52: Chapter 48: Ushering in Peace!
(Seeking First Subscription!)_2 52: Chapter 48: Ushering in Peace!
(Seeking First Subscription!)_2 After some thought, Li Guanyi returned once more, this time bringing some pastries for the youth and said, “Then, just sit back comfortably and watch them answer the questions.” Fang Ziqiao’s voice was warm, and as he watched Li Guanyi write three characters, he praised, “Your calligraphy is excellent.”
With a smile, he added, “If you run out of tea, just tap lightly on the table.”
“This is indeed a rare experience.”
As expected, Li Guanyi slowly sipped his tea, pondering over the abnormal changes of the bronze tripod.
He thought of what Siming from the Yin Yang Family had said.
All the world’s events are converging?
This drew the side glances of others, particularly from those noble family’s sons who had previously wanted to speak with the girl but were interrupted by him—the relief was evident on their faces—having thought he was someone proficient in both literature and martial arts, it turned out he was just a crude Martial Artist.
In their hearts, they were steadied!
After writing for a full hour, Li Guanyi finished his tea, but he couldn’t leave, so he quietly sat there, closed his eyes and focused on his breathing.
Meanwhile, the scholars and literati outside were chatting leisurely about various topics.
It was Fang Ziqiao and Du Keming who gathered the scrolls, stacking them in a thick pile and brought them over.
All the scholars were there.
Wang Tong proceeded to review the scrolls, and Xue Daoyong burst into a loud laugh, “Hahaha, let’s look at my child’s work first, hahaha, gentlemen, I assume there’s no objection?” No one dared to object, they just offered forced smiles.
As the scrolls were unfurled, Wang Tong complimented:
“Miss Xue Shuangtao’s words are eloquent, and her essay possesses a heroic spirit.”
“Her poetry, on the other hand, is gentle and meandering, like the mists of Jiangnan.
In this era, there are few young women of her age who exceed her in learning.”
A hint of eagerness flickered in the eyes of the other scholars, eager to discuss private matters with Xue Daoyong.
With a wave of his hand, Xue Daoyong briskly said:
“My granddaughter is indeed excellent, but let’s take a look at my Qilin’er.”
Wang Tong nodded with a smile, searching through the scrolls.
Fang Ziqiao extended a hand to hold down the scrolls and said gently, “…
Elder Xue, perhaps we can look at that later.”
“The wine has been warmed, and there’s the second round of questions to consider.”
Xue Daoyong laughed heartily, “Hahaha, silly child, what’s there not to look at?!”
“Come, let us all admire it together!”
The elder, flaunting it as if showing off his own children, pulled out a scroll, spread it open, and as everyone curiously looked on—at what important talent had caught Xue Daoyong’s attention from the legacy of Duke Xue, the scourge of chaotic times—they saw the scroll was blank as snow, with only a line of a name written in impressively distinct characters.
For a moment, there was silence, and Changsun Wuchou, who was grabbing a handful of melon seeds from the Western Regions, stared in shock.
How could someone with such strategic acumen not even be able to answer this?
To preserve the dignity of aristocratic families, the questions were already made very simple.
After a prolonged quiet, someone hesitantly spoke, “Well, the handwriting is free-spirited, unrestrained!”
Fang Ziqiao said warmly, “That young brother has the demeanor of a great talent.
With the proud spirit of youth, he must have looked down on the question.” Everyone readily agreed, continuously offering praise, while only Elder Xue’s lips twitched with a mix of laughter and tears, tossing aside the blank scroll, feigning anger, he asked:
“Come out to me, young man!”
The quiet youth known as Wei Xuancheng pointed towards a pavilion in the distance and calmly said:
“He just finished a while ago and was taken by an exceptionally beautiful girl over there.”
Elder Xue’s face drained with embarrassment, and he strode after them, followed by laughter from the others.
Du Keming remarked, “You really hit the nail on the head, Xuancheng.”
Wei Xuancheng replied leisurely, “It’s crucial.
I too want to see if that person truly possesses any learning, or if he’s just here to freeload food and drink.”
The youth rubbed his wrists.
For an hour, he had brewed a total of seven pots of tea.
The copper pot was heavy.
The three of them smiled and followed behind; this was their first encounter with the young man.
Full of youthful pride and vigor, naturally imperious.
Their impressions of each other were not too favorable.
As the crowd approached, they slowed their steps.
Master Wang Tong softly cleared his throat, emitting an air that masked their presence.
While Martial Artists were valiant in close quarters, the literati had their own means of subtlety—it’s only that Martial Artists were said to be invincible up close.
They saw the youth in the blue robe sitting cross-legged in the pavilion amongst the flowers, the black sword too heavy to carry so it rested in his arms, while the elegantly dressed young lady paced back and forth frowning and asked, “Guan Yi, why didn’t you answer?”
Li Guanyi sighed, admitting honestly, “I don’t know, I couldn’t even understand it.”
Xue Shuangtao peered at the youth before her and said:
“You didn’t seem illiterate when you were telling those historical stories.”
She had heard those noble sons scoffing softly earlier and was thus speaking out in rebuttal.
Then feeling vexed, she pulled Li Guanyi to inquire.
The young man was rather indifferent, holding the sword and smiling, he said:
A little distance away, Elder Xue felt helpless, convincing himself that Li Guanyi just wasn’t skilled in scholarly pursuits, while Changsun Wuchou was curious, and the rest found it amusing.
It wasn’t often they saw Elder Xue confounded, and they felt reassured knowing that, considering the elder’s status, it wouldn’t be difficult for him to assume this title.
Wang Tong said with a gentle smile, “Elder Xue, it’s improper for us to eavesdrop on the kids’ conversations.”
Xue Daoyong cheerfully replied, “Yes, the boy is mischievous for not answering.
“I apologize on his behalf.”
Wang Tong said smilingly, “No need for that.”
“I’ve got some fine tea from beyond the border, and I’d like to share it with Elder Xue.”
While Xue Shuangtao was still not convinced, she whispered, “Vastly, where there is no name that stands out.
Majestically, therein lies the achievement of success.
Brilliancy, therein lies the prose—it’s from the Book of Documents, praising the deeds of ancient kings.
This question is intended as a praise of the current emperor’s achievements.”