Xiao Yang Became a Poet in Three Steps, While Fairy Yan Played to Accompany Him!

Xiao Yang had no idea his Second Brother was plotting something improper against him.

At that moment, he also felt a little awkward. After Yan Ruyu handed him the jade pendant, she hadn't withdrawn her hand. Instead, she kept holding his.

Her gaze was hazy, her pretty face flushed, and she swayed unconsciously, as if enjoying something immensely pleasurable.

Wait, why was her face so red?

Xiao Yang was a little dazed.

After all, they were in full view of the public, with the Second Prince and so many scholars and talented young men watching.

Did she have some unusual preference? Did a bigger crowd make her more excited?

"Mmm... This feels so good!"

Yan Ruyu was intoxicated. Just touching Xiao Yang made her feel wonderful all over, and the yin energy she had accumulated within her for years began to stir.

"Ahem!"

Xiao Yang cleared his throat. "Miss Yan, would you mind letting go?"

Only then did Yan Ruyu realize how improper she was being.

She snatched her hand back as if shocked, but her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yang, practically smoldering with desire!

"Fairy Yan, since everyone's here, why don't we begin the Poetry Gathering?" Xiao Ziwen hurriedly suggested.

He had organized the gathering for two reasons: to curry favor with Fairy Yan and to humiliate Xiao Yang.

Now that Fairy Yan seemed to have taken a liking to his Ninth Brother, he would have to double down.

His Ninth Brother was a crude martial artist, after all. There was no way he could compose poetry. Fairy Yan wouldn't be interested in someone like that!

"Then let's do as the Second Prince suggests. But what's the theme for today's Poetry Gathering?" Yan Ruyu asked.

Xiao Ziwen ingratiated himself with her. "Fairy Yan is so beautiful that even the moon would hide and flowers would feel ashamed. How about everyone compose a poem praising your looks?"

As soon as he said this, several of his hangers-on clapped their hands and cheered.

"Excellent! The Second Prince is brilliant!"

"It's an honor to compose a poem for Fairy Yan!"

"..."

Xiao Ziwen thought he'd scored points with his flattery.

But Yan Ruyu merely furrowed her brows, displeased.

In truth, Xiao Ziwen was refined and handsome, a Second Prince of King Zhenbei's Mansion, and a Fifth-Rank Gentleman in the Confucian Path. He was certainly the ideal husband in the eyes of countless women.

Unfortunately, he was a simp!

That was how women were: the more you fawned over them, the less they cared about you.

"Everyone, I, Ma Wencai, will offer the first poem!"

Ma Wencai suddenly stepped forward, swaying his head as he began to recite.

"The fairy is so pretty, her face like a flower. Her eyes are big and bright, praised by all who pass."

"Pfft!"

Quite a few people burst out laughing. They all thought Ma Wencai's childish doggerel was downright awful.

Ma Wencai wasn't embarrassed in the least. Smiling, he cupped his hands. "I've made a fool of myself, I've made a fool of myself!"

"This Fatty Ma is pretty interesting!"

Xiao Yang quietly sized him up.

Although he was the son of Cangzhou's richest man, at tonight's Lanting Poetry Gathering, filled with the powerful and influential, he ranked near the bottom and had to make do with a back seat.

Still, the fact that he could set aside his pride and willingly play the fool showed that he wasn't simple-minded.

Next, the sons of the Governor of Jianzhou, the grandson of the Qingzhou Inspector, disciples of the Sage of Calligraphy, and other talented young men all composed poems for Yan Ruyu.

But they were just supporting acts, meant to set off Second Prince Xiao Ziwen. Naturally, they didn't dare show off or try anything flashy, and their poems were all rather conventional.

At last, it was Xiao Ziwen's turn.

He somehow produced a folding fan and snapped it open, making a dramatic entrance.

"Bright as the moon above,"

"Eyes clear as autumn streams."

"A smile, and beauty blooms,"

"One laugh banishes a thousand sorrows."

Xiao Ziwen gazed at Yan Ruyu and recited with deep feeling. His burning stare was so sickeningly intense that it gave everyone goosebumps.

"Wonderful!"

"The Second Prince truly is Wenqu Star reborn! Such talent—he's got the makings of a top scholar!"

"What a perfect match! He and Fairy Yan are made for each other!"

Everyone in the hall applauded and cheered. Some even began to tease them.

Yet Yan Ruyu wasn't interested in his poem. Her beautiful eyes stayed fixed on Xiao Yang, her gaze tender as she sent him flirtatious glances.

Damn it!

How was I inferior to my Ninth Brother?

Xiao Ziwen's face twisted with rage.

Xiao Yang, meanwhile, shook his head and sighed when he heard his Second Brother's poem.

That was it?

In his eyes, the poems of this world were nothing but doggerel, worthless compared to the poetry of his previous life.

"Ninth Brother, what do you mean by shaking your head and sighing? Are you looking down on my poem?"

Xiao Ziwen deliberately picked a fight and demanded an explanation.

"Not at all!"

Xiao Yang shook his head.

After all, he had come tonight to ask for a spiritual treasure. For now, he didn't want to fall out with his Second Brother.

But Xiao Ziwen didn't see it that way. He pressed on. "Ninth Brother, everyone's composed a poem for Fairy Yan. It's your turn now!"

"Second Brother, I'm a 'rough' sort. I don't know how to compose poetry!" Xiao Yang politely declined.

Everyone present was a little surprised.

They'd heard that the Ninth Young Master was incredibly arrogant, and that he'd repeatedly humiliated the Eldest Prince and Fourth Prince, acting without restraint.

Yet now, he was being so modest and self-deprecating!

But Xiao Ziwen still wasn't satisfied.

If he couldn't humiliate Xiao Yang in front of everyone, how could he vent his anger?

"Ninth Brother, we agreed on this! As long as you write a poem right now, this copy of Yue Wu's Art of War is yours!"

Xiao Ziwen pulled a yellowed ancient book from inside his robes.

It was the military treatise left behind centuries ago by the famed general Yue Wu.

"All right. Since you insist, Second Brother, I'll do it!"

Xiao Yang nodded.

He'd wanted to keep a low profile, but since Xiao Ziwen was determined to force him into the spotlight, he wouldn't hold back!

"Hmph!"

Xiao Ziwen and the other talented young men sneered.

In their eyes, even if Xiao Yang could improve his strength in a short time with Ning Hongye's help, there was no faking literary talent!

No matter how many spirit pills and miracle medicines a dullard took, he still wouldn't be able to produce a masterpiece.

As soon as Xiao Yang opened his mouth, he'd make a fool of himself and become a laughingstock. Fairy Yan would look down on him, too.

"Ninth Young Master, since you're composing a poem for me, why don't I play the flute to accompany you?" Yan Ruyu suddenly offered.

Play the flute to accompany him?

Xiao Yang froze, thinking he must have misheard. Fairy Yan was quite adventurous!

But the next moment, Yan Ruyu produced a green bamboo flute, placed it to her lips, and began to play.

"Wuuu..."

The flute's winding melody echoed through the hall.

"It's said that Fairy Yan is equally skilled at the qin and flute. We're fortunate to hear her play today!"

Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

Only then did Xiao Yang realize he'd misunderstood.

"Ninth Brother, stop stalling! You can't delay forever. I'll give you one stick of incense at most!" Xiao Ziwen urged.

"There's no need. I've already written the poem," Xiao Yang said confidently.

At his words, all the scholars and talented young men were astonished.

Even they had to spend a long time composing. How could he come up with a poem on the spot?

But Xiao Ziwen didn't think much of it. He just assumed his Ninth Brother's standards were too low, and that his poem would probably be even worse than Ma Wencai's!

Thud!

Xiao Yang stepped forward and recited, "Clouds evoke her gown, flowers her face!"

When they heard the first line, the scholars and talented young men who had been laughing moments ago immediately fell silent.

Thud!

Xiao Yang took a second step and continued, "Spring breeze brushes the balustrade; dew glistens, flowers glow!"

At that, everyone grew solemn.

A light unlike any she'd ever seen shone in Yan Ruyu's beautiful eyes, and her heart began to race.

Thud!

Xiao Yang took a third step. His presence surged, as if the Poetry Immortal from a thousand years ago had possessed him. His voice rang out like thunder from the highest heavens.

"If not upon the peak of Qunyu Mountain,"

"Then beneath the moon on Jade Terrace!"