The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

Li Chengfeng sat there bored, listening to these unoriginal poems and feeling completely uninterested.

Song Yuwei gently pushed him and whispered, "Mr. Li, it's your turn."

Li Chengfeng then cheered up and stood up.

He looked around and spoke slowly.

"When autumn comes and September th, I will kill the flowers after they bloom."

After the words fell, no one in the audience spoke, as if they had not yet come out of the solemnity of the poem.

This poem is arrogant, overbearing, and even carries a chilling murderous aura.

Compared with the previous poems about the wind and the moon, there is a world of difference.

Liu Xu's face changed drastically. Although he was not well-versed in literature, he could hear the imperial spirit contained in this poem.

Could it be that he is planning a rebellion?

After the poetry reading is over, I must tell my father to report it to him.

Li Chengfeng ignored everyone's reactions. He just smiled faintly, as if the shocking poem he just said was just a casual remark.

In the following Feihua Ling (Flying Flower Order) competition, everyone seemed to be influenced by Li Chengfeng and became more cautious in their poetry writing. No one dared to use flowery words like before.

Sima Jingwen's gaze passed through the many talented people and fell on Li Chengfeng.

"What a wonderful line! 'When my flower blooms, all other flowers die'! Master Li, this poem contains... a certain dissatisfaction with the world?"

Li Chengfeng smiled slightly and did not comment.

"The people have their own opinions on the state of the world. However, I just recited it casually, so please don't over-interpret it."

Sima Jingwen had no intention of letting it go.

"Sir, your poem is profound and profound, beyond the reach of ordinary people. What does this 'hundred flowers' refer to? And what does this 'killing' refer to? I'm afraid it's more than just autumn chrysanthemums defying the frost, right?"

The implication of his words seemed to be to tempt him to say something extremely treasonous.

Li Chengfeng still maintained a faint smile and remained silent.

Of course he knew that Sima Jingwen was testing him, but he refused to accept it.

Sima Jingwen was secretly annoyed when he saw that Li Chengfeng did not answer, but he did not want to make things difficult for him.

"Good! What a reticent one!"

After a short break, Sima Xin announced the rules for the final round of competition.

"Everyone, this final round will test your true abilities! The topic is free creation, and you must create on the spot. The time limit is one stick of incense!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the audience.

Although Feihualing is also self-created, its advantage is that the topics are common and a few sentences can be made up on the spot.

But this improvisation is a real test of one's skills.

For a moment, everyone in the audience had a solemn expression on their faces. Only Li Chengfeng remained calm and composed.

It seemed as if this rule had no effect on him at all, as he already had a plan in mind.

But there was absolutely no intention of putting pen to paper.

"Humph, just pretending!"

Sima Xin cursed in a low voice. He was still brooding over Li Chengfeng's previous pressure and always felt that he was deliberately showing off.

Soon, the first few talented people completed their works. Although they were slightly inferior to the previous two rounds, they were still acceptable.

"can we start?"

Li Chengfeng suddenly put down his teacup and asked casually.

Sima Xin finally couldn't stand it anymore and said with an ugly face:

"Li Feng, didn't I announce the start a long time ago?"

"I mean, can I read it now?"

The latter was stunned. Li Chengfeng neither wrote nor thought at all. He just read out:

"Gold and jade are not precious; only literature is the most precious. A man born in a humble family seeks a path forward, but the rich door refuses his favor."

These four short lines of poetry exploded in everyone's ears like thunder.

There are no fancy words or exquisite metaphors in the poem, but it vividly describes the bitterness of poor students who have no chance to get a job.

The audience was in an uproar. They had not expected that Li Chengfeng would be so bold as to openly satirize the unfairness of the imperial examination system at a poetry meeting.

"This Li Chengfeng is such a lunatic!" Liu Xu said gritting his teeth.

Sima Jingwen could not tolerate him being so prominent, but he was indeed caught by him.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Mr. Li, this poem..."

"Your Excellency, there is no need to say more. I was just improvising."

Li Chengfeng smiled faintly and interrupted Sima Jingwen's next question with an impromptu sentence.

The question that was about to come out was stuck in his throat, making Sima Jingwen look extremely ugly.

Li Chengfeng's poems resonated with everyone present, especially those students from poor families.

They studied hard for more than ten years, but were often rejected because of their humble background.

Li Chengfeng's poems expressed the depression and helplessness in their hearts.

Song Yuwei couldn't help but secretly sigh, maybe Li Chengfeng could really change the status quo and make the Qian Dynasty prosperous?

Li Chengfeng's poems made her see a possibility, a possibility of breaking down class barriers.

In this poem, she seemed to see countless poor students breaking through their cages and changing their destiny.

The following competition seemed a bit boring.

All the talented people seemed to be shocked by Li Chengfeng's poems and no longer had the interest to create.

In the end, as expected, Li Chengfeng won the first place in poetry with an overwhelming advantage.

Although Sima Jingwen was extremely reluctant in his heart, he still kept a smile on his face and handed him the black jade pen that symbolized the championship.

Li Chengfeng's poems were still echoing in his mind, every word was shocking.

This man's poetic talent was indeed astonishing, but the hidden edge in the poem and the arrogant attitude made him feel uneasy.

"Mr. Li is a man of great talent. I admire him."

Sima Jingwen narrowed his eyes, his tone unable to discern joy or anger, "It's just that this poem... is a little too... sharp."

Li Chengfeng had no interest in the black jade pen. He thought it was just a prize offered by the people to curry favor with the King of Pingxi and the Sima family.

He took the pen and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. I was just writing down what I felt."

"If we can't even express this 'feeling,' then wouldn't this poetry gathering just become a stage for praising one's achievements?"

Sima Jingwen's face froze, but he couldn't get angry, so he could only laugh dryly and get away with it.

After seeing off all the guests, he immediately called over his confidants and ordered, "Go and investigate! This Li Feng, check him thoroughly! I want to see if he's truly talented or if he has ulterior motives!"

At the same time, the atmosphere in the Prince of Pingxi's Mansion was solemn.

Liu Xu was reporting the situation at the poetry meeting to Pingxi King Liu Zhenshan, especially Li Chengfeng's performance, which was described with exaggeration.

"Father, that Li Feng is a complete lunatic! His poem is clearly a veiled criticism of the Pingxi Palace!"

Liu Xu did not understand all of Li Chengfeng's poems, but he could understand a little from the reactions of the people at that time.

After listening to his son's narration, Liu Zhenshan frowned and tapped the table with his fingers, making a dull sound.

Li Feng, a name he had never heard of before, but in a short period of time, he stirred up the literary world of Xijing and even attracted his attention.

"It's incredible that a poor kid with an unknown background could have such talent."

Liu Zhenshan pondered for a moment, as if recalling the incident of beating the drum to appeal for justice in the yamen.

Maybe it has something to do with this Li Feng...

"It seems that there may be some secrets hidden behind this kid..."

"Father, do you want me to send someone..."