Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 33 I am the top scholar
The capital city is full of high-ranking officials and nobles, and there are countless beautiful women from wealthy families.

Those princesses and noblewomen of the imperial family were even more like golden branches and jade leaves, phoenixes descended to earth, possessing unparalleled beauty and incomparable nobility.

But beauty is also a feeling.

Sun Jinhua's appearance seemed to carry the tender greenery of Jiangnan, like a fresh breeze after a rain.

The light blue gauze gown with wide sleeves fluttered gracefully, revealing the rose-white inner lining. The waist was embroidered with gold thread depicting the Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moon, and the waist was cinched even thinner than the willows under the bridge, yet it contained a hidden resilience—the spirit honed from practicing the Dance of the Flying Swan since childhood.

She walked slowly into the center of the lobby.

She sat down in front of the Qin Zheng that had been prepared in advance, her slender, jade-like hands with clearly defined bones, as white as snow without a trace.

Her nobility was innate.

Some are delicate and charming, while others are poised and elegant.

With a gentle pluck of the strings of the Qin zither, worldly dust is washed away, and the melody becomes melodious and ethereal.

All the students present had their eyes fixed on her, not looking away for a moment.

The thought that one of the nine men present would have the chance to grow old with such a woman filled him with overwhelming passion.

No, Song Shi'an is already out of the game.

The competition is among the remaining eight people.

Sun Situ, seated in the main seat, smiled with satisfaction and nodded slightly.

He couldn't help but turn his head to look at the Prince of Zhongping.

Sensing the gaze, King Zhongping smiled and nodded. Then, raising their cups, the two drank quietly together before looking back at the center.

But his attention was not on Sun Jinhua.

It was Song Shi'an standing to the side.

Still drinking.

Sun Situ had just suffered a humiliating defeat, feeling deeply uncomfortable. However, the scenario he desired—a humiliating falling out and tearing off the mask of civility—did not occur.

Sun Situ's aim was simply to resist the military-agricultural colonies, using the pretext of suppressing Song Shi'an.

But what was Song Shi'an thinking?
He is no longer qualified to lead the land reclamation efforts.

But now that he's been brought out, we'll inevitably have to use him in the future.

His attitude is also very important.

Sun Jinhua's performance was like flowing clouds and water, yet also winding and cyclical, making it a famous piece from Jiangnan.

It was as if one could hear birdsong and the fragrance of flowers, and the babbling of a clear spring, all from beyond the strings.

It evokes the feeling of hearing "cuckoo cuckoo" in a cabin in the woods on a clear morning.

Even the air feels fresher.

Smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

The guzheng is great, I should learn the guzheng.

Perhaps it was the beauty of the thing that made us linger, as if it were only just beginning and was about to end.

The music ended.

Sun Jinhua raised her head, slowly stood up, and said softly, "Jinhua wishes Father a happy birthday and a long and healthy life."

The voice is nice!
"Come and sit down."

Seeing such a big change in his daughter, Sun Situ, who hadn't seen her for a long time, was in a much better mood and waved with a smile.

After bowing to Prince Zhongping, Sun Jinhua sat on the cushion to the side of Sun Situ, with the father and daughter about two meters apart.

He was below the main position, but above Sun Heng and Sun Qian.

Because today is all about finding her a boyfriend; she's the main character.

Sun Jinhua, who was sitting there, spotted Song Shi'an immediately, as his position was particularly conspicuous.

It was after the day the candidate was chosen to marry him that he asked if the girl was there...

Is he the top scholar being targeted today?
She didn't know about the matter beforehand; she overheard some maids talking about it outside before she even appeared.

She naturally couldn't get involved in her father and brother's affairs, but seeing Song Shi'an sitting in the corner, constantly drinking to cover his embarrassment, she did feel some sympathy for him.

At this moment, Fan Wuji said, "Miss Sun is playing the famous Yangzhou piece 'Lotus Emerging from Water'?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Sun Heng, who was on a political mission, smiled and said, "Indeed, Young Master Fan is also proficient in music."

"I have only a superficial understanding," Fan Wuji said with a reserved smile. "Naturally, I am not as knowledgeable and skilled in music as Miss Sun."

"You're too modest, Young Master Fan. How about you show us something?" Sun Heng joked. "You could also give my little sister some pointers."

"How dare I boast in front of Miss today and let my brothers laugh at me?"

Fan Wuji quickly declined, but the word "today" conveyed his enthusiasm for continuing their relationship.

The competition has begun.

My earlier reserve was simply because I hadn't seen Xiao Mei in person yet.

These scenes made Han Zhongchen feel irritable.

Brother Sun Heng, since there's going to be a performance, why didn't you tell me the names of the pieces beforehand so I could join in?

I'm being used as a knife in your house!
"My daughter has some musical talent, but she cannot compare with the literary masters among you young talents."

At this moment, Minister Sun feigned a sudden inspiration: "Since this is a banquet for talented men, why not indulge in some leisurely pursuits?" After saying this, he looked at Prince Zhongping and asked, "What does Your Highness think?"

“Since you are all the second-generation leaders of my Great Yu, your literary skills must be quite high,” King Zhongping said in a flattering tone. “Speaking of literary skills alone, I am truly curious to see who is superior.”

"Your Highness, the best in poetry and prose is the Jieyuan, so the Jieyuan is definitely the highest."

Sun Qian bowed with both hands and replied.

"Really?" King Zhongping asked. "What do you all think?"

This question caused them to look at each other in bewilderment.

Then everyone noticed that Song Shi'an had somehow ended up slumped over the table.

Drunk?!

"Your Highness."

At this moment, Han Zhongchen spoke up, saying, "Although 'Exhortation to Learning' is the best in terms of rhyme and prose, it focuses more on reasoning. In terms of literary talent, Young Master Sun Qian's 'Ode to the Great River' is naturally superior. Moreover, the young master wrote such a magnificent piece as 'Ode to the Red River' at the age of fourteen."

After he finished speaking, Hu Yu chimed in, "The essays for the imperial examinations emphasize meaning, but in terms of the 'beauty' of the writing, Young Master Sun Qian is unparalleled among us."

Those who accurately assessed the situation immediately began to criticize it.

But Fan Wuji did not intend to follow such a shameless approach.

However, Gao Yunyi couldn't bear it and interjected, "Although 'Exhortation to Learning' does not use fancy words, its meaning is apt and profound. If you have a discerning eye, you can naturally see the beauty of the language."

This version of "Exhortation to Learning" is really awesome.

Therefore, the idea that criticizing poetry and prose is the best is unacceptable to most students.

Only Gao Yunyi said it.

Han Zhongchen is getting a little red again.

Didn't you see that Minister Sun was trying to frame Song Shi'an?!

"The 'Exhortation to Learning' can indeed become a classic."

At this moment, Sun Heng entered the room. After affirming Song Shi'an's abilities, he changed the subject and said, "Since that's the case, how about everyone composing poems on random topics?"

"Then, young master, what topic should we choose?" Hu Yu asked.

"What does Your Highness think?" Minister Sun asked.

"Today, I will only be a listener," King Zhongping said with a smile, politely declining.

"With such talented people gathered here today, what about the theme of the poems..." After glancing at Han Zhongchen, Sun Heng shook his head, "Sigh, I really can't think of anything."

"Young Master Sun, I have something to say."

Seeing this, Han Zhongchen said, "Today is Lord Situ's birthday, why not use 'birthday' as the theme?"

Upon hearing this, all the students nodded in agreement.

Since it's the host's birthday, it's perfectly normal to have some poems praising him.

To be honest, many people have already prepared a song in private.

This kind of game was often played at banquets for the top scholars in ancient times.

However, Han Zhongchen has been acting strangely all day. Could he have conspired with Young Master Sun?

What picture?

Just before the game was about to begin, Sun Heng raised his voice and said to Song Shi'an, "What does the top scholar think?"

He didn't wake up.

Then, a fellow academy graduate next to him shook his shoulder: "Top scholar, wake up."

Gradually, Song Shi'an got up.

Feeling somewhat drowsy and sleepy, he asked, "What is it?"

Suddenly, the whole room burst into laughter.

I was amused by his antics.

Sun Jinhua was also a little unable to hold back, but the great beauty never showed her teeth when she smiled, so she could only lower her head and raise her sleeves, pretending to drink tea.

"Top scholar," Han Zhongchen said impatiently, "let's drink and play drinking games, each composing a poem in the name of our 'birthday'."

Looking at him, Song Shi'an smiled and casually said, "I understand."

"Then, top scholar, let's begin," Sun Heng said, extending his hand with a smile.

However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Song Shi'an retorted, "I am the top scholar in the imperial examination; how can I be the first to compose a poem?"

"..."

His words immediately silenced the entire room.

Arrogance is secondary; the speaker is the eldest son of the Sun family, and a fourth-rank official in the imperial court. How dare he retort like that?
Sun Heng's face darkened.

He was drunk.

He could see all the Asian currencies. He could also see that Sun Heng was in a very bad mood.

Song Shi'an, however, didn't care at all. He raised his hand, waved his sleeve lightly, and then smiled and said loudly to the crowd, "Gentlemen, let's start with a simple example!"

(End of this chapter)