Chapter 63 Barking Like a Dog

Everyone present was swept by a wave of excitement and shock.

They had witnessed with their own eyes the birth of a timeless masterpiece of poetry, an achievement they could boast about for the rest of their lives.

"I never imagined that Mr. Chen would not only excel in storytelling and couplets, but also in poetry. Truly, he is a peerless talent!"

"Mr. Chen is indeed the pride of our Dongyang County, and even of the Great Xia Empire!"

"To be seated here today alongside Mr. Chen, I am blessed beyond measure!"

...

Praises for Chen Fan rose from all corners of the gathering.

Every word of praise felt like a sharp blade piercing straight into Zhao Hongwei's heart.

At this moment, Zhao Hongwei looked at Chen Fan as though gazing upon some terrifying monster. Never had he expected that Chen Fan could compose poetry, let alone surpass him by such an immeasurable margin.

If only he had known better, he would never have proposed such a wager in the first place.

Inside, Zhao Hongwei desperately prayed that Chen Fan would simply forget about the bet.

Yet, Chen Fan had no intention of forgetting.

With a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips, Chen Fan turned his gaze toward Zhao Hongwei.

That smile, though calm, felt to Zhao Hongwei like a chilling phantom summoned from the deepest abyss of the underworld.

"Honored Officials, whose work is better—this humble one's poem, or Young Master Zhao's?" Chen Fan asked, feigning ignorance as he looked toward Fang Zhengru and Director Liu.

"Zhao Hongwei's poem is well-written," Fang Zhengru said. "However, before a timeless masterpiece such as yours, it is utterly eclipsed. The two poems simply do not belong in the same realm."

"Comparing Zhao Hongwei's verse to yours is nothing short of an insult to your poem," Director Liu added bluntly.

His words met with unanimous agreement among the scholars present, who nodded solemnly in silent accord.

Hearing this, Zhao Hongwei felt no anger left within him; terror had entirely consumed his mind.

Nearby, Su Yi and Wang Wei felt a quiet surge of relief that they had never married their daughter to Zhao Hongwei.

Having obtained the answer he desired, Chen Fan turned back to Zhao Hongwei.

"Young Master Zhao, it appears you have lost. Pray, fulfill your wager," Chen Fan said with a mocking chuckle.

The surrounding scholars cast eager, curious glances at Zhao Hongwei. After all, witnessing a magistrate's son bark like a dog was a spectacle not easily forgotten.

Cold sweat poured down Zhao Hongwei's face in torrents.

Regret gnawed fiercely at his insides, making him want to slap himself twice over for his own arrogance. Yet, in this world, there was no medicine for regret.

"Young Master Zhao, surely you don't intend to renege on your word?"

"It is quite alright, really. Just say the word that you wish to withdraw, and I shall let it go. I would never force you," Chen Fan said with feigned magnanimity.

But Zhao Hongwei dared not utter such a plea. To back out now, right before Fang Zhengru, would be tantamount to proclaiming his own lack of integrity.

"Chen... Chen Fan, with both honored officials present here today, barking like a dog seems rather unseemly. Perhaps I might fulfill the wager once they have departed?" Zhao Hongwei stammered, his face dark as he looked at Chen Fan.

Discontent flashed visibly across the faces of the surrounding scholars at these words.

Even Fang Zhengru furrowed his brow, clearly displeased with Zhao Hongwei's evasive attitude. After all, Zhao Hongwei was the one who had so eagerly proposed the wager in the first place; surely he should have considered propriety beforehand?

"The sages teach us that without sincerity, a gentleman cannot stand. For a scholar, keeping one's word is far more important than mere propriety," Fang Zhengru declared before Chen Fan could even speak.

Hearing this, and meeting Fang Zhengru's stern gaze, Zhao Hongwei knew he had run out of choices.

"Very well! I, Zhao Hongwei, am no man to break his word. Chen Fan, listen closely!" Zhao Hongwei said, his voice trembling as he stared at Chen Fan.

Anticipation rose once more among the onlookers.

Zhao Hongwei's neck flushed crimson as he took deep, shuddering breaths, struggling to overcome the monumental humiliation locked within his chest.

"Wait a moment."

Just as Zhao Hongwei opened his mouth to begin, Chen Fan interrupted him.

A spark of hope flared in Zhao Hongwei's heart, making him think Chen Fan had grown soft and decided to release him from the bet.

"Pardon me, just a friendly reminder," Chen Fan said with a smile. "Our wager had a specific condition—you must bark convincingly. No perfunctory yaps allowed. If it doesn't sound genuine, you shall simply have to keep barking until it does."

At these words, Zhao Hongwei clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white with rage.

"Ahem, ahem..."

Clearing his throat, Zhao Hongwei cast his mind back, desperately trying to recall what a dog actually sounded like. He knew he had to do a thorough job, or else he would be forced to humiliate himself indefinitely.

"Woof! Woof! Woof..."

Zhao Hongwei let out a few ragged barks.

A wave of mocking laughter rippled through the gathered scholars.

Right then, Zhao Hongwei wished the earth would open up a fissure beneath his feet so he could dive straight into it without a moment's hesitation.

"Splendid! I never knew Young Master Zhao was so accomplished at barking. It seems you must have practiced quite often in the past!" Chen Fan remarked with an amused smile.

If looks could kill, Chen Fan would have been hacked to a thousand pieces by Zhao Hongwei's glare alone.

With a dark, stormy expression, Zhao Hongwei slumped back into his seat, uttering not another word.

He desperately longed to flee the scene of his absolute degradation, but with Fang Zhengru and Director Liu still seated, he lacked the courage to leave first.

As the night deepened, the guests gradually dispersed.

"Chen Fan, we return to the capital tomorrow, and you shall accompany us. The Imperial Academy cannot afford to lose a talent like you."

"I—"

"Enough nonsense. We shall come to fetch you personally tomorrow morning. If you dare refuse, we shall have you bound and carried away."

Having delivered these parting words with absolute resolve, Fang Zhengru and Director Liu departed in high spirits.

Su Yi, Wang Wei, Yingchun, and Chunxia, who had all overheard the exchange, beamed with radiant joy.

"Chen Fan, it was our own short-sightedness before. Since you are a man of vast magnanimity, do not hold it against us."

"Indeed, Chen Fan, you are a fine son-in-law to our Su family. Our daughter has truly found a marvelous husband!"

Once the others had cleared out, Su Yi and Wang Wei approached Chen Fan with carefully rehearsed apologetic smiles.

Chen Fan bore them no ill will and cheerfully bid them farewell himself.

"Husband, we will go pack your things. Do walk Aunt and Lanlan out!" the two sisters urged eagerly, rushing off to tend to his belongings.

"There is no need to—" Su Wenqi began to refuse.

"Allow me to accompany you," Chen Fan offered instead.

The two walked in silence along the moonlit path, the heavy air thick with lingering awkwardness.

"Chen Fan, congratulations on your impending departure for the Imperial Academy," Su Wenqi finally broke the silence, her voice soft.

"Will you miss me when I am gone?" Chen Fan murmured softly, leaning in closer.

His voice was so low that only the two of them could hear it.

Upon hearing those words, Su Wenqi stiffened in panic, casting anxious glances toward Lanlan and the surrounding shadows.

Seeing that no one was paying them any mind, she let out a quiet sigh of relief, though a deep, burning blush spread instantly across her cheeks.

"Chen Fan, do not speak such reckless words," Su Wenqi scolded, forcing a stern expression upon her face.

What she failed to realize, however, was that her alluring features combined with her feigned severity only made her look all the more enchanting.