Chapter 182: The Romantic Debts Caused
Seeing this, Cheng Fang stood up and stood in front of Jiang Ling and Jiao Jiao, his face so dark it could drip water: "Liu Wan'er, watch your words! Miss Jiang is a guest of the Cheng family. If you speak rudely again, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Wan'er's anger intensified.
"Am I wrong? She's just from the countryside! She probably hasn't read many books, right? She might not even know all the characters! What's so good about her?"
"You!" Cheng Fang was furious, but he was helpless against her.
Jiang Ling sensed something was amiss upon hearing this, and then she noticed the confrontational expressions on their faces.
Then it dawned on me!
Well, Cheng Fang, you bastard!
So it turns out you're the one who got into trouble with your love affairs and you're taking it out on me!
What an undeserved disaster!
He mentally cursed Cheng Fang a hundred times over!
At such a young age, she's already trying to attract romantic attention!
Having her pride shattered like this, if she continues to back down, it will only further solidify her image as an "uneducated country bumpkin."
Although she did not complete sixteen years of schooling, she is still a modern youth who has received twelve years of all-round education in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics and labor!
Jiang Ling gently pushed Cheng Fang's arm away, took a step forward, a calm smile on her face, and spoke in a calm yet clear tone:
“Miss Liu, the way of poetry lies in expressing one’s spirit and depicting the world, not in competing and fighting, much less in using it as a tool to attack others.”
"If you can't beat them, you can't beat them. Why make up these nonsense?!" Liu Wan'er didn't speak, but the young lady in green behind her spoke up instead.
Jiang Ling paused, her gaze sweeping over the talented men and beautiful women around her who were waiting to see her make a fool of herself.
"Although I come from the countryside and have not read much, I know that 'poetry expresses one's aspirations and songs prolong one's words.' Since Miss Liu insists on testing me, then I will make a fool of myself."
Having memorized Tang and Song dynasty poems since childhood, composing a poem is no challenge for her.
At this moment, even the wind seemed to stand still, with only the occasional soft sound of maple leaves falling.
All eyes were on the woman who had just been ridiculed as a "country girl" and said she "might not even know all the characters."
Cheng Fang looked at her nervously, his palms slightly sweaty; "Miss Jiang, there's no need to be troubled. This is a feud between my Cheng family and the Liu family, and it has nothing to do with you."
He feared that Jiang Ling was not good at poetry and that if she forced herself to speak up, she would only make a fool of herself.
Cheng Jiaojiao, however, believed that her sister Jiang was omniscient and omnipotent; "Clean your ears and listen carefully! Listen to what a masterpiece is!"
Xiao Ran and Xiao Yi held their breath.
Before they came, Jiang Ling had told them that there were many important figures in the capital, and they should be careful with their words and actions, so they were always cautious.
They knew perfectly well that Sister Jiang was being harassed, but they had no way to help her.
Liu Wan'er was taken aback for a moment, then sneered: "You really dare to say that! If you make a complete mess of things, don't embarrass the Cheng family here!"
Jiang Ling ignored her sarcasm and turned her gaze to the red leaves covering the mountains not far away.
Deep within the red maple forest, there stands a yellowed thatched hut, from which wisps of smoke rise.
After a moment's hesitation, she took a soft breath and slowly began to speak:
"A winding stone path leads up the cold mountain, where white clouds rise and houses appear."
"I stop my carriage to admire the maple forest at dusk; the frosted leaves are redder than February flowers."
Once the poem was recited, the entire room fell silent.
The talented scholar surnamed Li, who had just been reciting poetry, couldn't help but repeat in a low voice: "I stop my carriage to admire the maple forest at dusk; the frosted leaves are redder than the flowers of February..."
This poem presents a moving picture of autumn scenery in the mountains and forests, with mountain paths, houses, white clouds, and red leaves forming a harmonious and unified scene...
By contrasting the vibrant flowers of February with the maple leaves of autumn, the poem praises the maple leaves for their ever-growing redder color and vigorous vitality after weathering the storms.
After a brief silence, cheers erupted from the crowd!
"This poem has a novel concept and an ingenious structure; it's wonderful!"
"A few words perfectly capture the essence of autumn maple leaves, making it a feast for the eyes!"
"The frost-touched leaves are redder than the flowers of February; they are far superior to those flowery sentences we just heard!" an old man commented.
Liu Wan'er stood frozen in place, the color draining from her face little by little.
The women behind her were also silent, not daring to utter a single word.
They had initially thought she was just an uneducated country girl, but when she produced this poem, it was far more elegant than many of the works of talented scholars they had ever heard of.
Cheng Jiaojiao excitedly grabbed Jiang Ling's arm, her voice filled with triumphant joy: "Sister Jiang! You're amazing!"
Cheng Fang looked at Jiang Ling, his eyes filled with amazement and complex emotions.
He knew Jiang Ling was intelligent, but he didn't expect her to be so accomplished in poetry.
Jiang Ling just smiled faintly. Fortunately, she remembered a few Tang poems about maple leaves, otherwise she would really be in a difficult situation today.
I quoted a line from Lord Du's poem, hoping he won't take offense.
Cheng Jiaojiao raised her head and pressed her advantage against Liu Wan'er, "How about it? Want to compete again? Our Sister Jiang is always ready to play!"
Liu Wan'er's face flushed red and then turned pale, her previous arrogance completely gone.
She dared not compete again; the song she had just recited was one she had copied.
Knowing they were coming to Xishan to admire the autumn leaves today, I specially planned this scheme.
Jiang Ling's poem not only fits the scene perfectly, but also exudes a calm and composed air. Even if she racked her brains, she might not be able to come up with such lines.
Seeing that everyone was looking at her, Liu Wan'er felt embarrassed and glared at Cheng Fang.
"Tch, it's nothing special! Let's go!"
Cheng Jiaojiao made a face at her back.
Cheng breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes full of apology as he looked at Jiang Ling: "Miss Jiang, I'm sorry to have troubled you today."
Jiang Ling's tone was slightly teasing: "Young Master Cheng should probably deal with his own romantic entanglements first, otherwise, if someone causes me trouble again, I might not be able to save the day with a poem every time."
Cheng Fang's face stiffened: "Don't worry, Miss Jiang, this will not happen again."
Just as they were about to say something, a young man dressed in a moon-white brocade robe slowly walked up to them.
This young man was about twenty years old, with a handsome face, a scholarly air about him, and a composed and proper demeanor.
He walked up to Jiang Ling, first bowing respectfully to her with his hands clasped in greeting, his voice clear and gentle:
"My name is Su Wenxuan. I just heard of your wonderful work, Miss, and I am truly amazed. 'Stopping the carriage to admire the maple forest at dusk, the frosted leaves are redder than the flowers of February.' This single line is novel in its conception and lofty in its realm, vividly expressing the splendor of autumn and the passion of life, which is truly admirable. I have come here with the humble wish of asking for your name, hoping to make your acquaintance."
The Su family was a well-known "scholarly family" in the capital, with three of their ancestors having achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations.
Unfortunately, it's unclear whether it was because later generations indulged in pleasure or because the ancestors' good fortune ran out.
The younger generation in the clan has become less and less promising. Even Su Wenxuan, who was once considered the most promising, only managed to pass the imperial examination.
Compared to the glory of its ancestors, it can be said to have declined.
Jiang Ling was slightly taken aback, and Cheng Fang had already stepped forward half a step to the side, shielding Jiang Ling behind him, his expression showing a hint of vigilance.
Jiang Ling snapped out of her daze and, seeing no hostility in the other person's eyes, returned the greeting gracefully.
"Young Master Su, you flatter me. It was just a casual recitation and nothing to speak of. My surname is Jiang, and my given name is Ling. You may simply call me Jiang Ling."
"Jiang Ling... truly lives up to her name, possessing exceptional beauty and talent." Su Wenxuan repeated with a smile.
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