Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 471 - 307: Format Does Not Match

For the three great scholars, Lu Chen did not pay much attention. Whether their fame was undeserved or truly deserved, he didn’t care; he only favored Min Feng in the elegant seat.

It was not only because Min Feng was renowned among scholars, but also because Min Feng had become a disciple of Xia Qing.

The reason Lu Chen suggested this was partly for entertainment and partly to give Min Feng and Fu Yanshan some face.

No one opposed Lu Chen’s proposal; everyone applauded and cheered.

Gu Chengyu glanced coldly at those around him, realizing that at this moment, in Tianxiang Pavilion, Lu Chen’s family background was the highest. Those of higher status probably wouldn’t regard this kind of night banquet. After all, Tianxiang Pavilion was a brothel, and those nobles wouldn’t easily visit.

Hua Lian felt very anxious. Although she had confidence in Mr. Gu, with so many scholars, winning first place would not be easy, would it? She thought she was truly foolish.

That day, when she returned from the prison, she went directly to Gu Mansion intending to find Ming Mo. Who knew the gatekeeper said Ming Mo was not in the mansion, so she thought of returning to Tianxiang Pavilion first and coming back the next day to find him.

Madam Hua had only allowed her an hour, so she dared not return too late. For brothel women like her, their indenture contracts were in Madam Hua’s hands and were also recorded by the government. To eliminate her lowly status, she had to get the contract from Madam Hua.

Who knew that as soon as she returned to Tianxiang Pavilion, she was put under surveillance by Madam Hua. She also dared not take out the Jade Pendant, for if Madam Hua saw it, she would definitely take it away. She had no trusted person by her side, and no one could redeem her. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

While Hua Lian was anxious about whether she could escape her predicament, the other side grew lively.

"For whom does the ownerless yellow flower appear beautiful, in neglected sparse fences and winding paths.

Merely using money to buy cosmetics, a lifetime of youth given to the west wind."

Lu Chen glanced at Jiang Cheng’s hand and found out that it was composed by Fu Yanshan. Who would’ve thought that bookworm could have an enlightening moment? But this poem had nothing to do with brothel women, although mentioning cosmetics might barely be fitting!

"The poem is good, but it seems out of place with today’s atmosphere. I reckon it’s not the best match, not to mention many scholars are here today."

Once this poem was read, the other scholars began to evaluate it.

Lu Chen shook his head, a bookworm is still a bookworm. Probably never having had romantic thoughts about women, his poems naturally have little to do with the brothel. However, the poem itself was good; unfortunately, it was not suitable for the occasion, and everyone else thought so too, so it was naturally excluded.

"In the fragrant forest of the jade pavilion, beautiful attires and stunning faces are originally alluring;

Gazing through the door with charm yet unable to enter, stepping out of the screens with expressions of joy and welcome.

The beauty’s face is like a flower budding, the light flows among jade trees in the back courtyard;

Flowers bloom and wither not long-lasting, falling petals cover the ground in desolate silence!"

Jiang Cheng continued reading, glancing at the signature below, which indeed was Min Feng’s. This was Min Feng’s style, and many of his poems were well-known and often recited.

Lu Chen nodded; as a noble descendant, even without pursuing official rank, he grew up being taught by renowned teachers. Being the legitimate second son of the main branch, he had a noble status and often studied together with his elder brother. The teacher’s teaching was extremely strict, so his appreciation for poetry and literature was substantial.

There was no need to say whether this poem was good, as everyone’s expressions already indicated it. Min Feng’s poetry made even Lu Chen nod in praise, and the crowd couldn’t help but look forward to Gu Chengyu’s work.

Gu Chengyu also couldn’t help but admire after listening; Min Feng had improved rapidly, and this poem was excellent.

"Chengyu! I think this time you really have some difficulty! Look at Min Feng’s poem, isn’t everyone nodding in approval? Your lyric format hasn’t been seen by anyone, and it’s uncertain whether it can be accepted. If I’d known earlier, you should’ve written a poem, you would’ve certainly outshined Min Feng."

Zhu Pang had little confidence in that lyric format, not because it wasn’t good; on the contrary, he thought it had a profound artistic conception, but unfortunately, no one had seen such a format.

Picking the topmost one from the remaining stack, he found it was the poem composed by Gu Chengyu.

"Incense burner scent, red wax tears, particularly illuminate the painted hall’s autumn thoughts. Eyebrows with thin green, cloud-like hair disheveled, long night, the quilt and pillow cold.

Wutong tree, rain at the third watch, not mentioning the bitterness of parting feelings. One leaf after another, one sound after another, dripping on the empty steps until dawn."

"Eh? What format is this? This isn’t a poem, is it?" A scholar questioned even before Jiang Cheng finished reading.

Jiang Cheng continued reading, also full of doubts, what format is this?

After reading it, Lu Chen was also very puzzled, voicing the heart’s query of everyone present.

"Mr. Gu, what format is this poem? It seems not to conform with the seven-character or five-character formats? Please forgive my ignorance, but I’ve never heard of it." Lu Chen didn’t believe Gu Chengyu would even write a wrong format, however, he was somewhat intrigued by this format.

"Indeed, he claimed his poetry was good, but look at what he’s written?" Some scholars couldn’t help but judge. It called itself a poem, but it didn’t seem like a poem, the format was very peculiar.

"I actually think the composition is quite novel; we all follow the style of predecessors in poetry, and for Gu Chengyu to break new ground, isn’t it much better than us who merely scavenge for others’ leftovers?"

Someone in the crowd still admired it somewhat, although it takes time for everyone to accept a new format. But one cannot deny that setting a precedent is something even the Great Scholars couldn’t achieve.

Gu Chengyu smiled calmly, "This is a lyric format, which can also serve as a melody. It differs from poetic composition, and as for its meaning, I don’t need to elaborate, do I?"

Lu Chen seemed to ponder, "So you’re saying it can be sung as a lyric? And this format is Mr. Gu’s own creation?"

"Not exactly, this was found during leisure in a book where only one piece existed. I have been studying it diligently ever since. It was damaged when the Military Department entered the mansion for a search."

In fact, what Gu Chengyu said was logical; at the time, the Military Department’s search targeted bookshelves carefully, causing damage to many books. Although he had already preserved some ancient and rare books, the damage to those on the shelf was a heartache for him.

Those people didn’t care for books, flipping through pages only to ensure no incriminating inserts or evidence, tossing them aside carelessly after viewing, which led to trampling and tearing. By the time Gu Chengyu returned, Ming Mo and the others had tidied up the study, although many books were missing from the top shelves, requiring further repairs.

Not only that, but the mansion was also missing some slightly valuable items, like those Jade Pendants, pockets, and small decorations he usually didn’t care for. It truly was like a swarm of locusts passing by, leaving nothing behind, causing Gu Chengyu to praise his previous wisdom.

Hearing this, everyone couldn’t help but lament together; this truly initiated another form of poetry. Given it’s a lyric format, which could also be used for songs and recitation, creating a new genre is truly admirable.

Even though some had sour words, and some couldn’t appreciate it, most people present were discerning, able to accept this lyric format.

"Since it has established a new form of poetry and genre, I must present this lyric format to the Great Scholars for judgment; what do you all think?"