You were asked to impersonate the King of Qin, not to become emperor!

The crowd inside couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

Everyone present was of distinguished birth.

This unfamiliar scholar managed to enter the top three with just one poem and be selected by Zhao Yinyin, which shows that his poetry is enough to make them take notice.

"A lone wheel cuts across ten thousand layers of sky, its clear light pressing down on the desolate heavens."

All the stars bow in reverence, for it alone holds the eternal light of the heavens.

As Zhao Yinyin read the poem aloud, everyone was immersed in the profound meaning behind its verses.

"To be able to write such a powerful and majestic poem about the moon, this person's poetic talent is truly remarkable. This person's level is probably comparable to that of the Seventh Prince."

"I never imagined that, apart from the Seventh Prince, there would be someone else in the capital who could write poetry of such caliber."

Hearing everyone give such high praise to Zhen Mi's poem.

Chen Zhi's expression clearly turned displeased.

Among the literati in the capital, only Chen Zhi's poetic talent was worthy of admiration.

Immersed in the honor, Chen Zhi heard for the first time that someone could compare to him, and his gaze involuntarily turned to Zhen Mi.

Zhen Mi met Chen Zhi's gaze, which was full of threat and made her very uncomfortable.

Zhen Mi originally valued his talent.

However, that one glance just now made Zhen Mi feel extremely disgusted.

"This person lacks magnanimity. He showed such malice simply because someone else's poetry was on par with his. It seems that coming to Lido Tower this time was the right decision. Indeed, one cannot have any biases against anyone. He may appear upright on the surface, but his heart is dark."

Zhen Mi shook her head and said to the old servant beside her.

"It's good that Miss understands," the old servant said.

"However, in the poetry competition that lasts for half a month, I'm afraid only this person can win first place. If he does win, am I destined to marry such a person for the rest of my life?" Zhen Mi looked flustered. Sure enough, the beautiful image she had imagined was far from reality.

"Miss, this is a clan rule. If this person truly wins, according to the rules, you must marry him."

The old servant frowned.

Zhen Mi sighed, her eyes filled with helplessness.

At this moment, Zhao Yinyin spoke up: "The third poem is by the King of Qin."

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole room erupted in uproar.

The King of Qin was a very famous figure in the Jin Dynasty.

However, everyone knows that he is good at governing the country, skilled in training troops, and has some literary talent.

However, due to the high status of the King of Qin, the literary circle only had his previous works, which were not considered outstanding even among the top circles.

At this moment, everyone suspected that Zhao Yinyin had only allowed the King of Qin to advance to the top three because of his noble status and to avoid offending him.

"When will the moon be clear and bright? I raise my cup to ask the heavens. I wonder what year it is tonight in the celestial palace. I long to ride the wind and return, yet I fear the jade towers and crystal palaces are too cold at such heights. I dance with my shadow, how can it compare to being in the mortal world?"

As Zhao Yinyin read the beautiful poems, she couldn't help but shed tears. Every word of the verses was precious and captivating.

As Zhao Yinyin read the poem aloud, the entire room fell silent.

Everyone opened their mouths in unison.

They were all top-tier literary figures, exceptionally talented. They could tell the quality of a person's poetry and prose at a glance.

Could a human have written these verses? They seem as if they were created by a poet immortal.

This directly elevates the level of top-tier poetry by several layers.

Comparing his own poems and essays to his own made everyone doubt his talent.

"impossible."

"I have read his previous poems. How could he possibly write such outstanding verses? He must have known the topic in advance and asked a master to write this poem."

Cao Zhi was completely outmatched; the quality of this poem undoubtedly left him far behind, plunging him from the heights of fame into the depths of obscurity.

His reputation as a literary giant has now become a joke.

Zhen Mi was deeply shocked upon hearing the poem, and her eyes lit up.

"It seems I really underestimated this King of Qin. His poetic talent is unparalleled. This poem is enough to make him famous for all time." Zhen Mi's eyes revealed ecstasy. Hearing this poem was like being bathed in a spring breeze.

The old servant beside her couldn't tell the difference between good and bad, and was truly shocked to see his young mistress's evaluation of the King of Qin's poem.

In the Great Jin Dynasty, no one had ever received such high praise from their young lady for their poetry.

"Does Miss have taken a liking to the Prince of Qin? If he participates in the selection of a son-in-law, then the Seventh Prince probably has no chance of winning," the old servant said.

The old servant's words filled Zhen Mi with anticipation.

It rekindled her illusions about love.

From Chen Xuan's poems, one can tell that he is someone whose soul resonates with hers.

Zhen Mi couldn't help but chuckle and asked, "This poem should have more than just the first stanza; what's the second stanza?"

Zhao Yinyin smiled and said, "Young Master Lu Shuang is indeed discerning. This is indeed the first stanza of the poem. Next, Yinyin will read the second stanza to everyone."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present was taken aback, their eyes filled with anticipation.

"This poem is like a delicacy, leaving one wanting more. I never expected there to be a second stanza!"

"The King of Qin was not only a wise ruler and a skilled military commander, but he was also a master poet. Such talent and virtue are truly admirable to us scholars!"

Hearing everyone praising the King of Qin, Chen Zhi's eyes were filled with intense jealousy.

"The moon turns through the red pavilion, shines low through the embroidered window, illuminating my sleepless night. There should be no resentment, yet why is the moon always full when we are apart? People experience sorrow and joy, separation and reunion; the moon waxes and wanes, and such things have always been imperfect. I only wish that we may live long and share the beauty of the moon, even though we are thousands of miles apart."

The poem unfolded gracefully, captivating the audience with its imagery.

"What a beautiful line, 'May we all live long and share the beauty of the moon, though separated by a thousand miles.' King Qin's poetic talent is unparalleled; I, Lu, admire it greatly." Zhen Mi couldn't help but bow to Chen Xuan.

"A casual piece, Brother Lu, you flatter me. Your poems are also exquisite." With that, Chen Xuan raised his wine cup to Zhen Mi and said, "Brother Lu, please."

Zhen Mi quickly raised her wine cup and drank with Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan's carefree and easygoing nature left a very good impression on Zhen Mi. A talented woman from a prominent family like her was easily swayed by this.

"This man is unparalleled in both civil and military affairs. His poetic talent is extraordinary, yet he has no airs whatsoever. Such virtues are hard to find in the capital. Although he has already married Wang Qingyi of the Langya Wang clan, it would not be a disgrace for me to marry him," Zhen Mi thought to herself.

The old servant beside Zhen Mi could tell from her expression that she had developed feelings for Chen Xuan, and immediately asked, "Miss, have you taken a fancy to the Prince of Qin?"

"I just don't know if he'll participate in the selection of a son-in-law in half a month." Zhen Mi felt a little nervous.

The old servant quickly replied, "I heard from the master that the Prince of Qin was one of the first to participate in the selection of a son-in-law, and his name has already been submitted. I can assure you of that."

"Really?" Zhen Mi's eyes lit up with joy, but when she saw the old servant looking her over, her joy instantly turned into shyness.

"Your Majesty, two years ago, I had the honor of reading your poems, which are quite different from what you have written today. Has your poetic skill greatly improved in these two years, or...?"

At this moment, the Seventh Prince Chen Zhi suddenly spoke in a sarcastic tone.