"Let's not talk about this anymore, Wanwan, how about we go for a walk in the garden? I really don't like writing poems and lyrics!"

Chu Xinyuan suggested.

"Okay, okay! Cousin, I also feel stuffy here! Big brother, is this alright?"

Sheng Wanwan excitedly tugged at Sheng Wenjin's sleeve.

Sheng Wenjin affectionately ruffled Sheng Wanwan's hair and agreed to her suggestion.

"Go ahead! But just wander around in the garden, don't run around!"

"Okay, big brother!"

After Sheng Wanwan finished speaking, she took Chu Xinyuan's hand and walked towards the depths of the garden.

Just as Sheng Wanwan left, Bai Mo and Wei Zixun arrived.

After greeting Sheng Wenjin, the two of them huddled together and chatted.

A moment later, a group of young men who looked like scholars walked in through the door. The leader was dressed in gray cloth and had an ordinary appearance, but his expression was very arrogant.

"Those people are all students from Jiangnan who came to take the imperial examination. The one leading them is Wang Wenjie. It is said that not only is he unmatched in Jiangnan in writing poetry and lyrics, but he is also a master of chess. It is said that even Master Chen from Sanmao Academy has lost to him!"

Wei Zixun spoke softly to Sheng Wenjin and Bai Mo.

"Oh? That's impressive? Master Chen's chess skills are among the best in our Great Yan Kingdom. How could even Master Chen lose to him? This person is clearly extraordinary!"

Bai Mo exclaimed in surprise.

Master Chen was the headmaster of Sanmao Academy and their first teacher. The Imperial Academy only accepted boys over the age of fourteen. Before that, most noble children went to Sanmao Academy to study.

Sanmao Academy was very large, enrolling more than a thousand students aged six to eighteen. These students were then divided into ten grades—A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, and G—based on age and academic achievement. Each grade was further divided into several smaller classes according to gender.

Sheng Wenjin and the other two were students in the top class at the time. Because of their noble status and top-notch scholarship, they were directly recruited by the Imperial Academy.

"What's so special about it? The top talents in the Jiangnan region might not even be as good as me here! We'll see what they're made of later."

Wei Zixun pursed his lips, clearly unconvinced by Wang Wenjie.

Although he is not good at writing poetry or lyrics, he is very good at chess.

Sheng Wenjin glanced at Wei Zixun, then remained silent and did not reply.

At this moment, Wang Wenjie had already entered the pavilion. He scanned the crowd and finally fixed his gaze on Sheng Wenjin.

He smiled slightly and walked over.

"This must be the second young master of the Sheng family, who is famous throughout the capital. Seeing him today, he is indeed as rumored, with a dignified and imposing appearance."

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, appearing very polite.

Sheng Wenjin returned the greeting with a slight bow, saying neither humbly nor arrogantly, "You flatter me. I am indeed Sheng Wenjin. May I ask how this young master is addressed?"

"My name is Wang Wenjie. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Wang Wenjie said with a faint smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion arose behind him.

"Is this Wang Wenjie? Standing next to the number one talent in our capital city, he seems somewhat inferior!"

"Yes! She's too ordinary-looking!"

"How can you judge people so superficially? Wang Wenjie may not be good-looking, but when does a great man make his achievements based on his appearance? His chess skills are unparalleled, and his poetry is unmatched. Who would dare to underestimate him?"

"That's right! Your Kyoto's top scholar is indeed handsome, but who knows if he's just all looks and no substance?"

"Tch, you haven't seen the brilliance of the greatest talent in Kyoto. He'll leave you ignorant little guys from small places speechless with astonishment!"

"..."

For a moment, the pavilion was divided into two groups of people. One group consisted of local students who felt that Sheng Wenjin was both talented and handsome, and deserved to be called the number one scholar in the world.

Another group consisted of students from other parts of Jiangnan, who naturally felt that only the talented people from their hometowns deserved the title of the number one talent.

Wang Wenjie listened to the discussions behind him, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he still maintained a smile on his face.

He turned to Sheng Wenjin and said with a smile, "Young Master Sheng, I have long admired your name. Since there is still a long time before the poetry gathering begins, I wonder if I would have the honor of exchanging skills with you today?"

Sheng Wenjin raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at Wang Wenjie's seemingly amiable but actually sharp eyes, and understood the other party's intention.

He smiled faintly and said, "Since Young Master Wang is interested, then I shall humbly accept. May I ask what Young Master Wang intends to spar with?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Wang Wenjie's eyes.

"I've long heard that Young Master Sheng is quite accomplished in poetry; there will be plenty of opportunities to learn from him later. But I wonder how good Young Master Sheng's chess skills are?"

"It'll have to do!"

Sheng Wenjin answered calmly.

Upon hearing that it was just a makeshift solution, Wang Wenjie was even more delighted. It seemed that today he would surely be able to make a name for himself in Kyoto by riding on the coattails of the city's top scholar.

If he defeats Sheng Wenjin today, he believes he will be able to win Si Rouxue's heart.

Ever since Wang Wenjie caught a glimpse of Si Rouxue on his way to Beijing, he has been unable to forget her.

That woman was so beautiful that even if she were born mentally challenged, he would still be unable to resist her.

This time, he's determined to have her!

Thinking of this, Wang Wenjie couldn't help but reveal a confident smile.

"Young Master Sheng is quite modest! In that case, shall we play a game?"

Wang Wenjie's smile widened.

"Playing chess! Such a simple game, why would we need the greatest talent in Kyoto! I am enough to play against you!"

Just as Sheng Wenjin was about to agree, Wei Zixun spoke first.

"May I ask who you are?"

Wang Wenjie's plans were disrupted by the sudden appearance of this man, and he was slightly annoyed, but he still had a smile on his face and asked in a friendly tone.

"My name is Wei Zixun, an unknown nobody who's always been at the bottom of the class in the Imperial Academy!"

Wei Zixun straightened his back and shouted loudly, as if being at the very bottom of the class was some kind of awesome thing.

Wei Zixun said this simply to tell Wang Wenjie that there was nothing to be proud of in defeating him, because he was the last in the Imperial Academy's top class, and there were many people better than him.

But if he loses, Wang Wenjie, the number one scholar in Jiangnan, will lose face big time.

After all, even an unknown student from the Imperial Academy could defeat the top scholar in Jiangnan.

That was not only a slap in the face for Wang Wenjie, but also a slap in the face for all the students in Jiangnan.

At this point, some students from Jiangnan became unhappy.

"Hey! You, a loser, dare to compare yourself to the number one scholar in Jiangnan? Do you even deserve it?"

"Exactly, are all students in Kyoto this arrogant?"

"Heh! These days, there are so many people who overestimate their abilities!"

"..."