Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Zhao Yunqi carefully picked up Xiao Zhixing's calligraphy and turned to face everyone.
He sang with the loudest and most solemn voice of his life:
"To establish a moral compass for heaven and earth!"
"To establish a life for the people!"
"To carry on the lost learning of the sages!"
"To usher in an era of peace for all generations!"
boom!
Zhang Zai's four lines of poetry emerged out of nowhere, shaking the ages!
No one cares whether it conforms to the rules of classical Chinese poetry, no one cares whether it is appropriate to use it in this competition, and no one cares that the signature below is not Xiao Zhixing but Mr. Hengqu.
It is the brightest star at this moment.
From this day forward, it will shine brightly in the historical timeline of the Great Sheng Dynasty and the Qian Yuan Continent, overlooking the changing world.
[Yellow comment: Aaaaaahhhhhh——]
[Yellow comment: Aww, my favorite line!!]
[Yellow comment: It is the most dazzling pearl, the highest faith of our generation, and the most devout ideal of countless righteous people!]
[Yellow bullet comment: Shining through the ages, unmatched!]
[Red comment: Please allow us to pay our highest respects for the privilege of witnessing such a timeless line!]
[Green comments: Taking screenshots like crazy—]
Xiao Zhixing smiled as she watched the usually reserved old men excitedly pass around her calligraphy, as if on a pilgrimage.
Li Xiao was the first to notice something amiss. "Your Highness, what's wrong with this signature?"
Xiao Zhixing bowed to the sky and said, “Master Hengqu Zhang Zai was my deceased mentor. This sentence was dictated to me by him on his deathbed. I hereby write it down for you all, hoping that you will all strive together!”
Feng Yong slapped his thigh hard, "Oh dear, oh dear, such a holy teacher, it is a great regret that we have no chance to meet him!"
The elder couldn't help but ask, "What was your life like, sir? I am willing to write a book about you to be remembered for generations to come!"
Xiao Zhixing solemnly expressed his gratitude, "My mentor's background is a mystery. When I was young, he would only meet with me on the full moon of each month to give me some guidance."
"I once asked my mentor about his background. He just smiled and said that he was a free man who came and went freely throughout the ages. He often said, 'A little bit of noble spirit, a thousand miles of pleasant wind.'"
Everyone listened with rapt attention.
"Immortal, oh immortal, with a heart as vast as the ocean, so free and unrestrained, we are but mortals." Feng Yong sighed.
Li Xiao sighed, "Back then, the prince refused my instruction, saying that he already had a great teacher, a saintly one. I was too proud and arrogant."
Xiao Zhixing coughed dryly, her lips pressed together; she was about to reach her limit.
Zhao Yunqi carefully rolled up the scroll himself, his face full of gentleness. "Yuansheng, I will frame this scroll and hang it in the Qiansheng Hall. What do you think?"
Xiao Zhixing suppressed a laugh, "It is my honor."
She paused, then asked, "What about this competition?"
Zhao Yunqi, beaming, waved his hand and said, "Of course you won. By my imperial decree, you are permitted to study at the Gentleman's Academy."
With the emergence of Zhang Zai's four lines, even the emperor would benefit from it, and her entry into the Gentleman's Courtyard would be more than enough.
Xiao Zhixing walked up to him, then suddenly bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle, saying, "Your Majesty, I have another request!"
Everyone was astonished. They remembered clearly that Xiao Zhixing had never bowed to the emperor like this before; at most, he would cup his hands and stand upright.
Zhao Yunqi's smile faded. "Yuan Sheng, why such a grand gesture? Tell me what you seek."
Xiao Zhixing looked up and pointed to the girls standing behind him. “Their talents in this battle are no less than those of any scholar. Your Majesty, I request that you allow them to enroll in the Gentlemen’s Academy with me.”
Everyone was surprised, yet felt it was perfectly reasonable.
Xiao Zhixing has always been this kind of person: protective of his own and willing to share joys and sorrows with others. This kind of character is especially precious.
It seems that after hearing Zhang Zai's four lines, they no longer see her as so arrogant and domineering.
Everyone looked at the several beautiful young women, each with their own unique charm and elegance. They were like plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, chrysanthemums, and the beauty of nature, truly embodying the splendor of a prosperous era.
Lin Rushu and the others were completely bewildered upon hearing this, and immediately rushed over and knelt down in unison, saying, "Your Highness, you don't need to do this."
Li Wenxiu nodded, "We joined the battle to help you and let the world know that Prince Yuansheng is not fighting alone. We are all women, and we will always support you."
Xiao Zhixing smiled broadly, “I never take back what I say. Your help is genuine, and my willingness to reciprocate is also genuine.”
"I, Xiao Zhixing, deeply desire and am willing to become your classmates and close friends!"
The girls couldn't help but feel a lump in their throats.
Zhao Xi hummed, "I, I, okay, I'm willing too."
Zhao Xianyin chuckled, "I'm very happy to get to know all of you sisters."
Mu Wan's usually aloof face flushed slightly. "If possible, Mu Wan would also be willing."
Feng Zhen'er rolled up her sleeves and said, "There's nothing to say. I, Feng Zhen'er, am determined to follow such an extraordinary woman as Your Highness."
Everyone looked at the emperor.
Zhao Yunqi glanced at the seven girls, his expression complex.
The elder could not help but say, “Your Majesty, today Hengqu’s four lines are astonishing, and seven women are exceptionally talented and their deep affection is touching. This can be a great story for our Great Sheng for all time. Please grant them their wish.”
Huo Baijun and Xiong Chumo cupped their hands and said, "Your Majesty, we are willing to become classmates with the seven young ladies."
Nian Chenghan and Mu Zixi also bowed, saying, "It is our honor."
Li Jun, Liu Zizai, Zhang Zhong, and the others remained silent, but neither did they voice their opposition.
The other ministers all clasped their hands in approval.
Xiao Zhixing listened to the Emperor System's booming voice, "No! No! Gentleman's Academy is the supreme institution of learning, the place that will produce future emperors!"
"One Xiao Zhixing is enough. Bringing in so many more women is an attempt to defile the Gentleman's Courtyard!" it almost roared.
Zhao Yunqi calmly asked, "Then what do you suggest? Should I just refuse?"
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