PNB Chapter 151: Getting Old, Limited Energy
Chapter 151: Getting Old, Limited Energy
Thunderous applause erupted from the audience, echoing throughout the hall and showing no sign of stopping; it was even louder than when they had applauded the Confucian sage earlier.
It's clear that everyone really loves Fang Xiaoxiao's poems.
At the same time, it also shows that Fang Xiaoxiao is the winner of this match.
On the stage.
The Confucian sage's face was already frighteningly cold. If it weren't for his status, he probably would have already given up and left.
But that's impossible. After all, he's a once-in-a-century genius, and he can't stoop to the level of a junior.
Think about this.
The Confucian sage Zhang Xuzi put on a harmless appearance and walked towards Fang Xiaoxiao with a big smile.
"Madam Fang is indeed a genius that is rare in a hundred years. I have great respect for her."
Hearing compliments all the time can make you feel secretly pleased.
Fang Xiaoxiao returned the smile.
“What are you saying, Confucian sage? I am just a spendthrift from a small town. How could I possibly deserve the title of genius of the century?”
"Besides, if I were a genius of a century, wouldn't that be a slap in your face?"
"I know that you, the Confucian Sage, were hailed as a genius of the century at the age of eighteen. I dare not take your crown too much."
Her words were very tactful and sincere. To outsiders, she seemed humble, polite, and respectful of her elders.
But to the Confucian scholar Zhang Xuzi, it meant something else entirely.
Hmph, how dare you mock me! I'll show you what I'm capable of.
Zhang Xuzi did not reply, intending to move on from the matter.
Unexpectedly, Fang Xiaoxiao changed the subject and continued.
"However, what you, sage, said is not without reason. In fact, I am indeed worthy of the title of a prodigy. After all, who else can compose a poem within seven steps and do it so well?"
"You agree, even you can only make a decent plum blossom poem, and that was when you were eighteen years old."
"!!!"
These words instantly ignited the entire audience.
"Well said, Madam Fang is absolutely right. Composing a poem in seven steps is simple, but to be able to create one stunning poem after another is simply unbelievable."
"Holy crap, how dare Fang Xiaoxiao slander the Confucian sage like this? Is she afraid of offending the Confucian sage and being dragged into the palace to become a eunuch?"
"Are you stupid? Nobody even has that thing, so how could they become a eunuch in the palace? If they were to become a eunuch, they'd be the eldest prince's concubine!"
Some people admired him, while others secretly thought the Confucian sage was petty.
Before the former could say two words, he was quietly taken away.
The latter was even worse off; he was knocked unconscious on the spot and dragged away from the scene like a dead dog.
However, these people acted extremely quickly, basically in the blink of an eye. In addition, those who slandered and criticized the Confucian sage were standing at the very back of the crowd, so almost no one noticed them.
On the stage.
The Confucian sage's eyes grew increasingly cold, even carrying a hint of murderous intent.
I never imagined that after living most of my life, I would be ridiculed, mocked, and slandered here.
How could he possibly tolerate such a thing?
You should know that once in the palace, a powerful minister couldn't stand him and called him a charlatan who fooled the world in front of the emperor.
In the end, that man became a eunuch and was taken to the cold palace to serve the concubines.
The Confucian sage Zhang Xuzi was naturally unwilling to be slandered like this, and even less could he tolerate the slanderers roaming freely.
So he thought of turning these people into eunuchs and sending them to the cold palace to serve those mentally ill and crazy concubines.
Anyway, eunuchs there were often abused to death by the concubines, so there was always a shortage of people. In addition, the palace was not particularly well-staffed.
It would be better to take a multi-pronged approach. Anyone who has offended you can be sidelined. This would save on financial expenditure and intimidate others, achieving two goals at once. Why not?
Think about this.
Fang Xiaoxiao stood on the stage, waiting for the second round of the Confucian Sage's competition.
Unexpectedly, instead of the announcement of the match, she was given a break.
Zhang Xuzi spoke up.
"Given my advanced age and limited energy, the second match will be rescheduled for three days later."
"Beep!"
The crowd was puzzled, but dared not ask.
Only Fang Xiaoxiao voiced her doubts.
"No, venerable Confucian sage, aren't you going a bit too far? The competition hasn't even started for an hour, how can it be over already?"
"And you're going to reschedule the match for three days later? That could easily disrupt my plans!"
Zhang Xuzi replied with a forced smile.
"Oh dear, Miss Fang, you're young, so your physical condition is naturally much better than this old bone of mine."
"As young people, we should learn to respect the elderly and care for the young, and learn to be considerate of an old man like me!"
"Well then, I'm not letting you participate in today's competition for nothing. Go to the First Prince and get ten taels of gold later, as an apology from me."
"..."
I feel like I want to say no, but then I feel like it's not worth it.
Upon hearing that it was ten taels of gold, Fang Xiaoxiao's lips, which had been trembling with anticipation even when betting with an AK, broke into an undisguised smile.
"Hey, Sage of Confucianism, why are you being so polite? You told me to learn to respect the elderly and care for the young. A young man as outstanding as me naturally understands these things."
"You even gave me ten taels of gold, I really feel a little embarrassed."
That's what she said, but her body betrayed her by moving toward the eldest prince, Pei Zuo, who was standing next to the desk.
The crowd below the stage had originally intended to seek justice for her, and they were determined to persuade her subordinates to accept the ten taels of gold given to her by the Confucian sage.
To everyone's surprise, she had already stood in front of the eldest prince and extended her delicate, white hands.
"Damn, how does this Fang lady's brain work? I can't tell which of her words are true and which are false for a moment."
"Enough with the nonsense. My wife has her reasons for doing this. Let's just look at it rationally."
"That's right. If my wife weren't a woman, I would want to be with her and have a bunch of babies."
"..."
Everyone glanced at the magistrate's wife beside them.
They recognized each other, mainly because the county magistrate's wife was tall, strong, and robust; wherever she stood, she was the most dazzling presence.
On the other hand, Magistrate Wang Youcai looked like a rat; he was so small that he could easily be lost in a crowd. If you didn't look carefully, you would never be able to find him.
On the stage.
Fang Xiaoxiao revealed two rows of pearly white teeth, and her eyes, which could mesmerize anyone, blinked her long eyelashes as she looked at the First Prince in front of her.
"Your Highness has really gone to great lengths again."
Pei Zuo casually took out ten taels of gold from his pocket, which was a small goldfish.