The most melodramatic rebirth in history

Chapter 453 Reencounter with Madam Xu, Filling the Lament of a Woman in Her Chamber [Part Two]

【Playing with Ink】

The creation of poetry emphasizes the beauty of rhythm, namely: a consistent rhyme throughout, neat and orderly wording, and a rhythmic pattern.

It often takes repeated deliberation and polishing to create a finished masterpiece.

Therefore, without prior knowledge, it is easy to imagine the difficulty of Madam Xu reciting the first part of the poem while asking Feng Ling to complete the second part.

At least, Madam Xu admitted she couldn't do it!
"Hmm? City Lord Fengling, why haven't you touched a drop of ink... Could it be that you've given up altogether?"

Lady Xu gazed at the pristine white Xuan paper before her jade table, upon which lay only the title of the poem: Butterfly Loves Flowers.

She couldn't help but smile, and looking at the stunned Feng Ling with a flourish, she teased, "Hey, I was going to use this opportunity to tell you something, but it seems that Miao Shuang's love and sorrow are probably not for you!"

"Xu Niang, Cao Zijian composed a poem in seven steps in ancient times, and although I, Feng Ling, may not be a famous master, what is there to fear in completing and perfecting a poem?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Ling's eyebrows relaxed, he lightly rolled up his long sleeve with his left hand, and dipped his brush in two ounces of ink with his right.

Cao Zijian? I wonder who he was!

Xu Niangzi was filled with doubt: I, Xu Niangzi, have read countless ancient books, how come I have never heard of such a person in the history of the Ghost Spirit Continent?
Am I really just ignorant?
Well, it seems I have to keep a straight face and not let him notice anything. I also need to study more!
Feng Ling, unaware that Madam Xu was doubting her own knowledge because of a figure from ancient China, raised his eyes and said, "Madam Xu, I must make a fool of myself. The second stanza also rhymes with 'You'. Please come closer and take a look!"

"Hmm, you've got an idea so quickly?"

Madam Xu quickly put aside her troubled thoughts and acted upon hearing the news. She felt both anticipation and a sense that Feng Ling might be being forced too hard.

So, her heart softened, and as she moved gracefully, she deliberately made an exception and said, "Actually, this is difficult, but there's no rush. If you can complete it within three days, I'll consider you to have passed!"

However, to Xu Niangzi's surprise, the other party not only did not respond, but also got into the mood.

"Butterfly Loves Flowers - Reminiscing on the Lantern Festival"

Holy Land Lantern Festival/Flower Moon/Daytime.

The sounds of music, like the sheng and xiao, can be heard for miles around.

Beads and jade / Leaning on the railing / Casting colorful embroidery,
"A dream of Nanke, a thousand years of life!"

As Feng Ling muttered to himself, recalling the first part of the poem, he wielded his brush with effortless grace, spontaneously filling in the gaps on the rice paper with the inscription:

Prosperity fills the city / Dragon and Rat / Blessing.

A hundred households display their unique charm, and lanterns adorn every corner of the house.

A gentleman bows and offers wine.
Before the desk / Ten thousand volumes / Mingxi's memorial.

"Wow! It actually turned out?"

Madam Xu quickly stepped forward, picked up the Xuan paper to examine it, and exclaimed in disbelief, "Young master, your words are truly elegant and your writing is superb! Even this impromptu piece has reached the level of a masterpiece!" "The pearls and jade in the first stanza refer to a woman in fine attire, which is quite fitting for a gentleman!"

Suddenly, Madam Xu seemed to notice a flaw, frowned slightly, and asked, "However, I'm not quite satisfied with the 'Dragon and Rat Blessing' that corresponds to 'Flower Moon Day.' Could you please explain to me what 'Dragon and Rat Blessing' means?"

Upon hearing this, Feng Ling blurted out, "Judging from the literal meaning, it's not hard to understand! 'Dragon and Rat Bless' means praying for the protection of the Dragon God and the Rat God!"

After saying that, Feng Ling belatedly realized what was going on and tentatively added, "Has Madam Xu ever heard of the folk Lantern Festival customs: dragon lantern dance and rat-chasing feast?"

A "rat-chasing feast"?

Xu Niangzi first nodded "hmm," then shook her head thoughtfully.

Clearly, Madam Xu was aware of the custom of "dragon lantern dance" in the Ghost Spirit Continent and strongly agreed with the people's belief that they prayed to the Dragon God for blessings.

But would people really pray to a rat 'god' for protection?
And if it's a prayer for the protection of the Child God, then why is it called a rat-chasing feast? Isn't this a contradiction, needlessly provoking the displeasure of the 'Child God'?
Thinking this, Madam Xu suddenly felt that Feng Ling was deliberately teasing and insulting her intelligence, and her expression gradually changed, her chest heaving slightly with anger.

"Don't be angry, Madam Xu! This rat-chasing feast is indeed true. Just listen to this story, a story from my distant hometown!"

As he spoke, Feng Ling then gave Xu Niangzi a detailed account of the ancient Chinese custom from his previous life: the rat-chasing feast.

Hearing this, Madam Xu's eyes lit up with surprise. Not only did her anger subside, but she also felt ashamed of her ignorant and inappropriate behavior just now.

However, according to Chinese customs, the "rat-chasing feast" was mainly a tribute banquet held by silkworm farmers.

Because rats often eat large numbers of silkworms at night, people superstitiously believe that if they feed the rats rice porridge on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the rats will stop eating the silkworms.

Therefore, people would cook a large pot of sticky porridge in advance for the Lantern Festival. Some sincere people would even cover it with a layer of meat. They would then put the porridge in bowls and place it in places where rats often appeared, such as on the roof, in the corners of the walls, and on the beams and pillars of the house.

During this process, they would mutter incantations while releasing the offerings, cursing the rats that if they ate the offerings and then the silkworm treasures, they would suffer a terrible death.

The "Rat-Chasing Feast" got its name from this!

The correct approach is to first offer a feast to the rats, then pray that they will stop eating the silkworm's treasure, and finally curse and drive away the offending rats.

"Feng Ling, before I begin to recount your lament, I must first warn you: the time left for you and Miao Shuang is running out!"

Suddenly, Madam Xu carefully put away the Xuan paper containing the second half of the poem, clearly indicating that Feng Ling's completion of the poem had passed her test.

Immediately, she sighed, "Originally, I also thought that your cultivation was far from enough to win the top spot on the Human Ranking and protect Miaoshuang's happiness, but now it seems that there may still be a chance for a reversal between you two!"

Every time a creature hatches, it's a new beginning...

The world is full of chaos and troubles; may the sages and saints offer you a pure land for your souls.

【（＾＿＾）☆】

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(End of this chapter)