Chapter Fifty-Four: The Sword Leaves Its Sheath (Part One)

“The fragrance of ripening rice fills the autumn dusk, fields and paths stretch far, ten thousand acres in a row…” As Liu Nian recited these two lines, the assembled guests found them rather pleasing. Even Liu Pingshan lifted his head in surprise, thinking to himself that perhaps he had underestimated his second son. Judging by these verses alone, the boy had some measure of talent. It seemed that, with stricter guidance in the future, he might yet accomplish something.

But after just these two lines, Liu Nian began to scratch his head in frustration, unable to continue. He had racked his brains to cobble together four lines earlier, but had forgotten whose style he was imitating. Now, flustered and nervous in front of everyone, he could recall nothing beyond those two lines. What was he to do?

Yang Qi watched Liu Nian’s awkward embarrassment with an amused, mocking smile. Liu Pingshan, feeling thoroughly disgraced, glared at his son, his palms growing clammy with anxiety. Yang Xueruo cast Liu Nian a look of disdain before bowing her head once more. Zhou Chang curled his lips in contempt, thinking, “With your clumsy wits, you dare compete with me in the marketplace? Truly, you bring humiliation on yourself.”

Time passed, minute by minute. Out of respect for the governor, none in the crowd dared to laugh or jeer openly, leaving Liu Nian standing there, clutching his head in confusion. Kong Sheng’s lips twitched with a faint smile; bored, he idly brushed the ornate scabbard of the Pi-Lu Sword on his desk with his sleeve.

Ahem! Liu Pingshan, his teeth clenched, cleared his throat, wishing he could march forward and kick Liu Nian out himself. Liu Nian stamped his foot in frustration, his face reddening as he muttered, “I forgot, I forgot, I can’t recall the rest. My lord, please allow me time to think—surely I’ll remember it later.”

At this, the crowd could no longer hold back and burst into laughter. Liu Pingshan let out a cold snort. “Get down! Stop disgracing yourself here!”

Yang Qi roared with laughter. “No rush, worthy nephew of the Liu family. Take your time. If you come up with something clever later, it’ll still count as your achievement.”

Liu Nian hurriedly bowed to Yang Qi, then retreated in disarray. In his haste, he lost his balance and nearly stumbled. Seeing this, Kong Sheng laughed lightly and flicked the sword scabbard with his ring finger, producing a deep hum.

Liu Nian stopped in his tracks, glaring furiously at Kong Sheng. “Kong Sheng, what are you laughing at?”

Kong Sheng arched his brow and replied coolly, “Nothing at all. Please, Master Liu, take care as you go.”

If it had been someone else, a public embarrassment like this would have left them too ashamed to cause any more trouble. But Liu Nian, by nature rash and reckless, was a notorious wastrel. As the second son of the governor of Jiangning—whose family’s influence stood second only to the Yangs—he feared no one present, save Yang Qi.

“Kong Sheng, you coward, just wait and see! I’ll make you pay for this!” Liu Nian gritted out quietly, his face twisted with rage. If Liu Pingshan hadn’t hurried over to block him, Liu Nian would have caused a scene right then.

Yang Qi frowned. He had never thought much of this unpromising Liu scion, but since he was Liu Pingshan’s son, Yang Qi had to consider his trusted subordinate’s dignity. Liu Pingshan, mortified, quietly rebuked Liu Nian and stepped forward to bow deeply to Yang Qi. “My lord, my son is undisciplined, and I have failed in my duty. I am deeply ashamed!”

Yang Qi smiled. “Your son is passionate by nature, and still young—no harm done. Now, which other scholar would come forth to recite a poem?”

As he spoke, his gaze fixed intently on Kong Sheng alone. Yet Kong Sheng lowered his eyes, unmoved. He had already decided not to partake in such a pointless contest—let whoever wished claim victory or win the prize.

Seeing Kong Sheng’s unwillingness, Yang Qi felt vexed. If Kong Sheng refused to show his talent, wouldn’t Zhou Chang claim the laurels alone? Then, the favored dancing girl he doted on would fall to that upstart.

Yang Xueruo’s lips curved in a faint smile. She sensed Kong Sheng’s intentions and, losing interest in the proceedings, was about to slip away quietly when another scholar from the Zhou clan, Zhou Peng, stood up and called out, “Young Master Kong, your talent is well known. Now, at this grand gathering hosted by our lord, all of us have contributed verses for the occasion. Why are you silent?”

At these words, Kong Sheng’s heart stirred. He knew the real contest was about to begin—Zhou Peng’s challenge was merely the prelude.

Kong Sheng clasped his hands and replied coolly, “You flatter me, Brother Zhou. I am poorly read and dare not show my ignorance before our distinguished company.”

Zhou Peng immediately sneered, “If the world were full of charlatans, I would not believe Young Master Kong to be among them. But as the saying goes, when elders command, the young must obey—our lord, the governor, and all these gentlemen are present. If you truly have talent, you should not shrink back!”

Everyone knew Zhou Peng’s provocation came at the behest of his clan leader, Zhou An. Yet as a youth, Zhou Peng could challenge others in the name of friendly competition, giving even Yang Qi little cause to intervene.

“Let it be known,” Zhou Peng pressed, “that today’s contest is also a test to select a worthy son-in-law for our lord. If Young Master Kong’s talents do not match his reputation, how could he possibly be worthy of fair Miss Yang?”

“Indeed!” came the chorus.

“That’s right!” echoed several young scholars, their jeers growing louder.

As the gathering was deliberately steered into a forum for criticizing Kong Sheng, Yang Xueruo’s face flushed with anger. Unwilling to stay silent, she was about to speak up for her beloved when her father’s stern gaze compelled her to hold her tongue.

Kong Sheng, seeing his reluctance mistaken for guilt and himself made the target of every barb, remained entirely unconcerned. With a calm smile and a casual wave, he said lightly, “Brother Zhou Chang’s poem was truly outstanding. I must admit my own inferiority and gladly recommend him as the laureate of today’s gathering.”

No matter how they tried to provoke him, Kong Sheng refused to rise to the bait. Instead of retorting in anger, he openly acknowledged Zhou Chang’s superiority, which surprised many in attendance.

Zhou Chang was taken aback and instinctively glanced at his father, Zhou An.

A shadow passed through Zhou An’s eyes. That day, he had watched Kong Sheng closely and found him unflappable, composed, and entirely without the impetuousness of youth. Only now did Zhou An begin to take Kong Sheng seriously. He had to admit: in temperament and steadiness, his own son Zhou Chang was far inferior.

Zhou An exhaled heavily and made a subtle gesture behind his back.

Zhou Chang bit his lip and resolutely stepped forward, bowing to Yang Qi and the assembled company. “My lord, gentlemen, regardless of his learning, Kong Sheng is unfit for office and cannot possibly be a match for Miss Yang. I urge you, my lord, to reconsider your decision!”

Choosing this moment to act was a mark of Zhou An’s cunning. Had the Zhou family objected earlier, when Yang Qi first announced the two-year engagement, it would have put Yang Qi in a difficult position and risked a public falling out.

The hall fell silent. Some were secretly pleased, some frowned, some sneered, and some sympathized with Kong Sheng.

Yang Qi’s brows drew together. His voice grew cold. “Zhou Chang, what do you mean by these words? Are you questioning my judgment?”