"Because... I simply don’t care!"
Don’t care?
Many people looked at each other, baffled.
What kind of explanation was that?
At that moment, Xue An said indifferently, "Miss Tang, you are a fine lady, but all that you have mentioned, including this so-called Tang Family estate, is worthless to me!"
Hearing this, Tang Sheng first secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Anyhow, as long as he hadn’t agreed, it was fine.
Then, he felt extremely unfortable. Did he really look down on the Tang Family?
So, he sneered and said, "Oh? From the tone of Young Master Xue, it seems you really think little of my humble Tang Family? May I then inquire what lofty aspirations you hold?"
Upon hearing this, many people in the room let out soft jeers.
Among them, Yao Chaofeng’s laughter was the most arrogant and unrestrained.
However, facing all this, Xue An didn’t even lift his eyelid, simply stating, "What I desire, how could any of you possibly understand?"
"Hmph!" Tang Sheng, upon hearing this, snorted disdainfully, his face full of scorn. He liked Xue An even less now, considering him utterly ignorant and arrogant.
Meanwhile, Tang Ling’er stared blankly at Xue An.
She finally understood what Xue An had meant by saying it’s better to speak clearly about certain things in person before ing!
So, that was his way of making it clear!
Tang Ling’er suddenly felt a surge of grievance and sadness.
She didn’t understand.
She had arranged everything so meticulously, yet he had disagreed.
Could everything be explained simply by ’not caring’?
Tang Ling’er’s heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Yao Chaofeng, however, was so delighted he almost jumped out of his seat.
In his eyes, Xue An was purely a fool.
Refusing such a coveted opportunity, if not a fool, then what?
But do you think, just this was enough?
What I want, is to see you utterly ruined!
Yao Chaofeng sneered to himself and then cast a glance at several guests in the distance.
These guests had already been bribed by him, so upon seeing Yao Chaofeng’s signal, these pedantic literati had already considered their plan.
Then one of them, full of sarcasm, laughed and said, "What a man of magnificent ambitions! It’s just a pity... he is somewhat ignorant!"
These words incited laughter from several other guests.
"Brother Liu is right, some people are indeed all talk without substance!"
"Tsk, tsk, I have heard that ever since someone entered the Tang Family, it has been nothing but eating and sleeping. I doubt he even understands the basics of verse, yet dares to speak so boldly?"
These words were extremely harsh and unpleasant.
Tang Ling’er’s expression changed.
Although Xue An had rejected her,
she still did not want these pompous literati, who were all talk, to sully Xue An’s reputation.
After all, facing their provocations, if Xue An dared not respond,
his reputation would be pletely ruined.
And a scholar’s ruined reputation meant he could forget about progressing in the court or the literary world in his lifetime.
This also revealed the malicious intent of these people.
Thus, Tang Ling’er thought to chide the group.
But just then,
Xue An’s gaze grew colder, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh? So, it appears that all of your literary skills must be quite remarkable, huh?"
"I wouldn’t claim they’re remarkable, but at least they’re much stronger than some!" A middle-aged literatus holding a folding fan, full of pride, said lightly.
Xue An nodded, "Very well, since you’re good at it, how about a contest?"
"A contest? What contest?" The middle-aged literatus glanced at Xue An with disdain.
"How about judging the winner based on poetry?" Xue An suggested lightly.
Upon hearing this, this group of literati guests all wore a shocked expression.
Especially the middle-aged literatus, who was startled, then scoffed, "You want to pete in poetry with me? Are you sure?"
Xue An nodded, confirming lightly, "Yes, I am sure."
"Fine, you said it yourself, how shall we pete?" The middle-aged literatus wore a look of sure victory.
In his view, this was simply Xue An asking to be slapped.
Although he had not made a great name for himself, his poetry skills were still mendable!
Therefore, he was brimming with confidence.
At this moment, Xue An said, "It’s simple, the winner takes all, the loser... pays with his life! How’s that?"
The room fell deathly silent.
Then, a low murmur rippled through the crowd.
Tang Ling’er, in particular, was visibly shocked.
How could a poetry contest involve risking life?
Thus, she was somewhat anxious to dissuade Xue An.
But at that moment, Yao Chaofeng spoke up first.
"Good, such a true man indeed. In that case, let it be agreed! What do you say?"
This middle-aged scholar was initially hesitant, but seeing Yao Chaofeng answering for him, he gritted his teeth and then nodded.
"Very well! Then as you say!"
Tang Ling’er was extremely anxious, whispering quietly, "Xue An, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Xue An smiled at her, "Nothing much, just bored and teaching some folks a lesson!"
"But you..."
Tang Ling’er wanted to say something else.
The middle-aged scholar, fearing Xue An would take the lead, therefore jumped out first.
"But what should the topic be?"
Xue An spoke indifferently, "Anything! I’m fine with it all!"
This arrogant tone displeased many in the crowd.
Especially Tang Sheng.
He leisurely sat behind his desk, eager to see how Xue An would fail later on.
At that moment, Yao Yu suddenly pointed to the brilliant spring light outside the window, "In that case, how about we take the spring scenery as the theme?"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged scholar’s heart leaped with joy.
He excelled in expressing emotions through scenery, so this topic was right up his alley.
Xue An was nonmittal.
The middle-aged scholar then paced around the room for a few rounds, and suddenly clapped his folding fan, "I have it!"
Having said this, he swiftly penned down a poem on paper.
After reading it aloud, a wave of applause filled the room.
"Good verse!"
"After several months, Brother Liu’s poetic skills have improved further. This poem praising spring is fresh and meaningful, truly a splendid piece! Congratulations indeed!"
This praise filled the study.
The middle-aged scholar was full of pride, then looked towards Xue An, "Young Master Xue, it’s your turn!"
At this time, Xue An was gazing out at the patches of spring light, seemingly lost in a trance.
"Haha, unable to write anything, huh?"
"Really courting death!"
"Knew it, just another flashy but empty person!"
Amid these mocking and scoffing remarks,
Tang Ling’er looked on somewhat bewildered.
Because she caught a glimpse of the loneliness in Xue An’s eyes.
That feeling made her feel empty inside.
What had he experienced?
Why were there such strong emotions in his eyes?
Tang Ling’er was full of doubts.
Just then, Xue An turned his head, smiled slightly, "I have it! Listen!"
Saying so, Xue An softly recited.
"Water is the horizontal ripples of one’s gaze!"
At the beginning, these scholars wore faces full of disdain, believing that Xue An could never write a better piece than the middle-aged scholar.
But as soon as the first words escaped Xue An,
The hearts of everyone present trembled and all sounds vanished instantly.
People all fell silent, quietly listening.
Xue An continued reciting, "Mountains are the gathering of eyebrows, asking where the passerby is heading? At the place where the brows and eyes are fullest! Just beginning to see off the spring, only then bidding farewell to you, if you reach the east of the river in springtime, stay with the spring forever!"
After finishing,
The room fell silent.
All were astounded.
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