"So that was it!"
After hearing the emperor's words, Su Ziji's heart sank, though this was also within his expectations.
In truth, the poem hardly mattered. He could have tossed off any verse and gotten through it. The emperor's intentions were plain from the gleam in Prince Qi's and Prince Shu's eyes, and the startled uncertainty in the officials' gazes.
This was a political signal.
It could hardly be called an inability to take a loss. On the contrary, this was one of the most common methods officials and rulers used: send out a signal, then steer the prevailing winds.
Once those winds shifted, not only would Prince Qi and Prince Shu regain their confidence and step into the ring against him, but many of the officials who had intended to draw closer to him would likely hesitate and wait to see what happened.
Without so much as the effort of blowing away dust, the emperor could halt his snowballing momentum.
Yet even knowing this, he had no way to counter it. Of course, the method was not all-powerful either. As long as he continued to hold the title of Imperial Grandson, a situation like this would instead serve to sift people out.
Even so, he had to respond. What mattered was not losing his composure or dignity.
A man who remained composed was still worth backing; a man who lost his head at the first difficulty would send everyone fleeing.
But since the emperor had resorted to such a trick, he need no longer feel any qualms about spreading rumors and stirring up unrest himself.
At this thought, Su Ziji rose and bowed. "Since Your Majesty has set the topic, this grandson and subject shall naturally comply. Please forgive my poor attempt."
As he spoke, he calmly faced the