Chapter 14: Could He Really Still Counter That?
Without hesitation, Shen Xuan spoke aloud.
“Wangjiang Tower, Wangjiang Flow, beneath Wangjiang Tower flows Wangjiang River; the tower endures through the ages, the river flows eternally.”
“Yinyue Well, Yinyue Shadow, within Yinyue Well reflects Yinyue Shadow; the well lasts for ten thousand years, the shadow endures ten thousand years.”
A collective gasp echoed from the audience.
Generally, although Shen Xuan’s couplet was excellent, it was on par with Li Qiunian’s—a matter of slight difference, both essentially equal.
Yet Li Qiunian was already renowned in the capital, widely recognized for his talent.
But Shen Xuan? Not to say he was completely unknown, but his reputation was mostly ill-famed.
To reveal such skill today was utterly extraordinary.
Even Li Qiunian turned his gaze back, beginning to reassess Shen Xuan.
“Could it be that Shen Xuan truly managed to respond to these three sets of couplets?” someone in the crowd whispered in disbelief.
“Impossible! No matter how deeply Shen Xuan concealed his talent before, he could never surpass the heir Li.”
A scholar-like figure spoke with certainty.
“It’s perfectly matched. I wonder if this young gentleman can respond to the third line?”
The beautiful woman’s eyes brightened, eagerly asking.
Everyone, including Li Qiunian, fixed their eyes intently on Shen Xuan.
The hall fell into a profound silence; time seemed to slow.
“Of course.”
Shen Xuan’s voice remained calm, yet his words struck the crowd like thunder.
“No way! He can really respond to it?”
A voice from the audience trembled with shock.
“Maybe he’s bluffing. Such a difficult couplet would challenge even a true master; let alone him.”
Though his companion said this, hesitation lingered in his tone.
“It’s a line even I couldn’t answer, yet he did! This guy must be bluffing—yes, that’s it!”
Li Qiunian’s heart sank; his eyes locked onto Shen Xuan as if roaring inwardly.
“Please, young sir, reveal your answer.”
The beautiful woman nodded.
“Smoke cloaks the pond’s willow.”
“Peach blossoms ignite the brocade riverbank.”
Shen Xuan spoke calmly.
“Ahhhh!!!”
The moment Shen Xuan finished, an uproar erupted throughout the hall, all eyes filled with astonishment upon the modest figure on stage.
“‘Peach blossoms ignite the brocade riverbank’—he matched it perfectly! Shen Xuan is truly a great talent!”
The scholar below could not help but exclaim loudly.
“A masterpiece; this is certainly a timeless verse!”
A man gesticulated excitedly.
“That scoundrel actually answered correctly!”
Those familiar with Shen Xuan’s past were dumbfounded, disbelief etched deep in their eyes.
“Congratulations to Young Master Shen for successfully matching all three couplets. He shall receive the reward bestowed by the Flower Pavilion.”
Even the beautiful woman looked at Shen Xuan with awe.
They had never expected anyone to surpass the challenge—they had deliberately set the questions so difficult.
“Well, such a gifted scholar surely the young lady would not refuse an audience.”
The woman’s gaze toward Shen Xuan subtly shifted.
“Wow! Is Brother Shen really that impressive?”
“No way—I must cling to such a powerful ally. With this talent, passing the autumn imperial examination is not a dream!”
Liu Ruifeng’s eyes gleamed with newfound respect.
His father always said: a man may lack ability, but must have good judgment and know how to invest wisely.
Liu Ruifeng’s father’s proudest achievement was choosing the right side, elevating him from a mere clerk to the current Minister of Justice.
To Liu Ruifeng, Shen Xuan was a promising prospect destined for great things.
Thinking of this, Liu Ruifeng laughed and said to his companions,
“Look! This is my brother! My brother, Liu Ruifeng’s brother!”
Shen Xuan listened to the praise with a composed expression. To him, it was just a matter of matching a few couplets, nothing to boast about.
“Young Master Shen, here is a silver note worth a thousand taels. Miss Meng awaits you in her chamber on the second floor. Please wait here a moment while I settle some matters, and then I will escort you.”
The beautiful woman took a stack of silver notes from an attendant and handed them to Shen Xuan with a smiling eye.
“There is no need to meet Miss Meng. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I will take my leave.”
Shen Xuan took the silver without looking and casually tucked it inside his chest, bowing slightly and speaking calmly.
“But—”
The woman was momentarily stunned, about to say more, but Shen Xuan had already turned and left.
“What a gentleman Shen Xuan is, disdainful even of such beauty.”
The crowd parted a path, watching Shen Xuan’s departing figure, some admiringly murmuring.
“Tch! Gentleman my foot. Either his mind’s not right, or he’s lacking in that department.”
A leering youth nearby sneered, showing contempt for Shen Xuan’s behavior.
“Damn it! If you can’t handle it, just hand her over to me! I’d even pay for her!”
Someone muttered under his breath.
Had Shen Xuan known, he might well have agreed.
“Brother Shen! Wait for me!”
Seeing Shen Xuan exit the Flower Pavilion, Liu Ruifeng hurriedly called out, chasing after him.
On the second floor, within an elegant private chamber, a gentle-faced young woman held a book in her hands, her delicate face full of concentration.
She had long, thick lashes and starry eyes shining brightly, captivating anyone who looked.
“Miss! Miss!”
At that moment, the door opened, and a sprightly maid rushed in, panting.
“What’s the matter, Little Qiao? Why so flustered?”
Meng Qianwu lifted her eyes, curious.
“Miss! Those three couplets have been answered.”
Little Qiao patted her chest, eyes wide with shock and breathless.
“Impossible?”
Meng Qianwu’s lips parted in disbelief.
“Miss, I swear it’s true!”
Seeing Meng Qianwu’s doubt, the maid stamped her foot anxiously.
“But what about the heir, Li Qiunian?”
Meng Qianwu’s brows furrowed, guessing.
Little Qiao shook her head and, without further ado, said,
“It was a young gentleman named Shen Xuan.”
She stepped forward, presenting Shen Xuan’s matched couplet to Meng Qianwu.
“‘Peach blossoms ignite the brocade riverbank’…”
Meng Qianwu read the five words carefully, her eyes growing brighter as she admired the verse.
She never imagined anyone could truly answer the third couplet.
“I wonder where Young Master Shen is now?”
Meng Qianwu asked with a hint of anticipation.