Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 130 Poetry Conference

In the dead of night, a dark figure sneaked into the imperial city, moving as lightly as a civet cat. He stuffed a letter into the crack of the Imperial Hospital wall, and then disappeared silently into the night.

The next morning, rumors about the poetry conference held by Princess Wu Tao spread throughout the palace. At first, it was just some groundless speculation, saying that the princess came from the common people and probably didn't understand poetry, and the conference was just a show of elegance. Gradually, these rumors began to become more sharp, and some people even hinted that the princess did this to satisfy her vanity, take the opportunity to win people's hearts, and plot something bad.

Wu Tao knew nothing about this. She was preparing for the poetry conference with great enthusiasm. She ordered people to build an exquisite colorful tent in the imperial garden, and personally selected many precious flowers and spices to decorate the entire venue like a fairyland. She hoped that this event could become a feast for cultural exchange in the Tang Dynasty, so that more people would fall in love with poetry and the culture of the Tang Dynasty.

However, not everyone is as pure as Wu Tao. Some officials were dissatisfied with Wu Tao's actions. They believed that the harem should not interfere in government affairs, and the princess had exceeded her duty by holding such a grand poetry conference. Some pedantic old officials also complained about Wu Tao's background, believing that she was a commoner and had no right to interfere in the cultural affairs of the court.

"This princess is really getting more and more outrageous!" The director of the Imperial Hospital said indignantly to his colleague while drinking ginseng tea, "The concubines in the harem should be law-abiding and take care of their husbands and children, but she is doing these fancy things all day long. How disgraceful!"

"That's right!" another official echoed, "I heard that she also invited many people from the martial arts world to participate in the poetry conference. Isn't this nonsense? The palace is not a place where those vulgar warriors can come and go as they please!"

Although these discussions did not reach Wu Tao's ears, they fermented in secret, gradually forming an invisible pressure that enveloped Wu Tao's heart. A storm against her was quietly brewing...

The palace banquet arrived as scheduled. The entire palace was brightly lit, and there were elegant people in fine clothes, and the scene was prosperous. Wu Tao, dressed in gorgeous clothes, sat dignifiedly beside Hu Bugui, with a decent smile on her face, but she couldn't hide her inner uneasiness.

After three rounds of drinks, the singing and dancing gradually stopped, and several ladies, under the influence of alcohol, came up to Wu Tao and started chatting in a seemingly intimate manner.

"Her Royal Highness is in such a good mood that she wants to hold a poetry competition. We are all looking forward to such an elegant event." A lady in a purple skirt smiled with her hands covering her mouth, but there was a subtle sarcasm in her tone.

"Yes, the princess comes from a scholarly family, so she must be well versed in poetry and songs. We must learn from the princess." Another lady also echoed, her tone full of teasing.

Wu Tao could tell there was something else in their words, but she smiled calmly, "No, no, I only know a little bit about it, I don't deserve such praise from you sisters."

"Your Highness, you are too modest. Everyone knows that the prince is a man of both civil and military talents. Your talent is naturally beyond words." The purple-robed lady spoke again, but this time, she deliberately emphasized the word "prince" and glanced intentionally or unintentionally at the emperor sitting at the top.

As soon as these words were spoken, the ladies around immediately understood what he meant. They all covered their mouths and laughed secretly, and there was a bit more inquiry and contempt in their eyes when they looked at Wu Tao.

Wu Tao's fingers holding the wine glass tightened slightly, and the grievances and anger that had accumulated in her heart for the past few days finally came to her. She knew that these people were flattering her on the surface, but in fact they were mocking her background, mocking her for not knowing her own limitations and wanting to fit into this circle that did not belong to her.

She took a deep breath and tried to suppress the turmoil in her heart. Just as she was about to open her mouth to refute, she felt a warm big hand gently holding her hand. She turned her head to look at Hu Bugui beside her, only to see that he looked calm, with a hint of encouragement and comfort in his deep eyes.

Hu Bugui seemed to sense her uneasiness, and gently patted the back of her hand, then raised his glass and said loudly: "Ladies, you are too kind. The princess has loved poetry and books since she was young. This poetry conference is also to promote our Tang culture. If you have good works, you may as well show your talents at that time."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty, instantly suppressing the whispers around him. The ladies who had originally been mocking him also restrained their smiles and nodded their heads in agreement.

After the party, Hu Bugui walked Wu Tao slowly back to their room. The moon cast long shadows as they walked in silence. Finally, Hu Bugui spoke, his voice full of concern. "Don't let other people's words overshadow your light," he whispered. "Those who try to belittle your dreams are often afraid of your potential." He looked at her, his eyes full of warmth and encouragement. "Remember why you started this, Tao'er. Hold on to that dream."

When they reached their room, Wu Tao paused, a glimmer of old determination in her eyes. She took a deep breath, the pressure of the night slightly relieved. "Thank you," she whispered, "I won't let them succeed." The moonlight shone through the carved window lattice, casting mottled shadows in the room. Wu Tao sat quietly by the window, thinking back to the banquet, the mocking words were like flies in her ears, lingering and disturbing her.

Hu Bugui walked up to her and gently put his arm around her shoulders. "Are you still thinking about those words?"

Wu Tao shook her head and tried to force a smile, "It's okay, I won't take it to heart."

"Tao'er," Hu Bugui looked into her eyes and said seriously, "I know you have ambitions and want to make a career. Although those people's words are unpleasant to hear, you don't have to take them too seriously. You have to believe that gold will always shine, and your efforts and dedication will eventually be recognized by the world."

Wu Tao raised her head, her eyes slightly reddened, "But, can I really do this? After all, I am not from this world. Can I really leave my mark in this era?"

"Of course!" Hu Bugui said firmly, "You have done a great job. You see, since the news of your poetry conference spread, people in the city have been talking about it. Even those scholars who usually don't care about worldly affairs have begun to pay attention to this matter. I believe that as long as you persist, you will succeed!"

Hu Bugui's words were like the warm sun in winter, dispelling the haze in Wu Tao's heart. Yes, she still had dreams and goals, how could she be defeated so easily? She wanted to prove to everyone that she was not a dodder who only depended on her husband, she also had her own value and pursuit!

The next day, Wu Tao cheered up and devoted herself to the preparations for the poetry conference. She personally visited the academies and places where scholars gathered in the city, introduced the rules and purpose of the poetry conference to them, and sincerely invited them to participate.

At first, people were skeptical and wait-and-see about her. After all, she was just a woman of ordinary origin, and in their eyes, her poetry conference was just a pretense of elegance and grandstanding.

But as people got to know her more, they were gradually moved by her sincerity and enthusiasm. Her love for poetry, her admiration for culture, and her indomitable spirit infected more and more people.

A white-haired old man held her hand, tears glistening in his cloudy eyes, "I have studied poetry all my life, but I have never met anyone who truly loves poetry like the princess. Don't worry, I will do my best to help you make the poetry conference a success!"

More and more people joined the team supporting Wu Tao. They began to spontaneously promote the poetry conference and offered to provide help for the conference.

However, just when Wu Tao thought everything was going in a good direction, an unexpected problem was placed before her...

Wu Tao returned to the palace, still feeling a little down. Seeing her like this, Hu Bugui took her to the garden, pointed to the peach blossoms in full bloom and said, "Tao'er, look at these peach blossoms. They have experienced the baptism of the cold winter and are so beautiful. You should also be like these peach blossoms, fearless of wind and rain, and bravely bloom your own light."

Wu Tao looked at the flowers in front of her, and her mind gradually became clear. Yes, she couldn't give up her dream just because of some people's ridicule. She wanted to prove to them that she, Wu Tao, was not so easily defeated!

In the following days, Wu Tao worked even harder to prepare for the poetry conference. She not only widely collected excellent poetry works, but also carefully designed the competition links and selection rules, striving to make this conference fair, just and wonderful.

Her efforts gradually paid off, and more and more people began to understand and support her. Some respected scholars in the city also stood up to speak for her, publicly praising her courage and talent, and expressed their full support for the poetry conference.

"The princess is dedicated to promoting poetry culture, which will benefit the present and future generations!" an old man said with emotion, stroking his beard.

"Those who make sarcastic remarks are just short-sighted people. Princess, don't take them to heart!" A young scholar also stood up and said, "I believe that this poetry conference will be a complete success!"

The support of these people made Wu Tao feel warm and strengthened her determination to hold the poetry conference. However, she didn't know that a conspiracy against her was brewing in secret.

In a secluded house outside the city of Chang'an, a man in black was kneeling on the ground, reporting something to the person sitting at the top.

"What did you say? That Wu Tao actually ignored our warnings and insisted on holding a poetry conference?" The figure sitting at the head sneered, "Does she really think she's someone important? How dare she go against us!"

“Master, should we…” The man in black made a gesture of wiping his neck.

"Don't worry," the figure at the top waved his hand, "On the day of the poetry competition, I will let her know what it means to regret it!"

The man in black took the order and left. The room fell into silence again. Only that figure, in the dim candlelight, looked particularly eerie and terrifying.

The date of the poetry conference is getting closer and closer, and the atmosphere in Chang'an City is becoming lively. People are looking forward to the arrival of this grand event, and Wu Tao is also making final preparations for it. However, she always has an uneasy feeling in her heart, as if something bad is about to happen...