Chapter 29: Top of the List, Catch the Groom Below the List

"He actually managed to beat Fan Hongyi."

"The esteemed Fan Shaobao, a long-revered young talent, surprisingly fell to Shen Zhui, who had no literary reputation to speak of. It's just a huge joke."

"Maybe someone else wrote this poem for the Champion Marquis?"

"Nonsense! Which scholar would generously gift three True Sacred Words poems? Just for the sake of the monthly literary feast, this doesn't make sense!"

"'Entering the Capital' depicts a vibrant general with great ambition. In 'Ode to the General', the same general has grown into a world-renowned leader, a warrior of great bravery and magnanimity. I believe, the first poem represents the current Champion Marquis, while the second one possibly portrays the future Champion Marquis."