After listening to the plaintive song of the beauty named Xiao Qingyin on the sixth floor, and seeing the long poem Ruge written by the poet Li Zhenshu on the seventh floor, Pei Yue gradually became impatient. Maybe he was just a layman, and he was not interested in this.

Lack of interest in this refined way.

Qin Xu and the others were extremely satisfied, with unfinished smiles on their faces. They wished they could jump off the side and come back from the first floor again, just to appreciate the graceful gestures of these beauties.

The eighth floor is the end point of today's test. If you can pass this floor, you can go to the top floor and watch the hibiscus scenery with the most prominent figures in Lingzhou. There will also be nine masters of Yonghefang performing on the stage.

It's just that many people know that this is their end point. No matter whether their lyrics can be appreciated by the oiran later, they can't take another step forward. For many people, this step is a natural chasm, unless they get it unexpectedly.

Without the appreciation of Governor Xue, there would be no chance in this life.

The oiran who sits on this floor is called Xie Xinci. Unlike others, she does not belong to a certain brothel, but owns a small building of her own in Yonghefang, named Yangui Building. In Pei Yue's memory,

It is already a slightly unfamiliar word to describe Xie Xinci, who is self-employed, but she can occupy this unique position on the eighth floor, which shows that she is not that kind of weak woman with no background.

There are twelve exquisite and small screens in the hall, neatly placed on the west wall.

After being screened on the sixth and seventh floors, only seven people were able to follow Pei Yue to the eighth floor. Adding in the more than twenty people already waiting here, there were about thirty people.

Pei Yue clearly felt the difference in the aura here.

On the lowest floors, no matter who saw him and Qin Xu, they would be very respectful, always with a flattering smile on their faces. After all, for those merchants and low-level officials, the governor of Lingzhou was certainly a big shot who could not afford to offend.

, the imperial envoy from Kyoto is an angel who cannot be ignored. Starting from the fourth floor, except for Zhao Xianhong, the prefect of Xingyang, who is different from ordinary people, most of the others maintain a superficial respect, but do not show too closeness.

When they arrived here, most of the people's eyes were scrutinizing, and they were basically focused on Pei Yue.

Among them were dignitaries from Lingzhou, as well as famous intellectuals.

Although Pei Yue is an imperial envoy, he is too young and is only a viscount. It is difficult for these local snakes to sincerely respect him. If he were replaced by those military heroes who hold real power, they would definitely not have this attitude.

Xie Xinci, who was slender and graceful, seemed not to notice the strange atmosphere in the venue. After stepping forward to greet Pei Yue and the others, she returned to her seat and said softly: "Today, all the talents have arrived, and it's another day.

For the annual hibiscus banquet, everyone is invited

Write a song with hibiscus as the title. There is no limit on the rhyme and rhyme of the song. The time limit is one stick of incense. After the incense is burned, everyone will comment. The owner of the first twelve lyrics can go to the top floor. At the same time, these lyrics will be copied and embroidered.

Put it on the screen next to it to remember today’s event.”

"Excellent! Excellent!"

"This method is fair and interesting. I cannot thank you all for your thoughtfulness."

"Today I am fortunate enough to see the fine works of all of you. This trip is well worth it."

"Master Qin has a rich academic background and outstanding talents. He is determined to be the leader of today's Ci Association."

"Hey, can Lord Pei also write lyrics?"

…

In the midst of the noisy discussion, someone suddenly said something questioning Pei Yue, and the room suddenly became quiet.

This person is a local talented man in Lingzhou named Gu Qingquan. Although he is still a scholar, he is quite talented in poetry. Seeing other people looking at him strangely, Gu Qingquan felt a little flustered and looked at him.

The superior managed to maintain his composure and said, "Sir, Sir Pei made great military achievements by suppressing thieves. Of course we know about this, but we haven't heard of his achievements in literature and calligraphy. I'm just curious for a moment."

Although he spoke tactfully, who among the people present could not understand what he meant?

It's probably a sentence of rudeness and arrogance.

For the people on the eighth floor, preparing a few poems is just a matter of picking them up, and it is not difficult at all. However, they do not believe that Pei Yue can pass the test smoothly. There are many waiters in Chaofeng Tower, and some people have already reported Pei Yue's previous performance.

According to legend, except for the martial arts spirit shown when facing Duan Yuzhu on the fifth floor, there was no outstanding literary talent from beginning to end.

For such a martial artist who only knows how to wield swords and guns, he can also write lyrics?

Qin Xu looked slightly disgusted. The imperial envoy was one and the same. If Pei Yue lost face today, he would not be very glorious. What's more, on the way here, he had already promised that there would be no accident today. As for Duan Yuzhu,

The sword was an accident, and now Gu Qingquan's attitude can almost represent the people on the eighth floor.

When he was about to speak to help, Pei Yue suddenly said: "We, the warriors, should resist foreign enemies and quell internal strife. This is an unshirkable responsibility. You scribes should serve the court and educate the people, as in

This is the great way. As for the way of poetry, it is nothing more than expressing one's aspirations, regulating one's mind, and borrowing things to express one's emotions. It is said that if a great achievement is lacking, its use will not be exhausted, but if it is greatly enriched, its use will be endless. You are all well-educated people, and you should be able to understand this truth."

Qin Xu looked shocked.

For a long time, Pei Yue gave him the impression that he was a young and mature man who acted carefully and was naturally extremely capable. He had also heard that he was very skilled in martial arts and could easily defeat the son of Cheng Anhou. As for his cultural quality, Qin Xu was not very good at it.

Xian, there was actually some contempt in his heart, and he always felt that this young man lacked foundation. However, the words spoken from this young man without foundation at this moment not only shocked him, but also completely shocked the surrounding Lingzhou literati who were ready to make a move.

Pei Yue stood with his feet evenly spaced, with a calm and determined attitude.

If we study his words carefully, it will take more than one or two poems to finish them. As long as the word "Tao" is involved, the debate may not be fruitful for dozens of days. By then, let alone the hibiscus banquet, the lotus flowers in the Qiujiang Pond will all be gone.

Thanks.

Xie Xinci's eyes were filled with sparkles. Although the order she received was to humiliate Pei Yue a little here, it would be best to make him feel confused. At least he would not be able to face everything that would happen next with a calm mind after climbing to the top floor.

Xie Xinci didn't understand the purpose of doing this, but she could only do it. But now listening to Pei Yue's talk, she suddenly became curious about the past experiences of this young powerful man.

Seeing that everyone else was silent, Xie Xinci could only come out to smooth things over and said: "Sir, you are a martial artist and an imperial envoy. It doesn't matter even if you don't do it. Or you can let Mr. Qin compose one more. Wouldn't that be wrong?"

Best of both worlds?”

Pei Yue looked at her steadily, until the beauty's pretty face turned red. Then he smiled and said: "Poetry is indeed not my strong point, but my maid Taohua likes this. I remember she once composed a lotus poem.

word

, although it is not very suitable for the occasion, I can barely fit the title. Today's literary conference is full of literary people from Lingzhou, so I won't show my shame, so I will use the hibiscus poem "Peach Blossom" as an introduction to serve as a starting point. What do you think?

How about next?"

Seeing what he said was interesting and humble, everyone looked much better. Even if there were some people who were not angry about being easily fooled by Pei Yue, they could not continue to argue after all. At that time, they were really making things difficult and provoking.

Xie Xinci ordered the maid to spread out pen, ink, paper and inkstone. Pei Yue smiled and started writing with a swipe of the pen.

I saw it written on the paper:

The fragrance of red lotus root lingers in the jade quilt in autumn. I undressed my clothes lightly and boarded the orchid boat alone. Who in the clouds sent me a brocade book? When the wild goose returned, the moon was full on the west tower.

The flowers are floating and the water is flowing. One kind of lovesickness, two places of idle sorrow. There is no way to eliminate this feeling, so I lower my brows, but it is in my heart.

It is signed on June 13, the fifth year of Kaiping, written by Pei Yue in Peach Blossom's handwriting.

Xie Xinci's eyes widened from the first sentence she read. As Pei Yue finished writing the last sentence, she couldn't help but read it out. The talented man named Gu Qingquan listened to Xie Xinci's soft voice, and his expression gradually became dull.

His body was shaking slightly uncontrollably.

After Xie Xinci finished reading the whole poem, no one in the room could say even half a word. Everyone's eyes were panicked, and they looked in awe at Pei Yue who dropped his pen and walked leisurely towards the stairs.

Suddenly, Qin Xu shouted, and then he paused and said: "Good words! Good words! Pei Yue has written one stroke today, who dares to write about hibiscus?"

The so-called talented people's faces turned pale, and no one dared to talk to Qin Xu at this moment.
Chapter completed!