Cang Wu County was on the outskirts of the kingdom, and in such a remote backwater, there were few educated people, let alone poets. If there were any outstanding individuals here, they would have long since left these parts. Lin Shan Po was considered a relatively educated man in the county, which was why he was invited.
Vegetables and meat were laid out on the table. Lin Shan Po looked from them to the invitation. He reread the invitation several times. In the end, he stood up, intending to leave.
His wife quickly came out from the adjacent room and asked, "Few can even approach the Prince. Why would they invite you?"
Lin Shan Po shook his head. "The Princess has seen countless people in the capital. Where would scholars appear in this small county? Perhaps this is a pretext to extract our wealth. After all, we live quite well. And many wealthy families have recently signed over all their assets to the Prince. Perhaps the same fate awaits us!"
His wife tensed. "Then what are we to do?"
Lin Shan Po replied, "What else can we do? Even if you try to flee, you won't escape..."
With white walls and a tiled roof stood the Su family home.
Su De Kan was also one of the county's renowned scholars. In times past, he had recited poetry in the capital and was even a classmate of current officials there. His ancestors themselves had been officials in the capital, so he now lived quite comfortably on his ancestral inheritance.
When the Prince returned, Su De Kan also rode on horseback to greet him and witnessed the scene where the Prince apprehended local aristocrats. He immediately fled on his horse then. However, he was not young in years and nearly lost his life on the way. Fortunately, he managed to return home alive. And to his surprise, his family and fortune were untouched. He had gotten off with a mere fright.
And now he was invited to a poetry gathering. Leaning on his cane, he strolled around his home.
The household steward approached and asked, pointing to the invitation:
"Master, what does the Prince want? How should we proceed?"
Leaning on his cane, Su De Kan sighed and said:
"What else can be done? I myself do not know. We are in a difficult position now."
The steward asked, "So, will you go or not?"
Su De Kan sighed and said:
"If I don't go, it will bring suspicion upon our house! If I go, then one could say I will become a rebel, just like the Prince. And when the imperial troops arrive, I will be branded a rebel just like him. One must think carefully..."
At this time, over ten more invitations were distributed throughout the county.
At Jin Mo Xuan, Lu Sheng Zhong also received an invitation from the soldiers. Many onlookers gathered around him, for they had seen the Prince's soldiers deliver the invitation. Thus, everyone was curious.
When the commotion had somewhat settled, Lu Sheng Zhong returned to his place behind the counter. He opened the invitation and looked at it, then tucked it into his sleeve.
At night, as soon as only one of the two lanterns by the door was lit, a visitor entered his shop half an hour later. He stayed for quite a long time and then left...
The next day, Niu You Dao opened his door early in the morning and, as expected, Shu Qing was waiting for him outside.
"Good morning, Lord Dao!"
"Good morning, Princess!"
Without superfluous words, Niu You Dao habitually opened the window and sat on a chair before the mirror. Shu Qing also did not chatter much and approached him from behind. She began to tidy his hair.
Usually, Shu Qing would begin to recount some news, but this time, she remained silent. Niu You Dao also did not break the silence.
Eventually, Niu You Dao could not resist and asked:
"Princess, is there something you wish to ask?"
Shu Qing replied, "What does Lord Dao wish to tell me?"
Niu You Dao said, "In truth, nothing can be hidden from you. After all, your people handled everything."
Shu Qing said, "However, not everything is clear."
Niu You Dao replied, "Every day, Princess, you arrange my hair. For that, I shall show you a comedy. Is that good?"
Shu Qing narrowed her eyes and, smiling, replied:
"Agreed!"
The rays of the morning sun descended upon the forest. Outside the city, at the foot of the mountain, guards saw various people arriving by different means. Some walked, some rode in ox-drawn carts, some in palanquins...
Lu Sheng Zhong also walked. He wore a hat and occasionally looked around. He had learned yesterday that he was not the only one to receive this invitation, so he felt slightly relieved.
At this time, all the poets walked and greeted each other. The county was not vast, so many knew each other. They conversed amongst themselves. Only Lu Sheng Zhong seemed out of place. Although someone did ask him about the previous shop owner. And Lu Sheng Zhong, already prepared for this, recounted everything in order.
And while they awaited the others, some had stony faces, some were agitated, some looked very worried. Lu Sheng Zhong merely smiled at everyone and said little.
Lu Sheng Zhong thought to himself, upon hearing of the poetry gathering, "Is this because of me?"
He could understand Shu Qing's feelings. Shu Qing was alone, without a man. She must be bored.
Lu Sheng Zhong had prepared the second poem that Song Yang Qing had sent him. He intended to use this poem to attract the Princess's attention. But would Niu You Dao be at the gathering? And if he appeared, would there be an opportunity to kill him? And if he killed him, would he be able to escape?
While he was thinking, a bodyguard emerged from a tent. He smiled at everyone and spoke:
"Thank you for your kindness, esteemed guests! We have made you wait."
"No problem!" someone replied. Some remained silent.
The bodyguard gestured with a hand:
"Gentlemen, the Princess requests your presence. Please follow me!"
Everyone entered, and Lu Sheng Zhong too. They were then asked to follow on foot. Such were the rules. Everyone had to ascend the mountain on foot. The common folk had no real choice.
Along the way, they could admire the beautiful scenery. Only Su De Kan was not particularly pleased. He was already an old man, and climbing mountains was quite difficult for him. Fortunately, young people walked nearby, supporting him from both sides.
Thus, they reached the highest point of the mountain. It was there that the courtyard on the county's summit was located.
As people approached, they saw a man kneeling near the doors. He looked quite emaciated.
When they reached the garden in the courtyard, the bodyguard smiled again and said to everyone:
"Separate studies have been prepared for you here. In each study, there are the Four Treasures of the Scholar. You have half an hour to present your masterpiece, and then the Grand Princess will evaluate your work and reward you for it. All types of poetry are welcome."
And without waiting for the poets to agree or not, they were escorted to their respective studies.
Someone smiled and said to everyone, waving a hand:
"Gentlemen, see you in half an hour!"
Lu Sheng Zhong walked deeper into the garden and constantly looked around, surveying everything.
When he entered the pavilion, the Four Treasures of the Scholar were already neatly arranged inside. Tea and fruits were also on the table.
He did not immediately drink the tea or eat the fruits, but instead added a little water and began to grind the ink.
Just as he was about to write Song Yang Qing's poem, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside. Four people entered his room. One young woman wore a canonical hat, and there was a middle-aged man holding a sword. His hair was already slightly greyed. There was also a young man who carried himself rather lazily. As soon as he entered, he immediately leaned on his sword. And beside him stood another tall young man.
After observing them, Lu Sheng Zhong roughly understood their social positions. When Shang Chao Zong entered the county, Lu Sheng Zhong had noticed Niu You Dao among them. He had not expected to see him right now. However, he dared not attack him because of the man holding the sword. Lu Sheng Zhong felt danger emanating from him.
As soon as he saw them, he instantly greeted them with the manners of a scholar.
Niu You Dao smiled and introduced the Princess:
"Esteemed sir, this young lady is the Grand Princess!"
Lu Sheng Zhong clasped his hands and said:
"This humble one greets the Grand Princess!"
Shu Qing nodded, wondering to herself what "play" Niu You Dao intended to show her.
Niu You Dao invited the Princess to sit at the table. Then he and Yuan Gang stood at her sides to protect her. Bai Yao stood behind Lu Sheng Zhong, making him uneasy.
"I heard, esteemed scholar, that you are skilled in poetry?" Niu You Dao asked again, smiling.
Lu Sheng Zhong humbly replied:
"I dare not claim skill, but I am capable."
Niu You Dao smiled and replied, "I also enjoy poetry. I beg you to enlighten me."
Lu Sheng Zhong politely replied:
"I dare not. I hope you will enlighten me."
Niu You Dao pondered for a moment, then continued with a smile: "Once one has seen the great sea, no stream can surprise; once one has seen the clouds of Mount Wu, no other clouds can compare. Looking back, half the journey cultivate, half the journey rule..." What do you think of my poem?
"..." Lu Sheng Zhong was stunned and looked at him. "He wants to take my poem?"
Shu Qing also looked at Niu You Dao in surprise.