Chapter 33

In the small building, Xu Wen invited Zhu Qiaoqiao to go hunting together, while Xu Ji spoke politely, discussing poetry and literature. On the contrary, Zhu Qiaoqiao became very reserved, smiling without giving any response despite the brothers' various attempts to please her.

It seemed that this princess had the right to freely choose her future husband. Was she more inclined towards literary talent or martial prowess? If it were about looks, it would be the eldest brother Xu Wen, who was as handsome as a willow in the wind. If it were about temperament, it would be the second brother Xu Ji, who was elegant and handsome.

Compared to these two, Zhu Gaozhi was somewhat embarrassed in appearance, but he was inwardly brilliant, far surpassing his brothers in intelligence and ability. It seemed that the eldest sister's standards for judging people were no less than mine! No, they were much better. At least I couldn't marry a virtuous and capable woman like Zhong Wuyan. Ha! Xu Hao, while idly pondering, casually picked up a stack of white paper from the table, with neat and varied handwriting on it.

These were poems written on the theme of spring, quite cliché, mostly melancholic works about spring and autumn. Xu Hao had no interest in evaluating them and flipped through them casually. Suddenly, he pulled out one and praised, "What beautiful handwriting, hmm."

Nine paths of dust stretch out alone, the fragrant grass covers all of Suzhou.

How many clear dreams in the boudoir, does the guest ask if there is gold.

A hundred miles of clear lake float with wild egrets, at the fifth watch of the night, listen to the crows' cries.

Pity the empty promise before the flowers, the spring wine is lazy to be drunk alone.

This talent, Xu Hao knew, was incomparable, and probably no one he knew could match it. He exclaimed, "This poem is full of originality and grandeur, washing away the vulgar clichés, it is truly extraordinary."

There was another poem below, and Xu Hao immediately read it seriously. After finishing, he sighed deeply, "It is profound and powerful, a true masterpiece, not like a woman's work. These two poems are like pearls, full of freshness and elegance, what a pity! I could be a farmer now."

After saying this, Xu Hao looked extremely satisfied, as if he had enjoyed a sumptuous spiritual feast. He carefully placed the paper on the table, gazing at it for a long time, reluctant to let it go. Finally, he steeled his resolve, raised his head, and walked away gracefully, leaving the others in shock.

Xu Ji walked over suspiciously, took a look, and immediately opened his mouth in surprise. He also admitted that he was far inferior to the author.

Though the third brother's praise might have been a bit excessive, it did show that a woman's talent could surpass men. Anyway, he had no face to stay here any longer.

He sighed softly, and the usually proud Xu Ji couldn't help but feel dispirited, descending the stairs alone.

Spring night brings sorrow to the lonely pillow, the moon fills the courtyard in the spring boudoir.

How many books on the shelf, how many tears in the heart.

Who is the son in the long street, which family's stove plays music at midnight.

I, the lady, am proud like Yuan Long, not a corrupt scholar in the world.

Everyone watched this scene in disbelief, all curious about what amazing work was written on that paper! Xu Wen, seeing that a single piece of paper had humbled his two brothers, dared not step forward to invite trouble.

"Rough and crude work, I am ashamed to accept such praise!"

Suddenly, Miss Mu stood up gracefully, walked to the table, picked up the paper, and returned to the window. Her gaze followed the distant figure, and she softly said to her maid Zhiyan, "A true soulmate is hard to find. Thank him for his kind words. His praise is more brilliant than my poem. Since he likes it, give it to Master Xu Hao."

"Yay!" Under the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, when the maid Zhiyan completed her task and left, someone excitedly shouted to the sky.

It was truly difficult for Master Xu Hao to come up with those praising words. Now, he was determined to pursue the intelligent and talented Miss Mu, no matter what.

He happily put Miss Mu's handwritten poetry in his pocket, humming a song as he walked, thinking about how to take advantage of the situation to leave a deeper impression on her.

Xu Hao had no special feelings for the somewhat vain and shallow beautiful cousin from the Xiao family. He had seen many beautiful women, and he valued inner refinement more than outward beauty.

As he walked, he saw Zhu Gaozhi and Xu Jingqin frowning in the middle of a group, seemingly encountering some trouble. Curious, Xu Hao walked over.

After watching for a while, it turned out that a clerk from the Yan王府 had lost a purse. He suspected that two servants from the Xu household had stolen it. The two servants denied it, but the clerk beat them up.

Later, an old steward found the purse, and the marks on it matched the clerk's description. The two servants, who had been beaten for no reason, naturally wouldn't stand for it and cried for justice from their young master. However, the clerk said the silver in the purse was wrong, accusing the Xu household of stealing the purse and taking some of the silver to avoid trouble.

Xu Jingqin's face was dark, very angry that such a disgraceful incident had happened in his household. He didn't immediately react because Zhu Gaozhi was also there.

Zhu Gaozhi was a bit troubled. Both sides had their reasons, and any decision would damage someone's reputation. He didn't want to hurt the harmony between the two families and remained silent.

Xu Hao, feeling elated today, couldn't stand to see the arrogant middle-aged clerk bullying his own people, and stepped forward unusually.

"Let me see the purse."

Who didn't know "Master Xu" in the Xu household? Even the eldest sons and the two princes had to follow his orders. The steward immediately handed over a heavy purse wrapped in a white handkerchief.

Xu Hao casually opened it. Inside was a square, oil-green silk purse, waterproof, sealed with a toothpick.

"Old man, tell me the whole story."

The old steward, angry and indignant, said, "I picked up his silver and returned it to him without opening it, and everyone can vouch for it. He accused me and the boys of stealing, bullying us because he is a clerk from the Yan王府. I am a servant, but I am not afraid of you. Now, with Master Xu here, I will not let you off. Otherwise, I will take you to the county office."

"Enough, enough, stop talking." Xu Hao interrupted the old steward and turned to the smirking clerk, "Is this yours?"

The clerk, indignant, bowed and said, "Yes, it is mine."

"I doubt it." Xu Hao slowly opened the purse, looked at the few pieces of silver inside, and examined the wrapping. He shook his head, "This silver is not yours. You should look elsewhere. Whoever found it should keep it."

"How is it not mine?" The clerk became anxious, reaching out to grab the silver but was deterred by Xu Hao's glare. He shouted, "This silver is eight taels and eight mace, plus two ingots of five taels each, totaling eighteen taels and eight mace, exactly. It can be weighed in public. And it has my mark, everyone saw it. How can you say it's not mine? Prince, you saw it, they are protecting their own."

"Go to hell, trying to cheat in my Xu household, you have some nerve." Xu Hao cursed, then raised the silver purse, "Where did you put your ten taels of silver?"

"Altogether." The clerk said coldly.

"Altogether?" Xu Hao smiled and said to the already pleased Xu Jingqin, "Cousin, have someone bring ten taels of silver."

Xu Jingqin nodded with a cold smile, and the steward handed over two ingots. Xu Hao took them and threw them on the ground with the purse, pointing to the ground, "Put the silver in the purse, quickly."

At this point, the Xu household servants all started cursing. They all understood that the purse was not large, and the nearly nine taels of silver already filled it. There was no way to fit another ten taels of silver, clearly the clerk was lying.

The clerk, squatting on the ground, still tried to hold out, then changed his story, "My ten taels of silver were in the handkerchief."

"Looking for death." Xu Hao kicked the clerk in the face without warning, "If the silver was wrapped, how could there be no creases? Old man, the silver is yours."

The clerk, holding his face, stared at the white handkerchief in shock, speechless. The people around him spat at him in disgust.

The old steward shook his head, "I don't want such unrighteous things. Master Xu, you are wise, you take it."

"The silver you found is yours. If you don't use it, you can give it to whoever you want." Xu Hao said, then pulled Xu Jingqin and Zhu Gaozhi away.

"Shameful, fifty lashes, and dismissal with no chance of rehire."

As they left, Zhu Gaozhi waved his hand, and the Yan王府 guards took the clerk away. The old steward, holding the silver, shouted, "Thank you, Master Xu, I will give this silver to the poor in the village."

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