Chapter 159 The Love Poem at the Banquet
“Third Sister, what poem have you written? Do you want to recite it for us to appreciate?” Mo Xuemin was very pleased when she saw the ladies around them were still washing their hands, and she could not help but ask with a smile.
“Eldest Sister, you are joking. How would I know how to write a poem. I only know a few words, I don’t even know how to put them together to make a poem. Judging by Eldest Sister’s speed, I know that your poem is definitely good. You must teach me if you have time in the future, or I would embarrass you when there are such banquets again.” Mo Xuetong smiled like a beautiful flower, intentionally raising her voice as she spoke respectfully.
She had really not put much thought in her poem. Mo Xuemin had to be the star of the show tonight.
Mo Xuemin rather liked what Mo Xuetong said and she pretended to show concern to Mo Xuetong, saying, “Third Sister, it is your fault that you don’t know how to write. You have been living in Cloud City and father was busy with official matters. He did not even hire you a nanny. It is normal for you to not know many things. When Father is less busy, I will suggest to him to find you a nanny to teach you.”
The ladies of wealthy families have all been hired nannies at a young age. The nannies would teach them how to behave and the ways of women and wives. They would study how to manage a household and learn the Classics for Women and how to behave appropriately. They would also study music, chess, reading, and painting…They all studied these from young. It would be too late for them to start when they were older.
No family would want a girl who did not know anything and was a girl whom her father did not love. They did not want a daughter-in-law who was useless to their family.
As such, when Mo Xuemin said that, the other Madams who heard what she said all looked at Mo Xuetong with disdain. A few of them even sized up Mo Xuemin. She was a talented concubine’s daughter and was doted upon by her father. She might even become a legal daughter and was actually a rather good catch.
Mo Xuemin’s smile grew even softer when she sensed the Madams looking at her. She seemed even more gracious and the pleased expression she had disappeared completely, leaving behind a gentle and humble smile. She sat there graciously and the Madams who looked at her were rather pleased with her. They thought about sending someone to the Mo Manor to ask about her.
“Many thanks, Eldest Sister.” Mo Xuetong did not seem to mind at all. The smile on her face was innocent and childish and gave others a good impression of her. She continued, “No wonder I always hear others say that you are very talented. You have written such a good poem. How impressive! If it were me, I wouldn’t be able to come up with such a good poem even in ten days or two weeks. Just a glance at your poem gives one lingering feelings.”
The higher her praises, the greater Mo Xuemin’s fall would be!
Mo Xuemin’s sincere smile and incessant praises for Mo Xuemin displeased the other noble ladies by the side.
Those in attendance today were mostly third-grade officials and above. Other than that, were descendants of those who had done meritorious service for the nation. Mo Huawen was not one of them but was a third-grade official, which was why he could attend. Sima Hyan could attend because she was the former. Sima Lingyun was waiting to be made Duke.
The old Zhenguo Duke had died a long time ago, and Sima Lingyun, as the Duke’s son should have long become the Zhenguo Duke. However, because of various reasons, the Emperor had not brought it up. His subordinates did not dare to say anything as well. Sima Lingyun had been the Zhenguo Marquess for 20 years.
But tonight, news in the palace said that it was possible for Sima Lingyun to become the new Zhengguo Duke. As such, Sima Lingyun had not only come today, but he had also brought his sister who rarely appeared in public along. The Duchess had not come because she was feeling unwell.
Sima Heyan loved poetry. Because Sima Lingyun had not yet become the Zhenguo Duke, she was seated at the back beside Mo Xuemin. When she heard Mo Xuetong praising Mo Xuemin, she grew curious. She turned around and asked, “First Miss Mo, what good poetry have you written? Let us all hear it.”
The other Madams and young ladies who were seated there all joined the conversation.
Mo Xuemin was very pleased, and just as she was about to open her mouth and recite the poem, she caught a glance of Mo Xuetong’s sincere and beautiful face from the corner of her eyes. Her mind cleared immediately and she shut her mouth tightly. Mo Xuetong was no longer that useless Mo Xuetong or the Third Sister who trusted in her wholeheartedly. She had lost in their previous confrontations and she must not ruin things this time.
“Third Sister is too polite. How could my poem be good? I only just thought about it and wrote it casually. I am not worthy of the praises by Madams and Misses here.” Mo Xuemin’s heart skipped a beat. Then, she continued to pretend to be gentle and humble.
“Eldest Sister, don’t be so humble. It is rare to see such good poetry. Just one look at it and one can tell that it is exceptional.” Mo Xuetong did not intend to let her off so easily. She smiled even more sincerely and even tugged on Mo Xuemin’s clothes cutely, looking as if she was proud of Mo Xuemin.
The damned little slut. Mo Xuemin did not know what Mo Xuetong was up to. She was so insistent on getting her to recite her poem. Even though Mo Xuemin did not know why Mo Xuetong was doing so, she had already grown wary of Mo Xuetong. Mo Xuemin had wanted to shine at the banquet tonight and make everyone look at her so that Mo Huawen had to value her. However, she felt that something was wrong now that Mo Xuetong was being so insistent. She did not know what Mo Xuetong’s goals were but she decided to do nothing.
She had lost to Mo Xuetong in their previous encounters because she had been too anxious.
She had once seen the poem in Sima Lingyun’s poetry book when she had snuck to the Duke’s Manor and was waiting for Sima Lingyun in his study. The beautiful poem seemed like the work of a woman, and she had paid attention to it then and memorized it. Since Sima Lingyun liked her, he would not say anything even if he knew that she had copied his work.
As such, Mo Xuemin felt at ease despite the plagiarism. She was not worried that anyone would expose her. However, she had not expected that Sima Lingyun was not the author of the poem. If one were to really discuss this, only one or two poems in Sima Lingyun’s poetry book was written by himself. The others had been written by ghostwriters, or he had found them somewhere else. He rarely read it, and even if the poem was placed in front of him, he might not know that it was written by him.
Mo Xuemin agreed with the poem and wanted to take the opportunity to showcase it here. It was such a beautiful love poem. Sima Lingyun would not use it in public. The noblemen present were all great poets. The beautiful words and emotions in her poem would definitely leave a deep impression on them, and they might even start to like her.
With such an opportunity, she would be able to marry well. She might have the opportunity to marry a Prince, and even if she did not, it would be a wealthy and noble family. Even though Li Youmo was the minister’s son, and Minister Li was an important and powerful person, he still had to answer to someone. As long as one of the Princes or the sons of the Four Great Manors were interested in her, it would not be difficult for her to marry into a good family with her wits and beauty.
Then, she would definitely trample that slut that was Mo Xuetong. She would make her kneel at her feet and beg her! She felt as pleased as a punch and her expression grew even more gentle and humble.
“It is really not a good poem but just a casual work. Don’t say anymore, Third Sister. If you say anything more, others will think that you are intentionally boasting about your Eldest Sister.” Mo Xuemin said with a laugh.
Mo Xuemin was a really good actress. Mo Xuetong laughed coldly to herself. Even though she hid it well, there was still a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.
Anyway, she was in no rush. She did not wish to make trouble today, but some people cannot wait. There would be a good show waiting for her later!
Mo Xuetong did not say anything else. The poems of the noblemen were passed down. They looked at the poems and either nodded or shook their heads. The focus was not on what they were talking about earlier. Only Sima Heyan wanted to talk about poetry with Mo Xuemin several times, but Mo Xuemin only smiled at her. Sima Heyan saw that Mo Xuemin was not interested in talking, so she went back to paying attention to the poem she was holding.
Under the flickering light, the beauties held the poems. Some of them were standing, and some were sitting as they discussed the poems. The noblemen on the island on the right all grew excited. There were beautiful girls and fragrant wine. That alone was already wonderful. There were not many who were paying attention to the poems they held. They men grew excited and wanted to jump up when they thought of how the poems the ladies were critiquing might be theirs and how they could be chatting about them.
The gazes at the island on the left grew even hotter.
Feng Yuran picked up a poem. He did not look at it but passed it to You Yuecheng who was beside him. He patted You Yuecheng’s shoulder with a vague smile and said, “Marquess You, look at this poem. It is indeed written by a lady in love. It is considered one of the better works. Take a look at it.”
You Yuecheng was speaking with a servant softly. He took the paper hurriedly when he saw Feng Yuran passing a sheet of paper over. He said with a slight smile, “Since King Xuan thinks it’s good. Then I have to take a look. What kind of lady had written such a beautiful poem?”
The servant left and he picked up the poem. He looked through it and passed it to the next person saying, “Sir Qin, you took second place at the last imperial exam. What do you think of this lady’s poem?”
He felt that the poem was not that good, but since Feng Yuran said that it was alright, You Yuecheng would not go against him directly. He looked down on Feng Yuran secretly. The ignorant and incompetent King Xuan was not that great. All that talk about him were just unfounded rumors started by the ladies. How great could he be!
“Marquess You thinks it’s bad?” He did not expect that the person did not intend to let him off. He stood up suddenly, his handsome and charming eyes flicked up. His expression was ugly and he had stood up so abruptly. The young men who had been immersed in admiring the beauties were all startled. The bustle stopped suddenly when they saw that the person who had stood up was King Xuan.
Their elders had reminded them over and over again before they came to the palace that they must not offend King Xuan, whose moods were unpredictable. Even though he did not attend to his duties, he was the son the Emperor doted on the most. No one dared to offend her.
You Yuecheng frowned when he saw that Feng Yuran had grown angry for no reason. This person was really unpredictable. Fortunately, he had seen many things. He put down his glass and stood up, bowing at Feng Yuran politely. He said with a smile, “It is not that Yuecheng feels that it is bad. It is just that I don’t understand all this. The words and phrases are too beautiful that this is almost erotic. However, it is indeed rare to see something like this, so Sir Qin, please critique it.”
He had been mild and indirect, and his smile was neither obsequious nor arrogant. He had explained the whole matter clearly in just a few short statements. He was elegant and gracious, just like how a nobleman should be, leaving a good impression on others.