Poetry

When the Imperial Guards arrived at Dexin Garden, they were told that Huaiqing had just finished practicing his sword and was taking a bath, and that Xu Qi'an should wait outside.

"Hey, did they take a bath on purpose because they heard I was coming?" Xu Qi'an thought to himself, chuckling to himself.

So after waiting for a quarter of an hour outside Dexin Garden, a young palace maid dressed in a light yellow palace dress stepped out over the threshold and said softly, "Lord Xu, His Highness requests your presence."

Upon entering the elegant garden, I saw Huaiqing, who had just washed herself clean, in the reception hall. Her beautiful face was flushed, and her eyes shone brightly.

She possessed more feminine charm but less of aloof elegance.

It feels like a beautiful woman has come to life.

That's what makes a woman feminine! Being all cold and aloof, clinging to a princess-like air, isn't cute at all. Xu Qi'an clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Your Highness, this humble servant greets you."

Huaiqing had a palace maid serve tea, her voice clear and pleasant. "What business does Lord Xu have with me?"

"My cousin has achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, but he comes from the Cloud Deer Academy, and I am worried about his future," Xu Qi'an earnestly inquired.

"Does Your Highness have any good ideas?"

When you can't figure something out yourself, consulting a wise person is the best option; you must learn to make good use of all available resources. If the eldest princess has no idea, he should ask Wei Yuan.

Huaiqing's eyes flickered. She took a sip of tea and immediately understood Xu Qi'an's meaning. He didn't want Xu Cijiu to be branded as a "eunuch faction" member.

A cunning rabbit has three burrows; a wise person never puts all their eggs in one basket.

Although Xu Ningyan was a warrior, he was exceptionally intelligent. Huaiqing smiled and asked, "You've been to Qingzhou, how much do you know about it?"

"With its clean and efficient administration, the Layman Ziyang governed Qingzhou with remarkable order."

At this point, Xu Qi'an suddenly understood Huaiqing's meaning. Qingzhou was now dominated by Layman Ziyang. With him in charge of Qingzhou, if the students of the Cloud Deer Academy went to Qingzhou to take up positions, they could definitely make great strides and would not be suppressed.

"Qingzhou is the pure land that Cloud Deer Academy has created for Confucian School students." The princess didn't keep her in suspense.

This... I only have one younger brother, the only son in our family for generations. I can't bear to let him go to Qingzhou. A brother's journey of a thousand miles is a worry for his brother!

Xu Qi'an let out a breath. "This subordinate understands."

Forget it, let Erlang stay in the capital for now, and we'll figure out a solution later. Perhaps he can find a powerful backer on his own.

"By the way, I wonder if Your Highness is interested in dialogue books or novels?" Xu Qi'an revealed his true intentions.

"I have never looked at such things."

Princess Huaiqing's arrogant tone was like that of a female PhD saying, "Online novels? Ha, I never read that kind of stuff!"

"This humble servant has found a good book. Your Highness may take a look when you have some free time. Please keep it a secret for me." Xu Qi'an took out "The Domineering Female Ruler Falls in Love with Me" from his bosom and placed it on the table.

Huaiqing didn't even look at it, only nodding politely.

After seeing Xu Qi'an off, she was about to instruct the palace maid to put the novel away and dispose of it herself when her gaze swept over the cover and her eyes suddenly stopped.

The domineering female empress falls in love with me. An empress?!

The book's title was so outrageous that Huaiqing immediately became interested. Since he had nothing else to do, he figured he might as well take a look.

So she sat down again and opened the novel with the outrageously offensive title.

The story tells of a scholar who accidentally enters the demon realm. He is exceptionally talented and learned. However, the inhabitants of the demon realm want to eat the scholar and set up a frying pan to fry him.

At this moment, the female ruler appeared. She was the only scholar in the demon realm, possessing extraordinary wisdom and culture. She rescued the scholar and raised him in her harem. The two of them composed poems, exchanged ideas, and discussed the past and present.

Throughout the process, the female ruler fully demonstrated her domineering and ruthless style, but she cared deeply for the scholar, though she didn't know how to express it. Her favorite catchphrase was. "Man, you're playing with fire."

Huaiqing had never seen such an interesting novel before. It had no depth whatsoever, and she could not learn anything from it. It was worlds apart from the obscure ancient books she loved to read.

But for some reason, these seemingly trivial things in life and mundane conversations seem to have a special magic to them.

Huaiqing couldn't help but want to see the female ruler perform various public displays of power!

Yes, it's about showing off one's divine power in front of others.

She trampled men underfoot, kept them in her harem, and treated them with domineering and ruthless attitudes. But even such a cold-blooded female ruler had tenderness in her heart.

The scholar, on the other hand, was completely devoted to the female ruler and always put her first. He would even get angry and jealous when the female ruler drank with the demon generals.

Before she knew it, dusk had fallen, and she had been watching for more than two hours.

Huaiqing discovered another advantage of this novel: it didn't require any brainpower.

It's fun, that's all.

After he finished, Huaiqing suddenly felt angry. What had he done?

I actually spent two hours reading such a book that's utterly devoid of substance and knowledge! What's the difference between that and wasting my life? How can I waste my time and energy on something so utterly useless?

She felt a deep sense of guilt about it.

"Just a book for leisure reading."

Huaiqing disdainfully tossed the book aside, got up and left the reception room. A few minutes later, she returned, hid the book in her sleeve, and took it away.

It wasn't for reviewing at night before bed, but because this book couldn't be seen by anyone else, just like those secret boudoir books, unable to see the light of day.

At the same time, in Shaoyin Garden, Lin'an was completely immersed in "The Great Sage of Love".

"So, so this is what love between men and women is all about! How could you, you dog servant, show me such things?"

Lin'an rolled around on the bed, her face flushed. After reading the 5,000-word article about Fairy Zixia and Long Aotian having sex, she kept yelling, "I hate it! I hate it!"

I read it word by word, imagining the scenes in my mind as I went.

Then she felt her body burning hot, her legs rubbing together from time to time, her round face turning as red as a ripe apple, and her peach blossom eyes, already charming, becoming even more alluring and seductive after being misted with a layer of water.

However, the stories about love between men and women are merely embellishments; the core of the story is the love story between Zixia Fairy and Long Aotian.

The first two-thirds are sweet romance, the last third is heartbreaking.

Seeing Long Aotian skinned and dismembered, cast into the cycle of reincarnation to be an animal for eternity, while Zixia Fairy was imprisoned forever in the Guanghan Palace, Lin'an discovered that his pillow was wet.

She sniffled, angrily saying, "Where's it down there? You dog of a servant, where's it down there?"

After angrily finishing her rant, she beckoned a palace maid in and said, "I wish to take a bath; prepare hot water."

"?"

The palace maid asked in surprise, "Dinner is about to start, why are you taking a bath at this hour?"

Suddenly, Biao Biao became furious and embarrassed. "Just go because I told you to!"

Soon, the hot water was ready, and after the palace maids adjusted the water temperature, they served Lin'an as she bathed.

Her pale, white body was submerged in the water, with flower petals floating on the surface, revealing her rounded, slender shoulders and a pair of delicate collarbones.

"Tell me, among my guards, who is the most handsome, the most talented, the most interesting, and the most loyal to me?" Lin'an suddenly asked.

"They're all quite loyal. As for being funny or talented, I don't know. But if they weren't guards, I already have someone in mind."

"Who is it!" Biao Biao asked immediately.

"It's Lord Xu. Lord Xu is handsome, talented, and funny. He often makes Your Highness happy. Although he's not a guard, he's a trusted confidant you've recruited. And he's not a scholar, he's Nightwatchers, so he could be considered a guard in a way."

Lin'an bit her lip and gently brushed aside the petals. The petals scattered, and she saw her own face vaguely reflected in the rippling water. She was beautiful, with a flushed face, and seemed a little shy.

Imperial city, royal palace!

In the study of Grand Secretary Wang Zhenwen, the golden-red sunset shone through the lattice window. After reviewing the memorials, the over-fifty-year-old Grand Secretary swept them all into a corner.

However, after spreading out a sheet of Xuan paper, placing a paperweight on it, and picking up a brush to write, Miss Wang came in carrying a bowl of wolfberry and ginseng soup.

Ignoring him, and fueled by a surge of pride, Wang began to write.

A golden goblet of fine wine costs ten thousand coins, and a jade plate of delicacies is worth ten thousand coins.

The road is hard, the road is hard, there are many forks in the road, where am I now?

There will be times when the wind and waves will be strong, and we will set sail to cross the vast ocean.

Miss Wang put down the ginseng soup, leaned closer to look, and couldn't look away for a long time. She murmured, "Father, you have written a masterpiece that will be passed down through the ages."

"When your poem is published, it will surely shock the entire court."

As a literary-minded woman, she certainly has an appreciation for art. Miss Wang was captivated by the spirit of this poem.

The Grand Secretary Wang shook his head, picked up his ginseng tea, took a sip, and exhaled with a satisfied sigh, "This wasn't written by me, it was written by that new top scholar. Didn't you go to the examination hall today? Didn't you see it?"

"He is said to be a handsome man, a rare beauty."

"I didn't see my daughter. She was just joining in the fun." Miss Wang denied it outright, her eyes frequently glancing at the table.

"Back then, it took me a lot of effort to reinstate poetry in the imperial examinations; there were many obstacles along the way."

The Grand Secretary Wang tapped the paper with his finger, a broad smile on his face, "Now that such a masterpiece has been produced, I, your father, am truly proud. I have done right by all scholars and our ancestors, and I have prevented this treasure of poetry from being completely lost."

After the results of the examination were announced, Xu Xinnian's poem "The Road to Shu is Hard" spread among the examiners, and those who heard it applauded and were filled with enthusiasm.

After a few more days of preparation, this poem will spread throughout the capital and be widely sung.

"I heard that the top scholar is a student from the Cloud Deer Academy," Miss Wang said "casually."

After a moment of contemplation, the Grand Secretary Wang sighed, "What a pity."

The court officials ostracized the scholars of the Cloud Deer Academy, and as the chief minister and a role model for civil officials, he could not afford to back down in this regard.

The more talented Xu Xinnian was, the more wary Wang, the less likely he was to use him.

"Father!"

While helping to tidy up the documents, Miss Wang said, "My daughter wishes to hold a literary gathering at our residence and invite renowned scholars from the capital to participate. We would like to convene them in your name."

The initiator of a literary gathering must be a person of high moral standing, and Miss Wang is not qualified. However, she has hosted many literary gatherings at her residence, all of which were convened in the name of Chief Minister Wang.

Holding a literary gathering right after the imperial examinations is perfectly reasonable.

Chief Minister Wang nodded and said, "Good."

Clear Cloud Mountain, Cloud Deer Academy.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, a rider galloped along the official road, raising a cloud of dust.

The horses stopped at the foot of the mountain, and the students dressed in Confucian robes jumped off their backs, holding a list in their hands, and galloped quickly towards the top of the mountain.

Good news! Good news!

He shouted as he ran, and soon entered the academy.

Students along the way came out to investigate upon hearing the noise, but the students who brought the news ignored them and headed straight for the study of the great Confucian scholar Zhang Shen.

Hearing the commotion, Zhang Shen was already waiting outside the study, calmly watching the student who brought the news.

"A scholar should have composure; neither great joy nor great sorrow should shake his resolve."

After offering a suggestion, Zhang Shen smiled and said, "Judging from your expression, it seems that all the students who participated in the imperial examinations have passed and become tribute students."

"Sir, it's more than just passing the imperial examinations!" the student who brought the news shouted excitedly. "Xu Cijiu!"

Zhang Shen thought he had misheard and said in a deep voice, "The top scholar?!"

The student who delivered the news nodded vigorously, "This is the list of academy students nominated for the Imperial Examination. Xu Cijiu is indeed the top scholar, absolutely true."

Zhang Shen excitedly snatched the list, which contained the names and rankings of the students from the academies who were participating in the spring imperial examination.

At the very front was Xu Cijiu, the first-place winner, the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Zhang Shen stared at the list for a long time, then suddenly yelled, "Dean, Chen Tai, Li Mubai, my student has won the top prize! My student has won the top prize!"

The student who brought the news was dumbfounded.

Soon, Zhao Shou, the head of the courtyard, and the two great scholars were alerted and, using their boasting skills, ignored the distance and appeared outside Zhang Shen's study.

The gray-haired, disheveled Dean Zhao Shou was the first to ask, "Really? That student passed the imperial examination with top honors?"

"Xu Cijiu!"

Zhang Shen said proudly.

Zhao Shou frowned, thought for a moment, and then suddenly realized, "Is it that student who never loses an argument?"

"This shows he has unparalleled eloquence," Zhang Shen said.

Congratulations!

Li Mubai and Chen Tai were both happy and envious.

When a student from the Cloud Deer Academy achieves the highest rank in the imperial examination, the students are naturally overjoyed. Every teacher in the academy is also delighted, some even dancing with glee and getting thoroughly drunk.

But that didn't stop them from feeling sour, because Xu Cijiu was Zhang Shen's student.

Dean Zhao Shou frowned and said, "Logically speaking, it shouldn't be the top scholar. What's going on with the Cijiu?"

Based on past years' examinations, there was definitely cheating this year. Xu Cijiu is a student of the Cloud Deer Academy, so he has no right to cheat.

But to say it all comes down to ability seems a bit far-fetched.

Zhang Shen suppressed his joy and hummed in agreement. "The questions about the Cijiu are all excellent, but to say they are truly brilliant is a bit lacking."

But if he weren't exceptionally talented, how could he secure the support of at least two of the three supervising officials?

He had just heard the student report the news, and he even doubted that he had heard correctly.

Seeing that the student who brought the news was still there, Li Mubai beckoned him over and asked, "Any news from the capital?"

It was just a casual question, but the student who brought the news immediately nodded. "Yes, after copying the list of successful candidates, I also felt that Xu Cijiu's top score was somewhat unusual, so I treated one of the examiners to a meal."

"The meal cost fifteen taels; I'm just about to ask the academy for reimbursement."

Several Confucian scholars nodded in agreement. The students trained by the Cloud Deer Academy were all highly capable and not pedantic or rigid.

After delivering the message, the student took out another piece of paper from his pocket and said, "I heard from that official that Xu Cijiu composed a poem in the third round, which was highly praised by the Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion. The other examiners were also Qi Ingestion, and coupled with his excellent performance in the first two rounds, he became the top scholar."

poetry?

The renowned scholars looked at each other in bewilderment.

PS: Updated first, revised later.