https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-44-Senior-Sister-Do-You-Know-Second-Ox-/12831184/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-46-The-Schism-Within-the-Scholarly-Path-and-the-Mysterious-Mentor-Behind-Ethan-Lee-/12831186/
Chapter 45: Er Niu: My Spring Is Coming!
Chapter 45: Er Niu: My Spring Is Coming!
"Er Niu? Who is Er Niu? I don't know him."
Ling Si shook her head in confusion. None of her friends had such a name. She had grown up in the imperial palace, surrounded by the rich and powerful. How could anyone have such a name?
"Even if there were, they probably wouldn't use such a nickname."
"Never heard of him?"
Su Changqing was thoroughly puzzled. He looked at Ling Si suspiciously and furrowed his brow in deep thought.
"Zhi Yu, now that Ling Si has finished, it's your turn."
After praising Ling Si, Mo Lan and the others turned their attention to Su Changqing. Although Su Changqing had performed impressively, they didn't have high hopes. Ling Si's poem had been so stunning that surpassing it seemed nearly impossible.
Sure enough.
Su Changqing waved his hand, "That poem was truly a masterpiece. I wouldn't dare to embarrass myself."
After speaking, his gaze shifted to Ling Si, and he said, "Senior Sister, your poem is truly rare in this world. Do you have any other masterpieces?"
The great scholar Yixian's eyes lit up, "Yes, Ling Si, do you have any other poems? It would be a pleasure to see more."
Not just him, but Wei Cang, Mo Lan, Shu Han, and others looked at Ling Si with anticipation. As scholars, they had little resistance to such poetic masterpieces.
"This—"
Ling Si hesitated. She had planned to recite one poem to win, but since it wasn't her own, she felt some guilt. However, seeing the eager looks on everyone's faces, she felt cornered.
With a sigh, she decided that if one poem was troublesome, two would be even more so. She might as well recite another to please her teacher.
"I have one more. Please bear with me."
Ling Si steadied her nerves and recited softly:
"This poem is titled 'Autumn Wind Song.'
'Autumn wind is clear, autumn moon is bright.
Leaves gather and scatter, cold crows roost and startle.
When will we meet again? This night, this moment, is hard to bear.'"
The poem's rhythm was smooth and melodic, echoing through the classroom. Everyone present was stunned, their eyes wide with admiration. Only Su Changqing's expression became extremely peculiar.
When the words "Autumn Wind Song" were spoken, he knew for sure.
This little senior sister of his must be Er Niu's beloved, no doubt about it!
"So, all this time, Er Niu asked me for a poem to give to his beloved, only for her to use my poem to defeat me?"
Su Changqing couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
What a twist of fate! Er Niu's beloved turned out to be his little senior sister?
"If I had known, I would have brought Er Niu along."
"But to be honest, this little senior sister's resilient character matches Er Niu's well. She has a good personality and is also beautiful."
"Tsk tsk, Er Niu, a poor boy from the mountains, finding a literate girl—Uncle Wen Lin must be watching over him."
While others were focused on Ling Si's poem, Su Changqing smiled, almost imagining the wedding feast.
As for exposing the poem's origin, he didn't even consider it. They were from the same lineage, and with Er Niu's involvement, they were practically family. Why embarrass Ling Si?
Soon, Ling Si finished her poem, and the classroom erupted in applause.
"Bravo!"
Mo Lan stood up, excitedly saying, "I thought the previous one was rare, but this poem's imagery is even more exquisite."
"Exactly," Yixian agreed, "This is a typical autumn lament."
"Not only does it vividly depict the autumn scenery, but it also perfectly blends the theme of longing!"
"The autumn scenery, the longing, and the cold crows—this imagery is flawless!"
Hearing the praises of the scholars, Ling Si remained calm, but Wei Cang's smile couldn't be contained. His disciple's excellence reflected well on him as a teacher.
Although he had lost badly, Ling Si's two exceptional poems had saved face for him. Even if this event reached the Central Province, he wouldn't be seen as a complete failure.
"Ling Si's poetic foundation is truly remarkable."
Li Qingchen's face was full of admiration, but his words had a hint of teasing, "It seems Ling Si has a beloved. The longing in these two poems is palpable."
Mo Lan laughed, "Which young girl doesn't dream of spring?"
"Perhaps it's precisely because of the unbearable longing that such masterpieces are created."
"Ha, it’s not a bad thing at all, hahaha."
Listening to the words ringing in her ears, Lingsi’s face turned red all the way to her ears, but she couldn’t muster a single word of explanation.
What could she do? The poem he gave her was just like that!
Beside her, Su Changqing couldn’t help but laugh when he heard the commotion.
Back then, when Erniu asked him for a poem, he thought Erniu only wanted to please his love interest, so he chose poems filled with longing and deep affection.
But now, it seemed the context was a bit off.
"Brother, looks like you’ve met your match."
As Su Changqing was deep in thought, Shuhan appeared beside him and sighed, "Your skills in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are unparalleled, but Sister Lingsi’s poetry and prose are no less impressive."
"Looks like I’ll have to find Sister Lingsi for some lessons one day."
Su Changqing smiled, "Want to learn poetry? I can teach you."
"Haha, Brother is so witty."
Shuhan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed it off.
...
Time passed quickly, and it was almost midnight.
The result of the literary contest was that Su Changqing won, but Lingsi’s poem also earned thunderous applause.
Everyone was happy, and no one was truly humiliated.
"Senior Brother, Seniors, I’ll take my leave."
Without further delay, after the contest, Li Qingchen bid farewell to Wei Cang and the others.
"Hmph! I’ll find a chance to beat you one day!"
Wei Cang still looked sour, coldly huffed, and stood to the side.
Mo Lan and Yi Xian, the two great scholars, exchanged a glance and hesitantly asked, "Qingchen, will Zhiyu attend the literary grand assembly in two years?"
The literary grand assembly was held every five years and was a grand event for the entire scholarly world.
Whether Zhiyu attended or not was crucial for some people!
Li Qingchen raised an eyebrow and said with a half-smile, "Don’t worry, Zhiyu is too lazy to participate in those children’s games."
If not for Wei Cang, he would never have let Changqing attend such a boring literary contest.
He was also clear about why Mo Lan and Yi Xian were asking this. It was likely that the descendants of those he had suppressed in the past were afraid that Changqing would steal the show at the literary grand assembly, causing their lineage to lose face.
These petty concerns didn’t interest him.
Thus, after a brief farewell, Li Qingchen led Su Changqing and Shuhan away.
"Phew."
Mo Lan and Yi Xian exchanged another glance and both sighed in relief.
From the perspective of their lineage, they were actually on the opposite side of Ruxian, having been suppressed in the past.
That’s why they were a bit shaken when they saw Su Changqing’s terrifying talent.
They feared he would disrupt the literary grand assembly two years later, as most of the participants would be from their lineage.
But now, with Ruxian’s assurance, they could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Wei Cang wasn’t concerned about the great scholars’ thoughts. Instead, he was lost in thought about the sudden surge of power within him.
The power was strong and familiar, but it felt like something was missing, a breath he couldn’t release.
He had a feeling that when this breath was released, his path would be complete.
"Is it the obsession with winning?"
Watching Li Qingchen’s retreating figure, Wei Cang sighed softly.
...
At this moment, everyone was lost in thought, and the atmosphere was slightly somber.
But Lingsi was chatting enthusiastically with a communication talisman.
Mingyu: "What! You actually lost? Who’s that bastard, I’ll get someone to beat him up!"
Qingqiu: "Ah, it’s fine, he’s just too talented, I’ve never seen anyone so gifted."
Mingyu: "Why must you boost his morale! Did your poetry not work?"
Qingqiu: "Hehe, of course it did. You wouldn’t believe how that genius was scared speechless!"
Mingyu: "Hahaha, of course, that poetry was written by a supreme scholarly master. A mere prodigy wouldn’t stand a chance."
Qingqiu: "My literary contest is over, and I’m still in the Southern Region. Can you introduce me? I’d like to thank him in person, if possible."
In the Greenhill Village.
Seeing Qingqiu’s message, Erniu jumped out of bed with a broad smile.
"Ha, my spring is finally here!"
(End of Chapter)
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