Chapter 1203: Drunken Hundred Poems Recital

Translator: Lordbluefire

The palace was well lit up!

After Li Ziqi’s beautiful figure stood up, she attracted everyone’s gaze. Of course, it was also because her words were too domineering.

Saying that a 7-stars great teacher was a random person?

What arrogance!

Li Xiu was given a fright and quickly stopped her. “Ziqi, take note of your etiquette!”

If a 7-stars great teacher were to go to the Great Tang, even her royal brother would have to receive them in person.

However, Li Ziqi had no intention of apologizing. She just stood there and looked at Cui Mingsheng. “If you’re displeased about my teacher, then just take him head-on. How capable are you to be talking behind his back?”

Other people who were chatting leisurely also noticed the conflict over here and looked over. The Qi Emperor even asked about what had happened in a soft voice.

“You unworthy one!”

Cui Mingsheng flew into a rage. Ever since he had become a 6-stars great teacher, no one had dared to talk to him in this manner, let alone now that he was a 7-stars great teacher.

“Unworthy one! Great Teacher Cui, do you like to flaunt your seniority so much?”

Li Ziqi let out a cold snort. “Please take a good look. Right now, the person standing in front of you isn’t a student but a 1-star great teacher! Someone who is also a great teacher like you!”

Only then did everyone recall that Li Ziqi was a great teacher!

There was no helping it. She was far too young and it was hard for people to associate her with the great teacher title.

Cui Mingsheng’s countenance turned even more grim. “Even your teacher wouldn’t dare to speak to me with such arrogance! Hasn’t he taught you to honor teachers and respect their teachings?”

“Of course my teacher has taught me that before! But he has also taught me one more thing!”

Li Ziqi retorted, “Some people are young and have strong aspirations, tempering themselves as they advance forward. As for others, they waste 100 years of their life and are worse off than a dog!”

Buzz!

Li Ziqi’s body emitted golden light which then splattered out.

Many people gasped in surprise at this scene.

To think that Priceless Advice had erupted. This meant that Li Ziqi looked down on Cui Mingsheng from the bottom of her heart, and that she couldn’t stand the way such people acted.

But wasn’t this being too vicious?

To be erupting Priceless Advice when scolding someone. It was really not holding back at all.

“You…”

Cui Mingsheng was so angry that his hands were shivering.

“Eldest Princess, aren’t you going to stop her? It’d be hard to resolve this matter if it were to blow up!”

Han Cangshui gloated.

“…”

Li Xiu smiled bitterly. She knew how much her niece admired Sun Mo. If she was drunk and felt a little more courageous, she’d have attacked people fiercely. Even if she wasn’t drunk, she’d lash out verbally.

“Please, can the two of you calm down?”

Grand Tutor Su stepped in to mediate the situation.

Cui Mingsheng, who was in rage, felt even angrier.

(Why aren’t you helping me out? Isn’t it all because Li Ziqi’s personal teacher is Sun Mo? You bootlickers really don’t care about your face just because of his God Hands and Skyward Spirit Rune.)

It was no wonder that Cui Mingsheng was angry.

Regardless of which occupation one had, they’d have to show respect to their seniors, let alone in the great teachers world. Even if the newcomer was right, they were wrong to be quarreling with a senior.

But right now, not a single great teacher stood out to reproach Li Ziqi. Even the few great teachers who were talking politely to Cui Mingsheng didn’t dare to do so.

Cui Mingsheng looked over and they all shrank their necks, averting their gazes.

(What can we do? Although Great Teacher Sun is young, he is a great ancestor-level spirit runist, a great influential scholar. If we were to offend him, how should we survive in the great teachers world in the future?)

In terms of reputation, Cui Mingsheng couldn’t be compared to Sun Mo!

It was clear from the Qi Emperor’s attitude.

“Did I say anything wrong?”

Cui Mingsheng’s temper rose. “If Sun Mo could come up with a great poem, why would he need to leave the banquet on the pretext of visiting the washroom?”

Cui Mingsheng had confidence when he said this.

What was the most important thing to a great teacher?

Reputation!

Therefore, even a high star-level great teacher would make a lot of preparations for a palace banquet, wanting to win themselves some reputation. If Sun Mo’s poetry was good enough, why didn’t he flaunt them?

If he was the one in Sun Mo’s shoes, he’d have flaunted away, letting all the other great teachers present pale in comparison.

Moreover, Cui Mingsheng had made a verse about the Lantern Festival in his younger days. Until now, there were singers spreading the verse and this was where his confidence came from.

Even though Sun Mo had written a lot of verses in [A Dream of Red Mansions], the best of them were just slightly above average and weren’t at the level in which it’d be passed down in history.

“What a joke. Are you a parasite in my teacher’s stomach? How did you know that he left using an excuse? Can’t he leave to take a rest after feeling tired from sitting down for so long?”

Li Ziqi sneered. “Moreover, the reason he didn’t come up with any poetry isn’t because he lacks the talent in this area. It’s because he always sees this as a minor art and doesn’t care to compete with others over this.”

“Haha, poetry is considered a minor art? Don’t be boasting so much. If you’re that capable, then call Sun Mo back and get him to come up with a work that can be passed down through the course of history!”

Cui Mingsheng said sarcastically. He was very smart and wasn’t going to argue about this. He just insisted on using one’s work to prove themselves.

“I heard your conversation earlier. You had come up with a renowned Lantern Festival verse before, right? Then I’ll give you one too!”

Li Ziqi picked up the wine jug, took another drink, and then recited.

“At night, the East wind blows thousands of trees, bringing showers of glowing stars down the streets!”

The moment she said this, the expressions of all the guests who were watching the fun turned serious and they focused on listening.

“Fine steeds and carved carriages with perfume strew the way. The Phoenix flute music spread away. The jade-pot lanterns revolve its rays, while all night long the fish and dragon lanterns sway!”

The night wind blew along with the little sunny egg’s beautiful and transcendent voice, which sounded like a jade instrument, reaching everyone’s ears.

Many people revealed intoxicated gazes. This poetry was extremely beautiful!

This was worthy of them giving a big toast!

“With moth-shaped jade, snow-willow and gold thread ornaments, the lady giggles and whispers, leaving a trail of subtle scents. A thousand times I search for him in the crowd, but when I turn around all of a sudden, there he is in the dim light of a lantern![1]”

After Li Ziqi was done reciting this, the over 1,000 people in the hall, including the guests, imperial guards, maids, and eunuchs were completely silent.

What was a work that could be passed down through history?

It was one that even an uncultured person could feel that it was amazing. The scene depicted by the words and the charm emitted would be clear and refreshing, able to be savored through the generations!

Everyone literate was pondering and reflecting on each word of this poetry.

“Unparalleled!”

Li Xiu said emotionally, sneaking a glance at Han Cangshui. (You want to see a joke out of Sun Mo? Sorry, his degree of excellence has surpassed ordinary people’s recognition.)

Li Xuan’s expression was grim. The more amazing Sun Mo was, the more disappointed he’d be. He hated himself for his poor judgment and also for Han Cangshui’s mediocrity.

“This great teacher, what do you think of my teacher’s Lantern Festival verse?”

Li Ziqi asked.

Cui Mingsheng’s face flushed up from the sarcasm.

How was it?

It could be said that he had no right to give his ratings for a verse like this.

It’d be enough to just compliment it.

(Sun Mo, f*ck your mom. If you have such a great talent in poetry, then why didn’t you flaunt it? Why do you have to put up such a pretense?)

Cui Mingsheng cupped his fists together then got up to leave, covering his face.

Seeing that Li Ziqi managed to make a 7-stars great teacher leave in embarrassment with a poem, both Lu Zhiruo and Xianyu Wei cheered.

“All hail, Eldest Martial Sister!”

Ying Baiwu pouted. “Teacher is so biased. I haven’t heard this poem before!”

“You focus on martial arts. What’s the use of learning poetry?”

Helian Beifang consoled her. He wasn’t interested in such things.

It was because one could only have the leisure and mood to recite poetry and write songs after having a full stomach. The poor barbarians could only think of ways to fill up their stomachs every day.

To the barbarians, being able to come up with great poetry for the country couldn’t compare to the practicality of picking up a sheep.

“Although Great Teacher Cui is one to flaunt his seniority a little, he’s still someone who cares for his face!”

The Qi Emperor felt that what Cui Mingsheng had done wrong was that he had rammed his toes into a steel board. “Great Teacher Cui, don’t be angry! Come back and drink some wine!”

Given the sense of hearing a 7-stars great teacher had, he had definitely heard this. However, Cui Mingsheng treated it as if he hadn’t heard anything at all.

“If I were him, I’d leave too!”

Grand Tutor Su smiled bitterly. “With Sun Mo’s verse, no one would dare to try to show off on the Lantern Festival night. Cui Mingsheng’s name will also go down in history.”

Every year, during the night of the Lantern Festival, Cui Mingsheng’s name would definitely be brought up to be mocked. He’d become a laughingstock.

Li Ziqi didn’t expect Cui Mingsheng to cower so quickly. She couldn’t even pour out all the rage she had in her.

(This won’t do! I must let everyone know today how talented my teacher is!)

“Is there anyone else who doubts my teacher?”

Li Ziqi asked, her gaze scanning across the entire place.

The guests either smiled or averted their gazes. No one dared to meet her gaze.

However, there’d always be people who didn’t believe this. Xia Taikang was one of them.

“It’s July now and the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up. Can we ask the princess to give us a poem with Mid-Autumn as the topic?”

Hearing this, Li Ziqi couldn’t help but take a long look at Xia Taikang.

(Do you know that you’re courting death? You dare use Mid-Autumn as the topic? I can recite ten poems at one go, giving you a bash up!)

“Please go ahead!”

Xia Taikang urged.

“How long will the full moon appear? Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky. I do not know what time of the year. ‘Twould be tonight in the palace on high! [2]”

Li Ziqi started a double kill!

Great lord Su Shi’s Prelude to Water Melody was revered as the number one great work in the entire Song Dynasty.

If anyone were to dare to say that this verse was bad, they’d be despised for being illiterate.

Xia Taikang had put all of his energy into politics and cultivation and he wasn’t that good in poetry. However, the moment Li Ziqi recited the Prelude to Water Melody, he knew that he was unable to make a joke out of Sun Mo anymore.

“There has been nothing perfect since the olden days. So let us wish that man will live as long as he can! Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays.”

“Alright!”

The Qi Emperor clapped and praised. This verse was apt for his grieving disposition. It hit him right in the heart.

“Will live as long as he can! Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays. This is extremely beautiful! Extremely beautiful!”

The Qi Emperor wiped away his tears.

Li Xiu’s lips twitched a little. She didn’t know that he was a literary man.

“Why do I feel that this won’t become Ziqi’s black history?”

Tantai Yutang took a look at the image-recording stone in his hand and suddenly felt disinterested.

“Let’s wait a little longer!”

Qin Yaoguang wasn’t willing to believe it. She poured a cup of wine and handed it to Li Ziqi. “Eldest Martial Sister, this great poetry is worth giving a toast to!”

“That’s right! My beloved subordinates, let’s give a toast to Princess Li Ziqi!”

The Qi Emperor raised his cup.

“Your Majesty, this is my teacher’s verse!”

Li Ziqi was humble and didn’t accept the toast.

“You’re Sun Mo’s eldest disciple and it’s right for you to drink on his behalf!”

The Qi Emperor tried to persuade her to drink up and couldn’t help but ask, “Are there more?”

“Your Majesty can come up with a topic!”

Li Ziqi planned on giving a triple kill.

“Then let’s set the Double Ninth Festival as the topic.”

The Qi Emperor picked a festival.

Ancient people viewed worship events in high regard. The Qi Emperor wanted to know if Sun Mo had any lascivious poems, but he didn’t dare to ask.

Li Ziqi chuckled. (Aren’t you just sending your head over to be chopped?)

The little sunny egg chugged down a mouthful of wine!

(Listen well!)

[1] A poem written by a Song poet, Xin Qiji, titled Green Jade Table: Lantern Festival. Extracted translation by Zhang Shuyue and Wang Feng. https://fairerhousethanprose.tumblr.com/post/628947968282755072/green-jade-table-lantern-festival-at-night

[2] A poem written by a Song poet, Su Shi. Extracted translation by Xu Yuanchong. http://language.chinadaily.com..cn/trans/2014-08/26/content_18490381.htm

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