PNB Chapter 529: Playing a Royal Flush Pair Right Backhand
Chapter 529: Playing a Royal Flush Pair Right Backhand
Fang Xiaoxiao chuckled inwardly at the fat man's anxious look. She glanced at the blooming flowers in the garden and said leisurely, "Wind and rain, flowers and grass, year after year, all lingering and fussing."
The fat man was now flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead. He knew he couldn't afford to lose again, or he would lose face completely. He took a deep breath and shouted, "Ten thoughts: wine, meat, and sleep!"
Fang Xiaoxiao sneered, looking at the fat man's obese body, and had an idea in mind. She said, "Eight eyes can appreciate things, like mountains, water, and spring scenery." After a pause, she added, "But you fat man, I'm afraid you only know how to appreciate food, drink, and pigsties."
This caused everyone to burst into laughter. The fat man could no longer hold back and spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing straight to the ground unconscious.
The sycophantic scholar stared wide-eyed at Fang Xiaoxiao in disbelief. He pointed at her and stammered, "You...you're clearly insulting me with these words! It's so rude!"
Unfazed, Fang Xiaoxiao stepped forward, looked directly into the scholar's eyes, and sneered, "So what if I curse you? Your unreasonable provocation is nothing more than an eye for an eye. If you're not satisfied, feel free to send someone else; I'll gladly oblige!"
The scholar was intimidated by Fang Xiaoxiao's imposing manner. He opened his mouth but couldn't utter a word. His face flushed red and then turned pale. After a moment, he became furious and his eyes widened as he roared, "What a sharp-tongued girl! Today I will show you what true talent is!" With that, he flicked his sleeves, strode forward, and stood opposite Fang Xiaoxiao, his eyes flashing with a fierce light, as if he wanted to devour her alive.
The once bustling arena fell silent instantly, everyone holding their breath, anticipating the intense duel that was about to begin. A few dark clouds drifted slowly across the sky, blocking some of the sunlight and creating a tense atmosphere in the arena.
The scholar slightly raised his chin, his eyes full of arrogance. He pondered for a moment, then began to recite: "The zither plays seven strings, within which lies ancient charm. The rise and fall of the charm evokes the essence of mountains and rivers." With that, he crossed his arms and surveyed the surrounding crowd with a smug look, as if victory was already in his grasp.
Upon hearing this ingenious first line, the surrounding people whispered among themselves and exclaimed in amazement.
"This first line is truly brilliant; I doubt that girl can come up with a matching line."
"Yes, yes, I think she's going to embarrass herself this time."
Amid the murmurs of the crowd, there were some sarcastic remarks.
Princess Li Wan'er frowned slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes. She gently tugged at Fang Xiaoxiao's sleeve and said softly, "Xiaoxiao, this first line is too difficult. You should just give up and admit defeat. Don't embarrass yourself too much."
Liu Ruyan stood to the side, a contemptuous smile on her face. With her hands on her hips, she sneered, "Hmph, poor girls are just ignorant and arrogant. They don't even know their own limitations, yet they dare to show off here. I think poor girls should stay in the stinking ditch and not come out here to embarrass themselves!" Her sharp and piercing voice echoed throughout the area.
Fang Xiaoxiao's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She took a deep breath, looked at the scholar with a determined gaze, and her mind raced.
After a moment, she raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a confident smile, and said, "The game of chess moves in nine directions, and the path contains hidden mysteries. The creation and destruction of these mysteries are intertwined with the rise and fall of empires."
Upon hearing this, the entire room fell silent, everyone stunned by Fang Xiaoxiao's quick wit.
The scholar's face turned deathly pale instantly. He stared wide-eyed at Fang Xiaoxiao in disbelief, his mouth opening and closing repeatedly, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Princess Li Wan'er was taken aback at first, then a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. She tightly grasped Fang Xiaoxiao's hand and said excitedly, "Xiaoxiao, you're amazing! I knew you could do it!"
Liu Ruyan, on the other hand, was utterly astonished. Her mouth was agape, as if an egg could fit inside. The contempt on her face vanished instantly, replaced by embarrassment and resentment.
The surrounding crowd also came to their senses and burst into thunderous applause and cheers: "Great! That was a brilliant answer!"
"This girl is truly remarkable; she actually came up with such a brilliant matching line!"
Fang Xiaoxiao's second line of the couplet amazed everyone, but the sycophantic scholar was still full of resentment. His face turned red, and the veins on his forehead bulged. He tried to argue his way out of it: "This...this is just luck. You...you don't get cocky!" His voice trembled slightly with anger, and his hands unconsciously clenched into fists.
Fang Xiaoxiao's lips curled into a mocking smile, her eyes filled with disdain. She slightly raised her chin, glanced at everyone, and then uttered a couplet, word by word: "Smoke locks the willows by the pond."
The moment these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent, as if the air itself had frozen. Everyone stared wide-eyed, mouths agape, their faces filled with shock. The sycophantic scholar, his face ashen, stood frozen in place, as if struck by lightning, his prepared rebuttal stuck in his throat, unable to utter a single word.
Princess Li Wan'er's eyes widened like saucers, her hands involuntarily covering her mouth, her face filled with disbelief. The richest woman, Liu Ruyan, trembled slightly, her arrogance vanishing instantly, replaced by deep shock and a hint of panic. The surrounding crowd exchanged astonished glances, the previously hushed discussions now completely silent.
After a long while, someone murmured softly, "This... this couplet is an absolute masterpiece, so difficult to match."
The sycophantic scholar knew perfectly well that he could never come up with such a brilliant couplet; he was no match for Fang Xiaoxiao when it came to matching couplets.
His shoulders slumped slightly, his previous arrogance vanished completely, and a look of defeat appeared on his face.
He gritted his teeth, cupped his hands, and said, "Fine, fine, I concede defeat in this couplet contest. However, there are still two more rounds to go, one in poetry and the other in painting. Don't think you're all that just because you won this round. In the next round, you'll see how powerful I am!" Although he was still trying to sound tough, his voice had lost its previous confidence.
At that moment, sunlight pierced through the thick clouds and shone on everyone, adding a touch of warmth to the tense atmosphere.
Fang Xiaoxiao squinted slightly, facing the sunlight, a confident smile on her lips. She calmly clasped her hands in a fist salute and said, "Then let's wait and see!" The surrounding people gradually came to their senses and whispered among themselves, looking forward to the even more exciting competition to come.