Chapter 398

Whether in the square, on the lake, or in the private rooms, all eyes gathered on Mo Xianglian.

Madam Mo had imagined that one day she would outshine all in the imperial capital, attracting the gaze of myriad eyes, yet she never thought it would happen under these circumstances, involuntarily trembling as she took out the paper she carried, about to recite,

Chang Gongzhu's attendant Mr. Wang flashed over, lightly beckoned, and the paper bearing the verses flew into his hand; he coldly glanced at Mo Xianglian and said, "Such a great talent's poem—how could a mere brothel woman like you dare to recite it?"

His tone was full of contempt.

Mo Xianglian dared not retort, obediently bowed, and knelt to the side.

Mr. Wang then looked at the paper; first startled by the ugly handwriting, he frowned slightly, then his pupils contracted.

Go on, recite it!

An elderly prince below could not help but say.

Don't rush!

Mr. Wang cleared his throat, looked around, and said, "This poem is a seven-character line; it indeed describes battlefield formations, yet it lacks actual warfare; its title is Sui Ti."

Why should a man not take his spear-hook and capture the fifty prefectures of Qin Mountain?

Please, temporarily ascend the Lingxiao Pavilion; could a mere scholar become a marquis of ten thousand households?

After the poem was recited, the venue fell silent once again.

This poem was also something Heng Xian had casually muttered to himself and then haphazardly edited.

The "spear-hook" is a weapon favored by the soldiers who charge and break through in this world, while "Qin Mountain" refers to a vast plain between the Great Zhou and Great Qin dynasties; originally belonging to Great Zhou, it was seized by Great Qin three hundred years ago, a heartache for all Zhou people!

The Lingxiao Pavilion is an honorable tower where the eighteen founding meritorious officials of the Great Zhou Empire ascended; each bears a sculpted statue, representing unsurpassed service to the Zhou for all ages. Thereafter, nobles and officials all regarded ascending the Lingxiao Pavilion as a lifelong goal, yet in the Zhou's over‑thousand‑year history, only a rare few have been able to enter it!

Thus viewed, the poem instantly becomes grand and magnificent, with lofty aspirations and profound depth!

Many people's minds flashed with countless images of themselves slaughtering on the battlefield, charging ten thousand miles like tigers, and being ennobled and made ministers!

Is this not the ultimate goal of a man?

Even those who have given themselves to decadence were stirred with heroic fervor!

Moreover, young people's blood boiled; they gritted their teeth and slapped the table!

Even elderly former soldiers lifted their heads to the sky, tears streaming down their faces, lamenting the impermanence of the world, their remaining years few, wondering when they might again step onto the battlefield to fight awhile.

The students and teachers of the Sheji Academy and the Taixue fell silent together, for the two characters "scholar" in the poem struck right at their itch; many eyes flickered, not knowing what they had thought of.

Chang Gongzhu's expression grew wistful, for her husband, the "War Marquis," still remained at the frontier.

Inside the chambers of Princess Taiping's residence.

Ji Yaofan was completely dazed; he had slaughtered on the battlefield for exactly 1,100 days and nights, and no one understands military affairs better than he!

Ji Yaoyue's face softened with affection, not knowing what she was thinking.

Mulan, Sun Qianqian, and the others were completely shocked.

Jiang Xiaoyu murmured, "Lofty aspirations—could it be nothing more than this?"

Fine poem!

Just then, a clear, loud shout came from outside.

Only to see Prince Qin suddenly step out from the room, tall and sturdy, his aura like an abyss, lightly clapping.

Good!

The dark, dense crowds on the square and in the lake's center then began to applaud and cheer.

Chang Gongzhu chuckled lightly, looking toward Qin Prince through the exquisite carved corridor, and said, "Third brother usually dislikes poetry and song, yet today you are enthusiastic!"

The Qin Prince smiled and gave a slight nod: "Second sister, you jest; such poetry stirs the heart, absolutely not mediocre. Even I, a vulgar person, would feel it a desecration of fine poetry if I did not leave the room and cry 'good!' What do you think, second sister?"

Chang Gongzhu glanced at the Crown Prince's chambers, her voice a bit higher: "Third brother's words are reasonable!"

Creak—

The Crown Prince immediately stepped out of the room, smiling: "My nephew is still immersed in the poem's heroic spirit soaring to the clouds, unable to extricate himself; this is indeed abrupt, aunt and uncle, please do not blame!"

Your words are too weighty, Crown Prince!

Chang Gongzhu and the Qin Prince looked toward the square in unison.

When the three highest‑ranking individuals expressed their stance, the others in the private rooms dared not linger; they all filed out, including Ji Yaoyue, Jiang Xiaoyu, and the like.

At this moment, Chang Gongzhu alone was heard saying: "I hear Heng Xian also gifted another poem; what is it? Please recite it as well!"

Indeed!

Everyone looked toward Mr. Wang in agreement.

Who would have thought Mr. Wang's face would turn strange: "This poem describes events that just happened; I hope it does not offend any noble!"

Saying this, he cleared his throat and recited:

"A hundred battles on the sand, iron armor shattered; Snow Lake already surrounded by many layers."

"He raided the camp, slew the Western Qin commander, and alone led the remnant troops, a thousand horsemen, back home."

"When the king's edict arrives, he will reorganize the lads and march north beyond the frontier."

"Having bathed in blood through a hundred battles, wearing golden armor, he will not return until the Qin barbarians are broken!"

The venue fell silent again, when suddenly someone turned to look toward the upper floor.

This poem was Heng Xian's spontaneous recollection of his brother‑in‑law's defeat, a haphazard jumble he tossed together without caring for form or rhyme, just for fun; thus he said he was "sending" it to Mo Xianglian.

Anyway, as cultivators, we do not expect great achievements in this line.

Yet this poem suddenly "stepped" on someone's heart.

Everyone looked toward the private rooms upstairs.

Even the Qin Prince, Chang Gongzhu, and the Crown Prince looked in that direction.

The nearest—Jiang Xiaoyu, Sun Qianqian, Ji Yaoyue, and Mulan—all turned in unison toward… Ji Yaofan!

Many people's feelings shifted; their earlier complaints and covert mockery vanished, and they suddenly came to understand this defeated great general, Prince Wu!

"Prince Wu! Pull yourself together!"

The soldiers wrapped in horsehide won't blame you! Neither will we!

Someone down below started shouting loudly.

Ji Yaofan first stiffened, then trembled slightly, and finally tears burst forth uncontrollably, releasing all the repression and gloom of this period!

He couldn't cry; he was a general, an iron-blooded general, with a hundred thousand soldiers watching him from heaven.

After thousands of words, they finally boiled down to one sentence; he looked at Ji Yaoyue and solemnly said, 'Brother-in-law understands me!'

"Uh..." Ji Yaoyue, who had been thinking about how to comfort her younger brother, was stunned by this sudden 'brother-in-law'.

Jiang Xiaoyu: '......'

Sun Qianqian: '......'

"Huating Lake Poetry Meeting" concluded perfectly!

However, all the talented men and women of the imperial capital—whether from the Sheji Academy, the Imperial Academy, the Qin Prince's Manor, the Chang Princess's Manor, or the Crown Prince's Manor—were overshadowed by the sudden emergence of one person!

Heng Xian!

He was previously unknown, his only fame coming from being a prince-consort candidate selected by the princess from a small place.

In fact, people looked down on this identity, even regarding him merely as a male favorite of the imperial princess.

Yet his four poems struck like thunder upon the world, instantly shaking the hearts of countless people.

After the poetry meeting ended, the four poems spread rapidly throughout the imperial capital, and then flowed out to all directions.

Those who weren't qualified to attend the poetry meeting initially didn't think much of it, but upon seeing the poems, they instantly turned into fans.

Moreover, the more one savors these four poems, the more they seem wonderfully beyond words.

"This person ought to be the Poet Sage!"

The chief guest of the Chang Princess's Manor, Mr. Wang Da, settled the matter with a single blow.

"Poet Sage" Heng Xian's name spread instantly!

(End of chapter)