“Not saying anything, huh? Then I’ll start first.” Wenren Yang began speaking again at a steady pace, going over each of the points he had previously mentioned. The content wasn’t much, just a few hundred words for each situation. He spoke eloquently, as if spouting essays effortlessly. Halfway through, the attentive waiter brought some tea. After taking a sip to moisten his throat, Wenren Yang resumed.

In the large teahouse, only his voice could be heard. This place had completely become his stage.

During a brief pause, someone finally interrupted, Xiao Si, that’s enough.” It was Xiao Cao speaking.

Wenren Yang turned around and glanced at her. “Fourth Sister, please wait a bit longer. I’ll be done soon.” His previous commanding momentum dimmed by half, and he now looked extraordinarily obedient. He refrained from continuing his lecture, though he still seemed unsatisfied. “In fact, it’s just that I’ve read more books. Everything I said comes from books and might differ from reality. Since you’re from the local area, you’re probably more familiar with the actual situation. Please, feel free to correct me.”

The ‘young master,’ now utterly speechless and humiliated, was on the verge of rolling his eyes, feeling as if his brain was buzzing.

Wenren Yang smiled, but his eyes remained cold as shards of ice.

“Still not enough? I could recite some poetry or songs. That should be simple.” He briefly composed himself and began reciting a poem. It wasn’t particularly profound but was simple and straightforward. The central point? To ridicule the opponent for their arrogance despite lacking knowledge, using sharp and biting words.

Perhaps Wenren Yang’s words cut too deep, as the young man across from him sobered up slightly. “Y-you…” He started trembling all over.

“Do you still want to continue? Speak up properly. After all, you’re not a stammering child learning to talk.”

The ‘young master’ rolled his eyes, his body swayed, and he fainted on the spot.

His servants, who had been standing by, quickly rushed forward to help him up.

“Is he pretending to faint to weasel out of our bet? If everyone in this world acted this way, wouldn’t society descend into chaos?” Wenren Yang lowered his eyes and murmured softly, clearly not intending to let the matter slide so easily.

Many people around were visibly shaken by Wenren Yang’s relentless and unforgiving demeanor.

In a corner, someone remarked, “Is Wenren Yang always like this when he confronts people? He’s terrifying, leaving them no way out. Usually, he looks like a mild-mannered bookworm, someone who’s easy to bully.”

“Not really,” the person beside them responded, this time not bothering to lower their voice. “It’s just that when someone acts despicably and needs to be put in their place, Young Master Wenren only goes as far as necessary. He never oversteps.” If he did go too far, it was because the other party refused to concede and insisted on dragging things out, leading to an even more devastating defeat. Just like that one time—an experience he would never forget.

The memory of losing a match drove him to study relentlessly afterward, determined to master every topic he had once been ignorant of. But today, it was clear that Wenren Yang’s skills hadn’t diminished at all. There were still many things he didn’t know, and Wenren Yang’s vast knowledge seemed unattainable. Perhaps, even with the same amount of reading, one might still not reach his depth. It was a realization he had no choice but to accept.

The entire room was quiet. Wenren Yang turned his gaze toward a familiar face, nodded, and exchanged a courteous greeting. The other person returned the gesture.

Wenren Yang shifted his attention back. “Now, can my sisters come in?”

Of course, of course! Even if everyone else had to be kicked out, there was no way your family wouldn’t be let in. You’re the boss—whatever you say goes!

Wenren Yang returned to Xiao Cao’s side. “Fourth Sister.”

Now he appeared as obedient and harmless as a little lamb—a stark contrast to the domineering lion he had been moments ago. Those who had just been overwhelmed by him couldn’t bear to look; the difference was so drastic it made them want to curse under their breath.

Xiao Cao smiled, her eyes brimming with amusement. “Our Xiao Si is truly amazing.”

Wenren Yang’s face flushed visibly. Was he… blushing?

Damn it—inside, every frustrated onlooker felt like exploding in anger.

Wenren Ying and the others had noticed this contradiction as well. Their once “bookworm” sibling turned into a docile and well-behaved little brother in front of his twin sister. No one else, not even their parents, could get through to him sometimes. But when it came to his sister, whatever she said, he would do.

Perhaps you could call it fate—it worked in strange and mysterious ways.

As a group, they ascended the stairs. At a corner, they passed a hanging scroll with a poem inscribed on it. Xiao Cao stopped to read it.

“The filth of the past isn’t worth boasting,
Today, my heart is clear and my thoughts boundless.
Riding the winds of spring, my horse gallops swiftly,
In one day, I see all of Kaiping’s blossoms.”

The last line was signed by “Yi An Jushi.”

Xiao Cao’s expression froze. Even though she had studied medicine, she knew that Li Qingzhao—also known as Yi An Jushi—was a Song-dynasty poet. This poem, which had two characters altered, was originally written by the Tang-dynasty poet Meng Jiao. It was quite obvious what had happened here.

“Who is this ‘Yi An Jushi’?” Xiao Cao asked.

“She’s the granddaughter of Lord Li, the Minister of Justice, and the daughter of Deputy Censor Li. She’s reputed to be the most beautiful woman in Kaiping, with the title of the greatest female scholar of all time. Her poetry is profoundly admired, and even the simplest work she produces is said to be immortalized in history. She wrote this poem three years ago for the Flower Ranking Scholar, when she was only twelve years old. It’s been kept here ever since. The signature was added just last year. I have a collection of her poems. If you’re interested, Sister Si, I can bring it to you,” Wenren Ying explained.

What?! This “great female scholar” might have been obscure in Xiao Cao’s previous life. Though she had heard of the name, it had never made an impression. But in this life, this girl had become a stunning talent, overshadowing everyone else.

These individuals, one after another, were truly something extraordinary!

Wenren Ying smiled gently.

So this had nothing to do with Consort Kou. Xiao Cao couldn’t help but wonder whether this dynasty had turned into a sieve, full of holes. Stealing others’ works, impersonating a scholar, even adopting the title of another!

Xiao Cao had little opinion about Consort Kou, but her view of Li Ruoshui plummeted significantly. What a fraud!

“First Consort Kou, now Lady Li. What remarkable women,” Xiao Cao commented sarcastically.

“Who would deny it? They’re not related, after all. Not walking the same paths, which makes sense.”

Xiao Cao had only been probing subtly, but Wenren Ying’s response left her more suspicious. By all accounts, these two women were both influential and, upon closer inspection, seemed dubious in their own ways. One was amassing wealth, the other fame. Neither seemed content to live quietly, avoiding the spotlight. If they ever crossed paths, could they really remain unscathed?

No. Xiao Cao also wondered if these two might come from different parallel time periods. To Consort Kou, perhaps Li Ruoshui truly seemed like a talented poetess, especially when viewed from a different historical lens.

If Li Ruoshui had made an effort, she could have figured it out easily. As long as she maintained the proper demeanor, Consort Kou would remain unaware.

However, these were just theories. Xiao Cao didn’t intend to dig further. It would be best if they each lived in peace.

“Do you all really like this ‘Yi An Jushi’s’ poetry?” Xiao Cao asked.

“It’s highly admired,” Wenren Xu nodded in approval.

Author’s Note: In the original poem, the word ‘方’ [fang] should be ‘放’ [fang], but to avoid potential filtering of ‘sensitive words,’ I’ve made a small change. I hope it’s okay!