"His Majesty."
At this moment, Zhu Tong stepped forward again, "Although I cannot agree with Grand Tutor Bai's opinion yesterday, I have heard about his analysis of the three princes of Southern Qi and I fully agree with it!"
"Oh? I have heard that the third prince of Southern Qi is proficient in both literature and military strategy. But I think that's just choosing the best among the worst in Southern Qi. If he came to Anguo, he wouldn't stand out so much!"
Then he pointed at Hanlin Academician Song Baiyun, "Song Aiqing's son, Song Jimao, is known as the number one talent in Jingzhou. A few years ago, he was the most popular person in the city. I have heard his poems and lyrics, and they are truly excellent. I heard that he has been staying at home for the past three years, studying diligently. This year, he returned to the stage to participate in the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering. Defeating the third prince of Southern Qi is no big deal, is it?"
Upon hearing this, Song Baiyun's face changed drastically, and he stumbled forward.
"Your Majesty flatters me! Although my son has some reputation in the capital, I have also read the poems of the Third Prince of Southern Qi. Compared with him, my son has no chance of winning. I hope Your Majesty will reconsider!"
In this kind of competition, losing makes you a sinner, while winning brings you fame but also offends the future emperor of Southern Qi. It's not worth it no matter how you look at it.
Besides, the third prince of Southern Qi is no ordinary person; how could he be so easy to defeat?
Upon hearing this, Emperor An's face darkened.
Song Baiyun's eyes darted around, and he said, "Your Majesty, I do have someone who can compete with the Third Prince of Southern Qi."
"who?"
"Congratulations, Your Excellency!"
As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes turned to Zhu Tong.
"Yes, Your Majesty! Everyone has witnessed Zhu Sheren's talent in poetry. The reason my son has been secluded for three years is because he lost to Zhu Sheren in the poetry competition! If Zhu Sheren were to compete with the Third Prince of Southern Qi, his chances of winning would greatly increase!"
Emperor An stroked his chin thoughtfully, while the princes were already whispering amongst themselves. Everyone knew that Song Baiyun had once proposed marriage to the Zhu family on behalf of his son but was rejected, and he still harbored resentment. Little did they expect that he would dig a pit for Zhu Tong at this moment, and it remained to be seen whether Zhu Tong would fall into it.
"Thank you, Grand Scholar Song, for your kindness and praise towards Xinning."
Zhu Tong glanced at Song Baiyun expressionlessly, then said to Emperor An, "Your Majesty, although Xin Ning is talented in poetry, she cannot appear this time."
Emperor An did not speak, but nodded to signal him to continue.
"The notice that Xin Ning will be the chief examiner of this poetry competition has already been posted. If it is canceled at the last minute because of the confrontation with the third prince of Southern Qi, people will say that our great An Kingdom does not even have a decent man and can only send a woman to take the lead. Wouldn't that be a laughing stock?"
These words, though spoken in a calm and measured tone, struck Song Baiyun squarely in the face. His son instantly became an "unpresentable" man. It could only be said that experience still prevails; he was no match for Zhu Tong. He retreated, his face flushed.
At this moment, Zhu Xinning also stepped forward.
"If Your Majesty wishes me to participate in the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering, I would not dare to object!"
Emperor An waved his hand. Zhu Tong had already made his point so clear, why would he want to make a fool of himself?
Meanwhile, His Highness's ministers secretly admired the Zhu family father and daughter, whose perfect coordination was evident in their actions, one advancing and the other retreating.
Just as Emperor An was looking disappointed, Zhu Tong spoke up again: "Your Majesty, even if the Third Prince of Southern Qi were to participate in this Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering, I do not have high hopes for him!"
Emperor An was delighted. "Oh? You also think highly of Song Ji-mo?"
"I have read few of Young Master Song's poems and lyrics, and am not familiar with them..."
In the blink of an eye, another vicious slash landed, and Song Baiyun felt a tightness in his chest, his gaze towards Zhu Tong becoming even more sinister.
Zhu Tong, however, paid no attention, saying, "The person I'm referring to is Young Master Akun from Yongzhou!"
"Ah Kun?"
Emperor An was taken aback, and immediately realized who this person was. "Could it be A-Kun, the one who wrote 'The spring water is bluer than the sky'?"
"Exactly!"
"Isn't he far away in Yongzhou?"
Emperor An had also heard of Chunshui's poem and was amazed by its beauty. According to his usual practice, he should have summoned Akun to the palace, but Su Mochen was out and had not returned at the time, and he was not in the mood for it, so the matter was delayed.
"Your Majesty, he has already arrived in Jingzhou, and last night he even composed a poem in Wuxian Garden. Coincidentally, Song Jimao had a competition with him yesterday and lost."
puff!
Another blow, and Song Baiyun felt utterly hopeless.
"Oh? Really?"
Emperor An became interested. "What poem did you write? Does Minister Zhu know?"
"I heard that last night, Qingqiu, the head of Qingyun Sect, visited Wang Yingqiu, the master of Wuxian Garden, and asked her to write a poem for the heroine Qingqiu. As for the poem, let Xinning read it!"
Zhu Tongyi unhesitatingly gave up this opportunity to his daughter, Zhu Xinning.
Zhu Xinning reappeared gracefully and softly recited:
"Silently I ascend the western tower alone, the moon like a hook."
A lonely paulownia tree in a deep courtyard locks in the clear autumn.
It's a tangled mess, impossible to unravel.
It is the sorrow of parting.
A unique feeling welled up inside me.
Before entering the court as an official, Zhu Xinning had a particular fondness for composing poems and lyrics. She had seen many such poems and written many herself, but she had never liked such a short lyric as much as she did now.
Although I know this wasn't written for her, reading it gives me an indescribable feeling of being there!
"Great words!"
Emperor An excitedly stood up from his dragon throne and clapped his hands. "I never imagined that this young master Akun's poems would be so exquisite. For a man from the north to write such graceful and delicate poems, I really want to meet him! By the way, will he be attending the Mid-Autumn Festival Poetry Gathering this time?"
"According to the scholars present yesterday, he said he would participate in the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering. However, this young master A-Kun is quite interesting. He can't write a single word without drinking strong liquor, but as soon as he drinks strong liquor, he writes words as if divinely inspired!"
"Strong liquor?"
Emperor An was taken aback, then laughed and said, "It is indeed quite interesting."
Then he said to the ministers, "In that case, do you gentlemen have anything else to report? If not, then the court is adjourned!"
He then summoned Sui Shouren and said, "General Sui, go out of the palace and invite Young Master Akun into the palace. I want to have a good talk with him!"
Everyone could see that Emperor An's expression had become much more relaxed after hearing Young Master Akun's words, clearly believing that the Third Prince of Southern Qi was no match for Akun.
And barring any unforeseen circumstances, this young master Ah Kun is about to make it big!
At this moment, Grand Tutor Bai Qingyuan stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I believe that treating a commoner in this way would be unfair to the other scholars attending the poetry gathering! Moreover, who can guarantee that this Ah Kun can defeat the Third Prince of Southern Qi? What if Your Majesty trusts him too much, but he proves unfit for important tasks? Wouldn't that make you a laughingstock?"
It seems that this Grand Tutor Bai was born to argue. Whenever Emperor An did something, he could always offer some objection. And because his official position was too high, the civil and military officials in the court could not do anything about him.
But this does not include Yu Sheng, the Duke of Protector of the State.
"Hey Bai, the competition hasn't even started yet, how do you know the other person can't win? Besides, you're supposed to be a civil official, yet you can't even write half a poem that people can remember. Tell me the truth, are you just jealous of the other person?"
"..."
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