“…”
Shen Jing was speechless.
Is this kind of niche greeting popular in Luochuan Prefecture now?
He'd only been home for a few days; how did he suddenly feel so out of touch?
Damn it!
Judging by this, had the news of his death already spread?
If he had known, he should have come out in the middle of the night to wander around.
Seeing Young Master Shen's exasperated expression, Su Yourong and Chi Chi couldn't help but giggle.
Whose fault was it?
It was his own fault for faking an illness!
Of all the illnesses to fake, he chose leprosy.
And he even convulsed and screamed constantly…
It would be strange if news of his death hadn't spread!
Seeing Young Master Shen's face, Li Zhao realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly stepped forward, grasping Young Master Shen's hand to explain, “Don't misunderstand, I didn't mean anything else. It's just that someone rumored you died of leprosy, so seeing you suddenly, I was a bit… surprised…”
As he spoke, Li Zhao couldn't help but glance at Su Yourong again, secretly envious.
Young Master Shen's luck was truly invincible!
Just a few days ago, he was so down and out that he tried to drown himself in a river.
In the blink of an eye, he had become Grand Tutor Su's son-in-law, marrying the great beauty Su Yourong.
Luck, that thing, was truly mysterious!
Amidst his emotion, Li Zhao couldn't help but rub Young Master Shen's hand a few more times, hoping to catch some of this Sunzi's good luck.
With his hand held by Li Zhao, Young Master Shen was already very uncomfortable.
When he rubbed it those two more times, Young Master Shen immediately broke out in goosebumps.
Young Master Shen forcefully shook off Li Zhao's hand, took two steps back with a look of disgust, and kept his distance.
“You… what is this?”
Li Zhao looked at Young Master Shen, confused.
“I say, Young Master Li, when did you start liking this kind of thing?”
Young Master Shen said with disgust, “If you have this hobby, you can go find Wang Zan, but please, not me!”
“I…”
Li Zhao forcibly suppressed the urge to grab a nearby easel and smash it over Young Master Shen's head, feeling both annoyed and amused. “I don't have this hobby! I just wanted to rub off some of your good luck and fortune!”
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To hell with it!
Who has that hobby?
He must have developed a problem because of that Sunzi Wang Zan!
Thinking of Wang Zan, Li Zhao also felt a chill.
Seeing their awkwardness, Su Yourong couldn't help but chuckle and interjected, “Young Master Li, where are you all going?”
Looking at Su Yourong's smile, Li Zhao finally somewhat recovered and replied, “We're going to attend the poetry gathering of the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club…”
“A poetry gathering?”
Young Master Shen was surprised. “The Reflecting Moon Poetry Club's gathering is usually at the end of the month, isn't it?”
He had also once been a person who indulged in refined pursuits; he remembered the times for several poetry clubs' gatherings.
“That's right, that's right!”
Li Zhao nodded. “It was supposed to be at the end of the month, but yesterday, they suddenly announced it was moved up! And this time, there are hefty rewards…”
Li Zhao judged that it was because the other two poetry clubs had successively produced several exquisite and brilliant poems, and the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club was anxious. That's why they moved up the regular poetry gathering, which was originally scheduled for the end of the month, and offered generous rewards for excellent works.
“No wonder!”
Young Master Shen suddenly understood.
There were only three large poetry clubs in Luochuan Prefecture.
The existence of these poetry clubs was not out of hobby, but primarily for profit.
The ink, paper, brushes, and alcohol sold by the poetry clubs were all ways to make money.
These three large poetry clubs were also in competition.
With the other two poetry clubs continuously producing good poems, it would be strange if the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club wasn't anxious.
“Young Master Shen, why don't you also come to the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club for a visit?”
“Yes, yes, Young Master Shen is full of talent; he will surely be able to compose exquisite and brilliant poems!”
“Young Master Shen's half-finished 'ode to the goddess of the luo river' has now spread throughout Luochuan Prefecture…”
At this point, the three people with Li Zhao all extended invitations to Young Master Shen.
Young Master Shen was now quite famous in Luochuan Prefecture.
Any scholar could recite a few lines from the 'ode to the goddess of the luo river'.
However, to this day, no one had been able to complete the 'ode to the goddess of the luo river'.
It was said that even Yang Mian, the Education Commissioner of Huaizhou, failed in his attempt to complete the 'ode to the goddess of the luo river'.
Yang Mian even declared that anyone who could complete the 'ode to the goddess of the luo river' would be recommended by him to the imperial court for an official position.
But even so, no one could complete it.
Facing their enthusiastic invitations, Young Master Shen quickly declined, “I still have things to do! I won't be going…”
Go to hell!
He did remember some famous works.
But those poems and verses were one less each time he used them!
When they ran out, if anyone asked him to compose a poem, he would only be able to come up with doggerel.
“You don't seem busy today, do you?”
Su Yourong looked at Young Master Shen. “Since everyone is so enthusiastically inviting us, let's go join the fun!”
“…”
Young Master Shen's forehead instantly filled with black lines.
He had already told her that he had no talent and that everything was plagiarism; was she still trying to test him?
Why don't you try to test my 'sauciness'?
What a pain in the ass!
As Su Yourong spoke, the others again extended their enthusiastic invitations.
Young Master Shen, helpless, could only agree to join the fun.
Fine!
If he had to go, he would go!
Composing a poem was definitely out of the question!
He would just show his face so people knew he wasn't dead.
Lest he encounter another acquaintance who would immediately blurt out, “You're not dead?”
This niche way of greeting, he would leave it to his enemies!
“You're really setting me up!”
Sitting in the carriage, Young Master Shen couldn't help but cast a “resentful” look at Su Yourong.
“What do you mean, setting you up?”
Su Yourong smiled. “We're just going to join the fun! If you don't compose a poem, no one will hold a knife to your neck and force you to, right?”
“Do you think I don't know what you're planning?”
Young Master Shen pouted, then showed a mischievous smile. “If anyone asks me to compose a poem, I'll compose: 'Before my bed, the bright moonlight, upon the ground…'”
“Are you trying to die?!”
Su Yourong, embarrassed and annoyed, lightly kicked Young Master Shen.
This scoundrel!
He had no shame!
But then again, what shame could one expect from such a shameless scoundrel?
Suddenly, Su Yourong began to worry a little.
This scoundrel wouldn't actually compose a similar poem, would he?
If that really happened, wouldn't she die of embarrassment?
Soon, they arrived at the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club.
Upon learning of Young Master Shen and Su Yourong's arrival, Guo Sheng, the proprietor of the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club, quickly rushed out to greet them personally.
Guo Sheng also had a reputation for talent in his youth, but unfortunately, he repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and could only turn to business.
Over the years, Guo Sheng had transformed from a dashing scholar into a plump merchant.
Under Guo Sheng's welcome, the group entered the poetry club and was given a private area on the open-air pavilion.
“Quick, serve tea to Young Master Shen and his companions!”
Guo Sheng enthusiastically ordered tea to be served, then bowed to the group. “I, Chen, have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first! Please forgive any shortcomings in hospitality!”
“Proprietor Guo is too kind!”
The group nodded in response.
After Guo Sheng left, they sat down in turn.
“Look, how many people are looking this way!”
Li Zhao nudged Young Master Shen. “You don't know how many men are so envious of you they're practically going crazy…”
“No choice, who told me I had this fate?” Young Master Shen showed an irritating smile and then asked, “Are you envious too?”
“To say I'm not envious would be a lie!”
Li Zhao said frankly, his face full of regret, “Too bad, I don't have your luck, nor this opportunity…”
From the first time he met Su Yourong, he had fallen in love with her.
Unfortunately, before he even had a chance to speak, Young Master Shen became the Su Family's son-in-law.
The crucial thing was that he was also the son-in-law recognized by Madam Su!
People like them couldn't even try to steal him away!
Young Master Shen laughed heartily. “As long as you're as shameless as I am, you'll have a chance in the future!”
“…”
Listening to Young Master Shen's words, the people around him couldn't help but feel speechless.
Someone who could speak of shamelessness so grandiosely, in the entire Luochuan Prefecture, probably only Young Master Shen could do it!
Just as the group was chatting and laughing, Guo Sheng returned to the pavilion with a few other people.
Seeing these people, Young Master Shen's eyes suddenly widened.
Zhao Ying!
Song Lianxin!
Zhao Ying's injuries were clearly not yet healed; he still needed help walking.
Even in this state, he still came to participate in the poetry gathering?
Holy cow!
Are young people these days all so 'competitive'?
Was this guy, Zhao Ying, trying to be the 'King of Competition' in Huaizhou?