After the Fourth Prince, Huangpu Chaozong, sat down, his gaze had been revolving around Huangpu Chengde and Huangpu Chenghong. Today, his two brothers were somewhat abnormal. It was already very abnormal for the Eldest Imperial Brother to invite a commoner from the pugilistic world to this poetry gathering. Even the Third Imperial Brother, who had always been at odds with the Eldest Imperial Brother, had broken up and sat so close to the Eldest Imperial Brother today. It was really shocking. That was why he had snatched the last empty seat first. He wanted to see if his Third Imperial Brother had done it on purpose or not, and if he had a purpose for sitting here.
Originally, Huangpu Chaozong saw that Huangpu Chenghong had sent away an official and thought that his Third Imperial Brother was sitting here with a purpose. However, when he saw Huangpu Chenghong fall asleep as soon as he sat down, he began to wonder what his Third Imperial Brother wanted to do.
"Fourth Brother, why are you so interested today and sitting with Second Sister?”Because Huangpu Chenghong had fallen asleep, the Second Princess Huangpu Linger only asked Huangpu Chaozong, who was the closest to her.
" Isn't it because I miss my eldest brother and second sister? Isn't it natural for siblings to sit together?" Huangpu Chaozong laughed.
If it was on the streets, he would definitely be able to charm many young girls who were in love. However, in the tea garden at this time, it was somewhat unsatisfactory. Most of the people present were men. Even the people who served tea were men. There were only a few women, and one could count them on one hand.
" Don't be so glib…" Huangpu Ling 'er rolled her eyes at her Fourth Brother, Huangpu Chaozong." Fourth Brother, don't try to please me with the same amount of money you used on the girls in the brothels…"
" Hehe…" Huangpu Chaozong touched his nose and laughed awkwardly when he saw that Second Sister was not giving him any face.
The Crown Prince and the Second Princess were of the same mother, so the two of them were naturally much closer. However, they seemed to be in harmony with the other two Imperial Brothers, but they were actually at odds with each other. After all, they were going to fight for the high and mighty throne in the future, and they would become enemies sooner or later. Moreover, this phenomenon was already gradually showing itself.
The four princes and princesses of the Northern Mirror Emperor were all handsome men and beautiful women, except for Huangpu Chenghong, who was wearing a mask. However, looking at the appearance of the three siblings, Feng Qi speculated that if Huangpu Chenghong was not disfigured, he should also be a handsome young man.
These princes and princesses should have inherited the good genes of the emperor. However, even if the emperor was not good-looking, there was still their mother. None of the women in the harem were ugly. Naturally, their genes could not be any better.
"Hello everyone, this one is Xiao Xiahan. Now, I announce that the Poetry Festival has begun!”The woman who spoke should be the daughter of the crown prince's tutor, Xiao Xiahan.
Everyone present today had a feast for their eyes. The three great beauties of the capital were actually present. Some of the young talents who were invited were moved by her, even though it was a pity that the number one beauty, Yun Ruoxi, was already married. However, he did not dare to say anything because Yun Ruoxi was married to the current Crown Prince. There was a high possibility that she would become the next Emperor in the future, and Yun Ruoxi would become the Empress.
The number one beauty, Yun Ruoxi, was known for her gentleness and beauty. Not only was she gentle and beautiful, but she was also very intelligent. She would be the Crown Prince's wife in the future. The second most beautiful person was the Second Princess, Huangpu Ling 'er. Huangpu Ling' er and Yun Ruoxi were two different types of beauty. Her face was delicate and charming, and her figure was enchanting and graceful. Although Xiao Xiahan was only ranked third, it wasn't that she wasn't beautiful, but that she was a little cold. Other than being interested in poetry, she didn't interact much with people. However, her outstanding talent was praised by the world, and her literary talent was even higher than Yun Ruoxi's. If one were to use flowers to compare the three of them, Yun Ruoxi was the lotus flower that rose from the water, Huangpu Ling 'er was the beautiful peony of the country, and Xiaoxiahan was the wintersweet in the cold winter. She was fresh and refined, confident and arrogant.
"There are some changes to this year's Poetry Festival. In previous years, it was mainly poetry, songs, and prose. This year, we added four types of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. " The increase in content will allow us to have a wider range of exchanges..." Xiao Xia Han introduced the content of this year's poetry festival. Sitting at the side, Xiao Liang Jing Xiao nodded repeatedly, looking very satisfied with her daughter's performance." This poetry festival has four additional competition items, so in addition to the original masters who commented on poetry, we have also invited four masters who are the first in these four categories. They were the number one zither player in the capital, Master Motian; The number one Go player in Beijing, Mr. Wang Qing; The number one calligrapher in Beijing, Master Qiuhuang; Finally, it was the best painter in the capital, Master Han Liu.”
Xiao Xiahan pointed at the four of them one by one. The four masters stood up and sat down after a slight gesture. Their faces were all serious. It seemed that the four of them valued being invited to the Poetry Conference very much.
Xiao Xiahan had just finished introducing the four people, and for a second, all the scholars present were so excited that they almost cried out in surprise. These four great masters were people who could not be invited even if they had money. It could be said that it was as difficult as climbing up to the heavens to meet them. He did not expect that there would be so many surprises in this year's Poetry Festival. Not only did he meet the three great beauties of the capital, but he also met the four great masters who he could not even see. What an honor this was. Even if he didn't catch Grand Tutor Xiao's eye this time, it was worth it to come and see the four masters.
" Now, the zither and chess competitions will begin. All participants, please get ready. Let's welcome Master Motian and Mr. Wang Qing…" Xiao Xiahan left after saying that. As expected, hosting wasn't suitable for her…Xiao Xiahan sat beside her father Xiao Liangjing and sighed softly.
" Hanhan, you're a good host…" Liang Xiao Jing said as she stroked her beard.
"Father, I still can't do this. You should go up on your own for the next few rounds.”Xiao Xiahan didn't want to be looked at like a monkey on stage anymore. The men's eyes revealed a look that made her feel disgusted.
" Why, Hanhan gave up so quickly this time…" Xiao Liang Jing said with a smile. He wasn't angry at Xiahan's decision to give up, nor did he look stern.
" Anyway, I won't go up..." Xiao Xiahan would rather sit below the stage and watch the content of the competition.
" Okay, okay, I understand. If you don't want to go up, then don't go up…" Xiao Liang Jing understood his precious daughter very well. If he forced her, her daughter might just throw a tantrum and leave. That would not do, so he still agreed to Xiao Xia Han's request. Sigh…I can't even sit down and watch the show if I want to rest…Liang Jing was just complaining…
" Mm..." Xiao Xiahan saw that her father had finally let her go, and she could finally relax. She focused on watching the competition. She was indeed a person who was obsessed with poetry and literature.
" This old man is Mo Tian, the chief examiner of the zither competition. The topic I'm giving everyone is the fragrance of flowers. You have half an incense's time to think about how to use the zither to express the fragrance of flowers…" Mo Tian finished his sentence and gave his seat to Wang Qing.
The discussions below the stage continued…
"This question is too difficult…"
"Yeah, how can the fragrance of flowers be related to the zither?”
"Ahem, everyone, quiet down." Wang Qing interrupted the discussion below the stage. The people below the stage cooperated very well and didn't say anything more. They quieted down and listened to what Mr. Wang Qing was going to say next." Master Motian has finished the topic of the zither skill. Next, I, Wang Qing, will talk about the chess competition. There weren't any big rules in chess. The participants would fight in pairs, and the winner would be promoted while the loser would be eliminated. The final champion would be decided. It was that simple. However, fraud is not allowed during the competition. Once found, you will be immediately expelled from the tea garden. In the future, you will not be qualified to enter the poetry meet. I hope everyone here will remember this.”
This rule had been set long ago, and Wang Qing's words were only a reminder. He hoped that no one would do such a stupid thing for the sake of temporary fame and fortune. Expulsion from the tea garden and not being allowed to participate in future poetry gatherings were small matters. The most important thing was that once a person was involved in fraud, no one would look at you differently. They would look down on you, and your future would be ruined.
Xiao Liangjing saw that the two masters had finished speaking and smoothed out the creases on her clothes. She walked briskly onto the stage and said," Now, let's have a chess competition. In an hour, we will have a zither competition…"
…Time passed by, and the Go competition was in full swing. It was intense and intense. Those who didn't participate in the competition but liked Go would watch the two players play next to each other. However, they wouldn't make a sound and would just watch quietly.
In another competition venue, someone sounded a gong. In order to ensure that the two matches would not affect each other, Xiao Liangjing had split the competition grounds into two.
" An hour of thinking is up. Now, let's begin the guqin competition…"
"What?! "How come the time is up so quickly…" Guest A complained. He still had no thoughts!
"Have you thought of how to express this proposition?”Guest B asked around.
"No, I don't have any thoughts at all. It seems that I can only give up this time.”The third guest sighed helplessly. As expected, his attainments in the zither were still not enough…He left the competition venue dejectedly and sat down outside the arena, ready to watch the other contestants 'competitions, hoping to be inspired by them.
"Imperial Sister-in-law, why don't you go up and try? Your zither skills are one of the best in the capital.”The Second Princess Huangpu Ling 'er said.
Although Yun Ruoxi's literary talent was slightly inferior to Xiao Xiahan's, Yun Ruoxi's superb zither skills were breathtaking. However, very few people knew about this because Yun Ruoxi could not possibly play the zither for others like the prostitutes in the brothels. Therefore, only those in this circle knew that Yun Ruoxi's zither skills were superb. The poetry festival this time had an additional event on the zither, which was a good opportunity for Yun Ruoxi to show off her skills.
" It can't be that the Imperial Sister-in-law hasn't thought of a way to express the fragrance of the flowers…" The Fourth Prince Huangpu Chaozong seemed to be joking, but it was not the case in the ears of others.
"Fourth brother." When the Crown Prince heard Huangpu Chaozong's words, his face instantly darkened, and his unhappiness was evident in his words.
"Fourth brother, aren't you underestimating me?”Yun Ruoxi said as she looked at Huangpu Chaozong with a fake smile.
"From what Imperial Sister-in-law said, you already have a countermeasure?”Huangpu Chaozong narrowed his eyes as a dangerous aura flashed through them. He was a little angry at Yun Ruoxi's mocking tone, but he quickly held it in and did not explode. The situation was not right, so he would not stoop to a woman's level.
Actually, Yun Ruoxi had only said that to show off her strength for a moment, but now she was a little hesitant. Yun Ruoxi had not thought of the best way to interpret the fragrance of the flowers. Although she only needed to go up and show off her skills, she could still stun the contestants with her zither skills. However, this was not enough for her. Since he was going to make a move, he should do his best. How could he be careless and leave a mark for others to talk about? Moreover, Master Motian was here today. He couldn't be so casual and lose face for himself and the Crown Prince.
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