Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Pei Lian organized this gathering today to compete with Jiang San, so he immediately agreed and stood up: "I'll go invite the teacher."

As he spoke, he stared intently at Qin Ji.

Today, without any disguise or veil, Zhao Siye might recognize him. If he kneels before him in front of his teacher, wouldn't that be the end of him?

Qin Ji had no chance of agreeing to such a thing. He snapped his folding fan shut and stopped Pei Lian, saying, "Wait a minute."

"Today was originally a small gathering of the successful candidates from Songjian Academy. I am neither a successful candidate nor a student of Songjian Academy, so how could I presume to take the place of the host?"

Pei Lian's lips moved as he was about to retort, but Zou Rong thought that Qin Ji was reluctant to agree because of them, so he quickly said, "Brother Jiang, you are mistaken. The palace examination is over, and no matter how much we discuss the results, it won't change anything."

He continued with a smile, "Today's occasion is perfect for witnessing the duel between Brother Pei and Brother Jiang. This is a rare sight indeed."

Zou Rong, it's you again.

Qin Ji made a mental note of this. He twirled his folding fan in his hand, his expression indifferent: "Teacher has something to attend to today and cannot come."

Seeing him making excuses and his face turning red, Pei Lian said indignantly, "It's just a strategy competition, what's with all this fuss and hesitation?"

"Are you like the teachers and Headmaster Yu, judging me as hopeless before the competition even begins, believing I can't possibly beat you?"

Pei Lian is proud and arrogant. He can accept failure, but he is unwilling to be looked down upon.

Of course, not everyone's disdain could make him resentful.

Those who are labeled as idiots by him and look down on him will only receive his disdain and scorn in return.

Unfortunately, Jiang San had previously outshone him, and his teacher and other gentlemen also had a significantly higher opinion of Jiang San, leading him to regard Jiang San as his biggest rival.

The indifference from his opponent deeply wounded his pride, making him bristle like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

Pei Lian was getting increasingly angry, while Qin Ji remained calm and composed.

Now, this little dwarf no longer looks down on him; instead, he seems like a fighting rooster, always ready to charge up and have a match.

The poetry gathering at Mangshan did not discourage him; instead, it inspired his fighting spirit and made him more courageous in the face of setbacks.

Pei Lian is a rough gem, but Zhao Siye spoiled him too much, making him arrogant and disdainful of others.

Qin Ji certainly didn't miss the scene when Pei Lian ignored Lu Zhongbai when he first came in.

With a personality like that, if he doesn't suffer a few setbacks, he'll be the kind of person who offends people everywhere once he enters officialdom.

Staying in the central government meant facing setbacks everywhere, while being sent down to the countryside meant being played around by seasoned veterans.

Qin Jisheng decided to curb the boy's thoughts.

He put down his folding fan, picked up his cup, and took a small sip: "If you want to compete, that day won't be too far off, but not now, not today."

Pei Lian gritted her teeth and said, "It's not too far again. You said the same thing last time. How do you know you weren't just trying to appease me?"

Qin Ji continued to play with his teacup, ignoring him just as Pei Lian ignored Lu Zhongbai.

"You!" Pei Lian roared.

Gu Zhenhe quickly stopped Pei Lian and smoothed things over: "Brother Jiang is Mr. Jiang's disciple. He must not be making things up when he says that Mr. Jiang can't come."

Since he promised you that the day of your duel won't be too far off, he won't break his promise. Why are you in such a hurry?

He thought to himself: After all, a king's word is law. How can he possibly swallow words spoken in front of so many future subjects?

However, once the grand ceremony of announcing the results is held and the young prodigy Pei learns of His Majesty's identity, it remains to be seen whether he will still have the same ambition.

He glanced at Pei Lian helplessly.

Young prodigy Pei, I have saved you twice today.

You should stop now.

Fu Xingjian also frowned and said disapprovingly, "A gentleman does not force others to do things they cannot do. Brother Pei's aggressive and persistent approach is rather ungentlemanly."

Pei Lian was repeatedly refuted, and his face turned a variety of colors.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Zou Rong changed his tune, saying, "There's plenty of time in the future, plenty of time in the future."

Gu Zhenhe seized the opportunity to change the subject: "It's rare that everyone is free today and so many of you have gathered. Since we're here to make friends through literature, how about we compose a couplet together?"

"That's good!" Yan Mingli quickly agreed.

"Then I'll go first." Seeing this, Chen Han immediately set an example, "The elegant room is filled with the aroma of tea."

This sentence is easy to understand, neat and simple, and can be used as a lighthearted beginning to make it easy to continue.

The others naturally followed suit.

The previously tense atmosphere instantly warmed up.

Seeing that the competition was going to fail, Pei Lian reluctantly sat down.

After a moment, he said sullenly, "What's the point of betting on tea? Bring on the wine!"

Zou Rong joked, "Brother Pei, you're young. If you get drunk and we take you home, will Director Zhao cause us any trouble?"

Pei Lian was already feeling sullen because he suspected Jiang San looked down on him, and when Zou Rong also belittled his drinking capacity, he immediately retorted angrily, "Who are you looking down on? Nobody's leaving today, we're not going home until we're drunk!"

Three people present knew his identity, so Qin Ji did not participate in the poetry recitation, lest the others make him uncomfortable and he would find it boring.

He was happy to have some free time, sipping tea casually and watching the future "leeks" (victims) show off their skills.

Pei Lian invited him several times, but he didn't accept, so he had no choice but to give up in frustration.

While others either couldn't keep up with the drinking or didn't respond well, Pei Lian was different. If others couldn't keep up, he would drink a cup with them; if he could, he would drink it down as if to wash away the pent-up emotions in his heart.

I don't know if he was provoked or if he drank too much alcohol.

Pei Lian unleashed his inner power, spouting witty remarks one after another.

"Great sentence!"

The crowd cheered.

Even Fu Xingjian, who came in second in the imperial examination, couldn't help but praise, "Brother Pei's poetry is naturally exquisite, full of inspiration, and extraordinary."

Upon hearing this, Pei Lian glanced in Qin Ji's direction and thought with regret, "If he had performed at the same level as he did at the Mangshan Poetry Gathering, would he have been able to turn the tide on the spot and save his teacher from losing face with him?"

Fu Xingjian was unaware of his many thoughts. Hearing a good sentence, he felt it would be a pity not to write it down.

He glanced around, his gaze settling on Qin Ji, and immediately conscripted someone: "Brother Jiang, since you're not participating in the poetry recitation, why don't you act as a scribe and help us write down the verses?"

Qin Ji paused slightly in the hand that was holding the folding fan: "..."

Recorder?

Fu Xingjian, you have such a big face!

I, the supreme ruler, am being forced to serve as a copyist for you scholars?

Zou Rong chimed in, "Brother Fu is right. Everyone's composing couplets, so what's the point of Brother Jiang just sitting there drinking tea?"

"Was this gathering a complete waste of time?"

"Unsociable!"

Yan Mingli: "Brother Jiang is enjoying his tea at his leisure, you shouldn't force him..."

Chen Han said timidly, "How about I copy it?"

Looking at the slightly drunk group, Fu Xingjian, fearing they might make mistakes while copying, simply picked up paper and pen, walked straight to Qin Ji's side, and placed them on his tea table: "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Jiang."

Gu Zhenhe, Yan Mingli, and Chen Han: "..."

I really envy you for not knowing anything.

……

At the same time, Zheng Ying, the current Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, and Jiang Jibai entered Pingxin Yashe and were led by the waiter to another private room adjacent to the candidates.

...

First update delivered, second update after 12 o'clock.