Time Travel: I'm a Flower Thief

Seeing that Xie Xiaoyi had chosen the ink plum blossom painting, Tang Jin's arrogance intensified, and she pointed heavily at the ink bamboo painting:

"I'll continue choosing bamboo!"

Then he lightly tapped his fingers on the table, pondered for a moment, and then recited:

With its strong, upright form and deep green color,

Undeterred by the harsh winds, their spirit remains steadfast despite the cold of winter.

Mo Yan said that plants and trees have no backbone.

Standing proudly amidst the rosy clouds, accompanied by the setting moon.

Zhu Lan followed closely behind, heading straight for the painting of autumn chrysanthemums. Touching the corner of her sleeve, she smiled and recited:

Golden blossoms bloom on the eastern fence after the frost.

It does not compete with other flowers for the bright sunshine.

Its proud spirit defies frost, its fragrance travels far.

The buds on the branches await the autumn frost.

After reciting the poem, he chuckled softly.

The words went straight to Xie Xiaoyi: "The reclusive spirit of the chrysanthemum is not something everyone understands; it is a kind of detachment."

Wen Yan hesitated for a moment, then together they chose the chrysanthemum painting and slowly began to speak:

A gentle autumn breeze rustles the short fence.

Flowers bloom not at the same time as butterflies and bees.

He remained aloof and self-possessed beneath the eastern fence.

In my drunken state, I adorned myself with flowers and composed a short poem.

Xu Zhao pointed to the last ink plum blossom painting, his gaze sweeping over Xie Xiaoyi: "How about I compare it with the previous one?"

Sparse branches and slender shadows stand on the cold steps.

Snow and frost may weigh down the colors, but they have not yet been buried.

Waiting patiently for the warm spring breeze.

One branch heralds the arrival of a hundred flowers.

After the four poems were finished, a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted throughout the hall.

Tang Jin and the other three exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with smugness.

"Since you have chosen plum blossoms, please enlighten me!"

"We'll see how much of the plum blossom's proud spirit you, a wandering swordsman, can truly capture!"

Xie Xiaoyi didn't answer the provocation, but turned around and took out an unopened jar of plum blossom wine from the tray of the servant beside him.

He slapped open the mud seal and tilted his head back to pour it into his mouth.

After downing half a jar of wine, just as he was about to recite a poem—

"Wait a minute!"

Bai Letian suddenly spoke up, instantly silencing the whispers throughout the room.

"Today's gathering is a refined event, and the poetry contest is a noble affair. However, if we only discuss poetry, it will lack the carefree spirit of the martial arts world."

With that, he waved to the guards behind him: "Bring me my 'Viewing the Sea'!"

The guard responded and left, returning shortly afterward with a long sword in his hand.

The scabbard was ancient and simple, inlaid with several tiny star patterns. As soon as it appeared, those who knew swords exclaimed in surprise.

Bai Letian took the longsword and gently stroked the scabbard with his fingers:

"This sword was forged by the renowned swordsmith Ou Yezi. It can cut through iron like mud and sever a hair with a breath. It is worth a thousand gold pieces!"

"Let this sword be the prize for today's poetry contest! Whoever wins, this sword will be his!"

These words immediately caused a stir in the room.

The eyes of the four great talents of Qingjiang City lit up. A sword worth a thousand gold pieces was a symbol of status and honor.

Who wouldn't want that?

Fu Yaoqin walked slowly to the center of the arena, her delicate hand gently brushing the strands of hair at her temples:

"Since the city lord has gifted me a precious sword, I will also add a small gift as a token of my appreciation."

As she spoke, she looked up at the crowd, her voice gentle and melodious:

"The winner of this poetry contest is welcome to have a small gathering at my Ya Yin Fang."

I will prepare the finest wine, and we will sit together, discuss poetry and literature, and admire the calligraphy and paintings in the neighborhood until we are completely satisfied.

These words immediately amplified the noise in the room.

Fu Yaoqin is the most beautiful woman in Qingjiang City. This prize is even more coveted than the sword.

Tang Jin and his group were breathing heavily, their demeanor shifting from provocation to a determination to possess Fu Yaoqin.

Xie Xiaoyi's gaze swept over the "Viewing the Vast Ocean" sword, then looked at Fu Yaoqin.

Haha!

Swords are needed.

An invitation from a beautiful woman is even more desirable!

He chuckled softly, raised his hand, and tilted his head back to gulp down the remaining half-jar of plum blossom wine.

With a flick of his wrist, the empty wine jar flew out of his hand and crashed onto the bluestone slab with a "bang," shattering into countless porcelain shards.

The movements were rather graceful.

The noise in the room instantly fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on him.

Xie Xiaoyi stretched and glanced at the ink plum blossom painting:

"The poems and calculations of everyone just now were acceptable, but they were too confined to one aspect of the style, which inevitably led to their inferiority!"

Today, I will express my feelings through the plum blossom, and let you all see what the true spirit of the plum blossom is!

Haha!

Cui Daorong, Wang Anshi, and Zhu Dunru, I'd like to borrow your talents.

Xie Xiaoyi cleared his throat, his voice slightly tipsy, yet each word was firm and resonant:

A few buds, just beginning to hold snow, their solitary beauty is hard to capture in a painting.

Its fragrance has a unique charm, and its purity is so exquisite that one feels no chill.

I listen to the mournful sound of the flute, and gaze upon the sick man leaning against a slanting branch.

If the north wind understands my heart, please do not destroy me.

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole room was shocked, and the talented scholar named Wen Yan suddenly stopped.

Xie Xiaoyi, without waiting for everyone to savor the moment, continued reciting aloud:

A few plum blossoms in the corner of the wall, blooming alone in the cold.

I know from afar it is not snow, for there is a faint fragrance in the air.

When the second poem was finished, everyone was even more astonished.

Does he write poetry without pausing?

How can you write a good poem if you don't even think about it?

Ironically, his poems are easy to recite, and every line is a masterpiece that will go down in history.

Is this what it means to write a hundred poems after drinking?

But what was even more alarming was that Xie Xiaoyi threw his head back and burst into laughter:

I am Qingjiang Shanshui Lang,

Heaven has ordained a free and unrestrained spirit.

He once issued rain and wind coupons.

The poem "Borrowing the Moon from the Flowing Clouds" is played repeatedly.

Ten thousand poems, a thousand cups of wine,

How often have I ever paid attention to princes and kings?

I'm too lazy to return to the jade towers and golden palaces.

Let us adorn ourselves with plum blossoms and revel in the beauty of Luoyang...

The moment the poem ended, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence for three breaths.

He offered a buy-one-get-three-free deal, and there was almost no pause between the three poems.

This talent is truly extraordinary.

The first to regain his senses was City Lord Bai Letian, who slammed his hand on the stone table and exclaimed in praise:

"What a wonderful line, 'If the north wind understands my heart, it will not easily destroy me!'"

What a beautiful line, "Let us tuck plum blossoms into our hair and get drunk in Luoyang!"

These three poems by Xie Xiaoyou either praise the plum blossom's integrity, celebrate its spirit, or express his feelings about it.

Every word is a gem, far surpassing the pedantic views of us mere scholars!

As soon as she finished speaking, Fu Yaoqin gently lifted her skirt and slowly walked to Xie Xiaoyi:

"Young Master Xie's talent is truly astonishing. Yaoqin's Elegant Music Pavilion is always ready to welcome you."

The onlookers then seemed to wake from a dream, and cheers instantly erupted throughout the gathering.

"This is the pinnacle of the poem about plum blossoms!"

The poems of the Four Great Talents of Qingjiang City are utterly insignificant compared to this!

"‘I am a man of Qingjiang's mountains and rivers,’ how wonderful! It perfectly captures the spirit of our Qingjiang city!"

Tang Jin and the other three were petrified, completely speechless.

Impressed.

I am convinced and full of admiration.

Xie Xiaoyi's three poems are all far superior to their works, leaving them utterly speechless.

Zhu Lan's hand trembled, and she sighed softly:

"What a wonderful line, 'I am a man of the mountains and rivers of Qingjiang'!"

It vividly portrays the spirit of those of us who dwell in Qingjiang City. Wonderful, truly wonderful!

Wen Yan couldn't help but nod, and said in a deep voice:

"I'd rather not return to the jade towers and golden palaces, and get drunk in Luoyang with plum blossoms in my hair."

This kind of unrestrained arrogance can only be possessed by a true genius.

Today... the loss was indeed justified.

Bai Letian strode to the guard's side and drew out the "Viewing the Sea" sword.

The moment the sword was drawn, a cold light swept across the entire arena, catching everyone's attention.

"A fine sword deserves a talented scholar! With your talent, young friend Xie, this 'Viewing the Vast Ocean' sword is truly worthy of you!"

Having said that, he sheathed his sword and handed it to Xie Xiaoyi:

"This sword has long been with me; today I bestow it upon you, hoping that you will wield it, possess your talents, and make a name for yourself!"

Xie Xiaoyi staggered slightly, reeking of alcohol, and took the "Viewing the Sea" sword with a raised hand.

"Very well... Thank you for the sword, Lord City Lord."

Having said that, he glanced at the four talented scholars of Qingjiang, whose faces were ashen.

"You guys are good, but there's nothing I can do about it. You've run into me today... and I'm not fighting alone!"