Chapter 127 Goosebumps
Changxin Palace.
The eldest princess, dressed in white, sat in the corridor. She looked up at the sky and opened her red lips slightly.
"The poetry gathering should start now."
The prince who was sitting opposite her also looked at the sky when he heard this.
"It should have already started at this hour."
The eldest princess looked at the prince.
"Is Guo Baokun sure?"
The prince chuckled.
"Aunt, don't worry. I have checked Fan Xian. He has never had a famous teacher in Danzhou, and his poems have never been published. How can he produce any masterpieces in such a short time, just one day?
Guo Baokun has a family background in learning and has the support of the famous Kyoto scholar He Zongwei. It is only a matter of time before he defeats Fan Xian. "
The eldest princess nodded, picked up the teacup and just about to put it to her mouth, she suddenly stopped, her expression changed, and she frowned.
The prince noticed.
"What's wrong, auntie?"
The eldest princess glanced at the prince, took a sip of tea and put down the cup.
"Nothing, I just feel uneasy all of a sudden."
The prince thought for a moment and said.
"Aunt, are you worried that something might happen at the poetry gathering?"
The eldest princess thought for a moment, then nodded hesitantly.
"This is not the first or second time that I have attacked Fan Xian. Every time, something unexpected happens. This time..."
After a pause, the eldest princess suddenly asked.
"Did Mei Cheng'an also go to Prince Jing's Mansion?"
The eldest princess did not discuss with the crown prince before taking action against Fan Xian twice, so the crown prince did not feel much about the two failures, and his expression was relatively relaxed.
"If today is his day off, then he should have gone. I heard that he goes every time he has a day off. Auntie suddenly asked about him. Is she worried that he will help Fan Xian if he goes? I think Auntie is worrying too much.
Auntie must have heard about Mei Chengan's personality. He never likes poetry gatherings. He has never participated in a poetry gathering in all the times he has been to Prince Jing's Mansion. Even if he and Fan Xian are friends, I don't think he will change his preferences for Fan Xian."
The princess' expression eased a little, but she frowned again soon because the uneasy feeling had not disappeared. She felt that her uneasiness came from a certain sentence she had heard, and it was related to Mei Cheng'an. If it was not because of this, then what was it because of? She always felt as if she had missed something. What was it?
The prince saw that the princess was frowning in thought, so he did not disturb her and quietly sipped his tea.
After taking two sips, the eldest princess spoke.
"Has the prince ever read the Dream of the Red Chamber?"
The prince was stunned for a moment.
"I wanted to read it, but I haven't had time yet."
The princess spoke as she thought.
"I haven't read it either, but this book has been so widely circulated and is known as a rare book. Even Mei Cheng'an highly praises it... Yes, with his vision, if Fan Xian wasn't so talented, he would not have been willing to befriend a mere illegitimate child."
The prince's expression became more serious.
"Aunt, do you think that we may have underestimated Fan Xian?"
The eldest princess could feel that she had accurately found the source of her uneasiness. She had always trusted her intuition, but today's poetry gathering... was probably not going to go as she wished.
Thinking of this, the eldest princess's expression relaxed instead, and she even felt a little expectant. She expected Fan Xian to bring her some surprises as she had guessed, which would be fun.
The eldest princess picked up the teacup and said softly.
"We'll know when the results come out."
The prince raised an eyebrow.
……
Prince Jing's Mansion.
forecourt.
Fan Xian wrote the last word "cup", put down his pen, stood up, and looked at Guo Baokun and He Zongwei who had gathered around him.
"I'm done, you two."
Fan Xian pointed to the ladder that had been lifted up by the servant for display.
"Write as many songs as you want. As long as yours is better than this one, you win."
He stopped looking at the two of them, turned around and walked out of the crowd, and the onlookers automatically made way for him.
Guo Baokun and He Zongwei looked at each other in bewilderment.
Fan Xian thought to himself, Du Fu, the poems of Mr. Du are known as the best seven-character regulated verses in ancient and modern times. You can forget about writing poetry in your lifetime.
Fan Xian curled the corners of his mouth, but he felt a sudden pain in his abdomen after just two seconds of feeling proud.
Fan Xian covered his stomach, his expression changed. This shit came at a perfect time, and it showed off in front of others.
Fan Xian was helpless. After thinking for a while, he put down his hand, turned around and asked casually.
"Where is the toilet?"
Li Hongcheng was so shocked by Fan Xian's poem that his eyes were always on Fan Xian. He responded subconsciously after hearing what Fan Xian said.
"backyard."
Fan Xian wondered, how do I know where your backyard is?
"Which way?"
Li Hongcheng pointed to the left.
"there!"
Fan Xian looked in that direction and was completely blocked by the crowd. He could only return the same way. Before leaving the hall, he threw a word to Teng Zijing who was outside the crowd.
"Take good care of my sister."
Teng Zijing said with a smile on his face.
As soon as Fan Xian left, everyone withdrew their gazes and rushed towards the poem, wanting to appreciate it up close.
Fan Ruoruo was very proud of it and her face was beaming.
Guo Baokun stared at the poem with a dull look. How could this be possible? Shouldn't Fan Xian's level be about the same as his? What was going on?
He Zongwei was also speechless. Fan Xian's talent was so outstanding that he was bound to make a big splash. Did he offend him too much? No, he had to save him.
After thinking about it, He Zongwei quietly left the crowd and chased after Fan Xian. After Fan Xian left the hall, he clasped his hands together.
"I'm sorry, old poet. I'm sorry. They are too arrogant. I have no choice but to teach them a lesson with your poem. Hiss~"
The stomachache became more severe. Fan Xian frowned and covered his stomach, unconsciously bending his body.
Before he had taken a few steps, someone suddenly called him from behind, and Fan Xian turned around to look.
He Zongwei walked quickly to Fan Xian and said.
"Mr. Fan, you are indeed a talented writer, but writers need to cultivate their minds. Why should you look down on the writers of the world? If you can calm down and cultivate your virtues, I believe," He Zongwei patted Fan Xian on the shoulder and put on a friendly smile, "you will definitely become a great writer!"
At this time, He Zongwei actually had the nerve to admonish him, a rising star, in the capacity of a senior. He must have drunk too much fake wine and really thought he was a dish. Fan Xian would not indulge him.
Fan Xian covered his stomach with one hand and pointed at He Zongwei with the other.
"Guo Baokun is shameless, you are even more shameless than him."
He Zongwei was confused, he was just saying nice things.
Fan Xian continued.
"When Guo Baokun insulted others, you followed him and agreed. When Guo Baokun was aggressive in his poetry contest, why didn't you mention Jingxin? Oh, now that you can't compete in poetry, you come to me and mention Jingxin, and ask me to take a step back. He Caizi, hiss, have you any shame?"
No, my stomach hurts even more. Fan Xian said and turned to leave, too lazy to deal with such an idiot.
He Zongwei opened his mouth, wanting to ask why he was still cursing, but unfortunately Fan Xian had already walked away. He Zongwei sighed and thought, well, I'd better hold on to him until I die, then he flicked his sleeves and turned back to the hall.
……
backyard.
The last servant who brought the news had already stood up and left.
The second prince sighed.
"A thousand miles of sad autumn, a hundred years of illness, a few short sentences describe the sorrow of the ages, today's poetry meeting has this one, it is enough!"
Mei Cheng'an was so tired of listening to the second prince's exaggerated praise that he just nodded casually in agreement.
Li Roujia's appreciation of poetry can only be said to be average. Although she does not understand the meaning of Fan Xian's poem, "Endless fallen leaves, endless Yangtze River, ten thousand miles of sad autumn, a hundred years of illness" sounds magnificent and powerful. This Fan Xian is good, worthy of being a friend recognized by Brother Cheng'an and her future brother-in-law.
Thinking of this, Li Roujia looked at Lin Wan'er and said in a funny way.
"Cousin, it seems that Fan Xian is not only talented in writing books, but also in writing poetry."
Lin Wan'er's pretty face turned red and she glared at her.
"He has talent, so what are you telling me?"
Li Roujia giggled.
"Just talking casually, why are you so anxious, cousin?"
Lin Wan'er couldn't hold it anymore.
"Who, who is anxious? Stop talking nonsense."
Li Roujia tilted her head and put her fingers on her cheek.
"Oh~ I know who it is, but I won't tell you."
Lin Wan'er's shame had completely flooded her face, and it was completely red...
The second prince was constantly looking at Mei Chengan at this time.
Mei Cheng'an was looked at in confusion.
"Why are you looking at me all of a sudden, Your Highness?"
The second prince said with a smile.
"After listening to Fan Xian's poem, you were so calm. Even if you have confidence in him as his friend, that's not normal. Could it be... you have heard this poem before?"
"..."
Damn, you have such a sharp eye, you can see even this!
Mei Chengan shook his head.
"How is that possible? I was just savoring the poem and didn't have time to be shocked or amazed."
The second prince thought about it and realized that Mei Cheng'an was a great poet, and it would be difficult to surprise him with any poem, no matter how good it was. It was reasonable for him to savor the poem carefully as soon as he heard it.
"So that's how it is. Then, what did you taste?"
Mei Chengan smiled.
"I can taste a feeling of frustration and dissatisfaction. This means I am not happy."
The second prince repeated it in his mind and agreed with it deeply.
"Indeed, he was assassinated in Danzhou, and just after arriving in Kyoto, he was provoked by the prince's followers. It's strange that he can be happy! From this point of view, I need to meet him and boost his confidence. What do you think?"
Mei Chengan smiled.
"Your Highness can try."
The second prince was slightly surprised.
"You don't mind if I take him in as my apprentice?"
Mei Chengan spread his hands.
"Whether His Highness accepts it or not is His Highness' business. Whether He enters or not is Fan Xian's business. What does this have to do with me?"
The second prince said suspiciously.
"Aren't you friends? Aren't you going to give him some advice?"
Mei Chengan shrugged.
"Friends are friends, but we also need to be sensible. If he asks me, I might give him advice, but if he doesn't ask me, I won't take the initiative to say it. Who can guarantee that my ideas are definitely right?
Forcing my ideas on him is immoral and selfish, and that is not what a friend should do. What a friend should do is to respect and understand him no matter what choice he makes. "
The second prince looked at Mei Chengan with admiration.
"Fan Xian is really lucky to have you as his friend!"
Mei Chengan stretched out his hand.
"No, I'm getting goosebumps."
……
(End of this chapter)
