"Shangji Festival?"
Su Xian stopped and stood upright in front of the Xiang Fei bamboo. He knew this festival that had been passed down since ancient times.
Shangji originally refers to the first day of March in the lunar calendar, so it is called "Shangji". Because Shangji often coincides with the third day of March, Shangji was later fixed on March 3rd.
At the beginning of March, everything revives and spring is in full bloom. Shangji was originally a folk festival for bathing, spring outings, and gatherings of men and women. Later, it gradually evolved into an exchange gathering for literati.
At gatherings, elegant activities such as "Qingshui Shang Shang" are usually held.
In the Liang Dynasty, due to the changes of the times, the Shangji Festival had a tendency to gradually disappear. Many of its activities, such as spring outings, Qushui Shang, etc., were mostly "merged" into the Qingming Festival.
On the other hand, Nan Chu, perhaps to prove that Nan Chu is the orthodox of the Central Plains, both the current and previous emperors of Chu are trying their best to restore the ancient system of the Central Plains.
These include various folk festivals.
Shangji is one of them.
In front of Xiang Fei's bamboo, Su Xian was deep in thought. The voice of the maids came from behind the bamboo, waking him up. At this time, the voices of the maids could be heard clearly:
"In previous years, our second lady would hold poetry gatherings in the 'Liu Shang Garden', but it was so lively. Do you think the second lady will hold it again this year?"
"You should be able to, right?" another maid replied.
"However, my great-uncle is ill in bed now and has not woken up yet, and our second lady has always been filial. I think this year's 'Shangji Poetry Contest' will be a failure."
"Not necessarily. In previous years' Shangji Poetry Recital, in addition to the famous celebrities and elegant scholars who came here, His Majesty and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty would go to Liushang Garden to support..."
"The Poetry Festival involves too many people. His Majesty and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty participate in it every year. It has almost become a fixed event. I'm afraid we, the second lady, won't be able to do it if we don't hold it!"
"..."
In front of Concubine Xiang's bamboo, Su Xian felt a little moved in his heart after listening to the maids' discussion.
I always feel like there's something important, but I just can't remember it for a while.
what is it?
Su Xian frowned.
"Master Su..." At this time, the two maids turned around and found Su Xian standing there. They were frightened and hurriedly bowed respectfully: "Greetings to Mr. Su."
"Well, you go and do your work." Su Xian still frowned and waved casually.
"yes."
After the two maids left quickly, Zhou Wei came up, stretched, breathed in the air rich in flowers and plants, and suggested:
"Brother, the scenery in front seems pretty good. Let's go for a walk there."
Yang Zhilan was more attentive and noticed Su Xian's strange behavior. He took a step forward and asked, "What's wrong, Master?"
"I seem to have thought of something, but I can't remember it for a while. It's really a headache." Su Xian shook his head. He was not in the mood for a walk now, so he turned around and walked back: "Let's go back first."
Yang Zhilan turned around and followed.
Zhou Wei was pacing forward. When he saw this, he turned around and chased while shouting: "Senior brother, wait for me..."
Return to your residence.
Not long after he sat down, a maid came to see him and saluted him: "Greetings to Mr. Su. The second lady sent a servant to invite him to attend the Shangji Poetry Recital tomorrow."
Su Xian was worried about something he couldn't understand, so he politely declined:
"I thank Miss Yang for your kindness, but I understand. I have been feeling unwell recently and cannot go out, so I will not attend the Shangji Poetry Recital."
"yes."
The maid bowed and left quickly.
After these two days of getting along, Su Xian's perception of Yang Ruoxian has changed greatly, but it still cannot erase the fact that they are enemies.
When he stays in Yang Mansion, contact with Yang Ruoxian is inevitable, so that's okay.
But Nao Shizi's poetry meeting was too much. He and Yang Ruoxian were enemies, so they should avoid this kind of extra contact to avoid getting too familiar with each other and making it difficult to do anything in the future.
Furthermore, when he came to Southern Chu and infiltrated the Yang Mansion, he used the pseudonym "Su Zhe". He really shouldn't "show his face" and everything should be focused on the mission!
…
The other side.
Yang Ruoxian's boudoir.
She had learned from the maid that Su Xian declined the poetry meeting.
Her expression didn't change much, she just fell silent for a moment, sitting there with her eyes lowered and lost in thought.
"Miss, please rest early. I will go prepare the things for tomorrow's party. In addition to the famous celebrities and elegant scholars who came here, there are also His Majesty and the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty..." The maid pointed her fingers and silently calculated.
"No." Yang Ruoxian suddenly raised his head, looked at the maid, and said word by word: "Tomorrow's Shangji Poetry Party...cancel it, it won't be held this year."
"Ah?" The maid was quite surprised, "But Miss, as far as this slave knows, whether it's the celebrities who come here because of their reputation, or His Majesty and the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty, they are all ready to travel."
"If Miss doesn't hold a poetry meeting, those celebrities and elegant people will not go to Liushang Garden. If they don't go, His Majesty... what if His Majesty blames them?"
Yang Ruoxian rubbed his eyebrows:
"Don't worry. If those celebrities are eager to seek an official position, they will naturally think of ways to get close to His Majesty. As for His Majesty, my sister is here, so it will be fine."
"Oh fine."
The maid was uninterested, but she also knew that Yang Ruoxian was right.
At the Shangji Poetry Recital held every year in Liushang Garden, the famous celebrities who come here are not so much here for Yang Ruoxian as they are here to get an official position in front of the Emperor of Chu.
It's completely the "recruitment conference" of Emperor Chu!
In fact, the original purpose of Yang Ruoxian's Shangji Poetry Society was to recruit talents for the Yang family and contribute to the great cause of restoring the Daqian Dynasty.
She only needs to show her face, and she does not use it to recruit a son-in-law. It has no impact on her. On the contrary, it has made her famous to one of the "Four Beauties in the World".
The Yang family did use this to recruit many talents.
Yang Ruoxian is a businesswoman who travels all year round and comes into contact with all kinds of people, but she usually wears a curtain hat and won't let others break through her "boundaries".
In other words, she is pure and innocent, and has a far-reaching reputation. She is not a lady in the ordinary sense. She is full of mystery and is the focus of public attention. Otherwise, she would not be awarded the title of "Four Beauties in the World".
However, after the current Chu Emperor ascended the throne, the relationship between the Yang family and the Southern Chu royal family became subtle, and the Shangji Poetry Society became a gathering for Emperor Chu to recruit talents.
Yang Ruoxian had long wanted to stop the Shangji Poetry Contest, but he could not find a suitable reason.
This time, Su Xian didn't accept her invitation, and her heart dropped a lot. She no longer had the intention to organize a poetry meeting, which just happened to ruin Emperor Chu's "recruitment conference."
As for whether Emperor Chu would be angry because of this?
Yang Ruoxian really wasn't too worried.
Her sister, the current queen of Nanchu, has a very good relationship with Emperor Chu, although the relationship between Emperor Chu and the Yang family is becoming more and more subtle.
Perhaps, it is precisely because of the existence of Queen Nanchu that the relationship between the Yang family and the Nanchu royal family can still be maintained, otherwise the two families would have parted ways long ago.
…
Su Xian's residence.
By the way, not long after the maid left, Su Xian suddenly became enlightened.
He finally figured out what was that important thing in his heart that he still couldn't figure out!
"What is it?" Zhou Wei was so curious that he scratched his head.
Yang Zhilan also looked sideways.
Su Xian did not answer directly, but turned to look at Yang Zhilan: "Zhilan, I remember you once said that because the Emperor of Chu is guarding the Mingtang, our people don't dare to act rashly?"
"Yes." Yang Zhilan nodded.
"Then... what if the Emperor of Chu leaves? Out of the palace? What if he is no longer near the Mingtang? What should I do?" Su Xian asked hurriedly.
"If the Emperor of Chu leaves the palace, it only takes half a day for our people to bury the divine thunder underground in the Mingtang..." After Yang Zhilan said this, he suddenly raised his head and asked:
"What do you mean, Master?"
Snapped!
Su Xian clapped his hands and said with a smile: "Yes, that's what I meant, hahaha, God helps me, our chance has come!"
Zhou Wei was confused as he listened, clasped his head and asked: "Brother, Miss Yang, what are you talking about? Why can't I understand?"
"Junior brother, don't be anxious."
Su Xian waved his hand to him and asked in a seductive manner: "Just now, we went out for a walk. In front of the Xiangfei Bamboo, Junior Brother, do you still remember what those two maids said?"
"What did the maid say?" Zhou Wei scratched his head and suddenly became enlightened. With a voice like a trumpet, he shouted loudly: "They said that because my great-uncle is ill in bed, this year's Shangji Poetry Competition may not be successful!"
"Ahem, cough..." Su Xian twitched the corner of his mouth, speechless, and almost fell down.
He simply pointed it out directly and said: "They said that if Miss Yang holds a poetry gathering in Liushang Garden, the Emperor of Chu and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty will come to support her."
Zhou Wei was stunned for a moment, then reacted suddenly, slapped his forehead hard, and said: "I understand, Emperor Chu is leaving the palace to attend the poetry meeting!"
"correct."
Su Xian breathed a sigh of relief and slowly explained: "Once Emperor Chu leaves the palace, the guards accompanying him will also evacuate the Mingtang. This will be a good opportunity for us to take action!"
"It originally had to wait for half a month, but now it only takes one day tomorrow... It seems it's time for Mr. Yang to wake up."
"..."
While they were chatting, two maids suddenly came to the door.
Each of them carried a delicious food box and saluted Su Xian:
"This servant is waiting to meet Mr. Su. This is a pastry made by the second lady. It is still warm. Please taste it, Mr. Su."
Two days ago, Su Xian would have declined and refused to accept anything from Yang Ruoxian.
But now, in order to maintain Su Zhe's character, Su Xian nodded and said, "Put it on the table and thank Miss Yang for me."
"yes."
The two maids put down their food boxes and turned around to leave.
In the blink of an eye, they walked out of the room and disappeared.
Su Xian glanced at the food box on the table and suddenly remembered the Shangji Poetry Party tomorrow. Although he didn't want to participate, since it involved his mission, he still needed to pay attention.
Everything should be mission-focused!
So, he sent Yang Zhilan to recover the two maids and asked:
"I heard that Miss Yang will hold a poetry gathering tomorrow. I wonder how the preparations are going? Can it be held on time?"
The two maids looked at each other, and one of them replied:
"Young master Su, you don't know. This year's Shangji Poetry Recital... the second lady... has decided not to do it!"
"What? No more!"
Su Xian was shocked. Shang Ji Poetry Association was related to his mission and plan. It was really too important. He didn't want to waste more than half a month in Yang Mansion.
But Yang Ruoxian actually didn't do it anymore. This... wasn't this just teasing him?
The two maids were startled when they saw this.
Su Xian immediately realized that he was overreacting... quickly adjusted his mentality, and Su Xian asked again:
"I heard that Miss Yang would hold Shangji Poetry Recital in previous years. Why not hold it this year? But what are the difficulties and concerns?"
"This..." The two maids looked at each other again and hesitated.
"Could it be because Mr. Yang has not recovered yet?" Su Xian guessed.
"Not really..." The maids hesitated, seeming to remember something, but they hesitated to say anything.
"Tell me, no matter what you say, I won't blame you." Su Xian gave a kind look.
Seeing this, the maids looked at each other again and finally told the truth:
"Although the second lady didn't say it clearly, my servant probably guessed that perhaps the reason why the second lady canceled Shangji's poetry meeting was precisely because of Mr. Su."
"Because of me?" Su Xian was surprised again.
"Yes, the second young lady was originally sending people to prepare for tomorrow's outing and poetry meeting, but after hearing that Mr. Su was not going, the second young lady changed her tune..."
"Is that so?"
Su Xian felt disgusted in his heart.
In the end, it was he who tricked him?
"I changed my mind."
Su Xian made a quick decision, looked squarely at the two maids, and said, "I've been immersed in the library for the past two days. I'm really bored. It would be great if I could go out for a walk or a spring outing in the city."
The two maids looked surprised.
Su Xian coughed and said:
"You go back and tell Miss Yang that you should hold the poetry meeting tomorrow. I hope it will be lively during the spring outing. It is fun when there are many people."
"yes."
The two maids nodded and left.
…
Yang Ruoxian's residence.
living room.
Her biological father, Yang Zong, was sitting in the living room chatting with her.
Yang Zong came here for no other reason than Yang Ruoxian's cancellation of tomorrow's poetry meeting.
Yang Zong hoped to continue hosting it. After all, the matter involved a lot and might arouse the suspicion of Emperor Chu, and the Yang family was not ready to break with Emperor Chu.
"Dad, my daughter has been tired these past few days. She is sleepy and physically tired. She really has no intention to organize a poetry meeting. Besides, this poetry meeting will be canceled sooner or later. It would be better to cancel it earlier."
Yang Ruoxian never let go, no matter what her father said she would not compromise.
Yang Zongzi was very dissatisfied with his daughter's attitude...
During the stalemate, the two maids returned and reported: "Miss, the pastry has been given to Mr. Su. Mr. Su accepted it and asked the slaves to thank him on his behalf."
"I understand, please step back." Yang Ruoxian waved his hand.
"Miss Rong, Mr. Su has one more thing to say..." When the maid said this, she suddenly stopped and looked sideways at Yang Zong.
Yang Ruoxian frowned slightly, what do you mean?
How to give her the feeling that "Mr. Su asked someone to bring whispers"?
Still need to guard against dad?
Isn't there three hundred taels of silver in this place?
Seeing this, Yang Zong was filled with doubts. His gaze spread across the faces of Yang Ruoxian and the maid, and a bunch of weird thoughts came to his mind.
"If you have anything to say, just say it." Yang Ruoxian was slightly unhappy.
"Yes, yes." The maids quickly put away their mysterious expressions and said:
"Master Su said that he hoped that the lady would continue to hold tomorrow's poetry meeting. Master Su also changed his mind and wanted to go out for a spring outing in the city. Master Su also said that he hoped there would be more people, so that it would be lively."
After hearing this, Yang Ruoxian agreed without even thinking about it with a happy face:
"I understand. Go back and tell Mr. Su that tomorrow's Shangji Poetry Festival will be held on time, and please prepare Mr. Su to leave the city."
