Misplaced Anger

The Chu Clan was known for its literary heritage, but Chu Luo Xin seemed to have been born into the wrong path. From a young age, he had admired the wandering swordsmen of the Tang Dynasty, dreaming of one day carrying a sword to the ends of the earth, or failing that, joining the military and using his blade to slay barbarians.
Because of this, he had always deeply revered this renowned Second Young Master Gao.

It was said that a few days prior, a villain had infiltrated the Imperial City, attempting to assassinate the Emperor. Fortunately, the Gao Clan's Second Young Master reacted swiftly, making a decisive choice to kill the villain directly in front of His Majesty.
Such imposing might, each time he recalled it, made his blood boil, as if he had experienced it himself.

The curtain was drawn back, clearly revealing the scene outside the tent.
Xi Cui sat before a low table, holding a teacup, admiring the spring scenery outside the tent. She listened calmly as Chu Luo Xin and Gao Qian conversed, her mood quite relaxed.
Midway, someone suddenly entered the tent to find Gao Qian; it seemed there was another important matter.
Gao Qian needed to leave, and Chu Luo Xin, finding it inconvenient to stay longer, also departed with him.

As noon approached, Gao Ying finally returned to the tent, but Gao Qian had not yet come back.
Lady Marquis instructed the servants to set up a banquet under the willow trees, inviting everyone to drink wine together.
The folk customs in Da Liang were relatively open; it was not uncommon for men and women to sit at the same table.
When Xi Cui sat down, Wei Dan Sheng happened to be seated opposite her, while Wu Huai Fei sat beside her. Xi Cui greeted Wu Huai Fei, then looked towards Wei Dan Sheng.
Seeing Xi Cui looking at him, he smiled gently and warmly.

She remembered the details of this banquet. Later, there would be a drinking game involving poetry, and Wu Huai Fei would showcase her talents here, earning the respect of the capital's nobility.
After all, she was the female lead. Wu Huai Fei had followed her honored master to study medicine since childhood. In fact, her honored master was a reclusive contemporary medical saint and also a learned scholar.
She possessed exceptional intelligence, studying both medicine and literature under her master. It was today that she would shine brilliantly at this banquet. Xi Cui quietly thought, watching Wu Huai Fei sitting not far away. For Wu Huai Fei’s stage, she only needed to be an encouraging audience member.

At the banquet, someone indeed proposed a drinking game.
The theme for this round was "spring"; the word "spring" had to be in the verse, recited in order.
It was not difficult at all.
Chu Luo Xin recited a line: "Spring River Tide Connects to the Sea's Horizon."
Wu Huai Fei looked at the wine cup before her, and recited: "Spring Wind Sends Warmth into Tu Su."

Everyone recited in turn. When it was Xi Cui’s turn, everyone’s eyes couldn’t help but turn to her.
After all, it was widely rumored that the Gao Clan's Third Lady was foolish and, despite the Gao Clan sending tutors, still barely knew a few characters.
The young monk sitting opposite her silently watched her, his gaze unwavering.
Xi Cui: "Spring... Spring sleep, unaware of dawn?"
She truly lacked literary knowledge, but the only thing that came to mind was Meng Hao Ran's poem.
Although it showed little erudition, it generally passed.

Round after round passed, and most of the verses had been recited by everyone, leaving only a few. Many people were defeated.
Wei Dan Sheng thought for a moment, smiled, then conceded, punishing himself with a cup of tea instead of wine.
At this point, only Wu Huai Fei and another young maiden remained at the banquet, facing each other.
This was Xia Yao, the daughter of Xia Zhan Shi of Zhan Shi Manor, a renowned talented woman in the capital, and also a supporting character meant to highlight Wu Huai Fei’s brilliance in this plot.
Even Xia Yao, who had read extensively, couldn't help but ponder for a moment before responding. Yet this unknown healer maiden could effortlessly recite some unfamiliar poems, causing everyone to exchange glances.
About to be outshone by Wu Huai Fei, Xia Yao’s expression had already turned a little unpleasant.

Realizing that things would not end well if they continued like this, someone quickly smoothed things over for Xia Yao, changing the rules and starting anew.
This time, the rule required the first person to recite a verse starting with "spring," the second person to recite a verse with "spring" in the second position, and so on.
When it was Wei Dan Sheng’s turn, he didn't ponder, reciting a line: "Willow's Hue, Spring Mountain's Gleam."
It immediately drew a round of applause.
This line perfectly suited the banquet scene set under willow trees, with green mountains in the distance.
And "Willow's Hue, Spring Mountain's Gleam" came from Wang Mo Ji’s "Spring Day's Leisurely Affairs," which was a Zen poem.
As soon as this line was spoken, someone exclaimed in surprise: "As expected of the capital's renowned Third Young Master Wei, truly extraordinary talent."

Previously outshone by Wu Huai Fei, and now her reputation was stolen by this monk. Xia Yao felt indignant, but on her face, she smiled and said: "Reciting the poems of our predecessors is truly uninteresting. Why don't we all try our hand at couplets and drink wine?"
Xi Cui could still bluff her way through reciting poetry, but when it came to composing it, she was very clear about her own abilities.
Xia Yao personally gave the order, first composing a line, and the others pondered for a moment before following suit.
When it was Xi Cui’s turn, everyone couldn't help but be curious, wondering how the Gao Clan's Third Lady would compose poetry.
Chu Luo Xin looked towards her, his eyes filled with worry.
Xi Cui shook her head, raising her wine cup: “I am ignorant and cannot compose poetry. I shall punish myself with a cup. I will not participate in this round of drinking.”

Xia Yao suddenly stopped her, smiling: “Lady, there’s no need to be modest. Just compose a casual line; it will all count.”
Xi Cui raised her eyes to look at this long-renowned talented woman of the capital.
She was unhurried and composed, as if she truly didn't know that Xi Cui couldn't compose poetry, only thinking she was being modest.
Xi Cui knew very well that Xia Yao was arrogant and petty. It was only because she saw Xi Cui and Wu Huai Fei were acquainted and on good terms that she was now taking out her anger on Xi Cui, venting her frustrations to elevate herself.
Everyone present was waiting to see how she would react.
Chu Luo Xin, hearing this, couldn't help but be startled and opened his mouth to say: “If Lady Gao does not wish to, why must you force her?”
Xia Yao had not yet replied, but Wei Dan Sheng answered for her.
He looked at Chu Luo Xin, smiling, and said, "Sixth Young Master, you speak wrongly. Why would you think Lady Xia is forcing anyone?"