Xu Taigong was the most respected person in the literary circles of Dongling. When the emperor was still the crown prince, he served as the crown prince's tutor.
Now, with the support of the imperial power, the Mingyi Hall school has been established, which teaches princes and students alike. The teaching is not based on social status or rank, and all those who are dedicated to learning have the opportunity to study here.
Of course, the prerequisite is to pass Xu Taigong's entrance examination.
Today, Master Xu is hosting a poetry gathering at his residence, and prominent figures from the capital will surely gather here.
As they moved south, the two stepped off the carriage one after the other. She looked up at the plaque, which read "Xu Mansion" in two large characters, exuding a refined and scholarly air.
“This is Xu Taigong’s own handwriting. What do you think, Qianqian?” Xie Yanzhou walked to her side. He thought for a moment and decided that it was easier to call her Qianqian. “Miss Nan” was too unfamiliar.
Nanqianyue glanced at him sideways and laughed, "My handwriting is ugly, so I'm not qualified to judge Xu Taigong's handwriting."
Xie Yanzhou recalled her handwriting, a hint of amusement creeping across his face. "Qianqian's handwriting isn't ugly, it's just unique."
"Young Master Xie, you really know how to comfort people." A sarcastic female voice came from the side.
Nanqianyue turned her gaze and saw a woman dressed in a scarlet ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with slightly heroic features. The woman's gaze was filled with undisguised disdain.
"Elder sister, this is Miss Song, the daughter of Grand Commandant Song," Nan Kezhi introduced quietly from the side.
Actually, she wanted to say that Miss Song has always been arrogant and disdainful of others, so elder sister should not take it to heart.
But this is a public place, so she doesn't dare to say it.
"Okay, let's go." Nan Qianyue didn't want to cause trouble, so she led her younger sister into the mansion.
Xie Yanzhou glanced at the sullen Nan Yichu, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Don't just stand there, let's go."
Song Suihuan punched cotton, and she gritted her teeth as she watched the backs of the group.
The eldest princess said that if it happened to be the month of the southward migration, she would definitely humiliate her severely and make her unable to hold her head up in the capital.
It now seems that the only way to humiliate the southward migration month is through poetry gatherings.
The poetry gathering at the Xu residence was held in the garden. When Nanqianyue and her entourage arrived at the garden, led by Xiaosi, there were already many people there.
Because Xu Taigong's poetry gatherings only valued talent and scholarship, regardless of gender, men and women were not separated.
The seating arrangements were simply set up on two separate sides, one for men and one for women.
As the eldest daughter of the Southern Prime Minister, Nan Qianyue naturally sat in a prominent position, and her outstanding appearance attracted everyone's attention.
Some stared, some envied, some were amazed, some were mesmerized, while others were jealous, some complained…
"Big sister, your brother is young and doesn't know any better, please don't hold it against him." Nan Kezhi saw her brother looking at her with a reproachful expression and quickly explained, afraid that her sister might misunderstand.
However, Nan Qianyue didn't notice Nan Yichu at all. Only after hearing her sister's words did she raise her eyes and glance at him. "He's already fifteen. How can he still be called young? I think he's had too comfortable a life and lacks experience, so he doesn't know the dangers."
Her voice wasn't quiet; anyone nearby could hear it, and Miss Song heard it clearly.
Song Suihuan gave a wink to the girls around her, and they understood. Then, a series of sarcastic and mocking voices rang out.
"It seems that Miss Nan doesn't get along with her younger brother."
Before Nanqianyue could reply, they continued their sarcasm, saying, "Those who grow up in the countryside naturally can't catch the eye of Young Master Nan."
"Don't say that. He's the kind of person who dares to chase after Prince Anzheng."
"Yesterday she even hooked up with Xie Shisun, truly disgracing the Prime Minister's family. No wonder even her own brother dislikes her."
"Such a despicable person dares to attend the poetry gathering? Could it be that he's trying to use the gathering to seduce some talented men?"
Sitting next to Nan Qianyue, Nan Kezhi suddenly felt ashamed. Although the noble ladies were talking about the eldest sister, she felt as if she had been mentioned as well.
The key issue is that she didn't dare to argue back, since she was just an illegitimate daughter.
Nan Qianyue remained unusually calm. She glanced at Xie Yanzhou and gently shook her head, leaving Xie Yanzhou with no choice but to suppress his anger.
She then looked at her younger brother, and sure enough, he had his head down and wouldn't even look her in the eye. It was obvious that he didn't want to have anything to do with her and felt ashamed.
"Big sister, you...you don't take it to heart." Nan Kezhi couldn't help but offer a few words of comfort, though her voice was very soft.
Nanqianyue smiled slightly, picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and said slowly, "Even a rat has its manners, but a person lacks manners. Hypocrites are naturally not worth worrying about."
As soon as she said this, those who were being sarcastic immediately shut up. If they said anything more, it would truly prove Nan Qianyue right.
"Miss Nan certainly knows how to curse." Others might not dare to say it, but Song Suihuan, the daughter of Grand Commandant Song, dared to say it.
Although her father's official rank was second only to the Southern Chancellor, her aunt was the current Empress, and the Eldest Princess was her cousin. With so many powerful backers, why would she be afraid of the Southern Migration?
Song Suihuan cast a cold, arrogant glance at her, "I'm looking forward to the poem Miss Nan will compose later."
Nan Qianyue glanced at her and met her gaze, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "I'm also looking forward to Miss Song's masterpiece."
Song Suihuan gave a cold laugh and said nothing more.
"Old Master Xu has arrived!"
As the surprised voices fell, an elderly man with gray hair led a group of people slowly over.
As the moon moved south, it turned its gaze and immediately spotted someone all too familiar: Qin Yi.
He was tall and imposing, exuding an aura of dominance that drew everyone's attention, even when he was just behind Xu Taigong.
Nanqianyue frowned slightly. Why did he come?
A military commander who also enjoys attending literary gatherings and poetry parties?
“Eldest sister, walking to the right of Prince Anzheng is Imperial Censor Yang, and to the left are the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince,” Nan Kezhi whispered to Nan Qianyue.
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