Transmigration: A Farm Girl’s Brocade
Chapter 561 - 288 Pushing Out_2

Chapter 561: Chapter 288 Pushing Out_2

Prince Consort Pan saw this and nodded his head in satisfaction before returning to his room to sit down.

Sir Lin admired this young lady greatly. Just now, among those who came out to demonstrate their talents, many were so nervous that their voices trembled as they spoke, and they wouldn’t dare to look at others, their gaze fixed downwards. She, however, bore no resemblance to someone who would present themselves with such an attitude.

He said with a smile and in a loud voice, "Excellent, Miss Qian has great style, please continue."

Qian Yixiu bowed again, bending her knees slightly.

She first struck a graceful pose, chin slightly lifted, hands spread open, as the snowflakes fluttered down upon her, enveloping her.

Many were momentarily lost in amazement, wondering what astonishing beauty and talent this city-overwhelming beauty would display next.

Then they heard her recite loudly, "One sheet, two sheets, three and four,"

The more graceful her presence, the cruder her words seemed. As her voice fell, the room instantly filled with sounds of surprise; why was she counting, had she been frightened into silliness?

Qian Yixiu continued to recite, "Five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten,"

Her beautiful image instantly crumbled; some people closed their eyes, unable to bear watching such a lovely young lady make a fool of herself. Laughter grew louder, with someone saying, "Is this poetry? Clearly, she’s just counting..."

Qian Yixiu ignored them and went on, "Thousands, tens of thousands, countless sheets,"

The laughter grew louder; Huang Jinyu laughed so hard her stomach hurt, asking loudly, "Are you counting silver horn coins?"

Another laughed, "She’s not counting silver horn coins, she’s counting Copper Coins."

Bouts of girlish laughter were bolstering the rude remarks. Even Prince Consort Pan’s old face turned red, unsure of what his granddaughter was up to.

After Qian Yixiu waited for them to laugh their fill, she recited in a clear voice, "Yet when they fly into the plum blossoms, there’s nothing to be seen."

As the last line was recited, the surrounding area fell into immediate silence, quickly followed by applause and cheers of praise.

Upstairs, people like Lu Hanlin were nodding repeatedly, and Sir Lin laughed, "Maybe, our plum appreciation banquet will indeed produce a masterpiece that will be admired for centuries."

The Eldest Princess was radiant with pride, her eyes crinkling into a smile.

Madam Lu commented, "Very good, the final line brings the entire poem to life. Using so many numbers to construct the poem, yet there’s nothing superfluous about it. It feels like one is amidst the vast world with heavy snow fluttering down, the cold plum blossoms vying for beauty, the snowflakes blending with the plum blossoms, and people also blending into this vast expanse of whiteness."

The rating she gave was extremely high.

Qian Yixiu bent her knees in gratitude toward her.

Grandma Cui laughed, "The poem itself is very nice, and we know it is ’Ode to the Snow.’ But there is no word ’snow’ in the entire poem, which does not meet the requirements of today’s theme."

Qian Yixiu bent her knees again and explained, "The name of this poem is ’Ode to the Snow.’"

Grandma Cui laughed again, "We said the poem must contain the word ’snow,’ not just in the title."

Qian Yixiu glanced over at several wax plum branches in the corner of the eastern chamber. This courtyard was next to Plum Grove, but there weren’t many plum blossoms in the yard, perhaps to avoid obstructing the view.

With an idea in mind, she bent her knees again and asked, "May I compose another poem?"

Sir Lin laughed, "Of course, you may."

All present were feeling discontent with the Cui family’s nitpicking and agreed without objection at Little Wife Qian’s request.

Qian Yixiu pretended to ponder briefly, her jade finger pointing to the wax plum branches, and began reciting crisply, "A corner wall holds several plums, blooming alone in the cold. From afar, one knows they’re not snow, only the fragrance stealthily arrives."

This poem was indeed celestial in its making; waves of accolades followed.

Lu Hanlin clapped his hands together, "Excellent, excellent, this is by far the best ’Ode to the Plum Blossom’ I have heard."

Laughing, Sir Lin said to Prince Consort Pan, "Mr. Pan is talented, and his descendants are just as gifted. This is truly the inheritance of bloodline."

Prince Consort Pan was overjoyed, his usually serene face now more jubilant than the blooming wax plums. Laughing loudly, "My granddaughter did not only study with me for a period, but she was also a student of Yu Xiu and studied under him for more than five years in the countryside. She writes exceptionally well, especially known for her elegant ’hairpin’ small script."

Yu Xiu had been missing for many years, and to everyone’s surprise, he had been the teacher of this young lady.

Madam Lu smiled, "Truly, a great teacher produces an excellent student."

...

As soon as Qian Yixiu returned to the west wing, from the eastern chamber came the high-pitched recitation of a beauty’s voice.

"...With a charming smile so delightful, with eyes so bright and hopeful."

"In the North, there is a beauty, standing alone in her splendor. A single glance overwhelms the city, another glance overwhelms the nation..."