In the Prime Minister's study, only a bronze lamp with a crane carrying a lingzhi mushroom was lit, casting the shadows of the father and son onto the bookshelves filled with ancient books.
Pei Xueyan looked at the three poems her father handed her, a hint of confusion appearing on her handsome face.
“Father, isn’t this the poem written by Helian Chaolu, the girl from the northwestern border region?”
"Hmm," Pei Xuanyun picked up the teacup beside him and gently blew away the foam. "What does my son think of these three poems?"
Without hesitation, Pei Xueyan exclaimed with genuine admiration, "A genius of unparalleled talent!"
He naturally knew these three poems.
When the poems were first introduced to the Imperial Academy, they immediately caused a sensation, and many students who prided themselves on their talent and learning were almost driven mad.
If it weren't for the strict prison rules and the instructors' suppression, I'm afraid I would have rushed out of the prison that day to pay my respects to that Miss Helian.
Poetry is certainly excellent, but Pei Xueyan asked herself honestly, and realized that she was far inferior, with an insurmountable chasm between them.
But he was not without doubts.
The poem "Do You Know?" describes crabapple blossoms after the rain, with its elegant language and tender sentiment.
But the crabapple blossoms in late spring, and that Helian girl has been confined to the northwest since childhood.
Aside from this trip to Beijing, I should have never seen a crabapple tree before.
Of course, writing poetry does not necessarily require seeing it in person.
Perhaps she saw a painting, heard a story, or read a legend.
It's possible that a sudden inspiration might strike from the heart, leading to an act of inspiration.
However, the poem lamenting "pity my white hair" has a desolate and tragic mood, expressing the sorrow of aging and unfulfilled ambitions.
This is a state of mind that a teenage girl from the frontier who has not experienced much hardship could not possibly possess.
In addition, Pei Xueyan was well-versed in officialdom and knew that Helian Chaolu's ability to enter the capital to participate in the imperial examination must have been due to deeper considerations of the court. Therefore, he had already made a guess in his mind.
He looked at his father with a burning gaze, "Father, was someone else writing it for you?"
Pei Xuanyun smiled with satisfaction. "Exactly."
Pei Xueyan felt a chill run down her spine; she had just realized it.
"I wonder which reclusive master of poetry and prose would be so willing to hand over a masterpiece worthy of being recorded in history?"
In his mind, the person who could write such a magnificent article must be a learned scholar and a renowned figure in the literary world.
Despite his extensive reading, he was unaware that such a master of poetry had emerged in this dynasty.
Just then, her father uttered three words in a calm tone: "Sixth Prince".
Pei Xueyan was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, and didn't react immediately.
"Is this related to His Highness the Sixth Prince?"
Pei Xuanyun shook her head, put down her teacup, and looked calmly at her son:
"Didn't you ask who wrote the poems? They were written by the Sixth Prince."
What? !
Pei Xueyan felt as if a thunderbolt from the heavens had struck him directly on the top of his head, shaking his soul and making his ears ring.
His eyes widened, his lips parted slightly, and he froze in place as if he had been frozen in place, unable to utter a single word.
After a long while, he finally spoke again: "Father, please don't joke. Could this have been done by the Sixth Prince?"
"yes."
"Was this really done by the Sixth Prince?"
The old prime minister remained calm. "Even if you ask eight hundred times, the answer will be the same. His Majesty's words are law; would he lie?"
Seeing his son's utterly shocked expression, Pei Xuanyun felt inexplicably relieved.
This was a far cry from his initial reaction when he heard the news in the Imperial Study, where he merely raised an eyebrow and remained expressionless.
Hmph, kid, you're still young and need more practice.
Pei Xueyan, holding onto the armrest of the armchair, slowly sat back down.
His gaze lingered on a point in the void, unfocused for a long time.
Father has just recounted the many events that occurred during the disaster relief mission, especially the true role played by the Sixth Prince.
It's nothing new for imperial heirs to feign mediocrity and conceal their abilities to protect themselves, but...
He looked down at the poem in his hand again, unable to connect it with the sixth princess no matter what.
Other things might be faked, but how could she possibly suppress such talent that was enough to amaze the world?
Poems and prose that are meant to be passed down through the ages could be so easily given to others?
Half an hour later, the eldest son of the Prime Minister's mansion returned home, looking travel-worn.
Together with his colleagues, he escorted the sealed examination papers back to the treasury of the Ministry of Ceremonies, organized the preliminary shortlisted candidates, wrote a memorial to be submitted, and only returned home after everything was properly handled.
Waiting for him at the door was still the same old butler.
"Young Master is finally back. You must be starving. The food has been kept warm on the stove. You can eat right away."
“Okay,” Pei Xueqiao rubbed her slightly sore temples and gave a gentle smile, “I’m really hungry.”
Today's affairs are complicated and the responsibilities are heavy. Like the students taking the exam, he only had some water and snacks to fill his stomach at noon and has not eaten a single grain of rice until now.
"Has Xueyan gone home?"
"Yes, the second young master returned to the manor before you."
"Okay, it's been a long time. We can have a good chat now."
Upon entering the dining hall, he was surprised to find his younger brother placing a small soup pot on the table.
A warm feeling washed over Pei Xueqiao. "Second brother, you rarely come home, why are you arranging all this?"
Pei Xueyan raised her head, a meaningful smile appearing on her face:
"Big brother is back. This is a soup that Mother specially cooked. She was thinking about how hard you've worked, so she saved a portion for you."
Pei Xueqiao suddenly stopped, and the corner of her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
He said it!
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