Chapter 661: Garden Party

Brother Ximen laughed, "Big Brother just arrived in Capital City yesterday. He doesn’t like these things, so he’s already gone to Book Sea Pavilion to see the lanterns. We don’t need to disturb him."

So everyone gathered and headed to West Street to drink.

Though West Street wasn’t as extravagant as Money Street, it was ablaze with lights tonight, a dazzling display of gold and silver.

"These lights are truly beautiful!" Brother Ximen couldn’t help but praise.

Yuan Da also said, "Speaking of lantern festivals, I’ve seen quite a few around the country, but none can compare to tonight’s. It has to be the Imperial City."

Little Brother Hong, full of enthusiasm and warmth: "Come on, let’s drink first and then go to Book Sea Pavilion to see the Nine-Turn Lotus Lamp. We can skip everything else, but this is a must-see."

Yuan Da naturally agreed. Since arriving in Capital City, all he’s thought about were eating meat and drinking wine, and his third activity, betting and winning money, was also for the sake of eating and drinking.

Today, after a stroke of luck, Little Brother Hong treated everyone to a feast at a restaurant, and Yuan Da was thoroughly satisfied. By the time they left, the two were calling each other brothers.

Brother Ximen, seeing that Yuan Da had drunk a bit too much, pulled him aside to a quiet corner and said, "I’m not going to say much else. Just don’t forget your promise to me when we came out. If you mess up Big Brother’s plan, I won’t be able to save you."

"That’s impossible!" Yuan Da slapped his chest, producing a thumping sound, burping out, "I’m still worried you can’t bear to part with these kids, wrecking Big Brother’s grand scheme. If you really can’t bear it, go have fun at the courtesans’ house later; anyway, you’ll be here longer to deal with that harlot."

Brother Ximen glanced back at their companions in high spirits: "There’s not much to bear or not bear. We just wait for Big Brother’s command and then we shout, kill, and fight.

But I think Big Brother won’t act too soon. It’s too early to not see the lantern festival, and it would also allow the imperial guard and the Great Camp outside the city to surround us.

We must wait until after the exhibition hour. By then, this bunch of kids might have already scattered away from us."

Yuan Da snorted, "Just say you don’t have them, and if you’re willing, will they scatter?"

Brother Ximen showed a look of reluctance: "After all, we’ve shared food and drink, and they’ve supported us all the way. To just kill them now, I’m afraid it would cause others to laugh at us if the news gets out. How would we face the world?"

Yuan Da pondered for a moment, then finally said, "Then it depends on their own fate. Military orders are as firm as mountains, and when Big Brother gives the command, we’ll kill, regardless of who’s beside us.

It’s not that I don’t want to spare their lives; it’s them coming too close, and we can’t drive them away."

Brother Ximen nodded.

Then the two merged back into the crowd of lantern viewers with Little Brother Hong and others.

...

Ranxiang Inn occupied a large open space in front of its main entrance, erecting two wooden towers connected by a winding corridor. The corridor was hung with various lanterns: Beauty Lanterns, Lanterns, Lotus Lanterns, Peach Lanterns, Rabbit Lanterns... all exquisite and numerous in count, small and novel.

Under Qin Yuan’s request, Shen Changle invited a batch of lantern artisans from the south, producing lanterns that, unlike the majestic Nine-Turn Lotus Lamp, focused on delicate charm, perfect as prizes for a garden party.

At the main entrance of Ranxiang Inn, a grand Ma Gu Xianshou Lantern was burning, and gold foil adorned its lower part, immune to the smoky incense burner below.

The rich aroma wafted out gently from the Immortal Peach opening of the Ma Gu Xianshou Lantern. Everyone who passed by would exclaim, "Ranxiang Inn spared no expense today. This is a lit incense lamp."

The delightful scent was truly enticing, combined with the many novel lanterns displayed, causing people to stop there, particularly attracting more and more women, creating an impenetrable crowd.

"What’s going on here?"

Everyone asked this same question.

Shen Changle left staff around the area who would respond, "Dingbei Marquis Mansion celebrates Empress Dowager’s birthday by hosting a garden party here. Entering the entrance, you can view lanterns and solve lantern riddles along the corridor, with generous prizes awaiting."

"Does it cost money to enter the garden?"

"No," the staff smiled, "entry only requires participants to write a poem on the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival theme."

"Oh?" The question sparked interest.

The staff smiled, "You might not know, but Dingbei Marquis Mansion recently held a poetry contest at the Imperial College on the theme of autumn fireflies, compiling the winning poems into a collection that’s selling hot across Jiangnan and beyond, highly praised are Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang’s poems.

Today, Dingbei Marquis Mansion celebrates Empress Dowager’s birthday with a garden party, encouraging everyone to create and play, with the idea of befriending through poetry.

Therefore, admission is free, but writing poems is a must. Even if you can’t solve the lantern riddles, good poems can earn substantial prizes."

So it’s organized for scholars, huh.

"May I ask what the prizes are?"

Several Scholars voiced their queries.

The staff smiled, "There are really many, including premium-quality ink brushes, paper, and ink stones, as well as Ranxiang Inn’s best-selling incense pills, usually requiring queueing to purchase and there’s a chance they might be sold out. Additionally, many literary figures will love."

"Don’t keep us in suspense, tell us more."

With a serious demeanor, the staff said, "The latest edition of female volume ’Firefly Collection,’ featuring meticulously illustrated poems by Sixth Master Gu, works by talented women from Gusu Jinling. Also included are two new poems by Young Master Nantang, with a postscript by Mr. Songshan."

"What? New poems by Young Master Nantang?"

Many people shouted in excitement.

Witnessing more and more literary figures, donning square caps and dressed in academic and formal robes approach, the staff raised his voice.

"Yes, yes, you heard right. Sixth Master Gu sought new poems from Young Master Nantang, including two poems in the female volume of ’Firefly Collection,’ mostly authored by talented women from Gusu Jinling. If Northern women are interested, Dingbei Marquis Mansion will produce another volume. Inside, there are exquisite illustrations meticulously curated by Sixth Master Gu along with the grand painter’s delicate portraits."

"Then I must give it a try."

"For Young Master Nantang, it’s worth trying."

"Bring me a pen, I’ve got a poem ready."

The staff added, "Those with poems may write them on the poetry wall, leaving their names and addresses, so if selected for inclusion, the mansion can send someone to contact them."

"Really? Then I must think long and hard."

"I initially thought of casually writing one, but now..."

Standing at the entrance of the garden party, Shen Changle called out loudly, "Everyone, there’s good news. Dingbei Marquis Mansion has invited Mr. Songshan and Young Master Nantang, and both have agreed to come here to literary companionship.

If any of you are adept at policy essays, don’t hesitate to propose topics here. If chosen, you may publicly explain your solutions."

The Scholars and Scholars erupted in excitement.

"That might be a bit overbearing. Writing good poetry doesn’t guarantee skill in policy essays."

"A friendship based on poetry is more likely."

Someone said, "Since there’s such confidence, let’s try proposing two topics. If they have the skill, we gain much. If they lack the skill, we lose nothing."

Indeed, there’s no loss to be had.

It might even provide a chance to stand on their missteps for one’s own acclaim.