Chapter 163

At this time, after the song behind the pearl curtain ended, the lingering sound of the Qingyin Pavilion seemed to still be circling the beams, making people's minds wander and the meaning linger.

Jia Cong was definitely the person present who had seen the most of the world.

He didn't know how many figures packaged to their hair and teeth he had seen in his previous life, and the magnificent and splendid scenes he had experienced were countless.

But this era did not have these things. A pearl curtain, a pipa, the sound of clear lips and tongue, without half a point of embellishment, yet the sound of the strings could penetrate the heart and circle the beams without end.

This was probably the realm of "technique approaching the Dao" that the ancients spoke of. Jia Cong really wanted to see this Lady Qing, who had the reputation of the "Jade Pipa Heavenly Sound."

But after the song ended, everyone in the hall clapped and cheered.

Behind the pearl curtain, there was silence. No one came out, and no one went to lift the pearl curtain to see the true face of the person behind it. It seemed that everyone respected this Lady Qing very much.

Jia Yucun praised: "This Lady Qing's pipa heavenly sound is truly miraculous, and Brother Cong's 'Full Man Jiang Hong' is also extremely brilliant. They complement each other, truly a perfect match."

Except for the day he went to the Zou mansion to arrest people, when he had claimed this official title to indicate his identity, he rarely mentioned it on weekdays, and not many people knew about it.

This kind of plagiarism talk was the most talked about among literati. The people in the hall looked at each other, whispering, and before long, it spread throughout the banquet.

"Consultant Jia's 'Full Man Jiang Hong' is indeed a rare masterpiece, but I have a few doubts. I wonder if I may ask Consultant Jia for advice."

Although Jia Cong had always been wary of Jia Yucun, he had to admit that this person was well-versed in the art of being an official, proficient in worldly wisdom, and good at guessing people's hearts.

As long as it was a person or matter beneficial to his official career, he would take care of it extremely properly.

These words sounded a bit harsh, and everyone sitting nearby turned to look.

"I am Ruan Hongcheng, a Grade 6B assistant secretary of the Ministry of Rites in Jin Ling. Consultant Jia's 'Full Man Jiang Hong: Jin Ling Nostalgia' is melancholic, elegant, and sonorous. Even if it is called a work passed down through the ages, it is worthy of the name.

Jia Cong asked indifferently: "I wonder who you are?"

But the sorrow and desolation, the clarity and vastness in this poem, can only be achieved by someone who has experienced the vicissitudes of life and penetrated the feelings of the world.

At this time, Jia Cong felt a bit strange when he heard these words. He was meeting this person for the first time and didn't know him at all, so why would he target him like this?

He didn't know this person at all, yet the other party specifically addressed him by this official title. He must be someone who paid special attention to him. Being silently kept in mind by others was usually not a good thing.

You must know that his position as a consultant to Prince Ning was only temporarily granted by the Emperor. Except for those in Prince Ning's entourage, very few people addressed him by this official title.

Although it was not explicitly stated in the words, the implied meaning was that Jia Cong was young and shallow, unable to write such melancholic, desolate, and world-penetrating works, and that this "Full Man Jiang Hong" was suspected of plagiarism.

Jia Cong frowned; these words sounded a bit malicious.

Many people were already looking at this side with strange eyes, and even Prince Ning on the main seat frowned.

Everyone sitting here today had studied for ten years and mixed in the officialdom. Who couldn't hear that Ruan Hongcheng's words were malicious?

"Consultant Jia is only in his youth, full of vigor and spirit, yet he can write such vigorous and melancholic poetry. Haha, it is truly surprising."

And listening to his words, he was just speculating and inferring from the meaning of the poem, without any real evidence of plagiarism. Wasn't this just talking nonsense and ruining people's reputation?

At this time, the forty-year-old official sitting next to the greedy man suddenly said:

For a scholar who lived by his writing, this kind of suspicion was a huge humiliation. Could Ruan Hongcheng be crazy to put such a label on someone on such an occasion?

This was beyond Ruan Hongcheng's expectations. He hadn't thought about taking the opportunity of Prince Ning's farewell banquet to ruin Jia Cong's reputation. If he did that, he would definitely offend Prince Ning, and his official career would probably be over.

The reason he had just said those suspicious words was just because he had some unknown conflict and grudge with Jia Cong.

So he couldn't stand seeing Jia Cong proud, but he just wanted to vent his anger in words, but he didn't expect to cause such a stir.

Actually, Jia Cong's "Full Man Jiang Hong" was indeed not from this world, but even if Ruan Hongcheng were to research it for a hundred years, he would only find nothing.

Jia Cong asked indifferently: "What does Official Ruan think of this 'Full Man Jiang Hong'?"

"Of course it is a good poem, worthy of being a work passed down through the ages, but Consultant Jia's age and experience make it inevitable that people will have doubts."

Ruan Hongcheng saw the reaction of the people in the hall and felt a bit of a retreat, but he could only continue to be stubborn and pretend to be objective, otherwise, if he were seen as jealous, he would lose his own face.

Jia Cong sneered: "This was just a game of mine, sent to my relatives and sisters for their casual enjoyment. It is not worth mentioning at all. I just don't know how it spread out.

For such a crude and inferior poem, Official Ruan actually calls it a work passed down through the ages. You are also well-read and have passed the imperial examinations; your literary talent and insight are too unbearable!"

This shocking theory and sharp words were like a thunderclap on flat ground, shaking all the officials present.

Ruan Hongcheng ridiculed Jia Cong's poem for being suspected of plagiarism, and he didn't even defend himself.

Instead, he said that this poem was just a game of his, something for the women in the inner chambers to enjoy, a crude and inferior poem.

It was clearly a masterpiece passed down through the ages, yet Jia Cong belittled it to be worthless. Could he have gone crazy?

For a literatus, to be able to write such a poem in a lifetime would be a great blessing, bringing honor to his ancestors and spreading through the ages. How could he treat it like discarded shoes?

And he even used this so-called "crude poem" to humiliate Ruan Hongcheng's literary talent and insight as low and unbearable. He was really ruthless in his scolding.

Jia Cong's strange theory and his public scolding of others as worthless completely enraged Ruan Hongcheng. He no longer cared about his previous scruples, stood up abruptly, and tore off his mask.

"You unscrupulous and cunning child, such a work passed down through the ages, yet you deliberately call it a crude game. This is your plagiarism! You were exposed by me, so you deliberately belittled it to be worthless to cover up your tracks!"

Jia Cong smiled disdainfully: "I can write eight or nine of these things casually. Do I need to plagiarize? It's truly ridiculous!"

These words not only stunned Ruan Hongcheng but almost everyone present, and many people showed dissatisfaction on their faces.

Although Ruan Hongcheng's unfounded speculation on such an occasion was indeed inappropriate, Jia Cong's words just now were also too arrogant.

He actually called the "Full Man Jiang Hong" that was sung all over Jin Ling a worthless thing, and said he could write seven or eight of them casually. Anyone could tell he was bragging, which was truly laughable.

To write one such masterpiece in a lifetime is already a great blessing and talent. To be able to write seven or eight casually—why doesn't this kid go to heaven?

At this time, hearing Jia Cong's words, even Prince Ning stepped down from the main seat and walked over, as if even he couldn't listen anymore.

"Official Chengshi, literary matters are all major matters. Do not be negligent. Be careful with your words."

"Jia Cong thanks Your Highness for your concern, but what I said is not false.

Since ancient times, poets, with the pride of a man, have written exquisite poems about the resentment of the boudoir. It is all because of the gathering of literary thoughts, which can enter an extraordinary realm and feel unprecedented emotions.

Why is it that when it comes to me, a young man cannot write desolate and melancholic works?"

Prince Ning and the people around him felt that there was some truth in his words. In this world, there are always extraordinary people and extraordinary emotions, which cannot be generalized by ordinary eyes.

He also heard Jia Cong tease: "It's just that Official Ruan is a frog in a well, doesn't understand the way of poetry, and sits in the well and looks at the sky, making reckless criticisms of others. It is truly ridiculous."

Ruan Hongcheng on the side was so angry that his face turned purple, as if he were about to die. Even if there were disputes and conflicts among officials, there should always be some restraint and subtlety in their words to preserve face.

It was very rare for someone like Jia Cong to directly confront others like a sharp sword, and everyone present was stunned.

Prince Ning heard Jia Cong's words, his mouth twitched, but he couldn't laugh out loud. He hadn't realized before that this kid's mouth was so vicious.

He asked again: "Can Official Chengshi really write a poem as good as this 'Full Man Jiang Hong' easily?"

(End of chapter)