"Shubao! Is that your son?" the slightly overweight Fang Xuanling asked in surprise.
"It is indeed my son!" Qin Qiong said with a smile.
"I had long heard that the Duke of Yi had an extraordinary son, and seeing him today, I know the rumors are true!" Changsun Wuji, who was even fatter than Fang Xuanling, stroked his beard and exclaimed.
"You flatter me, Duke Zhao."
"Congratulations, Duke Yi, on the birth of a prodigy!"
Congratulations! Congratulations!
"Thank you for the compliment, Lord Yu. I'm delighted!"
Amidst a chorus of congratulations, Qin Qiong beamed from ear to ear.
"Why don't we go down and see for ourselves if it can inspire the divinely bestowed poetry?" one person suggested.
"Please be patient, His Majesty should be coming down soon, let's wait a moment," Fang Xuanling said.
"The Duke of Xing is right!" Upon hearing Fang Xuanling's words, everyone stood up and waited.
As expected, footsteps soon echoed upstairs, and Li Shimin came down with his entourage.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
"All of you are here! Then come with me to see the outstanding young talents of our Great Tang!" Li Shimin said with a smile.
"I obey the decree!"
Li Shimin led a large group of people down from Ziyun Tower, startling the people below.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Qin Mu had just regained consciousness and hadn't even had time to check his gains when he heard many people bowing. Looking up at the crowd approaching, he also bowed in return.
This was Qin Mu's first time seeing Li Shimin. He was much more handsome than in the other world's illustrations. Today, Li Shimin was dressed in casual clothes, and although he was not wearing armor, it was still hard to hide his heroic spirit. He truly deserved to be called the Emperor on Horseback.
"No need for formalities, rise!" Li Shimin raised his hand, smiled and glanced around before continuing forward.
As Li Shimin approached, even Qin Mu, who was used to seeing important figures, still felt a little nervous.
"Are you Shubao's son?" Li Shimin asked.
"That's right, student!"
"Don't be shy, I don't eat people."
"Your Majesty's imperial might is unparalleled, and I am a little nervous," Qin Mu said truthfully. Li Shimin's aura was indeed greater than that of others. He had never thought that great figures were so remarkable before, but now he realized that mere temperament could also create an aura.
"Haha, Uncle Bao, your son is much more eloquent than you," Li Shimin laughed happily.
“My child is young, this is the truth,” Qin Qiong said, stepping forward.
"This is the poem that inspired the heavens!" Li Shimin asked, pointing to the table.
"Exactly."
"May I take a look?"
"Your Majesty, please take a look!" Qin Mu picked up the jade-colored Xuan paper and handed it over with both hands.
"What beautiful words! What beautiful words! Delicate clouds weave patterns, shooting stars convey sorrow, the Milky Way stretches far and wide in secret. A single meeting 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 our love is destined to last, why should we be together every day and night?
"How could you, at such a young age, depict emotions with such delicacy and depth! A single reading is enough to move one to tears and stir the heart! I truly don't know how to describe it. I can only say I love it so much I want to read it again and again." Li Shimin exclaimed.
"Your Majesty flatters me!" Although Qin Mu knew this was an exceptional poem, and no amount of praise was too much, he still felt compelled to express his modesty.
"Your Majesty's words are deeply appreciated by this old minister. This poem is magnificent, moving, and leaves a lasting impression! It is the most beautiful emotion in the world." The old man with a white beard exclaimed.
"Lord Yu, take a look!" Li Shimin said with a smile, handing over the secret scroll.
"Excellent! Excellent! Not only are the words good, but the calligraphy is also excellent. The strokes are like knives, and the dots are like peaches, showing the style of a master!"
"Mu'er, this is Lord Yu Shinan, the Duke of Yongxing County, a great Confucian scholar of our time," Qin Qiong stepped forward to introduce him.
"This humble student greets Lord Yu."
"No need for formalities. Although I have also composed poems that are a gift from heaven, none of them can compare to yours," Yu Shinan said with a kind smile.
"You flatter me, Lord Yu. Poetry is, after all, a minor art."
"For someone your age, this is quite remarkable. While it might not be unprecedented, few can compare. I just didn't expect you to have such profound insights. Perhaps you're missing some rich girl? Why don't you tell this old man? I'm sure many people would give me face." Yu Shinan said with a smile.
"You flatter me, Lord Yu. I am simply missing my old friends and family," Qin Mu replied.
"Hmm!" Being an old and shrewd man, Yu Shinan guessed that Qin Mu was missing his family, so he didn't ask any more questions and handed the scroll to the others to admire.
"Lord Yu probably doesn't realize that this is the third time he has composed a poem that has inspired a divine gift! Moreover, the other poems that have not inspired a divine gift are also very rare."
"When it comes to poetry alone, let alone young people, there are probably few in the entire Tang Dynasty who can surpass him," said the thin-faced Du Ruhui.
"Some time ago, someone in Youzhou produced two poems that seemed to be divinely inspired. Could they have been written by you?" Yu Shinan asked in surprise.
"It was just a coincidence!"
"I've only heard of two poems, and I don't know who wrote them. I never expected it to be you, young man," Yu Shinan exclaimed.
It's like singing; everyone likes a good song, but not everyone cares about the composer. Similarly, even fewer people care about the director of a good movie. Plus, Qin Mu's identity was unknown at the time, so the outside world naturally didn't know.
"I do know a few other poems, which were sent by the Prince of Yan in Youzhou."
One should live as a hero, and die as a ghost of valor.
Even now, I think of Xiang Yu, who refused to cross the Yangtze River to the east.
"Every time I read it, it makes my blood boil," Li Shimin exclaimed.
"What a fine poem! What a fine poem! I can hardly believe that you can write such unrestrained lyrics as those about hunting in Youzhou, such bold and unrestrained poems, and also poems with such delicate emotions. It seems that my evaluation of you just now was a bit too low." Yu Shinan's somewhat cloudy eyes lit up, staring at Qin Mu as if he had seen a rare treasure and exclaimed.
"You flatter me, Lord Yu. This was just a spontaneous remark."
"Haha, Lord Yu may not know, but the poem I just recited is called 'Summer Quatrain,' which this lad wrote on purpose to provoke Tianci," Li Shimin said with a smile.
"Huh?" Yu Shinan was taken aback by the unexpected answer.
Everyone knows that activating divine gifts isn't easy; both mindset and intention are indispensable. Deliberate pursuit is unheard of. Hearing Li Shimin say this, the others smiled knowingly. Most people have tried this before.
"The student was ignorant and made a fool of himself," Qin Mu said with an awkward smile.
"I don't know who your teacher is?" Yu Shinan waved his hand slightly to indicate that he didn't need to worry, and then asked with a smile.
"I studied under the Guigu School and also learned construction techniques from my senior brother, Yan Lide, the chief craftsman of the Crafts Bureau," Qin Mu replied respectfully.
"The Guigu School? I wonder which master belongs to the Guigu School?" Yu Shinan asked curiously.
Judging from his tone, there are currently no famous figures in the Guigu lineage. Qin Mu was not disappointed, after all, he had not thought about finding a backer.
"I am a descendant of the Guigu lineage, a descendant of the late Master Guiguzi," Qin Mu explained.
"I see!" Yu Shinan nodded, then frowned and sighed inwardly. After hearing Qin Mu's explanation, he was tempted to take this good disciple as his own, but then he thought better of it and gave up, because his identity was somewhat special, and with Qin Qiong's relationship, it would be inconvenient.
"Is this the poem you wrote for the Princess?" Li Shimin glanced at the table casually and then asked.
"Yes, His Majesty has set two questions, and I will certainly obey."
"Let me take a look," Li Shimin said, picking up the Xuan paper from the table without waiting for Qin Mu's opinion.
Li Shimin glanced down at the paper, then picked it up, looked at it again and again, before tilting his head back and closing his eyes.
Li Shimin remained silent, and the scene fell silent for a long while before he finally took a deep breath and asked, "Qin Huaidao, what reward do you want?"
"The Princess fought bravely against the orcs, and I admire her greatly. It is my honor to write a poem in her memory. If I were to accept His Majesty's gift, it would be a desecration of the Princess! I dare not accept it," Qin Mu refused.
"Good! You've done very well." Li Shimin smiled with satisfaction, then picked up the Xuan paper in his hand and said loudly, "These are four poems written by Qin Huaidao to commemorate Princess Pingyang. I have decided to spread them throughout the world so that everyone can feel the glorious image of the princess; and to have them engraved in front of the princess's mausoleum. The Ministry of Works is to handle this matter."
"Your subject obeys the decree!" A short, stocky middle-aged man stepped forward and answered loudly, then took the Xuan paper from Li Shimin's hand.
Upon hearing "Ministry of Works," Qin Mu guessed that this was the Minister of Works, Zhang Liang, the Duke of Xun, who was also the father of Zhang Wu, whom he had beaten up. He couldn't help but take a closer look. Although the man was not tall, he had thick arms, a steady and powerful stance, and an imposing aura; he must also be a master.
After observing him closely, Qin Mu looked away. After all, Zhang Liang was not someone he could deal with at the moment, so he just needed to keep an eye on him. Besides, they hadn't completely broken off relations yet, and he probably wouldn't interfere in the affairs of the younger generation.
"Qin Huaidao, I heard that the folding fan was made by you?" Li Shimin asked.
"It's just a playful creation, only slightly different from other fans."
"Then you will be responsible for making one for me. In addition, you will also provide for the needs of the palace in the future," Li Shimin nodded and said.
Qin Mu was overjoyed upon hearing this, realizing that Li Shimin had given him a business opportunity. Although folding fans were simple to make, with the label of being a royal tribute, his products would undoubtedly be considered top-tier.
"I happen to have an unused fan here, which I will present to Your Majesty." Qin Mu reached into his robes, and with a thought, a folding fan from the Heavenly Mystery Tower appeared in his hand.
"Hmm, you've put your heart into this!" Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction, took the folding fan, opened it, glanced at it, and said, "Since you are skilled in poetry, then write a poem for me."
"What kind of poem does Your Majesty wish to compose?" Qin Mu asked after a moment's thought.
"You can decide for yourself. If you really can't find a suitable one, you can write that summer quatrain," Li Shimin said, waving his hand.
"Your student obeys!" Qin Mu breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands in greeting.
Qin Mu was not only not offended by Li Shimin's actions, but was actually very grateful. Li Shimin's poem, which was not limited to any particular subject, was clearly intended to help Qin Mu gain fame, since one of the most important things for Confucian scholars was reputation.
Qin Mu thought for a moment, his eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands and said, "I was moved by Your Majesty's imperial might just now, and I thought of a poem. If there is anything inappropriate, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"It's alright, just write it. I will absolutely not blame you." Li Shimin's curiosity was piqued, and he asked with great interest.
"Sitting alone by the pond like a crouching tiger, I nurture my spirit under the green shade of the trees. When spring comes, if I do not speak first, which insect dares to utter a sound?" Qin Mu wrote a poem by Emperor Taizu, which, although not timely or appropriate, was very domineering, a point Qin Mu felt was very fitting.
"Haha! Haha! Good! Very good! I am very satisfied!" After watching Qin Mu write from beginning to end, Li Shimin laughed heartily, thoroughly pleased with himself. He understood that Qin Mu was referring to the silent scene that had surrounded him earlier.
"Your Majesty," Qin Mu said with a smile, "this folding fan can be made of precious materials or ordinary bamboo and white paper. The key is the poems and calligraphy on it, which better reflect its refined taste. It can be used by oneself or given as a gift to friends. The most interesting thing is to personally write the calligraphy and painting on the fan. I have only written on one side. If Your Majesty likes it, you can leave your imperial calligraphy on the other side."
"Yes! That's right. It's a small gift with great meaning! It's a perfect gift for a friend!" Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction. Then, looking at the blank side, he stepped forward, picked up a brush from the table, and personally wrote a large, fist-sized "Tang" character in a flowing, elegant style.
"Your Majesty's flying white calligraphy is truly beautiful; this old minister is ashamed of his inferiority!" Yu Shinan exclaimed, stroking his beard.
"Hehe! Lord Yu, don't flatter me. I know my own limitations." Li Shimin said with a smile, waving his hand. As he spoke, he picked up a folding fan and examined it from all angles.
“This poem is unparalleled in its domineering power, and only Your Majesty is suitable for it!” said the chubby Changsun Wuji, his belly protruding.
"Haha, it's mainly because Huai Dao writes so well."
"Indeed, he is a rising star of the Tang Dynasty." Changsun Wuji looked Qin Mu up and down and nodded with a smile.
Looking at Changsun Wuji, who was smiling like Maitreya Buddha, Qin Mu was filled with vigilance. He dared not underestimate this old fox at all, as he might be tricked by him one day. Therefore, he had to be careful.
"You flatter me, Duke Zhao."
"Fuji is not too kind. Huai Dao is unparalleled in both poetry and prose, and few can rival him. I think this competition should end here," Li Shimin said, looking around.
No one objected to Li Shimin's words. After all, the fact that he could compose a poem that inspired such divine inspiration had already proven everything. Unless someone else could compose a poem that inspired such inspiration, but unfortunately, no one was certain. Moreover, who would dare to oppose Li Shimin's decision?
"I knew it would be like this. With him around, no one else has a chance to shine." In the corner, Lu Chengli smiled bitterly as he put away the poem he had only half-finished.
“This is the third time already. If this continues, I’ll lose all confidence in writing poetry.” Cui Yanxing put away the Xuan paper and shook his head as he spoke.
"I won't keep you all entertained any longer. My beloved ministers, you may all leave now!" Li Shimin instructed. After giving the order, he led his guards toward the Ziyun Tower, where he had a separate passage to leave.
"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"
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