Translator: Lordbluefire

  The palace was well lit up!

  After Li Ziqi’s beautiful figure stood up, she attracted everyone’s gaze. Of course, it was also because her words were too domineering.

  Saying that a 7-stars great teacher was a random person?

  What arrogance!

  Li Xiu was given a fright and quickly stopped her. “Ziqi, take note of your etiquette!”

  If a 7-stars great teacher were to go to the Great Tang, even her royal brother would have to receive them in person.

  However, Li Ziqi had no intention of apologizing. She just stood there and looked at Cui Mingsheng. “If you’re displeased about my teacher, then just take him head-on. How capable are you to be talking behind his back?”

  Other people who were chatting leisurely also noticed the conflict over here and looked over. The Qi Emperor even asked about what had happened in a soft voice.

  “You unworthy one!”

  Cui Mingsheng flew into a rage. Ever since he had become a 6-stars great teacher, no one had dared to talk to him in this manner, let alone now that he was a 7-stars great teacher.

  “Unworthy one! Great Teacher Cui, do you like to flaunt your seniority so much?”

  Li Ziqi let out a cold snort. “Please take a good look. Right now, the person standing in front of you isn’t a student but a 1-star great teacher! Someone who is also a great teacher like you!”

  Only then did everyone recall that Li Ziqi was a great teacher!

  There was no helping it. She was far too young and it was hard for people to associate her with the great teacher title.

  Cui Mingsheng’s countenance turned even more grim. “Even your teacher wouldn’t dare to speak to me with such arrogance! Hasn’t he taught you to honor teachers and respect their teachings?”

  “Of course my teacher has taught me that before! But he has also taught me one more thing!”

  Li Ziqi retorted, “Some people are young and have strong aspirations, tempering themselves as they advance forward. As for others, they waste 100 years of their life and are worse off than a dog!”

  Buzz!

  Li Ziqi’s body emitted golden light which then splattered out.

  Many people gasped in surprise at this scene.

  To think that Priceless Advice had erupted. This meant that Li Ziqi looked down on Cui Mingsheng from the bottom of her heart, and that she couldn’t stand the way such people acted.

  But wasn’t this being too vicious?

  To be erupting Priceless Advice when scolding someone. It was really not holding back at all.

  “You……”

  Cui Mingsheng was so angry that his hands were shivering.

  “Eldest Princess, aren’t you going to stop her? It’d be hard to resolve this matter if it were to blow up!”

  Han Cangshui gloated.

  “.……”

  Li Xiu smiled bitterly. She knew how much her niece admired Sun Mo. If she was drunk and felt a little more courageous, she’d have attacked people fiercely. Even if she wasn’t drunk, she’d lash out verbally.

  “Please, can the two of you calm down?”

  Grand Tutor Su stepped in to mediate the situation.

  Cui Mingsheng, who was in rage, felt even angrier.

  (Why aren’t you helping me out? Isn’t it all because Li Ziqi’s personal teacher is Sun Mo? You bootlickers really don’t care about your face just because of his God Hands and Skyward Spirit Rune.)

  It was no wonder that Cui Mingsheng was angry.

  Regardless of which occupation one had, they’d have to show respect to their seniors, let alone in the great teachers world. Even if the newcomer was right, they were wrong to be quarreling with a senior.

  But right now, not a single great teacher stood out to reproach Li Ziqi. Even the few great teachers who were talking politely to Cui Mingsheng didn’t dare to do so.

  Cui Mingsheng looked over and they all shrank their necks, averting their gazes.

  (What can we do? Although Great Teacher Sun is young, he is a great ancestor-level spirit runist, a great influential scholar. If we were to offend him, how should we survive in the great teachers world in the future?)

  In terms of reputation, Cui Mingsheng couldn’t be compared to Sun Mo!

  It was clear from the Qi Emperor’s attitude.

  “Did I say anything wrong?”

  Cui Mingsheng’s temper rose. “If Sun Mo could come up with a great poem, why would he need to leave the banquet on the pretext of visiting the washroom?”

  Cui Mingsheng had confidence when he said this.

  What was the most important thing to a great teacher?

  Reputation!

  Therefore, even a high star-level great teacher would make a lot of preparations for a palace banquet, wanting to win themselves some reputation. If Sun Mo’s poetry was good enough, why didn’t he flaunt them?

  If he was the one in Sun Mo’s shoes, he’d have flaunted away, letting all the other great teachers present pale in comparison.

  Moreover, Cui Mingsheng had made a verse about the Lantern Festival in his younger days. Until now, there were singers spreading the verse and this was where his confidence came from.

  Even though Sun Mo had written a lot of verses in [A Dream of Red Mansions], the best of them were just slightly above average and weren’t at the level in which it’d be passed down in history.

  “What a joke. Are you a parasite in my teacher’s stomach? How did you know that he left using an excuse? Can’t he leave to take a rest after feeling tired from sitting down for so long?”

  Li Ziqi sneered. “Moreover, the reason he didn’t come up with any poetry isn’t because he lacks the talent in this area. It’s because he always sees this as a minor art and doesn’t care to compete with others over this.”

  “Haha, poetry is considered a minor art? Don’t be boasting so much. If you’re that capable, then call Sun Mo back and get him to come up with a work that can be passed down through the course of history!”

  Cui Mingsheng said sarcastically. He was very smart and wasn’t going to argue about this. He just insisted on using one’s work to prove themselves.

  “I heard your conversation earlier. You had come up with a renowned Lantern Festival verse before, right? Then I’ll give you one too!”

  Li Ziqi picked up the wine jug, took another drink, and then recited.

  “At night, the East wind blows thousands of trees, bringing showers of glowing stars down the streets!”

  The moment she said this, the expressions of all the guests who were watching the fun turned serious and they focused on listening.

  “Fine steeds and carved carriages with perfume strew the way. The Phoenix flute music spread away. The jade-pot lanterns revolve its rays, while all night long the fish and dragon lanterns sway!”

  The night wind blew along with the little sunny egg’s beautiful and transcendent voice, which sounded like a jade instrument, reaching everyone’s ears.

  Many people revealed intoxicated gazes. This poetry was extremely beautiful!

  This was worthy of them giving a big toast!

  “With moth-shaped jade, snow-willow and gold thread ornaments, the lady giggles and whispers, leaving a trail of subtle scents. A thousand times I search for him in the crowd, but when I turn around all of a sudden, there he is in the dim light of a lantern![1]”

  After Li Ziqi was done reciting this, the over 1,000 people in the hall, including the guests, imperial guards, maids, and eunuchs were completely silent.

  What was a work that could be passed down through history?

  It was one that even an uncultured person could feel that it was amazing. The scene depicted by the words and the charm emitted would be clear and refreshing, able to be savored through the generations!

  Everyone literate was pondering and reflecting on each word of this poetry.

  “Unparalleled!”

  Li Xiu said emotionally, sneaking a glance at Han Cangshui. (You want to see a joke out of Sun Mo? Sorry, his degree of excellence has surpassed ordinary people’s recognition.)

  Li Xuan’s expression was grim. The more amazing Sun Mo was, the more disappointed he’d be. He hated himself for his poor judgment and also for Han Cangshui’s mediocrity.

  “This great teacher, what do you think of my teacher’s Lantern Festival verse?”

  Li Ziqi asked.

  Cui Mingsheng’s face flushed up from the sarcasm.

  How was it?

  It could be said that he had no right to give his ratings for a verse like this.

  It’d be enough to just compliment it.

  (Sun Mo, f*ck your mom. If you have such a great talent in poetry, then why didn’t you flaunt it? Why do you have to put up such a pretense?)

  Cui Mingsheng cupped his fists together then got up to leave, covering his face.

  Seeing that Li Ziqi managed to make a 7-stars great teacher leave in embarrassment with a poem, both Lu Zhiruo and Xianyu Wei cheered.

  “All hail, Eldest Martial Sister!”

  Ying Baiwu pouted. “Teacher is so biased. I haven’t heard this poem before!”

  “You focus on martial arts. What’s the use of learning poetry?”

  Helian Beifang consoled her. He wasn’t interested in such things.

  It was because one could only have the leisure and mood to recite poetry and write songs after having a full stomach. The poor barbarians could only think of ways to fill up their stomachs every day.

  To the barbarians, being able to come up with great poetry for the country couldn’t compare to the practicality of picking up a sheep.

  “Although Great Teacher Cui is one to flaunt his seniority a little, he’s still someone who cares for his face!”

  The Qi Emperor felt that what Cui Mingsheng had done wrong was that he had rammed his toes into a steel board. “Great Teacher Cui, don’t be angry! Come back and drink some wine!”

  Given the sense of hearing a 7-stars great teacher had, he had definitely heard this. However, Cui Mingsheng treated it as if he hadn’t heard anything at all.

  “If I were him, I’d leave too!”

  Grand Tutor Su smiled bitterly. “With Sun Mo’s verse, no one would dare to try to show off on the Lantern Festival night. Cui Mingsheng’s name will also go down in history.”

  Every year, during the night of the Lantern Festival, Cui Mingsheng’s name would definitely be brought up to be mocked. He’d become a laughingstock.

  Li Ziqi didn’t expect Cui Mingsheng to cower so quickly. She couldn’t even pour out all the rage she had in her.

  (This won’t do! I must let everyone know today how talented my teacher is!)

  “Is there anyone else who doubts my teacher?”

  Li Ziqi asked, her gaze scanning across the entire place.

  The guests either smiled or averted their gazes. No one dared to meet her gaze.

  However, there’d always be people who didn’t believe this. Xia Taikang was one of them.

  “It’s July now and the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming up. Can we ask the princess to give us a poem with Mid-Autumn as the topic?”

  Hearing this, Li Ziqi couldn’t help but take a long look at Xia Taikang.

  (Do you know that you’re courting death? You dare use Mid-Autumn as the topic? I can recite ten poems at one go, giving you a bash up!)

  “Please go ahead!”

  Xia Taikang urged.

  “How long will the full moon appear? Wine cup in hand, I ask the sky. I do not know what time of the year. ‘Twould be tonight in the palace on high! [2]”

  Li Ziqi started a double kill!

  Great lord Su Shi’s Prelude to Water Melody was revered as the number one great work in the entire Song Dynasty.

  If anyone were to dare to say that this verse was bad, they’d be despised for being illiterate.

  Xia Taikang had put all of his energy into politics and cultivation and he wasn’t that good in poetry. However, the moment Li Ziqi recited the Prelude to Water Melody, he knew that he was unable to make a joke out of Sun Mo anymore.

  “There has been nothing perfect since the olden days. So let us wish that man will live as long as he can! Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays.”

  “Alright!”

  The Qi Emperor clapped and praised. This verse was apt for his grieving disposition. It hit him right in the heart.

  “Will live as long as he can! Though miles apart, we’ll share the beauty she displays. This is extremely beautiful! Extremely beautiful!”

  The Qi Emperor wiped away his tears.

  Li Xiu’s lips twitched a little. She didn’t know that he was a literary man.

  “Why do I feel that this won’t become Ziqi’s black history?”

  Tantai Yutang took a look at the image-recording stone in his hand and suddenly felt disinterested.

  “Let’s wait a little longer!”

  Qin Yaoguang wasn’t willing to believe it. She poured a cup of wine and handed it to Li Ziqi. “Eldest Martial Sister, this great poetry is worth giving a toast to!”

  “That’s right! My beloved subordinates, let’s give a toast to Princess Li Ziqi!”

  The Qi Emperor raised his cup.

  “Your Majesty, this is my teacher’s verse!”

  Li Ziqi was humble and didn’t accept the toast.

  “You’re Sun Mo’s eldest disciple and it’s right for you to drink on his behalf!”

  The Qi Emperor tried to persuade her to drink up and couldn’t help but ask, “Are there more?”

  “Your Majesty can come up with a topic!”

  Li Ziqi planned on giving a triple kill.

  “Then let’s set the Double Ninth Festival as the topic.”

  The Qi Emperor picked a festival.

  Ancient people viewed worship events in high regard. The Qi Emperor wanted to know if Sun Mo had any lascivious poems, but he didn’t dare to ask.

  Li Ziqi chuckled. (Aren’t you just sending your head over to be chopped?)

  The little sunny egg chugged down a mouthful of wine!

  (Listen well!)

  [1] A poem written by a Song poet, Xin Qiji, titled Green Jade Table: Lantern Festival. Extracted translation by Zhang Shuyue and Wang Feng. https://fairerhousethanprose.tumblr.com/post/628947968282755072/green-jade-table-lantern-festival-at-night

  [2] A poem written by a Song poet, Su Shi. Extracted translation by Xu Yuanchong. http://language.chinadaily.com���…cn/trans/2014-08/26/content_18490381.htm

  Chapter 1204: Eldest Martial Sister Had Gone Crazy From ‘Killing’!

  Translator: Lordbluefire

  “A light mist and dense clouds shroud a long day in melancholy, the fragrance of an exquisite essence scatters from the gilded beast-shaped burner. Come again has the season of the Double Ninth, through the silk drapes and the embroidered pillow, chilliness begins to penetrate in the middle of the night.”

  “I sip at my wine by the east fence past the twilight, chrysanthemums and their subtle scent keep in my sleeves. How could anyone not agree that this is soul lifting? Yet when a westerly raises the screen, I realize I have withered thinner than those yellow petals and leaves.[1]”

  After Li Ziqi was done reciting this, everyone was in dead silence again.

  The men were fine, but the women’s eyes instantly turned red, with hints of tears. The last line of the poetry brought out the life-like image of a submissive wife who was missing her husband, incurring one’s pity.

  “I didn’t expect a man like Sun Mo to be able to write such a sentimental, delicate, and emotional poem!”

  Li Xiu thought back on this poetry, feeling a lingering fragrance in her mouth. She had a strong urge to immediately write it down and put it up in her bedroom to admire it every day.

  However, Li Xiu gave her niece an obscure glance.

  (Isn’t there something wrong with your expression? Don’t tell me you’ve fallen in love with Sun Mo? He’s your teacher!)

  However, even if she were to have fallen for Sun Mo, Li Xiu felt that it was understandable. Sun Mo was too outstanding.

  He was tall, handsome, smart, talented, and had a great status and reputation at such a young age. A man like this was definitely a husband that was hard to come by!

  If Li Xiu didn’t have a husband, she would have taken the initiative to invite Sun Mo to be in an intimate relationship with her in the dark. She would keep him by her side to dispel her loneliness.

  “Give her great rewards!”

  The Qi Emperor clapped his hands. If a concubine from his harem could recite this poem to him with a plaintive expression, he would immediately confer her the title of consort!

  “It’s such a great day, so it’s too sad to talk about a topic like the Double Ninth Festival. Ziqi, why don’t you recite a happier poem?”

  The empress laughed. “Given how much Great Teacher Sun likes you, he must have written you a poem before, right? Why don’t you recite it for us?”

  “Hehe!”

  Grand Tutor Su chuckled inwardly. Although the empress was over 40 years old, there was a young girl living in her heart. She clearly wanted to listen to a poem Sun Mo had written for ‘her’.

  “Alright!”

  Li Ziqi naturally wouldn’t reject her. She was about to recite the poem when she was interrupted by Qin Yaoguang.

  “Eldest Martial Sister, have a drink first!”

  Li Ziqi had drunk a little too much and was a little muddled. Hence, she didn’t think much about it and raised her head to drink another mouthful of wine. Then, she started her quadruple kill!

  “Delicate and graceful when she has barely turned thirteen, like tender cardamom sprigs come February’s new moon. Spring breezes waft along the three-mile-long Yangzhou Avenue, up rolled many beaded screens, yet there is none that is her equal in view. [2]”

  The moment the little sunny egg finished the recital, cheers rang out.

  “Amazing!”

  “Give her great rewards!”

  “F*ck!”

  Everyone turned around and glared at this dampening fellow.

  The empress glared at him with murderous intent.

  “If you don’t know how to praise someone, then shut up. A good poem was ruined by you.”

  The empress was furious. “Someone, take him out!”

  This was a young man who had made meritorious achievements. He wasn’t well learned and the only comment he could make was ‘f*ck’.

  He was used to saying this when he had visited brothels and pleasure boats. After all, the prostitutes did not dare to provoke him. But now, he was in the palace’s great hall.

  “Give him 30 strokes of the paddle!”

  The Qi Emperor instructed.

  This poem made his emotions fluctuate and he had the urge to show favor to a few young ladies.

  As an old lascivious man, the Qi Emperor was unlike most people. He could sense a young lady’s innocence, playfulness, and adorableness from this poem. What went into his mind was the old days when he was still the crown prince and the nervousness and agitation he felt when he showed favor to a young palace maid for the first time!

  That was when he had truly become a man.

  He would never forget about that afternoon in this lifetime.

  Right now, all the men were wearing gentle expressions as they sank into their memories. After all, who wouldn’t have a first love? No matter how bad it was, they’d at least have a crush on someone before.

  “Are there any poems on women?”

  The Empress wasn’t satisfied. Her appetite had been raised. She wanted a poem, one that could be given to her.

  “Of course there is!”

  Li Ziqi smiled. Her eyes were curved and she looked really cute.

  “Eldest Martial Sister, give us a quintuple-kill!”

  As Qin Yaoguang spoke, she lifted the wine jug with both hands and fed Li Ziqi another mouthful.

  “Splendid clouds and flowers remind us of her beauty, her charm is ever-present in sill-crossing spring breezes and condensate dews. You’d see her where gods reside, either at the peak of the Celestial Mountains, or on the Jadeite Terrace under a heavenly moon.[3]”

  Clank!

  There was no need to read the rest. When the empress heard the first two lines, she stood up in shock. Then, her expression turned to that of pleasant surprise.

  This ‘A Song for Peaceful and Tranquil Times’ really wrote the beauty of a woman right down to her bones.

  “I want it!”

  When Li Ziqi finished reciting, the empress smiled. “Ziqi, was this poem written by Great Teacher Sun?”

  “Of course!”

  Li Ziqi nodded.

  Sssss!

  Many people drew in a cold breath. Because up until now, each of the five poems that Li Ziqi had recited could be said to be a great work throughout all ages.

  They could be passed down through history.

  “Then who did he write this for?”

  After the empress asked this, her hands under her sleeves trembled with excitement.

  “For whom?”

  Li Ziqi frowned. The teacher had never mentioned it before. These poems were thrown to her when her teacher was giving her additional lessons to handle the Calligraphy Battle.

  The empress was delighted to see Li Ziqi’s expression and asked impatiently, “So, this poem was written by Sun Mo in his leisure?”

  “En!”

  Li Ziqi nodded.

  The empress didn’t say anything and waited for Li Ziqi to get the hint and continue the conversation. However, the little sunny egg had drunk too much today, and her reaction was a little slow.

  It was Qin Yaoguang, who was quick-witted, who spoke up to save the situation.

  “My teacher’s poem was written for the empress. He also said that it’s a blessing for the Great Qi to have you as the country’s motherly model!”

  “Haha, Great Teacher Sun has flattered me!”

  The empress said modestly, but anyone could see that her smile was so wide that the wrinkles on her face could crush a crab. “Men, give out a reward! A great reward!”

  “What is Junior Martial Sister Yaoguang doing? Why did she have to say something that Teacher had never said?”

  Lu Zhiruo pouted. Her teacher was not such a frivolous person.

  “It’s just a poem. It’s useless for us to keep it. However, by giving it to the empress, we can get her appreciation. With this relationship, when you guys come to Qi Country in the future, you definitely won’t have to be afraid of being bullied.”

  Tantai Yutang explained.

  Qin Yaoguang’s personality was very mature. She knew how to maximize benefits.

  Sure enough, after the empress gave out a reward, she took out a jade pendant. “Ziqi, take this jade pendant. In the future, when your fellow disciples come to the Qi Country, you can come to the palace to look for me!”

  There were many youngsters from Qi Country who had made meritorious achievements today. Hence, when they saw this scene, their eyes turned red with jealousy.

  The palace was not a place that anyone could enter as they pleased.

  “This old woman got it cheap.”

  Li Xiu’s red lips, which were covered in rouge, pouted as she felt indignant.

  In history, not many empresses could leave their names behind. However, with Sun Mo’s A Song for Peaceful and Tranquil Times, Empress Qi could absolutely have a place in historical records.

  If this poem was given to those renowned courtesans, their values would definitely increase tremendously. They would immediately become top courtesans and would even recommend themselves to serve Sun Mo.

  Li Xiu wasn’t the only one. The other women present were so jealous that they were going crazy.

  “Sigh, this poem is enough for Teacher to patronize many courtesans for free. It’s such a loss to be giving it to the empress!”

  The usually quiet Jiang Leng suddenly said a long sentence.

  Amidst her agitation, the empress was still not satisfied after getting the poem. “Then does Great Teacher Sun have any works regarding lovesickness and love?”

  All women loved these themes…

  Li Ziqi smiled and opened her red lips slightly, entering a super-transcendent state!

  “Clouds float like works of art; stars shoot with grief at heart. Across the Milky Way, the Cowherd meets the Maid. When autumn’s Golden Wind embraces Dew of Jade, all the love scenes on earth, however many, fade.[4]”

  It wasn’t just the Empress’s beautiful eyes that were shimmering with an alluring glow as she recited the poem in her heart. Even Li Xiu was immersed in it.

  This was how domineering ‘Immortal at the Magpie Bridge’ was. It could capture a woman’s heart!

  After Li Ziqi finished reciting it, the empress asked impatiently, “Are there more? Recite another!”

  “Your Majesty!”

  Even the prime minister, who was usually very composed, felt displeased. (You should give us a chance to set the topic too.)

  The empress ignored him and stared at Li Ziqi.

  “I listen to cicadas singing dolefully in the cold from across the gallery at dusk, the sudden rain has just come to a halt! [5]”

  The little sunny egg didn’t disappoint. Once the ‘Lyrics to Tinkling Heavy Rain’ was recited, the entire crowd fell silent once again. Many women started to cry, feeling dejected.

  “Your Highness, are there any poems on reminiscing about the past?”

  The prime minister quickly asked while everyone was immersed in Lyrics to Tinkling Heavy Rain.

  It had been many years since he last returned to his hometown. Moreover, there was a high chance that he would die while still in office. After all, the Qi Emperor had relied on him, an important official of the country, to stabilize Qi Country.

  He had requested to resign from office many times, but the Qi Emperor had always rejected his request……

  Li Ziqi glanced at the old prime minister.

  “The sky is blue with clouds, the ground covered in leaves yellowed. To the water’s edge spread autumn colors, cold mist hovers over green waters! [6]”

  The moment Fan Zhongyan’s ‘Lyrics to Sumuzhe’ came out, this prime minister broke out in tears as he thought of his life as an official over several decades.

  There was indeed bitterness and sweetness. It was hard to convey many of his emotions to outsiders!

  “Your Majesty, I’d like to resign from my position!”

  The old prime minister stepped forward and knelt to ask for approval to return to his hometown.

  The Qi Emperor was just about to refuse when over ten old officials stood up.

  “Your Majesty, I would also like to resign from my position!”

  “Count me in!”

  “I miss home. I can only feel at ease after dying in my hometown and returning to my roots!”

  The Qi Emperor felt a headache.

  “Dear subjects, you are my trusted subordinates. If you were to leave, what would happen to my empire? What would happen to my people?”

  The Qi Emperor persuaded.

  The old officials remained silent.

  “Ziqi, quick, recite a poem about great ambitions and ideals!”

  The Qi Emperor urged.

  “A serving of spirit in a golden chalice has a price of ten thousand pence, and ten times more for delicacies dished out on a platter made of jade. Yet in the face of such a feast I could not bring myself to taste, with wrath I drew my sword and looked around, feeling completely at a loss. [7]”

  Li Ziqi opened her mouth and recited one immediately. When she said this, she kept feeling that it was bland and tasteless. Hence, she shouted, “Zhiruo, bring me wine!”

  “Here you go, Eldest Martial Sister!”

  The papaya girl handed her wine.

  With the Poet Immortal’s ‘A Trying Journey’ recited, everyone was shocked!

  All the people present had high statuses—nobles, empress, and consorts, as well as great teachers and high-ranking officials. They could be said to be winners in life. Even the palace maids who served others had to go through layers of selection before they could enter the palace.

  After hearing the Poet Immortal’s A Trying Journey, they instantly thought back on the hardships they had been through in their life, as well as the aspirations they had when they were young.

  No one wanted to waste their lives!

  Everyone wanted to live like a great person!

  The few high-ranking officials suddenly had the urge to work for another 50 years and achieve a perfect life!

  After Li Ziqi recited this, she raised her head again and continued drinking.

  By now, she was completely drunk. And because she had recited the Poet Immortal’s great work, her emotions welled up too.

  She started reciting poems before anyone gave her a topic.

  “Do you not see, the waters of the Yellow River come pouring from the sky, rushing toward the sea and never coming back?”

  “Do you not see, our elders’ grievance over gray hair when the mirror they looked into, which was once ebony, is now as white as snow in their twilight years?[8]”

  Reciting the Poet Immortal’s ‘Please Drink Up’, Li Ziqi recalled her past!

  She was born with a photographic memory and was very talented, being doted on by her father and revered as the Great Tang’s first princess. Li Ziqi also saw herself as a genius, but everything was shattered after she had been refused in an attempt to acknowledge a teacher.

  A Nine Provinces’ secondary saint, an influential character who stood at the top of the great teachers world, had refused to take her in as his student. Although he didn’t openly call her trash, the hidden meaning behind his words was clear.

  From then on, Li Ziqi’s life sank into darkness!

  The little sunny egg had thought that she’d be in eternal night, no longer able to see any hint of light in the future. She had thought of committing suicide more than once, but she was unwilling to do so.

  She wanted to prove herself!

  She wanted to prove that Secondary Saint Zhou was wrong.

  However, she was so powerless and didn’t know what she should do until she met Sun Mo!

  It was him who had broken this eternal night that was sealed up in ice and brought her into the morning to continue enjoying this warm and comforting sunlight.

  “A steed with vivid shades of hair, a fur coat worthy of a thousand gold pieces. In exchange for more great wine, I’ll have my son pawn these, to share with you in smoothing away our millennia of sorrow, gloom, and grief.[8]”

  After Li Ziqi was done reciting that, she raised her wine jug to the air. “Teacher, thank you for your guidance so that I have the right to stand here and compete against the various countries’ heroes, to have exchanges with high star-level great teachers, and to be able to stand in the limelight amidst the ten thousand people in the hall, washing off my reputation as trash!”

  “This toast is to you!”

  After saying that, Li Ziqi raised her head and drank the wine in one gulp.

  Li Xiu had wanted to stop her so that Li Ziqi wouldn’t make a fool of herself. However, seeing her cry, Li Xiu recalled what her niece had gone through and gave up on trying to persuade her.

  “Let her vent this once!”

  Li Xiu was actually thanking Sun Mo from the bottom of her heart for giving her niece a new life.

  The guests were silent and looked at Li Ziqi quietly.

  She was the most doted on and most beautiful princess of the Great Tang’s emperor, Sun Mo’s first disciple. She had broken the record for being the youngest great teacher and the royal good-for-nothing rejected by Secondary Saint Zhou. The name Li Ziqi and her experiences were already well known by everyone.

  Coupled with the Poet Immortal’s [Please Drink Up], a perfect complement, it perfectly portrayed the image of a passionate, bold, unrestrained, valiant, and hardworking girl who was unwilling to lose.

  Li Ziqi shouldn’t just be Li Ziqi, but also the hope and role model for many lonely and anonymous youths who were deep in the swamp.

  That’s right, refusing to lose, looking forward and running with all your might!

  Everyone looked at Li Ziqi and reminisced about the Please Drink Up poem. Without realizing it, their chests were also filled with unparalleled boldness!

  “This is what Teacher wrote for Eldest Martial Sister, right?”

  Lu Zhiruo was envious. She also wanted her teacher to write her a poem.

  Sun Mo’s other disciples were envious. Even Jiang Leng, who cared about such things the least, wanted one.

  “These… These were all written by Great Teacher Sun?”

  Someone felt really curious and asked. However, after saying that, he quickly explained, “I’m not suspecting anything. I just want to know how Great Teacher Sun is able to come up with so many good works.”

  Li Ziqi ignored him. This kind of insight was small and insignificant like a mayfly. It was not worth her explanation.

  “Ziqi, did Great Teacher Sun specially compose this poem for you?”

  The Qi Emperor was curious. “What is its name?”

  “[Please Drink Up!]”

  Thinking of how well her teacher had treated her, the little sunny egg smiled. It looked very sweet and beautiful. Then, she quietly made a vow in her heart.

  (Teacher, I won’t let you down. I must become a Saint and stand at the top of the Nine Provinces!)

  Buzz!

  When this thought popped up, a dazzling golden light erupted from Li Ziqi’s body…… Then, a ring of light radiated with her as the center.

  Chapter 1205: In the Name of Teacher, Unparalleled in the World!

  Translator: Lordbluefire

  Swoosh!

  The golden halo enveloped more than half of the palace.

  The people affected by the halo felt their spirits being lifted. It was as if they had just finished watching ten motivational movies and had been given a huge amount of stimulants on how to achieve success. There was only one thought in their minds now, and that was to work hard, not wasting their lives.

  Many youngsters immediately stood up and left impatiently. They were in such a hurry to get to work that they even forgot to bid farewell to the emperor.

  “This is……”

  Grand Tutor Su was stunned.

  “What’s the matter?”

  The Qi Emperor did not blame these people because they had clearly been affected by Li Ziqi’s halo as a great teacher. What they were doing now was definitely ‘beyond their control’.

  (But Grand Tutor Su, why are you surprised? What kind of big scenes have you not seen before after having lived for so long?)

  “I’ve never seen this great teacher halo before!”

  Grand Tutor Su didn’t conceal anything.

  “What?”

  The Qi Emperor was stunned and understood what he was saying. “You’re saying that Li Ziqi has gained enlightenment to a brand new great teacher halo?”

  Great teacher halos could only be gained through enlightenment and not learned. Thus, no one knew how many types of halos there were in total.

  Every few years, new halos would appear in the great teachers world. It was also possible for existing halos to disappear, with no one being able to gain enlightenment to them anymore.

  Therefore, there was a public opinion that great teachers who were able to comprehend a brand new great teacher halo were favored by the heavens. All of them had the disposition of a Saint and were qualified to become one.

  “That’s right!”

  Grand Tutor Su was envious. Then, he thought of Secondary Saint Zhou.

  He would definitely regret it after hearing of this matter. Even though Li Ziqi was talented, what was more amazing was Sun Mo’s foresight and teaching. Without his discerning eyes and meticulous teaching, Li Ziqi would not have been able to reach this step.

  Grand Tutor Su was knowledgeable and could see the intrinsic qualities of things in an instant. However, most great teachers were unable to do so. At this moment, they were discussing amongst themselves while experiencing the effects of this halo.

  “This doesn’t seem like the Rooster Crow Halo.”

  “That’s right. The main effect of Rooster Crow is to stop students from sleeping in and force them to enter a learning state. It’s different from this perked-up stimulated state!”

  “It seems to be very similar to Minute Seize, but there are some indescribable differences!”

  The great teachers discussed spiritedly. In their confusion, they looked toward Grand Tutor Su.

  “After a student is reinforced with Minute Seize Halo, they will think that it’s shameful to waste their time and they can’t wait to achieve the goals in their heart. The halo that Teacher Li has released mainly affects the mental state, motivating people to work hard to climb to greater heights!”

  Grand Tutor Su explained, “One places emphasis on concrete actions, while the other places emphasis on the mental state!”

  Everyone came to a sudden realization when they heard this. Some people also noticed that when Grand Tutor Su addressed Li Ziqi, he no longer called her by her name but switched to Teacher Li.

  This was a sign that he had acknowledged the other party and viewed her as a great teacher whom he could talk to on equal terms.

  “What is this halo called?”

  A young great teacher asked humbly.

  “I don’t know!”

  Grand Tutor Su’s answer made all the guests stare blankly. (There’s a halo that you don’t know about?)

  “Because this is the new halo that Teacher Li just gained enlightenment to, she’ll need to be the one to name it!”

  Grand Tutor Su’s explanation caused a huge commotion!

  Everyone looked at Li Ziqi with shock in their eyes.

  This girl standing in the hall was only 14 or 15 years old, but she was already this outstanding? This was especially so for the great teachers. They knew that having enlightenment to a new great teacher halo meant that one had the potential to become a Saint. Therefore, they were stunned out of their wits.

  (If you’re already so amazing now, will the great teachers world be able to accommodate you in another 20 years?)

  Some quick-witted people thought of Sun Mo. He wasn’t very old either and was only in his twenties. Moreover, putting aside whether he could become a Saint, he’d definitely be able to become a secondary saint.

  Together with Li Ziqi, wouldn’t that mean that there would be two secondary saints under one wing?

  “Oh my god, in 20 years, Sun Mo’s faction will become a huge power in the great teachers world.”

  “I think that ten years will be enough!”

  “If they really turn out to have two saints under one wing, it’ll be an unprecedented case that can’t be achieved in the future!”

  The great teachers discussed excitedly.

  To date, there hadn’t been a case of two sages appearing under one wing at the same time.

  “You guys are thinking too much into this. How can it be so easy to ascend to the saint’s position?”

  Some people weren’t optimistic about this. “Wait till they become secondary saints!”

  “You seem to have forgotten that Sun Mo helped two 8-stars great teachers from the Black-White Academy successfully become secondary saints. Otherwise, why do you think he can be highly regarded by Headmaster Song and become the honorary headmaster of this school that’s one of the Nine Greats?”

  A high star-level great teacher exposed this news.

  This was the first time those high-ranking officials and nobles heard of this matter. They were instantly stunned.

  “Eldest Martial Sister, you’ve gained enlightenment to a great teacher halo!”

  Lu Zhiruo clapped hard, feeling happy for Li Ziqi.

  “Eldest Martial Sister, drink up!”

  Qin Yaoguang handed her a cup of wine.

  “She’s already drunk!”

  Tantai Yutang was filled with a mixture of emotions. He had wanted to use the image-recording stone to retain Li Ziqi’s dark history so that he could tease her in the future. He hadn’t expected her to enter a state of outburst.

  At the banquet in the palace, drunken hundred poems recital, gaining enlightenment to a great teacher halo. This was definitely one of the most glorious moments in Li Ziqi’s life.

  Even the sickly guy, who had always thought of himself as a genius and looked down on everyone else, felt a little defeated by her.

  He had no choice but to accept this!

  “Eldest Martial Sister is really amazing!”

  Xianyu Wei felt envious.

  “En!”

  Helian Beilan sighed in admiration. Fortunately, this was his eldest martial sister. Otherwise, he would be extremely jealous.

  “Teacher Li, what do you intend to call this great teacher halo?”

  Grand Tutor Su was curious.

  Li Ziqi was in a groggy state. She only heard it clearly after Qin Yaoguang repeated the question again.

  “I gained enlightenment to this halo because I recited Teacher’s ‘Please Drink Up’. Naturally, I’ll call it ‘Please Drink Up’!”

  Li Ziqi said this in a matter-of-fact way.

  She was already drunk, but because she had just comprehended a halo, everything related to this halo became clear under its influence.

  Its effect was to let the user feel unrestrained, not caring for gains or losses, not caring for the hurdles before them, constantly looking forward and advancing toward their goals!

  (To not feel inferior, to not give up. Everyone is born with a purpose in life. You can do it!)

  “Great benevolence!”

  Grand Tutor Su’s envy could not be any greater. Li Ziqi could totally name this halo after her. This way, even if future great teachers were to comprehend this halo, they would have to call it the Ziqi Halo.

  This was the special right the first person to comprehend a halo had! It was also a huge honor!

  However, Li Ziqi gave up on it and wanted to call it Please Drink Up!

  With that, Sun Mo’s poem and Sun Mo himself would become even more well-known.

  Of course, with just this great poem that could be passed down through the long course of history, Sun Mo’s name and reputation would remain in this world for a very long time.

  Creak!

  Han Cangshui could no longer control his emotions and flattened the bronze cup in his hand.

  (Damn it! What is with this teacher-student pair? Why are they so strong? F*ck, she can even gain enlightenment to a great teacher halo even when she’s just reciting poems. How does this make sense?)

  Li Xuan pinched his forehead, feeling a little troubled. (Would I be forgiven if I were to kneel before Teacher Sun and apologize to him now?)

  “Great poem!”

  Xia Taikang picked up a flask of wine and drank it happily. He liked this poem very much!

  “Your Majesty, my eldest martial sister is already drunk. I would like to bring her back to rest!”

  The sickly guy spoke up. Li Ziqi was so drunk that her vision was groggy, and she couldn’t stand properly anymore. Qin Yaoguang was supporting her.

  “Permission granted!”

  The Qi Emperor nodded. Then, he thought of something and called out, “Wait, Ziqi. We have experienced your teacher’s poetry talent. It is definitely unrivaled in the world. However, I still want to ask, what is your favorite poem?”

  Li Ziqi leaned against Qin Yaoguang, gave it some thought, and then smiled. In that instant, it was as if a hundred flowers were blossoming, making everything else in the world seem pale in comparison.

  “The strong autumn wind blows, wrinkling up the Dongting Lake; after a night of sorrow and yearning, Xiang gained a lot of white hair.”

  “Drunk on alcohol, forgetting that the stars in the water are mere reflections of the sky. I lay upon the galaxy with dreams unclouded! [1]”

  After the little sunny egg recited that, she completely fell onto Qin Yaoguang and sank into a deep sleep.

  No one cheered nor talked amongst themselves. They were scared that even the softest voice would disturb Li Ziqi’s beautiful dream!

  Everyone was immersed in the majestic and beautiful scene depicted by this poem.

  “I lay upon the galaxy with dreams unclouded? Excellent! Excellent!”

  Grand Tutor Su closed his eyes and muttered to himself, quietly savoring the poem!

  At this moment, it was as if he was sailing amidst the galaxy, draping the starlight as his blanket, having the Milky Way as his pillow, and being immersed in a great dream.

  The other guests were also silent as they ruminated over this poem!

  “To think that there’s someone like Sun Mo in this world?”

  The empress sighed in admiration. After saying that, she was shocked. She had actually praised another man in front of the Qi Emperor. This was something that she should never have done.

  However, the Qi Emperor did not hold this against her but nodded instead.

  “Someone like Sun Mo will only appear once in a thousand years. To be able to meet him and live under the same moon as him is our honor!”

  The Qi Emperor sighed.

  “Sigh, listening to Great Teacher Sun’s poems is like drinking great wine or bathing in sweet dew. It’d be such a great regret to be unable to listen to them in the future.”

  Many high-ranking officials and nobles sighed.

  Given their statuses, they were not qualified to drink and chat with Sun Mo through the night.

  “Where’s Beloved Subject Sun? Where did he go? Why haven’t I seen him after so long?”

  The Qi Emperor asked.

  Right now, he had a strong urge to have a drink with Sun Mo. ……

  At this moment, Sun Mo was standing in front of an artificial lake, admiring the moon together with Jiang Yuzhen.

  Logically speaking, with the beautiful military lady beside him, Sun Mo should be enjoying his time. However, he was covered in sweat because each of the other party’s questions was trickier than the last.

  “Teacher Sun, what do you think of An Xinhui?”

  Jiang Yuzhen was straightforward and didn’t like to beat around the bush.

  “Very good!”

  Sun Mo felt a headache coming, as if he was in the midst of a blind date. This was because the questions that Princess Flying Swallow asked were all very personal.

  Of course, she wasn’t asking if he had cars of his own, what brand they were, how many houses he owned, how big they were, and how much savings he had. He was asking about his thoughts on his fiancée, his life, and his career!

  “Teacher Sun, don’t patronize me!”

  Jiang Yuzhen was really unhappy. “I heard that you guys treat each other respectfully. Other than work, you rarely interact with each other. Do you not like her?”

  “.……”

  Sun Mo was silent. If a girl like An Xinhui was placed in the modern world, he wouldn’t have a chance to woo her. Therefore, when he heard others say that his fiancée was a beautiful great teacher ranked fifth on the Devastating Beauty Rankings, Sun Mo would feel a sense of superiority. However, to say that he liked her…

  They seemed more like friends?

  “What is the reason you’re staying in the Central Province Academy?”

  Jiang Yuzhen asked again.

  “Realizing my own value!”

  This time around, Sun Mo replied very quickly.

  Jiang Yuzhen nodded and asked another question, “Sun Mo, what do you think of me?”

  [1] Poem by poet Tang Gong from the late Yuan Dynasty…… He is often mistaken as a poet from the Tang Dynasty.