Chapter 80

Cao Biao, that guy is really something.

Even though Cao Cao completely destroyed Zhao Shi’s right to succession by posthumously adopting him into his deceased brother’s family, he still calls him out just to humiliate him.

Even as an outsider, I can’t help but frown. How must the former followers of Zhao Shi, who are maintaining their official positions due to Cao Cao’s will, feel? Even with Cao Biao present, some of them can’t manage their expressions.

But in the end, it was Cao Biao who became king, and Zhao Shi, who lost the succession battle. Sitting in the corner of the banquet hall, Zhao Shi stood up at Cao Biao’s call and respectfully replied.

“…Indeed, as the King of Wei has said.”

“Right. That’s how it should be. How could a mere adopted son like him meddle among us legitimate heirs?”

Seemingly pleased with the answer, Cao Biao suddenly changed his expression and said,

“Ah, no. Come to think of it, you are now the son of the Marquis of Haiyang, so to me, you’re like a cousin. Hahaha!”

Cao Biao’s expression changes dramatically, like a joker.

This level of sarcasm is truly impressive.

After insulting Ha An, who was Cao Cao’s son-in-law and practically an adopted son, he also mocks Zhao Shi by saying, “So now you’re not a brother but a cousin?”

Moreover, the clothes I wore were prepared in just one day. Judging by Cao Biao’s surprised look, he clearly didn’t expect me to show up in such attire.

So, the entire process of comparing my and Ha An’s outfits and then mocking Zhao Shi was all improvised.

Cao Biao’s cunning is truly unparalleled in this regard. Perhaps he’s even more skilled than Zhuge Liang.

At Cao Biao’s almost insulting remark, Zhao Shi’s fist trembled slightly. It might not be visible to Cao Biao, but those around him could see it. This shows how deeply Zhao Shi felt the humiliation.

On the other hand, Ha An, who was also humiliated, remained surprisingly composed. Considering he’s been tormented by Cao Biao since childhood, this might be nothing to him.

Cao Biao’s remarks didn’t stop there.

“Zhao Shi, with your exceptional literary talent, you must have a great aesthetic sense. Wouldn’t it be a shame not to hear your thoughts when all eyes are on you? How about describing it in a poem?”

“How could I refuse your command?”

I wanted to avoid this development, but Cao Biao’s eyes were already gleaming.

While I decided to step back, Zhao Shi had already stepped to the center of the banquet hall.

The dancers stopped and retreated, and the musicians paused, all ears tuned to what poem Zhao Shi would recite.

And as Zhao Shi’s foot stepped forward, his mouth opened.

§

Zhao Shi, to be honest, didn’t believe any of the rumors about Chang-ran’s beauty.

No, perhaps “indifference” would be a better word to describe his feelings.

Zhao Shi simply didn’t have the mental space to care about Chang-ran. The succession issue was one thing, but his heart was already filled with another woman.

The future Empress Wen, Jian Na.

Zhao Shi secretly harbored feelings for Jian Na, who was both his brother Cao Biao’s wife and his sister-in-law.

For someone of his high scholarly and moral standing, this was an unacceptable affair, a grave sin of harboring illicit desires towards the empress of a nation.

Thus, he had tried to ignore these feelings. They were emotions he shouldn’t have. After being stripped of his right to succession, he had mingled with various scholars and enjoyed the arts to forget her.

He thought he had forgotten, but remnants of his feelings still lingered in a corner of his heart. When Cao Biao ordered him to attend the condolence delegation’s banquet to honor the late king, his heart raced at the thought of seeing his sister-in-law.

Although Zhao Shi didn’t pay much attention, Chang-ran was such a hot topic in Chang’an that he was well aware of her existence.

However, unlike the common folk who gossiped about her beauty, scholars and officials discussed her victories in Shu-Han, so to Zhao Shi, Chang-ran was more of a general.

A female general who had followed her father to battlefields since she was nine, achieving remarkable feats in Yizhou, Hanzhong, and Xiang Province.

How could such a person be beautiful? The idea of a beautiful woman fighting alongside men was something only the ignorant commoners would believe.

Anyone with a bit of military knowledge would know that such a physique would struggle just to keep up with the march.

But when he saw Chang-ran in person at the banquet welcoming the delegation, Zhao Shi had to admit his own narrow-mindedness.

As if to rebuke his hasty judgment, Chang-ran, the female general, was simply beautiful.

Having lived as Cao Cao’s son and being revered as the greatest scholar of his time, Zhao Shi had seen all sorts of beauties. But none could compare to his sister-in-law.

Until this very moment.

“Summoned to the capital, I ascended the Dongjagdai Pavilion and saw a beauty dressed in dark red men’s attire.”

“Then the king called me and asked, ‘What does she look like? I wish to hear.'”

“I replied, ‘Her form is like a soaring phoenix, her splendor like a spring pine.'”

“Her faintness is like thin clouds veiling the moon, her brightness like the flowers of an unyielding tree.”

“Her long, slender neck revealed pure white skin, unadorned by perfume or powder.”

“Her cloud-like hair tied up, her long eyebrows slightly curved. Her red lips shine outward, her white teeth gleam within.”

“Her enchanting form is beautiful yet not vulgar, wearing rare attire, her figure like a painting.”

Zhao Shi’s recitation flowed smoothly, his voice clear and profound, seeping into the hearts of everyone in the banquet hall.

Beyond the rhythm and resonance of the poem, Zhao Shi’s voice carried a deep, lingering impact.

In the silence, Zhao Shi, instead of his initial timid demeanor, stood tall and confidently said,

“Shall I continue?”

Even improvising a poem on the spot, Zhao Shi’s confidence showed that his reputation as the greatest literary figure of his time was well-deserved.

Even Cao Biao, who prided himself on his literary talent, had to acknowledge Zhao Shi’s overwhelming ability. Later generations would say that Zhao Shi was born with 80% of the world’s talent.

Even Cao Cao, who drew his sword for succession, couldn’t bring himself to kill Zhao Shi because of his literary talent. But this time, Zhao Shi’s talent was threatening his life.

It was both an object of admiration and envy. For Cao Biao, who loved literature, Zhao Shi’s talent was something to cherish but also a source of his own inferiority complex.

Until now, Cao Cao’s measures had suppressed the inferiority, making the love stronger. But at this moment, the balance tipped.

Cao Biao’s face turned colder than ever, his glassy eyes fixed on Zhao Shi. That gaze was not one of a brother.

But despite the resentment in his eyes, Cao Biao’s voice remained calm.

“No, that’s enough. Impressive. Did you prepare this beforehand?”

“How could I?”

“You came up with this on the spot?”

“Yes. How could I dare to lie before you?”

“Then you mean every word of that poem is sincere?”

Zhao Shi instinctively sensed that this question was a trap, and he shouldn’t answer affirmatively. But it was too late. If he said no, he would be accused of harboring illicit desires.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Zhao Shi was cornered.

From the moment Cao Biao summoned Zhao Shi to the banquet, he had planned all this. To crush him so he could never rise again, and perhaps to eliminate even the slightest possibility.

Even though Zhao Shi had fallen to a position where he couldn’t compete, Cao Biao’s vigilance and resentment towards his former rival never faded.

“What’s the matter? I can’t hear your voice. Have you gone mute, hmm?”

Cao Biao’s pressing was like peeling off the fingers of someone hanging off a cliff.

Zhao Shi, in despair, lowered his head.

“It is sincere…”

As soon as Zhao Shi affirmed, Cao Biao, who had been waiting for this, glanced at the third person he had deliberately summoned to this banquet.

His wife, Jian Na, sitting right beside him.

“Then let me ask. You praised Chang-ran as the most beautiful in the world. Do you think so too? Between the queen and Chang-ran, who is more beautiful? Tell me.”