Those servile and obsequious antics are simply nauseating.
At least, Ren Xing was trembling all over watching them.
She couldn’t prehend how her usually kind and approachable father suddenly transformed into this.
Not only was he selling his daughter for fame, but shamelessly referred to himself in a servile manner.
And it was this single servile remark that shattered all of Ren Xing’s illusions.
Before ing to Ling’an City, she had forted herself, believing that although she wasn’t matched with a fine partner, at least it was her parents who arranged the marriage, with a formal proposal and acceptance; marrying into the General’s Mansion in Ling’an was not too bad.
But seeing Ren Butong’s current behavior, there wasn’t the slightest semblance of being an esteemed father-in-law; instead, he resembled a despicable man relying on selling his daughter for a future.
Reflecting on this, she couldn’t help but feel nauseously sick, her plexion turning as pale as snow.
Seeing her in this state, the little maid Cai Die, who felt full of resentment, convinced that her young lady Ren Ning chose to leave home because of her estrangement, suddenly pitied her.
"Miss!" She gently tugged at Ren Xing’s sleeve, "Please sit down and have some tea!"
Only then did Ren Xing shakily sit down.
Cai Die handed her a cup of hot tea, and after just one sip, tears flowed uncontrollably from Ren Xing’s eyes.
No woman can remain calm upon knowing she’s about to be sent into the lion’s den to be slaughtered.
Ren Xing, who had been pampered and spoiled since childhood, was even more so.
"Cai Die!"
She softly called out.
Cai Die leaned down closer to her ear, "Miss, what’s the matter?"
"Now I realize my previous attitude towards Sister Ren Ning was absurdly wrong, but it’s too late to say anything now. If Sister Ning met a man who helped her escape this family, it was her good luck. Honestly, I envy her!"
Cai Die remained silent for a while, finally sighing softly.
She was a kind girl, and although she previously had much resentment towards Ren Xing’s actions, seeing her pitiful state now, she couldn’t help but want to fort her.
But she didn’t know what words to use for fort, as her own future was uncertain; after Ren Ning left, she was assigned to Ren Xing, and if Ren Xing was sent to the General’s Mansion, what would her own situation be?
Thinking of this, she too couldn’t help but bee somewhat dazed.
At this moment, acpanied by a crisp gong sound, both inside and outside the venue suddenly quieted down, and everyone’s gaze focused on the high platform.
Shi Chang walked to the front of the stage with a broad smile.
"Ladies and gentlemen, at this literary meeting, I am fortunate to have invited Tang Zheng, the great Confucian from Qisi Poetry Society, and Miss Yun from the Tower outside Tower, along with intellectuals from all over the region. It truly is a grand occasion!"
"Without further ado, let’s begin the literary meeting. May I invite the great Confucian Tang Zheng to divine the literary topic in front of the literary sage’s tablet!"
Tang Zheng steadied himself and stepped to the front of the stage, nodding slightly to everyone below.
"Dear scholars, please hold on for a moment."
With those words, he waved his hand casually, and the literary sage’s tablet, originally floating above the city, descended into the venue.
Then, Tang Zheng took a step forward, lightly calling out, "Please reveal the literary topic!"
Boom!
The literary sage’s tablet burst into glorious brilliance, followed by countless shimmering and diverse words leaping out from it.
These words flowed through the air above the venue, seemingly like a reversed star river at first glance.
The scholars present showed expressions of enchantment on their faces.
Because these words were transformed from the literary qi within the literary sage’s tablet, as they spread out, naturally those scholars bathing in them were filled with exultation and enthusiasm.
However, Wu Jun and Duan Muguang, hiding in the corner, looked quite unfortable.
Because they weren’t scholars, this spectacle didn’t give them a sense of beauty, but instead, brought about endless pressure.
This pressure froze and solidified their cultivation levels, fortunately, this situation only lasted for a few seconds, and then those words swiftly gathered towards Tang Zheng’s hand.
In the blink of an eye, the star river vanished, leaving only a character in Tang Zheng’s hand incessantly changing.
The speed of change gradually slowed, finally transforming into a large empty character.
The venue fell silent.
Then Tang Zheng slowly said, "The divination result of the literary topic is out, it’s the character ’empty’!"
Instantly, the crowd erupted into a frenzy.
"Empty? What kind of absurd topic is this?" one scholar exclaimed in disbelief.
"Isn’t it just that? I have worked diligently for so many years all for the chance to shine at this literary meeting, and in the end, ended up with such a peculiar and extraordinary topic. Isn’t my years of effort all going to waste?" an old academic, whose beard had turned white, stomped his feet and beat his chest.
Other scholars furrowed their brows, racking their brains as they tried to find verses related to the character ’empty.’
But unfortunately, this ’empty’ character was indeed very tricky, even the scholars familiar with the ancient books of past sages were stumped.
Wu Zizhang thought deeply for a long time, and after finding no solution, couldn’t help but smile bitterly.
"As expected, I am still shallow in learning. Brother Han and Brother Yao, have either of you found any clues?"
Beside him, Han Bochao and Yao Yachao also shook their heads simultaneously, then all three of them looked inquisitively at Zhuo Benzheng.
"How about it, Brother Zhuo? Any findings?"
Zhuo Benzheng calmly nodded, "I’ve found something!"
"As expected of Brother Zhuo!" the three of them exclaimed in unison.
As for Qie Weilan, she looked at her beloved with eyes full of admiration.
At this moment, Shi Chang stepped forward, laughing heartily, "I believe all you scholars must have found something already, but if we start just like this in a routine manner, it would be somewhat dull. Just as Miss Yun is here, I propose a suggestion."
"The winner of this literary meeting can have Miss Yun pose a song, which will surely leave behind a splendid story. What do you think, Miss Yun?"
Once these words were spoken, a wave of motion surged through the venue, with many displaying excitement while looking at Yun Lingxuan.
Yun Lingxuan remained silent for a moment, then nodded, "If there is an excellent work, why not?"
In an instant, the entire literary meeting hall, including those outside watching the bustle, erupted into excitement.
Originally, this literary meeting was already a rare grand event in the Ling’an Domain.
If the iconic figure of the Tower outside Tower herself also posed a song to memorate it, this would surely spread far and wide, being a glory of which any literary person would be proud.
For a moment, the eyes of those scholars turned green with envy.
Before Shi Chang announced the start, a scholar had already stood up eagerly and declared.
"If that’s the case, I may not be talented, but I dare to take the lead!"
"And you are...?"
"Tan Ziheng from Jiguang City!" the scholar said proudly.
This name caused many to stir slightly.
"It’s really him!"
"Indeed, I’ve long heard that a talented young man in Jiguang City possessed the ability to speak eloquently from an early age, and he is here too!"
These discussions made Tan Ziheng even more proud; his gaze occasionally drifting towards Yun Lingxuan on the high platform.
To this, Shi Chang merely smiled casually, "Then, Young Master Tan, please proceed!"
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