Nan Baoyi walked to where the handrail was, deep in her thoughts for a moment, then looked back and smiled, "Full moon in the sky, half month on earth, moon after moon, the full moon comes across a half month. Young Master Zhang, please match the lower antithetical couplet."
[Translation note: Antithetical couplet is a pair of lines of poetry that adhere to certain rules.]
When there was a full moon in the sky, it would be the fifteenth day of the month.
This was a popular couplet in Shengjing City of later generations. Back then, many talented scholars were stumped so she expected Zhang Yuanwang would not be able to answer.
When he could not answer, Big Sister would realize that Zhang Yuanwang was not that talented.
The people in the annex were lost in thought, one by one pondering on how to match it.
Zhang Yuanwang closed his folding fan and knocking on the table with it a few times, obviously thinking deeply.
The hustle and bustle of the annex attracted many young people, even Xiao Yi came over, sitting quietly in a corner drinking tea.
The birds were chirping and the peach blossoms were just as beautiful in the silence.
In the silence, Xiao Yi raised his eyes and glanced at Nan Baoyi.
The little girl's eyes were shining and staring at Zhang Yuanwang without blinking as if she was waiting for something to happen.
He was only a tacky scholar with no substance, does she really liked him?
The expensive oolong tea tasted harsh.
He put down his teacup and said coldly, "Tonight is the last day of the year and tomorrow is the start of the year, year after year, the end followed by the start of the year."
Everyone paused followed by a stunned surprise.
This was a very good lower antithetical couplet!
Nan Baoyi wrinkled her face like a ball and looked at Xiao Yi incredulously.
It was all going well, Zhang Yuanwang was about to make a fool out of himself if he could not match the couplet, why did he have to mess it up?!
Xiao Yi smirked.
She glared at him, she actually glared at him!
Sure enough, she was mad at him for stealing her boyfriend's opportunity of showing off.
Nan Baoyi forced a smile, "Second Brother, I'm letting Young Master Zhang match the couplet, what are you doing?"
Xiao Yi looked carefree and did not comment on anything.
Nan Baoyi had to say, "Young Master Zhang, I have another couplet. Listen carefully: Lotus wearing jade hairpins, the wind blows a slow sound."
This was harder than the previous couplet.
Lotus, jade hairpin, slow sounds, there were all in nouns to which the poem was composed. The lower antithetical couplet must also have these three nouns.
Zhang Yuanwang thought hard, rubbing his folding fan with his palm unconsciously.
He was just robbed of his opportunity to match the couplet. Although others did not say anything, he was Shu County's number one talented scholar, how could he be robbed of the limelight in a situation like this?
Nan Baoyi secretly rejoiced, knowing he would not be able to match it.
She covered her face with her fan and taunted Zhang Yuanwang at Nan Baorong.
Xiao Yi saw her whispering something to others, he looked even more unhappy.
He set his gaze on her red embroidered shoes and calmly said, "Poppies wearing red embroidered shoes, causing delicate steps under the moonlight."
Poppies, red embroidered shoes, delicate steps were all nouns to which the poem was composed, matching it perfectly.
The annex was filled with sounds of awe.
Zhang Yuanwang took the opportunity to smile and said, "Such a coincidence, Brother Xiao and I thought of the same thing. I was about to answer this!"
Nan Baoyi's chest wanted to explode and she could not help but stare at Xiao Yi viciously.
She wanted to let him match another couplet when a maid just came in announcing that the banquet was about to start.
The crowd went out towards the waterfront pavilion.
She purposely fell behind and muttered angrily, "Second Brother ruined my plan, he's extremely hateful!"
It was time for the swallows to return to their nests.
The sunset was reflected in the waves of the water, dazzling koi swimming beside the rockery. A performing stage was set up on the water and the theatrical troupe was all ready to entertain.
The evening breeze made a peach blossom petal fell, gently landing on the little girl's hair.
Xiao Yi carelessly brushed away the petal for her, "Where's my present?"
Nan Baoyi choked, and said annoyingly, "If I promise you a present I will definitely give it to you. What's your hurry?"
"Don't give away my present to someone else."
He said this without any reason and just walked ahead of her.
Nan Baoyi could not comprehend!
During dinner time, the girls who were not yet married sat together, talking softly to each other while watching the show on the stage.
Nan Baoyi noticed Nan Baorong kept stealing glances at Zhang Yuanwang, she could not help but ask, "What does Big Sister see in him?"
"I liked that he is gentle and talented." Nan Baorong pursed up her lips and smiled, "Furthermore, no matter if he is rich or poor, talented or not, he is the husband that Grandmother has chosen for me, why wouldn't I be happy about it? This is a woman's principles."
The lights from the trees gilded across.
Her sick and pale face displayed a girl's shyness which was more beautiful than putting on fine makeup.
Nan Baoyi sighed softly in her heart. Her Big Sister was so naive and innocent, just like her in her previous life when she was waiting to be married.
Trivial problems would not be able to change her admiration, she needed to show her Zhang Yuanwang's true colors.
She wondered and looked at Zhang Yuanwang some more.
But she suddenly realized Xiao Yi was staring at her coldly.
She shivered, quickly lowered her head, and ate something.
After dinner, Nan Baozhu was making a fuss saying she wanted to go to the hot springs. She had no time and hurriedly ran to the small house where the theatrical troupes were staying.
She recognized the manager at a glance and asked, "Is this the theatrical troupe from Spring Jade Hall?"
"That's right, Fifth Miss Nan needs something?"
"I want to learn how to perform, can you choose a master for me?"
The manager scratched his head blankly.
Daughter of a rich family wanting to learn how to perform?
What was she up to?
While he was at a loss, a charming female voice suddenly sounded, "What sort of performance would you like to learn?"
A young girl was leaning against the door, with her gorgeous face and shoulders half exposed. She was the boss of Spring Jade Hall, Han Yanliang.
Nan Baoyi immediately widened her eyes, "Madam Boss Han, I want to learn a performance relating to flowers."
To stop Xiao Yi from hindering her plans against Zhang Yuanwang again, she decided to appease him first.
But he was troublesome. He would not appreciate ordinary plants and flowers and the timing was tight. She had no time to ask someone to buy good ones so she could only use this way to make him happy.
Didn't he like flowers?
The snow-capped western mountains, the cold starry night, and her performing in an actress's makeup. She would sing and perform something about flowers in front of him on the quiet terrace.
When he recognized her, he would be pleasantly surprised. He might even think that his sister was very clever!
Nan Baoyi could almost imagine Xiao Yi hugging her lovingly and touched at how cute she looked.
Han Yanliang smiled slightly, "There is a show that should be suitable for Fifth Miss Nan."
...
In the waterfront pavilion.
There were still people performing on stage.
The banquet was coming to an end, leaving only a group of drunks making a mess.
Xiao Yi stood up to leave.
He passed through two decorative screen walls. With the moonlight dancing around, the sounds of the performers draining away, what was left was the sounds of crickets.
Xiao Yi was slightly drunk.
He held on to the screen walls, his slender shadow elongated due to the moonlight.
Shi Ku held the lantern and carefully supported him, saying respectfully, "Master has drunk a lot of wine… why don't we go back and rest? There's still another banquet tomorrow and you will inevitably continue drinking."
Xiao Yi lowered his head, raised his hand, and pinched the center of his brows, his voice was low, "Where is she?"
"Fifth Miss? No one saw her once the female members of the family left the banquet. I heard from Yu Wei that she went over to the theatrical troupes ― hey, Master where are you going?!"
Xiao Yi toasted a lot of wine during dinner and his walk was unstable, but his mind was clear.
When he walked outside towards the small house, he could hear an accent of speech by a graceful voice from afar.
It was Nan Jiaojiao's voice…
The night was dark.
The young man stared at the brightly lit small house, his deep and dark eyes narrowing, not reflecting any luster at all.
She actually put aside her Nan Residence Miss status to learn a performance.
Who was she learning it for?
Zhang Yuan Wang?