The monthly literary poetry festival is about to begin.
The rule was to start at 9:00 p.m., and as soon as the teahouse opened in the early morning, people started coming in one after another.
Before the poetry reading began, there was only boiled water in the teahouse. There was a big teapot and anyone who wanted to drink water could pour it themselves.
Generally, those who come first are children from poor families who need to rely on their talents to attract the attention of the nobles.
Those noble sons and talented ladies from the capital all arrived almost at the appointed time.
Cui Boyao arrived earlier, so he sat on the second floor so that he could observe the situation in the backyard.
Liu Qiaoer and Linglong were both serving him in the room.
Liu Qiaoer also asked someone to prepare the four treasures of the study so that she could use them later.
Gradually, more and more people came.
Suddenly, Linglong tugged at Liu Qiaoer's sleeve: "Look, look, Miss Hu is here. She is the daughter of the Imperial Censor, the most beautiful woman in the capital, Hu Bingxue."
Not only is she talented but she is also beautiful. As soon as she arrived, all the men attending the poetry reading fixed their eyes on her, attracting all their attention.
"She's really pretty." Even Liu Qiao'er, who had seen many beauties, was amazed when she saw Hu Bingxue, "Prince, you are so lucky."
There are many reasons why women are beautiful, but the beauty of their bones is undeniable.
She has a small face the size of a palm, a pair of peach blossom eyes, a straight nose, a cherry mouth, and the proportions of her facial features are still beautiful even in modern times.
Cui Boxiao just glanced at him calmly and said, "Nothing special, not even half as good as you."
Liu Qiaoer rolled her eyes. It wasn’t that he was blind, it just meant that he saw beauty in everything.
Hu Bingxue had just walked over when two or three more women came over shortly. As expected, comparison is the thief of joy. Compared with Hu Bingxue, they were all ordinary people.
Just as the poetry reading was about to begin, Linglong tugged at Liu Qiaoer's sleeve again.
"Miss Su is here. She is the daughter of a scholar from the Imperial Academy. I heard that she always outshines Miss Hu in every poetry competition. If she wasn't ugly, I'm afraid her reputation would have surpassed Miss Hu long ago."
Everyone is here, the most beautiful woman in the capital, and the most talented woman in the capital are here.
Liu Qiaoer and the other two leaned against the window and looked into the yard. It looked quite neat.
Linglong did not forget her mission and reminded him, "Sir, you must look carefully later. If you like that girl, I will tell the Marquis's wife later."
Cui Boxiao said impatiently: "If you can tell after one or two times, you must do it more often."
The poetry meeting began, hosted by a nobleman. Cui Boxiao seemed to have some impression of this man. It was said that he was the son of the Minister of Rites and the current Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, Mr. Zhu.
His office is responsible for literary affairs in the court, so it is most appropriate for him to be in charge.
Master Zhu knocked the gong lightly and shouted with a smile.
"My dear gentlemen, my dear ladies, today's poetry gathering has begun. Without further ado, let's follow the same process as before. We will drink tea while reciting poems and writing couplets. As usual, the gentleman who won first place last month will set the topic. The best poems, songs, paintings, and lyrics will be selected."
"In addition, today's tea will be hosted by the second son of the Minister of Personnel, Young Master Yang Song. Please applaud."
The person who undertakes the transaction is the one who pays the money and tells the waiter who to contact to settle the money later.
As for the questions, they don’t come out all at once.
The first one is poetry, and today's topic is wine. As soon as the topic came out, everyone gathered in groups of three or four to discuss it.
If anyone has an idea, they can write it down on the pen, ink, paper and inkstone next to the tea table where they place the refreshments.
After writing, sign it with a pen name you gave yourself. This pen name is chosen randomly and is different for each competition, similar to a modern online name. You cannot let anyone know your real name to prevent the fairness of the competition.
Then, it was handed over to the servant boy who hung it on a rope beside the flower bed for everyone to comment on.
Finally, when everyone unanimously comes up with a good poem, they will add a red flower next to it. Whoever has more red flowers wins.
Soon, someone got inspiration and started to paint.
Liu Qiaoer touched Cui Boxiao's arm: "Do you have any poems?"
Linglong was reading with great interest. When she heard what Liu Qiaoer said, she turned her head and glanced at Cui Boxiao, looking embarrassed: "The prince came here twice, but the poems he wrote were not good. He has not come since then. If you ask him to write a poem again, wouldn't it be difficult for him..."
Unexpectedly, as soon as Linglong finished speaking, Cui Boxiao's eyes lit up: "I got it, that one..."
As he spoke, Cui Boyao came to the desk and wrote down four lines of poetry in vigorous and powerful cursive script.
Liu Qiaoer nodded and gave Cui Boxiao a thumbs up: "Not bad, not bad, the nine years of compulsory education were not in vain..."
Although Cui Boyaoren was living abroad, his family never gave up on his education. In their villa abroad, there was a room full of books for him to read since he was a child.
A person can be without a diploma, but cannot be without culture.
Chinese civilization is profound and extensive. Cui Boyao still likes it very much and is studying it very hard.
Liu Qiaoer blew the ink dry and called the waiter at the door: "Go, hang this up too."
The waiter was illiterate. The visitor was the prince and the owner, so he did whatever he was told to do.
Linglong knew how to read, and looked at Cui Boxiao's signature: "Young Master Xu Ri, is this the name the prince gave himself?"
Isn’t Bo Xiao the rising sun
About an hour later, after everyone finished writing, they began to comment on their poems one by one. Soon, the waiter came to announce, "Congratulations, Prince. There are a total of 57 people here today, and your poem has received more than 40 flowers."
It seems that Cui Boyao is the first place today, firmly.
Liu Qiaoer waved her hand and said, "Go and watch from behind."
The waiter left in response, and Linglong was shocked: "Sir, when did you write such a good poem?"
It's amazing.
Liu Qiaoer said, "Maybe it was a dream."
Cui Boxiao was even more amazing: "After falling into the water, I was unconscious and went to a certain place. After I came back, I felt that my mind was suddenly enlightened and I could remember everything I saw."
Liu Qiaoer smiled secretly. She didn't expect Linglong to believe it.
All right.
Half an hour later, they selected the best poem.
Master Zhu picked out the best poems, with two or three other masters assisting him. The people below were either standing or sitting, or gathered in groups of three or four, waiting for his announcement.
"Everyone, today we have selected the top five good poems. I believe everyone has read them just now. These poems will eventually remain here for everyone to enjoy at all times."
"But I will personally read the best one to you so that you can appreciate it."
When the written poems are hung up, everyone knows what they are, but this one is the one that everyone unanimously recommended as a good poem. Even if Mr. Zhu doesn't read it, everyone can recite it.
"Green ants, new wine, red clay stove. It's going to snow in the evening, can you have a drink?"
"Red against green, a small stove to brew wine, it's going to snow, it's late autumn, such a mood, such a scene, inviting us to drink a glass of wine together, it's really good, good."
Everyone nodded: "It is indeed very poetic and in line with today's season. Good poem, good poem."
"I just don't know who this Mr. Rising Sun is? How about we invite him up here to share his writing inspiration with us?"
Both Master Zhu and the others began to look around in the crowd, vying to see Master Xuri's elegance.