The news spread quickly through the capital.
"The imperial princes will be competing in poetry at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion." Hawkers shouted in the shopping streets.
The crowd grew as more and more people came to watch. The loser would make a fool of himself in the entire capital.
The first one to appear was the second prince Simon, who was rumored to have created a poem in seven steps, he was seen confidently holding a brush, taking seven steps, walking to the rice paper and writing a beautiful verse, "Ode to Beauty", which won the admiration of the crowd present.
Everyone praised Second Prince semon for his good writing skills!
Next it was Chance's turn.
Simon stepped aside and sneered, "Do you know how to write poetry? Brother, don't pretend. It's not too late to admit defeat."
Chance picked up his pen and the countless poems he had memorized over the years flooded his mind as he began to write with ease.
Simon mocked again, "Don't pretend, give you three days, you can't write a decent poem, admit defeat."
Chance's face didn't change, only to see him write one paper, and then another, only to put down his pen on the third one, "I've got it done, everyone come and see."
The crowd gathered around and marveled at the beautiful calligraphy. They wondered, "It's really well written, but how about the poem that was made?"
Simon came forward as well, amazed at Chance's handwriting. "How can his handwriting be so good?" He thought.
Chance smiled inwardly as he recalled the calligraphy contest he had won during his doctoral studies in 2024. "Calligraphy, has always been my area of expertise as well, let's see how semon can mock it again."
A member of the audience read Chance's poem aloud:
"Her dress floats like a cloud, her beauty blooms like a flower. The spring breeze brushes the railing, and the dewdrops sparkle. If we don't meet at the top of Jade Mountain, we might meet under the moon of Yodai."
The audience was captivated by the beauty of the poem and erupted in applause. Even the famous prostitute queen was so impressed that she looked down at the stage, glanced at Chance, and marveled.
Simon's arrogance immediately dissipated. "How could he create such a timeless masterpiece?" He thought to himself, blushing.
And at this moment those onlookers were reading other poems written by chance, all masterpieces for the ages.
"The fourth prince can actually write so many poems in just a short period of time, he is simply the most talented prince of the royal family!"
Semon stood aside with a jealous look, "This Chance, why is he like a different person?"
Chance continued, "A bet is a bet, since you lost, crawl out like a dog."
Simon was a little flustered. He thought to himself, "An honorable prince learning to crawl like a dog, that's just going to be laughed at by the people" Just then a young man known for his poetic talents walked into the room, his name was Sedwyn.
"I am Sedwyn and I am willing to help the second prince Simon compose another poem, but let's raise the stakes, the loser will not only have to crawl and bark like a dog, he will also have to cut off one of his arms, do you dare to accept the challenge?" He said to chance.
Without hesitation Chance replies, "Of course, let's bet."
Attracted by the match, the Empress of Sociability, veiled, walked down, the breeze blowing, setting off her stunningly beautiful face, especially her hands that were as white as jade, making her seem like a person in a painting.
The Empress of Songs had a soft voice and said, "Since we are going to bet, why don't we compose a wine poem?" She shook her crystal glass of wine and walked onto the stage, and the contest became more lively.
Sedwyn immediately replied, "In front of the Pavilion of Hundred Flowers, drinking and laughing, the beauty is like a cloud, like a dream."
The Queen praised, "A good poem indeed."
"Now let's listen to the Fourth Prince's poem." She said.
Simon interjected, "You admit defeat. How can you possibly win against the top poet, Sedwyn? He's the contemporary god of poetry."
Chance ignored him and recited fondly, "I've been listening to the setting sun for a long time, and I don't know the way back when I'm drunk. Cheerfully crossing the evening boat, mistakenly entering the depths of the lotus flower. Struggling, struggling, startling a flock of egrets."
The crowd was greatly amazed and exclaimed, "What a masterpiece! This poem deserves to go down in history."
The Courtesan Queen expressed her deep appreciation for Chance's talent, while Simon left the stage shaking with anger.
"Hey, the loser learns to bark like a dog, everyone, this is the Fourth Prince, who dares to make a bet but doesn't dare to fulfill it."
The Courtesan said calmly, "Chance, come with me."
CHANCE was thoughtful and anxious. "Tonight is the first time I've ever made love in this world," he thought to himself.
"How can I start when I haven't practiced?" He sighed darkly, wishing he'd just spent some time dating in the modern world." He muttered, "If only I'd had a girlfriend before all this happened, maybe I would have been more prepared for a moment like this.
She ushers Chance into a private room with an intimate atmosphere, dimly lit and illuminated by soft lantern lights. The whore was graceful in her demeanor, pouring wine into their glasses with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She handed Chance the wine with a shy smile, and her fingers lingered for a moment.
Chance looks over at this stunning woman and feels his heart race, unable to control the physical reaction in his lower body. As the two of them got closer, Chance accidentally noticed the shoes in her locker, which were worn by the thief.
Keeping his guard up, Chance takes the courtesan's glass of wine with a charming smile, but his instincts remind him to be careful. He watches her carefully, noting a slight tremor in her hand and a glance of her eyes toward the door. He lifted the glass and took a small sip, then shifted dramatically in his seat as if the wine had already begun to take effect.
Chance pretended to be drunk, dropping his eyelids and cocking his head. He saw an imperceptible smile at the corner of the whore's mouth. She believed she'd mesmerized him. Then as she quietly slipped out of the room
"I've already been knocked out, I've drugged him, but I'm surprised the royal prince doesn't have any money on him, so what are we going to do next?"
chance continued to feign sleep, breathing steadily and concentrating on the sound of her fading footsteps.
"So it was all a trap!"
Chance narrowed his eyes. Thinking about his next plan, he had to act quickly. Just as she re-entered the room, he slid back into his chair and resumed his drunken posture. The whore queen's smile widened, sure she'd succeeded.
Unbeknownst to her, Chance was fully alerted. After she leaves, he realizes that the whore queen is actually a thief who uses her charms to trick men into stealing their wealth.Chance quickly escapes through the window. Desperately running towards the carriage downstairs
After leaving the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, the attendant asked, "Fourth Prince,
how did you go so fast? Have you ... gotten impotent?"
Chance retorted, "Nonsense. Let's hurry up and get out of here. Go home!"