Countless gazes fell upon Wei Ran.
Several daughters of high-ranking officials whispered among themselves.
“Do you think Prince Wei can compose poetry?”
“Of course! Prince Wei is so handsome, and he looks gentle and refined. He clearly has the appearance of a learned scholar.”
“That’s not necessarily true. Prince Wei is from Liangzhou. The people of Northern Liang value martial strength and scorn literature. Just because he’s good-looking doesn’t mean he can write poetry.”
“Exactly, if someone so good-looking could also compose poetry, how would those prideful sons of noble families in Chang’an City survive?”
“Even if Prince Wei can’t compose poetry, I’d still marry him. Hehe…”
“Miss Wang, have you already gotten drunk from just one cup?”
“…”
The Empress Dowager smiled kindly at Wei Ran.
Chen Wener also turned around with a playful smile. “Prince Wei, it’s your turn to compose a poem.”
Wei Ran didn’t even get up. He smiled calmly and said, “Your Highness, I don’t know how to compose poetry. I’ll willingly drink a full pot as punishment.”
As he said this, he raised the wine pot, ready to drink it in one go.
The Empress Dowager and Empress looked slightly surprised.
The Third Princess Chen Wener’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment. She gave a self-deprecating smile. Whatever hope she had felt just now was completely extinguished.
So Prince Wei really couldn’t compose poetry. All that good appearance was just for show.
But then…
One sentence from Dugu Nengwen made Wei Ran spray out the wine he had just put to his lips.
Dugu Nengwen stood up and, in a voice full of honesty, said loudly, “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Third Princess, that poem earlier… it wasn’t mine. It was composed by Prince Wei.”
Pfft!
Wei Ran spit the wine everywhere and glared at Dugu Nengwen with his phoenix-like eyes.
This idiot! I just helped you, and now you’re selling me out?
A fool is a fool—rotten wood can’t be carved.
Wei Ran was speechless.
But Dugu Nengwen looked full of gratitude. “Prince Wei, I know you wrote that poem to help me out of a difficult spot. I’ll never forget this kindness.”
“But you gave me a poem you had already prepared while choosing to take the penalty yourself. That’s not fair.”
“So, the credit for this poem belongs to you. I can’t take it. Otherwise, I’d be an ungrateful and unrighteous man.”
Wei Ran’s mouth twitched. How could there be such a straightforward person in this world?
Is this really about a wine penalty?
Though standing out might help Wei Ran’s current situation, as the saying goes—“The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be cut down.”
Drawing too much attention could be dangerous.
After all, the title of Heir of Prince Min was a highly sensitive one. There were countless eyes in the court watching him.
Not to mention Wei Wuji’s enemies—the Emperor would never tolerate Prince Min having a monstrously talented son. If such a prodigy inherited the title, it could easily spark division within the Empire.
At this moment, Chen Wener’s almond-shaped eyes widened.
So… that poem recited by Dugu Nengwen was actually written by him?
But why would he give the poem to Dugu Nengwen and take the punishment himself?
This stirred deep curiosity in Chen Wener.
Dugu Nengwen pulled a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and opened it for everyone to see.
A palace maid beside the Empress Dowager stepped forward, took the handkerchief, and presented it to her.
The Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly as she read the red writing on it, then handed it back.
But before the maid could return it, Chen Wener intercepted it.
Pretending to be admiring it, she tucked the handkerchief into her sleeve with great care.
Even her gaze toward Wei Ran now sparkled brightly.
And not just her—many other noble young ladies looked at him with admiration and affection.
“‘Drunkenly lying on the battlefield, don’t laugh at me. How many ever return from war?’ What a poem! Prince Wei is truly talented.”
“Not only is he gifted, he’s also kind-hearted. Seeing Dugu Nengwen in trouble, he helped quietly—how noble.”
“Not just kind-hearted, but also magnanimous! He was willing to be punished just to help someone else. My heavens…”
Hearing the murmurs around him, Wei Ran broke into a cold sweat.
Just like that, a selfless, noble image of Prince Wei had taken shape in everyone’s minds.
The Empress Dowager suddenly put on a stern face. “Dugu Nengwen, Prince Wei, you two dared to deceive me?”
“Hmph, not only did you deceive the Empress Dowager, you tricked me too.” The Empress also put on a stern look, pretending to be angry.
The Empress Dowager tapped the table lightly. “Dugu Nengwen, because of your honest and upright nature, I will not punish you. But this must not happen again. Sit down.”
Dugu Nengwen wiped his sweat and sat down obediently.
The Empress Dowager continued, “Prince Wei, deceiving me is an unforgivable offense. But since this is your first time, I won’t make it difficult for you.”
“Yes, a poem is a must,” the Empress added with a sly glance toward the Empress Dowager. The two of them were clearly working in tandem.
How could Wei Ran not see through it?
“That won’t do.”
Chen Wener huffed, “Grandmother, he didn’t just deceive one or two people—he deceived everyone here! How can one poem be enough?”
“At least two… no, three poems!”
Wei Ran slapped the table. “Third Princess, do you think poetry is spit that you can summon at will?”
Chen Wener smirked mischievously. “Then make it two.”
Wei Ran shot her a look. “One. Take it or leave it.”
Chen Wener was stunned.
This was the first time anyone had dared speak to her in such a rude tone. She instantly felt flustered, her cheeks turning red.
The Empress Dowager quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “One it is. Everyone’s waiting—go on.”
Only then did Wei Ran reluctantly drink a cup of wine.
After a brief silence, he recited aloud:
“In a strange land, I am but a lonely guest,
Festivals make me miss home the most.
Let’s share another cup of wine, my friend,
Beyond Yangguan, no old friends remain.”
This was originally two poems, but Wei Ran, the shameless plagiarist, had stitched them together seamlessly into one. Astonishingly, the fusion felt complete and natural.
After speaking, he began pouring and drinking his wine slowly, appearing genuinely sorrowful.
In truth, at that moment, he had truly recalled his family back on Earth—his parents, his loved ones. This poem reflected his real emotions.
As soon as the poem ended, the hall once again fell silent.
Even the Empress Dowager looked at him with new sympathy in her eyes.
The Empress sighed softly. Thinking of Prince Wei, alone in the Imperial City, far from home, with no family or friends—missing his parents late at night—it stirred an unexpected wave of sorrow.
This wasn’t a fate a seventeen-year-old youth should have to bear.
Chen Wener, moved by emotion, had tears in her eyes and even felt a bit guilty for pressuring him earlier.
Some kind-hearted daughters of officials were also touched. A few even began to tear up.
Everyone was immersed in the sentiment and melancholy of the poem.
Chen Wener murmured softly,
“In a strange land, I am but a lonely guest.
Festivals make me miss home the most.
Let’s share another cup of wine, my friend.
Beyond Yangguan, no old friends remain?”
What kind of desolate and sorrowful life experience could inspire such a deeply mournful poem?