Chapter 269: Take Me Next Time

Chapter 269: Next Time, Bring Me Along

He suppressed the urge to let the corners of his mouth rise, feigning composure as he raised his hand and pressed downward, his posture as if he were truly calming a crowd of fervent admirers.

He cleared his throat and spoke in a tone that tried to appear humble, yet the ending of his words carried a hint of smugness: “Gentlemen, you flatter me, you flatter me! Cheng just had a random thought and spouted some nonsense—hardly worthy of such lavish praise. It’s just so-so, nothing special!”

But the expression on his face—that “keep praising me, don’t stop” look—was nearly impossible to hide.

Perhaps this wave of mindless flattery had given him a surge of courage; Cheng Ge clearly became much more energetic afterward.

Whenever the wine cup landed before him, he had zero shame left.

Instead, he carried a confidence that said, “I’m going to dazzle you all,” and boldly spoke up!

He went on to produce a few more immortal masterpieces, each one proving his genius.

Every poem he unveiled was like dropping a depth charge into a calm lake, leaving the officials utterly stunned and shell-shocked.

And they, in turn, had to immediately draw on all their knowledge, scouring their minds for praise.

They racked their brains to elevate those poems to the heights of philosophy, aesthetics, and even metaphysics!

“Censor Cheng’s work has reached a state of selflessness!”

“What sounds like slang actually holds Zen wisdom!”

“The Great Way is the simplest—nothing surpasses this!”

“I, your humble servant, seem to glimpse another path for poetry!”

The praises came fast and furious, but gradually their voices grew faint.

The sincerity in their tone became increasingly thin, replaced by a weariness close to collapse.

A few older officials had already started secretly rubbing their temples.

They felt their literary taste and integrity being tested like never before, sweat breaking out on their foreheads.

Cheng Ge, however, grew more and more inflated, feeling as if the Literary Star had possessed him, standing at the pinnacle of the literary realm.

He even began to think that while these officials might be limited in skill, at least they knew good stuff when they saw it!

Finally, just as Cheng Ge was looking around eagerly, ready to receive another round of flattery, Zhao Yuanliang couldn't take it anymore.

He suddenly grabbed his forehead, swayed slightly, and slurred with heavy intoxication: “Uh… Censor Cheng, you are truly gifted… I… can't hold my liquor, my head's spinning like crazy…”

“Yeah, yeah, this wine is strong…”

“I’m feeling a bit lightheaded too…”

“Hearing Your Excellency's exquisite verses is like sipping fine wine—I'm drunk, completely drunk…”

In an instant, feigning drunkenness, holding their heads, claiming they needed fresh air… the officials each showed their skills and collapsed one by one.

No one dared to initiate another topic, afraid this poetry-crazed censor would hit them with another mind-numbing poem.

Cheng Ge watched the scene of everyone suddenly falling, smacked his lips, a bit let down.

Just when his talent was erupting at its peak, the audience all conked out? That's no good!

He shook his head helplessly and prepared to take his leave.

But just as he stood up and adjusted his robes, he saw Zhao Yuanliang, fighting off his drunkenness, clapped his hands.

Immediately, a row of maids carrying beautiful trays filed in silently and stopped before Cheng Ge, bowing elegantly.

Each tray was covered with red brocade, concealing what lay underneath.

But judging by how heavy they looked and how carefully the maids handled them, they were clearly no ordinary items.

Zhao Yuanliang struggled to rise, clasped his hands, and smiled: “Censor Cheng’s poems today have amazed us all, truly a worthwhile trip! This modest gift is the prize for today’s poetry gathering. Censor Cheng, with your brilliant talent, winning first place is well deserved. Please do accept our humble gift!”

The other officials, seeing this, also forced themselves to perk up and piled on flattery once more:

“Indeed, indeed! Censor Cheng is fully deserving!”

“For such masterpieces, a modest reward would make us look stingy.”

“Just a small token—Censor Cheng, please don’t refuse!”

Cheng Ge listened to these fake yet oh-so-pleasing compliments, his heart practically doing backflips with joy.

He maintained an air of restraint on the surface, but his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the trays covered in red cloth.

Casually, as if by accident, he used his fingertip to gently lift the corner of the brocade on the nearest tray and take a sneaky peek inside—

Sss—! Cheng Ge's eyes went wide, and his heart skipped a beat!

Under the red silk lay a top-quality, finely carved white jade mountain ornament.

The jade was as smooth and warm as solidified cream, glowing with a soft luster under the light—obviously worth a fortune!

Cheng Ge's eyes popped! He lowered his hand and secretly gave his own thigh a hard pinch.

The sharp pain confirmed it—ow! Not a dream! He'd struck gold! Truly struck gold!

He pursed his lips tightly, a blush creeping onto his cheeks as he fought to contain his ecstasy.

The other officials observed his expression and exchanged knowing looks.

Just then, a maid stepped forward and gracefully lifted the red brocade off each tray, one by one.

Instantly, the dazzling treasure display nearly blinded everyone! Besides the white jade ornament,

There was a complete set of gold headdresses, translucent jade pendants, a fine zitan wood stationery box inlaid with gems…

All kinds of items, each one exquisitely crafted and priceless!

Cheng Ge looked at this row of spoils, his little heart pounding.

He quickly raised a hand to cover his mouth and coughed violently a few times, his voice laced with feigned weakness and coyness.

“Cough, cough… This, this is really too kind! Gentlemen, you’ve gone to such expense…”

I am unworthy of such generosity, truly unworthy...

But since you all insist so persistently, I have no choice but to accept with gratitude. You're too kind!

As he spoke of yielding, his hands moved without hesitation, signaling his attendant to step forward promptly.

He had his attendant carefully take the trays, as if afraid that if he delayed a second, the others might change their minds.

Everyone: “...”

Watching his duplicitous demeanor, the officials' faces twitched involuntarily.

They could only force a dry laugh and agree, “It’s only right, only right...”

Cheng Ge, beaming with delight as he watched the prizes loaded onto his carriage, contentedly prepared to climb aboard and leave.

With one foot already on the carriage step, he suddenly seemed to remember the most important thing and turned his head sharply.

Waving warmly at the officials who were seeing him off.

“My dear colleagues, gathering with you today, reciting poetry and matching couplets, has truly felt like meeting soulmates.

Next time you hold such an elegant and delightful poetry gathering, be sure to let me know, okay?”

Everyone: “...”

Zhao Yuanliang's vision went dark, he stumbled, and nearly collapsed.

The others also had their smiles freeze completely on their faces, their mouths twitching as if they were having a stroke.

Wiping the cold sweat that kept seeping from their foreheads, they squeezed out through clenched teeth: “Of-of course... of course...”

Only then did Cheng Ge feel satisfied. He bent down and got into the carriage, and as the curtain fell, the officials’ faces instantly fell.

However, just as the carriage was about to set off, the indigo blue curtain was suddenly swished open again.

Cheng Ge’s head poked out once more from the window, wearing an expression of utter sincerity and anticipation.

He issued his final, heartfelt confirmation: “It’s settled, then. Next time, you've got to take me!”

The group was startled by this sudden move, flinching, and reflexively put on their nearly shattered, cookie-cutter fake smiles again.

Nodding frantically in Cheng Ge’s direction: “We'll take you! We'll definitely take you! Rest assured, Censor Cheng!”