After Tianyun sat down, he straightened his clothes. Large, silver-threaded begonia flowers were embroidered on the moon-white silk, shimmering softly in the sunlight.
She turned slightly to the side and asked in a curious whisper, "Do you know the poet Li Bai?"
She was asking Xie Wuyun, who was sitting next to her.
This banquet is, after all, a poetry banquet. She can't compose poetry, but she guesses that Mu Yaozhi's difficult questions will first fall on her head!
We still have to pick two songs from the nine-year compulsory education curriculum to make do.
"Li Bai? Who is that?" Xie Wuyun looked over in confusion. "The Poet Immortal. I don't recognize him."
Tianyun's eyes crinkled into a smile. "I was just making things up."
That's settled then. Since they don't know Li Bai, they certainly don't know Du Fu or Li Qingzhao either.
Xie Wuyun waved her hand and stopped asking. She never dwelled on things that weren't gossip.
She glanced at Yu Shanlai across from her without leaving a trace, her eyes flashing with an inexplicable glint, and lowered her voice to say, "A couple of days ago, my father came to the Yu residence to deliver New Year's gifts. He heard from the Imperial Censor that he wanted to betroth Yu Shanlai to Liao Yixuan!"
Tianyun looked slightly surprised. "Liao Yixuan?"
How did these two get together?
Xie Wuyun said mysteriously, "Liao Yixuan has always admired Yu Shanlai, but Yu Shanlai is too proud to look up to him. She also hopes to win the favor of the Second Prince, which is why she has not paid any attention to him for so long."
Is this really true?
Tianyun picked up a red fruit and put it in his mouth. "Since Yu Shanlai refused before, why is she willing now?"
Xie Wuyun tilted her head and guessed, "Perhaps they can't see any hope in the Second Prince?"
Tianyun smiled, his meaning ambiguous, and said, "If the Second Prince isn't the only one, then there are others."
※※※※
The garden was filled with the sounds of laughter and playful chatter, yet no one dared to compose a poem to suit the occasion. As the hostess of the banquet and a woman of considerable talent, who would dare steal her thunder if she didn't speak?
Halfway through the banquet, the noble ladies tacitly stopped chatting and laughing, and tactfully egged each other on, saying, "We've long heard of Miss Mu's outstanding literary talent. Today, we've all gathered here to witness her unparalleled elegance. Why don't you quickly compose a poem to broaden everyone's horizons?"
When she was called upon by the crowd, Mu Yaozhi was still subtly observing Tianyun. She thought to herself, this woman has a gentle and quiet demeanor, which is out of place with the hustle and bustle of the garden, yet she inexplicably attracts people's attention to her.
Mu Yaozhi withdrew her gaze indifferently, then turned her head and her expression changed. Suddenly, she smiled brightly, like the moon, and said, "I am truly unworthy of the kind words of the ladies."
"Ordinary poetry writing is too boring. I have a novel idea that I'd like to share with you."
Mu Yaozhi turned slightly to look at the maid behind her, signaling with her eyes. The maid lowered her eyes and replied, "Yes," and then respectfully presented her with a small jade box.
As soon as she said this, someone immediately chimed in with a coquettish laugh, "Miss Mu's way of playing is certainly remarkable. It seems we really made the right choice coming here today!"
"Tell me quickly, what's this novel way to play?"
Mu Yao smiled mysteriously and slowly opened the jade box on the table.
"This is a set of gambling cards I made myself." Mu Yaozhi took out four cards from the forty-two jade cards in the jade box and waved them around in front of everyone to show them off.
"There are forty-two jade cards in total. The cards are divided into four suits, with ten cards of each suit. There are also two special cards without suits."
Tianyun's fingers, which were picking up food, froze as her gaze was instantly drawn to him!
Playing cards?
That wasn't all. Mu Yaozhi continued, "I counted carefully, and there are a total of eighteen people who have come by invitation. I will draw twenty-four suit cards later, leaving only two cards without suits and sixteen suit cards."
"Then two girls will inevitably draw the 'No Flower' card. The two girls who draw the 'No Flower' card can designate the other to compose a poem on any topic. If anyone fails to compose the designated poem within one incense stick's time, they will have to accept the punishment proposed by the other. What do you all think?"
Tianyun's eyes widened slightly, and he coughed lightly as he choked on the tea, finding it even more unbelievable!
Is this a modified version of Truth or Dare?
A poetry-writing adventure?!
This game is indeed novel and interesting, and everyone's interest has been piqued. They are all eager to try it out.
"Excellent, I like it!"
"This is very interesting, let's get started!"
Amidst the excited, coquettish urging of the noble ladies, a sudden, deep male voice rang out from outside the garden, "Add two more cards; we'd like to join in too."
Hu Yanhongxue and Xiao Ziyan entered side by side.
Both men were handsome and dashing young men of noble birth. Their presence standing side by side instantly made the ladies of the house clutch their pounding hearts.
As soon as these two handsome figures entered, many women blushed, their faces burning as if they were on fire.
Mu Yaozhi's ears burned slightly, but she managed to remain calm in front of the others. She shyly brushed a stray hair behind her ear and said in a sweet and soft voice, "Well, then I'll add two more jade tokens."
"Someone, add two more seats over here." Mu Yaozhi, as the hostess, sat alone in the head seat, and now she pointed to the seats next to her and gave the order to her servants.
The servant quickly brought over two yellow wooden chairs and laid out warm and soft brocade willow catkin cushions on them.
Mu Yaozhi suppressed her joy and said softly, "Brother Ziyan and the little prince, please sit down."
Xiao Ziyan sat down leisurely, leaned over and whispered to Hu Yanhongxue, "Little Prince, don't forget what I just said. After the third round of poetry, the 'No Flower' card will be in your and Miss Tianyun's hands. At that time, ask her the questions I gave you, and she will definitely be unable to answer them. When that time comes..."
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