Jia Yujing of Red Mansion

Chapter 27 The Uninvited Guest

In the blink of an eye, the Double Ninth Festival is here in September.

The weather is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to take on autumn colors.

The chrysanthemums are in full bloom, autumn is getting darker, and it’s a good time to climb high and look far.

The literary talents in the city have been looking forward to today's Lan Yueting Poetry Meeting for a long time.

As the time approaches, the rules for the poetry meeting have already been announced.

Due to venue restrictions, it is impossible to allow too many people into the Moon Pavilion, so this poetry meeting is divided into an outer court and an inner court.

Although Lanyue Pavilion is called a pavilion, it is actually quite large. There is also a large platform outside the pavilion, which can accommodate 300 people for a banquet.

The Wang family sent twenty invitations to each of the judges, and each of them invited their relatives, friends or colleagues.

Those who hold the invitation can directly take a boat to the island and sit on the platform outside the pavilion, which will occupy one hundred seats.

The remaining [-] seats are all generated from the outfield.

To enter the infield, you can only pass through the [-]-meter-long Lanqiao.

On this Orchid Bridge, there are three cloister pavilions, each of which will be guarded by five examiners invited by the Poetry Society. They are basically led by well-educated people with Jinshi background.

Only by writing poems according to the propositions of each level, reciting them on the spot, and gaining the approval of the majority of people can you pass.

Only after passing three levels in a row can you enter the inner court and be eligible to participate in the real poetry meeting.

After all the infield seats were filled, the finals officially began.

The five judges jointly set the topic, and everyone can recite their own poems on the spot, and everyone will appreciate it and judge the winner.

As soon as the news came out, this poetry meeting was regarded as an alternative competition by the students in Chang'an.

Students who can pass three levels in a row and enter the inner field will definitely become famous.

Even if they don't get the lottery, it will be extremely beneficial for them to participate in the imperial examination in the future.

Jia Qiong is also looking forward to the fact that this Double Ninth Festival Poetry Contest held in the 12th year of Long Qing Dynasty will definitely leave a mark in the history of this time and space.

Jia Qiong's family had just had lunch when everyone in the palace came to Osmanthus Alley and joined Jia Qiong's family to leave the city.

This time, the Wang family dispatched five carriages to let all the young people in the family come out.

Wang Yi rode arrogantly and walked in front, looking very proud.

Because he is the only one of the Wang brothers who can ride a horse.

They left the city from Mingsheng Gate in the south of Chang'an City, and walked slowly for about seven or eight minutes before arriving at the Qujiang Pool.

Today is a crisp autumn day with cool breeze and clear blue sky. It is a perfect weather for traveling.

At this moment, many people have gathered on the shore.

The poetry meeting has not yet begun, and people are scattered around the lake shore, enjoying the scenery, rowing boats, and flying kites.

Vendors carrying burdens shuttled among the crowds, selling various snacks.

This poetry meeting not only attracted a large number of young talents, but also the officials and wealthy merchants in the city.

They flocked to the Qujiang Pool one after another, not only for an outing, but also to take a look at the excitement of this cultural fair.

Even many ladies, who rarely go out in ordinary times, came to watch the poetry show under the leadership of their fathers and brothers.

They either ride in a carriage or a small boat and look for the person they like among the crowd through the gauze curtains.

If you see someone you are satisfied with, you can ask someone to inquire about their home situation, and you may be able to make a happy marriage.

Shen Biyun and her cousin Xu Shan stayed on the shore to enjoy the scenery. Jia Qiong led Xu Weirui and the young people of the Wang family onto a boat that had been prepared in advance, and took advantage of the time to play in the lake early.

Everyone knew that Jia Qiong would participate in the poetry meeting. They were more nervous than Jia Qiong, the person involved, and cheered him up when nothing happened.

Wang Yi came close to him and asked in a low voice: "Brother Qiong, are your poems ready?".

Jia Qiong said nonchalantly: "What are you preparing for? The judges haven't even come up with any questions yet."

Wang Yi shouted in surprise: "Didn't grandpa tell you the topic in advance?"

Jia Qiong glanced at him speechlessly. Wang Yuyan, who was holding Xu Weirui and looking at the lake view next to her, made a quick move and twisted Wang Yi's ears. "What nonsense are you talking about? How could grandpa cheat? What if others heard about it?"

"Hey, it hurts, it hurts, I was wrong, sister, let go."

Wang Yi grinned and begged for mercy, which made all the boys and girls on the boat extremely happy.

"Lao Liu, if grandpa finds out what you said, your butt will definitely bloom."

Wang Yu's son Wang Ming said with a smile. He is one year older than Wang Yi and ranks fifth in his generation.

Wang Yi chuckled: "I just said casually, with Brother Qiong's literary talent, there is no need to cheat, he will definitely come out on top."

Wang Yuyan said, "Brother Qiong, you don't have to listen to him, and you don't have to care about your ranking.

No matter how young you are, you just need to show your talent and learning in front of everyone. "

Jia Qiong smiled and said, "Sister Yuyan doesn't seem to have much confidence in me. How about we make a bet." (Jia Qiong loves gambling, because he will definitely win)
Wang Yi interjected with excitement on his face and asked: "What are you betting on? What are you betting on?"

Jia Qiong gave him a disgusted look: "I didn't say I would bet with you. Why are you so excited?"

Wang Yuyan asked: "Brother Qiong, how do you want to bet?"

Jia Qiong said: "It's very simple. If I get first place, you have to promise me one thing."

"Then what if you can't take first place?"

Jia Qiong smiled slightly and said, "Let it go."

As the sun got higher, judges and guests from the poetry competition began to arrive one after another, and exclamations came from the shore from time to time.

"The person who came to the island just now must be Mr. Liu, he is here too."

"That's the newly appointed Minister of Rites, Zhu Shilang. I didn't expect him to be the guest of honour."

"Wow, Mr. Donghe is here too. Is he just a guest? Who are the judges?"

"Hey, who is that little girl? How could she get to the island?"

"Didn't you see who was following next to you?"

"It's too far away and I can't see clearly. He looks a bit like Prince Lian..."

Outside the Moon Pavilion, Wang Yu quickly greeted Prince Lian, the ninth son of the emperor, and Princess Mingyue, the tenth daughter of the emperor, who had just disembarked.

Prince Lian is only 22 years old, and Princess Mingyue is even younger, just 11 years old.

Both of them were born to the queen, so their relationship is closer than other brothers and sisters.

Wang Yu bowed and saluted: "I see Prince Lian and Princess Mingyue."

Prince Lian said in an easy-going manner: "Your Majesty, no courtesy.

My younger sister is playful. When she heard about this poetry gathering, she insisted on coming to see it.

Xiao Wang shamelessly got an invitation from Uncle Gong Wang and brought her to expand her knowledge.

Mr. Wang, just treat us as ordinary guests and don’t disrupt the flow of the poetry meeting. "

Wang Yu said respectfully: "The prince and princess are nobles, how can they be treated as ordinary guests.

I have made arrangements, please take a seat in the pavilion. "

As heavyweight guests appeared one after another, five judges also arrived one after another at two o'clock in the afternoon.

The poetry meeting was about to officially begin, but at this time an unexpected episode occurred.

No matter who the judges give the invitation to, they will communicate with the Wang family in advance.

The venue will also arrange seats accordingly, so there is generally no chance of being caught off guard.

Unless an uninvited guest comes suddenly, like this uninvited Prince Jia.

He was wearing a moon-white gown, dressed like a young scholar, and arrived in a small boat.

If Jia Qiong were here, he would definitely praise him when he saw it: It’s a pretense!

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(End of this chapter)