Chapter 44: Chapter 44 Senior Sister... Do you know 2 Niu?
Ling Si knew that her current request seemed somewhat unreasonable.
But she couldn’t bear to go back just like that.
The teacher had anticipated today’s poetry competition for two years and painstakingly guided her for two years, but the outcome was a complete defeat without a single win?
She could accept such an outcome, but how could her teacher bear the loss of face?
She couldn’t win against Ying Ruxian through this competition, but at the very least, she needed to preserve the last shred of dignity for her teacher!
Moreover, she firmly believed that she would win this round!
After all, the profundity of the poem’s meaning and the intensity of the emotions were the greatest she had ever encountered in her life!
"A poetry competition?"
Su Changqing hesitated to speak after hearing this.
He truly couldn’t bear to hit this junior sister any further.
If it were any other competition, he might be slightly concerned, but poetry...
Not only this junior sister, even if he included his teacher and everyone present, they weren’t enough to challenge him.
Thinking of this, he pondered how to gently refuse the other party.
But unexpectedly, Mo Lan, the great scholar who hadn’t spoken for a long time, suddenly brightened up,
"A poetry competition is great!"
"I’ve had the privilege of hearing Ling Si’s poetry; they are truly unparalleled couplets. It’s an excellent opportunity for you to spar."
At this, Yi Xian also joined in, smiling and clapping, saying:
"Indeed, Ling Si’s poetry is exquisite. I regretted not hearing the full composition not long ago, but today I can finally fulfill that wish."
They had seen Su Changqing’s prowess. If it were any other competition, they wouldn’t be interested, as the two were not even on the same level.
But poetry was different!
Not long ago, Wei Cang had recited to them half of a poem, which had left them amazed for quite some time.
Although Su Changqing was strong in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Ling Si’s poetry was definitely not inferior!
"Oh? It seems that Niece Ling Si has profound knowledge in poetry."
Hearing the two great scholars praise her so highly, Li Qingchen also looked at Ling Si with interest.
In Confucianism, music, chess, calligraphy, and painting generally belong to aggressive cultivation arts.
While extensive reading of poetry and prose is the best method to nurture and enhance one’s vast and righteous qi.
When one has read extensively and is well-versed in poetry and prose, advancements in Confucian cultivation come swiftly.
In Confucianism, someone called a great scholar might not be strong in offensive means, but their proficiency in poetry and prose is undoubtedly deep.
Now that Ling Si could earn praise from the great scholars, it evidently showed she had genuine skills.
This made Li Qingchen curious about what kind of poetry Ling Si could produce.
"Ling Si may have lost in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but in this poetry, she will certainly win!"
Upon hearing Li Qingchen’s words, the initially forlorn Wei Cang managed a weak smile.
Although he lost miserably today, winning one round would at least save some face.
Otherwise... he’d leave completely humiliated.
"Teacher, maybe we should... just let it go."
At this moment, Su Changqing hesitated to speak softly.
"Why should we let it go?"
Li Qingchen looked at Su Changqing, "It’s just a competition, winning or losing isn’t a big deal. Be bold and compete."
Li Qingchen knew that in this competition, Su Changqing would inevitably lose.
Because over these two years, to suppress the growth of Su Changqing’s vast and righteous qi, he had never taught him poetry and prose.
Even most of the books he read were about etiquette and morality, so how could Su Changqing compose poetry this way?
Today, Su Changqing’s victories were many, and losing once could better adjust his mindset, which wasn’t a bad thing.
However...
Upon hearing this, Su Changqing became even more troubled.
"Be bold and compete? Does this mean I should give it my all?"
Just now, Ling Si already had red eyes, and if she lost again, wouldn’t she just start crying?
Then, when the time comes... who would be responsible for consoling her if she was the one who cried?
Su Changqing sighed, pondering what kind of poem he could choose so that Ling Si wouldn’t lose too embarrassingly.
Meanwhile, seeing Su Changqing sighing, Li Qingchen couldn’t help but shake his head and said:
"If you lose, you lose; it’s not that serious."
"It’s also a way to give your senior uncle and senior sister a way to save face. Otherwise, if they come all this way and don’t win a single round, it looks very bad for them."
Su Changqing was startled upon hearing this, then his eyes lit up.
So they didn’t expect him to win, huh?
In that case, it was much easier; he had been agonizing over it just moments ago.
On one hand, there was obedience to his teacher’s orders, and on the other, his senior sister who immediately started sparing him... um, although it wasn’t really needed, he still remembered this sentiment.
Now that he understood his teacher’s true intention, Su Changqing completely relaxed.
"Senior Sister, you should start; I’m looking forward to your masterpiece."
Su Changqing said with a smile, his eyes filled with curiosity.
He was also eager to see what kind of poetry existed in this world.
"Then listen carefully, Junior Brother."
Ling Si smiled confidently and said aloud:
"This poem is untitled."
"Meeting is difficult and parting is also hard, the east wind weakens, and the blossoms fade away."
"The spring silkworm..."
"Pfft! Cough, cough, cough, cough..."
While the others were looking amazed, Su Changqing, who was just feeling thirsty, sprayed water everywhere, and while coughing violently, he was completely dazed.
"This poem..."
Su Changqing widened his eyes, looking incredulous.
"Chang Qing, what’s wrong with the poem?"
Seeing Chang Qing so out of character, Li Qingchen frowned and asked.
"This poem..."
Su Changqing’s mind was racing with thoughts, but seeing the inquiring looks of everyone, he swallowed them back and awkwardly chuckled,
"This poem is excellent."
Nobody knew that Su Changqing was utterly astounded at this moment.
Ling Si confusedly glanced at Su Changqing, then continued her recitation.
"Meeting is difficult and parting is also hard, the east wind weakens, and the blossoms fade away."
"The spring silkworm spins its silk until death; the candle burns to ashes before tears dry."
"At dawn, one worries about changing cloud-like locks; the night’s singing should sense the chilling moonlight."
"From here to Peng Mountain is not far, the blue bird diligently goes to check."
After finishing the poem, everyone present wore expressions of amazement.
Li Qingchen was generous in his praise:
"The realm of this poetry is extraordinary, capturing the difficulty of meeting and the sorrow of parting with just a few words."
"Even more impressive is how this poem cleverly uses imagery of ’withered flowers’, ’candle ashes’, ’spring silkworms,’ vividly highlighting the poet’s sorrow."
"The words, meaning, and realm are all perfect."
Saying this, Li Qingchen looked at Ling Si and praised:
"To create such poetry at such an age, Niece, you are remarkable."
Though Wei Cang lost the competition, he couldn’t help but smile.
He knew all too well how proud Li Qingchen was; for the contemporary scholar to utter ’remarkable’ showed the strength of this poem.
Meanwhile, Mo Lan and Yi Xian beside him couldn’t stop praising it and promptly copied the poem onto paper.
"This junior sister is truly strong in poetry and prose."
Shu Han was equally dazzled, acknowledging his inferiority.
He had thought himself already a rare prodigy in literature, yet encountering Su Changqing showed him he was like a frog at the bottom of a well.
Now hearing Ling Si’s poetry, even the last of his arrogance vanished completely.
"Learning has no limits." Shu Han sighed despondently.
Everyone was discussing it, offering endless praise.
But Ling Si remained calm because she knew those praises weren’t meant for her but for that senior.
To save her teacher’s face, she had no choice today, otherwise, she would never resort to using someone else’s poetry.
"I’m sorry, senior. I will personally apologize within the next couple of days."
Ling Si sighed internally, preparing to visit after the competition was over.
At this point, unable to hold back his words any longer, Su Changqing looked at Ling Si and asked quietly:
"Senior Sister, do you know... Erniu?"