103: I copied half of it.

“To praise to death? To bully the weak?”

Xie Weilou saw Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou staring at him and couldn't help but think to himself.

From the current situation, he indeed seemed like a soft persimmon, as no one believed he truly possessed any talent or learning.

A profligate young master, copying a few poems to show off, once targeted, would be thoroughly humiliated.

“This is bad!”

Everyone stared at Xie Weilou. Princess Yuehua heading straight for Xie Weilou clearly intended to win the first round and also to humiliate Xie Weilou.

Xie Weilou being humiliated would be one thing, but then it might be rumored that people of Great Xia enjoyed deceiving the world and stealing fame.

“Brother Xie, don’t agree to her.”

Yan Junlin quickly looked at Xie Weilou, signaling him not to agree.

“……”

Xie Weilou glanced at Yan Junlin and shrugged slightly.

“Young Lord, are you willing to play a game with me?”

Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou continued to speak.

She had indeed read Xie Weilou’s previous poems and found them excellent, certainly not something an ordinary person could compose.

After some investigation, she learned that these poems came from the hands of a profligate, and it seemed they were even copied.

However, such verses should not be by an unknown person. She wanted to see which master those poems truly came from.

Xie Weilou stood up and said with a smile, “This Young Master indeed has some talent, but when it comes to poetry, I only understand a little. As for those poems you mentioned, I just copied them; they were not composed by me.”

Everyone was surprised, not expecting Xie Weilou to openly admit that he copied them.

However, it seemed that he had also said he copied those poems back in the Plum Garden.

It was just that no one knew whose they were copied from, because before this, they had never heard such verses.

Thus, even if he told everyone he copied them, if the true author couldn't be found, then who could refute him?

At most, people would verbally accuse him of copying, but finding no evidence to prove he copied them was quite frustrating.

“Are they really copied?”

Su Muxue stared at Xie Weilou, shaking her head slightly.

She had witnessed Xie Weilou’s strength and understood that this fellow was someone who pretended to be a pig to eat a tiger; those poems might have been composed by him!

A profligate young master suddenly transforming into a cultivation master presented a huge contrast.

Now, from being unlearned, he had become a talented individual, and she didn't think there would be much of a problem.

All reasons boiled down to one point: hiding one’s true abilities!

“……”

Lin Qinghuang glanced at Xie Weilou, a faint smile appearing on her face. This fellow was very cunning; if Princess Yuehua wanted to bully the weak, she was on the wrong track.

Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou feigned surprise and said, “Copied? Copied from whom, may I ask?”

Xie Weilou smiled indifferently, not answering the question, but instead said, “Just now, Princess Yuehua said she wanted to spar with me. How do you intend to spar?”

Seeing that Xie Weilou did not answer her question, Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou felt a little regretful, but still said, “Young Lord has written several poems about plum blossoms, which I find excellent. How about this time, we still use plum blossoms as the theme, each composing a poem? Within the time it takes to drink three cups of wine, whoever composes the best poem wins. How about it?”

Xie Weilou chuckled and said, “Alright!”

“Is this guy not afraid of losing? So confident, did he copy a few more?”

Yan Ruyu looked at Xie Weilou, her brows slightly furrowed. She found that she seemed to not quite understand Xie Weilou.

Previously, when Xie Weilou composed that poem in White Jade Capital, he directly stated it was copied.

Later, she had people investigate the Dungeon of Tianquan Division, and there was indeed a drunkard, but that drunkard had disappeared, and Tianquan Division did not give any further answers.

The Xia Emperor looked at Xie Weilou with a strange expression, not expecting this boy to actually dare to step forward.

However, from Xie Weilou's previous remarks, he could sense that this boy was not foolish. Since he dared to step forward, he must have some reliance, which made people somewhat anticipate it.

He spoke, “Come, bring the wine!”

The guards stepped forward, quickly setting up a table and placing three cups of wine in front of each of them.

“Young Lord, please!”

Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou looked at Xie Weilou.

Xie Weilou casually picked up a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp. He looked at Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou and said, “The poem is already done. I won’t be modest.”

“……”

Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou was stunned for a second.

Xie Weilou put down the wine cup and loudly recited, “This poem is called ‘Small Plum Garden in the Mountains’: The myriad blossoms wither, only she radiantly blooms, monopolizing all grace in the small garden. Her sparse shadows slant across the clear, shallow water, her subtle fragrance floats in the twilight moon.”

Xie Weilou did not continue to recite the remaining half. He looked at Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou and said with a smile, “Princess Yuehua, it’s your turn!”

“……”

The scene was silent. Everyone stared blankly at Xie Weilou. How was this poem?

Some military officials might not understand, but the civil officials present all did.

This poem describes plum blossoms without using the word ‘plum’. The first two lines describe the plum blossom’s graceful appearance in winter, dominating all others.

The last two lines describe the plum blossom’s purity, holiness, aloofness, uniqueness, and fragrance, capable of drawing people into a moonlit Plum Garden to deeply appreciate its artistic conception.

There are countless poems about plum blossoms in the world, but this one is absolutely unique, and they could feel that Xie Weilou had only recited half, with the other half yet to be recited.

“Never expected that Young Lord Xie could actually compose such a masterpiece.”

“A poem composed in the time it takes to drink one cup of wine? Is that possible? Of course not, he copied it!”

“Being able to copy is also a skill. Everyone here can try copying a masterpiece that hasn’t been widely circulated yet.”

“How can a scholar’s matter be called copying? This is called skillful utilization!”

The officials present exchanged whispers.

“This fellow…”

Yan Ruyu gazed at Xie Weilou.

Is it copied again? Why is every copied piece so unique? So astonishing?

At this moment, she felt a vague regret. Back in White Jade Capital, she should have invited Xie Weilou.

After all, as an invited guest, if he won, they would also receive many benefits, though these benefits were internal royal matters.

“Indeed.”

Su Muxue thought to herself, this scene seemed to be as expected.

“Good!”

Yan Junlin immediately applauded, his face beaming, in an excellent mood.

Yan Ruyi glanced at Yan Junlin and said, “Xie Weilou was invited by me!”

“Uh…”

Yan Junlin’s expression froze, then he said, “Brother Xie’s poetic talent is unmatched in the world. No matter who invited him, he deserves applause.”

“Hmph!”

Yan Ruyi rolled her eyes.

“……”

The Xia Emperor looked at Xie Weilou, nodding slightly, unsure what he was thinking.

No matter what, Xie Weilou composed this poem, so he did not disgrace Great Xia. And with this poem presented, he did not believe Princess Yuehua could produce anything superior.

Of course, he also did not believe that this poem was composed by Xie Weilou. How could such a poem be produced in the time it takes to drink one cup of wine?

Which great poet’s poem did this boy copy? It made him quite curious!

Xie Weilou looked at Ji Yuehua, Second Princess of East Zhou: “Princess Yuehua, it’s your turn.”