Chapter 25: A Thorough Humiliation

Laughter rippled through the brothel. It was clear that Cui Wenbin and Wang Dan were mocking Su Chen. Even Cheng Chumou and Li Huairen felt that Su Chen had made a fool of himself. Seeing Cui Wenbin’s demeanor, it was evident that everyone else’s efforts for the evening were likely in vain. Yet, Su Chen remained calm and composed.

The only person who still believed in Su Chen was the scribe who had been ghostwriting for him behind Li Huairen’s back. "If Young Master Su’s poem cannot take first place, then there must be some trickery involved. You are surely plotting something." No one expected the servant who had just been ghostwriting for Su Chen to stand up for him now. In truth, he genuinely believed that what Su Chen had written was exceptional.

Li Huairen assumed his subordinate was merely flattering Su Chen, but he figured that even if the poem wasn't good, he couldn't let Cui Wenbin be so smug. "That’s right! We’ve seen it too; Brother Su’s poem is excellent. If you win, it must be because of some foul play." Li Huairen joined in the heckling. Since they dared to mock them, the gloves were off—if nothing else, they would simply be difficult and demand an explanation.

Cui Wenbin’s face darkened. He could see that Li Huairen and Cheng Chumou were stirring up trouble, clearly looking for a reason to find fault. He was certain his own poem was far superior to anything Su Chen could produce. "If you aren't afraid of losing face, then when the time comes, make sure the madam brings out Brother Su’s poem for everyone to critique." Cui Wenbin held nothing but contempt for Su Chen’s work; even if he had hired someone else to write it, it couldn't possibly be better than his own.

Just then, the madam emerged; the winner had been decided. Yang Wan’er hadn't taken long to choose, merely glancing at each submission, but she had lingered the longest over Su Chen’s manuscript before making her decision. When the madam took the paper, her face turned pale. "How can this be?" She was bewildered, but standing on the stage, she had no choice but to read it aloud. She was conflicted, having revealed the topic to Cui Wenbin that morning. But it was clear that no one’s poem could compare to Su Chen’s.

"Madam, hurry up and announce it! Who won first place?" the crowd clamored. Many knew they hadn't stood a chance, as most could only manage simple doggerel. Still, they had participated for the fun of it and wanted to know who had taken the top spot.

The madam took a deep breath. Cui Wenbin looked confidently toward her from a short distance away, wanting to thoroughly humiliate Su Chen in his private room. "The lady has chosen the poem of... Young Master Su Chen of the Su family." The madam finally wiped the sweat from her brow. What had to happen could not be avoided. She couldn't swap the manuscript; Yang Wan’er held a position of significant influence, and the madam could not afford to offend her. Offending such a woman could cost her her life.

Boom... The entire brothel fell silent. A brief pause ensued. Everyone turned their gaze toward the private room where Su Chen sat. Inside, Wang Dan and Cui Wenbin were left wide-eyed and stunned. It was impossible—utterly impossible.

"No, how can this be? I prepared my poem for so long, and you only had the time of a cup of tea. It is absolutely impossible..." Ignoring Su Chen, Cui Wenbin stormed out. He had to see this poem; he refused to believe that after having so many people prepare for an entire day, he had lost to something Su Chen wrote in mere minutes. Wang Dan shot Su Chen a vicious glare before following Cui Wenbin out.

Su Chen sipped his wine in the room. "It seems I shall have to excuse myself tonight. I must go and meet this Yang Wan’er from Gusu City." Su Chen smiled. Li Huairen and Cheng Chumou were not jealous; they were delighted. Seeing Cui Wenbin and Wang Dan suffer such a defeat made the night worth it.

"Haha, brother! You truly opened our eyes. I never expected that poem to actually be that good," Cheng Chumou said, grabbing Su Chen’s shoulder. It was something they never could have imagined. Li Huairen clapped his hands as well. This brother of theirs was becoming inscrutable, completely different from before. Plus, he had won them such great face by besting Cui Wenbin and leaving him humiliated. They had always been at odds with the members of the noble clans, which made this victory even sweeter.

"Brother, I finally believe you. If Changsun Chong hadn't pushed you, you would have kept us in the dark forever!" Li Huairen thought he was being clever, assuming Su Chen had been hiding his true talents all along because he lacked an opportunity—and since he got along so well with them, there had been no need to reveal them. It wasn't until he was threatened by Changsun Chong that he finally let his talent erupt.

Su Chen only smiled and did not answer. If they wanted to guess, he would let them. "So that’s how it is! If you hadn't reminded me, Huairen, I never would have realized that you were hiding your light, Su Chen, only revealing it when you had no other choice." Cheng Chumou laughed heartily, finally realizing that Su Chen had been concealing his brilliance until Changsun Chong’s threats forced his hand.

Cui Wenbin snatched the manuscript away, shoving the madam aside. "Young Master, this has nothing to do with me! Yang Wan’er chose it herself. Perhaps she just misjudged it," the madam stammered, trying to shirk responsibility. After all, Cui Wenbin was a young master of her establishment, and she could not afford to offend him. But it was clear Cui Wenbin had no patience for her. "Get out of my way!" he shouted, and his men dragged the madam off. "Young Master, listen to me, it has nothing to do with me..." The madam’s pleas faded as she was pulled away.

Cui Wenbin ignored her and began to read the manuscript aloud. Everyone in the hall wanted to know how Su Chen had secured the top prize. Su Chen and his companions stepped out of their room to watch from the hall.

"The embroidered zither, for no reason, has fifty strings; each string, each bridge, recalls the vanished years. Master Zhuang’s morning dream was lost in the butterfly; the spring heart of the Wang Emperor rests in the cuckoo..." As Cui Wenbin read the first four lines, the room fell into a deathly silence. Many felt their hearts tighten; the opening was unadorned yet deeply evocative.

"The moon shines on the vast sea, pearls have tears; the sun warms the Blue Field, jade breathes mist. This feeling could have become a memory, but even at the time, it was already a daze." As Cui Wenbin finished the final four lines, it struck like a thunderbolt on a clear day. The crowd in the brothel stood as if petrified. The sentiment of the poem was truly magnificent—it was a masterpiece of romantic verse.