"Oh... well, this and that..." Jun Mo Xie racked his brain, trying to formulate something. It seemed today was set to be another session of him shamelessly borrowing brilliance.

"Xue Yan speaks sense! Then let me compose a poem first, as a tribute to you, Xue Yan." Jun Mo Xie cleared his throat. All the women watched him with expectant eyes, naturally mixed with a healthy dose of schadenfreude.

Take Miao Xiao Miao, for instance; inside, she was practically howling with laughter. He, a mere Wu Zhi (Martial Expert), dared claim he could write poetry? Whatever he produced would at best be some nonsensical doggerel! Hmph, today she was determined to watch him make a fool of himself! This little upstart, daring to compare himself to her Jun Ye?

"Ah... I have it! Xue Yan is so graceful, possessing a bearing of utmost majesty—she has truly inspired me." Jun Mo Xie paced three steps, snapped his fingers, and declared: "When clouds wish to clothe her, flowers long for her face; when the spring breeze caresses the balustrade, the dew's luster deepens; if not seen upon Mount Qunyu, then by the Jade Terrace beneath the moon shall she be met!"

The assembled women were instantly stunned!

Miao Xiao Miao, in particular, was so shocked she couldn't utter a sound!

Could it be that Jun Mo Xie was truly a prodigy? It seemed he had only paused for such a short time, taken three steps, and produced a poem—and such a profound piece, perfectly suited to Mei Xue Yan's identity and temperament...

This poetic talent, perhaps, wasn't inferior to that of my Jun Ye... No, this must be a fluke... it absolutely must be a fluke...

"Alright, alright, now it's Qing Han's turn." Mei Xue Yan, having already received praise from her beloved and then this exquisitely beautiful verse worthy of being passed down through the ages, felt utterly content. Her eyes and the corners of her mouth were alight with blissful smiles, yet she urged him on verbally.

"Qing Han's... Qing Han's... Hmm, I have it!" Jun Mo Xie put on a show of frowning, turning around twice, then snapped his fingers again: "I have another! When the famed flower delights the ruler, joy is doubled; the sovereign watches with a smile fixed upon that sight; to explain the boundless sorrow of the spring breeze, leaning upon the railing north of the Chenxiang Pavilion!"

A shower of eyeballs bounced across the floor!

Jun Mo Xie actually had this hidden talent! The lines "boundless sorrow" (xian hen) and "leaning upon the railing" (yi lan gan) in this poem were too perfectly suited to Guan Qing Han’s unique temperament, that subtle, fragile melancholy...

A genius... truly...

Little stars began to sparkle in the eyes of the women.

Dugu Xiao Yi, however, was the only one among them who had witnessed Jun Mo Xie compose poetry before. That was during the Golden Autumn Scholars Banquet. But thinking back to the verses Jun Mo Xie had produced then—even Dugu Xiao Yi felt deep embarrassment recalling them: Want to talk romance with me? If you aren't pretty, no way; Don't speak of love, I am too wicked; Don't get obsessed with brother, Brother is just a legend; Don't provoke me, I'll make you vomit blood;...

Was that even poetry? It was simply unbearable trash! Just a pile of dog feces possessing a sliver of personality...

Thus, Dugu Xiao Yi had never held out hope that one day Jun Mo Xie could produce actual poetry, not even doggerel... Now, witnessing this display before her, Dugu Xiao Yi's mouth gaped wider and wider... until she finally couldn't hold back, forcefully rubbing her eyes, checking... Was this really Jun Mo Xie? Was she dreaming?...

Miao Xiao Miao also rubbed her eyes. This was too shocking...

If one were to generously call composing one poem a chance encounter, perhaps that could be—barely accepted. But a second poem followed, could that also be chance?

Finally, under the anticipation and pressure from the women, Jun Mo Xie composed a poem for every beauty present before he could quell their surging grievances.

Even Qiao Ying received a poem from Jun Mo Xie in the end: In the north dwells a peerless beauty, standing alone and unparalleled; One glance could topple a city, a second could destroy a kingdom; Little does she know that a city-toppling, kingdom-destroying beauty is hard to find again.

Everyone was overjoyed!

The way they looked at Jun Mo Xie was nothing short of awe! So brilliant! So incredibly capable! In less time than it took to blink, several poems had appeared, and every single one was a classic among classics! Even the foremost poets of the age lacked such talent! He was truly the greatest poet...

If Jun Mo Xie knew their thoughts, he would surely be frustrated: So, the greatest poets are all forced into existence like this...

Only Miao Xiao Miao, amidst her admiration, felt a touch of vexation: How could this fellow be so amazing? He looks so effeminate, lacking any masculine appeal, yet possesses such poetic talent—the Heavens must truly be blind!—

If Jun Mo Mo Xie knew Miao Xiao Miao's inner monologue, he would probably spit out a mouthful of blood. I'm only a little too handsome, where am I effeminate? How am I lacking in manliness?!

Seeing the women gazing at Young Master Jun with looks of reverence, all beaming happily, seemingly utterly satisfied, Miao Xiao Miao felt indignant and couldn't help but roll her eyes. Humph, is this adoration necessary? He just knows how to spout a few crooked verses. How could that compare to my Jun Ye, who can even master music...

As she thought this, her jade-like hand lightly plucked a few strings on her instrument, her eyes revealing a trace of nostalgia and longing: Jun Ye... where are you? Do you know how much I miss you right now?

If only you could show up now, dampen the swagger of this Sovereign of Evil! It would be wonderful to let them know that my Jun Ye is the absolute best...

That single strum of the strings, however, brought the other women back to reality: He managed to bluff his way through the poems, but what about the music? A piece for each of them?

Hmph, the nerve of this man to compose a piece just for Miao Xiao Miao! Unacceptable! It was intolerable! It had to be said, when a woman's jealousy flares up, it can be terrifyingly potent.

Even though the women knew that the music hadn't been exclusively composed for Miao Xiao Miao, when a woman decides something is fact, it is fact, whether it is or not!

And so...

Jun Mo Xie, who moments before was basking in the admiring gazes, the next instant found himself engulfed in a storm of denunciation...

Compose music!

And it had to be by the old rules: one piece for everyone!

This demand nearly made Young Master Jun spew three liters of blood!

"Well, you've listened to so many poems," he started, "you must be tired. I'll go check on Fatty Tang; I shouldn't let that brat ruin our Evil Lord's Manor..." Jun Mo Xie tried to slip away using a flimsy excuse, but Mei Xue Yan intercepted him at the doorway. Then Dugu Xiao Yi and the others swarmed forward, completely blocking the exit.

Trying to leave? Dream on, no chance!

Seeing the troop of female monarchs barring the door, Young Master Jun could only offer a wry smile, crying out silently for help... "My dearest ladies," he pleaded, "please have mercy... I'm telling you, composing music isn't like eating cabbage. It requires inspiration first, followed by a period of incubation, then painstaking refinement, going through several drafts before even a nascent form appears. You have no idea how arduous the process of composition is..." Jun Mo Xie spoke with a mournful expression.

Young Master Jun was putting on a tragic performance, hoping to win the women's sympathy, but the outcome was the opposite of his intention. His pitiable appearance did not evoke sympathy; instead, it fueled their fervor.

The women's momentum seemed to surge again, their faces flushing crimson. Jun Mo Xie was momentarily bewildered, completely confused...

"Ah, so Mo Xie Gege, you are looking down on me because I don't understand music, that's why you never discuss composing with me! No wonder you have no interest in composing in my presence..." Dugu Xiao Yi pouted, her eyes glistening and threatening tears.

Young Master Jun was slightly dumbfounded. "Did I say that? What did I say? I didn't say anything at all..."

"What more is there to say? We just don't understand the difficulty of composition; we just know how to eat cabbage. I truly envy Sister Miao—her husband is so considerate, their interests align so perfectly; that's what true harmony is, a match made in heaven. You don't need to explain anymore; we understand!" Mei Xue Yan said, her tone decidedly sharp and sarcastic.

It appeared the great beauty Mei was set on dismantling him today...

Young Master Jun was beyond slightly dumbfounded; he was on the verge of collapse, his eyes glazing over: What is this nonsense? That wasn't what I meant! This is such a gross miscarriage of justice!

Miao Xiao Miao quickly interceded: "Sisters, Lord Jun speaks the truth. Composition, like writing poetry or painting, requires a moment of sudden inspiration for any fine work to emerge. Although Mo Xie’s talent is extraordinary, he just composed so many poems for us; his creative energy is largely depleted. Forcing him to compose now is truly asking the impossible. Even if he forces it, the result will inevitably be mediocre filler. It’s better not to compose at all. Sisters, please consider this!"

Jun Mo Xie had completely retreated, utterly dejected. He managed a desperate plea: "This kind of thing truly can't be conjured on demand, even if I were an immortal. My venerable ladies, please spare me..."

If it were a matter of one piece per person, it might not have been excessively difficult for Young Master Jun. He remembered a vast repertoire of classic melodies. However, the current situation was not one where he could indulge the tempers of this female army. Otherwise, if they started demanding music for every trivial reason, even if he remembered countless tunes, it would be useless; he would eventually run dry...

Furthermore, releasing too many masterpieces at once would cheapen their value...

Seeing Young Master Jun’s genuine exasperation, not feigned anger, the women shifted their focus to Guan Qing Han. In matters of poetry, song, calligraphy, and painting, Guan Qing Han was the foremost expert; her attainments surpassed even Jun Mo Xie's skill as a 'borrowing expert.' At this moment, the others were willing to heed her counsel.

Guan Qing Han had not joined the joint attack on Young Master Jun as the others had, for a simple reason: she had been lost in thought by Miao Xiao Miao's earlier casual remark, recalling Jun Mo Xie's affection for her, his kindness, his... love!

As the women fixed their gazes on her, Guan Qing Han snapped back to attention. She spoke softly: "Sisters, Mo Xie's words are not entirely wrong. Whether composing music, writing poetry, or painting, any masterpiece requires a moment of spontaneous spark. Although Mo Xie's talent is transcendent, he has already created so many verses for us just now; his mental faculties are greatly taxed. Forcing him to compose now is indeed making things unduly difficult. Even if he attempts it, the output will certainly be substandard. It would be better not to produce anything at all. Sisters, please think it over!"

Guan Qing Han rarely spoke, but when she did, her words hit the mark. Hearing her reasoning, the other women realized the logic held true. After a brief discussion, they presented one final demand: "Composing one piece for each of us today is indeed a little too much to ask. However, you must still produce one piece of music, and it must satisfy everyone. If it’s not good enough, you must rework it until we are all satisfied. We certainly cannot let him be overshadowed by that 'Miao Xiao Miao's good husband, Mo Jun Ye'..."