"Hmph! You're not worthy!" Shi Kelang huffed, stroking his beard.
"Or are you afraid?" Zilin Ling's voice dripped with sarcasm, a provocation.
At this point, how could she not understand? This was Ye Moyuan's deliberate indulgence. Otherwise, with Ye Moyuan's temper, how could he tolerate them bickering in the Golden Palace? As for the purpose... it was likely to test the waters and lay the groundwork for the conditions he would later impose on Jin Xia Kingdom. Zilin Ling scoffed inwardly. If she didn't seize this opportunity presented to her, wouldn't she be wasting their "kind" intention? Therefore, this trap... she would leap into it! Not only leap, but leap in a way that would satisfy them!
"Afraid? Come, come! I'm not afraid of a mere slip of a girl!" Shi Kelang said indignantly. Although he knew Zilin Ling was using provocation, he had confidence in his knowledge.
"That's more like it! An Imperial Tutor should have the spirit of an Imperial Tutor, wouldn't you say, Shi Kelang?" Upon hearing "Shi Kelang," Shi Kelang's anger flared. But he also knew that in terms of wit, he couldn't match Zilin Ling. He coldly snorted, "Stop your verbal acrobatics! If you want to test me, show me your true skills!"
Zilin Ling raised her eyes slightly and smiled, "As you wish! But before that, how about we add a wager?" Since he was going to bring up Jin Xia Kingdom's conditions sooner or later, she might as well take the initiative and give them an opportunity. However, whether Ye Moyuan could grasp this opportunity would depend on his ability.
Shi Kelang was furious but then laughed, "Very well, very well! It seems you are quite confident. Then I shall grant your wish! If you lose, you will obediently hand over Zidonglai and the other three, and go to the Imperial Zi family to beg for forgiveness!"
The smile on Zilin Ling's lips only widened, "Agreed! If you lose, you must resign your position as Imperial Tutor, retire to your hometown, and never again claim to be a scholar. Furthermore, you and your descendants will be forever barred from serving in the court!" She intended to sever Ye Moyuan's right-hand man in a grand and upright manner!
"Good!" Shi Kelang agreed without a second thought. In his opinion, this outcome was impossible. To prevent Zilin Ling from backing out, he turned and knelt before Ye Moyuan, "Your Majesty, this old minister dares to ask you to bear witness!"
Ye Moyuan was secretly delighted but feigned reluctance, "This... is it appropriate? Both you, esteemed sir, and Madam Zilin are pillars of the nation. I do not wish for Tian Qi Kingdom to lose either of you."
Shi Kelang, tearfully grateful, said, "Your Majesty, that is where you are mistaken! This old servant is already in the twilight of his years. If this frail body can be used to exchange for Jin Xia Kingdom's retreat, this old servant will not shirk his duty!"
"This..." Ye Moyuan showed a distressed expression. He looked at Ye Lingyuan and said, "Madam Zilin is after all the Crown Prince's fiancée. What does the Crown Prince think?" His intention was clear: to make Ye Lingyuan personally push Zilin Ling away, thereby preventing Ye Lingyuan from using this as an excuse to trouble him. Once Zilin Ling was handed over to the Imperial Zi family, Ye Lingyuan would naturally seek trouble with the Imperial Zi family. Then, he could use the Imperial Zi family to kill Ye Lingyuan, killing two birds with one stone.
Ye Lingyuan inwardly sneered. With his intelligence, how could he not guess Ye Moyuan's thoughts? However, he trusted that Zilin Ling would not act without certainty. Therefore, he cast a doting glance at the Zilin Ling beside him and calmly said, "I believe in Lin'er! Everything depends on her decision!"
Ye Moyuan was overjoyed inwardly but pretended to be resigned, "Since that is the case..." His gaze fell on Shi Kelang, and he continued, "Then I agree! I trouble the Imperial Tutor for his efforts!" The implication was obvious, as if he were directly saying, "Imperial Tutor, I command you to win this battle!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your approval!" Shi Kelang respectfully kowtowed and stood up, facing Zilin Ling again.
"Fetch a chair for the Imperial Tutor!" Ye Moyuan commanded Xue Lang. At this moment, with Shi Kelang fighting on his behalf, he naturally had to win over people's hearts. Since Zilin Ling was seated, Shi Kelang should not be left standing. Otherwise, before the competition even began, his side would appear disadvantaged.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xue Lang responded, personally fetching a chair from the side and placing it behind Shi Kelang. He smiled and said, "Imperial Tutor, please!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Shi Kelang bowed to Ye Moyuan again and sat down on the chair, leaning back slightly. He sat in this manner to show respect to Ye Moyuan and Ye Lingyuan.
Seeing Shi Kelang seated, Xue Lang returned to Ye Moyuan's side. Zilin Ling loungingly leaned against the back of her chair, yawned, and said, "Are the pleasantries over? How pedantic!"
Shi Kelang glared, "You impudent child, what do you know?"
"At least more than you!" Zilin Ling retorted lightly.
"You!" Shi Kelang's anger intensified. He took a deep breath and said, "Enough! Let us begin! Let me gauge exactly how much you are worth!"
Zilin Ling smiled faintly, "You don't need to worry about how much this family head is worth! However, since you are eager to retire and secure a 'bright future' for your descendants, this family head will oblige you!" Without waiting for Shi Kelang to reply, she continued, "You are already an old man. Since you claim to have vast knowledge, this family head does not wish to take advantage of you. Let's compete in scholarship, best of three. The first round: couplets! We each present a line, and the one who matches it with a suitable and elegant line wins. Those who cannot or match it poorly lose. How about it?"
Shi Kelang boomed, "Good! Who will go first?" Matching couplets was a trifle. If he couldn't even match a couplet properly, how could he be an Imperial Tutor?
Zilin Ling lazily said, "You are older, so you go first. Otherwise, if this family head goes first and you cannot match it, and you suffer a myocardial infarction from anger, then that would be this family head's fault!" Although Shi Kelang did not understand what a myocardial infarction was, Zilin Ling's words, filled with extreme contempt, made his nose smoke.
"Good, good, good! I shall see if your knowledge is as sharp as your tongue! Listen carefully. My upper couplet is: 'Top hook makes 'lao', bottom hook makes 'kao', 'lao' 'kao's' students, students 'kao' until 'lao'!" Shi Kelang declared. "I will give you the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. You can think slowly, and don't say I'm bullying the young!" After speaking, Shi Kelang closed his eyes with satisfaction and began to rest. His upper couplet was not simple. The difference between 'lao' and 'kao' was merely the final stroke, and the direction of that stroke was precisely opposite, thus forming the first half of the phrase: 'top hook makes 'lao', bottom hook makes 'kao'.' As for the latter half, two characters are joined, and the antonym of the first character 'lao', 'tong', is embedded. Combined with 'tong sheng' (student), it forms a level of selection for civil officials, making this upper couplet extremely difficult, a timeless absolute couplet!