"That's Lila!"
Though many didn't recognize the maid, the fact that she emerged from the highest balcony instantly gave away her identity. Lila was Clara Xiao's personal maid, rarely seen by outsiders. Only the most distinguished guests of the Spring Breeze Pavilion were granted an invitation from her.
Since the establishment of the Spring Breeze Pavilion, the number of scholars who had caught Clara Xiao's eye could be counted on one hand, and each took immense pride in receiving such an honor. Now, before their very eyes, such a privilege was being bestowed upon someone else.
"Who is this Nathan Ye?"
The crowd exchanged envious glances, jealousy evident in their eyes.
"Could it be the same Brother Ye who wrote the famous lines about the resolve of a true man?" someone speculated.
"Yes, he must be the one! I heard he's here at the Spring Breeze Pavilion tonight."
"If it's really him, then I concede—I respect the man."
"That's right; not only did he write of eternal loyalty and sacrifice, but he's also a man of unshakable spirit. Clara Xiao's interest in him would make sense."
The whispers continued, and most of the crowd seemed to accept this revelation. Nathan Ye was widely respected for his virtuous reputation, so losing to such a figure was no shame. But, as in any group of scholars, some refused to admit defeat so readily.
Among them was a man in a white robe seated in the front row, who raised an eyebrow with evident disdain. "Nathan Ye may have an unyielding spirit, which I admire. But to claim his literary talent rivals mine is an exaggeration," he sneered. "His best-known verses emphasize resilience and determination, not intricate wordplay or finesse. What's more, his famous lines are only half-finished—they lack polish."
The arrogant man's words drew glances from those nearby. But once they recognized him, their expressions turned to understanding.
"Aha, the top scholar himself!"
This was none other than Gavin Tsai, the newly crowned imperial scholar, who had recently passed the spring examinations and was still basking in his success. Known for his youthful intellect, he had composed numerous well-regarded poems from a young age, earning the nickname "The Master of Dual Excellence" for his talents in both poetry and calligraphy.
"No wonder he's displeased—if it's Master Tsai, I suppose that's reasonable."
People's attitudes quickly shifted. After all, anyone who achieved the rank of top scholar was seen as a literary prodigy. Nathan Ye's poetry, while stirring, was admittedly straightforward, emphasizing sentiment over the elegance and complexity expected from a true poet. And with only incomplete verses to his name, it was difficult to gauge his full poetic talent.
"While I respect Brother Ye's integrity, if it comes down to sheer poetic skill, Gavin Tsai may indeed have the upper hand."
Some senior scholars in attendance, wearing plain clothing but actually esteemed officials, voiced similar sentiments. With an air of authority, they declared, "Ultimately, the final verdict on who enters Clara Xiao's door remains unclear."
Their comments stirred anticipation within the crowd. Here were two remarkable figures, their clash promising a display of wit and poetic skill unlike any other.
At that moment, unaware of the crowd's murmurs, Nathan Ye stood examining the invitation. Delicate handwriting adorned it, emitting a faint fragrance that he couldn't quite place—perhaps a hint of perfume or the lady's natural scent.
"Congratulations, Nathan." Sang Liu raised his cup in a toast.
"Funny enough, I'm quite interested in her as well," Nathan replied with a mischievous grin. His thoughts were plain: with Clara Xiao's powerful connections, she was surely under the protection of someone influential. Those who had dared pursue her had all met tragic ends, which made her an ideal candidate to provoke.
Perfect. The bigger the risk, the better, Nathan thought, eager to stir trouble with Clara Xiao's mysterious protector.
As he chatted with Sang Liu, the poets in the hall resumed their competition, scholars stepping forward one by one to compose verses. The instant they wrote their first line, faint traces of orange aura—manifestations of their talent—emerged, highlighting each poem's merit.
"Only poetry? Without a set theme?" Nathan mused, observing the contest.
"There's no fixed theme," Liu explained, chuckling, "but this is, after all, a place of romance. Generally, the poetry here is a bit softer and more romantic. A verse about unyielding resolve like Nathan's previous works might seem out of place."
Liu didn't expect much from Nathan in this regard. He believed it would be nearly impossible for Nathan to match the poetic prowess of Gavin Tsai. Still, he wasn't particularly invested in the outcome, knowing that regardless of the competition, Clara Xiao would still find a way to meet with Nathan.
"Poetry, is it?" Nathan noted Gavin Tsai's haughty gaze, amused. "Friend, you've picked the wrong fight," he thought with a smirk. As a time-traveler, I've got an edge.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]