Xiè Wényàn asking for the “Poetry Collection” is naturally not for his own use.

Although his talent in poetry can’t be called extraordinary, his skills are certainly not low. There’s really no need for him to borrow someone else’s poetry to make a name for himself; he’s greedy for power and profit, not shameless.

But Qián Bótú is different!

Qián Bótú isn’t cut out for studying, but his family expects him to succeed, so they have strict requirements for his schoolwork. He can’t fake his grades in the private school, so he can only pull tricks at various poetry gatherings and literary meetings, spending money to hire some talented but poor scholars to act as his ghostwriters.

And now he’s caught the opportunity, hasn’t he?

Xiè Wényàn knows very well that he has just been reborn and has no power at all. It’s impossible to take revenge on Qián Bótú like in his previous life, where he had his leg broken without leaving a trace.

But waiting a few more years for revenge is also not an option!

If you ask who Xiè Wényàn hated the most in his past life, it wasn’t the crown prince who burned bridges after crossing the river, nor the second prince who failed in his bid for the throne and dragged him down, and certainly not the political enemies who fought to the death in the court. No, it was Qián Bótú!

They had been classmates for many years; their relationship wasn’t particularly close, but there were no grudges either. However, Qián Bótú, out of jealousy for his talent, schemed to have him crippled and ruin his career!

If it were for profit, he wouldn’t hate him so much; after all, the loser is the bandit. But Qián Bótú did this just to make himself happy.

If he doesn’t take this opportunity to deal with him, Xiè Wényàn really won’t feel comfortable.

His thoughts were swirling, but his smile remained gentle and composed.

After getting the “Poetry Collection” from his cousin who had crossed over, Xiè Wényàn returned to his room, dipped his brush in ink, and copied a few poems according to the theme of tomorrow’s poetry gathering.

After carefully reviewing his plan for tomorrow and confirming that there were no issues, he finally went to bed to conserve his energy.

…

The next day.

The poetry gathering at Jùyuán Building officially commenced.

Xiè Wényàn got up early, washed up, and changed into a decent wide-sleeved robe, heading to the city amidst the eager expectations of the Xiè family.

Because of today’s poetry gathering, the capital was quite lively.

There were not only more scholars on the streets than usual, but even the number of common folks going out had increased. After all, entertainment was scarce for the common people in ancient times, so when there was a lively event, they naturally wanted to join in.

And the poetry gathering at Jùyuán Building was originally meant for talented individuals to make a name for themselves.

So, the venue for the gathering wasn’t inside the restaurant but on a high platform built beside the canal.

Noble officials sat on boats to watch, while common folks crowded along the riverbank to look on.

What a lively scene!

When Xiè Wényàn arrived, the few familiar classmates he had originally arranged to meet hadn’t come yet; only Qián Bótú was there.

Qián Bótú arrived early, but it wasn’t because he was overly enthusiastic; it was because he had arranged for the private room for this poetry gathering during the previous break at the private school.

So, he had to come early to make arrangements.

“Oh, Xiè brother, you’re quite early today. I’m afraid you left before dawn and didn’t even have breakfast, right? Just in time, the waiter just brought out some snacks; would you like a couple?”

“Let’s order after we eat. Although my family isn’t a high-ranking household, I can still afford a few plates of snacks from the restaurant. There’s no need for you to be so polite, it’s just a small thing.”

Seeing Xiè Wényàn, Qián Bótú couldn’t help but remember how he had been tricked and spoke sarcastically.

He had spent a lot of connections and money to secure the private room for today, and it really pained him.

Unfortunately, this round of mockery had no effect at all.

Xiè Wényàn was someone who had lived through it all; what harsh words hadn’t he heard in his previous life? Just a few sarcastic remarks about his poverty, nothing to care about.

“Qián brother, you’re indeed attentive. I did leave early today and haven’t had breakfast yet. Since you’ve invited me, I won’t be polite…”

Xiè Wényàn smiled gently and immediately called for the waiter.

Before Qián Bótú could retort or stop him, he quickly ordered several of Jùyuán Building’s most expensive signature dishes and snacks!

This made Qián Bótú’s face turn purple with anger.

Taking advantage of the fact that there were no outsiders around, Qián Bótú no longer concealed his true nature and glared fiercely.

“Xiè Wényàn, you’re just a poor scholar from the countryside. I give you a bit of face, and you really think you can act like a big shot?”

Hearing this, Xiè Wényàn wasn’t angry; his smile remained as warm as spring.

But what he said was infuriating, “Qián brother, you’re just a lowly merchant. I, a proper farming son, am willing to befriend you, and you’re not grateful at all. What do you think you are acting like now?”

Farmers may be poor, but in terms of status, they are far above merchants.

As his cousin from the other world would say, their Xiè family has been farming for eight generations, with roots and a pure lineage.

There’s nothing to feel inferior or ashamed about.

Qián Bótú didn’t expect him to have such thick skin, and he was so furious that smoke seemed to rise from his head. He slammed the table and shouted angrily, “You dare to speak so wildly!”

Xiè Wényàn’s goal for coming today was to deal with him, so he certainly wouldn’t back down.

He stood up and coldly snorted.

“Qián Bótú, ever since I entered Hóngyuǎn Private School, you’ve been targeting me both openly and secretly. In the past, out of respect for the teacher and our classmate friendship, I didn’t argue with you.”

“But you’ve gone too far, constantly pulling tricks and even secretly sowing discord between me and other classmates. You’re simply getting more and more outrageous!”

“My Xiè family may indeed be a poor farming household, but your Qián family is just a small merchant family. Do you really think I’m afraid of you?”

Xiè Wényàn’s voice was cold, and his gaze sharp, revealing the imposing aura of someone who had once held power.

Qián Bótú was directly pressured back a step.

Then he reacted, filled with endless shame and anger!

He was actually intimidated by a poor scholar from the countryside with just a few words; it was truly embarrassing.

Furious and ashamed, Qián Bótú raised his fist, wanting to resort to violence since he couldn’t win the argument.

“Xiè Wényàn, you dare to speak to me like this? You’re looking for death!”

But the next second,

His raised fist was caught by Xiè Wényàn.

With a firm grip, Xiè Wényàn twisted his arm behind his back, kicked him in the stomach twice, and then warned,

“Qián Bótú, if you have no ability, just keep your tail tucked between your legs. You can’t compete with me in literature, nor in martial arts, and even in looks, you’re not as good as me. I really don’t know where you get the confidence to look down on me.”

“Is it just because of your family’s little background? There are always people better than you. If you dare to provoke me again, from today onwards, I can make your entire family disappear from the capital. Do you believe it?”

“Big words!”

Qián Bótú was filled with rage and didn’t believe that a poor scholar with no power or influence could have such ability.

Xiè Wényàn sneered, “If you don’t believe it, then just wait and see.”

With that, he turned and left the private room.

Although Qián Bótú didn’t believe his words, he was still wary. After all, with Xiè Wényàn’s talent, it wasn’t impossible for him to attach himself to a noble person at today’s poetry gathering.

So, clutching his stomach, he called for his servant and said fiercely,

“Follow him. If Xiè Wényàn talks to any noble person, find a way to sabotage it!”

“Yes, master.”

The servant obediently replied and quickly followed Xiè Wényàn’s figure.

Up ahead,

Noticing someone following him, Xiè Wényàn chuckled to himself. He didn’t try to shake them off but allowed them to follow.

After casually walking around the restaurant’s boat for a bit,

Xiè Wényàn pretended to be cautious and stopped a waiter, slipping him some silver to gather information.

The servant sent by Qián Bótú, seeing this, immediately became alert. After Xiè Wényàn left, he also stopped the waiter to inquire.

“Hey, little waiter, what did that scholar just say to you?”

As he spoke, he slipped five taels of silver!

That was much more than what Xiè Wényàn had given earlier, and the shameless waiter immediately revealed the information without hesitation.

“You mean that gentleman just now? He was inquiring about the location of Princess Míngzhū’s private room. Another scholar who doesn’t want to work hard, I guess…”

Princess Míngzhū is the current emperor’s favorite youngest daughter, who has just come of age and is not yet married.

In the State of Chǔ, there’s no rule that a prince consort can’t participate in politics, so all the young men in the capital are eyeing her.

Many people try to gather information about the princess’s whereabouts at such banquets, but very few get to see her, even with layers of guards protecting her, so the waiter wasn’t afraid of leaking information and causing trouble.

The servant was shocked after hearing this!

No wonder Xiè Xiùcái, who usually endured bullying from his young master, dared to fight back today; it turned out he was planning to attach himself to Princess Míngzhū.

To be honest, the chances of this plan succeeding are quite high.

Aside from his poor family background, Xiè Xiùcái is really not inferior to those young masters from noble families in terms of looks and knowledge.

In fact, because of his lowly background, Xiè Wényàn is even sweeter-tongued and knows how to flatter people.

This won’t do!

If Xiè Xiùcái really becomes the prince consort, with the enmity between the young master and him, their Qián family, a small merchant household, would definitely be finished.

Thinking this, the servant rushed over to grab the wine jug that the waiter was carrying and hurriedly chased after Xiè Wényàn.

Then,

As Xiè Wényàn walked ahead, not noticing someone behind him, the servant directly splashed the wine from the jug all over him.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Please forgive me, noble sir, it was not my intention to bump into you…”

The servant pretended to be a clueless waiter from the restaurant, kneeling and begging for mercy.

In front of a large crowd, Xiè Wényàn, holding his identity, couldn’t make things difficult and could only endure his temper.

“Forget it, just take me to a private room to change clothes. Don’t delay the poetry gathering.”

“Thank you for your understanding, noble sir.”

The servant wasn’t really a waiter from the restaurant, so he didn’t know the layout of the boat and could only randomly find an empty private room to deal with it.

Xiè Wényàn didn’t expose him, cooperating and pretending to tidy up his clothes, leaving behind the copied poetry drafts.

The servant also knew that these scholars liked to prepare their poetry drafts before the poetry gathering, so he quickly hid the drafts away.

Then he returned to his master to ask for a reward!

“Xiè Lángjūn’s talent is outstanding, and his literary skills are remarkable. The poems he writes must be better than the ones my young master finds from those down-and-out scholars.”

If their young master used them, he would definitely get a better ranking at the poetry gathering. Even if he didn’t use them, he could use the drafts to take revenge on Xiè Lángjūn, killing two birds with one stone.

After the servant happily left,

Xiè Wényàn finally smiled, changed back into his clothes, and walked out of the private room that was booked by some unknown guest.

Then,

As soon as he stepped out of the private room, he bumped into someone again, spilling wine all over himself.

“Please spare me, Young Master Chǔ! I didn’t mean to bump into you. Please have mercy and spare my life! I’ll take you to change clothes right away.”

A little servant knelt in fear, begging for mercy.

Xiè Wényàn: …

Is he taking the blame for someone else?