Chapter 7: Ye Xun's Poem Shocks Shangguan Yunqing—The Poem Is Innocent

Under the oppressive authority of Ye Xun and Wang Cai, the officials of the Ministry of Rites rushed up to the top floor of Qujiang Pavilion. Upon entering the room, an official bowed respectfully beside Ye Lantian and hurriedly reported, “Your Majesty, Prince Qin refuses to leave. He said the people may stay, but the reward money... the reward money must be given to him.”

Hearing this, Ye Lantian slammed his fist on the table, his fury igniting. “Not leaving?!” he roared. “Does this rebellious son truly intend to defy heaven? Does he think that by composing a few poems, he can act as he pleases before me? I—”

Ye Lantian cursed angrily, turning to scan the room for something to vent his rage upon. Normally, he was not one to lose his temper easily, but Ye Xun’s betrayal cut too deeply; just the mention of him made his blood boil.

Seeing this, Wei Wuji grasped Ye Lantian’s arm to calm him. “Your Majesty, there’s no need to be so angry. Didn’t Prince Qin say he wouldn’t take the people away?”

“You only give the Prince Qin Mansion one tael of silver monthly. That’s not enough to support both the prince and his servants, let alone feed Wang Cai,” Wei Wuji continued. “You know how much Wang Cai eats...”

At these words, Ye Lantian’s anger subsided. He lowered his gaze and sat down on a mat, suddenly remembering the beastly Wang Cai. The great beast, fierce and ravenous, probably consumed dozens of pounds of meat each day. Supporting the vast Prince Qin Mansion with just one tael was indeed difficult. Ye Lantian’s stinginess was meant as a form of punishment.

After a moment, Ye Lantian waved his hand, his face weary and reflective. “Enough, enough. That rebellious son only wants the reward money? Give it to him. After all, he cannot take the people away.”

At that moment, a strange sadness welled in Ye Lantian’s heart. Such a promising crown prince had fallen so low.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Ministry official responded, then turned and left the pavilion.

Ye Lantian looked at Wei Wuji and sighed. “Today’s literary contest is meaningless now. It’s only unfortunate for Yunqing.”

“Heh...” Wei Wuji smiled wryly. “Your Majesty needn’t blame yourself. It’s better to let things run their course. Yunqing is a talented lady of Great Xia and surely has her own thoughts. Perhaps this failed marriage is a blessing in disguise.”

“Let’s hope so,” Ye Lantian said, rising and shaking his head slightly. “Come, we shall return to the palace and leave the rest to the Ministry of Rites.”

With that, Ye Lantian stepped outside.

***

Meanwhile, the maid Lian’er, clutching four poems, skipped happily as she pushed open the door.

“Miss, it’s incredible, incredible... Guess who took first place in the literary contest?”

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yunqing lifted her pale face and softly said, “Besides the King of Wu and Su Jin, who else could have the talent to take first place?”

“Could it be that Su Jin won?” Lian’er pouted but shook her head. “No, not Su, the great talent.”

Hearing this, Shangguan Yunqing’s beautiful eyes flickered and her heart sank—her worst fears had come true.

“Ah...” Shangguan Yunqing sighed. “I never thought it would really be the King of Wu.”

A wave of despair rose in her heart.

Lian’er shook her head again. “Not the King of Wu either...”

At this, Shangguan Yunqing raised her eyebrows in surprise, her clear eyes shimmering like autumn water as she asked, “Then who is it?”

Lian’er placed the four poems on the desk with a smile. “Prince Qin, Ye Xun.”

Prince Qin? Ye Xun?

Shangguan Yunqing stared at Lian’er in disbelief. Impossible. It couldn’t be. Ye Xun was notorious throughout the capital for his debauchery and lack of talent. There was no way he could have taken first place!

No matter how much she wanted to believe it, she could not.

Seeing her astonishment, Lian’er pointed at the poems. “Miss, if you don’t believe me, take a look. These four poems were all written by Prince Qin himself.”

At this, Shangguan Yunqing snatched up the poems.

“Several plum branches in the corner, ...”

“Spring arrives, the orchid shoots grow especially long, ...”

“Firmly clinging to the green mountain, unwilling to let go, ...”

“The old garden’s three paths emit quiet clusters...”

One by one, Shangguan Yunqing studied the four poems on plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. Her expression shifted from disbelief to awe.

She had always prided herself on her unparalleled talent, confident she could match any scholar in Great Xia, including Ye Tao and Su Jin. Yet, before Ye Xun’s compositions, her own works seemed childish and immature.

She could not understand how someone like Ye Xun, given his character and background, could have composed such profound, thought-provoking verses.

After a moment, some color returned to Shangguan Yunqing’s face as she asked, “Your Majesty... what did the Emperor say?”

Lian’er’s face lit up. “The Emperor suspects the origin of Prince Qin’s poems and has declared the contest invalid. Your marriage is now canceled.”

Marriage canceled!!!

Hearing these words, a great weight lifted from Shangguan Yunqing’s heart.

No matter how much she had planned, she had never expected that, in the end, it would be Ye Xun who saved her.

“Miss, do you think these poems were really written by Prince Qin?” Lian’er pouted, glancing at the four poems with a slight frown.

“Certainly...” Shangguan Yunqing began, then swallowed her words and added, “I can’t say for sure. Even the greatest scholars cannot compose four masterpieces in such a short time.”

“Moreover, in recent years, Great Xia has struggled to produce outstanding works in the literary contests against neighboring countries.”

“Compared to Dayu, our scholars are rather weak.”

Thinking of this, Shangguan Yunqing sighed inwardly. Great Xia had finished last in the literary contests for three consecutive years, a devastating blow to its cultural development.

Lian’er nodded slightly, though she barely understood the politics between nations. As a mere maid, such matters were beyond her grasp.

Though Shangguan Yunqing herself was unsure whether Ye Xun truly composed these poems or had a master guiding him, she felt indebted to him.

After all, if not for Ye Xun, she would not have regained her freedom.

Though Ye Xun’s reputation was poor, Shangguan Yunqing had her principles: since he had helped her once, she would repay this favor in time.

After a pause, she exhaled deeply and stood.

“Lian’er, since this no longer concerns us, let’s return to the residence.”

In the past, Shangguan Yunqing had loved attending the literary contest, but today she wished to leave at once.

“Very well, Miss,” Lian’er replied, supporting Shangguan Yunqing as they left the room.

After a few steps, Shangguan Yunqing stopped and turned back to carefully roll up the four poems on the desk, slipping them into her sleeve.

No matter Ye Xun’s faults, the poetry was innocent.