Chapter 3: First Volume, Chapter 3: Preliminary Selection of the Poetry Contest

First Volume, Chapter 3: Preliminary Selection of the Poetry Contest

Qin Feng immediately recognized him.

The man blocking his path was Cheng Fa, son of the Ministry of Revenue's Bureau Director and Li Rui's loyal henchman.

On the night Qin Feng was attacked, Cheng Fa had been on the Hua Fang.

Liu Hongyan understood Qin Feng's temper—he was the type who could turn a verbal dispute into a brawl that left one side with a brain like a pig's—and since this Poetry Contest concerned the Qin Family's reputation, she grabbed his arm to pull him away.

But Cheng Fa stepped forward again, blocking their path, sneering mockingly.

"Today is a grand gathering watched by all scholars of Heaven. How can a wastrel like you, who only knows how to chase courtesans and can't even recognize a single character, dare show up?"

"What if you make a fool of yourself? Wouldn't that bring shame upon Shenglin Academy?"

The academy was already crowded, and as soon as people sensed drama, they gathered around.

Seeing it was Qin Feng, the students couldn't help but snicker.

"This guy actually dares show up! Did he write another trash poem?"

"A trash poem would be bad enough, but I fear he learned lewd verses from brothels."

"Hah, the Ministry of War's reputation is ruined by this fellow—he's shameless."

Facing the pointing fingers and whispers, Qin Feng wasn't angry—he almost wanted to laugh.

In his past life as a top salesperson, he'd trained himself to have a thick skin.

In combat effectiveness, these scholarly young masters were leagues below the furious, screaming women Qin Feng had dealt with.

Qin Feng smiled as he sized up Cheng Fa: "If you can come to this contest, why can't I? Is Shenglin Academy your family's private property? Back on the Hua Fang, you kept praising me as a literary genius—why deny it now?"

"Or are you jealous because the Hua Fang's top courtesan spent the night with me?"

At these words, everyone turned their gaze toward Cheng Fa.

Though visiting courtesans was an unspoken rule among scholars, and some even called brothels refined places,

to say it aloud in public—especially at a gathering like this—was another matter entirely.

If the academy head found out, he wouldn't even need to judge the contest—Cheng Fa's reputation would be ruined before he stepped on stage.

Cheng Fa's face flushed crimson: "Who… who went to the Hua Fang? Qin Feng, stop slandering me!"

Qin Feng shrugged, feigning innocence.

"The Hua Fang courtesan came to me today to complain—you didn't pay her a single tael."

At this, the crowd erupted in laughter.

Cheng Fa trembled with rage, pointing at Qin Feng and stammering: "You're lying! I'm the son of a Ministry of Revenue Bureau Director—I'll report you for defamation to the head!"

Qin Feng paid no mind, simply extending his hand: "Before you report me, pay your brothel fee first. Or should I cover it for you again…? Even if you only lasted half a teacup's worth of time, you still owe the money. Isn't that right, everyone?"

"Hahaha! That's true—even if you're useless, you still have to pay!"

"Look at Cheng Fa's face—he's turned green…"

"Pfft—this wastrel really says anything he wants. I'm dying laughing!"

Everyone here was either from a wealthy or noble family, or a genius of talent—they didn't fear offending anyone—and as soon as Qin Feng finished speaking, laughter erupted all around.

The air filled with mirth.

Cheng Fa clenched his teeth, face pale, speechless for a long moment.

He'd planned to humiliate Qin Feng publicly—but who knew this man was this shameless?

He openly admitted to visiting brothels, while Cheng Fa himself squirmed and made a fool of himself, only to end up kicking his own stone.

Now, no one paid attention to Qin Feng anymore.

After all… if Qin Feng wasn't embarrassed, then the embarrassment belonged to everyone else.

Liu Hongyan felt both furious and amused. She'd long known Qin Feng was steeped in vice, and had worried someone might use it to block his entry into the Poetry Contest.

But she hadn't expected her younger brother's combat effectiveness to be this fierce—he'd reduced his opponent to utter humiliation in three sentences, forcing him to storm off.

The heavy weight she'd carried in her chest finally eased.

Yet amid the mirth, no one noticed the cold smirk curling at Qin Feng's lips.

Cheng Fa's appearance confirmed his earlier suspicions.

Li Rui's faction intended to use the Poetry Contest as a pretext to expel Qin Feng from Shenglin Academy and destroy the reputation of his father, Qin Tianhu, in the Imperial Court!

Such a transparent scheme—Qin Feng had wasted countless brain cells pondering it all the way here.

It wasn't that Qin Feng was overconfident.

After surviving the brutal, win-or-die battles of the corporate world and rising to the top as a sales champion, what dirty tricks hadn't he seen?

This kindergarten-level political maneuvering? In his past life, Qin Feng wouldn't have even bothered to glance at it.

Under Liu Hongyan's lead, Qin Feng strode confidently toward the Grand Hall.

At this moment, those who had stayed silent earlier now pointed at Qin Feng's back and whispered.

"No wonder he's the Qin heir—he openly boasts about brothel visits! He's not even ashamed—he's proud!"

"I've seen shameless people, but never this shameless."

"Hah, keep dancing—let's see how long you can keep it up!"

Hearing the murmurs, Liu Hongyan frowned slightly, casting a quiet glance at Qin Feng, fearing he might explode publicly and turn things irreparable.

But Qin Feng remained astonishingly calm.

Has my younger brother grown overnight—learned patience? Liu Hongyan wondered, quietly asking: "Aren't you angry at all?"

Qin Feng shrugged: "Why be angry? They're just jealous I'm good-looking."

"Uh…"

Liu Hongyan burst out laughing in exasperation—this man's skin was thicker than three blades could cut through!

She wanted to scold him—youth shouldn't be so arrogant, or he'd suffer for it later.

But the words died on his lips—he knew today's Poetry Contest was crucial, and he couldn't crush the boy's enthusiasm.

Unbeknownst to them, ever since entering the Grand Hall, Qin Feng's eyes had not left the female students in the room; he hadn't heard a word spoken around him…

Every woman sent to Shenglin Academy was a wealthy heiress, doted upon beyond measure.

They couldn't be compared to the maids back home—each prouder than the last, their little faces tilted so high they seemed ready to touch the sky.

Qin Feng began calculating in his mind.

He wondered how many Concubines one could marry in this world—if each Concubine paid one thousand Liang per month in living expenses, ten would bring in ten thousand Liang.

Qin Feng suddenly lost all desire to strive—why work hard when living off women was so sweet?

Sensing Qin Feng's lecherous gaze, the female students all sniffed disdainfully, turning their heads away, eyes brimming with revulsion.

Who in all of Jingdu didn't know Qin Feng was greedy, lustful, and utterly uneducated?

Better to marry a penniless scholar than to be linked to such a lecher.

Liu Hongyan saw Qin Feng's wandering gaze and slapped his forehead. "What are you daydreaming about? Focus on the Poetry Contest—if you mess this up, I won't forgive you!"

Qin Feng reluctantly pulled his gaze away, though he gave little thought to the Poetry Contest itself.

In his past life, he had become the top salesperson at a major corporation—not just because of his silver tongue, but because of his vast reservoir of knowledge.

He had memorized hundreds of Tang and Song poems in countless versions.

Others were tested on literary skill; Qin Feng was tested on memory.

How could he possibly worry…?

The Poetry Contest had already begun, divided into three rounds: after the preliminary and intermediate selections, only the finalists would compete in the final round, personally overseen by the head of Shenglin Academy.

The candidates lined up, stepping forward one by one to face the preliminary examiners, swaying their heads, improvising on the spot.

"The sea and sky meet as one, spanning ancient and modern times—I wish to climb high and gaze at the vast heavens, yet they say silk robes cost ten thousand Liang…"

The examiner's face was cold: "Nonsense. Fail. Next!"