Chapter 428: Prince Sihuan

Chapter 428

Zhu Sihuan was still reeling from the inciting words ringing in his ears as he stumbled into Wenchang Pavilion.

The usually bustling sanctuary of the literati was now eerily quiet. All eyes were fixed on the center, where a young man in cyan robes sat, commanding awe without a shred of anger on his composed, dignified face.

The months of hard work seemed to have finally paid off. Though there were still doubts about Young Master Qingzhu's reputation, the poetry and ancient phrases he produced were all authentic masterpieces that left readers sighing in admiration.

The public did love jumping to conclusions, but even when some with ulterior motives tried to fan the flames, there were still scholars who steadfastly believed in and protected Young Master Qingzhu.

Qi Huai and An Jun stood staunchly by his side while Jiang Sheng and Wen Zhiyun stuck close behind him.

After half a year immersed in bureaucratic politics, the dignified air of authority the young lad exuded made him look remarkably similar to the elder officials Zhu Sihuan had seen.

No, he was an elder now.

A Compiler of the Imperial Library, 6th rank.

Still in a daze, Zhu Sihuan walked over. Someone called out, drawing all eyes back to him.

Xu Mo, seated calmly, gave a soft greeting. "Brother Zhu is here."

It was as if there had never been any conflict between them, as if they were still able to have genuine exchanges between adversarial factions.

"Brother...Xu," Zhu Sihuan squeezed out. "How have you been?"

Qi Huai scoffed but said nothing.

If it had been Zhao Yuan instead, curses would surely have already been flung out.

The four of them had been the first friends to know each other. Though their minds were occupied with other motives, they were still passionate youths at heart who held some authentic affection.

Especially Zhu Sihuan. Because of Zhu Zhi and the young Tao lady, he had formed a deep friendship with Xu Mo. Though his family status prevented overly intimate association, he still tried his utmost to help however he could.

Zhu Zhi's death bore three-tenths of Zhu Sihuan's blame.

Those two hundred taels of silver represented a burning, painful debt.

How did they end up at this point? How did they end up turning their weapons against each other?

Zhu Sihuan's mind grew hazier as he recalled Supervisor Li's cold questioning, his father-in-law and mother-in-law's admonishing tones, and even his wife Tao with tears in her eyes asking, "What exactly do you want to do? You are of the Zhu family." Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

What was wrong with striving for one's desires?

If there were truly any wrong, it would be his unscrupulous means of obtaining a reputation that wasn't his through ghostwriting.

But veiled in a tragic romance, in the yearning hearts of romantic literati, it took on new heights.

"He resorted to ghostwriting just for his beloved! A wife attained as such, what more could she ask for?" someone declaimed passionately. "How fortunate for the maiden in the tale! Does she live well?"

Xu Mo did not reply, only looking to Zhu Sihuan who now wept.

"She does," the youth in the story raised his head, tears finally trailing down his cheeks. "She said examination credentials were important, but a husband who understood her warmth and chill even more so. A side branch may not be as precious as the main heir, but it could still shield her from storms."

Without deep affection, how could he bear to ruthlessly pit his friend for the sake of his wife's single remark?

Without fear of loss, how could a single misstep lead to ceaseless mistakes?

"Brother Xu, I am willing to reveal everything. I begged you to ghostwrite. I knocked down the stones as you fell into the pit. I did it all." Zhu Sihuan gritted his teeth. "I won't claim helplessness. I will only tell everyone that the poem which shot me to fame definitely came from Young Master Qingzhu's hands."

More of a clarification than knocking someone when they were down.

Taking all the blame onto himself, he pulled Xu Mo from the mire.

At least it certified the writings were his own work, did it not?

Another commotion swept the crowd as discussions broke out again.

"Although this Master Sihuan used a ghostwriter, his deep affection moves heaven and earth. It's understandable."

"If a single poem could win back a beloved maiden, I would definitely kowtow to Young Master Qingzhu."

"Now that Young Master Qingzhu's authorship is confirmed, doesn't it mean those other poems and lyrics were also authentically his own work without any ghostwriting?"

"Exactly! Young Master Qingzhu is too amazing, using a poem to obtain lovers' promises."

There was no vilification, no scorn, no repulsion, not even malice.

Just boundless exclamations that left Zhu Sihuan frozen in place.

How could this be?

He raised his head, meeting the smile in Xu Mo's eyes.