“To accomplish the sovereign’s great cause, to earn glory in life and after death… Alas, white hair has grown.”
The emperor’s fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne as he carefully savored the rhythm and meaning of the lyric.
After pondering it three times over, a flash of brilliance passed through his eyes.
An excellent lyric!
That Cao Feng, a notorious dandy, could compose such lines in court—lines worthy of being passed down for ages—was truly astonishing.
But had he really written it himself?
The civil and military officials were all stunned, their hearts surging with shock.
“Excellent! Truly excellent!”
Grand Scholar Tian Hongfei of the Inner Cabinet broke the silence with his praise.
“Yes!”
“To accomplish the sovereign’s great cause, to earn glory in life and after death… This perfectly recreates the Old Duke’s life of loyalty and sacrifice for the nation.”
The Second Prince stepped forward at the right moment. “Such brilliant lines can surpass even the sages of old and will surely be remembered for generations!”
“A fierce father truly has no weak son!”
“Marquis Cao, you have raised a fine son!”
“Cao Feng is immensely talented!”
…
Officials and generals who were on good terms with Zhenbei Marquis Cao Zhen voiced their praise one after another.
Cao Zhen himself stood there in shock.
Was that lyric truly written by his useless son?
The boy could barely recognize a handful of characters.
How could he compose something so extraordinary?
Could it be plagiarism?
If exposed, that would be a crime of deceiving the throne.
Cao Zhen felt no joy. Faced with the compliments, he forced a smile, his worry deepening.
The Sixth Prince and Vice Minister Pei Jun were also dumbfounded.
When had Cao Feng learned to compose lyrics?
Impossible!
This was absurd!
Cao Feng’s bad reputation was widely known in the Imperial Capital. No one had ever heard of him composing poetry.
“Your Majesty!”
Vice Minister Pei Jun, unable to accept the reality, stepped forward with disbelief written all over his face.
“It is well known that Cao Feng is unruly and illiterate. Yet today he composes such extraordinary lines in court. It is highly suspicious. I suspect he prepared them beforehand and merely recited them. I request Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly! If it is proven to be plagiarism, he should be executed for deceiving the throne!”
The hall buzzed with murmurs.
Some could not believe Cao Feng had composed such a lyric.
Others were still immersed in its resonance, unable to pull themselves away.
“Heh. Vice Minister Pei.”
Cao Feng let out a cold laugh and asked, “Who in the Great Qian Empire do you think could compose such lines for me to plagiarize?”
Pei Jun froze.
He knew most of the famous scholars of the land.
But thinking carefully, none could produce something of this caliber.
The emperor also felt doubt.
He found it hard to believe that such a reckless youth could compose something so good. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Was it true talent, or theft?
One test would reveal the truth.
“Cao Feng.”
The emperor’s eyes fixed on him, as if trying to see through him.
“If you can compose for the Old Duke, then I will pose another challenge. If you satisfy me, I will deal with you lightly today.”
Cao Feng felt nervous inside but maintained a calm expression.
He cupped his hands respectfully.
“Please present the topic, Your Majesty.”
Seeing his confidence, even Pei Jun and the others began to feel uncertain.
Had Cao Feng been hiding his abilities all along?
The emperor’s gaze swept across the court before settling on the Sixth Prince, whose arm was still bound and hanging from his neck.
“Since you can compose for the Old Duke, you should also be able to compose for my son.”
The emperor said to Cao Feng, “Compose one for him.”
Heh!
Cao Feng grinned.
“That is hardly difficult!”
He cast a provocative glance at the Sixth Prince and then recited on the spot:
“Boiling beans to make soup, straining the fermented beans for broth.”
“The stalks burn beneath the pot, the beans weep within.”
“Born from the same root, why torment each other so urgently?”
Sharp gasps echoed.
Grand Scholar Tian Hongfei inhaled deeply.
This poem was not only excellent—it was daring.
It subtly alluded to the power struggles among the princes.
The emperor looked at Cao Feng, and the disgust in his eyes had vanished, replaced by admiration.
It seems I misjudged him.
This boy had been concealing his talents.
Pei Jun’s lips trembled, unable to believe it.
Even for well-read scholars, composing poetry required careful thought.
Yet Cao Feng spoke with effortless fluency.
Was there no justice?
Many officials who prided themselves on literary talent felt ashamed.
Compared to Cao Feng, they truly seemed somewhat unworthy of their reputations.
The Sixth Prince’s face flushed red, his fists clenched tightly.
He had underestimated Cao Feng.
Zhenbei Marquis Cao Zhen stood speechless in shock.
Looking at his son—calm, confident, and sharp—he felt as though he were seeing a stranger.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”
“We rejoice for the Empire!”
“The Great Qian has gained a pillar of talent!”
“To let such ability go unnoticed would be a tragedy!”
Grand Scholar Tian Hongfei, impressed by the two timeless works composed in court, stepped forward to recommend Cao Feng for promotion.
As soon as he spoke, more than a dozen officials from the Second Prince’s faction stepped out.
“Your Majesty! Cao Feng is greatly talented and deserves promotion!”
“A fierce father has no weak son. Cao Zhen is brilliant in battle, and Cao Feng excels in literature. The Cao family is a blessing to the Great Qian!”
“Your Majesty!”
“Such a gem must not be buried!”
“I second the proposal!”
“I second the proposal!”
…
With many speaking on his behalf, Cao Feng finally felt a weight lift from his chest.
His risky move had worked.
The Sixth Prince clenched his teeth, his face full of resentment.
He could not swallow this humiliation.
He had nearly toppled the Cao family.
Yet Cao Feng had turned the tide at the last moment.
Infuriating!
He could not let him escape so easily.
The Sixth Prince coughed softly.
Pei Jun, who had been stunned, quickly reacted.
“Your Majesty! Cao Feng’s ability to compose poetry on the spot is merely a matter of luck! To promote him exceptionally would not convince the court. Moreover, he assaulted a prince and committed insubordination. For the sake of royal dignity, he cannot be spared lightly!”
Pei Jun spoke in opposition, and Censor-in-Chief Cui Hao stepped forward as well.
“Your Majesty! Cao Feng himself stated earlier that composing poetry does not make one a true talent. If that is so, then composing two poems proves nothing. Royal authority must not be violated!”
“He assaulted a prince and should be executed. How can his crime be reduced simply because he can compose poetry?”
“I request that Cao Feng be punished for insubordination and grave disrespect, and be executed!”
Damn it!
Are they never done?
Cao Feng glared at Pei Jun and Cui Hao, resentment rising in his heart.
He had struggled to reverse the situation.
And with a few words, they sought to condemn him again.
Had he dug up their ancestral graves?
Why were they so furious?
The court erupted into heated debate over how to handle Cao Feng and his father.
Cao Feng glanced at the emperor, who remained undecided.
His heart tightened.
Having his fate held in someone else’s hands made him anxious and suffocated.
The emperor looked at the kneeling father and son, his expression shifting unpredictably.
Cao Feng’s compositions proved that the so-called talents of the Esteemed Scholars Pavilion were indeed somewhat unworthy of their fame. His reason for burning the pavilion could be overlooked.
But he had committed insubordination by assaulting a prince and violated royal dignity.
That must be punished severely.
Such a precedent could not be allowed.