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

Chapter 45 Wherever He Goes, No One Dares to Stay

“Let’s take inspiration from the moon—each of us shall compose a poem!”

Poetry at a gathering?

Gao You really couldn’t understand the hobbies of these scholars. As he walked further, he noticed some people engaged in couplet challenges. Now this was something he could do!

To humiliate Ouyang Xu, he had specifically trained his skills in couplets!

“The mist locks the mountain peak, the mountain locks the mist.”

Without thinking, Gao You instinctively responded with the matching line.

“The sky joins the water’s edge, the water joins the sky.”

“Brilliant!”

A chorus of admiration erupted. Everyone quickly turned their heads, eager to see which literary genius had spoken. But then they saw—it was Gao You.

This was the man who had trampled the “Flower Snatcher Scholar” (Third-place Imperial Exam Winner) into the dirt!

Dueling in couplets with him wasn’t about leisure or elegance—it was a form of self-torture.

No one wanted to be the next “Flower Snatcher Scholar No. 2”, forever remembered as the person who lost to a fool.

“Ah, what a beautiful moon tonight, but the wind is a little chilly—I should return to my room!”

One scholar tilted his head towards the moon before swiftly disappearing into the night.

“My stomach feels uncomfortable!”

“I miss my wife, I need to write her a letter!”

“…”

In an instant, the once-lively group dispersed like frightened birds. Standing nearby, the maid couldn’t help but cover her mouth and giggle. She had heard rumors that Gao You was a fool, yet a master of couplets. But she never imagined that his presence would be so terrifying—wherever he went, no one dared to stay!

Why are they running?

Gao You felt helpless as he watched the scholars flee. He had just wanted to sharpen his skills, not humiliate them!

With no one left to challenge, Gao You turned to the nearby table of pastries and tea and began sampling different delicacies. While these pastries weren’t as good as Sun Sanniang’s, their variety made them interesting to try.

In the distance, Zheng Qingtian finished socializing and entered a private room. Not missing a beat, Gao You went to the attendants handling room assignments and requested a room change—one that would allow him to monitor the situation better.

As for the reason for switching rooms?

Before Gao You could even explain, the maid had already made up an entire story in her head—She imagined that Gao You had scared off everyone who would do couplets with him.

So, in frustration, he demanded a room closer to the main gathering area so he could immediately join any couplet challenge that arose!

______

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Gao You yawned as he stepped out of his room. Yet, to his surprise, no one in the gathering was doing couplets.

Looks like word got out that I was planning to humiliate people again…

______

“Today, I have gathered everyone here…”

Zheng Qingtian, as the host, took the stage and delivered an impassioned speech. Gao You had zero interest in his words and closed his eyes to rest.

Gao You frowned as he checked his inventory. He had assumed this was some magical beehive that would let him control bees for surveillance.

If that were the case, he could simply send a bee to spy on people—no need to follow them himself!

But it turned out to be just a regular beehive, with its only function being to provide honey. Well, at least Zhao Pan’er likes honey. He decided he’d give it to her when he got back.

Once Zheng Qingtian’s speech ended, the Spring Outing Banquet officially began. The scholars and gentlemen indulged in their usual pastimes—Discussing philosophy, playing literary drinking games, and even breaking into song when the mood struck. But Gao You had no interest in socializing. He found a lounge chair and prepared to lie down and relax.

______

Splash!

From the distant lake, someone dove into the water with a loud splash. Gao You sat up, interested.

Swimming? Now this is a good activity!

Not only was it refreshing, but it was also fun!

“Hold this!”

Gao You threw his coat to his maid and dove headfirst into the lake.

Huh?

The maid stared in shock.

A gentleman just took off his clothes and jumped into the lake—in public!

How utterly shameful!

“Is that Gao You? Did he just jump into the lake? How disgraceful!”

“He’s a fool! You expect him to care about dignity?”

“As long as he doesn’t challenge me to a couplet duel, I don’t care! That ‘West Lake’ one was way too hard!”

Suddenly, everyone remembered that Gao You had been looking for new couplet victims. If they criticized him too much, would he turn his attention to them?

Realizing this, the scholars immediately shut their mouths.

_____

“You swim pretty fast!”

A figure surfaced near Gao You.

“Want to race?”

A swimming competition?

Gao You was so fast he could chase fish in the water.

“Bring it on!”

As soon as he agreed, both men shot forward like arrows, racing through the lake.

“Wow, they’re so fast!”

Even the soldiers and servants watching from the shore couldn’t help but gasp in amazement.

The scholars, on the other hand, maintained a facade of composure—After all, public swimming was far too undignified for them to comment on!

“That was refreshing!”

Gao You surfaced on the opposite shore, exhilarated. A few moments later, his opponent surfaced as well.

“I can’t believe someone swims faster than me!”

He looked at Gao You with intense curiosity.

“Ever considered joining the Coastal Defense Army?”

“General!”

A nearby soldier whispered in his ear, “That’s Gao You!”

The general instinctively blurted out.

“The fool?”

Realizing his mistake, he quickly corrected himself.

“I wasn’t insulting you! I was just… surprised.”

“I didn’t expect a scholar to be willing to race in the water!”

Gao You, still excited, grinned.

“Another round?”

The general, feeling that he hadn’t given his best effort earlier, eagerly nodded.

“Alright!”

“Ready—GO!”

A soldier on the shore gave the signal, and the two men dove back into the water for another race.