After a lifetime of bargaining, he finally failed. What's going on today? The year is unfavorable; the contract is being sold, and the bargaining skills have declined.
"Alright, shopkeeper, you're ruthless."
Long Chen admitted defeat, cutting from three thousand to eighty. Long Chen thought he had reached his limit, and if he slashed the shopkeeper again, he would really turn hostile. He hadn't expected him to seriously underestimate him.
Two hairpins cost a hundred silver coins, and the boss would probably still be able to make over seventy coins with tears in his eyes.
"On purpose, it must be on purpose." Long Chen gritted his teeth as he walked out of the shop. Yu Qingxuan was already holding Long Chen's arm, laughing so hard she couldn't straighten her back.
It was probably that after Long Chen succeeded in bargaining, he looked so smug that the shopkeeper was annoyed. This was a lesson for him, and to get another hairpin was just to tell him: you're still too young.
But seeing Yu Qingxuan smiling uncontrollably, it was all worth it. A beauty's smile couldn't be won over by a thousand gold coins, so the money was well spent.
"Young man, seeing your full heavenly court, the square and round underground pavilion, and your bright eyes, why not come take a look at this shop? The shop is full of ancient antiques. How about taking a good look?" At the entrance of a shop, an elderly man greeted him warmly—it turned out to be an antique shop.
Long Chen glanced at the shop, then at the old man, and said irritably, "The oldest item in this shop is yours, senior." "
Hehehe..."
Yu Qingxuan giggled again. She could tell that most of the old items here were imitations, but what Long Chen said was so interesting. Being with him always made her especially happy.
"Someone on Shuxiang Street is proposing marriages, hurry and go see it!" Suddenly, someone on the street cried out in alarm, and countless people rushed forward.
"Let's go take a look too!" Yu Qingxuan pulled Long Chen along and ran forward as well.
"You silly girl, what are we supposed to see? Are you going to help me find a match?" Long Chen said with a bitter smile.
"Just looking, it's not a big deal." Yu Qingxuan wasn't angry either; she cheerfully pulled Long Chen forward with a smile.
Soon, a large crowd appeared ahead. Up ahead stood a high platform, atop which stood two beautiful young women in their twenties.
"Hehe, this is the bridal platform. It's just a literary contest, not a martial one. It's pretty much like a martial contest. These two women must also come from distinguished backgrounds. Did you see the couplet in their hands?" Yu Qingxuan said with a smile.
Only then did Long Chen look at the two young girls' hands, and sure enough, both were holding couplets that read:
"First is the great pride, second is the little pride, three inches of golden lotus, four inches of waist, five or six or seven taels of rouge and powder, eight or nine are dressed very pretty."
It turns out these two women are twin sisters, named Dajiao and Xiaojiao, hence this couplet was created.
The two women were sizing up the crowd, and when they saw a few Hanlin scholars appearing among them, their beautiful eyes immediately lit up.
"This couplet was written by my father. If anyone can match it, my sister and I are willing to serve you all the time." Among the two women, one of them said.
It must be said, these two women were not only beautiful, but also had pleasant voices—delicate and charming, making them irresistibly tempting.
The Hanlin scholars immediately became interested, walked to the front of the stage, and looked at the couplet in the woman's hand. [Liancheng www.wsx5.cn] began to ponder deeply.
"It's hard, it's extremely difficult. In the first line, there are one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, so the lower line must be the opposite, making it even harder." A Hanlin scholar sighed, admitting he couldn't answer.
Other Hanlin scholars also shook their heads. Matching the lower line isn't difficult, but to match the couplet, it's not just about matching it neatly and rhymingly—it must also suit the times. Adapting to the situation and feeling is essential to capture the flavor.
They were both Hanlin scholars; either they were wrong, and if someone pointed out a flaw, it would be a huge embarrassment. It would be better to admit they didn't match up.
"Is this thing really that difficult?" So many people don't match? Long Chen couldn't help but ask.
Long Chen had originally said this to Yu Qingxuan, but unexpectedly, those around him overheard it. Yu Qingxuan was also pondering how to respond to the couplet. Before she could speak, someone sneered and said, "
Shameless boasting! You can't even match the dignity of a Hanlin Academician. Isn't that hard?" If it's not difficult, why not look at one of them? The
person who sneered was also a scholar. Seeing Long Chen carrying a huge long blade on his back, he knew Long Chen was a martial cultivator. Seeing Long Chen's arrogant words, he couldn't help but sneer mockingly.
His voice was loud, and everyone around heard it, and all eyes turned to Long Chen.
The reason all these people's eyes were focused on Long Chen was because Yu Qingxuan had used a spell. Only Long Chen could see her face clearly; others could only tell she was an extremely ordinary woman.
"Is it you?" You are the brat who dared to disrespect the Master that day, and at the fairy's feast, you spoke so wildly. "Soon, someone recognized Long Chen.
Most of the people here were scholars, and they immediately glared fiercely at Long Chen, clearly ready to rise up in an attack.
"Hehe, Long Chen, match the couplets and make them furious." Yu Qingxuan giggled.
With Yu Qingxuan's approval, Long Chen looked around at the people around him. Of the seven Hanlin scholars, six were staring at him, and only one was still deep in thought, seemingly still thinking about how to compose couplets.
This is the Bookish Style Street, where lights shine brightly day and night, the bright moon hangs high in the sky. Long Chen and Yu Qingxuan have been wandering for a long time. Even after nightfall, they are still confused, unaware that dawn is almost breaking.
Glancing around at the surroundings, Long Chen recited calmly, "The moon is eighty percent full on the nineteenth, seven Hanlin scholars and six are ashamed, at the fifth watch at four three o'clock it is clear, the two prodigies return with me alone." After
Long Chen finished speaking, everyone present was stunned. The couplet was perfectly matched, fitting the occasion, almost flawlessly.
By the time everyone recovered from their shock, Long Chen had already pulled Yu Qingxuan away, leaving the group stunned.
"Hehe, you're amazing. If you abandon martial arts for literature, within ten years—no, less than seven years—you'll be comparable to a scholar." Yu Qingxuan held Long Chen's hand, her pretty face full of admiration.
"By the way, Qingxuan, what exactly does that teacher do?" Long Chen asked.
"Master, you're the most learned person in the Vermilion Bird Empire. Our empire has three Masters in total, two of whom are always in the Scholar's Courtyard, rarely stepping outside the gate.
Only Master Sun traveled far and wide, taught everywhere, took on many disciples, and often came to the palace to teach us.
To be honest, he spoke in an old-fashioned manner that made people uncomfortable, but in theory, the Master was on equal footing with the emperor, so when we saw him, we had to pay our respects as disciples. Yu
Qingxuan said somewhat aggrievedly. Such a kind and easygoing person, for Yu Qingxuan to judge him like this basically meant that this teacher was no good person.
"What teacher? How dare you let my Qingxuan suffer? When I see him, I'll beat him like a grandson." Long Chen shouted angrily.
Long Chen's words immediately made Yu Qingxuan burst out laughing again. Soon, dawn broke, and Yu Qingxuan had no choice but to return to the palace. She could only say goodbye to Long Chen, her eyes full of reluctance before parting.
Qingxuan returned to the palace. The laughter and joy along the way slowly faded away. As Qingxuan left, Long Chen suddenly felt lonely.
"No, we have to speed up the progress."
Long Chen headed straight for Princess Qianxue's residence. When he reached the gate, he showed his nameplate, and the guards at the gate immediately led Long Chen inside.
Passing through two gates in succession, Long Chen arrived at an open area. Long Chen frowned as a powerful figure wielding a spear appeared ahead, blocking his path.
It was a man with red hair and an astonishing vitality. He pointed his spear at Long Chen, his face full of disdain:
"Meeting the princess isn't that simple. I'll give you two choices: either defeat me and let you through; second, slip under my crotch."
"I think there's another way, and that's to walk over your corpse."
Long Chen looked at the man; his actions stirred up his murderous intent.