Chapter 159 - The Love Poem at the Banquet (2/2)

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 n.o.blemen 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 n.o.ble 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 s.l.u.t 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 n.o.blemen were pa.s.sed 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 n.o.blemen 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 pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sing 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 pa.s.sed 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 gla.s.s 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 n.o.bleman should be, leaving a good impression on others.

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