Fang Shouye said, "If I'm not mistaken, old Sai wants my nephew to compose a poem. After all, my nephew is the Poem Ancestor."
Yu Xingshu, the new military governor of Mi Prefecture, rolled his eyes at Fang Shouye. "Shouye, ever since you entered Ning'an County, you've been calling him your nephew at every turn. Could you use another form of address? You've practically worn calluses on my ears."
Fang Shouye said smugly, "No! While I can still call him that, naturally I should do it as much as possible. If he writes sixteen Transmissible Battle Poems someday and becomes a Master of the World, or attains Saint Enfeoffment, would I still dare?"
Fang Yingwu lowered his head and pressed a hand to his forehead, despairing over his father.
The officials cast sidelong looks at Fang Shouye, making no attempt to hide their contempt. On second thought, however, Fang Shouye was right. If Fang Yun became a Master of the World, anyone of a lower Literary Rank would have to address him as "Fang Master" whenever they met.
Fang Yun smiled, looked toward Sai Zhixue on the stage, and said, "Old Sai, out with it. What do you want me to do?"
Sai Zhixue smiled. "Fang Big-Eyes guessed correctly. I would like to ask you to compose a poem, and it must take 'willow' as its theme."
The moment Hanlin Academician Sai finished speaking, a subtle change swept through the gathering. Many people exchanged glances. Sai Zhixue was throwing stones at a man who had already fallen into a well. Fang Yun's poetic reputation no longer needed proving, so Sai Zhixue believed he would certainly compose a fitting poem.
"Forget it. I haven't prepared anything. Another day." Fang Yun had no wish to beat a drowning dog just yet. Strengthening