He pondered for a moment.
The Confucian scholar of the academy seemed to have his brows furrowed into a single line, clearly engrossed in the difficulty of composing this couplet.
Ye Tian thought that this girl Liu Rushi from the Western Regions was indeed cunning and vicious. Although this couplet could not be called an absolute masterpiece, it was still extremely difficult to compose.
Testing one's quick wit in a short time is extremely difficult. Even renowned scholars from academies might not be able to come up with a matching couplet.
However, they did save face for the academy by saying that it was something they saw on a stone. Even if they couldn't come up with a matching answer, it wouldn't lead to gossip or unpleasant rumors that the entire academy was defeated by a courtesan.
Ye Tian, being a reborn transmigrator, naturally knew the matching line of this couplet. However, it was indeed somewhat inappropriate to show off among a group of renowned scholars from the academy.
Normally, this would be fine, but since the Confucian scholars of the academy recently saved him, it's obviously not a good idea to do this.
"Ahem." The many Confucian scholars in the academy looked at each other, all somewhat embarrassed.
Ye Tian wore a bright smile, a stark contrast to the furrowed brows of the scholar.
It is extremely eye-catching.
Kong Chan immediately looked over and asked, "Fellow Daoist, with such a smile, you must have already figured out the answer to this question. Although a mere couplet cannot stump the great scholars of the academy, Fellow Daoist Ye's quick wit is superior to ours."
Old Kong was truly eloquent; with a single sentence, he both saved the academy's face and put Ye Tian in a bind, unable to advance or retreat. Only by composing a matching couplet and accepting this overwhelming fame could the academy and he avoid mutual destruction within the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution).
Once Ye Tian understood the reasoning, he chuckled and said, "Coincidentally, I do know how to compose a matching couplet for this one. Bring me some paper and pen."
The madam paused slightly. Liu Ru had used this trick to stop countless meetings that she couldn't refuse. She thought that this group of great scholars would also fail, but she didn't expect that this young boy Ye Tian would actually dare to say that he could do it.
Although she didn't believe it, she didn't dare to show any disrespect and said with a smile, "I'll go and get some paper and pen right away."
The calligraphy brush was made of ox yak wood, hard yet powerful, and complemented by soft ink. Ye Tian had been reborn early and had lived in this world for many years, with the foundation of his old hard-pen calligraphy style. Therefore, his calligraphy was naturally exceptionally good.
He wrote a line of small characters on the paper in an unbroken stream: "Deep lamps, deep village, temple bells."
"Take this and give it to Liu Rushi," Ye Tian said, handing it to the madam.
The madam stared at the handwriting on the paper, momentarily stunned. Kong Chan glanced at it, stroked his beard, and couldn't help but nod in satisfaction. Although it was a cleverly chosen couplet, its meaning perfectly matched the original, albeit also cleverly chosen, first line.
Most importantly, the academy's reputation can be preserved.
The madam took the paper and hurriedly swayed her round, pert buttocks as she left the place.
"Fellow Daoist Ye is indeed a man of great talent," Kong Chan praised.
Ye Tian himself felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this; it was utterly ridiculous flattery. He had merely copied a few clever couplets; to the great Confucian scholars of the academy, this was nothing more than a trivial matter.
If it weren't for his grand ambitions, no one would praise him.
Ye Tian was well aware of all this, so he simply smiled modestly and shook his head humbly.
Before an incense stick had burned out, the middle-aged madam returned, swaying her slender waist, and invited with a smile, "Miss Liu Rushi invites you into her boudoir for a chat."
Kong Chan and Chen Zhang, along with several other Confucian scholars from the academy, looked at Ye Tian with amusement and amusement in their expressions.
"A bunch of lewd old men," Ye Tian muttered to himself, but he walked in with great curiosity, the air filled with fragrance.
Lifting the curtains and fragrant veils, Liu Rushi sat cross-legged, gently preparing tea. Her red lips were vibrant, and a smile revealed dimples. Her face was slender yet radiant, her skin as white and smooth as jade. Her eyes were captivating, brimming with allure. Her hairpins were black and flowing, and her clothing, far from Central Asian in style, had a distinct Western influence. Her alluring figure was concealed by silk robes, her navel partially exposed. On the crimson sandalwood table lay a mysterious veil, just removed.
"Scholar, please come in," she said in a clear, captivating voice.
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