Chapter 47-Part 1

When Tian Ying saw Young Master Jiang’s sudden change of expression, her smile deepened.

Even if he was currently favored by the crown prince, so what?

This act of secretly buying poems with gold was truly shameful! Even his own father wouldn’t have the face to listen to it. Would he complain to the crown prince for being swindled while buying a poem?

Tian Ying was certain that Young Master Jiang would suffer in silence, so her smile became even more enchanting. Her long-held gloomy mood brightened considerably.

The servant beating the drum had been pre-informed by her uncle, so in a while, he would ensure that Jiang Herun would lose face in front of the distinguished scholars and gentry of Luo’an City!

By then, the crown prince, who always valued talent and learning, would also see his true colors and reconsider his favor!

Sure enough, after Tian Ying finished reciting her poem, the game of passing the flower resumed. Soon, the flower was passed to Young Master Jiang, and the drumming ceased.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the elegant young man. He glared coldly at Tian Ji but then slowly straightened up, looking as if he were about to recite a poem.

Among the crowd, besides the crown prince, Master Mufeng knew Jiang Herun’s literary abilities the best.

His student was not skilled at composing poetry. To save face, he had even written a reminder on Jiang Herun’s invitation, urging him to prepare in advance.

But seeing his beloved student’s hesitant movements now, it didn’t seem like he was well-prepared. Could it be… he didn’t prepare at all? Master Mufeng was exasperated.

As for the crown prince, he was also annoyed by Jiang Xiurun’s expression of utter despair.

What was most infuriating about this pretentious scoundrel was not his lies but his unyielding nature!

Initially, he thought this was a flattering, soft-boned woman. Now, after careful consideration, he realizes this girl never truly relied on him.

Today, in the carriage, she almost bit off a brush rather than ask him for help with a poem, showing how stubborn she was!

Feng Liwu, infuriated by her, decided to stand by and watch what she would do.

Unexpectedly, she was clever enough to secretly buy a poem. Feng Liwu had witnessed her exchanging gold for the poem under the eaves but didn’t bother to expose her, nor did he interrupt her desperate memorization session.

Buying a poem was better than losing the crown prince mansion’s face in front of others.

However, when Tian Ying recited her poem, Young Master Jiang’s expression drastically changed…. The fierce glare was far from the gentle demeanor of a lady!

Feng Liwu listened to Tian Ying recite the poem he had overheard under the eaves, and his gaze towards the girl became profound.

If he hadn’t overheard Jiang Xiurun’s memorization, he would have been kept in the dark, letting his tutor suffer in silence!

He had thought Tian Ying was sensible and obedient, but now he saw she was as foolish as Cao Xi!

At this point, his tutor was bound to be embarrassed. Feng Liwu didn’t want to see Jiang Xiurun standing there awkwardly, so he pondered whether to feign a headache and let Jiang Xiurun help him leave.

Just then, Jiang Xiurun began to recite a poem.

Her deliberately lowered voice was indistinguishable in gender, but her Bo accent had noticeably softened, and her Qi dialect was pronounced clearly, making it pleasant to the ear.

The poem she recited was in an ancient style, skillfully linking current events to advise those in power through historical allusions.

Though the poem was short, it referenced four historical events and was beautifully written, showcasing the poet’s depth—a rare masterpiece.

When Jiang Xiurun finished reciting, some people were still pondering the poem’s meaning. Seeing the scribe beside him struggling to keep up, Jiang Xiurun took the brush and wrote the poem on silk for everyone to see.

But one person was stunned—Tian Ying, who had been so smug earlier.

Because the poem Jiang Xiurui recited with such flair…. was the one she had prepared!

Tian Ying had carefully prepared to cater to Feng Liwu’s preferences.

Knowing he wasn’t interested in women, she knew seduction wouldn’t win the crown prince’s favor.

So before the tea gathering, she had spent a fortune to commission a poem and memorized it.

Books were rare and precious, with most families unable to produce such talented poets.

Tian Ying’s careful preparation was meant to establish her reputation as a talented woman.

To preemptively shame Jiang Xiurun, she hadn’t recited her own poem, but one she knew Jiang Xiurun had bought.

She had planned to recite her own poem later, making her talent seem even more impressive, but Jiang Xiurun’s unexpected recitation had ruined her plan.