This son-in-law is wicked in a good way!

"Trying to leave? No way!"

Zhang Wu arrogantly reached out and stopped Zhang Ping'an.

"I heard you wrote four impressive lines at the academy. How about we make a bet?"

"How about we bet a thousand taels of silver, if we don't bet much?"

Someone chuckled: "This martial arts expert has a good plan. He spent a thousand taels on poetry at Wenxin Tower, and now he wants to make up for it by taking it out on this good-for-nothing son-in-law."

"Zhang Wu's plan is well-thought-out, but this useless son-in-law might not agree!"

"That's right, if I were that son-in-law, I definitely wouldn't gamble with him."

Zhang Ping'an was so angry he laughed. This guy was really asking for trouble!

I didn't want to get entangled with him, but this time I can't leave even if I want to.

"How do you want to bet?" Although Zhang Ping'an had already guessed what he wanted to do, he pretended not to know anything and asked the question in order to make the guy feel superior.

"It's a poetry contest, of course!"

"Didn't Father say you were very talented in literature? Then compose a poem right now and compare it with the one I have here."

"Whoever loses will give the other one thousand taels of silver."

"Don't even think about refusing. If you don't agree, you're not leaving here today."

"To be honest, I've already sent someone to inform the Prime Minister's residence. Once Miss Lu finds out you came to the brothel behind her back, you'll be kicked out of the Prime Minister's residence tomorrow, right?"

Wang Qisheng and Zhou Weidong's expressions changed slightly.

This guy was clearly forcing Zhang Ping'an to gamble with him; he obviously had a lot of confidence in the poem he had.

"Ping An, don't be fooled. How can a poem written on the spot compare to one he prepared in advance?" Zhou Weidong whispered a reminder.

boom!

Suddenly, Zhang Wu kicked Zhou Weidong hard, knocking him to the ground.

"Damn it, when did it become your place to interrupt me!"

Zhou Weidong suddenly stood up, his face flushed.

Although he was skilled in martial arts, he was humiliated by Zhang Wu in front of everyone, which was very embarrassing.

Zhou Weidong clenched his fist, wanting to hit back, but Wang Qisheng held him down.

The latter shook his head at him, signaling him to calm down.

After all, the other party was the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue, while they were just Night Watchmen guards, whom they couldn't afford to offend.

Zhang Ping'an's face darkened. Humiliating him was one thing, but humiliating his friends was absolutely unacceptable.

"Okay, I'll bet with you."

"But I'm going to add a wager."

"Ping An... don't be impulsive!" Zhou Weidong said in a deep voice.

Zhang Ping'an turned his head and smiled: "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Zhang Wu glared coldly at Zhou Weidong: "What? Did you kick me too lightly just now? Haven't you learned your lesson yet!"

He turned to Zhang Ping'an and smiled happily: "Add as many as you like, I'm confident I can beat you."

Zhang Ping'an smirked: "If you lose, I'll make you kneel down and apologize to my friend in front of everyone!"

Zhang Wu's expression changed: "Zhang Ping'an, you think I'm being too polite?! I'm the son of a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Revenue, and you expect me to apologize to a lowly commoner!"

Zhang Ping'an sneered, "If you're too scared to gamble, then get out of the way. A good dog doesn't block the road!"

Zhang Wu gritted his teeth and grinned maliciously: "Fine, I bet! But if you lose, I won't make you apologize; I'll make you kneel before me in public and bark like a dog!"

"No problem." Zhang Ping'an smiled coldly and readily agreed.

Zhang Wu was afraid that Zhang Ping'an would cheat if he lost, so he shouted loudly to everyone present.

"Thank you all for witnessing our bet today, especially Meixiang, to prevent anyone from cheating later!"

"No problem. Anyone who dares to renege will never be able to stay in the capital again," a young master said loudly, clearly indicating his extraordinary status.

On the second floor, a maid came out to deliver a message.

"My lady said she is willing to be a witness for the two gentlemen. If either of them goes back on their word, my lady will never accept that person again."

Although these two testimonies may not seem to have any binding force, they are actually extremely binding.

Because those who come to the brothel are generally people who value their reputation highly, once they are blacklisted by Miss Meixiang, they will be utterly humiliated in front of their friends, which is far more dangerous than barking like a dog.

Zhang Wu immediately burst into laughter: "Haha, Zhang Ping'an, you're doomed!"

"I specially spent a thousand taels of silver to go to Wenxin Tower to find poems written by Li Bai and Du Fu. What makes you think you can beat me?"

Zhang Ping'an was taken aback: "Li Du? The Li Du who wrote 'Who in the world doesn't know you?'?"

While asking the questions, he didn't forget to give himself a "GG" (a Chinese internet slang term for failing or being cheat

"Exactly." Zhang Wu proudly raised his head, looking smug.

When the hell did I write a poem for you? How come I didn't even know it?

Zhang Ping feigned shock: "Zhang Wu, you're truly insidious! You actually went and bought poems by Li Bai and Du Fu!"

"Haha, it's too late to regret it now. Obediently hand over a thousand taels of silver, and kneel down to bark like a dog a few times for this young master!"

Seeing Zhang Ping'an's fear, Zhang Wu became even more smug.

"Hmph, even if Li Bai and Du Fu are called the Poet Immortals, I will not admit defeat on my own initiative. It would be my honor to fight against Mr. Li Bai and Du Fu."

Zhang Ping'an said with a tragic expression, "Bring me paper and pen!"

A maidservant had already brought over writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Zhang Wu sneered coldly, "Hmph, overestimating yourself. Fine, I'll let you die knowing why."

Zhang Ping'an walked to the table, picked up the calligraphy brush, and pondered for a moment.

There are many poems about plum blossoms, among which the most exquisite one is "Plum Blossoms in the Mountain Garden," but Zhang Ping'an does not intend to use it.

He felt that Wang Anshi's poem "Plum Blossom" was more suitable for Meixiang's background and circumstances, and would be more likely to move her.

"Write it, you can't possibly not be able to write it, can you?" Zhang Wu laughed loudly.

The surrounding crowd also joined in the commotion, eager to see what would happen.

"Hurry up and learn to bark like a dog, stop pretending."

"Exactly, it would probably be unbearable to read and an eyesore if written down."

Zhang Ping'an ignored the ridicule of the crowd and picked up his pen to write.

"A few plum blossoms in the corner of the wall."

Upon seeing the first sentence, everyone shook their heads.

Nothing special!

"Blooming alone in the cold!"

Huh?

Someone gasped in shock!

This sentence perfectly captures the plum blossom's aloofness.

These two sentences alone demonstrate the demeanor of a great person.

"From afar I know it's not snow, for there is a faint fragrance."

hiss!

A collective gasp filled the air.

"This is a rare poem that uses objects to express one's feelings!"

"The inconspicuous plum blossoms in the corner of the wall bloom alone in the cold winter. This expresses the author's spirit of upholding ideals in adversity, being proud and unyielding, and not following the crowd."

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

Although Wang Qisheng didn't understand poetry, he instantly grasped the meaning behind Zhang Ping'an's poem.

"Peaceful, impressive!"

"I never knew you had such talent for writing!"

Then he muttered to himself, "Coming to the Night's Watch is really a waste of their talents!"

Zhang Ping'an blinked, indicating basic procedure, no need for anything fancy.

These young masters were not all a bunch of good-for-nothing playboys. In ancient times, high-ranking officials and nobles attached great importance to the education of their children, and these second-generation rich kids were far more learned than Zhang Wu.

One can naturally see the extraordinary nature of this poem.

"With this poem about plum blossoms out, I'm afraid those plum blossom enthusiasts will be bragging about it for quite a while," someone remarked.

"That's right, it's a pity that our Bamboo Party hasn't produced any outstanding works lately!"

Plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums are known as the Four Gentlemen, and have always been symbols for ancient literati to express their aspirations through objects. This led to the struggle between the four factions.

"It's too early to say that now; perhaps Li Bai and Du Fu's poems are even better!"

"That's right, Young Master Zhang, quickly show us the poems by Li Bai and Du Fu!"