Chapter 108: Hello Chang’an
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### Chapter 108: Making Friends Through Literature, Inviting with Poetry
Chang Suining was a bit surprised that Cui Jing had come.
That evening at the Imperial Academy, when she had invited him, she felt it was a missed opportunity if she didn’t take it, but she hadn’t really held much hope. Yet today, Minister Yao, who had enthusiastically claimed, “Three people traveling together, wouldn’t that be lively?” had arrived alone, clearly disregarding the idea of companionship.
In terms of being used and discarded, Chang Suining felt she couldn’t compare to Minister Yao.
Cui Jing had come at her invitation, so she took the initiative to approach him and greet him, “General Cui—”
Chang Kuo noticed Cui Jing and strode over, equally surprised but more enthusiastic. “Why did you arrive so late? If you delay any longer, they’ll start serving dishes!”
His familiarity with Cui Jing was unmatched, and he always spoke casually.
Cui Jing explained, “There were some official matters at the Xuanzhe that I needed to attend to, which is why I arrived late.”
Cui Yuanxiang discreetly glanced at Chang Suining.
While there were indeed official duties, it was also true that he had helped arrange the news about the apprenticeship banquet along the way.
“There shouldn’t be any urgent matters to deal with lately… It’s rare to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, so you should take a break,” Chang Kuo said to Cui Jing.
Cui Jing nodded in agreement and gestured for Cui Yuanxiang to come forward.
Cui Yuanxiang took a box from one of the companions and walked up with a smile. “Miss Chang, this is the apprenticeship gift prepared by my general for you.”
Chang Kuo stroked his beard and laughed. “General Cui is quite thoughtful!”
It was rare to see Cui Jing give gifts to anyone, after all, he didn’t like attending banquets.
Cui Jing’s presence was already surprising, but no one expected him to prepare a gift as well.
“Thank you, General Cui.” Although Chang Suining was also surprised, knowing Cui Jing’s character, she did not decline out of politeness.
Xi’er stepped forward to take the box from Cui Yuanxiang. It was also a long box and quite heavy.
As Xi’er received it, she felt relieved—thankfully, she had been training diligently with the young lady recently; otherwise, she wouldn’t have managed to lift it so easily.
But what could be inside that made it so heavy?
Cui Yuanxiang noticed the puzzled look on Xi’er’s face and felt inexplicably uncertain—whatever gift the general had prepared, even he, a bachelor, felt it was unsuitable to give to a young lady, especially as an apprenticeship gift. It seemed out of place.
However, the general confidently stated, “There’s nothing more suitable for her than this,” leaving Cui Yuanxiang with no choice but to keep silent.
Now, Cui Yuanxiang silently hoped that Miss Chang wouldn’t open it in front of all the guests.
Fortunately, Miss Chang had received many gifts today and didn’t show much interest in this one.
Moreover, Chang Kuo swiftly changed the subject: “I never expected Uncle Qiao would actually make umbrellas. Did he learn recently?”
Chang Suining casually responded, “Third father’s profession is making umbrellas.”
Chang Sui'an exclaimed, “Ah! Uncle Qiao was a top scholar back then… Shouldn’t his profession be that of a proper scholar?”
Chang Suining was taken aback—did Chang Sui'an not know this?
If the elder brother didn’t know, then naturally the younger sister wouldn’t either.
Looking up, she indeed saw a look of confusion on Chang Kuo’s face, as if he wanted to ask her where she heard this, but having become accustomed to such questions, she calmly preempted him, asking, “Wasn’t it something Father mentioned when he was drunk? Could it have just been drunken talk?”
Chang Kuo was taken aback—had he said that while drunk too?
Why would he mention Uncle Qiao’s past as an umbrella maker when he was drunk?
In his own puzzlement, Chang Kuo saw the confusion deepen on his daughter’s face, so he chuckled and said, “It’s not just drunken talk. Before your third uncle passed the imperial examination, our family made a living by making umbrellas, so he’s quite skilled in the craft…”
Chang Sui'an finally understood, “So that’s how it is.”
Chang Suining looked at the umbrella in her arms and curiously asked, “This umbrella must also be painted by father Qiao, right?”
Although the umbrella was painted with a landscape design, it was folded and thus not fully visible. Seeing a nearby student showing curiosity, Chang Suining decided to open the umbrella.
As the umbrella opened, the vivid green landscapes unfolded before everyone’s eyes, eliciting gasps of admiration.
“I’ve long heard that the head master is skilled at painting landscapes... Today is the first time I’ve had the fortune to see the master’s true work.”
“How could one bear to take such an umbrella out in the rain…”
As the students marveled at the umbrella, their gazes shifted to the girl in green holding it, and they couldn’t help but feel that the umbrella and the person complemented each other beautifully.
In such a setting, a young scholar expressed his appreciation, saying, “This umbrella of the Head Master matches Miss Chang perfectly; at first glance, it seems as if the mountains and rivers painted on the umbrella have come to stand by Miss Chang's side, yet it also seems as if Miss Chang has merged into these landscapes… Truly marvelous!”
Others echoed his admiration.
“Indeed marvelous.” Wei Shuyi, sitting by a small table fanning himself with a folded fan, nodded with a smile.
Meanwhile, Chang Suining’s side had already seen a student begin to compose poetry.
Yao Xia and her friends, who were also invited, rushed over to see the umbrella.
“Are you not going to join them?” steward Fang asked Wei Miaoqing with a smile.
Indeed, Wei Miaoqing was present today. According to her, she hadn’t wanted to come, but her mother had insisted on bringing her—this insistence mainly manifested when her mother asked her before leaving if she wanted to join.
“What’s so interesting to look at…” Wei Miaoqing pouted and quietly remarked, “Whether it’s marvelous or not, what does it have to do with the umbrella? Even if that face were covered with a rag, it would still be marvelous, right?”
“Sister Chang, why don’t you hold the umbrella up for us to see?”
After just having opened the umbrella for everyone to admire, Chang Suining intended to try holding it up as Yao Xia suggested.
However, just as she lifted the umbrella halfway, a large hand came up to block the top of the umbrella, saying, “No.”
The hand was long and strong, marked with calluses and many old scars. He seemed to fear that his rough palm would damage the exquisite umbrella surface, so he merely hovered his hand above without actually touching it—
Chang Suining followed that hand to see its owner and looked at him in confusion.
Everyone turned to look at the person who had spoken.
Cui Jing withdrew his hand and reminded lightly, “You shouldn’t open an umbrella indoors; it won’t grow tall.”
Everyone: “…?”
Who would have thought that the dignified General Cui from the Xuanzhe actually believed in such things? It was truly unexpected.
Chang Suining was also momentarily taken aback.
Chang Kuo pondered for a moment and nodded, “There is indeed such a saying…”
Weighing the pros and cons, Chang Suining silently closed the umbrella.
While she didn’t care much about the belief, she was still eager to grow taller, so she thought it best to trust it.
Seeing her put away the umbrella, Cui Jing felt he had made a sensible point—although strength is more important than height, girls had inherent disadvantages in martial arts. If she could grow a bit taller, that would naturally be a good thing.
Cui Yuanxiang came back to his senses, feeling moved.
While others only cared whether miss Chang looked beautiful with the umbrella, the general was concerned about whether Miss Chang would grow taller.
This thoughtful consideration from the general was truly heartwarming and unique… He felt he might just cry.
Ever since that day the general presented the copper talisman, he had sensed it; a person lacking love like the general must genuinely regard Miss Chang as family, right? Just from this concern, he felt the general and General Chang, her father, should be seated at the same table.
“Come, come, let’s sit down!” Chang Kuo actually pulled Cui Jing over to sit with him.
As everyone took their seats, the restaurant staff quickly brought out fine wines and delicacies, along with ice bowls to dispel the heat. Amid the sounds of silk and bamboo music, the guests engaged in drinking games, reciting poetry, and laughter that never ceased.
At that moment, Xi’er approached Chang Suining and whispered, “Miss, there are quite a few people gathered downstairs on the street.”
Chang Suining nodded, indicating she was aware. “No rush.”
So, Xi’er stood quietly beside her.
“The auspicious time is on the fifth day…”
“Would that I could summon a thousand-mile wind to flutter my garments.”
As the banquet approached its midpoint, with the effects of the wine rising, the atmosphere became increasingly relaxed. Students began to gather near the balcony on the second floor, holding wine pots and cups, reciting poetry in small groups.
This commotion drew the attention of those outside the building.
Among those who looked up were not only some curious common folk but also scholars and literati.
“I’ve heard that Minister Wei is here. Is it true?”
“Not just him; I also heard that General Cui has come!”
“Everyone, listen quietly. That zither music is truly ethereal… I wonder who is playing inside the building?”
“Why not go in and take a look?”
“I’ll treat; let’s all go in and join the fun!”
Hearing this, those who had arrived earlier shook their heads. “You must not know; today, the Dengtai Tower isn’t receiving other guests. The second and third floors have been entirely reserved by General Chang’s estate for this apprenticeship banquet!”
“What about downstairs?”
“Downstairs has been booked by a young man from the Cui family for a victory banquet.”
“This…”
Everyone sighed in disappointment.
“I had hoped for a chance to see the true demeanor of Master Qiao and Minister Wei…”
Some were still unwilling to give up, gazing up at the young scholars composing poetry by the railing. “Those must be students from the Imperial Academy, right?”
“Indeed… Those who have received invitations to this event must surely be among the best of the students.”
“Most of them are candidates for the upcoming spring examination…”
The current emperor was rectifying the imperial examination system, even going so far as to take action against the Pei family, changing the Minister of Rites before the spring examination next year. Such measures signified that these scholars from humble backgrounds would face an unprecedentedly fair examination next year—so fair that they might consider it “excessively fair.”
At this moment, gazing at the scholars in the Dengtai Tower who were drinking and reciting poetry, thoughts of these young men possibly appearing on next year’s ranking list stirred the crowd downstairs with increasing excitement and longing.
Unfortunately, they were barred from entry.
As disappointment grew heavier, some shook their heads, sighing and preparing to leave. Suddenly, amidst the group of scholars in long robes by the railing, a young girl appeared—
With her fair complexion, she stepped forward, dressed in a pale blue skirt and sporting twin buns. A white jade hairpin nestled in her hair, resembling a cloud above green mountains. As the wind brushed against her, the ribbons of her sleeves fluttered as if wanting to soar away.
“This banquet has been arranged by me today; though it is for the purpose of apprenticeship, it is also a gathering to make friends through literature. If any of you are inclined, simply compose a poem as your invitation, and you may enter to converse—”
The young girl smiled, raising her hand in greeting. Her gestures were graceful and natural, carrying a sincerity in her demeanor: “We will be waiting for you all inside.”
As she spoke, the scholars beside her also raised their hands to invite the crowd.
Those downstairs instinctively raised their hands in return.
Once the young girl turned and returned inside the building, everyone finally regained their senses and pondered, “That must be the daughter of the Chang family, right? She just mentioned… inviting us to enter with poetry as our invitation?”
This information quickly reached Chang Kuo’s ears through his servants.
Chang Kuo slapped his thigh. “Good, this idea is excellent!”
Saying this, he continued to drink.
He only understood “good,” and that “good” mainly referred to “whatever my daughter does is good.” Beyond that, he appreciated her warmth toward others, but that was all he considered.
It wasn’t that he lacked depth of thought; it was simply that his background as a martial general prevented him from viewing matters from a literati’s perspective.
Sitting next to him, Cui Jing was different—
Cui’s family had lived in an environment built upon literature, every brick and tile imbued with cultural significance.
Cui Jing held his wine cup, subconsciously glancing toward the outside of the building.
The nature of literati, especially those from humble beginnings, often led them to embrace the idea that a gentleman should not consume food offered without effort. If she had simply invited them directly, many, due to their varying statuses, would have hesitated out of pride and humility. However, by proposing the poetry invitation, she transformed this banquet into an elegant gathering for making friends through literature, giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents and receive respect.
Moreover, beyond pride and humility, many literati also harbored varying degrees of arrogance. If she welcomed everyone indiscriminately, they might think, “If every common person can enter, then this place is too vulgar for me to join.” But by requesting poetry as an invitation, she effectively filtered out those unwilling to mingle and allowed them to maintain their dignity.
At the same time, she also filtered out those she did not wish to include.
She only needed those she deemed necessary to enter.
Cui Jing’s gaze settled on Chang Suining , who had just returned to her seat beside head Master Qiao.
At this moment, he truly understood her intention behind spreading the news.
The lively atmosphere she sought was not merely the usual kind of liveliness.
What would happen next was not hard to predict.
But how it would ultimately evolve was beyond measure.
Downstairs, having received Chang Suining ’s instructions, a small table had been set up in the hall, covered with paper and ink, guarded by two young scribes.
“I’ll give it a try…”
A young scholar stepped forward, reciting poetry as the scribes copied it down, signing his name before being invited upstairs.
With each step he took up the stairs, he felt it was surreal; the music of the zither, the poetry, and the laughter above wove together into an elegant, lofty picture, mingling with the refreshing coolness from the ice basin, unfolding before him like a dream—
And now, an unknown figure like him would also become part of this painting.
“They really got invited inside!”
“I’m going too!”
“Please, Zhao, go ahead—”
“…”
As he watched over a dozen people being invited upstairs, Hu Yi hesitated and asked, “Do we still need to go up to support Lady Chang?”
Just as Cui Lang prepared to ascend, he snapped back to reality. “Quickly, quickly!”
While support wasn’t necessary, they had to seize their place!
Who couldn’t compose poetry?
It was just a matter of distinguishing between good and bad.
As a proper son of the Cui family, surely he could think of something good; if not, he could still come up with something bad, right?
Cui Lang hurriedly squeezed his way forward.
“Are you going, Young Master?” asked the servant beside Xi Zhiyuan.
“Of course.” The young man smiled and stepped forward.
Soon, news of the Dengtai Tower’s apprenticeship banquet, “making friends through literature and using poetry as invitations,” spread like wildfire.
(End of this chapter)
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