After Sheng Jun Chapter 68 (Part 2)
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 68 A Public Kiss (part 2)
After everyone was seated, the poetry gathering officially began.
Trays bearing wine cups would float downstream from the upper reaches. Wherever they stopped in front of someone's seat, that person would drink the cup dry and compose a poem.
Jiang Xingzhi sat on the jade lotus seat, head lowered as he arranged his wide sleeves, quietly asking Zhong Ming beside him, "All you know is sword dancing and cultivation. Do you know how to do this sort of thing?"
The seat space was limited, so the two sat very close together, their robes overlapping. Jiang Xingzhi's outer robe was thin and loose, scattered at his sides like drifting, elegant clouds.
Zhong Ming reached out to help arrange it for him, his fingertips brushing against the smooth, soft gauze, "How could I not know?"
In front of Jiang Xingzhi, he, Xu Jian, must be perfect in every way.
Jiang Xingzhi just looked at him once, "Then I await your performance."
While the two were talking, everyone had already begun setting the theme.
After a few exchanges, Venerable Yin Hong suggested, "Ting Xue Sheng Jun's rebirth and return is a joyous occasion. Since Ting Xue Sheng Jun happens to be here today, why don't we use 'snow' as our theme?"
(TL: Xue=Snow)
Jiang Xingzhi looked up and blinked: Hm?
Everyone eagerly applauded, "Excellent, let's use 'snow' as the theme!"
Zhong Ming turned to look at him, saying in a low voice, "Xingzhi is really well-liked."
Jiang Xingzhi primly straightened up, "Be a bit more easygoing and you could be too."
He received an ambiguous chuckle in response.
The tray bearing wine cups floated leisurely downstream from the upper reaches, stopping after just a few seats in the middle-upper area. The person at that seat rose and recited, "When cups halt, a thousand are drained; snow-bound, spring flies again."
Immediately there was a chorus of praise from the seats.
Jiang Xingzhi joined in applauding, clapping away. As he clapped, he said to Zhong Ming, "See, using 'snow' in poetry always sounds good."
His shamelessness seemed to have only increased. Zhong Ming clapped along with his rhythm, also going clap-clap-clap, "Right, you're the finishing touch that brings the dragon to life."
"Hehe~"
After three rounds of poetry at the seats, the tray finally stopped in front of Jiang Xingzhi and Zhong Ming, and the surrounding gazes immediately grew fervent. Just as Jiang Xingzhi was about to reach for the wine cup, Zhong Ming got there first and drained it in one gulp, "I'll go first."
Tap—the cup bottom hit the tray.
Zhong Ming spoke, his low voice mixed with the scent of wine, sounding quite intoxicating, "Sword clasps courtyard snow, after clearing, night listens to cold."
As he recited, his eyes never blinked as he gazed at Jiang Xingzhi. The rippling light on the water's surface reflected in his dark eyes, making one's heart skip a beat. Jiang Xingzhi was suddenly stunned, his face flushing red.
The surroundings fell quiet for a few moments, then erupted in cheers!
Xu Jian, Ting Xue. Chu Ji, Ting Han. One poem contained both their names and their natal swords——this was clearly a love poem!
Fairy Qing Wan nudged her Dao companion Hu Shan Zhenren, saying coquettishly, "Look at Sheng Jun Xu Jian, how romantic he is."
Hu Shan Zhenren coaxed her, "My main problem is being uneducated."
"......"
Amid the enthusiastic teasing around them, Jiang Xingzhi's face was burning hot. Zhong Ming was still asking him in a low voice, "Do you like it?"
Jiang Xingzhi glanced at him and nodded with a red face, "Mm."
The corners of Zhong Ming's mouth curved upward: He knew Xingzhi would like it. Could "Bai Mu" compose such romantic love poetry?
The rising curve revealed a hint of competitive flavor.
Seeing this, Jiang Xingzhi's shy emotions stuttered slightly, "......" Enough! Xu Jian was so good at composing love poetry, which meant he wasn't stupid either. Why couldn't he just apply this cleverness where it was needed?
While Jiang Xingzhi was secretly fuming, the poetry gathering continued.
After two more rounds, the tray stopped in front of Jiang Xingzhi again.
"This time it's my turn." Jiang Xingzhi lifted his sleeves, picked up the wine cup and drained it in one gulp. Several expectant gazes fell on him, as if everyone wanted to see what poem Ting Xue Sheng Jun would respond with.
Jiang Xingzhi held the wine cup and fell silent for a moment.
Xu Jian's poem was good, but it used up too many names! He should leave some for him to use.
During his brief silence, Zhong Ming beside him also looked over. Jiang Xingzhi's heart suddenly stirred: "Bai Mu's" name hadn't been used yet, so why not take this opportunity...
He cleared his throat, "Verdant cypress yearns for snow's arrival, shadow-bearing, Jiang Xingzhi knows."
When he finished speaking, the surrounding crowd exchanged confused glances.
Jiang Xingzhi ignored the others, only looking at Zhong Ming after speaking: You came pursuing me because you like me, and I've long known about your other identity.
So stop hiding your vest and come embrace me!
"......"
After two moments of eye contact, Zhong Ming's eyelashes trembled as he pursed his lips and looked down. His hand resting at his side unconsciously clenched——Jiang Xingzhi was still thinking about "Bai Mu"! Even the love poem he composed contained "Bai Mu's" and his own names.
"Verdant cypress yearns for snow's arrival, shadow-bearing, Jiang Xingzhi..."
Every word dripped with tender affection and unresolvable longing.
Seeing Zhong Ming purse his thin lips tightly with familiar jealousy churning in his eyes again, Jiang Xingzhi's expectant gaze immediately faltered, his heart sinking: No way, wasn't Xu Jian supposed to be cultured? If others couldn't understand, couldn't Xu Jian figure it out either?
While the two stared at each other in silence, the confused gazes around them gradually turned suspicious: Xu Jian Sheng Jun's expression didn't look like someone who had received a response.
"How is..."
"Could it not be...?"
The scattered voices reached Jiang Xingzhi's ears. Seeing Zhong Ming's expression grow increasingly dejected, he suddenly drew in a sharp breath.
No, he couldn't take it anymore! Xu Jian was just too stupid!
He suddenly leaned forward——
His thin sleeves traced a gentle arc through the air, the light blue hem of his robe falling into the water from the edge of the jade lotus leaf as he moved, like mist touching waves, creating ripples across the surface.
Seeing this from his dejected downward gaze, Zhong Ming was about to help retrieve the fabric when a pair of hands suddenly "slapped!" against his face.
As he looked up, his lips grew warm.
Jiang Xingzhi tilted his head up and kissed his lips in front of everyone.
Zhong Ming's eyes flew wide open, and the entire world fell silent.