Chapter 210: Writing a Poem for the Queen

Suddenly, a fragrant breeze swept over.

A group of eunuchs carrying lanterns walked in front, followed by palace maids holding flower baskets.

In two rows on the left and right, they formed a grand procession.

Behind them came the magnificent, awe-inspiring phoenix carriage.

Everyone hurriedly said, "We subjects pay our respects to the Queen, wishing the Queen a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!"

As the words fell, the scene went quiet for a moment.

A majestic yet pleasant voice came from within the phoenix carriage: "All rise, there is no need for such formality."

Everyone hurriedly thanked her, then lowered their heads and slowly stood up.

Even after standing, they all kept their heads bowed, looking at the ground, not daring to look up.

Luo Zijun stood at the very back of the crowd and took the opportunity to quietly lift his head for a look, only to find that the phoenix carriage had curtains on both sides and a beaded screen hanging in front, shielding the interior completely so that nothing could be seen clearly.

"Imperial Concubine Jia, it is cold outside; bring everyone into the pavilion."

The Queen spoke in a calm tone.

Jia Yuanchun hurriedly said, "This concubine obeys your command."

Everyone remained standing respectfully with their heads bowed, not daring to move or speak.

Not until the phoenix carriage stopped at the entrance of the pavilion and the palace maids ushered the Queen inside did everyone secretly heave a sigh of relief and, led by Imperial Concubine Jia, enter the pavilion.

At this moment, the sound of musical instruments began to play.

The actors who had been kneeling around the stage immediately rose and went backstage to prepare for the performance.

Luo Zijun followed the Bai family members upstairs.

Everyone kept their heads down, quiet and still, not daring to speak or look around.

The entire pavilion was exceptionally quiet.

Only after entering the private room did everyone relax slightly.

Bai Yuning stuck out her tongue and whispered, "The Queen's majesty is so terrifying; I was shivering just now..."

"Me too..."

"I originally wanted to lift my head to see the Queen, but I didn't dare at all..."

Just as they were talking, a eunuch came to the doorway and said in a shrill voice from outside: "The Queen requests the female members of the Bai family to go upstairs to speak."

Upon hearing this, the Bai family members hurriedly followed Chu Meixiang out the door.

Luo Zijun was left alone in the room.

At this time, eunuchs were also delivering messages at the doorways of the other three great families.

Jia Laotaitai put on her official robes and, surrounded by Lady Wang, Jia Tanchun, and the other Jia family women, went upstairs feeling nervous and uneasy.

Although Jia Yuanchun was now a noble Imperial Concubine, in front of the Queen, she was merely a concubine who could be manipulated at any time.

Not to mention that the Liang King had already passed away; even when the Liang King was alive, a concubine was nothing more than a servant in the presence of the wife.

Just before the Queen arrived, Jia Laotaitai had already dismissed everyone else to quietly ask her granddaughter about the Queen's attitude toward her.

Jia Yuanchun had not dared to say, which made Jia Laotaitai feel increasingly anxious.

The people from the other three great families were equally nervous.

Because no one knew the true attitude of this powerful Queen toward their families, nor did they know her true intention in suddenly inviting them to watch a play tonight.

Arriving upstairs, all the women bowed again, their faces full of respect.

The Queen wore a wide red robe and sat upright on a soft chair that had been prepared in advance. She scanned the women of the Four Great Families with a majestic gaze, a smile appearing on her face as she said, "All rise. Today, this palace has summoned you here simply to watch a play and chat with you; there is no other meaning. You need not be so nervous."

Everyone hurriedly thanked her, rose, and stood respectfully with heads bowed.

The Queen first looked at the Bai family, inquired about the health of the Old Matriarch of the Bai family, and spoke a few words with Chu Meixiang, then suddenly asked, "I heard that Meixue has married. I wonder which family's young master the other party is from?"

A look of embarrassment appeared on Chu Meixiang's face, and she hurriedly said respectfully, "The other party is just a scholar whose parents both passed away; he was raised by his elder sister and brother-in-law. His brother-in-law was originally a Head Constable in the Outer City and now serves in the Su Guo Fu; he is not from a noble family."

Imperial Concubine Jia hurriedly added from the side, "Your Majesty, that person is the talented scholar Luo Zijun, who wrote books such as 'Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai' and 'Dream of Love at Shen Yuan'."

Upon hearing this, the Queen's face showed a hint of surprise: "Oh? It is actually him."

Imperial Concubine Jia said respectfully, "And that talented scholar Luo is a live-in son-in-law for the Bai family."

The Queen was even more surprised, but she did not ask further, only smiling: "A talented scholar and a beautiful woman—a good match indeed. Meixue rejected the marriage proposal from that person in Yujing, and now she has married so quickly, and even taken a son-in-law into her home; this is quite beyond this palace's expectations."

Once these words were spoken, no one dared to say anything more.

A look of anxiety appeared on Chu Meixiang's face, and just as she was wondering how to respond, the Queen suddenly sighed and said, "This palace has always had a very good relationship with Meixue. When we were young, this palace often took her out to play, but later, after this palace entered the palace, we rarely met. To think she would encounter such a thing; it is truly a pity..."

Chu Meixiang bowed her head and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Meixue is now married, and she should soon forget about the things that happened before."

The Queen looked at her and said, "Meixue's appearance was such that it would not be an exaggeration to call her a celestial being descended to earth, yet she suddenly became disfigured. How could she possibly forget it so soon? I fear she will never be able to forget it for the rest of her life."

Chu Meixiang lowered her head and remained silent.

The Queen sighed: "Forget it, let us not speak of these things; it is sad to talk about them. When there is time in the future, this palace will go to the residence to see her and speak with her."

She then looked toward Jia Laotaitai and hurriedly granted her a seat.

Jia Laotaitai was flattered and hurriedly declined in fear and trepidation.

The Queen smiled: "Old Matriarch, you need not be so formal. This palace and Yuanchun are as close as sisters, and you are an elder and of such advanced age; it is only right that you sit."

A eunuch hurriedly brought a chair and placed it behind Jia Laotaitai and the others.

Jia Laotaitai did not dare to decline again, offering endless thanks, but she only dared to sit on half of the chair, bowing her head and waist, which was even more uncomfortable than standing.

The Queen first inquired about her health and asked about some matters in the residence, then her gaze fell upon the young ladies behind her, and she smiled: "The young ladies of your residence are all as beautiful as flowers and jade; it is truly enviable."

Jia Laotaitai hurriedly said, "Compared to Your Majesty, that is like the earth to the heavens; there is no comparison."

The Queen's gaze suddenly landed on a young girl with a slender figure and a delicate temperament. Looking closely at the way the girl kept her head bowed, she could not help but show a look of astonishment in her eyes and asked, "Who is this..."

Jia Laotaitai hurriedly lifted her head, followed her gaze, and immediately said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, this is my granddaughter Daiyu. Her father is the Salt Inspector Lin Ruhai. She has grown up by my side since she was a child; she is a well-behaved girl."

"So it is the daughter of Minister Lin."

The Queen was taken aback, and said gently, "Raise your head, let this Palace look at you."

Jia Laotaitai hurriedly said, "Daiyu, come to the front quickly, raise your head, and let the Empress look at you."

Lin Daiyu was full of nervousness; she hurriedly lowered her head, walked to the front, stood by Jia Laotaitai's side, and then slowly raised her head, revealing a beautiful face of peerless charm.

With this raising of her head, that small face, large eyes, exquisite nose and small mouth, and fair skin, all combined to make her temperament appear even more delicate, beautiful, and heart-stirring.

The Queen stared for a long while and couldn't help but sigh, "To think there is such a beauty in the world who makes one feel pity at a single glance."

Lin Daiyu lowered her head, her face full of blushes, her heart feeling both nervous and full of admiration. Just now, when she had raised her head to look, she had also been deeply shaken; this Queen was truly as the legends described, beautiful enough to topple cities and states.

Especially those watery, hazy peach-blossom eyes—just one look, and one would immediately lose their soul.

At the same time.

In the side room downstairs, Luo Zijun was sitting alone, feeling bored, eating food while thinking about things.

Suddenly, the sound of drums rose from the stage outside, and the opera began.

The song ended.

Suddenly, a eunuch at the doorway said in a shrill voice, "The Queen summons Young Master Luo to come upstairs for an audience—"

At this moment, Hua'er suddenly opened the door and said, "Young Master, the Queen summons you to go up!"

Luo Zijun came back to his senses, hurriedly patted the food crumbs off his hands, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and only then went out to go upstairs.

Arriving upstairs, the people of the Four Great Families were all there.

In the innermost seat of honor, beneath a magnificent phoenix umbrella, a figure wearing a red robe, graceful and luxurious, was sitting high above.

!

The eunuch beside him hurriedly whispered, "Lower your head, walk forward, and go pay respects to the Empress."

Fearing he would walk the wrong way, the eunuch led him forward step by step, and upon reaching the spot, hurriedly reminded him, "Stop, you have arrived."

Luo Zijun hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed, performing the salute of a scholar, his head kept low, his gaze fixed on the floor.

The room went quiet for a moment.

Beneath that phoenix umbrella, the figure with the dignified temperament finally spoke, "You are the Luo Zijun who is hailed as the number one talent of our Daliang? Raise your head, let this Palace look at you."

Luo Zijun slowly raised his head, but under the gaze of the crowd, he dared not look directly; he lowered his eyes, looking at his own nose, though he could still see some things in his peripheral vision.

The figure on the seat had a tall stature, fair skin, and a dignified, imposing aura that made one dare not look directly.

The Queen stared at his handsome face for a while, then looked over his whole body, and said, "Young Master Luo, no need to be nervous, raise your gaze and look at this Palace."

Luo Zijun had no choice but to look at her.

At this look, his heart skipped a beat, especially when he met those watery, hazy peach-blossom eyes, which felt like a whirlpool, suddenly sucking him in.

The Queen was extremely beautiful, and it was a kind of bewitching and seductive beauty; her whole body exuded a dignified yet restless, alluring aura.

That jet-black hair, fair skin, watery eyes, red little mouth, graceful neck, high chest, flat belly, slender legs...

"Ahem..."

Chu Meixiang suddenly coughed from the side.

In the eyes of the crowd, after this young scholar raised his head, he looked as if he had been stunned, staring straight at the Queen; this was a capital offense of great disrespect.

Luo Zijun immediately came to his senses, his heart suddenly shivering.

What just happened?

It was just a meeting of gazes, so why did it feel like he had suddenly fallen into a whirlpool and couldn't get out?

Just as everyone was feeling nervous and uneasy, the Queen laughed, "I didn't expect Young Master Luo to not only have peerless talent but also be born so handsome. Lady Bai, your Bai Family has really picked up a great bargain."

Sweat broke out on Chu Meixiang's forehead, and she hurriedly said a few humble words.

The Queen suddenly said again, "Young Master Luo, I hear you are not only skilled at writing books but also extremely skilled at composing poetry and lyrics. Could you compose a poem for this Palace today?"

Luo Zijun hurriedly said, "This commoner only knows how to write some vulgar poems that are not fit for the stage; how would I dare to compose for the Queen?"

The Queen laughed, "Young Master Luo, no need to be modest. This Palace invited you here today precisely to ask you to compose a poem for me. Regardless of whether it is good or bad, this Palace will never blame you."

She then laughed again, "I heard from those below that many people call me the number one beauty of Daliang. Young Master Luo just raised his head to look; if you feel my appearance is passable, then help me compose one. If you feel the name does not match the reality, then there is no need to compose it."

Once these words were spoken, the expressions of the Bai Family members changed.

Chu Meixiang hurriedly said, "Since the Empress has requested it, Zijun, you should compose one."

Jia Laotaitai, sitting to the side, also laughed, "Young Master Luo, just compose a poem; we would also like to hear it."

With the Queen having spoken to this extent, how could Luo Zijun dare to refuse? He hurriedly said, "I must obey; this commoner will offend you then."

The Queen wore a smile on her face and comforted him gently, "Young Master Luo, just compose it. You need not avoid any words or phrases; even if there are mistakes, this Palace will pardon you."

Luo Zijun was extremely nervous, and just as he was pondering, the Queen said again, "To compose a poem, one must naturally look at the scenery. Young Master Luo, feel free to raise your head and look at this Palace; do not feel it is impolite, this Palace will not blame you."

How could Luo Zijun dare to look again? He hurriedly said, "This commoner already has one."

Saying this, he hurriedly recited it.

"Shadows dance upon the golden hall, the jade face reflects in the palace of jade.

Brows stretch like distant spring waters, eyes carry the depth of the morning star.

A single glance to topple a city, a turn of the head to stir the nine heavens.

The phoenix's grace illuminates the sun and moon, shining upon the magnificent palace for a thousand autumns."

After reciting, he added, "The title of the poem: Phoenix Grace Over the World."

After hearing it, the Queen laughed, "Young Master Luo is worthy of being the number one talent of our Daliang; a poem composed in a single step, the ink in your belly truly overflows."

Seeing this, the crowd also hurriedly praised him.

The Queen seemed to still have more to say; she suddenly looked at Lin Guniang of the Jia Mansion and laughed, "Young Master Luo, how about composing one for Lin Guniang as well? This Palace felt pity in my heart the moment I saw Lin Guniang, and I couldn't help but want to use a poem to praise her, yet I could not compose one. Could Young Master Luo do it on my behalf?"

Once these words were spoken, Lin Daiyu immediately turned bright red and lowered her head.

To tell the truth, this request was a bit strange.

But here and now, Luo Zijun could not refuse, and the others also hurriedly laughed, "Since the Empress has such an interest, Zijun, you should compose one for Lin Guniang."

Jia Laotaitai was especially happy and urged them repeatedly.

She had not expected her granddaughter to be so favored by the Queen; had she known this earlier, she should have let Yuanchun bring her into the palace sooner.

Luo Zijun had no choice but to turn his head and take a look at that Lin Meimei.

Lin Daiyu was even more shy, keeping her head lowered tightly, biting her pink lips, her two hands nervously clutching the skirt beneath her.

Luo Zijun said, "I have it."

Then he recited:

Rippling autumn waters reflect brows long and fine, slender hands gently pluck a stamen half-yellow.

In her prime she pities herself, a flower that understands speech, her poetic heart leans toward the moon to produce fragrance.

Wind shakes the bamboo shadows, startling a secluded dream, rain moistens the hibiscus, washing away light makeup.

One song of Xiaoxiang, the feelings not yet exhausted, deep within the Red Chamber, the rhyme lingers melodiously.

"

(End of this chapter)