My brothers are all warriors capable of taking on ten thousand men; I'll roam freely in the Thr

On the 26th day of the first month, at the Zhen residence in Wuji.

Before dawn, the mansion was already brightly lit.

Maids and servants bustled about, the main hall and courtyard were swept clean, colorful silks hung under the corridors, and auspicious couplets were posted on the lintels.

Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for Zhen Mi, the youngest daughter of the Zhen family. It should have been a family matter, but due to the arrival of a special guest, it has become a major event that shakes Ji Province.

Just after Chen Shi (7-9 AM), congratulatory gifts began arriving at the mansion gate in an endless stream.

The magistrate of Wuji County personally presented a pair of jade discs, and the prime minister of Zhongshan State sent an envoy to present ten bolts of Shu brocade. The wealthy and powerful families of Changshan, Hejian, Anping and other prefectures either presented treasures or ancient books.

Even more surprising was that Han Fu, the governor of Ji Province, sent his chief clerk with a bushel of pearls from the East Sea, along with a gift list that respectfully read "Congratulations on the coming-of-age ceremony of Lady Zhen." Yuan Shao, the governor of Bohai, also sent a sable fur coat and an ancient zither.

The steward at the gate of the mansion was trembling.

These usually high-ranking figures were all so polite today.

He knew in his heart that this was hardly giving the Zhen family face.

This is to give face to the Grand Marshal who is currently a guest in the mansion.

"Lord Ji said that today's matter is a private one and there is no need to publicize it," Zhen Yan instructed the steward in a low voice.

"Please accept the gifts and make a note of the names. You will need to return the gifts in the future, but please remember not to cause any disturbance to the coming-of-age ceremony."

"Yes, sir." The butler bowed and withdrew.

The coming-of-age ceremony was held in the main hall of the Zhen family mansion.

According to the Han Dynasty system, girls underwent the coming-of-age ceremony at the age of fifteen to signify adulthood and qualify for marriage.

The ceremony should be presided over by a respected female guest of honor, with parents and elders in attendance.

Because Zhen Yi and his wife passed away early, Zhen Yan and his elder sister Zhen Jiang took on the role of parents.

An incense table is set up in the hall to enshrine the ancestral tablets.

A reed mat was laid out before the table, along with sweet wine and official robes.

Zhen Mi had already bathed and changed. Dressed in a colorful robe with her long hair hanging down her shoulders and without any ornaments, she knelt in the east room waiting.

She wore no makeup today, her natural beauty and elegance made her appear even more refined.

At the third quarter of Chen (7:45 AM), the auspicious time arrives.

The officiant announced, "The coming-of-age ceremony begins. Please welcome the host and guests!"

Three respected elder women from the Zhen clan slowly entered the hall. The one in the lead was Zhen Yi's cousin, who was over sixty years old, with white hair and a solemn expression. She was the principal guest.

The three first paid their respects to the ancestral tablets before taking their seats.

"Please come down to age!"

The door to the east room opened, and Zhen Mi lowered her eyes and moved lightly into the hall. Facing the ancestral tablets, she knelt on the reed mat.

The chief guest rose, washed his hands, walked behind Zhen Mi, and loudly recited the blessing: "On this auspicious day of this month, you begin your coming-of-age ceremony. May you cast aside your childish ambitions, embrace your virtuous character, live a long and blessed life, and enjoy boundless fortune."

After reciting the poem, he took the wooden comb presented by the maid and combed Zhen Mi's hair.

After combing her hair, she took the first hair accessory from the tray—a simple wooden hairpin—and gently inserted it into her hair.

This is called "Chu Jia," symbolizing a woman bidding farewell to childhood.

Zhen Mi got up, went into the east room to change into her deep robes, and then came out of the hall to kneel and bow to the chief guest to thank him for the honor of her coming of age.

After the ceremony, the chief guest recited again: "On this auspicious month and day, we present your attire, respect your dignity, cultivate your virtue, and wish you longevity and eternal blessings."

Take the second hairpin, a silver hairpin with a plum blossom carved on the head, and replace the wooden hairpin.

This is "adding more", which implies that the woman is gradually becoming more sensible and cultivating her virtue.

Zhen Mi went back into the east room, changed into a deep robe with a curved hem, and then came out to express her gratitude.

The chief officiant recited three times: "In the proper time of the year, in accordance with the order of the month, all are dressed in their finest clothes, brothers are all present, to accomplish their virtues, may they live to a ripe old age without end, and receive the blessings of Heaven."

Take the third hairpin, a red gold and kingfisher feather hairpin, luxurious yet elegant, replacing the silver hairpin.

This is called "San Jia," signifying that the woman has reached adulthood and is capable of taking on family responsibilities.

Zhen Mi entered the East Chamber for the third time, this time wearing a formal wide-sleeved dress, with a black base and vermilion trim, and the hem embroidered with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix.

When she came out again, the women in the hall who were watching the ceremony held their breath.

The golden hairpin trembled gently in her hair, complementing her delicate features and creating a breathtaking beauty.

The chief guest took the sweet wine and handed it to Zhen Mi.

Zhen Mi took it with both hands, took a small sip, and placed it on the table.

"The ceremony is complete!" the officiant announced.

Zhen Mi first paid homage to her ancestors, then to the principal guests, and finally performed a grand ceremony to Zhen Yan and Zhen Jiang, who were acting as her parents.

With tears in his eyes, Zhen Yan helped his younger sister up and said in a trembling voice, "Little sister... from today onwards, you are an adult."

Zhen Jiang's eyes reddened as she straightened her sister's clothes and whispered, "Little sister... be happy."

After the ceremony, the women escorted Zhen Mi to the backyard, and the conversation resumed in the hall.

The female relatives of the Jizhou officials who were invited to attend the ceremony now looked at Zhen Mi with a completely different gaze. This youngest daughter of the Zhen family would soon become the wife of the Grand Marshal of the court.

On the 27th day of the first lunar month, a banquet was held at night.

After a day of rest, the Zhen family held another banquet.

This was a formal banquet, and Ji Xuanyuan, Xiang Yu, Zhao Yun, Dian Wei, and others were among those invited.

The banquet was held in the main hall, with guests seated at separate tables.

In the main seat, Zhen Yan was on the left and Ji Xuanyuan on the right. According to etiquette, this should not be the case, but given Ji Xuanyuan's current status, how could the Zhen family dare to let him sit in the second seat?

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively.

Zhen Mi changed into casual clothes today, wearing a moon-white deep robe with a light blue half-sleeved outer garment, and still had that gold hairpin in her hair.

She was supposed to sit in the women's section, but Zhen Yan smiled and said, "Little sister, go sit next to Wenlie and entertain our distinguished guest for me."

These words were spoken bluntly, and all the guests in the hall smiled knowingly.

Zhen Mi blushed slightly, but she stood up gracefully and sat down next to Ji Xuanyuan.

The maidservant added a seat and set out chopsticks. She lowered her head and poured wine for Ji Xuanyuan, her movements natural, as if she had long been accustomed to it.

Zhao Yun was in a very good mood today and drank a few more cups than usual. Suddenly, he laughed and said, "Brother, your literary talent is known throughout the land. Now that my sister-in-law has come of age, why not compose a poem? If it can be passed down through the ages, it will be a beautiful story!"

Ever since they saw Ji Xuanyuan and Zhen Mi express their feelings for each other by the pond that day, Xiang Yu, Zhao Yun, and other close brothers have started calling her "Sister-in-law," and Dian Wei even calls her "Mistress" in a simple and honest way.

Although they haven't officially married into the family yet, it's a done deal.

Zhen Yan, his face flushed from drinking, clapped his hands and said, "Zilong is absolutely right! Marquis Ji's talent is unparalleled in this era. If he could bestow his calligraphy upon us, it would truly be an honor for the Zhen family!"

All the guests echoed his sentiments; if they could hear Ji Xuanyuan compose a poem in person, their trip would be considered complete.

Zhen Mi lowered her head, her ears turning bright red, but she couldn't help but steal glances at Ji Xuanyuan.

Ji Xuanyuan smiled helplessly, raised his cup and said, "Gentlemen, your hospitality is too kind for me to refuse. However, today was rushed, so please forgive any shortcomings."

He got up and went into the hall.

The maid had already prepared writing brush, ink, and silk.

The hall was silent, and everyone looked at the figure in moonlight.

Ji Xuanyuan picked up his pen and pondered for a moment.

He recalled the stunning "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" from the original timeline, and Cao Zhi's melancholy and infatuation by the Luo River.

Now, he wants to present this poem to Zhen Mi.

It's not regret, it's a promise.

It's not about reminiscing, it's about cherishing.

The brush falls, the ink spreads.

"In the first year of the Chuping era, I traveled to the capital and returned by crossing the Luo River. The ancients said that the goddess of this river was named Mi Fei. Inspired by Song Yu's tale of the goddess and the King of Chu, I composed this poem..."

Ji Xuanyuan deleted all the allusions in the original poem that involved people and events in the late Three Kingdoms period, leaving only the description of the goddess's beauty.

"...Its form is graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon. It shines like autumn chrysanthemums, flourishes like spring pines. It is as if light clouds veil the moon, as if swirling snowflakes drift in the wind..."

The hall was completely silent.

Everyone held their breath, watching the words flow from the pen.

The words describing a woman's beauty are like pearls and jade, layer upon layer, vividly depicting a beauty that transcends the mundane.

Zhen Mi stared blankly, her eyes glistening with tears.

"...Her movements were unpredictable, sometimes precarious, sometimes serene. Her advances and retreats were uncertain, sometimes appearing, sometimes retreating. Her eyes sparkled with brilliance, her face radiant with jade-like light. Before she could utter a word, her breath was as fragrant as a fragrant orchid. Her graceful figure made me forget to eat..."

At this point, Ji Xuanyuan shifted his focus, transforming the unattainable longing of the original poem into a perfect ending of mutual affection: "...Thus, the Luo River spirit was moved, lingering and hesitant. Her divine light flickered, sometimes bright, sometimes dim. She stood tall and slender like a crane, as if about to take flight but not yet soaring...I sighed at the gourd's lack of a mate, and sang of the Cowherd's solitary existence. She raised her light robe, flowing gracefully, and lingered, her long sleeves fluttering. Her body was swift as a flying duck, ethereal as a god. She treaded lightly on the water, her silk stockings stirring up dust...I wished that my sincere feelings would reach her first, and offered my jade pendant as a token. Alas, the beautiful woman is so virtuous, so well-versed in etiquette and poetry. She raised her jade scepter to respond to me, and pointed to the deep abyss as our appointed time..."

The pen stops, the poem is complete.

Ji Xuanyuan put down his pen and presented the silk scroll to Zhen Mi with both hands: "This poem is for Mi'er. I hope that, as the poem says, we can 'set our date in the deep abyss,' and I will not fail you in this life."

Zhen Mi took it, her fingertips trembling.

She looked down at the still-wet ink on the words, and tears finally streamed down her face.

The hall remained deathly silent for a long time.

Suddenly, someone slammed their hand on the table and exclaimed, "What a wonderful poem!"

The guests, as if waking from a dream, erupted in a tidal wave of praise: "This poem...this poem can be called the greatest poem in the world!"

"Graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon... How exquisite!"

"The Grand Marshal's talent is truly unparalleled throughout history!"

Zhen Yan was so excited that his face flushed, and he exclaimed repeatedly, "Quick! Quickly frame the poem! This is a family heirloom!"

That night, the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" was circulated from the Zhen residence.

First, scholars and literati in Wuji County eagerly copied it, and within three days, it had spread to Yecheng and Xindu.

Ten days later, the remaining literary circles in various places were shaken.

Half a month later, throughout the land, in every place where literature existed, people were discussing this extraordinary masterpiece that had appeared out of nowhere.

"Her form is graceful as a startled swan, and lithe as a swimming dragon" has since become the highest expression for describing a woman's beauty.

"Walking lightly on the water, her silk stockings stirring up dust" has since become a classic model for describing gait.

What drives scholars even more crazy is the background of this poem's creation.

At his fiancée's coming-of-age ceremony, the Grand Marshal Ji Xuanyuan spontaneously composed a poem for her.

The poem uses the name "Mi Fei" to subtly refer to Zhen Mi, conveying deep affection and exquisite beauty.

Many young women, secluded in their chambers, would hold a transcribed poem and, upon reading the line "Her beauty was so captivating that I forgot to eat," would burst into tears.

They envied the woman named Zhen Mi, envying that she could win the heartfelt love of a man with such talent, power, and deep affection.

Some women even fell ill from depression, thinking that if they could not find such a good man in this life, what would be the point of living a hundred years?

Yanzhou, Dongjun.

Inside the study of the prefect's mansion, Cao Cao held a newly delivered copy of "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River," read it, and remained silent for a long time.

Five-year-old Cao Pi lay on the table, looking up at his father, and asked curiously, "Father, what kind of person is the Grand Marshal?"

Cao Cao put down the silk, patted his son's head, and looked at him with a complex expression.

What kind of person?

He was a loyal minister who carried out a secret edict from the late emperor and traveled a thousand miles to rescue him.

He was a ruthless man who implemented a recruitment order and was willing to make enemies of powerful families across the land.

He was a powerful ruler with a vast army of fierce generals and countless strategists under his command.

He was a talented man who could write "Bring in the Wine".

He was the kind of romantic who could write "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River".

Now, he wants to marry Zhen Mi, thus binding the wealthy Zhen family of Ji Province to his cause.

"Him..." Cao Cao said slowly.

"He's someone...someone even I, as his father, have to admire."

Cao Pi seemed to understand but not quite, and then asked, "So, is this poem... well written?"

"Alright," Cao Cao nodded.

"So good... that probably no one will be able to surpass it for the next thousand years."