Chapter 190: Apricots are Enough, No Need for Plums

Baozhu lightly tugged at Lin Hao's sleeve and whispered, "Miss, it is Young Master Han."

Lin Hao looked at Han Baocheng, a smile appearing in her eyes.

Someone who was still willing to offer a sincere heart even under her sister's circumstances was someone she found quite pleasing.

If Young Master Han was also here, then—Lin Hao looked toward the direction Han Baocheng had emerged from and indeed saw her cousin, Wen Feng, in the crowd.

Could the "friend" Young Master Han mentioned be her cousin?

The thought flashed through her mind but was quickly dismissed.

Based on her understanding of her cousin, if it concerned the dignity of the scholars of Great Zhou, he would have stepped forward long ago if he could have provided an answer, rather than remaining indifferent.

That friend should be the Top Scholar, Yang Zhe.

Lin Hao cast a few more glances in that direction, but she did not find Yang Zhe's figure; instead, she was spotted by Wen Feng.

Wen Feng looked surprised and squeezed through the crowd to reach Lin Hao's side.

"A-Hao, you are here too."

"I came out to buy some things and saw the commotion, so I came to take a look. Is it just Brother Shiyi and Young Master Han?"

Wen Feng's tone was somewhat helpless. "Yes, but Brother Han has already sent a servant to call for Scholar Yang."

Lin Hao couldn't help but smile. "That is exactly the kind of thing Young Master Han would do."

Wen Feng's heart stirred.

It seemed A-Hao had a good impression of Brother Han. In that case, Brother Han would most likely get what he wished for.

Wen Feng intended to ask about Lin Chan's health, but he was once again distracted by the jeering laughter of the Yuliu people.

Like the onlookers, several Yuliu people believed Han Baocheng was bragging. One of them asked with a laugh, "Where is your friend?"

"My friend will arrive shortly."

"He's not here?" The Yuliu people looked at each other and laughed even louder.

The onlookers couldn't help but complain.

"How unreliable is this man? His friend isn't even here, yet he's out here bragging on his behalf."

"Exactly, isn't he just rushing to let the Yuliu people make a fool of him?"

Amidst the accusations, a young man suddenly became excited. "I've seen him! He is a newly successful Jinshi from last year!"

A newly successful Jinshi?

The discussions paused, but someone quickly retorted, "Even a new Jinshi is useless. Didn't several new Jinshis just compete with the Yuliu people and end up defeated?"

The young man clenched his fists to restrain his excitement. "His friend is Scholar Yang!"

Everyone who heard this became agitated.

They had all seen the splendor of the Top Scholar on his high horse during the Imperial Street Proclamation last year. He was like the Star of Literature descending to earth; even now, they still remembered the deafening sound of gongs and drums and the high-flying banner that read "Three Successive Honors."

That was truly a magnificent scene rarely seen in decades.

"That's right! When the Top Scholar arrives, he will surely make the Yuliu people lose face!"

The people suddenly regained their confidence, sweeping away their previous resentment and embarrassment, and craned their necks in anticipation of the Top Scholar's arrival.

"Tianming, what are you all doing?"

Seeing the newcomer, the jeering Yuliu people bowed one after another.

The Yuliu Prince walked over, his tone laced with curiosity. "Can someone tell me what happened? Why are there so many people?"

One man laughed triumphantly. "Prince, we were competing in couplets with the talents of Great Zhou, but who knew their intelligence would be so mediocre? Not a single one could provide a match."

As he spoke, the others laughed again.

The Yuliu Prince put on a disapproving expression. "You must not do this. We are guests; we should be polite to our hosts."

"We aren't being impolite. It is they who always feel that our Yuliu cannot compare and that their literary talent is number one in the world."

"Enough, don't say any more. Follow me back to the guest house."

The group showed expressions of regret but complied reluctantly.

Seeing them about to leave, the onlookers refused to let it go.

"Don't go! The person for the couplet competition is coming any moment!"

"Is it because you heard our Top Scholar is coming that you don't dare stay?"

It wasn't the onlookers' fault for instigating; if these Yuliu people truly left today, the face of Great Zhou would be completely lost. But once the Top Scholar arrived, there would be a chance to hold their heads high.

Hearing these shouts, the departing Yuliu people stood still. "Prince, listen, they are saying we don't have the courage to stay."

The Yuliu Prince frowned, his expression darkening. "Since that is the case, then let us wait a moment."

"He's coming! He's coming!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd instinctively parted to create a path. A young man dressed in moon-white *zhiduo* walked forward.

The youth's features were as beautiful as a painting and his posture as steady as a pine. Even though people were following him, in the eyes of the crowd, they saw only him.

"The Top Scholar! It's the Top Scholar!" the people shouted excitedly.

Princess Lingque, wearing a veiled hat and standing quietly among the Yuliu group, gazed intensely at the newcomer through her thin veil.

So, he was the Top Scholar of Great Zhou.

So, this was what Princess Yi'an's husband looked like.

She raised her hand to adjust the veil covering her pointed chin and smiled faintly.

"Brother Yang, you have arrived." Han Baocheng breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Yang Zhe approach.

He had truly been worried that these shameless Yuliu people would just leave like that. He knew his friend's talent better than anyone; it would be too stifling not to let the Yuliu people witness it.

As the Yuliu Prince watched the approaching youth, a thought inevitably flashed through his mind: *Could my sister have simply taken a liking to the Top Scholar himself?*

No, no, my sister hasn't even met this Scholar Yang before.

The Yuliu Prince did not want to admit that even he, a grown man, was nearly captivated by the splendor of the Great Zhou Top Scholar, and he quickly brushed the stray thoughts away. "I saw you at the banquet that day."

Yang Zhe introduced himself with a calm expression and looked toward the Yuliu people. "I heard there is an interesting competition of couplets here. I wonder if I might participate?"

Upon hearing this, the Yuliu talents were secretly infuriated.

This was clearly a literary battle between two nations; how did it become an "interesting matter" in this man's mouth? With a single sentence, he had dismissed today's contest as mere low-class play. This Great Zhou Top Scholar was truly detestable.

Thinking of the Prince's previous instruction that this man must ultimately be allowed to win, they felt even more indignant.

"Of course you may," one Yuliu talent said in a heavy voice.

Yang Zhe smiled and cupped his hands. "Please provide the upper line."

"Listen carefully. The upper line is: *South connects to boats, North connects to boats; South and North connect via boats, connecting South and North.*"

"East pawnshop, West pawnshop; East and West pawnshops pawn East and West," Yang Zhe provided the lower line without hesitation.

He matched it! The crowd immediately erupted in cheers.

The Yuliu talent's expression became somewhat solemn.

It wasn't scary that a grand Top Scholar of Great Zhou could match a couplet; what was scary was his speed.

"Viewing江 (River) Tower, viewing江 (River) flow; below the viewing江 (River) Tower, viewing the viewing江 (River) flow; the river tower lasts for eternity, the river flow lasts for eternity."

"Moon-reflecting Well, moon-reflecting shadow; in the moon-reflecting well, the moon-reflecting shadow; the moon well lasts for ten thousand years, the moon shadow lasts for ten thousand years."

"Good!"

Amidst the deafening cheers, the Yuliu talents broke into a sweat, finally realizing how incredibly quick-witted the young man before them was.

Just then, the young lady wearing the veiled hat stepped out from the crowd, and a soft, gentle voice rang out. "I also have a couplet. I ask the Top Scholar to provide the lower line."

Yang Zhe cupped his hands politely, his tone gentle. "Miss, please provide the upper line."

Princess Lingque stared intently at the youth and lightly parted her crimson lips. "The upper line is: *Because of the lotus, one obtains the lotus root.*"

Yang Zhe said without hesitation, "With apricots, there is no need for plums."

Princess Lingque curled her lips into a smile. "The Top Scholar matches it beautifully."

Standing beside Lin Hao, Wen Feng murmured, "Because of the lotus, one obtains the lotus root; with apricots, there is no need for plums—"

His expression suddenly changed.

These couplets all came from Baidu Jun.

(End of Chapter)