lcionline Chapter 565 The Poetry Gathering at the Tong Mansion
Chapter 565 The Poetry Gathering at the Tong Mansion
As soon as Jiang Xiaoqi came out of the palace, she was stopped by someone, as expected.
Jiang Xiaoqi was worried that it might be some prince or something, so she asked Chen Lin to escort her, and Chen Lin was happy to oblige.
Thinking that if they were ever made things difficult, they would have someone to call for help, so that the Fifth Prince wouldn't have to show up and make his presence felt again.
This time, however, it wasn't some prince from the palace causing trouble, but rather some unfamiliar faces.
These people seem to have just left the palace, or perhaps they were waiting specifically at the palace gate.
Seeing this, Chen Lin wanted to go back and find the Second Prince to come out and keep order, but Jiang Xiaoqi stopped him.
This is not the palace road; we have already left the palace gates. It is not appropriate to let the Second Prince come out here.
Besides, Li Mo was waiting for him in a carriage not far away. If all else failed, he could simply jump into the carriage and slip away.
However, it's best to figure out what these people's purpose is, since we might have to deal with them at the poetry gathering at the Tong family's house in a few days.
"Jiang Xiuzhuan, are you done with your work?"
Heh, isn't that obvious? Would you leave the palace if you weren't finished with your work? Your ability to find topics to talk about is really weak!
"Yes, sir, is there something you need?"
"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I am XXX from the Ministry of Rites."
"I am XXX from the Ministry of Rites."
"Under..."
Oh ho, they're all from the Ministry of Rites, how interesting.
The head of the Ministry of Rites was about to hold a poetry gathering and had even given himself an invitation at the last minute.
Today, officials from the Ministry of Rites were waiting for him at the palace gate. What kind of operation is this?
When did I become so important?
Jiang Xiaoqi was puzzled, but on the surface he remained calm and asked with a smile, "May I ask what brings you gentlemen to stop me at the palace gate?"
An official from the Ministry of Rites said with a smile, "Commissioner Jiang, we have all heard of your great talent in this poetry gathering hosted by Lord Tong. We would like to exchange ideas on poetry with you in advance so that we can make better preparations."
Jiang Xiaoqi knew in his heart that this was just an excuse, and they probably had other purposes.
"You flatter me, sirs. I am merely a man with a little knowledge of literature."
"Jiang Xiuzhuan is too modest. We all hope you will take good care of us at the poetry gathering."
The Tong family poetry gathering was basically a home turf for the Ministry of Rites, so they asked him to take good care of them. Take good care of what?
Shouldn't I be the one saying this to these people in front of me?
"Your Excellencies are too kind to me. To be honest, this is the first time I have received an invitation to a poetry gathering from the Tong family. I don't usually attend poetry gatherings."
Rather than saying I'm looking out for you, I'd rather not embarrass myself. I really need your guidance, sirs.
After all, you gentlemen are all Minister Tong's right-hand men, and you are very familiar with the Tong residence. Unlike me, I have never even set foot in the Tong residence before.
Hearing Jiang Xiaoqi say this, the officials from the Ministry of Rites still smiled and did not feel embarrassed at all.
One of them said, "Commissioner Jiang is too modest. You have just made a great contribution and now everyone is eager to get close to you."
Poetic talent isn't that important; you speak that Japanese language, and our Great Zhou Dynasty can't find another talent like that!
"That's right, that's right. We just wanted to get to know Jiang Xiuzhuan before the poetry gathering so that we could help each other out at the gathering."
Jiang Xiaoqi sneered inwardly. These people weren't here to get to know each other; they were just there to pave the way for someone. Was it Minister Tong? Or the long-absent Fourth Prince?
"Since you gentlemen are so interested, I will gladly accept your invitation. Today, I will host you to meet at the teahouse in the east of the city."
He didn't want to get entangled with these people at the palace gate, but judging from their posture, they didn't intend to let him leave.
Then let's all go to Lord Lin's teahouse. I'm sure Lord Lin won't ignore us after receiving the news.
Having achieved their goal, the group exchanged glances and naturally stopped lingering at the palace gate.
Jiang Xiaoqi got into his own carriage and led the way, followed by the others who also got into their own carriages.
Upon arriving at the teahouse in the east of the city, Jiang Xiaoqi asked the waiter to serve the best tea, and everyone sat down together.
After exchanging only a few pleasantries, the officials from the Ministry of Rites began subtly probing Jiang Xiaoqi's opinion of the Fourth Prince.
Perhaps not wanting to be too obvious, they still occasionally mention the Japanese language.
Jiang Xiaoqi responded with a smile on the surface, but became wary inwardly.
Suddenly, the door to a private room in the teahouse was pushed open, and a young man dressed in magnificent attire walked in. Upon seeing him, the officials from the Ministry of Rites all rose and bowed.
Upon closer inspection, Jiang Xiaoqi realized it was none other than the Fourth Prince, Zhao Hongsheng, whom she hadn't seen in a long time.
Zhao Hongsheng's face is much thinner now, and compared to before, he looks more angular and has a more composed demeanor.
At first glance, Jiang Xiaoqi felt a little unfamiliar with him.
The Fourth Prince smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to sit down. Then he looked at Jiang Xiaoqi and said, "Jiang Xiuzhuan, I have heard that you have a good understanding of poetry. Since everyone is here today, let's exchange ideas."
Jiang Xiaoqi sighed inwardly, realizing that it was indeed the Fourth Prince who was behind this.
He rose respectfully but indifferently, saying, "Your Highness flatters me. The entire Hanlin Academy knows that I am not good at poetry."
The Fourth Prince continued, "Is that so? I am also looking forward to this poetry gathering hosted by my maternal grandfather. I hope that Compiler Jiang will not disappoint me."
The Tong family's poetry gatherings have always been known for their special prizes, as those who attend regularly know.
But Jiang Xiaoqi wasn't someone who went there often; receiving the invitation this time was an accident.
Of course, it's also possible that the person in front of you is behind it.
After such a long period of silence, has it finally become too much to bear?
Minister Tong was an ambitious old man. He had a grandson who was going to become a prince, so how could he not make plans for him?
Of course, it's also for the benefit of the entire Tong family and all those who follow them.
It seems that Minister Tong has convinced his stubborn grandson that the whole family is now striving for progress and has begun to be ambitious.
Jiang Xiaoqi sneered inwardly, thinking that the timing wasn't exactly bad.
After all, the two most competitive princes on the surface, the eldest and third princes, have already fallen, and the remaining ones don't seem very strong.
But what does this have to do with me?
I am only a sixth-rank official now. Even if I have made contributions, it is not enough to attract the attention of Minister Tong.
Oh, so he also has the identity of a prince's tutor. Does that mean the Tong family is the same as the Fifth Prince?
They're trying to win over themselves and, incidentally, gain the Empress's support; they're all people who love to scheme.
The abacus beads are practically jumping out of his face!
Jiang Xiaoqi thought for a moment, then replied.
"Fourth Prince, I am but a lowly official and do not deserve Your Highness's attention."
The Tong Family Poetry Gathering has been held for so many years; those who attend must be the most outstanding talents of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Your Highness will surely discover a peerless genius there.
"Anyway, don't touch me," was Jiang Xiaoqi's true thought.
After all, he didn't believe that the dead calcium guy would change his ways.