Chapter 23: The Black Reaper

After the initial shock, General Chen's face hardened into a stern mask.

"Blue Star, Black Reapers are rare in the capital. For one to appear in your bed... this was no accident."

"Tell me exactly what happened."

Xu Yi shrugged. "I pulled back the blanket, and it lunged at me. Lucky I reacted fast." His casual tone belied the danger.

Everyone in the room shuddered.

"Master Blue, someone clearly wants you dead," Qi Yuanzhong said urgently. "Think—who in your household would—"

Xu Yi cut him off with a smile. "Maybe it just slithered in by mistake. Snakes wander, don't they?"

"Impossible!" A young officer blurted. "In this cold? Black Reapers should be hibernating! If this were summer, you'd be—"

General Chen silenced him with a look. "Fetch the snake powder."

Soon, a white porcelain vial appeared on the table.

"Sprinkle this around your bed," the general instructed. "Repels snakes and vermin."

Xu Yi bowed deeply. As he turned to leave, the general added quietly, "Train lightly today. You've more important matters."

At Champion's Pavilion, Tianjing waited in their usual private room—but with two new faces: a regal young man resembling him, and a pouty girl barely fifteen.

Xu Yi bowed. "Uncle, here to buy more poetry?"

Tianjing chuckled. "Always about money with you."

"In my position? Absolutely." Xu Yi grinned. "No power, no connections—just talent and empty pockets."

The girl sniffed disdainfully. Her brother studied Xu Yi with keen interest.

Tianjing teased, "With your skills, you could marry a princess if you placed first in the exams."

Xu Yi recoiled. "Gods, no! Who'd willingly marry royalty?"

The girl's face darkened.

blivious. "Bowing to your own wife three times daily? Needing permission to share her bed? More prison than marriage!"

Dead silence.

The girl looked ready to stab him. The older man's attendants had gone pale.

Tianjing burst out laughing. "You've got spirit, lad!"

Chapter 24: Tit for Tat

"Now, about those border policies you suggested..." Tianjing leaned forward. "Which would you implement?"

Xu Yi blinked. "Isn't that His Majesty's decision?"

"Humour me."

"Fine. I'd combine the last two—first crush the Daluo raiders, then open trade for their warhorses. Show strength before offering honey."

Tianjing's eyes gleamed. He glanced meaningfully at his son.

Then he recited:

"Virtue greets the budding trees,
Gentle winds spread warmth with ease.
Peasants till the fertile land,
Earth bestows gifts bounteous and grand."

Xu Yi froze. The first lines were Sima Guang's—a poet from his past life. But the clumsy second half...

"Who wrote this?" he asked carefully.

"Xu Gan. This year's Third Rank scholar."

Xu Yi's blood ran cold. Those were his discarded lines—from drafts left in his room before joining the military camp.

Xu Gan had not only stolen his work but butchered it.

Perfect.

"May I... improve it?" Xu Yi offered sweetly.

Tianjing nodded eagerly.

Clearing his throat, Xu Yi delivered the corrected version:

"Virtue greets the budding trees,
Gentle winds spread warmth with ease.
Royal tours bless spring's first plough,
Joyful songs from hearths ring now."

The room erupted in praise—even the princess looked grudgingly impressed.

As Tianjing applauded, Xu Yi hid a venomous smile.

Enjoy your stolen glory while it lasts, Xu Gan. When the Emperor hears this... your "prodigy" mask will shatter.

Poetic justice, served ice-cold.