Three Steps to a Poem, Fairy Yan Plays to Entertain!

Xiao Yang naturally had no idea that his Second Brother was plotting against him.

At this moment, he also felt somewhat awkward, because after Yan Ruyu handed him the jade pendant, she didn't withdraw her jade hand—instead, she kept holding onto him.

Her gaze was hazy, her pretty face flushed, and her body unconsciously writhed, as if she were enjoying something extremely pleasurable.

Wait, why are you blushing?

Xiao Yang was a bit stunned.

After all, this was in full public view, with the Second Prince and all those literary talents watching.

Did she have some special trait where the more people around, the more excited she got?

"Wuwu... so comfortable!"

At that moment, Yan Ruyu looked utterly entranced, feeling that contact with Xiao Yang made her whole body tingle, and the yin energy accumulated inside her for years began to stir restlessly.

"Ahem!"

Xiao Yang coughed dryly: "Miss Yan, you can let go now!"

Hearing this, Yan Ruyu finally realized her lapse in composure.

She pulled her jade hand back as if shocked by electricity, but her beautiful eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yang, practically threading with longing!

"Fairy Yan, since everyone's here, why don't we start the poetry gathering?" Xiao Ziwen quickly interjected.

He had organized this poetry gathering for two reasons: first, to curry favor with Fairy Yan, and second, to suppress Xiao Yang and make him look foolish.

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

After all, his Ninth Brother was a crude martial artist who couldn't possibly compose poetry—Fairy Yan would never fancy someone like that!

"Then let's follow the Second Prince's lead! But what is the theme of today's poetry gathering?" Yan Ruyu asked.

Xiao Ziwen flattered: "Fairy Yan possesses a beauty that shuts the moon and shames the flowers. Why don't we each write a poem for Fairy Yan, praising your appearance? How about that?"

As soon as he said this, the lackeys behind him immediately applauded in approval.

"Excellent! The Second Prince is wise!"

"It is our honor to compose poems for Fairy Yan!"

"..."

Xiao Ziwen thought he had scored points with this move.

But Yan Ruyu furrowed her brows slightly, displeased.

In truth, Xiao Ziwen was refined in appearance, the Second Prince of King Zhenbei's Mansion, and a Confucian Path Fifth Rank Gentleman Realm cultivator—undoubtedly the ideal husband in countless women's eyes.

Unfortunately, he was a simp!

Women were like that—the more you fawned over them, the less they cared about you.

"Everyone, allow me, Ma Wencai, to cast a brick to attract jade!"

Suddenly, Ma Wencai stepped forward, swaying his head, and began to recite.

"The fairy is so fair, her face like a flower. Her eyes big and bright, praised by all in sight."

"Pfft!"

Hearing this, many in the crowd burst out laughing, finding Ma Wencai's childish doggerel utterly clumsy.

Ma Wencai wasn't embarrassed at all; instead, he smiled amiably and cupped his hands: "Showing my inadequacy, showing my inadequacy!"

"This Fatty Ma is quite amusing!"

Xiao Yang observed him from the shadows.

Although he was the son of Cangzhou's richest man, at tonight's Lanting Poetry Gathering, crowded with nobles, he ranked near the bottom, relegated to the humblest seat.

But being able to set aside his pride and willingly play the fool showed that his character was no simple matter.

Next, the son of Jianzhou's Governor, the grandson of Qingzhou's Prefect, the disciple of the Sage of Calligraphy, and other talents each composed poems for Yan Ruyu.

But they were all green leaves, meant to set off the Second Prince Xiao Ziwen, so naturally they dared not show off their skills, producing only mediocre verses.

Finally, it was Xiao Ziwen's turn.

He produced a folding fan from somewhere, snapped it open with a flourish, stealing the spotlight.

"Bright as the shining moon,"

"Limpid as autumn water eyes."

"A gentle smile breeds a hundred charms,"

"One laugh intoxicates a thousand sorrows."

Xiao Ziwen gazed at Yan Ruyu, reciting with deep emotion, his fiery stare so cloying it gave people goosebumps.

"Excellent!"

"The Second Prince is truly the reincarnation of the Wenqu Star—such literary talent befits a top scholar!"

"A perfect match of talent and beauty, made for each other with Fairy Yan!"

The crowd inside burst into applause and cheers, even starting to hoot and holler.

But Yan Ruyu showed no interest in his poem. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Xiao Yang, full of tender affection as she cast him amorous glances.

How infuriating!

What exactly do I lack compared to Ninth Brother?

Xiao Ziwen's face twisted with rage, his fury barely contained.

And Xiao Yang, hearing his Second Brother's poem, simply shook his head and sighed.

That's it?

In his view, the poetry of this world was nothing but doggerel compared to his past life—worthless.

"Ninth Brother, what's with the head-shaking and sighing? Could it be you look down on my poem?"

Xiao Ziwen deliberately picked a fight, demanding an explanation.

"Not at all!"

Xiao Yang shook his head.

After all, tonight he had come to claim a spiritual treasure and didn't want to fall out with his Second Brother just yet.

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

"Second Brother, I'm a 'rough' man. I don't know the first thing about poetry!" Xiao Yang declined politely.

At these words, everyone present was somewhat surprised.

They had heard the Ninth Young Master was incredibly arrogant, having slapped the faces of the Eldest Prince and Fourth Prince one after another, lawless and unrestrained!

But now, he was being so humble and self-deprecating!

Xiao Ziwen, however, wasn't satisfied.

If he couldn't humiliate Xiao Yang publicly, how could he vent his anger?

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

Xiao Ziwen pulled a yellowed ancient book from his bosom.

It was the military treatise left by the famed general "Yue Wu" from centuries past.

"Fine, since Second Brother puts it that way, I agree!"

Xiao Yang nodded.

He had wanted to keep a low profile, but since Xiao Ziwen was forcing him to slap faces, he wouldn't hold back!

"Hmph!"

Xiao Ziwen and the other scholars sneered coldly.

In their view, even if Xiao Yang could boost his strength in a short time with Ning Hongye's help, literary talent couldn't be faked!

A dull-witted fool, no matter how many elixirs and potions he consumed, could never produce brilliant writing.

Once Xiao Yang opened his mouth, he would make a fool of himself, become a laughingstock, and make Yan Ruyu look down on him.

"Ninth Young Master, since you're going to compose a poem for me, how about I play the flute to accompany you?" Yan Ruyu suddenly spoke.

Play the flute to accompany him?

Xiao Yang was taken aback, wondering if he'd heard wrong. Was Fairy Yan that playful?

But the next moment, Yan Ruyu pulled out an emerald bamboo flute, parted her vermilion lips, and began to play.

"Woo woo woo..."

The flute's melody was melodious, echoing through the hall.

"I've heard that Fairy Yan is a master of both the zither and the flute. Today, we're truly blessed!"

Someone in the crowd remarked.

Only then did Xiao Yang realize he had misunderstood!

"Ninth Brother, stop dawdling! You can't stall for time. I'll give you at most the time it takes for one incense stick to burn!" Xiao Ziwen urged.

"No need that long. I've already composed the poem!" Xiao Yang said confidently.

Hearing this, the many scholars and talents present were all startled.

Even they needed a long time to compose, so how could anyone just spout it out on the spot?

But Xiao Ziwen dismissed it, thinking his Ninth Brother's skill was just too low—his poem probably wouldn't even match Ma Wencai's!

"Thump!"

Suddenly, Xiao Yang took a step forward and recited: "Clouds yearn for her garments, flowers for her face!"

At the first line, the scholars who had been sneering immediately wiped their smiles away.

"Thump!"

Xiao Yang took a second step and added: "Spring Breeze Brushes the Railing, Dewdrops Gleam Thick!"

At these words, everyone's expression turned solemn.

Yan Ruyu's beautiful eyes blazed with unprecedented light, her heartbeat quickening.

"Thump!"

Xiao Yang took a third step, his aura surging as if the Poetry Immortal from a thousand years past had possessed him, his voice ringing through the nine heavens.

"If not seen atop Qunyu Mountain's crest,"

"Then met beneath the moon on Jade Terrace's crest."