Regarding that purple-robed man—who exactly was he?

Why would Fang Tong and Jiang Wen have such a conversation?

Song Zhi paid no attention to their earlier dialogue, nor did he notice Fang Tong’s expression at all.

He stood silently to the side, his gaze falling on the verse written on the paper.

Those characters were very neat.

The brushstrokes also very forceful!

Such calligraphy really wasn’t something an ordinary person could produce.

Song Zhi also clearly saw the verse written above!

It read—”One word seems to think of parting.”

One word seems to think of parting!

Beautiful!

This was the first word that came to Song Zhi’s mind when he saw that verse.

He himself came from a background of poetry writing and had even published poetry collections. Back in the day, how many young masters from renowned families wanted to befriend him precisely because he could write poetry.

To put it somewhat boastfully, if he claimed to be second in poetry writing, no one dared claim to be first.

Yet when he saw this verse, admiration arose in his heart.

Truly there are heavens beyond heavens, people beyond people!

He felt that whoever could compose this verse must be exceptionally talented in literature.

Therefore, he raised his eyes to size up that purple-robed man.

The man wore splendid robes, his entire being emanating an air of nobility.

But between his brows was also some arrogance.

Who was this person?

“Who is he?” Song Zhi couldn’t help but ask aloud.

His voice was very soft!

But—

Someone nearby heard and leaned close to him, saying, “Him, you don’t even know?”

Song Zhi shook his head.

Didn’t know!

“His name is Xue He. Among this year’s examination candidates, he’s the most talented. His essay writing is first-rate. Many officials in the court now greatly admire him.”

Is that so?

Just as that person finished speaking, someone else interrupted, “I heard he took the metropolitan examination once six years ago, but for some reason, he didn’t pass! Later he didn’t take it again. This year for some unknown reason, he’s taking it again. Alas, we have one more competitor.”

“I heard someone powerful is backing him. That person is quite formidable. This year, if nothing unexpected happens, he’ll definitely place in the top three.”

“Really? Who is this person backing him? Could it be some official from the Ministry of Rites?”

“Even more formidable than the Minister of Rites, but exactly who it is, no one knows.”

“Then we must make an effort to befriend him.”

“Exactly.”

Those two observing scholars reached a consensus, thinking about how to curry favor.

They completely stopped paying attention to Song Zhi beside them.

Song Zhi didn’t think so much about it.

He was only thinking that someone who could write such verses—if he placed in the top three in the palace examination in the future, it would be well-deserved.

At this moment, Xue He set down his brush, picked up the twenty taels of silver beside him, and weighed it in his hand.

His gaze surveyed everyone.

He asked again, “What? Truly no one can complete my verse?”

No one spoke!

Xue He said, “In any case, these twenty taels will remain here. For tonight’s duration, whoever can complete it—the silver is his.”

After speaking, he placed the silver beside that verse.

Then everyone whispered among themselves, all wanting to obtain that sum of silver.

But—

They couldn’t think of excellent verses to match it.

Though Song Zhi didn’t love being in the spotlight and didn’t like being the standout person, that was twenty taels of silver. If he could obtain it, his finances would probably become somewhat easier, and he wouldn’t need to continue braving the cold wind to read at bookshops—he could buy books to take home.

Therefore, his resolve increasingly wavered.

He struggled internally.

Should he try to complete that verse or not?

After wavering for a long while, his hands tightened. He gritted his teeth, then stepped forward.

He cupped his hands toward Xue He.

“Let me try.”

The moment he stepped forward.

The crowd erupted!

Everyone’s gazes fixed on him.

“Who is this person?”

“Haven’t seen him before!”

“Can he complete it?”

“Don’t know!”

Discussions buzzed.

Fang Tong and Jiang Wen both froze simultaneously.

“He…”

They completely hadn’t noticed that Song Zhi would actually step forward.

They had no time to pull him back!

Xue He, seeing someone come forward, smiled with curved lips.

Sizing him up, he then said with a smile, “Anyone can try. You may as well. Please.”

Song Zhi walked forward a few more steps, looked at that verse, and recited, “One word seems to think of parting.”

Pondering.

Everyone waited for him to produce a verse to match it!

After a while.

He said, “Words enter the ear like dust, seizing acquaintance.”

One word seems to think of parting.

Words enter the ear like dust, seizing acquaintance!

Once this verse emerged, everyone fell silent.

Shocked beyond measure!

Then—

“Wow!” Everyone exclaimed in admiration.

Xue He was also extremely surprised. “Excellent verse! Truly an excellent verse. You’re the first person who could complete my verse.”

Song Zhi smiled modestly. “You praise me too much.”

“May I know this gentleman’s name?”

“I am Song Zhi.”

“My name is Xue He!”

Song Zhi cupped his hands toward him.

Xue He examined him again and asked, “Are you also here to take the metropolitan examination?”

“Yes!”

“It seems this year’s talented literati are countless indeed!”

Song Zhi smiled slightly.

So Xue He took out that sum of silver and handed it to him. “This silver is yours now.”

Song Zhi looked at the silver but didn’t extend his hand to receive it.

“Take it. It’s yours now.”

He directly pressed it into his hand.

Song Zhi held the heavy silver, yet his heart remained very calm.

Xue He patted his shoulder, leaned close, and said a sentence in his ear: “See you at the examination!”

After speaking—

He turned and went upstairs.

The crowd’s silence was finally broken only when Xue He’s figure disappeared at the end of the second-floor corridor.

People swarmed toward Song Zhi.

Insistently asking him for academic advice or asking about his family background.

Song Zhi answered not a word, only smiled modestly.

Until Fang Tong and Jiang Wen pulled him out of the crowd.

Only then did he recover.

Fang Tong exclaimed in admiration, “Brother Song, I didn’t expect you to be so learned.”

Song Zhi smiled slightly.

“But…”

Song Zhi asked, “But what?”

Before Fang Tong could speak, Jiang Wen glanced at the second floor and said, “That person called Xue He—what he dislikes most is someone being better than him. You just now openly completed his verse. That’s slapping his face, and in front of so many people at that.”

There was such a thing?

Song Zhi was completely confused and couldn’t make sense of it. “I…”

Fang Tong quickly said, “Alright, actually it’s nothing! Let’s not talk about this. We’ll go over there to get a few books. You wait for us here—we’ll leave together shortly.”

“Mm.”

After the two left, Song Zhi sat alone.

Suddenly someone walked over.

Looking gloomy!

Head lowered.

Song Zhi couldn’t see his features.

After that person sat across from Song Zhi, he picked up an upturned clean cup, lifted the teapot, and poured a cup of water.

But he only placed it before him.

He didn’t drink.

Song Zhi said nothing!

He stared at him.

Feeling it was very strange!

That person sat quietly.

Suddenly asked a question: “You and Fang Tong, and Jiang Wen… how did you meet them?”

His voice was low!

As if coming from the depths of an abyss.

Song Zhi asked, “Who are you?”

“You’d best… not stay with them.”

“What do you mean?”

That person fell silent! Then stood up and left!