44. Literary Gathering

The red invitation was tied with a bright yellow necklace string, and the inside was decorated with auspicious cloud patterns in gold foil. It added a bit of grandeur but lacked some of the elegance of scholars.

This prince really loves to entertain guests and friends. He held a literary gathering yesterday and another one today.

Chen Ji returned to the clinic with the invitation. Liu Quxing came over and said, "What a beautiful invitation... But Chunhua gave you the invitation, so it's best not to go."

As he spoke, he subconsciously glanced at She Dengke and muttered softly, "I didn't mean anything else. I just wanted to remind Chen Ji that he might be in danger."

She Dengke lowered his head and said nothing.

At this time, Liang Gou'er also came over. As he got closer, he smelled of alcohol and said, "It's the literary gathering this afternoon... Why did they send you the invitation this morning?"

She Dengke asked in a muffled voice, "Is there any problem?"

Liang Gou'er explained smugly, "Of course there's a problem. Banquets adhere to the 'three invitations' principle. The first invitation is to send out the first three days before the banquet. The second invitation is to send out the second invitation on the morning of the banquet. The third invitation is to send out the final invitation an hour before the banquet begins. Sending out invitations three days in advance is called 'inviting guests,' while inviting them on the day of the banquet is called 'catching guests,' which means you're just a supporting role in this literary gathering!"

"Oh," Chen Ji nodded, but didn't care.

Liang Gou'er immediately added, "If you go to this kind of impromptu banquet, people will look down on you. Why don't I go in your place?"

Chen Ji: "...your abacus beads just fell on my face."

He looked at Liu Quxing and She Dengke. "As Senior Brother Liu said, I offended Concubine Jing during my consultation at Wanxing Garden. This time, I need to go and clear up the misunderstanding with her. You two should not go. I'll go alone."

The backyard fell silent. Liu Quxing was about to retreat, but She Dengke took a step forward and said, "I'll go with you. If anything happens, I can help you."

After saying that, She Dengke turned to look at Liu Quxing and asked, "Are you going?"

Liu Quxing's eyes wandered back and forth: "Why are you looking at me like that... I will definitely go, as if you are the only one who is doing justice. It's just that we don't have decent clothes suitable for attending the banquet. There are all scholars and dignitaries there. It would be so shabby if we just went like this... I'm not making excuses.

I mean, let's go buy some clothes this morning, and look presentable."

She Dengke said dully, "I don't have any money."

Liu Quxing gritted his teeth and said, "I'll lend it to you first, and you can return it to me next month!"

Liang Gou'er was amazed at the side: "Three brothers, advance and retreat together, I actually see the spirit of the martial arts world in you, it's rare."

Liang Mao'er was worried that Chen Ji was no longer willing to learn the sword, so he quickly added, "Follow my brother and practice swordsmanship. You might become a legend in the martial arts world in the future."

However, Liang Gou'er laughed and said, "Cat, your words are unlucky. There are no living legends in the martial arts world. Only the dead can become legends. Young man, the chivalrous spirit of the martial arts world has been broken. Don't listen to my brother's nonsense."

Liang Mao'er pushed Liang Gou'er into the house and said, "Brother, please stop talking!"

…

…

In the afternoon, Liu Quxing was wearing a neatly-fitting green long gown, with his hair tied up with a net scarf to keep it tidy, a cherry corrugated hat on his head, and Chenqiao shoes on his feet.

Chen Ji looked at the other person. The shifty Liu Quxing actually wore this outfit to look like an official, especially the black hat on his head, which was a perfect match.

She Dengke was dressed more simply, just like Chen Ji, with only a hairpin on his head and his clothes were just newly bought cloth.

The three of them came to the side door of the palace to hand in the invitation. When the strong servant saw the invitation, he immediately led the way respectfully to the Feibai Pool in the back garden.

On the way, Jianfu reminded: "Guests are requested to stay in the back garden only and not to trespass into the female family's backyard."

Liu Quxing quickly responded, "Don't worry, Ma'am. It won't happen."

Walking deeper into the garden, the three of them could hear from afar the scholars and elegant guests talking loudly amid the sound of stringed instruments.

One person said loudly, "If you ask me, the Jing Dynasty cavalry is nothing to be feared. It's already autumn, and they haven't been able to break through the Chongli Pass yet. They are exhausted and will retreat soon. If they really want to break through, our Daning artillery and firearms will definitely make them suffer."

"That's right. If we say the one who poses the greatest threat to the country is not the Jing Dynasty, but the eunuch party! If I pass the imperial examination this time, I will explain to Your Majesty the evils of the eunuch party's interference in politics when I arrive in front of the palace!"

"Brother Lin is so talented, this provincial examination

You will definitely be able to get the first place in the imperial examination and the top place in the palace examination!"

The voice from before quickly said modestly, "This year's top prize winner must be Chen Wenzong. During these three years at Donglin Academy, he's been the treasure of the teachers."

Liu Quxing muttered quietly, "What a damn boastful bunch! Every one of them is either the top scorer or the first place winner. Is that enough for you to share?"

However, I saw that there were dozens of desks placed beside Feibai Pool, and bamboo mats were spread on the ground, and all the scholars and literati were sitting on the ground.

Not far away, there are six small wooden pavilions with curtains hanging to block the view of everyone. It seems that there are female relatives sitting in them.

Liu Quxing whispered to the strong servant who led the way, "Excuse me, Madam, are there any young ladies here today?"

The strong servant replied, "So that His Excellency may know that seven or eight noble ladies have come."

When Liu Quxing was addressed as "Sir", he straightened his back, straightened his clothes, and then sat down in front of an empty desk.

He whispered, "My mother told me that when literary gatherings like this are held, the heads of each family will ask their wives to bring their daughters of appropriate age to the gathering, and then they will look behind the curtain to see if there is a candidate they like. If someone is chosen, they will save themselves ten years of detours."

Chen Ji sighed, "Senior Brother Liu, you really don't want to take any detours."

There were three rows of tables, and it seemed that who sat in the middle and who sat in the back was determined by status.

The three of them sat side by side at the back. She Dengke looked around, searching for Chunhua, while Liu Quxing quietly poked Chen Ji with his finger: "Look at your two brothers in the first row across from you."

When Chen Ji looked over, he was surprised to see Chen Wenzong sitting upright and discussing his ideas with everyone, hoping that the court would open up channels for communication and revitalize the administration of officials.

Even if the other person is sitting in the crowd and is surrounded by talented scholars, he or she can be picked out at a glance like a pearl.

Looking over at the pavilion, it seemed that several girls were looking at Chen Wenzong through the curtain.

Looking at his other brother, Chen Wenxiao, he sat crookedly, his gaze wandering somewhere. He hadn't noticed anything when he was riding his horse before, but now he was outshined by Chen Wenzong.

As he was looking at him, Chen Wenzong's eyes met Chen Ji's. The other party smiled and nodded, treating him as an ordinary guest who came to attend the literary gathering and did not pay much attention to him.