Another thing that Jimo Qingyu focused on was the clear and spiritual handwriting.
Others may not know it, but as a master of calligraphy, he knows that this is the long-lost Youlong Ti created by the Daoist master Xu Ruzi. Although he majored in Confucianism, he had a friendship with Xu Ruzi when he was young and admired his handwriting. However, Xu Ruzi had no intention of pursuing an official career and later fled to the mountains to escape the world, leaving no trace of himself. Afterwards, there was no more Youlong Ti in the world.
Unexpectedly, today it has reappeared in the world.
Zhao Yan observed. “Master, do you want this disciple to go and call the person over?”
It had been many years since his master had appreciated an article with such unstinting praise, and Zhao Yan had a feeling that the young junior brother he had been pining for might actually be coming.
However… there is no age limit for the participating scholars at the Spring Banquet. If Chu Yan is older than him or just an old man in his eighties, it would be inappropriate to be his master’s disciple.
Moreover, appearance is also very important. Even if he is not as talented and beautiful as Yan Qi, he cannot be too ugly either.
Jimo Qingyu almost nodded immediately, but he quickly regained his composure and scolded with a stern face, “Calling them here for what? Do you think I’m like Yan Bing? Judging an article depends on people.”
Zhao Yan can only answer yes.
He heard Jimo Qingyu say to himself, “Such a spirited writing cannot be an old man, it must be a young man…”
Zhao Yan: “……”
Jimo Qingyu gave a direct “A+” evaluation.
This not only surprised the literati and scholars present, but also surprised all the judges.
Because Jimo Qingyu is known for being harsh and strict, he rarely surpasses “A” in his daily evaluations of his disciples, and most of them are “B” or “under B.”
How wonderful and unparalleled is this “Spring Ode” for it to receive such high praise from him?
“Announce the results.”
“Yes.”
In the suffocating silence of the entire venue, the ceremonial official announced loudly. “The top scorer in the article competition is Wei’s person, Chu Yan.”
“Chu Yan?!”
“Who’s Chu Yan?”
“Brother Wei, there’s even such a talented person in your Wei country. How come you have never mentioned it before?”
The field nearly exploded.
How can a legendary event like this, where a master emerged from the sky and defeated two major literary masters from the north and south and won the top spot in the literary genre as an individual, not be exciting and curious?
Chen Qi’s gaze suddenly shrank, and his face stood frozen in place, showing an incredulous expression. Chen Qi had never seen Jiang Yun’s true appearance, nor did he know the pseudonym Jiang Yun used, but Yan Qi knew it. How could that Chu Yan…
Sui Heng let out a click with a smile in his eyes. He raised his eyebrows and said, “It seems that Imperial Censor Yan’s articles are nothing more than that either, not even comparable to a nameless white robe man.”
A group of generals from the Qinglang Battalion, represented by Xu Qiao, were also very excited. They all knew that His Highness had brought a young gentleman back from the south to the Sui Capital, and he had always been closely protected by Shi Fang. Although, for some reason, this young gentleman did not participate in the competition under His Highness’s name, but his ability was equally impressive. He fiercely hit the Yan family’s face. That was already exciting enough!
Everyone is searching for Chu Yan’s whereabouts, including Jimo Qingyu, who was sitting in the judge’s seat.
He was also curious about what kind of person this Chu Yan was.
He hasn’t recruited any new disciple for many years, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to. As long as Chu Yan is not too old, his appearance is not too ugly, and his character is decent, he can consider it.
After all, articles of this level are really rare and precious.
So precious that he can, to some extent, ignore external conditions such as looks and appearance.
Jiang Yun was tidying up his brush and ink.
Shi Fang ran over excitedly. “Young Master, Young Master!”
Jiang Yun kneeled by the river, meticulously washing his brush and inkstone and putting them in a bag. The sunlight fell sparsely on the green robe, peaceful and beautiful like a painting, making people can’t bear to disturb.
Shi Fang broke the silence and helped Jiang Yun collect them. “Young Master, hurry up ahead. Young Master has obtained the title of literary leader, and now everyone is looking for Young Master!”
Jiang Yun’s eyes were very calm, and he even asked, “How did we determine the result after a draw of five to five?”
“It’s because of the Left Prime Minister, Jimo Qingyu.”
As expected.
Jiang Yun’s “Spring Ode” was not written aimlessly. He guessed that in the situation where the judges were divided, another respected and more qualified judge must be added to obtain a convincing result, and this person is most likely Jimo Qingyu.
Jiang Yun smiled, got up, and straightened his sleeves, saying, “Let’s go.”
Shi Fang had another flash.
Because he noticed that the young gentleman seemed to be smiling extraordinarily much today.
**
Jiang Yun did not arrive for a long time, and everyone on the stage was already feeling impatient. They felt that this Chu Yan was too arrogant, he had Emperor Sui, Empress Yan, and so many other famous figures waiting for him.
However, as a young gentleman dressed in a green robe walked in slowly with the accompaniment of his subordinate, almost everyone except for a few informed individuals stared in amazement, first stunned, then showing a stunning expression.
His skin is like porcelain, his bones are as beautiful as jade, and his elegance is unparalleled.
It seems that the creator has gathered all the exquisite things in the world and carefully polished him.
There is even such a beautiful and elegant person in the world!
In front of him, whether it was the sunrise, mountains and rivers, the sun and moon, the stream, or Yan Qi, who was known as the most beautiful man in the north of the Yangtze River, or Wei Yun, who was known as the most beautiful man in the south of the Yangtze River, all paled in disappointment.
Jimo Qingyu, who has always been honest and upright and does not judge people by their appearance, couldn’t help but also be stunned.
Jiang Yun walked onto the stage and bowed elegantly.
In sixth place, the eldest judge from the Civil Service Academy stood up with a smile and handed him the jade plaque engraved with the literary leader title. He nodded with satisfaction and said, “In the future, you must be diligent in your studies and continue to work hard to get ahead.”
Jiang Yun nodded to thank him and put away his hands.
According to the rules, those who win the top spot must leave words on a specially designed plaque to commemorate them.
The palace attendants quickly brought the plaque up.
The ceremonial officer saw the water stains on his sleeve and asked with concern, “Does the Young Master need to change your clothes?”
Jiang Yun shook his head and said there was no need.
Stepping forward, he stands with his hand on his back and dips his brush in the ink, then walks like a dragon and writes the four words “Spring Banquet.”
Even if his sleeves are slightly wet, his tall body is like jade. He’s standing on an independent platform. His wide-sleeved green robe dances in the wind as if he’s an immortal, as if he’s a crane, and his stunning charm is also breathtaking.
While waiting for Jiang Yun to leave the stage gracefully, the crowd hadn’t regained their senses from that shocking glimpse.
But after Jiang Yun stepped down, he was surrounded by many literati and scholars.
The literati admire those who are better than them, let alone such a beautiful and elegant young master. They are all eager to socialize with Jiang Yun and discuss articles together.
There are also those who need to lure Jiang Yun into officialdom.
Jiang Yun gently stated that he has no intention of entering politics and rarely writes articles on a daily basis, which does not provide much guidance to everyone. Everyone naturally wouldn’t believe it, they only felt that this young man was not only talented but also very humble.
They want to make friends with Jiang Yun even more!
Jimo Qingyu also stroked his beard and stood outside the crowd.
Zhao Yan stood aside and asked tentatively, “Shall this disciple go and call him over?”
Jimo Qingyu said no with a stern face, but his feet refused to leave for half a minute, and his gaze was always fixed on one spot.
Zhao Yan: “……”
Zhao Yan could only wait with him.
The literati gather more and more.
Shi Fang was afraid that these people would eat Jiang Yun up, so he had to loudly say that his young master was not in good health and needed to go back to rest. Only then did the crowd take three steps back and reluctantly disperse.
When Jiang Yun was about to leave, someone suddenly coughed and said, “Wait a minute.”
Subconsciously, Shi Fang was about to drive them away. When he turned around, he saw the other party dressed in a dark blue robe, with sharp and shining eyes and beautiful beards. It turned out to be the Left Prime Minister, Jimo Qingyu.
What is he doing here?
Jiang Yun didn’t know Jimo Qingyu, so he bowed as a junior.
Jimo Qingyu looked at him up and down and suddenly asked, “How old are you this year?”
Shi Fang: “……”
Zhao Yan: “……”
Jiang Yun also found it a bit strange, but he still politely answered.
Jimo Qingyu nodded and asked, “Where do you learn?”
Jiang Yun said that he has been self-learning at home and has not attended school.
Jimo Qingyu’s gaze lit up slightly and he said, “Did you learn from a teacher?”
Before Jiang Yun could answer, a lazy voice suddenly came from behind: “Why? Is the Left Prime Minister also interested in Gu’s person?”
Jimo Qingyu frowned and turned around, only to see Sui Heng, dressed in an ink-color Linpao, coming over at an unknown time.
The two of them have always been incompatible.
Jimo Qingyu snorted lightly and lowered his face. “What this old man wants to do, does it have anything to do with Your Highness?”
Sui Heng chuckled lightly. “When the Left Prime Minister does other things, it naturally has nothing to do with Gu. But if the Left Prime Minister is trying to covet Gu’s person, it has something to do with Gu.”
He stepped forward directly and picked Jiang Yun up by his waist.
Jimo Qingyu stared with wide eyes, with the expression of a cabbage being arched by a pig.
“You—”
Sui Heng said, “He is Gu’s person. If the Left Prime Minister is interested, why not come to Gu’s mansion to have tea another day? Gu won’t be able to keep the Left Prime Minister company today.”
After speaking, Jimo Qingyu stood in the same place in shock, while he took Jiang Yun and left with great strides.
Jimo Qingyu was so angry that his beard trembled for a long time before asking his eldest disciple, “What’s going on?”
Zhao Yan was also at a loss.
However, Zhao Yan is a good socializer and knows some important news in the Sui capital, so he is shy to answer. “This disciple heard that the Crown Prince brought back a beautiful young gentleman from Jiangnan during his southern expedition. Could it be… this Chu Yan?”
Jiang Yun was directly carried back to the palace by Sui Heng.
Although the Crown Prince’s own soldiers opened the way for them and they did not encounter many people along the way, Jiang Yun still felt very embarrassed.
Sui Heng placed him on the couch, sniffing the ink fragrance on his little lover’s sleeve, and raised his eyebrows, saying, “Gu didn’t know that Ah Yan actually has such skills. It seems that asking you to be Gu’s bedwarmer concubine is really a waste of talent.”
“How about Gu make you a noble concubine tomorrow? Besides warming up the bed, you also need to lay paper and grind ink for Gu.”
Jiang Yun knew that once he made this appearance, he would inevitably be teased and suspected by this person.
“I was just writing casually, I didn’t think that much.”
“Then why don’t you compete on behalf of Gu instead of entering as an individual?”
Jiang Yun then said, “I was afraid that I’d embarrassing you.”
Sui Heng: “……”
Sui Heng chuckled and noticed that his little lover was becoming more and more adept at pleasing and being obedient lately. He deliberately lengthened his tone and said, “Really? It turns out that Ah Yan is so concerned about Gu’s face.”
“How can Gu reward you?”
His eyes flickered with ill intentions.
Jiang Yun could only kneel on the couch and give him a kiss.
Sui Heng: “Not enough.”
Jiang Yun pursed the corner of his lips, his eyelashes drooping, and gave him another kiss on the other side.
This man has gotten his way lately, and once this started, it never ended. After tinkering for a while, he finally agreed to let him go.
“En, there’s progress.”
Sui Heng was very entertained.
“Ah Yan’s writing is so good, come to think of it you can also learn other things quickly as well.”
Jiang Yun couldn’t understand what he meant.
He then saw him take out an object from his pocket excitedly and said, “From today onwards, you must learn one thing every day.”
Jiang Yun looked at him with embarrassment and annoyance.
“Who make you betray Gu?”
“Just now, Empress Mother called Gu over and scolded Gu severely, saying that Gu was not strong enough and couldn’t even manage his own people well. Today, you’ve suppressed the head of this Crown Prince mansion of Gu’s, and you won’t even allow Gu to get back?”
“How about this tonight?”
He had begun to make choices with relish.
Jiang Yun didn’t want to talk to him, he pushed him away and wanted to get down.
Sui Heng chuckled lightly. He pulled him back and hugged him tightly. He restrained his cynical expression and whispered seriously, “Do you know how much you’ve helped Gu today?”
“How much good fortune did Gu accumulate in his previous life in order to pick up such a rare treasure like you halfway through?”
“Ah Yan, thank you.”
Jiang Yun cannot accept his gratitude because, strictly speaking, everything he has done today has nothing to do with him.
Even in a sense, it’s against him.
Sui Heng continued, “Gu has thought it over. From now on, Gu will take you and never marry anyone else, and it won’t matter who says so. From now on, you’ll be the only one to make the bed, warm the quilt, lay the paper and ink, and give birth to children all by yourself, alright?”
“……”
It’s starting again.
Jiang Yun couldn’t help but bite his shoulder.
“You give birth yourself.”
Sui Heng let out a hiss, and just as he was about to bully him back, his guard reported outside, “Your Highness, Military Advisor Chen asked for an audience.”
Chen Qi came mostly for tomorrow’s competition.
Sui Heng let go of him and scraped the pretty nose of his little lover, saying, “Gu will spare you for now and will settle the account with you tonight.”
He regularly reveals one cheek.
Jiang Yun could only wrap his arms around his neck and give him a kiss.
Sui Heng left with satisfaction.
Not long after, Ji An came over and smiled, saying that the hot water had been boiled and the young master could take a shower.
Jiang Yun nodded. He tidied up his clothes and got up, then headed to the nearby bathroom.
Chen Qi naturally came to apologize to Sui Heng.
Sui Heng helped him up with his own hand and a smile in his eyes: “Today is just the beginning. If the Yan family didn’t win the first prize, it would be considered a victory for Gu.”
Besides, it was his little lover, whom he likes and loves the most, who won.
This made Sui Heng even more happy.
Chen Qi naturally noticed that Sui Heng was in a particularly good mood. Thinking of the news he had just heard from Xu Qiao, he probed, “Since Young Master Chu has such talent, why didn’t he represent His Highness in the competition today?”
Chen Qi is suspicious.
When he first saw the fleeting green silhouette in the dense night in the palace of the capital of Chen, he felt inexplicably uneasy.
Although, as a subordinate, one should not interfere with the lord’s private affairs.
But it was always disconcerting to have such an unidentified person with unknown origins beside the lord, who was also hiding a world of talent.
“Him ah.”
Sui Heng gave a loose smile and said, “He was just playing around.”
Chen Qi was taken aback.
Because of the doting and indulgence between the other’s words, it was almost undisguised.
Chen Qi thought of Xu Qiao’s kind warning and dared not say more.
Because of today’s article competition, Yan Qi’s strength was simply too powerful, and he had no confidence in winning in the first place. Tomorrow, he will compete in five major literary projects simultaneously, and as long as he can win three, he will be able to defeat the Yan family.
Chen Qi is very confident because he has made sufficient preparations.
**
The next day, Jiang Yun still arrived on the field early and watched the competition with the accompaniment of Shi Fang and Fan Qi.
Fan Qi was depressed and listless. He looks at Jiang Yun with a strange expression. Occasionally, when he met Jiang Yun’s gaze, he quickly turned his face away.
Gao Gong made chicken noodles soup personally, wrapped it tightly in a food box, and sent it to Jiang Yun. This is his masterpiece, because he has been more attentive to serving Jiang Yun than Ji An during this period due to his previous confusion.
Jiang Yun ate a small bowl and divided the rest with Shi Fang.
Shi Fang has always liked to eat noodles made by Gao Gong, and he was not polite. He happily thanked Jiang Yun and started eating half of the bowl of noodles. Fan Qi saw them talking and laughing happily, becoming increasingly frustrated, and squatting on the side without speaking.
The first competition is a music competition.
Because of the participation of the former Four Princes of the Southern Kingdom, the Prince of Music, Luo Fengjun, made others seem destined to become supporting figures. So from the beginning, everyone was waiting for Luo Fengjun’s appearance.
After about an hour of comparison, Luo Fengjun slowly appeared on the jade platform with his rare ancient zither called “Kunshan.”
He was still dressed in white, with a cold and aloof expression, but the bandage on his hand was missing.
Therefore, apart from a few informed individuals, no one knew about his injury.
In just one day, Luo Fengjun’s injury could not have been healed. Jiang Yun understood that Luo Fengjun was a music enthusiast and also a musical genius, with an obsession and awe for music that ordinary people find difficult to understand. Even if his hand was injured, he did not withdraw from the competition and insisted on appearing. He doesn’t want to show his injuries and seek sympathy and mercy.
As a renowned Prince of Music, he has his own pride and perseverance.
Jiang Yun suddenly had a somewhat different understanding of Luo Fengjun. He feels that Luo Fengjun was not quite the same as he had previously imagined.
Accompanied by a clear and melodious sound, Luo Fengjun began to play.
Today, Luo Fengjun did not play his famous song “Introduction to Wutong,” but a song that broke the formation. The melody is high and exciting, just like thousands of troops fighting bravely on the battlefield.
The magnificent battlefield seems to be right in front of everyone.
His hand was injured, but not only did he not try to hide his clumsiness, he also chose such a passionate and fast-paced melody too.
The field was silent, everyone was immersed in the illusory world woven by the tune.
Some have even had their blood pumping and their foreheads sweating.
Until there was a loud cracking sound, the strings of the zither broke, and the fingers that were playing the zither splattered and bled, like red plum blossoms falling on the table.
The crowd suddenly woke up and looked at the scene incredulously.
The world-renowned Prince of Music surprisingly made such a mistake.
However, that scene was extremely magnificent.
Luo Fengjun picked up the zither, bowed arrogantly, turned around and left without saying a word.
After two more people, it was the experts from the Crown Prince’s mansion’s turn to come on stage.
A slender figure, covered in a black veil, walked up the jade platform under the guidance of the palace attendants. The instrument used is the same as Luo Fengjun’s, a seven-stringed zither.
This is an unfamiliar face.
While everyone was speculating about his identity, the person had already played the first tune with a smile on his face.
Everyone’s expression changed greatly, showing a look of shock.
Therefore, the music that that person was playing was actually an unparalleled masterpiece created by the musical genius Marquis Duan of Qi, “Feng Qiu Huang,” which countless people were unable to learn.
Luo Fengjun, who had already gotten off the stage, also abruptly stopped his steps.
