Chapter 126 (2/2)
Ji Man looked at Dengxin. The latter was also showing an indignant expression. ”Master, do you know that the capital has a poetry a.s.sociation? A high official's children founded this a.s.sociation several years ago. Its members consisted of young masters and young ladies, as well as old masters and old madames. Anyone that loves poetry and can pa.s.s the test for Tonghao Poetry a.s.sociation can join. It doesn't matter if you're a n.o.ble or a commoner, or if you're married or single. The members only care about poetry.”
Ji Man raised her eyebrows. It was surprising that this type of organization would exist in this dynasty. ”So?”
”When we were outside today, we saw a group of young masters and ladies from Tonghao Poetry a.s.sociation heading towards Luoyan PaG.o.da. We don't know when Madam was accepted into that a.s.sociation, but we saw Madam and a couple of young masters teasing each other while they were walking. She didn't have the slight intention of avoiding suspicion.”
”Teasing?” Ji Man twitched her lips. ”They were probably just discussing poetry.”
”Not true. This servant was so close to them and Madam didn't notice this servant at all because she was too focused on talking with those men,” Gancao explained, ”The pa.s.serbys were even praising her. They said that another talented woman has joined Tonghao Poetry a.s.sociation, that her poems are exceptional, and that many young masters are pursing her. She's even taken the t.i.tle of the capital's most talented woman from Luo Qianqian.”
Only a few days had pa.s.sed. Wen Wan was doing a pretty good, ah. Feeling impressed, Ji Man said, ”Isn't this good? The people in the capital all think highly of Tonghao Poetry a.s.sociation. There are many talented people in this organization. The two of you shouldn't discriminate against married women.”
”But…” Dengxin clenched her teeth and said, ”Her behavior is too shameless. She's not showing any care towards the marquis's household's reputation.”
”Why are you worried when the marquis isn't concerned?” Ji Man waved her hands. ”Go and take some of snacks with you to eat on your way out. I'm going to the southern courtyard.”
”Understood,” said the two servant girls.
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Tonghua Poetry a.s.sociation was the equivalent of high society in modern day. You gained prestige just by being accepted into the a.s.sociation. Even if Marquis Moyu found out, he wouldn't blame Wen Wan. Perhaps, he might even think more highly of her. Even if someone said that Wen Wan was flirting with other men, Marquis Moyu wouldn't believe this gossip because of Wen Wan's normal persona.
Ji Man was just going over there to share gossip with Errong.
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After listening to Nie Sangyu's gossip, Errong raised her eyebrows in response. ”Tonghua Poetry a.s.sociation? I'm also a member. I just haven't gone there to debate poetry with them in a while. The members have high standards. How could they have accepted Wen Wan as a member?”
Ji Man shook her head. How would she know?
After considering for a bit, Errong said, ”I'll go there tomorrow to join in the fun too. The spring flowers had recently blossomed and it's time for Tonghua Poetry a.s.sociation to have more frequent gatherings. I'll bring back definite details about this situation back for you tomorrow.”
The past period had been boring, so hearing some gossip would be welcomed. Ji Man patiently waited.
But, the end result was Ning Errong indignantly coming to see her before the afternoon had even arrived. She sat down in front of her, angrily slapped the able, and said, ”My cousin must be a blind idiot!”
Ji Man choked on her tea and coughed a few times to clear her throat before asking, ”What happened?”