After pondering for a moment, Shen Qiyin, under Shen Yaozu's expectant gaze, reiterated his earlier words: "Qingtong Academy? Second brother, no offense, but is that a place for someone with a brain like yours to get into?"

“I…” Shen Yaozu almost fainted from anger at her words.

What do you mean by "a brain like his"? That's incredibly vulgar!

Shen Qiyin: "It's not that I look down on my brother, but I heard that to enter Qing Tong Academy, you have to take an entrance exam, and only those who pass will be accepted."

"There is such a requirement, but there are exceptions."

"It is said that the young master of the Ningguo Duke's mansion did not participate in the entrance examination that day and became a student there directly. It is said that he met the question left by the Grand Tutor that year and amazed the world, so the academy made an exception and accepted him."

Shen Xiyin also knew about this.

The old tutor's first line of the couplet was: "Smoke locks the willows by the pond."

It consists of only five characters, yet each character incorporates elements of the five elements, and its profound meaning inspires contemplation.

She once secretly recited a line: "Peach blossoms illuminate the Jinjiang River embankment."

She felt good about herself.

It wasn't until she heard Xiao Yan's matching couplet that she realized his reputation in the capital was well-deserved.

Smoke shrouds the willows by the pond.

The lights are extinguished at Jiangba Bridge.

Not only does it match the artistic conception and all five elements are present, but even the order of the radicals is exactly the same!

This couplet caused a sensation in the capital!

After that, Qing Tong Academy added an unwritten rule: whoever could match the first line of the couplet left by Xiao Yan that day could be admitted to the academy without taking the exam, just like he had done back then.

Shen Yaozu is now planning to do just that.

"The first line of the couplet given by Young Master Xiao was, 'Looking over the river tower, looking... I forgot...'"

Shen Qiyin: "Are you saying that I wronged you by saying you're not smart?"

"That was..."

Before Shen Yaozu could finish speaking, Shen Qiyin continued, "Looking at the river from Wangjiang Tower, looking at the river below Wangjiang Tower, the river tower is eternal, the river is eternal."

"Yes! That's it!" His eyes gleamed with undisguised excitement. He momentarily forgot about Shen Qiyin's earlier comment that he wasn't good-natured, and looked at her expectantly: "Yin'er, can you come up with the matching line?"

Shen Qiyin smiled faintly: "Yes, you can."

"Really?!" Shen Yaozu was overjoyed.

"Really." She nodded, but then changed the subject, saying, "But why should I tell you?"

Shen Yaozu's joyful expression immediately froze on his face.

This time, however, he was very cooperative and immediately said, "As long as you can give me a matching couplet, whatever your request is, I'll agree to it!"

She suddenly looked up: "Brother, are you really willing to grant any request?"

"Of course."

"Then brother, go to hell."

Shen Qiyin gazed deeply at him, her clear eyes revealing a chilling intensity, yet her smile grew even brighter: "Is that alright?"