Chapter 211: Knowledge Transfer
"Elin?"
"Is it really her? Elin actually came?"
"Heavens! Ever since I saw her portrait, I couldn’t eat or sleep. I never thought I’d see her today, but curse these bead curtains, I can’t see a thing!"
"..."
As soon as Princess Lisa finished speaking, excited whispers erupted among the scholars and nobles. Everyone craned their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of the figure behind the beaded curtain.
But the thick layers of beads only showed blurred shadows, making it impossible to see clearly. The golden-armored guards standing on either side further crushed any hopes of reckless attempts to peek.
Donald trembled at the name, his eyes burning with hatred, directed squarely at Simon.
This was why he had dared to insult Simon so boldly.
Simon raised an eyebrow, wishing he had X-ray vision to see Elin’s legendary beauty. But thanks to Prince Gal’s interference, that hope was now dashed.
"Since Her Highness has asked me to set the challenge." A clear, melodious voice came from behind the curtain. "How about each of you compose a poem on one of the Four Noble Plants, plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum?"
Simon’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice, like a nightingale’s song, enchanting and pure.
Meanwhile, Maxwell and the other two looked ready to faint. They knew nothing about poetry! Was Simon setting them up for humiliation?
"Your Highness, this..." Maxwell swallowed hard. They had hoped to impress Princess Lisa, but now they were about to embarrass themselves beyond repair.
Simon feigned seriousness. "Don’t panic! Believe in your own talent. Since the theme is set, you go first, Maxwell, take the plum blossom."
Maxwell wanted to bang his head against the wall. His mind was blank. How could he possibly improvise a poem?
Prince Gal and Donald smirked at his panicked expression.
Simon, however, smirked back. The system in his mind wasn’t just for show. Silently, he transmitted a poem to Maxwell:
[Knowledge transfer initiated...]
"Plum Blossom"
’In winter’s iron grip, where frost bites deep,
You unfurl pale petals, defiant and sweet.
No leaf to shield you, yet courage you keep,
First herald of spring on a snow-laden bough.
Pure heart unyielding, through hardship, you teach:
Beauty is born where the cold cannot reach.’
The system’s function was knowledge transfer, and as Maxwell concentrated, the verses gradually surfaced in his mind. His panic turned to delight. After a moment of ’deep thought,’ he suddenly brightened and recited the poem loudly.
The crowd fell silent. Even Prince Gal and Donald were stunned.
"Hmm, another masterpiece." Princess Lisa mused from behind the curtain, sounding intrigued. "Who’s next?"
Ignoring Maxwell’s barely contained glee, Simon said. "Reece, you take the bamboo."
Reece, still shocked by Maxwell’s performance, paled. He glanced desperately at Simon, who ignored him.
Just as Reece started sweating, inspiration struck. He blurted out:
"Bamboo"
’Tall and unbending, yet supple in storm,
You bow with the wind but return to your form.
Hollow within, yet rooted in truth,
A gentleman’s virtue, resilient in youth.
Green through the seasons, in clusters you stand,
Integrity’s emblem across the wide land.’
Reece beamed and bowed. "My humble offering, gentlemen."
The scholars’ mocking smirks vanished, replaced by envy.
Next was Daniel, who recited:
"Chrysanthemum"
When autumn’s gold fades, and the frost descends,
You lift your bright face where the summer ends.
Defiant in colour, unbowed by the chill,
A last flame of life on the darkening hill.
Longevity’s flower, in solitude crowned,
You bloom with quiet strength when all else bows down.’
Three flawless poems in a row. The trio exchanged triumphant grins. Maxwell gripped the horsewhip and smirked at Simon. "Your Highness, allow me to handle the lashing later."
His glare landed on Donald, whose face drained of colour. He looked pleadingly at Prince Gal.
But Prince Gal, having only used Donald as a pawn, coldly abandoned him. "Donald, how could you spout such nonsense? You almost made me doubt their integrity."
Donald turned ghostly pale.
Behind the curtain, Princess Lisa smiled. "So many exquisite verses in one gathering, how rare! Prince Simon, since plum, bamboo, and chrysanthemum are covered, why not complete the set with an orchid poem?"
Simon shot a taunting glance at Prince Gal and recited:
"Orchid"
’A lone orchid blooms in hidden glades,
Lost among weeds, unseen, unknown.
Though spring’s warm golden rays it braves,
It dreads the autumn’s frosty throne.
Early frost may steal its tender grace,
Its verdant pride lay bare and cold.
Yet soft, so soft, its rare perfume drifts
Through silent air, in shades of dusk and gold.
No breeze arrives to carry forth its scent,
No wanderer’s foot disturbs its shaded home.
Still, it unfolds its quiet elegance,
And asks the void: for whom does this fragrance roam?’
Prince Gal’s jaw dropped. Since when could Simon compose poetry on the spot?
Behind the curtain, Princess Lisa turned to Elin, moved.
"’And asks the void: for whom does this fragrance roam?’" She repeated softly. "Prince Simon, I never knew you possessed such depth. This poem... Speaks of a woman’s sorrow. Without the right wind, her fragrance goes unnoticed. How tragic."
Elin’s expression shifted. She understood the hidden meaning; Princess Lisa had not always been so stern. After her husband’s death, she had changed. The poem’s lament mirrored her own unspoken grief.
And now, the princess’s gaze at Elin carried a silent warning: A woman’s life is defined by her choice of husband. One mistake, and all is lost.
"Aunt, we’ve proven our innocence," Simon said. "Prince Gal and Donald falsely accused us. Will you honour your promise?"
Princess Lisa snapped out of her melancholy. "Of course. You and your friends shall join me on the Swan Lake cruise. Princess Elowen is here too; we can all chat."
Simon’s face fell. "Aunt, I just remembered, I have urgent business this afternoon."
"Brother!" Came Princess Elowen’s icy voice. "If you refuse, perhaps I should visit your residence instead?"
Simon winced. Princess Elowen was the one person in Eldora he dreaded most. Back in the day, she had extorted him relentlessly.
"Fine, fine, I’ll go!" He relented. "But first..." He turned to Donald.
A mere noble had dared insult a prince. If he didn’t reclaim his dignity now, the entire court would laugh at him.