Who Said a Study Servant Can't Win the Imperial Exam? - Chapter 39 - Composing "Ode to the Goose" 2

“Cui Xian has agreed to a poetry duel with Zhao Yaozu, and they’re heading to the bamboo grove behind the clan school!”

Pei Family clan school.

Someone shouted the news, causing a stir among the students.

Although Pei Jian and his friends boasted wildly yesterday, the clan school students remained skeptical about whether Cui Xian was truly a ‘Prodigy.’

But “The Legend of Rainbow Cat and Blue Rabbit” was undeniably thrilling!

Moreover, Cui Xian was one of their own, while Zhao Yaozu was here to challenge them.

The more pressing issue was that eight-year-old Cui Xian had yet to begin formal studies-

If reading the introductory books with Pei Jian and his mischievous friends counted as beginning formal studies, then perhaps he had.

But whether it counted or not was beside the point; what was certain was that Cui Xian definitely couldn’t compose poetry!

So why a poetry duel?

Zhao Yaozu was clearly up to no good, aiming to use Cui Xian as a stepping stone to fame!

“Let’s go and see.”

“Where’s Pei Jian? He’s usually so arrogant; why didn’t he keep an eye on things? How did Brother Xian fall for Zhao Yaozu’s trap?”

“Outrageous! Shameless Zhao Yaozu!”

With the Teacher on leave, there was no restraint.

The indignant students rushed out of the school, heading towards the bamboo grove.

The Pei Family clan school was surrounded by a bamboo grove.

Beyond that were swaying green willow trees and the broad, pristine White River.

On this summer morning, the sun shone brightly.

Golden light spilled across the river, where water birds flew and white geese drifted.

The scenery was truly beautiful.

Yet outside the bamboo grove, by the riverbank, a group of youthful boys stood divided into two opposing sides.

Zhao Yaozu’s group looked smug.

The Pei Family clan school side was filled with anxiety and concern.

Because just half a cup of tea ago, Cui Xian had accepted Zhao Yaozu’s challenge.

Then.

Zhao Yaozu proposed using ‘the scenery and objects within our sight as the theme for composing poetry.’

He arranged the ‘poetry duel’ to take place here.

And shamelessly said, “I won’t take advantage of you. We’ll choose the theme on the spot, at a random location. Next, we’ll each compose a poem based on our skills, so you can lose convincingly!”

What a scoundrel!

Pei Jian scoffed, glancing around: “A temporary theme, random location? Zhao, you must have had someone ghostwrite the poem in advance, right?”

“Using the scenery and objects as the theme, let me guess-is it about bamboo, willow, or perhaps the sunrise and river?”

Zhao Yaozu’s face changed, gritting his teeth.

Because Pei Jian had indeed guessed correctly!

But he refused to admit it, sneering: “I won’t waste words with you, Rotten Wood! The duel has begun, so keep quiet and don’t disturb my creative process.”

After speaking.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Zhao Yaozu began to feign deep contemplation.

Pei Jian rolled his eyes, then looked worriedly at Cui Xian: “Xian, do you really know how to compose poetry? You haven’t even properly begun formal studies.”

Cui Xian confidently replied, “I have begun formal studies! Big brother, and the other three brothers taught me.”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked increasingly hopeless.

Zhuang Jin and the others felt a bitter taste in their mouths-

The four of them were hopeless cases themselves, unable to teach Cui Xian anything useful.

Gao Qi rolled his eyes and suggested, “Why don’t I go over there now and knock Zhao Yaozu out with a punch? That way, today’s poetry duel can be called off.”

What kind of lousy idea was that!

Cui Xian shook his head and whispered, “Don’t worry, everyone. I know Zhao Yaozu wants to use me as a stepping stone. But who will be the stepping stone in the end is still uncertain!”

He had intended to keep a low profile for a few more days, but since someone was actively seeking trouble, Cui Xian naturally wouldn’t tolerate it.

His reputation as a ‘genius prodigy’ hadn’t been fully established yet; how could he let Zhao Yaozu take advantage of him?

Zhuang Jin said anxiously, “That’s easy to say, but the problem is… Xian, you haven’t learned how to write poetry!”

Cui Xian blinked at this and replied, “I have learned, Brother Zhuang. Don’t forget, my elder brother taught me with the book ‘Sound Rhythm Enlightenment.'”

Ah, so what?

Not only did Zhuang Jin fail to understand, but the others were also puzzled.

Cui Xian earnestly explained, “‘Sound Rhythm Enlightenment’ is a book for training young children to write poetry and master sound and rhythm. I’ve read it, so I’ve learned how to write poetry.”

Everyone: ?

Seriously? Is that reasonable?

“Hahaha.”

“By that logic, if I read The Four Books and Five Classics, I could become the Top Imperial Scholar?”

“Truly laughable, absurd, ignorant, and arrogant!”

“And you dare call yourself a prodigy? Just wait to be taught a lesson by Brother Yaozu!”

On the other side.

The group of young boys who had come with Zhao Yaozu burst into laughter upon hearing this.

Zhao Yaozu laughed too.

After laughing, he glanced at Cui Xian with disdain and dramatically pointed at the bamboo grove, “I’ve got it!”

Cui Xian, having been mocked by this person repeatedly, was already annoyed, so he deliberately said, “Got what? What did you get? There are so many bamboos here; did you just notice them because of your poor eyesight?”

This time, it was Pei Jian and the others’ turn to laugh heartily.

Zhao Yaozu’s expression turned angry and resentful, losing the mood for pretentious performance. He just wanted to use his ‘masterpiece’ to teach Cui Xian a lesson.

With a cold snort, he loudly declared, “I’ve composed this poem, titled ‘Ode to New Bamboo.’ Listen carefully-”

“Last night, the east garden trembled in slanting rain, where frost-bitten shoots burst through moss-laden stone.

If tomorrow grants them the sky to attain, first, they’ll brush the teacher’s silvered brows aside.”

As soon as the poem was recited, the Pei Family clan school fell silent, eyes filled with despair, clearly awed.

Pei Jian and the others were scratching their heads in frustration, but they were helpless.

They were suffering from a lack of cultural knowledge!

On Zhao Yaozu’s side, the young boys cheered and praised.

“Good poem, good poem!”

“Perfect balance and rhyme, sound and rhythm in harmony, using new bamboo as a metaphor for academic ambition, with a double entendre of respecting the teacher and serving the country. Brother Yaozu truly has great literary talent.”

“And it’s a challenging Seven-character poem!”

“Amazing, impressive! After today, Brother Yaozu’s name as a genius prodigy will surely resound throughout Nanyang!”

Zhao Yaozu was lost in the sea of praise.

At this moment.

Cui Xian mocked, “There was no rain last night, there are no steps here, nor any moss.”

“The bamboo grove before you is clumping bamboo. New shoots sprouted back in March and have already grown tall, so where is this ‘breaking frost buds’ coming from? Moreover, this is the Pei Family clan school, where is this eastern garden?”

The voices praising Zhao Yaozu came to an abrupt halt.

The Pei Family clan school finally caught on and exclaimed, “Zhao Yaozu, you must have had someone ghostwrite for you in advance, which led to such mismatched references!”

And indeed, that was the case.

Zhao Zhi had hurriedly found someone to ghostwrite for his grandson, only mentioning the need for an “Ode to Bamboo,” and the person had simply handed over an old poem of their own to brush him off.

Caught red-handed, Zhao Yaozu’s eyes flickered with panic, but he stubbornly retorted, “Do you even understand what metaphorical technique is? A bunch of Rotten Wood, only knowing how to question others! If you have the guts, why don’t you try composing a poem yourselves?”

At this, the Pei Family clan school fell silent.

They were barely at the level of “big class” students; how could they compose poetry?

Even if they could manage something, it wouldn’t compare to Zhao Yaozu’s “Ode to New Bamboo.”

Seeing this, Zhao Yaozu regained his composure, smugly turning to Cui Xian, “Just admit defeat already! Apologize to this Prodigy and talented scholar right here, confessing your vain boasting and ignorance…”

Before he could finish his sentence.

Cui Xian, uninterested in engaging, simply turned away, surveying his surroundings while pondering to himself.

Clear skies, flying birds, bamboo groves, morning sun, willow trees, a great river.

Too many classic elements.

With the wealth of famous poems stored in his mind, he could easily recite dozens of timeless verses to “scare” Zhao Yaozu.

But no, he couldn’t start with a “big move.”

He’s only eight years old now; he needs to maintain his persona and compose a poem fitting for his age.

With this thought.

Cui Xian’s gaze shifted, and upon spotting a flock of white geese on the river, his eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, “I’ve got it!”

Legend has it that a universally acknowledged Prodigy from a past life composed this poem at the age of seven.

Perfectly fitting!

By the White River.

Pei Jian and the others, upon hearing this, were visibly shaken, eagerly listening in anticipation.

Could it be… Xian really knows how to compose poetry?

Seeing Cui Xian mimic his earlier stance and say “I’ve got it,” Zhao Yaozu sneered, retorting, “What’s got it, what’s there to get? There’s a huge river here; did you just notice it?”

But Cui Xian replied, “I write this poem, titled ‘Ode to the Goose.'”

Zhao Yaozu begrudgingly shut his mouth, only then noticing the white geese on the river.

But what was there to write about white geese? Pine, plum, and bamboo were far more elegant!

He was disdainfully pondering.

“Goose, goose, goose,

You crook your neck, singing to the sky.”

As Cui Xian’s voice rang out, the surroundings fell silent.

“White feathers float on emerald stream,

Red paddles stir clear ripples by.”