manynovel Chapter 580: Ancient Couplet, Genius
Chapter 580: Ancient Couplet, Genius
Then the old lady asked the fifth young lady to write down the first couplet, and asked the servants to copy a copy, and then gave it to Jiang Youzhen to read first. After Jiang Youzhen read and wrote the second couplet, he would show the first couplet to everyone.
Some students were unhappy, but thinking that this was Jiang Youzhen's opportunity, they didn't think it was a big deal.
Jiang Youzhen took the first line and read it, "Nantongzhou in the south, Tongzhou in the north, Nantongzhou in the south and north connect the north and the south." (Source: Ancient Absolute)
She was very surprised. The first couplet was indeed well-balanced, with the north and south corresponding to each other, which was simply wonderful. However, the second couplet was relatively difficult.
The second couplet must be very neat and there should not be any confusion with the first couplet.
If it were any other pair, even if it wasn't perfectly matched, it would still be considered a match, just not very rigorous!
As for this first couplet, there is no way to make it right.
When everyone saw Jiang Youzhen's thoughtful look, they couldn't help but wonder what kind of couplet it was, which stumped Jiang Youzhen.
"Being good at writing essays doesn't mean you're also good at composing couplets. The imperial examinations rely on essays, not poetry and couplets. If Jiang Youzhen can't make a couplet, that's understandable." Someone muttered in a low voice.
"That won't do. Everyone in the world says that Jiang Youzhen is a rare genius that only appears once in a century. Even Senior Brother Tong originally gave the title of child prodigy to Jiang Youzhen. If Jiang Youzhen can't answer the question today, then his reputation is in vain.
After today, even if I win the first prize, what does it matter? I’m afraid I won’t be able to convince the public!”
Although they had no ill will towards Jiang Youzhen, Jiang Youzhen's reputation firmly suppressed them. Moreover, Jiang Youzhen was a candidate for the palace examination, and was their opponent, so naturally they did not want to see Jiang Youzhen steal the show.
Hearing the whispers over there, the female guests also had different expressions.
Some were just watching the fun, while others were anxious. Luo Shurou secretly hated Luo Shumin. Was this little girl waiting for Jiang Youzhen to make a fool of himself?
Even my grandfather couldn't compose this couplet properly, and you want Jiang Youzhen to compose it?
Thinking of this, she glanced at Miss Su Luo Shumin, her eyes full of anger.
After being swept by the old lady's warning eyes, Luo Shumin felt a little regretful. But seeing Luo Shurou like this, he sneered in his heart.
You are so shameless! You haven't even married her yet, and you're already worried. Do you think it's yours? It can't be hers?
Anyway, it's not said whose marriage it is, so why are you protecting it?
After Jiang Youzhen pondered for a moment, an idea suddenly occurred to his mind, and he walked aside, picked up a pen and paper and began to write it down.
She wrote very quickly, almost without having to think, and finished in no time.
"Okay! Mr. Jiang has finished writing, but let's wait until we have read the first couplet and written our own second couplet before we read Jiang Huiyuan's second couplet. Does it make sense to you?"
Luo Jinshu still somewhat favors Jiang Youzhen. If this succeeds, Jiang Youzhen will be his brother-in-law, which would be too embarrassing.
He had seen this first couplet before and discussed it with his elders at home, but no one had come up with a neat second couplet. Fifth Girl was really embarrassed to come up with this first couplet.
Even if Jiang Youzhen wrote the second couplet quickly, the parallelism would definitely not be neat in such a short time, so it was necessary to first suppress and then praise.
When everyone heard this, they were somewhat unhappy. Originally, if they had listened to Jiang Youzhen's second couplet, maybe they would have been inspired and could have come up with a better couplet than Jiang Youzhen. But since Luo Jinshu said so, they couldn't refute it.
Then Luo Jinshu began to read the first couplet. When everyone heard it, they were confused at first, but then they became excited and started discussing it.
"I've never seen such a well-balanced first couplet. It's so difficult to come up with a second couplet!"
"Good! I give up. I'm not good at making pairs."
"You are really a loser. You give up before you even think about it." Someone sneered.
"Then Wang will be waiting for Senior Brother's masterpiece, and I am eagerly awaiting it."
"I didn't expect it to be so difficult. I originally thought Jiang Youzhen was not good at making couplets. It seems that this first line is really difficult."
"Isn't it? But Jiang Youzhen has clearly written the second line just now. No matter what, it's better than what I can't think of. Alas! He has some skills to win two prizes in a row. I am ashamed of myself!"
Everyone was talking about it. Some students were already thinking hard, while others had simply given up and were just waiting to watch the fun.
Jiang Youzhen was very calm, while Tong Huaian was thinking carefully about the second line in his mind. It was not that he wanted to show off, but he thought the couplet was interesting. After all, he was a scholar.
Ke Zhenqiu also fell into deep thought. He glanced at Jiang Youzhen who was drinking tea calmly. It had only been half a cup of tea and Jiang Youzhen had come up with the second couplet. He looked so confident. Jiang Youzhen was indeed capable.
"Okay, a cup of tea has passed. You can write your second line on the paper beside. Today's banquet is tight, so we won't wait any longer."
How could Luo Jinshu have the patience to play couplets with these people? His purpose today was not here, so he announced that the time was up.
Everyone felt sorry. Some students gave up directly, while others struggled to write on paper, but after thinking about it, they crumpled the paper into a ball.
Tong Huaian wrote the second couplet. Wen Ruyu frowned, and after writing two words, he still felt that it was not feasible, so he gave up reluctantly.
As for Ke Zhenqiu, he originally wanted to start writing, but for some reason, he didn't continue.
"Okay! Let's take a look at Jiang Huiyuan first!" Luo Jinshu couldn't wait any longer. He gave these people a cup of tea, but Jiang Youzhen didn't even have half a cup of tea!
"The first couplet: Nantongzhou, Beitongzhou, Nantongzhou connects the north and the south."
"The second line: Read in spring, read in autumn, read in spring and autumn and read the Spring and Autumn Annals." (Source: Ancient Qiangu Absolute)
Luo Jinshu's eyes lit up when he read it, and he was very surprised.
As soon as he finished reading, everyone cheered, "Good!"
"It's simply wonderful. The Spring and Autumn Annals correspond to the north and the south. You can understand the north and the south by reading the Spring and Autumn Annals. It also corresponds to the Spring and Autumn Annals, one of the Five Classics. It's simply a genius! This is absolutely unique for all ages!"
Some people couldn't help but applaud, Jiang Youzhen's response this time was truly amazing.
"Junior brother Jiang is truly a genius. He can even come up with a couplet like this. The rest of us are far inferior to him." The student shook his head and sighed. Jiang Youzhen is truly a genius of all time!
Everyone was amazed, and many students took a look at their own calligraphy and quickly tore it off. If it's like this, don't show it to others to avoid being laughed at.
"Mr. Jiang is indeed a man of great talent. Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!" Even the old lady praised him.
Luo Shurou murmured and read Jiang Youzhen's couplet silently, the joy in her eyes could not be hidden.
Luo Shuhuan rolled his eyes, thinking that this kid was quite knowledgeable.
Even Luo Shumin was a little excited, "Mr. Jiang really deserves to win two prizes in a row."
The other girls couldn't help but nod their heads, and they became a little curious about Jiang Youzhen.
"What about your second couplets? Bring them out quickly so we can discuss them." Luo Jinshu said.
"Oh! I won't embarrass myself!"
"Yeah! How can I show off my skills in front of an expert?"
"I admire you!"
Everyone shook their heads and sighed, Jiang Youzhen's talent was still admirable.
However, a discordant voice sounded afterwards, "We don't have that kind of talent, but I see that Junior Brother Tong has already written the second couplet, let's come and read it."