Chapter 366: Peerless Poetic Talent

Chapter 366: Peerless Poetic Talent

Only then did Empress Jia reveal a satisfied expression and was just about to continue speaking.

Princess Xiangyang quickly cut in.

"Master Song is extraordinarily talented, no wonder he caught the eye of Cousin Rong."

As soon as these words were spoken, Empress Jia immediately frowned.

She then looked at her little daughter with a somewhat puzzled expression.

This child, couldn’t she see that her mother was thinking for her benefit? Why bring up Shen Rong at this moment?

Song Rui’s face froze for a moment.

But it was only for a moment before he returned to his usual demeanor.

"Princess, you jest. Miss Shen Rong has been a lifesaver to me and recommended me to the Prime Minister’s residence. I am deeply grateful to her."

"Miss Shen Rong is as graceful and virtuous as moonlight. The gossip in the streets, Princess, should not be taken seriously."

As soon as these words were spoken, Empress Jia’s eyes instantly brightened.

However, Princess Xiangyang felt a tinge of annoyance.

Seeing that her mother intended to marry him off to Xiangyang, was he now denying any engagement with Cousin Rong?

She had admired his talent so much, but now she wondered if his character was truly that flawed.

"So, Master Song has no beloved?" Empress Jia asked with a smile.

These words startled everyone present.

Even the emperor turned his head to look at his beloved wife.

Was it really appropriate to ask so directly?

But Empress Jia didn’t mind and continued to look at Song Rui with a smiling expression.

The more she looked, the more pleased she became.

Such a fine young man should be matched with her Xiangyang.

After a brief pause, Song Que bowed to Empress Jia.

Then, under the disdainful gaze of Princess Xiangyang, he spoke to Empress Jia, "I already have someone I love."

Princess Xiangyang’s expression instantly stiffened.

And Empress Jia’s face, which had been smiling, sank immediately.

Before Empress Jia could ask who it was, Princess Xiangyang interrupted again.

"The woman who can win the affection of Master Song must be extraordinary."

Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Xiangyang continued to address Song Rui, "Master Song, your talent is unmatched. Today, in the imperial garden’s splendid scene, why don’t you write a poem, so that we can all appreciate it together?"

At this remark, the emperor was the first to breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, he was not at ease and had no intention of settling his little daughter's marriage so hastily.

He then turned his head to glance at Empress Jia beside him.

By this time, the anger in Empress Jia's eyes had mostly dissipated.

Since she was unsure of her daughter's thoughts, she was no longer in a hurry to inquire about Song Rui's situation.

Thus, she went along with it and nodded, indicating that she wanted to see Song Rui's poetic talent for herself.

Empress Jia's gaze swept across the imperial garden and finally rested on a beautifully blooming peony nearby.

"Let this peony be the subject," she said.

Everyone looked toward the peony, then quickly turned their eyes to Song Rui, filled with anticipation.

Song Rui also looked at the peony, his mind beginning to race.

He quickly bowed to Empress Jia and the emperor.

Then he stood up and slowly walked toward the peony.

As he walked, he recited, "The peonies in the courtyard are charming but lack refinement; by the pond, lotuses are pure but lack emotion. Only the peony is truly the national beauty, whose blooming season stirs the entire city."

As Song Rui finished reciting the poem, the expressions of the crowd began to change.

Especially upon hearing the last two lines, "Only the peony is truly the national beauty, whose blooming season stirs the entire city," everyone's eyes lit up.

"Bravo! What a fitting tribute to the peony, whose blooming season stirs the entire city!" Empress Jia exclaimed, rising to applaud.

Among all flowers, she loved peonies the most.

Peonies, with their regal and elegant presence, were the queens of flowers.

Since ancient times, many scholars and poets had sung praises of peonies, but only Song Rui had spoken the best of them.

Song Rui humbly bowed to Empress Jia, not responding further.

"Master Song is truly unparalleled in poetic talent. With you in Great Jin, the realm of poetry will flourish!" Empress Jia said, her eyes filled with admiration.

"Your Highness flatters me. I am truly unworthy of such praise," Song Rui replied.

"Oh, it is no flattery. You deserve the title of Poet Laureate!"

Song Rui was startled.

Just as he was about to respond, Empress Jia had already changed the subject.

She chose a new topic and asked Song Rui to continue composing poems.

Song Rui cooperated throughout, responding effortlessly.

Every poem he recited was both fresh and masterful, which made Empress Jia appreciate him even more.

Even the emperor began to look at him with increasing admiration.

The emperor then saw his little daughter gazing at Song Rui with renewed admiration, and he began to seriously consider Empress Jia's earlier suggestion.

Perhaps the empress's idea wasn't as impulsive as it seemed.

Someone with such talent truly deserves someone like Xiangyang.

Xiangyang had no clue what her parents were thinking. While listening to Song Rui reciting poems, she sent someone to fetch brush and ink.

She personally recorded all the poems that Song Rui composed.

Once back at the marquis's residence, she planned to show the poems to her master.

Let the master also appreciate the literary talent of our Great Jin's poetic genius.

The tea banquet inadvertently lasted the entire afternoon.

Princess Xiangyang recorded a total of twelve poems of varying lengths.

Every single one was enough to leave anyone speechless.

After the tea banquet, Princess Xiangyang couldn't wait to leave the palace and hurry back to Marquis Qin's residence.

She couldn’t wait to rush over to Qin Xiaoyao with the poems in hand.

At that time, Qin Xiaoyao was relaxing in the courtyard, enjoying the cool breeze. Seeing her obedient disciple approaching with something in her hand, she felt somewhat curious.

Then, upon hearing from Princess Xiangyang about Song Rui's performance in the palace that day, she already had some guesses.

Her husband’s writing was indeed impressive. He had some accomplishments in poetry as well.

But compared to the legendary poets from her past life, he fell short.

However, although it was hard for him to create masterpiece-level works, she had recited many poems to him.

To impress her husband, she often recited poems to him.

She even let him propose topics, and she would recite relevant poems.

Thanks to her vast knowledge of poems, her husband had recorded many good poems.

If he had memorized all those poems, he would be nearly on par with her. He should be able to find corresponding poems for most topics.

Sure enough, upon opening the paper that Princess Xiangyang brought back, Qin Xiaoyao saw familiar poems.

In the midst of Princess Xiangyang's expectant gaze, she flipped through all the papers with poems written on them.

However, Qin Xiaoyao did not show any admiration or surprise.

"These are really great poems, right, Master?" Seeing Qin Xiaoyao's reaction, Princess Xiangyang was obviously a little disappointed, yet she still asked.

"Yes. They’re indeed excellent." Seeing this, Qin Xiaoyao could only respond superficially.

Of course, they’re excellent, but the real authors weren’t her husband.

Moreover, these poems weren’t composed by a single person...

Seeing Qin Xiaoyao's reaction remained indifferent, Princess Xiangyang felt somewhat disappointed.

Then she figured that, as a martial artist, her master might not appreciate poetry or even care much for it.