The Nine Provinces' banquets revolved around songs and dances, reciting poems, and other elegant stuff.
Even if the Great Xia's princess hadn't jumped out to ask Sun Mo to compose a poem, other people would bring it up too. There was no helping it. Sun Mo's reputation was too great.
Therefore, cheers rose in the Taiji Palace and countless gazes landed on Sun Mo.
Many of them didn't have any ill intent and just wanted to broaden their horizons. This was like how when people saw a singer when attending someone's wedding, they'd want to get her to sing a song.
With that, everyone would have a reason to boast about after they went back.
Take today for example. If Sun Mo were to compose a famous poem here and it was spread far and wide, they'd be able to say a word or two when they heard the poem brought up in some other occasions.
(Oh, this poem? I was there when Great Teacher Sun composed it!)
"I'm sorry, I'm not good at composing poems!"
