sjar Chapter 567 The Poetry Gathering at the Tong Mansion 3
Chapter 567 The Poetry Gathering at the Tong Mansion 3
Jiang Xiaoqi jumped back into his carriage, and Li Mo drove off without saying a word, the wheels kicking up a cloud of dust.
It wasn't until they were almost at the Jiang residence that Li Mo spoke. "Young Master, did those officials give you any trouble?"
Jiang Xiaoqi raised an eyebrow. "Ask what you really want to ask."
"Ahem, those gentlemen went in not long ago and then left by carriage. Young master, did you meet someone else up there?"
Li Mo's expression was somewhat unnatural.
"Yes, they are the organizers of the Tong family poetry gathering. They warned me that someone was trying to sabotage me during the gathering and told me to be careful."
"That person is quite nice, going to such lengths just to remind you."
Jiang Xiaoqi chuckled. When did her bodyguard, who didn't like to ask many questions, start to become so gossipy?
"What exactly do you want to ask? Just say it."
Jiang Xiaoqi reiterated that straightforward people can be really awkward when they try to be tactful.
"Um, I saw a luxurious carriage downstairs. It looks like the kind of carriage only royalty and nobility could use."
"Young master, is it possible that some force is trying to win you over, or even the Jiang family?"
"It's not exactly an attempt to win someone over. This person might not even be that interested in that position. The reason they're jumping out now is probably because they don't want someone they don't like to succeed."
Sometimes we don't care much about something when no one is fighting over it, but when someone tries to take it, we feel reluctant to part with it.
Especially when someone you don't like wants to compete for something, even if you don't like it yourself, you don't want someone you don't like to have it. People are sometimes just that strange.
"So, what did that person tell you to be careful about?"
"The Fifth Prince may make trouble at the Tong family's poetry gathering, but it is still unknown in what way. I heard that he has invited many knowledgeable people, especially those with outstanding poetic talent, to attend and lend their support."
"It's the Fifth Prince again!?"
"Ah."
Li Mo recalled the last time his young master rejected the Fifth Prince. He was all smiles in front of others, but his expression changed instantly the moment he turned away, with a frightening speed.
If it weren't for his heightened senses after practicing martial arts, he might not have noticed.
At that time, the young master had already turned around and certainly did not see the Fifth Prince's sinister expression, otherwise he would have been more vigilant.
"Young master, no matter who you met, the Fifth Prince's warning about this matter is probably correct. The Fifth Prince doesn't seem like a good person."
"Let me into the Tong family's poetry gathering! I'll disguise myself as a page and carry no weapons."
Jiang Xiaoqi was surprised, "Don't you trust your young master's skills, or do you think the Fifth Prince is difficult to deal with?"
Li Mo scratched his head, unable to explain in detail while rushing to catch the carriage.
"Of course we believe in your skills, young master. However, the fifth prince was unprepared, so we should be more cautious. It's better to be safe than sorry."
"I know what you mean. You're worried that the other side won't be good at reasoning and will resort to force."
"Not only that, but I'm also worried that the other party will lack martial ethics and resort to dirty tricks like drugging or poisoning!" Li Mo added.
"Alright, we'll talk about it when we get home. Focus on your journey."
"Understood, young master. Let's go!"
Soon, the carriage arrived at the Jiang residence.
Jiang Xiaoqi got off the carriage and walked straight to the study, with Li Mo following closely behind.
Upon entering the study, Jiang Xiaoqi sat down, while Li Mo stood to the side.
"Young master, what exactly are the rules of the Tong family's poetry gathering?"
"I didn't inquire about the specifics, and the Second Prince has never participated before. I'll ask Brother Liu when I'm on duty tomorrow; it shouldn't be his first time participating."
However, since it's a poetry gathering, poetic talent is key. This happens to be something I'm not good at, as most people in the court know.
"Do the Tong family members who sent the invitation know about it?"
"They should know. Although Minister Tong is the Minister of Rites, there are also members of the Tong family who hold positions in the Hanlin Academy."
"Young master, you are a man of great talent. You probably just thought poetry was useless and that's why you didn't put much effort into it, right?"
This time, it was Jiang Xiaoqi's turn to look uneasy. "Naturally...no~"
The breath Li Mo had managed to muster instantly deflated like a punctured balloon.
"Alright. There's always a way out. Knowing this in advance already gives us an advantage."
"I'm giving you a task: keep a close eye on the Fifth Prince's movements these next few days, and see what other underhanded tricks he's up to besides contacting talented scholars and gentlemen."
Li Mo immediately nodded, "Don't worry, young master, I will definitely keep a close eye on things!"
Having said that, he quickly left the study.
Jiang Xiaoqi leaned back in his chair, his gaze deep and unfathomable. He wanted to see what tricks the Fifth Prince would pull at the poetry gathering.
Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Mo returned dejectedly to report that he had found nothing; the Fifth Prince was more honest than any of the other princes.
However, a dog that bites doesn't bark, and this mute dog, the Fifth Prince, is definitely up to no good!
"Young master, I am useless and have not brought back any valuable information."
"It's alright, I'll say it again—"
There's always a way out.
Tong Mansion —
The carriages outside the Tong residence were already completely blocked, but the Tong family servants were quick-witted and arranged to clear the way in time.
Jiang Xiaoqi did not ask Li Mo to stop the carriage, but got off at the intersection and prepared to walk in.
I'm not a high-ranking official, so there's no need to care about that kind of airs. Besides, walking is faster than riding in a carriage.
Jiang Xiaoqi had only taken a few steps when he heard the sound of wheels behind him.
Turning around, I saw the Fifth Prince's carriage driving up in a grand manner. Haha, what a coincidence!
The Fifth Prince also saw Jiang Xiaoqi through the carriage window. A slightly mocking smile appeared on his lips. He got off the carriage and pretended to be surprised.
"Oh, isn't this Lord Jiang? Why are you walking to the poetry gathering? Perhaps you're too broke to afford a carriage?"
Those around him cast strange glances at him, but Jiang Xiaoqi remained unmoved and replied calmly, "Whether we take a carriage or walk, as long as we reach our destination, that's fine. What does the Fifth Prince think?"
These words seem to have a hidden meaning, yet they also seem to have no other significance.
It can only be said that different people will hear and interpret any meaning they want; Jiang Xiaoqi's sentence is an "open-ended sentence".
As expected, the Fifth Prince's face darkened, he snorted coldly, and swept his sleeves as he entered the Tong residence.
Jiang Xiaoqi smiled and calmly followed Li Mo, who was dressed as a pageboy, inside.
Compared to the residence of Minister Lin, who was a military man, Minister Tong's residence was far more refined.
Madam Lin is supposed to be a meticulous person, so she probably listened more to Minister Lin's opinions when decorating the mansion, and the overall style is more open and grand.
The residence of Minister Tong has the feeling of instantly transporting one to the water towns of Jiangnan. Every step reveals a new scene, and since it is the height of summer, the trees and leaves are lush and elegant.
The pavilions and towers are exquisitely designed; without the guidance of the Tong family's servants, first-time visitors would definitely get lost.
Just as Jiang Xiaoqi was pondering whether the Tong family had used the art of Qimen Dunjia, the servant brought it up.
This must be the outer courtyard of the Tong family mansion, no wonder we didn't walk too far.
It wasn't that the Tong family was reluctant to open their inner courtyard, but rather that the area there was large enough to accommodate everyone attending the poetry gathering.
As the poetry gathering was about to begin, after everyone had taken their seats, the Tong family, as the organizer, first announced the prizes for the event.
Unlike in the past, this time it is not a rare ancient book, nor a musical instrument passed down through generations, nor ordinary things such as gold and jade.
"Oh, Chief Tong, please stop keeping us in suspense! We've been waiting forever!"
"Pfft!" Jiang Xiaoqi couldn't help but almost spit out a mouthful of tea onto the person opposite her.
Jiang Xiaoqi wiped her mouth with her sleeve and was about to get up to apologize when she looked up and exclaimed, "Oh ho, it's a familiar face!"