Hearing Cai Wenji's words, Wei Kai was not annoyed. Instead, he turned to Cai Yong and said:
"Uncle Cai, Junior Sister Yan'er does have a point.
He has never seen me compose poetry, so of course, he doesn't acknowledge my ability.
Strength is not determined by mere words but through competition.
Today, I would like to have a poetic contest with Senior Brother Yuan. Would that be acceptable?"
Yuan Shu's demeanor was obvious—he was the typical playboy from an aristocratic family.
Wei Kai had seen many such hedonistic young masters who indulged in debauchery daily.
They were skilled in drinking, gambling, and visiting brothels, but when it came to composing poetry?
Wei Kai could only scoff.
Cai Yong had often mentioned Yuan Shu's exceptional literary talent, but Wei Kai never took it seriously.
In his view, as the legitimate heir of the Yuan family, spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of coins to buy a couple of good poems to fool Cai Yong would be effortless.
Today, he would use this opportunity to expose Yuan Shu's true nature before Cai Yong, making it impossible for him to ever claim to be his disciple again.
Seeing that Wei Kai intended to challenge his student in poetry, Cai Yong turned to Yuan Shu and asked:
"Gonglu, are you willing to compete in poetry with Boru?"
Yuan Shu sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, "It's over. Looks like I have to be a literary plagiarist again today."
He inwardly cursed Wei Kai: What is wrong with you? Why are you so fixated on competing in poetry with the greatest literary masters in Chinese history? Are you just asking to be humiliated?
Still, Yuan Shu put on a friendly facade and said:
"Since Brother Wei is interested, I am naturally happy to oblige."
Seeing Yuan Shu's calm demeanor, Wei Kai thought, You'll be crying soon enough.
He cupped his hands toward Cai Yong and said:
"Uncle Cai, since Senior Brother Yuan has agreed to the competition, please provide us with a topic."
"Hold on!" Just as Wei Kai finished speaking, Yuan Shu interrupted.
Wei Kai sneered inwardly: What's wrong? Are you scared now that I asked Uncle Cai to set the topic on the spot?
I knew you were nothing but an uneducated fool.
Trying to buy time? Impossible. Today, I will ensure Uncle Cai sees your true colors.
I won't let you get close to the Cai family and become an obstacle to the Wei and Cai families' union.
Everyone turned their attention to Yuan Shu, who shook his head and said:
"Master Cai is my teacher. If he sets the topic, and you lose, what if you claim he was biased toward me?
So, it's better if you decide on the topic. No matter what you choose, I will accept it!"
Wei Kai frowned at Yuan Shu's words.
Is Yuan Shu crazy?
At first, he thought Yuan Shu was just trying to stall for time and find a way to escape.
But unexpectedly, Yuan Shu was being so arrogant—did he actually have real talent?
That's unlikely.
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