Chapter 231 - Chapter 231: Noticing Theres a Problem with the Seedlings_i (1/2)

Chapter 231: Noticing There’s a Problem with the Seedlings_i

Translator: 549690339

Xiu Yaojun paused, and then slowly began to write down the lines of poetry Wei Ruo had just dictated.

Everyone took some time to read the lines, eventually becoming absorbed in its deeper meaning.

The young scholars of the Anzhou Academy such as Xiu Fengyuan and Wei Yichen, who were in the next room, quietened down for a moment.

Soon, looks of surprise and delight dawned across their faces, almost simultaneously.

Xiu Fengyuan began to heap praise on her, exclaiming, ’What a wonderful poem! It speaks of spring, but not just of spring! It praises flowers, but not just flowers! Truly, it is a poem that could only be composed by Miss Wei from the Wei Family, a person who can put aside the self for the greater good!” Compared to Miss Wei’s poem, the lines penned by all present seemed somewhat parochial, merely depicting spring, flowers, trees, or expressions of melancholy.

Miss Wei, on the other hand, captured vast ambitions within the metaphor of spring blossoms.

Fengyuan couldn’t resist saying to Yichen, “Brother Yichen, your sister is not an ordinary woman!”

Wei Yichen couldn’t suppress his smile, genuinely surprised that his young sister Ruo could write such a broad-minded poem.

When Ruoruo humbly declared herself a mediocre poet earlier, he had believed her. After all, it was not surprising that his elder sister, who hadn’t been at home for long, wasn’t skilled at writing poetry.

The rest of the students also gave high praise to Wei Ruo’s poem.

Lu Yuhong, who was not as skilled in poetry as the others, still understood it somewhat. From the perspective of a martial artist like himself, he also preferred the two lines from Miss Wei from the Wei Family.

On the other side, Madam Fengyuan, recovering from her surprise, began to laud Wei Ruo: “Miss Wei, your poem is wonderful and greatly suits the theme of today’s spring outing.”

Following Madam Fengyuan’s praise, the others also began to compliment Wei Ruo’s poem effusively, their praises even more lavish than their previous comments on Wei Qingwan.

Hearing the barrage of compliments, Wei Qingwan’s expression grew darker. She bit her lip to keep her emotions at bay.

Madam Yun, however, was looking at Wei Ruo in surprise. This unexpected outcome had not crossed her mind. She assumed that Ruo, who spent every day working on agricultural matters, wouldn’t be proficient in poetry.

Earlier, when Wanwan had encouraged her elder daughter to recite the poem, she had felt rather nervous and uneasy. If it weren’t for the public occasion she would have dissuaded her right away.

As it turned out, Wanwan had a better understanding of her elder daughter. Not only was her daughter good at writing poetry, but she had also been genuinely modest.

Madam Fengyuan then suggested, “I think the winning prize should go to Miss Wei today. What does everyone else think?”

Everyone else readily agreed, supporting Madam Fengyuan’s judgment. Madam Fengyuan then walked over to Wei Ruo, smiling, removed the jade pendant that she wore, and presented it to Wei Ruo.

“Madam, what is this?” Wei Ruo asked in confusion.

“This is the prize for today’s competition. As the winner, you are naturally entitled to it,” Madam Fengyuan explained.

Only then did Wei Ruo realize there was a prize for this activity, during which she hadn’t paid much attention to the details.

Since it had been agreed, Wei Ruo couldn’t refuse. She accepted the jade pendant from Madam Fengyuan with both hands.

“Thank you, Madam,” said Wei Ruo.

Madam Fengyuan smiled graciously at her, her eyes full of satisfaction. We Ruo then glanced at Wei Qingwan, whose head was bowed so low that her face could not be seen. But Wei Ruo could guess that she must be feeling upset. After all, if it hadn’t been for her, the prize would have been Wei Qingwan’s. In her heart, Wei Ruo conceded that it was not her fault. She wasn’t initially planning to recite anything, Qingwan was the one who forced her into it.

Although she wasn’t skilled at writing poetry, she was capable of remembering poems. Moreover, she was fortunate to know some poems that the others didn’t.