When he heard Cui Yong speaking of the zither Yu Yin, Feng Xiao sneezed.
"This isn't right, this really isn't right." He rubbed his nose.
On the other hand, Cui Buqu was in a good mood, "Since yesterday night you kept repeating 'this isn't right'. What on earth is 'not right' to you?"
Feng Xiao groaned, "Everything isn't going right."
Cui Buqu did not prod further, "I never thought that Cui Yong would willingly take out the zither Yu Yin and gamble on it. Are you planning to rob it openly in broad daylight, or quietly steal it away?"
Feng Xiao cast the zither a leisure look; with his brilliant eyesight, he could see the zither clearly without needing to examine it up close.
Cui Yong used a finger to pluck the string a little bit, and the sound of the zither overflowed the place, touching everyone's heartstrings.
It was certainly an excellently made zither.
An excellent top-quality zither when in the hands of skilled musicians, is able to produce the clear songs of nature, and when in the hands of people with deep profound inner strength, it too can bring results that were beyond expectations.
Yu Yin was not the number one zither beneath the Heavens, and to Feng Xiao, it was not a must to obtain it, but since they crossed paths and it was sitting just a few meters away from him, it would be a pity if it didn't fall into his hands.
He pondered over how he should get the zither when he heard Cui Buqu's words, he responded, "Why? Can't I just rely on poetry to prove myself, so that Cui Yong has no choice but to give me the zither himself?"
Cui Buqu felt a little taken aback, "I couldn't have believed that Commander Feng possessed literary skills that could outmatch the exemplary scholars present here. Can I experience it first-hand now and satisfy my curiosity?"
Feng Xiao snorted a laugh, "A poem from me is worth a Yu Yin zither. If I recited it for you, what can you give me in return?"
Cui Buqu remained silent for a moment, "Both my sleeves are empty with nothing but clear wind1. You'd better keep your skills to stun all the people present later."
At this moment, Cui Yong's opening speech had already given rise to a thousand waves of excitement.
Although there were more than a dozen people present who didn't know martial arts, this didn't prevent them from having heard of the zither Yu Yin's name. Even if they hadn't heard of it, the zither that Cui Yong would take out and use as a gambit would definitely be a zither of a brand. Right now, originally those who came here simply to join the crowd had also begun to brew stunning poetries in their hearts.
Cui Yong caressed his beard and smiled. As he conversed with the Prefecture's Magistrate, his gaze intentionally and unintentionally fell upon the direction of Cui Buqu and his company.
Cui Buqu noticed this, and Feng Xiao had noticed it earlier than he did.
"Look at how terrified you've made him; he's like a bird that's being startled by the mere twang of a bow. How long before you plan to end his misery?" Feng Xiao scoffed as he said.
"Wait." Cui Buqu's gaze fell upon someone else's. He picked up his footsteps and walked towards the direction of Cui Yong; yet Feng Xiao reached out to hold his wrist, so he had no choice but to look back and replied to him honestly, "This new Prefecture's Magistrate was also an old family friend from those days."
An old family friend. Little to no one was left of the Yu family, and he believed he had also seen all the people from the Cui family that mattered.
At the stroke of lightning and meteors, Feng Xiao recalled the story of Cui Buqu and thought of one person.
"…Maiden Yu's senior apprentice-brother?"
Cui Buqu nodded, "Yuan Sheng was bereaved of his father at a young age. Father Yu couldn't bear to watch his talents go to waste, so he took him in as his apprentice and invested efforts into nurturing him. However, Yuan Sheng left to see the world and until presently his whereabouts were unknown. In truth, he went to Nanbei before he was nominated to be an official, and was offered the name Yuan Sansi. This became his name. He began from the magistrate of Huozhou, before he was promoted to the Prefecture's Magistrate of Boling today. As the saying goes, to return to one's hometown in silken robes."
Perhaps Yuan Sheng was just coincidentally relocated to this place, or perhaps, he had quietly returned that year to visit his family and after hearing of Maiden Yu's case, it provoked him to pursue this path, hoping to avenge her one day. However, these were no longer important. With Cui Buqu present, he will finish what he came to begin. Yet since the only old family friend also showed himself, if he wanted to see him and ask a little about his birth mother, it was perfectly reasonable.
Feng Xiao released his grip as if he was waving a little kitten or puppy away, "Go then, go then. I also want to start exhibiting my poetic talents."
Cui Buqu was very suspicious of the words he spoke, but after looking at him for a while, he turned around to leave.
Feng Xiao shook his fan and smiled as he walked towards the crowd of people that gathered.
"Pomegranate flowers bloomed beautifully in May…"
A young scholar in white robes and black sash chanted in a high tone. Someone from the side was wielding his brush furiously as he recorded all the poetry songs made by everyone.
The ones nominated to judge were a few local scholars. One of them was an elder who once worshipped the doctor Yu Bozhong from the former dynasty, therefore he was one of the leaders of the northern literary world.
Although the theme was pomegranate flower, the poetry songs were not limited to just pomegranate flowers. When talents assembled, there were a variety of delicacies, and none of them couldn't be turned into a theme itself. If someone wished to craft something out of the ordinary, to write something of a tragedy, it was not forbidden. As long as it comes out extraordinary, there was no need to worry that this single event would not make them famous.
Everyone employed their full set of skills, depleted their brain to cudgel for ideas. Some of them had written their piece prior, and knew it by heart, only for the sake of gaining the attention of a famed scholar. As for those who already made a name for themselves in the literary world, naturally, they were expected to perform excellently, only then would they be living up to their name.
That young scholar finished reciting his poetry and was nervously waiting for his senior to remark on his work. Those elders did not shame him, they only laughed and said, "Beautiful and worth recommending. It's definitely an above-average piece of work."
Hearing this, the scholar knew that those words embodied the implication that his poetry was mundane. So let alone being the top three, it would be difficult to make it to the top ten. He felt a little upset in his heart but dared not be impetuous. He immediately raised his hands and sat down politely, offering the stage for the next one in line.
When it came to writing, it really did partially depend on one's talents. Were it those sorts of pieces brimmed with flowery proses, then even if one memorized a few more books, even if they couldn't learn to write it, they could still vaguely mimic it. Only those masterpieces that could send one to strike the table and call for an applause can be found by accident, ever since the Wei Jin Southern and Northern Dynasties, it had only been for a few such people like San Cao and Xie Lingyun.
Moreover in a gathering such as this, the more someone stood out from a crowd, the more their voices would be heard by all of the participants present.
"This one's talents are mundane, but I fell in love with the zither Yu Yin at first sight, so I too have poetry to offer. Should my piece satiate the criteria of Host Cui, then Host Cui shouldn't be miserly."
The one speaking was Feng Xiao. Everyone felt that something glimmered before their eyes at the other's handsome face, like a phoenix leaping into the tableau, a radiant enchanted day in spring, where the gardens bloomed splendidly.
Cui Yong's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
He had seen Cui Buqu speaking with the new Prefecture's Magistrate just now, but he couldn't stop him on purpose, so he could only allow Cui Da Lang to keep an eye on him. If the other said anything that wasn't supposed to be said, then he'd have someone to gag his mouth and take him away. The most they would need to do was to apologize to the Prefecture's Magistrate afterward, yet what they didn't expect was to see Feng Xiao appearing here after they'd taken care of Cui Buqu.
With just the two of them, they couldn't have done anything. Even if they spilled out everything in front of everyone, Cui Yong had his own ways of dealing with it. However, with how they've appropriately obeyed every rule at present, such a scene was difficult for him to control.
Everyone was naturally more tolerating of beautiful people. Even an elderly man with a white head like Yu Bozhong could not avoid it, so he joked, saying, "If this little friend can really offer a splendid masterpiece, even if Host Cui is being stringy, I will snatch the zither and gift it to you."
Feng Xiao smiled, "Then I offer my thanks. My piece is a wujue2."
The elder nodded, "Let it be heard."
The ears of spectators all were also stricken themselves. They wanted to hear what sort of poetry this handsome and young man could do that would shake the heavens and earth and could make the gods and demons cry.
So Feng Xiao pursed his lips and began chanting, "Pomegranate flowers bloomed beautifully in May, Boling holds a grand occasion. All the scholars fought for name and fame, thus came I for the zither Yu Yin."
Silence.
Awkward silence.
The sort of silence that even spring orioles forgot to sing.
Everyone retained the look they were wearing before they heard the poetry a minute before. They did not even have the time to revoke the smile that hung frozen and dazed on their faces.
It was a pity for the Heavens to see, but ever since the first literary festival held by Boling, they have never heard of such a rotten wujue!
This can no longer be called a wujue, at most, it can only be called a doggerel that was only plain and mundane.
The crowd was certainly shaken, but there was no glamour.
From where did this blockhead leap out from? How dare he shame himself by reciting such an unsightly poem in a literary festival?
Even that white-haired elder that was fairly charmed by Feng Xiao just now, who was armed with the virtue of patience, was practically forcing a smile on his face, "The poetry from this little friend, er, is barely passable, a great many improvements await. Try to practice more often on usual days."
Cui Yong practically dropped his molar laughing, and in his heart, he said: The kind of assistants sought by Cui Buqu, are but only pewter spearheads that shine like silver3 who thought he could gain the upper hand simply by having some looks?
Yet Feng Xiao didn't show an ounce of feeling ashamed. He said with a face full of innocence, "Didn't Host Cui said that the most prominent talent present would be rewarded with the zither Yu Yin? Yet why since I've recited the poetry, you've gone back on your words?"
Cui Yong replied plainly, "With a poem like yours that wouldn't even be considered true poetry, even if the old man I have you the zither Yu Yin, I fear people would think that you are an estranged grandson of mine."
Everyone laughed in unison and praised Host Cui's humor.
Feng Xiao disagreed, "There is no best writer; nor is there a second best fighter4. On so-called good poetry, different people have different opinions, no one can submit to the other. As for rotten poetry, everyone present could clearly determine it. Just now you said 'the most extraordinary poem present', but you did not say whether it was the best nor the worse, so I do not think that I've breached any rules."
Cui Yong twitched his lips, "This gentleman, there is no longer the need to dally here. You may leave."
The gaze everyone used to look at Feng Xiao was a little strange; they either thought that his brain was damaged, or that he was purposely currying favor in front of the crowd, to gain attention through walking the crooked road.
Feng Xiao was the only one who didn't take it to heart. He remained smiling, and when Cui Yong asked him to leave, he really did as he was told, leaving as he waved his fan. Those left were the female scholars who didn't mind how rotten his poetry talents were as they gathered in crowds, asking all sorts of questions and drawing the envy of a few male scholars.
The new Prefecture's Magistrate Yuan Sansi watched the young man before him who had a pale and sickly complexion and waved his hand, ordering the servants from his left and right to leave.
"You have something to tell me?"
Originally, common people would not be able to speak to the Prefecture's Magistrate so easily.
However, today was the literary festival, and most of its participants are people of letters. Since the Prefecture's Magistrate came to share the festive of the people, naturally he couldn't throw his weight around.
The most important thing was, when he saw Cui Buqu, he couldn't help feeling that he looked familiar, as if he could recall an old family friend.
Cui Buqu nodded, "After a while, there will be a theatre. Prefecture Magistrate, you needn't interfere. All you need to do is to watch, and after the incident is through, I have something else to discuss with you. So I beg your patience not to leave this place too quickly."
Yuan Sansi was very suspicious, but he couldn't pay attention to his boldness and asked, "What theatre?"
Cui Buqu looked at Cui Da Lang who was approaching, and he smiled from the corner of his lips, "A theatre regarding how the Cui family colluded with the Southern Dynasty."
From the way Cui Da observed, Cui Buqu's conduct before the Prefecture's Magistrate seemed as though he wanted to say something but couldn't.
The other has no post as an official, neither did he have an aristocratic family to back him up, however when speaking to the Prefecture's Magistrate, he was neither proud nor was he humble, he even looked as if he was a superior speaking to his subordinate. He really did have an exaggerated opinion of his own abilities.
Yet as he walked close and heard the words 'how the Cui family colluded with the Southern Dynasty', his face turned pale.
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Cui Da Lang barked at him.
Yuan Sansi felt very shocked. His gaze bounced between the two of them. He was very intelligent, not saying a word before he knew what was happening regarding the entire matter.
However, to be concerned is to be in chaos. Cui Da Lang was not as calm as Yuan Sansi.
Cui Buqu smiled faintly, "Whether I am speaking nonsense or not, you could question yourself. This matter is entirely on you alone, or was it Cui Yong's? If other members of the Cui family are involved, then mercy will be offered to honesty. Now you still have the chance, but after a while, I cannot say the same."
Cui Da Lang forcibly calmed himself down, before speaking with a heavy heart, "A-Jie, I know that you still resented the Cui family for everything that happened when you were young. However, didn't everything the Cui family did was for the sake of your mother's reputation? It was also to protect you. If your background was known to everyone, can you really bear the brunt of those rumours and accusations?"
Yuan Sansi couldn't help but interfere, "What are you saying? What reputation, background?"
The corner of Cui Buqu's lips raised, speaking with a calm and gentle tone rarely found in him, "Do you people still not know the old name of this new Prefecture's Magistrate? His name was Yuan Sheng, he was the apprentice disciple whom my maternal grandfather took in, the apprentice-brother of Maiden Yu that left home and lost word of."
As he finished saying, he wasn't surprised to see the shocked look on both of their faces.
Yuan Sansi for the 'Maiden Yu' that came out of his mouth, and Cui Da Lang for the true identity of Yuan Sansi.
Originally, it was an old past that had been buried deep in yellow soil, never to see the light of the day again, but who could have guessed that all the old parties involved would be gathered once again. Dead people were found to be alive again, and missing ones came back with an entirely new identity.
After a long moment of silence, Cui Da Lang was speechless, but in reality, a tidal wave of storms have already been brewed in his heart.
Yet Cui Buqu didn't allow him a moment to catch his breath. He laughed as he said, "Since you have lost the chance to be honest, then do not accuse me of not being merciful."
Before Cui Da could entirely digest these words, he heard Cui Buqu exclaimed in a loud voice, "Step out, all of you!"
Who to step out?
From where are they to step out from?
Cui Da was delayed for a moment, before turning towards the direction of the sound. He saw that all around the garden, a group of guards in black emerged silently, reaching Cui Buqu's feet silently before kneeling on a knee.
Cui Buqu said coldly, "How did matters go?"
"Commander, everything has been settled." The one in charge spoke with his head low. Within these two days he had been executing Cui Buqu's orders, approaching the nearest Ye city to mobilize a huge group of Zuoyue guards here for this exact purpose: to catch all the Cui family in a single draft, not allowing a single one of them to escape.
Cui Buqu brought two Zuoyue guards with him. One of them was sent to gather enough manpower, and the other was tasked to slip into the Cui family's home last night to search for evidence. As Cui Buqu divulged his identity, everyone in the Cui family was in chaos and paid no attention to anything that was happening, thus the Zuoyue guard successfully gathered the evidence and accomplished his mission.
"Surround the courtyard, take down Cui Da, then let them bring you to search his study and bedroom." Cui Buqu said with the utmost satisfaction.
Cui Da Lang felt both his arms being twisted behind him till it hurt, only then he realized in shock that this wasn't a dream.
"Unhand me! Unhand me! Cui Jie, you treacherous, heretic bastard!"
The appearance of the Zuoyue guards and Cui Da's uproar drew everyone's attention. Cui Yong received news and hurriedly rushed over, colour draining from his face: "Let him go! What are you people intending to do?!"
Cui Buqu paid him no heed as he divulged a seal, turning it between his fingers before tossing to a Zuoyue guard, who flashed it before Yuan Sansi, Cui Yong, and everyone.
"He is the Commander of the Zuoyue Bureau that was elected by the Emperor himself. By his Majesty's orders, he was tasked to investigate the case of the Cui family colluding with the Southern Dynasty. As of now, the investigation has come to light. Since four years ago, the eldest of the Cui family, Cui Xu, financially aided the Southern Dynasty's Linchuan Palace Academy. Three years ago, a disciple of the Linchuan Palace Academy, Yue Gu, failed to assassinate the present Emperor and fled to Boling, taking an anonymous shelter under Cui Xu for a few days. One year ago, drought plagued the northern regions, victims are innumberable. The Imperial Palace opened the vault to offer provisions, allowing officials to bring them to aid victims. Yet Cui Xu and Yue Gu conspired together, using the chance to spread rumours regarding the Imperial Palace's disinterest in relieving the victims and thus allowing them to perish on their own. Then, they allowed Yue Gu's accomplice to rob those provisions in the forests and cart them south, resulting in the starvation of drought victims and giving rise to a rebellion."
With every word he spoke, Cui Da Lang's colour drained from his face a little more.
Cui Yong looked at his eldest with an unbelievable expression.
The Cui family operated through many generations. Even the change of dynasties was not able to uproot them, because regardless of which Emperor of any dynasty sat upon that throne, they will need talents, and talents brimmed from the Cui clan. That was where the value of their aristocratic family lies.
The north and the south stood independently, and as the winds and clouds toiled, a countless number of heroes emerged one after the other. They hoped to prove their worth and shake the world. A great many aristocratic families also had their own standing, and when it came to Cui Yong's generation, he saw potential in the greatness of Sui Emperor, so he had chosen to side with the Northern Dynasty. However, among all his sons only Cui Pei alone stood out, and thus he turned his attention upon his eldest grandson, Cui Fei. Who could have guessed that his eldest had committed such a huge offense behind his back!
Cui Xu's responses and look laid bare to everyone that Cui Buqu wasn't framing him.
Everyone was stunned, they were in awe of the superiority of the Zuoyue Bureau, thus they dared not utter a word.
Thus, Cui Buqu who stood among the Zuoyue guards held an air of superiority that made one too afraid to look at him in the eye.
Cui Pei had seen his eldest brother walking towards Cui Buqu prior and feared that the first would make it difficult for the latter, so he had originally intended to walk forward to help him, yet he'd run into this scene and was frozen on his spot.
Ninth Lady Cui who was originally speaking with Feng Xiao by the sidelines, at this moment, she also couldn't help turning towards Feng Xiao perplexed.
"If he is the Commander of the Zuoyue Bureau, then who are you?"
[1] Both my sleeves are empty with nothing but clear wind: uncorrupted and therefore poor.
[2] Wujue: A four-line poem with five characters to a line and a strict tonal pattern and rhyme scheme.
[3] Pewter spearheads that shine like silver: Impressive-looking but a useless person.
[4] There is no best writer; nor is there a second best fighter: 'There is no best writer' means that no one can be the best, because the marks given to someone's poetry entirely depends on the person themselves—these are like essays, it depends on whether what was written suited the teacher's tastes; while 'nor is there a second best fighter' means that martial arts are the opposite of literature—if you lose, then you lose. No one can lose and still rank the same as someone else, for it's more easily determined.