Even though the seats arranged for Wan Ruoqing and the others at the poetry meet were very remote and not easy to attract attention, ever since Shen Zhao brought these people over, many gazes were cast in this direction.
Just now, when this unfamiliar scholar stood out and confronted Shen Zhao, the crowd began to discuss spiritedly. The crowd in the distance also finally realized that something seemed to have happened here, and more and more figures began to gather here.
"For people like me, exchanging pointers and poems is a common thing. There is no difference between talented men and women. I just wanted to see this lady's talent. What's wrong with that?" There were already many people surrounding them. Shen Zhao's face recovered his gentle and refined expression as he countered with a question.
"Writing poems and lyrics are originally a way for scholars to cultivate their character and cultivate their character. It is not a tool for competing for power. To make things difficult for a woman like this is the behavior of a lowly person. It is not the behavior of a gentleman," Li Yi said faintly.
Scholars usually boasted of themselves as gentlemen. To say "not the behavior of a gentleman" was already a great insult to them.
No matter what, Shen Zhao was a person of status in Qing An Prefecture. Just now, he was called "shameless" by a woman. Now, he was called a lowly person. Ever since he became famous, when had he been humiliated like this?
The refined expression on Shen Zhao's face had long disappeared. It was so dark that it was about to drip water.
At this time, the way some people looked at Li Yi changed.
Poetry was a way to cultivate one's character and cultivate one's character. It was not a tool for competing for power. Not to mention his talent in poetry, just this insight alone was better than many self-proclaimed scholars.
Jing Guo used his literary skills to become an official, which inevitably increased the utilitarian heart of the scholars. Over time, when it came to writing poems and lyrics, there would definitely be a difference in who was better and who was worse. The first and second scholars were actually fought out in this way.
For this scholar to say such things, he was most likely a person with an indifferent temperament and no desire for fame and fortune. At this time, even those who were familiar with Shen Zhao couldn't help but look at him in a different light.
Wan Ruoqing's beautiful eyes lit up. She had guessed correctly. Even though this gentleman was very talented, he was different from most scholars. He was truly a refined scholar with a noble heart.
But when it came to money …
Forget it. Since he was a refined scholar, it wasn't a big deal to have some weird hobbies. It was precisely because of this that he was different from those people!
"Brother, since you have such a temperament, I'm sure your poetic talent isn't too bad either. I'm not talented, but I'd like to experience it for myself!" Since they had already shed all pretense of cordiality, Shen Zhao no longer beat around the bush and spoke in an aggressive tone.
At this point, there was no longer any room for negotiation.
When there was a conflict between scholars, they naturally wouldn't fight with their fists like ordinary people. Whoever won would be in the right.
Between them, it was popular to fight with words. The rights and wrongs of this matter had always been unclear. Even though Shen Zhao was indeed a little forceful, but this sort of thing was not uncommon in the circle of these scholars.
Now that things had developed to this stage, no one cared about whether the cause was right or wrong. Once the two poems were brought out, it was clear who was better. If one's talent was not as good as the other, then one would naturally have to bow down to the other.
Of course, the premise was that he would accept Shen Zhao's challenge.
In reality, Li Yi was also considering this problem.
For Shen Zhao to be called the second gifted scholar, he must have some talent. If Shen Zhao didn't come up with a poem that could suppress the situation, wouldn't he be at a disadvantage if Shen Zhao went back on his word? He didn't know many people here, so he wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
However, he couldn't bear to bring out a really good poem. Those were all shining silver. Right now, Li Yi's career had just started and he was in urgent need of silver. That kind of poem could be sold for at least a few hundred taels of silver. It wasn't worth it to just throw it out like that.
Little Prince Li Xuan tugged on Li Yi's sleeve and whispered, "Don't fall for it. Even though this fellow's character is bad, he is very talented."
He was obviously on Li Yi's side and didn't want Li Yi to be humiliated by Shen Zhao in public.
Li Yi really didn't consider how talented Shen Zhao was. No matter how talented he was, could he be more talented than Li Bai or Su Shi?
If he lost to a nobody like Shen Zhao in a poetry competition, Li Yi wouldn't have the face to meet these big shots in a hundred years …
No, he had to save face, and he couldn't take the loss. Li Yi decided to clarify things first.
Therefore, while everyone was staring at him and waiting for his response, Li Yi quietly moved two steps towards Wan Ruoqing and whispered, "Miss Ruoqing, is there any reward for your poetry competition?"
"Reward …" Wan Ruoqing was slightly stunned and looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"That is … if someone comes up with a good poem, just a few hundred taels of silver …"
Wan Ruoqing was stunned and raised her head to look at him. After confirming that Li Yi wasn't joking, she said with a headache, "No …"
Although the two of them purposely lowered their voices, everyone's attention was on Li Yi. Many people still heard their conversation.
Realizing that this scholar was actually hesitating on this question, everyone couldn't help but look at each other. Their hearts were like ten thousand galloping horses …
If he really beat Shen Zhao tonight, his fame would definitely spread throughout Qing 'an Prefecture. At that time, he could casually write a poem and there would be countless people fighting over it. Why would he be short of a few hundred taels of silver?
Those top scholars, which one of them lacked these worldly possessions?
Of course, Li Yi didn't understand the situation in their circle, so he didn't think about this. You want me to come up with a good poem without money? Dream on!
Just as he was about to open his mouth to refuse, Shen Zhao's expression changed. He suddenly pulled off a jade pendant from his waist and said coldly, "This jade pendant of mine is worth at least three hundred taels of silver. If you win, this jade pendant is yours!"
Li Yi took the jade pendant from his hand and played with it for a while. He felt that the feel of this thing was not bad, but he still didn't have an accurate estimate of the value of this jade pendant. He casually handed it to Li Xuan and asked, "Look, is this thing worth three hundred taels of silver?"
Seeing this scene, the corner of Shen Zhao's mouth twitched and his fists tightened. The image of a scholarly scholar no longer existed.
The expressions of the surrounding people were complicated. Their impression of this scholar was once again subverted.
That Yunying Poetry Club, how did they find such a … such an eclectic talent?
Wan Ruoqing rubbed her brows helplessly. Zeng Zuimo's pretty face was stunned. The women of the Yunying Poetry Society saw the gazes everyone was looking at them and their faces couldn't help but blush …
However, a glimmer of light flashed through Liu Ruoyi's beautiful eyes.
Three hundred taels of silver … it sounded like a good deal.
…
…
After being appraised by the knowledgeable Young Prince Li Xuan, Shen Zhao didn't use a fake jade pendant to trick them. This meant that this deal could be done.
Under the gazes of the crowd, Li Yi finally nodded.
"Since it is a competition, this place is naturally not suitable. Let's go over there!" Shen Zhao looked at him coldly and led the way to the center of the crowd where the waterside pavilion was the most crowded.
Su Wentian glanced at Li Yi with an extremely pleased expression, feeling extremely carefree in his heart as he hurriedly followed.
He actually dared to compete with Shen Zhao. Tonight would be the night he would lose all face!
When Shen Zhao and his group left in a grandiose manner, the surrounding people also looked at Li Yi with complicated expressions and quickly followed.
"Let's go over as well." Li Yi turned back to look at the people who were still standing in place.
At this time, Wan Ruoqing bit her lip and suddenly raised her head to look at him. She asked, "We parted in a hurry yesterday. I still haven't asked for young master's name?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Zeng Zuimo also abruptly raised her head to look at Li Yi. An expression of extreme anticipation appeared on her pretty face.
Zhao Yunrou glanced at Wan Ruoqing and felt a bit anxious. Right now, they should be thinking about how to deal with Shen Zhao's provocation. This was not the time to ask these questions!
Li Yi smiled and said, "This one is not asking for advice. This one is called Li Yi. Miss Ruoqing can directly call me by my name."
"Li … Yi …"
Wan Ruoqing murmured these two words. Although she had already guessed it, she still couldn't believe it when she heard it from his own mouth.
"As expected …"
Zeng Zuimo bit her lower lip tightly and looked at him with a complicated expression. All the doubts in her heart were completely resolved the moment she heard "This one is called Li Yi."
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