Old Master Xu smiled slightly, looked around, and said loudly, "Today's competition is divided into three rounds: poetry, mathematics, and classical texts, with five questions in each round. Each side will send one person to answer the questions. Those who answer correctly will score points, and the one with the highest score at the end will win."

The Imperial Academy sent a student named Chen Ziyu, who was about eighteen years old. His eyes revealed a hint of arrogance, clearly indicating that he was one of the best students in the Imperial Academy.

Daiyu calmly rose, bowed to the old scholar Xu, and then stood quietly to the side with a serene expression.

---

The first round was a poetry competition.

The old scholar Xu stroked his long beard and said slowly, "The first question is to compose a poem on the spot with the theme of 'Spring', within half an incense stick's time limit."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ziyu immediately picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, pondered for a moment, and then wrote down:

"Spring Comes"

Spring breeze caresses the willows, green as smoke.

Swallows return to their old nests.

Strolling leisurely through the small garden, the path is lined with flowers.

My heart dances with the butterflies, filled with joy.

After the poem was completed, everyone nodded in approval.

Chen Ziyu glanced smugly at Daiyu, only to see that she was still deep in thought and had not yet picked up her pen.

Only after the incense had burned halfway did Daiyu pick up her brush and write:

Spring Thoughts

The drizzle dampens the flowing light, and the fragrant blossoms have yet to fade.

Swallows chatter in the wind, still carrying the fragrance of bygone days.

A light chill lingers outside the curtains in the spring air; the night stretches long before the lamp.

Who pities me, standing alone in the secluded path, facing the setting sun?

The poem was completed, and the room fell silent.

Old Master Xu carefully read through the poem, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes: "Miss Lin's poem has a profound artistic conception and uses allusions naturally, making it even better."

The crowd then came to their senses and erupted in applause.

Chen Ziyu's expression changed slightly, but he still forced himself to remain calm.

In the next four questions, Daiyu won with her ingenuity.

Whether expressing aspirations through objects or conveying emotions through scenery, each poem showcases talent far beyond his years.

While Chen Ziyu occasionally produces excellent lines, he has never been able to match her.

After five questions, Daiyu won the first round with an overwhelming advantage.

---

The second competition was in mathematics.

Old Master Xu took out a scroll of questions and slowly unfurled it: "The second round is mathematics, and all five questions must be answered on the spot."

The first question is a complex problem involving the calculation of land area, which involves the Pythagorean theorem and proportional distribution.

Chen Ziyu took the question, frowned, and buried himself in calculations for a long time before finally arriving at the answer.

Daiyu, however, only hesitated for a moment before writing down the solution steps. Her answer was the same as Chen Ziyu's, but her process was more concise and clear.

Old Master Xu nodded approvingly: "Miss Lin's solution is ingenious, saving redundant steps, which is truly rare."

The second question is a "chicken and rabbit in the same cage" problem.

Chen Ziyu methodically set up the equations to solve the problem, while Daiyu directly calculated the answer in her mind and said softly, "Twenty-three chickens and twelve rabbits."

The crowd gasped in surprise, and the old scholar Xu clapped his hands and laughed, "Wonderful! Miss Lin can calculate this in her mind!"

The next three questions gradually increase in difficulty, involving square root calculations and interest calculations.

Cold sweat gradually beaded on Chen Ziyu's forehead, and his problem-solving speed slowed down noticeably.

Daiyu, however, remained calm and composed throughout, completing each question at top speed with perfect accuracy.

After five questions, Chen Ziyu was exhausted, while Daiyu once again emerged victorious.

---

The third round of debate on classics and doctrines

The old scholar Xu took out a copy of the Analects and solemnly said, "The last section is on the interpretation of the classics, testing your understanding of the way of the sages."

The first question is to explain "A gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity".

Chen Ziyu quoted extensively from classical texts and spoke eloquently, expounding on the principles of how a gentleman should interact with others.

Daiyu smiled slightly and replied, "A gentleman is harmonious yet different, like a zither and a lute playing in harmony, their notes different yet playing in perfect harmony."

The same principle applies to governing a country; only through the free exchange of ideas can a nation achieve greatness.

Her answer not only closely followed the classics but also combined theory with practice, which made the old scholar Xu nod repeatedly.

The second question is to analyze the saying "Learning without thinking is futile".

Chen Ziyu recited Zhu Xi's annotations verbatim.

Daiyu, however, said: "Learning is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Thinking is like a bright lamp illuminating the night; if it's not lit, it goes dark. Both are indispensable; only then can one be considered a true learner."

Her insights are unique and refreshing.

The third question explores the concept of "benevolence and love for others".

Chen Ziyu's answer was conventional, while Daiyu started with the structure of the character "仁" (ren, benevolence) and extended it to the realm of "the benevolent person regards heaven and earth and all things as one body," revealing wisdom beyond her age in her words.

For the last two questions, Chen Ziyu was exhausted and her answers began to look weak.

Daiyu, however, became more and more courageous in the competition, able to draw on a wide range of sources for each question, demonstrating her profound knowledge of classical studies.

After five questions, the outcome was decided.

Finally, the old scholar Xu stood up and announced: "The three rounds of competition are over, and Miss Lin Daiyu has won all three!"

Before he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted in the teahouse.

The students of the Imperial College were ashen-faced, and Chen Ziyu was especially ashamed, bowing his head in silence.

Yan Tingzhi gazed at Daiyu from afar, his eyes filled with admiration. He sighed softly, "Only today do I truly understand what it means to be 'a woman who is no less than a man.'"

Ninth Prince Yinzhen waved his fan and laughed, "This Daiyu is truly remarkable!"

The Tenth Prince, Yinzhen, nodded repeatedly: "The Imperial Academy has really suffered a setback this time."

Lin Ruhai stood in the crowd, his eyes filled with pride.

He said softly, "My good daughter, I am so proud of you."

Daiyu bowed to everyone, her expression remaining calm.

She said softly, "Today's victory was merely a matter of exchanging knowledge, so I hope you will not take it to heart."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards Lin Yun, and the mother and daughter smiled at each other.

The competition at Qingfeng Teahouse came to an end, but Daiyu's talent became renowned throughout the capital, attracting many scholars to write poems to propose marriage.