After the Emperor finished praising it, Empress Song smiled and said, "This poem is indeed very good. However, I have heard that the eldest son of the newly appointed Right Vice Minister of Rites is exceptionally talented. I wonder how he compares to the son of the Right Prime Minister?"
The Emperor, recalling the dance competition that had just taken place, immediately became interested and looked at Minister Xu, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Minister Xu quickly stood up, saying, "My son's talent is shallow, I dare not..."
The Emperor smiled and said, "Minister Xu is too modest. I have also heard of your son's talent."
Lord Xu could only say, "Then let my son compose a poem and ask His Majesty for his guidance."
When Master Xu stood up, Young Master Xu also stood up. He walked onto the stage. He was good-looking and held a folding fan in his hand. He looked quite dashing. Unfortunately, this dashingness was not the same as that dashingness.
Young Master Xu pretended to be Si Cen, and then composed a poem:
"Looking eastward, spring is pitiful, especially on a sunny day when willows are shrouded in mist."
Upon hearing the first line, the eldest prince, who was drinking, frowned. The poem sounded somewhat familiar.
Listen again—
"From the palace, one can see the southern mountains stretch to the horizon; from the city walls, one can see the Big Dipper hanging high in the sky."
The eldest prince's eyes widened.
He quickly put down his wine glass and bent down to pick up the crumpled paper he had just thrown at his feet.
As I picked up the crumpled paper, I heard the third sentence—
"Fine grasses gently support the returning carriage, and delicate blossoms fall lightly before the wine cup."
The eldest prince suddenly coughed, drawing everyone's attention.
Xie Jingyin frowned and said, "Young Master Xu is composing a poem. Isn't it too impolite for the Prince of Qin to cough like this?"
Although the cough was hard to bear, it wasn't unbearable, especially since it clearly sounded like I'd choked on alcohol.
The Emperor also looked over, and the eldest prince quickly stood up and said, "It was my fault. Someone just gave me a note that greatly shocked me, so I am presenting it to Father for your perusal."
When the Emperor saw the crumpled paper in the eldest prince's hand, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"Bring it here."
——
PS: The poem is by Su Ting of the Tang Dynasty.
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