Xue Jin, seated in the main seat, cast a serious glance at Qin Yun.
He had heard of Su Qingwen's exceptional literary talent. The murmurs of the crowd suggested Qin Yun would be eliminated, and Su Qingwen would surely win. But he didn't think so. From their last encounter, he knew Qin Yun was no ordinary person. Someone he himself couldn't fathom, Su Qingwen might not necessarily win. Lowering his gaze, Xue Jin curved his lips. It seemed there would be good entertainment today! He eagerly awaited the surprise Qin Yun would bring.
In the center of the arena, Qin Yun and Su Qingwen stood facing each other.
"Young Master Qin, please proceed!" Su Qingwen spoke first.
Qin Yun smiled. "Please, Master Su, you go first!"
A hint of mockery flashed in Su Qingwen's eyes. This person truly didn't know his limits! The surrounding spectators also subtly mocked Qin Yun for his audacity. If Master Su were to offer the first couplet, Qin Yun would likely be unable to respond and would lose before even speaking.
"Then I shall not be polite!" Su Qingwen declared, beginning with his upper couplet.
"Rainbows embrace the rising sun." Su Qingwen quickly presented a five-character upper couplet. It seemed simple, yet the scholars below frowned slightly, unable to conceive of an answer. Just as everyone thought Qin Yun would also falter, in the next moment, "Morning glow paints red plum blossoms." Qin Yun responded flawlessly, a perfect match.
Seeing Qin Yun's successful retort, Su Qingwen wore a look of disdain. It was merely luck, he thought. The surrounding scholars also believed Qin Yun had merely lucked into his response. He wouldn't be so fortunate next time. Faced with their dismissive gazes, Qin Yun remained unfazed. In terms of talent, she truly didn't fear Su Qingwen, the foremost talent in the capital! She had mastered such elementary matters in her past life! It was only due to her gender that she couldn't openly attend academies or participate in the imperial examinations. Her talents were unable to be displayed. Now, she could not only showcase her abilities but also participate in the imperial examinations in two months, a new window opened by heaven.
As Qin Yun's mind wandered, Su Qingwen issued another upper couplet. "The rising sun at the threshold brings a hundred blessings." This time, Su Qingwen presented a seven-character upper couplet, increasing the difficulty. The crowd fell silent once more, with only a few scholars guessing the lower couplet. Qin Yun smiled and naturally responded, "Joyful spring wind welcomes a thousand auspicious signs." The arena erupted in shock. If Qin Yun's first response was luck, what was this second flawless retort? Was it also luck? Everyone cast surprised glances at Qin Yun. Su Qingwen also hadn't expected Qin Yun to be able to respond, and so quickly at that.
In the subsequent rounds, Su Qingwen dropped his guard and even raised the difficulty to the highest level. "Green willows sway, painting the spring light all around." "Red plum blossoms dot the scene, reflecting ten thousand smiling faces." Su Qingwen gritted his teeth, surprised that Qin Yun possessed such skill. He had underestimated her. Su Qingwen then presented five more challenging upper couplets in succession. As everyone pondered their responses, Qin Yun once again answered with lightning speed, proving her mastery. Without a doubt, Qin Yun had passed the second round. The audience was silent. At this moment, Xue Jin, from the main seat, applauded. "Very good, Young Master Qin and Master Su's talents have impressed me greatly! Well done!" Although Su Qingwen was mentioned, it was clear to everyone present that Xue Jin was praising Qin Yun. Li Fengsheng also hadn't expected Qin Yun to be able to respond. With a disdainful expression, he remarked, "It is precisely because Master Su presented such an excellent upper couplet that Young Master Qin could provide such a perfect lower couplet! Master Su's talent is indeed unparalleled!" He then looked at Qin Yun and added, "Young Master Qin, although you have responded, there are a few minor flaws. I, an official, do not particularly favor them. You have only barely passed this time." Qin Yun smiled. "This humble one thanks Lord Li and Lord Xue for their critiques!" Though she harbored deep hatred for Li Fengsheng, in such a setting, she had to yield.
Xue Jin said earnestly, "I have seen Young Master Qin's talent. Now, Young Master Qin will set the questions, and Master Su will respond!" The contest began anew, but with roles reversed. Qin Yun looked at Su Qingwen with a devilish grin. "Master Su, are you ready?"
"Enough nonsense, let's begin!" Su Qingwen was clearly displeased. He hadn't expected Qin Yun to pass his challenge. It wasn't just Su Qingwen who was surprised; likely everyone in the hall, except Xue Jin, had not anticipated this outcome. Qin Yun dropped his mischievous facade and said seriously, "Listening to the rain, the rain stops, the Tingyu Tower also houses the sound of rain, drip, drip, drip, listen, listen, listen..." As the words fell, everyone in the hall exchanged bewildered glances. What was this? Such a harsh opening! Not only were the scholars astonished, but Su Qingwen also knitted his brows slightly. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Everyone waited for Su Qingwen to provide the lower couplet. But Su Qingwen clenched his fists in frustration. His mind could not conjure an answer. He then angrily exclaimed, "Qin Yun, you are doing this on purpose! You are playing with me! This is not an upper couplet at all!" Instantly, all the scholars from the Right Prime Minister's faction sided with Su Qingwen. "Qin Yun, where is the upper couplet like this? Broken and disjointed, lacking any rules!" "Yes! This is clearly deliberate provocation! I doubt you can even respond to your own lower couplet!" At this moment, Su Man'er, from a corner, coldly stated, "Qin Yun, I didn't expect you to be so petty. My elder brother's upper couplet was proper, look at what you've presented – a mess!"
Just then, Li Fengsheng, from the main seat, found his opportunity. He sneered, "Qin Yun, your upper couplet is no good! Is this even an upper couplet? I declare, it doesn't count!" Not count? Qin Yun's expression instantly turned cold. "Lord Li, if there is an upper couplet, there must be a lower one. Master Su lacks talent and cannot respond, which I understand, but you cannot simply say it doesn't count!" Master Su's talent is lacking? The surrounding people gasped! Master Su was the foremost talent in the capital. If even he was considered lacking, then they were even more useless! Qin Yun then looked towards Xue Jin on the other main seat. "What does Lord Xue think?" Xue Jin calmly replied, "Since there is an upper couplet, there must be a lower one as well!" He looked up at the enraged Su Qingwen on the stage and asked, "Master Su, can you respond?" "Lord Xue, Lord Li, this student has never heard such an upper couplet. This Qin Yun is clearly making things difficult!" "I also believe this is deliberate provocation, therefore this upper couplet does not count!" Li Fengsheng stated matter-of-factly. Xue Jin turned to Li Fengsheng beside him and said, "Lord Li, whether it counts or not is not for the two of us to decide! Since Young Master Qin believes Master Su's talent is lacking, and Master Su cannot respond, why don't the two of us hear Young Master Qin's lower couplet?" Li Fengsheng laughed. "Lord Xue, the two of us are the judges of this poetry gathering, so our words naturally count. Why doesn't it count in your eyes? Lord Xue has just entered officialdom and still needs to learn some principles!"