Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Zhou Xing was furious!

He absolutely refused to believe that Jia Lian, an ignorant and dissolute young man who had become an official by sheer luck, could write such amazing poems!

So, while everyone was making their amazed comments, they were also casting doubtful glances at Jia Lian, and Zhou Xing could no longer hold back.

At first, he intended to judge based on the words themselves, but later he found that this guy's writing was really good!

If I force myself to criticize, others will definitely say I can't accept defeat.

and so……

"This poem, whether in terms of the emotions it expresses or the way it is written, seems more like it was written by someone who has experienced many hardships, and it is absolutely impossible for Jia Lian to have written it."

He must have copied it, perhaps from some ancient book unknown to the world, and used it to deceive us in an attempt to gain fame.

Such a fraudulent and deceitful person is truly unforgivable.

Although Zhou Xing's behavior suggested he was a sore loser, he spoke the minds of everyone, so no one dared to criticize him.

Everyone was waiting to see what Jia Lian would say.

In this era of flourishing literature, lacking literary talent is nothing, but deceiving the world and stealing fame is utterly shameful.

However, given Jia Lian's status, it was truly unwise to accuse him of such a crime for the time being.

"Exactly, Zhou Xing is right. This poem is clearly about love. 'Having experienced all the bitterness of parting at the ends of the earth'? How old is he? Has he already experienced all the sorrows of the world?"

And what about "rosy cheeks fading in the mirror"? That clearly refers to the fading of youthful beauty.

General Jia is so young, so his wife and his confidante must both be young and beautiful. How could he possibly make such a remark?

Therefore, no matter how you look at it, this poem wasn't written by him!

This is Zhou Xing's partner, speaking up for Zhou Xing.

Secondly, Jia Lian is most likely a fraud, and if this is proven true in the end, those who question him now should at least be given the title of "wise and insightful".

Once someone starts talking, doubts and criticisms keep coming.

The Third Prince's brow furrowed, and he looked at Jia Lian: "General Jia, what do you have to say about our doubts about them?"

If the literary gathering he presided over produced a famous piece that could be widely sung, it would definitely be a good thing for him, bringing him great prestige.

But if something like plagiarism happens, that would be a blow.

For ordinary poems, even if they are plagiarized, it's not a big deal as long as the original author doesn't care. But such brilliant and exquisite words are absolutely unacceptable.

Faced with the suspicious gazes of the crowd, even those who were on good terms with Jia Lian dared not speak freely.

They were all worried that Jia Lian might have misjudged the situation and gone astray, which would be disastrous.

Jia Lian, however, remained calm and composed throughout, having anticipated that someone might question him.

But he wasn't afraid.

"What, we guessed right? Now you're too scared to speak?"

Zhou Xing was still relentlessly attacking Jia Lian, seeing this as his chance to turn the tables. He knew he couldn't beat Jia Lian's "Butterfly Loves Flowers" poem, so he had no choice but to eliminate Jia Lian himself.

"Although poetry expresses one's aspirations and lyrics express one's emotions, have you not heard the saying, 'Literature is born of nature, and a master craftsman occasionally obtains it'?"

Even the naturally refined Tao Yuanming could write, "Xingtian wields his axe and shield, his fierce will remains steadfast"; Cui Hao could also write "Ascending the Yellow Crane Tower," a poem that would make Li Bai feel ashamed of his own "flowery language," thus changing the world's perception of him as merely "ornate." Why can't I write a poem like "Butterfly Loves Flowers"?

Jia Lian smiled and asked in return.

Zhou Xing was speechless, then hurriedly said, "Who do you think you are? You dare compare yourself to those people?"

Whether I am worthy or not is not up to Young Master Zhou to decide, but up to His Highness the Crown Prince and the others.

After speaking, Jia Lian turned and bowed to the Third Prince and the others: "May I ask Your Highness, where does my poem rank?"

The Third Prince glanced at Prince Bei Jing and then said, "Whether in terms of style or emotion, it surpasses his previous works. Logically, it should be number one."

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However, Jia Lian, have you thought this through? A scholar should naturally possess integrity; to deceive the world and steal fame is something despised by all.

Seeing that even the Third Prince suspected Jia Lian, Zhou Xing hurriedly said, "Your Highness is insightful. How could a mere warrior write sentences that would amaze Your Highness and the Prince? He must have copied them."

Using other people's words to gain fame and reputation is truly despicable.

Your Highness, this trend must not be allowed to continue. Such a person really cannot be ranked first.

"That's right, that's right..."

Zhou Sheng also jumped in to help.

Jia Lian laughed, looking at the Zhou brothers and saying, "Since you have doubts, then please produce evidence. Otherwise, can I interpret this as you being unable to afford the ten thousand taels of silver, and therefore trying to renege on your promise in front of His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"Alright, Zhou Xing, write yours down. If you can't beat it, then you've lost."

If you lose, you have to admit it.

The crown prince suddenly waved his hand, interrupting everyone.

The Crown Prince didn't like Zhou Xing and the others much to begin with, especially since he saw that the Third Prince was trying to suppress Jia Lian. He felt that he should stand up for Jia Lian.

He is the Crown Prince, the heir apparent. Jia Lian holds an official title and is considered his subject. As long as Jia Lian doesn't get close to the Third Prince, he is one of his men!

Moreover, Jia Lian saved the Empress Dowager today, averting a disaster for her. Although it's not appropriate to say it outright, she must feel indebted.

Since the Third Prince and the others can't produce any evidence that Jia Lian deceived the world and stole his reputation, what else is there to say? Even if Jia Lian copied it, as long as no one comes forward to testify, it is Jia Lian's!

Zhou Xing's face fell. "Your Highness, please reconsider. If he really did plagiarize someone else's work, it would truly damage Your Highness's reputation if word got out."

Zhou Xing was making a last-ditch effort; he had carefully prepared a poem, but he knew that even if he wrote it, it wouldn't be as good as the original.

"Hey, Zhou Sheng, right? How about we make a bet?"

Jia Lian suddenly smiled at Zhou Sheng again.

"What are we betting on?"

Zhou Sheng was somewhat wary.

Having suffered at Jia Lian's hands before, he was already afraid of Jia Lian. Seeing that his brother was about to suffer a great loss at Jia Lian's hands, he subconsciously stepped back to avoid being bitten by the poisonous snake.

"Although you can't provide any evidence to prove that I'm a fraud, I've just thought about it carefully and realized that the style of the lyrics I wrote doesn't really seem like mine..."

"Are you admitting that you didn't write that poem?"

Zhou Sheng and Zhou Xing's eyes lit up.

"No, what I mean is, if you're willing to bet with me, I'll prove to everyone whether I have the ability to compose this poem."

It's obvious your brother is upset about losing. So, are you willing to help him?

Jia Lian laughed.

Since you've already decided to perform a miracle in public, what's the point of showing off as a half-saint and making people suspicious?

Naturally, we must win their hearts and minds, making them completely obedient and submissive.

But he didn't want to prove himself for nothing; he wanted to make another quick buck.

After all, a family like the Zhoushen family, whose members are victims of injustice, is a rare find.

Zhou Hongchang has already given him eight hundred taels, and Zhou Xing is about to give him ten thousand. So how could Zhou Sheng be left out?

"How do you plan to gamble?"

Zhou Sheng asked subconsciously.

"It's very simple. The reason why everyone doubts that I wrote that poem is simply because I have never had any good poems circulated before."

Let me compose another one. If it's utter nonsense, then I'll accept it if everyone suspects me of being a fraud.

On the contrary, if I were to compose another poem, and it were to be equally appreciated by His Highness the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and Prince Bei Jing, then I suppose everyone would have nothing to say.

So, are you willing to bet with me? The stakes are also ten thousand...

"If you win, I won't have the face to take back the ten thousand taels your brother lost. On the contrary, you can make ten thousand. How about it? This deal seems like a good one."

No sooner had Jia Lian finished speaking than Zhou Xing grabbed Zhou Sheng's arm. "Brother, agree to the bet. But the conditions have to be changed. It has to be a poem of even greater literary merit than the previous one for him to win! I refuse to believe he can write anything better!"

Since Zhou Xing is known as a talented scholar, he must have some ability.

Literati value fame, and exceptional verses are rare and hard to come by. Anyone who can write a poem or even a single line is treasured, for it can bring them worldwide fame, be recorded in history, and glorify their ancestors.

A person with such talent and style who can write "Butterfly Loves Flowers - Having Experienced the Bitterness of Parting at the End of the World" must be a great scholar of our time. I don't believe Jia Lian could produce a second one if he was lucky enough to steal one!

"But what if he actually manages to write it..."

Zhou Sheng actually chickened out!

From childhood to adulthood, he had never even accumulated a thousand taels of pocket money. If he lost, he would definitely get a beating when he got home!

"You... I just stood up for you!!"

Zhou Xing was furious at his cowardly younger brother. This only strengthened his resolve.

Even if they lose, it's better for the two brothers to face it together than for one of them to face it alone...

If we win, everyone will be happy.

"How about we make a bet?"

A clear and pleasant voice came from the front, and everyone looked up and quickly made way for them.

Princess Zhaoyang suddenly appeared. She walked directly in front of Jia Lian, looked at him with a strange expression, and repeated, "How about we make a bet?"

But I don't have that much money, how about I bet three thousand taels?

If you can compose another poem, even if it's not better than the previous one, as long as it satisfies me, the three thousand taels of silver are yours.

Even if I don't like it, I don't want your money, okay?

Upon seeing this, Zhou Xing's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Princess Zhaoyang must have been moved by Jia Lian's previous poem.

At this moment, he wanted to exchange three thousand taels of silver for Jia Lian's new work!

If Jia Lian succeeds, wouldn't his words truly be worth a thousand pieces of gold? And he'll definitely win Princess Zhaoyang's favor, which is infuriatingly enviable.

Therefore, she glared fiercely at her good-for-nothing younger brother.

"Your Highness is too kind. How could I possibly accept your money?"

Jia Lian felt a pang of regret; it seemed he could no longer extort any more money from the Zhou family.

So he bowed to the Crown Prince and the others, walked to the side, held his breath for a moment, and then said:

"In the third year of Ningkang, I was ordered by the emperor to lead troops to the northern desert. In the military tent, I wrote a poem of longing, which I would like to ask you all to appreciate."

After saying this, Jia Lian wrote down Nalan Xingde's "Chang Xiang Si" in cursive script, reciting it as he wrote:

"One mountain, one river, I journey towards Yuguan Pass."

Thousands of tents are lit up in the deep of night.

"The wind blows once, the snow falls once, shattering my dreams of home."

Such a sound is not heard in my hometown.

Princess Zhaoyang stood beside Jia Lian, her eyes fixed on the words he had written, her ears filled with his voice, and her thoughts seemed to follow him back to that night in the frontier military camp.

The meaning of the words is not profound or obscure.

The general and his thousands of troops marched through mountains and rivers, making their way to the border. That night, the camp was brightly lit, a magnificent sight.

As night deepened, a fierce wind and snow raged outside the general's tent, the sounds of the wind and snow keeping the departing man awake.

So I was filled with mixed emotions: the nights in my hometown are free of such annoying wind and snow.

Princess Zhaoyang was stunned.

Compared to the poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers," which could only be deeply understood with the guidance of the Empress Dowager, this poem "Longing for You" struck a chord with the Empress Dowager, just as "Butterfly Loves Flowers" did for her.

At eighteen, she had no worries about her youthful beauty fading with age, but Princess Zhaoyang, who had practiced martial arts since childhood, just like her younger brother, the Fourth Prince, deeply yearned for such a life on the battlefield.

Unfortunately, being born a girl, I will probably never have this opportunity in this life.

Chapter 229 The Order of Longing