Some people wanted to eat chicken, while others had stewed chicken in front of them but couldn't taste it. They sighed and sighed.
Canglu County was located in a remote place, so there were no real erudite scholars. Even if there were, they couldn't stay in such a small place, so they had long left. Lin Shangpo was also a knowledgeable person in the county, so he also received an invitation.
The table was matched with meat and vegetables. Lin Shangpo picked up the chopsticks and put them down again. He picked up the invitation and looked at it over and over again, as if he wanted to see something. Finally, he took the invitation and left. He left his wife and children at the dining table and wandered in the bamboo forest outside the house.
Madam Lin quickly followed and asked, "Others can't get the invitation of the Commandery Princess even if they want it. Why are you so worried?"
Lin Shangpo shook his head and sighed, "The capital is the place where the real famous and distinguished people gather. The Commandery Princess has seen everything. How can there be someone who is proficient in poetry in this small place? It's just an excuse to meet friends with poetry. Haven't you seen the recent movements in Canglu County? Almost all the rich families have been raided. That Prince is obviously accumulating money. Our family is quite well-off. I'm afraid that there will be no good banquet and no good meeting with this invitation! "
Madam Lin suddenly said nervously, "What should we do?"
Lin Shangpo sighed, "What else can we do? We've been targeted. I'm afraid we can't run away … "
The Su Mansion, with its white walls and black tiles, was one of the few famous families in the county. The old master, Su Dekang, was also a famous learned person in Canglu County. He had studied in the capital in his early years. It was said that he was a classmate of a feudal official when he was young. His ancestors were also high-ranking officials in the imperial court. Today's family business could be said to have benefited from his ancestors.
Su Dekang was one of the people who went to welcome the Shang Dynasty last time. Originally, he went in a carriage, but in the end, he saw a bloody scene. In the end, he walked back. He was forced to walk such a long way at his old age, and he almost lost his life. Fortunately, he came back alive, and the Su Mansion was one of the few that did not have their property confiscated. It was a daunting experience but not a dangerous one.
The housekeeper held the invitation in his hand and accompanied Su Dekang, who was strolling in the courtyard with a cane. He asked, "Master, what does this Commandery Princess mean by making friends through poetry?"
Su Dekang poked the ground with his walking stick and snorted coldly, "What else can it be? It's nothing more than killing too much and wanting to buy people's hearts, so he deliberately put on an act for others to see!"
Butler: "Master, are we going or not?"
Su Dekang pondered for a moment and sighed, "I'm also in a dilemma! If he didn't go, the lives of his entire family would be in danger! Go! This Prince Yongping is obviously a traitor who's plotting against us. Once the army of the Imperial Court arrives, he'll definitely fall apart. At that time, our Su Clan will be labeled as colluding with traitors, and we might even be punished … "
Canglu County, which was nearing evening, was in an uproar because of the dozen or so invitations.
In Quiet Ink Pavilion, Lu Shengzhong stood at the door and repeatedly cupped his hands in greeting. Finally, he sent away the neighbors who came to watch the commotion.
The reason was naturally because of the invitation. The people in the shops on the left and right saw the soldiers riding horses to deliver the invitation to Lu Shengzhong. When they heard the soldiers say that the invitation was sent by the Commandery Princess, it naturally caused a commotion and attracted a crowd.
After getting some peace and quiet, Lu Shengzhong walked back behind the counter and opened the invitation for a while. Finally, he put the invitation into his sleeve as if nothing had happened.
When night fell, he only lit one of the two lanterns at the door.
About an hour later, a customer entered the shop and stayed for a while before leaving …
Early the next morning, when Niu Youdao opened the door, as expected, Shang Shuqing was already waiting outside.
"Daoye, good morning."
"Commandery Princess, good morning."
There was no need to say much. Niu Youdao first opened all the windows to show the light, and then consciously sat in front of the dressing table.
Shang Shuqing also naturally walked behind him and began to help him tidy up his hair.
Normally, Shang Shuqing would say something every time she came, but this time, she didn't say anything. She didn't say anything even after she helped Niu Youdao do his hair.
In the end, it was Niu Youdao who stared at the person in the mirror and asked, "Commandery Princess, are you not going to ask anything?"
Shang Shuqing asked, "Will Daoye tell me?"
Niu Youdao said, "Actually, I did not hide it from you. The people who are doing the work are all your people."
Shang Shuqing said, "But I'm still confused."
Niu Youdao said, "I am really sorry to trouble Commandery Princess every day. How about I invite Commandery Princess to watch a show later?"
Shang Shuqing blinked her bright eyes and said with a smile, "Okay!"
The golden light of the rising sun illuminated the layers of forest. At the foot of the mountain outside the city, there were people who received the invitation yesterday. Some came in ox carts, some came in palanquins, and some walked.
Lu Shengzhong came on foot and wore a soft hat. He looked around from time to time. Last night, he heard some rumors and knew that he was not the only one who received the invitation, so he let his guard down.
At this time, all the people who received the invitation were waiting in a long pavilion at the foot of the mountain. They came with the invitation and greeted each other. The county was not big. Even if they were not familiar with each other, most of them knew each other before. Only Lu Shengzhong seemed to be different. Everyone was unfamiliar with him. After knowing that he was the new shopkeeper of Quiet Ink Pavilion, some people could not help but ask where the original shopkeeper went. Lu Shengzhong naturally had a prepared excuse.
In the process of waiting, everyone had different expressions on their faces. Some were silent, some had solemn expressions, and some had excited expressions. The topic of their discussion was none other than the Princess's meeting of friends through poetry.
Lu Shengzhong did not speak much. He always had a slight smile on his face and was polite to everyone. Listening to everyone's discussion, he muttered in his heart, "Poetry meeting? Without my poem, would there be such a thing?
He could also understand why Shang Shuqing came up with this poetry meeting. After all, Shang Shuqing was an unmarried woman. It would not be right for her to meet a man alone.
However, he did not know how this poetry meeting was going to be. He had also prepared another poem from the two Song Yanqing had given him. It would definitely attract Shang Shuqing's attention. He did not know if that Niu Youdao would show up. If he did, would he have a chance to make a move? If he made a move, would he be able to escape safely?
Just as he was thinking, a guard in plain clothes entered the long pavilion. With a face full of smiles, he cupped his hands and said to everyone, "Thank you all for waiting. My apologies for the delay."
"It's alright!" Some people said politely, while others did not say anything.
The guard did not beat around the bush and extended his hand in invitation, "Everyone, the Commandery Princess invites you. Please follow me!"
The crowd exited the long pavilion one after another. However, they were told that the accompanying servants and vehicles were not allowed to enter the mountain. They had to walk. It was said that it was a rule here and they had no choice. Some things were not up to commoners like them to choose.
Along the way, there were some who praised the scenery along the way, saying that it was a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers.
Su Dekang, who was old, was not in the mood. Although the road into the mountain was not rugged and there were no steps, it was a winding climb. Slowly, it was equivalent to climbing a slope. At his age, it was natural that he could not take it. However, under such circumstances, there was no lack of elders and younger people to support him.
When they arrived outside the heavily guarded mountain villa, they were already at the top of the mountain where they could see the entire county.
When the crowd entered the mountain villa, they saw a man kneeling at the entrance. Many of them muttered in their hearts. They did not know what mistake he had committed, but he looked very haggard.
After the crowd was led to the main garden of the mountain villa, the guard smiled and said to the crowd, "We have prepared a private room for everyone to rest. There are brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones inside. The Commandery Princess invites you to leave your calligraphy, poems, and songs. The time limit is half an hour. After half an hour, the Commandery Princess will come here to meet and appreciate your works."
Regardless of whether the crowd agreed or not, a group of servants came over and invited one person to go with them.
Someone cupped his hands to everyone excitedly and said, "Everyone, see you in half an hour!"
Lu Shengzhong followed the person into the depths of the garden. His eyes were secretly looking around. From the moment he entered the mountain villa, he had been paying attention to the internal environment.
The place he went was a quiet small pavilion located in the depths of the garden. The servant led him into the pavilion, served him tea, and asked him to help himself. Then, he left.
Lu Shengzhong looked around the pavilion. Tea and fruits were all available. There were brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones placed neatly on the table.
He walked slowly around the small pavilion, not touching the tea or fruits. He walked to the table and slowly ground the ink on the inkstone.
Just as he was about to leave behind another poem that Song Yanqing had given him, footsteps came from outside. Four people came in. One was a woman wearing a gauze hat; one was a middle-aged man carrying a sword; his white hair was like silver frost and his expression was calm; and one was a slightly languid young man who casually stabbed the sword in his hand on the ground after he entered. Next to him was a tall young man with a cold expression.
With just a glance, Lu Shengzhong could roughly identify these people. When Shang Chaozong first arrived at Canglu County and entered the city, Lu Shengzhong had already recognized Niu Youdao among the crowd. He did not expect to meet his target the moment he arrived at the mountain villa. However, he did not dare to make a move. The white-haired man carrying a sword in his arms made his heart tighten. He was afraid that he would be seen through.
As soon as he saw them, Lu Shengzhong hurriedly walked around the long table to greet them. The Confucian scholar's behavior was decent.
Niu Youdao introduced Shang Shuqing with a smile. "Mr. Fang, right? This is the princess! "
Lu Shengzhong hurriedly bowed. "Your humble servant greets the princess!"
Shang Shuqing nodded in acknowledgment. He wondered why Niu Youdao had invited him here.
Niu Youdao extended his hand and invited Shang Shuqing to take a seat behind the table. He and Yuan Gang stood guard beside Shang Shuqing, while Bai Yao quietly moved behind Lu Shengzhong, making Lu Shengzhong uncomfortable.
"I heard that Mr. Fang's poems are quite good?" Niu Youdao asked with a smile.
Lu Shengzhong said humbly, "I wouldn't dare. It's not elegant."
Niu Youdao said with a smile, "I've also composed a poem. I'd like to ask for your advice, sir."
Lu Shengzhong said politely, "I wouldn't dare to advise you, but I'm all ears."
Niu Youdao seemed to ponder for a moment before he continued with a smile. "Those who have seen the ocean are not the water, those who have not seen Mount Wu are not the clouds. "Looking back from among the flowers, half fate is to cultivate and half fate is to be a gentleman … What do you think of my poem?"
"…" Lu Shengzhong looked at him in shock. Was he trying to pressure him into plagiarizing the poem for himself?
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
