Volume One, Chapter Five: The Peerless Poet, Favored by the Princess!

Wang Caiwei listened to Qin Bao's poem, and a radiant smile blossomed across her enchanting face. That smile was like a hundred flowers bursting into bloom.

She glanced at Wu Xian and sneered with disdain. Such a man, so hostile to his own homeland, was unworthy of representing Liang at the Four Kingdoms Literary Gathering. Qin Bao was the most suitable candidate. Her judgment had indeed been sound. If her position weren’t so delicate, she would have been tempted to declare aloud that she was the one who discovered Qin Bao.

Wu Xian’s expression grew darker than ever. He hadn’t expected Qin Bao’s first two lines to be so outstanding. He racked his brain, searching for any renowned young talent in Liang named Qin Bao, but found nothing—the man was a complete unknown. Surely, he’d only been lucky, struck by a fleeting inspiration for a good line; the rest would surely be inferior.

He was confident he wouldn't lose.

Clinging to hope, Wu Xian urged, “Qin Bao, your poem isn’t finished yet. What are you so pleased about?”

Qin Bao merely smiled and continued, “The final couplet: ‘The scent’s assault soars to the capital’s heights, the city awash in golden armor’s light.’”

“Well written!” someone in the crowd immediately responded.

“‘Ode to the Chrysanthemum’ is grand in spirit and profound in meaning—a rare and exceptional poem, far superior to some others.”

“It’s not just good—it’s leagues ahead.”

Praise resounded throughout. The scholars of Liang exhaled a long-held breath, gazing at Wu Xian with mocking eyes. Some even openly taunted him.

Wu Xian’s face twitched, his eyes growing ever darker.

“My flower blooms, and all others wither! Its scent assaults the capital’s heights!” What a murderous air! Yet as he mulled over the lines, a trace of horror appeared on his face. He snorted, “You ignorant boy! How dare you claim the scent assaults the capital and the city is clad in golden armor? Are you plotting to attack the Celestial Empire? You’ve got some nerve!”

Qin Bao replied, “Whether I’m bold or not is none of your concern. Tell me, what do you think of my poem?”

Wu Xian stammered for a long while before finally muttering, “You win.”

Qin Bao waved him off. “Then get lost!”

Unwilling to admit defeat, Wu Xian said in a low voice, “It’s just one poem. That’s not decisive. Among the four noble plants—plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—let’s compete again, this time with bamboo as the theme.”

But Qin Bao didn’t agree. Instead, he turned to the scholars of Liang around him and called out, “Gentlemen, has anyone among you ever refused to honor your loss in a literary contest?”

“No!” a chorus of voices replied from the crowd.

Qin Bao shot Wu Xian a mocking glance and said, “Yet here’s someone who can’t accept defeat and refuses to admit it.”

“He can’t take it! He can’t take it!” The scholars of Liang shouted with excitement, their voices echoing in Wu Xian’s ears, making his skin crawl and his heart ache.

But Wu Xian could not retreat.

He represented the Prince of Loyalty and the Retired Emperor—he had to win.

Ignoring the jeers, Wu Xian challenged, “How do we know your ‘Ode to the Chrysanthemum’ isn’t plagiarized, or picked up along the way? If you want me to be convinced, you must compete with another poem.”

Qin Bao remained unruffled. “You refuse your defeat and accuse me of plagiarism. If you force another contest and I lose, it would only confirm your accusation. Quite the schemer, aren’t you?”

Wu Xian pressed him, “Are you afraid?”

Qin Bao retorted, “Whether I’m afraid doesn’t depend on me, but on you. If you lose, you must pay the price. Otherwise, there’s nothing to discuss!”

Wu Xian, already reckless with desperation, demanded, “What price?”

Qin Bao answered, “Simple. If you lose, before everyone here, you must shout three times, ‘I am a dog of Zhou, I am a good dog.’”

Wu Xian’s face changed dramatically.

Qin Bao stepped forward, aggressive. “You want a literary duel, and I should just agree? Put forth proper stakes. If you dare not bet, then go home and suckle.”

“I accept!” Wu Xian gritted out.

Qin Bao smiled inwardly and said unhurriedly, “I am the host, you are the guest. Please, you first.”

Wu Xian did not refuse. He declared, “My poem is titled ‘Green Bamboo.’”

“In mountain paths, the bamboo grows in throngs,
Green leaves flutter, a dance in the wind’s songs.
Humble and upright, a true gentleman’s way,
Unbowed by cold, proud in frost’s gray.”

Having finished, Wu Xian brimmed with confidence. He had written this poem long ago and received his teacher’s high praise. He was sure of victory. Clenching his fists, he urged, “Qin Bao, your turn.”

Qin Bao scoffed, “To match wits in poetry with you is really pointless. Always pretending to be cultured, yet lacking true spirit. You flaunt what you lack.”

“You wrote of green bamboo; I’ll write ‘Bamboo and Stone.’”

“Clinging to the green mountain, unyielding in pose,
Rooted deep where shattered rocks enclose.
Enduring a thousand strikes, still strong and upright,
Let all the winds from east, west, south, or north blow as they might.”

He fixed Wu Xian with a look. “Your judgment, please!”

A thunderous shock erupted in Wu Xian’s mind. He stood stunned. This “Bamboo and Stone” possessed a spirit far surpassing the previous chrysanthemum poem. Even in Zhou, it would be a masterpiece for the ages. Realizing he had lost again and would have to fulfill his wager, Wu Xian’s face went pale. He began shuffling backward, instinctively seeking escape.

Qin Bao said coldly, “A man’s word is his bond. Don’t try to renege—you can’t run.”

The crowd immediately echoed his words.

“Go on, say you’re a dog!”

“Don’t hide, hurry up and shout.”

“It’s my first time seeing someone become a dog—hahaha…”

The raucous laughter in the hall rose higher and higher, sweeping away the previous tension, leaving only mockery and revelry.

Of course, Wu Xian was unwilling to admit defeat—it was utterly humiliating. His eyes darted about. Suddenly, he glanced at his own attendants below the stage, let out a cry as if in pain, closed his eyes, and collapsed.

His attendants rushed out to carry him away, but Qin Bao stepped forward to block them.

Looking at the feigning Wu Xian, Qin Bao called out, “Everyone, Wu Xian has fainted. Fortunately, I know a cure. I need a bowl of a young boy’s urine, preferably from one who hasn’t had water this morning. Who can provide it?”

“I can!” someone called from the crowd. “I’ve got thirty years’ worth, always golden, guaranteed effective!”

“I’ve got forty years’ worth—didn’t drink water last night, haven’t relieved myself all night. Wu Xian will feel fantastic!”

“Don’t fight me for this—my eighteen-year-old’s is the purest!”

Several Liang scholars started up the stage, and the shock brought Wu Xian back to life. He opened his eyes instantly and hurriedly declared, “I’m awake! I’m awake!”

Qin Bao sneered, “Since you’re awake, fulfill your wager.”

Wu Xian glanced around. The door was blocked, the platform surrounded—escape was impossible.

There was no way out.

He drew a deep breath and shouted, “I am a dog of Zhou! I am a good dog!” His mind was dazed as he shouted.

He was seething with humiliation!

After shouting three times, Wu Xian gritted his teeth at Qin Bao. “Qin Bao, this day’s humiliation—I will repay you a hundred, a thousand times over!”

With that, he turned and fled.

Qin Bao paid him no mind; he was nothing but a worthless man.

Instead of leaving at once, Qin Bao gave a brief self-introduction and, through exchanging verses with the scholars of Liang, quickly won universal acclaim.

Half an hour later, Qin Bao finally slipped away from the hall and returned to the private chamber. He bowed and said, “Princess, I have fulfilled my task.”

Wang Caiwei was more satisfied with Qin Bao than ever.

He had talent.

He had ability.

Most importantly, he had integrity.

Liang had sent countless scholars to study in Zhou, but seven or eight out of ten never wished to return.

Wang Caiwei said, “You have won the literary contest at Yunhua Pavilion. The next step is for my father to decide. Come with me to the palace to meet him.”

Qin Bao was inwardly elated and bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, Princess.”

Wang Caiwei shook her head, then led Qin Bao toward the imperial palace.

They entered the royal city and came at last to the Hall of Zhangtai, where the Emperor Xuanwu handled state affairs.

Qin Bao waited outside the hall, while Wang Caiwei entered. She saw Emperor Xuanwu seated in the place of honor, clad in a black dragon robe, and greeted him softly, “Daughter pays her respects to Father Emperor.”