Song Dynasty Dreams: Marrying Zhao Pan’er at the beginning

Chapter 33 The Most Lethal Form of Showing Off

“Brother Gao, your talent is unparalleled! I admit defeat!”

Ouyang Xu suppressed his anger, attempting to turn the tables on Gao You.

“But I wonder, Brother Gao, can you match your own couplet?”

If Gao You couldn’t come up with a matching line, then it would only prove that the couplet itself was too difficult—not that Ouyang Xu was lacking in skill. At least then, he could save face.

If you think you’re so great, why don’t you match it yourself?

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Without hesitation, Gao You picked up the brush and wrote.

As soon as he put down the brush, the entire hall froze. Everyone examined both lines, and their scalps tingled in realization—He actually matched it!

And perfectly at that, no matter how you read it!

_____

The tide rises and rises, rises and rises, then slowly fades.].

Prince Qian read the couplet out loud, then slammed the table in excitement.

“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!”

“Now this is a true masterpiece!”

“Gao You, you are a true scholar of unparalleled talent!”

But Gao You completely ignored Prince Qian.

The atmosphere became slightly awkward.

But after a moment of thought, Prince Qian simply laughed it off—after all, Gao You was an eccentric person.

______

Ouyang Xu felt his head buzzing.

How did he manage to match that so flawlessly?

It was as if Gao You had grabbed his dignity, thrown it on the ground, and stomped on it mercilessly.

The murmurs around him pierced his heart like daggers. Within seconds—he was completely defeated.

______

As the crowd continued marveling at the match, Gao You looked at Ouyang Xu, sighed, and shook his head.

Then, he recited.

“A mouse, regardless of size, is still called old.”

That look in his eyes—

It was pure disdain. His tone suggested that he had deliberately chosen the easiest possible upper line. Waiting for Ouyang Xu to match it.

______

A mouse, regardless of size, is still called old.

It seemed simple at first glance. Logically, no matter the size, a mouse is always called a mouse.

But finding a logical and parallel response?

The scholars present felt as if they had left their brains at home. Their minds were completely blank.

_____

Ouyang Xu’s forehead dripped with sweat. The phrase ‘a mouse, regardless of size, is still called old’ kept looping in his mind—yet no answer came. He looked around and saw the gazes directed at him. He desperately wanted to dig a hole and disappear.

But unfortunately, he wasn’t a mouse. He couldn’t just burrow into the ground. He could only stand there, enduring the ridicule in their eyes.

______

“Is it really that hard?”

Gao You’s voice rang out again.

Like a thunderclap, it shattered Ouyang Xu’s already crumbling composure.

______

“This is brutal! He’s straight-up stepping on the Top Scholar’s dignity!”

“Stepping? No, no—he stomped on it, then jumped on it for good measure!”

“It’s not even intentional. He’s just playing around—but each move is a lethal strike!”

“Exactly! He’s actually holding back, and Ouyang Xu still can’t keep up—that’s not Gao You’s fault!”

The crowd fell silent.

The worst part?

Gao You wasn’t even trying to humiliate Ouyang Xu. He was just having fun—but each move cut deeper and deeper.

______

Finally, Gao You recited.

“A parrot, regardless of gender, is still called brother.”

Then, he patted Ouyang Xu’s shoulder. The room erupted in astonishment. A perfect match—and a veiled mockery of Ouyang Xu.

_____

Ouyang Xu, who had already given up on life, suffered another fatal blow. What he had struggled to match for his life—This so-called ‘fool’ had effortlessly solved in a single breath.

From now on, wherever he went—As long as couplets were mentioned, he would forever be remembered as a joke. This wasn’t just losing face. This was turning his face into a doormat.

_____

“Wait… was that last couplet implying that the Top Scholar is the little brother?”

“I think so!”

“Not only did he perfectly match it, but he also mocked Ouyang Xu at the same time!”

“Gao You’s skill in couplets is unreal!”

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

______

Hmph.

Skill package from the system.

Of course, it would be strong.

Gao You turned to Prince Qian.

Prince Qian greeted him with a smile.

“Master Gao, I’d love to learn more about couplet crafting from you sometime—”

But before he could finish, Gao You reached out—And took the jade thumb ring from the table.

“This is mine.”

Then, without another word, he turned and walked away. The entire audience was left stunned. Prince Qian had just spoken to him, and he completely ignored it and he took something from him.

If Gao You weren’t a fool, he would have been beaten to death on the spot. But in this case—It was well deserved. Even Prince Qian didn’t object.

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“Wife!”

Gao You walked up to Zhao Pan’er and grinned, handing her the jade ring.

“Here!”

“High Lang…”

Zhao Pan’er gazed at him.

At that moment, Gao You seemed to be glowing. That unstoppable figure in the hall, crushing his opponents—that was her husband. And he had overwhelmed everyone to win back her father’s ring. Her eyes grew misty.

______

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Gao You felt a pang in his heart. He reached out, gently cupping her face.

“Don’t cry.”

The warmth of his hands made her feel like a fluttering rabbit—Her heart raced uncontrollably.

She quickly pushed his hands away.

“People are watching!”

“Let’s go see the performance!”

She turned hurriedly to leave.

Gao You, naturally, took her hand. They had held hands many times before. But this time, her mouth went dry. Her heartbeat quickened. Her palms were sweating.