Chapter 598: Stumping Everyone

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Liu Jiawen announced, “Now that both have matched each other’s couplets, this round is a draw. Let’s move on to the second round.”

Zhuang Yuyan and Yan Jingkui stepped forward again to write the upper couplet. The first round was just the appetizer; now it was time for the main course.

Zhuang Yuyan wrote, “”On wings like the Roc, soaring miles high, beyond worry and strife, fleeting like dreams ‘neath the sky.”

Yan Jingkui wrote, “A pavilion stands, inviting, under the moon’s bright gaze, a perfect spot for verses penned in its luminous phase.”

After hanging the couplets, a brief silence fell over the crowd – these couplets were significantly more challenging than the first ones.

Zhuang Yuyan courteously said, “Please.”

Yan Jingkui replied just as politely, “Please.”

Though their exchange was brief, the underlying competitive tension was evident.

The onlookers scrutinized the couplets, pondering how to match them. “These are too difficult. How can they be matched?”

Chu Xuyao, touching his chin, looked thoughtfully at the couplets and then sighed, realizing he couldn’t even grasp their meanings, let alone come up with a response.

Liu Jiawen suggested, “If neither can match the other’s couplet, they can seek help from their academy fellows. Let’s pool our wisdom to create the responses.”

This idea sparked hope in Chu Xuyao – if they couldn’t match them, he would consult his fifth sister to bring honor to their academy.

The challenging couplets didn’t stump Zhuang Yuyan and Yan Jingkui, who quickly responded.

Zhuang Yuyan dipped his brush in ink and wrote the lower couplet, “Here once stood a dreamer, wine in hand, querying the azure sky, in this timeless land.”

Similarly, Yan Jingkui wrote his response, “In this dance with the clouds, where destinies intertwine, life’s a transient whisper, in the grand design.”

The crowd admired the couplets, appreciating their rich emotional depth and genuineness, “Excellent, well-matched!”

Both competitors bowed to each other, showing humility, but their desire to win only grew stronger.

With the first two rounds ending without a winner, the focus shifted to the upcoming couplets.

Zhuang Yuyan wrote, “Father’s destiny, a cycle repeats, in his son’s path, history greets.”

This couplet implied a repetition of life cycle in a family.

Yan Jingkui wrote, “In a garden of Zen, the Buddha’s hand blooms, scenting the air, in sacred rooms.”

“Buddha’s hand” refers to a type of medicinal fruit, as well as literally meaning “Buddha’s hand.” The couplet cleverly uses the same term with different meanings to create a harmonious match.

These couplets increased the difficulty level, challenging Zhuang Yuyan and Yan Jingkui, who rarely faced such a challenge.

Very few couplets could stump them. Now, the two of them felt the pressure.

Chu Xuyao, unable to comprehend them, thought for a moment, then ran over to Chu Qingzhi, “Sister, their couplets are really difficult.”

“You joined in the couplet matching?”

“No, I can’t figure out any. I was just watching the fun.”

“Then why did you come here?”

Chu Xuyao pointed back at the couplets, “Sister, can you match them?”

Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi, wanting to know too.

Chu Qingzhi shook her head and said, “I’ve never studied couplets before. I’m not very good at it.” The couplets were not helpful to her. If they were not helpful, they were meaningless. She would not study meaningless things.

Chu Xuyao looked at Chu Qingzhi curiously. There was actually something that Fifth Sister did not know. “Fifth Sister, you’re lying to me, right?”

“No, I’m not. There’s so much knowledge in the world, no one can master it all. Being proficient in a few and expert in two or three is already quite impressive.”

“Understood, Sister. I’ll go back to watch,” said Chu Xuyao as he returned to the couplet-matching area.

Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi, his eyes filled with disbelief, “Qingzhi, do you really not know how to match couplets, or are you just pretending?”

Chu Qingzhi replied helplessly, “I really don’t know, but I could figure it out if I studied it a bit.”

Tang Jinghong’s handsome face showed a hint of a smile, “You’re being modest.”

Meanwhile, Chu Xuyao squeezed back into the crowd, just as the two competitors successfully matched each other’s couplets again.

Zhuang Yuyan’s couplet was, “In the barnyard’s play, a hen pecks at corn, shunning its reflection, with a look of scorn.”

Corn refers to both the corn and a type of skin condition characterized by small, hard, round growths on the sole or toes.

Yan Jingkui’s couplet was, “Teacher leads, the student steps in line, in life’s grand waltz, their roles entwine.”

After writing their couplets, the atmosphere became lively.

“Brilliant, just brilliant!”

“To match these couplets, one needs not only extensive knowledge but also quick wit. Impressive indeed.”

Liu Jiawen announced loudly, “It’s now three to three with two rounds left. Who will win and who will lose?”

With that, the atmosphere tensed up, and the crowd’s voices gradually quieted down.

The students from the Imperial College were too arrogant; it was time to dampen their spirits. Chu Xuyao’s eyes darted between Zhuang Yuyan and Yan Jingkui, silently hoping his academy would triumph.

The rivalry between Yunfei School and the Imperial College became even more intense, their gazes filled with animosity.

Liu Jiawen addressed the competitors, “Please present the upper couplets.”

As the crucial moment approached, Zhuang Yuyan appeared more relaxed, while Yan Jingkui’s expression turned serious, ready for battle.

Zhuang Yuyan wrote, “From River-Watching Tower, watching the river flow, atop the River-Watching Tower, the river and tower stand eternal.”

Yan Jingkui wrote, “Moon full above, half here below, each month repeating, blending.”

Once the couplets were displayed, the crowd fell into a hushed silence.

The couplets seemed simple, yet everyone’s minds drew a blank.

Zhuang Yuyan smiled gently, “Please.”

Yan Jingkui felt a headache coming on, “Please.”

Both competitors remained composed, but internally they struggled. These couplets were some of the toughest they had faced, with no perfect lower couplets yet conceived. They had to solve their own and answer the other’s—a truly difficult task.

The onlookers looked up, deep in thought, but soon many gave up, finding the task too challenging.

News of the event reached Mu Chongli and Cao Changkun, who arrived at the scene. Seeing the couplets, they both frowned, thinking to themselves that it was indeed difficult.

The students respectfully greeted the two masters. After the greetings, everyone refocused on coming up with the matching lines.

As Mu Chongli pondered, he noticed Chu Xuyao, “Xuyao, what are you doing here?”

Chu Xuyao respectfully replied, “I am watching the senior brothers match couplets..”

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