Emperor An was satisfied with Su Mowu's reaction, then turned back to stare at Jing Zhe.

Are you satisfied now?

"Satisfied."

Jing Zhe nodded, somewhat surprised. It turned out that sending a prefect to eat a boxed lunch was such a simple matter. It seemed that power was indeed a good thing.

The scholars below were horrified upon hearing this.

This whole scene was originally intended to be a pretext for Jing Zhe to get back at Wu Yong. Not only did he succeed, but Emperor An even personally asked him if he was "satisfied," making his intention to curry favor all too obvious.

It's as if we've spotted a rising star, something to be both envied and astonished.

Chen Jiannan was deeply distressed by this. Why were the people he hated getting stronger and stronger? How was he supposed to live?

Zhu Xinning had already finished writing four poems and was staring intently at Jing Zhe, her mind filled with images from her childhood. A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips, almost making the person peeking at her lose their soul.

Only Su Mowu and Su Xinping looked at Jing Zhe with hatred and anger, as if they were thinking about how to get back at him next.

At this point, Emperor Andi continued.

"Can I write poetry now?"

"That's fine."

"I'm not drinking strong liquor anymore."

"I'm not drinking anymore."

After saying that, Jing Zhe added, "I was originally going to drink, but this situation suddenly inspired me. Besides, the poems written by the Third Prince of Southern Qi are just so-so. I can write better poems than him even without drinking strong liquor!"

Qi Junguang: "..."

Andi smiled and said: "Sometimes this guy's words are quite pleasant to hear."

Jing Zhe's words really whetted everyone's appetite. Even Wang Yingqiu couldn't resist and stepped forward, saying with a smile, "Since Young Master Jing has already had an inspiration, why not write it down so that we can all appreciate it!"

"Yes, owner!"

Wang Yingqiu: "..."

...

Jing Zhe came to Qi Junguang's side and imitated his movements, shaking his head and swaying his body, which annoyed Qi Junguang.

"Hey, are you going to write or not?"

"Write it, why are you rushing me?"

"If you can't write it, just say so. Stop playing tricks!"

Seeing Qi Junguang's exasperation, Jing Zhe was not angry at all, but rather a little gloating: "It's not that I can't write, but that I have too many things to write about, and I don't know which one to choose!"

With just one sentence, Qi Junguang was completely cornered.

"If you have a lot of thoughts, you can write them all down. It won't make a difference if you take a little more time."

Zhu Xinning looked at Jing Zhe with gentle and warm eyes, her voice light and melodious, completely different from her cold and aloof demeanor just now. The talented men below were both envious and curious.

Only those who knew the inside story, such as Emperor An and Bai Qingyuan, were not surprised at all. After all, they were siblings who had not seen each other for more than ten years, and their behavior was already very reserved.

While Qi Junguang greedily admired Zhu Xinning, he also felt a little jealous and dissatisfied: "Zhu Sheren, is that right? Why didn't you say you could write a few poems when I was composing them earlier?"

That's because—

Zhu Xinning glanced at him, then looked away from Jing Zhe, her gaze returning to its previous coldness. "You can't write it!"

"..."

"If you can write it, then write another one!"

Qi Junguang was speechless. He wanted to shout, "I can still write!" but the reality was that he really couldn't write anymore, at least not a poem that could compare to the one he had just written. Writing more would only lower his status.

I had no choice but to keep quiet.

Jing Zhe also noticed Zhu Xinning's gentleness, which was full of childhood memories. So he made a funny face at her that he used to make when he was a child. The imposing aura that Zhu Xinning had just put on was instantly broken.

Her smile was as beautiful as a flower, and she was stunningly beautiful.

The surrounding scholars were completely mesmerized, but a few of the more discerning individuals noticed something amiss: why was Zhu Sheren looking at Young Master Jing with such strange eyes…

Chen Jiannan, in particular, was consumed by jealousy upon seeing this scene.

...

Second Sister is still the same Second Sister, unchanged.

Jing Zhe looked away and thought about it, then felt that his previous thoughts were a bit naive. How could his second sister treat him like a nobody?

But since we're already here, the most important thing is to write the poem first!

So he took a step forward and suddenly reached out:

"Bring the wine!"

Wang Yingqiu gave a wink to the servant standing to the side, who immediately brought over a pot of wine and poured a cup for Jing Zhe.

Jing Zhe did not drink, but instead raised his cup to the sky and pondered:

"A pot of wine among the flowers, I drink alone without a companion."

I raise my cup to invite the bright moon, and with my shadow, we become three.

The moon cannot drink, and my shadow merely follows me.

Let us keep company with the moon and its shadow for now, and enjoy ourselves while spring lasts.

My song lingers in the moonlight, my dance leaves my shadow scattered.

When we are awake, we revel together; when we are drunk, we go our separate ways.

Let us forever roam freely, unburdened by worldly desires, and meet again in the distant Milky Way.

"What a beautiful poem!"

Emperor An shouted!

"As expected of Young Master Akun!"

"It's not unreasonable for this poem to win first place, is it?"

"It's absolutely not going too far! Young Master Jing is a man of great talent, a blessing to the nation!"

"What third prince of Southern Qi, can he compare to Young Master Jing?"

"..."

As soon as Jing Zhe finished reading, Emperor An took the lead in cheering, and the other talented scholars also spared no praise, showering him with compliments.

Although scholars may be jealous of each other, no one can help but admire absolute strength.

Emperor An's expression finally brightened, while Qi Junguang's face darkened, as did Su Mowu, Su Xinping, and others, all with furrowed brows in a corner unseen by others.

"Grand Tutor Bai, Grand Scholar Song, please offer your comments!"

"Your Majesty, it seems there is no need for further comment. This poem surpasses all others in terms of its imagery, rhyme, and fluency!"

"The poem seems to describe a lively scene at the end, saying 'three people in the shadow,' but I believe that the so-called three people are just Master Jing himself. Inviting the moon and his shadow to join him in the fun only makes him seem more lonely. It is indeed a rare masterpiece! But I don't understand why Master Jing, at such a young age, can write such insightful verses?"

Bai Qingyuan and Song Baiyun's comments were too obvious; the outcome of the first match was already decided.

Meanwhile, Zhu Xinning was writing furiously, her eyes shining brightly: she never imagined that the little boy she used to scold so often would have such poetic talent!

She had always loved poetry, and she was overjoyed to discover that her younger brother was the one who could write such beautiful poems!

Wang Yingqiu walked to the judges' table next to Zhu Xinning, communicated with the three of them, and then consulted with Emperor An before stepping forward to the crowd.

Nodding to Jing Zhe, then smiling at everyone, Yingqiu said, "Young Master Jing has finished his poem. Whether it's good or bad, Yingqiu thinks everyone already has their own opinion. Next, Yingqiu will announce the results of the advancement!"

"Wait!"

Wang Yingqiu was about to continue when she was interrupted.

Looking up at Jing Zhe beside him, he felt somewhat helpless:

Brother, we've already won, what are you doing now?

"Suddenly, inspiration struck. One poem doesn't seem enough, so I'll write another one!"

"..."

————