"Naturally, if my brother-in-law passes this last challenge, he can smoothly marry my sister," said Liua Yuanrui with an air of calm confidence, chuckling, "Of course, even if he fails, he can still marry my sister by admitting defeat."
"That’s fine, but like I said, admitting defeat doesn’t matter to me; I just want to give it a try," Wang Shouzhe replied with equal composure.
This was the third time Wang Shouzhe had said this sentence.
The first two times he ’gave it a try,’ he actually succeeded.
Could it be that a miracle would happen again this third time? The watching brothers- and sisters-in-law cheered enthusiastically, urging, "Brother-in-law, go for it! Take down Yuan Rui!"
Liua Yuanrui’s face darkened. Whose side are you siblings on anyway?
Nevertheless, Liua Yuanrui harbored full confidence in this final challenge. After all, isn’t poetry what scholars excel at?
If even this he could be outdone by his brother-in-law, then why study books at all?
"Brother-in-law, are you ready?" Liua Yuanrui asked with unshakeable confidence.
Wang Shouzhe smiled and said, "Yuan Rui, please give the topic, let’s not waste time."
Liua Yuanrui glanced around, smiling lightly, "Since today’s my sister’s wedding, naturally the topic should be her. Each of us will compose a poem, and let’s see who can praise her better."
The surrounding crowd cheered enthusiastically. This topic was fitting and could test the brother-in-law’s literary skill. Even if he couldn’t surpass Yuan Rui, as long as he did decently, he would be considered to have passed.
Wang Shouzhe pondered briefly and said, "Then please go ahead, Yuan Rui. Let me learn from you first."
Liua Yuanrui didn’t refuse, cleared his throat in a performative manner, thought for a moment, and then began to recite with a flourish.
The proud maiden in her boudoir hidden
Matchmakers brightened the doorstep stone.
Today she marries a Wang Family youth,
The phoenix alights, the hidden dragon’s growth.
Upon hearing the poem, the crowd erupted in overwhelming applause.
Even Wang Shouzhe couldn’t help but nod quietly, acknowledging that Yuan Rui, indeed a scholar, showed some skill.
Rather than directly proclaiming how wonderful his sister was, the poem elevated her through subtle backdrop.
Especially the last line, "The phoenix alights, the hidden dragon’s growth," instantly elevated the entire poem!
It praised his sister, while also extolling the Wang Family and Wang Shouzhe, with pleasant imagery of a treasured land and a hidden dragon.
Overall, the poem still mainly praised his sister, suggesting that by marrying Wang Shouzhe, she would significantly aid his future success—a daughter of prosperity.
Also telling Wang Shouzhe, it was a blessing to marry Ruolan.
The entire poem was quite flavorful and very fitting for the occasion.
"Brother-in-law, it’s your turn. No rush, take your time; we have all the time in the world," Liua Yuanrui said with a voice full of confident assurance.
No wonder, he had been working on this poem for three months, waiting for this very day. How could he not be confident?
"Alright, let me think for a moment."
Faced with such a fine poem, Wang Shouzhe dared not take it lightly.
Naturally, the poem was quickly conveyed to the back courtyard by the maidservant Qiao’Er.
After Liua Ruolan tasted a few lines of the poem, she personally transcribed it on paper, recounting each word carefully, her gaze hinting at relief, "Yuan Rui does care for his sister after all."
"Yuan Rui’s studies have not gone to waste," the middle-aged women around praised one after another.
Wang Liuzi suddenly grew worried, feeling a sense of trouble as Yuan Rui’s poem was extraordinarily good. Her nephew Shouzhe might be overshadowed!
"Seventh Aunt, it’s okay," Liua Ruolan gently held Wang Liuzi’s hand, reassuring her, "These three challenges are just for the young ones to enjoy. I... um, I..."
At this, her face flushed a delicate pink, full of shyness. In any case, she wouldn’t hold any prejudice even if he failed to write a good poem.
I’ll write one to support him a bit.
But Yuan Rui’s poem was excellent, and in a hurry, it would be hard to surpass, at most it might just help him save face.
With that thought, Liua Ruolan’s delicate jade-like hand took up the pen to write a poem.
"Qiao’Er, slip this to him secretly, don’t let anyone see."
The maidservant Qiao’Er was dumbstruck for a moment.
Miss, how am I supposed to secretly slip it to him in such a crowd? The source of thɪs content is 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⟡𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕥⟡𝕟𝕖𝕥