The next day, Nian Jiaojiao received an invitation from the organizers of the poetry gathering.
To be fair, this poetry gathering, being supported by multiple forces, had an incredibly wide reach for information.
There probably weren't many people in the academy who knew she was the top-ranked Tong Sheng. Yet, the organizers of the poetry gathering managed to find out about her status as the top Tong Sheng, and even knew which academy she was currently attending. A servant had delivered the invitation early in the morning.
"Take me, take me, take me with you..."
Tong Fu chirped like a little sparrow, giving Nian Jiaojiao a headache.
"I'll take you, I'll take you, I'll definitely take you."
Upon receiving Nian Jiaojiao's affirmation, Tong Fu was overjoyed.
She had made the right friend. Would her mother still call her friends "bad influences" now?
...
Two days later.
Feng City was majestic, like a coiled python.
A city was about the size of half of H Province in Nian Jiaojiao's previous life. Even though it was night, the flow of people and vehicles at the city gates was still endless. Feng City was not only bustling but also prosperous. Nian Jiaojiao was deeply impressed by the vibrant lights, the scene of ancient prosperity making the night as bright as day.
The venue for the Full Moon Poetry Gathering was the Mingyue Tower. However, if you thought Mingyue Tower was just a single building, you would be greatly mistaken. Mingyue Tower was more like a small town, with its own street scenes, numerous pavilions, and an array of lanterns, both in design and number, far surpassing what could be seen from the outside.
Currently, those who could present an invitation at Mingyue Tower were divided into five categories.
The first category, white invitations, corresponded to the top-ranked Tong Sheng. Those invited were all the top Tong Sheng from Feng City and its surrounding regions in the past three years.
The second category, red invitations, corresponded to the first-class Xiucai. Those invited were the first-class Xiucai from within Feng City in the past five years.
The third category, yellow invitations, corresponded to Juren from Feng City and neighboring cities who were willing to accept the invitation.
The fourth category, purple invitations, were held by officials of the Great Yue Dynasty.
Among these, holders of white invitations could bring one person into the tower. Holders of red invitations could bring three people. Holders of yellow invitations could bring five people. Holders of purple invitations could bring ten people.
As for the last category, the fifth, it was rather special. Although they did not have invitations, they were honored guests of Mingyue Tower and could enter and exit freely, though only themselves. Since it was a poetry gathering, the most important aspect was poetic talent. Mingyue Tower had always been on the lookout for such talents who possessed poetic talent but lacked official titles, and had long since issued Mingyue Tokens.
After Nian Jiaojiao, holding a white invitation, entered with Tong Fu, a servant led them to the pavilion for Tong Sheng. There were about five pavilions for Tong Sheng. Nian Jiaojiao arrived late and happened to reach the last pavilion. The interior of this pavilion was grand in scale, with carved beams and painted rafters, and servants and maids in gorgeous attire to greet the guests arriving at the pavilion.
As soon as Nian Jiaojiao and Tong Fu entered the pavilion, someone came forward to greet them warmly. "May I ask which top Tong Sheng has arrived? You look a bit unfamiliar?"
Nian Jiaojiao knew that people coming here not only aimed to showcase their poetry but also to make friends. After all, those who came to Mingyue Tower were people with potential, friends worth befriending. So, she wasn't shy and introduced herself and Tong Fu with great composure: "I am Nian Jiaojiao, the top Tong Sheng of Fengshui Town in the 1156th year of the Great Yue Dynasty. Beside me is my friend and classmate, Tong Fu."
Tong Fu, no longer as boisterous as before, appeared somewhat reserved. Hearing Nian Jiaojiao introduce her, she blushed and bowed to the other person. The person smiled at Tong Fu and then focused all their attention back on Nian Jiaojiao, introducing herself: "I am Tan Fang, the top Tong Sheng of Lingshi Town in the 1153rd year of the Great Yue Dynasty. Seeing that you are young and two years my junior, I will take the liberty to call myself your elder sister."
Nian Jiaojiao smiled and nodded in response: "Elder Sister Tan."
Hearing Nian Jiaojiao's address, Tan Fang seemed particularly pleased. She laughed heartily a few times and then said, "Hahaha! Younger Sister Nian, I assume this is your first time at Mingyue Tower. Come, I'll show you around and introduce you to some friends!" With that, Tan Fang, as if they were close sisters, took Nian Jiaojiao's arm and started walking inside.
"This..."
Nian Jiaojiao turned back, intending to bring Tong Fu along. However, Tong Fu repeatedly waved her hand, saying, "Jiaojiao, you don't need to worry about me. I'll just find a spot to eat and drink."
Nian Jiaojiao thought for a moment that bringing Tong Fu to meet friends might make her uncomfortable. She then instructed Tong Fu, "Then don't wander off. I'll come back to find you right away." After Tong Fu nodded, Nian Jiaojiao finally left with Tan Fang. Tong Fu, however, didn't mind at all. Once no one was paying attention to her, she felt a sense of lightness, and her round eyes began to search for her objective for this trip – the imperial chef's "pastries."
Entering the crowd, Nian Jiaojiao could hear the greetings more clearly. "Oh, isn't this Sister Fang? Long time no see, how have you been lately?" "Not bad, and you?" "Just so-so. By the way, I'm sure you've prepared well for this poetry gathering, right?" "My poetry cultivation is not yet perfect, you know that. By the way, let me introduce you to my younger sister—Nian Jiaojiao."
Nian Jiaojiao, having just met Tan Fang, and already being referred to as her younger sister, smiled and greeted the elegantly dressed woman opposite them. After they walked away, Nian Jiaojiao couldn't help but ask Tan Fang, "Elder Sister, what preparation is required for this poetry gathering?"
Although Tan Fang was attending for the first time, she knew nothing about the poetry gathering, which made her realize that Nian Jiaojiao was someone without much background and no one to guide her. Tan Fang's enthusiasm for Nian Jiaojiao slightly diminished, but she still explained, "Our poetry gathering is about composing poems. Whoever writes better poems has the chance to become famous at Mingyue Tower, or even throughout Feng City. However... these are usually matters for those Xiucai and Juren. If we can receive a word or two of praise, it would be quite good."
Nian Jiaojiao: "Oh? I'd be happy to hear more."
Seeing her curiosity, Tan Fang continued her explanation. "We compose poems in two ways. The first is the fixed poetry creation that happens every year, which is related to the Full Moon Festival. Do you know the story of the Full Moon Festival?" Nian Jiaojiao nodded. Isn't that just glorifying "love"? "The second type is when Juren or high-ranking officials temporarily set a theme, and we create based on it. Well... this is more difficult, as everyone might have been creating poems for the Full Moon Festival long in advance. This temporary poetry composition not only tests our poetic ability but also our reaction time."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded in agreement. "However, since it's your first time here, don't feel any pressure. Just treat it as accumulating experience for next year." Tan Fang said this while lightly patting Nian Jiaojiao's shoulder. Seeing that Nian Jiaojiao had no further questions, she said she had something to do and told Nian Jiaojiao to look around by herself, then turned and enthusiastically greeted those who were arriving at the pavilion.
Nian Jiaojiao: ...