Zhu Yunwen did not pay much attention to these unfriendly looks.
After being led to a seat by Li Sanxia, Zhu Yunwen looked calmly at the plum blossoms beside him.
Nearby, many scholars and intellectuals wore strange expressions. One of the scholars closest to Zhu Yunwen gave a faint snort and said:
Suddenly, I feel uncomfortable sitting in this position. Perhaps something external is affecting me?
These words were clearly directed at Zhu Yuntong, and Zhu Yuntong frowned slightly.
He knew that he would be targeted when he came to this place today, but he did not expect to be targeted by these literary talents as soon as he arrived.
This puzzled him. Even if his original owner's reputation wasn't good, it shouldn't have spread to the general public and become known to everyone, right?
So why did some scholars immediately start targeting me as soon as I mentioned it?
The only explanation is that before I arrived, the Minister of Rites or some other person with ulterior motives had already deliberately spread rumors about my incompetence.
Faced with this situation, Zhu Yunwen naturally had to retaliate; otherwise, what would be the purpose of his visit?
Surely it's not just that they're here to cooperate with the Minister of Rites and make their own bad reputation more convincing, is it?
So Zhu Yunwen turned his head to look at the talented scholar who had spoken, and then said in a calm tone:
"Indeed, some people might have bad breath. After all, I could smell it as soon as I sat down."
As he spoke, he gently fanned himself, and his words instantly made everyone understand.
The scholar who had previously mocked Zhu Yunwen immediately turned pale. Wasn't Zhu Yunwen making it clear that he had a foul mouth?
Seeing that this talented young man had suffered a loss, another man in a blue robe hesitated for a moment, then stood up and casually bowed to Zhu Yunwen, saying:
"You must be His Highness the Third Prince. I've heard that His Highness has a bad reputation. But seeing you today, you seem to be a little different from what I've heard."
He only said it was a little different from what was rumored.
This means that Zhu Yunwen is still largely as rumored.
So Zhu Yuntong said:
"Then, what is the rumored version of me like?"
The man from the green hills smiled and said:
"I can't really comment on that, but I've heard quite a few rumors. They say that His Highness the Third Prince is very shallow in his learning and has a volatile and extreme temper. Of course, these are just rumors, so please don't take offense, His Highness the Third Prince."
Zhu Yunwen smiled slightly and said, "Of course not. Everyone here is a learned person, and I don't think you would just parrot what others say or believe everything you hear. I have a lot of faith in your character."
As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of several scholars and intellectuals turned ugly.
It sounds as if Zhu Yunwen is praising them.
In reality, they were exactly the kind of people Zhu Yunwen was talking about.
By negating the issue, it affirmed that everyone present was the type to simply parrot what others said.
Clearly, this counterattack put the scholars and intellectuals present at a disadvantage from the root.
After all, from the beginning, Zhu Yunwen guessed that these scholars and literati probably had no idea of his reputation. Someone must have told them, so he took the opportunity to say that they were the kind of people who just parrot what others said.
If, in the future, someone starts talking about the rumors surrounding Zhu Yunwen, then that means he has admitted it.
Seeing that his attacks were losing ground after several rounds, Li Sanxia, the son of the Minister of Rites, also looked rather grim.
He then stepped forward, smiling, and said:
"Indeed, some rumors from the outside world are just hearsay and not to be believed. As for the truth, we will know once we get to know His Highness the Third Prince."
How about this: today is the Hundred Flowers Gathering organized by my father. This Hundred Flowers Gathering is divided into two rounds: we young people are in one round, and the learned elders behind us are in the other round.
When I went to fetch them some good tea, I overheard them reciting poetry. As young scholars and intellectuals in this capital, we should naturally join in this refined pursuit.
Upon hearing this, the scholars and writers all nodded in agreement.
The twenty-odd young ladies opposite them immediately became interested as well. Watching scholars and literati compose poems and couplets was always something these young ladies enjoyed.
If one can produce a good poem, it can become a topic of conversation within the circle.
Especially at such poetry gatherings, if a talented scholar were to compose a poem specifically for a particular family member, it might become a popular topic of conversation.
If a woman were to receive a poem, considered excellent, written for her by a talented scholar, her fame would spread throughout the capital.
This was definitely a good way to become famous in ancient times. In ancient times, producing a good poem was probably not much different from producing a phenomenal song in later generations.
However, Zhu Yunwen knew that this was clearly aimed at him again.
He said that the rumors were not true and that everyone should get to know Zhu Yunwen better. At this time, he proposed to write a poem.
It's obvious they want Zhu Yunwen to demonstrate his talent in public; if he is talented, they will have nothing to say.
If not, then they have no good writing skills, and that would obviously be falling right into a trap.
The talented men present will surely spread rumors and damage Zhu Yunwen's reputation.
Since Li Sanxia had brought up the topic, he then took the initiative to say:
"Then I will start with a poem to set the stage."
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
