45: Chapter 45 Zhao Zilong's Poem Shocks the Entire Audience! (Part 1)

Noticing Zhao Zilong looking at her, Ning Hongxiu could not help but steal another glance at him.

However, seeing that Zhao Zilong had no other reaction, she assumed he was just looking at her casually and did not think much of it.

At this moment, Zhao Zilong was calculating how to capture Ning Hongxiu.

If he made a move now, although he knew Ning Hongxiu's weak point and Cai Wenjing could handle her, plus the fact that Xu Wei was also there, Ning Hongxiu would certainly be no match. However, if she was determined to escape, he was not sure if he could catch her.

If he let her escape, it would be difficult to capture her again in the future.

He had to be certain of success.

"Let's wait and see for now, and wait until an opportunity arises."

Ning Hongxiu said, "Everyone, I am Ning Chuwei. My father is a close friend of County Lord Cao, and I have come to Qingyang County this time to conduct business."

"I have always been passionate about poetry. Recently, I learned of the piece 'Ode to the Good General: Respecting Marquis Wulie' written by Mr. Zhao Yun in the imperial court. I love it very much, and this piece has also sparked a wave of poetry. Moved by this, I encouraged County Lord Cao to initiate this poetry gathering."

"I hope all the talented scholars here can perform well today and compose excellent verses. I will certainly not be stingy with the rewards."

"Miss Ning is too kind. We will certainly do our best not to disappoint you."

"That's right, we will certainly do our best. However, that poem by Mr. Zhao Yun is truly shocking. Such a masterpiece is rare to encounter in a thousand years; we are simply incomparable."

"Mr. Zhao Yun is a great talent of our time, and it is not an exaggeration to call him the number one talented scholar of Daye."

Everyone was full of admiration for the poem written by Zhao Zilong, filled with praise.

They were even more impressed by the author, Zhao Yun.

"Indeed, Mr. Zhao Yun is truly a great talent. Reading his poem makes one's heart surge with excitement."

Ning Hongxiu also loved the poem written by Zhao Zilong very much; she recited it repeatedly every day and felt a deep longing for Zhao Yun himself.

She wondered if she would ever have the chance to meet him in this lifetime.

"Everyone, Mr. Zhao Yun is indeed a great talent, but is it not an exaggeration to call him the number one talented scholar of Daye based on just one poem? In my opinion, the number one talented scholar of Daye is still Talented Scholar Song, Song Qiubai."

A person wearing light blue clothing spoke up, seemingly having some complaints about Zhao Yun being named the number one talented scholar of Daye.

This person was Song Qiuwen, the cousin of Song Qiubai.

"Poetry should be judged by quality, not quantity. No matter how many poems one writes, if they lack quality, what is the use? Song Qiubai has indeed written many poems, but which one can compare to Mr. Zhao Yun's poem?"

Someone was unconvinced and spoke up in rebuttal.

Song Qiuwen frowned. His cousin Song Qiubai was known as the number one talented scholar of Daye, and he, as the cousin, benefited from this.

His expenses at the Qingyang Literary Society were completely covered, and now that someone wanted to name Zhao Yun the number one talented scholar of Daye and overshadow Song Qiubai, this threatened his interests, and he was unwilling to accept it.

He said, "If it takes ten or a hundred years to write such a poem, what does it matter how high the quality is? Moreover, this poem is clearly just bootlicking Marquis Wulie. If not for that, you lot wouldn't be praising it so much."

Song Qiuwen snorted coldly, completely denying Zhao Yun's talent.

Zhao Zilong frowned deeply. He naturally knew that this Zhao Yun was his pen name, thought up by Princess Zhu Yunxi. Although he was a bit surprised that Princess Zhu Yunxi would use the name Zhao Yun, he liked it very much.

Now that Song Qiuwen was targeting Zhao Yun, he was targeting him, Zhao Zilong, and he was unhappy.

"Where does the talk of bootlicking come from? Song Qiuwen, do not talk nonsense. Mr. Zhao Yun's talent is beyond question."

"Wait until Zhao Yun writes a few more poems before saying that. Otherwise, in my opinion, he simply cannot compare to Talented Scholar Song."

Song Qiuwen snorted lightly.

The sudden argument was something no one had expected.

Ning Hongxiu was also somewhat dissatisfied with Song Qiuwen. Although Mr. Zhao Yun had only published one poem, he was worthy of being called the number one talented scholar of Daye. On the contrary, although Song Qiubai had written many poems, they could not compare to Mr. Zhao Yun's at all.

However, as one of the organizers of the poetry gathering, she could not refute Song Qiuwen; otherwise, it would make her appear petty.

"Everyone, whether the number one talented scholar of Daye is Song Qiubai or Mr. Zhao Yun will be determined in the future. There is no need to argue here; time will prove everything. Let us think about the upcoming poetry gathering instead."

Ning Hongxiu spoke up to calm the argument.

"Miss Ning, you are one of the organizers of today's poetry gathering. May I ask what the theme will be today?"

Someone asked.

Everyone looked at Ning Hongxiu.

Ning Hongxiu had already thought of the theme. She said, "Currently, Daye is in a standoff with the Northern Barbarians, and I fear that we will soon be at war. At that time, the people will surely suffer, and it is unknown whether Daye can withstand the army of the Northern Barbarians. Although I am a woman, my heart is tied to the common people of the world and to the nation. I think this poetry gathering should have the nation as its theme."

"Miss Ning speaks well. Let the theme be the nation. If anyone can compose a superior masterpiece today and it spreads, it will surely boost the morale of our Daye troops."

"Everyone, although I am passionate about poetry, I am not good at composing it, so I will not participate. However, I can play the zither for everyone."

Ning Hongxiu signaled, and a maid brought over a guqin.

Ning Hongxiu sat down, scanned the crowd, and said, "Everyone, who would like to go first?"

"Song Qiuwen, didn't you claim to be the number one talented scholar of Qingyang County? You go first. Let us see what kind of masterpiece you can compose."

Someone, dissatisfied with Song Qiuwen questioning Mr. Zhao Yun's title as the number one talented scholar of Daye, was very displeased with him.

"If I go first, then I go first."

Song Qiuwen walked into the center of the venue and looked around at everyone who was already seated.

He nodded to Ning Hongxiu and signaled, "I will trouble Miss Ning to play the zither for me. Thank you."

Ning Hongxiu nodded slightly, her snow-white fingers gently stroking the strings. The sound of the zither rang out, melodious and distant, like a clear spring flowing through the mountains. Her zither skills were extremely high.

Song Qiuwen seemed to be composing his thoughts, and the crowd did not rush him, all watching him.

Zhao Zilong was also watching Song Qiuwen. This guy really loved to show off.

To be honest, he hadn't intended to write poetry today, nor did he want to be a plagiarist; he was just accompanying Princess Zhu Yunxi to watch the fun. But Song Qiuwen dared to question him, and he was very unhappy.

He thought that he would definitely teach Song Qiuwen a lesson later.

The name Zhao Yun had become famous in the Daye imperial court; he, Zhao Zilong, might as well make a name for himself in Qingyang County.

"Since Song Qiuwen is Song Qiubai's cousin, I imagine his poetic talent must be very high. I am very curious about what kind of poem he can compose."

Princess Zhu Yunxi, sitting next to Zhao Zilong, was very curious and looked at Zhao Zilong, saying, "Mr. Zhao, are you really just watching the fun and not participating?"

Before Zhao Zilong could respond, Cai Wenjing, who was sitting on his other side, said to Princess Zhu Yunxi, "Although Song Qiuwen is questioning Zhao Zilong's alias, I think Zhao Zilong definitely won't be able to swallow this insult. He will definitely participate. Zhao Zilong, don't you agree?"

Princess Zhu Yunxi looked at Cai Wenjing.

Zhao Zilong also looked at Cai Wenjing, "How do you know?"

Cai Wenjing smiled faintly and said, "I can tell that you are a vengeful person. Otherwise, County Lord Cao has already given you fifty thousand taels of silver, and Cao Yun and Jin Rong did not collude with the people of the previous dynasty—they should have been released long ago—yet you repeatedly instructed me to keep them locked up for a few more days."

"Now that Song Qiuwen has questioned you like this, it would be strange if you didn't retaliate."

Zhao Zilong hadn't expected Cai Wenjing to understand him so well. He said, "A gentleman does not fail to repay a grudge. It is fine for Song Qiuwen to question my talent, but he said I was bootlicking; I cannot tolerate that."

Hearing that Zhao Zilong was going to participate and write a poem, Princess Zhu Yunxi was very happy and expectant, a faint smile overflowing at the corners of her mouth.

Although it was to slap Song Qiuwen in the face, Princess Zhu Yunxi didn't care about that; she found Zhao Zilong very cute at this moment.

Being clear about grievances is what makes a true man.

Song Qiuwen had been composing his thoughts for quite a while, and some people couldn't help but want to urge him on, but just as they were about to speak, Song Qiuwen's voice already rang out.

Song Qiuwen said loudly, "I have it."

Then, with some excitement, he said, "One jade mouth makes a country, one tile roof makes a home. The home is the smallest country, and the country is ten million homes."

Zhao Zilong ignored the reaction of the crowd to the so-called poem Song Qiuwen had composed, but Zhao Zilong was a bit stunned.

"Buddy, we are writing poetry, and you are here reciting song lyrics to me? Are you a transmigrator too?"

"Is this worthy of being the number one talented scholar of Qingyang County? The number one talented scholar of Qingyang Village would be more like it."

Zhao Zilong complained inwardly.

Ning Hongxiu frowned slightly. Was this also called poetry? She stopped playing the zither and looked at Song Qiuwen.

Everyone also looked at Song Qiuwen.

Song Qiuwen said shamelessly, "Everyone, why are you looking at me with such eyes? Could it be that you were stunned by my poetic talent? This poem was composed on the spur of the moment, a bit rushed and slightly lacking. I hope you will forgive me for the laughter."

"Song Qiuwen, this is absolute rubbish of a poem."

"Exactly, this doesn't even qualify as doggerel."

Song Qiuwen's face looked a bit ugly.

Ning Hongxiu spoke up to smooth things over, "Everyone, although what Young Master Song composed cannot be considered poetry, the emotions are sincere, and it is not bad."

"Miss Ning is the only one who understands. Talking to these people is like playing the zither to a cow."

Song Qiuwen shook his head helplessly and returned to his seat.

"Who is next?"

Ning Hongxiu asked.