Immediately, everyone present looked towards Cui Hao.
After all, he was the current Imperial Examination Top Scholar.
His talent truly made people look forward to it.
Then, Cui Hao slowly recited:
“Green waters gently reflect emerald lotuses, a clear breeze carries abundant fragrance.
Standing tall and graceful, in a swaying dance.
Scholars compose poems, leaving elegant rhymes; painters wield brushes, depicting beautiful maidens.
Who can discern the subtle beauty within? Only the highly talented can articulate it.”
As Cui Hao slowly recited the poem, the entire venue erupted in cheers.
“What a line, ‘Green waters gently reflect emerald lotuses, a clear breeze carries abundant fragrance,’ it perfectly captures the beauty of lotus leaves on the water!”
“I think it’s the line after that, ‘Scholars compose poems, leaving elegant rhymes,’ isn’t that talking about us?”
Several elders also nodded slightly.
An Imperial Examination Top Scholar is indeed an Imperial Examination Top Scholar; to produce such a masterpiece in such a short time truly lives up to his reputation!
It’s just a pity that the line ‘painters wield brushes, depicting beautiful maidens’ doesn’t quite fit the current scene, but the artistic conception of poetry can be considered a metaphor, so it’s harmless.
Listening to everyone’s praise,
Song Yiran’s chin was practically pointing to the sky, and her gaze at Fang Yang was full of provocation.
Cui Hao smiled and said to Fang Yang, “Brother Fang, I’ve made a fool of myself.”
“Mm, you certainly have made a bit of a fool of yourself,” Fang Yang said indifferently.
Cui Hao’s smile instantly stiffened.
Several people nearby recognized Fang Yang.
They immediately reprimanded him, “Pah! Who did I think it was? It’s the Spendthrift from the Duke of Cheng’s household. Do you even know what poetry is, daring to brazenly criticize Cui Zhuangyuan here?”
Fang Yang, however, smiled slightly, “What? You’re not happy because I didn’t say you were trash?”
Upon hearing this, everyone was furious.
It was Cui Hao who quickly stepped in to mediate, which finally smoothed things over.
Then, with a somewhat stiff smile, he said to Fang Yang, “Brother Fang, please recite your elegant work.”
“No problem, bring me some wine.”
Cui Hao heard this and winked at a nearby servant.
The servant quickly poured a cup of wine for Fang Yang.
Fang Yang picked up the wine cup and took a small sip.
The taste was sweet, and a scent of plum blossoms wafted over.
It tasted pretty good.
But the next second,
Fang Yang frowned and directly spat out the wine in his mouth.
No other reason; the purpose this time was to promote his own wine, so no matter how good the wine was, it could only be swill now!
Fang Yang then complained, “What kind of terrible wine is this? Bland and tasteless, hard to swallow.”
Cui Hao was completely bewildered, unsure what Fang Yang was trying to do.
Song Yiran, beside him, said coldly, “Fang Yang! You Spendthrift, if you don’t understand wine, then shut up! This wine is a fine wine brewed at Cui Gongzi’s manor, a rare commodity in the capital!”
“Tch, bland and tasteless, a drink for women!” Fang Yang said disdainfully.
Then he looked at Cui Hao and asked, “It’s widely rumored in the capital now, ‘If you never taste celestial intoxication in your life, even being a Prime Minister is in vain.’ Don’t you have any celestial intoxication?”
“The winery hasn’t even opened yet, so how could I have that wine?” Cui Hao said, exasperated.
Fang Yang nodded slightly.
It seems those youngsters are working hard; even these young masters know about it.
Then, it’s time for his performance.
So, Fang Yang put on a regretful expression.
He said, “Forget it! I originally wanted to get some celestial intoxication from you, but I didn’t expect you to not have any. Fortunately, I brought my own.”
Fang Yang casually lifted the wine jar in his hand.
Then he said to Lian'er, “Fill up the cups for the young masters who are drinking, and also for the several great scholars.”
Lian'er obediently responded and then began to pour the wine.
Cui Hao looked at the scene before him, feeling that something was amiss.
Before he could think further,
Fang Yang had already poured a bowl of wine and handed it to him.
Then Fang Yang poured himself a cup.
He slowly said, “When drinking, one should drink celestial intoxication; celestial intoxication and poetry are a better match!”
“Brother Fang, do you have your poem ready?”
Cui Hao realized that Fang Yang was clearly promoting his wine, and he suspected that this celestial intoxication was related to him. So, he directly reminded him to prevent the young man from saying anything more.
“Yes, of course, I do. Brother Cui, why don’t you first taste the wine in your cup?”
Fang Yang was all smiles, with an attitude that implied, “If you don’t drink, I won’t speak.”
Cui Hao was speechless for a moment and could only tilt his head back and pour the wine into his mouth.
In an instant, a strong, spicy rush hit his mouth and nose, turning his face crimson.
At the same time,
Outside the crowd, in a secluded corner, two people were quietly watching the scene before them, the smaller one’s eyes full of curiosity.
These two were the Great Chu Emperor’s children, Crown Prince Chu Neng and Princess Changle.
“Imperial Brother, isn’t this a poetry gathering? Why do I feel like Fang Yang is selling wine?”
“Silly sister, you don’t need to feel; this guy is indeed selling wine. I just don’t know how good this wine is,” Crown Prince Chu Neng replied.
Cui Hao took a while to recover before finally swallowing the wine.
His face, however, was already completely red.
Just as he was about to urge Fang Yang, he heard Fang Yang ask, “Brother Cui, if you were to say, where in Great Chu are the most and most beautiful lotus flowers?”
“Why even ask? Naturally, in West Lake, the lotus leaves stretch as far as the eye can see,” Cui Hao said proudly.
Fang Yang smiled slightly, “Then my poem will borrow the West Lake that Brother Cui mentioned.”
Then, Fang Yang said:
“After all, in June at West Lake,
The scenery is unlike any other season.
Lotus leaves reach the sky, infinitely green,
Lotus flowers reflect the sun, a distinct red.”
As soon as this poem was recited,
The scene immediately fell silent.
One old man even slapped the table abruptly, “Good! This poem! It should be the best! The line ‘Lotus leaves reach the sky, infinitely green, lotus flowers reflect the sun, a distinct red’ directly brings the beauty of the lotus flowers and leaves to life on paper!”
The other elders nodded in agreement, their faces filled with excitement.
They picked up the wine that Lian'er had poured for them and took a sip.
In an instant, several elders froze on the spot, “This wine!”
At once, they all looked at Lian'er.
Lian'er was startled by their gazes.
One person asked, “Little girl, is this the celestial intoxication you’re pouring?”
Lian'er nodded.
Another elder’s eyes lit up, “Haha, excellent! I didn’t expect to drink this fine wine that makes even a Prime Minister feel in vain. How did you manage to order it, young lady?”
“This…”
Lian'er didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Fortunately, at this moment, Fang Yang walked over and said, “To be frank with you seniors, this wine is reserved by us. If you wish to buy it now, you can place an order first. Once the Tianxian Zui Restaurant opens, you can pick it up, and there will be gifts.”
Several elders looked at Fang Yang meaningfully.
Cui Hao, however, frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in his heart. This young man was so tactless.
If he got an opportunity later, he would definitely make him pay!
The elders also noticed Cui Hao’s displeasure and did not continue the topic.
But they had already made up their minds. After the poetry gathering, they would definitely have their servants talk to Fang Yang to try and buy a few jars.
Fang Yang’s purpose in coming to this poetry gathering was to establish the reputation and popularity of celestial intoxication among the upper class.
Therefore, the topic of wine certainly couldn’t end here. Fang Yang then said, “Since my poem is the best on the spot, can I propose the next topic?”
Several elders nodded in agreement.
They still held their wine bowls, occasionally taking a sip.
Their faces were full of enjoyment.
Such fragrant and potent wine, it was the first time in their lives they had tasted it.
That feeling of warmth spreading throughout their bodies after a single sip was truly comfortable!
Who among those who dabble in literature doesn’t love wine?
For them, wine was a source of inspiration!
Having received the affirmation, Fang Yang looked at Cui Hao.
Cui Hao, with elegant demeanor, said, “Brother Fang, please proceed.”
“Since that’s the case, how about we each take the plum blossom wine in your hand and my celestial intoxication as our themes?” Fang Yang’s lips curved into a smile.
In just a few words, he directly placed celestial intoxication on the same level as the plum blossom wine, which was a rare commodity in the capital.
This round was secure!
Princess Changle’s delicate brows furrowed, “Imperial Brother, it seems this fellow has drawn Cui Zhuangyuan into it again.”
Crown Prince Chu Neng shook his head slightly.
He slowly said, “Not necessarily. The Cui family is a thousand-year-old aristocratic family with deep roots. They would surely disdain to bother with Fang Yang’s petty schemes.”
“Moreover, if the Cui family truly cared about this plum blossom wine, it wouldn’t only be supplied internally within their Cui clan.”
“I see.”
Princess Changle had an expression of sudden realization.
And at this moment,
Cui Hao had already begun to compose his poem: “Cold winds shake down a thousand forests of snow, only the plum blossom’s proud integrity is seen. A jade flute plays obliquely beneath the moon, wine fragrance floats, a subtle scent layered.”
Fang Yang immediately clapped and loudly exclaimed, “Good! The proud integrity of the plum blossom that Brother Cui speaks of, how is it different from Brother Cui himself? I admire you! I admire you!”
Since the other party was willing to set the stage for him, Fang Yang was naturally happy to offer a few words of praise.
Cui Hao smiled slightly, not taking Fang Yang’s words seriously at all.
After all, he was a scion of an aristocratic family; his composure was indeed excellent.
Fang Yang then said cheerfully, “Since Brother Cui wrote about snow, I can’t deviate too much.”
Saying this, Fang Yang shook the wine jar in his hand.
As for drinking, he certainly wouldn't; after all, he knew his alcohol tolerance was limited.
Then he said, “As the saying goes, poetry, poetry; it’s only interesting with both poem and lyric. I’ll use a lyric then.”
Fang Yang cleared his throat and then continued:
“In the painted hall, at dawn, news of falling snowflakes arrives. High, rolled-up blinds reveal auspicious signs, a vast whiteness obscures the courtyard steps.”
As the first stanza was recited, everyone present squinted their eyes slightly, beginning to wander in the artistic realm of the poem.
And Fang Yang didn’t care about others so much; he directly continued, “The vibrant light of the incense burner, cold jade pendants give rise to plain grass. It must be celestial intoxication, wildly crushing white clouds.”