Chapter 758: Appreciating Flowers and Reciting Poetry
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Luo Capital, Ye Mansion.
The Ye family’s flower viewing banquet finally began.
After the previous matches, people’s attention had not fully shifted yet, but the Ye family’s servants had already brought out low tables and colorful woven grass mats, setting them up on a green hill by the riverside. It seemed that the Ye family did not want this matter to escalate further and decided to proceed directly with the flower viewing banquet.
After Yue Guan’s victory, Liu Manzhi from Xi Jiangtian had to apologize to him. Then, the three members of Xi Jiangtian left the venue and did not stay any longer. Seeing this, Yue Guan also took his leave. He had come to the Ye mansion because he heard that disciples from Xi Jiangtian would be present, hoping to meet Liu Manzhi. Since the matter and grievances were settled, there was no need to stay and make things uncomfortable for himself.
“Thank you very much, Miss Lolan.”
Before leaving, Yue Guan went to the pavilion and bowed to the young lady by the railing to express his gratitude. Not everyone dared to offend Prince Linghu of the royal family, and if it weren’t for this young lady remaining neutral, the outcome of the final match might have been uncertain.
“It’s nothing.”
Lolan Hill shook her head and glanced at the young man, about 25-26 years old, noticing that he still bore many unhealed dark injuries. After the match, Prince Linghu had put away the remaining two bottles of potion without giving them to him. The reason was quite reasonable; since the match was over, there was no need to take medicine to recover and ensure fairness.
“This is for you. The Crimson Tower Sword Duel is about to start, and this will help you recover faster.” Lolan Hill took out a small bottle from her sleeve, containing three vials of [Condensed Purple Frost Candy Potion].
Yù Mí, standing beside her, handed the small bottle to Yue Guan.
“This is a potion that can help you recover quickly. Although its main use is for cultivation,” the young lady explained slightly.
Since the bottle hadn’t been opened, Yue Guan didn’t know how precious the potion inside was. But given that it was someone’s good intention, he couldn’t refuse. Moreover, he was indeed eager to become stronger. During today’s match, he nearly suffered severe abuse, which made him even more desperate for strength.
“Thank you very much, Miss Lolan.”
After bowing again, Yue Guan stood there hesitating for a moment before taking out a token from his waist. It bore a deep red ‘An’ character.
“If Miss Lolan ever needs anything in the future, she can send someone with this token to find me on Jiuhuang Mountain.”
Seeing Yù Mí take the token and place it gently on the table, Lolan Hill felt a slight sense of helplessness in her heart. In fact, she had just done it casually.
Helping the other party is not about repaying favors with favors. However, refusing at this moment might hurt his dignity.
“Mm, I hope when we meet next time, you’ll have improved even more.” Lolan Hill gave a slight encouragement, then watched as the youth descended from the pavilion and left the Ye Mansion.
At this moment, a large potted tree had been moved into the venue, and many guests were gradually taking their seats. A server cautiously approached the pavilion and respectfully asked the two if they would like to participate in the flower viewing.
“Let’s go take a look,” the young lady said, seeing that Yu Ji was waiting for her to make a decision, then stood up and went downstairs.
Upon arriving at the venue, the server arranged for them to sit at two nearby low tables. Soon, someone brought pastries and fruits, which appeared to be rare delicacies with extraordinary effects.
The crowd sat by the small river, forming a large, open ellipse that surrounded the center. In the middle of this space, a beautifully shaped tree was placed.
Its branches and leaves were trimmed to resemble clouds, layered and staggered. The leaves were small and dense, reflecting varying shades of light and dark under the sunlight.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Ye Zhen stepped into the center, clapped his hands lightly to set the mood, and then introduced the peculiar tree beside him.
“This tree is called ‘Three Drunken Frost-Resistant Flowers.’ What does three drunken mean? Naturally, it changes color three times a day.”
[Three Drunken Frost-Resistant Flower] (Exceptional Gold Grade): A rare flower of the hibiscus genus, it is not afraid of frost and blooms profusely in late autumn. In the morning, it is pure white; at noon, it turns pale pink; and in the evening, it becomes deep red. Its flowers are double-layered and charming. The medicinal effects vary depending on the color when picked and can be used to make extraordinary potions.
After the introduction, the guests began to admire and praise the flower in groups. Soon, several literature enthusiasts started writing poems about the flower viewing.
Lolan Hill sat by the low table, not paying much attention to the flower-viewing poems. Instead, she picked up a small, light green fruit, washed it again with the clear water on the table, and ate it in small bites.
It turned out to be almost noon now, and she was indeed quite hungry.
“Talking like this is boring. Now that conditions are right, why don’t we follow the ancient custom of floating cups along the stream and compose verses under the flowers?” one guest suggested, and the others agreed.
As the host, Ye Zhen readily agreed, perhaps this was part of the prepared program. He clapped his hands, and several servants brought wooden cups filled with clear wine and placed them upstream in the small river, letting them flow downstream. Another guest volunteered to stand under the flower tree and beat a small drum. When the drum stopped, the cup would be behind whichever guest…
Just about to recite a line of poetry, if one couldn’t come up with anything, they would have to drink the wine in their cup, as a sign of acknowledging their penalty.
Following this, the game of floating cups began.
The small drum was gently struck, paused after a short while, and then everyone saw that the wine cup had stopped behind a cultivator in dark robes.
“It turns out to be True Immortal Chen Xi from the Dragon Tree Bloodline Sect. Please come forward.”
“This really puts me in a difficult spot.”
True Immortal Chen Xi appeared to be in his thirties. He stroked his short beard and stood up, circling the flower tree three times clockwise and then three times counterclockwise before returning to his seat.
An attendant had already laid out white paper for him. He picked up the brush and wrote:
“Facing the pavilion with a cup of wine, the branches refuse to let the frost bloom.”
“Good~”
“Excellent verse.”
The guests inside the venue all praised loudly.
Although this wasn’t a masterpiece, it was quite good for a flower banquet. Everyone was here to gather and enjoy themselves, so they wouldn’t be too critical.
After some laughter and conversation, another cup of wine was released upstream, and the small drum started beating again.
The cup flowed with the current and finally came to a stop when the drumming ceased.
“This time, it’s Young Master Linghu’s turn.” The cup had stopped beside this royal prince.
“Could this be Young Master Ye Zhen’s doing?” Linghu stood up with a smile. At this moment, he looked as if he was basking in the spring breeze, completely different from his earlier cold demeanor.
After exchanging pleasantries with the host, this elegantly dressed young man picked up the brush and wrote:
“Calling it frost-resistant is still unknown; its name is actually wood peony. Just like a beauty sipping her first sip of wine, the bright moon reflects on the stream, mirroring her rosy face.”
“Excellent poem, excellent verse!”
“No wonder he is the pride of the Ling family, the crown prince.”
“Young Master Linghu is truly erudite and talented. Knowing that the frost-resistant flower is also known as wood peony is impressive, though it’s a shame the term ‘wood peony’ became too common and was eventually abandoned.”
“Young Master Linghu is using the flower to metaphorize a beautiful lady. Looking at the last line, it seems he had prepared this in advance to say to Shrine Maiden Xia. Too bad she isn’t here now, tsk tsk.”
“Just say less.”
A tiny voice reminded nearby.
Everyone praised together, and the venue remained lively for a long time. Then the wine cup was placed back in the water to flow along.
The drumming gradually ceased, and this time, the wine cup stopped beside a young lady with black hair and eyes.
For a moment, the venue grew even more lively. This time, everyone’s curious gazes focused intently on this exceptionally beautiful girl.
(The chapter ends)
