80: Do you know Su Shi?

"Insolent!"

"To openly provoke an imperial official on an occasion like this, I think you are asking for a flogging!"

Before Li Jue could continue, Judge Chen stepped forward and blocked the way in front of Zhou Yan.

But his heart was in complete turmoil.

"What is going on with this Li Jue?"

"The original plan was not like this. The poetry gathering hasn't even started yet; why did he launch an attack so directly?"

But Li Jue paid no attention to what Judge Chen was saying and continued to provoke Zhou Yan.

"If you don't dare, my lord, you might as well admit defeat early. A simple apology will suffice."

"After all, you were the one who snatched the quota from the scholars of humble origins first. Apologizing is only right and proper."

"Exactly! Having a background is nothing special!"

"You deserve to be scolded. If you're so capable, why don't you pass the exams on your own merit!"

"It's because there are too many people like you that Great Yu has become like this!"

"Great Yu is truly getting worse and worse; just anyone can become an official now!"

A group of people hid in the crowd and instigated the unrest.

However, there were others who expressed different opinions.

"If Great Yu has shortcomings, we should be building it up, not slandering it."

"Our fathers rendered distinguished service; what is wrong with their children enjoying some preferential treatment? Stop being so envious of the wealthy at every turn. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for not working hard enough!"

"You people are always being sarcastic and Yin and Yang. Did you take bribes from Great Qian?"

The entire venue was in chaos due to the dispute between Li Jue and Zhou Yan, and they were almost about to come to blows.

But there was no denying that the current situation was clearly leaning in Li Jue's favor.

"Enough!"

A woman's clear shout came from behind.

Immediately following that, a powerful pressure came sweeping down like a tidal wave.

Even Zhou Yan was shaken to the point of stumbling.

He scanned his surroundings and discovered that although others were also affected by the pressure, it was nowhere near as heavy as what he was feeling.

That's not right. From start to finish, what the hell does this have to do with me?

From the very beginning, I only said one line: "Judge Chen?"

This is just bullying an honest man!

The crowd quieted down and cleared a path.

Zhou Yan also saw the woman's appearance clearly.

She appeared to be around thirty years old, with a beautiful Face and an even more outstanding temperament.

She was wearing a moon-white dress embroidered with silver, with fine borders along the neckline; one could tell at a glance that her status was extraordinary.

With this demeanor and such strength, she must be the owner of this barge.

"Why must the two of you be so hot-tempered?"

"Today is, after all, the poetry gathering of my Misty Rain Painted Barge. One of you is a Juren, and the other is a Censor; arguing here is truly improper."

The woman's tone was calm, and she did not seem angry, but the pressure had not been withdrawn, especially concentrated on Li Jue and Zhou Yan.

"Boss Mei, doing this is probably not very appropriate, is it?"

Another person walked out from behind; it was none other than Qiao Wenze, the Prefect of Jiangzhou.

"It really is the Prefect!"

"This Misty Rain Painted Barge has such great Face; they actually managed to invite the Prefect!"

The appearance of Qiao Wenze allowed the crowd, who had been trapped by the pressure, to breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, the Misty Rain Painted Barge was an external force. If they really acted without regard for the rules, the locals would suffer, and it would be difficult to seek justice.

But now that Prefect Qiao was present, the situation was different.

Under the blessing of the national destiny, Qiao Wenze possessed the cultivation of the Core Formation Stage. With him presiding, whether in terms of strength or background, the Misty Rain Painted Barge would surely not dare to act recklessly.

"I can understand and deeply sympathize with Boss Mei for being upset that the poetry gathering has been disrupted."

"But that is not a reason for you to release your pressure at will and use your power to bully others. This place, after all, is Jiangzhou."

As Qiao Wenze finished speaking, an equally powerful aura spread out, pushing back the pressure that had been shrouding the crowd.

"Prefect Qiao, I didn't expect to meet you here."

The pressure dissipated, and Zhou Yan also breathed a sigh of relief.

He had almost been unable to control himself and activated his trump card.

At that moment, he really wanted to throw a "Zhou Yans Marvelous Array" right in her Face to let her calm down.

"Censor Zhou, I am also very happy to see you here. It's just that I didn't expect such a scene to unfold; I hope it won't affect your impression of Jiangzhou."

Qiao Wenze exchanged pleasantries with Zhou Yan with a smile, then his voice turned cold.

"Someone, take this arrogant scholar away!"

Following his order, several bailiffs behind him stepped forward, intending to seize Li Jue.

Li Jue was so scared that he retreated again and again.

And just at this moment.

"Wait."

The crowd looked over at the sound; the person speaking was none other than Boss Mei.

"You've turned the venue into a mess, and you want to just leave like this?"

"Aren't they going to compete in poetry? Then let them compete."

"Let these two wrap up this chaotic scene and warm up the atmosphere. That's not too much to ask, is it, Prefect Qiao?"

Boss Mei squinted slightly as she looked at Qiao Wenze, and Qiao Wenze also sensed that there was a deeper meaning behind her actions.

Perhaps Li Jue was arranged by them to provoke Censor Zhou, with the intention of causing trouble for Jiangzhou.

What an old fox. So that's the idea you had when you suddenly came to Jiangzhou! No matter who is directing you, you want to topple me? It won't be that easy!

"Censor Zhou is an imperial official and represents the dignity of the Imperial Court. How can you allow yourself to toy with him like this! If you dare to spout nonsense again, don't blame me for having to settle this with you!"

The two looked at each other—one with a cold expression, the other with a smile on her lips. The atmosphere was tense, like a powder keg about to explode.

Although this tense scene was frightening, the onlookers were thrilled, wishing they would actually start fighting.

Watching experts trade blows was much more interesting than a poetry gathering. Even if they really got hurt, it would be worth the price of admission.

"Everyone, can you please listen to me for a moment?"

Another expert?

The crowd shifted their gaze again; the person speaking was none other than Zhou Yan.

"Since the poetry gathering has been thrown into chaos because of me, as the person involved, I should at least be allowed to say a few words."

Seeing that Qiao Wenze, Boss Mei, and the crowd were all looking at him, Zhou Yan moved slightly, and the scholar's robe on his body instantly transformed into a green official robe.

"I am an official of the Imperial Court, a Censor of the Seventh Rank. Do you or do you not know this?"

Zhou Yan asked Li Jue first.

"Hmph, so what if you're a Censor..."

Li Jue was just about to make a sarcastic remark when he was interrupted by Zhou Yan.

"I am only asking you: do you know it or not!"

Li Jue met Zhou Yan's dark golden, dignified eyes and couldn't help but freeze. A flash of clarity crossed his eyes, which then turned back to anger, though his tone became somewhat stuttering.

"I... I know, so what!"

"Knowing is enough."

Zhou Yan ignored him further and turned to Qiao Wenze.

"Prefect Qiao, as a Prefect of a region, how can you arrest people at will without following the law?"

"Although he spoke disrespectfully, we must still be reasonable."

"Please have your men step back."

Although Qiao Wenze did not know Zhou Yan's intentions, he still signaled his men to back off.

Seeing the crisis temporarily resolved, Li Jue breathed a sigh of relief, but he still glared at Zhou Yan, though he dared not look into his eyes again.

"Boss Mei, I accept the poetry competition. However, it is not to warm up the atmosphere for the poetry gathering; it is simply my personal desire to put an end to this matter."

Boss Mei didn't fully understand Zhou Yan's meaning, but hearing that the poetry competition would continue, and recalling the voice transmission she had just received, she subconsciously nodded.

As long as it continues... as long as it continues.

"Li Jue."

Zhou Yan looked at Li Jue again.

"I am a Seventh-Rank official, and you are a Juren. Since you have taken the initiative to challenge a superior official, you shouldn't have any objections to me setting the topic, right?"

"Hmph! I am learned and well-read; you can set whatever topic you want. Just wait to admit defeat!"

"Good, you've got guts!"

"I wonder if you have ever heard of a person named Su Shi?"

"What Su Shi or no Su Shi? Are you going to test me or not?"

Zhou Yan looked at him, shaking his head while suppressing a smile.

"No matter. He is a Senior of yours, and you will know him very soon."

"Today, let us use him as our topic and each compose a poem or a Ci, how about that?"