Chapter 18: Falseness Becomes Truth and Truth Becomes False

  Cui Ying wanted to leave halfway because she was confused.

  She had always regarded Zhang Xuan as a shameless playboy and considered their engagement to be a humiliation, entangling her parents and elders every day in an attempt to dissolve the engagement. But suddenly, Zhang Xuan appeared before her with the demeanor of a peerless genius, leaving her at a loss for what to do, and making her heart feel chaotic.

  Which girl does not cherish spring, which girl does not hope to marry a talented and handsome prince charming. When a former playboy gradually overlaps with the idol standard of the white horse prince in her heart, how can Cui Ying's emotions not surge?

  So I subconsciously wanted to temporarily avoid it, which also gave myself a psychological step down.

  But Xiao Fu's sudden fainting spell changed Cui Ying's mind.

  She decided to turn back and wait quietly for changes, continuing to observe Zhang Xuan's behavior.

  Xiao Fu retired halfway, but the unexpected episode did not seem to disturb Madame Yuanguo and the audience's interest, instead invisibly pushing Zhang Xuan's reputation to a new height.

  Cui Ying returned to the scene just as Wang Wei had finished commenting on Zhang Xuan's two poems about lotus flowers, which again triggered a wave of cheers from the scholars.

  Wang Wei rarely praised young people's poetic talent in such a high-profile manner. Today, he broke his usual style and repeatedly gave Zhang Xuan high praise, which naturally had an unparalleled boost to Zhang Xuan's reputation.

  It can be foreseen that after today's poetry gathering, Zhang Xuan's three poems on willows and two poems on lotus flowers will spread among the scholars, and may even be adapted into popular songs by the courtesans in the pleasure quarters to sing for a living.

  A young talent who surpasses the three heroes of Chang'an will rise like a comet, shining brightly in the sky of Chang'an, dazzling and eye-catching.

  Madam Guo waved her hand and said in a soft voice, "Xuan Ge's talent is overflowing, yet he remains low-key... truly making me look at him with new eyes. Come, take a look..."

  Before Madame Guo's words had fallen, Zhang Xuan had already risen to his feet and bowed, saying in a loud voice, "Madame, I am unworthy of such praise."

  If it were someone else, Lady Yu would have been furious by now for being interrupted.

  But she looked at Zhang Xuan standing in front of her and didn't get angry, instead smiled and waved her hand, "Today's poetry gathering, Brother Xuan's thoughts are high and he is indeed the first. He deserves to be rewarded! If Brother Xuan is also called shallow and lacking in learning, I'm afraid no one in Chang'an would dare to call themselves a talented scholar anymore, wouldn't that be a waste of the efforts of the young master of the Xiao family just now?"

  Everyone burst out laughing.

  "Someone, bring me the jade ruyi with a phoenix pattern bestowed by His Majesty to our humble house, and give it to Brother Xuan."

  As soon as Madame Guo finished speaking, the maidservants behind her and Yang Shi's relatives from the imperial family were all shocked.

  This phoenix-patterned jade scepter is one of the most precious gifts among many that Emperor Xuanzong gave to Madame Guo, said to have magical effects of keeping warm in winter and cool in summer, driving away evil spirits and nourishing the body. She has always treasured it, holding it in her hand and playing with it every moment. This time, as soon as she opened her mouth, she actually wanted to give this jade scepter to Zhang Hua...

  Zhang Xuan heard this and took a deep breath, his eyes flickering for a moment before he hesitated and bowed again. "My lady, I dare not accept the gift bestowed by His Majesty."

  "Alright... although it was a gift from the Emperor, once it's in my hands, it's mine. This is just a small token of my appreciation for your talent, so don't decline it anymore." Lady Guo took the beautifully crafted celadon jade scepter with flying phoenix patterns from the jade plate handed to her by the maid beside her, and smiled as she beckoned Zhang Xuan to come closer, "Xuan, come, come to my side."

  ……

  ……

  Everyone's praise and compliments poured in, completely forgetting that Zhang Xuan was wearing a green hat not long ago and was despised by others. Zhang Xuan smiled humbly, looking very calm and composed.

  Composed and dignified in demeanor, unruffled by favor or disgrace. This was the result of Qiu's secret observation, but it was precisely this result that left Qiu perplexed and unable to understand.

  "Zhang Xuan, I have a certain relationship with your family and we often interact. Your exceptional talent has suddenly appeared, leaving me quite surprised..." Qiu Wei slowly raised his cup to invite Zhang Xuan to drink, with a slight smile.

  His words expressed the surprise and doubt in the minds of many people present. After all, Zhang Xuan's notorious reputation in the past was in stark contrast to his extraordinary talent today, with a difference that was too strong.

  At the words, not only did Wang Wei and others turn their heads to look at Zhang Huan, but also the charming eyes of Guo Guo's wife turned back, and the scholars and guests around them all pricked up their ears.

  Zhang Xuan also raised his cup in return, hesitating for a moment before saying loudly, "Lord Qiu is overpraising me, Zhang Xuan truly does not dare to accept it."

  "In the past, there were things that couldn't be recalled, and today's affairs weighed heavily on Zhang Xuan's heart...". With a soft sigh, Zhang Xuan suddenly drained his cup of wine and looked around with a resolute expression. "After my father passed away, although our family declined, we still had enough to live comfortably and maintain our wealth and status. Even if I lived a carefree life as a prodigal son, it wouldn't have been too shameful; but now that our family is on the brink of disaster, with the clan possibly collapsing at any moment, how could I still indulge in fleeting pleasures and continue living a life of abandon? What face would I have to meet my ancestors in the afterlife?"

  "What I've learned is nothing but a bellyful of goods, honor and glory will eventually disperse like smoke...". Zhang Xuan let out a long sigh, raised his cup again and drained it in one gulp, his composed demeanor now tinged with a hint of wild abandon and sorrow.

  Zhang Xuan's pretentious attitude indeed has a component of acting and disguise, but it also comes from a few parts of true feelings.

  What is false becomes true, and what is true also becomes false. Wang Wei and others were immediately infected by Zhang Huan's emotions, and thinking of the Zhang family's current situation, they all felt a bit downhearted.

  In just a few words, Zhang Xuan's "transformation" was barely concealed, and the residual light in his eyes swept across the faces of the crowd who "shared the same feeling", until it fell on the face of Guo Guifei, who had a hint of pity in her charming expression, then he knew the opportunity had come.

  He then immediately stood up and bowed deeply to Madame Guo, saying with a sigh, "My brother has been wronged. I beg of you, madam, and all the gentlemen present, to consider my late father's lifelong loyalty and dedication to the country, and lend us a helping hand."

  Lady Guo was lost in thought, when she suddenly heard these words and couldn't help but pause for a moment, furrowing her brow as if recalling something. She gently placed the jade Ruyi on the table in front of her, then let out a soft sigh and said, "You, this Xiao Ge... have really ruined my mood. Never mind, never mind, you tell me, what grievances does your brother have? I'll listen."

  Guo Guofu is a certain kind of person, Zhang Xuan's behavior this time is obviously well-prepared, she has a clear understanding and guessed a few points. As for Zhang Huan's affairs, she also knows a thing or two, since she said "want to listen", it actually means that there is an intention to agree inside.

  Zhang Xuan slowly stood up, her eyes clear and determined as she gazed at the Lady of Guo. In a loud voice, she continued, "My elder brother Zhang Huan was an official who held the position of Left Zan Shan Daifu to the Crown Prince. He had always followed our family's teachings, spoken carefully, acted cautiously, been frugal and served with integrity. He was loyal to the Emperor, to the Great Tang, and to the Crown Prince, but unexpectedly he was framed by a villain and thrown into prison..."