Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

Upon hearing this, Cui Hao was immediately delighted, realizing it was a poor relative from the countryside.

Isn't this a golden opportunity that God has given me?

How could he possibly let go of such a great opportunity to show himself in front of his goddess?

"Leave? Is this a place you can come and go as you please? Do you think this Moon Gazing Tower is your backyard?"

Cui Hao kicked the table in front of Li Chengqian.

"Hey country bumpkin, let me tell you, once you're inside, you have to follow the rules of Wangyue Tower."

If you don't have poetic talent, you're not even qualified to enter this gate.

Since you've sat here and eaten and drunk the food, you must follow the rules.

"Rules? What rules?"

Li Chengqian blinked, nervously twisting the hem of his clothes with his hands.

Changsun Chong's lips twitched at the sight of such affected manner.

He realized that Li Chengqian was just bored and playing around with a fool.

"Composing poems."

Cui Hao said coldly,

"If you can compose a poem on the spot that will convince everyone, I will let you go."

If you can't do it...

Cui Hao waved his hand, and several servants rushed in from outside the door, surrounding Li Chengqian.

"Then don't blame me for being ruthless. Men, if this brat can't utter a single word, beat him out of here and throw him into the mass grave outside the city to feed the dogs."

The scions of prominent families around them joined in the commotion:

"Yes. If you can't write poetry, get out."

"Someone from the countryside dares to come to Wangyue Tower to freeload? Break his legs."

Li Chengqian looked around at these so-called young masters from prominent families.

My heart was already bursting with joy.

How can you compare your poetry with someone who has read through five thousand years of Chinese poetry?

Isn't this like trying to find shit in a latrine?

Li Chengqian slowly stood up and brushed the crumbs off his robe.

Then he looked at Cui Hao and asked:

"Young Master Cui, you said it yourself. If I do it, what will you use to add to the prize?"

"A prize?"

Cui Hao was stunned for a moment, then pointed at Li Chengqian and burst into laughter.

"You poor country bumpkin, how dare you ask me for a prize? Fine. I'll play along with you today."

Cui Hao pointed to his crotch and said with a mocking expression:

"If you can compose a poem that everyone will praise, I won't break your legs today."

But if you can't do it, or if what you do is utter nonsense, then you'll have to crawl between my legs. And while you're crawling, you'll shout three times that you're a complete idiot.

"So? Dare to bet?"

Upon hearing this, the scions of prominent families around immediately began to clamor:

"Young Master Cui's prize is absolutely brilliant."

"Hey country bumpkin, hurry up and crawl in, or you'll get a beating and lose your life."

"Changsun Chong, your distant cousin really makes you proud."

Changsun Chong's legs were already trembling at this point.

Cold sweat began to trickle down his hair.

Did they make Li Chengqian crawl between someone's legs?

Cui Hao really doesn't want to live anymore.

If you dare let him crawl through today, and if the Cui family isn't wiped out by Li Shimin tonight, his eldest grandson Chong will take the Cui family name from now on.

Changsun Chong wanted to speak up to stop him, but he didn't dare to disturb Li Chengqian's interest.

Zheng Qiuying frowned as she watched the farce unfold.

She was inherently proud and disdainful of Cui Hao's vulgar behavior.

But then I thought about it again. Wangyue Tower is a place of elegance, and it is indeed an insult to culture for such a country bumpkin to come in and eat and drink so much.

Being taught a lesson is a good thing, as it helps one remember the importance of learning from it.

Zheng Qiuying then turned her face away, looking like she couldn't be bothered to pay attention.

Li Chengqian pretended to be frightened and waved his hands repeatedly:

"No, no, no, Young Master Cui, I really can't write poetry."

I only knew a few doggerel poems from my time in the countryside, like "one piece, two pieces, three or four pieces" and so on.

This place is full of talented men and beautiful women, how dare I presume to teach my humble skills? Please, be magnanimous, just ignore me.

The more Li Chengqian tried to shirk responsibility, the more Cui Hao felt he was a good-for-nothing.

They took the bait immediately.

"Let you go? Too late."

Cui Hao spread his legs wide and pointed down below, urging,

"Hurry up. Don't waste my time. Go through there and shout 'Idiot' three times, then get out of Wangyue Tower."

Several servants around him were itching to step forward and restrain Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian sighed softly as he looked at Cui Hao's arrogant expression.

This is truly a case of choosing the path to hell when there's a way to heaven.

Since you've chosen to die, you can't blame yourself.

Li Chengqian casually tossed the silk handkerchief onto the table and slowly straightened up.

His aura instantly became extremely oppressive.

He just stood there casually.

But his nonchalant attitude, which made the servants closest to him involuntarily take a half step back.

Cui Hao's mocking expression froze.

He had only ever seen this kind of imposing aura emanating from his own family head.

"Since your aristocratic families all pride themselves on their literary talent and elegance, and regard everyone else as worthless fools..."

Li Chengqian looked around with a mocking expression.

"Then today I will teach you what poetry is."

After a moment of silence in the hall, several bursts of snickering suddenly erupted.

"It's installed already?"

"Let's see what kind of nonsense he can come up with."

Li Chengqian ignored the mockery and slowly spoke:

"The spring river rises with the tide, reaching the sea; the bright moon rises with the tide."

After only two sentences were read, all the whispering scions of noble families were stunned.

Zheng Qiuying turned her head and looked at Li Chengqian with an incredulous expression.

Li Chengqian completely ignored their shock, continuing to recite as he walked:

"The shimmering waves stretch for thousands of miles; where on the spring river is there no moon shining brightly?"

"The river meanders around the fragrant fields, the moonlight shining on the flower forest like scattered snowflakes..."

The expressions on the faces of the scions of prominent families all changed.

Those scholars who had been holding folding fans and considering themselves elegant now felt the fans burning in their hands and unconsciously put them away.

They have been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood, how could they not appreciate the significance of this poem?

With this poem, their so-called masterpieces from before are utterly worthless, not even as good as toilet paper.

Zheng Qiuying stood up in shock.

As a renowned talented woman in Chang'an, she recognized the value of these few lines.

This is absolutely a timeless masterpiece that will be remembered for generations to come.

Li Chengqian stopped in front of Cui Hao.

"Who first saw the moon by the riverbank? In what year did the river moon first shine on humankind?"

"Life goes on endlessly, generation after generation, but the moon over the river looks the same year after year."

Cui Hao glared at Li Chengqian through gritted teeth.

He hadn't realized he was just making fun of this country bumpkin.

As a result, he became the source of amusement.

"I wonder how many will return by moonlight; the setting moon stirs emotions among the trees along the river."

The poem is finalized.

The entire second floor of Wangyue Tower was completely silent.

No one spoke, and no one dared to speak.

Zheng Qiuying's gaze toward Li Chengqian changed from initial disgust to admiration.

Changsun Chong swallowed hard as he watched Li Chengqian's retreating figure.

This little devil usually either annoys the Grand Tutor or beats himself up in the East Palace. When did he ever learn poetry?

If you have this ability, you should have said so earlier. You almost scared the crap out of me just now.

Li Chengqian slowly turned around to look at Cui Hao and asked sarcastically:

"Young Master Cui, is my doggerel to your liking?"

Cui Hao's lips moved, but he couldn't say anything.

Seeing that he remained silent, Li Chengqian chuckled.

"Now that the poem is finished, it's time to settle the score."

"That was agreed upon earlier. Now, who crawls between whose legs?"