Chapter 135: I Feel Like My Intelligence Has Been Insulted

"Young Master Wang just mentioned that the Spring Flag tea is worth a thousand taels per tael. Judging by the shopkeeper's reaction, this 'Emerald Green' must be even more precious. In a way, I am basking in your reflected glory, Madam," Chen Xiang said with a slight smile.

Madam Xiao nodded with a smile, waved her hand, and looked toward the woman who had brought the tea.

The woman knelt, picked up the teapot, and poured the tea with meticulous care, creating a long, continuous, and thin stream of liquid. She gently rotated the teapot, allowing a vortex to form perfectly within the teacup. The jade cup was not large, yet it took the woman nearly half a minute to fill it.

Afterward, she produced a jade box, opened it to reveal a seven-inch-long, thin silver rod, dipped it into the cup, and stirred it slowly a few times before replacing the lid and respectfully handing the cup to Madam Xiao.

Chen Xiang was secretly dumbfounded; he had no idea that pouring tea required such tedious effort. He had assumed the techniques for brewing and tasting tea here were similar to those on Earth. He knew at least a little about tea brewing—it was an art form. The quality of the tea leaves and the water mattered, but the most important thing was the skill of the brewer; with enough skill, even poor-quality leaves could yield a fine cup of tea.

The woman poured a cup for Chen Xiang in the same manner. Chen Xiang picked it up and first took a sniff. The tea was indeed excellent, with a faint, elegant fragrance and a bright, translucent green hue. He then took a gulp, as if he were drinking plain water, with no technique whatsoever. A touch of bitterness followed by a faint, refreshing fragrance spread across his lips and teeth, and Chen Xiang felt his mind clear slightly. Even as someone unversed in the art of tea, he could feel the value of this brew.

"Mmh, truly excellent tea!" Chen Xiang said, setting the cup down without replacing the lid and nodding.

Madam Xiao let out a secret, wry smile. She had thought his claim of being unversed in tea was merely modesty, but seeing the way he drank it, it was clear he truly did not know how to appreciate it. This Emerald Green tea was exceptionally rare; even she was drinking it for the first time, and she couldn't help but feel that a cup had been wasted.

Not far away, Young Master Wang and his companions saw Chen Xiang "chewing the peony like a cow," and they nearly burst into laughter, their sense of confidence growing stronger. They became even more convinced that Chen Xiang’s ability to suppress them yesterday was merely a stroke of luck, and they felt all the more certain about their plans for the day.

"I am glad you like it, Young Master Chu," Madam Xiao said with a smile.

"By the way, Young Master Chu, how long do you intend to stay in Liuxin City?" Madam Xiao asked.

Chen Xiang felt a bit strange upon hearing this. Why would she ask that? Did his presence here interfere with their affairs? But he had only arrived yesterday; that shouldn't be the case!

Seeing Chen Xiang’s silence, Madam Xiao seemed to realize something and quickly added, "Please, do not misunderstand, Young Master Chu. It is just that I see Lin’er enjoys your company, and she doesn't have many friends. If you aren't busy, perhaps you could stay a few more days to keep her company and chat."

*Well, the little lady does enjoy my company. We’ll see if things can go any deeper than that.* Chen Xiang nodded in deep agreement. He let out a hearty laugh and replied, "You are too kind, Madam Xiao. I am a traveler at heart; once I arrive in one place, I start thinking about the next. I hadn't planned to stay long and intended to leave once the poetry gathering concluded. But since you are so gracious, I shall stay for a few more days."

Madam Xiao smiled and said, "Then I shall thank you on Lin’er’s behalf, Young Master Chu."

Madam Xiao was filled with gratitude toward Chen Xiang. She wanted to make sure Xiao Lin spent these next two weeks as happily as possible, as it would slightly alleviate the pressure she was under. The two began to chat, mostly with Madam Xiao asking questions and Chen Xiang answering. Most of the inquiries were about his background, clearly driven by a fear that Chen Xiang might be a person of low character who would lead Lin’er astray.

But who was Chen Xiang? His ability to spout nonsense was unparalleled. He managed to spin a tale about being an "experienced driver" from a place in the Central Plains called Mount Akina, and he actually convinced Madam Xiao!

Just then, Young Master Wang and his group walked over. They bowed to Madam Xiao and said, "Aunt Xiao, your nephew has just composed a poem; I hope you might offer some guidance."

Young Master Zhang added, "Same for me, Aunt. Your insight is worth more than gold, and I hope you will not withhold your wisdom!"

They had spent a long time racking their brains and had finally come up with a poem. After reviewing each other's work and feeling satisfied, they had come to seek Madam Xiao's critique.

Madam Xiao glanced at Chen Xiang with a beaming smile and said, "Very well, I shall make a fool of myself by listening. Please, young masters!"

Chen Xiang curled his lip at Madam Xiao’s glance. He knew exactly what she meant—once these two finished their poems, they would surely provoke him into composing one as well. It was a classic case of forcing someone onto a stage. If he refused, he would be humiliated, and yesterday’s events would be dismissed as luck. If he agreed... he couldn't compose a poem to save his life!

However, Chen Xiang wasn't worried at all; in fact, he wanted to laugh! He couldn't write poetry? What of it? He had a system!

"System, give me 'Three Thousand Tang and Song Poems' to start with," Chen Xiang said lazily in his mind.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully redeeming 'Three Thousand Tang and Song Poems'. Five hundred prestige points consumed!"

As the system's prompt rang out, a massive influx of information flooded Chen Xiang's brain. He subconsciously closed his eyes, and after a dozen seconds, he had organized the knowledge.

"Damn it, five hundred prestige points? You are a real scam, System!" Chen Xiang complained, though he was used to the system’s predatory nature. A cold sneer played on his lips. *Competing with me in poetry? I’ll show you what cruelty really is!*

Chen Xiang’s sudden movement caught Madam Xiao’s attention, though she couldn't discern the cause.

Young Master Wang stepped forward and said, "Aunt Xiao, this was something I captured while enjoying the tea and looking out at Autumn Water Lake."

He pondered for a moment while holding his folding fan, then recited slowly: "The jade pot holds sweet dew, the mouth is full of right and wrong." He paused, paced a few steps, and continued: "Fragrance dwells upon the tea, autumn water floats upon the boat."

"Excellent!"

"A wonderful poem! As expected of Young Master Wang; this poem could be recorded in the Dongliu Academy’s anthology!"

"It fits the scene and the mood perfectly; truly a masterpiece!"

As soon as Young Master Wang finished, his companions chimed in with praises, elevating him to the skies. Madam Xiao sighed in admiration, "A truly fine poem. Even I can find no fault with it, Young Master Wang."

Young Master Zhang looked anxious, feeling that Young Master Wang had stolen the spotlight by going first, and he opened his mouth to speak.

"Pfft!"

The tea Chen Xiang had just taken into his mouth sprayed out, his face twisted in a bizarre expression.

*Well, that is indeed a "fine" poem. I have never in my life seen such a classic five-character poem!*

"System, can I get a refund? I don't want these Three Thousand Tang and Song Poems anymore; can I have my prestige points back?" Chen Xiang asked in his mind. He felt his intelligence was being insulted—he could have written something a hundred times better using his own knowledge!

"Ding! Small business, no refunds or exchanges!" the system replied.