Chapter 40

On the surface of Xilin Lake, boats were scattered everywhere, with large and small Hakka boats setting sail, drifting leisurely on the rippling water.

The Spring Talent Gathering was most lively in the afternoon. At this moment, most of the talents had already boarded their boats, responding to the waves of poetic recitations from outside. A grand poetry competition had already begun.

"Boat No. 1, Xi Ruiyun, recites a poem: 'Spring Tune,' sent to Qingyue Tower, Miss Xiyu, received 38 flowers..."

"Boat No. 23, Ma Yuanru, recites a seven-character quatrain, 'Touring Xilin in the Morning,' received 12 purple orchids..."

"Boat No. 7, Miss Sima Ruyu, recites 'Spring Wind Ode,' received 27 purple orchids..."

...

The calls from the lake were clear and captivating, and as the sounds faded, the lake echoed with exclamations and praises, causing the waves to gently rise and fall.

On Boat No. 138, Feng Jueyu and Mu Qianjun sat side by side at the bow, setting up a small table. On the table were plates of pine cakes, osmanthus cakes, peanuts, and sunflower seeds, accompanied by two pots of water wine.

The green-clad girl Xiaobi and the yellow-clad girl Xiaolian rowed the boat, singing cheerful songs in the gentle breeze...

In this scene, even those who were not particularly interested in boating could feel a unique sense of comfort...

The small boat drifted aimlessly, passing by pavilions, temples, scenic spots, and mountain passes, as if unfolding a beautiful and moving scroll, continuously presenting itself to the eyes of the visitors.

Listening to the calls from the lake, Feng Jueyu and Mu Qianjun were greatly puzzled and couldn't help but ask, "Ladies, do you give flowers for reciting poems? What's the use of it?"

Xiaobi smiled and replied, "Gentlemen, you may not know, but the rules for this talent gathering were set by the Grand Scholar Zhang Changling of the Wenyuan Pavilion. The food and drink provided on each boat are the basic benefits for the talents and beauties who can board the boats, and that's all. If you want more delicacies, it's not impossible, but you need to recite poems or play music on the boat. Then, the maids on the boat will call out the poems, which will be evaluated by the scholars on the Talent Tower, appointed by the royal family. They will give a few purple orchids as a reward. Accumulate a certain number of orchids to get corresponding delicacies, game birds, and fine wine..."

Xiaobi explained the rules of the boat tour, and Feng Jueyu and Mu Qianjun marveled at the intricacy.

"Who knew there were so many rules. Zhang Changling, the Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion, truly has a brilliant mind."

Feng Jueyu took a sip of the wine and smacked his lips, finding it tasteless.

Picking up the wine pot, Feng Jueyu prepared to pour another cup, but when he lifted it, he found it lighter and shook it, finding it empty.

Looking up, he saw Mu Qianjun holding the other wine pot, tilting his head back to drink.

"Damn, Brother Mu, did you drink all the wine?"

Mu Qianjun shook the wine pot vigorously, pouring the last drop into his mouth, and wiped his mouth, saying, "What a lousy rule? It doesn't even let me drink to my heart's content."

Xiaobi and Xiaolian covered their mouths and giggled. The yellow-clad gentleman, though lacking in literary talent, was quite adorable, but he drank too much. In just a short while, he had finished the two pots of wine.

"Mr. Mu, you are clearly a wine connoisseur, but if you don't come up with a good poem, you won't get any more wine."

Xiaobi and Xiaolian giggled.

Mu Qianjun glanced at the two girls, pouted, and said, "Not satisfying, really not satisfying. Ladies, can you give me a riddle?"

The two girls smiled, "Mr. Mu, we can't decide that."

"What should we do? I can't enjoy myself without wine. I shouldn't have boarded this boat."

"If you regret it, we can take you back."

Feng Jueyu also wasn't satisfied with the wine. He had only had one cup, and the rest had been drunk by Mu Qianjun. "Sigh, Brother Mu, I've invited a wolf into my house." Feng Jueyu held his forehead, looking extremely regretful.

"Hehe." Mu Qianjun scratched his head, embarrassed, "Sorry, I should have brought some wine."

Feng Jueyu rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue with this drunkard, and focused on the scenery.

Actually, he was also a wine lover. He had thought Mu Qianjun was straightforward and a good friend, and had planned to drink and chat with him.

But he didn't expect Mu Qianjun to be so obsessed with wine, drinking both pots of wine without leaving any for him. What a jerk.

Seeing Feng Jueyu silent, Mu Qianjun's eyes darted around, and he whispered, "Hey, brother, let's think of a way to get some more wine."

"What way?" Feng Jueyu raised an eyebrow.

Mu Qianjun said, "You have that book of a thousand poems, right? Let's mix up the good lines and create a few new poems. Maybe we can fool those old scholars."

Feng Jueyu almost wanted to die, raising his thumb, "Impressive, you're really impressive..."

Xiaobi and Xiaolian laughed, "Mr. Mu, you're so funny. Even we remember most of the poems. Do you think the grand scholars won't notice?"

Feng Jueyu chuckled, "Brother Mu, save it. If you want to drink to your heart's content, why don't you get off the boat? There's nothing much to see here anyway."

"How can I do that?"

Mu Qianjun, who had seemed enthusiastic about drinking, suddenly became serious, "No, no, I can't get off the boat. Even if I don't drink, I can't get off the boat."

"Why?" Feng Jueyu was puzzled.

Mu Qianjun hesitated, "Brother, don't ask. I just can't get off the boat."

"Then you'll have to endure it." Feng Jueyu sighed.

When it came to composing poems, Feng Jueyu was indeed not good. Composing poems required abundant inspiration. Every famous line in history was not easily achieved. Poets like Li Bai and Du Fu were all great talents of their time, creating numerous classic works.

If it came to killing, Feng Jueyu was confident, but when it came to composing poems, no one would believe him.

Feng Jueyu sat gloomily on the boat, looking at the scenery around him. There were mountains, water, and beautiful women, but no wine, which was very frustrating.

Looking at Mu Qianjun, this guy looked like a gentleman, but his eyes were fixed on the purple orchids on the other boats, and he was swallowing saliva.

Was he planning to rob them for wine...

Just as he thought this, Mu Qianjun slapped the table and stood up, "Damn, if you don't give me wine, I'll take it by force..."

"Uh..."

"Absolutely not." Xiaobi and Xiaolian were startled. This was the Spring Talent Gathering. If someone couldn't compose a poem and started robbing others for wine, it would be a huge embarrassment.

Feng Jueyu stared at Mu Qianjun, then suddenly laughed, "Brother Mu, you really love wine, don't you?"

Mu Qianjun said seriously, "Of course. I can't enjoy myself without wine. If you provoke me, even Zhang Changling won't get my respect."

Feng Jueyu thought for a moment, then slapped the table and said loudly, "Fine, for Brother Mu, I'll make an exception today."

"An exception?" The three were puzzled. What did that mean? Could he really compose poems? Was he just bluffing with someone else's poetry collection?

Feng Jueyu's "exception" was not about his literary talent, but about writing down all the poems he remembered to exchange for some wine.

Since he wasn't here for fame, exchanging for some wine wasn't too much to ask. He could just say the poems weren't his.

Well, today I'll put on a bold face and exchange poems for wine, and shock this Spring Talent Gathering.

Feng Jueyu chuckled, feeling a surge of boldness, and called out to Xiaobi, "Xiaobi, take down the sail."

The sail had a large, obvious number, and Feng Jueyu didn't want anyone to know the poems were his. That would be too embarrassing.

"Why take it down?" Xiaobi was puzzled.

"Take it down when I tell you to. Xiaolian, get the Four Treasures of the Study." Feng Jueyu rolled up his sleeves, preparing to put on a show for some wine.

Mu Qianjun blinked, then laughed, "Brother, you've thought it through? Great, take out the poetry collection, and we'll study together."

"Study what?" Feng Jueyu rolled his eyes.

Xiaolian was puzzled but still went into the cabin to get the Four Treasures of the Study.

The sail was taken down, and without the obvious boat number, Feng Jueyu picked up the brush and thought for a moment, then asked, "Xiaobi, Xiaolian, how many purple orchids do we need to exchange for wine?"

"Ten or more can exchange for a pot of wine, 50 for a jar, 100 for three jars, and 500 for unlimited drinking."

500? Feng Jueyu shivered. He had just heard that the top talent, Xi Ruiyun, only got 38 orchids for one poem. How many poems would he need to write?

But thinking about it, he wasn't afraid. He had the great masters Li Bai, Du Fu, and others. Could he not get 500 orchids?

With this thought, Feng Jueyu closed his eyes and, after a long moment, wrote quickly on the paper, as if he were a copying machine.

After finishing one, he proudly handed the paper to Xiaobi, "Read it..."

Xiaobi, Xiaolian, and Mu Qianjun gathered around, not believing this bluffing talent could compose poems. But after reading it, they were stunned.

Xiaobi and Xiaolian read it three times, then looked at Feng Jueyu with surprise and respect, "Sir, you are truly a hidden gem. We are unworthy to recognize your talent."

With that, Xiaobi put down the oar and read the poem aloud:

"Spring Joy at the Talent Gathering in Tiansouth.

In March, the lake water is clear, and the spring birds sing in the mountains. Purple orchids reflect on the west of Xilin, and the boat passes through Dongting.

Friends come to invite me, and we open the wine to enjoy. As the cup is in hand, the songstress should not stop singing."