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Returning to Jiankang City once again, the seven years have passed like a fleeting moment, disappearing in the blink of an eye. The young children who once listened to the teachings of Confucius together in the academy have now grown into elegant young adults.
The silk and satin shimmered in the courtyard of the mansion, with a large table displaying a dazzling array of luxurious fabrics and exquisite gifts, all neatly arranged. Zhao Qinglan directed the servants and maidservants with an excited and joyful expression.
"Hurry, find that piece of The red phoenix presents auspicious signs silk and the jade bi with the carved blue dragon and white tiger, and make sure to bring them along."
Zhao Qinglan was particularly excited about this celebration.
For seven years, 20-year-old Xiao Yan and 17-year-old her have maintained a subtle interaction. Zhao Qinglan, who dresses as a man, has always been able to face Xiao Yan with his true self, and Xiao Yan has never suspected her. The two of them are as close as brothers.
Inside the mansion, Zhao Qinglan is ready, standing in front of the mirror in a green robe and skirt. Despite the male attire, he exudes an otherworldly temperament. His cheeks are lightly touched with rouge, his eyes are like stars, delicate yet resolute.
"Miss, this gift has been prepared as per your instructions," a shop assistant said to Zhao Qinglan.
"Well done. This time, Xiao Yan has been appointed as the Shuzi Crown Prince. Our Zhao family has had a deep friendship with him for five years, so we naturally want to offer our most sincere congratulations," Zhao Qinglan said.
Xiao Yan was awarded the title of Shuzi Crown Prince for his victory in the battle of Yiyang City. In celebration, Zhao Qinglan and a group of friends went to Jade Cloud Tower, a popular gathering place in the bustling center of Nanjing City.
Located in the Jiangnan region, the restaurant "Jade Cloud Tower" still displays a kind of ancient and luxurious decoration. Upstairs, the window overlooks the sparkling green lake, with willow branches swaying in the wind.
Zhao Qinglan was the first to enter the lobby of "Jade Cloud Tower," where the table was already set with fine wine and delicacies. Under the glow of red candles, the gold and silver tableware sparkled, and the aroma of the delicious food and wine filled the air, making the guests salivate.
Zhao Qinglan is wearing a Confucian robe, accompanied by a male attendant named " Beyue." Xiao Yan has a male attendant named " Zhi Wei." In the private room on the second floor of the restaurant, Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen are seated in the main seats, with Zhao Qinglan and several other academy friends by their side.
"Congratulations, the Zhao family's gift is really generous!" Xiao Yan joked.
"If Xiao Yan likes it, then it is the Zhao family's honor," Zhao Qinglan responded, with a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
All the people present are scholars and some distinguished friends of the Southern Qi, and in their lively conversation, they exude a noble and inviolable temperament.
"Everyone, tonight is a joyous occasion for Mr. Xiao's promotion to the Shuzi Crown Prince. Let's raise our glasses to congratulate Mr. Xiao on his new position!" Zhao Qinglan smiled slightly and raised his glass, calling out.
"Congratulations to Mr. Xiao!" The crowd echoed in unison, and the atmosphere became lively for a moment.
Xiao Yan stood up and smiled at everyone, saying, "Thank you for your congratulations. I hope to work with all of you in the future to create a new world together."
Zhao Qinglan looked at Xiao Yan and couldn't help but feel secretly delighted. Five years of being together had given him a deeper understanding of this young Xiao clan member. He knew that Xiao Yan was not only an outstanding Politician, but also a thoughtful, idealistic, and ambitious person.
"Since we are celebrating, how can we do without poetry to entertain us?" Zhao Qinglan smiled slightly and turned to the crowd. "Let's have a poetry challenge and a toast. Who would like to take the first challenge?"
As soon as everyone heard this, they became excited and eager, expressing their willingness to accept the challenge.
Xiao Yan looked at her excitedly, with a hopeful gleam in her eyes, and said, "Great idea, let's take on the challenge!"
Then a group of people came to the center of the venue, where a large wine barrel was placed prominently, surrounded by various delicate ceramic wine glasses.
Zhao Qinglan cleared his throat and deliberately elongated his voice as he recited, "In the south of the Yangtze River, one can pick lotus flowers, and the lotus leaves are so lush."
Next to him, Xiao Chen couldn't help but laugh and responded, "Fish playing among the lotus leaves."
Zhao Qinglan showed a satisfied smile, "You got it right, you are safe."
Later, Beyue quietly approached Chao Qinglan and whispered, "Are you testing their literary attainments?"
Zhao Qinglan mysteriously smiled and replied, "Not only that, but also evaluating their sensitivity and response to the situation."
Next, it's Xiao Yan's turn to ask a question. He walked to the center of the field, raised his chest and head high, and recited loudly, "In the bright day, sing and drink freely, when drinking, sing a song, how many moments in life?"
After hearing this, Chao Qinglan smiled and recited, "Like morning dew, so many bitter days."
Xiao Yan's eyes lit up and he exclaimed excitedly, "Great poem! Lan Di, you always surprise me."
At this moment, Zhi Wei whispered to Xiao Yan, "Young master, Zhao Qinglan is extraordinary. With such insight and wisdom, he is worth befriending."
Xiao Yan nodded, feeling even more puzzled: Why is this man named Zhao Qinglan always so inscrutable after six years?
At this moment, a man stood up, seemingly ready to take on the challenge. He recited, "When the east wind does not blow, the bronze sparrow spring remains locked for the two Qiaos."
The room fell silent, as everyone pondered. After a while, Zhao Qinglan smiled and said, "Xuzhou has fallen, and Cao Cao is left alone."
The middle-aged man's face changed, and he waved his hand, saying, "I can't compete, I can't compete." Then he obediently drank three glasses of penalty wine.
The atmosphere became even more lively, with everyone wanting to ask questions or give answers, hoping to show off their skills. Chao Qinglan and Xiao Yan occasionally made eye contact, and they could feel each other's sharpness and intelligence, bringing their hearts closer together.
In this way, amidst the interplay of light, the aroma of wine, and poetry, everyone was immersed in such joy and warmth, as if the spring was in full bloom by the Peach Blossom River. The spirited scholars, young nobles, and extraordinary literati were all intoxicated in this moment. Chao Qinglan stood aside, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yan, his emotions indescribable. He was dressed in a deep blue satin robe today, with golden phoenix and auspicious clouds embroidered on the collar and cuffs, displaying his royal status. With a smile as radiant as flowers, he took a small sip of the liquor and couldn't help but recite a poem.
"The bright hall mirror reflects the sorrow of white hair, morning's black silk turns to evening's snow." Xiao Yan laughed and said, "In life's triumph, one must revel, never let the golden goblet empty under the moon."
The whole audience erupted in temporary cheers and applause, clapping and exclaiming in admiration.
"Zhao Qinglan thought for a moment, stepped forward and said, "Xihe and the Emperor both regret, every night the fire clouds rise in the Western Sea. In the Book of Songs, there are three hundred poems, but only the idle sorrow remains as a single word."
This poem, once recited, caused a stir in the whole audience. Not only because of the beauty of the poem, but also because Zhao Qinglan is usually not very talkative and doesn't seek the limelight. However, with this recitation, he revealed his extraordinary literary accomplishment.
Xiao Yan glanced at Zhao Qinglan, and in that moment, he seemed to see a different Zhao Qinglan, no longer just a young man, but with an added depth and wisdom hidden in his heart.
He couldn't help but walk up and pick up a gold-inlaid jade wine glass, handing it to Chao Qinglan, and said softly, "If today it were you being appointed as the governor of Yongzhou instead of me, I believe you would do a better job than me."
Chao Qinglan took the wine glass, smiled, clinked glasses with Xiao Yan, and then drank it all in one go.
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