Shen Yibai gritted his teeth and said, "Zong Jincheng, don’t get too cocky. I may be last in the children's exam, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be last in the provincial exams. The provincial exams test policy essays, and mine are unmatched in the world!"
Zong Jincheng scoffed, "Everyone in our advanced class writes good policy essays. Hurry up and work on your poetry—yours is terrible."
At this, Shen Yibai grinned. "Hah, still better than yours. Your poetry is the worst."
He clenched his fists, swallowing the insult, and turned to Pan Hongzhi instead. "Teacher Pan, see? This is where you, the poetry master, step in."
Ever since teaching you, the worst student, I’ve lost some confidence too.
But after being subtly comforted by the little troublemaker, Pan Hongzhi didn’t insist on leaving. He lowered his head and continued critiquing the poem. "Your poetry needs depth—a story, not just empty bragging from start to finish."
The little troublemaker, fully absorbed in his poetry, quickly slipped into study mode. Instinctively, he retorted, "Then how come Li Bai got away with it? His line, ‘Laughing loudly as I go out the door, am I not one of the elite?’ became immortalized!"
Pan Hongzhi rolled his eyes. "That line follows two others—‘The foolish woman of Kuaiji scorned Zhu Maichen, and I too left home to enter Qin.’ First, the underdog’s rise, then the emotional outburst."
"Oh..." The little troublemaker nodded. "Fine, I’ll write you another bragging poem then."
The greatest poetry teacher collapsed on the spot.
So you’re determined to brag—you can’t write without it, is that it?
When Xu Wan entered the room, the young boys were all bent over their studies. Pan Hongzhi met her gaze, and the two walked out to the small pavilion.
Pan Hongzhi recounted everything that had just happened.
Xu Wan nodded reassuringly. "Jincheng is right. Focus on teaching him, Teacher Pan. Don’t worry about the Duke of State Protection."
Pan Hongzhi bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Xu Wan smiled and asked, "How is Jincheng’s poetry coming along? I saw him throwing himself back into his studies just now—seems quite motivated."
Pan Hongzhi sighed. "Ah, Young Master Jincheng is indeed the brightest child I’ve ever taught... but his poetry is so... uniquely his. It’s hard to guide him. I’m ashamed."
"Still full of self-praise?" Xu Wan asked, amused.
"Yes..." Pan Hongzhi laughed helplessly. "In all my years, I’ve never met a child so confident. The problem is, he’s not perfect—yet he only remembers his strengths, never his flaws. His mindset is unshakable; he never doubts himself."
Xu Wan chuckled. "That’s quite rare, indeed."
Pan Hongzhi continued, exasperated. "Earlier, he even used Li Bai as an example, asking why Li Bai could brag but he couldn’t. But Li Bai is... Li Bai! The immortal poet of the ages!"
Xu Wan raised an eyebrow. "You know, if Jincheng’s personality is guided properly, he might actually capture some of Li Bai’s essence."
"Eh?" Pan Hongzhi was baffled.
Xu Wan instructed, "Spend some time studying Li Bai, Teacher Pan. Have the servants gather all his poems, analyze his patterns, and break down his techniques—then teach them to Jincheng."
So... focus on mastering one great poet’s style and amplify Jincheng’s strengths?
Strangely enough... it made sense.
Pan Hongzhi immediately agreed. "Understood, Madam. I’ll start preparing right away!"
The little troublemaker had finished his latest bragging poem. Pan Hongzhi took one look and nearly fainted.
Hands trembling, he passed it to Xu Wan.
Zong Jincheng brightened at the sight of her. "Mother! Look at my new poem—does it have Li Bai’s flair?"
The others perked up, ears straining.
Xu Wan took the poem and read it. "Not bad. There’s a story now—real progress."
She used to hold back praise, fearing it would make him arrogant. But now, the little rascal knew his limits and wouldn’t be easily swayed.
Her compliment stunned the others, who clamored to see.
"Quick, let’s see what Jincheng wrote! Even Aunt Xu praised him!"
"Read it out loud—let’s all hear it!"
Shen Yibai snatched the poem from Xu Wan and declaimed:
"Once a wastrel, now I strive,
Studying hard, my wisdom alive.
Though splendor stretches far and wide,
It pales beside my brilliant pride."
"Pfft—!"
Zong Wenxiu spat out his tea.
He covered his face, wishing he could vanish. His brother’s poem... was painfully embarrassing. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novelFirｅ.net
"HAHAHAHA!" The study erupted in laughter.
Wei Xinglu slapped his thigh, howling. "Jincheng, do you ever get tired of praising yourself in every poem?"
Shen Yibai wiped tears of laughter. "So the grandest streets can’t match half your brilliance, huh? Hah! Then how long is Qin Ye’s wisdom? Long enough to zigzag down those streets three or four times?"
"HAHAHA!" Even He Zheng cracked up, picturing it.
Wei Xinglu, never one to hold back, grinned. "Now that’s imagery! Nice one, Yibai—perfect addition to Jincheng’s masterpiece."
Shen Yibai high-fived him. Great minds thought alike.
The little troublemaker’s veins bulged. He slammed the table. "What’s so funny?! Didn’t you hear my mother say it’s progress? Li Bai wrote about ‘three thousand feet’ all the time—what’s wrong with my ‘far and wide’?!"
"Nothing at all," Shen Yibai said, barely keeping a straight face before bursting again. "Nope, can’t do it—I keep picturing them zigzagging... HAHA!"
"Pfft—HAHAHA!" Wei Xinglu was back to slapping the table.
Fuming, Zong Jincheng watched them laugh, fists clenching and unclenching. Finally, under He Zheng’s wary gaze, he sat down and huffed. "Pure jealousy. They’re just mad I wrote a timeless masterpiece like Li Bai."
Zong Wenxiu raised an eyebrow, surprised.
By now, his brother should’ve been brawling. Instead, he was calmly discussing the poem with Xu Wan and Pan Hongzhi.
Once again, Zong Wenxiu marveled: His brother was growing up fast.
From the hothead who exploded at a touch, to one who simmered before boiling over, and now—unshakable. His temper steadied, his heart grew stronger.