Chapter 61: Composing Poetry

When Chen Fan heard these words, he did not show the slightest sign of worry.

In fact, a faint smile even played on his lips.

He was entirely unconcerned that Zhao Hongwei might come to make trouble, because with two high-ranking dignitaries present, Zhao Hongwei would not dare to act presumptuously even if he were given ten times his courage.

By this time, the people around had also noticed Old Fu's peculiar expression, and everyone wondered if something had happened.

"Guests are coming, just invite him in," Chen Fan said calmly.

Hearing this, Old Fu hurried away.

"An old friend has arrived," Chen Fan said with a smile.

Hearing this, everyone present grew curious about who this old friend of Chen Fan might be.

Soon, Old Fu led Zhao Hongwei into the courtyard.

When the crowd laid eyes on Zhao Hongwei, a flash of anger crossed their expressions.

They wished they could beat him up right then and there.

Yet Zhao Hongwei walked through the angry crowd with an air of absolute confidence.

Seeing this, Chen Fan had to admit that this Zhao Hongwei still possessed some mettle.

To be able to maintain such a confident stride under the hostile stares of so many people was no small feat.

"Your student Zhao Hongwei pays his respects to Lord Fang and Director Liu," Zhao Hongwei said, stepping directly in front of the two dignitaries and bowing respectfully.

Director Liu had been extremely displeased with Zhao Hongwei's conduct over the past few days, and even suspected that Zhao Hongwei was in cahoots with Chen Hao.

Therefore, he did not afford Zhao Hongwei a pleasant look.

As for Fang Zhengru, having just arrived, he was unfamiliar with Zhao Hongwei's character.

Moreover, Zhao Hongwei did possess a certain degree of talent, and Fang Zhengru had heard of him back in the capital.

Combined with the confident demeanor Zhao Hongwei currently displayed, it suited Fang Zhengru's tastes rather well.

Consequently, a look of admiration appeared in Fang Zhengru's eyes.

"Not bad," Fang Zhengru said indifferently.

Hearing this, Zhao Hongwei's heart surged with excitement.

The reason he had come here was not to congratulate Chen Fan, but because he had heard that Fang Zhengru was present, which prompted him to tag along.

He was well aware that Fang Zhengru held a much higher position than Director Liu; as long as he could leave a favorable impression on Fang Zhengru, his future path would be much smoother.

"Chen Fan, please don't take our previous misunderstandings to heart," Zhao Hongwei said with a modest smile.

"Hearing today that you have moved into a new home, I specifically came to offer my congratulations. Surely you won't chase me away!"

Upon hearing these words, Chen Fan immediately realized that this fellow was trying to dig a trap for him!

Since Zhao Hongwei was being so humble, if Chen Fan were to show any sign of dissatisfaction, Fang Zhengru would undoubtedly misunderstand him.

"How could that be? I, Chen Fan, am not that petty. Please, take a seat!" Chen Fan said with a smile.

"Wait a moment."

Just as Zhao Hongwei was about to sit down, Chen Fan suddenly spoke up.

Zhao Hongwei looked at Chen Fan in bewilderment, wondering what kind of trick Chen Fan was trying to pull now.

"Even the two Lords brought gifts. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for Young Master Zhao to arrive empty-handed? People might suspect you came here just for a free meal!"

"Or perhaps you believe your status is higher than both Lords, rendering gifts unnecessary?" Chen Fan asked with a smile.

As soon as these words were uttered, the surrounding crowd turned to watch Zhao Hongwei as if waiting for a good show.

Hearing this, Zhao Hongwei instantly grew tense.

"You—"

"Of course, I don't care about your gifts, but I'm afraid others might misunderstand. You won't blame me, will you?" Before Zhao Hongwei could finish his sentence, Chen Fan cut him off directly.

"Naturally I brought a gift. I already gave it to your servant just now," Zhao Hongwei said with a cold face.

Hearing this, Chen Fan felt not a shred of guilt.

"How was I to know if you didn't mention it? If I didn't know, certainly no one else did either."

"I only asked to prevent others from misunderstanding you, so please don't take it the wrong way."

"I, Chen Fan, am not lacking your little gift; your Zhao family still owes me ten thousand taels of silver, after all!" Chen Fan said, putting on an expression of acting entirely for Zhao Hongwei's own good.

These words made Zhao Hongwei's lungs feel as though they were about to explode from fury, yet he had no way to retort.

He could only glare coldly at Chen Fan for a moment before obediently sitting down.

The onlookers watching this scene wore expressions of contemptuous amusement.

Even Director Liu was no exception.

Zhao Hongwei had never expected that instead of falling into the trap he had laid for Chen Fan, he would be kicked right into his own pit by Chen Fan himself.

In his heart, Zhao Hongwei had already cursed the ancestors of Chen Fan down to the eighteenth generation.

"Since everyone has arrived, let's start serving the dishes!" Chen Fan said, turning to instruct Old Fu.

Before long, the servants began bringing out exquisite dishes one after another.

"Just eating food is rather dull!"

"Since both Lords are here today, along with so many scholars,"

"Why don't we ask Lord Fang to propose a theme, and each of us can compose a poem?" Zhao Hongwei suggested at that moment.

The other scholars showed immense interest at this proposal.

Everyone was eager to distinguish themselves before Fang Zhengru and Director Liu.

The reason Zhao Hongwei made this suggestion was that poetry composition happened to be his forte, and he wanted to shine in front of Fang Zhengru.

"Very well. Since everyone is in such high spirits, this old man shall propose a topic to see how well you all have been studying in your daily lives," Fang Zhengru said with keen interest.

He also wanted to gauge the literary proficiency of these scholars.

Since Fang Zhengru had already agreed, Chen Fan naturally had no objections.

Fang Zhengru glanced around the courtyard.

"Let us take the moon as our theme, and each compose a poem!"

"I shall personally write a piece of calligraphy and present it to the author of the best poem," Fang Zhengru said with a smile.

Hearing of this reward, the crowd's enthusiasm soared even higher.

Everyone immediately fell into deep thought.

Meanwhile, Fang Zhengru and Director Liu subconsciously turned their gazes toward Chen Fan.

They both wanted to see what kind of poem Chen Fan—who had previously tossed out timeless literary masterpieces with seemingly effortless ease—would produce.

While the surrounding scholars racked their brains in deep contemplation, Chen Fan was heartily enjoying the food, occasionally even using his plate to scrape up the remaining sauces.

This sight caused the two dignitaries to instantly frown.

Could this fellow have simply given up on himself?

"Lord Fang, Director Liu, this student has composed a poem."

At that moment, a scholar stood up in excitement.

"Deep in the night the moon shines bright and clear, my thoughts drift far across the distant skies. Memories of the past are endless and severe, I look to the future as it forever onward flies."

The scholar recited his poem with great fervor, then looked expectantly toward Fang Zhengru and Director Liu.

He hoped to win the approval of these two prominent figures.

However, Fang Zhengru and Director Liu merely nodded without offering any further commentary.

Clearly, this poem had failed to move them.

The young scholar could only sit back down with a dejected expression.

"My Lords, this student has also composed a poem."

Another scholar stood up shortly afterward.

"Bright moonlight illuminates my windowpane, a gentle breeze brings comfort to my heart. Yearning for old friends brings a bittersweet pain, may you forever peace and joy impart."

After finishing, he too looked expectantly at Fang Zhengru and Director Liu.

Yet Director Liu and Fang Zhengru merely nodded slightly, remaining silent once more.

Evidently, this poem had fallen short of touching them as well.

"My Lords, this student has also made a poem..."

Dozen after dozen of scholars recited their verses, yet none managed to elicit a word of praise from Fang Zhengru and Director Liu.

The scholars finally realized that the standards of these two dignitaries were extraordinarily high.

For a time, no one else dared to stand up.

"My Lords, this student has also composed a poem," Zhao Hongwei said, standing up since he had not yet spoken.