183 Eh? Are You About To Discuss Couplets Now? (1/2)
Chapter 183: Eh? Are You About To Discuss Couplets Now?
Translator: Translation NationEditor: Translation Nation
Although young master Zhao was clearly astounded by Xu Que’s performance, he didn’t reveal the slightest hint of it on his face. He stood at his original place, his expression was unmoving. He picked up a cup of tea and took a sip before placing it down on the table.
”Pa da!”
The base of the teacup on the table broke the silence within the hall.
Young master Zhao then spoke, ”Ten poems in ten steps, that’s too ridiculous and incredulous. Something as absurd as that cannot be real. This person must’ve already composed these works earlier before he came. When the occasion arose, he then took out the pre-composed poems to recite! Or else, these poems weren’t written by him. He probably copied it from somewhere unbeknownst to me. Don’t be fooled by him!” As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was awakened from their delusions!
Mo Yun Shang who was feeling extremely down and dissatisfied, along with the other students who had been made a fool of by Xu Que finally reacted as soon as they heard this.
That’s right. Ten poems in ten steps, that’s way too absurd.
How was it ever possible that a person was able to compose ten poem and each one of them were extraordinary? That was impossible to achieve!
”Young master Zhao is right. As for that Li Bai, this humble subject finds it extremely hard to believe that he’s capable of writing something as exquisite!”
”Indeed, that’s the case. Also, if everyone was to think about it carefully, all the ten poems shared different sentiments. How was a person able to feel so much and gain so many insights in just ten steps?”
”This Li Bai is incorrigible and arrogant. This humble subject also refuses to believe that those were his own original words. It must be that he had obtained it from elsewhere and used it here today!”
”Outrageous! This man’s actions are too despicable!”
Many students stood out and lashed out in anger.
The group of students who had voiced their support for Xu Que earlier frowned and objected, ”Everyone, such words of accusations shouldn’t ever be spoken. If these works were truly written by someone else, based on how extraordinary they are, why haven’t we heard about it before then?”
”That’s right. You know Li Bai as well, he has a strange temperament and personality. He could be honorable at one moment, and a rascal the next. Just based on the fact that he’s very talented, it wouldn’t be impossible that he has the ability to compose ten poems in ten steps. In fact, it would be rather normal for someone as exquisite as him!”
”We have no proof that he plagiarized from someone else. Hence it would be improper for us to assume that just based on subjective ideas and thus negate the effort and works of brother Li!”
”Eh, this humble subject agrees with you!”
With the varied discussions and opinions, the hall started becoming noisy once again.
Madam Ya sat by the corner and gradually regained her senses. When she came to, she saw an entire group of students quarreling, unable to get along with each other. She couldn’t help but frown as she interrupted them, ”Everyone, there’s no need to quarrel further. This is just a simple banquet for all of us to become friends through poems. We don’t have to remain friends based on personalities or characters after!”
As soon as she had finished speaking, everyone paused in shock. Even Madam Ya’s expression looked rather displeased. At once, everyone shut their mouths and didn’t dare to speak further.
Afterall, it was known that scholars often disparaged each other. These students had witnessed Xu Que reciting ten poems in ten steps without the need for much preparation. In fact, every single poem which he had recited were of excellent qualities. This caused the rest of the students to feel jealous and envious of his achievements, and thus suggested that these poems weren’t written by Xu Que himself.
However, they had absolutely no proof to substantiate their claims. All they could do was to be sour about it and vocalize their suspicions. This thus caused Madam Ya to tell them off in a rather fierce and displeased tones. The rest of the students scurried to retrieve their orderly expressions filled with regret and respect.
Madam Ya’s warmth only returned after she saw that the rest of the students had ceased bickering. With a grand gesture, she stood up and spoke, ”Regardless of whether the poems were composed by young mister Li or not, there’s no need for us to probe further. After all, this meeting was supposed to be about artistic talents and poem recitals. We’re all here to enjoy the poems. What does everyone think about this?”
The students present all nodded their heads in agreement, ”Madam Ya is right. We were being rude!”
”Since that’s the case, shall we proceed with the banquet? Is there anyone here with another poem to share with us?” Madam Ya asked.
Indeed, nobody present dared to open their mouths as they looked down.