Su Lis remarks caused both Changle and Li Xueyan to beco anxious. Both of them believed that Su Li was about to agree to participate in the poetry event organized by Zhangsun Chong. However, this decision was very unwise!
Due to Empress Zhangsuns influence and Zhangsun Wujis position as pri minister, the Zhangsun Clan held a prominent position in the Tang dynasty. As a result, nurous individuals in Changan City sought to align themselves with the Zhangsun Clans power.
Given the relationship with Zhangsun Chong and his status as the pri ministers son, it was likely that there would be several loyal followers at his poetry event. These individuals would undoubtedly create difficulties for Su Li and prevent him from attending.
Even though Su Li might be truly talented and capable and could produce exceptional poems as usual during the event, it wouldnt matter. Li Xueyan and Changle was a princess. Given their backgrounds, they couldnt naively view soone like Zhangsun Chong.
Distorting the truth and misleading, a skill not exclusive to historical figures like Zhao Gao, was a trait commonly found among the powerful and privileged. Originally, there was a planned poetry event at the Princess Mansion in a few days, but Changle no longer wished to hold it. Gongzhu, Changle looked at Su Li, hesitating to speak.
However, Su Li and Changle shared a deep connection, so he easily understood what she ant. He pinched her nose and said, I wont attend Zhangsun Chongs poetry event. Going would just be giving him more importance! However, our own poetry event in a few days should proceed as planned.
Changle and Li Xueyan gazed at Su Li with bewildered surprise, unsure why he was so stubborn. If others were intent on tarnishing his reputation, writing more poems at the event wouldnt make a difference.
They couldnt believe Su Li failed to grasp such a simple concept. As they believed, the best approach was to handle the situation calmly.
Su Li maintained a faint smile and remained silent. He knew the story of the two bowls of rice better than anyone else. He wouldnt be like the character in that story who, in his attempt to prove his innocence, ended up in a terrible state.
He understood that if he backed down, the other party would press on relentlessly, and he would eventually find himself cornered without any recourse.
The spectators around were rely observing the commotion and didnt care about how many rice bowls were in his stomach.
Zhangsun Chong wanted to use a poetry event to tarnish Su Lis reputation. However, he didnt realize this petty trick was ineffective in front of Su Li. He might still believe his strategy was clever, but it was quite laughable from Su Lis perspective. Dealing with such an annoying presence was simple, slap it away and silence it for good.
In a couple of days, Zhangsun Chong would understand his insignificance. Ti passed quickly, and before anyone knew it, the ti for the poetry event had arrived. Notably, Zhangsun Chong had chosen the sa ti as the event held at the Princess Mansion.
At night, in Zhangsun Wujis residence, the gathering occurred in the sa garden. However, this ti, there were more attendees than last ti. To make a bigger impact, Zhangsun Chong spared no expense and sent nurous invitations to the talented youths of Changan City.
As the event began, Zhangsun Chong stood up, pretended to look around, and feigned regret, Its a sha that Consort Su Li isnt here. The reactions of the attending young talents varied. So looked disdainful, confirming their expectations. So appeared puzzled and unsure about Su Lis absence, while others seed lost in thought.
Zhangsun Chong aid to expose Su Lis flaws and discredit him, hoping to spread the word throughout Changan. The young talents present held considerable influence, and if Su Li were to embarrass himself at the event, his reputation for fraudulent poetry would spread quickly.
Unbeknownst to Zhangsun Chong, Su Li had chosen not to attend. Instead of feeling angry about Su Lis refusal to participate, Zhangsun Chong was elated. Su Lis absence eliminated the need for a complicated plan to tarnish his reputation. After the previous event, many had suspected Su Lis deception, and by inviting him, Zhangsun Chong had offered him a chance to clear his na. Su Lis nonattendance played perfectly into Zhangsun Chongs hands.
Soone in the crowd speculated, Perhaps sothing held him up? Zhangsun Chong sighed and replied, Consort Su and Princess Changle share a deep love. They are inseparable on ordinary days. Likely, he couldnt bear to be away from the princess even for a short while, hence his choice.
Despite being the host of the poetry event, the young talents didnt buy Zhangsun Chongs explanation. So sneered and suggested he shouldnt spare any thought for Su Lis past relationship.
I heard that recently, Su Li has been socializing frequently and attending poetry etings. Why didnt Zhangsun Chongs poetry eting draw him in?
Everyone displayed a look of realization. Thinking about it, that did seem to be the case.
The noblewon of Changan highly favored Su Lis poetry. As for these talents who enjoyed composing poetry, while they were fascinated by those classic works, they also held their respect. But they shouldnt forget. Writers could be critical of each other!
Before anyone raised objections, many might have reluctantly accepted Su Lis reputation as a rising star in the poetry world. However, if doubts arose, everything would seem suspicious.
Wasnt he supposedly exceptionally skilled in poetry, Su Li?
He didnt even dare to attend the poetry eting. Didnt tell them he was a fraud!
It was likely he only dared to deceive those won who lacked insight.
He was not attending because he feared exposing himself to these true young talents and being unmasked.
I heard that the Princess Mansion is hosting a poetry eting today. Consort Su Li might be busy with that, and perhaps he hasnt seen the invitation. How about sending it again?
As the speaking talent looked at him, Zhangsun Chongs eyes brightened.
He certainly understood that it was highly unlikely Su Li hadnt received the invitation. However, he could easily send another one in front of so many people.
If Su Li didnt respond, he could send soone else. If Su Li steadfastly refused to co, he wouldnt need to say anythinghis reputation would undoubtedly suffer.
Just as Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liangs cottage three tis in ancient tis, Zhangsun Chong extended three invitations to Su Li.
Killing soone and destroying their reputationhow would Su Li respond?
This idea seed promising!
With this thought in mind, Zhangsun Chong quickly nodded in agreent and was about to instruct soone to send the invitation.
The talented individual who had spoken earlier eagerly volunteered again, Consort Sus fa echoes through Changan. If you were to send a servant to invite him, it might not appear respectful enough. How about I go and extend the invitation?
Upon hearing this, Zhangsun Chong imdiately nodded in approval.
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