Shen Jing was also confused by Zhao Ying's sudden words.
Damn it!
This Sunzi is even more shameless than him!
No way!
He can't let this Sunzi show off if he isn't showing off himself!
Seeing him pleased is more unbearable than his own displeasure!
With this thought, Shen Jing immediately gave Chi Chi a look.
Chi Chi understood.
Just as Zhao Ying recited the line "See the brows and temples," Chi Chi suddenly stood up.
"Wine is cheap, often I worry about few guests; the bright moon is often obstructed by clouds. Who will share the lonely light of the Mid-Autumn Festival? Holding a cup, I gaze north with sorrow."
As Chi Chi's voice rang out, Zhao Ying's voice abruptly stopped.
What's going on?
This...
How does this cheap maid know the second stanza?
She recited his second stanza, what should he do?
Damn it!
Did that bastard not only sell that poem to him, but also to Shen Jing?
Yes!
It must be like that!
Zhao Ying was furious, his mind racing.
What should he do now?
"What's the situation?"
"Why isn't Titled Scholar Zhao continuing?"
"This maid next to Shen Jing, does she have such talent?"
"I think something's not right, they can't be reciting the same poem, can they?"
"No way, how could two people know the same poem? Unless..."
For a time, everyone was discussing animatedly.
Song Lianxin was puzzled, desperately winking at Zhao Ying, signaling him to continue composing.
It must be Shen Jing and Su Yourong who instructed Chi Chi to do this!
They just want to overshadow Zhao Ying!
Bitches!
They are all bitches!
If he had known this, he shouldn't have let that cheap maid Chi Chi go!
"Titled Scholar Zhao, please continue."
Guo Sheng chuckled, then bowed to everyone present, "Everyone, poetry also requires momentary inspiration, please do not interrupt others' inspiration when they are composing. Guo thanks you all in advance!"
Guo Sheng also sensed that something was amiss, but he didn't say much.
Although he dealt with these literati and refined scholars all day, he was still essentially a businessman.
Whether these literati's poems were plagiarized or not, it didn't matter.
What he needed was fame!
To attract more people to the Reflecting Moon Poetry Club.
"Cough, cough..."
Zhao Ying coughed twice, his face flushed, and said, "I was interrupted just now, and my inspiration vanished in an instant. Please allow me to... think again!"
With that, Zhao Ying ignored the strange looks from everyone and began to ponder deeply.
If he couldn't come up with the second stanza, he would be disgraced today.
Chi Chi smiled, pursed her lips, and slowly sat down.
"What's going on with you two?"
Su Yourong's suspicious gaze swept back and forth between Shen Jing and Chi Chi.
Li Zhao also looked at the two with curiosity.
He didn't believe Chi Chi had this ability.
Could it be composed by Shen Jing?
Or... plagiarized!
"It's nothing."
Shen Jing chuckled, "At the beginning of the year, I occasionally bought a poem, which was exactly the same as the one composed by Zhao Ying..."
"Ah?"
The few people were stunned.
Bought it?
Meaning, that person not only sold the poem to Shen Jing, but also to Zhao Ying?
Zhao Ying is showing off with a purchased poem here?
In an instant, Li Zhao and the others' gazes towards Zhao Ying changed.
A hint of disdain appeared in their eyes.
Zhao Ying was completely oblivious to everyone's gazes, racking his brain in thought.
"I've got it!"
Zhao Ying excitedly slapped the railing and loudly proclaimed, "Several cricket chirps on the quiet steps..."
However, just as Zhao Ying recited a line, Su Yourong suddenly stood up again, "Several cricket chirps on the quiet steps, whose pounding of clothes is a low sound. A cool crescent moon shines on the front hall, who holds a cup with a broken heart."
"..."
Zhao Ying's voice stopped abruptly again, and he glared at Su Yourong through gritted teeth, angrily saying, "Are you two done or not?"
To hell with it!
Is this endless?
Guo Sheng also looked at Su Yourong, both amused and exasperated, "Miss Su, you..."
"I had no intention of interrupting, but I had to!"
Su Yourong said indifferently, "The line 'Several cricket chirps on the quiet steps, whose pounding of clothes is a low sound' comes from a poem composed by my father in his earlier years. The original manuscript is still hanging in His Majesty's study. It absolutely cannot be used by someone to deceive the world and steal fame!"
"Ah?"
The scene erupted in an uproar.
The second stanza Zhao Ying had thought of actually came from Grand Tutor Su's hand?
Zhao Ying plagiarized Grand Tutor Su's poem in front of Grand Tutor Su's daughter?
This...
What kind of situation is this!
Meeting everyone's gazes, Zhao Ying's face immediately turned pale then red.
No wonder he felt that line was very familiar when he suddenly thought of it.
He had thought it was his own burst of inspiration, and never expected it was a poem he had read years ago.
Damn it!
What should he do now?
Zhao Ying's mind was in a mess, and he racked his brain again.
After a while, Zhao Ying gritted his teeth and said, "On the desk, the poetry paper... half-unfurled, before the cup... drunken eyes hazy. A chorus of cricket chirps... enters the quiet window, slowly counting the passing years... quietly released."
Zhao Ying recited intermittently, but he finally managed to connect it.
Shen Jing savored it carefully, secretly surprised.
Holy cow!
This Sunzi really has some skill!
He actually connected it?
Moreover, the artistic conception seems to be pretty similar!
Damn it!
He really did underestimate Zhao Ying!
In terms of literary talent alone, Zhao Ying definitely far surpasses him.
At least, without plagiarizing, he absolutely couldn't connect the second stanza in such a short time.
One could say this Sunzi is bad, but one really can't say this Sunzi is incompetent!
At this moment, Shen Jing's resolve was incredibly firm.
From now on, he would never compete in literary talent with anyone again!
Even a Titled Scholar has this ability; if he were to encounter a Zhuangyuan or similar, he would probably be utterly crushed even if he plagiarized poems.
"Titled Scholar Zhao still has genuine talent and learning!"
"Nonsense, how else could he have become a Titled Scholar?"
"That's right, in such a short time, being interrupted twice and still being able to continue the second stanza, with the artistic conception matching the first, is truly rare."
"But Zhao Ying's first stanza was mostly plagiarized..."
Everyone discussed animatedly, and Guo Sheng also loudly cheered, then quickly had someone deliver fifty taels of silver to Zhao Ying.
"Zhao Ying is quite impressive!"
Shen Jing whispered to Su Yourong.
"Just so-so!"
Su Yourong looked sideways at Shen Jing, "Didn't you notice that most of his second stanza was adapted from other people's poems?"
"Ah?"
Shen Jing was speechless.
Adapted from other people's poems?
This...
He really didn't notice!
He had just thought Zhao Ying was amazing!
So he was a patchwork monster!
But then again, being able to patch it together is not bad!
Anyway, he wouldn't even be able to patch it together.
Soon, the waiter brought fifty taels of silver to Zhao Ying.
Although Zhao Ying barely managed to save face, he was seething with anger.
Shen Jing and his group made their move, now it was his turn!
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Guo!"
Zhao Ying bowed to Guo Sheng from the pavilion, then loudly proclaimed, "I composed a poem recently while recovering from an illness at home. Although it doesn't fit the theme of 'autumn,' I still want to recite it. Taking advantage of the crowd today, I ask for your valuable critiques!"
Such a good thing?
Guo Sheng naturally wouldn't refuse, and quickly said with a cheerful smile, "Since Titled Scholar Zhao has another excellent work, we shall certainly listen!"
"It's not an excellent work, merely something composed on a whim."
Zhao Ying said modestly, his gaze falling on Shen Jing, "This poem of mine is titled 'Dog Barking'! Please offer your critiques!"
With that, Zhao Ying began to recite loudly.
"Before the vermilion gate, a rusty lock, baring fangs, arching back, barking by the roadside."
"A fox borrows a banner to display a tiger's gaze, a chicken dons colorful wings to impersonate a phoenix."
"Bullying the innocent, often acting like a wolf, flattering the master, frequently employing ghostly tricks."
"Where the pouring rain drenches the den and the wind sweeps, it begs for leftover soup with its tail tucked in the mud."
As Zhao Ying's voice faded, gazes fell upon Shen Jing...