“The title of the poem is—’To a Beauty, Su Qianhua.'”
As soon as the words fell, the entire audience went silent.
This name…
Everyone knew full well that the purpose of today’s poetry contest was for the beauty behind the gauze curtain, but no one could just say it outright on the surface.
Take Lin Yutang just now—his poem, ‘Upon Hearing the Su Lady Play the Qin at Jingfang Pavilion,’ had a perfectly appropriate title.
His poem was about ‘hearing,’ and the content expressed the elegance and refined spirit of the literati, so everyone present had no hesitation in praising him.
Everyone appreciated this style.
But upon hearing Gu Wangchen’s poem title, everyone instinctively shut their mouths.
What was ‘To a Beauty, Su Qianhua’ supposed to mean?
This name was far too blunt, wasn’t it? They were talented scholars and accomplished ladies, the pride of Da Qian, the backbone of Sheng’an. How could they possibly cheer for such a crude poem title?
Even if the writer was none other than the only son of the powerful Chancellor Gu Huaizhang, they still couldn’t bring themselves to flatter him.
At that thought, the crowd instinctively averted their eyes from Gu Wangchen and began whispering quietly among themselves.
Wang Lingniang saw that the atmosphere had gone cold and couldn’t keep a pleasant look on her face.
If it had been anyone else’s poem, she could have laughed it off and moved to the next.
But Gu Wangchen just happened to be someone she couldn’t afford to offend.
Left with no choice, she sped up and read the poem in her hand in one breath:
“Strumming the qin atop the high stage, clear and bright, One listen tells she’s a fine young lady.
Fairer than flowers, a charm so strong, Why not join me in the bridal chamber tonight!”
Boom—!
The moment she finished, the hall erupted.
Unlike the buzzing after Lin Yutang’s poem, this time the noise and reaction from the crowd were far from praise, but rather…
“Vulgar! So vulgar! Poetry is a thing of elegance, how can such coarse words be allowed?”
“Exactly! ‘Fine young lady,’ ‘bridal chamber’… What kind of nonsense is this?!”
Though everyone knew this poem was written by Gu Wangchen, in today’s Da Qian, scholars and poets were not afraid of power—a growing trend.
Perhaps when facing Chancellor Gu Huaizhang, or Empress Dowager Xiao Wan listening behind the curtain, they wouldn’t dare to breathe loudly, but in front of Gu Wangchen—a chancellor’s son with no cultivation, no talent—they had more than enough courage.
Not to mention, he had given them such a perfect excuse to unite against him.
To make a name for themselves, today was the day!
Even if they were beaten and thrown out of Jingfang Pavilion by Gu Wangchen’s men, it would be worth it!
In fact, they were waiting for Gu Wangchen to order his men to beat them. That way, by tomorrow, their names as those who “defied authority and rebuked the degenerate” would spread throughout Sheng’an.
And if word reached this year’s spring exam examiner, then…
At that thought, someone immediately stepped forward, faced Gu Wangchen, and berated him: “Gu Wangchen, poetry and prose are the paths of refinement. How can you defile them with such vulgar language?”
“Gu Wangchen, you are ignorant and arrogant! In all of Sheng’an, which household has not suffered from your bullying? I thought you’d rein yourself in lately, but instead, you’ve only gotten worse!”
“As the chancellor’s son, how can you show your face?”
Gu Wangchen, who had been leisurely drinking tea, had long expected this reaction. His expression remained calm as he put down his cup and slowly walked to the front of the crowd.
He glanced over these indignant scholars, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes.
Everything was proceeding according to his plan—in fact, after tossing out a lousy poem, things were going even better.
He knew full well that these people only wanted to be beaten by him, so they could step on his name and make themselves famous for righteousness.
And he needed them too, to further cement his persona as a notorious wastrel.
Not to mention, he still needed these spectators for his next move.
Everyone got what they wanted—perfect.
With that thought, Gu Wangchen rolled up his sleeves, put his hands on his hips, and cursed at the crowd before him:
“Utter nonsense, you blind fools! My poem is excellent—straight from the heart, plain and easy to understand! Not only does it fit Miss Su’s requirements—there’s music, the qin, and a beauty—it also openly expresses my affection for Miss Su.”
“Now this is real literature!”
After speaking, Gu Wangchen swept his gaze arrogantly across the crowd, the very picture of “I’m right, and everything you say is garbage.”
“Enough, Gu Wangchen! How dare you act so rudely, not only showing no remorse but twisting the very path of poetry!”
“So what if you’re the chancellor’s son? Even if it costs me my life today, I, Fang Jingming, will defend the name of ‘Literature!'”
“I, Qu Wenrui, as well!”
“And I, Tao Yaozong!”
Yang Ruilin, seeing the swords drawn and bows bent, finally realized why these fellows dared to confront Gu Wangchen.
They were looking to get beaten—preferably not by Gu Wangchen himself, but by his guards under his orders!
Only that way would their reputation for “defying authority” spread to the greatest effect.
So they were using him and Gu Wangchen as stepping stones!
Realizing this, he could no longer worry about whether he’d get his ten thousand taels back. He hurriedly grabbed Gu Wangchen’s sleeve and tried to dissuade him: “Brother Wangchen, these people want to use us to build their reputation—we can’t fall for their trick, or else…”
“Ruilin, things have come to this—do we have any way out?” Gu Wangchen threw an arm around his shoulder and said righteously, “Since these fellows want to taste fists the size of sandbags, how could I deny them?”
“Ruilin, lend me a hand!”
With that, Gu Wangchen strode forward and began swinging his fists.
Bang, bang, crack—!
Robes flew, headpieces tumbled, and fists landed with satisfying thuds—a merry brawl indeed!
“Brother Wangchen, you…”
Seeing Gu Wangchen tangled in a chaotic scuffle with those fame-seekers, Yang Ruilin was momentarily at a loss for words.
Having guards use their power to beat others and doing it themselves were two entirely different matters.
The former was abusing power—making the other side “defy authority” and win all the glory.
But the latter, win or lose, would just be “hot-blooded youths, scholars settling things with fists,” a matter of personal pride and rivalry—no one would look good or bad for it.
Those fellows only dared to come seeking a beating because they bet that Gu Wangchen and he wouldn’t fight personally, but would send their guards instead.
That’s how it always was.
But today…
Watching Gu Wangchen fight harder with every blow, pressing seven or eight men to the floor by himself, Yang Ruilin gritted his teeth, steeled himself, and jumped into the fray.
He didn’t know why Brother Wangchen was suddenly so fierce today, but judging from the way things were going… the odds for their side in this brawl had soared!
“Brother Wangchen, let me help you!”
Half a quarter of an hour later.
“Damn, Brother Wangchen, when did you get so good at fighting?!”
Looking at the battered crowd sprawled all over the floor, Yang Ruilin wiped the blood from his brow, his voice trembling with excitement.
Gu Wangchen replied casually, “I’ve been practicing with the guards at home lately, just for this kind of situation. They want to use us as stepping stones? Not a chance!”
He glanced down at the men on the floor, straightened his robe, folded his arms, and snorted coldly: “A bunch of weaklings, and you dare bark in front of me?”
“Ow…”
“Hiss…”
Supported by their classmates, the battered men struggled shakily to their feet. Their steps were unsteady, and as they touched their bruised and swollen faces, they were at a loss for words.
Wasn’t Gu Wangchen supposed to be just an ordinary guy? Since when could he fight like this?
“Let me ask you—was my poem good or not?!” Gu Wangchen strode up to the crowd, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and asked in a loud voice.
Of course, he had deliberately left himself a few marks; otherwise, if he crushed these scholars without a scratch, it would look suspicious.
At this thought, he pressed the Wanxiang Dust-Returning Mirror hidden at his chest, glad he always carried it. Otherwise, he might have been noticed by the cultivators still lurking in the shadows.
Seeing Gu Wangchen standing like a war god, those who were holding the losers of the brawl instinctively took a step back, letting them fall again to the floor.
Groans echoed once more through the hall.
“Heh, is that all?” Gu Wangchen sneered and couldn’t be bothered with them any longer.
He turned and swept his gaze across the hall, confirming that all eyes were on him. Then, he picked up a jade cup from the table, brought it to his lips, and then slammed it down.
Crack—!
“Her Majesty’s decree is here!”
At that very moment, a eunuch’s powerful voice resounded throughout the main hall of Jingfang Pavilion.