Chapter 44: Scholar Gu and Lin Xi Both Feel They’ve Been Set Up

Li Su only wanted to say, please don’t hate him too much; this was far too obvious—right from the start, the hostility was directed at him.

Li Su stepped forward, clasped his hands respectfully to Scholar Gu, maintaining proper decorum. The other scholars, still unaware of the undercurrents, thought being remembered by Scholar Gu was a stroke of incredible luck, and looked at Li Su with envy.

Lin Ze, Ren Shuhua, and Qin Ming glanced at Li Su with concern. They worried he might suffer losses in confronting Scholar Gu, fearing a trap might be set for their Su Brother.

Scholar Gu smiled and said, “You certainly have the bearing of a distinguished gentleman. I’ve heard you’re quite gifted in poetry. Why not compose a verse today, and let us all see for ourselves?”

In such gatherings, the first to compose a poem is easily remembered. Though Li Su had gained some small renown from a single poem, he wasn’t even a licentiate, and today there were many present who held that title. They didn’t believe Li Su deserved such an opportunity.

Scholar Gu’s request for Li Su to compose first was, from the outset, a play to incite resentment.

If he succeeded, people would think Scholar Gu was generous to give Li Su this chance; if he failed, they would say the opportunity was squandered—he’d bring shame upon himself, disappoint Scholar Gu’s favor, and invite collective scorn.

Li Su responded with calm indifference and dignity, “Thank you for Scholar Gu’s favor. Today, so many talented individuals are gathered; for me to cast a humble stone in hopes of inspiring jade is truly an honor.” After speaking, Li Su glanced at Lin Xi, who stood beside Scholar Gu, and smiled at him.

Lin Xi clenched his fists. Was Li Su provoking him? Still so audacious!

Li Su’s words, however, eased the hearts of the other scholars.

“Since today is a Lotus Appreciation Banquet, and the pool’s lotuses bloom so splendidly, why not make the lotus leaf your theme? After all, it is the lotus leaf’s presence that makes the flower so delightful: green leaves complement red blossoms.” Scholar Gu’s words were loaded, implying that Li Su should recognize he was merely the supporting leaf.

The scholars exchanged confused glances. Lotus leaf? Isn’t the banquet usually themed around the lotus flower? All their prepared verses were about the lotus flower.

Lin Xi smiled, certain that Li Su hadn’t anticipated lotus leaves as the subject. Even if he’d commissioned someone to write a poem ahead of time, it would have been for naught.

Everyone present was no fool. Scholar Gu, far from favoring Li Su, clearly intended to embarrass him, even hinting that Li Su was just the green leaf beneath the lotus flower—a mere supporting role, and any attempt to overshadow the main act would be laughable.

No one could fathom how Li Su had offended Scholar Gu. After today, the scholars would surely keep their distance, for befriending Li Su would mean risking Scholar Gu’s displeasure.

Lin Xi inwardly mocked, “So what if he’s good at agricultural poetry? Now Li Su must be anxious, frantic—this is the price for crossing him.”

Li Su pondered briefly. Lotus leaves complement lotus flowers, but he would argue that the two are mutually dependent, each with its own perspective.

“I do not believe the lotus leaf merely serves the lotus flower. In my view, neither is principal nor subordinate; they enhance each other, a mutual harmony and subtle unity.”

“The Book of Changes says, ‘The way consists of yin and yang.’ Lotus blossoms and lotus leaves follow this principle.”

“Without the lotus leaf’s spread, the lotus flower blooms alone upon the water. However breathtaking its beauty, it appears solitary; without the lotus flower’s adornment, a pond of leaves, though stretching like green clouds, lacks vitality.”

“Whether it is ‘endless green lotus leaves reaching to the sky and lotus flowers reflected in the sunlight’s unique red,’ or ‘only green lotuses and red buds, opening and closing in innocence,’ both lotus leaves and lotus flowers share a state of mutual prosperity.”

“The leaves unfurl, shielding the flower from wind and rain, guarding its delicate form; the flower blossoms, adding a splash of color, breaking the monotony of the pond.”

When Li Su finished, all words and movements ceased—their expressions froze.

Scholar Gu, who had been calmly awaiting Li Su’s embarrassment, was now rigid; Lin Xi was even less composed, his eyes wide as bronze bells, mouth slightly agape.

The scholars and tutors seemed to have their souls whisked away, leaving only stiff bodies, unable to utter a word.

Li Su not only overturned Scholar Gu’s viewpoint but composed four sublime lines of poetry—each one a masterpiece, four in a row!

Such overwhelming talent for verse!

Rumors had said he could only write agricultural poems—what nonsense! If you don’t know, don’t spread it!

From a distant pavilion, Xi Sheng smiled with satisfaction. This young disciple not only possessed prodigious talent for poetry, but every word of his rebuttal was well-reasoned and justified.

He chose the perfect angle for debate, and with his own brilliant verses, seized command of the entire scene.

No wonder he was Xi Sheng’s disciple; those hours spent practicing policy discourse had not been wasted.

In expressing one’s viewpoint, whoever speaks with reason wins the day.

Scholar Gu was secretly astounded—this boy’s poetic talent was truly extraordinary. Lin Xi had told him Li Su only wrote agricultural poems, a grave misjudgment that had cost them both their reputations.

Scholar Gu now felt a faint dissatisfaction toward Lin Xi.

Lin Ze, Ren Shuhua, and Qin Ming wanted to cheer—this was the Su Brother they admired, smashing the faces of Scholar Gu and Lin Xi.

Lin Xi’s expression was almost comical. The three had studied diligently these past months, improving greatly. Though still not Li Su’s equal, under his guidance, their progress had been remarkable.

They had caught up with the other scholars, at least climbing to mid-tier in this month’s private academy exams.

From Scholar Gu’s perspective, regardless, Li Su had made him lose face, and he was hardly pleased.

Scholar Gu quickly regained composure, smiling and applauding Li Su. “Well said. It is the mark of a scholar to express diverse opinions. These lines are exquisite. Yet I thought since Li Student holds the lotus leaf in such regard, he might compose a poem solely about the lotus leaf.” He emphasized the words “Li Student.”

In this era, poems about lotus flowers abound, and even when lotus leaves are mentioned, they are usually to highlight the flower. His choice of lotus leaf as theme was intended to challenge Li Su.

He believed a poem solely about lotus leaves, without reference to the flower, would be difficult to make truly brilliant.

Li Su’s four lines were indeed exceptional, but they featured both flower and leaf. If Scholar Gu claimed it didn’t fully fit the theme, he would not be wrong.

“Rowing a boat, water splashes green upon green, leaning on the rail, the wind shakes fragrant stalks. Thanks to the stream’s gentle folk, the leaves remain unbroken, sheltering mandarin ducks in the rain.” As soon as Scholar Gu finished speaking, Li Su recited smoothly.

Compared to the earlier verses, perhaps preconceived notions played a role, or perhaps everyone now recognized Li Su’s poetic talent, so the astonishment was less intense—but they knew this too was a superb work.

Some scholars felt uneasy, thinking that competing with Li Su in the imperial examinations would mean their poetry would never shine—they could only hope Li Su’s other skills were less impressive.

But then they reassured themselves—no one can excel in every aspect. Li Su surely was gifted in poetry alone, otherwise he would have already earned his licentiate title.

Scholar Gu: “???” Why had Lin Xi told him Li Su only wrote agricultural poems? Was this some deliberate setup?

At that moment, Lin Xi also felt that Chen Ping had taken his silver and colluded with Li Su to trick him—he had lost both his money and his pride.