boyutpedia Page 31
Page 31
You need to read books, and you need to understand them.
We must read poetry, and we must also write poetry.
This also led to the gradual popularity of poetry gatherings in Kyoto.
The poetry gatherings at Prince Jing's residence and those convened by the Crown Prince were the two most lively events in the capital.
It's a monthly routine, rain or shine.
Countless talented scholars from impoverished families and poets from humble backgrounds have been desperately trying to get in.
He hoped to gain fame through a poem, a verse, or a single line, thus securing a stepping stone to advancement.
Fan Ruoruo is known as the most talented woman in the capital, and she was naturally among those attending the poetry gathering hosted by the Crown Prince.
Besides Fan Ruoruo, the Second Prince Li Chengze, the Crown Prince's retainer Guo Baokun, and others were also present.
Soon, the poetry recital began, presided over by Crown Prince Li Chengqian.
Scholars and talented women presented their poems one after another, hoping to gain the appreciation of the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and others.
For a time, poems and lyrics were exchanged on the table, and wine and toasts were exchanged throughout the banquet.
At this moment, a refined and handsome young man stood up and came onto the field.
The man was gentle and refined, with a firm and powerful gaze, but when he looked at Fan Ruoruo, a strange glint appeared in his eyes.
It was Li Hongcheng, the heir of Prince Jing, who secretly harbored feelings for Fan Ruoruo.
Before and after entering the palace, the Prince Jing's heir kept his eyes down, appearing extremely courteous. 8
It's important to know that within Kyoto, Li Hongcheng's reputation has always been inextricably linked to places like brothels.
This is quite similar to Chen Qingfeng. 2
However, with Fan Ruoruo present today, Li Hongcheng was extremely polite.
"This humble prince will also offer a poem as a humble contribution."
"Please feel free to offer your critiques and corrections!"
As he spoke, Li Hongcheng glanced intentionally at Fan Ruoruo, then walked slowly across the field, lightly tapping his folding fan against his palm. 2
After walking a few steps, Li Hongcheng recited aloud: 7
"A gentle breeze stirs as I lean against the high tower, gazing into the distance, spring sorrow rises to the horizon."
"Amidst the hues of grass and the glow of the setting sun, who can understand the unspoken thoughts of one leaning on the railing?"
"I intend to indulge in unrestrained revelry and get drunk, and send my longing to the spring breeze."
"The spring breeze does not reach those with shallow hearts, for since ancient times, humankind has been full of passionate lovers."
The poem is finished!
A thunderous applause erupted from the audience.
Regardless of the quality of Li Hongcheng's poetry, his status as the heir of Prince Jing alone is enough to win him applause.
"it is good!"
"As expected of the heir of Prince Jing!"
"What a wonderful poem!"
"Gazing at the horizon, a profound and melancholic sorrow arises spontaneously!"
"Subtle yet wonderful, perfectly aptly worded!"
"The Prince Jing's son is not merely expressing his spring melancholy! He is clearly revealing his unwavering affection!"
"..."
After listening to Li Hongcheng's poem, both Crown Prince Li Chengqian and Second Prince Li Chengze understood the implied meaning behind it.
The two of them instinctively looked towards Fan Ruoruo.
Everyone could see that Li Hongcheng was in love with Fan Ruoruo.
Ignoring the praise around him, Li Hongcheng turned his gaze and looked directly at Fan Ruoruo:
"Miss Ruoruo, what do you think of my poem?"
Fan Ruoruo smiled slightly and replied:
"His Highness used the scenery to express his feelings, conveying a sense of loneliness and desolation."
"I tried to drown my sorrows in alcohol, but it was no use in relieving my longing for you."
"The spring sorrow in the prince's poem is the longing for his beloved."
"The fact that the Crown Prince can write such verses shows that he is a deeply affectionate person."
"It seems that the Crown Prince already has a beloved in his heart."
After listening to Fan Ruoruo's comments, Li Hongcheng smiled slightly and said again:
"Joruo!"
"Then would you like to know who the beauty in my heart is?"
Upon hearing this, Fan Ruoruo's expression immediately turned strange.
"What's going on with this Prince Jing's heir?"
"You ask me such a question in public?"
"Could it be... that the woman he's thinking of... is me?"
Fan Ruoruo quickly understood.
It seems that Li Hongcheng harbors feelings for her.
Could it be that I'm using this poem today to confess my feelings to her?
Upon thinking of this, Fan Ruoruo became somewhat uneasy, and even her breathing became disordered and rapid.
She didn't have those kinds of thoughts about Prince Jing's son.
Seeing that Fan Ruoruo remained silent for a long time, Li Hongcheng pursed his lips and said again:
"Miss Ruoruo!"
"You truly understand me."
"I first met that beautiful woman at Yishi Residence, and I fell in love with her at first sight."
"Since then, I have been tormented by lovesickness every day."
"Only at this monthly poetry gathering can I catch a glimpse of her beauty and soothe the pain of longing!"
"Ruoruo, that beauty is..."
Just as Li Hongcheng was about to confess his feelings, Fan Ruoruo, in a moment of panic, suddenly slammed her hand on the table and stood up.
This sudden scene startled Li Hongcheng, and he swallowed back the words he was about to say.
The scholars and talented women present were also taken aback.
It was clear from the sounds that the beautiful woman Li Hongcheng admired was at this poetry gathering.
Unfortunately, it was interrupted by Fan Ruoruo slamming her hand on the table.
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The pen's strokes startled wind and rain; the poem's completion moved even ghosts and gods to tears!
In an instant, everyone's eyes were fixed on Fan Ruoruo.
Fan Ruoruo pursed her lips, looking slightly at a loss.
I originally thought I was just here to attend a poetry gathering.
Who would have thought that Li Hongcheng would cause such a commotion and almost confess his feelings to her?
"that……"
Fan Ruoruo glanced around, her words jumbled, caught off guard by Li Hongcheng's sudden outburst.
She paused for a moment, then let out a long sigh of relief, calming herself down before saying:
"Today's poetry meeting."
"This humble woman has a poem to offer."
"I hope you will listen to my guidance."
As she spoke, Fan Ruoruo suddenly glared at Li Hongcheng, then got up and walked into the arena.
Li Hongcheng stood there stunned for a moment.
He was planning to express his feelings to Fan Ruoruo, but she interrupted him.
Helpless, he sighed and went back to his seat.
"Miss Ruoruo, please!"
Crown Prince Li Chengqian smiled and looked at Fan Ruoruo, who was about to enter the stage, indicating that she could begin composing a poem.
Fan Ruoruo held her breath for a moment, then began to recite:
"The wind is fierce, the sky is high, and the monkeys howl mournfully; the islet is clear, the sand is white, and the birds fly back."
"The boundless forest sheds its leaves with a rustling sound, while the endless Yangtze River rolls on and on."
"I often travel far from home in autumn, feeling melancholy; I am a sick man for a hundred years, and I climb the stage alone."
"Hardship and sorrow have turned my temples gray, and in my decline, I have stopped drinking wine."
As Fan Ruoruo finished reciting her poem, Crown Prince Li Chengqian couldn't help but exclaim in praise:
"Sorrow and purity, boundless and endless, ten thousand miles and a hundred years, the sorrows of a thousand years, all contained in a cup of turbid wine!"
"What a poem, what a poem!"
Meanwhile, the scholars and talented women present were also captivated by the artistic conception of Fan Ruoruo's poems.
Guo Baokun then began analyzing the text sentence by sentence:
"The word 'windy' evokes the whole couplet. The wind is strong and fierce. Climbing high and looking out, one can hear the long howl of gibbons in the canyon."