Something she carried!

"Your Lordship, you..."

Hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, the Personal Guard Commander did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Honestly, he had never realized their young lord had such a narcissistic side.

And this was no ordinary narcissism!

The words rolled right off his tongue, without so much as a blush.

Yet the heir's expression was utterly serious.

Jiang Xiaobai naturally noticed the guard's expression. Just as he was about to say something more, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd before he could speak.

"In that case, why not have Miss Li set the theme herself?"

"Then we can compose our poems to suit it!"

At those words, everyone around them paused, then quickly caught on.

"Exactly! An excellent suggestion!"

"Nothing could be better than having Miss Li set the theme herself!"

"Indeed, that would let us see who truly possesses talent and learning!"

Cries of approval rose one after another, lifting the atmosphere to even greater heights.

But the Personal Guard Commander standing beside Jiang Xiaobai immediately paled at the suggestion.

"This is bad!"

The guard lowered his voice and said to Jiang Xiaobai, "Your Lordship, if they set the theme on the spot, those three poems you memorized probably won't work!"

Composing poetry to a set theme required the poem's mood and meaning to match!

No matter how well it was written, if it had nothing to do with the theme, it would only draw jeers from everyone present.

The humiliation would be even worse then.

Yet Jiang Xiaobai merely smiled faintly at his concern. "No matter!"

Those simple words left the commander momentarily stunned, his expression full of surprise.

Ultimately, they had gone out of their way to find those three poems only to keep Jiang Xiaobai from being too embarrassed at the Poetry Gathering.

They had worried he would find it impossible to stay in a place like this.

Now, as long as Jiang Xiaobai himself could stomach it, there was no problem.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

When Li Zhiwei heard everyone's suggestion, a faint ripple passed through her water-clear eyes.

After considering it for a moment, Li Zhiwei seemed to think of something. She tilted her head slightly and murmured a few words to the maid beside her.

The maid smiled sweetly after listening, swept her gaze over the crowd, and announced in a clear voice, "My lady says!"

"Poetry is not merely for depicting scenery or praising objects. It can also reveal a person's heart and aspirations!"

"Tonight, please take... strength of character as your theme, and display your talents. Either verse or lyrics will do!"

As the maid's voice faded, many of those present looked slightly taken aback.

Strength of character?

This was no easy theme.

After all, those words could not be compared to the usual flowers, moonlight, and scenery.

To write something outstanding required more than literary talent. One also needed spirit in one's breast and breadth of vision in one's heart.

For a moment, the previously lively garden grew somewhat quieter instead.

Many people lowered their heads and began pondering in silence.

Just then, a rather jarring voice suddenly rang out. "Forgive my asking, but is there a prize for the best composition?"

The voice was not loud, yet at that moment it carried with exceptional clarity.

Almost instantly, it drew everyone's eyes.

When they saw that the speaker was Jiang Xiaobai, their expressions became quite a sight.

Some were astonished.

Others were disdainful, and there was no shortage of undisguised contempt.

"A wastrel through and through!"

"He opens his mouth and asks about a prize. How utterly mercenary!"

"At an occasion like this, everyone else is thinking about composing a poem to make their name. But he asks about the reward first!"

"Insufferably vulgar!"

Low murmurs rose around them once more.

Clearly, in their eyes, having Li Zhiwei personally critique their work, or even declare it the best, was already an immense honor.

Others could beg for such an opportunity and never receive it. Why would they care about any additional prize?

Yet the moment Jiang Xiaobai opened his mouth, he laid bare the face of a vulgar, mercenary wastrel.

Jiang Xiaobai, however, seemed entirely oblivious as he continued standing there with a calm expression.

The maid was clearly surprised as well. Looking at Jiang Xiaobai, she smiled again and asked, "Then may I ask... Heir Jiang, what prize would you like?"

"Well..."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled lightly, his gaze passing over the crowd to settle on the lovely figure in moon-white not far away.

Only then did he drawl, "I ask for nothing else. If I truly take first place..."

"I only ask that Miss Li personally give me... something she carries with her!"

At those words.

Everyone present froze.

Then many of their expressions turned furious.

Something she carries with her?

How did this dog have the nerve to say such a thing?

Even the maid visibly froze, her eyes widening as she stared at Jiang Xiaobai in disbelief.

The Personal Guard Commander beside Jiang Xiaobai felt his eyelid twitch violently.

Good grief!

Wasn't their young lord far too bold?

He actually dared make such a frivolous remark in front of all these people?

But before anyone could recover.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled again and leisurely added, "For instance..."

"A piece of calligraphy in her own hand."

"Or a page of her handwritten work!"

"That would make this trip worthwhile!"

"..."

As he finished the latter half of his remark.

Those whose minds had already wandered astray suddenly looked rather embarrassed.

Several young gentlemen whose faces had darkened just moments ago even felt the corners of their mouths twitch.

After all that...

That was what he meant?

The maid quickly caught on as well.

She promptly burst into a giggle.

Clearly.

She, too, had realized that the first half of Jiang Xiaobai's remark had deliberately invited misunderstanding.

Still, with that final turn, it could hardly be called discourteous.

Instead, it held a touch of cleverness and humor.

Even beneath Li Zhiwei's veil, an exceedingly faint smile flickered across her face, which had been as still as water.

But the smile was so slight that she herself seemed not to have noticed it.

The maid spoke with a bright smile. "If Heir Jiang truly composes tonight's finest poem, my lady would certainly be willing to write a piece of calligraphy for him herself!"

At her words.

A gleam appeared in many eyes.

The prize might not be gold or silver, but if they could truly obtain a piece of calligraphy in Li Zhiwei's own hand.

Its value... would likely far exceed that of an ordinary reward.

After all, this would be far more than a mere piece of writing.

Behind it lay Li Zhiwei's recognition.

To some extent, it would even represent the prestige of the Chancellor's Residence.

At that thought, the looks in many people's eyes grew increasingly earnest.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly and cupped his hands. "Then it's a promise!"

With that, he raised his head and looked toward Li Zhiwei again.

At that very moment.

Li Zhiwei's eyes, clear as autumn waters, happened to glance his way as well.

Their gazes met briefly.

A faint flutter stirred in Jiang Xiaobai's heart.

Li Zhiwei quickly looked away, her expression as calm as ever.

Only her slightly lowered lashes seemed to tremble ever so gently...