Chapter 45: Chapter 45 - Second Bull: My Spring Is Coming!
"Er Niu? Who is Er Niu? I don’t know him."
Ling Si shook her head in confusion; among her friends, none had such a name.
She grew up in the royal palace, where everyone she came in contact with was either wealthy or noble; how could anyone have such a name?
Even if there was, they probably wouldn’t use such a nickname publicly.
"Don’t know?"
Upon hearing this, Su Changqing was thoroughly puzzled, and after casting a suspicious glance at Ling Si, he frowned and fell into deep thought.
"Zhi Yu, since Ling Si is done, it’s your turn now."
After expressing admiration, Mo Lan and the others turned their gaze towards Su Changqing.
Although Su Changqing’s performance just now was quite impressive, they didn’t hold out much hope.
After all, the poem Ling Si had just crafted was too astounding; the possibility of surpassing it was negligible.
Indeed.
Upon hearing this, Su Changqing waved his hand immediately, "The poem just now is truly a masterpiece, I won’t embarrass myself by trying."
After speaking, he glanced at Ling Si and asked aloud:
"Senior Sister’s poem is truly rare in the world; do you have other splendid works?"
The eminent scholar Yi Xian at the front of the school also brightened his eyes upon hearing this,
"Yes, Ling Si, have you composed any other poems or songs? Let us appreciate them too."
Not only him, but Wei Cang, Mo Lan, Shu Han, and others also looked at Ling Si with expectation.
As followers of Confucianism, they were powerless against such poetic masterpieces.
"Well..."
Ling Si hesitated for a moment.
She initially planned to present a poem and win, but since it wasn’t her own, she felt a bit guilty.
However, seeing the hopeful eyes of everyone now, she found herself in a predicament.
Thinking of this, she sighed inwardly, whether it’s one poem or two, she would present them and make the teacher happy.
"I have another poem, please forgive my lack of skill."
Ling Si steadied her mind and softly began to recite:
"This poem, Autumn Wind Verse."
"The autumn wind is clear, the autumn moon is bright."
"Fallen leaves gather and scatter again, cold crows perch and then startle."
"When might we meet again? This moment and this night are difficult to bear..."
The lyrical poem resonated through the school, and everyone present looked astonished, their eyes revealing admiration.
Only Su Changqing’s expression became extremely peculiar.
When the words ’Autumn Wind Verse’ appeared, he knew for sure!
His little senior sister must be Brother Er Niu’s beloved, there was no mistake!
"All this time, Brother Er Niu asked me for poems for his beloved, and ended up having his beloved use my poems to... defeat me?"
Su Changqing was both amused and frustrated.
This mishap was too uncanny, Brother Er Niu’s beloved turned out to be his little senior sister?
"If I’d known, I’d have brought Brother Er Niu along."
"But I must say, little senior sister’s resilient nature matches with Brother Er Niu, she has a good personality and is quite beautiful."
"Tsk tsk, Brother Er Niu, a poor young lad from the mountains, yet found a scholarly girl; blessed by Uncle Wen Lin..."
While the others were focused on Ling Si’s poetry, Su Changqing wore a smile, almost envisioning the wedding feast.
As for exposing the truth about the poem in front of everyone, he hadn’t even considered it.
The two were already closely affiliated, and with Brother Er Niu’s connection, they were even more like family; why embarrass Ling Si in such a manner?
Soon, as Ling Si finished reciting the poem, she immediately received a round of applause.
"Excellent!"
Mo Lan stood up excitedly and said, "I thought the previous poem was already exceptional; unexpectedly, this poem’s artistic conception is even more wonderful."
"Indeed."
Yi Xian echoed in praise, "This poem is a typical melancholy autumn piece."
"Not only does it depict autumn scenes vividly, but it also perfectly blends with the sentiment of yearning!"
"Autumn scenery, longing, cold crows, this... this artistic conception is remarkable!"
Listening to the praise from the two great scholars, Ling Si showed no reaction, but the corners of Wei Cang’s mouth could not help but turn upward.
Having such an excellent disciple brought honor to him as a teacher.
Although they had lost badly just earlier, Ling Si’s two exceptional poems managed to salvage his dignity.
Even if today’s events spread to Central State, it wouldn’t result in a reputation of utter defeat.
"Ling Si’s poetic foundation is truly outstanding."
Li Qingchen’s expression was full of admiration, but his words carried a hint of playful teasing:
"However, it seems Ling Si has found someone dear to her heart; the yearning in these two poems is practically overflowing."
Mo Lan, standing beside him, laughed and said, "What maiden doesn’t long for love?"
"It seems that because of enduring unrequited love, one can compose such exquisite poetry."
"It’s not a bad thing, not a bad thing at all, hahaha..."
Hearing these words, Ling Si’s pretty face turned red to her ears, yet she couldn’t utter a single word of explanation.
What could she do?
After all, those are the poems given to her!
Beside her, Su Changqing couldn’t help but laugh at this.
Back then, Brother Er Niu asked him for a poem, and he thought it was to win his beloved’s heart, so he chose those deeply longing poems.
But now it seems...indeed the occasion was somewhat mischosen.
"Junior brother, perhaps you’ve met your match."
While Su Changqing was lost in thought, Shu Han somehow appeared beside him and remarked:
"Your skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are unmatched, but Ling Si’s talent in poetry is not any less."
"Seems like someday I should learn from her."
Su Changqing smiled at this and said, "Want to learn poetry? I’ll teach you."
"Haha, junior brother is truly humorous."
Shu Han paused for a moment, then laughed it off nonchalantly.
...
Time flew by quickly, and before long it was almost midnight.
The result of the literary contest was Su Changqing won, but Ling Si’s poem also garnered applause from the audience.
It was a joyful ending, as no one lost face.
"Senior brother, dear elders, farewell."
Without much delay, after the contest, Li Qingchen bid farewell to Wei Cang and the others.
"Hmph! I will find an opportunity to beat you someday!"
Wei Cang still looked displeased, snorting coldly and standing aside.
Mo Lan and Yi Xian, the two great scholars, exchanged a glance, then hesitantly asked:
"Qingchen, for the literary festival in two years...will Zhi Yu participate?"
The literary festival happens every five years, a grand event in the realm of Confucianism.
Whether Zhi Yu will participate is crucial for some people!
Li Qingchen slightly lifted his eyelids, smiling ambiguously, "Don’t worry, Zhi Yu is too lazy to partake in those children’s games."
If it wasn’t for Wei Cang’s sake this time, he wouldn’t have let Chang Qing attend such a tedious literary contest.
As for the meaning behind Mo Lan’s and Yi Xian’s question, he was well aware.
It’s nothing but the fear of those who were oppressed by him back then, worried that their descendants would lose face at the literary festival if Chang Qing stands out.
These petty matters, he was too lazy to take seriously.
Therefore, after a brief farewell, Li Qingchen left with Su Changqing and Shu Han.
"Phew..."
Mo Lan and Yi Xian exchanged glances and sighed in relief.
From the perspective of transmitted orthodoxy, they are actually opposed to the Confucian Immortal, having been suppressed before.
Thus, seeing Su Changqing’s terrifying talent caused them unease.
Their fear was for the possible disruption at the literary festival in two years, especially since many participants would be their disciples.
But now, with the assurance from the Confucian Immortal, they could finally relax.
Meanwhile, Wei Cang wasn’t too concerned about the thoughts of the two scholars, but was pondering the sudden surge of power within himself today.
That power was strong and familiar, yet something felt missing, as if he couldn’t let out a breath.
He felt that when this ’breath’ was finally released, it would mark his great achievement in the path.
"Is it the obsession with victory..."
Watching Li Qingchen’s distant back, Wei Cang sighed softly in his heart.
...
At this moment, everyone lost in reflection, the atmosphere was slightly quiet.
Ling Si, on the other hand, was eagerly chatting via the Communication Talisman.
Ming Yu: "What! You actually lost? Who’s that bastard, I’ll find someone to beat him up!"
Qing Qiu: "Ah, losing is losing. That person’s talent...is truly frightening, I’ve never seen such a genius."
Ming Yu: "Why are you elevating others above yourself! Didn’t your poetry have any effect?"
Qing Qiu: "Hehe, of course it did, you wouldn’t believe it, the prodigy was so scared he spat water!"
Ming Yu: "Hahaha, naturally, that poetry was crafted by a top Confucian talent, even a minor prodigy would be easily subdued!"
Qing Qiu: "Now that my contest is over, I’m still in the southern region, can you help introduce me? I want to express my thanks in person, is that possible?"
In Cyan Mountain Village.
Seeing Qing Qiu’s message, Brother Er Niu immediately flipped out of bed, his face filled with excitement as he laughed out loud.
"Hahaha, my spring is coming!"