As night fell, Duan Yunxiu, who used Lin Duan as his pseudonym, finally arrived at Dingguo Hou Mansion.
Before entering the door, Duan Yunxiu turned back and glanced in the direction of Liang Mansion, and was lost for a moment.
A handsome young man, dressed in white and selling wine, drunk and wild, talking and laughing freely... There is something special about that person.
"There is such a hermit and a strange man in the capital, which at least shows that I still have hope in the Great Zhou Dynasty!"
Recalling Liang Xiao's appearance, Duan Yunxiu raised his eyebrows and walked through the door.
The lights outside were dim, but inside the Dingguo Hou Mansion, the lights were brightly lit, and there was singing and dancing.
Pastries, preserved fruits, candied fruits, music, chess, calligraphy and paintings filled more than a dozen tables.
Dozens of talented people and beauties gathered here, Du Kang relieved his worries, and elegant music soothed away his sorrows.
Occasionally, a nightingale will sing, and stars will shine over the moon, embellishing the beautiful scenery on this good day.
Not long after, the talented and beautiful people at the scene began to feel sad for spring and autumn again.
Duan Yunxiu frowned slightly, until he saw the beautiful figure on the main seat, he smiled.
The girl in green clothes plays the piano with her bare hands, her mind is not distracted, like a green lotus blooming in troubled times.
Listening to the piano, it is melodious and melodious, like the fragrance of flowers that refreshes the heart and mind, and like the clear spring that warms the mouthpiece, making people feel relaxed and happy.
Looking at him, he has icy muscles and jade bones, but his gentle brows reveal a bit of heroism.
The girl playing the piano is her good sister, the most talented woman in the capital, Mu Qinxue!
"She doesn't like this kind of trend either, so she uses the harp to communicate with others, uses poems to communicate with friends, and appeases everyone."
Duan Yunxiu was overjoyed and was about to walk over to tell Mu Qinxue about the trip to the Liang Mansion when a sonorous and powerful voice sounded in the courtyard.
"Since ancient times, autumn has been sad and lonely. I say that autumn is better than spring!"
Duan Yunxiu was shocked, and following the sound, he turned out to be a handsome young man with an elegant temperament.
"What a unique idea! How wonderful!" There was a burst of cheers at the scene.
Everyone was full of praise, even Mu Qinxue was surprised and said: "Master Duanmu has great literary talent!"
The great talent in the capital, Duanmu Yuncheng!
Duan Yunxiu squinted his eyes slightly, sizing up this man, and his heart was filled with anger: "Dear Duanmu Yuncheng, I will remember you!"
When he thought that this was the Dingguo Marquis' Mansion and that he had to follow the imperial sister for a private visit incognito, so as not to be exposed to the public, Duan Yunxiu thought for a moment and smiled coldly.
"It's an honor to be praised by Qin Xue." Duanmu Yuncheng smiled warmly, his eyes never leaving Mu Qinxue from beginning to end.
For a time, Duanmu Yuncheng became the star second only to Mu Qinxue, and the talented ladies behind him all made secret glances at him.
Duan Yunxiu saw this and immediately whispered a few words to the attendants around him.
After a while, a maid walked up to Mu Qinxue, who was reviewing poems with everyone, and whispered a reminder.
"Miss, we have a distinguished guest coming."
Mu Qinxue understood and just said "Excuse me" and went to the backyard.
"I heard that Miss Mu hasn't married anyone yet. Master Duanmu and her are truly a match made in heaven!"
Duanmu Yuncheng was ecstatic when he heard everyone's praise, but he still said calmly: "Whether the man loves me or not, it depends on Qin Xue's intention."
A quarter of an hour later, Mu Qinxue looked calm and returned to her original position, staring at Duanmu Yuncheng.
"Master Duanmu, where did you learn that line of poetry just now?"
Duanmu Yuncheng was taken aback by the sudden inquiry, and then responded with a smile: "I had an idea when I was at the lake in the afternoon, and I repeated it here again, which made me laugh."
After saying that, Duanmu Yuncheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, he accidentally heard this sentence on the bow of the boat in the afternoon and silently remembered it in his heart.
If I were to perform on the spot here, I would definitely be a helper!
Mu Qinxue asked again: "The meaning of this sentence is not clear, and it is obviously incomplete. Can Mr. Duanmu tell me where to go?"
Duanmu Yuncheng was well prepared and said with a smile: "Didn't I just come by boat to attend the poetry meeting organized by Qin Xue? Poetry creation requires inspiration. When I go back, I will think deeply about it and perfect the whole poem. I will live up to this trip."
Seeing Mu Qinxue staring at him with an indifferent expression, Duanmu Yuncheng's heart sank.
He knew very well that he only had one chance, and if he wrote the sentence poorly, he would have wasted it.
"Okay, it's getting late. Today's poetry meeting ends here. Thank you all for coming."
The poetry meeting ended an hour earlier than usual, and everyone was a little surprised.
"Miss Qinxue must not have the heart to disturb Mr. Duanmu. After all, this may be a famous poem that is about to be published. In comparison, a poetry meeting is insignificant!"
After Duanmu Yuncheng heard the flattery, he was finally satisfied and said goodbye with a smile.
The poetry party is over.
Mu Qinxue returned to her boudoir with a cold face.
Duan Yunxiu has been waiting here for a long time.
"Thankfully, Sister Yunxiu reminded me, and I realized that this poem was indeed not written by a mediocre person like Duanmu Yuncheng."
The two girls held candles and talked at night, smiling lightly, and were so intimate that they completely lost sight of the red tape outside.
Duan Yunxiu had a mysterious face and got straight to the point.
"Sister Qinxue, I went to see that Liang Xiao."
"Is he really as bad as the rumors say?" Mu Qinxue asked anxiously.
Duan Yunxiu didn't answer the question: "I'm just curious, why did your grandfather suddenly send a letter from the frontier, specifying that you should be betrothed to him?"
Mu Qinxue lowered her head, looking disappointed.
"It was the Liang family that protected our Mu family back then. When my grandfather heard that there was a single child like him in the Liang family, he decided that if Ning Ning broke off the engagement with him, he would betroth me to him. But my parents would not live or die.
Agree, so this matter will be kept secret for the time being... But judging from my grandfather's temperament, when he returns to Beijing, he will definitely facilitate this matter."
The Ning Ning she was talking about was Nangong Ning, the daughter of the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion, who was married to Liang Xiaozhi, and was now flirting with Duanmu Yun, the second son of the Minister of Etiquette.
The engagement with Liang Xiao became a burden to Nangong Ning.
Duan Yunxiu sneered and said: "You also said that Nangong Ning is determined to be a good match. It is impossible to like him, the son of a criminal minister."
Hearing this, Mu Qinxue's breathing was a little disordered.
Duan Yunxiu looked at his best friend with complicated emotions and asked, "Then what do you think of Liang Xiao?"
After Mu Qinxue calmed down, she sighed quietly.
"I have always opposed the idea of parents ordering matchmakers, but since I was born in the Mu family and enjoy all the glory and wealth, I naturally need to bear the responsibility as a child. Even if I don't marry him, my parents will definitely let me marry other people.
Marriage between aristocratic families means marriage anyway, so why not repay the favor, right?"
"I have already thought about it. If he can make progress, I will be his good wife. If he sinks and becomes drunk, then let him be my son-in-law of the Mu family and I will protect him for the rest of his life."
After saying that, Mu Qinxue looked at Duan Yunxiu and said softly: "Sister Yunxiu, have you gone to see Liang Xiao? How is he? Is he dead?"
"The line Duanmu Yuncheng recited just now actually came from Liang Xiao. I was by the lake at the time." Duan Yunxiu replied.
The golden teacup in Mu Qinxue's hand fell to the table with a clatter and rolled to the ground.