The eunuch came downstairs, and Princess Changning looked up at him before walking upstairs. Li Shentong monitored the whole process, his face ashen.
"Thump! Thump! Thump!" A series of footsteps sounded, and Princess Changning ran upstairs. She glanced at the scene, then, like a swallow returning to its nest, she rushed to Empress Zhangsun's side, grabbed her arm, and called out sweetly, "Your Majesty!" Only then did she call out to the others, "Your Majesty, Father!"
Upon seeing his daughter, Li Shentong's mood instantly brightened, and a smile spread across his old face.
"Changning! Why haven't you come to the palace for so long?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.
“Your Majesty, I’m practicing martial arts!” Princess Changning said, blinking her big eyes.
"Then I've heard that someone has been visiting the Duke of Yi's residence quite frequently lately!" Li Shimin said with a smile.
"No, I just went to visit a friend," Princess Changning said awkwardly.
"Oh my! We have friends in Changning now?" Li Shimin asked, feigning surprise.
“Your Majesty, look at His Majesty! Why can’t other people have friends? I have plenty of friends too.” Princess Changning shook Empress Zhangsun and said coquettishly.
"Alright, alright, I know Changning has many friends, so can you tell me who that young man was just now?" Empress Zhangsun patted her arm and said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, you should know Yuchi Baolin and the others."
"Don't try to confuse the past. You know who I'm asking about," Empress Zhangsun said, gently tapping her forehead.
"Oh, you mean Qin Mu? I thought you knew him, Your Highness!" Princess Changning exclaimed, her big eyes widening as she clapped her chubby hands.
"Oh, so it's him! I heard Zheng mention him a few days ago. She said she was looking for a marriage partner for him, but I don't know if she's chosen one yet." Empress Zhangsun pretended to realize something and then said to herself.
"Ah!" Princess Changning exclaimed in surprise upon hearing this, feeling inexplicably nervous.
Her expression naturally caught the attention of the observant group. Li Shimin and his wife exchanged a smile, while Li Shentong felt a pang of heartache, as if his beloved daughter was about to be taken away by someone else.
Upstairs, a few people were chatting, while downstairs, the final competition had already begun. Looking at the crowd preparing to go up on stage, Li Shimin frowned and asked, "Why didn't Qin Mu go up?"
Poetry competitions differ from others. Whether it's dance or music, the basic skills learned are those created by our ancestors, and some are secret techniques that are not convenient to reveal, so far fewer people participate.
Poems are the personal creations of individuals, but a good poem can be widely circulated. Therefore, regardless of whether they are Confucian or not, anyone with some confidence has ventured out. The guards are setting up tables and chairs; there are already over fifty people eager to try.
"This old minister will summon him immediately!" Li Shentong said, his eyes lighting up. He wanted to embarrass Qin Mu so that his daughter could see that Qin Mu was inferior to many others.
"How can I let Uncle Wang handle such a small matter! Chen Yu, go down and announce my decree, and have Qin Mu come up to compose a poem; also, today's poems will be on the theme of Qixi Festival; the anniversary of the death of my third sister, Princess Pingyang, is approaching, and if anyone can compose a poem that satisfies me, I will reward them handsomely!" Li Shimin waved his hand and said.
The eunuch received the decree and went down to Qin Mu. He first spoke to Qin Mu, and then went to the front of the stage to announce the topic.
"Has His Majesty seen us?" Qin Mu looked up at the upstairs and asked.
“That’s for sure, go quickly,” Cheng Huaimo said.
"Tell me about Princess Pingyang first." Qin Mu had no objection to Li Shimin asking him to compose a poem; he simply didn't want to stand out too much earlier.
"Princess Pingyang, she is a remarkable figure. Back then, when the Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty were attacking the various lords, the werewolves came south. The princess was originally left to guard Taiyuan, but after receiving the news, she mobilized all the people of Taiyuan to march north to Yanmen Pass and fight a bitter battle for a month until His Majesty led reinforcements to arrive."
It is said that the eldest princess was seriously injured in this battle, so after returning home she stayed at home to recuperate until the retired emperor ascended the throne and she died in Taiyuan.
"I heard that due to the unstable situation back then, the Emperor Emeritus and His Majesty were unable to see the Princess one last time, which they considered a lifelong regret," Cheng Huaimo explained.
Qin Mu had heard of Princess Pingyang, after all, she was from the famous Niangziguan Pass. After hearing her story, he understood. Although their experiences in the two worlds were different, they had one thing in common: the princess was a heroine.
Qin Mu, who was the last to walk out, naturally attracted everyone's attention. Feeling a little embarrassed by being watched by so many people, he touched his nose and smiled as he walked to the newly added desk.
"Pretentious!" Changsun Chong said indignantly. He thought Qin Mu had deliberately lagged behind. Although he was annoyed with Qin Mu, he still felt a pang of anxiety upon seeing him emerge. He had already witnessed Qin Mu's prowess at the Rouge Pavilion and before, and he didn't believe he could compose such excellent poetry.
"It's alright, this time it's a set topic for poetry, it won't be that easy," Changsun Chong reassured himself. Feeling a bit irritated, he quickly picked up his folding fan and shook it vigorously a few times.
"Hehe!" Princess Changning, who was beside Empress Zhangsun, covered her mouth and laughed.
"You silly girl, you're so happy to see that boy on stage!" Empress Zhangsun said, tapping her forehead with her fair finger.
“No, that’s not it,” Princess Changning quickly shook her head.
"Then what are you grinning about!" Empress Zhangsun rolled her eyes at her, implying that she thought I was stupid for not being able to see through this.
“I was laughing at Changsun Chong,” Princess Changning explained.
"Chong'er didn't provoke you, why are you laughing at him?" Empress Zhangsun said irritably.
"I overheard something just now and didn't expect to witness it so soon, so I found it a bit funny," Princess Changning explained.
"What did Changning hear that made you find it so funny?" Li Shimin asked curiously.
“Someone told Changning that there are rules about folding fans: scholars fan their chests, martial artists fan their bellies, women fan their faces, and children fan their faces outwards.” Princess Changning said, imitating the gestures as she spoke.
When everyone looked at it, they saw that it was indeed very similar to the one Changsun Chong had just used. Moreover, folding fans are supposed to be elegant things, but the way Changsun Chong held it and waved it so vigorously was really unsightly.
"Stop spouting nonsense." Li Shentong glared at her and said. Changsun Chong was the son of Changsun Wuji, the Empress's own brother, and her own nephew. Although she was a member of the imperial clan, she couldn't compare to him. Li Shentong was naturally a little guilty.
Princess Changning knew it was inappropriate to make fun of Changsun Chong, so she stuck out her tongue, looked down at the building, and her gaze fell on Qin Mu.
"Hehe, Changning is not wrong. Everything has its use. If it is used improperly, it will make you a laughing stock."
"Hmm! I know this thing is very popular in Chang'an recently. From what you've said, could it be that it was made by the Qin family boy?" Li Shimin asked with a smile.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Yuchi Baolin said that Huaidao was responsible for all of this."
"Hmph! Huai Dao, Huai Dao, are you very familiar with him?" Li Shentong said sullenly.
Princess Changning didn't understand why her father was speaking in that tone, and looked up blankly.
"Ahem! Changning! Tell that Qin boy later that I don't have a folding fan yet!" Li Shimin said with a wicked smile, pleased to see Li Shentong get his comeuppance. He didn't necessarily need a folding fan; he just wanted to get Princess Changning and Qin Mu closer together and make Li Shentong angry.
"Changning obeys the imperial decree!"
"I'm suddenly starting to feel a bit excited!" Li Shimin said, looking down below.
"Your Majesty, do you mean there are some good poems coming out today?" Empress Zhangsun asked.
"I have a feeling that a suitable poem will be written today to commemorate my third sister," Li Shimin said with emotion.
"Your Majesty also hopes so, but he is still young and may not have much understanding. Your Majesty should not have too high hopes, lest you be even more disappointed."
"Let's wait and see what that wine brings!"
Li Shimin spoke upstairs, then looked down. Downstairs, an incense stick had already been lit, and the two poems were to be recited within the time limit set for two incense sticks.
As the incense was lit, everyone quieted down, and those who were preparing to compose poems began to close their eyes and contemplate. Qin Mu also closed his eyes, but he wasn't contemplating; he was simply considering whether it was appropriate.
When asked about poems describing heroines, four poems immediately came to mind.
Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty wrote few poems throughout his life, but he made an exception for one person: Qin Liangyu. He not only wrote poems in praise of her, but four of them. This not only reflects his admiration and reliance on her, and his desire for a capable general, but also demonstrates that Qin Liangyu was indeed a capable general and an excellent commander.
The key point is that his four poems are very well written, especially for a female general, they are a great compliment.
Qin Mu didn't think much of it and simply wrote down all four poems. He believed that Princess Pingyang's courage in resisting the wolf tribe deserved such praise. The only thing he changed was the title of the poems.
The title, "Four Poems in Memory of Princess Pingyang of the Tang Dynasty," is simple and straightforward, and its meaning is immediately apparent.
She mastered the Eight Trigrams Formation of Western Sichuan, and held the military tally in her sleeves. Women have always willingly accepted such roles; why must a general be a man?
I forged this Shu brocade battle robe myself, and on my peach-blossom horse, I requested to wield a long spear. How many extraordinary men are there in this world, yet who would willingly journey ten thousand miles to the battlefield!
They vowed to endure hardship and toil, even sleeping in the open and braving the elements, and to drink blood instead of rouge. The triumphant songs of peace and prosperity echoed on horseback, but these were not the songs of Wang Zhaojun's departure for the border.
With brooms and dustpans swept away the crickets, a joyous cheer erupted. Just wait and see, in future years, on the Ling Pavilion, a portrait of a beautiful woman will be painted first.
After confirming there were no mistakes, Qin Mu wrote it down silently and nodded in satisfaction. To be honest, he wasn't in a very good mood today, so he took his sister shopping early in the morning, hoping to clear his head. The main reason was also the holiday; as the saying goes, "On festive occasions, one misses their loved ones even more." Qin Mu now enjoys being busy, not as he used to, to suppress hyperthymesia. Now, he's busy mainly because he doesn't want to dwell too much on the past.
After time travel, in the quiet of the night, thoughts of the past often arise, accompanied by a bittersweet longing and heartache. Focusing on the present world can help avoid such feelings.
Longing is like a poison; the more you think about it, the more painful it becomes, especially after just recalling the Ming Dynasty, your thoughts start to wander again.
The Magpie Bridge Fairy - Delicate Clouds Weaving Patterns
Delicate clouds weave patterns, shooting stars convey sorrow, and the Milky Way stretches far and wide in secret.
A single encounter in the golden autumn breeze and jade dew surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world.
Tender feelings flow like water, a beautiful time like a dream, how can I bear to look back on the road to the Magpie Bridge?
If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together every day and night?
His heart stopped but his hands kept moving, and he wrote the famous poem "The Magpie Bridge Fairy." Qin Mu's eyes seemed to drift back to the girl he used to chase. Or rather, the girl he had a crush on.
With a loud "boom!", Qin Mu realized that a large burst of milky white light had descended from the sky, enveloping the table in front of him.
Having experienced this twice before, Qin Mu understood that this was a divinely bestowed aura of righteousness. Without thinking too much, he hurriedly closed his eyes and focused all his energy on gathering the aura of righteousness towards his Tanzhong acupoint.
Just as Qin Mu was jolted back to his senses, everyone in the Hibiscus Garden stood up in surprise. The people from the Purple Cloud Tower, in particular, all looked at Qin Mu with astonishment.
As the righteous energy descended, the Magpie Bridge Fairy could be clearly heard by people within a ten-mile radius; even the deaf heard the sound echoing in their minds.
Most people had no idea what was happening and looked around blankly. Only those who knew what was going on turned their attention to the place that resonated with them.
Li Shimin was astonished, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets. Although he was the emperor, this was the first time he had ever seen Tianci in person. Then, he became excited. In the first year of his reign, Tianci had appeared before him. No matter what, it was a good thing, especially since some bad rumors had circulated among the people because of that incident. Such an influential event, if properly guided, could bring many benefits.
After his initial shock, Li Shimin's eyes gleamed as he quickly devised several solutions. His right hand unconsciously gripped his thigh.
Empress Zhangsun was also very surprised. Just as she was about to ask Li Shimin, she saw him grab her thigh. After being married for many years, she naturally understood that this was because Li Shimin was very excited, which was why he was grabbing her so forcefully.
Empress Zhangsun was also a very clever woman. She quickly guessed Li Shimin's intention. With her beautiful eyes, she glanced at Qin Mu, who was bathed in the aura of righteousness downstairs, and then looked at Princess Changning beside her, whose big eyes were blinking incessantly. She nodded slightly, seemingly lost in thought.
The aura of righteousness quickly dissipated, and those below the Purple Cloud Tower still stared in shock at Qin Mu, whose eyes were tightly closed. Those upstairs had already recovered.
"Haha! Congratulations, Brother Qin!" Cheng Zhijie laughed loudly.
"Thanks!"
"Why did I give birth to so many idiots!" Yuchi Gong exclaimed.
"Haha, you can't blame anyone else for this, your family doesn't have that kind of blood! Although Brother Qin comes from a family of military generals, his wife comes from a scholarly family!" Cheng Zhijie laughed loudly.
"Then why are your family members also martial artists?" Yuchi Gong wasn't angry, and calmly added insult to injury.
Cheng Zhijie's smile froze on his face. His first wife came from a scholarly family, and his current wife was from the Cui family. Looking at his son downstairs, he felt a nameless anger rising within him.
"I'll send those brats back to school tomorrow!" Cheng Zhijie said through gritted teeth.
The others heard what Qin Qiong and the other two said and immediately gave Qin Qiong strange looks.
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