Qi Gaoming watched the examiners discuss among themselves and cautiously asked, "Excuse me, gentlemen, have I passed or been eliminated?"
Examiner: "Qi Gaoming, you have successfully passed the assessment and qualified for the Peony Poetry Festival. Here is your invitation. Go!"
Qi Gaoming accepted the bright red invitation, his heart filled with boundless joy.
"Thank you, sir!"
Qi Gaoming walked out of the examination hall, where his younger sister and mother were waiting for him.
Xiao Zhenzhen looked at the bright red invitation in Qi Gaoming's hand, happily took it, and held it up to show off to everyone.
"My son got the invitation! My son accepted!"
Many people in the crowd cast envious glances.
However, some people scoffed: "It's just an invitation, what's there to brag about!"
"Exactly! We've got the ticket, but we're still a long way from being favored by the Emperor! Hahaha!"
Jinlan held her mother's hand and glared fiercely at those people.
A wisp of black mist emerged, and several people who had spoken ill of Qi Gaoming were caught in the mist around their throats, immediately feeling discomfort and coughing incessantly.
Qi Gaoming lowered his head, feeling somewhat ashamed.
Jinlan took her brother's hand and said, "Brother, don't be afraid, I'm here."
Qi Gaoming nodded.
The day for the poetry gathering arrived quickly.
Outside the Peony Manor, the venue for the poetry gathering, guards provided layer upon layer of protection, and verified the identities of all those who came.
The Qiu family arrived at the Peony Manor early in the morning by carriage.
In a two-story pavilion, Qiuqiu, holding a kitten transformed from a phoenix, ate snacks prepared by the prince for his brothers.
Xu Ruyun stood on the pavilion overlooking the Peony Manor; the scenery was magnificent.
Qi Jiating draped a cloak over Xu Ruyun's shoulders.
"Madam, it's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold."
Xu Ruyun's face darkened when she saw Qi Jiating.
"No need! I think it's nice to get some fresh air."
Xu Ruyun then returned the cloak that Qi Jiating had taken to him.
Qi Jiating: "Madam, I feel you've been much colder towards me since you gave birth to Qiuqiu. Is it because Qiuqiu and I are incompatible according to Chinese astrology? How about we adopt another woman to bring us good luck?"
This was overheard by Chiu Chiu.
Chiu Chiu angrily put the snacks aside and walked up to Qi Jia Ting in a huff.
"No, no! Chirp chirp is good!"
[What incompatible horoscopes? What adoption? It's just another excuse to bring that mistress's daughter into the Qi household. Sigh! That scumbag father of mine has truly disappointed me!]
Hearing what Qiuqiu said, Xu Ruyun felt even more heartbroken.
Xu Ruyun: "I also think Qiuqiu is right. What kind of father and his own daughter are incompatible according to their birth charts? Our children are all good, so we don't need other people's children to interfere!"
Xu Ruyun's words had a double meaning, leaving Qi Jiating speechless for a moment.
By this time, many talented men and beautiful women had arrived at the Peony Manor.
They were all dressed smartly, and looked like they had dressed up carefully.
Before long, a group of guards escorted the Crown Prince to the Peony Manor.
Eunuch: "The Crown Prince has arrived!"
Everyone: "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
The Crown Prince nodded to everyone.
The guards escorted the crown prince to the main seat in the manor.
Crown Prince: "My father has other matters to attend to today, and has specially ordered me to preside over this poetry gathering. Gentlemen, please do not be shy; I hope to see you all display your talents!"
Chiu Chiu looked at the prince from the attic and said happily.
"It's the Crown Prince!"
Xu Ruyun: "It is truly rare for His Highness the Crown Prince to be so composed at such a young age."
Qi Jiating: "Yes, this is the crown prince of a country! To be noticed by the crown prince at this poetry gathering is a sign of a very promising future!"
As Qi Jiating spoke, he turned his gaze to a young man inside the Peony Manor.
Xu Ruyun followed Qi Jiating's gaze and noticed that the young man bore a striking resemblance to Qi Jiating. Could it be...?
[Isn't that Father's illegitimate son? Why are they here too? Next to the illegitimate son is his illegitimate daughter, and that woman is his mistress!]
Xu Ruyun felt utterly disgusted as she listened to Qiuqiu's innermost thoughts.
Her husband, with whom she had shared a bed for many years, had a son and a daughter with another woman behind her back.
And that son was already about the same age as his eldest son.
It seems that her husband's estrangement from her has not been a recent development, but rather a long-standing one since she married into the Qi family, and he has never been of one mind with her.
He had even planned everything before she married into the Qi family. He was just waiting to use her and then find an opportunity to kick her out.
Thinking about this, Xu Ruyun felt a chill run down her spine.
The eunuch beside the crown prince announced in a drawn-out voice, "The poetry recital is now officially beginning—please welcome the Crown Prince's tutor to pose a question for everyone!"
Chen Jiahang: "Today the peonies are in full bloom, so I invite all of you talented scholars to compose a poem on the theme of peonies!"
The talented scholars racked their brains and created their own poems.
Chen Jiahang: "All of you talented scholars have written excellent poems. However, so far, none of them have truly impressed me or the Crown Prince. I urge you all to think carefully and strive to create even better works!"
At this moment, Jinlan whispered a few words to her brother.
Qi Gaoming nodded and then raised his hand.
Eunuch: "My talented son, have you thought this through? If it's just some clichés, then there's no need to say anything more."
Qi Gaoming: "Clouds remind me of her clothes, flowers of her face; the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, the dew is heavy." (This line is a quote from Li Bai's poem.)
This statement shocked everyone around.
"What a beautiful poem! What a beautiful poem!"
"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful!"
Chen Jiahang: "May I ask the name of this talented poet? This poem is indeed unique."
Qi Gaoming: "Reporting to Grand Tutor Chen, my name is Qi Gaoming."
Chen Jiahang: "Besides this line, can you come up with any other good lines of poetry?"
Qi Gaoming thought for a moment, took two steps, and said, "Only the peony is truly a national beauty; when it blooms, it stirs the capital." (This quote is from a poem by the Tang Dynasty poet Liu Yuxi.)
Chen Jiahang: "Great! Great poem!"
The crown prince was delighted to hear such a perfect poem and even peeked out to look at the talented scholar.
Everyone else cast envious glances at Qi Gaoming.
Qi Jia looked at his son with great pride, feeling immense satisfaction.
Gao Ming, well done! Dad will definitely bring you home soon!
Everyone was discussing it.
"Looks like this kid's going to make it big."
"Yes, so far no one's poetry is better than his."
[What's so great about it! It's just a poem copied from a great poet a thousand years later, it's not even his. Your Highness, please don't be fooled by him!]
Although they were far apart, the Crown Prince clearly heard what Qiuqiu was thinking.
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