Hello Chang’an

Chapter 108: Make friends with literature and make friends with poetry

Chang Suining was a little surprised that Cui Jing could come.

That night in the Imperial College, when she invited her, she just felt that she would not take advantage of it, but she did not give her 100% hope - and Yao Tingwei, who enthusiastically claimed that night, "Wouldn't it be fun if the three of us were together?" The person came, obviously throwing the so-called words of fellow travelers out of the window.

When it comes to throwing away after use, Chang Sui Ning feels inferior to Yao Tingwei.

Cui Jing was invited by her, and she took the initiative to go up and greet him: "Captain Cui—"

Chang Kuo saw Cui Jing and strode over. Although there was an accident, he was more enthusiastic: "Why are you here just now? The food will be passed around in the evening!"

His familiarity with Cui Jing is unmatched by others, and he always speaks casually.

Cui Jing explained: "There are some official matters in the Xuance Mansion that need to be taken care of, so I came late."

Yuan Xiang glanced at Chang Sui Ning quietly.

It's true that he was busy with official duties, but it's also true that he helped Mrs. Chang arrange the people to spread the news about the apprenticeship banquet.

"There shouldn't be any urgent matters that need to be taken care of recently... It's rare to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, so you should take a break." Chang Kuo and Cui Jing said.

Cui Jing nodded in agreement and signaled Yuan Xiang to step forward.

Yuan Xiang took a box from his companion and stepped forward with a smile: "Ms. Chang, this is the apprenticeship ceremony prepared by our Grand Governor for you."

Chang Kuo stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Admiral Cui is very interested!"

He rarely saw Cui Jing prepare gifts for anyone, after all, the other party never liked to attend any banquets.

It was a surprise that Cui Jing could come. Unexpectedly, he even prepared a special gift.

"Thank you very much, Governor Cui." Although Chang Sui Ning was surprised, he knew Cui Jing's character, so he did not refuse politely.

Xi'er stepped forward and took the box from Yuan Xiang. It was also a long box and very heavy.

The moment Xi'er took it, she secretly felt lucky—fortunately, she had been practicing diligently with the girl recently, otherwise she might not have been able to continue so easily.

But what's inside, and why is it so heavy?

Yuan Xiang saw Xi'er's confused look in his eyes, and he felt inexplicably unsure - even though Yuan Xiang was just a bachelor, he felt that this gift prepared by the governor was not suitable for his daughter at all. Home, especially as a apprenticeship ceremony, it is really out of place.

But the Grand Governor had such confidence that he said, "There is nothing more suitable for her than this." So he had no choice but to shut up.

At the moment, Yuan Xiang secretly hoped that Madam Chang would not open it in front of all the guests.

Fortunately, Mrs. Chang received a lot of gifts today and did not show too much interest.

In addition, the husband of the Chang family changed the topic: "I really didn't expect Uncle Qiao to be able to make an umbrella. Didn't he learn it now?"

Chang Suining casually added: "Third father's specialty is making umbrellas."

Chang Sui'an said "Ah": "Uncle Qiao was the number one scholar back then... shouldn't he be a serious scholar by profession?"

Chang Suining was stunned - Chang Sui'an didn't know about this?

And if the elder brother doesn’t know, then the younger sister should also pretend to not know.

As soon as she raised her eyes, she saw a puzzled look on Chang Kuo's face, as if he was about to ask her where she heard it from. However, these things became familiar every time, so she calmly asked first: "One time my father ate What you said when you were drunk...is it just drunk talk?"

Chang Kuo was stunned—did he say it when he was drunk?

He was drunk when he was drunk. Why did he talk about Lao Qiao's old story of making an umbrella?

Chang Kuo was puzzled. When he saw the doubt on his daughter's face became more serious, he smiled and said, "It's not just drunk talk. Before your third father was in high school, his family made a living by making umbrellas, so he also Proficient in the art of making umbrellas…”

Chang Sui'an suddenly said: "That's it."

As he said that, he looked at the umbrella held in Chang Sui Ning's arms and asked curiously: "This umbrella should also be painted by Uncle Qiao, right?"

Although the umbrella was painted with a landscape painting, it couldn't be seen completely when folded. Seeing the students on the side showing curiosity, Chang Sui Ning opened the umbrella.

As the umbrella surface was opened, the lifelike green landscape spread out in front of everyone's eyes, attracting awe.

"I've heard for a long time that Jijiu is good at painting landscapes... Today is the first time I'm lucky enough to see the real work of Jijiu with my own eyes."

"How can I bear to take this umbrella out to get wet in the rain..."

While the students were admiring the umbrella, when their eyes fell on the girl in green clothes holding the umbrella, they couldn't help but feel that the umbrella and the person really complement each other.

On such an occasion, some young students expressed their admiration in a simple and beautiful mood: "This umbrella is suitable for Lady Chang to offer wine. At a glance, it seems that the umbrella has walked over the mountains and rivers to Lady Chang's side, but it also seems like Lady Chang melts into it." Entering this landscape...it’s really magical!”

Others also echoed in admiration.

"It's indeed wonderful." Wei Shuyi, who was sitting at the small table and waving a folding fan, nodded with a smile.

Looking at Chang Suining, some students have even started composing poems.

Yao Xia and the others, who were invited, also ran over to look at the umbrella.

"Isn't the girl going?" Manager Fang asked Wei Miaoqing with a smile.

Yes, Wei Miaoqing also came today. According to her, she didn't want to come, but her mother forced her to come. The word "forced" was mainly reflected in the fact that Duan asked casually when she saw her daughter looking for her before going out. Asked if he would like to go with him.

"What's so interesting..." Wei Miaoqing curled her lips and whispered: "Mysterious or not, it has something to do with the umbrella. That face is just covered with a rag, so it must be magical."

"Sister Chang, could you please hold up the umbrella and take a look?"

Chang Sui Ning just opened the umbrella and held it in front of her for everyone to see. At this time, Yao Xia and the others suggested that she open it up and give it a try.

However, she had just raised the umbrella halfway when she saw a big hand blocking the top of the umbrella: "No."

The hand was slender and strong, but it had thin calluses and many intertwined old scars. He seemed to be afraid that the roughness of his palm would damage the delicate umbrella surface, so he only pretended to block it without actually touching it -

Chang Suining followed the hand and looked at its owner with puzzled eyes.

Everyone also looked at the person who spoke in confusion.

Cui Jing took her hand back and reminded quietly: "If you hold an umbrella in the house, the president will not be tall."

Everyone: "...?"

Does the dignified Governor Cui of Xuance Mansion actually believe this?

It's really unexpected.

Chang Sui Ning was also stunned.

Chang Kuo thought for a moment and nodded: "There is such a saying..."

Chang Suining weighed the pros and cons and silently put the umbrella away.

She didn't care about the others, but she still wanted to grow taller. She would rather believe that she had.

Seeing her closing her umbrella, Cui Jing consciously reminded her of the important point - although strength is more important than height, girls do not have an advantage in martial arts. It would be a good thing if they could grow taller.

Yuan Xiang came back to his senses and felt moved.

Others only care about whether Mrs. Chang is beautiful when she holds an umbrella. Only the Governor cares about whether Mrs. Chang grows tall or not.

The governor's intentions were so kind and strange... He almost cried to death.

He could see it from the day when the Governor presented him with the bronze talisman. If he lacked love like the Governor, he probably really regarded Mrs. Chang as a family member, right?

Just to break it down, from the perspective of this concern that is only given to juniors, the governor should sit at the same table as General Chang Da, the father.

"Come on, let's all take a seat!" Chang Kuo actually pulled Cui Jing to sit with him.

Everyone sat down, and the waiters in the restaurant quickly served delicious wine and delicacies. There was also an ice basin to dispel the heat. Amidst the sound of silk and bamboo, the guests drank with flying flowers, and the sound of poetry and laughter continued.

At this time, Xi'er came to Chang Suining's side and whispered: "Girl, there are many people gathered on the street downstairs." Chang Suining nodded to show that he understood: "There is no rush."

Xi'er stood aside.

"Five days are the right time..."

"The wind from thousands of miles away blows my clothes."

Halfway through the banquet, as the spirit of wine began to rise and the atmosphere became more casual, some students came to the fence facing the street on the second floor to recite poems in twos and threes, carrying wine bottles and wine cups.

This movement caused people outside the building to raise their heads to take a look.

In addition to some ordinary people who like to join in the fun, there are also many literati who can be attracted.

"I heard that Minister Wei is here, I wonder if it's true or not?"

"Not only that, but I heard that Governor Cui is also here!"

"Everyone, please listen carefully. The sound of the piano is really as clear and wonderful as fairy music... I wonder who is playing the piano in the building?"

"Wouldn't you know if you go in and take a look?"

"I'll be the host, and we can go in and join in the fun!"

Hearing this, those who came earlier shook their heads, "I'm afraid you don't know that the Dengtai Building is no longer accepting other diners today. The second and third floors have been taken over by General Chang's Mansion to hold the apprenticeship banquet!"

"What about downstairs?"

"A gentleman from the Cui family has arranged a celebration banquet downstairs."

"this…"

Everyone sighed with regret and disappointment.

"I thought I would have the opportunity to see the true appearance of Qiao Jijiu and Wei Shilang..."

Some people still looked up and looked at the young students writing poems beside the railing without giving up: "Are those students from the Imperial College?"

"That's right...those who are invited to come this time must be the best among the supervising students."

"Most of them are deceased, and a lot of them are going to die next year..."

Today's saints are trying to crack down on the imperial examinations, and they even do not hesitate to attack the Pei family. They will replace the Minister of Rites before the spring of next year. Such a move means that what awaits these poor candidates in the coming year will be unprecedented justice, even for them. An overly fair examination room.

At this time, I looked at the students who were drinking and singing poems in Dengtai Tower, thinking that these people might appear on the apricot list in the coming year, and then pass the palace examination, be selected by the imperial pen, and enter the court from a poor family. Everyone in the audience felt their hearts become more and more full of yearning.

It's a pity that they are isolated and cannot enter.

The disappointment became more and more serious. When some people shook their heads and sighed and were about to leave, they suddenly saw a girl's figure among the group of students wearing long gowns beside the railing -

The fair-faced girl came forward, and everyone saw that she was wearing a light green skirt, with a double bun, and a white jade hairpin in her hair, just like clouds entering the green mountains. The wind blew the silk draped around her arms, as if she was about to float away in the wind. .

"Today's banquet was hosted by me. Although it is for apprenticeship, I also have the intention of meeting friends through literature. If you are in the mood, you only need to use poems as a invitation, and you can come in and chat with each other -"

The young girl smiled and raised her hand to salute, and her gestures were generous and graceful. She was free and easy, but she was sincere: "I will wait for you in the building."

As she said this, the students beside her also raised their hands to invite her.

Everyone downstairs subconsciously raised their hands in return.

When they saw the girl turned around and returned to the building, everyone came back to their senses and took a closer look: "Is that the Chang family's wife? Did she just say that she wanted to... use poetry as a gift?"

This matter was also spread through the servants' mouths, and soon reached the ears of Chang Kuo at the table.

Chang Kuo slapped his thigh: "Okay, this is a good idea!"

After that, he continued drinking.

He only knows "good", but this "good" mainly means "my daughter is good at everything". In addition, being warm to others is also "good", and there is no more.

It's not that he thinks shallowly, but that his status as a military commander prevents him from thinking more deeply from a scholar's perspective.

Cui Jing, who was sitting next to him, was different—

The place where Ms. Cui lived since she was a child, every brick and tile was built with literature.

Cui Jing held the wine cup and subconsciously looked in the direction outside the building.

Literary people have such a nature, especially those from poor backgrounds, who are more likely to believe in the saying that a gentleman will not eat what he has come to him. If she invited her directly today, many people would be deterred due to the disparity in status and low self-esteem. But she proposed to use poetry as a invitation. This banquet truly became an elegant place for literary friends to meet, giving them an opportunity to respect and display their talents.

In addition to low self-esteem, many literati often have more or less arrogance. If she doesn't refuse anyone who comes, they may have the mentality of "if ordinary people can enter, I won't go to this vulgar place." - But she proposed using poetry as a link, which effectively helped them screen out those who didn't want to be with each other, and also gave them enough conditions to retain their self-confidence.

At the same time, she also helped herself to screen out unwanted people.

She only wants in the people she needs.

Cui Jing's eyes fell on Chang Sui Ning, who was sitting down under Qiao Jiji's wine table again.

Only then did he truly understand her true intention of spreading the news.

The excitement she wants is not excitement in the ordinary sense.

What will happen next is not difficult to predict.

But what it will eventually turn into is unpredictable.

Downstairs, after being told by Chang Suining, a small table has been set up in the hall, paper has been laid on it for grinding, and two bookboys are sitting on it.

"Let me go and try..."

A young scholar came forward and composed a poem. The boy copied it, signed his name, and was invited to the second floor.

As he walked upstairs step by step, the scholar still felt that it was unreal. The sound of the piano, poetry, conversation and laughter upstairs woven into an elegant, sublime and unattainable painting, with the slightest coolness emanating from the ice basin, as if Dreams spread before him -

But now, he, who is unknown, is about to become one in this painting.

"I was actually invited in!"

"I'm coming too!"

"Brother Zhao, please first—"

“…”

Seeing that more than ten people were invited upstairs, Hu Huan asked hesitantly: "Do we still need to go up to support Mrs. Chang?"

Cui Lang, who was about to go upstairs, came to his senses and said, "Quick, quick, quick!"

Of course there is no need to support the venue, but the seats have to be grabbed!

Who doesn’t know how to compose poetry?

It’s nothing more than a distinction between good and bad.

The dignified Mr. Cui, you can’t think of a good one, and you can’t come up with a bad one?

Cui Lang rushed forward.

"Master, are you going?" asked the book boy next to Xi Zhiyuan.

"Of course." The young man smiled and stepped forward.

Soon, the news of going to the Tailou to worship a master and "making friends with literature and making friends with poetry" spread like the wind.

Good night, see you tomorrow~

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(End of chapter)