PNB Chapter 135: This Prince Makes a Bet with You
Chapter 135: This Prince Makes a Bet with You
Pei Zuo turned his gaze, with a hint of sarcasm, to Fang Xiaoxiao in the center of the hall.
As a prince of the Dayu Dynasty, he was born with an innate arrogance.
His studies from a young age were meticulously taught by the most outstanding teachers at the Imperial Academy. Although he was slightly inferior to the crown prince who plotted to usurp the throne, he was still considered outstanding among the many princes.
The woman before us now dares to boast that she can compose a poem in seven steps; it's utterly absurd and laughable.
Although this woman has some ability and skill, and has seven refined scholars as her husbands, it does not mean that she can compose a poem in just seven steps.
Pei Zuo muttered a few words to himself before speaking sarcastically.
“Madam Fang, it is not that I, the prince, look down on you, but this matter of composing a poem in seven steps is truly absurd.”
"Leaving aside everything else, just consider my Grand Tutor. He is the head of the Imperial Academy, the highest institution of learning in the Great Yu Dynasty. Even so, he wouldn't dare claim that he can compose a poem in seven steps, let alone the one you just mentioned that is even better than this 'Prelude to Water Melody'!"
Indeed, anyone would think Fang Xiaoxiao was delusional.
To be able to create "Shuidiao Getou" already surpasses that of his predecessors by a great margin.
Pei Zuo knew in his heart that "Shuidiao Getou" was indeed written by Fang Xiaoxiao.
When he first visited Wenyue Pavilion, he was deeply attracted by this poem.
He then inquired with Zhu Wen and learned that it was Fang Xiaoxiao's work. Although he had some doubts at the time, he couldn't help but admire the woman's talent.
Whether people believe it or not is another matter, but since someone is explaining it to them, they have to pretend to believe it on the surface.
Fang Xiaoxiao was well aware that the other party was looking down on her, but she was unwilling to argue with him too much.
After all, he is the eldest prince; with a mere flick of his finger, he can easily put himself in a desperate situation.
She doesn't need to get entangled with such a person, and she certainly doesn't need to explain herself to him.
Believe it or not, it's up to you. I'm not going to serve you rich and powerful people.
Fang Xiaoxiao muttered a couple of things to herself before turning to leave.
But seeing this situation, how could Pei Zuo allow her to leave so easily?
Although I don't believe she can compose a poem in seven steps, it's not bad to amuse myself with it. After all, this woman is beautiful and her personality is the type I like.
"Madam Fang, don't leave in such a hurry."
"This prince is willing to make a bet with you!"
bet??
Upon hearing the word "bet," Fang Xiaoxiao instinctively stopped in her tracks.
He wondered what the other party wanted to gamble on, and what the stakes were.
"How do you plan to make the bet? Tell me."
Pei Zuoxuan then said, "It's a bet with my wife. If you can really compose a poem in seven steps, I, the prince, will definitely reward you with a hundred taels of gold."
"I don't require you to compose any earth-shattering poems, just enough to barely pass my test."
"Of course, if you fail, it's alright. I will still reward you with one hundred taels of gold, but there is one condition!"
Indeed, there is no such thing as a free lunch. If there is, there must be some hidden trickery involved.
Being always cautious and prudent, she naturally wouldn't easily agree to the other party's request.
Gambling is fine, but if you expect me to sell my body after I lose, you're dreaming!
Fang Xiaoxiao coldly raised her eyes to look at Pei Zuo and said, word by word.
"I would never sell my body, so you'd better give up on that idea. Even if you gave me ten goldfish, I would never agree!"
Upon hearing this, Pei Zuo was greatly surprised, wondering if the woman was mentally unstable.
As a prince of the Great Yu Dynasty, it would be easy for him to have any woman he wanted; why would he need to resort to such despicable means?
He scoffed.
"My lady, please don't misunderstand. I'm just curious about you and find you quite interesting!"
"As for what my wife said about you selling your body, that's really unfair to me."
"Let's not waste time with idle talk, and there's no point in making unnecessary explanations. Here are ten small gold bars, each weighing ten taels."
Pei Zuo casually reached into his robes and took out ten gold bars that looked like small fish.
This gold bar, though called a fish, is more accurately described as a strangely shaped, elongated gold bar.
It's just that people think it looks a lot like a fish, so they call it a little goldfish.
He saw the little goldfish in his palm and smiled with amusement.
“Madam Fang, if you don’t pass my test, there’s no need to worry too much. I just want to ask you about someone.”
Inquiring about someone?
Are you kidding me? Has he lost his mind? I'm not a private investigator, how could I possibly know anyone?
Besides, I've only been in this world for three months.
It's hilarious just thinking about it.
Fang Xiaoxiao had already lost many of her predecessor's memories, and could remember very little. The only thing she remembered clearly was her predecessor's tragic experiences over the past two years.
She dared not agree casually, but she was also unwilling to give up the ten little goldfish in the other person's hand.
The little goldfish was weighed back and forth in his palm, making people swallow hard.
The allure of gold is actually more captivating than that of paper money.
What decent person doesn't love gold?
Fang Xiaoxiao muttered a few words to herself before speaking.
"Your Highness, let me make this clear first: if I really don't know the person you're asking, you can't blame me!"
"No problem. A prince's word is his bond. Besides, I believe you have met and know the person I'm asking about."
Pei Zuo slowly walked down the stairs and came to the two of them.
"Relax, don't feel burdened. I am a very principled person, so you can put your mind at ease."
Fang Xiao glanced at Zhou Wenjian beside her, and seeing that he didn't react much, she had no choice but to lean close to his ear and whisper something.
"Wenjian, do you think I can win?"
"That eldest prince just said that you have to get past him first. Do you think he might deliberately say no when the time comes?"
But it's also true; if we didn't worry, it would be too surreal.
Pei Zuo slowly walked up to the two of them and bowed politely.
“I, Pei Zuo, am not the kind of person you think I am. I am straightforward and honest. Please put your mind at ease, my lady.”
His words were simple yet compelling, after all, he was a prince, not an ordinary commoner like them.
Fang Xiaoxiao had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"Very well, since the Crown Prince trusts me so much, I will certainly do my utmost."
After she finished speaking, she immediately began preparations.
Composing a poem in seven steps is indeed difficult, but most importantly, she is not Cao Zhi, so she cannot actually do it.
However, the thought of ten little goldfish made me secretly make up my mind.