Chapter 403: Chapter 25: The General Mansion’s Cast-Off Cannon Fodder Wife

The effect is almost there, the Eighth Prince said aloud again.

“Since everyone is so interested in Miss Jiang, it must be that she has been too low-key usually. Why don’t we take this opportunity during the spring hunt to have a poetry contest?

Father, what do you think?”

The Emperor had always enjoyed composing poetry, so he had no objections since the Eighth Prince suggested it.

“In the past, the spring hunt banquets were all about music, chess, calligraphy, painting, hunting, and riding, which were not very interesting. This year, having a poetry event during the spring hunt banquet sounds good.

I will offer a prize; the winner of this poetry contest can make one request to me!”

The audience immediately became lively.

This is a chance to shine in front of the Emperor. Who wouldn’t want to seize it?

Jiang Yu was particularly delighted. A poetry contest would be favorable as no woman could match her talent. Winning this would allow her to plead with His Majesty, securing her status as the greatest female talent and gaining a reputation of responsibility in front of everyone.

Moreover, it would make a fool out of Jiang Lai!

No matter where she stole that poem from, Jiang Lai herself must be an incompetent fool.

The other day at the General Mansion, she was putting on airs, merely because of Tie Yi’s affection for her.

At the poetry contest, if Jiang Lai makes a fool of herself, Tie Yi will realize that the Wind and Moon Poem was actually plagiarized. Then we’ll see if Tie Yi will still adore Jiang Lai like before!

“Father, how about you come up with a topic off the cuff to test our great female talent?”

The Emperor was in high spirits and laughed as he looked down at Tie Yi, who was seated below him. He spoke up.

“General Tie has spent over a decade guarding the frontier to protect the beautiful rivers and mountains of the empire. Let the topic of today’s spring hunt poetry contest be centered on General Tie. How does that sound?”

Cheers erupted from the audience, all eyes on Tie Yi filled with admiration and respect.

That’s when the Eighth Prince had another idea.

“Let’s do impromptu poetry this time, composing a piece within seven steps. Such grandeur deserves a topic from the Emperor, so let’s have the two most famous talented ladies from the Marquis Mansion start us off, setting an example for the other talented youths!”

“Good!!”

“This is great, composing within seven steps truly tests real skill!”

The Eighth Prince looked at Jiang Lai and then nodded towards Jiang Yu.

“Miss Jiang, please come up. We’re all waiting.”

Jiang Yu and Jiang Lai stood side by side on the stage, facing the Emperor.

Tie Yi’s gaze was fixed on Jiang Lai all along, his eyes heavy, his mind consumed by the recent Wind and Moon Poem, which surprisingly was Jiang Lai’s work.

But knowing the Eighth Prince, he typically wasn’t one for stirring up attention, yet he had orchestrated this poetry contest step by step, ultimately placing both Jiang Lai and Jiang Yu on this stage, as if intentionally.

Moreover, it seemed likely, ten out of ten, that the Eighth Prince’s target was Jiang Lai.

At that moment, Tie Yi saw Jiang Lai smile at him, a brilliant and composed smile, enough to dazzle him without any other action.

“Sister, would you like to go first or should I? How about I go first.”

By going last, one gets more time to think; Jiang Yu’s gesture appeared considerate to Jiang Lai, earning her public favor.

Jiang Lai nodded.

“If Sister wants to go first, that’s fine; I’m okay with it.”

Jiang Yu sneered, still pretending at this point.

She definitely wanted to be first, lest others say she, the talented lady, didn’t give way to her sister.

If Jiang Lai, with more time to think, still couldn’t come up with a single line, the backlash would be even greater, leaving Jiang Lai unable to show her face.

“I’ve thought of a topic; let’s call it ’On Famous Generals’.”

Jiang Yu first made a calm and unhurried salute to His Majesty, then with both hands held at her waist, she took step after step forward, finally stopping at the seventh step to face the still strikingly handsome Tie Yi among the crowd.

“In the troubled past of Ling City, when the General achieved merits and deeds,

Headless in battle, unfazed, riding on gallant horses, not to be followed,

The ambitious spirit and heroic aura last for ages, heroism unmatched by thousands,

Magnificent and admirable, who else besides you is as loyal and brave.”

“Good!!!”

The Emperor was the first to applaud, his eyes full of appreciation for Jiang Yu.

Exclamations surrounded her, and many praised her.

“Indeed, the best female talent under heaven, to compose such verses in just seven steps.”

“Jiang Yu’s talent is evident to everyone. If not for the Marquis Mansion’s issues, it would be hard to find a match worthy of her.”

Jiang Yu glanced at Tie Yi silently, then spoke aloud,

“I humbly display my inadequate skills, unable to summarize General Tie’s achievements in just a few words. I only intended to break the ice; now it’s the General’s wife’s turn to shine.”

The Emperor had high expectations for Jiang Lai, praising her publicly after lauding Tie Yi’s good judgment.

The Eighth Prince chimed in, praising Jiang Lai as unparalleled on earth.

One might have expected Jiang Lai to be somewhat timid or anxious, but she stood on stage with calm, steady eyes and a smile. She was as poised as if not facing the ruler of the world, although she had never attended a day of school.

Though reluctant to admit it, Jiang Lai possessed a striking beauty and presence that, even standing beside Jiang Yu, the most beautiful woman in the Capital City, did not seem inferior, even surpassing her.

“Jiang Lai, you can move forward,”

Jiang Lai looked at Tie Yi, and her steps slowly moved toward him, with everyone silently counting her steps.

“One step, two steps, three steps…”

Jiang Lai stopped, standing right in front of Tie Yi. There was no road ahead. Since she chose that direction, everyone was already a bit puzzled.

Knowing the distance from Jiang Lai’s starting point to Tie Yi’s direction was merely five steps, even with smaller steps, would seven steps lead her right into Tie Yi’s arms?

However, amidst everyone’s discussions, Jiang Lai stopped after just three steps, gazing at Tie Yi.

“At fifteen or twenty, seizing the barbarian horses on foot.

Aiming at the white-forehead tiger on the mountain, never accounting for the bearded youth below Ye.

An entire life of battles over three thousand miles, one sword enough to challenge a million warriors.

A man inherently values such valor, an Emperor offers extraordinary grace.”

“Beating the drums at Yu Gate, the banners serpentine between Jieshi.

…

Would that I may draw a longbow and shoot the enemy’s hide, disdaining the armor’s noise for my present.”

If only there were a Flying General in Qin City, never would barbarian horses cross Mang Mountain.”

Every word and phrase was powerful and sonorous.

Like a hammer, each hit striking Tie Yi’s heart.

At that moment, his breath halted, his eyes only on the woman in red, and the words from her lips, “If only there were a Flying General in Qin City, never would barbarian horses cross Mang Mountain.”

Qin City, the place he had guarded for ten years.

Mang Mountain, the last line of defense before the Capital City.

He had never thought of using these accomplishments to gain fame and fortune, as enlisting was originally out of a burning passion to protect his country.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep