, then I shall write a poem on the theme of Miss Mochou.” Zhao Ti nodded and glanced at Young Master Fuyao: “However, Miss Mochou already has a poem called ‘Mochou Song’ before me, so I will not use that title again. I will use ‘Mochou Ci’ instead.”

"Wait, Scholar Zhao!" Young Master Fuyao suddenly spoke up.

"Hmm?" Zhao Ti looked at the other person and raised his eyebrows.

"Since you just said that writing poetry is as simple as eating and drinking, why did you only write one poem? Couldn't you write two for Miss Mochou?" said Young Master Fuyao.

"This, let's not do it..." Mo Chou looked at Zhao Ti, her voice gentle, and shook her head slightly.

“Why would Miss Mochou refuse? Scholar Zhao makes writing poems and lyrics sound so easy. It’s just one more poem, what’s so difficult about that? This is not me bullying others, it’s just what Scholar Zhao himself said, how could he go back on his word?” Young Master Fuyao said with a glint in his eyes.

"Would you like to compose two poems?" Zhao Ti looked at Young Master Fuyao, gently turning his teacup in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"It's just two poems, surely Scholar Zhao can compose them?" Young Master Fuyao said with a mocking expression.

Zhao Ti smiled and looked at Mo Chou: "Miss Mo Chou, would you like some?"

"Ah, I..." Mo Chou was stunned for a moment, not expecting Zhao Ti to actually agree with what Young Master Fuyao said. However, composing a masterpiece is already extremely difficult, after all, it is done on the spot, and to compose another one would be even more difficult than climbing to heaven.

Zhao Ti nodded without saying anything.

"I, I want..." Mo Chou blinked her clear eyes. At this moment, she couldn't say no no no matter what. She had to accept whatever the other party offered. She wondered how the other party could possibly compose another poem.

“If Miss Mochou wants it, that’s fine, but…” Zhao Ti’s smile deepened as he looked at Young Master Fuyao: “I think it’s better not to write just two poems, since you’re going to write them, write more, let’s write three.”

"What, you..." Young Master Fuyao was stunned for a moment, then his face darkened and he said, "What do you mean by being petty? I don't believe you can compose three poems on the theme of 'Mo Chou' in a row. That's impossible, absolutely impossible, unless you just wrote them down randomly. It's not worthy of being called a masterpiece!"

Mo Chou looked at Zhao Ti with some confusion. Composing two poems was already an impossible task, let alone three.

"If my poem 'Mo Chou' is not a good poem, then I'm afraid my 'Mo Chou Song' cannot be considered a masterpiece either," Zhao Ti said calmly, taking a sip of tea and standing up.

"You, you scholar Zhao! I thought you were just a little arrogant, but I never expected you to be so conceited!" Upon hearing this, Young Master Fuyao slammed his fist on the table in anger: "I'd like to see what you can come up with, that you actually dare to compose three poems and compare them to the Song of Mo Chou?"

Zhao Ti, with a calm expression, stepped out from beside the table and said, "I will compose three poems in the Qingping Tune style and present them to Miss Mochou."

"Qingping Tune?" Mo Chou's eyes gleamed with delight. Qingping Tune is the name of a ci poem title, a short lyric poem. Its rules are similar to those of a seven-character quatrain, but it is not easy to compose because it is not like a Yuefu poem where tones can be ignored. It requires a complete rhyme scheme and format. However, judging from the other party's confident demeanor, it seemed that composing it would be a piece of cake.

"Qingping Tune?" Young Master Fuyao pursed his lips. "You actually write lyrics? Very well, let's see what kind of lyrics you can write that rival Mochou's Melody!"

A faint smile appeared on Zhao Ti's face. He walked to the center of the study, pondered for a moment, and then spoke: "Mo Chou Ci, Qing Ping Diao..."

The room was quiet at this moment, with only the sound of water and wind rustling the window screens. Then Zhao Ti was heard reciting:

"The clouds remind me of her clothes, the flowers of her face; the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, the dew is heavy; if not seen on the Jade Mountain, she will be met under the moon on the Jade Terrace."

"Ah, what!" As soon as he finished speaking, Young Master Fuyao stood up abruptly from his chair, staring blankly at Zhao Ti with eyes full of shock.

"Clouds yearn for her garments, flowers for her face?" Mo Chou's expression was one of delight, and she murmured softly, "What a beautiful line, what a beautiful line! Just this one line is enough to be passed down through the ages..."

Mo Xun's face twitched uncontrollably, and he clenched his fists tightly, clearly very excited.

Then Zhao Ti continued speaking:
"A single red blossom, glistening with dew and fragrant, makes the clouds and rain of Wushan seem like a vain heartbreak. I ask you, who in the Han palace could compare to her? Pity Flying Swallow, leaning on her new makeup."

"Huh?!" Young Master Fuyao gripped the edge of the table with both hands, his body swaying slightly, his face turning slightly pale, and his eyes beginning to glaze over.

Mo Chou gently bit her lip, revealing a girlish demeanor, and looked down at the tips of her shoes, but couldn't see them no matter what she did.

Mo Xun's face flushed red, his fists clenched tighter, and his breathing became rapid.

At this moment, Zhao Ti spoke again: "A beautiful flower and a stunning beauty, both pleasing to the eye, are admired by the king with a smile. They explain the boundless sorrow of spring, leaning against the railing north of the Agarwood Pavilion."

"What?! This is impossible!" Young Master Fuyao's face turned deathly pale, his expression revealing a hint of horror, and his breathing became erratic.

Mo Chou stared at Zhao Ti, slightly dazed, her cheeks flushed, and her heart pounded involuntarily.

Mo Xun's shoulders trembled, his eyes flashed with disbelief, and his face was completely stiff.

Having finished composing all three poems, Zhao Ti smiled slightly at the group and said, "Miss Mochou, what do you think of my three 'Qingping Tunes'?"

(End of this chapter)