Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 428 - 264 Pairing Couplets

Zhu Pang also felt that Yu Ting was too arrogant, holding poetry that wasn’t his own creation and wanting to claim first place. Truly shameless to the extreme.

"I also think Chengyu’s suggestion is very good. Isn’t the first place determined by more than just ourselves? It’s best to invite outsiders for the evaluation to be most fair."

Zhu Pang shot a sideways glance at Yu Ting, who actually brought six people along, thinking the first place was already his?

Yu Ting’s face darkened. If an evaluation was requested, considering the works of Min Feng and Gu Chengyu, it would be hard for him to secure the first place.

He naturally didn’t want to, so he said, "Why bother troubling those Great Scholars, are you all not satisfied? A bet is a bet, are you all reluctant to admit defeat?"

Zhu Pang looked at Yu Ting’s shameless demeanor and only felt his teeth ache. He considered himself a rascal, but this person was even more shameless.

Xi Yan gripped the paper tightly, wondering what Yu Ting intended to do. If he truly won first, and did something during a private occasion, she’d have no choice but to suffer the immediate loss.

She earnestly hoped in her heart that Yu Ting wouldn’t succeed.

Her beautiful eyes glanced at Gu Chengyu; among the poems, Gu Chengyu’s was much more outstanding. It’s a pity these people chose to ignore it; is this fair to him?

A distinguished top scorer, how could he be someone else’s stepping stone?

Gu Chengyu frowned; reputation is of utmost importance. Since he participated, he couldn’t allow them to act recklessly.

"Inviting the Great Scholars is necessary because we are few in number. If word spreads, it’s unlikely to convince the masses. Brother Yu’s poetry is so outstanding, it’s just right to let more people appreciate it. How could it be overlooked at this poetry gathering? It should be recorded in a poetry anthology."

Gu Chengyu undoubtedly disagreed. He didn’t care what Yu Ting’s purpose was; these intentions of stepping over him certainly wouldn’t succeed.

Not to mention Gu Chengyu, Min Feng would also not agree. Who is Yu Ting? A prodigal son known in the Capital, who doesn’t know?

Despite his unwillingness, Yu Ting could only go along with the group’s decision. However, his ability to appreciate poetry was limited. He believed the collaborative poem by those three advisers should be first. Considering this, he felt relieved.

"Then why don’t we have our followers copy the poems twice, and send them to Boshan Academy and Luming Academy for the Mountain Masters to critique? What does everyone think?"

Huang Junheng, as the host, naturally had to step up. The reason for having the followers copy was because Gu Chengyu’s handwriting was distinctive; no one could imitate his writing.

Upon seeing that handwriting, they would immediately recognize it as Gu Chengyu’s poem, which might influence the scholars’ judgment.

As for Luming Academy, it’s only slightly inferior to Boshan Academy but still quite renowned in the Capital. Inviting the heads of these two academies should meet no objections from everyone.

Sure enough, these few words won everyone’s approval. Yu Ting couldn’t obstruct too much; otherwise, it would go too far.

Zhu Pang quickly stood up, "Ahem! Count mine out; I wouldn’t get first anyway, so you don’t need to count me."

Just now, Zhu Pang had racked his brains to write a doggerel. As Xi Yan recited it, many held back laughter, and even the sitting ladies couldn’t help but smile.

Yu Ting laughed the loudest and clapped his hands with a fan, looking utterly gleeful.

In the end, Zhu Pang couldn’t hold back, retorted a few words, and inwardly cursed Yu Pang countless times.

The waiting time for the result was too long, though Huang Junheng had already asked the servant to speedily deliver it. But meanwhile, they needed something to do.

All present raised their glasses and began exchanging toasts.

After three rounds of drinking, they were slightly tipsy, and Yan Huan proposed another idea.

"While waiting here, just drinking and eating is somewhat dull. How about we start a couplet contest?"

It was already noon; judging by this, it might take another two or three hours. These folks seemed to be prepared to spend the night at Tianxiang Pavilion.

"Great! Just sitting and waiting is boring; enjoying music and dance later would be better. Who would like to go first?" Huang Junheng winked at everyone, instantly conveying his meaning, and everyone knowingly chuckled.

Gu Chengyu looked clueless but realized Huang Junheng’s actions were not something that could be spoken of openly.

"I have an unworthy request; please, everyone, write a couplet for our Tianxiang Pavilion, showcasing the gentlemen’s literary talent to passersby."

Xi Yan saw everyone gearing up for couplets and wanted to leave some of their works at Tianxiang Pavilion.

"If Miss Xi Yan likes, I will certainly present it." Men always appeared magnanimous before beauties. Besides, even though he was just past coming of age, participating now wouldn’t affect his reputation after the provincial exam.

But Gu Chengyu was different. As far as he knew, Gu Chengyu was only fourteen. If his works were found left at Tianxiang Pavilion, it might give a frivolous impression.

Gu Chengyu thought again; he was still a youth, visiting brothels so early already gave a bad impression.

If he left behind poetry and couplets, it surely wouldn’t be wise. He decided not to write. After all, they’ve already contested poems; couplets were merely for fun, so not participating wouldn’t matter.

Yu Ting’s face turned livid; he only prepared two or three poems, and had no couplets ready! Just now he was praised for his talent, and now he couldn’t even match a syllable, wasn’t this like lifting a stone and dropping it on his own foot?

That hateful Yan Huan, and Gu Chengyu, were equally annoying. It was truly a bad move today; why did Gu Chengyu choose today to come? Shouldn’t he be resting at home after exams?

"Since I proposed it, I should start first!" Yan Huan asked the lady beside him to bring pens and ink, then thought for a moment before starting to write.

"Oh? The upper line is, ’The Immortal Mountain composes a chant, wishing the King to gaze on me.’ This upper line is written must be good; we’ve long heard Brother Yan is excellent at couplets, and indeed it’s better seen than heard!"

While Yan Huan was writing, Huang Junheng and other nearby scholars gathered to see. Someone read the upper line, causing everyone to praise.

Gu Chengyu also carefully appreciated it; it was indeed well written. If the lower line was well-written, it would be considered classic.

"Quick, write the lower line!"

Yu Ting was pondering the lower line when a student couldn’t help but urge him.

"The lower line is ’Hearing the zither undoes the jade pendant, inviting the Duke for a long drunken stroll among flowers.’ Great! It’s truly wonderful!" Even Huang Junheng had to praise; the couplet was excellently matched.

"Just an amateur attempt; I only make a fool of myself here! Everyone shouldn’t just be spectators; take part as well." Yan Huan put down the pen after writing, bowing to everyone.

Xi Yan was very pleased with this couplet; just this couplet alone made the visit worthwhile today.

The couplet was eloquently written, without belittling brothels, instead portraying poetic elegance.

"Since Brother Yan’s gem is already before us, I shall not make a fool of myself further." Huang Junheng conceded he couldn’t craft anything better, nor did he want to embarrass himself.

"Brother Yan’s couplet is truly marvelous; I will also write a couplet, though it may not compare to Brother Yan’s, but it counts as some fun."

Min Feng naturally wouldn’t miss a chance to make a name, this couplet contest was like a timely opportunity.