71: Jing Wangfu Poetry Gathering, the Dark Jungle Law of the Traveler

Chapter 71: Jing Wang Manor Poetry Gathering, the Transmigrator's Dark Forest Law (13, Please Subscribe!)

Fan Xian did indeed receive a poem, but that poem could only be considered barely presentable.

Although he was a liberal arts student in his previous life, he was naturally skilled at appreciating and critiquing poetry, but he didn't have the ability to compose good poems himself.

If Li Chang'an hadn't been there, he could have casually pulled out a famous piece and immediately become renowned.

Once he had a literary reputation, people would naturally come to clear his name of any slanders.

With power in hand, there would naturally be great scholars to debate the classics; Fan Xian understood this principle all too well.

But with Li Chang'an, or rather the Transmigrator behind Li Chang'an, Fan Xian truly lacked the courage.

"Since that's the case, then many thanks, Young Master Guo."

Guo Baokun's tone shifted, and he revealed another piece of news that shocked Fan Xian.

"Today's poetry gathering, with His Highness Prince Yong present, will have an even greater influence!"

Fan Xian said in surprise, "His Highness Prince Yong... why would he come?"

Li Chang'an was Fan Xian's biggest taboo at the moment; he subconsciously wanted to avoid this person.

Before coming to Kyoto, he had made up his mind never to reveal his identity as a Transmigrator.

If he had to expose himself, he would only do so when he had power and martial prowess equal to Li Chang'an, as that would be the safest time.

However, being equal in power to a Prince was simply impossible for the current Fan Xian.

The suspicion between Transmigrators was mutual; if Fan Xian was at the Peak of his power when Li Chang'an had just Transmigrated, he would also never reveal his identity as a Transmigrator.

This chain of suspicion between Transmigrators was somewhat like the Dark Forest Law: whoever gained immense power first, the other would certainly not show their Face.

If both were powerless, or progressing equally, with similar ideas and compatible temperaments, they might even reveal their identities to each other.

But the current Li Chang'an commanded Dragon Guard Manor, with hundreds of experts under his command; not only was he a literary giant, but he also held the power of life and death to suppress the Jianghu of the world.

Furthermore, Li Chang'an's practice in the Jianghu of often annihilating entire Schools that disobeyed the imperial court made Fan Xian feel he was too ruthless.

The information Wu Zhu overheard on Da Dong Mountain indicated that Prince Yong was very likely a Puppet, and the Transmigrator behind him might be even more highly placed and ruthless.

Fan Xian was a smart person; he could understand the pros and cons of this matter, so he decided to firmly hide his Transmigrator identity.

Li Chang'an had understood this matter since he was a child: between him and Fan Xian, whoever gained immense power and wealth first would enjoy the greatest benefits of being a Transmigrator.

Li Chang'an was a very pragmatic person; although he outwardly obeyed Emperor Qing while secretly defying him, he believed that Emperor Qing's plan to eliminate the Great Grandmasters and unify the world was not wrong.

He actually thought Ye Qingmei's approach was somewhat naive. Her beautiful declaration at the entrance of the Supervisory Council was as absurd as posting "Upholding Judicial Fairness, Everyone is Equal in the Great Ming" at the entrance of the Ming Dynasty's Eastern Depot.

Secret service organizations were inherently the most powerful arm in maintaining feudal imperial power; their internal power structure was far less stable than the Three Departments and Six Ministries system.

Fan Xian suddenly gained immense power with just a Supervisor's waist token, while Fan Jian, as Emperor Qing's childhood friend, took over a decade to climb to the position of Minister of Revenue.

Li Chang'an's Net was similar to the Supervisory Council; establishing the Net was for the sake of contending for power, and for the day he could replace Emperor Qing.

Seeing Fan Xian looking somewhat dazed, like a country bumpkin, Guo Baokun's sense of superiority grew stronger.

"Brother Fan, you wouldn't know this, would you?"

"A poetry gathering needs the presence of literary masters to comment to have influence, and His Highness Prince Yong is not someone an ordinary person can invite."

"Prince Jing's Heir earnestly pleaded with Prince Jing, and only then did Prince Jing invite Prince Yong over.

Today, you just need to present that poem, and His Highness Prince Yong, being a literary giant, will certainly not misjudge it."

Fan Xian didn't want to provoke Li Chang'an, but he unexpectedly encountered him so soon.

But now that he was at the entrance of Jing Wang Manor, how could he retreat?

After entering Jing Wang Manor, Guo Baokun cordially introduced Fan Xian to the scholars and talented women.

"Everyone, please don't believe the rumors outside. I, Guo, deeply understand Brother Fan's character; he is certainly not someone who disregards propriety."

"The incident on the day Fan Xian entered the city was just a misunderstanding where a Brothel girl had a fit and mistook him for someone else."

As expected, all the women showed wary and disdainful expressions, keeping their distance.

Among the women, a red-clad young girl clenched her fists, looking like she was about to rush up and punch Fan Xian.

Lin Wan'er hurriedly pulled her aside, "Ling'er, there's no need. Fan Xian is an insignificant person; there's no need to get angry over him."

"Listen to me, the best way to handle this is to pretend he doesn't exist.

I'll go see the two Prince Uncles first. You absolutely must not act impulsively."

Ye Ling'er always listened to Lin Wan'er, so she could only put away her fists and sit down resentfully.

Almost all the scholars were very polite to Fan Xian, as if they all believed Guo Baokun's words.

Fan Xian couldn't help but sigh, this was the power of authority; with the son of the Minister of Rites vouching for him, these people had to give Young Master Guo Face.

Fan Xian looked for a long time, but still didn't see Lin Wan'er, or even Fan Ruoruo. At the head of the talented women's seating area, there were three empty seats.

Of the three seats, one was for Fan Ruoruo. His sister's status in the capital's literary circles was not low.

Inside the Prince's residence.

Prince Jing, Prince Yong, the Second Prince, Lin Wan'er, Princess Rou Jia, and Fan Ruoruo were talking.

Fan Ruoruo and Li Chang'an came in the same carriage, and the Fan Manor and Jing Wang Manor were also generational friends, so Li Chang'an brought her into the inner hall.

Li Chengze politely said, "Uncle Prince Jing, I am extremely grateful for your allowing me to host a poetry gathering in your esteemed residence."

"Uncle Prince Yong, with your presence, this truly becomes a poetry gathering. I, your nephew, thank you immensely!"

Scholars at a poetry gathering sought fame, and the Second Prince also wanted to recruit some talents to see if there were any outstanding scholars he could use.

Of course, the Second Prince also had an important objective today: to win over Fan Xian.

Fan Xian was not simple; His Majesty's insistence on bestowing a marriage upon Fan Xian, and marrying Lin Wan'er to him, was very unusual.

Although the Second Prince couldn't help that day in Kyoto Prefecture, he had already shown his support for Fan Xian. Now, it shouldn't be difficult to personally win him over.

Fan Xian's reputation was ruined, yet His Majesty had not canceled the engagement, which indicated that Fan Xian was very important and must be befriended.

The reason Li Chang'an came was, of course, because both Prince Jing and the Second Prince had invited him; this favor had to be granted.

Anyway, with his presence, just sitting there would elevate the prestige of the entire poetry gathering.

As for commenting on poetry, that was even simpler; after all, the poetry levels weren't high, and good or bad could be seen at a glance.

Li Chang'an's visit this time was also to see Fan Xian. In the original story, Fan Xian was very fierce when he first entered Kyoto, not even kneeling before the Emperor.

Now, Fan Xian had suffered a setback as soon as he entered Kyoto; he wondered if he would still be as arrogant as before.

As for Lin Wan'er, she was invited by the Second Prince to play, also with the intention of testing Lin Wan'er's attitude towards Fan Xian.

After all, the marriage alliance between Lin Wan'er and Fan Xian concerned the ownership of the Imperial Treasury, making it a matter of concern for all parties.

Lin Wan'er specifically sat beside Li Chang'an and, when he had a moment, tugged at him.

"Uncle Prince Yong, you've been very busy since you returned to Kyoto."

Li Chang'an turned his head, meeting Lin Wan'er's half-smiling gaze.

Only then did he remember that, after being back in Kyoto for so long, he still hadn't climbed through Lin Wan'er's window.

Li Chang'an was busy every day, Cultivating, monitoring various intelligence, and even sparring with his concubines; he had indeed forgotten to visit Lin Wan'er.

"Yes, Wan'er, this Prince has many matters to attend to, working tirelessly every day."

Looking at Li Chang'an's serious demeanor, Lin Wan'er secretly squeezed Li Chang'an's arm.

"Wan'er has also been studying poetry these past few years. I hope Uncle Prince Yong can give me more guidance when he has time."

Li Chang'an calmly said, "Wan'er is intelligent and quick-witted; she'll understand with just a hint. It's easy, it's easy."

Soon after, Li Hongcheng came in, "Father, Uncle Prince Yong, Second Prince, everyone for the poetry gathering has arrived."

Prince Jing patted Li Chang'an's shoulder, "Third Brother, I'm indebted to you today. I'll cover all the flowers and trees in your Dragon Guard Manor."

Li Chang'an cupped his hands and said, "Second Brother is too kind. Please include the potted plants in the room as well. Many thanks!"

"Chengze, Wan'er, Ruo Ruo, Rou Jia, let's go."

Li Chengze stood up and left with Li Chang'an, then whispered, "Uncle Prince Yong, I won't show my Face."

Li Chang'an frowned, "Why?"

Li Chengze tossed his hair, coughed twice, appearing elegant and noble.

"Uncle Prince, you don't know, but your nephew likes popularity, but not people."

Upon hearing this, Li Chang'an unceremoniously kicked him in the backside.

"You little rascal, always sneaking around, what are you trying to be mysterious about?"

"Don't you just like to eat grapes? Where you eat them doesn't matter. Come with this Prince!"

Lin Wan'er covered her mouth and smiled, "Second Brother, you're just asking for a beating. How can there be popularity without people?"

"You usually clear the streets just to eat hotpot; why don't you travel incognito? You truly disturb the common people for no reason."

Li Chengze winced in pain, grimacing helplessly, and could only follow Li Chang'an to the poetry gathering.

"Wan'er, you're too heartless, even kicking me when I'm down! Second Brother found medicine for you since childhood; I have eighty percent of the credit for your recovery from consumption!"

Li Chang'an and Lin Wan'er's interactions were all conducted secretly; the matter of 'Yiyanbing' was, of course, top secret.

"Alright, alright, Wan'er thanks Second Brother. I'll treat you to hotpot another day, so you won't go out harming the livelihoods of the common people."

Li Chengze shook his alpaca-like head, "Come to my manor. I'll show you the grass-mud horse Uncle Prince Yong gave me; it'll open your eyes."

The group walked out, laughing and talking. Li Chengze had originally planned to hide in the dark and then call Fan Xian over for a chat, but now it seemed he had to think of another way.

Upon reaching the long corridor where the poetry gathering was held, both Li Chang'an and Li Chengze sat behind the curtain at the main seats.

After all, they were of the imperial Bloodline and still needed to maintain their sacredness. Lin Wan'er and Princess Rou Jia, being one step removed in Bloodline, sat with Fan Ruoruo at the head of the talented women's section.

After Li Chang'an and Li Chengze were seated, everyone except Lin Wan'er and Princess Rou Jia knelt down in unison.

"Greetings to His Highness Prince Yong, and His Highness the Second Prince!"

Among the crowd, Li Chang'an spotted Fan Xian at a glance.

Name: Fan Xian

Age: 16

Realm: Peak Seventh Grade

Talents: Strong Memory (Fourth Grade), Stratagem (Eighth Grade), Business (Eighth Grade), Martial Dao (Fifth Grade)

Abilities: Go (Eighth Grade), Assassination (Eighth Grade), Poison Arts (Eighth Grade), Medical Arts (Eighth Grade), Stratagem (Fourth Grade), Poetry (Third Grade)

Emotion: 0

The Strong Memory talent was a weakened version of Photographic Memory. This powerful talent allowed some abilities to exceed talent limitations.

For example, Fan Xian had no talent for Go, so logically, his Go ability could only reach a maximum of Sixth Grade.

However, relying on the chess manuals he remembered from his previous life and his super strong memory and learning ability, he raised his Go ability to Eighth Grade.

Fan Xian stood out not because he was a bit rustic and slightly chubby.

But because he was the only one hesitating whether to kneel or not.

Name: Guo Baokun

Age: 20

Realm: None

Talent: Socializing (Third Grade)

Abilities: Stratagem (Negative Second Grade), Socializing (Sixth Grade), Poetry (Fifth Grade)

Emotion: 50

The world's good general, Guo Baokun. Li Chang'an finally met the Immortal Master, and he was also a fervent poetry lover.

Besides Lin Wan'er's social anxiety, this was the second time Li Chang'an had seen someone with a negative ability value.

A negative second-grade socializing ability might be salvageable, but a negative second-grade stratagem ability was probably beyond help.

Li Chang'an's gaze swept across the room; most people's emotional values were around 30, with fervent female fans even exceeding 80.

Now Li Chang'an understood why it was so easy for celebrities to sleep with their fans.

The only person in the entire hall whose emotional value hadn't reached 30 was the martial arts enthusiast Ye Ling'er, as she didn't understand poetry after all.

Ye Ling'er was only accompanying Lin Wan'er for fun; she couldn't compose poetry.

Guo Baokun was very nervous today; the Crown Prince had given him a death order: at today's poetry gathering, Fan Xian must gain fame!

Li Chang'an, of course, could see this and couldn't help but find it amusing.

Because of his intervention, Li Yunrui's plan succeeded, the Crown Prince took the blame, and Emperor Qing punished the Crown Prince by making him help Fan Xian restore his reputation.

Young Master Guo, who was originally supposed to ruin Fan Xian's reputation at the poetry gathering, was now the most concerned about Fan Xian, fearing he might cause another incident.

Young Master Guo was almost in tears!

Because Fan Xian, beside him, was bent at the waist, still undecided whether to kneel or not.

"Brother Fan, I beg you, hurry and kneel!"

Seeing a Prince, this illegitimate son actually didn't even understand the most basic rules!

The scholars were so nervous they didn't dare to breathe. Seeing two Princes at once was a very grand occasion.

Although nervous and constrained, these scholars were all full of ambition, determined to seize the opportunity to perform!

Since his Transmigration, Fan Xian had knelt before his grandmother and his father, but he hadn't knelt before the Crown Prince or the Second Prince in Kyoto Prefecture.

So, in this situation, he really didn't want to kneel!

According to his personality, he really wanted to shout, "Your Highnesses, should I kneel?"

But, seeing a large group of people kneeling around him, Fan Xian's legs felt a bit weak.

Li Chang'an not only had a literary reputation but also killed people like flies. What was more troublesome was that he might be a Puppet of a Transmigrator.

Not kneeling, could it expose his identity as a Transmigrator... The current Fan Xian was truly somewhat panicked.

Suddenly, a majestic voice erupted in the long corridor!

"Who stands there!"

Li Chang'an and Li Chengze simultaneously turned their heads to look; it turned out to be Xie Bi'an, who had habitually barked out a reprimand.

Name: Xie Bi'an

Age: 35

Realm: Ninth Grade Lower

Talent: Sword Dao (Eighth Grade)

Abilities: Stratagem (Third Grade), Cuisine (Third Grade)

Emotion: 10

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian almost blurted out, "Jing Ke, envoy of Yan!"