Twenty minutes later.
More than ten tourist boats were moored at Ziyun Ferry.
The invited guests disembarked in twos and threes.
Lin Rui, on the other hand, was not in a hurry to leave.
He looked toward a ferry crossing a hundred meters away, where he saw various types of multi-story ships of different sizes moored.
It stretches for hundreds of meters and is quite eye-catching.
Looking across the river, I saw many literati and scholars, some traveling alone, others gathered on the multi-story ships.
Purple Cloud Painted Boat.
Of course, there was no elegant atmosphere of pavilions and red curtains, or the company of beautiful young women on the pleasure boat.
In situations like this, who would dare to defy the rules and engage in borderline behavior where "a gentleman doesn't board the boat, and someone who does isn't a gentleman"?
That's just asking for trouble.
Actually, this is a venue specially provided by the Washington State Cultural Association for invited guests to relax and unwind in their leisure time.
Imagine, in the cool yet pleasant night.
Aside from not having a beautiful woman in your arms, simply listening to folk songs and enjoying fragrant tea and delicious food can indeed alleviate the emptiness brought by the night.
After all, the invited literati, officials and dignitaries would stay at Ziyun Mountain for three days and three nights.
As for the shore.
Some media outlets are broadcasting live.
However, the camera intentionally avoided focusing on the crowd.
Among the invited guests were many dignitaries, and not all of them wanted to be in front of the camera.
Therefore, the media can only turn their cameras to those who are eager to perform.
Lin Rui disembarked from the boat, walked about four hundred steps, and then passed through the withered forest to reach the foot of the mountain.
At the foot of the mountain, towering pavilions stand tall, and the streets are bustling with traffic, creating a scene of prosperity.
Situ Changqing had already arranged accommodations. Led by the middle-aged man, Lin Rui checked into a 10-shaped room at a hotel.
Night gradually fell.
The ancient city at the foot of the mountain was not shrouded in darkness, but rather illuminated by the lights of countless homes.
Standing by the window and gazing out, it felt as if I had traveled back to the ancient capital hundreds of years ago, with fireworks occasionally soaring into the sky, adding color to the night.
The Mid-Autumn Poetry Competition opening ceremony had already been held, but Lin Rui has always disliked noisy occasions.
That place was no different from a school opening ceremony, where senior figures in the literary world would give speeches.
It's dull and uninteresting, lacking any originality.
Lin Rui strolled through the bustling night market, enjoying a variety of local delicacies that satisfied his cravings.
Chewing on fragrant meat, sipping fruit juice, gazing at the colorful fireworks from afar, and taking in the lights of countless homes—this is what life should be like.
Lin Rui thought to himself.
at the same time.
Purple Cloud Painted Boat, a certain multi-story ship.
Compared to other cruise ships, this place is rather deserted, not because it lacks new customers, but because it has been booked by someone.
A private room.
"I only owe you a few drinks, is it really necessary to come all the way to your house to collect the debt?"
He Zhongting was somewhat displeased.
If this guy surnamed Li hadn't exposed the matter to the tigress, would he have had to copy a ten-thousand-word wife's code?
Even now, I still feel a slight soreness in my right hand.
Seeing Li Donglai drinking as if no one else was around, He Zhongting, who was already intoxicated, became even more annoyed.
If Shen Jun hadn't been sitting beside him, he would have snatched the wine pot from Li Donglai's hand and taken a few big gulps.
"Brother Zhongting, you are mistaken."
"Li did this out of desperation; it was just a few dollars for drinks..."
Li Donglai still wanted to put on airs, but Shen Jun, who was standing to the side, was getting impatient.
"Have you two said enough?"
He Zhongting decisively kept quiet.
Li Donglai symbolically raised his glass to He Zhongting, and upon seeing the latter grin, he burst into laughter, tilted his head back, and drank.
"Li is determined to get that piece of land in Cuizhu Mountain."
Facing Li Donglai's piercing gaze, Shen Jun gave a slight, cold smile.
"If you want it, you can."
"But that piece of land was meant to be my daughter's dowry."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xihua, who was still fiddling with the guzheng not far away, froze, and a blush spread across her cheek.
Li Donglai narrowed his eyes slightly and said meaningfully, "I have no objection. Xi Hua is excellent in every way. I'm just afraid that she will look down on my good-for-nothing son."
"Li Donglai, excessive modesty is just arrogance."
"Xia Zhou Fusheng, who in the world doesn't know him?"
"Such extraordinary talent, you've kept it well hidden."
Li Donglai: ? ? ? ?
Seeing Shen Jun's attitude that he would marry off his daughter if Shen Jun dared to make the decision, even someone as experienced as him was speechless.
"What? You don't want to?"
"Do you think Xi Hua is not good enough for your son?"
"Do you still think that my Shen family is not good enough for you?"
At this moment, not only Shen Jun, but even He Zhongting became serious, which was rare for him.
As for Chenxi Painting not far away, it seemed as if the pause button had been pressed, and it pricked up its ears to listen.
At this moment, she was nervous, but also faintly expectant.
Children from prominent families like theirs are labeled as having to marry into other families from a young age.
Especially in a system like Washington State, which is steeped in traditional values, pursuing free love is a luxury.
"Did I ever say that Fusheng is my son?" Li Donglai asked in surprise.
"Isn't that so?"
Shen Jun was taken aback.
"I would like to have a son like that."
Li Donglai shook his head slightly, as if drinking alone, and then downed another cup.
"Judging from your tone, is this my fault?"
Gong Jing, standing to the side, smiled faintly.
"That's not true."
Li Donglai was incredibly clear-headed.
He Zhongting gave Li Donglai a strange look.
At that moment, he felt a sense of kinship with Li Donglai.
It seems that the gap between me and Li Donglai isn't as big as I imagined.
“Fusheng is indeed not our son.”
Upon hearing Gong Jing's confirmation, Shen Jun believed it.
At this moment, Shen Jun felt it was a pity.
The idea of a marriage alliance has faded considerably.
No matter how talented Fusheng is, it's meaningless if she doesn't have a family background that she values.
Not everyone can simply stand there and be considered a member of a wealthy family.
The more powerful a family is, the more they care about social status when it comes to marriage.
In her view, strong alliances are the way for large families to survive.
"Actually, my son is quite good too."
How does it compare to a fleeting life?
Li Donglai remained silent.
Gong Jing remained silent.
Shen Jun knew the answer and asked no further questions.
"Let's try a different approach. I do have a use for the land in Cuizhu Mountain."
"Can."
"However, I have two requests."
"Speaking."
Shen Jun held up one finger: "The land on Cuizhu Mountain will be jointly developed by the Shen family and the Li family."
Li Donglai's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded: "Okay."
"The second requirement is that Fusheng must be able to choose one of the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and surpass Xihua (a type of painting)."
This request made Li Donglai's expression turn somewhat unpleasant.
"Why can't it be poetry, lyrics, and songs?"
Poetry, lyrics, and songs?
Shen Jun raised an eyebrow slightly. "Do you think I'm stupid?"
Even if He Zhongting and Wen Qingsong joined forces, they wouldn't dare say they could win against Fusheng in terms of poetry and prose.
"Nothing to discuss?"
"There's no room for negotiation."
Li Donglai rubbed his chin.
He knew something about Lin Rui in terms of calligraphy and painting.
They have the ability, but their chances of winning are hard to say.
Shenxi's calligraphy is a continuation of He Zhongting's style.
His painting style is a continuation of Shen Jun's.
Everyone in Washington knows these two; they are masters of their craft.
Lin Rui has no advantage in calligraphy and painting.
As for playing chess, Li Donglai didn't even consider it.
Lin Rui's intermittent natural dazedness has even been passed on to his own son. With his brain malfunctioning from time to time, it's better for him to surrender than play chess.
As for the zither.
Li Donglai's eyes lit up, and he tentatively asked, "A piano?"
"Li Donglai!"
"Don't go too far!"
"If you're not sincere, then let's not talk!"
Shen Jun immediately lost his temper.
piano?
How could you even think of that!
This is Washington State, not Xia State. You dare to play the piano with me?
That thing was brought in from outside the region!
Furthermore, who doesn't know that Fusheng is the first piano master in the history of Xiazhou?
"My husband likes to joke, don't take it seriously."
Seeing that the atmosphere was getting tense, Gong Jing stepped in as a peacemaker.
"Give me a word, whether it's okay or not, don't waste each other's time."
"Alright, I'll bring Fusheng here right away."
Li Donglai made the decision.
At this moment, he could only hope that Lin Rui had some knowledge of the guqin.
After all, when it comes to music, this kid really can't be judged by conventional standards.
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