Chosen One, how did I end up as the villain?

Hearing the mocking comments, Qin Huaiyu paid no attention and turned his gaze to the high platform.

This guy is targeting me!

He was puzzled. It seemed that this was the first time the two had met and he had not offended the other. So what was the reason for this provocation?

They want to use me as a stepping stone...

You've miscalculated.

"What's wrong with Gongsun Shu? We're not even acquainted, why is he pointing at you? Isn't he obviously trying to embarrass you?"

Li Chengye, who was sitting next to him, was very angry and continued:

"Brother Ba, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have persuaded you to come."

Ah, interesting!

Qin Huaiyu smiled and said:

"It's alright. Although I'm not good at writing, it should be enough to deal with him."

Then he said to Gongsun Shu:

"Since you have invited me, Young Master Gongsun, I will gladly accept. However, since it's a poetry contest, let's add a little prize for the sake of enjoyment!"

"It seems Brother Ba is very confident."

Gongsun Shu smiled confidently and said:

"Then let's use my villa as a stake. If Brother Ba wins, the villa is yours. But if you lose, it's simple: fifty thousand taels of silver, how about that?"

Everyone present was shocked by these words.

"Yunlan Villa, 50,000 taels of silver, what a huge gamble! No wonder he's Young Master Gongsun."

"What do you know? With Young Master Gongsun's talent, he was bound to win. It's a shame that that kid dared to add more money to the stakes; he's just asking for trouble."

"Haha, that's right, that guy's really in deep trouble now. Even a powerful family would feel the pinch of fifty thousand taels!"

"Not only that, this high-stakes gamble will surely spread throughout the city, and he will be unable to hold his head up wherever he goes, like a stray dog."

..........

"Brother Gongsun, we're all friends, there's no need to set such a high stake," Li Chengye said, frowning.

"It was Brother Ba who wanted to add the prize; I was just offering a suggestion."

Gongsun Shu's eyes flashed with mockery as he continued:

"Of course, if Brother Ba doesn't agree, it can be voided."

These words were spoken so subtly, ostensibly polite, yet subtly boasting of one's own noble character, while simultaneously employing a provocation tactic—a triple win.

Yan Chong also became interested. He harbored resentment over what happened yesterday, but dared not take any action for the sake of his life. However, he was quite happy to watch others cause trouble for him.

"Hmph, what good is your cultivation level if it's not high? It's all about literature. I want to see if you can still be as arrogant as yesterday!"

Liu Man shook his head. Where did this kid come from? Didn't he know that Ouyang Shu was famous in the city for his exceptional talent? Even in the capital, his reputation among the younger generation was among the best.

They even dared to add a prize; they truly don't know their own limitations.

"What a green tea guy," Qin Huaiyu sneered.

"Alright, since Young Master Gongsun wants to play, I'll oblige!"

As he spoke, he made a very polite gesture of invitation.

"Good, Brother Ba is truly straightforward!"

Gongsun Shu was overjoyed to see that his plan had succeeded.

Ha, kid, you asked for this!

Thinking about it, he picked up his wine glass and said:

"Today the sun shines brightly, and the blue waves ripple, so I shall..."

As he spoke, Gongsun Shu paused, a touch of sadness appearing on his face as he looked at the lake. His voice was low as he said:

"A river of clear water reflects the glow of dawn, two cups of turbid wine bid farewell to the blazing sun."

The autumn wind carries endless sorrow; a lone figure stands in the pavilion, grieving alone.

As he finished speaking, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his hand, his eyes filled with a dazed look.

"What a beautiful poem! What a beautiful poem!"

"Especially the last two lines, which vividly express the pain, every word is filled with sorrow. Young Master Gongsun is truly a leader among the students of Jian'an!" a student exclaimed in admiration.

"What a fine poem about turbid wine! Its profound meaning leaves a lasting impression; this poem should be passed down through generations!"

"Young Master Gongsun is truly a genius; this poem is a rare gem even among literary giants. Chu Xia Wanfeng presents 'The Chosen One, How Did I Become the Villain?' exclusively, for the first time!"

.............

The crowd showered her with praise, and the young woman, already in love, stood up, her eyes burning with passion. If not for her womanly reserve, she would have already rushed onto the platform.

As Qin Huaiyu savored the poem, he had to admit that Gongsun Shu was no fool; he had some literary talent, the poem rhymed, the language was simple, and the artistic conception was quite fitting.

Unfortunately for him, he ran into someone with a cheat code like me. Every poem he learned in his previous life was a timeless masterpiece, and he could easily outshine everyone else present with any one of them.

How could a mere student compare to the great poets, the immortal poets and the sage poets?

.......

At this moment, in a pavilion surrounded by flowers in a separate courtyard.

A young girl in a white dress with phoenix patterns embroidered on the chest sipped her tea, her red lips slightly parted.

She possessed a noble air and graceful figure. Her breasts were high and prominent, and her fair face was as flawless as white jade. Her delicate eyebrows and eyes made her look like a fairy descended from a painting, a beauty that was pleasing to the eye.

Such a person should only exist in heaven; it is rare to find such a person on earth.

"Miss, Miss, she's coming out!"

A beautiful maid in a green dress trotted along the corridor.

Chu Yanxi gently put down the teacup and said softly:

"Qing'er, slow down, there's no need to rush."

"call"

Qing'er took a breath, smiled at her young mistress, and said:

"Miss, Young Master Gongsun's poems are out, and everyone is praising them. He is indeed exceptionally talented."

"Yeah?"

Chu Yanxi smiled slightly, her face as beautiful as a flower.

"Read it aloud and let me hear it."

Qing'er nodded, and then read the poem aloud in a soft voice. The little girl was very talented, and her voice was full of emotion with its intonation and rhythm.