Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 90: Jingxian Poetry Gathering (II)
Crab meat is delicious, but it should not be eaten in excess.
When Zhu Ping’an finished eating two crabs and was about to turn his attention to the roasted goose, everyone present stood up to welcome the newcomers.
The scholars from Taihu, Wangjiang, and the other counties were ecstatic when they saw who had arrived. They had never expected Instructor Zhou—the xuezheng in charge of Anqing Prefectural School—to come in person. Zhou Xuezheng was famous for his uprightness and impartiality. Now there would truly be a spectacle to watch.
When Zhu Shouren and the others saw Zhou Xuezheng, they were both excited and uneasy. A prefectural-school xuezheng was more than the equivalent of a school principal; in Ming terms he was also an education official. They were excited by the thought of performing well before him: if they earned his appreciation and a little guidance, would not this Tongzi Examination become much easier? At the same time, they understood what the scholars from the other counties were trying to do. Zhu Ping’an would certainly be singled out and challenged. If he disgraced himself—no, not if, but when—the only question was how badly. Perhaps that snake-and-birdsong poem would turn out to have been the peak of his career. What were they to do?
Zhou Xuezheng was famously uncompromising and would certainly criticize the Huaining county examination if he thought it corrupt. If the matter reached the prefect or even the education commissioner of South Zhili, it would become serious indeed. Not only could Huaining candidates be harmed in the current prefectural examination; their prospects in the academy examination could suffer as well.
Uncle Zhu Shouren and the others had begun to harbor a bit of resentment toward Zhu Ping’an.
The group was led by Zhou Xuezheng, followed by respected local figures such as Elder Li and Elder Zhao, both juren of the prefectural city whose reputations were no lower than Zhou’s. They had originally arranged to drink tea and discuss the current prefectural examination. On the way, however, they heard that Jingxian Tower was holding a poetry gathering, followed by mocking stories about a talentless Huaining youth who ate and drank in the examination hall, even took a midday nap, yet still made the first-class list. Then came the infamous snake-and-birdsong poem. Zhou Xuezheng was so furious that, had Elder Li and Elder Zhao not stopped him, he would have gone straight to the prefect to report the Huaining county examination.
Once calm, Zhou Xuezheng learned that the talentless, gluttonous youth was currently at the poetry gathering. He promptly turned around with Elder Li and Elder Zhao, abandoning their original plan to drink tea and chat, and headed straight to the poetry gathering.
He was determined to expose this fraud, to rid the scene of such a useless buffoon.
After punishing him, he would report to the prefect to have this incompetent removed from the examination and urge the prefect to hold Huaining County accountable for this oversight!
Zhou Xuezheng was filled with righteous indignation, his sleeves billowing, as he ascended the building.
Behind Zhou Xuezheng and Elder Li and Elder Zhao came a number of scholars who had caught wind of the event, followed by scholars from other counties, including several who were quite well-known.
“Glad to live up to expectations.”
A few scholars ascended the building and cupped their hands in greeting to those who had come to welcome them.
The other scholars from different counties beamed with joy and playfully punched the shoulders of these scholars, exclaiming, “Not only did you live up to our expectations, but this is also something we never could have dreamed of. It’s perfect to the extreme!”
Everyone exchanged smiles and took their seats.
The upstairs area had been rearranged. Besides adding some elegant decorations, the tables had been rearranged as well, with the scholars sitting on one side and Zhou Xuezheng, Elder Li, Elder Zhao, and other esteemed guests sitting on the other side.
Once everyone was seated, the Jingxian Poetry Gathering formally began.
Delicious food and fine wine were served by elegantly dressed maids and attendants. The performances on the upper floor had also been elevated, with beauties as exquisite as jade, who both hid and revealed themselves, captivating everyone with their singing and dancing.
With Zhou Xuezheng, Elder Li, Elder Zhao, and the others present, the scholars from the other counties no longer wanted merely to embarrass Zhu Ping’an and Huaining. They also hoped to distinguish themselves and leave a good impression on the respected guests, borrowing this favorable wind to send themselves soaring.
Although they had come to seek justice, Zhou Xuezheng was not in a hurry, seeing the crowd of scholars gathered here. After all, those good-for-nothings were right there; they couldn’t run away anyway. This was a good opportunity to see how skilled these young scholars were.
As the music played, the songstresses slowed their dance, and sheets of plain white rice paper circulated among the tables. Each person had brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones in front of them, and anyone inspired could write a poem and pass it around for everyone to see.
The beautiful, sweet-voiced songstress softly sang the poems composed by the scholars at the gathering. Elder Li and the others occasionally offered comments, and any scholar whose work received notice was overjoyed, bowing in thanks with impeccable courtesy.
At the poetry gathering, talented individuals occasionally composed fine works and boldly asked Zhou Xuezheng, Li Lao, and Zhao Lao for feedback. Each time this happened, someone would copy the poems into several copies to share among the attendees.
Even Zhu Shouren, Zhu Ping’an’s uncle, got up to compose a poem and asked everyone for feedback. Although few praised him, it made Zhu Shouren hold his head high, feeling pleased.
At this time, the most out of place was probably Zhu Ping’an. While others wrote poetry, he was eating; while others received comments, he was eating; while others cheered, he was still eating…
If there were a contest for the biggest eater, Zhu Ping’an would definitely lead everyone by a wide margin.
Zhu Ping’an’s manner of eating was like a pig among cranes; even without being pointed out, Zhou Xuezheng recognized him at a glance. Such a manner of eating was a clear mark of a good-for-nothing.
A kind-hearted person helped Zhu Ping’an count what he had eaten, teasingly recording it on paper. This fellow had eaten two drunken crabs, one goose leg, a bowl of lotus seed soup, one oil-braised prawn, one piece of hibiscus dim sum… Then, amusingly, it was shared among everyone, resulting in it being more widely known than the poems created by others, almost to the point that everyone present was aware of it.
Zhou Xuezheng looked at the menu of Zhu Ping’an that had been passed to him, his brows furrowing deeply.
“Such a disgrace to culture…”
“Shameful to associate with such a person…”
People sensed the elegant meaning behind Zhou Xuezheng and others’ tightly furrowed brows and began to mock him.
The atmosphere was just right; if they didn’t take action now, when would they? At this moment, some of the scholars from other counties, who had long been prepared, stood up, raised a cup of wine, and fired the first shot of tonight’s ambush against Huaining County, aiming at Zhu Ping’an, who was eating heartily at the next table:
“Could that be the highly talented Zhu Ping’an from Huaining County? We all have poems to share, yet you remain silent; could it be that you look down upon us?”
Zhu Ping’an, who was contemplating what to try next, was momentarily stunned by this sudden shout. However, in the eyes of others, this was a sign of guilt.
In an instant, various amused and mocking gazes, like spotlights, all focused on Zhu Ping’an.