Before Gu Chaodong could speak, Shen Guiya had already seized the initiative. Lady Gu frowned slightly, and Prime Minister Gu also felt she was being improper: “Guiya, don’t be presumptuous.”

Scholar Fu had been secretly observing Shen Guiyan. This visit to the Prime Minister’s residence had two purposes: first, to grow closer to Prime Minister Gu and convey the Empress’s intentions; second, to take a good look at this Shen Guiyan.

Shen Guiyan bore a great reputation. Though many masters in the palace had never summoned her, they still observed this woman’s movements. Now that she’d married the Gu family’s fourth son, who knew if it might plant seeds of future trouble? So he had come to investigate personally.

As it turned out, Shen Guiyan stood quietly in the back, completely inconspicuous, while this Shen Guiya was extremely eye-catching.

“Since the eldest young madam has spoken, discussing it won’t hurt.” Scholar Fu smiled kindly, “May I ask which two lines of poetry?”

Shen Guiya hadn’t read many books. In the modern era, she was just a small salesgirl working at a cosmetics shop. If you asked her to recite the Three Hundred Tang Poems, she couldn’t do it. The only thing she could think of was that very classic line:

“What is this thing called love in the world? It makes people pledge life and death to each other.”

She recited it to Scholar Fu with deep emotion, chin raised high, confident and flamboyant.

Time-travel novels all wrote it this way—an uneducated modern nobody travels to ancient times, casually recites two lines of poetry, and can defeat ancient talented women while winning thunderous applause from everyone.

But after she finished reciting these two lines, the great hall fell completely silent.

What was happening? Shen Guiya felt somewhat confused and turned to quietly ask Lady Gu: “Did I recite it poorly?”

Lady Gu was also born to a distinguished family. Hearing this line of poetry, half her face darkened: “This is poetry?”

If it wasn’t poetry, what was it? Shen Guiya frowned. This was the only line she remembered. She’d thought for a long time about what the two lines above or below should be but couldn’t recall. But these two lines alone should be enough to earn praise, shouldn’t they?

“This…” Scholar Fu forced a smile, “Did the eldest young madam compose this?”

“Yes.” Shen Guiya nodded.

Shen Guiyan lowered her eyes. She couldn’t bear to watch this scene. Not only had Shen Guiya never seriously read books, she actually dared to show off before a great scholar.

“Does the fourth young madam know what the eldest young madam just recited?” Scholar Fu suddenly asked with a smile.

“I know a little.” Shen Guiyan sighed and lowered her head, “It’s Yuan Haowen’s ‘Touching the Fish.’ The opening two lines are what elder sister-in-law just recited.”

The flower hall fell silent. Shen Guiya gasped sharply and immediately turned to ask Yushu: “You mean this place is after the Tang and Song dynasties?”

Yushu looked confused, completely unable to understand what she was saying.

“The fourth young madam is well-learned.” Scholar Fu nodded at Shen Guiyan, then looked at Shen Guiya and said, “I suppose the eldest young madam hasn’t read that poetry collection and happened to have the same sentiments as the ancients.”

One of the most embarrassing things in the world is being exposed while showing off. Shen Guiya’s face turned bright red. After glaring hatefully at Shen Guiyan, she stood up and said, “I can write other things.”

“Guiya!” Even Prime Minister Gu felt humiliated. Gu Chaodong’s expression was even uglier. What did she take Scholar Fu for—someone who could tolerate such rudeness?

“No harm, no harm.” Scholar Fu actually did tolerate it, smiling broadly, “Songs, dances, and music are all rather dull. Why not compose poetry instead? That’s more elegant and interesting. In my opinion, why not dismiss these dancing girls, clear the space, and bring out the Four Treasures of the Study? This old man would also like to witness the eldest young master’s talents.”

Bringing the subject to Gu Chaodong, Prime Minister Gu’s expression improved somewhat: “Very well.”

Lady Gu pulled Shen Guiya back, her gaze unfriendly. Shen Guiya was resentful and didn’t care about what was proper or not. She had traveled through time—naturally she should shine! Otherwise, living so mediocrely, how could she be worthy of her time-traveler identity?

The Four Treasures of the Study were indeed brought out. Shen Guiya ignored Lady Gu’s expression and stepped forward to pick up a writing brush.

Then she was stumped.

She was an uneducated modern young woman—how could she write with a brush? Never mind, she’d write in simple strokes, treating it like drawing. Didn’t Little Swallow also scribble randomly, yet people found it novel?

Beside her, Gu Chaodong also stepped forward. He glanced at Shen Guiya, brows tightly furrowed, then picked up his own brush to write.

Shen Guiyan still stood among the crowd without moving. Behind her, Jiang Shi gently pushed her: “Young Madam, this is such a good opportunity. The fourth young master isn’t here—you could also bring him glory. That eldest young madam has completely humiliated herself today. Isn’t this perfect for you to perform?”

“No need.” Shen Guiyan shook her head, watching the flamboyant Shen Guiya, “Today, father-in-law is hosting this banquet only to help the eldest young master gain Scholar Fu’s favor. No matter who else steps forward, whether good or bad, they won’t be well-received.”

“But…” Jiang Shi pointed at Shen Guiya, wanting very much to say—didn’t she go up?

“Being too ostentatious isn’t necessarily good.” Shen Guiyan smiled slightly, “Showing oneself when urgent, hiding when calm—that’s what the wise do.”

Jiang Shi disagreed. She was only a teenage girl who felt showing off was the best thing. Yet the young madam’s unconcerned appearance made her anxious to watch.

“Write two lines expressing your feelings and thoughts, forming a poem.” Scholar Fu said with a smile.

Gu Chaodong was very composed, his brush strokes inspired. In moments, he completed a poem. However, Shen Guiya was even faster. In just a few strokes, she put down her brush: “Done.”

Prime Minister Gu’s expression was bland, but inwardly he was extremely displeased. Normally, Lady An always praised this daughter-in-law as virtuous and generous, but now she was so tactless, even trying to steal her own husband’s spotlight. What kind of behavior was this?

Moreover, judging by her appearance, she didn’t seem to have much knowledge, yet here she was showing off. The one who’d always been called a talented woman, Guiyan, hadn’t said a word, yet she was so impatient.

“Why don’t you recite them?” Scholar Fu tapped the table, “This old man also composed a few lines just now. Let me throw out a brick to attract jade.”

Gu Chaodong bowed slightly: “Please, my lord.”

“The eastern mountains are full of heroes, few tigers rest from bow and crossbow. Yet seek those with talent, harboring hearts to hunt tigers.” Scholar Fu looked at Gu Chaodong, tapping the table as he recited line by line.

Shen Guiyan froze.

Scholar Fu had laid it out plainly. Now that the realm was at peace, there were enough good ministers. If more were sought, they would need people with hearts to “hunt tigers.”

One mountain cannot contain two tigers, one nation cannot contain two rulers. This tiger hunting—who were they hunting?

A chill ran down her back. At this moment, she felt somewhat fortunate—fortunate it wasn’t Gu Chaobei who would enter government service.

Cold sweat also appeared on Gu Chaodong’s forehead. He clasped his fists and bowed to Scholar Fu: “Lord Fu, this poem is excellent. Chaodong understands its meaning.”

“Oh?” Scholar Fu laughed heartily, “Truly the capital’s first talent—so perceptive.”

Standing beside them, Shen Guiya listened while smiling on the surface, but inwardly she was quite disdainful. What kind of poem was this? No artistic conception, no meaning—just asking people to hunt tigers?

Glancing at what she’d written, Shen Guiya smiled and asked, “What did my husband write?”

Gu Chaodong looked at her, then picked up the written rice paper: “Just showing off incompetence with two lines. I request Lord Fu’s guidance.”

Scholar Fu nodded.

“A woman’s headscarf two feet high flies on the battlefield, barbarian captives retreat ten miles southward. Why shouldn’t the phoenix suppress the male phoenix? Women need not lose to young men.” After Gu Chaodong finished reciting, he immediately knelt down, presenting the rice paper with both hands before Scholar Fu.

Scholar Fu was overjoyed and took the rice paper, saying, “Excellent! What wonderful lines—’Women need not lose to young men.’ This old man will certainly convey the eldest young master’s words to Her Majesty the Empress, expressing the eldest young master’s unwavering loyalty!”

Gu Chaodong breathed a sigh of relief. Beside him, Prime Minister Gu’s expression was complex but still smiling. Lady Gu, hearing these words, finally felt her heart settle back.

This poem was well-written and would surely please Her Majesty the Empress. Gu Chaodong’s future needn’t be worried about anymore.

Everyone was delighted, all praising Gu Chaodong’s poem. Shen Guiya also felt he’d written well—at least it contained concepts of gender equality. He really was a good man.

However, what she’d written seemed to concern no one. Scholar Fu had already begun discussing court politics with Gu Chaodong, and the others had all taken their seats, about to begin the meal.

Leaving now would be so humiliating. But if she brought it out again, no one would look. Shen Guiya felt she was truly a protagonist with a rough destiny. She had so much talent but no one appreciated it, nor had she encountered those great opportunities that would let others discover her uniqueness.

Just as she was gritting her teeth, Lady Gu gave her a way out: “Guiya, come eat first.”

“…Yes.” Shen Guiya clutched her rice paper, reluctantly returning to her seat. Shen Guiyan sat next to her, quietly eating her meal.

“Don’t be too pleased with yourself!” Shen Guiya said in a low, mortified voice, “Today was just an accident. The things I know are far more than yours. Next time there’s an opportunity, you’ll definitely discover how much we differ!”

Shen Guiyan blinked, looking quite innocent. She hadn’t said anything. At first, it was Shen Guiya who told her to wait and see, and now she was still the one saying these things. Heaven knew Shen Guiyan wasn’t particularly happy—she was still thinking about court matters.

Xu Mengdie sat on Shen Guiyan’s other side. Looking at Shen Guiya’s appearance, she pursed her lips: “What can’t make it on stage will never make it on stage, no matter where they come from.”

Shen Guiyan heard this and turned to glance at her. Xu Mengdie smiled, eating her meal quietly just like her.

Shen Guiya was full of indignation, clutching the rice paper in her hand, unwilling to throw it away. After finishing the meal and coming out to the garden, she still said resentfully: “Yushu, why didn’t you tell me earlier that this place was after the Tang and Song dynasties? Then I wouldn’t have been so humiliated!”

Yushu looked very innocent—she had no idea what this “after Tang and Song” meant.

“Miss, don’t be too angry. I’m sure the master and mistress won’t dwell on today’s events.”

Shen Guiya waved her hand irritably. It wasn’t about whether they would dwell on it—she just felt humiliated.

People are animals who want to show off and prove themselves different from others. When the performance fails and becomes a laughingstock instead, naturally one’s heart agonizes for quite a while.

Crumpling the rice paper in her hands, Shen Guiya became angrier the more she thought about it. She simply tossed it aside, throwing it into the garden.

“I refuse to believe that knowing several thousand years more than her, I still can’t defeat her!”