Not a Poetry Gathering

He Yutang said, "Put plainly, it's nothing more than the Cold Gate and the aristocratic families fighting over literary fame. The Cold Gate has always been suppressed by the aristocratic families, but now that someone like you has appeared—a Cold Gate talent the Jing Kingdom has never seen before—they naturally want to seize this chance to turn the tables. Still, they should bear you no ill will. Otherwise, they would not have sent so many people. It is also a show of respect, so you will not overthink it."

Fang Yun pondered quietly without speaking.

He Yutang said, "If you can crush all rivals at this poetry gathering, the people of the Lishan Society will certainly invite you to the Start-of-Summer Literary Gathering tonight. They will spread your literary fame and thank you for suppressing the aristocratic families before."

"They have certainly made a fine calculation." Fang Yun said it casually, gazing out the carriage window with a calm expression.

He Yutang immediately said, "Since you do not intend to steal the limelight at the poetry gathering, then it does not matter. But if such a thing happens again in the future, they must offer enough benefits! They cannot have you Charging into the Enemy Formation while they sit back and reap the rewards."

Before long, the carriage left the city and arrived at Five-Li Village, very near the city outskirts.

He Yutang said, "Literary Assemblies of this sort are often held outside the city. After all, the city is full of houses—where would one find spring to admire? Five-Li Village has beautiful scenery and the Yang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. It is beloved by many scholars. Of course, the brothels and pleasure boats here are also unparalleled."

After saying that, He Yutang wore an expression that said, you understand. Fang Yun smiled faintly.

The two discussed the Literary Assembly along the way. Most of the time, He Yutang spoke while Fang Yun listened. He Yutang deliberately mentioned several ways scholars could scheme against and harm others, warning Fang Yun to be careful.

Upon arriving at Five-Li Village, He Yutang directed Fang Daniu to Bright Jade Tower, the location of this poetry gathering.

Fang Yun smiled. "Brother He is a regular here, I see."

Not only was He Yutang unembarrassed, he even looked a little proud.

Scholars and refined gentlemen of the Ten Kingdoms all pursued romance and elegance. So long as they did not wear official robes, even officials could drink with courtesans, though they were forbidden from staying overnight.

Before long, Fang Daniu called out, "Young Master, there are too many carriages ahead. Some attendants are directing traffic and will not let carriages through. We can only stop here."

"Fine. Stop here, then."

Fang Yun and He Yutang got down from the carriage. Fang Yun took out a piece of broken silver weighing nearly half a tael from his purse and handed it to Fang Daniu. "Find somewhere to eat. We do not know when we will leave."

"Thank you, Young Master." Fang Daniu was overjoyed.

He Yutang's eyes lit up. This Fang Yun truly is worth attaching myself to.

The two walked after leaving the carriage, and Fang Yun surveyed his surroundings.

To their right was a river roughly ten zhang wide. When the wind blew, ripples shimmered across its surface.

The opposite bank was covered in dense forest, while this bank was dotted with two-story wooden buildings, each one especially grand and spacious.

These wooden buildings had their backs to the river and faced a stretch of residences in Five-Li Village.

Carriages were everywhere along the road.

The two reached Bright Jade Tower, showed their invitations, and entered the first floor.

Bright Jade Tower's first floor was extremely spacious, furnished with many dining tables and writing desks. The dining tables held all kinds of pastries, cold dishes, and wine, while the writing desks held brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

Six musician courtesans played zithers and flutes in the hall, their melodious music echoing through the air.

More than fifty scholars were scattered across the first floor and the second-floor corridor. Quite a few had one or even two women in their arms, but more than half did not touch the women at all, instead gathering together to chat freely.

Every room on the second floor stood open, and one could faintly hear men conversing and women laughing.

"Fang Double-A!" Gao Minghong waved vigorously at Fang Yun.

The instant those three words rang out, every Academy Student stopped what they were doing. Even the women looked toward the entrance in delight.

The music suddenly fell into disorder. The six musician courtesans had actually become distracted by the sight of Fang Yun and had no choice but to stop playing.

Those in the second-floor rooms also stepped into the corridor and looked toward Fang Yun.

Fang Yun helplessly clasped his hands in greeting to everyone, then walked toward Gao Minghong.

Only one person, upon seeing Fang Yun, hurried into the Heaven-Grade Room on the second floor.

The musician courtesans resumed playing, and Bright Moon Tower returned to normal.

Quite a few people walked toward Fang Yun, intending to strike up conversations with him.

"Fang Yun, you must bring honor to us Cold Gate scholars today and take first place in this poetry gathering," Gao Minghong said.

Fang Yun thought that He Yutang had been right earlier. Gao Minghong must have been used as someone else's pen, or he would not have said such words the moment they met.

"Today, I only brought my mouth, not my hands, so I cannot take up a brush and compose poetry. Once I have eaten my fill, I will leave." Fang Yun smiled.

The scholars around them did not know what had happened and were somewhat at a loss. Some even thought Fang Yun was joking.

Gao Minghong asked in confusion, "What happened? We had just concluded that the poetry gathering's champion could be none other than you. Why are you no longer participating?"

"Writing poetry and lyrics is not like eating or drinking; they do not simply appear whenever one wishes. My inspiration has run dry today. I truly have no way to compose a poem, so I hope everyone will forgive me."

"What a pity."

Many people sighed softly.

Just then, a group of young men dressed in luxurious brocade robes emerged from the Heaven-Grade Room and appeared in the second-floor corridor, leaning against the railing.

The music stopped, and everyone looked toward them.

One scholar whose robe was embroidered with golden carp clasped his hands toward the crowd and said with a smile, "Thank you all for being willing to give me this opportunity to organize and host this Start-of-Summer Literary Gathering. I had originally intended to air a few grievances, but upon hearing that Fang Yun, Fang Double-A himself, had come, all the hardship I have suffered these past days has been worthwhile. On behalf of everyone present, I thank Fang Yun—not only because he has let us see fine poetry, but because he has allowed the scholars of our Jing Kingdom to hold our heads high!" As he spoke, he clapped forcefully.

Bright Jade Tower instantly erupted with thunderous applause.

Yet Fang Yun and a small number of others felt that something was wrong.

Whoever built the stage should sing the opera. This man was hosting the Literary Assembly, yet he praised Fang Yun first and raised him to the heavens. There was clearly something amiss. Moreover, cheers and applause were great honors for actors and storytellers, but suddenly applauding a scholar like this was somewhat reckless.

Gao Minghong immediately said, "He is an important figure in the Elite Society, Guan Yaoyuan. Though he is merely from a prominent family, his uncle serves in the capital as a Principal Fifth Rank Director in the Ministry of Personnel and is a confidant of the Left Prime Minister. This man is extremely close with the two brothers of the Liu Household." After saying this, he gave Fang Yun a warning look.

Fang Yun immediately rose and clasped his hands toward everyone. "Brother Guan praises me too highly. I am merely an ordinary scholar who has occasionally written a few passable poems and lyrics. I would never dare claim any credit. I came here today only to eat the fresh fish of the Yang River. As for this poetry gathering and such, I must rely on Brother Guan."

After saying this, Fang Yun sat down.

Everyone could see Fang Yun's intention to yield. Some were curious, some secretly nodded, and some were dissatisfied, but several people around Guan Yaoyuan wore cold smiles.

Guan Yaoyuan sighed and said, "Speaking of the poetry gathering, Guan must apologize to everyone. Because a servant in my household relayed the message incorrectly, the person writing the invitations made an error. What we are holding is not a poetry gathering, but a lyrics gathering. To express my apology, the prize money for first, second, and third place in this lyrics gathering will be doubled. But since everyone will be composing poetry and lyrics on the spot anyway, surely no one will care about such a minor matter."

"Of course. A poetry gathering and a lyrics gathering are all the same."

"They are both Literary Assemblies, after all!"

The crowd hastily spoke up to smooth things over for Guan Yaoyuan.

A flash of anger crossed Gao Minghong's face. He immediately stood and shouted, "Brother Guan, you did not announce it earlier or later, but changed it only after Fang Yun arrived. Are you afraid of Fang Yun's poetic reputation, so you changed it to a lyrics gathering at the last minute?"

Guan Yaoyuan immediately bent at the waist and clasped his hands, pleading, "Brother Gao, I was wrong. I truly was wrong—is that not enough? Come, I will go down and pour you tea right now. I truly did not mean it that way. Even a fool knows that since Fang Double-A could achieve Three-Poem Radiance, his skill in lyrics cannot possibly be lacking. If you do not believe me, ask the proprietor of Bright Jade Tower, and Miss Pan'er, the tower's leading courtesan. Did I not say long ago that holding a poetry gathering every Start of Summer was too dull, and that this year we must have a lyrics gathering?"

"Gao Minghong, poetry and lyrics are of one family. You are being far too aggressive."

"Yes, Guan Yaoyuan has already pleaded with you like this. Do not Gain an Inch, Demand a Mile."

"Brother Gao, spare others when you can."

Even some Cold Gate scholars spoke up for Guan Yaoyuan.

Gao Minghong snorted coldly and sat down. Then he glanced at Fang Yun, his expression exceptionally grave.

Fang Yun understood. Guan Yaoyuan held such a high position, yet he was now acting so pitifully before Gao Minghong, like Sun Tzu himself. He must be plotting something significant.

Could Liu Zicheng be trying to ruin my reputation and strike at my literary fame? Fang Yun thought.

Seeing Gao Minghong sit down, Guan Yaoyuan continued, "Once I tell you the next piece of news, all of you should suspect that I have been meddling behind the scenes. If you do not suspect me, then you are not men. Because Miss Pan'er has decided that she will offer her first night to the champion of this lyrics gathering and end her status as a pure courtesan!"

"What?"

"A Provincial Graduate once wanted to redeem her and marry her as his principal wife, and she refused. How could she offer herself for a mere lyrics gathering?"

"Could she have taken a liking to Fang Double-A?"

"Alas, it seems she is coming for Fang Double-A!"

Bright Jade Tower descended into chaos like a pot of boiling porridge.

Gao Minghong was stunned. If Liu Zicheng had arranged this, the price was far too great. Pan'er was Bright Jade Tower's cash cow. She was proficient in poetry, lyrics, songs, and prose, and could even discuss Classic Interpretation and policy essays with some Academy Students. She earned Bright Jade Tower at least twenty thousand taels of silver a year. Her value was terrifyingly high.

After hesitating for a moment, Gao Minghong whispered to Fang Yun, "This is difficult to judge now. No matter what Liu Zicheng does, he could not possibly persuade Miss Pan'er."

He Yutang, who had arrived in the carriage with Fang Yun, leaned closer and whispered, "You absolutely must not leave now. Once you depart early, they will surely spread rumors, saying you were afraid and damaging your literary fame."

Fang Yun smiled faintly. He had worn an air of breezy calm all along, but now there was a subtle change in him.

"If they wish to ruin my literary fame, they must pay a higher price." Fang Yun took a sip of tea after speaking.

Fang Yun had not lowered his voice, and everyone at the table heard him. They could only remain silent.

Gao Minghong sighed and whispered, "If your literary fame is damaged after today, I will find a way to compensate you."

"Brother Gao need not be like this," Fang Yun said.

Gao Minghong shook his head.

With no more objections, Guan Yaoyuan began announcing the rules of this lyrics gathering. The rules were simple: compose a lyric on the theme of "spring" on the spot, then have everyone judge it. If its author was unconvinced, they could go to the Literary Academy and test the Literary Qi to determine superiority.

The champion of this lyrics gathering would not only receive Pan'er's first night, but also a full six hundred taels of silver. Second place would receive two hundred taels, and third place one hundred taels. For most people here, none of those sums was small.