Chapter 042 Looking forward to the coming day
"Mr. Dong, you should also take a look at this song."
After reading it, Lin Zhen handed Shen Yichen's lyrics to Dong Yujing.
After all, Shen Yichen's poem was written from the perspective of a brothel girl, so Dong Yujing might be able to appreciate it better.
Sure enough, when this poem reached Dong Yujing's hands, her eyes immediately lit up and she exclaimed in amazement.
Moreover, Dong Yujing's focus is not on the first stanza, but on the second stanza of "Jinmingchi".
Spring turns to autumn rain. Thinking of the past, I feel so sad. Even if there is, the painted boats around the embankment are deserted, and the water and clouds remain the same. Recalling the past, a little east wind, a few separated by heavy curtains, brows are sad. Waiting for an appointment with the plum soul, the moon is dim at dusk, and whisper with deep love.
The content of the second stanza is mainly about recalling the past and describing the steadfastness in love.
This memory of love was originally intended to refer to Liu Rushi, one of the Eight Beauties of Qinhuai, and was an allusion to her former lover Chen Zilong.
However, at this point in the Ming Dynasty, Liu Rushi had not yet been born, so others naturally could not tell who the allusion was to. All one could get from the lyrics and music was a lonely and delicate woman expressing her steadfastness in love and her refusal to succumb to fate.
These words can be said to have expressed Dong Yujing's inner thoughts. A brothel girl like her who uses her beauty to please men, what she wants is nothing more than a seemingly loyal love to free herself from the bitter sea of fate.
Dong Yujing has come into contact with countless literati, dignitaries, and nobles. These people are full of sweet words and all they want is her beauty. They have no true love for her in their hearts.
However, Shen Yichen's poem made Dong Yujing feel understood and respected. Without real emotions, it would be impossible to write such a poem.
"Replying to Mr. Zhuangyuan, I think Mr. Shen's poem is very good!"
When Lin Zhen asked before, Dong Yujing always gave ambiguous answers and returned the right to choose. This way, he didn't offend anyone and he could also respect the identity and status of the top scholar.
This time, she expressed her true feelings. Shen Yichen's poem deserves to be the best at tonight's poetry gathering!
"Mr. Dong has good vision. I think so too."
"Han Feizi once said, 'One should not avoid one's enemies when recommending people from outside, nor should one avoid one's sons when recommending people from inside. Although Shen Yichen is my disciple, this poem is rich, delicate, graceful, and extremely sad, so I rated it as the best poem in the poetry gathering!"
Lin Zhen had said so much, and considering that Shen Yichen's poem "Jinmingchi" was indeed a masterpiece, naturally no one would question it.
"Shen Yichen is really amazing, no matter how close he is to you."
"I never thought that today's winner would be a schoolboy."
"Congratulations, Mr. Shen. You will surely ascend to the throne in the future imperial examination."
"Young Master Shen is truly a man of great talent. I admire him immensely."
As the dust settled, many people came to Shen Yichen's table to congratulate him. Considering his age and the two poems he had written, he would surely become famous.
To be honest, Shen Yichen was not used to being suddenly congratulated by so many strangers. He had a slightly fake and stiff smile on his face and kept bowing in return until Dong Yujing came to the center to prepare to sing the lyrics.
Listening to Dong Yujing singing this poem in her sweet voice, Shen Yichen felt a little sad. Besides being written for Liu Wan'er, this poem was also written for himself.
Alone in the Ming Dynasty, facing various crises and challenges, he is like a willow tree by the river swaying in the wind.
However, times have changed, and through hard work and careful planning, I have finally changed the course of my fate, leading to this moment that has attracted everyone's attention today.
But Shen Yichen always had a sense of unreality in his heart. Perhaps without fame and achievements, no matter how great his fame was, it would be like a castle in the air or a mirage, and would disappear one day.
"Shen Yichen, are the lyrics you wrote really that good? They don't sound that good."
Li Da listened to Dong Yujing's singing and felt that it was not to his taste. It sounded greasy, soft and limp, without any manliness at all.
Although Li Da was very reluctant to admit it, Shen Yichen was indeed the son of Duke Cheng. As a descendant of a military general, he should have fought on the battlefield with swords and spears. What the hell was this?
If it were any other time, facing an illiterate person like Li Da who didn't know how to appreciate, Shen Yichen would definitely have retorted. But this time, he suddenly felt that in this unreality, Li Da was extremely real, a living person with flesh and blood.
"Everyone has their own preferences."
"Yeah, it seems I still have good vision."
Li Da expressed satisfaction that Shen Yichen agreed with his opinion.
After the song was finished, it meant that today's Winter Solstice Poetry Festival was about to end. Dong Yujing stood up and did not leave directly. Instead, she walked in front of Shen Yichen and said, "Mr. Shen is a talented man. I admire him very much. I wonder if there is a chance for me to sing poems and drink with him?"
Dong Yujing's appointment immediately caused a stir among the scholars, and many people looked at Shen Yichen with envy and jealousy.
One of the Four Beauties of Qinhuai, a strong contender for next year's courtesan, such an open and proactive invitation, if it were any other man, he would probably immediately agree to become her slave.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Chairman. However, the county exam is approaching, and I have to study hard. I will be sorry for your kindness."
Shen Yichen tactfully declined Dong Yujing's invitation. On the one hand, he was not really interested in prostitutes at the moment, and the day of the imperial examination was approaching, and gaining fame was the most important thing in life.
Another point is that his teacher Lin Zhen is still sitting at the main table, and the current trend of visiting prostitutes is not as open as it was in the late Ming Dynasty. In addition, he has not yet married, and it is not good to do this in public.
Shen Yichen is not to the point where he would be blinded by lust, so the most sensible way is to refuse.
Hearing Shen Yichen's refusal, Dong Yujing showed a look of disappointment on her face , but this expression was fleeting, and she soon put on a smile and replied: "I am sorry for being rude, so I will wish you success in the imperial examination soon."
"Thank you."
After Dong Yujing left, Lin Zhen stood up at the right time, said some words of encouragement to the scholars present, and then announced the end of the Winter Solstice Poetry Festival.
If nothing unexpected happens, Shen Yichen's "Jinmingchi" will be sung throughout the Qinhuai River tomorrow.
After everyone left, Shen Yichen quietly came to Lin Zhen, bowed and apologized, "I am disrespectful. I didn't greet you before."
Theoretically, in ancient times, students would take the initiative to greet their teachers when they saw them. However, in order to keep a low profile at the beginning of the poetry reading, Shen Yichen did not greet Lin Zhen. Now he came to admit his mistake.
"Huh, you still know you're wrong?"
"The disciple knows his mistake."
It is best not to quibble at times like this, just admit your mistake honestly and that's it.
"I will . I would like to ask you why you chose to sit at the end of the table and why you were unwilling to present your poem."
Lin Zhen himself did not have much desire for fame and fortune, but he wanted his disciples to be successful.
I had urged Shen Yichen to attend the Winter Solstice Poetry Festival. To put it bluntly, I just wanted him to show off his skills, but this kid didn't follow my ideas at all.
"I am a dull student, and I am afraid that my mediocrity will bring disgrace to the master's reputation."
This is not because Shen Yichen is being modest. He really had never thought of being a plagiarist before, so he just used his own original lyrics to get by.
Unexpectedly, Lin Zhen took the initiative to reveal his identity as a disciple. Now he was in a dilemma and had to show off.
"You are so smooth-talking. Is this what you call mediocrity and disgrace to your reputation?"
Although Lin Zhen seemed to be criticizing Shen Yichen, he could hardly suppress the joy in his heart, and a smile subconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The biggest winner of today's poetry gathering, besides Shen Yichen, was Lin Zhen. It could be said that this disciple had earned him enough face.
Although Lin Zhen did not care much about these false reputations, it was a good thing after all, especially when he saw his disciples become successful and promising, the sense of accomplishment was beyond words.
"hey-hey."
Shen Yichen smiled. His apology was just a formality, as he knew Lin Zhen wouldn't be really angry.
"Well, today's poetry gathering is over. With your character as a teacher, I don't worry about getting lost in fame. But you still have to be clear in your mind that the imperial examination and poetry are not the same thing. Only next year's county examination can determine your future prospects."
"Disciple understands."
Shen Yichen has always been clear-headed about this, so he has never thought of using later poetry to hype himself up and make a name for himself, but instead focused on the Four Books and Five Classics and the Eight-Legged Essay.
"It's getting late, you should go back today."
Almost all the instructions had been given, and now it was late at night, so it was time for Shen Yichen to go home.
"By the way, sir, remember to say hello to Sun Tixue on my behalf. I didn't greet him today."
Shen Yichen had not taken the initiative to ask Sun Tixue about this today, mainly because he wanted to avoid suspicion. After all, the presiding judge was his teacher, and the jurors had to be familiar with their elders. Even if there was no behind-the-scenes manipulation, no one would believe it if it got out.
"Um."
"Then the disciple will take his leave."
Shen Yichen bowed and left, walked out of the room and came to the side of the pleasure boat, but was not in a hurry to go home.
Because he had been in Ming Dynasty for so long, he had been looking forward to seeing the night view of Shili Qinhuai for a long time, but he had never had the time or opportunity before. Now that he was already standing here today, he decided to stay a little longer and take a good look.
Many pleasure boats were moored along the coast. After leaving, many scholars did not choose to go home, but stayed in these brothels and pleasure boats. So even when the night was getting late, the lights were still bright here, and talented scholars and beautiful women came in an endless stream.
After staying for a while and feeling the cool winter evening breeze, Shen Yichen was about to turn around and leave when he saw a familiar figure standing behind him.
"How will you be here."
"I am here to apologize to you, sir."
The person who came was none other than Liu Wan'er. She had changed out of the gorgeous clothes she wore at the poetry party and put on a simple dress. She stood behind Shen Yichen like an ordinary woman.
Shen Yichen naturally knew why she wanted to apologize, but such a small matter was over and there was no need to be fussy about it.
"There's nothing to apologize for, you don't have to take it to heart."
"Then Mr. Shen, aren't you curious about why I submitted your poem?"
If Liu Wan'er hadn't mentioned it, Shen Yichen wouldn't have taken it seriously. But now that she said this, it actually aroused some curiosity.
"Why?"
"Mr. Shen's talent is like the stars in the sky, so he should not cover up his own brilliance."
After saying that, Liu Wan'er looked directly into Shen Yichen's eyes and continued, "In addition, I hope to see Master Shen become the best in the world and clear my father's grievances one day !"
