"Are you trying to renege on your bet?" Luo Xiaoman didn't want to let him off the hook, as he had been the loudest one talking nonsense just now.
The man in the green shirt flushed, as being called a cheat was even more embarrassing. "Who said..."
Just then, a person walked out from the second floor of Wenyue Tower. He was over sixty, dressed in a light-colored robe, with a slender face and a scholarly air in his eyes.
He slowly walked up to Luo Xiaoman, his gaze falling on the couplet she had just written. He nodded slightly, a smile of appreciation on his face.
"Well said, 'Rain nourishes the spring trees, green connecting to the sky.' A wonderful reply!"
His tone held a hint of surprise. "Since Wenyue Tower was built, no one has been able to match this upper couplet. Today, it has been effortlessly answered by you, young sir. May I know your esteemed name?"
Luo Xiaoman bowed slightly and smiled, "You are too kind. It was merely effortless. It's just that this person bet with me earlier, and now he refuses to honor his loss. Truly..."
Before she could finish the words 'unworthy of being a man,' the Young Master of the Fu Family interrupted her, "Who says I won't honor it!"
Then he knelt before Luo Xiaoman, "Master, please accept your student's bow."
Luo Xiaoman didn't want to be too harsh. She waved her hand, "Just honor your bet. Get up. There's always someone better, and there are always new horizons. Don't measure anyone with your shallow knowledge!"
"Yes!" Fù Jùnfēng cupped his hands and rose, then fled upstairs.
The people who had mocked her earlier could only look at each other, filled with regret and surprise.
They never imagined that this seemingly inconspicuous young man possessed such astonishing talent.
An old man then quickly said to Luo Xiaoman, "Young friend, please come upstairs." He then personally led the way.
No one downstairs recognized the old man, but upstairs, a commotion had already begun:
"Isn't that the Imperial Tutor of Tianque Kingdom? He's actually leading the way for an unknown young man?"
"It seems so, but the Imperial Tutor rarely leaves the palace, so I haven't seen him either."
The largest table was placed at the head of the main hall. Princess Ouyang Qingying of Xigong Kingdom and Crown Prince Ouyang Qingyuan sat on either side, while at the head seat sat the Second Prince of Tianque Kingdom, Wen Tianyu.
On the other side sat Yán Sān, wearing a mask, and the Young Master of the Qi Family, Qi Hengzhi, as well as the Capital's Richest Man, Yělǜ Zhēntiān. Today, Wenyue Tower true gathered the most distinguished scholars of the land.
"Tianyu, is that really your country's Imperial Tutor?"
"Yes," Wen Tianyu replied with a simple hum, then fell silent.
Luo Xiaoman, dressed as a man, confidently followed the old man up to the second floor. Inside, the scent of ink permeated the air, and gentle music played. It was indeed more secluded and poetic than the first floor.
A stage had been set up in the hall, with several rows of wooden chairs arranged around it. In front of each row of chairs was a small table, on which were placed the Four Treasures of the Study, ready for poets to write down their inspiration at any moment.
Luo Xiaoman had not forgotten her purpose. She followed closely behind the old man, allowing him to lead her to a seat. She found a spot and sat down, waving to Lín Jié, who had followed her upstairs, signaling him to sit as well.
At this moment, she realized she had become the focus of everyone's attention, which was not a good thing.
She leaned over and asked the old man sitting beside her, "Excuse me, sir, why are they all staring at me?"
"Young sir, you may not know, but for twenty years, no one has been able to match that couplet you just answered. Not only did you answer it, but your reply was also exceptionally well-crafted, with the potential to surpass the original. It is truly rare. Your talent is naturally appreciated by all."
Ah, this works too?
Luo Xiaoman quickly pulled her mask up higher, hoping to avoid being recognized as a woman, and moreover, the ugliest woman.
The old man didn't think much of it. After taking a sip of tea, he asked, "May I know who your teacher is, and where you reside now?"
"I, your student, am merely passing through and happened to be here by chance. Today was an unintentional offense. I beg for your forgiveness, sir." Luo Xiaoman knew she had inadvertently caused trouble and become the center of attention.
She thought about everyone present: high officials and esteemed scholars, members of the royal family, and foreigners. A person passing by had answered a sentence that so many great minds couldn't, how would they think of her? Wasn't she publicly embarrassing everyone?
With this thought, she stood up, cupped her hands, and bowed to the entire assembly, "Today, I merely stumbled upon this event and was fortunate enough to complete your tower's timeless couplet. It was not due to any real talent of mine. I apologize to everyone here."
Her words had the desired effect. Everyone lowered their heads and began to discuss amongst themselves. By saying this, she had saved everyone's face; they were relieved she wasn't there to challenge them, or how would this poetry gathering continue?
"Hahaha, young friend, please sit down. Since you are here, please join us in this poetry gathering," the old man in white called to her with a smile.
The people on the second floor gradually quieted down.
At this point, it was time for the poetry gathering. Servants set up a long table on the stage. A middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes walked onto the stage holding a scroll.
"Esteemed guests, today's poetry gathering has a special theme, which is this sentence."
He had someone unroll the scroll he was holding. On it was the line from the Du Fu poem that Luo Xiaoman had spoken at the Emperor's dining table:
The wine and meat of the wealthy rot, while the frozen dead lie in the streets.
"I know that all of you are talented scholars, learned individuals, and ambitious souls. Our Tianque Kingdom is currently facing widespread famine, and the people are suffering. How many will be angered by this sentence, and how many will be moved to tears?"
He paused and continued, "I am here by imperial decree to host this poetry gathering. I have only two questions to ask: First, does this sentence make you angry? Second, does this sentence make you sad?"
As soon as he finished speaking, murmurs began among the crowd. What? A poetry gathering hosted by imperial decree? Wasn't it usually just private entertainment, where people wrote poems and praised each other? Why was the Emperor bringing this sentence up for discussion? What did he intend?
Clearly, the first part criticized the wealthy, and the second part sympathized with the suffering common people.
If the first part was a crime, why had the Emperor spared that ugly girl from the Luo Family?
If it wasn't a crime, why bring it up publicly, and in front of everyone in the land?
This was a difficult situation. Answering incorrectly could affect one's career. Wasn't this asking everyone to guess the Emperor's thoughts?
Luo Xiaoman was also very surprised. This sentence was just a casual remark in modern times, as the situation of frozen dead in the streets was virtually nonexistent. However, in ancient times, it was a stark reality everywhere. Fortunately, she was only here to see people today and decided it was best to stay away from this matter.
Seeing that no one was writing for a long time, the official on the stage said again, "Those who provide a reasoned answer today may be directly promoted to the rank of Jinshi. Please begin."
The crowd heard this and realized they had no choice but to respond. They picked up their brushes and began to write.
The old man beside Luo Xiaoman saw that she wasn't moving and couldn't help but ask, "Young friend, what are your thoughts?"
"I don't have any thoughts. As I said, I just happened to be here by chance. I don't understand these grand principles." Luo Xiaoman looked around, hoping to see the Second Prince. She was determined to leave as soon as she spotted him, unaware that the Second Prince and his party were seated at the highest position behind her.