The Demon Prince

Gu Linyuan's face was deathly pale. He looked at the blood Xie Yuheng had vomited on the ground and felt a chill run down his spine.

Xiao Xingyue is too strange. When he slaps someone in the face, he can really slap them until they vomit blood.

The members of the Hanlin Academy were so angry that their faces turned purple.

"Xiao Xingyue! You've gone too far!"

"If anything were to happen to Scholar Xie, how would you explain it to His Majesty?"

Consort Shu gently put down her teacup.

With just one sound, the entire garden fell silent.

She looked up at the people in the Hanlin Academy:

"The top scholar Xie first used his official position to suppress the second-place scholar, and then used a couplet to satirize the Xiao family."

Now that he's outmatched and furious, he's vomiting blood. Instead of disciplining him, you blame the young master?

The faces of the Hanlin Academy members turned pale, and Cui Daoyuan also stood up, bowing to Consort Shu.

"Your Majesty is right; the Hanlin Academy was disrespectful today."

He turned to look at Xiao Xingyue, and even though his expression was unpleasant, he still lowered his head:

"Young Master Xiao, I, Xie Zhuangyuan, apologize."

Consort Shu turned her gaze to Gu Linyuan.

Gu Linyuan's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously stood up: "Your Majesty."

Consort Shu said calmly:

"Gu Linyuan, I have seen clearly what happened today. You keep saying that Prince Xiao is incompetent, but Prince Xiao's appreciation of paintings and couplets is superior to yours in every way."

Gu Linyuan's face turned pale:

"Your Majesty, this student merely..."

Consort Shu interrupted him:

"If you are not as talented as others, you should accept it. Back then in the court, when you and the Crown Prince competed in poetry, I thought there was another misunderstanding."

Looking at it today...

Her voice turned cold: "You most likely really did copy the Crown Prince's poem."

Gu Linyuan was struck dumb and immediately retorted:

"Your Majesty! The student is not here!"

Consort Shu ignored his explanation:

"The name Gu Shixian was bestowed upon him by literary figures, but it is not worthy of his reputation and will mislead people."

From this day forward, Gu Linyuan shall no longer be called the "Poet Immortal."

The garden was in an uproar, filled with discussions, and Gu Linyuan swayed slightly.

The title of "Poet Immortal" is his most dazzling brand in recent years. With this title, he can enter and leave the mansions of the powerful and wealthy and enjoy great popularity.

Now, with just one sentence from Consort Shu, it's as if she's publicly stripped him of his reputation.

Consort Shu looked at Xiao Xingyue, her expression softening slightly:

"Young Master Xiao is quick-witted and excels in both poetry and couplets. Today, I bestow upon him the title of 'Poet Immortal'."

Li Wangshu's eyes lit up.

She looked at Xiao Xingyue, her chest swelling even more, as if she had won.

The people in the garden looked at each other, and soon, someone was the first to stand up.

"I have met Xiao Shixian."

Then, the second, the third, the sounds gradually merged into one.

"I have met Xiao Shixian."

"Xiao Shixian is a great talent."

"Today's grand gathering of poetry and painting is truly worthy of the Crown Prince's recognition."

Gu Linyuan stood there, his face deathly pale.

Those repeated cries of "Xiao Shixian" were like knives, cutting into him one by one, taking away what originally belonged to him in front of everyone.

Xie Yuheng was being supported by others and was unable to speak. The people from the Hanlin Academy dared not cause any more trouble.

Now that Consort Shu has spoken, any further entanglement will only make things worse.

Soon, Xie Yuheng was sent away, and Gu Linyuan was also taken away by Cui Daoyuan with a cold face.

The group from the Hanlin Academy dispersed quickly; they arrived in grand style but left as if chased by dogs.

The atmosphere in the garden finally relaxed.

Shen Zhimo walked up to Xiao Xingyue.

She remained elegant, but her gaze was more intense than before.

"Young Master Xiao, you have benefited greatly from learning about ink today."

I came specifically to say goodbye.

Xiao Xingyue smiled gently:

"Miss Shen, you're too kind. Come to my residence sometime for tea and a chat about painting."

He lowered his voice:

"I also have a lot of experience with body painting."

Shen Zhimo blinked:

What is body painting?

Xiao Xingyue leaned closer and whispered a few words in her ear.

Shen Zhiming was taken aback at first, then her pretty face gradually flushed red. She raised her sleeve to cover her face, and said shyly and coquettishly:

"Your Highness is so annoying! How can you walk around without clothes?"

Xiao Xingyue said in a serious tone:

"Art should be bold."

Shen Zhiming was both ashamed and annoyed, but he wasn't really angry.

She learned to paint from a young age and has seen countless landscapes, flowers and birds, as well as painted ladies.

But Xiao Xingyue's words were completely unorthodox, absurd yet fresh, unrestrained and unconventional.

Consort Shu watched from a distance, her eyes twitching slightly. She looked at Li Wangshu.

My dear daughter, how could you not even keep your own husband? He's about to run off with someone else.

Li Wangshu saw it too, and a surge of anger welled up inside her.

Just a moment ago I thought Xiao Xingyue was a bit imposing, but now I just want to kick him into the lake.

She strode forward, forcefully cutting between the two, interrupting their flirtatious exchange:

"Miss Shen, you've had a long day."

Shen Zhiming glanced at Li Wangshu, then at Xiao Xingyue, and immediately understood:

"You're too kind, Ninth Princess. I'll take my leave now."

She bowed and left, but after taking a few steps, she turned back to look at Xiao Xingyue.

Li Wangshu was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth.

"Xiao Xingyue, can you please stop getting close to just any woman?"

Xiao Xingyue looked completely innocent:

"I'm making friends with scholars. The Shen family is a family of calligraphers and painters, and she's the eldest daughter of the family. If this relationship really works out, her dowry will definitely be substantial."

Li Wangshu's eyes widened instantly: "You're still thinking about the dowry?"

Xiao Xingyue glanced at her:

"Oh right, you didn't bring a dowry with you back then."

Li Wangshu nearly exploded: "Xiao Xingyue!"

She, a princess of high status, was already being treated unfairly enough by marrying him.

He actually complained that she didn't bring a dowry?

No, she had to make him see clearly today that she wasn't useless.

Li Wangshu turned and walked to Consort Shu:

"Mother, why don't we let Xiao Xingyue decide on the number of officials to be appointed?"

Upon hearing this, those who hadn't yet dispersed were stunned.

Xiao Xingyue also looked at her.

Li Wangshu raised her chin, looking quite pleased with herself as the princess:

"He sees best who is talented and who is not today; let him decide, and others will accept it."

Consort Shu glanced at her daughter and immediately understood. She felt both annoyed and amused.

But her daughter wanted to support her husband, and as her mother, she couldn't very well undermine her.

Consort Shu nodded:

"Very well, Xingyue, who do you think should receive this fourth-rank official position today?"

Xie Yuheng had been taken away, and Gu Linyuan was crippled. The remaining people in the room were breathing heavily.

A fourth-rank official—this is a chance to rise to the top in one step.

Shen Yan was also stunned. He hadn't dared to think that he was only the second-place finisher and had no background. It was already a stroke of luck that he was able to save face today.

Xiao Xingyue did not hesitate. He raised his hand and pointed at Shen Yan: "Him."

Shen Yan suddenly looked up:

"The Crown Prince?"

Xiao Xingyue looked at Consort Shu:

"Shen Yan's talent is no less than Xie Yuheng's, and his character is better than Xie Yuheng's. If Gou Liguo really wants a literary contest, sending someone with backbone like him will at least prevent him from being intimidated and using his official power to intimidate his own people."

Someone in the garden whispered in agreement.

"Shen, the second-place finisher, did perform quite well today."

"That couplet is beautifully matched."

"He can still stand up for the Crown Prince."

"Talented and courageous."

Consort Shu looked at Shen Yan: "Shen Yan."

Shen Yan immediately stepped forward, knelt down, and bowed:

"The students are here."

Consort Shu's voice was gentle, yet her dignity remained undiminished:

"From today onwards, you will temporarily assume the position of Poetry and Painting Official. After I inform His Majesty, you will be formally appointed to the official position."

Before Gou Li's delegation arrives at the court, you must organize and compile the poetry, paintings, and classics of the Great Xia Dynasty without error.

Shen Yan pressed his forehead to the ground, his voice trembling:

"This student obeys. Thank you, Your Highness, and thank you, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Xingyue waved his hand:

"Get up, and do a good job from now on."

Looking at Xiao Xingyue, Li Wangshu finally felt a little better.

She showed him with her eyes, "See? This princess also has a dowry. I can even give you a fourth-rank official position."

Xiao Xingyue gave her an approving look, and Li Wangshu felt her ears burn and immediately turned her head away.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, the liveliness of Qinghe Garden slowly subsided.

Only a few wine cups remained uncollected by the lake, along with a few pieces of stationery torn by the wind.

Shen Yan deliberately stayed until the end. He walked up to Xiao Xingyue and bowed deeply.

"Your Highness, I will never forget your great kindness today."

"From now on, I am willing to follow Your Highness's every command."

Xiao Xingyue did not agree immediately; he looked at Shen Yan:

"Aren't you afraid I'll drag you down with me?"

Shen Yan looked up.

Xiao Xingyue's tone was casual, yet carried a hint of seriousness:

"You must have heard the rumors about Kyoto. Although I am still the heir apparent, the Xiao family is no longer what it used to be."

I've offended the royal family, the Gu family, and the Beitang gentry. Today, I've also trampled on the Hanlin Academy and Xie Yuheng. I'm in deep trouble.

Shen Yan did not avoid his gaze:

"I come from a humble background and used to believe that studying could change my fate. But after entering the capital, I realized that my talents were insufficient and that I needed someone to help me."

His voice was hoarse:

"If it weren't for the Crown Prince today, Shen Yan would have already knelt down and apologized. That kneeling was more painful than death."

The Crown Prince is willing to give Shen Yan a path, and Shen Yan is willing to walk that path in the Crown Prince's place.

Xiao Xingyue looked at him for a moment, and finally made up his mind.

Alright, I'll join you, still a civil servant reserve.

If anyone says he has no friends again, he'll bring up Shen Yan.

Xiao Xingyue reached out and helped Shen Yan up:

"Alright, from today onwards, you're one of us."