Seeing An An challenging him, Xiao Bao naturally replied with his hands on his hips in a defiant tone:
"Let's compare. If we're going to compare, let's compare a bigger one, okay?"
He pondered for a moment, then continued, "How about this: whoever loses becomes a puppy and barks like a puppy."
An An blinked cunningly a few times, then raised her head proudly.
"Okay, then it's a deal. Whoever loses gets to bark like a puppy, and whoever cheats gets to be the puppy."
Seeing the two children deadlocked here, Luo Lan hurriedly comforted them softly:
"An An, Xiao Bao is younger than you, you have to let him go."
Leng Xi sat there frowning, and said in a cold and unconvinced voice:
"Age doesn't necessarily indicate academic attainment. Since you two children are so determined to compete, let's have a competition. Just treat it as a way to liven up today's lunch and let Father see if you have real talent and knowledge, not just empty talk."
"I'm not bragging. I can do it. Xiaobao may not be able to do it. But Xiaobao can't do it, but I can do it all."
"You're bragging! My father said I'll become the smartest and most knowledgeable person in Daning Kingdom in the future. You're just a girl. You'll get married sooner or later. What's the point of being knowledgeable?"
"What's wrong with being a girl? My mother said that Hua Mulan was able to join the army in her father's place, and Mu Guiying was also able to lead the army into battle. They are both girls, and I can be as brave as them!"
"Okay, stop arguing."
The emperor saw the two children quarreling endlessly, and immediately frowned in displeasure.
"It's not even a peaceful meal, you're arguing all the time. How disgraceful!"
Seeing the emperor speak, Concubine Li pursed her lips, raised her handkerchief to wipe her fingers, raised her eyebrows and said disdainfully:
"An An, girls should be more quiet, otherwise they won't be able to get married in the future."
An An pouted, rolled her eyes in displeasure, and said:
"Xiaobao is too flamboyant. Why don't you talk to him? Why do you have to pick on a girl like me? What's wrong with me being quiet?"
Her words of retort made Concubine Li's face turn pale instantly. Lele, who was sitting on the side, blinked and muttered:
"An An, you can't talk to adults like that because you're a child. Even if you're right, others will think you're impolite. You can't stand Xiao Bao being so arrogant. You can use the knowledge you've learned to convince him instead of just arguing here. How about this, you two compete in poetry recitation!"
As soon as Lele said this, Concubine Li's face became even uglier. Such a young child's words were so sharp, and she couldn't confront him. This really made her feel like a dumb person eating bitter medicine, unable to speak.
Leng Yu, who had been silent all this time, cleared his throat and said:
"An An, if you have the ability to win over others, you can challenge them. If not, don't try to show off. Many times, those who argue are the least capable."
An An looked at Leng Yu and said seriously:
"Dad, I don't want to challenge others. I just can't stand some people who like to brag and be arrogant."
Hearing An An say this, Xiao Bao, who was sitting on the side, suddenly blushed in displeasure and shouted angrily:
"Who are you calling arrogant? You want to compete? Then let's compete. Whoever loses will not only bark like a dog, but also crawl like a dog. How about that?"
An An also stared at him with her hands on her hips, unconvinced. "Okay, then it's a deal. Whoever loses and barks like a dog will be the puppy."
The amusement between the two children actually piqued the emperor's interest. He waved his hands with interest.
"Well, since you're so interested, how about we have a couplet competition and I'll be the judge?"
Seeing this, An An and Xiao Bao bowed together and said:
"Thank you, Grandpa Huang."
After seeing the emperor nod, An An was the first to speak:
"Then let my dad come up with the first couplet, and we can match it up."
Xiaobao stared at him with his eyes wide open, unconvinced.
"No, let the emperor come up with the first couplet, and we'll do it. Whoever comes up with the answer first, neatly and smoothly, wins."
An An twitched his nose and raised his eyebrows in disdain.
"Okay, then I'll have to trouble Grandpa Huang."
The emperor narrowed his eyes slightly, nodded, and pondered for a while. After a while, he slowly said the first couplet:
"Spring is everywhere, and joyful songs are heard everywhere."
Xiaobao was the first to raise his hand and answer:
"Good fortune comes to the family, and joy is overflowing."
"good."
Concubine Li was the first to smile widely and clapped her hands joyfully. Leng Xi and Yu Qiaoqiao also had proud expressions on their faces.
An An looked at him with disdain, "You only got one answer right, what's there to be happy about?"
The emperor calmed down and continued:
"A myriad of colors, a hundred flowers bloom."
This time An An answered first:
"Three rivers and four seas, abundant harvests."
"good."
This time, several maids from Prince Yu's Mansion also applauded. Luo Lan looked at An An and smiled at her. Leng Yu also had a gentle smile on his face.
After Xiaobao secretly glared at An An, he turned his face to the emperor and waited for him to come up with the next couplet.
After a while, they each had three couplets and ended up in a tie.
The Emperor looked at the two of them, waved his hand and said:
"These two children are now evenly matched. If they continue to compete like this, I'm afraid there will be no result. How about this? Let Prince Xi and Prince Yu each come up with a couplet, and let the other's children answer it. Whoever answers quickly and neatly will win. Yu'er, you go first."
Leng Yu thought for a while with a serious expression after hearing this, and then slowly said:
"The first line: The sounds of pine, bamboo, bells, and chimes, each sound is free and at ease;"
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
