Wang Wenjie felt a shiver run down his spine under Sheng Wenjin's gaze. He hadn't expected Sheng Wenjin to retaliate so directly. His face turned pale and then red, and he wanted to retort, but couldn't find a suitable reason.
"You...you're talking nonsense! How could I possibly harbor jealousy and deliberately ruin your reputation!" Wang Wenjie stammered.
Sheng Wenjin sneered, ignoring Wang Wenjie, and turned to the crowd, his voice regaining its previous calm: "Gentlemen, I believe that justice resides in the hearts of the people. My poems are the result of years of hard study and deep thought, and are by no means plagiarized. If anyone still has doubts, then I, Sheng, can continue the competition until that person is convinced."
When Sheng Wenjin said these words, he was imposing, as if his whole being was enveloped in a powerful aura.
“Since Young Master Sheng is so confident, then let’s have the competition! Young Master, please tell me what the topic will be next.” Wang Wenjie turned to Si Mingchen, who had been silent to the side, and cupped his hands in greeting.
He simply couldn't believe that Sheng Wenjin, who hadn't prepared at all, could repeatedly defeat him when every poem he wrote was meticulously crafted!
Upon hearing this, Si Mingchen suppressed his dissatisfaction with Wang Wenjie. This Wang Wenjie was too impatient. He had arranged for several people to speak for him, but this guy didn't use them and actually took the initiative to say such a thing.
If he loses all three matches, he will be branded with the reputation of slandering others out of jealousy. If such a reputation reaches the Emperor's ears, he will likely have no future.
Si Mingchen took a deep breath, suppressing his dissatisfaction, and slowly said, "This time, we will compose a poem about a beautiful woman with the theme of 'my younger sister,' within the time limit of one incense stick."
Upon hearing the question, Wang Wenjie's lips curled into a confident smile.
He wrote this "Ode to a Beauty" much better than the previous one. He simply couldn't believe that Sheng Wenjin could win first place again without any preparation.
However, he was disappointed.
Sheng Wenjin's poem this time was still incredibly brilliant, far surpassing his previous works.
Wang Wenjie stared at Sheng Wenjin in disbelief. How could this be? How could this person be so powerful?
He was known as a child prodigy from a young age and was always the center of attention in the Jiangnan region.
Even though his family wasn't wealthy, he never felt inferior. But now, he feels his self-confidence has been severely damaged.
Looking at Wang Wenjie's dejected appearance, Sheng Wenjin said softly, "Young Master Wang, I have a piece of advice for you: there are always people more capable than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding. Don't assume others are incompetent just because you're not. And it's best not to frame others! You're lucky you encountered me today; if it were someone else, have you considered the consequences?"
Before Wang Wenjie could respond after Sheng Wenjin finished speaking, the onlookers began to criticize him.
"Yes! It's only because you are the most talented scholar in Kyoto that you truly deserve the title. If it were someone else, wouldn't you have ruined your reputation? After all, writing poetry requires inspiration."
Even if the previous poem was perfectly written, inspiration is an unpredictable thing; who can guarantee that the next poem they write will be perfect?
"Isn't that right? Young Master Wang, what you did was really unethical! If it were anyone else, you would probably be accused of plagiarism!"
"I think this so-called number one scholar in Jiangnan is nothing special!"
"..."
As the accusations against Wang Wenjie grew louder, his face turned increasingly pale, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.
He had thought victory was assured, but he never expected to end up like this. He had always been seen as a prodigy, and when had he ever suffered such humiliation and accusations?
Wang Wenjie clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his flesh. He tried to argue back, but the words fell on deaf ears.
He knew he had gone too far today. It was all his fault for acting impulsively. He really didn’t expect Sheng Wenjin to be so powerful!
Looking at Wang Wenjie's gloomy face, Si Mingchen thought to himself, "What a hopeless case." He ignored Wang Wenjie; how could such a foolish person possibly benefit his Prince Rui's mansion in the future?
Such a person is not worth his effort.
Thinking of this, Si Mingchen looked at Sheng Wenjin. In fact, if Sheng Wenjin were not Chu Lan's son, he could have focused his attention on Sheng Wenjin, since he was Sheng Lingtian's son.
They felt more at ease using him than using Wang Wenjie.
However, the Chu family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and the Chu clan is also loyal to the Great Yan Kingdom. It is absolutely impossible for them to betray that person.
Therefore, even though Sheng Wenjin is very talented, he cannot use him!
Since it's unusable, let's destroy it!
Having thought this through, Si Mingchen had already made up his mind. However, he remained outwardly calm.
"Since Young Master Sheng is the first place winner of this poetry competition, the prizes are naturally all yours."
"Please take this painting, Young Master Sheng. As for my younger sister, you may refuse if you dislike her, this..."
Although Si Mingchen didn't value Si Rouxue, she was still beautiful and could bring some benefits to the Prince Rui's mansion, so he didn't want to marry Si Rouxue to Sheng Wenjin.
However, before Si Mingchen could finish speaking, Sheng Wenjin said softly:
"Then thank you very much, Your Highness. As the saying goes, a fair maiden is sought after by a gentleman, how could I possibly find fault with her? Now that the poetry gathering is over, I would like to ask Your Highness to send my younger sister to your residence on a chosen day!"
Si Mingchen was slightly taken aback. According to the information he had found, this Sheng Wenjin was not interested in beautiful women and had never had a woman by his side.
Who would have thought he was just a common man! Unable to resist the allure of a beautiful woman!
"In that case, I will send someone to deliver it to you later."
Si Mingchen didn't waste any more words. Although Si Rouxue was somewhat useful, her usefulness was really not that great.
Since he had promised to give her to him as a concubine, he couldn't go back on his word!
Besides, giving Si Rouxue to Sheng Wenjin seems to have some use...
Hehehe...
Thinking of this, Si Mingchen's eyes and brows lit up with a smile.
"Then I shall respectfully comply!"
Sheng Wenjin smiled faintly and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Si Mingchen.
"Then please make yourself at home, Young Master Sheng. I'll get back to my work now!"
"good!"
Besides the poetry competition at the beginning, the poetry gathering also included poetry exchanges among the talented men and women, as well as a luncheon for flower viewing and wine drinking. This is why most young students and unmarried young ladies came.
As soon as Prince Rui left, some bold young ladies came up to chat with Sheng Wenjin. Sheng Wenjin, under the pretext of looking for his younger sister, walked in the direction that Sheng Wanwan and Chu Xinyuan had left.
Wang Wenjie stood in a corner of the pavilion, his surroundings empty, no longer the center of attention he once was.
The people looked at him with disdain...
Wang Wenjie watched Sheng Wenjin's departing figure with a gloomy look in his eyes, his fists clenched tightly.
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