Chapter Fifty: Helping Her Out of a Dilemma
These words caused an uproar among the audience.
"What? It's plagiarism?"
"No wonder you were able to match it so perfectly; you were prepared in advance!"
"Plagiarism is shameful! It's a waste that Young Master Su praised her so highly!"
"What despicable character! You've brought shame upon the Song family!"
Song Sangyu also feigned heartache and said:
"Sister, how...how could you do this? Even if you can't match it, you shouldn't plagiarize..."
Facing widespread condemnation, Song Yiqiu calmly put down her wine glass and looked at Su Xinjiu:
"Young Master Su, I forgot to ask earlier, where did the first line of your couplet come from, 'Bamboo has no heart, yet branches and leaves grow beyond its joints'? Did you compose it on the spot?"
The onlookers immediately defended Su Xinjiu:
"Of course, it's what Young Master Su himself thought!"
"Young Master Su is exceptionally talented; how could he plagiarize like someone else!"
"Exactly! Only people with bad character would think of plagiarism!"
Su Xinjiu smiled and said frankly:
"You've all misunderstood. This first line is indeed not my original work. To be honest, I recently came across half of a fragment in a miscellaneous book, found it ingenious, and wrote it down. Today, on a whim, I casually changed one or two words to use in a drinking game, hoping to test everyone."
Upon hearing this, Song Yiqiu smiled knowingly.
"Is that book of miscellaneous notes called 'Miscellaneous Notes on the Customs and Traditions of Longnan'?"
Su Xinjiu was taken aback:
"It is this book! How did Miss Song find out?"
Song Yiqiu nodded, her voice carrying clearly throughout the room:
"The Miscellaneous Records of Longnan Customs and Traditions is a collection of anecdotes and stories from various places compiled by folk booksellers. The poems and folk songs in it are mostly collected from works that are circulated among the locals and do not indicate the specific authors."
"Coincidentally, the half-couplet that Young Master Su just revised, and the complete poem that Miss Ruan wrote in her book..."
She spoke slowly, as if it were none of her business:
"It was seven years ago when I was stationed in the southern border region. During a post-snow patrol, I saw plum blossoms reflected in the snow outside the tent. I was moved and spontaneously composed this poem."
"Only a few guards heard it at the time, and somehow it got out and was even included in a miscellaneous record. If you don't believe me,"
She stood up and calmly recited the entire poem:
"The cold wind chills through the iron armor, and a lone branch leans in the distance as I patrol the camp."
Bamboo has no heart, yet branches grow beyond its joints; plum blossoms, though slender, are pure and elegant, like snow covering China.
A solitary flower fears neither the harshness of ice and frost, its heart and soul forever shining like the sun and moon.
Do not say that the border is only desolate wilderness; spring's tidings first arrive at the soldiers' homes.
As the poetry ended, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.
Is it really true? This poem, so powerful and imbued with the spirit of frontier warriors and the integrity of scholars, was actually written by Song Yiqiu?!
Su Xinjiu's eyes shone even brighter, and his gaze toward Song Yiqiu was almost one of adoration.
However, some people are stubborn and refuse to admit it.
Ruan Jiawen's face turned deathly pale, but she still stubbornly argued:
"...This, this doesn't completely prove that you wrote it. Maybe you've already read this poem and memorized it!"
"Exactly, who knows if you wrote it? Who can prove it?"
"Words are meaningless; who can truly know what's going on on the frontier?"
"Maybe it was just a coincidence..."
Just as everyone was beginning to doubt Song Yiqiu's explanation, a clear female voice suddenly rang out from the edge of the crowd:
“Ms. Song’s words are all true. This poem is indeed her work. I can testify to that.”
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman with a scholarly and heroic air about her strode out.
She was not exceptionally beautiful, but she possessed a composed demeanor. She was Wang Feiran, the daughter of Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of War.
She walked to the center of the room, first giving Song Yiqiu a slight nod, then facing the crowd and speaking clearly:
“I, Wang Feiran, have never met Miss Song before, and this is our first meeting. But I have heard my father mention many times that Miss Song is a rare talent, one in a hundred years.”
“My father once said that in the past hundred years, apart from General Shen, the Marquis of Yongjia, there is only General Song Yiqiu today who is both literate and martial.”
“My father has even exclaimed more than once that General Song is simply a carbon copy of Marquis Yongjia, and even… surpasses his master.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the previously aggressive noblewomen.
"Out of curiosity, I specially sought out some of General Song's poems that circulated in the army to read, including the poem I just mentioned, 'Seeing Plum Blossoms While Inspecting the Camp'."
"Since we are here today, I cannot bear to see a pearl tarnished and a hero humiliated. Therefore, I speak out to clarify the facts and prevent General Song from suffering an unjust injustice."
Looking at the righteous young woman, Song Yiqiu realized she was the person she was looking for. A look of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she smiled and nodded to her in thanks.
Wang Feiran smiled in response, then turned her gaze back to the direction of the previous dispute over the legitimate and illegitimate children:
"General Song's remarks about the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children resonated deeply with me."
“I, Wang Feiran, am also born out of wedlock in my family. Fortunately, my father, stepmother, and elder sister treat me very well and allow me to study and practice martial arts like my elder sister, so that I can understand the ways of the world.”
"It is clear that a person's worth is not determined by their birth, but by their character and actions. Some people have no achievements of their own, but instead have developed a pair of snobbish eyes that look down on others."
She didn't name names, but the ladies who had just mocked Ruan Tianxin and Song Yiqiu felt a burning sensation on their faces. They all lowered their heads or looked away, and no one dared to utter a word in rebuttal.
Vice Minister Wang of the Ministry of War was a senior official who enjoyed the emperor's favor and had extremely high prestige. Even the crown prince had to give him some face.
Although Miss Wang Feiran was born out of wedlock, no one dared to underestimate her.
She offered brilliant strategies to Vice Minister Wang on several occasions when he was handling military affairs, indirectly helping the court win three key battles. Even the emperor himself praised her, saying, "A daughter should be like Wang Feiran." She was incredibly famous for a time.
When Song Yiqiu's third brother, Song Haochu, saw Wang Feiran appear, his eyes began to dart away, and his expression became extremely unnatural.
Wang Feiran, however, walked straight up to him with a graceful demeanor and smiled slightly:
"Brother Haochu, it's been a long time."
Third Brother Song Haochu seemed to have been burned, abruptly taking half a step back, his face extremely embarrassed, and stammering:
"Fei, Fei Ran, little sister... Yes, yes, it's been a long time... I, I have some friends over there, please excuse me for a moment!"
After saying that, he almost fled in a panic, quickly slipping away with a clumsy excuse.
Song Yiqiu watched this scene from the side, her brows furrowing involuntarily.
She couldn't understand how a radiant woman like Wang Feiran could be involved with her blind and heartless third brother, let alone... even seem to have feelings for him.
She picked up a glass of wine, walked towards Wang Feiran, and said sincerely:
"Miss Wang, thank you for speaking up and helping me out of this predicament today."
Wang Feiran accepted the wine offered by the maid, lightly touched it with Song Yiqiu's glass, and looked at her with an open and honest gaze:
"No need for thanks. Song Yiqiu, I have heard of your name before, but to finally meet you in person today is truly a case of seeing is believing. I have never seen such a handsome and powerful general before."
She took a sip of her wine.
“I heard from my father that in another month, His Majesty will issue an edict granting you permission to inherit the title. ‘Marquis of Yongjia’... This title suits you very well.”
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