Chapter 364: The Third Master of the Academy, Yu Meiren!

This Su Shishi harbored secrets.

Coupled with a definitive piece of inside information, a Feng Shui master and predictor saw Su Shishi's words come true.

"This woman's fate is precious, like a phoenix on a parasol tree; she will surely give birth to a dragon descendant."

Since she can give birth to a dragon son!

Her husband must be a talent of an emperor among men.

Coupled with Su Xiang's favor, he adopted her as his goddaughter and bestowed upon her the surname Su.

Therefore, in the West Wing Building, Su Shishi's status was transcendent, and no one dared to criticize her.

The people she associated with were all extraordinary: high-ranking officials in the court, heroes of the Jianghu, and famous scholars of the world were all among them.

Su Shishi often helped others with her wealth and had quite a reputation in the Jianghu.

Yu Ke looked at this woman who was the head of the Qimo Chunfang courtesans; could it be that she was the "noble person" who had been hinted at in those few choices?

It was strange!

Apart from a beautiful maid following behind Su Yaya, there were no other guards protecting Su Shishi's safety.

Yu Ke asked softly, "May I ask Fairy Su, what poem do you wish to have inscribed?"

Upon hearing this, Su Shishi's brows furrowed slightly; she was different from the other courtesans at the Qunfang Banquet; even if she won the top ten, she could not escape her shackles and could not obtain the status of a good person.

How could the court and public of Great Qi tolerate a princess of a former enemy dynasty possessing freedom?

Su Shishi originally had no intention of participating in this banquet, but Su Xiang promised that if she could rank in the top three of the Qunfang Banquet, he would allow her to walk freely in Above Bianjing City, which was much more comfortable than staying in the West Wing Building.

Only then did she attend the Qunfang Banquet!

Su Shishi heard Lady Gongsun's opening poem, "Who recognizes me in the chest of a vulgar person? A hero at the end of the road must be ground and broken."

It was truly brilliant!

Following that, the two poems made Su Shishi want to make friends with him.

Although she was popular in the West Wing Building, she was like a canary in a cage, just a vase on a high platform.

Su Shishi knew deeply that building connections was a strategy for escape.

She could not help but observe such a talented person without a reputation.

How could she know that this child had a bright future?

She arrived early and witnessed the "cold treatment" of Xie Guan by the Second Imperial Prince and the Prince of Yan, which was intended to embarrass him.

Were the two princes dull people?

The Xie family's illegitimate son was overflowing with talent; for the two of them, whoever obtained him would be an aid.

However!

Both of them put on an attitude of not wanting to get involved, so there must be hidden reasons.

Su Shishi pondered inwardly; offering a helping hand to Xie Guan at this moment was like sending charcoal in the snow, far better than adding flowers to brocade.

But the key was, was Xie Guan worth treating like this?

Fortunately!

She had already obtained news from the Yao Xian Lou—Su Xiang originally intended to invite Xie Guan to compose a poem.

Once this matter spread, Xie Guan's name would surely resound throughout Above Bianjing tomorrow.

But!

Before Su Xiang's oral decree could be passed down, secret letters from the Shen Yin and the Tu Mo Si were sent to the Yao Xian Lou.

The letters mentioned that Xie Guan was in close contact with the Sanzhen Sect of the Great Sui, and even colluded with the Sanzhen Lu Lu Tian Shi, suspecting him of treason.

Therefore, Su Xiang withdrew his order.

He prepared to send people from the Tu Mo Si and the Shen Yin to capture Xie Guan.

This was also the reason why the two princes hurriedly left the Yao Xian Lou to find Xie Guan, and were now "kicking him while he was down," eager to distance themselves, fearing they would be implicated!

Fortunately!

Su Shishi had a deep friendship with a teacher at the Academy and was informed in advance.

The people ordered by the Shen Yin and the Tu Mo Si to capture Xie Guan were intercepted by the Third Master on the fourth floor of the Yao Xian Lou.

With the Third Master's guarantee, Xie Guan's innocence was assured.

Only then did Su Xiang give up.

The two princes, Chen Feng, would know about this before long.

That was why Su Shishi came out at this time to purchase Xie Guan's poem and painting for four million taels.

Just based on the news that Xie Guan was in close contact with the Sanzhen Sect Lu Lu Tian Shi of the Great Sui, Su Shishi had already decided to help him.

She was a princess of the former Great Sui dynasty, so she naturally knew the status of the Sanzhen Sect in the Great Sui.

The mountain gate of Sanzhen was three inches higher than the Great Sui Imperial Palace.

Su Shishi came back to her senses, pondered for a moment, and parted her vermilion lips: "I wonder if Young Master Guan has heard of a tune name from the Great Sui?"

"It is called, Yu Meiren."

"To tell you the truth, Young Master, Shishi is originally from the Great Sui, but I am stranded in Above Bianjing, so I inevitably have feelings of homesickness."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room was shocked.

Everyone had not expected that this Fairy Su was from the Great Sui, and there had been no rumors leaked before.

Yu Ke traced back Xie Guan's memories slightly and knew a thing or two about the tune name "Yu Meiren."

"Yu Meiren" was a famous tune name, originating from the Tang Dynasty's music bureau, often used to express sorrow, sentimentality, and nostalgia.

In Great Qi, although this tune name was slightly obscure, there was no lack of excellent works passed down.

Zhang Yuanlai and the others were also quite familiar with this tune name, knowing its format was a double-tune, totaling fifty-six characters, with four lines in each of the upper and lower stanzas, and a rhyme scheme of two oblique rhymes and two level rhymes.

At this moment!

A personal eunuch hurriedly walked to the Sixth Imperial Prince, Chen Ting, and respectfully handed him a piece of news.

Chen Ting unfolded the note, and his eyes instantly froze.

At the same time, Second Imperial Prince Chen Feng also received the news, and a flash of strangeness crossed his eyes.

The Third Master actually guaranteed Xie Guan?

This Xie Guan was indeed extraordinary; not only did he have entanglements with the Sanzhen Sect, but he was also connected to the Academy.

Yu Ke only pondered for a moment before picking up his brush, dipping it in ink, and writing slowly:

"When will the spring flowers and autumn moon end? How much of the past do I know?"

"The east wind blew again last night in the small building; the old country is unbearable to look back upon in the bright moonlight."

The handwriting was vigorous and powerful, flowing freely.

Jia Yu and the others walked closer to watch and could not help but chant in low voices.

Just the upper stanza was already overflowing with sorrow, which was moving.

Zhang Yuanlai was even more immersed in it; spring flowers and autumn moon were originally beautiful scenery, but at this moment, he only felt unbearable pain—when would it end?

Su Shishi walked closer and saw the line "the old country is unbearable to look back upon in the bright moonlight," and her heart trembled violently!

Although the Great Sui had not perished, as a princess of the former dynasty, the pain of the destruction of her home and country was hard to forget for a long time.

This scene and this emotion were so fitting.

Yu Ke continued to wield his brush:

"The carved railings and jade steps should still be there, only the vermilion faces have changed."

"Ask how much sorrow one can have? Just like a river of spring water flowing eastward."

After writing the last character, the brush fell lightly.

Second Imperial Prince Chen Feng and Prince of Yan Chen Ting also stepped forward to watch, their expressions different.

Chen Ting grew up in the military since childhood; although he was influenced by royal etiquette and had the careful guidance of the former Crown Prince's tutor, he was not very keen on elegant things like poetry.

He preferred the sound of gold and iron horses, and the autumn inspection of troops on the battlefield.

By comparison!

Second Imperial Prince Chen Feng had many feelings about this poem.

From the restrained white-sketching of "the east wind blew again last night in the small building" in the upper stanza, to the extreme exaggeration of "a river of spring water flowing eastward," the artistic conception was natural between the gathering and releasing.

It revealed an infinite sense of desolation.

Clearly, this person had extremely high attainments in poetry, and the upper and lower stanzas were neat, with true feelings revealed in the imagery.

Most importantly!

This poem was too fitting for Su Shishi's current state of mind.

Chen Feng turned around and looked, only to see Su Shishi, a person like a fairy, actually shedding two lines of clear tears from her beautiful eyes, making people feel pity.

Yu Ke raised his eyes and sighed inwardly.

A beauty is indeed a beauty; even when crying, she is like a pear blossom in the rain, adding a bit more moving charm.

Su Yun did not notice Su Shishi, but looked at the poem.

"It is truly well-written; I fear this poem today will be passed down through the ages."

"Fortunate, fortunate!"

Zhang Yuanlai and the others did not find it novel, after all, Xie Guan had just "freshly baked" several excellent poems here.

Su Shishi collected her mood and carefully took away the paper on the table.

"Young Master Guan, four million taels for this poem is truly too low!"

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 365 =====