The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

The sound was clear and melodious, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it was like a piece of jade falling into a boiling cauldron.

Everyone downstairs looked up at the beautiful figure by the window of the private room.

This sentence uses "deep in the vast waves" as a metaphor for the ups and downs of life and the vicissitudes of life, while the phrase "spring tides surge" also evokes an unstoppable vitality and insightful optimism.

He possesses both magnanimity and wisdom.

Xie Yanzhao leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on her, and upon hearing her words, a proud smile curved his lips.

He Gong, the Imperial Censor, who was sitting in another private room, also looked over upon hearing this, a hint of surprise and admiration flashing in his eyes.

Many people downstairs also praised it.

"This line is wonderful; it evokes the feeling of spring tides. How come I didn't think of it?"

"Untouched by worldly concerns, yet possessing boundless grandeur, it is truly a fine poem."

"Such a magnanimous spirit is unlike that of an ordinary young lady."

The praise from downstairs had not yet ceased, but a few abrupt discordant noises were also mixed in.

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"What's the point of women competing in poetry? It's ultimately beneath their refined tastes, and they can't enter officialdom through the imperial examinations."

A deliberately raised voice rang out from the corner, tinged with a hint of bitterness.

"That's exactly right! In my opinion, her poem might have been written by someone else."

Immediately, someone whispered in agreement, trying to use questioning to cover up the unwillingness to admit defeat.

Upon hearing this, many of the female guests and enlightened students in the hall immediately showed their indignation.

A girl in a pale yellow shirt was the first to raise her voice.

"The conference charter is written in black and white; it never states 'women are prohibited from entering.' To try and intimidate others with such absurd reasons simply because you are less skilled is utterly laughable!"

An older woman beside her also sneered.

"The imperial examination system selects officials based on their ability to govern the country and their capacity to tolerate others. Someone like you, who displays narrow-mindedness before demonstrating any talent, would be a scourge to the people if you were to become a local official!"

Those people were humiliated and their faces turned purple, and they were about to argue back.

Shen Tinghe, who had been standing quietly by the window, finally spoke.

She wasn't angry; she simply cast her cool gaze at the group, a faint, almost pitying smile playing on her lips.

She didn't raise her voice, but rather recited in a clear and composed tone, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear:

"Even a frog in a well croaks at the sun's brief eclipse, unaware that the whirlwind has its own course."

She used the metaphor of a "frog in a well" to refer to those who are narrow-minded and have a limited perspective.

"Zao Xi He Duan" is a satirical phrase used to describe someone who is short-sighted yet keeps making noise and criticizing others.

Once the poetic inspiration was evoked, the entire hall fell silent instantly.

Immediately, even louder cheers erupted from all directions, especially from where the female guest was.

This is no longer just a contest of poetry, but a crushing defeat in terms of spirit and vision.

Those who had spoken provocatively felt as if they had been stripped naked in public by such a sharp yet elegant retort, overwhelmed with shame and indignation, and unable to utter another word.

Under the varied gazes of the crowd, he could only sheepishly retreat to a corner.

Inside the room, Xie Yanzhao lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, his smile unfathomable.

His Yuan Yuan, at this moment, was like a goddess from heaven, making him even more captivated.

The person in charge of the main hall looked toward the private room following the sound, and his heart sank.

That private room was prepared for those two distinguished guests.

A bead of sweat instantly appeared on his forehead, and he instructed his servants:

"Those who just spoke rudely and disturbed the peace, please leave. Tianlu Residence has no place for such disrespectful people."

Several capable men immediately stepped forward and, without saying a word, grabbed the men and dragged them outside.

The cries for mercy and the sounds of struggling were particularly jarring in the quiet hall, but they quickly disappeared outside the door.

The person in charge immediately straightened his sleeves, bowed deeply towards the private room, and behaved with exceptional respect.

Others assumed he was apologizing on behalf of the restaurant, but only those inside the private room understood.

This bow was filled with the fear and apology of "I was negligent and hope that you will forgive my mistake."

A minor incident quietly subsided.

Shen Tinghe sat back in Xie Yanzhao's lap, gently wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her face against his chest, and spoke in a muffled voice.

"My mood has been ruined. Those people are really annoying."

Xie Yanzhao lowered his head and pecked her lips twice.

"Yuan Yuan, don't be angry. From now on, you won't see these faces in the capital again."

But a few ignorant ants are hardly worthy of his loud clamor.

Shen Tinghe knew that those people were definitely no longer allowed to participate in the imperial examinations.

Xie Yanzhao stroked her cheek with his fingertips and coaxed her softly.

"Yuan Yuan has done a good deed today. If such a narrow-minded and arrogant person were allowed to pass the imperial examination and enter officialdom, he would surely become a scourge to the people when he becomes an official. The Crown Princess's keen insight and prevention of such a disaster is a blessing to the people."

Shen Tinghe was amused by his serious tone, and her displeasure vanished instantly.

She nestled into the crook of his neck, a smile curving her lips: "My husband is the best at coaxing me~"

Xie Yanzhao held her tightly, enjoying the warmth and softness in his arms.

Downstairs, the poetry contest continues.

After what just happened, although the atmosphere returned to its lively state, it also became more serious and cautious.

Each poem revealed the poet's personality, drawing rounds of applause.

Just then, a scholar in a blue robe who had been silent all along in the southeast corner suddenly stood up.

"Dust flies across the vast ocean, but stars never move; where in this heart is there no spring's joy?"

Upon hearing this, the entire hall fell silent for a moment, then bursts of praise rose like a tide.

The Imperial Censor nodded slightly, clapped his hands, and sighed softly.

"What a wonderful phrase, 'The stars never move,' and what a wonderful phrase, 'Where is not spring?' Amidst the dust and turmoil of the world, the will remains as steadfast as the North Star; if one's heart possesses the warmth and light of a clear breeze and bright moon, then no matter what circumstances one finds oneself in, it will be as if one is bathed in the spring sunshine."

Hearing He Gong's high praise, everyone looked at the scholar in the blue robe with a different gaze.

This line possesses a lofty and profound meaning, echoing the line "Even in the depths of the vast waves, spring tides surge."

One is to expand outwards and create a new atmosphere, while the other is to uphold the light inwards.

Shen Tinghe, who was also upstairs, heard it clearly and couldn't help but straighten up slightly from Xie Yanzhao's embrace.

Looking in the direction of the scholar in the blue robe, her eyes revealed pure admiration.

It turned out to be Tang Chu, the young man in blue robes who had been mistakenly led by the wrong hand at the door earlier.

Xie Yanzhao took in the realization and appreciation in her eyes, but said nothing, only twirling a strand of her hair between his fingertips.

His gaze drifted indifferently downstairs, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

After a moment, he suddenly loosened the strand of hair, then used his slender fingers to support Shen Tinghe's chin, turning her face towards him and gazing into the depths of her eyes without allowing her to look away.

Immediately, a slight smile played on his lips, and a clear, calm voice, carrying an invisible air of authority, emanated from the chamber, resounding throughout the entire hall:

"All sounds are guests, and my sleeves are the warmth of spring."

Upon hearing this, all the noise downstairs seemed to be wiped away by an invisible hand, plunging into an even deeper silence.

He regarded all things in heaven and earth as guests, while he himself was the master who controlled everything.

What a magnificent spirit!

The Imperial Censor was startled, and then instinctively stood up.

Looking at the private room with its bamboo curtains hanging down, his face was filled with disbelief and shock.

His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to comment on something, but he couldn't find the right words, and finally let out a soft sigh.

"This is no longer the sentiment of an ordinary scholar, but the imperial aura that conceals the universe within one's sleeve and governs the vitality of life. Could it be...?"