Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 129 Let’s find a solution together

Wu Tao's heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and she could hardly breathe. Who dared to disobey the imperial court's requisition? Would the books she carefully selected, the tables and chairs she designed, and the plaque engraved with "Taoyuan Academy" all be wasted?

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them back. She couldn't just give up. Her dream and the children's eyes longing for knowledge were all inspiring her.

"Tao'er, don't worry. There will always be a way out when we reach the mountain." Hu Bugui held her hand, his eyes firm and gentle.

Wu Tao took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "You're right, there will always be a way." She looked at Hu Bugui with a glimmer of hope in her eyes, "Tell me, can we change our thinking?"

"How to change it?" Hu Bugui motioned her to continue.

"Since the emperor wants the royal style, we should find a way to make the academy something that the royal family also needs." A plan gradually emerged in Wu Tao's mind.

"What you mean is..." Hu Bugui seemed to understand her thoughts.

"That's right. We can collect excellent poetry works from the public to enrich the palace culture and let the emperor see the significance of the academy. It is not only to impart knowledge, but also to enhance the royal cultural heritage." Wu Tao became more and more excited as she spoke. She believed that as long as she put her heart into it, she would be able to find a way to have the best of both worlds.

Hu Bugui pondered for a moment and nodded, "This is a good idea, but it may be difficult to implement. The palace has always paid little attention to folk affairs. It may not be easy to convince the emperor."

"Everything depends on human effort. We have to try to know." Wu Tao said firmly, "I have already lost an opportunity once. This time, I must seize it."

She was referring to the time when she traveled back to the Tang Dynasty, but she missed the opportunity to study because of her humble status. Now, she has knowledge and the support of her lover, and she wants to fight for her dream again.

Hu Bugui looked at this strong and energetic woman in front of him, his heart full of admiration and love. He knew that no matter how many difficulties lay ahead, he would accompany her to face them and overcome them together.

"Okay, let's find a solution together!"

It was late at night, and the moonlight was pouring into the room, but Wu Tao had no desire to sleep. She stood up and walked to the window, looking at the starry sky, her heart filled with anticipation and anxiety.

Operation Peach Blossom has quietly begun, what will be waiting for them?

The next morning, before the mist had dispersed, Wu Tao got up early, changed into plain clothes, and prepared to go to the people to look for those buried talents. Hu Bugui was worried about her going alone, so he specially arranged several guards to protect her secretly.

"Tao'er, remember not to be stubborn. If you encounter difficulties, come back and we will find a solution together." Before leaving, Hu Bugui held her hand, his eyes full of worry.

Wu Tao smiled back, his eyes firm: "Don't worry, I know my limits."

After that, she left the palace with her guards in a carriage.

Outside Chang'an, the fields are crisscrossed, smoke from cooking fires rises, and the scene is peaceful. Wu Tao visited many villages, and in each place he would ask the locals if there were anyone who was good at poetry and songs.

Hard work pays off. After a few days of traveling, Wu Tao finally found several talented poets. One of them was an old man named Li Mu. He was over 70 years old, but still energetic and eloquent. His poems were fresh and natural in style, with profound artistic conception, which made Wu Tao admire him.

"Mr. Li, I admire your talent very much. Now the court is interested in revitalizing the culture of poetry. I sincerely invite you to the palace for a chat. What do you think?" Wu Tao respectfully invited Li Mu.

Li Mu stroked his gray beard, pondered for a moment, and asked, "I wonder what I can do after entering the palace?"

"You just need to show your poems to the emperor and other gentlemen and let them feel the charm of poetry." Wu Tao explained.

After hearing this, Li Mu nodded slightly and agreed to Wu Tao's request.

At the same time, Hu Bugui was also working hard to promote poetry culture. He knew that it would be difficult for Wu Tao to change the court atmosphere by himself, and he needed the support of more people.

So, he used his influence in the court to actively promote the importance of poetry culture to all ministers, and proposed to hold poetry gatherings regularly for everyone to communicate and learn.

Hu Bugui was pleased that his proposal was approved by many officials. They were all well-read people with deep feelings for poetry and culture, but they did not dare to express it easily due to the atmosphere in the palace. Now that the new prince took the lead in advocating it, they were naturally happy to see it come to fruition.

Everything is moving in a good direction, and a feast of poetry is about to begin in the palace...

In the palace, the dull atmosphere of the past was swept away, replaced by bursts of ink fragrance and laughter. Wu Tao carefully arranged the imperial garden and built elegant pavilions and towers as a place for poets to recite poems and write couplets.

It was a sunny day with peach blossoms in full bloom. It was the opening day of the poetry conference. Wu Tao was wearing a light pink palace dress with a white gauze on the outside. Her long black hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin, which made her look particularly gentle and charming. She stood at the entrance of the Imperial Garden and personally welcomed every scholar and poet who came to the conference.

"Mr. Li, you are finally here. Tao'er has been waiting for you for a long time!" When Wu Tao saw Li Mu, he hurriedly stepped forward and greeted him warmly.

Li Mu stroked his beard with a smile and said, "How dare I not come when the princess is so kind?"

As poets came in one after another, the empty imperial garden gradually became lively. Some of them gathered in groups of three or five, discussing poems and songs in low voices; others walked among the flowers alone, looking for inspiration for their creations.

Wu Tao moved among the crowd, talking to them from time to time, asking about their creative work and encouraging them to boldly display their talents.

"Princess, what do you think of this poem of mine?" An old man stopped Wu Tao, pointed at the poem he had just written, and asked expectantly.

Wu Tao took the manuscript and read it carefully. She was not perfunctory, but sincerely wanted to understand the works of each poet. After reading, she could always point out the advantages and disadvantages of the works and give pertinent suggestions.

Gradually, Wu Tao's talent and sincerity won the recognition and respect of all poets. They no longer regarded her as a high-ranking princess, but as a like-minded poet friend.

This poetry conference not only attracted the participation of many male literati, but even the concubines living deep in the harem could not contain their curiosity and came to watch.

The Empress was full of praise for Wu Tao's actions. She had always loved poetry and songs, but due to her status, she could not express her emotions as freely as ordinary women. Now seeing Wu Tao's dedication to promoting poetry culture, a spark of love was ignited in her heart.

"Tao'er, I also want to join you!" The Queen found Wu Tao and said in a firm tone.

Wu Tao was stunned at first, then she understood the Queen's intention and showed a happy smile on her face: "It's great that the Queen has this intention! Tao'er believes that under your leadership, the sisters in the harem will also be able to feel the charm of poetry and create more excellent works!"

The Queen smiled and nodded, and then began to prepare for the organization of a female poetry class in the harem. She believed that women did not have to rely on men to live, they could also have their own dreams and pursuits, and through their own efforts, leave their own mark on this era.

Inside and outside the palace, two poetry feasts are quietly brewing, and a wave of cultural revival is about to sweep across the entire Tang Dynasty...

 Chapter 129: Operation Peach Blossom, march forward courageously

Wu Tao's efforts nourished the land of the Tang Dynasty like spring rain, and the seeds of poetry took root and sprouted inside and outside the palace. The palace poetry conference and the harem women's poetry class complemented each other, attracting countless literati and talented women to participate. They made friends with poetry, displayed their talents, and left behind countless popular masterpieces.

"The peach blossoms are glittering in Chang'an, and the spring breeze is blowing with the horses galloping. I am not a young knight-errant, but I have a heroic spirit that fills the world."

In the Imperial Garden, a young poet recited his new work. His passionate words won applause from the whole audience.

Wu Tao stood aside with a gratified smile on her face. She knew that this was not only a feast of poetry, but also a cultural revival. Under her promotion, the poetry culture of the Tang Dynasty has been revitalized as never before.

"Tao'er, you did it." Hu Bugui walked to Wu Tao, held her hand, his eyes full of admiration.

"This is all thanks to everyone," Wu Tao shook his head, "I just did my little bit."

"No, you did a good job." The emperor's voice came from behind him, with a hint of relief in his tone, "You have brought vitality to the Tang Dynasty and hope to me."

Wu Tao turned around and saluted: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the compliment."

The emperor looked at Wu Tao, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. He patted Hu Bugui on the shoulder and said earnestly: "Bugui, Tao'er is a good child, you have to treat her well."

"I understand, son." Hu Bugui replied respectfully.

Everything seems to be thriving, however, under the calm surface of the lake, there are hidden undercurrents. A mysterious organization regards Wu Tao as a thorn in their side, and they secretly observe Wu Tao's every move, waiting for an opportunity to act.

"Chief, when do we start?" A man in black knelt on one knee and asked the figure sitting in the shadows.

"No hurry, the time has not come yet." The figure's voice was low and hoarse, "We have to wait for a foolproof opportunity to destroy her completely!"

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in the black-clothed man's eyes: "I understand."

The figure in the shadows seemed to have thought of something, and a cold smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Spread the news, saying that the princess held a poetry conference just to satisfy her vanity. She doesn't understand poetry at all, she is just sensational..."

The man in black took the order and left, disappearing into the night. A conspiracy against Wu Tao was quietly unfolding...