Chapter 268 - 183: Let Me See
However, the writing on the paper Fang Yue handed him was so sloppy it was hardly better than a beginner’s.
Wen Tailai immediately lost all interest in reading any further.
He placed the pages face down on the table. If he weren’t trying to save face for his old friend, he would have torn them to shreds long ago.
Seeing this, the other Noble Family Descendants around them began to gloat. It was obvious to them that the fellow who dared to submit his work first had to be a complete buffoon.
Otherwise, the ever-gentle Wen Tailai, Mr. Wen Da, would never have reacted this way.
They knew Wen Tailai’s temperament well. If he encountered a fine poem or essay, he would cherish it, refusing to put it down even to eat or sleep.
But if he disliked a piece, or if its quality was exceptionally poor, he would simply place it face down on the table.
He wouldn’t offer any critique; onlookers would understand just by seeing his action. It was his way of showing consideration, of sparing the author’s dignity.
’Just as I thought. Even someone as tolerant as Mr. Wen Da can’t stand it. It just goes to show how terrible this person’s writing must be.’
Seeing this, Wu Wende was actually glad Fang Yue hadn’t been ambushed and killed by Luo Wei. By coming here, he had become a foil for everyone else.
At the same time, a few of the less reserved Noble Family Descendants couldn’t help but laugh out loud. With their own tension easing considerably.
"My friend, don’t leave when this is over. No matter what, I, Chen Yan, simply must treat you to a meal today to express my deepest admiration."
Just then, a man sidled up to Fang Yue and said to him with a wide grin.
He might have genuinely intended to treat Fang Yue to a meal, but it was obvious his main purpose was mockery.
Fang Yue gave him a slight smile, scratching his head. With a simple, good-natured laugh, he replied, "Maybe next time. I have to hurry home today."
Seeing this, Chen Yan burst out laughing.
"Did you all hear that? He actually took me seriously! He can’t even tell sarcasm from a genuine compliment. Just look at him. Is he really from the countryside?
"Doesn’t he know where he is? This isn’t a place for any Tom, Dick, or Harry. In the future, you’d better not do something so far beyond your abilities again."
"Hmph! Chen Yan, you’re as caustic as ever! To look at you, anyone who didn’t know better would think you were some great literary talent or powerful martial artist. Scram, or we can take this outside. See how I, Lord Fatty, will sort you out."
Just then, another young man, a stout fellow who was just as conspicuous in the crowd, stepped forward to speak.
This was Song Mingtao, who was famous among the Noble Family Descendants for his gluttony and laziness.
His literary talent was, naturally, abysmal; he could barely write his own name.
However, his physical Talent was exceptional. Though he had yet to become a Qi-Sensing Martial Master, his combat prowess was even greater than that of an ordinary Junior-Level Qi-Sensing Martial Master.
After all, most who were stronger than him weren’t as tough, and those who were tougher weren’t as strong.
Song Mingtao was clearly different from Chen Yan. He showed no signs of mockery or contempt toward Fang Yue.
Instead, he used his large frame to shield Fang Yue from the others, seemingly protecting him. He was doing this because he was always dead last in these literary gatherings. Now, with Fang Yue to take the bottom spot, he was no longer the worst.
Going from perennial last place to second-to-last might only be a single rank, but for him, it was a world-shaking change.
At least Song Mingtao wouldn’t be last anymore. How much face he would save in the future!
So how could he not defend him?
"Heh... Song the Fatty, I won’t stoop to your level today," Chen Yan said, mustering his courage. He then turned his head and refused to look at the big man.
After that, several other promising young talents, known for their literary skill, began to present their compositions to Wen Tailai for his review.
With someone like Fang Yue having gone first, they no longer had to worry about embarrassing themselves.
The appraisal session continued, but Fang Yue had already excused himself and left.
~~~~~~
Meanwhile, back in the secret chamber.
"Huh? Hong Ling... Sister, what... what are you laughing at? It looks like... your sweetheart... wasn’t chosen?" Wen Wanrou asked, a little confused.
Normally, when someone discovers a flaw in the person they like, they would be disappointed.
But then it dawned on Wen Wanrou.
’Him not being chosen... isn’t that exactly what Sister Hong Ling wanted?’
’That must be why she’s happy.’
At this, Wen Wanrou became intensely curious about the man who had captured Hong Ling’s heart. She wanted to know what he had written.
"No... I have to see... I have to see what... he wrote!" Wen Wanrou immediately instructed a servant in Wenyuan Pavilion to fetch the poem Fang Yue had written.
Meanwhile, in another room.
Wen Lan, who had been feeling rather nervous, couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief when she saw Fang Yue get "eliminated" and leave.
’Fang Yue is still the same old Fang Yue. I don’t know how he managed to get to Yujing City...’
’...but a country bumpkin is still a country bumpkin. Even in the big city, he can’t hide that provincial air about him.’
’This just proves my judgment wasn’t wrong.’
Soon, Wen Tailai finished reading all the submissions and ranked them.
He then had the works transcribed and sent to the young women from the various branches of the Wen Family who were participating. The final judgment—the power of decision—was left to the younger generation.
~~~~~~
Back in the room with Wen Wanrou and Hong Ling.
"Wanrou, let me see what he wrote." Hong Ling hadn’t expected Wen Wanrou to actually go through with requesting Fang Yue’s poem.
Hong Ling, who held a bit of a favorable impression of Fang Yue, was naturally curious to know what he had written on that paper.
At the same time, she was a little worried, afraid that Fang Yue was truly as uncultured as he seemed.
But at that moment...
The faint smile on Wen Wanrou’s face had vanished, replaced by a solemn, intense expression. Her slender fingers, holding the fine rice paper, were trembling slightly.
Her bright, spirited eyes, with their clear distinction between black and white, were wide with shock, as if she were looking at something unbelievable.
Hong Ling hadn’t been truly determined to see what Fang Yue had written, but now, seeing Wen Wanrou’s expression, she couldn’t help but ask, "Is it really that bad?"
That’s just how people are. You can have a good impression of someone, but when you discover their flaws, a sense of disappointment is inevitable.
But Wen Wanrou didn’t seem to hear Hong Ling’s question. She didn’t answer.
Impatient, Hong Ling urged her a few more times.
But Wen Wanrou still didn’t respond. She was like a wooden doll, staring silently at the two pages in her hands.
The trembling of her body betrayed the turmoil in her heart.
Seeing this, Hong Ling grew even more suspicious. What could Fang Yue possibly have written to make the normally gentle and tranquil Wen Wanrou react like this?
Naturally, her curiosity about the contents of the paper intensified.
Seeing that Wen Wanrou remained unresponsive, she reached out to take the papers.
But just as her hand was about to touch the paper...
Wen Wanrou’s figure drifted backward, easily evading her grasp.
"You little minx, you dare dodge? Just see how I’ll deal with you today. My whip isn’t just for show!"
Seeing this, Hong Ling wasn’t about to give up. She activated the Primordial Qi in her body, formed a pair of "lecherous claws," and lunged for Wen Wanrou’s chest.
She was just about to make contact.
Just then, a faint blue light suddenly radiated from Wen Wanrou’s body. The light was gentle, but it instantly repelled Hong Ling, sending her flying backward.
Having fallen to the ground, Hong Ling wasn’t angry. Instead, she stared at Wen Wanrou in shock, pointing a trembling finger at her.
"You... Your cultivation... it advanced?"
Previously, the Literary Qi around Wen Wanrou’s body was cyan, but now it had turned light blue.
Clearly, in that very instant, Wen Wanrou’s cultivation had advanced a level!