Chapter 686
Waiting for the Right Opportunity
Chapter 686 Waiting for the Right Opportunity
Upon hearing this, everyone around fell silent. Finally, one person said with a forced smile:
"It is better to blame yourself than to blame others, and better to seek help from yourself than from others."
"Hey, why are you reciting books now!"
“Then I’ll add a quote: Confucius said: ‘The superior man seeks the truth within himself; the inferior man seeks it in others.’”
The one who was mocked couldn't hold back any longer: "...I...I'm really angry. When the day comes that the carp transforms into a dragon, don't blame me for responding with this saying from the Zeng Guang Xian Wen: 'It's better to do than to talk, and better to rely on yourself than to ask others.' I hope that you will all put your words into practice at that time."
"We were wrong. If we become rich and powerful, let us not forget each other."
Wu Juren glanced at the group of people with disdain, curled his lip, and whispered to Lin Ziqi, "Why hasn't Young Master Nantang come out yet? It's getting late. Could it be that Mr. Songshan is lecturing on the essays all night?"
His hoarse voice betrayed his inner unease.
Lin Ziqi clenched his fists to steady himself and whispered reassurance, "How could that be? Not to mention that Marquis Dingbei is guarding the pavilion, the princes and princesses are all here now. Even if Young Master Nantang is a bad person, he wouldn't dare not come out. Once he shows up, you should act accordingly."
Scholar Wu laughed: "Of course, I was just afraid he wouldn't come out. This young master from Nantang is elusive and extremely difficult to invite. The owner of Shuhai Pavilion tried countless methods to force him out, but to no avail. Unexpectedly, he gets along so well with the Marquis of Dingbei's family. Isn't that strange?"
Lin Ziqi felt very uncomfortable and snorted, "So my in-laws are really generous to Qin Siyuan. Both Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang are very fond of him. But to me, their son-in-law... I can't even include a few more of my poems in the poetry collection."
Scholar Wu said sympathetically, "It is not scarcity that is a concern, but inequality."
Lin Ziqi felt a sense of understanding: "That's right. If I had treated everyone equally, I would never have made a fuss."
Wu, the scholar, sneered, "I'll help you tear off his mask later and let everyone see what kind of person he really is."
The two lowered their voices to a whisper, feeling confident that their plan was complete, and were just waiting for the young master of Nantang to show up.
Upstairs, Mr. Matsuyama reached out and pressed down, which calmed the murmurs of the crowd.
Mr. Songshan stroked his beard and said, "I have been speaking for quite some time and am a little tired. Let's take a break for now. How about Mr. Nantang speaks on this topic next?"
The noble ladies were the first to cheer.
The scholars echoed the sentiment, but it wasn't as lively as before.
Lin Ziqi and his companion were immediately startled and looked up. They saw a slender figure standing by the railing, with a jade-like face illuminated by the lamplight, and handsome features.
Scholar Wu couldn't help but praise, "This young master from Nantang is indeed handsome, no wonder he can write such exquisite and refined poems. Truly, his poems reflect his personality."
Lin Ziqi remained silent.
He felt that this young master from Nantang looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
Then, Young Master Nantang said, "My voice is not very good, so I cannot speak loudly. I can only ask Scholar Qin to relay this message for me."
After saying that, Qin Siyuan came out from inside and stood leaning against the railing.
The people below were somewhat surprised.
Lin Ziqi felt a surge of resentment; Qin Siyuan didn't have to fight for anything, people just handed it to him.
If he were to serve by the side of Young Master Nantang, wouldn't this opportunity to become famous in front of everyone be his?
He increasingly wanted to trample Qin Siyuan under his feet.
Princess Fuyun was the first to speak up: "Very well, then we shall do as Young Master Nantang says. It's just that this Scholar Qin has had a hard time. I, the princess, would like to bestow ten bolts of fine silk upon you as a token of my gratitude."
The finest colored silks made in the palace were quite valuable. The crowd immediately began to discuss it animatedly.
Qin Siyuan hurriedly said loudly, "If Master has something to do, I will do my best. I am not tired, and Princess Fuyun does not need to reward me. I am grateful for the Princess's kindness and will do my best even more."
Mr. Songshan laughed and said, "Scholar Qin has received guidance from Young Master Nantang in poetry and is considered half a teacher, so there is indeed no need for further instruction." Princess Fuyun, however, did not care and ordered the palace servants attending her to quickly fetch colored silk. She secretly envied him, saying, "If only Young Master Nantang would also be willing to give me some pointers."
King Qi sneered, "Could it be that you are so talented that even Zhang Hanlin is not qualified to instruct you?"
"Oh dear, I was just expressing my admiration for Young Master Nantang..."
Princess Fuyun sighed.
Zhang Hanlin's articles were naturally excellent, but when it came to poetry, he was indeed like the Jiangxi clique in the imperial court—too rational and lacking in elegance and charm, which was not to the liking of women in their boudoirs.
But she couldn't say those words out loud.
As the saying goes, walls have ears, let alone in such a public place.
Beside them was the Ninth Princess, who was eyeing the marriage with predatory intent.
King Qi said, "Look at how you've put Qin Jijiu's nephew in the spotlight with your reward. The actions of the Prince of Nantang have already put him in the public eye, and have only made those with ulterior motives resentful."
Princess Fuyun hurriedly said, "I meant well, but I didn't expect it to turn out like this. Brother, you're the best. Please help me repair it."
Offending Qin Siyuan is the same as offending Qin Yuan, and offending Qin Yuan is the same as offending Brother Gu.
King Qi shook his head and chuckled.
"Don't be so thoughtless next time. Now that everyone is watching, they all know that you did this because you admire the talent of Young Master Nantang. Third Brother won't think too much about it, and neither will Zhang Hanlin."
Princess Fuyun breathed a sigh of relief.
King Qi glanced at Princess Fuyun's expression and breathed a sigh of relief.
These days, Princess Fuyun is gloomy and distressed because of the injury on her face. Prince Qi sees this and feels pain in his heart. If he were not in danger himself, he would probably have to slash the Ninth Princess's face to vent his anger.
This young master from Nantang is truly remarkable. He not only made Princess Fuyun completely forget the injury on her face, but also made her youthful feelings for Third Brother Gu fade away without a trace.
King Qi raised his eyes to the pavilion and said, "I have come here because of your reputation. After Young Master Nantang finishes explaining the strategy, could you spare a moment to recite a few lines of poetry and prose?"
Qin Yuan cupped her hands in greeting and said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, after I finish my lecture, I will also review the poems that you all wrote before visiting the garden today. I hope you will not find my knowledge too shallow."
As soon as these words were spoken, a stream of people immediately parted and surged toward the poetry wall, chattering excitedly.
Wang Zichuan was shocked: "Why did it come to this?"
Those around him said, "This young master from Nantang's poems are admired by young ladies, but I never expected that women in the capital would be so obsessed with poetry. It's a good thing he doesn't like to show his face, otherwise he might be blocked in the street by these crazy women."
Wang Zichuan pondered for a moment and said, "I wonder what my poem is like..."
Those around him said, "His poems are all for women. Every word of his poems is full of heroic spirit and murderous intent. We shouldn't scare him."
The two of them burst into laughter.
Wu Juren and Lin Ziqi exchanged a glance, both understanding each other's thoughts: the moment when the young master of Nantang commented on the poems would be their opportunity to lash out.