Chapter 9 Poetry Gathering

Chapter 9: Poetry Salon

Wei Yan had just arrived at the front hall when his two younger brothers escorted him to the host's seat.

This banquet, billed as a poetry gathering, had invited all the unmarried young men from prominent families in the capital who were around Wei Yan's age. A gathering of talented and handsome youths was assembled, each with their own unique charm.

Not to mention the main guest himself, even Lu Jiming found his eyes dazzled.

The host, Wei Xuan, laid out the rules: each guest in attendance would take turns composing a poem, with no restrictions on theme, as long as it was based on personal experience. After composing, there would be the time it takes half an incense stick to burn for each to take the stage and recite their work, exchanging thoughts. Those who finished first could go on stage first.

Everyone understood perfectly well that this half an incense stick was specifically left by the Second Prince as an opportunity for each person, ensuring that everyone could catch the Crown Prince's eye. Thus, those with ambitions for the position of Crown Princess mustered all their effort, trying to make themselves memorable to the Crown Prince through this.

Lu Jiming was never skilled at composing poetry or verse, nor did he have any intention of stealing others' spotlight, so he did not pick up a brush. He simply sat in his seat, listening to others' poems.

Some were quite well-written, while others were merely unremarkable. Wei Yan, seated in the host's position, listened patiently to each poem, occasionally offering a comment or two.

"Xuping, why aren't you writing?"

Lu Jiming, feeling somewhat drowsy and distracted, was startled by Wei Yan's voice coming from behind and to his side. He quickly regained his composure, putting on a distant smile. "Your Highness knows well that I have never been adept at this. I wouldn't want to make a fool of myself for no reason."

"Is that so? I recall you wrote two incomplete lines of poetry a few years ago: 'At dawn, I gaze upon the plain clouds and the colors of mountains and waters; / Jade from the cavernous rocks falls, painting the river green.' They were quite evocative and reasonable, fitting my taste. Why not take this opportunity to complete the whole poem?"

Lu Jiming shook his head. He still remembered this poem. It was something he casually recited while gazing at the valley stream during a mountain climb with friends before leaving Mingzhou for the capital. He had never been able to come up with satisfactory lines to complete it.

Later, while reading travel notes, Lu Jiming scribbled these two lines as a marginal note in the book, which Wei Yan happened to see. Lu Jiming hadn't expected Wei Yan to still remember them.

But a fragment left unfinished over twenty years ago was even harder to complete now, with the passage of time and changing circumstances.

Just like Lu Jiming at this moment, even though he had returned to a body in his twenties, he was no longer as ambitious and confident as in his youth. This heart, this wandering soul, had long grown old.

As Lu Jiming was thinking about how to decline Wei Yan, he heard Yin Yuxie's voice from the stage: "...Snowy skin and tender bones steeped in fragrant soul, / A touch of crimson lingers between teeth, its fragrance whole."

What kind of licentious and flowery verse was this?

The entire hall fell silent instantly. Everyone looked at each other, awkwardly unsure how to react.

Although this poetry gathering was essentially for the Crown Prince to find a suitable match, this poem was a bit too explicit...

The Second Prince, Wei Xuan, who was drinking water, choked upon hearing Yin Yuxie's poem. His coughing sounded particularly loud in the suddenly quiet garden.

Meanwhile, the instigator, Yin Yuxie, scratched his head in confusion and asked, "I was writing about cherry pastry. Isn't it good?"

Below the stage, Huan Zixiao led with a burst of laughter, soon followed by others. Yin Yuxie, still puzzled, stepped down from the stage.

Yin Yuxie's farce completely shattered the formality of those present. Later, someone even presented a genuine love poem, which Wei Yan deftly dismissed.

In the end, Lu Jiming neither completed that half-finished poem nor took the stage. As soon as the poetry gathering ended, he was asked to stay by Eunuch Chen.

Eunuch Chen led Lu Jiming back to the Linfeng Pavilion. The prepared snacks inside had already been cleared away. Eunuch Chen asked Lu Jiming to wait on the second floor for a while and stopped Lu Guanguan, who had been following them.

Lu Guanguan looked worriedly at Lu Jiming, who nodded at him, signaling to obey Eunuch Chen. "There should be some snacks left in the kitchen. Guanguan, you've been following me all day and must be hungry. Go and have something to eat."

With Lu Jiming putting it this way, Lu Guanguan could only agree, watching as Lu Jiming went up to the second floor.

True to its name, the Linfeng Pavilion was open on all sides on the second floor, with only a stone table and two small stools in the middle.

It was still midsummer, with the heat not yet dissipated. Climbing the pavilion in the evening, with a gentle breeze and refreshing coolness, was indeed a pleasant retreat.

Lu Jiming did not sit down. Leaning against the railing, he gazed at the layered rocks and murmuring stream in the garden. Suddenly, he heard voices and looked down to see Wei Yan below.

Wei Yan looked up at him, smiled, and waved, indicating he would be up shortly.

Lu Jiming's heart skipped a beat, and his face flushed abruptly. He withdrew into the pavilion and sat properly on the stone stool.

Pressing his hand to his chest, Lu Jiming thought how good it was to have a young body—it could still blush and have a racing heart. He had almost forgotten when he last felt this way.

He thought he could only feel heartache anymore.

Wei Yan reached the second floor and had a young eunuch bring paper and brushes, which he spread out on the stone table.

"Your Highness, what is the meaning of this?" Lu Jiming asked, puzzled.

Wei Yan dismissed the young eunuch, rolled up his sleeves, and began grinding ink. As he ground, he said, "Today's poetry gathering requires all participants to leave a poem behind, so that A-Xuan can compile them into a volume for Father to review. Xuping, you didn't write a single word, which has put A-Xuan in a difficult position. I'm here to collect a poem on his behalf."

Lu Jiming narrowed his eyes and smiled. He didn't believe a single word of what Wei Yan said. How could it be that his one poem was indispensable? It was merely a pretext.

"Your Highness, please speak directly."

"You write first. We'll talk after you finish."

"Please spare me, Your Highness." Lu Jiming had no intention of composing poetry.

Wei Yan rested his chin on his hand and blinked at him. "An hour. I'll watch you compose."

Unable to refuse, Lu Jiming reluctantly picked up the brush. Since returning to the seventh year of Zhaohe, whenever he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with scenes from his past life—confusion, melancholy, chaos.

He didn't know why he alone had been given a second chance at life, nor did he know what differences this second chance would bring compared to his previous life.

Over these days, he had been treading carefully, afraid of making a wrong step and repeating past mistakes. Yet he didn't even know where those mistakes lay.

He thought that by distancing himself from Wei Yan again, he could avoid everything from starting. But deep down, he always felt that he couldn't defy the predetermined future—how ironic. A future unknown to others was already set in stone for him.

Yet, even knowing the outcome, Lu Jiming didn't know how to proceed. After all, in his past life, he had only lived a messy existence.

"Wealth, rank, and glory are but illusions, / This remnant dream is also unclear. / Neither ancients nor those to come are seen, / Lost on the path, I grieve and stray in vain."

In the end, Lu Jiming wrote these four lines.

Wei Yan watched in silence. He wanted to ask Lu Jiming: the past is set, but what about today?

But when he spoke, he only said, "This is too despondent."

"Your Highness is right. I was never good at this to begin with."

Wei Yan suddenly moved closer and grasped Lu Jiming's hand holding the brush.

Lu Jiming could feel the warmth of Wei Yan's hand covering his own and his breath so close.

"I don't know what troubles you, but there's no need to worry about fame and fortune. Even chaotic remnant dreams will eventually awaken." Wei Yan whispered softly into Lu Jiming's ear. "Your own path must be walked by yourself. Why hesitate and look back and forth? If you take a wrong turn, you can always turn back."

Lu Jiming thought to himself that everyone knew these principles, but when faced with the situation, one loses the courage to speak them so casually.

Yet, even so, Wei Yan's whispered words in his ear struck a chord in Lu Jiming's heart. It was like a beam of light piercing through the chaos.

Indeed, in the past, whatever he wanted, he would go to any lengths to achieve it, never hesitating. How had he become so timid now?

Deep down, he knew what he wanted but didn't dare reach for it. Lu Jiming looked steadily at Wei Yan and thought, perhaps he didn't need to worry so much. The Lu family? The people of the world? Who cares?

Just as Lu Jiming was about to speak, he saw Wei Yan release his hand and walk to the railing. Gazing into the distance, Wei Yan asked him, "At today's poetry gathering, did you see anyone who caught your eye, Xuping?"

Lu Jiming was confused at first, then almost immediately realized Wei Yan was asking him about the choice for Crown Princess. He chuckled, "Your Highness is the one choosing the Crown Princess. What good would it do if she's to *my* liking?"

"I don’t care either way. They all have a nose and two eyes, so they're pretty much the same," Wei Yan said carelessly. "It's not like I'm in love with anyone. As long as her character and knowledge are decent, and she can be a true partner to me, that’s enough."

The words "not like I'm in love with anyone" stung. Lu Jiming could only mask it with a strained smile.

He thought of mentioning Huan Zixiao’s name, but then recalled the way Huan Zixiao looked at Yin Yuxie and dismissed the idea. Since he had to save Yin Yuxie anyway, why push Huan Zixiao into the den of wolves that was the imperial harem?

"I haven’t seen anyone particularly outstanding in talent or character," Lu Jiming said.

"If Xuping can’t find one, I’ll choose you."

"You're teasing me again, Your Highness," Lu Jiming said, looking at Wei Yan, though he thought to himself that if Wei Yan were serious, he'd have the nerve to say yes.

But Wei Yan turned around, leaning against the railing, and shot Lu Jiming a lopsided grin. "I know, I’m just teasing you. Actually, last night, the State Preceptor came and said he had a plan. The choice isn’t up to me anymore."

Lu Jiming asked, "What do you mean?"

"The State Preceptor said he observed the stars and performed divination, and calculated a birth chart. He claims this person should be the crown princess, as she can ensure Great Qi enjoys favorable weather, avoids disasters, and turns bad luck into good."

"Where is this person?"

Wei Yan raised an eyebrow. "How would I know? The State Preceptor calculated the birth chart, but to prevent people from fabricating false information to climb the social ladder, he doesn’t plan to announce it publicly. He’ll only collect birth charts and verify them secretly."

"This is..." Lu Jiming couldn’t help but laugh. "What if she can’t be found?"

"Then I’ll just pick one at random," Wei Yan shrugged. "If all else fails, you, Yin Yuxie, and Yan Huai can play rock-paper-scissors. Whoever loses enters the palace to be my consort."

Lu Jiming didn’t fall for it this time, knowing Wei Yan was talking nonsense. The crown princess couldn’t be decided so casually by rock-paper-scissors. Besides, Yan Huai was only thirteen. Even if the Marquis of Cheng’an were willing to part with his only son and send him into the palace, Wei Yan would have to manage to accept *that* with a smile.

"Xuping, marriage is such a drag. If I’d known it involved so much trouble, I wouldn’t have agreed," Wei Yan said.

Lu Jiming thought to himself that Wei Yan was still childish, jumping from one topic to another without any consistency. He tried to console him, "Your Highness will have to choose a consort sooner or later. Once the principal consort is established, there will still be secondary consorts and concubines. The Eastern Palace is still mostly empty—are you already tired of it?"

"I don’t want that many. Just the principal consort is enough. One love for a lifetime, like Emperor Xuan, would be perfect."

Emperor Xuan was Wei Yan’s great-grandfather, who had only one consort, Empress Yizhe, throughout his life. The two were deeply in love.

"Your Highness is still young," Lu Jiming said. When people are young, they always dream of spending their lives with their beloved. But in the end, some remain devoted until old age, some become bitter enemies, and even more change their affections. People like Emperor Xuan are the rare exception.

Even in his previous life, when he was locked deep in the palace and spent every day with Wei Yan, Lu Jiming never dared to hope that Wei Yan would have only him in this lifetime.

Yet Wei Yan waited for him for a full six years.

And in the end, he still failed Wei Yan.

Author’s Note:

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*What Wei Yan is scheming should be clear by now. As for why Wei Yan always uses Yan Huai as a shield—it’s because Lu Jiming knows Yan Huai is the least likely candidate, given his feelings for someone else. By using Yan Huai as a shield, Wei Yan avoids genuinely angering Lu Jiming like last time, while also declaring to Lu Jiming, "See, I really have no memories of my past life, so I have no idea what’s wrong with Yan Huai."