I just wrote a love poem, how did that make me so powerful?

Xiao Liu asked in surprise, "Master, what do you mean is wrong?"

Xiao Wanjin pondered for a moment, then asked, "When you went there, was Xu Qing in his yard?"

"Yes, he is. When this old servant went to deliver the message, Young Master Xu was reading in his study."

Xiao Wanjin slapped the armrest of the chair and stood up.

"I knew it! I know my son's character better than anyone. How could I not know how much knowledge he has? It must be that Xu Qing behind it all! This whole thing was a scheme between the two of them to frame me!"

Xiao Liu thought for a moment, "Then... Master, should I go and summon Xu Qing to interrogate him?"

Xiao Wanjin turned around and glared at him, then slapped Xiao Liu on the back of the head: "What are you interrogating me about? Use your brain!"

Xiao Liu rubbed the back of his head: "Huh? This old servant is dull-witted. What do you want this old servant to do?"

Xiao Liu was truly lost.

Xiao Wanjin paced back and forth in the hall, hands behind his back: "If he lies to me once, that's just lying. But if that kid can play me for a lifetime, that's not lying, that's real skill."

He stopped, turned around, and said seriously.

"From now on, encourage Mingyuan and Xu Qing to interact as much as possible. The more, the better. If there are opportunities, let them interact; if there aren't, create opportunities for them to interact!"

Xiao Liu bowed: "This old servant understands."

……

the other side.

Xiao Mingyuan returned to the courtyard and couldn't help himself as soon as he pushed open the door.

"Pfft, hahahaha..."

He burst into laughter, his large chest heaving with each laugh.

He rushed to Xu Qing in two strides, patting his double chin with both hands and rubbing it back and forth, grinning from ear to ear with pride.

"Brother Qing! You didn't see my dad's expression! Hahahaha... It was absolutely hilarious."

Xu Qing closed the book and looked up at him: "What was that expression on his face?"

His eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets! His mouth was open so wide you could fit a goose egg in!

Xiao Mingyuan imitated Xiao Wanjin, opening his mouth wide and staring with wide eyes, looking exactly like a startled fathead fish.

Xu Qing: "That's it?"

Xiao Mingyuan chuckled: "Not only that, not only that. I just stepped out of the courtyard and heard the commotion inside. What were you doing then?"

Xu Qing's appetite was piqued.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Mingyuan laughed heartily, "I heard it clearly, he made Sixth Uncle slap himself..."

"Slapped him?"

"Yeah! He thought he was dreaming!" Xiao Mingyuan laughed so hard he bent over, slapping his thigh. "He only realized it was real after the fight, hahaha..."

Xu Qing chuckled briefly, but quickly suppressed her smile: "Didn't your father ask any further questions?"

Xiao Mingyuan waved his hand: "No, no, I think he really believed me. After I recited 'The Song of the Pipa,' he couldn't say a single word. Then I left."

Xu Qing was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "If that's the case, then something's not right."

"What's wrong?" Xiao Mingyuan's smile froze.

"Your father has been in the business world for decades; he's not so easily fooled," Xu Qing said, putting the book on the table as he pondered.

"He's not completely under your control, but he still has doubts. He's just unsure right now, so he hasn't called you out on the spot. No one knows a son better than his father; he knows your true nature perfectly well."

Xiao Mingyuan blinked, the light in his eyes completely gone: "I thought I had completely fooled him, so... what do I do now?"

Xu Qing looked at him earnestly: "What can you do? Study hard. When you can actually write something decent one day, what can he say?"

Xiao Mingyuan clenched his fist and nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, yes! That makes sense! I want to write the same poem as you!"

Xu Qing looked at his serious expression, smiled, and didn't reply.

Xiao Mingyuan naturally didn't understand...

He couldn't write those poems in two or eight lifetimes.

But this is not the time to discourage him.

If someone has the desire to improve themselves, they deserve a push, no matter how low their starting point.

……

……

Some are happy, some are sad.

Inside the Chen family's main hall, the lights were bright, but the atmosphere was icy cold.

Chen Shijin stood with his hands at his sides, without looking up.

Sitting in the armchair was his father, Chen Chengsong.

Chen Chengsong wore a dark purple silk robe, had a square face, thick eyebrows, a short mustache on his chin, and a naturally downturned mouth.

He looks like a catfish that's always getting angry.

After finishing his tea, Chen Chengsong slammed the teacup onto the rosewood table.

With a muffled thud, Chen Shijin involuntarily shuddered twice.

"You haven't won over that little girl, Song Yao, yet?"

Chen Shijin trembled again, his voice lowering, "Father, not...not yet. But...it will be soon."

"Soon?" Chen Chengsong's voice suddenly rose, his tone brimming with impatience. "I've been hearing that for half a year. Are you even capable?"

Chen Shijin clenched his fist inside his sleeve, then relaxed it: "I...I can do it."

Chen Chengsong snorted coldly and pounded the armrest of the chair twice.

"You need to understand that this whole thing is a test for you. Your grandfather is watching. If you can't even handle a country girl, how much support can your grandfather give you in the future? You need to think about it carefully."

Chen Shijin gritted his teeth and asked in a low voice, "Father, there's something... I've never understood. Why do you insist that I marry Song Yao? There are plenty of well-bred young ladies in Hengyang..."

Chen Chengsong's gaze turned cold as he glanced at him: "Don't ask. Just do what your grandfather asked you to do. Asking too much won't do you any good."

Chen Shijin shrank back and swallowed the rest of his words.

Chen Chengsong picked up the newly refilled teacup, took a sip, put it down, and softened his tone slightly.

"Stop trying to find crooked ways. Since literature isn't working, think of other methods. If all else fails, try using the law to force your way out."

Chen Shijin looked up, his face blank: "Lawful suppression?"

Chen Chengsong snorted.

"You said Xu Qing is a penniless, destitute person. Have someone check if his family has any debts, lawsuits, or any leverage you can use against him."

If there's leverage, seize it; if there isn't, create one. The law is for getting things done, not for reasoning.

Chen Shijin was stunned for a long while, then slowly nodded, his face turning gloomy: "I understand."

"Remember, you don't have much time left. If this doesn't work, you'll have to go and apologize to your grandfather yourself."

"I will definitely..."

Chen Shijin bowed and withdrew from the flower hall.

A night breeze blew in his face as he stood on the steps, clenching his fists.

"Xu Qing, Xiao Mingyuan...you just wait."

He turned and walked into the night.

The door to the flower hall behind me was blown shut by the wind with a dull thud.

Chen Chengsong watched Chen Shijin leave, then picked up the letter on the table.

"Old Master, why are you so insistent on arranging a marriage between your families? Why won't you even tell me the reason? Can Song Yao really compare to the prominent young ladies of the city?"