"Smoke shrouds by the pond and willows?"
Mu Zian's voice echoed in everyone's ears.
The scholar in the yellow robe who had spoken earlier smiled.
"Isn't it just 'smoke shrouding the willows by the pond'? Too simple!"
“I…”
The scholar in the yellow robe was about to speak, but in an instant, his voice seemed to get stuck in his throat.
"Smoke shrouds the willows by the pond..."
"Smoke shrouds the pond and willows..."
Suddenly, as if he had discovered something, the smile on his face vanished instantly, replaced by endless fear.
"This...this is impossible!"
In an instant, all the Confucian scholars from the State of Zhao present were stunned.
These five seemingly simple words actually have no solution!
Just as these Confucian scholars were stunned, someone in the vicinity of the Hanlin Academy exclaimed in surprise.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!"
"This scene of mist-shrouded willows by the pond may seem simple, but it is actually full of profound mysteries."
"These five characters implicitly contain the principles of the Five Elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth!"
"Not only that, but these five simple words also depict a scene of mist shrouding a pond and willow branches swaying gently, with a profound and beautiful artistic conception."
"The word 'smoke' is a noun, while the word 'lock' is a verb; the contrast between movement and stillness complements each other perfectly!"
"The Duke of Zhenguo is truly a man of great talent!"
After this explanation, everyone finally understood.
Prince Fuyang, a member of the Zhao delegation, was furious when he saw his scholars standing there like wooden blocks.
"Speak up! Aren't you all usually so eloquent? Why are you all mute now!"
However, no matter how much Prince Fuyang shouted and cursed, these Confucian scholars from Zhao all lowered their heads and remained silent.
Mu Zian smiled confidently.
Compared to the sun, moon, and stars, this misty pond and willows are truly the most difficult couplet to compose in the world!
The misty willows by the pond seem simple, but they are incredibly profound.
As the scholar just mentioned, it not only contains the principles of the Five Elements, but also features exquisite word embedding and profound artistic conception.
The first line consists of five characters, each containing a radical representing one of the five elements, and its artistic conception is exquisite.
It seems simple and easy to solve, but it is actually the most difficult problem in the world.
Even in later generations, it would be difficult to come up with such a perfect matching couplet!
At this moment, for the Confucian scholars of Zhao, having it pulled out by Mu Zi'an was like a game-changer!
These Confucian scholars from the State of Zhao are about to burst into tears.
Who would have thought there were still masters in the world!
Even if they were given a year, they might not be able to come up with a matching line for these five simple characters.
Moreover, since this is an imperial banquet, they are unlikely to have much time to think.
The civil and military officials, who were initially furious at Mu Zi'an's arrogance, now all looked at him with admiration.
In contrast, these Confucian scholars from the State of Zhao were all sweating profusely, like frightened quails.
Mu Zian asked.
"How much longer must you all wait? Or perhaps we also need to send this first line of the couplet by our Duke to the Zhao State Academy?"
Upon hearing this, a burst of laughter erupted in the hall.
"The Duke of Zhenguo is truly a genius! Our Great Zhao has lost this exchange!"
Song Min's voice suddenly came.
Even if I had a lot of resentment in my heart, I could only suppress it at this moment.
Song Min understood that it was impossible for these people alone to come up with a matching couplet for the pond shrouded in mist.
Rather than continuing to embarrass themselves by stubbornly refusing to admit defeat, it would be better to admit defeat sooner rather than later and still retain some dignity.
Xiao Yu laughed heartily from his throne.
That smile swept away all the pent-up frustration in my chest!
Xiao Yu looked at Mu Zi'an, who stood proudly in the center of the hall, and grew to like him more and more.
Sitting next to Xiao Yu, Shen Yunrong gazed at Mu Zi'an through the beaded curtain with a deep and resentful look.
A strange emotion seemed to rise in his eyes.
Song Min took a deep breath, got up and walked to the center of the hall.
He glanced at the few trembling Zhao Confucian scholars and said in a deep voice.
"Aren't you going to get down here? Do you want to keep making a fool of yourself on the ground?"
The Zhao scholars quickly turned and left as if they had been granted a pardon.
Seeing the dejected look on the faces of the group, Prince Fuyang immediately flew into a rage.
"Useless! Useless! All of you are useless!"
"Aren't you all supposed to be geniuses, one in a hundred years in my Zhao Kingdom? How come you've been rendered speechless by one person?"
The few Confucian scholars who were still somewhat conscious lowered their heads, their faces ashen, and bowed.
"We beg Your Highness to punish Mu Zi'an, for he is no ordinary man! We are no match for him at all."
Prince Fuyang felt like his head was about to explode!
At this moment, in the main hall, Song Min bowed to Xiao Yu on the dragon throne.
"I only knew that the weapons of the Great Li were sharp, but I did not expect that their literary talent was also outstanding."
"Today's duel was lost by my Great Zhao. I am willing to accept defeat. From this day forward, I will serve as the Duke of Zhenguo's maid for three days."
Having said that, under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Dressed in a long dress, Song Min, who looked like a fairy, slowly walked to the seat where Mu Zi'an was sitting and then sat down.
Everyone who witnessed this scene was stunned into silence.
Even Xiao Yu, who was on the dragon throne, was slightly surprised when he saw this.
It has to be said that this courage and boldness alone puts him far ahead of many others.
At this moment, Song Min remained calm and composed despite the gazes directed at her from all around.
This made Mu Zian feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Your fiancée is right next to you, what the hell do you mean by suddenly sitting down here?
This one move completely caught Mu Zian off guard.
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