Prime Minister.

Chapter 62 062 [Aftertaste]

Lu You's poem "Bu Suanzi" is considered the pinnacle of plum blossom poetry, instantly crushing Cui Yanqing's pride and arrogance into dust. Even if he could still stand firmly, there was no need for him to bring out the draft he had just prepared.

If you can't win, why continue to humiliate yourself?
His sudden fainting caused chaos in the hall, but fortunately, Zhanxue Pavilion had a group of experienced managers who quickly carried Cui Yanqing to the elegant room in the back building and sent someone to fetch a doctor immediately.

"Brother Wenyuan is just excited to see a fine work, there's nothing to worry about. Fellow students, there's no need to be concerned."

Gao Tingbi gently comforted everyone, but he had nowhere to relieve the bitterness in his heart.

He painstakingly organized this winter gathering, all to win people's hearts. That's why he spent a fortune to book the Zhanxue Pavilion and used his connections to persuade Qu Zhaoyun to perform. He wanted to use these methods to tell his fellow graduates that if they supported him in the future, their careers would be much smoother.

In addition, he also wanted to win the title of champion. Although this would not directly help his official career, the most important thing for a civil official is reputation. For example, Shen Wang, the Minister of Works, did not make any special achievements in the court for more than ten years. He was able to maintain his position as the leader of the Qingliu faction. In addition to his upright character and outstanding integrity, the key was his literary reputation that spread throughout the country.

Gao Tingbi was not so arrogant as to compare his talent to Shen Wang's, but he was, after all, the top scholar of the Gengchen imperial examination and was confident that he would be the best among the other scholars of the same examination.

But he did not expect that not only Cui Yanqing performed well, but Xue Huai, who rarely showed his talent in poetry, also produced a remarkable work. Moreover, stimulated by Cui Yanqing, he actually wrote another masterpiece on the spot, which is enough to be passed down through the ages.

Thinking of this, Gao Tingbi was filled with remorse, cursing himself for suggesting composing a poem, which had completely benefited others.

However, when Gao Tingbi thought of Cui Yanqing's miserable state, he felt a strange sense of pleasure.

The saying goes, "Better to die for a friend than for yourself." He simply failed to achieve his goal, but Cui Yanqing became the footnote to that plum blossom poem destined to be passed down through the ages.

For thousands of years to come, whenever people read this poem, they will mostly recall the occasion in which Xue Huai wrote it.

In a sense, Cui Yanqing has made his mark on history because of this, but Gao Tingbi believes that he would never have accepted such an outcome.

Perhaps it was because of the thought of himself becoming a backdrop to highlight Xue Huai's outstanding talent that Cui Yanqing was overwhelmed with grief and indignation, which led him to faint without hesitation.

The hall gradually returned to normal order. Unlike Gao Tingbi, the group of young talents had mixed feelings. They briefly inquired about Cui Yanqing's condition, and then continued to immerse themselves in the artistic conception of the poem about plum blossoms.

Wu Jing, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, sincerely praised: "Unwilling to contend for spring's favor, letting all the flowers be jealous... This line is extremely exquisite, and the plum blossom's pride leaps off the page. Xue Shidu's choice of words and sentence structure is truly admirable."

"I prefer the last sentence."

Zheng Xuanming, the Imperial Academy Instructor, said with admiration: "'Grinded into dust' perfectly captures the sorrow and desolation, and the desolation is overwhelming. However, even if it is crushed to pieces, its fragrance will remain in the world. Xue Shidu's work does not contain the word 'plum', but it has captured the spirit of the winter plum. We scholars should emulate it."

Everyone nodded in agreement, praising and exclaiming in admiration.

Although Xue Huai's performance today was an eye-opener for them, no one doubted that the poem was not written by Xue Huai.

The reason for this is that Xue Huai's upright and unyielding nature is well known, and the theme of "Winter Plum Blossom" was temporarily proposed by Gao Tingbi. In addition, this poem seems to be a reflection of Xue Huai's tortuous fate after entering officialdom. Because his brilliance was too dazzling, his enthusiasm was not understood by others at first. Many people in the capital's officialdom regarded him as a joke. However, Xue Huai did not give up on himself, just like the plum blossom's proud spirit in the frost.

As the focus of the banquet, Xue Huai was neither pretentious nor arrogant. He accepted everyone's praise with composure and skillfully steered the conversation toward their works.

The sedan chair, adorned with flowers, is carried by many people, bringing joy to all.

Behind the curtain, the courtesan Qu Zhaoyun clasped her hands together, muttering to herself, "To write such a masterpiece in such a short time, Xue Shidu's talent is immeasurable. It seems he was holding back before. Such a person..."

The maid looked at her with some concern and asked, "Miss, what's wrong?"

Qu Zhaoyun looked at the curtain in front of her and said softly, "Go find Xue Shidu now and tell him that Zhaoyun admires Shidu's great talent and requests a meeting in person."

The maid was taken aback. She had served Qu Zhaoyun for many years and knew best how high her young mistress's standards were. In the past, it was not easy for those powerful and wealthy people to even see her, and no one had ever made her take such initiative.

However, when she thought about the reactions of the young talents outside, she gradually understood Qu Zhaoyun's thoughts. So she stepped around the curtain and went straight to the room, bowing to Xue Huaifu and saying, "Greetings, Xue Shidu. My young lady requests to see you."

No one was surprised; they all said that this great musician loved poetry and lyrics, and he would definitely be unable to sit still after hearing this poem about plum blossoms.

For a moment, they were filled with both admiration and envy.

This is the kind of power that a top-notch poem can have in an era dominated by intellectuals.

Since coming into this world, Xue Huai knew that he would become a plagiarist sooner or later. He did not resist it, but he would not rely on it as his only means of support, nor would he act rashly regardless of the timing or occasion.

He turned to look at the cautious maid, whose words were ambiguous. To most onlookers, it would seem that Qu Zhaoyun wanted to meet him in private. So he smiled and said, "Master Qu rarely sees guests. Since she has such an interest, please let her meet with us, who are of the same age."

The maid dared not say anything more and quickly nodded in agreement.

The crowd looked at Xue Huai with even greater affection, feeling that their trip had been worthwhile. Not only had they witnessed the birth of a masterpiece, but they had also met the talented and beautiful Qu Xing of Zhanxue Pavilion.

Under their expectant gazes, the curtain slowly opened, and Qu Zhaoyun stepped out. She wore a light blue velvet coat, with a dark pattern around the collar that made her cheeks appear as white as jade. Her black hair was styled into a cloud-like bun, like an ink painting of a lady emerging from a traditional Chinese painting.

She was tall and slender, with a white jade plum blossom pendant hanging from her waist. As she walked, the folds of her skirt rippled like water, yet no tinkling of the pendant could be heard; she exuded an air of refined elegance.

The group of young officials unconsciously held their breath.

They had all heard of this master musician's extraordinary talent, but upon seeing her today, they realized she was as beautiful as jade, with an elegant demeanor that belied her status as someone who frequented brothels.

Qu Zhaoyun's gaze swept over the assembled talents, finally settling on Xue Huai's face.

His eyes were as clear as if washed by snow water, yet they also held a hint of inexplicable trembling.

Xue Huai remained calm and composed, offering a smile in greeting.

Qu Zhaoyun understood the meaning of this gesture, and then bowed to everyone, saying, "This servant Zhaoyun greets all the esteemed officials."

Gao Tingbi said gently, “There’s no need for such formalities, Master Qu. In the past, when I came to Zhanxue Pavilion, I only heard the sound of the zither but never saw the person in person. Today, I finally get to see the elegant demeanor of Master Qu. I suppose it’s thanks to Xue Shidu’s poem, ‘Bu Suanzi’?”

He had figured it out by now. He knew he couldn't do anything to Xue Huai today, so he might as well be more magnanimous than suffer a crushing defeat like Cui Yanqing, with no chance of making a comeback in the future.

A gentle smile appeared on Qu Zhaoyun's face as she said frankly, "I was overjoyed to see your words and could not contain my excitement. I apologize for making you laugh, Your Excellency and all the other officials."

"What advice does the Master of Music have for me?"

Since the other party had put it this way, Xue Huai didn't want to keep up the act any longer and wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible.

Qu Zhaoyun sensed the distance in Xue Huai's words and lowered her head slightly, saying, "I have a request, but I wonder if I could borrow Xue Shidu's masterpiece to compose a piece?"

The outgoing Wu Jing immediately said, "Xue Shidu's lyrics and the song at the beginning of the song are definitely a perfect match, wonderful!"

The others echoed his sentiments.

Xue Huai could roughly guess Qu Zhaoyun's purpose. In this era, there was an inseparable relationship between literati and courtesans. Literati were proud of winning the favor of beautiful women, while courtesans increased their value by reciting poems.

The poem about plum blossoms that he presented today, sung by Qu Zhaoyun, will make her the most sought-after courtesan in the capital for a short time, unless someone can come up with a better poem.

Xue Huai ignored the commotion from his classmates. He quietly looked at Qu Zhaoyun. Although the other party meant no harm, he didn't want others to think that they had a romantic relationship.

Qu Zhaoyun was quick-witted and understood the reason for Xue Huai's silence. She said gently, "If Xue Huai is bothered by this, I can guarantee that I will not sing this song in front of outsiders after today."

This statement was frank enough, showing that she did not want to use Xue Huai to make a name for herself, but simply admired and appreciated Xue Huai's talent.

“Brother Jingche, since Qu Xingdu has said so, you should agree.”

Gao Tingbi raised an eyebrow at Xue Huai.

"Brother Gao, don't be anxious."

Xue Huai remained calm and looked at Qu Zhaoyun, saying, "Qu Xingshou must be someone who understands lyrics, and she will surely be able to sing out the artistic conception of this 'Bu Suanzi'. I am all ears."

Everyone was overjoyed.

Qu Zhaoyun thanked Xue Huaifu politely, but before she could turn around and return, a commotion suddenly broke out outside, as if a snowstorm had risen from the ground and swirled into the warm, spring-like hall.

"Young Marquis, please calm your anger! Young Marquis, it's not that I'm being presumptuous in front of you, but our humble abode is not in a position to receive guests today. We were unaware that you were in the mood, otherwise we would certainly have made arrangements for you in advance. Right now, inside the main hall—"

The words stopped abruptly, followed by a wail.

Qu Zhaoyun's expression changed slightly, not only because she recognized the person wailing as the head steward of the pavilion, but also because of the words "Young Marquis" he mentioned.

The next moment, a young and violent voice entered the hall.

"You dare block my way? You're as bad as a lamp lit in a latrine!"

"court death!"

(End of this chapter)