The group of royal descendants all turned to look at Gu Lingwan, waiting for his answer. Xiao Yingxun watched him with a complex expression.
Gu Lingwan gave a subtle smile and said modestly, “I shall leave the decision to His Majesty.” He shifted his tone and continued, “However, I ask that His Majesty not bestow anything too precious upon me. Please, do not grant me any farmland, real estate, expensive calligraphy, or porcelain. I know that I am not yet qualified for such things.”
As I expected, Xiao Yingxun thought. His Majesty has finally fallen into the trap he set. I only hope His Majesty remains clear-headed and does not grant too many rewards.
Previously, the Heir had stated that he had been burying himself in books during this time. Observing his current display of intelligence, he must be capable of composing a commendable poem or verse.
On the throne, Xiao Lanjie pondered Gu Lingwan’s request: Farmland, properties, and antiques are not what he seeks; what he desires is money. Real estate requires time to liquidate, whereas currency is easily carried and managed.
Since he wants money, I shall grant his wish.
“If your birthday performance today satisfies those present, I shall reward you with one hundred thousand taels of gold.”
Xiao Yingxun lowered his head and pressed hard against his brow bone. What is happening today? One hundred thousand taels of gold seems to be haunting me like a ghost.
Gu Lingwan struggled to conceal his excitement. He was in luck today. One hundred thousand taels was clearly his lucky number.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for the high expectations placed upon Lingwan,” he said, bowing with hands cupped. “I will not let Your Majesty down.”
His gaze sharpened as he turned toward Xiao Zitang: “Just now, I heard the Seventeenth Prince imply that you were certain I could not produce an excellent performance to celebrate His Majesty’s birthday?”
Xiao Zitang cast a glance at Xiao Yingxun and said to Gu Lingwan, “That is correct. In the past, you were obsessed with marrying the Sixth Prince, your head filled only with romance, lacking any real learning. Therefore, I am certain you cannot perform anything worthwhile.”
Gu Lingwan replied, “And if I can perform an excellent program?”
Xiao Zitang’s face was full of contempt: “If you can compose even one doggerel poem, I will give you one thousand taels of silver. If the royal descendants here recognize it as a good poem or verse, I will pay you ten times that amount.”
“Very well, it is settled,” Gu Lingwan said, turning to Xiao Lanjie on the throne: “Your Majesty, please serve as our witness.”
Xiao Lanjie nodded: “Very well.”
Xiao Yingxun’s gaze remained fixed on Gu Lingwan, but Gu Lingwan had no time for him, focused entirely on making money to secure his retirement fund.
The transmigrator’s cheat code has been activated.
Gu Lingwan cleared his throat and proceeded to recite from the Three Hundred Tang Poems. The first poem he recited stunned the royals into silence, followed by sharp intakes of breath.
Xiao Rongbing’s eyes widened in shock: “How is this doggerel? Compared to the Princess Consort, the verses we compose are the true doggerel!”
Xiao Mucheng looked at Gu Lingwan in wonder: “The Princess Consort is truly full of surprises!”
After recovering from his shock, Xiao Yanming exclaimed: “It is true what they say; there is a golden house within the books the Princess Consort has been reading. His knowledge has made a leap of ten thousand miles!”
Gu Lingwan knew the contents of the book well. He understood that this was an alternate history; thus, he had no fear of anyone realizing he was reciting existing works.
He continued like a monk chanting sutras, reciting famous poems by the great poets of his past life with deep emotion. Xiao Yingxun listened quietly to every line, trying to verify if Gu Lingwan was plagiarizing. After all, he could not believe Gu Lingwan could create so many excellent poems at once.
Cold sweat rolled down Xiao Zitang’s forehead as he counted every poem Gu Lingwan recited. With each one, he felt as if Gu Lingwan was carving a piece of flesh from his body with a knife.
Xiao Yanming thoughtfully brought a cup of tea to moisten Gu Lingwan’s throat. Having been saved from the water by Gu Lingwan, he seemed to have forgotten his duty to protect him.
Two hours passed. The royal descendants had lost their initial shock and excitement; they looked as if they were listening to a lecture in the academy—some were nodding off, some were lost in thought, and others had already snuck away.
Xiao Rongbing and Xiao Mucheng’s legs were numb, and they rubbed them stealthily. Xiao Lanjie sat on the throne and yawned twice. Xiao Yingxun’s eyes grew sore from watching Gu Lingwan for so long, and he could only close them, though his ears remained on high alert to monitor for plagiarism.
Of everyone in the room, only Gu Lingwan seemed tireless, his little mouth rattling off poems—after all, only he was earning money, and it was fast, easy cash.
Just then, Xiao Lanjie clapped his hands to interrupt: “Enough. The Princess Consort has great literary talent; making poems is easier than drinking cold water for you.” He suspected plagiarism but lacked evidence. He was also tired of sitting and did not want to listen anymore.
The surrounding royals clapped enthusiastically.
“The birthday poems the Princess Consort made for His Majesty are all classics; every single one is a masterpiece.” Good heavens, I think my ears are going to start birthing baby poems.
“Indeed, the Princess Consort is most deserving of His Majesty’s reward.” Thank goodness it stopped; I was about to vomit.
“We have no objections.” I never want to hear a poem again as long as I live; I am traumatized.
Gu Lingwan’s eyes curved into crescents as he said modestly, “You are all too kind.”
Disclaimer: I am not the creator; I am merely a porter of poems. Hehe, they have never seen a single one of these.
Xiao Yingxun frowned slightly. A porter? As I suspected, these poems were not created by him. However, he had never heard of them either. Was he truly so unlearned? He felt a surge of disdain: A leopard cannot change its spots; he is as uneducated and untalented as ever—no, perhaps even worse than before. I overestimated him.
I was forced to become a porter by you bunch of bastards in the Xiao family! I never claimed these poems were my own inventions. I am just a salted fish who knows nothing.
After his internal rant, Gu Lingwan looked at Xiao Lanjie: “Your Majesty, may I perform an opera for you as a final birthday wish?”
Opera was very popular; royal aristocrats loved it, but it required profound skill and vocal technique. Not just anyone could perform it.
What new tricks is he trying to pull? Xiao Yingxun thought. How could he possibly know such a difficult and refined art? Xiao Lanjie felt the same—he had grown up alongside Gu Lingwan and had never seen him learn such talents.
Hearing this, Xiao Zitang’s eyes filled with tears of agitation: “Princess Consort, you should rest. Your voice must be uncomfortable after reciting so many poems.”
He had counted one hundred and ninety-nine poems. At ten thousand taels of silver per poem, the total was nearly two million taels—even if he sold everything he owned, he could not pay it. If his mother and uncle found out, they would surely flay him alive.
The other royals knew this too, but they were there to watch the show. Xiao Mucheng intentionally provoked him: “Is the Seventeenth Prince so confident in the Princess Consort? Do you think he will sing with the voice of heaven?” Rather than sounding like a pig being slaughtered.
He had heard him hum opera in their youth—it was truly indescribable and had given him nightmares of a ghost wailing in his ears.
Xiao Zitang wiped away his tears: “If you did not lose money, stop making sarcastic remarks.”
Hearing their conversation, Gu Lingwan felt another opportunity to strike it rich had arrived. He immediately said to Xiao Mucheng: “Third Prince, if you do not believe me, shall we make a bet?”
Before he could finish, Xiao Lanjie, enjoying the chaos, said: “I will act as the witness. If anyone tries to back out, I will not be lenient.”
Xiao Yanming pondered if the Princess Consort was going to ask him to help transport the money to his estate.
Xiao Mucheng was cunning and quickly said: “I will not bet with the Princess Consort.” One could never be too careful, and gambling was a bad habit he despised.
Xiao Zitang cast a sharp look at him: “Who was it that said ‘you are so confident in the Princess Consort’? If you are not afraid of him, bet with him. Do not be a coward.”
Xiao Mucheng’s temper flared: “Have some manners! Who are you scolding? I am only sparing you because you are young; do not push your luck.”
Gu Lingwan watched the drama with relish, not expecting to incite conflict among the royal descendants—but they deserved it.
Just then, Xiao Yingxun spoke: “This Prince will bet with the Princess Consort.”
He had already lost all hope in him; this time, he was convinced that Gu Lingwan could never muddle through this task.