Chapter 116 - 116: Who Got First Place?

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

There was silence in the hall.

The courtesan Wu Yi recited sweetly, “Frozen are all the trees; your warm root will not freeze. In the village’s deep snow, last night your branch did break into flowers. Fragrance oozed in the wind. Birds peeped at you, still white. If you blossom next year, you will foretell spring’s near.”

After she finished reading, everyone below the stage fell silent for a while.

When they came to their senses, everyone clapped and praised, “Good poem! What a good poem!”

“Miss Wu Yi, may I know who wrote this poem?”

Someone asked.

The courtesan smiled sweetly. She glanced at the piece of paper in her hand and said, “This piece is ranked third for the time being. It was written by the Song family’s young lady, Song Zixi.”

“Wow! It’s Miss Song!”

“This poem is elegant and clear. It’s a hard-to-come-by poem, but it’s only ranked third?”

“Miss Wu Yi, don’t keep us in suspense. Hurry up and recite the next two poems!”

Everyone’s faces were filled with surprise as they discussed and urged her.

Song Zixi stood together with the few girls upstairs with a smile on her face. Although she told her friends that she was very satisfied with being ranked third, the truth was that she was a little dissatisfied. She looked at the stage and waited for the next two poems.

The other girls beside her were also feeling indignant for her.

At the window seat.

Qin Weimo said softly, “Brother-in-law, Zixi’s poem is very well-written. If it was any other event, she might be able to get first place. But today…”

At this point, she turned to look at the young man beside her. With a smile in her eyes, she said gently, “You’re here today.”

Before Luo Qingzhou could reply, a cold snort suddenly came from the side. “I’m here today too!”

The corners of Luo Qingzhou’s mouth twitched as he continued to look at the stage.

Qin Weimo quickly retracted her gaze and stuck out her tongue playfully. She also looked at the stage.

Song Ruyue glared at the two of them coldly.

At this moment, under the urging of the people below the stage, Wu Yi finally began to read the second piece of work.

“Cleansed of make-up is her true look, without the help of powder and rouge. Beyond the grove, a branch of bamboo extends, I think of her in this cold weather at sunset. Twilight falls over the courtyard, I wonder from where comes a faint scent, a light breeze wafts through, as snow takes its fall, what more could be said of the riverside walk?”

When everyone heard this, they knew that the name of the tune to which the poem was composed was: Lyrics to the Melody of the Mount MO Creek (On Plum Blossoms).

There was even a second stanza.

Wu Yi paused for a moment and continued to recite in a sweet voice, The moon’s outline is tinged with shadow, empty feels my dreaming soul. When fruits ripen, there shall shower a drizzle pristine and fine. I have been self-disciplined all my life, casting away emotional worries, thin and pallid I’ve become like Shen Yue of Dongyang, I’d like to know whether blossoms have taken any notice?”

“What marvelous poem!”

As soon as the courtesan finished speaking, an old man in a scholarly robe below the stage clapped his hands and praised, “The calligraphy is elegant and tactful, and the strokes are exquisite. Not only does it praise the plum blossom’s beauty and pride, but it also expresses the author’s admiration for the noble flower… Amazing use of words! This poem deserves to be number one!”

The others all came to appreciate it and praised it.

“Miss Wu Yi, who wrote this poem?”

Someone asked.

Wu Yi smiled and said, “This term was written by Young Master Su Jiang’an.”

“As expected! The moment I heard such lyrics, I knew that the composer must be Brother Sul”

A scholar said with a smile.

Many people looked at the handsome man in a long robe in the crowd who had a melancholic expression.

He was the famous Su Jiang’an of MO City. He often had a melancholic look.

It was as if nothing in this world could make him happy.

It was said that even if he went to a brothel to have fun with a woman, he would still look sad.

“Miss Wu Yi, is Brother Su’s poem first place?”

“If the first place goes to this poem, all of us are indeed convinced.”

“Brother Su, we’re convinced of your talent. This poem is indeed a masterpiece.”

Everyone chimed in.

Meanwhile, at the seat by the window.

Song Ruyue could not help but snort coldly as a look of disdain appeared on her face.

Qin Weimo turned to look at her with a smile in her eyes. She whispered, “Mother, this poem is indeed a top-notch masterpiece. Don’t you like it?” Song Ruyue rolled her eyes and ignored her.

On the stage, the courtesan Wu Yi smiled and said, “Everyone, please wait a moment. There’s one last poem. Coincidentally, the style of the poem is very similar to the previous one. It’s not too late for all of you to judge after I finish reciting it.”

“Read it! Read it quickly!”

Some people urged impatiently.

Everyone was surprised. Could there be a better work than this one?

Su Jiang’an’s gaze was also fixed on the stage.

Wu Yi opened the paper in her hand and lowered her head to look at the words written. There was a hint of surprise in her eyes. After a pause, she read out in a clear voice, “Wind and rain escorted Spring’s departure, flying snow welcome Spring’s return. On the ice-clad rock rising high and sheer, a flower blossom sweet and fair.’

After reading that, everyone fell into silence.

An imposing aura seemed to have assaulted their faces, and an image appeared spontaneously in their minds.

This was a marvelous poem!

Wu Yi paused for a moment and continued to read, “Sweet and fair, she craves not Spring for herself alone, to be the harbinger of Spring she is content. When the mountain flowers are in full bloom, she will smile mingling in their midst.”

As soon as she read that, there was pin-drop silence in the hall.

The few respected elders in the literary world who were sitting backstage had already seen this poem and were already full of praise earlier. When they heard the courtesan recite it at this moment, they felt touched again. They went over the words in their hearts with mixed feelings.

The words used were not extravagant, but they had an aura that made one’s blood boil with passion.

In just a few short sentences, everyone was overwhelmed by emotions. They were filled with heroic spirits and could not calm down for a long time.

When everyone heard this, they were all excited.

“What incredible lyrics! This is an amazing poem!”

The old scholar who had just praised Su Jiang’an’s poem had a shocked expression on his face. He was so excited that his voice was trembling. “Miss Wu Yi, quickly tell us, who is the composer of this poem? Someone who can come up with such shocking words is definitely not an ordinary person!”

The others were also impressed. They were amazed and praised the composer endlessly.

Even the melancholic Su Jiang’an could not help but slap his palm with the folding fan in his hand. He praised in a low voice, “Good lyrics, good lyrics…

The talented women also looked around and discussed excitedly.

“I wonder who can come up with such a good poem?”

Just as everyone was exclaiming and discussing, Song Ruyue, who was sitting by the window, snorted coldly.

Qin Weimo turned to look at her and smiled. “Mother, even Brother-in-law’s poem can’t impress you?”

Song Ruyue scoffed.

She said with a cold expression, “It’s so-so.”

Qin Weimo pursed her lips and turned to look at the youth beside her. She said in a low voice, “Brother-in-law, Mother is praising you. As long as Mother says these words, it means that she’s convinced by your ability.”

“Hmph! What are you whispering about again?”

Song Ruyue snorted.

Qin Weimo held back his laughter and did not dare to say anything else. He looked at the stage.

In the corner of the hall, Tang Jiasong looked dejected.

On the stage, Wu Yi announced the answer with a smile. “The composer of this poem is called Yue Mo. After the discussion of the seniors backstage, this poem deserves to be first in the first round. I wonder if everyone has any objections?”

“Yue MO? Who is this person?”

“Miss Wu Yi, we agree that this poem should get first place. Not to mention first place in this round, even in the entire competition tonight, this poem is definitely the best! However, who is Yue MO? We’ve never heard of this person’s name before.”

“That’s right, Miss Wu Yi. We still don’t know if it’s a man or a woman.”

“Judging from the name, she should be a woman. Tsk tsk, this woman is not simple. I wonder if she’s from MO City or from somewhere else. She definitely isn’t an ordinary person.”

Everyone discussed excitedly and curiously, urging Wu Yi on the stage to tell them who that person was and where she was.

Wu Yi could only raise the paper in her hand and say to the audience, “Miss Yue

MO, can you come out and let everyone get to know you?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the audience immediately fell silent.

It turned out that the courtesan did not know who the other party was, either.

Everyone turned their heads and looked at each other. Their gazes roamed over the crowd.

Who could it be?

However, no one in the hall responded.

Wu Yi could only say loudly, “Miss Yue MO, can you come out for a while? You’ve won first place in the first round of the competition. According to the rules, you should go on stage to say a few words. If you can’t come out, you can send a maidservant or someone else backstage. The seniors all want to see you.

Is that okay?”

The hall was silent.

Everyone looked at each other.

After a long while, no one replied.

“Could it be that she left after composing this poem?”

“It’s very likely. She might have gone to her room to rest.”

When Wu Yi saw that no one had stepped out, she could only put away the paper and say, “Everyone, wait a moment. I have to go backstage first.”

With that, she left.

The hall immediately became noisy. Everyone was guessing who Miss Yue MO was.

At this moment.

In her seat, Song Ruyue could not help but grin.

Qin Weimo did not dare to tease her, but she also had a smile in her eyes. At this moment, a young girl in a blue dress walked over with a faint smile on her face.

Qin Weimo saw her and said softly, “Brother-in-law, Zixi should have guessed that it was you.”

Luo Qingzhou looked at the girl walking over.

Song Zixi walked over and looked at him deeply before greeting Song Ruyue respectfully. Then, she walked to Qin Weimo’s side and said in a low voice, “Weimo, did you compose this or…”

At this point, she glanced at the young man beside her.

Qin Weimo smiled and said, “I don’t know either.”

Of course, she would not admit it.

Among the crowd, only Tang Jiasong knew what was going on, but he remained silent.

“Anyway, I know it’s you guys.”

Song Zixi smiled and said in a low voice, “Weimo, tonight is a very good opportunity for your brother-in-law. If he becomes famous and gets to know those seniors in the literary world, his future path will be much easier. There’s no need to continue hiding his talent. Do you want him to be an unknown and despised son-in-law for the rest of his life?”

Qin Weimo did not say anything and looked at the young man beside her gently.

Luo Qingzhou also looked at her.

When their gazes met, both of them immediately looked away.

Qin Weimo retracted her gaze and said gently, “Zixi, my brother-in-law didn’t write those words. You’ve misunderstood.”

When Song Zixi saw this, she smiled and did not say anything else. She leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Up to you. Continue to hide it. Anyway, he’s your brother-in-law, not mine. If he’s looked down on, it’ll be your heart aching, not mine. I’m leaving. I won’t disturb the siblings-in-law from flirting. ”

With that, she left with a smile.

Qin Weimo blushed slightly and glanced at the figure beside her.

Luo Qingzhou looked at the stage as if he had not heard that last sentence.

At this moment, Wu Yi walked onto the stage and announced the start of the second round.

Only then did everyone quiet down.

Tang Jiasong frowned and hesitated in the crowd. After thinking for a long time, he clenched the folding fan in his hand and walked to the mother and daughter of the Qin family.

Seeing him walk over, Luo Qingzhou moved closer to Second Young Miss Qin and blocked his gaze.

Qin Weimo saw this and her eyebrows moved slightly. The corners of her mouth also moved slightly, and her eyes sparkled.

However, this subtle expression was still noticed by the sharp-eyed Song Ruyue. She chuckled coldly and said, “Look at how happy you are.”

The girl looked down. Her face was slightly red..