Maiden Galaxy

Su Mian leaned on the palace's balcony, her expression languid. Her delicate hands spread a roll of white silk. Upon it were characters, the handwriting graceful and bright. Just looking at it was relaxing. This was a good poem published in Qu Yuan City that "Sage Of Poetry" Du Fu personally copied.

"He asked if I would be the Green Emperor, announce that something peachy has blossomed."

Su Mian softly read, a glint in her eyes. "Bold yet without losing its romantic touch. Indeed, this is very much like Chen Mo's style."

"Elder Sister, what are you saying?"

Su Wanyang walked over. Hearing Dream In A Millennium's murmurs, she was very unhappy. The only poems in the world that could make her elder sister happy should be hers alone.

"This Palace asks of you, if you were to write a poem on chrysanthemums, how would you?" Su Mian asked.

Peerless Star Hero pondered for a few seconds and then blurted out: "Soft flesh and weak bones scatter the hidden corolla, flooring the golden stamen with red clouds. Wishing for knowledge prolongs the herbs, myriad grasses give rise to flowers."

Su Shi's Ode to Chrysanthemums was also very vivid, comparing the flower to longevity medicines, praising its other aspects endlessly. Across all of Qu Yuan City, this was considered a praiseworthy masterpiece.

But after hearing "he asked if I would be the Green Emperor," Su Mian felt this was somewhat dull. Dream In A Millennium handed over this Ode To Chrysanthemums for Su Shi to read.

"Who made this?"

"Guess."

"Definitely not Liu Fengxi. ‘Where The Wells Have Water' could not compose this kind of ambitious poem. Hm, it cannot possibly be the Taiyi Hermit either. She is fond of seclusion, of being free from the mundane. She would never write something as bold as ‘make me the Green Emperor…'"

Su Shi analyzed: "Hm, this Realm is romantic and imposing. It could only be the Immortal Of Poetry, but why did she come participate in the Literary Excellence Convention? Given White Clothed Sword Immortal's Realm, she should not be here to seize the sages' aspirations. Unless she wants to come for the Hundred Sages Simultaneously Shout?"

Su Mian revealed the name at the bottom of the cloth.

Su Wanyang's guess was completely off. "Chen Mo?! Elder Sister, are you joking?"

"This was personally copied by Du Fu. Do you feel that Elder Sister would joke!" Su Mian slightly smiled.

Su Shi grunted, "This sentimental man wants to be the Green Emperor, to make the chrysanthemums and peach blossoms bloom together. This simply disturbs Heaven. It truly is frivolous and fickle, yet only he has such artistry."

"Little Sister did not say such things a moment ago." Su Mian wryly smiled.

"I was not aware he made it a moment ago." Su Shi's expression was firm.

"You have prejudice against Chen Mo."

"I have prejudice against men."

"…Wanyang, for this Hundred Sages Simultaneously Shout, you must not be complacent. I invited Liu Fengxi to my prior banquet, and her ‘Viewing Sea Tides' was marvelous in Realm. Right now, all of Qu Yuan City is spreading her works."

"Where The Wells Have Water is indeed a genius. Her poetry is truly beautiful, but she is too elegant. This kind of Realm can only resonate with those under Heaven, but it is unable to resonate with the sages. I have other poems yet to be shown." Su Shi said, pleased with herself.

"The Ten Thousand Sages Hall has other literary topics. Thanks to Elder Sister's aid, though there are some areas I still do not understand, I am sure about the general outline. The others absolutely cannot compare to me."

"Recently, This Palace heard from Siyou that Li Liangyi has dispatched a Star General with Purple Rose Qi potential here, apparently to disturb resonance at the Ten Thousand Sages Hall."

"This Li Shimin has bad intentions." Su Wanyang wrinkled her brow.

"Of course. She is afraid of our sisterly bond, and she has no desire for This Palace to have a friend able to join the sages."

"Then let her come. I have worries that must be dispelled."

"Wanyang, what level is your jade pendant right now?"

"Already purple." Su Wanyang brought out her Airs Of The State Pendant. It emanated a leisurely purple light. Today was only the seventh day of the Literary Excellence Convention, yet her jade pendant had already reached the maximum level.

"Very good. Then go prepare well for the departure of the Ten Thousand Sages Hall's sages. This Palace must discuss how to handle that Huang Chao Star Name."

"No, I want to go play right now."

Su Mian: "…"

"Hm, hm, I will go find Chen Mo. I want to see his capabilities." Su Shi chuckled.

Su Mian recalled that Chen Mo was also unfathomable, immeasurable. Perhaps an exchange between Su Wanyang and him could be helpful. She nodded.

…

All Things Heavenly Palace, Dual Modes Hall.

A slender woman in an elegant long skirt and with a face like jade was in the middle of helping "Eternal Divine Warrior" Li Shimin bathe, change clothes, prepare, cleanse, as well as burn incense. Li Liangyi's body was threadbare, as beautiful as flawless jade. Even heavenly craftsmanship could hardly be this perfect.

Supple skin, every inch soft, a curvaceous body with elegance..

Bodice, brocade, the woman carefully dressed her. Her gaze in Li Liangyi's eyes was filled with envy.

"In terms of a gorgeous body, how can Star World's Seven Beauties compare to Elder Sister."

"Oh? It seems in Wuji's words, have We degenerated to comparison with Star World's Seven Beauties?" Li Liangyi's tone was flat.

Yet the woman was not afraid of her imposing air. Her Star Name was "Heroic Crowned Talent" Zhangshun Wuji,¹ head of the Lingyan Pavilion. Although her martial prowess was not necessarily the strongest, her relationship with Li Shimin was the closest.

She softly chuckled: "Wuji merely recalls that ‘After Flowers Blush' Yang Yuhuan² of Star World's Seven Beauties also fell ashamed before Elder Sister. Pity she never learned Elder Sister's beauty."

Li Liangyi was expressionless.

After changing, Li Liangyi burned incense.

The fragrance wafted about.

"How is Huang Chao?"

"En, Huang Chao has entered the Lesser Court Hymns without issue already. She should be able to enter the Ten Thousand Sages Hall using the jade pendant. She herself apparently has other plans." Zhangsun Wuji said.

"No matter what plan she has, so long as we can succeed in preventing Su Shi from obtaining the Ten Thousand Sages Hall's power, let her do as she please." Li Shimin nonchalantly said.

"Elder Sister is truly considerate."

"Huang Chao is only a pawn. Su Mian should realize her existence wants to exploit her power. This is not important." Li Shimin smiled.

"Elder Sister's meaning is?"

"She does not realize that she has an oriole behind her. That True Dragon will not let this opportunity go." Li Shimin narrowed her eyes.

"She has gone to the Literary Excellence Convention as well?"

"Wait and see just what she wants to do."

"As you command."

"Elder Sister, regarding the matter of sending an expedition against Mount Hua, Su Mian is currently at the Literary Excellence Convention. Dongzi's intent is that we can attack first and plead for forgiveness later. We are to destroy Mount Hua's Daoist root by using the pretext of arresting Song Zhao's Star Name."

"En, not bad. Su Mian would indeed be problematic were she to be present. She is currently helping Su Shi with all her might in the Hundred Sages Simultaneously Shout, this is already a golden opportunity." Li Liangyi's slender finger played with a lock of hair, her phoenix eyes half squinted.

"Yang Guang and Fu Jian have already assembled their armies and are prepared for immediate advance on Mount Hua. They have requested that Elder Sister dispatch reinforcements." Zhangsun Wuji said.

"We must contain the incursions of Tuoba Tao. Now is not a convenient time to dispatch troops." Muttering for a moment, the woman said: "Dispatch people immediately to inform Wu Zhao that this Mount Hua destruction is fundamentally meritorious. She will be interested."

"‘Holy Divine Empress' heeds only Elder Sister. Wuji is afraid she will be unable to persuade her."

Li Liangyi agreed.

"Then go arrange for Guo Ziyi and the others to provide Wu Zhao with support to destroy Mount Hua."

"As you command."

Zhangsun Wuji bowed and withdrew.

Dual Modes Hall was empty. Li Liangyi gazed at the statue of Buddha in front of her. This statue was half-Buddhist, half-Daoist, showing both Buddhism's compassion and Daoism's release. The woman extinguished the incense, entering a pious silence.

"It has been a thousand years. The time has finally come for the next Star Era."

…

Qu Yuan City, Sword Gate Pass.

A carriage sped along the lane. Its boxcar was luxurious and tugged by a divine steed. The carriage was completely snow-white without any pockmarks, illuminating a small range around it as it traveled the starless night.

This horse was the Night-illuminating Jade Lion, a rare Star Beast.

The coachman was a young girl in white brocade. She sat in the coachman's seat, her face full of sorrow as she sat quietly listening to the man next to her tell a story. That man was dressed in clothes as white as snow, and he had a dashing appearance. He appeared very scholarly and learned.

The carriage's curtain was pulled open. Mi Fu shouted: "Sister Qingyu, did you compose this verse?" She looked at the model in her hands and read: "A ray of fading sun in the water, half the river is greed, half is red. Lovely is the third night of September, dew seems like pearls and the moon like a bow."

"Do not disturb Junior Brother and Little Sister Qingyu's exchange." Jiang Yuezhuo's voice came from inside as she pulled Mi Fu back into the carriage.

"Your Junior Brother Chen Mo has deceived an innocent maiden. I am stopping him."

"Don't you feel the tale between Tang Xuanzong and Yang Guifei is very moving?"

"Sister Yuezhou, have you also become a naive maiden? When has Star World ever had a male emperor, other than that Purple Rose…"

Mi Fu and Jiang Kui chatted. Chen Mo had thick skin, but the girl's ears burned red.

Indeed, the man and young lady on the carriage were Chen Mo and Bai Juyi Bai Qingyu.

After they made acquaintance at the Fallen Hero Courtyard, Chen Mo recognized Bai Juyi as a little sister, and Bai Qingyu very compliantly agreed. She was very impressed with Chen Mo's chrysanthemum work. This Realm gave her a sudden epiphany.

After the two interacted fora day, Bai Qingyu invited Chen Mo to attend a gathering of fellows inside the city today.

During the Literary Excellence Convention, spiritual power Star Generals interacted very freely, with an innumerably number of verse banquets. Among these types of poetry exchanges, those able to make the Airs Of The State Pendant receive large amounts of sages' aspiration was limited to these private banquets. Only those close with talents were on the admittance lists. Sometimes, being brilliant was not sufficient. One must be introduced.

Chen Mo was an example. Even if he was talented, without a spiritual power Star General to introduced him, entering the circle was entirely impossible.

Of course, Chen Mo was not modest in adding in Mi Fu and Jiang Kui. Although they were not expert poets, their calligraphy was among the best. Attending this feast would be beneficial.

"Intoxicated Sigh Of Joy And Sorrow's" Night-illuminating Jade Lion was also very beautiful. Wondering where she even found one, Chen Mo desired one for himself.

"The story of the imperial concubine that Big Brother told is filled with ups and downs, Little Sister is full of sadness. Big Brother truly is experienced and knowledgeable."

As it turned out, Chen Mo had told the tragic romance of an emperor and his concubine, leaving Bai Qingyu's eyes filled with tears. In truth, Chen Mo told the story of the Song of Everlasting Regret, however, he changed it to be a folktale, fooling "Little Bai," who had only just entered among Star Names, into bawling her eyes out.

Bai Qingyu wiped her nose and sighed.

The two conversed a while longer. At the end of the Sword Gate Pass, a vast and intriguing pavilion appeared. The pavilion was splendid and bright. They spotted a group of Poem And Ode Army troops stop a woman. That woman apparently wanted to enter the hall yet was refused entry.

From faraway, that woman's back curves, from her shoulders to her hips, seemed strangely familiar.

"‘If two hearts are united together forever, what need of them to stay together day by day and night by night' is indeed a famous verse, but the previous Qin Guan's Realm is unrelated to this generation's. We cannot permit you entry into this ‘poetry banquet' without an invitation.

"I must enter!" That woman's voice was powerful.

This voice?

"Weiyu!" Chen Mo excitedly hollered.

The woman stiffened then turned her head back.

This beautiful face was all too familiar.

She was none other than "Magpie Bridge Immortal" Qin Guan Qin Weiyu.³

1. ‘英冠人傑’長孫無忌 ↩
2. ‘羞花後’楊玉環 ↩
3. Just a reminder: Weiyu = drizzle, or "light rain." ↩

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