Aside from participating in the Twin Boats Literary Contest being inappropriate, helping the Capsized Boat side defeat the Sailing Boat side was inappropriate too.
The Sailing Boat Gathering was hosted by Princess Wukang's youngest sister-Princess Changcheng, Xiao Zixi. Since Princess Wukang was Xu Kuang's sister-in-law, Xiao Zixi and Xu Kuang could also be considered family. Xu Kuang's participation in the contest was already rather unexpected. It would have been easier to explain if Princess Changcheng had dragged him into it, but instead, he intended to help outsiders fight his own family. What kind of sense did that make?
Xu Kuang had his own reasons:
"Although Baoyue is avoiding me, she and Fourth Lady Xie are close friends. The Twin Boats Literary Contest concerns the very survival of the Capsized Boat Gathering, so Baoyue certainly won't stand aside. If I enter the contest, I can meet Baoyue without difficulty, make her face her own feelings, and discuss a strategy with her. That is my first reason;
For Baoyue's sake, I will help Fourth Lady Xie, even at the cost of offending Changcheng. Undeterred by concerns over my status or the humiliation of defeat, I will resolutely attend. This will show the sincerity of my intentions! The firmness of my resolve! That is my second reason;
Baoyue excels at the zither. Few can rival her exquisite touch and beautiful music. If I can win Xie An's famed zither and present it to Baoyue before everyone, winning a smile from the beauty, then the instrument will find its rightful owner, everyone will know my heart, and the story will spread throughout the world and endure for generations. Would that not be a splendid tale for our times? That is my third reason.
On this visit, I will unleash my brilliance and make my