Tang Dynasty Hidden Guards

Qingming Festival usually falls in late February or early March, mostly in early March, but it can also happen in late February.

This year, Qingming Festival falls right at the end of February.

Just as Qingming Festival was beginning to become a hot topic of conversation, a poem about Qingming began to circulate among literati. It quickly spread throughout Luoyang and was even adapted into a children's song, with children singing the poem everywhere.

That afternoon, in the Qingfeng Restaurant in Qinghuafang, officials who had just finished court gathered together for drinks. Two officials were sitting by the window, one of whom, a slightly older official, was reciting poetry.

"The rain falls in torrents during the Qingming Festival, and the travelers on the road are heartbroken."

"Where can I find an inn?" the shepherd boy asked, pointing towards Xinghua Village.

After reciting the poem, the official slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "What a fine poem! What a fine poem!"

The official was Zhang Yue, a drafter in the Imperial Secretariat. Opposite him was an extremely handsome young official, Cui Shi. Zhang Yue and Cui Shi had previously served together as Left Remonstrance Officials and had also participated in the compilation of "The Pearls of the Three Teachings" together. The two had a very good personal relationship.

Seeing Cui Shi's indifferent expression, Zhang Yue smiled and asked, "Brother Cui, do you think this poem is bad?"

"It's alright!"

Cui Shi was somewhat listless. He had invited Yuan Min to go on a spring outing yesterday, but Yuan Min declined, citing her recent busy schedule, which left him feeling frustrated.

He considered himself the most handsome man in the world and was always invincible in front of women. Every day, many young women would ask him out for spring outings. Unexpectedly, the woman he wanted to date directly rejected him.

This poem, "Qingming," is very fitting for the occasion. If the appointment had gone through, he would have read it carefully. But he failed, and in a bad mood, he naturally had no interest in it.

"Is Brother Cui heartbroken over Miss Yuan?"

Zhang poured him a full cup of wine, smiling as he said, "This is authentic apricot blossom wine. Read the poem 'Qingming' and drink a cup of apricot blossom wine, and all your troubles will disappear. It's truly one of life's greatest pleasures!"

Cui Shi didn't deny it. He picked up his wine glass, took a small sip, and felt a little uneasy.

Zhang's eyes lit up. "Actually, these Qingming poems and wine are all related to your Miss Yuan!"

Cui Shi was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Do you know who wrote this poem for Qingming Festival?

Cui Shi shook his head; he didn't care.

Zhang lowered his voice and said, "It was written by Miss Yuan's ex-husband, Xue Wei, and this apricot blossom wine was also brewed by Xue Wei's wine shop."

Cui Shi's expression changed. He had also specifically learned about Yuan Min's situation and knew that her ex-husband was Xue Wei. He had always thought that Xue Wei was a dissolute and incompetent playboy, but he never expected that the Qingming poem was actually written by him. The poem was extremely well-written, expressing emotions through scenery, and he couldn't even compare to it.

Cui Shi suddenly felt a deep sense of loss.

Just then, an official in his forties rushed in, extremely excited, "What a wonderful poem! Ladies and gentlemen, another wonderful poem has arrived!"

Everyone crowded around, and Zhang Yue recognized him as He Zhizhang, a Doctor of the Imperial Academy, and said with a smile, "Brother Ji Zhen, whose fine poem is this?"

"Of course it's Xue Wei's poem; it's a frontier poem!"

Everyone's eyes lit up; Xue Wei had another new poem! They eagerly urged, "Quickly, recite it for us!"

"Listen up!"

He Zhizhang shook his head and recited:

"Why shouldn't a man carry a Wu hook and seize fifty states beyond the passes?"

"Please ascend the Lingyan Pavilion for a moment, sir; which scholar among them has ever become a marquis?"

The restaurant was completely silent. Every scholar and official of the Tang Dynasty had a dream of the frontier and the ambition of becoming a marquis. The poem "Why Shouldn't a Man Carry a Wu Hook?" touched the hearts of everyone present.

Except for Cui Shi, he felt a bitter taste in his mouth and was driven mad with jealousy.

Suddenly, a thunderous cheer erupted from inside the restaurant: "What a wonderful poem! A truly exquisite poem!"

Cui Shi could no longer contain himself, and with a flick of his sleeve, he stormed off.

The poems "Qingming" and "Why Shouldn't a Man Carry a Wu Hook?", which captivated countless scholars, ignited the literary scene in Luoyang within just three days and quickly spread to Chang'an and the entire Tang Dynasty.

Xue Wei rose to fame, not for polo or archery, but for poetry. Regulated verse was just becoming popular, and he won first place. His nickname was changed to the Four Masters, adding the title of "Master of Poetry."

..........

Early in the morning, Xue Wei arrived at the polo field as usual. A match was being practiced on the field, and there were quite a few onlookers, mostly guards and palace maids.

During the Tang Dynasty, palace maids and female officials had three days off each month, which were actually menstrual holidays. They could leave the palace to travel. Many palace maids were bored, so they would go to the Qianniuwei garrison to watch handsome men play polo.

Xue Weigang was about to go to the small court to practice when an unexpected person blocked his way—Li Guo'er.

"Wei Lang, let's talk."

"What is it?" Xue Wei asked coldly.

"I want to apologize to you for what happened at the restaurant that day. I didn't mean it. I was just angry when I said those things."

"Miss Li, we have no connection, and you don't need to apologize to me. I have other matters to attend to, please excuse me."

Li Guo'er shouted, "Who said we had no connection? You spent your wedding night with me. We've been together for three years. Can you deny that?"

Xue Wei's expression changed drastically; Yuan Min's wedding night had unexpectedly turned out to be...

On their wedding night! In later generations, this would mean going directly to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get a divorce, yet Yuan Min actually gave herself a chance.

Only then did he understand why Yuan Min said he had hurt her deeply; he had really gone too far—no! It was Xue Wei of the Tang Dynasty who had gone too far.

But in the end, he will have to take the blame for this mess.

He slowly turned his head to look at Li Guo'er, and said, word by word, "Just because I was a scoundrel before doesn't mean I want to be a scoundrel now or in the future. Princess, you're already engaged, cherish the person in front of you!"

After saying that, he led his horse and strode away.

"The person right in front of me is you!"

Li Guo'er shouted hoarsely, "Wei Lang, I'd rather break off the engagement than let you go! Don't even think about leaving me!"

Xue Chongjian, who rushed over upon hearing the news, happened to hear the last sentence. He sighed helplessly and hurriedly stepped forward to persuade Li Guo'er to go back first. After a while, Li Guo'er left crying.

Xue Wei, with a gloomy face, rode his horse and took a set shot. His ball skills had recovered extremely quickly, and he could now sink a ball every ninety steps, hitting the target every time. He was not far from his peak when he could sink a ball every hundred times.

At this moment, Xue Chongjian walked over and said, "Brother, let's talk."

"What did you say?"

"I heard that Li Guo'er is making a scene about breaking off the engagement; it seems she really cares about you."

"So, should I accept her?"

"Big brother, you used to like her a lot!"

"I was a bastard and a fool before. I had a wife at home, but I still messed around outside. I deserved to be divorced."

"But aren't you divorced now? And Li Guo'er is still deeply in love with you..."

"Stop!"

Xue Wei said coldly, "Xue Chongjian, if you can't get rid of her, are you trying to get me to take over for you?"

"Brother, that's not what I meant."

"So what do you mean?"

Xue Wei glared at him. "Are you pitying her or me? I don't need you to play matchmaker, understand?"

"Fine! I don't care anymore."

Xue Chongjian suddenly remembered something, "I almost forgot the important matter, elder brother, Mother wants you to go back to the Princess's residence after your ball practice this afternoon!"

"Did they say what it was about?"

"About your poetry."

Xue Wei was taken aback. The two poems had actually reached his mother. It was possible that his mother wanted to bring the two poems into the palace.

.........

During the morning breakfast break, Xue Wei rode directly to Nanshi and found the main branch of Qingfeng Restaurant. Yuan Min told her that she spent most of her time there.

It was breakfast time, and the restaurant was packed with guests, creating a lively atmosphere.

As Xue Wei approached the door, a bartender greeted him, "Young master, are you here for a meal?"

"I'm looking for you, Master Yuan. Please inform him of my request."

The waiter shook his head. "My boss doesn't see outsiders."

"I'm not an outsider, I'm her ex... I'm her friend, she knows me very well."

"May I ask how you are addressed, sir?"

Tell her that Xue Wei is looking for her!

The waiter's mouth dropped open. Yuan Min had only taken over her father's business last year, Xue Wei was already in prison, and the two had been divorced by the government. They had never even met their son-in-law.

However, everyone has gossiped about it and knows that the owner's ex-husband is Xue Wei, the Three Absolutes Young Master.

"I understand, please wait a moment, young master!"

The waiter rushed inside, and a moment later, Zuo Qingling came out to greet him, "Young master, my young lady requests your presence!"