Chapter 90
Chapter 90
“Hahaha. I found something I wrote long ago and cut out the exact same characters that appear in the poem. Then, I took them to the finest mounting master and had him paste the cut-out characters onto the exam paper, after which he covered it with an extremely thin sheet of paper. Did you know? Even that thin top layer was peeled off an eight-year-old painting. Once the mounting was complete, all I had to do was heat the paper over a fire from about two feet away for a few hours, and everything was finished.”
The words poured out of Wang Lian as if a dam had burst.
“You have no idea how shocked I was at the time. To think that the art of forgery had advanced to such a degree. Shen Lang, you fell right into my trap. Hahaha!”
“Why did you do it?”
“My original plan was to marry into the Count of Xuanwu's estate, join forces with my uncle Xu Wenshuo, and seize control of the estate’s finances. After the Count of Xuanwu dies, we would turn that idiot Jin Mucong into a puppet, and my son would eventually become the new Count of Xuanwu.”
“But a thief like you, Shen Lang, beat me to it, and my uncle Xu Wenshuo was killed. I had to get my revenge, and they promised to let me join the New Politics Faction if I framed you. They even said they would help me pass the next metropolitan examination.”
Eventually, no longer satisfied with just words, Wang Lian suddenly tore at the exam paper with all his might, peeling off the thin surface layer and ripping off the characters pasted onto it. Sure enough, the characters that formed the poem all came off.
“Look at this. I tore them all off… Shen Lang, Zhang Jin has prepared a fatal blow for you, so you’ll be finished soon. Mulan, marry me. You must marry me…”
Wang Lian was ecstatic, but everyone present couldn't bear to watch the spectacle. His actions were so pathetic they were hard to look at. With Shen Lang now cleared of the accusations, Wang Lian, completely lost in his hallucinations, ran around the main hall, looking utterly exposed and naked. The women present shrieked in shock.
Zhang Jin had initially intended to have someone restrain him, but after a moment's hesitation, he let Wang Lian lose himself completely. The more deranged Wang Lian acted, the less credible his earlier words would become. If he was just a lunatic spouting nonsense in a drunken stupor, no one would believe a word he said.
Of course, the fact that he had framed Shen Lang was now certain, as he had torn the characters of the poem from the exam paper himself. However, his claims that Liu Chengyan had ordered him to frame Shen Lang or that the New Politics Faction would help him in the metropolitan examination could all be dismissed as ramblings.
At that moment, Zhang Jin and Xu Qianqian felt another surge of vexation.
‘What on earth happened? Is he some kind of ghost? Or is heaven truly on his side? For Wang Lian to suddenly go mad like that and spill every truth in his head…’
Shen Lang's methods were enough to send a chill down one's spine. For a moment, Zhang Jin suspected that Shen Lang had poisoned Wang Lian’s wine. But even if that were true, the situation was irreversible.
The goal of this smear campaign was to tarnish Shen Lang’s reputation, quell the soaring momentum of *Boundless Wind and Moon*, and shift everyone’s attention from the Xu Clan's scandal to Shen Lang’s alleged plagiarism.
However, the failure of this attack didn't change the overall situation. The real killing blow was yet to come, and that was what would deliver a fatal strike to Shen Lang and the Count of Xuanwu's estate. Hadn't his father admonished him several times? Do not dwell on victory or defeat; if one move fails, abandon it immediately and proceed to the next.
Zhang Jin asked Shen Lang.
“Young Master Shen Lang, do you have any more questions for Wang Lian?”
“None.”
Zhang Jin spoke with an air of great sorrow.
“I never imagined Wang Lian would become so deranged. To stop at nothing for revenge, even to the point of falsely accusing you of plagiarism. It is settled now. The whole truth has been laid bare.”
Shen Lang had to admire Zhang Jin's rapid growth. His ability to change faces was becoming more and more skilled. Zhang Jin had probably ground his teeth in suppressed anger so much that his stomach was full of broken shards. People are forced to improve when faced with a strong adversary, and it could be said that Shen Lang had caused Zhang Jin's skills to advance by leaps and bounds.
Zhang Jin turned to Liu Chengyan.
“Lord Liu Chengyan, Wang Lian framed Young Master Shen Lang and tried to pass off the young master's poem as his own. According to the laws of the State of Yue, what punishment should he receive?”
“We must report this to the Provincial Education Commissioner to have Wang Lian stripped of his scholarly title, and he must pay a fine of twenty gold coins to the victim, Shen Lang.”
Zhang Jin asked Shen Lang.
“Young Master Shen Lang, are you satisfied with this resolution?”
“Satisfied, very satisfied.”
“Then we must first let him sober up. I will have men escort Wang Lian home.”
“Excellent!”
Two guards stepped forward and dragged Wang Lian away. Naturally, they had no intention of taking him home but would instead take him to a secluded place to be dealt with. However, on the way, Wang Lian was scheduled to be abducted by another group of experts dressed in black. Why would Shen Lang let him die so easily? He would ensure Wang Lian met the most humiliating and cruel death imaginable.
‘Framing me for plagiarism is not the important part. For that, breaking your arms and legs would have been enough. But you dared to frame my innocent wife, claiming she had an affair? For that, I’m afraid you will experience the most terrifying and unconventional death in this world.’
***
Zhang Jin announced loudly.
“I wish to apologize to Young Master Shen Lang for inviting such a despicable person as Wang Lian to this banquet. I will set the record straight for Young Master Shen Lang here and now. That poem was indeed written by Young Master Shen Lang. It is a brilliant poem that opens one’s ears. You have composed a fine poem.”
Shen Lang smiled.
“Young Master Zhang Jin, are you saying that I am indeed talented in poetry?”
At that moment, Zhang Jin vaguely sensed that something was amiss, but he still responded with a smile.
“Brother Shen Lang, you are of course overflowing with talent. That poem is sufficient proof.”
“Lord Li Wenzheng just asked me to compose a poem on the theme of romance and compete with the scholars, but I refused. I felt they were not worthy opponents for me in poetry. But now that I think about it…”
Everyone was taken aback.
‘Shen Lang, are you actually going to reflect on your actions?’
“Even now, I still think competing with them is not the right thing to do.”
The scholars were once again infuriated.
‘Damn you, Shen Lang.’
Yet, no matter how angry they were, they couldn't say a word. Shen Lang’s ghostly trick with Wang Lian had frightened them. They still had no idea what method he had used to drive Wang Lian mad and make him confess all his ugly secrets. Who among them hadn't done something sordid?
For example, one of them had slept with his sister-in-law, and his brother, still oblivious, treated him as if he would give him his own liver. Another had offered his chastity to pass the civil service examination. Not just once, but multiple times to multiple people. If such scandals were to be publicly revealed, they would lose the will to live. Thus, the scholars all ceased their attacks, unable to provoke Shen Lang any further.
“However, since Lord Li Wenzheng has already proposed the topic, it would be a disservice to my reputation if I did not compose a poem. Listen well, everyone. I shall compose a poem.”
Shen Lang stood up and walked to the center of the hall.
“I will complete the poem before I take seven steps. I shall praise today’s guest of honor, Miss Xu Qianqian, with my verse.”
Shen Lang raised his wine cup and gazed at the sky outside, exuding the air of a true literary master. Seeing this, everyone felt a flicker of anticipation. Although they had gathered tonight to attack him, listening to a good poem wouldn't be a loss. Of course, they would only listen; they had no intention of doing anything to enhance Shen Lang's reputation.
Shen Lang closed his eyes, seemingly entering a state of beautiful poetic immersion. Taking a step forward, he began to recite. His voice was powerful and resonant, filled with emotion.
“Qianqian, in the bloom of her youth, with makeup so fair,
In the bridal chamber, night after night, a new groom she does bear.
Upon a pair of jade-white arms, countless men have lain,
A small red mouth, less than an inch, tasted by many again and again.
Donning a coquettish air, with a heart of deceit,
Who knows how many she has welcomed and bid retreat.
As Master Lang departs, Master Jin arrives to meet.”
Everyone present could hardly believe what they were hearing. The women, in particular, turned red up to their ears, their whole bodies flushing with heat.
‘Shen Lang, you damn vulgar degenerate. To compose such a crass poem.’
As for Xu Qianqian and Zhang Jin, they were on the verge of exploding after hearing Shen Lang’s poem.
‘You son of a bitch, I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you!’
What was the meaning of this poem? It depicted Xu Qianqian as a courtesan, even more vulgar than a common prostitute. After reciting his poem, Shen Lang said.
“Why is there no applause? Was my poem not good?”
Then, Shen Lang looked at Xu Qianqian with a fervent gaze.
“Qianqian, though we have parted ways, I offer this poem to you as a gift. I can not only compose a poem for you but also sing you a song.”
Then, Shen Lang changed his tone and began to sing in a charming voice.
“Qianqian, you’re my old flame, my woman like a rose. Those red lips of yours, they came to me in the dead of night. Come on over~”
Crash!
A wine cup shattered on the floor as if it had exploded.
Xu Qianqian bit her lip so hard it bled, glaring at Shen Lang with a look of deep-seated hatred. Her expression said she wished she could kill him, skin him, grind his bones to dust, and burn the ashes. Shen Lang stopped singing and said in a gentle voice.
“Qianqian, you’re bleeding.”
Once Master Shen Lang entered his scoundrel mode, he rarely stopped.
“What’s wrong? You don’t like my song? Or would you prefer I sing another one?”
Fearing his words, everyone fell silent. They all looked at Shen Lang with complicated expressions.
‘This is too entertaining. I’ve never seen such a thrilling spectacle in my life. But Shen Lang is truly a terrifying person. He is not someone to be made an enemy of!’
The women present, in particular, felt a chill run down their spines. Shen Lang's offensive power was explosive. He used one person to completely crush the entire gathering. Like a demon king, he trampled all his enemies underfoot, making them tremble in fear. Shen Lang delivered a classic line.
“I'm not targeting just one person. I'm targeting all of you. Everyone here is just a piece of trash with a power level of five.”
Shen Lang looked at Mulan and said plaintively.
“My lady, it seems no one here likes my poetry, and no one likes my singing. Let’s go home!”
“My lord, I like your singing. I do. Let’s go home.”
Shen Lang looked at Zhang Jin and said.
“We all know what’s going on here, so let’s stop the act. If you have a trump card prepared, bring it out now. Otherwise, I’m going home.”
At that moment, a man raised his wine cup and said coolly.
“Shen Lang, you cannot leave.”
Shen Lang looked at the speaker. It was none other than the pride of Xuanwu City, the second-rank Jinshi, Li Wenzheng. The position he currently held, Silver-Clad Imperial Censor, was not high in official rank, but it represented the king’s will. He had the power to report directly to the king, a title that made even high-ranking officials tremble. And now, his sword was pointed at Shen Lang.
Li Wenzheng looked at Tang Yun beside him and said.
“Brother Tang, do you know when a man is at his most ridiculous? It is when he runs around causing a commotion, oblivious to the fact that his time of death has come. Shen Lang before us is just like that! Shen Lang, your plot of treason has been exposed!”
Li Wenzheng said calmly.
“Guards! Seize Shen Lang. Shackle him, cuff him, and take him into custody!”
Shen Lang was overjoyed. Someone had finally stepped on the landmine he had buried, about to set it off. Soon, many people would die