NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 32 - A Priceless Work! A Gifted Poem for Yang Wanli!
Chapter 32: A Priceless Work! A Gifted Poem for Yang Wanli!
“Your Highness…”
Bluebird, surrounded by countless envious gazes, could hardly conceal her excitement at this moment.
Although Bluebird had a cold temperament, she was born into a noble family and had read some books since childhood.
Therefore, she understood very well how significant Li Chengyuan’s poem was to her.
But precisely because of this, Bluebird’s emotions were slightly out of control.
The main reason was that the surprise came too suddenly, so sudden that she was caught off guard.
Li Chengyuan looked at Bluebird warmly and softly said, “Don’t rush!”
After speaking, Li Chengyuan picked up the brush again and titled the poem, adding his signature.
Presented to Bluebird by the Rainy Lake—Li Chengyuan.
After writing, Li Chengyuan carefully removed the seal from his waist and stamped it on the signature.
With that, this work was finished.
Not only did it have the poem and signature, but it also had the seal.
If it could be passed down to future generations, this would be a national treasure-level painting with a clear provenance!
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After all the procedures were completed, Li Chengyuan waited for the ink to dry, then wrapped it in a scroll he had prepared beforehand, rolling it up and handing it to Bluebird.
“Alright, keep it well. This is the first complete poem I’ve written!”
Indeed, this was the first!
That last Butterfly Love Flower was just something Li Chengyuan casually wrote; there was no signature or seal, so it wasn’t considered complete!
This time was truly Li Chengyuan’s first complete work.
And the first time is often the most precious!
So, upon hearing this, the people around looked at Bluebird with even more envy and jealousy!
Someone couldn’t help but speak out, “Miss Bluebird, would you be willing to part with this poem? I’ll offer one hundred taels of silver!”
“Only one hundred taels? Are you joking? That little amount, and you dare say it out loud? Miss Bluebird, I’ll offer a thousand taels!”
“I’ll offer two thousand taels!”
“I’ll offer three thousand taels!”
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In a short moment, someone had raised the price to ten thousand taels.
Even the Crown Prince was a little tempted, thinking of placing a bid himself.
Bluebird, a bit panicked, hurriedly looked towards Li Chengyuan.
Seeing this, Li Chengyuan warmly said, “Don’t look at me. We aren’t short on money. Since I gave it to you, you decided to make it!”
Upon hearing this, Bluebird nodded and finally said, “I’m sorry, this calligraphy is the most precious gift of my life, and no matter how much money, I won’t sell it!”
Hearing Bluebird’s words, the crowd sighed inwardly, giving up.
But many still looked at the calligraphy in Bluebird’s arms with burning desire!
This maid was truly blessed!
Especially since Li Chengyuan had given up ten thousand taels of silver without hesitation for Bluebird.
Such affection stirred envy in countless women!
At this moment, Li Chengyuan had become the perfect dream lover in the eyes of all the women present!
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The martial contest could only be considered a brief interlude.
After it ended, everyone had digested their food, so they returned to the reception hall to continue writing poetry!
Before long, evening arrived, marking the end of the poetry gathering.
This poetry event could be said to be a complete success.
A total of one hundred and twenty people participated, producing over three hundred poems.
Many had written five or six poems in a row.
Some had even set a record, composing eleven poems in one day!
Unfortunately, the quality of this person’s poems was somewhat lacking.
Out of the eleven poems, only one barely made it into the selection, and that was because Li Chengyuan took pity on the person who was almost in tears, giving them a chance.
In the end, ninety-eight poems were selected for the final evaluation!
From these ninety-eight poems, the best ten would be chosen as the final winners!
As for the evaluators, they were naturally the three princes and Duke Jing’s heir, Li Hongcheng!
The evaluation process was quick.
Some poems, although selected, showed an obvious gap in quality at a glance.
So, the first round of evaluation quickly eliminated most, leaving only sixteen poems!
After further discussion, the top ten winning poems were finally selected!
After the results came out, Li Hongcheng announced the list of winners in public.
Hearing their names, the winning scholars were all overjoyed,
Each stepped to the center of the hall amidst envious gazes.
They awaited the rewards from Li Chengyuan, along with his gifting of poems!
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On Li Chengyuan’s side, a desk and writing tools had been prepared again.
Bluebird and Sang Wen served by his side, one grinding ink and the other laying out paper.
Before long, Li Chengyuan called upon the first “winner.”
This first person was a familiar face—Yang Wanli!
Yang Wanli hadn’t expected to win at all.
When he stood before Li Chengyuan, he seemed a bit flustered.
At this moment, Yang Wanli was still somewhat immature.
Looking at the young man in his patched, shabby clothes, Li Chengyuan smiled slightly without saying much and began to write.
Sang Wen, being perceptive, immediately recited the words aloud:
“Coarse hemp cloth wraps the scholar’s life!”
Upon hearing this line, several people’s expressions changed.
Some, lacking intelligence and good character, even laughed out loud.
They thought Li Chengyuan was mocking Yang Wanli’s poverty in the poem.
Even Yang Wanli himself looked uncomfortable at this moment!
However, as soon as Li Chengyuan wrote the second line, the entire room erupted in awe.
“A mind enriched with books brings an inner glow!”
With just this line, the entire poem’s meaning was elevated.
Everyone’s eyes revealed admiration.
Some even clapped their hands in praise!
This line was exquisite.
It turned the image of a poor scholar into that of a cultured talent in humble clothing!
Because of this line, many now looked at the shabby-clothed Yang Wanli with a newfound sense of refinement!
As for Yang Wanli himself, his face flushed with excitement!
Li Chengyuan continued to write, quickly completing the entire poem.
“Coarse hemp cloth wraps the scholar’s life,
A mind enriched with books brings an inner glow.
Tired of old scholars boiling gourd leaves,
Forced to follow exam candidates treading locust blossoms.
An empty purse prevents me from riding to spring,
Yet eyes gaze eagerly at carriages seeking sons-in-law.
Still proud of worldly achievements,
The fresh royal decree’s ink is black as a crow.”
The rest of the poem was not as brilliant, but that didn’t matter.
In a poem, one eternal line is enough!
Moreover, Yang Wanli, the rest of the poem touched him deeply.
The latter lines reflected Li Chengyuan’s earnest hopes for Yang Wanli to achieve success in the imperial examinations!
This was also Yang Wanli’s lifelong dream!
At this moment, looking at the kindly and teacher-like Li Chengyuan, Yang Wanli felt for the first time a sense of dying for a confidant!
Due to the large crowd, Li Chengyuan didn’t say much to Yang Wanli.
Just as before, he titled the poem and signed it.
Presented to Yang Wanli—Li Chengyuan.
Then he stamped it, making it his second complete work.
Yang Wanli carefully stored the scroll, solemnly bowing to Li Chengyuan,
Before retreating to the side under everyone’s envious gazes.
Then, Li Chengyuan called upon the second “winner”!
This second person was also a familiar face.
It was none other than the capital’s top female talent, Fan Ruoruo!
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Footnotes:
粗缯大布裹生涯(cū zēng dà bù guǒ shēng yá): “Coarse hemp cloth wraps the scholar’s life” refers to living a humble, impoverished life while pursuing learning.
腹有诗书气自华(fù yǒu shī shū qì zì huá): “A mind enriched with books brings an inner glow” means that knowledge and learning bring a natural grace and refinement that radiates from within.
士为知己者死(shì wèi zhī jǐ zhě sǐ): “A scholar dies for the one who understands him” refers to a scholar’s deep gratitude and loyalty toward someone who appreciates his true worth, even to the point of willing self-sacrifice.