"Yes!"

Li Hongzhuo's old face was dark. He lowered his head and stepped back a few paces, a cold light flickering in his eyes.

He had supposed that once he held the secret of Ning Chen and the Wu woman emperor, then even if Ning Chen would not work with him in earnest, the man would at least not dare take liberties in front of him.

But it was plain now that Ning Chen had no respect for him whatsoever.

That gentleman had been right. Ning Chen was a man who could not be controlled. Better to be rid of him!

He had made up his mind. The moment he had proof that Ning Chen was carrying on with the Wu woman emperor, he would lay it before His Majesty the instant he got home, and finish Ning Chen off.

Ning Chen, for his part, paid Li Hongzhuo no attention at all... A man already dead was not worth his notice.

His gaze settled on Xu Shuhan, whose face was a study in conflict.

"Let's do it this way. Our Great Xuan is a land of rites and ceremony, unlike barbarians who understand nothing of manners. I, Ning Chen, have always honored the old and cherished the young, and my character is lofty and pure."

"Since old Master Xu says a poem in ten paces, then we'll do as you say... Only, poems hold no challenge for me. You make a poem in ten paces; I'll make a lyric in ten paces. How's that?"

The moment the words were out, Xu Shuhan's old face flushed red. They had not begun and he had already lost half.

Because writing a lyric is far harder than writing a poem!

The faces of Wu's officials, civil and military, turned ugly. This Ning Chen was insufferable... He actually dared call them barbarians who understood nothing of manners?

Xu Shuhan looked at the Prince Regent.

The Prince Regent gave a slight nod.

Xu Shuhan snorted coldly. "Since the marquis puts it that way, then let this old man have a taste of the marquis's quality!"