The emperor is biased and wants to kill me, but you chickened out when the army is at the city gates

Chapter 87 Expelled from the Master

"If you don't study hard when you're young, you'll regret it when you're old."

What do you think of this couplet?

Qin Xuan immediately recited another couplet encouraging learning, which was not only perfectly matched but also echoed the themes of the two parts, drawing cheers from the audience.

Without waiting for the young page's reply, he continued:

"The ancient families that have lasted for hundreds of years are nothing more than those who have accumulated virtue; the best thing in the world is still reading."

"Do good deeds without expecting retribution; do not study for fame and fortune."

"Apart from reading, I have no other hobbies; it's as if I'm traveling with the Creator."

"Of all things in the world, reading is the best; of all things in the world, nothing is more difficult than traveling."

"..."

Each couplet, like a melodious song, was narrated by Qin Xuan.

At first, everyone thought Qin Xuan was incredibly talented and could create such excellent couplets. But as they listened, they became more and more astonished and shocked.

Are these couplets free?

How can you just spout off like that?

The third, the fourth, the fifth...

Each piece is a classic, created with almost no pause and effortless ease.

The crowd was in a strange and shocked state. They had just been amazed and impressed by the first couplet, but then came an even more amazing one. So much so that as soon as someone was praising the first couplet, someone else was already praising the second one.

"This is truly amazing. So many couplets encouraging students to study, all done so quickly that there's not even time to marvel at them."

"They've gone mad! They've gone on a killing spree!"

"Who exactly is this person? I want to become his apprentice and learn from him."

"This is terrifying! How could one person have such talent to produce so many couplets encouraging students in such a short period of time?"

"..."

The crowd was agitated, and more and more people gathered around to watch. Even the small vendors who had set up stalls put down their business and rushed over to catch a glimpse of Qin Xuan's demeanor.

Zhao Luoying's face was now filled with infatuation, her eyes filled with Qin Xuan's elegant and refined appearance as he walked out of the couplet.

The young page was now completely pale, his eyes were wide open, and even his breathing had become heavy.

"It's over! It's over! I've offended a true Confucian scholar!"

Although the young pageboy was of poor character, he was still Bai Mufeng's student and naturally possessed some talent.

He yelled hysterically, "Enough! Enough!"

By this time, Qin Xuan had already made nearly thirty couplets encouraging students to study.

"What, still not up to standard?"

Qin Xuan looked at the other person with a playful smile.

"You..." The young page opened his mouth, but dared not say anything more.

Just then, the bamboo door suddenly opened, and Bai Mufeng, dressed in a white robe, came out with Pan Ruoan, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.

"Teacher, I..."

The young page's voice was hoarse, clearly showing some fear of Bai Mufei.

Bai Mufeng didn't look at him, but walked up to Qin Xuan and bowed very solemnly, saying, "Sir, you are very talented. It was my student who was rude. I apologize to you on his behalf."

These words immediately caused an uproar among the surrounding people.

Bai Mufeng was extremely famous among scholars, second only to the Confucian sage; otherwise, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy would not have paid such a solemn visit.

How could everyone not be surprised that such a great Confucian scholar would apologize to an unknown scholar?

"Fang Lu, your conduct is improper. You are expelled from the sect immediately. I am no longer your teacher."

Bai Mufeng turned around and said to the pageboy.

The pageboy's face instantly turned ashen, as if his soul had been ripped out, and he collapsed to the ground.

He burst into tears, trying to win Bai Mufeng back, but Bai Mufeng was always strict and naturally wouldn't agree.

"May I ask your name, sir?"

Bai Mufeng ignored the pageboy who had been expelled from the sect and instead asked Qin Xuan with great respect.

"Did you hear that? The great scholar Bai actually addressed the other party as 'sir'—what utmost respect!"

"This action demonstrates the character of the great scholar Bai, who truly deserves to be called a disciple of the Confucian sage."

"Sigh, if I were that person, I would be laughing in my dreams to be respected by the great scholar Bai."

"If you can write more than thirty couplets encouraging learning in one go, people will respect you just the same."

"..."

The crowd discussed amongst themselves, sighing repeatedly. Qin Xuan, however, felt it was only natural and calmly said, "I am Jin Xuan, from the Northern Border, and I wish to meet the Confucian Sage."

"With your talent, Brother Jin, you can directly enter the Bamboo House for the assessment. If you can pass the four arts, you will naturally be able to meet your teacher."

Bai Mufeng smiled warmly and continued, "However, it's getting late today, which isn't good for the assessment. If Brother Jin isn't in a hurry, how about we have a few drinks together in the bamboo house and take the assessment tomorrow?"

Pan Ruoan stepped forward and bowed to Qin Xuan.

Qin Xuan returned the greeting, smiling and nodding: "In that case, I shall respectfully comply."

"Haha, that's great."

Bai Mufeng laughed heartily: "I heard that Brother Jin was out making friends earlier, and I had already wanted to befriend him. Now that my wish has come true, let's have a big drink together."

It's clear that Bai Mufeng is a carefree person; although it's their first time meeting, he doesn't feel any sense of unfamiliarity.

He even revealed his own shortcomings, saying, "To my shame, at the beginning of the month, the King of Chu in Beining City presented two couplets that would be considered perfect couplets for all time. I racked my brains but could not find a way to solve them. So, taking advantage of my teacher's return to the public eye, I specially wrote a couplet to encourage learning. I wanted to get to know more great scholars who were good at creating couplets, so that we could pool our wisdom and find a solution to the problem."

"That's an absolute masterpiece, and I'm at a loss as to how to solve it. I wonder if Brother Jin has any brilliant ideas?"

Pan Ruoan gave a wry smile and looked at Qin Xuan with some anticipation.

Qin Xuan was a little embarrassed. He naturally knew the answer to the eternal mystery, but he couldn't say it here. He could only shake his head and say, "You two think too highly of me. I can't answer that eternal mystery either."

Upon hearing this, Bai Mufeng and Pan Ruoan were immediately disappointed.

Fortunately, both of them were easygoing and didn't dwell on it.

The three of them entered the bamboo house together, and soon began to drink, recite poems, and sing.

Soon, the news that Qin Xuan had put up more than thirty couplets encouraging learning in front of the bamboo house spread throughout the entire Shanhai Town.

For a time, countless people were speculating about Qin Xuan's true identity.

"With such talent, this person is likely to become a formidable rival!"

Inside the inn, the person in charge from Qinglong Bookstore couldn't help but express his concern.

Meanwhile, another person said, "His Majesty has sent Chancellor Pan this time. Given his relationship with Confucian scholar Bai, and with Chancellor Pan's own talent, the publication of 'Confucianism' will surely be awarded to our Qinglong Bookstore."

"That's right! The assessment isn't based on couplets, but on the Six Arts of a Gentleman, so you can rest assured, Chief."

The other person also offered words of comfort.

The Azure Dragon Bookstore belongs to the Azure Dragon Chamber of Commerce, which is naturally backed by the Great Qi Royal Family, and Lin Mo is the head of the Chamber of Commerce.

He nodded slightly and smiled, "I was overthinking it."

At the same time, Yelü Huanxi of Liaodong Kingdom was also wary of Qin Xuan.

"I never expected him to be so talented. It seems my defeat at the inn was not unjustified."

Yelü Changkong sighed helplessly, feeling as if he was powerless to fight back.

Yelü Huanxi smiled and said, "This person is indeed a genius. If there is an opportunity, we must recruit him to our side."

She paused for a moment, then added, "This time, my father ordered me to handle this matter, and I must succeed. Therefore, you absolutely cannot make any more mistakes in tomorrow's assessment."

"Yes, Chang Kong will never dare to be careless."

Yelü Changkong immediately knelt down and solemnly said.