Xiao Hechuan was already used to such expressions and did not take them seriously at all. Those words sounded bland to his ears.
It was not until the Xie family's retainer coughed twice that everyone stopped talking.
Mr. Xie is an elegant man who loves poetry very much. Although he is a businessman and ranks last in the four categories of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, he is rich and powerful. He likes to make friends with these literati and often holds poetry tea parties, as if this way he can improve his status.
What he cares about is not only the standard of life, but also the spiritual aspect.
The Xie family's retainer is named Qi, and everyone calls him Mr. Qi. He is also very knowledgeable and is the one that Mr. Xie values the most, so he is asked to be the threshold to screen out truly capable literati.
As soon as Xiao Hechuan's poem came into his hands, he was shocked by his beautiful handwriting. The momentum and the style of the calligraphy can be said to be unique and one of a kind.
Even if someone wants to imitate it, it would probably be very difficult.
The seven-character quatrain he wrote was just an impromptu creation. It was based on the themes of winter and snow, and indirectly covered the praise of Jeju City, mixed with some unique poetic elements. Mr. Qi read it with surprise in his eyes, and nodded frequently, very satisfied.
There is no need to look at it, this poem is already the best today. Even if the poetry competition officially begins tomorrow, this poem will probably be able to win several rounds.
It seems that this time, I have really struck gold.
"Xiao Hechuan, Mr. Xiao, right?" After reading it, Mr. Qi looked at him with a smile, looking at him as if he was looking at a treasure.
Xiao Hechuan nodded slightly:
"Excuse me, Mr. Qi, is this poem of mine qualified to participate in tomorrow's poetry gathering?"
"Enough, enough, Mr. Xiao's poem is so well written, and his calligraphy is also amazing. I think my calligraphy is pretty good, but now that I have seen Mr. Xiao's calligraphy, it is really like comparing apples to oranges. I never thought that there are always people better than you. I wonder which academy Mr. Xiao is a student of? And which famous scholar is he a student of?"
Mr. Qi just felt that Xiao Hechuan looked less than twenty years old, yet he had such strength, so he must have been guided by a master.
"I am ashamed to say that I have just arrived in Jeju and have not yet entered any academy for examinations, nor do I have any teachers to guide me!"
He spoke the truth, which made Mr. Qi even more confused.
Seeing his expression, he really didn't seem to be talking nonsense, and he thought to himself, is he a genius?
Mr. Qi has read so many poems today, but he has never shown a satisfied smile. Those who had misinterpreted Xiao Hechuan behind his back were now all at a loss.
Could it be that he really has the ability?
They all heard the conversation between Xiao Hechuan and Mr. Qi. At this moment, they really wanted to take a look at the poems and calligraphy written by Xiao Hechuan to see how good they were to earn Mr. Qi's special treatment.
Mr. Qi was still pondering, but Xiao Hechuan was already impatient:
"Mr. Qi, in that case, can you give me your badge?"
After passing the screening, you will get a wooden plaque, which is equivalent to an admission ticket. You can just take this wooden plaque to participate in the poetry reading the next day.
Moreover, these wooden signs are divided into different grades.
The worst yellow wood can only be used to sit in the hall, with four people at a table. Going up to red wood, one can sit in the private seats on both sides, two people sitting opposite each other. The best nanmu can be used to sit alone in the private seats on the second floor. Those who get this nanmu brand are basically powerful or have a strong family background.
Mr. Qi was looking forward to Xiao Hechuan's performance tomorrow. He gave him one of the few nanmu tablets. This move shocked the rest of the people for eight hundred years.
Everyone was wondering, what qualifications did he have? He was unknown and it was his first time here. Were they overestimating him?
It was not surprising that Xiao Hechuan got the nanmu sign. He took it and left, very coolly.
As soon as he left, everyone gathered around, wanting to see what Xiao Hechuan had written.
Mr. Qi did not stop them, but warned them again and again that they could circulate the book but not to damage it, as he had to take it back to show it to Mr. Xie.
After seeing the poem written by Xiao Hechuan, everyone fell silent. Well, it was indeed their fault for being blind. There would be something interesting to watch tomorrow.
…
Xiao Hechuan met Su Yanqing's carriage on his way home. He had not gone far when the Su family's carriage came towards him. It was Tingzhu, the servant beside Su Yanqing, who recognized Xiao Hechuan at a glance.
When Su Yanqing heard that it was Xiao Hechuan, he immediately stopped the carriage.
Xiao Hechuan was not surprised to see him, because in his previous life, Su Yanqing would often appear in various poetry gatherings and tea parties.
He was well-known for his talent and was often invited to participate in poetry gatherings without any entry requirements.
Moreover, the Su family and the Xie family have always been on good terms.
"Hechuan, why are you here?" Su Yanqing was just worrying about what reason to use to go to the Xiao family. Now that he had met the Xiao family, it was also an opportunity.
He had mentioned the Xiao family's affairs to his grandfather these days, and his grandfather had already agreed to invite the Xiao family to visit his house. Today was a good opportunity to mention it to Xiao Hechuan and let their family choose a date.
In this way, he would have the opportunity to meet Xiao Lanlan.
"I want to participate in the poetry meeting held by the Xie Mansion, and I have just submitted my poem of submission." Xiao Hechuan answered truthfully.
He had no expression on his face, giving people his usual cool and aloof vibe.
"Hechuan also likes to write poetry? Did you pass your poem of surrender?"
Hearing that he could write poetry, Su Yanqing came to attend the poetry reading specially, and his expression was somewhat surprised.
"It's OK. I just wrote some random stuff and barely passed."
He is quite humble. The poem he wrote casually has caused a sensation, but he made it sound like nothing.
"I am also invited to the Xie family poetry gathering. It seems that I can see Hechuan's poetry competition tomorrow."
Su Yanqing was very curious about Xiao Hechuan's level. In response, Xiao Hechuan just smiled faintly to show politeness.
"By the way, my grandfather sincerely invites everyone from the Xiao family to visit his villa. I was just about to find someone to tell you, but I didn't expect to meet Hechuan today. I have to trouble Brother Hechuan to go back and tell Uncle Xiao and Aunt Xiao and ask them to choose a convenient day so that my grandfather can prepare in advance to welcome us, to express my gratitude to everyone from the Xiao family for saving my life and caring for me." When Su Yanqing said this, he deliberately performed a very standard gentleman's etiquette to Xiao Hechuan.
Mr. Su Wubing invited them to his house, which was a big deal.
He is a big shot in Jeju, highly respected and renowned throughout the Daqing Dynasty. It can be said that he thinks highly of the Xiao family.
This also shows that he has high hopes for his grandson Su Yanqing, which is why he treats his affairs as his own.
If it was Madam Su who wanted to invite them today, Xiao Hechuan would definitely refuse on the spot, but now it was Mr. Su Wubing, so he had to think carefully about it.
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