Chapter 119: The Fifteenth Night Moon Gazing

As these words were spoken, everyone at the large table turned their heads in unison to look at Shen Xian.

Ning Zheng frowned. Why bring up Shen Xian at a time like this? A musician—could he even compose poetry?

Ning Cai’s stepmother also cast a reproachful glance at Xu Zijian. Shen is such a refined person; why are you dragging him into this?

The doctors from the research institute looked at Shen Xian with faces full of confusion. They had been curious about who this person serving the dishes was, but hadn't felt comfortable asking.

Qi Zhengqing knew that Shen Xian had some talent, but when it came to improvising on the spot, he felt Shen Xian was likely out of his depth.

As for Jiang Tianji, his gaze toward Shen Xian was full of scrutiny. This young man’s identity was rather peculiar. At first, he thought he was just here to help with odd jobs. But would a servant be allowed to sit at the table to eat? Furthermore, hadn't they noticed how attentive Ning Cai’s stepmother was toward him, even serving him soup and dishes?

Zhou Yanshi’s gaze also fell upon Shen Xian. Which young master from a prominent family was this, to be able to enter the Ning household and dine at the same table as Ning Zheng?

Shen Xian, still holding half a piece of jade-fin in his mouth, was taken aback by the remark. What does this have to do with me? I was planning to slip away as soon as I finished eating. Why would I want to get involved in this? There’s no benefit in it. When he composed poems at Jinshan Temple and the scenic spots back then, it was entirely for the rewards. But looking at the situation today, there wasn't a single prize in sight, so Shen Xian had no interest.

Thus, he set down his bowl and chopsticks and said to Xu Zijian with a warm, sincere smile, "Professor Xu, you overestimate me. I am merely a music school graduate..."

"There's a cash prize!" Xu Zijian interrupted. "One million!"

How much? Now that is something I can stay awake for.

"However, having said that, although I graduated from the music department, I have also studied ancient poetry a little," Shen Xian said, rising to his feet with a sunny smile.

Xu Zijian: ... You fellow, you really don't cast your net unless you see the fish.

***

He thought to himself that if he managed to secure this investment, he would carve out one million as a prize and subsidy for Shen Xian. The procedure would be entirely legal and compliant. If he didn't win, that would be fine too; since he hadn't won, there would be no need to pay.

The gazes of Jiang Tianji and the others were fixed on Shen Xian.

Shen Xian first raised his wine glass, stepped away from the table, and toasted Zhou Yanshi: "Elder Zhou, I toast you with this cup."

Zhou Yanshi did not stand on ceremony and raised his glass in return. Shen Xian then toasted Ning Zheng, Xu Zijian, Jiang Tianji, and the others. His etiquette was impeccable; not a single elder present was overlooked.

After setting down his glass, Shen Xian said, "Then, I shall make a fool of myself."

He feigned a moment of contemplation, then slowly began: "The courtyard ground is white as frost, crows roost in the trees; cold dew silently dampens the osmanthus flowers."

As these words were spoken, the scene of the snow-white courtyard floor, the crows perched in the trees, and the autumn dew silently wetting the osmanthus flowers involuntarily surfaced in everyone’s minds. It evoked a sense of clear, empty brightness, purity, and chilly elegance, creating a serene and beautiful atmosphere while capturing the feeling of biting cold and the pleasant fragrance of the osmanthus.

Everyone felt the same way—it was an exquisitely beautiful artistic conception.

Shen Xian then recited the final two lines: "Tonight the moon is bright, and all look up; I know not whose home the autumn longing falls upon."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tianji’s expression turned solemn. Zhou Yanshi’s gaze locked onto Shen Xian; this young man was truly hiding his depths!

A hint of pleasant surprise appeared in the stepmother’s eyes. Lin Qianqian’s gaze toward Shen Xian was also filled with curiosity. Ning Cai had long known that Shen Xian could compose poetry; he had once written "Butterfly Loves Flower" and "A Sprig of Plum" for her. However, at the time, she assumed those had been polished over a long period. Only now, seeing him improvise on the spot, did she realize just how talented he truly was.

"Good!"
"Good!"
"Good!"

"This poem’s imagery is absolutely stunning. The last two lines do not express emotion directly but instead use a subtle, questioning tone to make the sentiment feel deeper and more reserved. The entire poem begins with scenery and concludes with emotion; the imagery is beautiful, the imagination is rich, the language is vivid, and the emotion is sincere, subtle, and moving!" Zhou Yanshi repeated the word 'good' three times before sighing in admiration.

After listening, Xu Zijian couldn't help but praise, " 'Tonight the moon is bright, and all look up; I know not whose home the autumn longing falls upon'—it adopts a sudden, expansive approach, moving from the moon-gazing of a group to the moon-gazing of all under heaven, and then sublimating from moon-viewing to longing for distant loved ones. The imagery is vast and profoundly implicit!"

"A clear judgment of skill!" Jiang Tianji also began to applaud.

Zhou Yanshi asked, "Then this round is..."

***

"His name is Little Shen!" the stepmother said.

"Oh, oh. Then does this round go to Little Shen?" Zhou Yanshi asked.

Jiang Tianji nodded heavily: "Little Shen’s poem was truly breathtaking and left me quite pressured. I never expected that a music school graduate could write such beautiful poetry!"

"Let’s continue. Wu Qiong, you go next!" Jiang Tianji said.

Hearing this, Wu Qiong stood up immediately, toasted Zhou Yanshi first, and said, "Elders, I shall also make a fool of myself."

After he finished speaking, he recited a very graceful poem about moon-viewing. Xu Zijian’s expression turned grave upon hearing it, as the quality of this poem was very high, with a deep and far-reaching artistic conception.

The people from the research institute were also excitedly discussing it after hearing it.

"The captain’s poem is truly exceptional, so beautiful!"
"Especially the second half; it offers such rich room for imagination."
"The diction is also magnificent."

Even Zhou Yanshi couldn't help but glance over repeatedly. These young people from the research institute were truly talented.

"Xiao Long, you also graduated from the Chinese department. Write one as well," Ning Zheng said to Su Rulong.

Su Rulong’s expression stiffened: "Secretary Ning... I cannot compose one!"

Ning Zheng then turned his gaze toward Qi Zhengqing, but Qi Zhengqing merely spread his hands, indicating he was helpless. Ruan Bo, the secretary-general of the Poetry Association, also wore a troubled expression. As for the woman who had achieved a perfect score in the college entrance exam composition, she was racking her brains, deep in thought.

The other two professors exchanged glances with Xu Zijian: "They are very well prepared. There are ten of them in total; to pass, we might need to prepare ten poems!"

"Poems about the moon have always been popular, but they are also the hardest to write. Not just now, but even in ancient times—an era that valued literature over martial arts—it was difficult to produce a decent poem about the moon," another professor added.

"Professor Jiang’s topic today is quite tricky."

Jiang Tianji smiled slightly: "After all, this is a massive investment. How could I not increase the intensity a little?"

Ning Zheng sighed; securing their investment was likely to be difficult.

Xu Zijian looked at Shen Xian once more: "Little Shen, continue."

Shen Xian sighed to himself. This million was truly not easy to earn. He stood up and looked first at the stepmother: "I do have one, but I only hope that after I recite it, Stepmother will not blame me!"