Chapter 9: The Low-key Genius

  Bai Miao Dan's eyes widened, she couldn't imagine how Zhou Yuan Jie could write such a poem with perfect rhythm and beautiful language. She felt proud in her heart but said: "This poem is not written by you, you can't possibly write something like this, who doesn't know that except me?"

  "Really?" Zhou Yuanchao feigned surprise and said: "Why do you say that this poem wasn't written by me? Have you seen it somewhere before, or has someone else told you about it? Miao Dan, can't you always look at me with that kind of gaze? I admit my writing skills were terrible in the past, but these few days I've been diligently reading and studying literature, making rapid progress. As they say, 'three days without seeing each other is like a new encounter', writing this poem is nothing out of the ordinary."

  Zhou Yuanchao's tone was quite steady, but his heart was delighted. He had long expected Bai Miao Dan to say so, and these words of response were also prepared in advance. Seeing the little girl being scolded, Zhou Yuan Jie felt a great sense of satisfaction.

  Even if you know that Zhou Yuang is telling a lie, the poem was indeed recited from someone else's mouth, and he had never seen it before. If he simply says it wasn't written by others, doesn't that prove he wants to cheat?

  Bai Miao Dan was at a loss for a countermeasure for the time being.

  Lost to others in poetry composition countless times, didn't feel embarrassed at all. But losing to that little mouse who used to be her subordinate is really unbearable, let alone having to call that guy "brother" after losing.

  Bai Miao Dan's heart was anxious and worried. If her elder sister were here, she would definitely be able to compose a poem that could surpass his.

  "How can you not do it anymore? Myo Dan, this time you have to accept this title! Can I call you brother?" Zhou Yuanjie still had a face of regret and loss, with a hint of loneliness of being a master.

  Bai Miao Dan glared at Zhou Yuan Jie fiercely and said fiercely, "The lady hasn't conceded yet, shut your stinky mouth." As she spoke, her hand touched the pouch at her waist.

  Zhou Yuanchao took a step back, startled by Bai Miaodan's movement. He was really afraid of the golden snake in Bai Miaodan's waist bag. Tensely, he said: "Do you want to cheat? If you can't make poetry, then use snakes to scare people. As long as you cheat today, I'll tell everyone in the academy tomorrow. Zhou Xiao'an, you three must testify for me."

  Zhou Xiaoan and the other two people also obviously dreaded Bai Miao Dan's golden snake, but they mustered up their courage and said: "You have witnesses, if you don't want the whole school to know that you lost at poetry and are being a sore loser, then it's best if you just admit defeat. We're not afraid of your snake." On the surface, they were very tough, but in their hearts, they couldn't help but think: "Bai Miao Dan, please just admit defeat already! Don't try to scare people with your snake!"

  "A bunch of cowards, Auntie just patted my little yellow twice, what's the big deal." Bai Miao Xi said disdainfully.

  She indeed wanted to be dishonest but her own reputation was at stake, what's more, it was the people of the White family who would lose face. In that era, being dishonest after losing a poetry recitation competition was considered very shameful behavior.

  "You don't admit defeat, then quickly make a poem, we'd like to hear your masterpiece." Zhou Yuanchao's words were clearly without the arrogance of earlier. In his heart, he was still secretly laughing, thinking that you wouldn't be able to come up with one either. The several people exchanged smug glances.

  "Dandan, your sister said you wrote a poem last night and left it in her room. She asked me to bring it to you specifically. I didn't find you in your room, so the old lady said you came to the garden, and that's why I'm here." Yue Kang walked over with a smile.

  Handing the paper to Bai Miao Dan, he turned his head to look at Zhou Yuan Jie, "Is this handsome and elegant, refined and dignified gentleman indeed Young Master Zhou? Indeed, hearing about someone is not as good as seeing them in person. Young Master Zhou truly has a majestic appearance and is a talented individual, making me feel inferior."

  Zhou Yuangjie was surrounded by a string of compliments, feeling as if he were floating on air. He looked up at the man who was more than a head taller than him, dressed in scholarly attire, with thin lips and white teeth, and a gentle face that seemed somewhat handsome. However, Zhou Yuangjie refused to admit that the man was more handsome than himself, thinking that he was only slightly inferior to him.

  The man's attire didn't seem like that of a servant from the White family. When did the White family have a son? So he asked, "May I ask how to address this gentleman?" One doesn't hit someone in the face and still be polite to them; one should also respond with courtesy.

  "In the lower reaches of the mountain, he is the brother-in-law of Miao Dan." Yue Kang said with a bow. Yue Kang was really annoyed at being polite to a 15 or 16 year old kid, but in this era, age didn't matter, what mattered was status, as long as you had status, others would be respectful and courteous to you.

  Zhou Yuangjie still has some status in Xiang Le County, his father Zhou Shanzhe is said to be the county lieutenant of the previous term, as the saying goes "a thin dead camel is bigger than a horse", he is still a person who can be talked about in Xiang Le County.

  After saying a few words, Yue Kang said he had something to attend to and left.

  Bai Miao Dan was puzzled in her heart, when did she write a poem and forget it in her sister's room? Until Yue Kang left, Bai Miao Dan glanced at the crooked words on the paper, which were obviously written by someone who had not written many words before. The handwriting was extremely sloppy, barely legible. When he made out the words, he was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear as he looked at Zhou Yuan Jie and the others, his confidence seeming to soar to new heights.

  Zhou Yuangjie's heart skipped a beat, could it be that she really wrote good poetry? He didn't believe it. "Miao Dan, hurry up and compose a poem! If you don't, I'll consider it as giving up."

  Bai Miao Dan let out a confident hum, "You all listen up." She also imitated Zhou Yuan Jie's mannerisms, shaking her head and swaying her brain, her red lips lightly opening, "The remaining red falls and the fragrance is released, the excellent name is called the Hundred Flower King. Competing to boast that there is no match in the world for its beauty, standing alone as the first scent among people."

  Zhou Yuanchao and the other three were stunned at this time, even a fool could hear that this poem was far beyond his own poem in terms of level. The words were concise and clear, with a majestic tone, comparing peonies to the first fragrance under heaven and metaphorizing them as the king of flowers. It seemed that her poem surpassed all other poems praising peonies by a whole level.

  When did the Bai family produce such a master? Zhou Yuande didn't have time to think about this question, and was called "little mouse" by that detestable little girl several times without refuting it, and then took three people away with him.

  As for the poem written by Bai Miao Dan, where exactly is it good? Relying on this young master who has never focused on reading books for a day, he can't comment on it yet, and still needs to ask the masters at home. If this poem is only superficially brilliant but internally rough, Zhou Yuanjie will definitely shoot her down.

  Bai Miao Dan was equally astonished, unable to think of the origin of this poem. Second sister had rarely written poetry in recent years. Could it be that flower thief? Looking at the scribbled handwriting on the paper again, Bai Miao Dan ruled out the possibility. A person who couldn't even write well could compose a poem?

  Small eyes twinkling, can't think of a reason.

  Yue Kang practiced calligraphy with a brush, and whenever he walked leisurely in the Bai family's large courtyard, he would encounter servants and maids who would respectfully greet him as "Young Master".

  Yue Kang had just passed by the garden when he unintentionally overheard the conversation inside, and also heard that the two were going to have a poetry competition. Although that girl had been bitten by a snake herself, after all, she was his own little aunt, and he didn't want to see her lose face in front of outsiders. So he ran to the study room and hastily wrote a poem, made up an excuse, and handed it over to Bai Miao Dan. He certainly didn't think that the poem he wrote would lose; after all, it was a classic verse that had been passed down for thousands of years.

  "Brother Yue, what's next? Did the Cowherd and Weaving Maiden stay together?" a very innocent-looking maid asked anxiously.

  Several girls dressed in similar maid attire next to her also had expectant looks on their faces.

  "Alright, it's getting late, I'll tell you more tomorrow! If I go back too late, Second Miss will spank my butt." Yue Kang said with a smile as he stood up.

  The girls around all blushed.

  "That Brother Yue, you must come tomorrow to tell us, we sisters are waiting for you, you must come!" The girls were eager to know the outcome of the Cowherd and Weaving Maiden, but unfortunately this gentleman would leave every day at this time, with a little disappointment and a little expectation.

  In their eyes, the maternal uncle has a good relationship with them. Not only does he tell them stories and jokes every day, but also helps with some heavy work from time to time without putting on airs as a master. When no one is around, he doesn't let them call him "gū yé" (maternal uncle), so when no one is around, they all call Yuē Kāng "Yuē Gē" (brother-in-law). Is this really the so-called "flower thief"? Every time it's mealtime, the maternal uncle will return home on time. Behind his back, they all say that the maternal uncle is afraid of his wife.

  Those family members always talk about the groom's bad things behind his back, they will all come out to argue, sometimes even quarrel, in their eyes, the groom is a good person, and sometimes they even think why the groom doesn't pick me this flower.

  ................

  Woo woo, what you said is absolutely right. Every collection recommendation is a driving force for new writers to write, and they roll on the ground begging for collection recommendations.