When the horse carriage arrived at the destination, the bright moon rose, and night had fallen. Ting Yun Lou is situated by the river, being a restaurant, tonight’s business has been fully booked by Leng Zui and the others. In front of the restaurant were over ten carriages, and a few suave horses, crowding the place, seems like many people are present. Leng Zui was dressed in a light green garment, still dressed as a male, and stood at the door to welcome the guests.
After exchanging greetings, Lei Lei followed the Young Master upstairs.
The room upstairs could actually be considered spacious, about fifty or sixty meters square, but at this moment it seemed narrow, and warm, over twenty people were either standing around or seated down, amongst them the eldest looks to be about in his fifties, while many others look young, most of them looks well-educated or rich. They were greeting each other, shouts of “Brother Wang Brother Zhao” rang, there were also six or seven ladies, who carried themselves in a calm yet arrogant manner.
The seats have already been allocated, there are a dozen small tables next to them, with a few plates of dried fruits on them. Due to the strong wind, only two windows were opened, revealing the carved railings outside, reflecting the moonlight, like a layer of light frost.
The Young Master originally possessed a great physique, his attire today attracted more attention, immediately becoming the hot topic. Acquaintances rushed up to greet him, even strangers came over to exchange handshakes, making Lei Lei feel proud.
The Young Master replied with a few words, then sat down at his seat.
Lei Lei concentrated to search for Qin Liu Feng, but even after looking at the corners, he was nowhere to be seen.
She tugged at the Young Master: “Qin Liu Feng is not here.” Sounding disappointed.
The Young Master looked at her, speechless.
Not long after, Leng Zui came upstairs, with a long face, Lei Lei stifled her laughter, she must be looking forward to Qin Liu Feng’s arrival, without the top talent’s presence, this poetry gathering would be less exciting. Besides Qin Liu Feng has given his word to attend, yet now he is absent for no reason, that arrogance, a stab to the lady’s pride, but it’s okay, even if he not here tonight, there is still me and “Xiao Bai” here to support, I came prepared!
Lei Zui walked towards the middle, everyone automatically quieted down, Lei Lei held admiration, this is the demeanor of a talent, the appeal is big, I should also consider getting the title of being a talent!
With lips slightly opened, Leng Zui said: “For coming all the way here, it is my deep honour, now it is about time, and the people……”
Immediately there was someone who interrupted, curious: “Young Mistress Leng, isn’t Brother Qin coming, as he is currently not here yet, how can we start, why not wait for a while more?”
.
Leng Zui said coolly: “No need, he probably got held up by something and will not be coming, for so many people to wait for one person, holding up everyone is a small matter, but rules cannot be broken.” Then she raised her voice slightly: “Word about tonight’s event has spread, it is my honour, for Old Mister Cai to grace us with his presence.”
Lei Lei followed everyone as they stood up in respect.
The gentle old man in front, with a goatee smiled and arched his hands, but did not get up. He looked unpredictable, obviously his status was not low.
Everyone sat down.
After introducing the expert, Leng Zui began to introduce the special guests: “Tonight we also have two special guests, Xiao Bai who is the Young Master of Bai Sheng Shan Manor……” She paused.
Although the Young Master rarely attends such occasions, but who hasn’t heard of the Xiao Xiao Feng Ming Dao, everyone showed respect, even Old Mister Cai nodded: “Have a righteous heart, and you will have your own world. If you can’t tell apart good and evil, and act as a tyrant, it’s useless to learn.”
The Young Master humbly shared two lines, and went quiet.
Leng Zui continued on with the introduction: “And…...Young Mistress Lei Lei.”
Upon hearing this name, Old Mister Cai asked: “Is she the one you mentioned, who came up with the farmer’s poem?”
Leng Zui angled her body slightly, and answered politely: “She is.”
Everyone looked at Lei Lei in surprise, showering praises like “man amongst the ladies” “brow raising talent”, even Old Mister Cai kept nodding his head, while twirling his beard and exclaim “rare”.
Stolen poems sure have been useful, Lei Lei felt proud, but on the surface showing a humble expression, she secretly speculates, as it turns out that "Noon on the Day of Hoeing" has spread, could it be that the talent is afraid that she will feed him the leeks again, so he dare not show up?
Suddenly Leng Zui said: “For today, please do not restrain yourself, but show your talent to the fullest, as a respect for the winner.”
Lei Lei sat upright.
Leng Zui turned to her side, and nodded: “Please reveal the topic.”
A servant who was in the corner stepped up and pulled on a rope, the scroll that originally hung high on the east wall instantly rolled down, and unfolded, with two or three lines of beautiful and elegant characters written on the snow-white scroll.
“Fifteen minutes time constraint, with the moon as the topic, five to seven characters or various minors.”
.
The crowd cheered in delight: “The view of the moon outside indeed is superb, such a fitting topic!” And in rhyme.
Leng Zui frowned: “I never like to be restrained, it’s always those same words over and over again, but it’s a rare sentence.”
Everyone agreed.
Leng Zui said: “Everyone please help yourselves, the incense stick will burn here, at the end of it, we shall gather.”
The incense is specially made, for it to reach its end will take nearly an hour, everyone scattered, heading out the door to appreciate the moon, while seeking inspiration.
In the corner, Lei Lei is smirking away.
There are so many poems that praise the moon, just about any one of them will do, “Top female talent” title is mine for sure!
Seeing how she is giggling to herself, the Young Master is puzzled, after observing her for some time, he finally asks: “Are…...you alright?” His words were implying, you are not sick right?
I am a normal mistress, I will not recite “moonlight shone at the edge of the bed” and stoop to that kind of elementary level, Lei Lei regained herself, and pulled him: “Lets, we shall view the moon outside!”
[T/N: “Moonlight shone at the edge of the bed” is translated from 床前明月光 (Chuáng Qián Míng Yuè Guāng) which is the first line in the poem Quiet Night Thoughts by Li Bai]
.
The bright moon is thousands of miles away, the river is silent, the water and the sky are of the same hue, empty and clear, and the wind is very strong beside the railing, with a heavy chill, which makes people’s faces hurt.
Of course, this did not dampen Lei Lei’s spirit one bit: “The moon tonight is great! Such a pity……”
The Young Master asked: “What is such a pity?”
Lei Lei shook her head and sighed: “A pity that Qin Liu Feng is not here.” He could not witness my glory!
The Young Master took a glance at her, then looked away.
Since she has her poem ready, Lei Lei began to think of other matters.
Unable to sell out her gorgeous brother, yet unable to betray “Xiao Bai” either, can there be a win-win situation? These days she has been pondering over this issue, and she actually did thought of one——since her gorgeous brother only needed the core teaching as evidence, to make Chuan Qi Valley surrender to them, and unite Xing Yue Cult, not like he is going to practice it, surely he won’t get someone else to practice it, without practice, who would notice if the core teaching has an issue? How about staging a fake exchange? Not like her gorgeous brother has seen the real deal.
She touched the bottom of her chin, the more she thought about it the more she thinks this plan is viable, even if she gets expose, she can push the blame on to “Xiao Bai”, on television they always show that there is a secret backup, she cannot be blamed even if she stole a fake.
But there is also a problem.
To be able to fool that smart brother, the item must be as close to the real deal as possible, which obviously is not within her means to accomplish, putting her lack of knowledge on the martials arts aside, she doesn’t even know how many bones are there in a human body, besides having the Feng Ming Dao core teaching stolen would be a huge matter, and it requires “Xiao Bai’s” co-operation, having something so important stolen, if there is no reaction coming from the people in Bai Sheng Manor, like as if that gorgeous brother would be fooled!
But “Xiao Bai” detest evil, how would she tell him about this?
Lei Lei looked at the Young Master hesitantly.
Under the silver moonlight, that face is getting more and more handsome, and the bridge of that straight and beautiful nose is also very upright, plus the upright posture, full of righteousness.
Feeling sorry towards her gorgeous brother, she held on to hope: “Xiao Bai, I have something……”
.
The Young Master turned to look at her.
Lei Lei tested: “If you ever meet people from the demonic cult, what would you do?”
Upon hearing the words “demonic cult”,the Young Master’s gaze turned cold, overlooking the place, arrogance subtly seeping through, with a cold tone: “The demonic cult wrecked havoc, to remove dangers for the citizens remains the duty of the Xiao Family, do you still need to ask?”
Lei Lei said thoughtfully: “What if your friend belongs to the demonic cult, would you still kill?”
The Young Master’s gaze quivered.
Lei Lei masked her guilt, pretending to be indifferent: “If, just what if.”
The Young Master snorted coldly: “Nonsense!”
“Why?”
“Different paths, different motives, why would I be friends with someone like that!”
Lei Lei argued: “There are also good people within the demonic cult, what if you kill someone by mistake?”
The Young Master said: “What a joke! How can there be a good person in the demonic cult?”
“Who said there isn’t, would every single person in the demonic cult have committed something bad?”
“Even if not now, they would do it sooner or later, keeping them alive is a disaster!”
“If you are adamant on removing them, won’t innocent people also get caught up in all these fights?”
The Young Master said without hesitation: “If there is no sacrifice, how would there be justice!”
Sacrifice for justice? Most likely this thinking has been instilled into him since young, ingrained, to change it now is impractical, Lei Lei did not budge: “What if they return to the right path?”
The Young Master was shocked for a moment: “That would be good.”
Now it would be easier to discuss, Lei Lei regained her confidence, stressing on one line: “But she has killed before, what to do?”
The Young Master frowned: “Taking away one’s life is not justifiable, but if repenting, then she should take responsibility for her past actions, take her own life and seek forgiveness.”
Commit suicide? Lei Lei shivered, she swallowed everything else she was about to say.
This is nonsense, it is no wonder nobody is willing to repent, given that the criteria is to take their own life! Who knows how many lives died by Shang Guan Chun Hua’s hands, which includes his wife Young Mistress Hua, but now that Chun Hua has died, this life belongs to me, and although I have the thought to give up darkness for light, but if it meant losing my life then what use would that be! Seems like “Xiao Bai” would never cooperate, worse case scenario he might even persuade me to “take my own life”, this won’t do, might be better off with the gorgeous brother, as for “Xiao Bai”, I won’t hurt you, best to come up with an idea on finding the core teaching first in order to replicate it.
Sigh, with the identity of a little devil, taking down “Xiao Bai” would be a difficult task……
.
The consolation is that Lei Lei is a person who goes with the flow, she very quickly puts aside her worries, realising that both her hands have turned icy cold from the wind, almost freezing, she hurriedly rubbed them against each other: “Xiao Bai are you cold?”
The Young Master shook his head.
Lei Lei immediately pulled his hand for warmth, and it was warm indeed.
The Young Master wanted to retract his hand in a panic.
Lei Lei shivered: “Xiao Bai, I feel cold.”
The Young Master was speechless, looking at the people around them immersed in coming up with a poem, nobody was noticing their end, so he didn’t say anything else.
Lei Lei took advantage: “The other one.”
The Young Master reached out his left hand.
The bigger hand covering the smaller hand, the warmth kept coming, Lei Lei threw away her thoughts of going back into the room, and stayed outside bearing the cold: “The moon tonight is pretty, should have known earlier that this would be the topic!”
The Young Master was silent, and nodded: “I never knew, that the moon could be this beautiful.”
“You never noticed?” Suspicious.
“Everytime the moon comes up, my father would make me practice till midnight.”
His childhood is only filled with practice, Lei Lei was shocked, then pitied him, poor child, a sacrifice for education, no wonder he is so mature for his age: “Did you used to look forward to days without the moon?”
The Young Master blushed, as he looked towards the river: “The Xiao Family has done many great things, like calm the world, eradicate Xing Yue Cult, if I don’t train hard, how could I take on such responsibilities, I should be ashamed.”
Lei Lei looked at him speechless.
Someone from the side spoke: “The incense is almost gone, does Brother Zhao have anything?”
Someone answered: “I do, but nothing fantastic.”
“I only have two lines.”
“……”
Lei Lei regained her focus, smiling inwardly, you guys can think slowly, I would recite so many on my own, that it will shock all of you!
She bemoaned: “Why is Qin Liu Feng still not here yet!”
The Young Master was speechless.
Seeing as to how he seemed to express no interest, Lei Lei came over, asking in a soft voice: “Do you lack inspiration? Don’t worry, I have many on hand, I can lend you one later.”
Lend him one? The Young Master looked at her, the ends of his mouth curled up slightly: “No need.” Then he hesitated: “I already have one, but it may not be great.”
That was fast, “Xiao Bai” is indeed creative and agile, talented in both knowledge and martial arts. Lei Lei was glad: “Sure, as long as you have one, anything you come up with will be good!” Shrinking her shoulders: “Let’s head inside, it is very cold!”
.
The incense reached its end, the people outside came streaming in, either with a grave expression or looking contented, only Lei Lei was full of confidence, with a nonchalant look, as she openly pulled the Young Master along to sit down.
Leng Zui walked to the center: “The incense has reached its end, hopefully everyone has come up with something impressive.”
Everyone murmured amongst themselves.
Leng Zui looked at Old Mister Cai: “Since most of them are ready, what do you think?”
Old Mister Cai nodded: “Although I don’t write, but when it comes to commenting, I can still give some pointers……”
Someone interrupted: “Sir you are too humble, who would dare to rebuke your reviews?”
Everyone agreed.
Old Mister Cai smiled.
“In this case, let’s begin,” Leng Zui walked before the case, picked up the brush, then looked to her left at an elegantly dressed young man, “starting with Brother Zhao, how’s that?”
The Young Man with his surname as Zhao said a couple of humble lines, then got up and recited his poem.
The poem was very raw, Lei Lei felt mystified, although she stole some famous poems for herself, but true calibre cannot be faked, even though she didn’t really understood the meaning, but she felt that the poem was very flavourful, hence she clapped and cheered along with the crowd.
In the blink of an eye and over ten others recited theirs, very soon it was Leng Zui’s turn.
The crowd laughed: “Today Young Mistress Leng is the host, she must have already prepared a good one for us to enjoy.”
Leng Zui signed off, and said coolly: “I do have one, but it may not be great.”
The crowd said: “How bad could Young Mistress Leng’s poem be, recite for us to hear.”
Leng Zui did not decline: “There is no poem, but I do have a 《Melody》, as an exchange instead.”
[T/N: Translated as ‘Melody’ here, 《水调歌头 (Shuǐ Diào Gē Tóu)》is the name of a traditional Chinese melody to which a poem in the cí style can be sung. Different poets have written different lyrics to the melody which are usually prefixed by this melody's title.]
The talented lady is about to compose! Lei Lei’s ear perked up, only to see Leng Zui walking over to the window with light steps, left hand on the window frame, thinking slightly before she sang: “When will there be a bright moon, holding onto alcohol while asking the sky……”
[T/N: What Leng Zui is reciting is a poem from the Song Dynasty called 《水调歌头·中秋》which directly translates to 《Water Song·Autumn》by the poet 苏轼(Sū Shì)]
In her head was a “bang” sound, as Lei Lei became as still as a rock.
All around were applause.
Old Mister Cai was excited: “What a good line ‘Wishing you all the best, may we share this moonlight despite being miles apart’ is!”
Young Master Zhao stood up: “The rest of us will not need to present any more, this is the ultimate winner!”
“For people there is sadness and joy and separation and getting together, the moon could be dim or bright or round or curved, such a great line!”
“It has already been said that Young Mistress Leng’s poems are full of elegance, not losing to a man, it is so true!”
“……”
So you also came by traversing, should have said earlier! Lei Lei’s blood pressure went up, almost not laughing, talented lady sure is shocking, how interesting that she plagiarized this song, her title of being a “talented lady” was obtained by pirating poems? If there is time we should deepen our friendship!
We have to support our fellow, Lei Lei clapped and cheered: “Great! Great poem! Great poem!”
Leng Zui noted the poem down, and smiled: “Well then, it is Brother Wang’s turn.”
The scholar whose surname is Wang got up: “With Young Mistress’ poem before mine, I am ashamed to compose, barely even making up seven lines, it is laughable.” Once he was done speaking, he recited: “Thinking quietly on the riverside alone, the moonlight is like water and water like the sky……”
[T/N: The poem being recited is called 《江楼感旧》 which loosely translates to 《Nostalgia》 by the poet 赵嘏(Zhào Gǔ)]
Is this not Zhao Gu’s poem! Bro did you also traverse here! Lei Lei became excited, and clapped loudly: “Great poem! Great poem!”
Next up was a rich young master whose surname is Yan: “The moon falls and the sky is full of frost……”
[T/N: The poem being recited is called 《枫桥夜泊》 which directly translates to 《Maple Bridge at Night》 by the poet 张继(Zhāng Jì)]
How many people exactly did that corporate traverse here? Lei Lei froze, although she continued to applause and cheer, but she was worried, fellows please do not recite all the good ones, at least leave one for me, or else when it is my turn I would have to use that basic poem, the “moonlight by the bedside” one that even elementary school kids recite!
It should not be too big of a problem, because the next one up is the Young Master.
.
“There is a bright moon on the sea, and the end of the world is at this time.” Having said two lines, the Young Master paused, and smiled at Lei Lei.
[T/N: The poem being recited dates back to the Tang dynasty with the name 《望月怀远》 which directly translates to 《Gazing at the moon while yearning far away》 and is written by the poet 张九龄(Zhāng Jiǔ Líng)]
Lei Lei’s mouth dropped so wide that she could swallow a whole egg.
Is it hard to tell if other characters were people who traverse here, but “Xiao Bai’s” background is the clearest of all, he cannot possibly be someone who had traverse!
Settings!
Light flashed in her mind, Lei Lei finally remembered an important character——GM Shu from the R&D department! No doubt this is Tian Lei Wen! Having designed such a contriving plot, the worst case is that these talented men and women are all designed by that person!
The Young Master was done reciting, and received a sea of applause.
Old Mister Cai nodded in satisfaction.
The Young Master looked at Lei Lei.
Lei Lei feebly clapped her hands, squeezing out an awkward smile, on the brink of tears: “Great poem! Great poem!”
“Xiao Bai” oh “Xiao Bai”, although this poem is considered average, but after you have used this, what did I memorise all those for, I can only remember a few poems, so now I am left with “A pot of wine among the flowers” which does not fit the structure required, “Spring flower autumn moon” which is a sensitive topic and does not fit the surroundings, is this not forcing me to recite “Moonlight shone at the edge of the bed”!
[T/N: “A pot of wine among the flowers” is a line from the poem 《月下独酌》 which directly translates to 《Drinking alone under the moon》 by the poet 李白(Lǐ Bái). “Spring flower autumn moon” is part of a line from the poem 《虞美人·春花秋月何时了》 which directly translates to 《Poppy.When will the spring flowers and autumn moon come to an end》 by the poet 李煜(Lǐ Yù).]
Leng Zui frowned: “Young Mistress Lei Lei, it is your turn.”
Bring it! I will strike you all down! Lei Lei gave her all, as she stood up and was about to open her mouth——
“Brother Qin!”
“Brother Qin why did you only arrive so late!”
“……”
.
Qin Liufeng who arrived much later wore a jade-coloured robe, making him appear more romantic and suave, first he neatened his clothes and greet Old Mister Cai, then he waved at everyone with a smile: “Coincidentally my horse carriage was met with mishap on the way here, disrupting everyone’s excitement, do forgive me! Forgive me!”
Someone smiled: “If Brother Qin genuinely wants to repay, why not compose a good poem on the spot, let this be an eye-opener for everyone.”
Everyone nodded: “Makes sense, with Young Mistress Leng’s poem at the forefront, Brother Qin must not perfunct us.”
Qin Liu Feng looked at Leng Zui, pouting: “How can I mess up your rules.”
Having met with a mishap and yet rushed to get over here, it seems that he is kind enough, Leng Zui’s complexion became much better, having the feeling of being caught in the middle as she looked at Lei Lei: “This……”
Everyone looked at Lei Lei.
Even if Lei Lei is ignorant, she knows what needs to be done, it does not matter when she recites “moonlight shone at the edge of the bed” anyway, hence she put her hands together, and followed the crowd: “Not an issue, Brother Qin please.”
Qin Liu Feng noticed her, raising an eyebrow: “So it is Young Mistress Lei Lei.”
Her spirit from earlier disappeared, Lei Lei couldn’t wait for this person to just be gone, as she faked her smile: “Yes, yes.”
Qin Liu Feng looked at everyone: “What are we composing?”
The crowd directed him to the title.
Qin Liu Feng glanced at the title, then at everyone’s piece, upon seeing Leng Zui’s 《Water Song》he paused, in deep thoughts, then laughed suddenly: “Turns out to be about the moon, such coincidence, the moon from last night was nice, I happened to have a poem, although not composed on the spot, but I can still present it.”
Everyone laughed: “As you say, quickly share for us to appreciate.”
Qin Liu Feng held his hand, stared out of the window, with a smile: “Moonlight shone at the edge of the bed……”
What is this! Lei Lei’s eyes widened, when she finally broke from her trance, all she could hear was the sea of applause.
“Great poem!”
“Brother Qin’s talent is unrivalled, respect!”
Old Mister Cai became excited, and stood up: “Young Master Qin’s poem, with Young Mistress Leng’s lyrics, this is the best combination for tonight’s gathering, I am speechless!”
The crowd agreed.
Qin Liu Feng laughed: “Old Mister is overpraising.”
Leng Zui’s face turned slightly red: “Teacher Cai’s words are said too early, there are still many who have yet to compose, let us continue.”
Then everyone’s gaze was on one person.
Lei Lei regained herself, taking the chance to tilt to her side, and fall onto the Young Master, pretending to faint.
.
On a night of some date in the year 2008.
Beside the computer, GM Shu was watching the screen, and snapped her fingers: “OK!” With four other gorgeous ladies by her side together they were pleased and burst into laughter.
“Having entered Tian Lei Wen, and you try to run from the plot settings!”
“Not following the settings, this is the consequence!”
”Haha!”
[P.S. If anybody has the above image without the black borders please let me know! It's a small thing but because the previous chapters don't have the black top and bottom borders so...and I couldn't find the one without.]
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