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Fang Mingyi commented, “Even if it’s something you’re not good at, ordinary people are no match for you.”

Chu Qingzhi responded, “You flatter me…”

While everyone was having a good time and the atmosphere was harmonious, a few students sitting at the same table in the right corner looked at them with displeasure.

These students were not from Yunfei School but from the Imperial College, sent here as “envoys” by the Master of Sacrificial Wine. Of course, Yunfei School had also sent people over, ostensibly for mutual exchange.

Wei Maokai sarcastically remarked, “Yunfei School is truly declining year by year. Now, they even start to admire a woman!”

Zeng Yuanshi chimed in, “Our Imperial College never allows women to enter, let alone during the School’s grand event. Now, there’s really no sense of propriety.”

Ning Jingzun glanced in Chu Qingzhi’s direction, “A group of students actually submitting to a woman, it’s truly a disgrace for scholars.”

“…”

Their loud comments were overheard by Xu Guannan and the other students, instantly intensifying the conflict.

Song Qingyuan turned his head to retort, “Whether we admire a woman or not, you are guests in our School. Shouldn’t you behave as guests?”

Wei Maokai snorted, “We’re just reminding you because we can’t stand to watch. Could it be that you’re so angered by our straightforward words?”

Fang Mingyi’s face turned cold, “Remind us? We don’t need your reminders, have you even looked at yourselves?”

Zeng Shiyuan countered, “Bitter medicine cures sickness, and harsh advice is sincere. Regardless of our behavior, we’re just speaking the truth!”

Pan Yuheng, unable to contain his temper, “You know nothing, what ‘truth’ are you talking about? You’re just spouting nonsense.”

Ning Jingzun’s eyes narrowed, “We’re spouting nonsense? Weren’t you all laughing and chatting around a woman just now?”

Tang Jiyang questioned, “What’s wrong with a woman? How does it bother you?”

Wei Maokai sneered, “It’s just displeasing to see, scholars fraternizing with women, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? Yunfei School really lacks dignity!”

Fang Mingyi quickly retorted, “Lacks dignity, yet you still come?”

Zeng Shiyuan expressed disdain, “Do you think we wanted to come? We were assigned to this. Who wants to attend your banquet? We have our own to attend!”

Song Qingyuan sarcastically replied, “Well, that must have been quite the hardship for you.”

Ning Jingzun disdainfully stated, “Indeed, it was. Anyway, we won’t come next time.”

Pan Yuheng angrily declared, “Then you’d better leave right after the banquet ends tonight. Our School can’t accommodate such esteemed figures as you!”

Wei Maokai was indifferent, “Leave then, what’s the big deal!”

Xu Guannan advised everyone, “Let’s ignore them and continue our conversation.”

Fang Mingyi couldn’t help venting, “Our good mood was spoiled by a bunch of pigs!”

Zeng Shiyuan slammed the table, causing a loud commotion, “Who are you calling pigs?”

Fang Mingyi loudly stated, “Whoever fits the cap, wears it!”

The room burst into laughter.

The students from the Imperial College collectively glared in anger.

Chu Qingzhi remained calm, not getting involved in the conflict between the two sides. She was just there to enjoy the meal without seeking trouble.

Tang Jinghong looked to Chu Qingzhi for cues. If Chu Qingzhi was displeased, he would make sure the others were even more so!

Chu Qingshuang sat quietly, surprised that even scholars could quarrel, engaging in verbal sparring and veiled insults, no less intense than the quarrels at the village entrance.

The Emperor and Empress exchanged a smile, not expecting such fiery rivalry between the students of the two academies. However, competition fosters progress, and there was no need for intervention.

The young prince, munching on his food, watched the argument unfold as if it were a play, his eyes gleaming with interest.

Observers: This was a verbal battle sparked by a woman!

The news of the banquet hall’s incident quickly reached the dean’s ears, who simply laughed it off. It was no surprise that students from the two academies would quarrel upon meeting; there was no need for concern!

As the sun slowly set behind the hills, darkness enveloped the land, and everything became hazy in the night.

Inside the brightly lit banquet hall, the sound of music filled the air.

With all guests present and the School’s students seated, everyone awaited the dean’s arrival.

As the dean entered the banquet hall, the room gradually fell silent.

Sitting facing everyone, the dean acted as the host, “Firstly, welcome all distinguished guests to the banquet…”

Following tradition, the dean delivered an eloquent speech.

After the speech, the main theme of the banquet officially began…

Above each corresponding table, a small scroll fell from above, suspended in mid-air. The scrolls listed various topics, including riddles, poetry, lyrics, couplets, offering a variety of intellectual challenges preferred by scholars and poets.

Some topics were repeated, which meant answering them a second time would be an indirect way of increasing the difficulty.

Each table worked together to solve the puzzles on the scroll. Those who failed had to perform a talent, while successful tables were rewarded with a fine dish.

The dean scanned the audience with a smile, “As usual, those who answer correctly will receive a luxurious dish from the kitchen. If you can’t answer, others can try, and the dish will go to whoever solves it.”

“Now, everyone can start answering!”

Chu Xuyuan read the riddle for their table, “Three mouths stacked together, don’t guess it as the character for ‘pin’!”

Chu Qingshuang looked at Chu Qingzhi, “Sister, if it’s not ‘pin’, what is it?”

Chu Qingzhi whispered a word into Chu Qingshuang’s ear.

Chu Qingshuang blinked, “Oh right, that’s also three mouths. It seems I need to read more.”

Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi, curious about the word.

Chu Qingzhi pointed at her eyes as a hint.

After a moment, Tang Jinghong understood. It was his narrow view; indeed, riddles are not easy to guess.

The Empress tugged at the Emperor’s clothes, whispering, “What’s the answer to the riddle?”

The Emperor leaned in and told the Empress the solution.

The Empress glanced at the Emperor, wondering how she hadn’t guessed it herself.

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao, knowing the solution from the others, pondered deeply. What else could three mouths form if not the character ‘Pin’?

After a while, they finally realized the answer, having that “aha” moment!

Meanwhile, someone stood up to answer their table’s challenge; it was Xu Guannan’s table. “Our challenge is to complete a verse. The given line is: ‘Year after year, flowers look alike,’ and we’ve completed it with: ‘Year after year, flowers look alike.\'”

Applause filled the room, “Well done!”

A servant announced loudly, “Serving the dish, steamed Wuchang fish.”

Each table already had six basic dishes laid out, identical for all. Additional dishes were to be earned through the competition.

However, there was one final dish, a grand finale served at the end of the banquet, meant as a summary of the year. This would be brought out just before the event concluded, ensuring a memorable closure to the gathering.

The dean smiled across the room, “As always, those who answer correctly will receive a luxurious dish from our kitchen. If you fail to answer, others may attempt, and the dish will go to the one who solves it.”

“Now, let the answers begin!”

Chu Xuyuan read out their table’s riddle, “Three mouths stacked on top of each other, don’t guess it as pin”

Chu Qingshuang turned to Chu Qingzhi, “Sister, if it’s not ‘pin’, what could it be?”

Chu Qingzhi whispered the answer in Chu Qingshuang’s ear.

Chu Qingshuang blinked, “Oh right, that also makes (three). Seems I need to read more.”

Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi, curious about the solution.

Chu Qingzhi pointed to her eyes, giving a hint.

With the hint, Tang Jinghong quickly grasped it. He had been too narrow-minded; indeed, riddles are challenging to guess.

The Empress tugged at the Emperor’s sleeve, whispering, “What’s the riddle’s answer?”

The Emperor leaned in to share the solution with the Empress.

The Empress glanced at the Emperor, wondering how she hadn’t figured it out.

Chu Xuyuan and Chu Xuyao, having already known the answer through others, reflected deeply. Aside from forming ‘ping’, what else could three ‘kou’s create?

After pondering for a while, they finally came to an understanding.

At this moment, someone stood up to answer their table’s challenge; it was Xu Guannan’s group. “For our table, the challenge is to complete a verse. The prompt was: ‘Year after year, flowers look alike,’ and we’ve completed it with: ‘Year after year, the same wishes we hold.\'”

The audience applauded, “Excellent!”

A servant announced, “Bringing out the dish: steamed Wuchang fish.”

Each table was initially set with six basic dishes, all the same across the board. Additional dishes had to be won through this intellectual contest.

Yet, the ultimate dish, a showstopper for each table, awaited at the banquet’s end, serving as a culmination of the year. This dish would only be revealed just before the festivities concluded, adding a final touch of elegance to the evening.