Chapter 1 The Standoff

Youyuan Main Entrance.

Inside a luxurious carriage.

Feng Jin held a piece of rice paper, beads of sweat forming on his forehead as he read Jiang Chen's newly written masterpiece.

"An Ode to the Four Great Academies"

"A needle forged through a hundred refinements, moves up and down the cloth."

"Eyes growing on the backside, only recognizing the robes, not the person."

Trembling as he finished reading, Feng Jin carefully considered his words. "Your Majesty, Young Master, isn't the content of this poem a bit... excessive?"

"If this old servant were to deliver this paper to the Four Great Academies, they would collectively hate you! The pens of scholars are not to be underestimated!"

Many high-ranking officials in the court had studied at the Four Great Academies. This poem would enrage them, making the situation difficult!

Jiang Chen knew what he was worried about and said dismissively, "Do as I, your young master, say. Since I dare to write it, I'm not afraid of offending these pedantic scholars!"

As he spoke, a hint of disdain surfaced in his eyes. "Besides, isn't my poem stating the truth?"

He had long wanted to deal with those officials who were like grass on a wall, clinging to powerful ministers and influential families, but he couldn't move against them for the time being due to the situation.

And the Four Great Academies, which could produce such opportunists, were probably not places with upright academic atmospheres.

Feng Jin smiled wryly, knowing he couldn't persuade his young master, so he simply remained silent, preparing to get out of the carriage and start the challenge.

At this moment, Yang Muxi suddenly spoke, her beautiful eyes still filled with lingering shock.

"Jiang Yan, what are you doing?"

"Starting a challenge, of course. Didn't Sect Leader Yang want to meet the renowned Zhang Zifang? As your friend, I naturally have to help you out!"

"It's also a good opportunity to test his abilities and see if he deserves his reputation!"

A conflicted expression flashed across Yang Muxi's beautiful eyes, and she anxiously said, "This poem is too much. Who starts a visit like this?"

Jiang Chen calmly corrected her, "It's not a visit, it's a challenge!"

"Don't you think tonight's poetry gathering has become much more interesting with my participation?"

"Jiang Yan, you!"

Yang Muxi had a headache and didn't know how to dissuade him.

She could only sulk in anger, her pair of waves hidden under the gray robe rising and falling fiercely, making people's hearts throb.

On the other side, outside the carriage, the hidden guards, Feng Jin, and others blocked the main entrance of Youyuan, shouting with all their might.

Their voices were like thunder, resounding for miles!

"An Ode to the Four Great Academies"

"A needle forged through a hundred refinements, moves up and down the cloth."

"Eyes growing on the backside, only recognizing the robes, not the person."

"An Ode to the Four Great Academies"

"..."

The moment the sound rang out, the surrounding air instantly fell silent, and countless gazes turned towards the carriage where Jiang Chen was.

Even the numerous pleasure boats along the riverbank unanimously moved closer to the shore, seemingly wanting to join in the excitement.

"Hiss, who is sitting in that carriage? So arrogant! Challenging them in public?!"

"Could it be someone from an influential family? But there are also children from influential families studying in the Four Great Academies!"

"Tsk tsk, there's going to be a good show tonight. The talented scholars from the Four Great Academies are all attending this Huai River Poetry Gathering, and even Zhang Zifang is no exception... This person is provoking them with poetry; isn't he just asking for humiliation?!"

"Who says otherwise? Although this person has some knowledge, compared to those talented scholars, he's like a firefly compared to the bright moon. He's probably going to be severely humiliated."

"Hmph, that's his own fault. This challenge poem tramples the Four Great Academies' faces underfoot. This matter definitely won't end well!"

The surrounding crowd spoke one after another, the scene extremely lively.

Some scholars who weren't qualified to enter Youyuan even had a gleam in their eyes, eager to see the Four Great Academies make a fool of themselves.

"Creak!"

The main entrance of Youyuan was slowly opened, and several scholars dressed in indigo brocade walked out, their backs straight and their eyebrows filled with arrogance.

"An unknown person dares to challenge us?"

The eldest of the scholars spoke, his tone extremely haughty.

"Our senior brothers and masters are currently exchanging articles; they have no time to deal with you."

"We will take it upon ourselves to respond to you with a poem!"

"Serpentine words emerge from the mouth. A glib tongue, a thick face...!"

Jiang Chen was too lazy to deal with these juniors. He lifted the carriage curtain and strode forward, saying, "I can't understand, tell Zhang Zifang to come out!"

The scholar frowned, his expression of contempt deepening.

He couldn't even understand such simple verses, yet he dared to challenge them? He was truly ignorant!

Immediately, he said impolitely, "A peerless talent like Senior Brother Zhang has no time to bother with crude people like you... I advise you to leave now; at least you can save face."

"If you dare to pester us again, we won't hold back!"

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow, his tone somewhat disdainful. "Just tell him to come out. Our matter has nothing to do with you."

His dismissive attitude instantly infuriated the scholar.

His jade-white face flushed red, his eyes widened, as if he had been greatly humiliated.

Jiang Chen found the scholar's appearance amusing and deliberately provoked him, "Why aren't you saying anything? Are you afraid?"

"Tsk tsk, it seems Zhang Zifang's reputation is exaggerated... He doesn't even dare to respond to a challenge from an unknown nobody like me. How can he bear the name 'talented and learned'? Disappointing, truly disappointing!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the academy scholars twisted, and the way they looked at Jiang Chen was as if they wanted to breathe fire!

The eyes of the surrounding people also began to change, and the gazes directed towards Youyuan were no longer respectful but indescribably strange.

Just as the challenge was about to fail.

At this moment, a large group of academy students walked out of Youyuan, their expressions unfriendly.

The person leading them was dressed in a silver-gray scholar's robe, tall and handsome, with a gentle and firm gaze.

Like a spring breeze, he gave people a gentle and warm feeling, a perfect gentleman.

Jiang Chen carefully sized him up, admiration flashing in his eyes.

This person should be Zhang Zifang.

Only such a person could make even Prime Minister Pei, that old fox, couldn't help but praise him!

"Young Master, this person has the appearance of great talent!"

"This old servant has served in the Golden Luan Hall for so many years and has never seen such a dragon-like and phoenix-like figure!" Feng Jin reminded in a low voice, his evaluation of Zhang Zifang extremely high.

Jiang Chen nodded. He also admired the young man before him and was considering how to subdue this talent.

However, before that, he had to test this Zhang Zifang.

If this person's ideals were contrary to his, and he sided with the influential families, he would never use him, no matter how talented he was!

While pondering, Jiang Chen slightly turned his head and looked at Yang Muxi beside him.

This beautiful sect leader had been talking about Zhang Zifang all the way here. She must be very excited to see him in person, right?

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen felt a little uncomfortable.

But after he lifted Yang Muxi's hood, he found that the sect leader's expression was surprisingly calm.

He couldn't help but be surprised, "Sect Leader Yang, Zhang Zifang, whom you highly admire, is right in front of you. Why are you so indifferent?"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen smirked, "Could it be that after seeing the real person, you discovered that this young master's charm is even more outstanding..."

Hearing this, Yang Muxi's pretty face instantly turned red, her beautiful eyes filled with panic.

How, how could he know what I was thinking?