Poet Immortal, Poet Sage, Duke of the State!

Somewhere in the south of the city.

Chen Chang'an leaned against the wall at the alley entrance and yawned listlessly.

After Qing Shuang left, he wanted to go for a walk in the street, but the whole street was still empty, and there wasn't even a trace of a pancake vendor.

He had no choice but to retreat back to the alley entrance and wait for her to return, leaning against the wall.

One tael of silver in Da Ning was equivalent to one thousand yuan in later times, so thirty taels would be thirty thousand yuan.

He earned 30,000 taels for just three couplets. He had never had such an easy time in his previous life, even when he was in sales. With these 30 taels, he wouldn't have to worry about making a living for a while.

However, more than money, he wanted to learn the skill of scaling walls and leaping across rooftops.

The scene of Qing Shuang stepping on him and flying onto the roof was still replaying in his mind.

Chen Chang'an became increasingly eager to discuss the matter with Qing Shuang, when he suddenly heard a sharp sound of clothes rustling overhead.

Before he could even look up, a figure fell straight down from mid-air and landed steadily three steps in front of him.

"Young Master!"

Qing Shuang grabbed his sleeve, panting, and said, "The first line is 'A cup of clear tea quenches the thirst of the top scholar,' the second line, quick, tell me the second line!"

Chen Chang'an stumbled as she pulled him, and after finally regaining his balance, he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he stretched out his hand, palm facing up.

Qing Shuang was taken aback: "What?"

"Silver!" Chen Chang'an said matter-of-factly, "The three sets of matching lines for the first couplet are thirty taels, as agreed earlier."

Qing Shuang was slightly taken aback. She had run too fast, leaping and bounding all the way out of the palace, without even taking a single copper coin with her.

"I...I was in a rush and didn't bring it..." She looked a little embarrassed, but quickly added, "You check it first, and I'll go back and get it for you. I promise I won't go back on my word!"

Looking at her expression, Chen Chang'an slowly withdrew his hand.

He chuckled, took a half-step forward, and said, "I can help you with this couplet, no money required, but on the condition that you teach me martial arts, like the kind where you fly around on the rooftops like that. How about it?"

Qing Shuang opened her mouth, but didn't react for a moment.

The situation at the palace was urgent, and Qing Shuang agreed without hesitation, saying, "Okay!"

Chen Chang'an extended his hand and said, "Let's make a vow with a high five."

Snapped!

Qing Shuang raised her palm and struck Chen Chang'an's hand hard.

Chen Chang'an nodded in satisfaction, then leaned against the wall and said slowly, "A cup of tea to quench the thirst of the top scholar, and the second line is a five-character quatrain to showcase your talent, benefactor."

This is also a famous couplet that has stood the test of time, and he could come up with a matching reply without even thinking.

Qing Shuang didn't understand Chen Chang'an's second line at all, but she knew that as long as she could read it, the scholars would understand.

To her astonishment, he didn't even hesitate before coming up with the same couplet that had stumped the scholars and talented men.

Qing Shuang took a deep breath, not bothering to sigh, and turned to return to the palace.

She had just taken a step when she suddenly stopped.

wrong.

Simply providing a matching second line is not enough.

The second round is a one-on-one situation. Yan has already responded with Da Ning's first line, and even if Da Ning responds with Yan's first line, it can only result in a draw.

The real battle will be decided in the third game.

If she wants to win, she must also have a couplet that the Yan state absolutely cannot match.

She suddenly turned around and grabbed Chen Chang'an's sleeve again.

Chen Chang'an was startled by her sudden turn and asked, "What is it now?"

Qing Shuang stared at him, her tone more urgent than before, and said, "Young master, do you have any couplets that even the most desperate people couldn't come up with a matching one?"

Seeing her anxious expression, Chen Chang'an, though still unaware of what had happened, was counting on Qing Shuang to teach him martial arts. After a moment's thought, he said, "The three pagodas in front of the Three Pagodas Temple are the White Pagoda, the Green Pagoda, and the Black Pagoda."

Qing Shuang was slightly taken aback.

"this……"

She subconsciously read it aloud: "Three pagodas in front of the Three Pagodas Temple, white pagoda, green pagoda, black pagoda." Even she could understand the couplet, so what was so difficult about it?

Chen Chang'an knew that the girl wasn't very educated, so he patiently explained.

"In front of the Three Pagodas Temple stand three pagodas: a white pagoda, a green pagoda, and a black pagoda. If the second line is to describe the scenery in the same way, it must use a different number to match the number 'three.' But no matter what number you use, the number of items that follow must match the number. Too few and it won't match; too many and it won't match either. It looks simple, but it's a recipe for disaster. Others might struggle to come up with a matching line... Do you understand?"

Chen Chang'an explained it very clearly, but Qing Shuang still didn't understand.

If I had known, I wouldn't have skipped class to fight when I was studying with the princess.

She didn't ask any further questions; there was no time left.

"Young master, wait for me here. I'll be right back!"

She glanced at Chen Chang'an, then with a light leap, she soared into the air, instantly clearing the rooftops and disappearing from his sight, leaving him standing there in awe…

Qing Shuang's figure darted swiftly between the rooftops, leaping over the palace wall in a few bounds and bursting straight in through the side gate of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Inside the hall, the incense had burned down to its last bit.

All the civil and military officials stared intently at the faint red light emanating from the bronze furnace. The air was incredibly heavy. Sweat poured down the foreheads of the Grand Secretaries, and even the most talented scholars, skilled in composing couplets, scratched their heads and fidgeted restlessly.

Behind the curtain, Princess Zhaoyue's breathing quickened slightly.

The Emperor of Da Ning sat upright on the dragon throne, expressionless, except for the slightly bulging veins on the back of his hands that were tightly gripping the armrests.

Murong Gu crossed his arms, a calm smile playing on his lips.

The scholar Chang behind him remained with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to the impending outcome of the contest.

Right now!

A series of hurried footsteps came from the entrance of the hall, and everyone in the hall turned around abruptly.

Qing Shuang rushed into the hall, her chest heaving. Without even taking a breath, she loudly recited: "A cup of tea to quench the thirst of the top scholar; the second line is a five-character quatrain, showcasing the talent of the benefactor!"

The entire hall fell silent.

Grand Secretary Zhou suddenly raised his head, and several other Grand Secretaries beside him also straightened up, their lips moving and their eyes growing brighter.

"The first 'shi' means 'to give,' referring to the act of quenching thirst!"

"The second 'Shi' is a surname, specifically related to the surname 'Jie'!"

"The third benefactor... benefactor, your answer to the top scholar is brilliant, truly brilliant!"

Several elderly scholars with white hair spoke one after another, their voices growing louder and louder, their excitement barely concealed.

"A five-character quatrain, truly a testament to your talent, benefactor..." Han Boyuan read it aloud several times, a hint of approval on his face.

He even thought the second line was more ingenious than the first.

After all, "poetry" and "application" are homophones, while "tea" and "understanding" are somewhat lacking in flavor and don't quite match the second line.

He turned to face the assembled civil and military officials and announced in a deep voice: "Da Ning has successfully responded. The second round of the civil examination is now a draw."

A long-suppressed cheer erupted from inside the hall. The civil and military officials of Da Ning all relaxed their shoulders, and many of them slumped against the hall pillars, letting out a long sigh of relief.

At the Yan delegation's table, Murong Gu's smile froze once again.

He turned to look at Grand Secretary Chang, who remained seated, his eyelids still closed.

Murong Gu felt slightly relieved. After taking a deep breath, the corners of his mouth curled up into a cold smile again. "It's just another draw. Who will win and who will lose is still uncertain..."

Han Boyuan walked to the bronze incense burner again, took out the third incense coil, and lit it.

Wisps of smoke rose into the air.

He then looked at both sides and said, "The third round of the competition begins. Please have both countries form a pair."

On the Yan side, Murong Gu took out a brocade from his sleeve, unfolded it, and read aloud: "Yan Kingdom's Third Couplet—The Eight Kings of Qin, Se, Pipa, and Pa, Kings Above!"

As soon as Murong Gu finished speaking, the expressions of the emperor and his ministers of Da Ning changed drastically.

The Yan state was a nomadic people on the grasslands, consisting of eight tribes.

The phrase "Eight Kings, each king above" clearly refers to the eight tribes of the Yan Kingdom!

If they cannot come up with a matching couplet, Da Ning will not only be less talented in literature, but also suffer a disgrace to the nation!

The Emperor of Da Ning's eyes flashed with anger, and the faces of the civil and military officials were also extremely grim.

Grand Secretary Zhou felt immense pressure. He took a deep breath, walked to the table, and was about to put pen to paper when a figure quickly stepped forward, grasped his wrist, and said, "Lord Zhou, wait..."