Chapter 117: Imperial Chancellor Rong Zhi
At this moment, Lin Wan’e, who was being watched by everyone, had a somewhat forced smile.
However, Commandery Princess Zhaohua seemed to have grasped something, and with the excitement of someone on stimulants, she questioned.
“That’s right, there’s no way that poem could have been written by you, could you have plagiarized someone else’s poem and passed it off as your own?”
Scholars below also said, “I wanted to say this before, there are many incongruous parts in the poems she wrote. The poem ‘The Thatched Hut is Broken by the Autumn Wind’ clearly describes an elderly person who is immobile and lives in a thatched hut due to poverty.
But Miss Lin is the daughter of the Minister of Rites, so even if she is just a concubine’s daughter, she shouldn’t live in such a dilapidated house. It’s unlikely that the Madam of the Minister of Rites is mistreating her, but even so, servants of the Minister of Rites’ household wouldn’t live in a thatched hut.”
“Miss Lin, can you explain?”
Scholars are noble and disdain those who plagiarize or directly pass off others’ works as their own.
Everyone looked at Lin Wan’e, waiting for her explanation.
Lin Wan’e’s face turned slightly pale, and cold sweat broke out.
In a moment of quick thinking, she quickly explained, “Although the content of this poem is not from my personal experience, it was inspired by an old man I saw being bullied by children. After understanding his situation, I thought about how difficult it is for poor scholars to study, and it would be great if they could study in warm houses without being troubled by worldly affairs.”
As she spoke, she wiped her tears pitifully, “I never expected, never expected it would lead to so many misunderstandings.”
Those who admired Lin Wan’e immediately felt heartache.
“Miss Lin, don’t be sad. That bird must be a demon. How could a normal bird say so many things!”
Keke cursed at the person who called him a demon, “You blind, heartless, and wicked thing, calling this bird a demon, why don’t you call yourself a degenerate who doesn’t discriminate between men and women, and is the bottom one when with men!”
Instantly, everyone’s eyes turned towards that man.
Keke continued to scold, “Pah, acting all proper, and you have the nerve to chase women!”
The men around the man silently moved away a bit, and Lin Wan’e also looked at him with disdain.
The man’s face turned red, and his hand pointing at Keke trembled incessantly, “Take it down!”
His servants moved, but they were no match for Keke.
Even with a slingshot, they couldn’t hit it; it flew very agilely.
“Who brought this bird? I’m going to kill it!”
Qin Wanwan, who was in the room upstairs, shrunk her neck. Keke seemed to have angered a lot of people.
She decided that she would absolutely not admit that Keke was brought by her now.
The people below with contorted expressions looked terrifying.
In the private room on the opposite side, Rong Zhi had put down his chess piece and was sitting by the window, watching the commotion below with interest.
The old man stroked his beard, his eyes falling on Keke, “Interesting. This bird not only speaks human language but also has clear logic and can recite poetry. This bird might really be a spirit.”
Rong Zhi’s lips curved upwards, “Heh… a group of fools are less perceptive than a beast.”
As he spoke, Keke actually flew towards them.
Some of the protectors who were angered by Keke chased after it.
The shopkeeper and the waiter in the restaurant couldn’t stop them.
They chased them to the door of the private room, and seeing the bird rush into the room, an irritable young master kicked open the door.
Then…
“Prime… Prime Minister!”
“Grand Tutor!”
Seeing the people in the private room, they immediately restrained their emotions and stood respectfully at the doorway.
Keke was now standing on the chessboard and immediately drank two mouthfuls of tea from the table.
“You people are too dishonorable. This bird just told the truth, why are you all so angered and ashamed!”
Lin Wan’e’s gaze fell on the man with a clear and elegant demeanor, and she didn’t notice what Keke said at all.
She stared blankly at Rong Zhi, and when his gaze swept over her, she immediately put on a shy expression, then adjusted her voice and gracefully bowed.
“Prime Minister, this humble woman Lin Wan’e pays her respects.”
Keke also mimicked her in a high-pitched voice, “Prime Minister, greetings~~~”
“Ew… your throat is caught in the door? Hearing you makes this bird’s feathers want to fall off.”
Pfft…
The old man couldn’t help himself. It wasn’t that he was mocking the young lady.
Hahaha… this bird is too amusing.
Lin Wan’e really wished she could kill that talkative bird right now!
Rong Zhi smiled faintly, “Is there something you gentlemen need?”
Everyone snapped back to reality. They had desperately wanted to see the Prime Minister before, but now that they actually saw him, they didn’t dare to speak to him.
The Prime Minister looked very gentle, but he possessed an aura that made people not dare to approach him lightly.
“This… Prime Minister’s bird…”
Rong Zhi didn’t speak, but the Grand Tutor next to him burst into laughter.
“You’re talking about this parrot? It’s mine. Did it cause any trouble?”
Keke looked at the old man with some surprise.
Although those people would never catch it, it was happy to be at ease without running around.
And it could also take advantage of the old man’s prestige.
This old man was the Grand Tutor who taught the Crown Prince.
“No, nothing.”
Hearing that it was the Grand Tutor’s bird, even though they felt wronged, they didn’t dare to say anything more.
Lin Wan’e glared at Keke resentfully.
Rong Zhi: “Since there is nothing, then I will not keep you all.”
His voice was gentle yet forcefully dismissed them.
Those present understood what was said. Hearing this, they cupped their hands in greeting and left.
Lin Wan’e stood there, not wanting to leave. It had taken her so long to finally see Rong Zhi.
Commandery Princess Zhaohua was happy to see the Prime Minister, but she couldn’t stand Lin Wan’e staring at the Prime Minister so adoringly.
She felt like the Prime Minister was being tainted by her gaze.
“Lin Wan’e, why are you still standing there? Do you have something to say to the Prime Minister?”
Those who were about to leave turned to look at Lin Wan’e.
Lin Wan’e was enraged, but she maintained her composure, at least her expression wasn’t contorted.
“Nothing. I merely heard of Prime Minister’s virtuous reputation, and this humble woman greatly admires his talent. Seeing the Prime Minister, I was naturally excited.”
As she spoke, she looked at Rong Zhi with adoration.
Her gaze was full of unspoken words.
Rong Zhi’s face held a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“This Official has also heard of Miss Lin’s reputation. Seeing her today, I must say her talent is indeed extraordinary, to be able to think of the hardship of scholars across the land just by seeing an old man being bullied.”
Before Lin Wan’e could get excited and self-satisfied, she heard Rong Zhi continue.
“However, Miss Lin may not be aware that scholars from humble families do not live in dilapidated, leaky thatched huts as you imagine. Humble families are descendants of fallen aristocrats. Those truly living in thatched huts are focused on survival and would not have the spare money to study.”
Lin Wan’e’s expression completely froze.
