Chapter 343: Superficial Knowledge

At the entrance of the Qi Manor, a pair of seven-foot-two-inch green stone lions stood at the bottom of the stone steps, their paws gripping intricately carved, hollowed-out silk balls. According to the regulations of the Ning Dynasty, a first-rank official could have six-foot green stone lions in front of their residence. However, the Qi Manor's lions were a foot and two inches taller than prescribed, putting them on par with those of a prince.

Under the cover of night, Qi Zhenzhuo stood by the stone lions, looking around. A servant boy urged him, "Second Young Master, please go inside quickly. The literary gathering has already begun."

Qi Zhenzhuo impatiently replied, "I need to wait for someone, do you understand? Greeting them personally at the door shows respect. If I weren't afraid of being too deliberate, I'd wait inside, and when they arrived, you'd call out, and I'd come out barefoot to welcome them."

The servant boy secretly pursed his lips.

Qi Zhenzhuo squinted at him. "Look at you, you're completely out of line!"

The servant boy quickly said, "No, no, it's just that the Eldest Young Master has sent people to urge us several times."

Qi Zhenzhuo leaned against a stone lion, unconcerned. "It's fine. My elder brother won't be harsh with me over such a small matter."

Just as he finished speaking, Chen Ji appeared from the south side of Fu You Street, dressed in a black, high-collared robe with a wide front flap. Behind him followed Xiaoman, wearing a green ruqun dress and cradling a small black cat.

Qi Zhenzhuo quickly went to meet him. "Master, where have you been? Why are you an hour late!"

Chen Ji smiled and explained, "This literary gathering was personally invited by Grand Secretary Qi, so naturally, I wanted to be more formal. After a day of training, I was disheveled, so I simply went back to take a cold bath and change into clean clothes."

Qi Zhenzhuo sighed. "Master, coming to the Qi Manor is like coming home for you; there's no need to be so particular. But this outfit suits you better than the Silver Armor of the Imperial Forest Army. My brother-in-law was right; you look best in black. The bright silver armor of the Imperial Forest Army doesn't complement you."

At this point, his gaze shifted to the small black cat Xiaoman was holding, and he mumbled, "So it really isn't your cat."

Chen Ji calmly asked, "What?"

Qi Zhenzhuo explained, "Earlier, I saw the Empress holding a small black cat, and I thought it was the one you had in Guyuan."

Chen Ji smiled. "Didn't I explain it already?"

"It was my misunderstanding," Qi Zhenzhuo quickly said, pulling Chen Ji inside. "Let's go in quickly; the literary gathering has already started."

Chen Ji followed him, stepping over the knee-high threshold of the Qi family's entrance, and casually asked, "Who all is here today?"

Qi Zhenzhuo replied, "The Buddhist disciple Wuzhai from Yuanjue Temple is coming, but a novice monk just came to say that an important figure visited Yuanjue Temple today, so he will arrive later. Our family also sent an invitation to Minister Zhang Zhuo, but Minister Zhang just sent someone to say that there's trouble in Dongjiang Mi Alley. The court officials and grand secretaries have all been summoned to the palace to discuss matters concerning the Goryeo envoys. It's said that Mr. Wang Daosheng just arrived in the capital today and was summoned by the imperial court before even reaching his residence."

Chen Ji casually remarked, "Mr. Wang is in the capital? What kind of trouble is there in Dongjiang Mi Alley?"

Qi Zhenzhuo scratched his head. "I don't know either. I heard that an outlaw set fire to something on the street. The Secret Intelligence Department has now sealed off the entire area, stopping many court officials to search for the perpetrator, but they haven't found anything. Now, the Five Cities Garrison has locked all the inner and outer city gates, allowing no one in or out. It's likely the Secret Intelligence Department will turn the capital upside down again."

Chen Ji feigned surprise. "It's that serious? Should our Imperial Forest Army return to the Governor's Mansion to await orders?"

Qi Zhenzhuo sighed. "Usually, they don't call on our Imperial Forest Army for such major incidents. When they do call on us, the matters are generally not very important."

Chen Ji was speechless.

Qi Zhenzhuo lamented, "I wonder where that outlaw came from, daring to set a fire in the inner city. Don't they value their lives?"

Chen Ji glanced at Qi Zhenzhuo.

Qi Zhenzhuo continued, "Oh, and I don't know if the imperial court will send reinforcements to Goryeo. My brother-in-law has been thinking about this, wanting to lead our Right Swift Cavalry Guard to volunteer for the mission and achieve merit. He says that every border town has its own frontier army, and the main battlefield at Chongli Pass has the Three Imperial Camps, so this kind of opportunity is the only way to earn distinction."

Chen Ji mused, "The imperial court will send reinforcements."

"Huh?" Qi Zhenzhuo was startled. "Master, are you so certain?"

Chen Ji affirmed, "Otherwise, the Grand Secretaries wouldn't have allowed Mr. Wang to come to the capital. They must have already decided on the commander... Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go inside."

"Alright," Qi Zhenzhuo said, glancing back at Chen Ji. "It's a pity Miss Zhang Er and Zhang Zheng didn't come; it would have been livelier."

Xiaoman, following behind the two, explained, "Second Sister said that attending this kind of literary gathering would be beneath her."

Qi Zhenzhuo felt a moment of awkwardness. "Miss Zhang Er certainly has the confidence to say that. It's probably better she didn't come; everyone can be more relaxed... By the way, more than ten renowned scholars from the south are here today. Among the most famous are Lin Chaojing, the top scholar of Yuzhou and the younger brother of the eunuch faction's Lin Chaoqing—mentioning him brings bad luck. Another is Shen Ye, the literary master of the Tiger Hill Poetry Society in the south, truly exceptional in demeanor; it's said he'll contend with your elder brother Chen Wenzong for the top scholar position this year. And there's also Huang Que, the son of a southern salt merchant, from Jishan Academy. Though Huang Que is talented, unfortunately, in this era, without a good family background, one cannot pursue the imperial examinations. He has failed twice, and this time, he has finally come seeking patronage from my Qi family..."

Chen Ji interrupted, "A salt merchant?"

Qi Zhenzhuo asked, confused, "Is Master interested in salt merchants? His family is just a minor one; they can't compare to the Eight Great Merchants of Lianghuai."

Chen Ji smiled. "It's nothing, just asking."

Xiaoman's eyes darted around. Having followed Chen Ji for so long, she naturally thought more deeply than Qi Zhenzhuo. Since the Young Master specifically asked, he must be eyeing businesses related to salt. Anything related to salt meant big business.

At this moment, Qi Zhenzhuo secretly scrutinized Chen Ji. "Master, speaking of talent and appearance, I have a younger sister named Qi Zhaoning. She has been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, exceptionally talented and beautiful, though her temper is a bit unruly... But her nature isn't bad, and she'll definitely mellow out after marriage."

Chen Ji simply hummed in response, saying nothing.

Qi Zhenzhuo lowered his voice. "Master, you're also at the age for marriage. Do you have anyone in mind?"

Chen Ji paused. "No."

Qi Zhenzhuo burst out laughing and gleefully pulled Chen Ji by the arm, leading him through the layered courtyards.

The Qi family residence also had an elegant name: Koi Garden. The literary gathering was held in the center of Koi Garden. The Qi family had built a large pond there, and a multi-story building called Mingse Tower stood over the pond. The tower resembled a cabin or a painted pleasure boat, illuminated brightly with lights.

Chen Ji was pulled by Qi Zhenzhuo into Mingse Tower. In the main hall, dozens of people were seated on their knees, chatting and laughing loudly, their laughter robust like that of all high officials, yet lacking any novelty. When the two stepped over the threshold, everyone suddenly stopped talking and looked their way. They first looked at their clothes, then their boots. After the boots, their eyes moved to the jade pendants at their waists, then to the hair ornaments on their heads, and finally to their faces. Once they had scrutinized their appearance, everyone subtly withdrew their gaze. Only one young woman, wearing a white jade butterfly hairpin, remained kneeling at a table, openly observing Chen Ji with a mix of curiosity and scrutiny. Even when Chen Ji looked back, her gaze did not waver.

Qi Zhenzhuo pulled Chen Ji to kneel at the second and third positions on the left. Xiaoman, holding the small black cat, knelt neatly behind Chen Ji to his right, serving him tea and water like the other maids, so well-behaved that she hardly seemed like herself.

A Persian velvet red carpet lay in the center of Mingse Tower's main hall, and a young woman, her face veiled with light gauze, sat on it playing the pipa. The pipa player, who had seen Chen Ji enter earlier, merely raised her head slightly, glanced at Chen Ji, and then lowered her gaze again, her face still obscured by the light veil.

Chen Ji knelt behind the table, his gaze sweeping across the main hall. He saw that the only person he recognized, Lin Chaojing, was seated directly opposite him. Across the red carpet, Lin Chaojing was shamelessly staring at the pipa player's profile. Behind him were two more rows of young, talented gentlemen, none of whom Chen Ji knew.

When the music paused, the pipa player was about to withdraw when the young woman with the white jade butterfly hairpin spoke up, "Zhenzhu, don't rush off. Please stay and play some soft tunes. I remember your performance of 'The Jade Hairpin' was excellent; let everyone hear it."

Qi Zhenzhu, holding the pipa, paused slightly, then quietly assented. She moved a nanmu round chair and sat by the doorway, continuing to play the pipa on her own.

Xiaoman whispered behind Chen Ji, "Second Sister said that the one wearing the white jade butterfly hairpin is Qi Zhaoning. The hairpin was handcrafted by artisans from the Directorate of Imperial Accoutrements and awarded by the Empress Dowager; it's said the white jade butterfly's wings seem to flutter in the sunlight. The young woman next to her should be Qi Zhaoyun; her eyes are practically glued to the scholar on your right. And the person sitting at the host's position at the end of the red carpet should be..."

Xiaoman couldn't recall, so she immediately lowered her head and pulled out a small piece of paper from her sleeve, on which was densely written elegant and delicate script. After searching the note for a while, she said, "It should be Qi Zhenwu, Qi Zhenzhuo's elder brother, a Censor-in-Chief of the fourth rank."

Chen Ji chuckled wryly. "You have a cheat sheet?"

Xiaoman said, embarrassed, "Second Sister knows my memory isn't as good as hers."

At this moment, Qi Zhenwu, seated in the host's position, spoke, "My second brother and his esteemed guest have arrived. Shall we begin? With the imperial examinations approaching, you all must remember that we gather here not merely for drinking and merriment, but for scholars from the north and south to exchange knowledge and talent."

He motioned to the side. A maid brought three ivory dice on a tray. Qi Zhenwu picked up the dice from the tray and said with a smile, "Today's topic..."

Qi Zhaoning interjected, "Elder Brother, how about we make 'The Four Dreams of Bianliang' today's topic? My sister and I went to the Imperial Music Bureau a few days ago to hear 'The Four Dreams of Bianliang,' and it made us cry terribly."

Qi Zhenwu shook his head. "Many people haven't seen 'The Four Dreams of Bianliang' yet, so that's not appropriate. Let's make today's topic about frontier warfare. With the great victory at Guyuan this time, His Majesty will likely set questions related to border towns for this year's palace examination. You all should start thinking early. Now, we'll use the dice to determine the rhyme scheme."

Qi Zhenwu threw the first die; the result was three. The second die, five. The third die, two.

Chen Ji was completely confused. He turned to Xiaoman and whispered, "What do these dice mean?"

Xiaoman looked down at her small note, then, after a moment, explained, "The first die determines whether it's an upper or lower level tone based on odd or even numbers. The second determines the rhyme group number. The third determines whether adjacent rhymes can be used; if it lands on six, neighboring rhymes are allowed. So, what's been decided now is an upper level tone, the fifth *wei* rhyme, with no adjacent rhymes allowed."

Chen Ji grew even more confused. It was clear that if he, a transmigrator, could only recite a few poems and occasionally write one that gained fame, he would truly embarrass himself by attending this literary gathering. Literary and poetry gatherings were far more complex than simply composing poems.

Then Lin Chaojing asked, "Brother Shen, would you like to go first?"

A graceful young man beside him smiled faintly and, without refusing, immediately called for brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. He then took up the brush and wrote: "Alone on the beacon tower, watching the sun fade, / Where smoke clears, the scenery is not as it was. / Ten years without seeing a letter from home, / Fearing a hometown accent will call me back."

The people in the hall clapped and cheered. Poems at such gatherings didn't necessarily need to be profound; the key was quick wit, speed of composition, and adherence to the rules.

Qi Zhenwu clapped his hands and laughed, "Brother Shen Ye is indeed worthy of being the literary master of the Tiger Hill Poetry Society. I had originally intended to have servants bring a 'poetry clock' to time the compositions, but it seems unnecessary now. It's a pity that Brother Chen Wenzong declined this gathering, citing the need to study, otherwise, he could have sparred with you."

Lin Chaojing laughed heartily, "Although Brother Wenzong isn't here, his younger brother has come, so let him take Wenzong's place. This Brother Chen Ji arrived so late, making everyone wait for a full half-hour, so he must be very well prepared."

All eyes fell on Chen Ji. Chen Ji knew that Lin Chaojing was trying to make things difficult because of the long wait. He immediately rose, cupped his hands, and said, "My apologies, everyone. Today, I worked up a sweat training at the Governor's Mansion, and to show respect, I went home to change, which is why I'm late. However, I am merely a rustic martial artist; I only know how to wield swords and practice martial arts, not compose poetry or prose, so I shall not participate."

Lin Chaojing said with a smile, "Brother Chen Ji is too modest. The Chen family is known for its literary heritage; how could you not know poetry and prose? If you truly can't compose anything, the only penalty would be to recite 'Sheng Lü Qi Meng' in public."

Chen Ji stated firmly, "I truly don't."

Qi Zhenwu lowered his gaze and thought for a moment, then, accommodating Chen Ji, said, "It's normal not to be able to compose poetry. In that case, perhaps we can change this literary gathering to a discussion of classical commentaries? Brother Chen Ji, what field of study do you specialize in?"

Chen Ji cupped his hands and replied, "To answer Minister Qi, I have little academic knowledge."

Qi Zhenwu probed, "The Analects?"

Chen Ji shook his head. "I've read it, but only superficially."

Qi Zhenwu was astonished and tried again, "The Doctrine of the Mean?"

"Also only superficially," Chen Ji calmly stated, "Minister Qi, I merely served as an apprentice at the Imperial Medical Academy in Luocheng for two years; I haven't studied classical texts or philosophical works."

"An apprentice at a medical academy?"

Everyone exchanged glances; someone who knew so little was rare. In the main hall of Mingse Tower, even the sound of the pipa had stopped at some point. The young woman with the light veil looked up at Chen Ji, but saw that he was kneeling behind the table with a composed expression, showing no embarrassment.

In the silence, Qi Zhaoning, who was kneeling at the table, stopped watching Chen Ji. Her gaze shifted elsewhere, and she casually remarked, "Such dawdling... Why doesn't he perform a sword dance instead? Zhenzhu can play 'Break the Battle Formation' for him."

Qi Zhenzhuo's eyes widened in anger. "Qi Zhaoning, what nonsense are you spouting? What kind of sense does it make to ask a guest to perform a sword dance for you?"

Qi Zhaoning pouted. "He said himself he knows how to wield swords and practice martial arts."