Now I really have to marry the princess.

Chapter 87 Yang Youya, truly a renowned scholar.

Chapter 87 Yang Youya, truly a renowned scholar.

Three days later, it was April 20th.

Yang Zhengdao left Xingdaofang early in the morning.

Today's literary gathering was held at the Hibiscus Garden in the southeast of Chang'an City.

Originally, Yang Zhengdao only planned to bring Su Hongyi and Tan Feng, but Aba was going to ask Li Tai for Jade Dew Dumplings, and since Aba was coming, Nazha also came along.

The group entered through the north gate of Furong Garden, presenting their name cards.

Furong Garden still retains the old system from the Sui Dynasty and is far from the grandeur it was after its historical reconstruction.

The garden walls, made of green bricks, have turned a bluish-gray color over the years, with moss faintly visible on the walls, yet they show no signs of decay.

Upon entering, one is greeted by a long embankment, with ancient willows drooping and their branches strong and vigorous on both banks.

The spring waters of Huangqu have risen anew, and the lingering waves of Qujiang have spread into the garden, creating a vast and clear expanse of water.

Walking along the embankment for a short distance, you enter the woods.

Occasionally, one might spot an old pavilion in the woods, its column bases made of warm, smooth stone, its eaves simple and unadorned. Though dilapidated, it carries with it a serene and tranquil atmosphere that has been sculpted by time.

After walking a few hundred more steps, the terrain rises slightly, and a bright and open view suddenly appears before you. There is a tall pavilion overlooking the water, which is the place where the literary gathering will be held today.

Seating and tables had already been set up in the waterside pavilion, with a plain carpet on the floor. A wisp of incense smoke rose from the incense burner into the clear air, blending with the thin mist and smoke on the water's surface.

The pavilion faces a lotus pond, where new lotus leaves are just beginning to unfurl, their tender green roundness contrasting beautifully with the clear, sparkling water.

When Yang Zhengdao entered the waterside pavilion, it was already full of distinguished guests.

Du He and Fang Yi'ai, two old acquaintances, were indeed there.

Besides the two, Yang Zhengdao also knew Tang Jian's fifth son Tang Shanshi, Wang Gui's second son Wang Jingzhi, Gao Shilian's eldest son Gao Lixing, and Duan Lun's eldest son Duan Yan.

To Yang Zhengdao's surprise, Li Tai also invited members of the Kong and Yan families, including Kong Huiyuan, grandson of Kong Yingda, a scholar of the Kong family.

Yan Xianfu was the eldest son of Yan Qinli, the military advisor.

Many people may not know Yan Xianfu, but he had a very famous grandson, Yan Zhenqing.

As everyone exchanged pleasantries, the phrase "San Shang Jushi" inevitably came up again, and Yang Zhengdao eventually got used to it.

Moreover, Li Tai was quite proud of this nickname and felt honored by it.

Since everyone present, except for Li Tai and Li Yuanjia who have titles, is a commoner, the seating arrangement can be more casual.

When they took their seats, Tang Shanshi made a point of sitting next to Yang Zhengdao.

He bowed to Yang Zhengdao in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your kind help in rescuing me from this predicament, Master Sanshang."

Yang Zhengdao looked completely bewildered, but Tang Shanshi blushed and stammered, unable to explain himself clearly.

Wang Jingzhi, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it any longer and spoke up to explain. Only then did Yang Zhengdao learn what had happened at the matchmaking event in front of Linchun Pavilion.

No wonder Fang Er and Du Er made things difficult for him in Pingkangfang; it turns out they had a grudge against him long ago.

After Wang Jingzhi finished speaking, he winked at Yang Zhengdao and whispered, "My marriage to Tang Wulang is settled, so Yang Youya will have to work harder!"

Yang Zhengdao was stunned for a long time before he realized that this was encouragement from his brother Liao.

His time travel did not have much impact. Wang Jingzhi was still to marry the third daughter of the emperor, Princess Nanping, while Tang Shanshi was to marry the sixth daughter of the emperor, Princess Yuzhang.

Thus, the two became brother-in-law and sister-in-law, proper sworn brothers, unlike the improper relationship of Li Hui.

Yang Zhengdao had just finished his private conversation with his two colleagues on the right when Yan Xianfu on the left took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

As for Yan Zhenqing's grandfather, he had to be given face.

Yang Zhengdao was naturally very polite.

After chatting for a while, Yan Xianfu revealed why he had taken the initiative to start the conversation.

"My second uncle has always been upright and rarely uses words of praise to describe people, but he said that the Prince of Sui was a man of great vision and a childlike heart."

Yang Zhengdao then realized that the person on duty at the Liangyi Hall that day was Yan Xianfu's second uncle, Yan Xiangshi.

The literary gathering begins.

When it came to who should pose today's question, Li Yuanjia and his nephew Li Tai naturally declined each other's offer.

Li Yuanjia certainly wouldn't steal Li Tai's thunder, so in the end, Li Tai set the questions.

Li Taiying had already made preparations, but he still had to put on a show.

He leaned against the railing and gazed at the pond of new lotus blossoms outside the waterside pavilion for a while, then turned around and said with a smile, "Today, let's take lotus blossoms as our theme, so please don't hold back your talents."

As soon as Li Tai finished speaking, Li Yuanjia cupped his hands and suggested, "The talent of the Three Hermits is exceptional. If he were to write first, we would be ashamed to even put pen to paper. How about we first present our humble works, and then invite Yang Youya to display his brilliance?"

Everyone agreed.

Even Du and Fang, after being humiliated by Yang Zhengdao's "Song of Everlasting Regret" in Pingkangfang, became obedient.

Yang Zhengdao couldn't help but blush.

Then, everyone fell into deep thought, and for a moment, the pavilion was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

With nothing else to do, Yang Zhengdao sipped tea, ate pastries, and enjoyed the scenery.

It's such a big pond, and I completely forgot to bring my fishing rod today. What a pity!

He couldn't help but rub his hands together and sigh softly.

This soft sigh made everyone, who were racking their brains and trying to come up with ideas, feel tense.

Everyone who has come to this literary gathering today is dressed in fine clothes, riding a spirited horse, and full of pride.

They can't compare to the three scholars who wrote "The Song of Everlasting Regret," but who wouldn't want to emulate Xie Lingyun?

All the talents in the world are contained in one bushel. Yang Youya alone possesses eight bushels, I possess one bushel, and the rest of the world shares the remaining bushel.

As the one who set the questions, Li Tai naturally didn't need to write anything. He remained calm and composed while everyone else struggled to figure it out.

However, Li Yuanjia, who was sitting at the head of the table, became restless because of Yang Zhengdao's soft sigh.

Among those present, he was the most senior. He didn't aspire to be like Xie Lingyun, but he still wanted to write a decent poem.

He coughed lightly: "Master Sanshang, if you have gained anything, please stay a little longer."

Yang Zhengdao was taken aback, but then he understood.

He shook his head with a wry smile, but as he looked up, he suddenly noticed a crystal glass on the table in front of Li Tai, clear and bright.

A sudden thought struck him; he had a fun idea.

He rose and cupped his hands in greeting: "His Highness the Prince of Yue and I will take a leisurely stroll outside the pavilion, so as not to disturb you all from your creative work."

After saying that, he pulled Li Tai away, not forgetting to take the glass lamp with him.

Although Li Tai didn't understand why, he still got up and left the table with him.

Once outside the waterside pavilion, Yang Zhengdao took out the glass cup and waved it in front of Li Tai.

Li Tai was stunned. This was a gift from Li Er, but he didn't expect that Yang Zhengdao also had one.

"You even have that—"

"What are you thinking about! I took it from your desk."

"what!"

"Come on, I'll take you fishing."

"Using this to fish? This...this is a glass cup! It's quite valuable, I'm afraid it's inappropriate!"

Yang Zhengdao could tell that Li Tai treasured the glass cup very much. If he hadn't wanted to maintain the demeanor of a prince, he probably would have tried to snatch it away.

He laughed and said, "Don't worry, there's absolutely no damage! If it does break, I'll compensate you tenfold!"

Yang Zhengdao was not exaggerating.

Even if he couldn't get the glass-making technology from the system during his trip to the Western Regions, he could still buy it from Western Region merchants.

Even if we can't buy it from Western Region merchants, as long as we spend money and let craftsmen study it, we believe we can make glass in no time.

Li Tai could only shake his head helplessly, letting Yang Zhengdao do whatever he wanted.

If it gets damaged, he will ask Yang Zhengdao to compensate him with ten poems, which is not a loss.

Yang Zhengdao held the glass cup up to the sunlight. Although it was clear, it had a faint greenish murky shadow.

This is certainly not comparable to the glass jars that are readily available in later generations, but it is sufficient for fishing in shallow water.

To Li Tai's shock, Yang Zhengdao first took a piece of the hair tie from Nazha's head.

Anyway, Nazha has amber eyes, so even with her hair down, no one will say anything.

Then he tied the silk rope securely to the rim of the glass cup.

They took another branch and fixed the other end of the silk rope to the branch.

And so, a fishing tackle imbued with childhood memories is made.

"Cousin Zhengdao, does this method really work for catching fish?"

"Just watch and see!"

Yang Zhengdao then obtained some glutinous rice balls from Aba, crushed them, and put them into a glass cup. He then led the curious crowd to the water's edge.

He squatted down and slowly sank the glass cup into the water. After the glass cup entered the water, it seemed to merge with the water.

The crushed glutinous rice balls seemed to float in the water.

A group of people surrounded Yang Zhengdao, craning their necks and staring at the glass lamp that was faintly visible in the water.

Before long, several small fish swam over, trying to eat the glutinous rice balls that were baited in the glass cup.

The little fish naturally bumped into the glass cup.

So several small fish kept swimming and trying, and finally one of them succeeded.

It nimbly swam into the cup and ate the bait.

Everyone held their breath and dared not utter a sound.

Yang Zhengdao carefully and slowly lifted the branch until the entire glass cup was out of the water, while the small fish inside remained completely unaware.

"color!"

With a cheer from Li Tai, everyone burst into laughter.

Naza also showered the audience with emotional support: "Master, you're amazing!"

Only Tan Feng, oblivious to the situation, muttered under his breath, "Wouldn't using a bamboo basket be—"

Before he could finish speaking, Su Hongyi glared at him fiercely, and he immediately fell silent, not daring to say another word.

Li Tai held the glass cup, looking at the small fish inside again and again.

He hurriedly ordered his guards to fetch a large container.

At that moment, he completely forgot that Yang Zhengdao was using his precious glass lamp, his eyes shining like a child's, looking eager to try it out.

Next, it's Li Tai's turn to take over.

Perhaps because the Hibiscus Garden has been deserted for a long time, every time a glass cup is placed, small fish rush to enter, and naturally, no one misses out.

Yang Zhengdao, who had served in the Air Force for many years in his previous life, suddenly felt playful and simply bent down, took off his brocade boots, and went barefoot into the water.

Li Tai couldn't resist either, and immediately followed suit, quickly taking off his boots and socks and stepping into the water.

When he stepped onto the soft mud and pebbles, he was startled at first, then couldn't help but laugh out loud, feeling an indescribable sense of joy.

Just then, Li Yuanjia's guards came looking for them, and Yang Zhengdao and Li Tai hurriedly went ashore.

Li Tai stared at his feet, which were still covered in mud, and for a moment he was so embarrassed that he curled his toes into the ground.

"This—what should we do—"

Yang Zhengdao didn't care at all; he had already picked up his boots and was walking barefoot ahead.

"Laughing loudly, I stride out the door; how can I, a man of such talent, be a mere commoner? Your Highness, the King of Yue, transcends conventional morality and embraces nature!"

Li Tai was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Indeed! Indeed!"

He hurriedly followed, carrying his boots, and couldn't help but think to himself, "He truly deserves to be the person I, Li Tai, admire."

Yang Youya, the Hermit of the Three Mountains, was indeed a renowned scholar.