Xiao Yang had no idea that Second Brother was already plotting against him.
At the moment, he felt a little awkward. After Yan Ruyu handed him the jade pendant, she didn’t withdraw her hand. Instead, she kept holding his.
Her gaze was dreamy, her pretty face flushed, and her body subtly squirmed, as if she was indulging in some delightful sensation.
What the hell, why are you blushing?
Xiao Yang was a bit stunned. After all, this was in front of everyone, including the Second Prince and so many scholars and poets.
Could it be that she had some unusual trait—getting more excited the more people were around?
“Mmm… it feels so good!” Yan Ruyu looked intoxicated. The touch with Xiao Yang made her whole body feel relaxed, and the yin energy she had accumulated over the years was beginning to stir.
“Ahem!” Xiao Yang gave a dry cough. “Miss Yan, could you let go now?”
Only then did Yan Ruyu snap out of it. Like being electrocuted, she quickly pulled her hand back. But her beautiful eyes were still fixed on Xiao Yang, almost melting with affection.
“Fairy Yan, since everyone’s here, shall we begin the poetry gathering?” Xiao Ziwen quickly interjected.
The poetry event was arranged for two reasons: to curry favor with Fairy Yan and to embarrass Xiao Yang.
Now that Fairy Yan seemed to favor his Ninth Brother, he had to escalate things further. After all, Xiao Yang was just a crude martial brute—no way he could write poetry. Fairy Yan would never fall for someone like that!
“As Your Highness wishes. May I ask what the theme for tonight’s poetry gathering will be?” Yan Ruyu asked.
Xiao Ziwen fawned, “Fairy Yan, you possess a beauty that could shame the flowers and eclipse the moon. How about everyone writes a poem praising your beauty?”
The moment he spoke, the sycophants behind him clapped and cheered.
“Excellent! Brilliant idea, Second Prince!”
“To compose a poem for Fairy Yan is our greatest honor!”
…
Xiao Ziwen thought he had scored points, but Yan Ruyu frowned slightly in displeasure.
In truth, Xiao Ziwen was refined in appearance, the Second Prince of the Northern War King’s household, and had attained 5th stage Gentleman Realm in the Confucian Path—he was the ideal suitor for many women.
Unfortunately, he was a simp.
And women… the more you flatter and simp for them, the less they take you seriously.
“Gentlemen, allow me, Ma Wencai, to throw out a brick in hopes of attracting jade,” Ma Wencai suddenly stepped forward, shaking his head with flair as he began to recite:
“Fairy’s face is beautiful, like a flower it shines bright. Her eyes are big and sparkling, praised by all in sight.”
“Pfft!”
The crowd burst into laughter. Everyone thought Ma Wencai’s childish rhyme was ridiculous and laughable.
Ma Wencai, however, wasn’t embarrassed at all. He smiled and cupped his hands, “I’ve made a fool of myself!”
“This chubby Ma guy is actually kind of funny.”
Xiao Yang silently observed him. Though he was the son of Cang Province’s richest man, in this elite Lanting Poetry Gathering, he ranked near the bottom.
Yet he was willing to set aside pride and play the clown. That alone showed his heart wasn’t simple.
Next, the sons of the Sword Province governor, the Qing Province inspector, and a disciple of the Sage of Calligraphy all stepped forward to compose poems for Yan Ruyu.
But they were all meant to serve as supporting roles to make Xiao Ziwen shine. Naturally, no one dared to show off too much. Their verses were all well-behaved and average.
He somehow produced a folding fan and opened it with a snap, seizing attention.
“Radiant like the moon above,
Eyes like flowing autumn love.
A smile that stirs a hundred charms,
One glance drowns a thousand qualms.”
Xiao Ziwen looked at Yan Ruyu as he recited, his gaze burning with passion, making everyone feel goosebumps from the cringe.
“Bravo!”
“The Second Prince is surely the reincarnation of the God of Literature. Such talent—he’s the makings of a top scholar!”
“A perfect match for Fairy Yan, truly made in heaven!”
Applause rang out across the venue, followed by whistles and cheers.
However, Yan Ruyu seemed uninterested. Her eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yang, full of affection and subtle flirtation.
Damn it!
What do I lack compared to Ninth Brother?
Xiao Ziwen’s face twisted in fury.
…
Meanwhile, after hearing Second Brother’s poem, Xiao Yang simply shook his head and sighed.
That’s it?
In his eyes, the poems of this world were no better than silly rhymes from his past life—completely worthless.
“Ninth Brother, what’s with the sighing? Are you looking down on my poem?” Xiao Ziwen provoked him.
“Not at all,” Xiao Yang shook his head.
After all, he had come tonight to retrieve the spirit treasure. He didn’t plan on clashing with Second Brother just yet.
But Xiao Ziwen wasn’t ready to let it go. “Ninth Brother, everyone has composed for Fairy Yan. Now it’s your turn!”
“Second Brother, I’m just a ‘rough’ man. I don’t know how to compose poetry,” Xiao Yang said modestly.
This took the crowd by surprise.
They had heard that the Ninth Prince was extremely arrogant—he even slapped the faces of the First and Fourth Princes.
But now, he appeared so humble and self-deprecating?
Xiao Ziwen, however, wasn’t satisfied.
If he couldn’t humiliate Xiao Yang in public, how could he vent his rage?
“Ninth Brother, we made a deal! As long as you write a poem now, this ‘Yue Wu Military Treatise’ is yours!”
Xiao Ziwen took out a weathered old book from his robe.
It was the military strategy left behind by the famed general Yue Wu centuries ago.
“Alright, since you insist, I’ll do it,” Xiao Yang nodded.
He had intended to keep a low profile. But since Xiao Ziwen forced his hand, he wouldn’t hold back. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
“Hmph!”
Xiao Ziwen and the other scholars all sneered.
In their eyes, even if Xiao Yang had improved his cultivation thanks to Ning Hongye’s help, literary talent couldn’t be faked.
A mediocre fool, no matter how many pills he swallowed, could never write exquisite poetry.
As soon as he opened his mouth, he’d be an embarrassment—a laughingstock. Fairy Yan would definitely lose interest in him.
“Ninth Prince, if you are to compose a poem for me, shall I play the flute to accompany you?” Yan Ruyu suddenly spoke.
Play the flute for him?
Xiao Yang froze. Did he hear that right? Was Fairy Yan really this playful?
But the next second, she took out a green bamboo flute, lifted her rosy lips, and began to play.
“Woo woo woo…”
The melody drifted gracefully through the air, lingering through the pavilion.
“I’ve heard Fairy Yan is a master of both zither and flute. What fortune we have today!” someone exclaimed.
Only then did Xiao Yang realize—he had misunderstood earlier.
“Ninth Brother, stop stalling! You can’t drag this out forever. You get one incense stick’s worth of time!” Xiao Ziwen pressed him.
“No need. I’ve already composed it,” Xiao Yang replied calmly.
Everyone was stunned.
Even they needed time to prepare. Who could just compose instantly?
Xiao Ziwen scoffed. Clearly, Ninth Brother’s poem would be worse than Ma Wencai’s doggerel.
Tap!
Xiao Yang stepped forward and began,
“The clouds dream of her robes, the flowers envy her face.”
Hmm?
The mocking scholars immediately stopped smiling.
Tap!
Xiao Yang took a second step and continued,
“Spring breeze brushes the railing, the morning dew shines with grace.”
Expressions grew serious.
Yan Ruyu’s beautiful eyes lit up with an unprecedented brilliance. Her heart began to race.
Tap!
Xiao Yang took a third step. His aura surged, like the soul of a poet sage had descended. His voice echoed to the heavens: “Not seen atop the jade mountain, Only under moonlight at the jade terrace one may encounter such a face!”