When the white-clothed scholar saw this, he could not help but reveal an excited smile. He bade farewell to the crowd and left.
Unexpectedly, after the white-clothed scholar left the Zheng family's Peony Garden, he turned left and right, and after seeing that there was no one around, he quietly came to the Luoyang County government.
"Greetings, my lord!" Surprisingly, the person the white-clothed scholar met was the Luoyang County Magistrate, Zhou Hongde. Could it be that the literary expert he was talking about was him?
"Have you done what I asked you to do?" Zhou Hongde asked expressionlessly.
The white-clothed scholar bowed and nodded. "My lord, Zheng Chang is indeed unable to take the provocation. He has already invited the scholars to hold a Peony Poetry Meet to redeem himself."
"Well done!"
Only then did Zhou Hongde's expression change, and he nodded in satisfaction.
If everyone knew that the white-clothed scholar who was filled with righteous indignation and took the lead to fight for justice was actually entrusted by the Luoyang County Magistrate, they would probably be shocked.
The white-clothed scholar hesitated for a moment before saying, "Minister, there is something that I do not understand. I hope that my lord can resolve it."
"Speak!" Zhou Hongde said in a good mood.
The white-clothed scholar said solemnly, "Everyone knows that Mo Jiazi is peerless in poetry. If that is the case, wouldn't we be inviting humiliation to Luoyang's scholars? I wonder why the county magistrate wants to push this matter."
Zhou Hongde said proudly, "Inviting humiliation? Do you know the value of a poem by Mo Jiazi? Sparrow Stork Pavilion has been abandoned for many years, but it became famous because of a poem by Mo Jiazi. Now, Luoyang's Peony Meet is at its peak, but it is only limited to Luoyang's surroundings. Once a famous poem is released, it will definitely spread throughout the world. What I seek is the influence of the Peony Meet. As for the competition between scholars, it does not matter who wins. As long as a masterpiece is released, Luoyang will benefit. "
Only then did the white-clothed scholar understand. He nodded and said, "My lord is wise."
With this, as long as the two sides competed, no matter which side released a masterpiece, the one to benefit in the end would be Luoyang City. This was beneficial to both the Peony Meet and Luoyang City.
In the past, Zhou Hongde was also a hot-blooded scholar. However, after being immersed in the officialdom for decades, he was now a typical politician. In his heart, only political achievements were the most practical.
Right now, the son of the Mo Clan was already the current Prince Consort, and his status was no longer inferior to his own. Naturally, he would force the son of the Mo Clan to compose a poem for the peony. Now, he could only use Zheng Chang as bait to lure the son of the Mo Clan into making a move. As for who would win or lose, he did not care at all.
"This student knows what to do." The white-robed scholar nodded, cupped his hands, and left.
Only then did Zhou Hongde stand up and come before a peony in the courtyard. This peony had luxuriant leaves and was in full bloom. It was a rare treasure, and it was his favorite item.
"Men, according to the Farmer's Peony Transplanting Secret Technique, transplant this peony into the Princess' Garden." Zhou Hongde ordered.
The advisor rushed over and was alarmed when he saw the situation, "Dong Weng, this is your favorite treasure. How can you give it away so easily?"
Zhou Hongde immediately revealed a mysterious smile and said, "For a grand event like the Peony Meet, how can I keep it to myself and admire it alone? If I wish to see it, I can naturally go to the Princess' Garden. Under Hu Daonong's nurturing, this peony might grow even better."
"Dong Weng is wise!" The advisor pondered for a moment before giving the order for the peony to be transplanted.
The next day, Zheng Chang and company's Peony Poetry Meet finally began. Almost all the scholars in Luoyang took action when they heard the news. In an instant, it became a grand event in Luoyang's literary world. Immediately, many excellent poems were spread.
With the fame of the Peony Poetry Meet, the number of people heading to the Zheng family's Peony Garden rapidly increased. Although there weren't as many people as the Princess' Garden, it was much better than before.
Even if a few seniors in the literary world were unwilling to participate due to their status, or were afraid of damaging their reputation, they could not withstand the pleading and could only agree to compose poems. As for the younger generation, they all joined the fray and racked their brains. However, there was strength in numbers. From time to time, excellent works would appear, immediately causing Luoyang to become famous.
However, with the Peony Poetry Meet in full swing, Mo Jiazi, who made Zheng Chang and company feel dread, did not make a move. He ignored the expectant gazes of the commoners and spent his days accompanying Princess Changle to admire the peonies or concocting perfume. With the warm and fragrant jade in his arms, the two of them spent their time in a carefree manner.
"Mo Jiazi still hasn't made a move!" Seeing that half of the Peony Meet was already over, Zheng Chang and company's Peony Poetry Meet had already produced a few excellent works.
However, Mo Jiazi, who was widely recognized as a genius in the literary world, had not produced a single poem. This made many people who were prepared to watch the excitement feel disappointed. Even Zheng Chang and company did not know if they should be happy or disappointed.
Even Zhou Hongde was puzzled. He had already prepared the stage, but Mo Jiazi did not take the bait. Zheng Chang and company did not dare to rashly provoke Mo Jiazi. They only cared about their own entertainment and increasing the fame of the Zheng family's Peony Garden.
As a result, the two sides formed a situation where the well water did not interfere with the river water. Zheng Chang and company were naturally happy with this.
Although Zhou Hongde was slightly disappointed, seeing the Peony Meet's increasing fame, he could only accept it with some regret.
It was nighttime!
After a period of lingering passion, Princess Changle collapsed in Meton's embrace while panting. It was the poem that was used to respond to the servant who helped her up and said that she was newly bestowed with grace.
"I heard that Luoyang's literary world has received Zheng Chang's invitation to hold the Peony Poetry Meet. It's quite a grand event. Does Darling feel the itch to perform?" Princess Changle mischievously drew circles on Meton's chest as she said with a faint smile.
The Peony Poetry Meet was naturally heard by Meton and Princess Changle. Princess Changle knew of Meton's tradition of spewing out poems at the slightest disagreement, so she could not help but probe.
Meton shook his head and said, "My wife thinks too highly of your husband. Poems are written from the heart. How can it be written from the mouth? We have just arrived in Luoyang, so how can we write a good work in such a short time?"
Princess Changle did not believe Meton's nonsense. She could not help but roll her eyes at Meton and said, "The great Mo Jiazi's talent in poetry is known throughout the world. How can he be modest?"
She was also a person who loved poetry, so she naturally knew that writing poems relied on inspiration. Forcefully piecing together poems would only make one a laughingstock. However, that was only for ordinary people. She had seen with her own eyes how he could compose a poem from the mouth while standing on the Peacock Brothel. The beautiful scenery made her involuntarily captivated.
"Your husband is not being modest. Do you think those poems are like cabbage that can be found everywhere!" Meton said with an angry laugh.
"Cabbage!" Princess Changle was greatly puzzled. She did not know that there was such a name for a dish.
Meton covered it up and said, "This is the Mohist family's newly developed winter vegetable. Its output is extremely high, and once it succeeds, the commoners of the world will no longer need to worry about winter vegetables."
Princess Changle did not delve into this point. Instead, she said regretfully, "Even if it isn't some peerless poem, it's fine. If my husband has a poem, it will definitely make the reputation of the Peony Meet even greater."
The Peony Meet was the most beautiful memory she had with Meton, so she naturally wanted it to be perfect.
Meton shook his head and said with a laugh, "My wife, aren't you being too impatient? The peony blossoms every year. As long as Luoyang regularly holds the Peony Meet and invites scholars from all over the world to participate, there will definitely be countless excellent poems in the future. The reputation of the Peony Meet will definitely be passed down forever, becoming more and more prosperous with each passing year. Our honeymoon trip will definitely be passed down in Luoyang forever."
Princess Changle nodded in disbelief and said, "That's true. However, these Luoyang scholars are just too lousy. Compared to my husband's poem, it's like the difference between heaven and earth."
When Meton heard this, he said with a solemn expression, "It's precisely because of this that my husband cannot overstep his authority. After all, we can't just leave by ourselves. The Village Ink still has many properties in Luoyang, and the scholars of Luoyang are the local tyrants of Luoyang. Since they did not invite me, they naturally do not wish for me to participate. If I were to take the initiative to join in, I'm afraid I would offend too many people. If I were to rashly offend so many people with real power in Luoyang, I'm afraid the Village Ink will be unable to take a single step forward!"
"If they dare, I'm around …" Princess Changle said angrily when she heard this.
Meton reached out his hand to cover Princess Changle's mouth and said, "You are a princess. As your husband, I naturally won't let you be involved in such troublesome matters. However, I didn't marry you for your status and power as a princess, but for you as a person. Even if you are an ordinary person, I promise to make you as happy as a princess."
Princess Changle was immediately moved. She buried her head in Meton's embrace and said with a blushing face, "I didn't mean that. I'm just regretful that I can't hear my husband's poem."
Meton suddenly smiled naughtily and said, "If you want to hear a poem, it's very simple. I suddenly had an inspiration, so I'll recite a poem for you …"
When Princess Changle saw this, how could she not know that Meton had a few crooked poems? The poem on their wedding night made her blush when she recalled it.
Meton chuckled and said, "It's different this time. This time, it's a proper good poem."
Princess Changle looked at Meton with a dubious look. In the end, she couldn't resist the temptation of the poem and couldn't help but perk up her ears.
"The moonlight before the bed …" Meton opened his mouth and recited.
"You still say it's a good poem?" Before the poem was finished, Princess Changle couldn't help but say in embarrassment.
Meton laughed and casually lowered the red curtain. The bright moonlight shone in front of the window and happened to shine on the two pairs of shoes, one big and one small, under the bed.
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