46: Chapter 46 Zhao Zilong's Poem Shocks the Entire Audience! (Part 2)

Although the students mocked Song Qiuwen, they also realized they weren't capable of matching him. For a moment, they were hesitant, all waiting.

Ning Hongxiu wasn't in a rush; she waited patiently.

Her goal wasn't the poetry gathering itself, but rather using it to lure Princess Zhu Yunxi out of the Princess's Residence.

Now that Princess Zhu Yunxi had arrived, her goal was achieved.

The next step was to find an opportunity to capture or eliminate Princess Zhu Yunxi.

However, with Cai Wenjing by Princess Zhu Yunxi's side, she could only wait and watch for an opportunity.

"Let me try."

Zhao Zilong stood up. Everyone looked at him as he walked to the center of the venue.

"Isn't this Clerk Zhao? Oh, wait, I heard he's now Banner Master Zhao."

Someone recognized him: "Banner Master Zhao, do you also know how to write poetry?"

Zhao Zilong replied, "I am untalented, but I enjoy reading poetry in my spare time. While my level is limited, I consider myself better than some people."

Everyone understood that the "some people" Zhao Zilong referred to was Song Qiuwen.

Song Qiuwen naturally understood this too. He frowned and looked at Zhao Zilong, saying, "Banner Master Zhao, if you have any dissatisfaction with me, you can say it directly. There is no need to be so cryptic."

Zhao Zilong looked at Song Qiuwen and said, "Since Young Master Song has said so, I will speak plainly. You are right; I am targeting you."

"You!"

Song Qiuwen was furious. He gritted his teeth and said, "Banner Master Zhao, when have I ever offended you? Why must you target me?"

Zhao Zilong said, "You haven't directly offended me, but you shouldn't have questioned the talent of Mr. Zhao Yun. You, Song Qiuwen, can't even write a proper poem, yet you question Mr. Zhao Yun's talent. Who gave you the courage?"

"Even your cousin, Song Qiubai, wouldn't have the qualifications to do so, would he?"

"This Banner Master Zhao is an interesting character. He actually stands up for Mr. Zhao Yun like this; he is a man of righteousness."

Some people admired Zhao Zilong.

Someone said, "But does Banner Master Zhao know how to write poetry? I'm afraid he's going to make a fool of himself."

Ning Hongxiu studied Zhao Zilong. She hadn't expected him to stand up for Mr. Zhao Yun; he was quite righteous.

"Banner Master Zhao, are you going to write a poem?" Ning Hongxiu asked.

Zhao Zilong said, "I am untalented, but I do have a poem. I would trouble Miss Ning to play the zither for me."

Ning Hongxiu nodded slightly, and the sound of the zither began.

It was a high and flowing melody, melodious and gentle.

Everyone looked at Zhao Zilong, curious about what kind of poem he could come up with.

Princess Zhu Yunxi and Cai Wenjing were also full of curiosity.

They still had confidence in Zhao Zilong's talent.

They wondered if another poem that would be passed down through the ages would appear.

"A mere Banner Master, a brute. What kind of poem can he write? He's just seeking attention," Song Qiuwen sneered.

Zhao Zilong glanced at Song Qiuwen but said nothing.

He pondered for a moment and then slowly began to recite, "The nation is broken, but the mountains and rivers remain; in the city, spring brings deep growth to the plants."

"'The nation is broken, but the mountains and rivers remain; in the city, spring brings deep growth to the plants.' Just hearing these two lines, one knows this poem is good."

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

Ning Hongxiu raised her eyes to look at Zhao Zilong. Could a martial artist really write poetry?

But these two lines were truly excellent.

Princess Zhu Yunxi said, "Good poem."

Cai Wenjing said, "This guy really does have talent."

"These two lines are indeed good, but if the rest is bad, it's useless. It's just a half-finished product; better not to write it at all," Song Qiuwen remained disdainful.

Zhao Zilong looked at Song Qiuwen again. He didn't retort but continued to recite slowly, "Moved by the times, flowers shed tears; hating the separation, birds are startled."

"Twang!"

As the last two lines were uttered, a zither string snapped. Ning Hongxiu was shaken to her core, and an indescribable emotion surged into her heart.

In the final years of the Great Ning, when she was six, she had seen with her own eyes the Daye army break through the capital of the Great Ning, which was now Ye City.

The flames of war were everywhere, corpses littered the fields, the country was broken and families were destroyed, and she was forced to leave her home.

She resonated deeply with the emotion, and for a moment, she was stunned.

The crowd also looked at Zhao Zilong in shock, their eyes filled with a rich mix of emotions: shock, astonishment, and admiration.

"'The nation is broken, but the mountains and rivers remain; in the city, spring brings deep growth to the plants. Moved by the times, flowers shed tears; hating the separation, birds are startled.'"

Princess Zhu Yunxi whispered, feeling a bit sorrowful.

She muttered the poem, even thinking of the scene when the Northern Barbarians would break through Daye in the future.

Cai Wenjing looked up at Zhao Zilong standing in the center of the venue. She felt that at this moment, Zhao Zilong was radiating light.

What kind of patriotic sentiment must he have in his heart to write such a poem?

"No wonder he could write that lyric for Father. He has the country in his heart and great ambitions in his chest."

Admiration for Zhao Zilong gradually welled up in her eyes, along with a deep feeling. Who could not love such a man?

Song Qiuwen felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He was stunned, looking at Zhao Zilong with disbelief in his eyes.

A brute, how could he write such a poem? How was it possible? How was it possible?

With Zhao Zilong's poem out, he feared his cousin's title as the First Talent of Daye would no longer be secure.

Add in Zhao Yun, was his cousin really going to be relegated to third place?

The whole venue fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

After a long while, Ning Hongxiu broke the silence. She clapped gently: "A good poem. I never thought Banner Master Zhao could write such a masterpiece. Chuwei admires you."

She actually stood up and bowed slightly to Zhao Zilong.

The other students present also stood up and cupped their hands in salute to Zhao Zilong, each with eyes full of admiration.

"Banner Master Zhao's talent is truly on par with Mr. Zhao Yun's. Both can be called the First Talent of our Daye. I never thought that in such a short time, two such talents would appear in our Daye. This is truly the fortune of our Daye."

"Yes, it is also our fortune to be able to witness the birth of such a famous poem firsthand."

Zhao Zilong, taking credit from the ancients, didn't feel embarrassed at all. He said, "I am untalented and shallow, just showing off before experts. I hope everyone will not laugh at me."

"Banner Master Zhao, if your talent is considered 'showing off,' then some people are simply worse than trash."

Song Qiuwen rolled his eyes and glared at the person who was mocking him. You might as well name me directly. Why be so sarcastic? Is it interesting?

However, he really didn't know what to say at this moment.

Although he was a bit shameless, he also had self-awareness. If he stood out again now, he would just be asking for insults. He sat honestly, but it felt like sitting on pins and needles.

Zhao Zilong enjoyed the feeling of being praised by everyone, but on the surface, he had to keep a straight face. He returned to his seat and sat down.

Ning Hongxiu said, "Everyone, who is next?"

The crowd looked at each other, none of them intending to stand out.

Someone said, "Miss Ning, after Banner Master Zhao's poem, how can we have the qualifications to stand out and embarrass ourselves? The first place in this poetry gathering must be Banner Master Zhao's."

"Banner Master Zhao's poem will surely be passed down for generations. We won't make a fool of ourselves. That one thousand taels of silver should be taken by Banner Master Zhao."

Ning Hongxiu could also imagine that no one behind them could write a poem surpassing this one by Zhao Zilong.

This poem had blocked the path for everyone else.

Moreover, after hearing this poem, she really didn't have the heart to listen to others' poems; she was afraid it would dirty her ears.

People who have eaten fine delicacies can no longer eat coarse tea and rice.

Not used to it.

It's rough on the throat!

"Everyone, Chuwei has already had a banquet prepared. Please do me the honor." Ning Hongxiu said.

"Miss Ning is too kind." Everyone expressed their gratitude.

Ning Hongxiu walked towards Zhao Zilong's side.

Zhao Zilong, Princess Zhu Yunxi, and Cai Wenjing also stood up.

However, Cai Wenjing did not recognize Ning Hongxiu.

Therefore, there was no defense.

"Banner Master Zhao, I like this poem today very much. I have prepared some light wine, please do not refuse. It is a small gesture of my admiration for you." Ning Hongxiu said with hope in her eyes.

Looking at the veiled Princess of the Former Dynasty right in front of him, Zhao Zilong wanted to capture her.

If he captured her, his official rank could rise further; this was a great achievement.

However, he couldn't be impatient now.

Moreover, he also knew that Ning Hongxiu inviting them to drink was probably preparing to do something against Princess Zhu Yunxi.

But this was also his opportunity.

Zhao Zilong said, "Miss Ning's kindness, I will naturally not refuse."

"Banner Master Zhao, and the other three, please come this way." Ning Hongxiu gestured, not forgetting to call Princess Zhu Yunxi, Cai Wenjing, and Xu Wei.

She was going to entertain them separately.

The four of them followed behind Ning Hongxiu.

Zhao Zilong deliberately fell behind a bit. He whispered something to Xu Wei. Xu Wei was a bit stunned, but still nodded, and he turned and left.

Ning Hongxiu, walking in front, sensed something. She stopped, turned to look at Zhao Zilong, and said, "Banner Master Zhao, what is your friend doing?"

Zhao Zilong said, "He is going to the restroom."

Ning Hongxiu didn't think too much about it. She nodded slightly and continued to lead the way. Before long, they arrived at a room.

Ning Hongxiu signaled for Zhao Zilong and the others to take their seats.

"The three of you, please wait a moment. The wine and food will be ready soon."

She also sat down, while calculating in her heart: as soon as Cai Wenjing and the others relaxed their vigilance, she would immediately capture Princess Zhu Yunxi. Using Princess Zhu Yunxi as a hostage, she could escape.

As for revealing her identity at that time, it wouldn't matter.

Her mission was just to capture or kill Princess Zhu Yunxi. Of course, capturing her alive was best.

At this time, Cai Wenjing, who was observing Ning Hongxiu up close, inexplicably felt that Ning Hongxiu's features were somewhat familiar. She couldn't help but say, "Miss Ning, why do I feel like we've met before?"

Ning Hongxiu's brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed.

She said, "Chuwei is here in Qingyang County for the first time, and it has only been a few days. We shouldn't have met."

Cai Wenjing said, "Miss Ning, pardon my presumption, but would it be convenient for you to take off this veil?"

A trace of vigilance flashed in Ning Hongxiu's eyes. Could it be that Cai Wenjing recognized her? But she rarely showed her face; Cai Wenjing shouldn't be able to recognize her.

She said, "Later, Chuwei will naturally take off the veil."

Cai Wenjing refused to let it go, saying, "Miss Ning, it has to be taken off sooner or later. What's the harm in taking it off now? Could it be that Miss Ning is afraid of being recognized?"

This was very pointed. Ning Hongxiu became even more vigilant.

Zhao Zilong was a little anxious, fearing that Cai Wenjing would alert Ning Hongxiu and the other would run away. He quickly said, "When Miss Ning wants to take it off, she will naturally take it off. Why are you urging her like this?"

Cai Wenjing whispered, "I suspect she is the Princess of the Former Dynasty."

Zhao Zilong also whispered, "Impossible, you saw it wrong."

"I believe my intuition." Cai Wenjing was unwilling to give up.

Zhao Zilong said, "I say it's not, so it's not. My ability to recognize people is much better than yours."

"Zhao Zilong, you are too arrogant."

"This is confidence. Alright, just wait to drink. Don't waste Miss Ning's kindness."

"Zhao Zilong, you!"

Zhao Zilong smiled apologetically at Ning Hongxiu: "Miss Ning, my friend is ignorant and has offended you. Please forgive her."

Ning Hongxiu said, "It's fine. I will take off my veil later; otherwise, how can I accompany the three of you for a drink?"

Cai Wenjing already suspects me. I can't drag this out too long, otherwise, something will definitely go wrong. Later, I will use the toast to capture Princess Zhu Yunxi.

Ning Hongxiu knew that right now, Cai Wenjing was suspicious of her. If she approached Princess Zhu Yunxi rashly, Cai Wenjing would be on guard, and her chance of success would be very small.

Only by waiting for the toast would she have a chance.

However, fortunately, there was this guy Zhao Zilong, who didn't recognize her, which saved her some trouble.

Now, in Ning Hongxiu's eyes, Cai Wenjing was the biggest obstacle to her capturing Princess Zhu Yunxi.

Zhao Zilong was not a concern.

The food and wine were brought up; it was very sumptuous.

Xu Wei also returned, nodded slightly to Zhao Zilong, and then took his seat.

At this point, Ning Hongxiu had to take off her veil, revealing that peerless, stunning face.

Seeing Ning Hongxiu's true appearance for the first time, Zhao Zilong was amazed. She was truly beautiful.

It was as if someone had stepped out of a painting.

Princess Zhu Yunxi was also amazed.

Although Cai Wenjing was surprised, she was even more convinced that she had seen Ning Hongxiu before, and that it was highly likely that Ning Hongxiu was the Princess of the Former Dynasty.

Xu Wei was almost stunned.

This appearance was extremely beautiful compared to the Princess and Cai Wenjing, and Ning Hongxiu's temperament appeared extremely unique.

Cold and otherworldly.

"Everyone, I have prepared some light wine. Please don't mind."

Everyone filled their cups, and Ning Hongxiu raised her wine cup.

Cai Wenjing looked at the wine in the cup and couldn't help but say, "Miss Ning, there won't be poison in this wine, will there? I dare not drink it."

Ning Hongxiu's brows furrowed slightly. She did not have anyone put poison in the wine.

This common trick of the Jianghu might not be useful against people like Cai Wenjing.

Zhao Zilong said, "How could Miss Ning poison it? I trust Miss Ning. I will drink first as a toast, and thank Miss Ning for her hospitality."

After Zhao Zilong finished speaking, he drank the wine in one gulp.

Ning Hongxiu said, "I toast Banner Master Zhao."

Saying that, she also drank the wine.

Princess Zhu Yunxi also drank it.

Seeing that Ning Hongxiu had drunk it, and waiting for a while without anything happening, Cai Wenjing couldn't say anything else, so she also drank the wine.

Zhao Zilong said, "Miss Ning, I toast you."

Filling his own cup, Zhao Zilong raised his wine cup.

Ning Hongxiu still didn't have a better opportunity to make a move; at least the atmosphere had to be warmed up. She also filled her cup, and then she and Zhao Zilong both drank the wine in one gulp.

Zhao Zilong drank a few more cups with Ning Hongxiu.

"Wenjing, why do I feel a little dizzy?" Princess Zhu Yunxi's eyes were a bit blurry.

Cai Wenjing's brows furrowed, and she couldn't help but look at Ning Hongxiu: "You really did poison the wine."

After she finished speaking, she also felt a little dizzy.

Ning Hongxiu really didn't poison it. She was just about to explain when she also felt dizzy, her eyes blurry.

Was the wine really poisoned? But she hadn't arranged for anyone to do this. Did someone else do it?

Her brows furrowed deeply. Before she could hold on for long, she fainted and fell onto the table.

Princess Zhu Yunxi also fainted.

Cai Wenjing also lost consciousness.

A hint of a smile overflowed from the corner of Zhao Zilong's mouth, and he also fainted.

Xu Wei saw this scene without any surprise.

He stood up slowly and said helplessly, "Mr. Zhao's operation is truly slick. Entering the game with his own body."

He had left earlier to follow Mr. Zhao's instructions to get sleeping powder, and then found an opportunity to put it in the wine.