Chapter 258 Not Exactly
After being speechless, Emperor Qing was also somewhat amused.
I wanted to take this opportunity to test Mei Chengan's thoughts, but I didn't expect this kid to be so cunning and not respond at all.
And he gave such a cunning answer.
Now that the kid has just made a contribution and this is a celebratory dinner, well, just let this kid go for now and not make things difficult for him.
Having made the decision, Emperor Qing glanced at Mei Cheng'an unhappily and then stopped looking at him. He pondered for a moment and then spoke.
"Although Fan Xian is famous for his poetry, he still has little experience."
Hearing this, Mei Cheng'an raised his eyebrows, curled the corners of his mouth, picked up a piece of vermicelli with chopsticks and put it in his mouth, holding the wine glass while chewing and watching the show.
Emperor Qing's words seemed to indicate that he was not very satisfied with the Second Prince's proposal, but in fact he had already given a subtle hint.
The ministers didn't understand and all breathed a sigh of relief.
But the second prince understood immediately that Fan Xian did not have enough experience, so why not just find someone with more experience to work with him?
Mei Cheng'an had been an official for six or seven years and had sufficient experience and fame. He also went to the Ministry of Rites for further studies during the Spring Examination.
The two of them are known as the Gemini stars and are good friends. Wouldn't it be a win-win situation for everyone if they can host the show together?
The second prince was about to change his proposal, but unexpectedly the crown prince who was sitting nearby suddenly stood up, knelt down in front of him and spoke.
"Your Majesty, although Fan Xian has little experience, his talent is undeniable. I second the proposal that Fan Xian preside over the Spring Examination Conference!"
The noise of chaos in the hall arose again, even louder than before.
The Crown Prince and the Second Prince, two people who have always been at odds with each other, have now reached an agreement. Your Majesty will not change his mind, right?
The second prince looked at the prince's back and was speechless. Are you stupid? Why are you making trouble at this time?
Emperor Qing noticed the discussions among his ministers and felt speechless. He had finally suppressed them, but they were stirred up again.
Glancing helplessly at the Crown Prince, Emperor Qing was in no mood to listen to the Second Prince who was hesitant to speak any further, so he cut the Gordian knot.
"There is still some time before the Spring Examination. We will decide then. You all can go down now."
The Second Prince felt that his proposal, which he thought was perfect, was stuck in his throat. He rolled his eyes at the Crown Prince's back as he kowtowed and left.
He is incapable of accomplishing anything and always causes trouble. He is such a bad teammate!
The two princes had just returned to their seats, and Fan Xian also sat back quietly. Emperor Qing picked up his chopsticks again and was about to pick up a bite of food.
Zhuang Mohan, who had been silent all the time, suddenly spoke again.
"His Majesty."
Emperor Qing had no choice but to put his chopsticks down again and look at him. He still had to give enough respect to the master of literature.
"Mr. Zhuang, do you have anything to say?"
Zhuang Mohan pointed to Fan Xian's seat below the stage and asked.
"Is this young man Fan Xian?"
Mei Cheng'an was delighted when he heard this. He silently put down his chopsticks and poured himself a glass of wine. Here he comes, here the sex scene is about to begin.
Emperor Qing glanced at Fan Xian and answered the question with a question.
"Mr. Zhuang also knows him?"
Zhuang Mohan nodded slightly.
“I’ve read his poems.”
Emperor Qing felt somewhat smug. He looked at Zhuang Mohan, glanced at Fan Xian, and curled his lips, seemingly being modest but actually showing off his own talent.
"Although this person is young, he has some talent for poetry. Mr. Zhuang should give him more support."
However, Zhuang Mohan did not say anything humble and polite as Emperor Qing wanted. Instead of responding to Emperor Qing's words, he said.
"I am an old man who was originally a minister of Qi State. I don't need to say much about the political affairs of Qing State. However, this Spring Examination is the foundation of scholars' lives. When choosing the person in charge, I should be cautious."
Mei Cheng'an took a sip of wine from his glass, thinking that this was only Zhuang Mohan. If it was someone with bad intentions, he would probably use him as a scapegoat and put him and Fan Xian on opposite sides.
Zhuang Mohan is still too upright. He is so restrained and polite even when doing bad things. Rui Si pays homage.
Emperor Qing was a little confused for a moment about where Zhuang Mohan's subtle dislike for Fan Xian came from, and he agreed with him without showing it on his face.
"Mr. Zhuang is right. We should be extremely cautious when it comes to the Spring Examination."
Having said that, it means that the topic should end here. However, there is someone who does not want the topic to end so hastily, and that person is the eldest princess.
Of course, when Princess Mo Ming stood up and saluted him, Emperor Qing realized that Zhuang Mohan's uncharacteristic behavior might be related to her.
Evidence? There is no evidence. Who made her jump out at this time?
Looking at her expressionlessly, Emperor Qing picked up the chopsticks and calmly picked up the food. He wanted to see what the eldest princess was going to do next.
After paying their respects to Emperor Qing, the Princess left her seat and walked to the front of the stage.
"Mr. Zhuang has a comprehensive knowledge of both ancient and modern times. I have always admired him, but I cannot agree with what he just said."
As she spoke, the princess nodded slightly towards Zhuang Mohan.
Zhuang Mohan nodded in return without saying anything. Emperor Qing ate his food calmly and watched coldly.
The eldest princess straightened up and continued.
"Although I am only a woman, I have read Fan Xian's seven-character poem. This man is very young, but just from this poem, we can see that he is very talented. Your words just now were vaguely directed at Fan Xian. Are you worried that the young man will surpass you and become more famous than you in the future?"
Zhuang Mohan smiled and said nothing.
Emperor Qing curled the corner of his mouth. There was nothing wrong with what he said, but it was problematic when it came out of her mouth. It was interesting. Let's keep watching.
Fan Xian sneered in the audience. His mother-in-law, who wanted to kill him, was now speaking up for him?
Will the weasel give New Year greetings to the rooster? Will it put him at ease?
Looking at the wine glass handed over by the fellow villager, Fan Xian glanced at the eldest princess who picked up the glass and clinked it with the fellow villager.
He understood what his fellow villager meant, so he was not in a hurry and just drank slowly and watched the situation progress.
The eldest princess' performance was still going on. She turned around, faced the ministers in the audience, waved her hands slowly and spoke loudly.
"Everyone here is a loyal minister and a scholar, so naturally you don't like verbal disputes. I don't know the etiquette, but I am willing to speak a fair word for the talented scholar of Qing country."
Zhuang Mohan extended his hand to Fan Xian and spoke to the princess.
"Are you talking about that seven-character poem?"
The eldest princess turned to him and took a step forward.
"That's right, sir. May I ask, sir, is there any poem that can surpass Fan Xian's seven-character poem?" The impoliteness in his words was about to burst out. Zhuang Mohan was fine, and his face did not change. However, the faces of the officials of Northern Qi Dynasty sank.
Emperor Qing slammed his chopsticks heavily on the table and shouted.
"Li Yunrui! Don't be rude in front of the palace!"
The princess bowed and nodded to Emperor Qing, then quietly returned to her seat and sat down.
Emperor Qing leaned back, adjusted his sitting position, then leaned forward and looked at Zhuang Mohan and spoke gently.
"Mr. Zhuang is a man of many hearts. You don't have to pay attention to these words."
Zhuang Mohan smiled gently, straightened his head and recited slowly.
"The wind is strong, the sky is high, the monkeys are howling and mourning."
"Nagiri, sand, white, bird, fly, back."
"The endless fallen leaves rustle down."
"The endless Yangtze River, roll, roll, roll."
"Ten thousand miles, sad autumn, always, a guest."
"I have been ill for a hundred years, but I am on stage alone."
"Hardship, bitterness, and hatred, my hair is covered with frost."
"Low, pour, new, stop, turbid, wine, cup."
Zhuang Mohan read out the poem in an old and muddy voice, adding a sense of sadness. Everyone in the hall listened attentively, with dazed eyes.
Mei Cheng'an nodded silently. Zhuang Mohan really understood this poem.
Even Fan Xian, who was unhappy with him, had to admit that Zhuang Mohan brought the poem to life and it was so comfortable to listen to.
The two looked at each other and clinked their glasses silently. This is the real big boss.
After Zhuang Mohan finished reciting, he took a long time to calm down before he sighed.
"What a great poem! I have written poems all my life, but none of them can compare to this one!"
Everyone was still lingering on the topic, but the eldest princess had already woken up. Upon hearing this, she tilted her head towards Zhuang Mohan.
"So, Mr. Zhuang is willing to admit defeat?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone came back to their senses, and the argument was not over yet.
Zhuang Mohan nodded.
"The first four lines of this poem are excellent."
The eldest princess followed without hesitation.
"But everyone says that the best part of this poem is the last four lines!"
Emperor Qing narrowed his eyes and looked at Zhuang Mohan. From what he just said, it seemed that he was very secretive about the last four sentences. What was the answer?
Zhuang Mohan said in a gentle voice.
"These last four lines are naturally quatrains."
After saying that, he suddenly sighed heavily and shook his head.
"Alas, what a pity! That was not written by Mr. Fan!"
As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the audience was shocked.
Emperor Qing's face remained calm, but a gleam of light flashed in his eyes. It was just as he expected.
Since they dared to launch the attack in front of him, the evidence must be prepared. He was now curious about what evidence Zhuang Mohan would produce to prove his words.
Fan Xian was stunned for a moment when he heard this, his eyes fixed on Zhuang Mohan, and then he looked at his fellow villager. Hiss~ Could it be that this old man is also a time traveler?
Mei Chengan rolled his eyes and thought, what is this? If he was a time traveler, why would he single out these four sentences? Just read on.
The look was a little complicated, and Fan Xian didn't understand it, but at least he knew that his fellow villager scoffed at his idea.
If the fellow villager said it was definitely not the case, then he would feel relieved.
The eldest princess looked at Zhuang Mohan in surprise.
"Sir, do you mean that this poem was plagiarized by Fan Xian?"
Zhuang Mohan nodded.
"Yes!"
The eldest princess seemed stunned and stopped talking.
Emperor Qing glanced at the eldest princess, thought about it and decided to join in the fun.
Firstly, he likes to be lively, and secondly, if the blame is really put on him, he can prepare for it in advance.
After thinking about it, Emperor Qing closed his eyes and spoke with a puzzled look on his face.
"Tsk, I also find it very strange, where did he come from, such a great talent."
The eldest princess could hardly conceal the smile on her face; the balance of victory had already tipped in her favor.
Emperor Qing looked towards the audience.
"Fan Xian."
Fan Xian poured himself a glass of wine, put down the jug and looked at Emperor Qing.
Emperor Qing asked.
"Do you have anything to say?"
Fan Xian picked up his wine glass and shouted loudly.
"Mr. Zhuang can say whatever he wants. Anyway, Mr. Zhuang is highly respected. Empty words are not enough, so his words count!"
After saying this, Fan Xian drank the wine in the glass.
After hearing Fan Xian's true words, the Second Prince felt relieved. He stood up, walked to the front of the stage, knelt down and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I can testify that Fan Xian wrote this poem at a poetry gathering at Prince Jing's mansion. At that time, the palace editor Guo Baokun was also present and can serve as a witness!"
(End of this chapter)
