Chapter 134 (Bonus Chapter for 33,000 words of nutrient solution)...
Early in the morning, as always, photographer Ken led his team into Qinghe Ancient Town before dawn.
"There's morning mist today!" Assistant Xiao Ye exclaimed in surprise.
Ken glanced at her amusedly: "I see this seven or eight times a month, is it still that novel?"
Xiao Ye nodded earnestly: "I never get tired of looking at it, it's really beautiful."
Ken shook his head and sighed, "You haven't had enough of the harsh realities of life yet..." Then, he stopped talking, tapped his chin on the lake, and asked, "Isn't this place a little different?"
Xiao Ye looked over blankly, then exclaimed, her voice rising, "Ah!" "It was a construction fence! The fence has been removed! Hua'e Xianghui Tower!"
The fences in the center of the lake have all been removed, and the original island has disappeared.
A milky-white mist hangs over the lake, like a soft veil, flowing gently and rendering the distant scenery as hazy as an ink painting. And within this tranquil mist, the pavilion standing in the heart of the lake quietly comes into view.
It has completely revealed its true form.
The morning light had not yet fully penetrated the clouds; only a faint glimmer of light filtered down, outlining its delicate and graceful contours. Layered eaves and upturned corners pierced the light mist, like the wings of a phoenix spreading its wings, carrying a sense of dynamic movement as if about to take flight. The vermilion pillars and carved railings appeared and disappeared in the grayish-white mist, their brilliance faded by the daytime's intensity, settling into a subtle and warm hue.
The entire pavilion was reflected on the smooth, mirror-like surface of the lake. The reflection swayed slightly in the mist, adding to the ethereal, dreamlike quality.
It stands there silently, without dazzling lights or noisy crowds, yet it possesses a tranquility and dignified air that has transcended the long passage of time, like a beautiful woman from the Tang Dynasty, dressing in front of a mirror in the middle of the water, breathtakingly beautiful.
"Quick! Get the telephoto lens!" A-KEN snapped back to reality, his voice trembling with excitement. He frantically directed the team, "Tripod! Quick! This light and shadow, this fog, it's like God is feeding us! Shoot!"
He then turned around abruptly and said, "Quickly find a boat, and then tell today's guests to come over as soon as possible!"
The image was already forming in his mind: in the morning mist, with the Hua'e Xianghui Tower as the backdrop, models dressed in Hanfu stood on a small boat—a photo that would definitely make a splash online.
The photography assistants scattered and began to contact the boatmen on duty at the dock.
Aken was completely absorbed in the photographer's ecstasy at capturing such a stunning view. His lens was eagerly aimed at the center of the lake, and the shutter clicked crisply, recording this fleeting, breathtaking moment that resembled a fairyland.
They weren't the only photography team present; everyone wanted to take photos from this angle. Unfortunately, when the boat reached the center of the lake, they received a notice from the relevant departments of Qinghe Ancient Town, prohibiting them from getting too close. The Hua'e Xianghui Tower is not yet officially open to the public.
Everyone was somewhat disappointed, but they all obediently followed the rules. Once the tourists entered the ancient town, there were even more small boats on the lake, and a group of people were taking photos and videos at Qinghe Tower and along the lake.
Before the day was even halfway over, clear photos and videos of the distant view sparked a small discussion on various online platforms.
[Holy crap, this is what the Flower Calyx Pavilion looks like? It's so beautiful!]
It doesn't feel like an antique-style building at all. I don't know how to explain it, but it just feels like this building was supposed to look like this all along...
Who was it that said it was a bad ending? Come out and take your punishment!
[Just imagine holding a banquet in such a beautiful building—it truly feels like stepping into a thousand-year-old dream! That alone makes it worth the ticket price! I envy the lucky ones who managed to snag tickets. I hope they add more shows and open the building to the public regularly!]
I'm already looking forward to what it will look like when the lights are on at night.
The tourists' last few minor complaints vanished completely, leaving only longing.
Those who had been keeping a close eye on other scenic spots in Qinghe Ancient Town understood that another landmark-worthy structure had been created there, and they couldn't help but sigh with envy. Putting everything else aside, Qinghe Ancient Town's ability to create such a landscape was truly impressive. They had even tried to recruit artisans from there, but unfortunately, they couldn't get them to move at all!
......
Tian Fan stood by the lake, snapping photos of the Hua'e Xianghui Tower reflected in the water. He felt a pang of regret; he should have come earlier, for it would have been even more beautiful with the morning mist! Fortunately, he would be staying in Qinghe Ancient Town for a few days, and perhaps he could even catch a glimpse of the morning or night mist.
Standing next to him was his mentor, Professor Jin, who could spend half the year in Qinghe Ancient Town.
"It's so similar, so very similar!" Professor Jin exclaimed.
Tian Fan asked, puzzled, "What does it look like?"
Professor Jin: "It's like it came straight out of a VR experience. It seems that Qinghe Ancient Town also has firsthand information about this building."
Tian Fan understood. The VR experience center had recently unlocked several memories from the perspective of the legendary musician Li Guinian. That was why he had come. They said that new features for the VR experience would be unlocked after the Lantern Festival, with both new content and new functions, so Tian Fan naturally had to make a special trip over.
It seems that the Hua'e Xianghui Tower appeared in the new VR clip.
"Is it similar to the descriptions in the classic texts we've studied?" Tian Fan asked his mentor curiously.
Professor Jin adjusted his glasses, his gaze still fixed on the pavilion in the middle of the lake, his tone filled with scholarly certainty and amazement: "It's just like it, every detail is just like it."
This building was built by Emperor Li Longji of the Tang Dynasty, who intended it for himself and his brothers to enjoy music and relax, hence the name "Hua'e Xianghui" (meaning "Flower Calyx Shining Together"). Unfortunately, the building was destroyed in the wars of the Later Tang Dynasty, and since then, architectural historians have only been able to reconstruct it from some historical records.
Professor Jin pointed to the top of the pavilion: "Look, a triple-eaved hip roof. Such a design could only be found in the palaces where the emperor held banquets! It matches the description in the Old Book of Tang perfectly."
“And another thing,” he said, gesturing to the decorations that shimmered subtly in the sunlight, “look closely at the eaves and railings. If my old eyes are not deceiving, they should be gilded bronze ornaments, imitating the ‘gilded bronze necklaces’ and ‘gilded bronze bells’ mentioned in historical records. When the wind blows, their clear sounds must carry far and wide.”
Tian Fan's memory was suddenly awakened, and he blurted out: "This is what is described in 'Youyang Zazu' as 'When the wind comes, the bells and chimes ring out in harmony, like celestial music.'"
“Yes.” Professor Jin took a deep breath. “What’s most remarkable is its spirit! It probably wasn’t built to actual dimensions; it’s smaller and more delicate, but the spirit is right—very expansive. The curves of the eaves, the layers of the brackets, have a flowing, graceful quality…”
He was deeply moved. In the past, they could only imagine the magnificent scene of "flowers and calyxes shining together" through textual descriptions and scattered mural images, always feeling that there was a layer between them and the view. Seeing this building today, he realized that the ancients were right! Many doubtful details seemed to have been answered all at once.
Professor Jin laughed and said, "So, Lao He will be coming over in a few days. Our team is getting bigger and bigger."
Tian Fan thought about it and realized it was true, so he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Professor Jin's research team, besides himself, Lao Yang, and Professor Yi, later included several more members. Of course, everyone was very busy and didn't stay there all day. They would come for a while, then leave, then come back for a few more days. In short, the entire research group was quite lively.
The old man Professor Jin mentioned is actually a well-known expert in the relevant field. He is a researcher at a museum and specializes in the history of the Tang Dynasty.
"Teacher He, you've come at a good time, just in time for the VR upgrade experience to be released." Tian Fan looked at his teacher and said ingratiatingly, "Teacher, you have to spare me a seat today."
The experience capsules that the ancient town gave to the history research group still belong to them. Although the research group has grown now, the professors certainly won't ask Lu Xiaoqi for them anymore; they've simply established a rotation system, so everyone should come whenever possible.
It wasn't that Tian Fan didn't want to pay; he just didn't want to wait in line.
Professor Jin glared at him irritably: "I can give you a day, but we need to make it clear beforehand that you have to stay here obediently for a while and help me organize various materials."
If it were just for fun, he wouldn't have indulged his closed-door disciple.
Tian Fan raised his hand: "No problem!"
That was his original plan.
The two walked to a nearby VR experience center, which had just opened, but a long queue had already formed outside, with many people holding up their phones to livestream or record videos. Clearly, everyone knew it was the first day after the VR experience center's upgrade and wanted to be among the first to get exposure and generate buzz.
Professor Jin and Tian Fan entered the VR experience center amidst the envious gazes of the crowd.
"Why don't they have to queue?"
"Didn't you know? These are all history experts who use the VR here for their research."
"Really?"
Amidst the murmurs, Tian Fan had already settled into the experience capsule, the door closed. He had played it many times before and could be considered a VR experience enthusiast, so he was very familiar with all the operations. He immediately clicked on the three additional memories from the perspective of "Li Guinian".
The first section is "Qingping Tune"; the second section is "Exile"; the third section is "Remembering Jiangnan".
After a moment's thought, Tian Fan realized that these three sections probably represented three stages in Li Guinian's life. The "Qingping Tune" was written by Li Bai for Emperor Xuanzong (Li Longji) and Yang Guifei. Legend has it that after Li Bai finished writing the poem, Li Guinian immediately composed music for it, which was highly praised by Emperor Xuanzong.
The exile naturally refers to the An Lushan Rebellion. And the memory of Jiangnan likely refers to the period when Li Guinian, in his later years, was exiled to Jiangnan and reunited with Du Fu.
After some thought, Tian Fan couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The life of Li Guinian, this legendary musician, spanned the rise and fall of the Tang Dynasty, witnessing the joys and sorrows, and the vicissitudes of countless historical figures. It was truly ingenious that the production team chose him as the main perspective.
He clicked on the Qingping Tune, but the tone of the following two sections was too heavy, so let him have some fun first.
Wait...didn't they say there were new features? Where are they?
The moment this question arose in Tian Fan's mind, a new option popped up in front of him:
【Do you want to select interactive mode?】
He was greatly encouraged! Interactive mode?
Wow! So this is the new feature? That's fun!
Previously, VR experience centers were purely for "observation," with no interaction with the characters or storylines. But now, you can actually interact! Isn't this just like a real VR game?
Tian Fan could easily imagine that this news would definitely top the trending searches.
The first true VR game in history...
He decisively chose "yes," and then a new option popped up:
Please select your role: A. Palace Maid; B. Musician; C. Guard.
Tian Fan laughed. "So that's how it is! This is fun!"
He chose a "musician," so it wouldn't be right to choose a palace maid, would it? But... maybe he can try again next time.
After making the selection, everything went black, and he was immediately immersed in the VR experience.
Before the light had fully focused, a rich aroma, a blend of sandalwood, peony, and wine, wafted towards me. Then, the sounds of string and wind instruments, faint laughter, and the unique tranquility of a nighttime courtyard filled my ears.
Tian Fan opened his eyes and found himself standing in a brightly lit Tang Dynasty palace courtyard.
As he looked around, he felt as if he had stumbled into a dreamlike realm woven from gold, brocade, and music.
Countless lantern trees, lantern wheels, and lantern towers stand throughout the courtyard, varying in height, resembling a burning forest. Giant tallow candles, as thick as a child's arm, burn fiercely on intricately carved, gilded lamp stands, illuminating the surrounding area as bright as day; delicate silk lanterns adorn the corners of the corridors and pavilions, casting a soft, hazy glow that reflects the scattered stars in the sky. Light pours onto the shimmering pond, the smooth, mirror-like flagstones, and the people's magnificent robes, reflecting a world of splendor and dazzling brilliance.
The air was filled with the scent of ultimate luxury. In addition to the initial aroma of agarwood, the rich and sweet fragrance of precious peonies, and the mellow taste of fine wine, there was also the scent of camphor lingering on the dresses of noblewomen, the steam from freshly cooked delicacies, and the freshness of dew-kissed plants at night.
"Tsk tsk tsk..." Tian Fan couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.
Is this the grand banquet of the Tang Dynasty?
Or rather, it truly lives up to its reputation as the glorious Tang Dynasty!
"What are you tsking about?" Suddenly someone turned around hurriedly, a hint of scolding on their face. "Hurry up! It's almost our turn!"
Tian Fan didn't react for a moment: "Huh?"
He immediately realized he was now a musician. Looking down, he saw he was wearing a slightly oversized musician's robe. At the same time, he felt a weight on his arm and realized he was holding a musical instrument, which looked like a ruan.
"What are you standing there for!" The man who had just scolded him glared at him irritably. "If you delay the performance, I'll report to the Imperial Music Master and have him punish you and kick you out of the Palace Music Hall!" He turned around, and Tian Fan heard him mutter again, "They really send all sorts of people here!"
Tian Fan was greatly intrigued; this VR interactive mode was amazing!
Are the dialogues and NPC reactions generated in real time?
But what if I can't play any musical instruments?
There was no time to think further. He quickly grabbed the ruan in his hands and followed the musicians ahead. He passed through the elegantly dressed guests who were chatting and laughing in hushed tones and the busy palace servants, and arrived near a pavilion that was surrounded by lights and flowers, making it look like a fairyland.
A pavilion came into view, its entire body seemingly enveloped in a warm glow, with a faint fragrance wafting from it.
The name Chenxiang Pavilion immediately came to mind for Tian Fan, a history major. Located near Xingqing Palace, Chenxiang Pavilion is said to be built with precious agarwood and is the birthplace of many famous scenes.
The pavilion, with its upturned eaves and intricate brackets, was exquisitely crafted. Light gauze curtains fluttered around it, displaying both imperial grandeur and elegant grace. The person inside instantly captured Tian Fan's attention.
At the head of the table, a middle-aged man dressed in an ochre-yellow robe and wearing a soft turban was reclining lazily on a soft couch. He was composed, with a satisfied smile on his lips, and his gaze swept over the splendor before him, exuding the air of an emperor who had everything under control.
Without any introduction, three words immediately popped into Tian Fan's mind—Emperor Xuanzong of Tang!
Beside Emperor Xuanzong, the peerless beauty leaned slightly forward, admiring a peony in full bloom outside the pavilion. Her hair was piled high, and the gold hairpin swayed gently with her movements, reflecting a dazzling light. She wore a flowing robe of pale yellow and crimson, the light and luxurious fabric outlining her voluptuous and graceful figure. Her profile was soft and perfect, and her skin appeared white and delicate under the lamplight, like the finest mutton-fat jade. Even a single glance at her profile, focused on admiring the flower, exuded a myriad of charms, captivating all who beheld her.
A single glance back, a smile that could launch a thousand ships... It was her, Yang Yuhuan!
This peerless beauty, surrounded by scandalous anecdotes throughout history, who ultimately became a political sacrifice and died tragically at Mawei Slope, appeared vividly before him.
Tian Fan felt his breath catch in his throat. All the so-called "beauty" he had ever seen in modern society paled in comparison to the scene before him. It was a vibrant, lively, and radiant beauty, imbued with warmth and authenticity.
Standing on the other side of Xuanzong was Gao Lishi. He bowed slightly, his face respectful, but his eyes were sharp, like the most vigilant eagle, constantly watching all the movements around him to ensure the perfection of this grand feast.
The musicians stopped in an open space not far from the pavilion and knelt down in their pre-rehearsed positions. Tian Fan followed suit, holding Ruan and sitting in the back row.
He couldn't help but steal a glance, his gaze lingering on the scene in the pavilion, past the shoulders of the musicians in the front row. He saw Emperor Xuanzong pick up a lychee, peel it himself, and naturally offer it to the lips of the Imperial Concubine. The Imperial Concubine smiled sweetly, slightly opening her mouth to accept it, a smile that seemed to make the surrounding lights appear even brighter.
"Cough!" A deliberately suppressed cough came from the side.
Tian Fan was startled and turned around to find the musician who had just scolded him glaring at him, gesturing for him to lower his head and not look around.
He quickly lowered his head, thinking to himself, "This NPC is certainly meddling in other people's business."
But at the same time, he was even more excited—the details of the interaction were amazing! He felt like he had really become a little musician who had accidentally stumbled into a grand banquet in the Tang Dynasty court, and he had to be careful with his words and actions, otherwise he might be punished at any time.
Therefore, Tian Fan could only watch less openly.
Emperor Xuanzong was clearly in high spirits. He waved his hand and said, "General, today I am admiring the famous flowers with my concubine. How can we not have some new poems? Go and summon Li Hanlin for me."
Gao Lishi looked troubled and whispered, "Everyone, Scholar Li is probably already drunk and unconscious at the Hanlin Academy..."
Emperor Xuanzong was not angry at all; instead, he laughed and said, "No problem! Let's splash him with a golden goblet to wake him up! Such a beautiful day and scenery deserves his new poem!"
The order was given, and while waiting, soft music filled the garden, creating a harmonious atmosphere. Tian Fan couldn't contain his curiosity. He looked around, then carefully reached out and gently plucked the strings of the pipa held by the musician beside him.
A soft "clang" sounded.
The musician was startled, turned around abruptly, glared at him, and sternly scolded, "Disrespectful behavior before the Emperor! Do you want to be punished?!"
Gao Lishi's gaze swept sharply over instantly, and Tian Fan felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly withdrew his hand, lowered his head, and feigned fear. Seeing that it was just a clumsy young musician, Gao Lishi looked away again.
Tian Fan wasn't scared, just excited: Holy crap, this NPC's reaction is so realistic! And it's absolutely real-time!
He was curious to see what would happen if he did something outrageous, but then thought he might as well try it later and just watch the memory properly for now.
Before long, or perhaps time seemed to have sped up, a man in a blue robe arrived, supported by two young eunuchs. His steps were slightly unsteady, but he showed no signs of dishevelment. His robe was slightly open, his hair was a little messy, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, as if they held the moonlight and wine of the entire Tang Dynasty. His gaze exuded an air of disdain for the mundane world and unrestrained arrogance.
"Li Bai! It's Li Bai!!" Tian Fan was so excited that his heart was pounding in his throat. He was even happier than when he first saw Yang Yuhuan.
His favorite poet is Li Bai!
He no longer cared about being stared at by the NPCs and just craned his neck to look in that direction. Fortunately, everyone wanted to see, so no one paid him any attention for a while.
When Li Bai approached the emperor, he did not perform the full kneeling ceremony. Instead, he casually cupped his hands and said with a drunken smile, "Your subject... Li Bai greets Your Majesty and Your Majesty." His words showed little reverence, but rather sounded as if he were attending a drinking party with an old friend.
Emperor Xuanzong, clearly well aware of his nature, not only did not blame him, but stroked his beard and laughed, "Li Hanlin, you've come at the perfect time! My concubine and I are appreciating this beautiful flower, and we must have some new poems and music. How about you try to compose one for me?"
Li Bai's gaze swept over the peonies in the garden and the beautiful face of the imperial concubine, his eyes filled with a deeper intoxication, yet also a spark ignited in his creative fire. He did not immediately compose a poem, but instead rubbed his temples, saying with a touch of playful distress, "Your Majesty, fine wine is easy to obtain, but fine verses are hard to come by. With such a stunning beauty before me, without a pot of truly divine brew to inspire my thoughts, I fear I would be wasting this precious moment."
Upon hearing this, Gao Lishi's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Emperor Xuanzong found it amusing and pointed at Li Bai, laughing, "You, Li Bai! You're actually asking me for wine! Li Shi, bring me a cup of the fine grape wine that was a tribute from the Western Regions!"
Gao Lishi bowed and agreed, and soon personally brought out a huge golden cup filled with a deep red and almost purple, rich wine. The aroma of the wine was so strong that Tian Fan could almost smell it from a distance.
Upon seeing such fine wine, Li Bai's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the wine!"
Instead of taking the cup, he leaned down and drank a large gulp from Gao Lishi's hand, like a whale drinking water!
"Hiss..." A faint gasp of cold air could be heard from the surroundings. Only Li Bai could have behaved so disrespectfully before the emperor.
Gao Lishi held the golden cup, his arm as steady as a rock, but his face had darkened slightly.
Only Tian Fan, hiding among the musicians, wore a smile. Heh heh heh, this is Li Bai, wildly arrogant beyond measure! Just like him!
The wine slid smoothly down his throat, and Li Bai suddenly raised his head, letting some of it spill onto his blue robe. He exhaled a long breath, carrying a rich aroma of wine, and shouted, "Good wine!"
Immediately afterward, his eyes suddenly became clear and sharp, as if the strong liquor had not made him more drunk, but rather sobered him up. He pushed away the eunuch who was supporting him, staggered a step, and stood right in front of a peony in full bloom.
He stared at the deep purple petals, then suddenly turned his head, his gaze fixed intently on Yang Guifei, who was leaning against the railing and smiling north of the Agarwood Pavilion.
Just when everyone thought he was about to speak, he did something even more surprising—he suddenly raised his hand, pointed to the golden cup that Gao Lishi was still holding, and smiled at Emperor Xuanzong, saying, "Your Majesty, the wine is still warm, and my poem is finished! However... I still need to borrow Your Majesty's General Gao for a while."
Gao Lishi was taken aback. Emperor Xuanzong was also curious: "Oh? How is it used?"
Li Bai proclaimed in a loud voice: "General Gao, please hold this golden cup and stand beside me. I will drink a sip after each line I recite! Only when the poem is finished and the wine is gone will the spirit and grandeur of our Great Tang be truly displayed!"
This was tantamount to treating Gao Lishi, a close advisor to the emperor and wielding immense power, like a wine-serving waiter. The garden instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and all eyes were fixed on Gao Lishi's emotionless face.
Tian Fan thoroughly enjoyed watching it, almost bursting into laughter. He thought Li Bai was so naively arrogant yet endearing, no wonder Gao Lishi disliked him, and no wonder he had never made it in his official career.
But he held back his laughter so as not to steal the spotlight from the scene.
Emperor Xuanzong was taken aback at first, then burst into an even more hearty laugh, and surprisingly agreed to Li Bai's request: "Very well! As you say! Li Shi, you shall hold the cup for Li Hanlin!"
Gao Lishi's face twitched almost imperceptibly.
Tian Fan found it fascinating; these micro-expressions were truly... incredibly realistic! He felt as if he could see the VR engine burning.
He saw Gao Lishi bow and say in a deep voice, "This old servant obeys the decree."
Gao Lishi, holding the golden cup, stood a step away from Li Bai with an expressionless face, like a most dutiful servant. From Tian Fan's perspective, it was clear that there was a chill in his eyes as he looked at Li Bai.
Interesting, interesting.
Li Bai was completely oblivious to the chill in Gao Lishi's eyes, or rather, utterly indifferent. He looked again at the Imperial Concubine, as if drawing endless inspiration from her beauty and the peonies before him, and finally began to recite a poem, still slightly intoxicated:
"Clouds remind me of her clothes, flowers of her face; the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, the dew is heavy!"
After reciting the first line, he indeed turned to the side, took a large gulp from the golden cup held by Gao Lishi, and the wine slid down his slightly open robe, adding to his untamed air.
His words sent shivers down Tian Fan's spine, sending a shiver of excitement straight to the top of his head.
Could a person really come up with these lines of poetry in a short time? The Poet Immortal truly lives up to his name!
Li Bai paused briefly, his gaze shifting from the glittering hairpin in the concubine's hair to the peonies outside the pavilion bathed in moonlight and lamplight, before continuing. Tian Fan, in her heart, murmured along with him:
"If we don't meet atop Mount Qunyu, we'll meet beneath the moon on the Jade Terrace!"
Upon hearing this poem, Emperor Xuanzong's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward slightly, making no attempt to hide his admiration. Yang Yuhuan, who had been languidly leaning against the railing, also couldn't help but sit up slightly, her delicate hand gently stroking her cheek. Her eyes sparkled, and her face revealed a moving expression of surprise and delight, clearly deeply moved by this supreme praise.
"A single red blossom, glistening with dew and fragrant, makes the clouds and rain of Wushan seem like a vain heartbreak."
Take another sip, the wine dripping freely.
Tian Fan had already memorized the three poems of "Qing Ping Diao," totaling twenty-four lines, countless times. Yet, at this moment, witnessing Li Bai reveling in the emperor's presence, using heaven and earth as his canvas and his talent as his ink to create these astonishing works, and having recited these verses along with his idol, he felt an indescribable surge of emotion.
History resonated at this moment.
This is Li Bai! The Li Bai whose every word could illuminate half of the Tang Dynasty!
"...To explain the boundless sorrow of spring, I lean against the railing north of the Agarwood Pavilion!"
Upon reciting the last line, he abruptly snatched the golden cup from Gao Lishi's hand, downed the remaining wine in one gulp, then flicked his wrist, tossing the empty cup back to Gao Lishi, and laughed loudly:
"Your Majesty, the wine is finished and the poem is complete; I have not failed in my mission!"
The three poems flowed smoothly and were completed in one go.
The pavilion was completely silent.
After the silence, Emperor Xuanzong's cheers and applause resounded throughout the courtyard: "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! The poem is good, and the wine is even better! This scene and this poem should be recorded in history! Li Hanlin is truly a genius!"
Yang Guifei covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling, clearly finding it extremely amusing as well.
Everyone present cheered loudly.
People in the Tang Dynasty loved poetry. Even though Li Bai was usually a bit arrogant, at this moment, everyone was willing to applaud his unparalleled talent. In this instant, he became the most charismatic person in this prosperous dynasty.
The scholars and officials present clapped their hands in admiration and whispered amongst themselves.
"A talent worthy of a banished immortal! Truly a talent worthy of a banished immortal!"
"Clouds evoke images of clothing, flowers of beauty... Such imagination is beyond our reach!"
"It is already rare to compose a poem in seven steps, but he composed one in three steps. The poem was finished while the wine was gone. His carefree and joyful manner is rare throughout history."
Some noblewomen and women of noble birth half-covered their faces with round fans, their gazes intense. They looked enviously at the imperial concubine sitting in the pavilion; to be sung about in such a poem was the dream of every woman in the Tang Dynasty.
The musician who had previously reprimanded Tian Fan completely forgot his manners. He excitedly tugged at Tian Fan's sleeve and whispered, "See? Li Hanlin is the real genius! It's our good fortune that he was able to compose music for this poem!"
Tian Fan was also infected by the enthusiastic atmosphere, feeling his blood boiling, and couldn't help but nod vigorously: "Yes, yes."
In his subconscious, he had completely regarded this VR experience as real history.
Only Gao Lishi silently accepted the empty cup, retreated behind Emperor Xuanzong, and lowered his head obediently, as if nothing had happened. But when his gaze swept over Li Bai, who was surrounded and flattered by the crowd, there was no warmth in it.
Emperor Xuanzong took the three poems handed to him by the scribe, looked at them repeatedly, stroked his beard and smiled, clearly very satisfied.
He raised his hand, his eyes gleaming as he looked intently towards the musicians, his voice filled with anticipation: "Guinian, such celestial music must be accompanied by exquisite accompaniment. I hereby entrust these three pieces of 'Qingping Tune' to you. Next time, I wish to hear this melody resound throughout the Chenxiang Pavilion!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Li Guinian?
Tian Fan was taken aback. Was the person who possessed this memory finally about to appear?
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a man at the very front of the musicians stepping out of the ranks, walking quickly a few steps to the open space in front of the emperor, and bowing respectfully and neatly.
This must be Li Guinian, the chief musician of the Tang Dynasty court.
He was around thirty years old, wearing a dark blue robe similar in style to the other musicians but made of significantly finer materials and in a brighter color. He also wore a matching turban. He was tall and had an air of composure about him.
A question flashed through Tian Fan's mind: "Why does this person seem so familiar? Like I've seen him somewhere before..."
So he looked at it carefully.
Li Guinian's face wasn't exceptionally handsome, but his features were well-defined, with a high nose bridge and exceptionally bright, focused eyes, as if constantly capturing and discerning the subtlest rhythms in the air. His fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles, and were naturally slightly curved at the moment—hands perfectly suited for playing musical instruments.
"Ah, I remember now!" Tian Fan realized why he felt familiar with him.
He had seen this face before in Qinghe Ancient Town, only this one was older and had a more mature and unconventional air. His title was "Musician," and he was very popular online. It was said that he was responsible for organizing many performances in Qinghe Ancient Town.
Perhaps they used a familiar face for the model? Tian Fan didn't think much of it.
Li Guinian bowed and accepted the order.
Tian Fan suddenly felt that he and Li Bai were quite similar in that they didn't look alike, but rather they both exuded a confident and even slightly arrogant aura.
Is this the temperament of a genius?
Meanwhile, Li Bai had somehow produced a flask of wine and was leaning against a pillar in the corridor, looking at the chief musician of the Pear Garden who was about to set his poem to music. He seemed curious to see what kind of tricks the man could come up with.
Li Guinian, holding the poem, did not immediately leave.
He pondered for a moment, then suddenly bowed to Emperor Xuanzong again and said loudly, "Your Majesty, Scholar Li composed a poem in seven steps, astonishing everyone present. I am unworthy, but I wish to borrow Scholar Li's divine talent to compose music for this poem on the spot and perform it, so that the poem and music may be perfectly matched, and thus not waste such a wonderful time and beautiful scenery!"
Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback. Composing music on the spot was no easy task, especially before the emperor! And to match it with Li Bai's masterpiece—wasn't that asking too much of oneself?
Although this Li Gongfeng was exceptionally talented, no one expected him to be so arrogant and haughty! At this moment, everyone's gaze towards Li Guinian carried a subtle change.
Even Li Bai, whose eyes had been half-closed in his drunkenness, opened them slightly, his face showing the keen interest he had when he encountered an interesting opponent.
Tian Fan almost stood up, feeling an excitement that a good show was about to begin.
Li Guinian is trying to outdo Li Bai!
Yes, this is Li Guinian's perspective, so naturally he is the protagonist, or rather, one of the protagonists.
A clash between two geniuses, they started fighting, they started fighting... Tian Fan, always eager for a good show, couldn't resist the excitement.
Emperor Xuanzong was initially surprised, then clapped his hands and laughed: "Good, as expected of Li Guinian! I grant your permission. Today I will see who is better, the Poet Immortal or the Sage of Music!"
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