Movie: Get Alpha Dog at the start

Chapter 841 Si Lili

Amid the mocking gazes of the crowd, Fan Xian picked up the pen.

"Brother Qin is very talented in writing. I don't think I can match him, but I did come across a poem that I can show off."

Guo Baokun said disdainfully: "You only got one poem by chance. Can you come up with a better poem than this one?"

Qin Hao resisted the urge to sew Guo Baokun's mouth shut. Please, that was the masterpiece of the great poet Du Fu, known as the best of the ancient and modern seven-character regulated verses. How could he not bring hatred to him?

Fan Ruoruo also walked behind Fan Xian at this moment, and watched him put pen to paper with mixed emotions. On the one hand, she naturally did not want her brother to be humiliated by Guo Baokun, but on the other hand, she was worried that her brother's poem would be better than Qin Hao's, which would make him lose face.

Ye Ling'er's eyes were no longer on Fan Xian at this moment. Even if Fan Xian wrote good poems, what did it have to do with her?
But soon, a burst of exclamations brought Ye Ling'er back to her senses, and she saw that the talented people watching the excitement around her all looked as if they had seen a ghost.

"The wind is strong and the sky is high, the monkeys are howling sadly, the water is clear and the sand is white, the birds are flying back.

The endless fall of the trees, the endless Yangtze River rolling in.

Wandering With Melancholy, a century on stage alone and sick.

Hardship and bitterness have made my hair white, and I have just stopped drinking. "

Guo Baokun almost popped his eyes out of his head, and the talented He Zongwei almost fell down because he lost his balance.

Prince Jing's son Li Hongcheng recited the poem and clapped his hands.

"Well, that's a good poem."

The talented people around also woke up one after another.

"It is indeed a good poem, but what is this endless Yangtze River? Why have I never heard of it?"

"I am always a guest in a sad autumn thousands of miles away, and I am alone on the stage after suffering from many illnesses for a hundred years. This is really a good poem, and such a masterpiece is rare in the world."

The female guests in the seats behind the curtain were also talking at this moment.

"I didn't expect that this illegitimate child from Danzhou would be so talented in writing?"

"If we compare them this way, Mr. Fan's poem is indeed better than Commander Qin's."

When Guo Baokun heard the discussions around him, his face turned red, just like a cooked crab. He pointed at Fan Xian, and then at the poem Fan Xian had written on the desk.

"You, your handwriting is too ugly. How can you be called a scholar with such handwriting?"

After hesitating for a long time, Guo Baokun finally found something to complain about Fan Xian. He Zongwei at the side also chimed in, "It is indeed unbearable to look at."

Fan Xian crossed his arms over his chest and said disdainfully, "We agreed to compete in poetry, not calligraphy. What? If you don't agree, go ahead and write a few more poems. As long as you can write better than this one, I will never write poetry again in my life."

Qin Hao secretly laughed. Guo Baokun had run into Fan Xian's trap. This poem "Climbing the High Tower" could surpass so many talented poets and was known as the best seven-character regulated verse in ancient and modern times. Not to mention Guo Baokun, even if he read through all three hundred Tang poems, he could not find a work that could surpass it.

Guo Baokun was choked to the point of being speechless and could only look at the Prince of Jing who was standing beside him.

Before Prince Jing could speak, Qin Hao stood up and bowed to everyone, saying, "Master Fan's work today can be called a masterpiece of all time. I am ashamed to be inferior to him and I bow down to him."

"Hey, Commander Qin"

He Zongwei also had a dejected look on his face. He considered himself to be a somewhat talented person in the capital, but today he met Qin Hao and Fan Xian in succession, especially Fan Xian's poem "Climbing the High Mountain", which made him almost lose the confidence to compose poetry.

After Qin Hao came out of Prince Jing's Mansion, Fan Ruoruo and Ye Ling'er followed him out.

"You learned from your uncle. Did he also teach you how to write poetry?" Ye Ling'er asked curiously.

Qin Hao smiled and said, "It was a rare stroke of genius. I may never be able to write such a poem again."

"Actually, you don't have to be discouraged. This poem is well-written. Except for Fan Xian, no one else in the poem can write as well as you. I really like your poem." Ye Ling'er mustered up the courage to say this. At that moment, it seemed more difficult than drawing her sword.

Seeing this, Fan Ruoruo said sourly, "You don't understand poetry, why are you being so attentive here?"

"I'm not talking to you, why are you butting in?" Ye Ling'er glared at Fan Ruoruo, unwilling to be outdone.

Seeing this, Qin Hao quickly interrupted: "Ahem, by the way, where's Fan Xian? Why hasn't he come out yet?"

Fan Ruoruo didn't bother to argue with Ye Ling'er. She said hello to Qin Hao and went to find Fan Xian. Ye Ling'er suddenly thought of something.

"Wan'er is still in there. I want to go find her."

"Well, go ahead. I have to go back to the barracks too."

Ye Ling'er was a little reluctant: "When will you come? The elders in my family often mention you."

"Then let's wait a few days. I should have come to visit you a long time ago, but I can't get away because of the emperor's order."

The smile on Ye Ling'er's face blossomed like a flower, and then she ran away in a flash. As a result, a few talented people happened to come out of Prince Jing's Mansion after seeing that the poetry gathering had ended. For a moment they thought they were seeing things.

"Did you just see that?"

"Yes, I see. The eldest daughter of the Ye family can actually act like a daughter."

"Hey, I think it was Commander Qin who just left? Could it be..."

"Don't mention it. Commander Qin is the son of the Minister of Justice and a ninth-rank master. The poem he wrote at the poetry meeting just now was also a masterpiece. With such a talent for both literature and martial arts, it's no wonder that Miss Ye would be attracted to him."

"That being said, don't forget that Commander Qin is Grandmaster Ye's direct disciple, so he is one generation older than Miss Ye."

Ye Ling'er returned to Prince Jing's Mansion and was looking for Lin Wan'er, but saw her looking at her with a teasing look.

"Wan'er, where have you been? It took me a while to find you."

Lin Wan'er angrily slapped her hand away: "Don't give me that. As soon as someone left just now, you forgot about me."

Ye Ling'er was embarrassed: "What are you talking about? I don't have any."

"Humph, you still say no. Ahem."

Lin Wan'er coughed for a while, and Ye Ling'er quickly blocked the wind from her. "Since you are not feeling well, don't blow the wind here. You will cough up blood again soon. I will take you back to the Royal Villa."

"Ahem. Don't try to hide it and get away with it. Tell the truth later what you said to them when you chase them out."

On the other side, Fan Ruoruo also found Fan Xian, and Fan Xian excitedly told Fan Ruoruo that he had found the chicken leg girl from that day.

"Brother, who is that chicken leg girl from?"

"She said she was a maid in Prince Jing's mansion."

"Handmaid?"

Fan Ruoruo widened her eyes, but Fan Xian didn't care. As a "time traveler", he always believed that all people are created equal.

On the other side, inside the palace hall, Eunuch Hou was holding a secret report from the Inspection Institute, which contained the details of today's poetry gathering at Prince Jing's Mansion, as well as the original copies of two poems by Qin Hao and Fan Xian.

Emperor Qing became interested after listening to this.

"So, these two are both talented in both literature and martial arts?"

Eunuch Hou hurriedly handed the two poems to Emperor Qing.

Emperor Qing first picked up Qin Hao's poem, and after just glancing at the words on it, he couldn't help but praise it, "What a good handwriting, it's upright, powerful, and majestic. He is worthy of being the youngest ninth-rank master in Qing. The handwriting is like the person, it's really a good handwriting."

Eunuch Hou smiled and said, "It's rare to hear your majesty praise me like this. It shows that Commander Qin's calligraphy is excellent."

Emperor Qing ignored him and continued reading the poem. After reading it once, he savored it carefully.

"Yes, it is indeed a rare and excellent work, with a heroic spirit."

But just after he finished speaking, Emperor Qing was a little confused again: "Just now you said that Fan Xian's poem was rated as the best. So, this kid's poem is better than this one?"

With some curiosity, Emperor Qing recited "Climbing the Heights".

"Difficulty and bitterness hate the frost on the temples, and the wine glass becomes turbid when the new wine stops."

After Emperor Qing finished reading, he was silent for a long time and let out a long sigh.

"It is indeed a rare good poem, but this poem is a little too old-fashioned. How could that boy have such a deep feeling?"

Emperor Qing changed the subject: "Has the Inspection Institute checked the source of this poem?"

"Your Majesty, I have checked it and it is not a plagiarized work." Eunuch Hou bowed cautiously.

“That’s quite unusual.”

The next day, Qin Hao had just finished court and had not yet walked out of the palace when he heard someone calling him from behind. When he turned around, it was the Minister of Rites Guo Youzhi.

"Commander Qin, I have a rare moment of leisure today. Would you please come to your house for a simple meal?"

Qin Hao readily agreed: "How dare I refuse Minister Guo's invitation?"

"Haha, Commander Qin, you are too kind. I have to thank you for letting me go earlier. This little bit of wine is not enough to show my respect."

At Guo Youzhi's earnest invitation, Qin Hao got on his carriage and headed to his mansion.

Qin Hao naturally knew what this old fox was planning, and he also wanted to see what conditions the prince was going to offer to win him over.

Soon, the carriage stopped in front of Guo’s house.

Guo Baokun was already standing at the door waiting at this moment. The main door of Guo's mansion was wide open and the surroundings were swept spotlessly clean. It could be said that this was the highest courtesy given to Qin Hao.

"Commander Qin, please."

"please."

Led by Guo Youzhi and his son, Qin Hao walked through the corridor to the backyard. Suddenly, he saw a courtyard surrounded by green bamboo. The bluestone-paved corridor was winding and deep, with towering old trees on both sides, swaying branches and leaves, and mottled light and shadow. Flowers and bonsai were scattered in between, and flowers of all seasons bloomed in turn, with subtle fragrance floating in the air. In the center was a green pond, koi carp swimming leisurely, lotus leaves standing tall, and the rockery, strange rocks, small bridges and flowing water complemented each other. It was indeed the residence of a second-rank official of the dynasty.

"Minister Guo is indeed a well-educated man. Even his home and garden are so elegant."

"Haha, if Commander Qin opens his mouth, a house like this will be within our reach." Guo Youzhi said meaningfully.

Qin Hao pretended to be confused: "Minister Guo, please don't make fun of me. Even if I save up for ten years, I can't afford such a house."

Guo Youzhi smiled slightly and took Qin Hao's arm and walked into the house.

The round table in the center of the room was already filled with delicacies, emitting bursts of fragrance. There were forty or fifty kinds of dishes alone.

"Commander Qin, please take a seat."

As soon as Qin Hao sat down, Guo Youzhi winked at Guo Baokun, who understood and clapped his hands. The sound of stringed instruments began to sound, followed by a group of dancers in cool clothes.

Each of these dancers has skin as white as cream and a hot body. As the sound of crisp drums rang out, stringed instruments played together, and the music became melodious, the dancers moved in response. The women moved with light lotus steps and flying sleeves, sometimes like butterflies flying through flowers, sometimes like fairies dancing on the water. Every turn and every gesture contained endless tenderness and rhythm.

Suddenly, a woman in black silk clothes walked barefoot onto the dance floor. Although she was wearing a veil, her beauty could not be concealed. Her every move revealed her charm, and her eyes seemed to have a kind of magic. As she swayed her dance steps, she exuded a kind of enchanting beauty.

Guo Baokun was drooling at the sight and couldn't help but secretly regret that if he had known that this courtesan was so stunningly beautiful, he should have enjoyed her in advance.

Qin Hao saw a playful smile on the corner of the black-shirted woman's mouth, but he quickly pretended to be obsessed with it and his eyes never left the woman.

When Guo Youzhi saw this scene, a smug smile appeared on his face, and he thought: No matter how powerful you are, you can't escape this soft heart.

When the song ended, Guo Baokun was the first to applaud, and Guo Youzhi glared at his useless son with disappointment.

It was not until Qin Hao also clapped and praised that he said with a smile.

"Commander Qin, this is Miss Si Lili, the top courtesan of Zuixianju. She has never performed in private before. If I hadn't heard that the guest was Commander Qin, even I wouldn't have been able to invite her."

Si Lili lowered her head and chuckled, "Sir Shangshu, please stop teasing me, but I did come here today for Commander Qin. I really liked your excellent work at the poetry gathering at Prince Jing's mansion yesterday."

After hearing Si Lili's words, the smile on Guo Baokun's face froze immediately. He had originally wanted to use this poetry gathering to suppress Fan Xian and make him look bad, but it ended up making him famous. Overnight, Fan Xian's poem "Climbing the High Mountain" had become famous in the capital.

Qin Hao smiled and said, "Miss Lili, you are too kind. At the poetry gathering yesterday, Master Fan made a stunning debut with his poem 'Climbing the Heights', which was unprecedented in history. I really admire him."

Upon hearing this, Guo Baokun hurriedly said, "Commander Qin, don't try to boost others' morale and destroy your own prestige. I don't know where Fan Xian got a chance to write a poem from, but looking at his handwriting, I know he is an unlearned person. How can he be compared with Commander Qin?"

Si Lili also said, "Mr. Fan's poems are indeed amazing, but they are a bit old-fashioned. I still like Mr. Qin's poems, which are magnificent and can be called masterpieces."

"Since Miss Lili praises Commander Qin's poems so much, why not toast him a glass? Commander Qin and Miss Lili are a perfect match, which is a good story." Guo Youzhi winked at Si Lili, who cooperated by picking up the glass and presenting it to Qin Hao.

Qin Hao also cooperated and took the wine glass and drank it all.

Seeing this, Guo Youzhi waved his hand and the musicians around withdrew. The dancers came over and stood beside them carefully, serving them.

After three rounds of wine and five dishes, Guo Youzhi was already a little drunk. He patted Qin Hao's shoulder and said.

"Commander Qin, are you satisfied with today's arrangements?"

Qin Hao pretended to be drunk and put his arms around Si Lili's slender waist: "Satisfied, very satisfied."

"Haha, since you are satisfied, why not let Miss Lili accompany you tonight."

(End of this chapter)