TFWYH – Chapter 237 Reciting a Poem

Wei Ziyan teased, “Young Master Yu is far too nervous about Sister Wan. This is fruit wine—it won’t get anyone drunk!”

Ling Yu didn’t even bother acknowledging her. Not even a glance. He simply downed his wine and sat back down.

Wei Ziyan: …

“Alright, alright, drink up! It’s a rare occasion today, and since Miss Wei is our host, none of us are allowed to leave sober!” Xie Wenjie laughed loudly.

With him setting the mood, everyone continued to shower Wei Ziyan with compliments.

But Wei Ziyan was still unhappy—especially when she saw Ling Yu sitting down and serving Tang Wan this and that. Her face almost couldn’t maintain its smile!

Pan Xiner was also furious!

Because Su Yangyu was ignoring her too, fussing attentively over Yanyan.

Pan Xiner’s eyes rolled, and she suddenly suggested, “Just drinking is boring. Why don’t we each compose a poem based on something or some scenery? You are all talented scholars—let us humble women broaden our horizons!”

“Sure!” someone immediately agreed. “Let’s compose a poem about autumn. Whoever can’t produce one will punish themselves with three cups!”

“No problem, I’ll go first!” Pan Xiner said proudly. She even shot Yanyan a disdainful look before reciting, “After the new rains of August, fruits shine like jade; osmanthus fragrance fills the branches—deep autumn is the most beautiful.”

Everyone: …

You call that a poem?

Ah right, right—doggerel is still technically poetry.

“Pfft—” Xie Wenjie was the first to burst out laughing.

The other scholars couldn’t hold back either and followed with laughter.

Su Yangyu even openly sneered. “What remarkable talent. Even children would bow their heads before such genius!”

“You—!” Pan Xiner glared at him, eyes brimming with tears.

“You did well enough,” Wei Ziyan said against her conscience, pulling her back down into her seat.

Pan Xiner felt she really had done well. It was these people who couldn’t appreciate her genius.

“Next should be Miss Wei.”

Wei Ziyan had been waiting for this. She was eager to perform well in front of Ling Yu. “Let me think… Mm… ‘Light boat drifts past Bishan’s crest, ripples and sky share autumn’s hue. Chasing clouds, playing with waves for thirty li, longing red leaves yearn afar.’”

“Miss Wei truly has outstanding talent!” Xie Wenjie praised sincerely.

Others nodded with smiles. “Longing red leaves… red leaves of longing. Miss Wei, have you someone in your heart?”

“You jest—it’s only a poem,” Wei Ziyan replied shyly, though her eyes secretly drifted toward Ling Yu.

Ling Yu… continued feeding Tang Wan.

One ate happily, the other fed happily!

Wei Ziyan’s face twitched—she nearly lost control of her expression.

“It’s my turn!” Xie Wenjie said with a grin, immediately launching into his poem.

…

One after another, soon it was Yanyan’s turn.

Yanyan stood, gave a polite bow, and softly recited, “Alone I lean by the western window, autumn enters—home fades far. Mid-autumn brings thoughts of returning, beneath iron trees and silver flowers.”

“Wonderful! Wonderful!” Su Yangyu applauded first, eyes glowing as he looked at Yanyan. “Yanyan is truly a talented lady.”

Pan Xiner was extremely unconvinced. “They’re all five-character lines—why is her stupid poem so good? What even is ‘iron trees and silver flowers’? Never heard of it!”

“Iron trees and silver flowers refer to fireworks unique to the capital. Of course you’ve never heard of it—you’ve never been to the capital!” Xie Wenjie snapped, already annoyed. Then he turned to Yanyan. “Miss, are you from the capital?”

Yanyan smiled and nodded.

Madam Hong was from the capital. Though Yanyan had never been there herself, she’d heard many stories, especially about the iron-tree silver-flower fireworks, which she remembered clearly.

Pan Xiner flushed bright red, unable to say a word after being thoroughly roasted.

“Enough, sit down,” Wei Ziyan said, already irritated with this fool. No intelligence, no talent—fine. But must she insist on showing off? As if afraid others wouldn’t know how ignorant she was?