A word worth a thousand gold, how about it?

"The beacon smoke tempered liver and gall, the armor forged Kunlun. Ten years, spear pointed south, heroic spirit tearing through clouds. Once trod the waves of Poshushuo, then bound the mountain demons, laughing as we settled border dust. Barbarian drums sink to the abyss, Great Wei banners stand on the horizon."

"A birthday feast opens, golden goblets brim, Meng Pass in spring. Why lament aging and grief? The stars are the patterns of merit! A thousand peaks' pine waves for odes, ten thousand valleys' rivers for wine, mountains and seas toast together. Wish to borrow Heaven's brush, to rewrite the Marquis Dingyuan's merits!"

Xiao Wuge recited loudly, the inexplicable hot blood surging in his chest making his young face flush slightly.

Xiao Wuge quickly took a breath, feeling a little nervous, afraid he'd perform poorly and be blamed by Xiao Yuan and the others.

However, the courtyard was silent at this moment; no one was paying attention to him.

Beside him was Old Sun, courtesy name Fu, style name Changming, formerly the Left Administrator of the Shu Prefecture Administration Commissioner's Office.

Setting aside his official achievements for the moment, he was certainly learned.

Therefore, after hearing this poem, an irrepressible wave of heroism surged within him, and he blurted out:

"A good poem, a truly good poem, reminiscing about the past, brimming with heroic spirit!"

"Every word and phrase is just right. Old Xiao, your birthday banquet this time might make many old fellows envious."

Duke of Gan, Zhang Xuan, twitched the corner of his mouth. Damn it, is this really not written for me?

"The poem is good, but it would clearly be more fitting for me."

Beside him, Xiao Qiuyun's eyes sparkled with delight.

But the one most deeply moved was Old Marquis Xiao, Xiao Yuan.

He sat upright in his chair, ignoring the words of his two old friends, muttering the content of the poem repeatedly. The past decades of battle flashed through his mind.

There was his repelling the Barbarian army at Mengshui Pass, his leading the Dingyuan Army south to Poshushuo Kingdom, planting the Great Wei flag in all its cities.

There was also the regret and remorse when various descendants of the Xiao family died on the battlefield.

All these things were as vivid as if they had happened yesterday.

It made his eyes moist, and he sighed, "It's not easy for Chen Yi to write such a birthday poem for this old man. Alas."

Zhang Xuan's face was full of sourness. "You just enjoy your luck, I wouldn't want it given to me."

Even if what the poem said were all facts, applying it to Old Xiao felt… felt like such a damn waste.

Xiao Yuan chuckled, "Get lost."

Sun Fu, however, sighed, "Old Xiao, your grandson-in-law has truly given you a great gift this time."

"How so?"

"This poem is enough to be passed down through the ages. Don't you think that's a great gift?"

With Sun Fu's insight, he could easily see the power of this poem. It was equivalent to the old fossil Xiao Yuan, who had no literary talent at all, being remembered through the ages.

"Passed down through the ages? Then doesn't that mean this old man…"

"That's right, you will be forever famous along with this poem."

Xiao Yuan was stunned. It would be a lie to say he wasn't happy. Who wouldn't want to be remembered in their lifetime?

But he felt a bit awkward. After all his years of military service, it wasn't as enduring as a poem.

At this moment, Zhang Xuan reacted. He looked at Old Marquis Xiao, examining him from head to toe, and suddenly showed a cordial smile:

"Old Xiao, my birthday is also not far off. How about we make a deal? Can you transfer this poem to me?"

He then patted his chest and guaranteed, "Don't worry, I'll give you a generous honorarium."

Before Old Marquis Xiao could refuse, Sun Fu stood up directly, his beard bristling with anger, "You shameless old man, you have no face, daring to even think such a thing?"

Zhang Xuan glanced at him, "Old Sun, I am the Duke of Gan in the court."

"I was also a Jinshi graduate in the 32nd year of Yongping. No matter what you say, old fellow, this poem is not for you. You've killed Barbarians, hmm… even if you've killed some, so what? Have you been to Poshushuo Kingdom?"

"Tomorrow, I will lead the armies of Jiao Prefecture and Guangyue Prefecture to press the border, and I will surely plant our banners everywhere!"

"What about the Marquis Dingyuan?"

"I've decided to hold my birthday banquet here. Is that acceptable?"

"You, you have no shame! How can such a rare masterpiece, found once in a century, be treated so… so cheaply?"

"Rare once in a century?"

Zhang Xuan pondered for a moment, then slapped his thigh and looked at Xiao Yuan, "Old Xiao, a word is worth a thousand gold. How about it?"

"Get lost!" Xiao Yuan laughed and cursed, "You have no shame, but I still do."

"If people find out I sold the birthday poem written by my grandson-in-law, I'll be infamous for eternity."

Zhang Xuan smacked his lips, still unwilling, and signaled Xiao Qiuyun with his eyes to mediate.

He truly loved this poem; it perfectly showcased his bravery and achievements.

One must know that when the Barbarian King led his army north to attack the pass, he had also brought soldiers from Jiao Prefecture to support.

Although Xiao Yuan was the commander-in-chief of the three armies, Zhang Xuan also had a share of the credit for repelling the Barbarian King's army.

Seeing this, Xiao Qiuyun thought for a moment and then smiled, "Father, this poem is excellent, but it's clearly based on Eldest Uncle's life experiences, so it might not be suitable for you."

"As Autumn Rhyme sees it, the one who tied the knot must untie it. The person who wrote this poem is right here in the mansion."

Zhang Xuan thought about it and smiled.

"That's precisely the logic. Old Xiao, I won't argue with you about this poem. Can I at least borrow a person from you?"

"Wu Ge's brother-in-law, right? Brother-in-law?"

Zhang Xuan paused, his smile fading. "Is it the second daughter's husband, Chen Xuanji's illegitimate son?"

Xiao Yuan nodded slightly and waved for others to continue bringing food. "It was indeed written by Chen Yi. What, you have an idea to ask him to ghostwrite?"

"Don't forget, you old coot slandered the Chen Family as worthless a few days ago, cursing Chen Xuandu and Chen Xuanji for relying on His Majesty's backing and making Jiangnan Prefecture a cesspool of corruption."

Zhang Xuan snorted sheepishly. "Times change. Chen Yi is now your Xiao family's son-in-law and has no connection to the Chen Family. Having him write a poem..."

Never mind.

He genuinely had no good feelings for the Chen Family of Jiangnan Prefecture. The thought of his birthday poem coming from a member of the Chen Family made him feel disgusted.

With that thought, he changed the subject. "Old Sun, recommend a talented scholar skilled in poetry and verse to me later. I'll give you twenty percent of the ghostwriting fee."

Sun Fu laughed and cursed him for being shameless. Then, as if remembering something, he sighed, "It's a shame about that child, Chen Yi."

Xiao Yuan sat up a little straighter. "Oh? Tell me, what's a shame about it?"

Sun Fu looked at him, hesitating slightly. "Old Xiao, I'll say something unpleasant, don't be offended."

"From this poem alone, it's clear that Chen Yi's talent is extraordinary. I imagine the rumors in Jinling about 'loyalty and filial piety, exceptional talent' were true."

"But he is now your Xiao family's son-in-law and cannot enter officialdom. It's difficult for him to display all his knowledge."

Sun Fu asked with a serious expression on his aged face, "Isn't it a shame?"

Xiao Yuan paused and pondered. "It is indeed a shame."

Hearing this, Zhang Xuan looked at him suspiciously. "Old Xiao, when Jinghong recruited a son-in-law, why did you think of the Chen Family?"

"This," Xiao Yuan shook his head. "That matter is in the past. I don't wish to mention it again."

Too many things were involved; it was difficult to explain clearly in a short time.

However, Zhang Xuan wasn't going to let him off the hook and pressed further. "I heard Chen Yi didn't have an easy time in the Chen Family. That eldest wife from the Cui Family was always suppressing him. Did she arrange this?"

"You could say that."

"Did Chen Xuanji know about it?"

"He shouldn't. As you and I both know, Chen Xuanji was ordered by His Majesty to be an envoy to the Western Buddhist Kingdom and has not yet returned."

"What about Chen Xuandu? He went to Beizhou. Does he know about this?"

Xiao Yuan hesitated for a moment. "Perhaps he knows, perhaps he doesn't."

Seeing his strange expression and unwillingness to say more, Zhang Xuan guessed there must be some hidden story and didn't ask further. But he couldn't help but remind him:

"Old Xiao, those Chen brothers are not easy people to deal with. Be careful yourself."

Xiao Yuan nodded silently. He knew all this and didn't need to be told.

After a moment.

Although Xiao Yuan's excited mood had subsided, his complexion became even more ruddy. He ordered, "Bring the food! Old man is eating five bowls today!"

Immediately, the household servants brought the dishes. Xiao Yuan called out, "You two know my appetite. Let's have a competition today and see who can still show the strength of our youth."

"You can't possibly eat half a cow in one sitting now, can you?"

"Why can't I..."

Without further ado, the three old men began to eat meat heartily, drink wine from large bowls, laughing and having fun as if they had returned to their youth.

Xiao Wuge saw the situation and bowed. "Grandfather, please eat. Your grandson will take his leave."

Xiao Yuan swallowed a large piece of pork. "Mm, later, tell your brother-in-law that I forgive him for running away from his wedding."

Xiao Wuge's face lit up with joy. After bowing, he was about to return to tell Chen Yi the good news.

Just then, Xiao Qiuyun, who had been sitting by with a smile, spoke. "Wuge, don't leave yet. Take Heng'er with you to Chunhe Garden to play."

"Mother, I don't want to go find that runaway groom. He..."

"Hm?"

Before Zhang Heng could say more, Xiao Qiuyun glared at him, stopping his words. She said with a hint of seriousness, "Don't be rude when you get there, understand?"

Zhang Heng responded unhappily.

Xiao Wuge was reluctant, but seeing Xiao Yuan and the others engrossed in eating and drinking, he had no choice but to take Zhang Heng and leave.

After they left.

Xiao Yuan took a sip of wine, swallowed the meat, and said, as if intentionally or unintentionally, "Don't blame your uncle for being meddlesome, Heng'er needs to study."

Xiao Qiuyun's expression changed slightly, but she responded obediently, not daring to retort.

Zhang Xuan glanced at her, smacked his lips, and said nothing.

While the old saying goes, "It's a father's fault if a son is not taught," there's also "A kind mother spoils her child."

Sun Fu ignored their domestic squabble. While eating, he mumbled, "What fine words! If this old man could write such a masterpiece, I could die with no regrets."

"Since you like it so much, why don't you, Old Sun, take Chen Yi as your master?"

"That's feasible. However, after you take my granddaughter's husband as your master, remember to change how you address him."

"Change my ass."

"The old man is cursing! Such a disgrace to scholarly manners..."