"Oh, sister, you are so lucky, you drew the word 'elegant'. I wonder how you will use 'toilet' as the rhyme to write an 'interesting' poem?" Liu Yuru's tone was full of sarcasm and provocation. She was like a victorious rooster, and couldn't wait to see me make a fool of myself.
The nanny also fanned the flames: "Yes, yes, Miss Su is famous for her talent, I believe this little thing will not be difficult for you." The nanny's voice was sarcastic and made people angry.
I stared at those two words quietly, my thoughts instantly returning to my past life. Back then, Liu Yuru had used such despicable tactics to harass me, causing me to lose face in front of everyone. How could I let her succeed again in this life?
I took a deep breath, picked up my brush, dipped it in ink, and slowly scanned the snowman piled outside the corridor. Its adorable form seemed to convey winter joy. Then, my gaze fell on the upside-down wooden barrel in the corner, and an idea suddenly struck me. My brush tip moved lightly across the rice paper, like a nimble dancer on stage. After a moment, I gently put down my brush, smiled, and said, "Excuse me for showing off my skills."
Seeing this, Miss Li quickly picked up the rice paper, cleared her throat, and read:
"It's a cold winter morning, and the toilet makes a clanging sound when you turn it over.
Last night the warm water melted the frozen snow, and today the new water reflects the red sunlight.
Don't laugh at this thing's crude appearance, it actually contains the richness of human life.
Only when all the makeup is washed away can the truth be seen, which is better than the wind blowing through the empty courtyard like falling plum blossoms."
Miss Li's voice was clear and melodious, reciting the poem with rhythmic cadence. After she finished, the corridor fell silent for a moment, as if everyone was still immersed in the poem's wondrous atmosphere. Then, a roar of laughter erupted.
Miss Zhang laughed so hard that she fell backwards, slapped her thigh, and said loudly: "It's amazing! Sister Su's poem describes the toilet as more down-to-earth than the plum blossom!" Miss Zhang's laughter was hearty and loud, echoing in the corridor.
"'The worldly affairs are hidden within'! Well said!" Miss Wu, who has always been low-key, could not help but applaud and praise. Her eyes revealed her appreciation for the poem, "Compared to those sentences that moan without reason, this is what we call 'fun'!" Although Miss Wu's voice was not loud, it was full of power.
Liu Yuru's face turned red and white, and she was shaking with anger. She pointed her finger at me and stammered, "You...you are talking nonsense! How can a toilet be compared with a plum blossom!" Liu Yuru's voice was sharp and harsh, full of anger and unwillingness.
"Why not?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at her fearlessly, my eyes firm and confident. "Only when you experience the world's ups and downs can you understand the world's warmth and coldness. Sister Yuru holds books all day long and pretends to be elegant. I'm afraid you have even forgotten what a toilet looks like?" My words were like sharp arrows, shooting straight at Liu Yuru's vital points.
"You!" Liu Yuru was so angry that she couldn't speak. She stomped her feet, turned around and wanted to leave.
Just then, a gentle laugh echoed from outside the Moon Gate. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a figure in a green robe standing quietly in the snow. The sunlight bathed him in a golden glow, like an immortal descending from the earth. It was none other than Jiang Yan, the newly crowned top scholar. In his hands, he clutched a bamboo flute, slender and simple, as if it held endless stories. A faint smile played upon his lips, a smile so warm and captivating that it seemed to dispel the winter chill.
"Miss Su's poetry is great, Jiang admires her." Jiang Yan's voice was clear and pleasant, like the sound of jade colliding, echoing in the air.
My heart couldn't help but skip a beat, and I thought to myself: Why is he here?
Jiang Yan seemed to see through my thoughts. He walked forward with a leisurely pace, bowed, and had a gentle smile on his face: "I passed by the Li Mansion and heard that there was a 'Wonderful' poetry gathering here, so I wanted to come in and have a cup of hot tea. I didn't expect to have the honor of hearing Miss Su's excellent work 'Toilet'. It was really... refreshing." Jiang Yan's words were full of sincerity and appreciation, and his eyes were shining.
When Liu Yuru saw that it was the top scholar, she immediately put on a shy look and said in a gentle voice: "Mr. Jiang, you are too kind. It's just that my sisters are bored and just fooling around." Liu Yuru's face flushed and her eyes were full of admiration for Jiang Yan.
However, Jiang Yan seemed not to hear Liu Yuru's words. His eyes fell directly on the manuscript of poems on my desk. He looked at the silver butterfly hairpin on my temples and said with a smile, "Miss Su's poem reminds me of a line - 'Everything in the world can be chanted, why be obsessed with plum and pine?'" Jiang Yan's words seemed to be encouragement and support to me, and a warm current surged in my heart.
I looked at the familiar smile in his eyes and suddenly understood - he came here on purpose to support me!
Seeing this, Miss Li hurriedly and warmly greeted him: "Mr. Jiang, please take a seat. It's snowing heavily outside. Have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up." Miss Li's voice was full of enthusiasm and concern.
Jiang Yan smiled and shook his head: "No, I still have to go to the History Museum. It's just..." As he spoke, he took out an oil-paper bag from his sleeve and gently placed it on my desk, "I passed by Zhang's and bought some crabapple cakes. I heard that Miss Su liked it, so I brought some with me." Jiang Yan's movements were gentle and natural, as if this was just an ordinary thing.
Everyone was shocked when they saw this. The newly crowned number one scholar actually sent snacks to the daughter of the prime minister? This was a very serious matter. For a moment, everyone's eyes turned to Jiang Yan and me, their eyes filled with surprise and curiosity.
Liu Yuru's face turned pale as paper in an instant. She stomped her feet in anger and shouted, "Jiang Zhuangyuan, men and women should not touch each other!" Liu Yuru's voice was sharp and harsh, as if she was venting her dissatisfaction and jealousy.
Jiang Yan raised his eyebrows slightly and said calmly: "It's just a few snacks, why are you making such a fuss, Miss Liu? Could it be that... Miss Liu wants to eat some too?" There was a hint of sarcasm in Jiang Yan's words, which made Liu Yuru even more embarrassed.
Liu Yuru was choked and speechless. She glared at me with hatred, as if she wanted to eat me alive. Then, she hurried away with the nanny, her back looking particularly embarrassed.
Jiang Yan looked at their departing backs and whispered, "Miss Su, next time there is such an 'elegant event', could you please inform me in advance? That way I can... come and support you." Jiang Yan's voice was low and gentle, as if he was telling a secret in my ear.
I looked at the bamboo flute in his hands, then at the crabapple cake on the table, and a warm feeling welled up in my heart. Suddenly, I felt that this originally cold snowy day didn't seem so cold anymore. That warm feeling, like the spring sunshine, shone into my heart, making me feel a special kind of warmth and peace of mind. It seemed that in this complex world, with Jiang Yan's support, all difficulties were no longer terrifying. And the turmoil in the poetry club, because of Jiang Yan's appearance, became less troublesome and instead gained a unique sense of fun.
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