After falling into the water, Song Zhiyu stayed at the mansion to "recover" for a few days, but soon got restless. Taking advantage of the top scholar’s public parade, he gathered his rowdy friends and found a private room at a teahouse to join in the excitent.
This private room also had others, including one of his archrivals, the seventh son of the Fan Family, who was also one of the well-known dandies in the capital.
But this Fan Qi, lacking much skill or talent, was accustod to seeking fa and recognition. He could compose a few pretentious poems and thus fancied himself a cultured nobleman.
Noble indeed, but still just a fop.
At this mont, he hinted sarcastically that Song Zhiyu was uneducated, not expecting that his opponent’s retort would also consider him included.
"Has Song Si co to look down on the young gentlen in this room?" Fan Qi continued to incite hostility.
Song Zhiyu wasn’t foolish; he naturally picked up on the insinuation and said, "What do you an by looking down? Even though I haven’t excelled in my studies, I know that ’looking down’ implies disdain for one’s company. See, I’m here drinking tea with everyone, do I look disdainful? Obviously, we’re all the sa kind of people here. I might not have other skills, but I’m quite self-aware."
Fan Qi: "..."
The others: "..."
Song Si is ruthless enough; he can insult others and himself at the sa ti.
Song Zhiyu glanced at the scholar parading outside, saying, "Although I haven’t learned much, it makes no difference; after all, I was born into wealth and don’t worry. Fan Qi, on the other hand, is different—look, isn’t that your sixth brother?"
Fan Qi squinted and looked where he pointed. Among the scholars parading, a handso young man with captivating eyes appeared, full of youthful vigor.
Isn’t that indeed his sixth brother, an illegitimate son!
Fan Qi snorted, "Just an illegitimate son can catch Song Si’s attention? He’s indeed fortunate."
"Catching my attention is nothing; at most, I’d take him to visit a brothel. But if he catches your grandfather’s attention, that’s extraordinary, especially when compared to a dandy." Song Zhiyu mock-worriedly said, "What to do if you’re outshone by an illegitimate son, who can even beco an official, while you haven’t even passed the scholar exams—how can you face that?"
Fan Qi shot up with a twisted expression, "What do you an, Song Si?"
Song Zhiyu looked innocent, "No other aning, didn’t you say a person should have skills?"
When did I say that? It was just a dig at you.
Fan Qi realized this brat was counterattacking.
He suddenly laughed, sat back down, and mocked, "I certainly don’t have the skills of Song Si, who caught the eye of Commandery Princess Dongyang and married into Prince Dingbei’s mansion."
Ha, fly into a rage, what man could endure being told he married into the wife’s family!
Everyone looked at Song Zhiyu, indeed hard to swallow.
But Song Zhiyu only smiled, "Finally, you admit it."
Everyone: "???"
"You’re not as handso as I am." Song Zhiyu chuckled, "That’s why I have the ability to catch the eye of the Commandery Princess and beco her husband, whereas you don’t."
Everyone: I’ve never seen soone so shaless, even bragging self-indulgently about marrying into the wife’s family.
Fan Qi nearly spit water on him.
Does this person have any sense of sha? Is he still a man, with not a shred of self-respect?
"Seems the rumors were wrong before; Song Si appears quite fond of Commandery Princess Dongyang. All that talk of refusing the marriage by jumping in a lake was false." Fan Qi sneered.
Song Zhiyu said, "Indeed, jumping in a lake is impossible—after all, marrying Commandery Princess Dongyang confirms my reputation for a life of natural wealth. As my mother put it, I skip thirty years of struggle and win by lying down!"
Everyone: "..."
What a bitter truth! So envious!
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