Chapter 37
Seeing this, the audience also began to discuss. However, the topic of discussion was not the quality of the poem, but the tit-for-tat exchange between the two candidates for the title of Prince Consort. Their words were sharp, but neither was as amusing as Xiaoyue'er's childish ramblings. The eyes of the crowd flicked back and forth between them and Yi Luoyue. Yi Luoyue remained calm, gently swaying the teacup in her hand, seemingly unconcerned with the two.
She had to admit that when she heard "How can I not understand the pain of lovesickness", her heart moved slightly, and she thought of Gong Yuchen who had not returned yet. A trace of loneliness and a trace of imperceptible fatigue flashed in her eyes.
"Prince Gongyu and Master Li are both men of exceptional talent. There's no need to argue endlessly over minor disagreements. Poetry and lyrics are all about expressing one's own opinions. As long as they express what's in one's heart, they are good works. Today's poetry gathering is about expressing one's feelings, so don't let arguments ruin the fun."
Seeing this, Gong Yuxian realized that he had lost his composure and quickly bowed.
"I know I was wrong and have disturbed the princess's pleasure. I hope the princess will forgive me."
Yi Luoyue waved her hand.
"That's all right. I understand that you all want to showcase your talents. The poetry reading will continue. Feel free to create as you please. Don't be too restrained."
She was still thinking about Gong Yuchen, and although she was not very interested in their dispute, she had to come out to smooth things over.
The poetry gathering continued, but from then on, Li Fei and Xiao Yue'er collaborated, while Gong Yuxian and Li Fei engaged in a rivalry. The two composed several more poems, each increasingly sentimental and explicit. But whenever Gong Yuxian wrote a poem, the little devil would find a flaw and lash out. The air was thick with competition, and those unfamiliar with the situation could easily believe the two were vying for the princess's favor, each trying to outdo the other in talent. However, with Xiao Yue'er's instigation, their rivalry became a one-sided, absurd comedy.
Compared with the two candidates for the title of Prince Consort, the more superior people gave warm applause to this smart and lovely little girl.
"Auntie, I'm so bored. Can you make something fun?"
"Okay, then tell me, what do you want to play?" She was really unhappy that Gong Yuxian had to show off his presence on the court all the time.
"How about we play couplets?" Xiaoyue suggested while looking at everyone.
"What do you think?"
Everyone has eaten a little too much melon today, so they don’t have any opinion on whether it is reciting poetry or couplets, as long as there is a show to watch.
"It's up to Her Royal Highness the Princess to decide."
"Okay, then let's write a couplet." Yi Luoyue nodded gently. She picked up the teacup in front of her and took a sip. The rich fragrance and slightly bitter taste slid down her throat, but it could not dispel the loss in her heart. It had only been a few days since he left, but why did she feel empty in her heart? Until she saw a familiar figure walking across the waterside pavilion towards the gazebo.
Although his outstanding face was a bit tired, it still couldn't hide his handsome features. His upright figure exuded a kingly aura, which made the other men feel pale in comparison. They wisely kept away from him to avoid being compared to him.
"Daddy!" The sharp-eyed Xiaoyue rushed over to the person as soon as she saw him coming.
"Hey!! She calls Prince Xiyi daddy??"
Some people present knew Gong Yuchen, but they didn't know he had a daughter? Such a smart and beautiful daughter, and such a good relationship with Princess Yue.
"Dad, are you here to pick us up?"
Xiaoyueer missed Gong Yuchen so much after not seeing him for a few days that she pulled his hand and started chattering non-stop.
"Yes, Daddy is here to take you home." He touched Xiaoyue'er's head with his hand, but his eyes were looking at Yi Luoyue.
A breeze blew by, ruffling her skirt. She stood there, the smile in her eyes almost overflowing from her eyes. At this poetry gathering, all the talented people were arguing for her, but the one she was worried about was always this latecomer.
"You're back." I resisted the urge to get closer to him. When he walked into the pavilion, I felt a little distressed when I saw that he looked a little tired.
"Thank you, Princess, for taking care of Xiaoyue'er. I just happened to stop by while I was doing something."
"The poetry gathering will be over soon. Your Highness, Crown Prince Gongyu, how about we watch it together for a while?"
"Then I'd rather obey than be disrespectful."
"Mingxue meets cousin." Gong Mingxue also greeted him.
"Gong Yuchen, come and sit here." Li Fei deliberately gave up the seat next to Yi Luoyue to Gong Yuchen.
She brewed a new pot of hot tea and replaced the snacks on the table. Amidst the lingering aroma, she poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. Yi Luoyue's cheeks were almost smiling, but since she was wearing a veil, no one could see her expression.
"Thank you." Gong Yuchen sat down and quietly took Yi Luoyue's hand under the table. The sense of loss and tension in the air gradually gave way to warmth. The fierce competition among the talented poets at the poetry gathering was nothing more than a lively event that had nothing to do with her. The place in her heart had long been occupied by the man beside her.
Why is he here? Seeing Gong Yuchen walk in, Gong Yuxian was annoyed. Didn't he say he never attends this kind of party? No, he can't show up here.
"Your Highness, I've heard that you are a gifted writer, and I've always wanted to find an opportunity... to seek personal advice from you.
Yi Luoyue felt the owner of the hand holding hers was squeezing her hard. She looked at him with a pair of smart and beautiful eyes, and responded to the ignorant man in a soft voice.
"It's been heard before? I've never shown my writings or poems to anyone, so how can you say it's been heard before?"
"I heard that the princess was well-versed in poetry and literature since she was young, and her eloquence was well-known in Yidu. I hope you will be willing to teach me."
"Prince Gongyu, you're overly kind. These are just compliments from the world." Inwardly, he'd already cursed her eight hundred times. "And you're going to say something in response?" She must be incredibly desperate to offend the man around her. A little sourness might just be enough to spice things up, but a big jealousy can be fatal.
"Dad, this guy is so annoying, I want to teach him a lesson."
"You taught him a lesson?"
"Daddy, can you please trust me? When the time comes, please just turn a blind eye and ignore my insubordination."
Gong Yuchen sighed inwardly and glanced at her helplessly, "Hasn't she committed enough of the crime of insubordination?"
"Prince Gongyu, my aunt is very powerful. You can't do that. You'd better stop embarrassing yourself. You can't even beat me."
"You little brat, how can you do that?" Gong Yuxian didn't gain any advantage today and was very angry.
"Well, the poetry gathering is almost over. How about Prince Gongyu and Xiaoyue'er exchange lines three times?" Consider it the prize for the poetry gathering. Regardless of whether you win or lose, I will reward you with a set of the Four Treasures of the Study." Yi Luoyue was in a good mood. Besides, it wouldn't be shameful for Xiaoyue'er, such a smart little girl, to lose. After all, she was only seven years old.
"Since this is the princess's request, Gong Yuxian will comply." Humph! Just a little bastard, just playing with her, can she really fight him? Not possible.
"Okay. Who goes first?"
"I am young, so I'd better let the prince set the questions."
"Okay, listen carefully. Osmanthus flowers offer the moon to the fairy."
Gong Yuxian looked at everyone proudly. This sentence contained his name and Yi Luoyue's name, which were cleverly combined by him, giving it a unique charm.
People offer osmanthus flowers as a gift to the bright moon, and pray for the favor and favour of the moon fairy "Chang'e".
"Good sentence, good sentence." Everyone applauded.
"Little girl, it's your turn."
"Lotus roots growing out of mud lack a heart."
"This..." Everyone looked at Xiaoyue'er with a smile on her face.
This lotus root originally had many holes, but the lotus root just dug out of the mud didn't have so many. Was she mocking Prince Gong Yu for being like this lotus root that had just emerged from the mud, who should have many holes, but now had none? However, it seemed that there was nothing wrong with her being so right.
"You..." Gong Yuxian's face turned pale and black, he pointed at her, his eyes almost spitting fire.
"Haha, cunning and stupid, neither of them is a good word." Li Fei smiled and gave Xiao Yue'er a thumbs up.
"The second one!" The little guy continued to shake his head to make him angry.
"The matchmaker promised us a marriage." He looked at Yi Luoyue with feigned affection, implying that they were destined to be together. He didn't believe he couldn't move her.
“Xu, Xu, Xu, you big-headed ghost!” Seeing his self-righteous arrogance, Xiaoyue turned around and smiled at her dear father who looked unhappy.
"The King of Hell has locked your soul." Humph! I wish you a quick death and escape.
"Pfft..." Several people couldn't stop laughing and laughed out loud.
Seeing that Gong Yuxian's expression was different, Xiaoyue asked everyone happily.
"I'm right, okay?"
"Okay, puff..." A few of them were obviously bent over, holding their stomachs.
"My Lord! This is the last one!"
"Gong Yuchen, you know what, your daughter is also a talent. She can make Gong Yuxian suffer losses. Are you sure she is not your biological daughter? Her style of doing things is similar to yours." The more Li Fei interacted with this girl, the more he liked her.
Yes, Gong Yuchen looked at Xiaoyue'er with pride and doting. No matter whether she was his biological daughter or not, she was still his daughter, Gong Yuchen.
Gong Yuxian took a deep breath. He had to hold it in. He couldn't lose his composure in such a situation. He would definitely kill this little bastard later.
"Thinking of you and missing you are all for you."
"Princess, all my concerns and emotions are for you. I hope you can understand my deep affection." Gong Yuxian made a passionate public confession, attempting to establish a deeply affectionate persona. Furthermore, he looked arrogantly at the two men in the pavilion.
Faced with his provocation, Gong Yuchen merely raised an eyebrow, remaining indifferent. But! Damn him! He dared to covet her woman! The darkness within him surged.
Help! Xiao Yue rolled her eyes at him. This man is sick, and seriously ill. She slowly walked up to him, circled around him, and then slowly walked back to Gong Yuchen and Yi Luoyue.
"Haha, what do you think? You can't figure it out, right? Isn't it good for a girl to play house at home? Why show off? Hey! You're really like someone who has no ability but only a title. Humph!" Gong Yuxian looked at the father and daughter with contempt.
"Brother!" Li Fei patted Pa Gong Yuchen's shoulder.
"This grandson has booked a table at Feng Lai Yi Tea House tonight. When he leaves..."
Everyone understood what he meant, let alone Gong Yuchen.
"My Lord, please don't be angry when I tell you this!" The little guy deliberately provoked him slowly.
"How could I, a prince, be angry with a little... child like you?" He almost called the word "little bastard".
"Then listen carefully."
"Turn the left cheek and the right cheek, shame on you."
"May I ask, do you prefer the shameless left cheek? Or the thick-skinned right cheek?"
"Hahahahahahahaha." Everyone burst into laughter after hearing this. At this moment, Gong Yuxian was too embarrassed to save face. He threw away his sleeves and stood up angrily.
Yi Luoyue looked at the mischievous Xiaoyue'er.
"Where did you learn all this?"
"It's in the book!"
What kind of books does this girl usually read?
"Daddy, Auntie, it's over! Let's go home!" Xiaoyue happily held the hands of the two and set off for home.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
