Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 456 Copying Poems: A Moment of Pleasure, But the Whole City Comes to Petition

Xiao Ling'er and Wei Yiran returned to the manor before it got too late. When they arrived, Xiao Ling'er still looked like she hadn't had enough.

But Feng Lie did not return home all night.

When Feng Wenzheng and Feng Changyuan learned of this the next day, they were both in a bad mood.

In the courtyard of Qinghui Pavilion, Feng Wenzheng paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

Feng Changyuan stood to the side, wanting to say something but not daring to, and could only keep looking out of the courtyard gate.

"He didn't come home all night." Feng Wenzheng said in a deep voice, "I told him to go out for a stroll, but he went out all night and didn't come back."

Feng Changyuan coughed lightly and said cautiously, "Uncle, perhaps they were playing and forgot the time. They're on their way back now..."

"Forgot the time?" Feng Wenzheng gave him a cold look. "With Lie'er's temperament, even if he forgets the time, he'll know to be back before dawn. Unless..."

He paused, then didn't continue.

But everyone present understood what was left unsaid.

Unless something happens.

Qi Lan leaned against a pillar, slowly munching on a fruit she'd somehow produced. She glanced at Feng Wenzheng, a playful smile playing on her lips: "Fellow Daoist Feng, don't be in such a hurry. Perhaps Feng Lie has encountered something wonderful and is so happy he's forgotten all about home."

Feng Wenzheng remained silent.

Chen Anran came out of the house. "We were really worried, so we all went out to look for them together."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Wei Shanyue strode into Qinghui Pavilion, followed by Zhou Da and several elite soldiers from the Western Army. He approached Chen Anran and bowed, but his expression was somewhat strange.

"Master Chen," he said, "this old minister has just received news that the Immortal Master Feng Lie..."

Feng Wenzheng turned around abruptly: "What's wrong with Lie'er?"

Wei Shanyue coughed lightly, then carefully began to speak: "Master Fengxian, please don't worry, your nephew... uh... is fine. It's just... in jail."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Feng Changyuan stared wide-eyed at Wei Shanyue in disbelief: "In jail? He's in jail?"

Feng Wenzheng's expression darkened further: "What did he do wrong?"

Wei Shanyue's expression became even stranger. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back, only turning to the side and waving towards the outside of the courtyard.

A middle-aged man dressed in a blue cloth short shirt strode in, bowed to the crowd, and stood with his hands at his sides. Judging from his attire, he was likely a manager or similar figure in charge of the Wei family's affairs in Tianjing City.

"This is Steward Liu from the old minister's residence," Wei Shanyue introduced. "He knows everything that's happening in Tianjing City. Let him handle the matter of Immortal Master Feng Lie."

Manager Liu raised his head, his gaze quickly sweeping across the faces of everyone in the courtyard before finally settling on Feng Wenzheng.

"Reporting to all the immortal masters, Immortal Master Feng Lie went to the Blue Crane Tower in the south of the city last night."

"Blue Crane Tower?" Feng Changyuan was taken aback. "What kind of place is that?"

Manager Liu coughed lightly, lowering his voice slightly: "It's...it's a brothel."

Feng Changyuan's face froze.

Qi Lan burst out laughing, "Feng Lie must have been to KTV quite a bit before, right? He can actually get along well with my Tianbao Sect Leader."

Feng Wenzheng's expression was beyond ugly.

Steward Liu forced himself to continue, "Immortal Feng Lie was drinking and listening to music there, and during the banquet... he composed a few poems."

"He can write poetry?" Feng Changyuan was stunned. "He can write poetry?"

Manager Liu's expression became even stranger: "Uh... that poem was exceptionally well written. How well? So well that the girls at Lan Yue Lou cried on the spot, so well that all the guests in the building were stunned, so well that the whole city was talking about it this morning."

As he spoke, he took a piece of paper out of his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

"I dared to make a copy."

Feng Wenzheng took it and looked down at it.

There were three poems written on the paper.

First song:

"Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come from the sky, rushing to the sea never to return?"

Do you not see the bright mirror in the high hall reflecting the sorrow of white hair, black as silk in the morning, turning to snow by evening?

Life is full of joy, so that the gold is empty for the moon.

"Everyone has their own unique talents, and though I may spend all my money, it will come back again."

Second poem:

"Clouds resemble her clothes, flowers resemble her face; the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, and the dew is heavy."

"If we don't meet atop Mount Qunyu, we'll meet beneath the moon on the Jade Terrace."

Third poem:

"The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky; river maples and fishing lights accompany my sorrowful sleep."

Outside Suzhou city, at Hanshan Temple, the midnight bell tolls, reaching the traveler's boat.

Feng Wenzheng's hand, holding the paper, trembled slightly.

Feng Changyuan leaned over for a look, and his expression was priceless.

Good heavens, Feng Lie actually secretly did what a "time traveler" is supposed to do when they travel to ancient times behind my back!

Chen Anran took the paper, glanced at it, and couldn't help but laugh.

Qi Lan leaned over, read the three poems, and burst out laughing. "Feng Lie has turned Li Bai and Zhang Ji upside down."

After everyone had finished laughing, Manager Liu continued.

"As soon as the poem was published, Blue Crane Tower was in an uproar. The young ladies were vying to invite Immortal Feng Lie upstairs for a small gathering, and the other guests were eager to treat him to drinks. Immortal Feng Lie was in a good mood and drank a few more cups than usual."

Feng Wenzheng took a deep breath: "And then?"

"And then..." Steward Liu's voice lowered even further, "Immortal Feng Lie drank too much and started reciting poetry again. This time, he recited..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces of everyone in the courtyard, as if considering whether or not he should speak.

"What is it?" Feng Changyuan stamped his feet anxiously.

Manager Liu gritted his teeth and said it:

"Heavenly Immortals, Heavenly Immortals"

"What is it?" Feng Changyuan stamped his feet anxiously.

Manager Liu gritted his teeth and said it:

"Heavenly Immortals, Heavenly Immortals"

For thousands of years, mortals have knelt and worshipped.

If one can find a place of freedom and ease

I envy neither immortals nor the heavens.

The expressions on everyone's faces after hearing this were even more fascinating.

Okay, okay, and finally, here's a high-quality imitation of "Lushan Ballad Sent to Attendant-in-Waiting Lu Xuzhou"?

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Qi Lan laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

Chen Anran couldn't help but laugh.

Manager Liu continued, forcing a smile, "As soon as the poem was recited, someone immediately turned hostile. A young man wearing a Taoist robe from the Immortal Alliance stood up, pointed at Immortal Master Feng Lie's nose, and accused him of 'blaspheming the Immortal Path.' Immortal Master Feng Lie was already drunk at the time, and without caring who the other person was, he directly retorted, 'What is the Immortal Path anyway?'"

Feng Changyuan covered his face, not wanting to listen anymore.

"And then?" Qi Lan asked with a smile.

"Then..." Manager Liu swallowed hard, "the people from the Immortal Alliance made a move. But he was no match for Immortal Master Feng Lie. Immortal Master Feng Lie took him down with just a few punches and kicks."

Feng Wenzheng swayed.

Feng Changyuan quickly supported him, saying, "Uncle! Uncle, hold on!"

Manager Liu continued, "The people from the Immortal Alliance got up and ran away. Immortal Master Feng Lie continued drinking until midnight, then staggered away, only to be stopped by government officials not far away."

"The government?" Feng Changyuan was taken aback. "Does the government dare to interfere in the affairs of cultivators?"

"Normally, we wouldn't dare," Steward Liu said with a wry smile. "But too many people heard Feng Liexian's poem. Those literati, scholars, and gentlemen were in an uproar as soon as they heard it. But despite the uproar, no one dared to step forward. The government, fearing things would escalate, preemptively arrested Feng Liexian and threw him into jail, accusing him of 'drunken disorder and disturbing the peace.'"

Feng Wenzheng took a deep breath: "And now?"

Manager Liu's expression became even stranger.

"Now..." he said, "Feng Liexian's poem has spread throughout the entire city. Anyone in Tianjing with a modicum of culture knows that last night a young man recited two astonishing works at the Blue Crane Tower, including a poem titled 'Not Envious of Immortals.' This morning, all those scholars, literati, and poets were blocking the prison gates, demanding his release."

"Demand their release?" Feng Changyuan was stunned.

"Yes." Manager Liu nodded. "They were blocking the way, holding up signs and chanting slogans, saying things like 'The Poet Immortal has been wronged,' 'The literary tradition has been tarnished,' and 'Release our Liebai Poet Immortal.'"

"The Fiery White Poet Immortal?" Qi Lan laughed out loud.

Steward Liu coughed lightly: "Yes. This morning, the name has spread throughout the entire city. Everywhere, in the streets and alleys, teahouses and taverns, people are talking about those three poems and discussing that 'Fierce White Poet Immortal.' The government is now in a dilemma. If they release him, they might offend the Immortal Alliance; if they don't, all the scholars in the city are blocking the way, and if things get out of control, it will be impossible to manage."

After listening, Feng Wenzheng remained silent for a long time.

Then he turned around and looked at Chen Anran.

Feng Wenzheng took a deep breath. "I'll go and bring that wretched creature back right now."

Chen Anran shook her head.

"No rush," he said. "Let him stay a little longer."

Feng Wenzheng was stunned.

Chen Anran looked outside the courtyard, his gaze passing through the gate and looking into the distance.

"I want to see how the Immortal Alliance and the Great Qian Royal Family will act."

Upon hearing this, Wei Shanyue, who was not far away, breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, as soon as I received the news, I sent Zhou Daqian to the palace to report the matter.

………………

Tianjing, the southern prison.

It was called a prison, but it was really just a few low mud-brick houses surrounded by a mud wall about ten feet high. Several sharpened wooden stakes were stuck in the wall, and two jailers stood at the door, craning their necks to look into the distance.

In the distance, the street outside the prison gate was packed with people.

Scholars, literati, and many onlookers packed the street, making it completely impassable. Some held up hastily written banners with the crookedly scribbled characters "Release My Poet Immortal." Others stood on higher ground, shouting things like "Literary lineage wronged!" and "The Way of Poetry tarnished." Most people simply crowded around, craning their necks to look towards the prison, discussing amongst themselves as they watched.

"Have you heard that poem? 'Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come from the sky?' How did they come up with that poem? It's simply a timeless masterpiece!"

"I heard it, and there's also that song 'Clouds Think of Clothes, Flowers Think of Faces.' The courtesan next door was singing it this morning, and she was singing it with tears in her eyes."

"But the third one isn't bad either, 'The moon sets, crows cry, frost fills the sky,' it makes you homesick just listening to it..."

"So, who exactly is this fiery-white poet?"

"I don't know. I heard that he drank at Blue Crane Tower last night and immediately produced three masterpieces. After finishing his drink, he recited a poem that said he didn't envy the immortals and beat up the people from the Immortal Alliance on the spot."

"Well done! Those people from the Immortal Alliance, they bully men and women all the time, it's long overdue for someone to teach them a lesson!"

"Shh—keep your voice down, are you out of your mind?"

"What are you afraid of? The law doesn't punish everyone! There are so many of us here today, let them try to touch even one of us!"

The crowd grew larger and larger, and the noise grew louder and louder.

The two jailers at the prison gate turned pale.

"Boss, what should we do?" the younger guard asked in a low voice. "With so many people, what if things get out of hand..."

The older jailer swallowed hard and forced a smile, saying, "What are you afraid of? The one inside is someone the Immortal Alliance has appointed. We just need to keep watch, and if anything happens, the higher-ups will take responsibility."

"But...but these scholars, who usually seem so gentle and weak, are hard to control if they really start causing trouble..."

The older jailer didn't speak, but simply looked up at the sky.

The sun has risen high.

I wonder when the people from above will arrive.

Deep inside the prison, in the innermost cell.

Feng Lie leaned against the corner of the wall, his eyes closed, as if he were asleep.

He was still wearing the same scholar's robe he had worn yesterday, though it was now completely wrinkled and stained with several bottles of wine. His hair was disheveled, and his face was pale from a hangover.

Outside the cell, a middle-aged prison guard was peering through the bars.

After staring at it for a while, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Um...Poet Immortal?"

Feng Lie didn't move.

The jailer called out again, "Poet Immortal? Are you awake?"

Feng Lie then opened his eyes and glanced at him lazily.

The jailer quickly put on a smile, his wrinkled face showing a hint of ingratiation: "Poet Immortal, are you hungry? I'll have someone bring you a bowl of porridge. Also, would you like some hot water to wash your face? This cell is simple, I'm sorry you have to suffer..."

Feng Lie looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"What did you call me?"

"Poet Immortal!" the jailer said matter-of-factly, "Your poems have spread far and wide. Although I am illiterate, my wife can recite them. She recited them all night last night, and I've memorized them. 'Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come from the sky, rushing to the sea never to return...' This poem sounds so grand!"

Feng Lie was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.

The laughter echoed in the quiet cell, carrying a hint of inexplicable smugness.

The jailer, bewildered by his laughter, scratched his head and asked, "Poet Immortal, what are you laughing at?"

Feng Lie waved his hand, offering no explanation.

Of course, he wouldn't say that he didn't write the poem.

But then again, Li Bai, please don't blame me. The Great Qian Dynasty of three thousand years ago couldn't possibly pay you royalties, could it? I'm just borrowing your name to spread your fame in ancient times, which can be considered... uh... cultural exchange?

Thinking of this, Feng Lie's smile deepened.

He suddenly remembered what happened last night.

The girls wept uncontrollably after he finished reciting the poem. The guests vied to offer him drinks, calling him "Poet Immortal" and "Talented Scholar" at every turn. He drank heartily and had a few more cups than he intended. In the end, in a moment of passion, he shouted out, "What is the Dao of Immortality anyway?"

Now think about it...

It seems I acted a bit impulsively.

But then, thinking about the arrogant look on that Immortal Alliance member's face, Feng Lie felt that his shout was worthwhile.

"Poet Immortal?" the jailer called out again.

Feng Lie snapped out of his daze and looked at him: "No need for porridge, just get me a pot of tea. Hot tea, please."

The jailer nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, yes, I'll take care of it right away!"

As he spoke, he turned and ran, but after a couple of steps he turned back and gave Feng Lie a thumbs-up: "Poet Immortal, your poem is truly wonderful!"