Although few people nowadays can compose matching couplets on the spot, the Poetry Pavilion was still bustling with visitors.
Because the top scorer of each daily exam could enter the pavilion without having to take further tests for an entire month.
Moreover, those who made significant contributions to the Poetry Pavilion could enjoy lifetime exemption from exams.
Ye Chutang, as the only woman present and personally welcomed into the pavilion by the master, instantly became the center of everyone's attention.
“Is this the Eldest Miss Ye who snatched the titles of First Talented Lady from Second Miss Ye and Most Beautiful Woman from Princess Anping?”
“Her grace is as elegant as an orchid, her talent more fragrant than the immortal’s. Is there truly such a woman in the world?”
“I’m so curious about what her matching couplet will be.”
“We’ll find out soon enough. To witness her calligraphy in person is an honor.”
“I’m not so sure the rumors are all true…”
As soon as these words were spoken, a man dressed in dark brocade was immediately surrounded by a chorus of voices.
“Master Xu, admitting a woman is better than a man is no shame.”
“It’s because of people like you that scholars say ‘literary men belittle each other.’”
“Brother Xu seems to be trying to defend Second Miss Ye? What a sore loser.”
These remarks struck a nerve with Xu Kang.
“Stop your nonsense! To insult a woman’s reputation is unworthy of a scholar!”
Ye Chutang let out a light laugh. “Master Xu, is it fitting for you to call yourself a scholar when you question me without knowing the facts?”
Xu Kang’s face flushed and paled in turn, stung by her sarcasm.
“Miss Ye has only composed three poems and written three calligraphic pieces, yet she’s hailed as the capital’s foremost talented lady. Is my doubt really so wrong?”
“If Master Xu can compose three poems and write a poem in three different scripts within fifteen minutes, then your doubt would be justified.”
Her words were like a sharp slap to Xu Kang’s face, leaving him deeply embarrassed.
Ye Chutang continued, “Let me give you a couplet challenge. If you can come up with a matching line, I will return the title of First Talented Lady to you.”
Xu Kang could clearly sense the humiliation behind her words.
Still, he agreed. “Fine!”
He had studied for twenty years and had become a provincial graduate five years ago. There was no way he couldn’t match a couplet set by a country girl!
“And what if you fail to match it?”
“If I can’t, I will kneel before Eldest Miss Ye and admit defeat.”
“Agreed.”
Their wager attracted a crowd both on the upper floor and downstairs, some leaning against the railings, others coming down to watch the excitement.
At that moment, the master of the Poetry Pavilion brought over a scroll, a thick brush, and a bucket of ink.
The attendant on the first floor had already informed him of the recent events.
So, he also brought ordinary ink, paper, and an inkstone.
After arranging everything, he smiled and said, “I hear Miss Ye wishes to present the first line. Please.”
Then, he ground the ink himself.
Ye Chutang didn’t hesitate and wrote the first line:
“Entrusting the guest family, lonely by the cold window guarding widowhood.”
[Note: This line is from Li Qingzhao.]
No sooner had she put down the brush than the master exclaimed, “Excellent! Such a fine first line! Miss Ye, may I ask why you chose this particular line?”
Ye Chutang made up a casual answer, “When I was in the countryside, I happened to see a widow like this.”
“I see.”
The master handed the scroll to Xu Kang. “Master Xu, with your literary talent, you should be able to match this in the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, right?”
Upon hearing the master praise Ye Chutang, Xu Kang felt a bad premonition.
When he saw the first line clearly, his vision darkened.
Not to mention a single incense stick, even a whole month wouldn’t guarantee he could come up with a matching line!
Those beside him shook their heads in sympathy, “This couplet is truly difficult to match.”
“In the entire capital, and even throughout the Beichen Kingdom, I dare say only Young Master Song could come up with a matching couplet.”
“Miss Ye, would you mind if I copied down the first line?”
Ye Chutang ignored the scowl on Xu Kang’s face and smiled warmly, “Of course not.”
No sooner had she spoken than Xu Kang slapped the paper with the first line onto the table.
“This couplet is impossible to match!”
The teacher shook his head at the stubborn Xu Kang, “Such behavior is unbecoming of a scholar.”
Someone chimed in, “Exactly. If you can’t come up with a matching line, just admit defeat. Refusing to concede after losing is truly shameful.”
Xu Kang’s chest heaved with anger as he gritted his teeth.
He was a man of stature and pride—how could he possibly kneel before a woman?
“Miss Ye, tell everyone if I’m wrong.”
Ye Chutang looked at the demanding Xu Kang and let out a light laugh.
“Coward, not only does Ye Anling refuse to look at you, not even the street dogs would bother.”
With that, she picked up her brush again and swiftly wrote three different matching lines.
One was her own creation, while the other two she had found online.
She then flung the still-wet paper onto Xu Kang’s face.
Xu Kang’s hands trembled violently as he read the lines, nearly tearing the paper.
Ye Chutang raised an eyebrow. “Now, do you admit it?”
The moment her words fell, she stood up and kicked Xu Kang hard on both knees.
“Thud! Thud!”
Xu Kang collapsed heavily to the ground, howling in pain, his face pale as death.
He lost his grip on the paper, which fluttered down to the floor.
Countless heads leaned in, eyes fixed on the matching lines.
Before anyone could make out the words, the teacher from the Poetry Pavilion snatched the paper away.
“Everyone may try to compose a matching line. If no one succeeds, I will reveal Miss Ye’s answer.”
He then turned his cold gaze to Xu Kang, who looked as if he wanted to disappear into the floor.
“Xu Kang, the Poetry Pavilion will no longer welcome you. Please leave.”
Those words were tantamount to ending Xu Kang’s scholarly ambitions.
He was utterly shocked.
“You can’t treat me like this!”
“I can. The Poetry Pavilion has no place for those lacking in virtue.”
And so, Xu Kang became the first scholar to be thrown out of the Poetry Pavilion.
Ye Chutang watched the spectacle with satisfaction, then asked the attendant by the teacher’s side to clear the table.
She unfurled a long scroll and picked up a thick brush, dipping it into the ink bucket.
With bold, flowing strokes, she wrote out the matching line she had composed earlier.
“Like floating clouds, like a startled dragon—beautiful calligraphy!”
As applause broke out, Ye Chutang signed her name at the bottom.
The teacher had the attendant take the scroll to the fifth floor and hang it outside the building.
Then he turned to Ye Chutang and said, “Miss Ye, may I trouble you for another piece of your calligraphy? If you could write the couplet again in a different style, we would like to display it on the third floor.”
“If it’s to be placed in the best spot, I have no objections.”
“Of course.”
The teacher produced the finest silk paper the Poetry Pavilion had.
After Ye Chutang completed the couplet, her meal was served.
She dined amid the admiration of the crowd.
Then, ascending the stairs, she embarked on the path to fame and fortune.
An unsolvable puzzle—she solved it.
A realistic charcoal sketch—she painted it.
Double-sided embroidery—she flaunted it.
Countless poems written, numerous calligraphy works left behind.
She tutored students with unique insights; critiqued ancient poetry with witty remarks; mastered astronomy and geography without exception.
By the time she left the Poetry Pavilion, Ye Chutang had already secured a lifetime exemption from exams.
She had become a legendary figure among scholars, spoken of alongside the esteemed First Young Master, Song Jingning.
Ye Chutang was thoroughly pleased with the achievements of the day.
She planned to find a quiet spot to change her appearance before heading to various taverns to order an assortment of delicious dishes to stockpile.
But just as she reached the alley entrance, a sack suddenly swung toward her from the front.
