If Bai Qingyuan were placed in later generations, he would at best be just a keyboard warrior.
They can say anything, but they're useless at everything.
A weak and pathetic piece of writing.
Therefore, he righteously rejected Jing Zhe's proposal without any change in expression, which made Jing Zhe sigh: Just how important is the self-cultivation of a high-ranking official's face!
Bai Qingyuan, without blushing or panting, continued, "I haven't finished yet. Creating your own ci (lyric poetry) is very different from creating your own calligraphy. A ci must be matched with a melody; simply writing lyrics doesn't have much meaning!"
"Grand Tutor Bai, don't you think you've said something pointless?"
Jing Zhe said disdainfully, "Anyone you pull out on the street knows the principles of ci poetry and melody. Are you looking down on me or do you want me to look down on you?"
"..."
This was the second person, besides Duke Yu Sheng, whom Bai Qingyuan had encountered who had embarrassed him with just words, and the key was that he had nothing to say in return.
After regaining his composure, he said seriously, "What I mean is, if Young Master Jing can create his own ci (lyric) forms, could he also create his own melodies?"
In Bai Qingyuan's opinion, only female singers who specialize in studying musical instruments could understand this melody and rhythm. Jing Zhe was just a scholar who was proficient in poetry and calligraphy. Surely he couldn't possibly understand the melody as well?
To everyone's surprise, Jing Zhe actually nodded: "I know a little, I know a little!"
"You can't possibly know how to sing, can you?"
Bai Qingyuan said unwillingly.
"this…"
Jing Zhe glanced at him. "Grand Tutor Bai, that seems like a pointless statement. If I knew how to sing, why would I need to send Master Wang to the cabin to learn?"
This old man kept babbling on and on, and Jing Zhe had previously noticed that he and Su Xinping were exchanging glances and seemingly exchanging something, so he didn't have a good impression of him.
If we don't take the opportunity to criticize him, who should we criticize?
"..."
Bai Qingyuan was indeed rendered speechless by the rebuttal, his face turning red and white as he pondered something.
Everyone else was gritting their teeth and trying not to laugh, which was very uncomfortable.
Bai Qingyuan was always picking on himself or arguing with Duke Yu Sheng in court. Emperor An didn't like him much, and it was rare to see him being criticized to such an extent by someone other than Yu Sheng, which he found ridiculous.
But considering that Jing Zhe is just an ordinary citizen now, he was afraid that if he offended Bai Qingyuan too much, it would be difficult to carry out his work in the future.
He then stepped forward and chuckled, "Jing Zhe, how dare you speak to Grand Tutor Bai like that? I've been waiting for you for a long time, not to hear your noisy chatter!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"
After bowing and speaking, Jing Zhe stepped aside.
Seeing this, Qi Junguang sneered: "You've created your own lyrics and melodies again. Are you so afraid of me that you're deliberately writing something unworthy of respect, so you can find an excuse after you lose?"
"Your Highness is overthinking it."
With a pitying glance at Qi Junguang, Jing Zhe said, "Instead of wasting your time, you should worry more about yourself!"
"Hmph! I'd like to see what you can write to compare with my 'Flower and Moon Order'!"
After speaking, Qi Junguang sat down, flicking his sleeves, and waited for the next part to follow.
...
After everyone waited a short while, Wang Yingqiu finished explaining to the singers playing the guzheng and pipa, and then gracefully came to the side of the boat.
At this time, the large ship had begun its second round of circling the city and arrived once again at the riverbank below the imperial city.
A large crowd emerged from the dimly lit area, accompanied by the singing of "Flower Moon Order" by courtesans on the shore, creating a lively scene.
Emperor An and Zhu Xinning couldn't help but feel anxious: the saying goes, "If you're quick on one step, you'll be quick on every step!" The "Flower Moon Order" has already reached the point where everyone is singing it. If Jing Zhe's lyrics can't immediately steal the show, they'll most likely lose today's competition!
However, it's very difficult to completely suppress it right now.
At this moment, the guzheng began to play, and the pipa joined in.
Everyone on the boat held their breath, and those on the shore knew that the third poem of the day was coming. Since the second poem was so excellent, they were even more curious about the quality of the third poem.
People still discuss it from time to time.
"Young Master Jing's poems are so good, will he not write any more?"
"Of course! This one must belong to the Third Prince!"
"Yes, let's hear what lyrics he can write!"
"..."
Wang Yingqiu was performing in front of so many people for the first time. Her palms were sweating and she was a little nervous. She looked up and saw that Jing Zhe was also looking at her. He nodded and smiled brightly.
His smile seemed to have a magical power, and Wang Yingqiu was instantly infected by it. She immediately stopped being nervous, nodded in sync with the music, and started singing.
"When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the heavens. I wonder what year it is tonight in the celestial palace. I long to ride the wind and return, but I fear the jade towers and crystal palaces are too cold at such heights. I dance with my shadow, how can it compare to being in the human world?"
Wang Yingqiu's voice was soft, and the orchestral sounds were gentle. No one had ever heard this melody before, but strangely, they all found it extremely beautiful and irresistible.
As the melody of "Shuidiao Getou" resounded across the river, before the first half was even finished, there was no further conversation, whether on the boats or on the banks. Wang Yingqiu sang slowly, but perfectly capturing the essence of the lyrics, delivering a seamless performance.
Among the people on the boat and on the shore, many were well-versed in literature. Upon hearing this, they immediately sensed the ethereal, grand, and profound beauty of the poem.
Each line is interconnected, moving from scenery to emotion, while simultaneously depicting the moonlit night with such ethereal beauty, devoid of any worldly concerns. With just a few words, it evokes a celestial atmosphere that soothes the soul.
It is no exaggeration to say that any two lines randomly selected from the first stanza would be masterpieces!
Upon hearing fine poetry, scholars would instinctively engage in discussion, but this particular poem made them forget to speak, completely absorbed in its beauty.
"The moon turns through the red pavilion, shines low through the embroidered window, illuminating my sleepless night. There should be no resentment, yet why is the moon always full when we are apart? People have sorrow and joy, separation and reunion; the moon has its phases of waxing and waning. Nothing in this world is ever perfect. I only wish that we may live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart."
Wang Yingqiu continued singing until she finished the last line. Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. But when she realized how lonely she was around her and how empty everyone's eyes were, she panicked again.
Approaching Jing Zhe, she clasped her hands together, looking somewhat uneasy, and asked, "Did you sing badly?"
Seeing her nervousness, Jing Zhe didn't think much of it. He reached out and took her restless little hand, comforting her, "Very good. I've never heard anyone sing as well as you. It was definitely the right choice to let you sing!"
Wang Yingqiu's eyes lit up when she heard this.
But the heat from her hand brought her back to her senses. She hurriedly pulled her hand back, feeling as if she had been electrocuted. She couldn't help but tremble slightly, and her face and neck turned bright red.
As if nothing had happened, Jing Zhe smiled and turned to wait for An Di and the others' comments.
Wang Yingqiu stood there alone, and suddenly a lot of unfamiliar and unsettling feelings arose in her heart. She felt anxious and hesitant.
He's my friend's younger brother!
And I'm so much older than him...
The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she became. In the end, all she could do was bite her lip and stomp her feet: Wang Yingqiu, what are you thinking about?
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