3. A talented man and a beautiful woman meet their opponents in chess (10)
If Qiao Shoumin hadn't written the note himself, the three of them would not have come today.
When Li Chan saw that Wang Chong was a talented person, he was romantic and self-appreciated, and he was very scholarly. He was definitely not the charlatan he had expected, so he changed his appearance slightly and handed him over as a courtesy.
When several of them arrived, Qiao Shoumin was extremely happy. He first asked the three of them to sign their seals on his paintings, and then suggested with a smile: "This garden of Cao's family is very famous, but they don't like outsiders to visit. We will borrow it today." Thanks to Brother Jingyu, I was able to visit such a famous garden. Why not leave some poems and paintings? It can also be regarded as a gift to my brother Jingyu on his move."
Qiao Shoumin was the eldest brother of Yangzhou Eight Shows. It was rare for the other seven people to get together and be so happy again. At that moment, Situ Youdao was the first to respond. Even Li Chan cheered up and said with a smile: "We can all do it." Poetry and painting, as the host, shouldn’t Jingyu, the little brother, also take action? I also want to see how the little prodigy who was awarded the title of scholar at the age of nine is doing poetry and painting."
Tang Jingyu laughed dumbly and said: "How dare you try to trick everyone? However, Brother Li Chan has said so. If I shirk it again, you will definitely be annoyed! Forget it, I will come first to make some excuses. Anyway, my brothers, you can still laugh at me. My little brother’s painting skills are terrible!”
Tang Jingyu called Hu Su'er up and spread out the paper and ink again. He splashed ink and drew a garden with exquisite structure and winding corridors. He even drew eight or nine scholars beside the water, drinking and singing. It was himself. And the appearance of Yangzhou Eight Shows.
Tang Jingyu's painting skills can be considered to be first-rate. Everyone in Yangzhou's Eight Shows was delighted and came over to watch. Tang Rangzhi smiled and said: "My younger brother is not good at gardening, and he is more refined in ladies, so he borrowed the help of younger brother Jingyu." Just fill in some maids for this painting!"
Tang Rangzhi drew three little maids fluttering at butterflies. It was really lifelike and elegant!
They were enjoying poetry and drinking together, splashing ink on paintings, and doing things that are fun for scholars. Suddenly, a servant came over to report, saying: "Master Tang, there is a Taoist outside asking for a meeting. It must be that there is a monster in our house. I can hear him I’m not here for the banquet, and I don’t want him to come in, but he’s making a lot of noise.”
Li Chan raised his brows and couldn't help but sneer. He stared at Wang Chong, feeling a little unhappy in his heart, thinking that this "Tang Jingyu" had really shown his tricks as a charlatan and was going to cause trouble again.
Wang Chong couldn't help but glance at Hu Su'er and thought to himself: "Could it be that this little fox caused this?"
He knew magic at home, and thought to himself: "Hu Su'er's demonic aura is light. Unless he is a real monk in the Tiangang realm, he will never be able to sense the demonic aura outside the door. This Taoist priest is probably a fake!"
The cultivators from the Taoist and Demonic families cannot bear to step into the world of mortals, especially since this is Yangzhou Prefecture, a prosperous and prosperous place in the world. They would rather find a temple outside the city than come to the city.
Wang Chong didn't believe the Taoist priest either. He thought for a while and said calmly: "Take ten taels of silver and give it to the Taoist priest. Tell him that he has a guest today and it's inappropriate to invite him in. Let him come back in a few days."
Wang Chong gave Hu Su'er a look. The little fox pouted, took his private money, and handed it to the servant who came to report the news.
Seeing Wang Chong's treatment, Li Chan's face became slightly better and he said: "These people in the world are really annoying. I met a beggar a few days ago and insisted that I learn Taoism from him. He can't even eat it himself." I’m full of food, where can I learn the Tao?”
Wang Chong laughed and couldn't help teasing: "There are 48,000 Taoist schools in the world, maybe that beggar has the world-shattering Taoist teachings for Brother Li!"
Li Chan's face suddenly turned red and he retorted, "Why don't I give this opportunity to little brother Jingyu, and you go learn the Tao from that beggar!"
Wang Chong laughed loudly and shouted: "Thank you to Brother Li, I will learn this!"
Several talented people in Yangzhou's Eight Shows all thought that Wang Chong was joking. Even Li Chan felt that Wang Chong was just teasing and pretending to leave. Wang Chong hurriedly apologized, and several people got into a fuss, which made the atmosphere more harmonious.
Not long after, the servant came back and reported: "As expected by Master Tang, the Taoist there took the money and left without even a word of thanks!"
Tang Rangzhi sighed and said: "Brother Jingyu is still young, but he was deceived by this Taoist priest into taking ten taels of silver."
Tang Jingyu waved his hand and said: "Today, several brothers came to the banquet. They met with poetry and wine, and they also got these many calligraphy treasures. What is ten taels of silver worth? How can we let irrelevant people ruin Yaxing?"
Wang Chong stayed with them for a while, then took Situ Youdao away and went to the Yang and Cao family. After all, he was a landlord, so how could he keep them aside?
Cao Xuqing was playing hut with a few sisters. When she saw Wang Chong coming over, she smiled brightly and said, "It's hard for me, little brother Tang, to keep us company!"
Wang Chong smiled slightly and felt helpless. He didn't expect that Situ Youdao had a good relationship with the young people from Yang Cao's family, but Qiao Shoumin and the others would not give him any face at all. But what can he do about this kind of thing? No matter what you say, you will lose face for both families, so it is better to say nothing.
Wang Chong stayed with them for a while, but it was much more relaxed than the other side. The young men and women of Yang and Cao's family were having a good time, and they didn't need him to greet them at all, nor did they need to share poetry and wine.
As he was pouring himself a drink, he saw Cao Xuqing quietly leaving a few sisters behind, walking up to him, handing something in her sleeve, and whispered: "Brother Jingyu, please give this to Li Chan!"
Cao Xuqing pretended to pass by, took a few steps, and then looked back, her pretty face flushed with embarrassment.
Why didn't Wang Chong understand that the third lady of the Cao family fell in love with the husband of the Li family, but had no chance to get close to him, so she was so enthusiastic about this poetry meeting? He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, nodded slightly, and agreed.
Cao Xuqing drew back slightly, made a very small gesture of blessing, and left in a hurry, never daring to look back.
Wang Chong didn't want to spy on the girl's token, so he left Situ Youdao alone and turned back to the front. When no one was paying attention, he pulled Li Chan aside and said with a wry smile: "There's something I need to do. Only when Brother Li is not angry can he dare to speak out."
Li Chan asked with a smile: "What's the matter? As long as it doesn't give you back the opportunity to become a monk and learn Taoism, you can bring it up as you please, and I will definitely agree."
Wang Chong handed over the gift from Cao Xuqing and said, "It's not my business. The third lady of the Cao family asked me to give this gift to you!"
Li Chan frowned, shook his head and said, "Little brother Tang did a bad job in this matter. But I also know that you are in trouble, so I will reply with a letter and you will deliver it for me, and I will not accept the things."
Li Chan immediately took out a pen and paper, pondered for a moment, and then wrote a quatrain: "I am not a disciple of Xiaoyaozi, I just want to be a passerby for the rest of my life! I want to be a wild goose flying north and south, each with his own future and destiny."
The poem was written in a hurry and not very neat, but the meaning is clear.