Shouren Academy.
Xu Qingxiao arrived at Chen Xinghe's room with a bundle of letters.
"Junior brother?"
Chen Xinghe, who had been painstakingly studying poetry, looked at Xu Qingxiao in puzzlement.
"Senior brother, keep these envelopes safe. There are seven altogether. I won't be attending today's Peaceful Age Poetry Gathering."
"But I've already written a poem for each of the topics you predicted. If one of them comes up, open the corresponding envelope."
"Remember, you can only open one. No more than that. Sorry for the trouble, senior brother."
Xu Qingxiao explained why he had come.
But his words left Chen Xinghe rather bewildered.
"Junior brother? You're not attending?"
"Everyone's waiting for you at today's Poetry Duel! You're really not coming? What will those Ten Kingdoms’ Great Talents say?"
Chen Xinghe was flabbergasted. Xu Qingxiao was skipping something this important? That was genuinely... awkward.
Everyone was waiting for Xu Qingxiao to arrive, and the people of Great Wei were craning their necks in anticipation. Yet he wasn't coming. How could that not be awkward?
"Senior brother, I have something important to attend to. It concerns the realm and its people."
"So I won't be attending the Peaceful Age Poetry Gathering."
Xu Qingxiao explained to Chen Xinghe with a serious expression.
Chen Xinghe sank into thought, but soon realized that Xu Qingxiao would not lie. Moreover, he knew perfectly well that Xu Qingxiao was indeed working for the Great Wei Dynasty now.
Something concerning the realm and its people naturally mattered a hundred times more than the Peaceful Age Poetry Gathering. Missing it was entirely reasonable.
"All right, junior brother. I'll attend today's Peaceful Age Poetry Gathering in your place."
Chen Xinghe nodded in agreement, then looked at the seven letters.
"Why can't I open these letters?"
Chen Xinghe continued to question