When most people had arrived, the poetry gathering at Mingyue Tower finally began.
By this time, Nian Jiaojiao was seated. She asked Tong Fu, who was eating pastries beside her, "Are they that delicious?"
Tong Fu nodded, "Zhen bu cuo!" (Truly good!)
Nian Jiaojiao's lips twitched slightly. She picked up a pastry from the plate that the other had "taken care of" the most and took a small bite.
!!!
It really was... good.
Nian Jiaojiao also sped up her pace of eating pastries.
Tan Fang, sitting opposite them, regretted her earlier action of pulling Nian Jiaojiao to introduce her to friends.
What was the difference between this and those village women who came from Xiaogedage Village?
It was just that she herself had forgotten.
She was also one of those who came from Gedage Village.
...
As everyone was eating pastries, the lights in the pavilion suddenly dimmed. After about a few seconds, the lights brightened again, and male escorts wearing thin green gauze with long, green sleeves appeared one after another.
These male escorts danced lightly as if they were swallows, and their steps were as swift as the wind. As their sleeves swished inadvertently, the scent of fragrance wafted through the air.
The boys chatting or eating around them all stopped their actions, their gazes uniformly drawn to the dancing handsome men.
Their fair skin and faintly visible slender waists stirred up the desires of the women present.
Nian Jiaojiao averted her gaze after a few glances.
In her opinion, men dancing soft dances in such effeminate ways was truly unsightly.
She kept murmuring in her heart.
When would the poetry gathering officially begin?
As if heaven had heard her inner plea, the male escorts retreated amidst the reluctant gazes of the boys. A woman struck two gongs and drums from the upper level of the pavilion and announced loudly:
"The poetry gathering begins!"
The sound of string and bamboo music drifted from afar, adding a touch of elegance to the attendees' poetry composition.
...
At this moment, in the high seats of the Pavilion for Scholars of the First Rank.
"Scholar Wen Cai, who do you think will win the top prize today?"
As the Juren served as judges, they did not participate in the poetry contest. Therefore, the focus remained on these over 200 Scholars of the First Rank.
"Shen Jinmei, I think it has to be her!" Jian Wen Cai replied without hesitation.
"Ah! Scholar Wen Cai is too modest. You are also a strong contender for the championship. How can you boost others' morale like this?"
Jian Wen Cai shook his head and said no more.
Only those who had truly interacted with Shen Jinmei would know her terrifying capabilities.
...
In the distance, the Juren and officials were in the central pavilion of Mingyue Tower, which was more than four times larger than the surrounding smaller pavilions.
The City Lord of Fengcheng and the Deputy City Lord sat in the main seats, with county magistrates from various places under Fengcheng's jurisdiction and Juren who had not yet taken office on either side.
This pavilion was special, and only high officials and dignitaries could ascend.
The family members brought by the City Lord, county magistrates, and Juren were seated in the adjacent smaller pavilions.
Qi Qinghe sat in the family members' section of the pavilion with a somewhat somber expression.
As a mere Tong Sheng, she had to share a seat with those without official titles, commoners, and men. How could she, who had always been self-righteous, tolerate this?
It was simply a disgrace!
"Cousin Qinghe, since you're already here, why the long face? Smile a little."
The speaker was Feng Manman, the daughter of the county magistrate of Lingshi Town. Although she was also a Tong Sheng, she had not qualified as a Tong Shou, so she could only ascend to this "family members only" pavilion.
Feng Manman also looked down on her cousin, as she herself had wanted to come to Mingyue Tower, but now she acted as if she were being forced.
Qi Qinghe forced a smile and nodded,
"Cousin, you are right. Qinghe has learned her lesson."
Although the family members were seated together, men and women were separated, sitting on opposite sides, with a screen separating them in the middle.
Cheng Xu, the son of Magistrate Cheng of Shanshui Town, sat on the men's family members' side.
"Xu Xu, why do you look a bit down?"
Feng Kai, Cheng Xu's "good best friend," asked.
Cheng Xu frowned and did not answer the question, instead asking, "Has your family started arranging a marriage for you?"
Feng Kai lowered his head and said,
"Mother said she would choose a candidate for me at this poetry gathering."
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xu clenched the cup in his hand.
Mother, oh mother, Magistrate Feng knew to find a truly talented woman for Feng Kai, so why did you set your sights on that girl named Nian Jiaojiao?
Moreover, I am your only son!
"Xu Xu, what's wrong?"
Feng Kai found Cheng Xu's expression somewhat frightening.
Cheng Xu quickly adjusted his expression, suppressing his jealousy, and said,
"Kai Kai, I think choosing for oneself is better than having others choose. It's better to pick someone you feel a connection with, don't you agree?"
Feng Kai nodded in agreement.
"I think you can observe the women sitting opposite us. Perhaps you'll find someone you like. These are the daughters of county magistrates from various regions, and they are considered a good match for you."
Feng Kai blushed upon hearing this and really started observing the blurred figures whose faces were unclear.
Cheng Xu felt much more relieved.
The people sitting opposite were ordinary individuals who weren't even Scholars of the First Rank or Tong Shou. He, Cheng Xu, would never be interested in them.
...
After a period of string and bamboo music, the male escorts who had danced earlier reappeared. They moved with light steps and graceful hands, and stacks of pristine white Xuan paper were placed before each of them.
Ink brushes and ink were already laid out on the tables, waiting for everyone to be inspired and start writing.
The male escorts retreated, and a woman in luxurious attire and a crown walked to the prominent position and hung the topic of the poetry gathering on a tall pole. As the scroll unfurled downwards, everyone finally saw the theme of this poetry gathering.
Topic One: Ode to Spring.
Topic Two: Melancholy Spring.
"Ode to Spring, Melancholy Spring. Compose a poem spontaneously on either topic. In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, your works will be collected. We hope everyone will manage their time well."
After speaking, the richly dressed woman had a servant bring a table to the center of the pavilion and lit a vertical stick of sandalwood incense.
The Tong Shou around them began to rack their brains. Nian Jiaojiao, however, kept looking around, seemingly unconcerned about composing poetry.
"Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao, hurry and think."
Tong Fu whispered to Nian Jiaojiao's ear to urge her on.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at her with amusement and gave her a confident look.
Trust Sister Jiao, gain eternal life!
Tong Fu looked at Nian Jiaojiao with starry eyes, feeling inexplicably at ease and no longer anxious.
At this moment, some were scratching their heads in frustration, some were rolling their eyes and reminiscing, and others were shaking their heads and murmuring...
Truly a variety of postures.
After observing everyone, Nian Jiaojiao finally turned her attention back to the smooth Xuan paper.
While others were struggling to think of how to write poetry, she was agonizing over how to choose one poem from thousands.
Her indecisiveness made Nian Jiaojiao a little troubled. Tong Fu, thinking Nian Jiaojiao was finding it difficult, even stopped eating her pastries, afraid of making any noise that might interrupt her thoughts.
Time ticked by. As the incense stick was nearing its end, Nian Jiaojiao had not written a single word.
In the final moments, Nian Jiaojiao finally began to write, using her distinctive Yan style calligraphy.