Volume One, Chapter 11: Either a Fairy or a Goddess
“Ah, Scholar Lu, Qianyue already told me—she wasn’t coerced at all.”
At that moment, the graceful and charming Madam Yuan swayed over, her figure still retaining its allure. Though she didn’t know the full story, she firmly believed Qianyue would never do anything foolish.
Lu Yu snorted coldly. “I don’t believe it! Unless I go upstairs myself to verify with Miss Qianyue!”
“I’m certain of it! Shen Yi is undoubtedly unscrupulous!”
Mentioning Shen Yi, Madam Yuan showed a hint of helplessness. She hadn’t expected such a major incident last night, yet he still dared show up today.
“Relax, Scholar Lu. Qianyue won’t do anything reckless. If it weren’t for someone she fancies, she’d rather die than let anyone succeed.”
“She often tells me among all the talented men, you are the one she admires most. As for today’s matter, I suspect Prince Shen’s daughter bought the poem, and Qianyue happened to take a liking to it.”
Hearing this, Lu Yu felt a slight thrill of joy but remained angry. “At the very least, it should be made public. And I don’t believe Shen Yi could have hired any true literati to write his poem. Madam Yuan, since you know Qianyue likes me, why not let me go upstairs and talk to her?”
“This...” Madam Yuan looked troubled.
“Look! Miss Xiaoyu is coming out!”
A murmur spread through the crowd.
“Miss Xiaoyu, quickly explain! Why would Miss Qianyue choose Prince Shen? What merit does he have?”
Lu Yu’s eyes suddenly fixed on someone very familiar, a flicker of emotion crossing his face.
Brother! It’s you again!
You’ve voiced what’s in my heart once more!
With a sharp tap on his embroidered fan, Lu Yu declared solemnly, “Miss Xiaoyu, if Shen Yi has coerced her, feel free to tell me! Others dare not provoke Prince Shen, but I do! If he disrespects Miss Qianyue, I will ensure he suffers eternal damnation!”
“Scholar Lu is noble!”
“Wasn’t it Scholar Lu who covered Prince Shen’s calligraphy expenses just now?”
“I think Scholar Lu deserves the top spot!”
“Yes! Scholar Lu will even pay for everyone’s drinks!”
Hearing this, Lu Yu almost choked with shame. He had just been so proud, speaking boldly, looking down on the world with haughty disdain. Now, reminded by others, his face flushed deeply, and his hatred for Shen Yi grew ever fiercer.
That scoundrel shamed me!
Today, I will make sure to humiliate you thoroughly!
Make you crawl through the dog’s hole again!
Let the whole world mock and abandon you!
Only then will my grievance be relieved!
Xiaoyu sighed inwardly. “I’m sorry, Scholar Lu. I didn’t know you were also from Qingping Tiao.”
She continued resignedly, “I have the complete poem from Prince Shen and also your poem. I’ll show them to everyone so they can judge.”
The crowd collectively breathed easier.
“That’s right.”
“We absolutely don’t believe Prince Shen has such talent to surpass Scholar Lu!”
Lu Yu folded his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent. “If you think well, say more.”
Xiaoyu reluctantly displayed Lu Yu’s masterpiece first. The crowd immediately leaned in to examine it closely.
“Smoke and flowers curl in the clear fine weather,
Mountains shrouded in mist, rain equally rare.
I wish to compare Qianyue to a fairy’s jade,
Whether lightly or heavily made up, she suits all equally.”
“Excellent!”
The crowd gasped in admiration.
“What a poem! Such lines perfectly capture Miss Qianyue’s beauty!”
“Though the theme is somewhat ambiguous, it certainly deserves the top spot!”
Lu Yu raised his chin coldly and flicked his sleeve. “Hmph! Who else dares challenge?”
“Scholar Lu, this poem alone makes you the undisputed King of Poetry!”
“Come on, show us Shen Yi’s rubbish poem!”
The crowd roared, necks flushed red.
Lu Yu nearly lost composure, tapping his fan with a detached tone. “I’m curious to see Prince Shen’s masterpiece as well.”
Xiaoyu unfolded a sheet of coarse paper, the calligraphy exquisite and picturesque.
Lu Yu was stunned—it was written in Qianyue’s handwriting?
He glanced downward.
Silence fell over the entire crowd.
They stood dumbfounded, as if struck senseless.
“Clouds imagine clothes, flowers imagine beauty,
Spring breeze brushes the balustrade, dew sparkles dense.
Had we not met atop Mount Yunyu,
We’d surely meet beneath the moon on Jade Terrace!”
Shock rippled through the crowd.
“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Lu Yu trembled in disbelief. “This poem could never have been written by Shen Yi! Cheating! He is cheating!”
“That scoundrel is truly despicable!”
In an instant, Lu Yu’s mind was shaken to its core.
The phrase “Clouds imagine clothes, flowers imagine beauty” nearly made him admit defeat.
What boundless inspiration, what wild imagination it must have taken to craft such resplendent, stunning verses!
As the poem ended, he even felt a surge of reverence.
Everyone present was accomplished enough to appreciate it.
Even Liu Xiuyu, upon hearing the first line, muttered under his breath, as if transported to a misty realm.
To compare clouds to Miss Qianyue’s clothes, flowers to her face...
Such divine beauty—she must be either a graceful fairy or the goddess of moonlight.
Yet why could a poem describing a single person be so lavish and fantastical?
Could this really be the work of my worthless brother?
He was stunned.
Confused.
Speechless.
One hundred taels for a single poem?
Brother Shen! I want fifty more like this!
...
“Admit defeat!” someone shouted excitedly. “We acknowledge this poem’s world-shaking brilliance! But in literature, there is no absolute first place, nor in martial arts. Moreover, Prince Shen clearly cheated! Therefore, I believe Scholar Lu is perhaps even better!”
“Right! Scholar Lu should be the champion!”
“Scholar Lu will pay for everyone’s drinks!”
Lu Yu almost burst a blood vessel.
You all just want to make a fuss! Stop dragging this up every time! Do you think I’m not embarrassed enough already?
Clenching his teeth, he exhaled deeply and composed himself. “Miss Xiaoyu, please tell Miss Qianyue that I am unconvinced. The eyes of the people are sharp. If the true author of this poem came forward, I would gladly yield and welcome him as an honored guest of our Lu household. But Shen Yi holding this poem—I believe he does not deserve it!”
“Yes! He does not deserve it!”
Lu Yu was pleased with the response.
Perhaps this is what the books meant by: The will of the people!
The advantage is mine!
Today!
I shall make my name known!
And on the back of this masterpiece,
I will cut through thorns and brambles,
And become famous throughout Bianjing!
Amidst the crowd’s uproar and dissent, Xiaoyu felt somewhat lost.
Fortunately, she still had two more sheets of coarse paper.
Unable to determine who was truly superior, she followed instructions and revealed the last two poems.
She called out loudly, “Please be patient! This poem has parts two and three as well. After reading those, you may continue your debate!”
A gasp rippled through the crowd once more.
Such earth-shattering verses, and there are still two more parts?
Lu Yu grew anxious; his hands even trembled.
Who could have written this?
Everyone’s eyes fixed on the calligraphy, and they instinctively began to read aloud, their expressions turning more and more awed.
Their voices grew stronger.
“A single branch blooms boldly, dew condenses its fragrance,
Clouds and rain of Mount Wushan break hearts in vain.
May I ask who in the palace can compare?
Pity the flying swallow leaning on fresh makeup.
Famous flowers and the kingdom’s joy delight each other,
The king often smiles upon them.
Explaining the endless sorrow of spring breeze,
North of Chenxiang Pavilion, leaning on the railing.”
Once finished, silence engulfed the hall.
Long moments passed without a sound.
Xiaoyu was stunned.
Why was no one speaking?
Even Liu Xiuyu wanted to ask why.
...
Is it him?
Could it truly be him?
Perhaps, maybe...
“I concede.” Lu Yu’s face turned cold and grim as he bowed his hands. “Enjoy the rest. I take my leave.”
“Farewell, Scholar Lu!” The crowd bowed knowingly.
“All drinks tonight are on Scholar Lu!”
Suddenly, someone shouted this again to stir the crowd.
A sharp clang!
A cold gleam unsheathed!
Lu Yu moved like a dragon emerging from the sea, a swift strike like a gust of wind.
His gaze locked onto the culprit.
With a sudden sound, blood sprayed, sealing the throat!
On the ground lay a merchant in plain clothes, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief, dying with unclosed eyes.
“Ah—”
The crowd gasped and retreated in fear.
Lu Yu’s face was icy and stern, murderous intent blazing, yet his eyes unnervingly calm. “This man is a spy for the Fengtian rebels.”
Madam Yuan forced a chuckle and urged the guards to drag away the body swiftly.
“Scholar Lu is truly both literary and martial, unmatched in wisdom and courage. This man was indeed a traitor deserving death. We will report this to the Imperial Guards shortly!”
“Yes, yes! We can attest to that!” The crowd bowed their heads, trembling.
You may underestimate the literary and martial prowess of a wealthy family’s son.
But don’t think you can joke with him just because he’s polite.
“Madam Yuan, I shall come again another day. Keep this poem for me.”
Turning away, Lu Yu left, and the crowd collectively exhaled in relief.
Meanwhile, Liu Xiuyu trembled with fear.
Damn it!
Could it be that Shen Yi’s actions have caused Lu Yu to take his anger out on me?
But why did he suddenly fly into such rage?