HRPM – Chapter 222 The Vixen Comes to Challenge (7)

“This subject will write it down for Your Majesty the Empress.”

Yang Ruoyao proudly brushed her ink across the paper, then handed it to the Empress.

The Empress glanced at it and immediately understood, her eyes filling with admiration as she exclaimed repeatedly, “Excellent couplet! The upper and lower lines match perfectly.”

Hearing the Empress’s praise, Yang Ruoyao was overjoyed. Looking down arrogantly at Jin Luoluo, she said, “Miss Jin, have you thought of an answer yet? Actually, it’s fine if you can’t answer — you can simply admit defeat. There’s no need to waste everyone’s time and disrupt the banquet.”

Jin Luoluo lifted her head with a smiling expression. “I’m really sorry. You were clearly so pleased with yourself, thinking you’d finally trample me beneath your feet this time. Unfortunately, I don’t like being stepped on — I prefer stepping on others. So the lower line is:

‘Rain nourishes spring trees as emerald stretches to the sky.’

This couplet really is quite clever — the lower line is simply the upper line read backward. But no matter how difficult it was, I still answered it. Now you have nothing left to say, right?”

The Empress became even more delighted. “It seems Luoluo is the more skilled one after all!”

Those who had previously thought Jin Luoluo ignorant and uncultured began looking at her in a completely different light.

Yang Ruoyao froze in shock. The triumphant confidence that had filled her brows instantly collapsed, and her fingers clenched tightly together.

How was this possible? She had actually answered it!

Yang Ruoyao weakly sank back onto her seat, her heart filled with unwillingness and fury.

“Wait a moment. You’ve asked me your questions, but I haven’t asked you anything yet!” Jin Luoluo stopped her from sitting back down.

Hmph. After trying to make things difficult for her, Yang Ruoyao wanted to retreat safely? Jin Luoluo was not some mouse that people could casually toy with.

Besides, this Yang Ruoyao was truly irritating. If she did not teach her a lesson, how could she possibly live up to her notorious reputation?

“What do you want to ask?” Yang Ruoyao asked warily.

“Nothing much. You gave several impressive couplets, so I’ll give you one to answer too. That’s only fair! This couplet is very simple, but I know for certain you won’t be able to answer it. Do you believe me?”

Jin Luoluo’s disdainful tone made Yang Ruoyao spring to her feet with a whoosh.

“Jin Luoluo, what do you mean by that? Are you saying my learning is so shallow that I can’t even answer a simple couplet?”

“Forget you — I believe that among everyone in this entire hall, not a single person will be able to answer it.” Jin Luoluo let out a cold snort.

The great hall immediately erupted into angry voices. Many people felt Jin Luoluo’s arrogance had gone far beyond reason.

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