Xu Shuhan looked at Ning Chen out of the corner of his eye, then bowed to Song Tiancheng and said:

"Forgive me, Prince Regent. This humble commoner has been steeped in the sea of books for decades. To debate letters and learning with a boy of fifteen or sixteen would look like the big bullying the small."

Before the Prince Regent could get a word out, it was Li Hongzhuo, of all people, who leaped in first. "Old Master Xu should not think so little of others. Marquis Ning's talent is overflowing, and the words come out of him already made into literature. He may not be your inferior at all."

Ning Chen looked coldly at Li Hongzhuo.

The wretch was not speaking up for him. He was fanning the flames, hoping to see him make a fool of himself.

The Prince Regent laughed aloud. "Did you hear that, old Master Xu? The man isn't the least bit daunted."

Xu Shuhan bowed. "Then this humble commoner had better obey than stand on ceremony!"

"Good, good, good... Today the two immortals of poetry of Wu and Great Xuan will debate letters and learning, and in days to come it will certainly become a tale worth telling." The Prince Regent looked at Ning Chen with a smile. "My lord marquis, let this prince and the whole court, civil and military, have a taste of the marquis's quality."

Li Hongzhuo wore a sinister smile. "The marquis's talent is overflowing. I am sure he will not shrink from the contest and weaken the name of our Great Xuan."

Ning Chen looked at him. "Why don't you do it instead?"

Li Hongzhuo's expression stiffened. "The marquis is joking. This old man has no name as an immortal of poetry. How would I dare make a show of myself?"

"Since you don't dare, shut your mouth and get out of the way... Don't throw me off!"

Li Hongzhuo's face darkened at once.

Ning Chen did not spare him so much as a glance. His eyes settled on Xu Shuhan. "A man of your years, with the…