Chapter 532: Mr. Chen, Why Are You Trying to Ruin Me! |
Publish Time: 2026-06-28 04:32:00
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“If we’re talking about rhythm and rhyme, it’s actually not too difficult. Where it falls short is in capturing the right mood. I’ve attempted this myself a few times before, but it never felt quite right.”
Miss Ruyi paused at these words and said, “Then I’m afraid I won’t be able to come up with it either…”
The scholar smiled gently. “You won’t know unless you try.”
Ruyi wasn’t so sure about it herself.
Truth be told, it had been many years since she last picked up a book. Ever since taking charge of the Embroidery Workshop, she’d been swamped with work, neglecting many things.
After a while, Ruyi clapped her hands. “I’ve got it!”
She turned toward Uncle Chen. “But I’m not sure if it’s correct.”
Chen Changsheng reassured, “Don’t worry. Just say it. No one will laugh if it’s wrong.”
Ruyi hesitated a moment before speaking. “True Dragon Well, True Dragon’s Roar; In the True Dragon Well, the True Dragon Roars. The True Dragon lasts for ages, the Dragon’s Roar echoes through the ages.”
She glanced nervously between Uncle Chen and Master Zhu.
The scholar beamed. “The young lady’s response is excellent!”
Ruyi blinked. “R-really? It’s good?”
The scholar nodded. “Positively.”
Ruyi lit up. “So… can I take the beads?”
“Naturally.”
The scholar smiled warmly.
Ruyi’s face beamed with joy as she watched him untie the beaded strand hanging from his Lantern.
“Hold them well, Miss.”
Ruyi hurriedly stammered, “Thank you! Wait, I must pay you for the Lantern Riddle. I can’t take them without paying.”
She felt uneasy accepting it for free.
“Just a few pennies.”
“No, no. You must accept the payment.”
Seeing Ruyi’s persistence, the scholar stopped refusing. He took the coins. “Miss, you have a sincere heart. I shan’t decline and trouble your thoughts further.”
Ruyi grinned. “It was only proper payment.”
She twirled the beads before her eyes, utterly delighted.
“Uncle Chen, look. Aren’t they pretty?”
Chen Changsheng glanced at them. “The pearls are pure white. They suit you.”
“What about on Uncle Chen?” Ruyi asked.
“On me?” Chen Changsheng thought for a moment.
“Yes!”
Ruyi insisted, “I actually think they’d look perfect on Uncle Chen. When I was little, I never really gave Uncle Chen any gifts.”
Chen Changsheng hesitated. “If you’re thinking of giving them to me… these beads are pure, but I am not perfectly pure…”
Before he could finish,
Ruyi grabbed his hand and slid the beads onto his wrist.
She eyed the effect and nodded firmly. “Perfectly fitting.”
Chen Changsheng sighed helplessly. “Don’t be silly.”
Ruyi insisted, “But it truly looks perfect.”
She then turned to the scholar. “Master Zhu, don’t they suit him well?”
Master Zhu chuckled beside them. “Please accept them, Mr. Chen. It’s evidence of her thoughtfulness.”
Chen Changsheng looked down at the bracelet on his wrist. After a slight pause, he relented.
“Alright…”
Ruyi immediately brightened. “You accepted! No returning them.”
“Mm. I won’t return them. I shall keep them.”
“Heehee…”
Ruyi laughed like a child. And truly, very much a child in Chen Changsheng’s eyes.
Chen Changsheng turned to Ruyi. “Ruyi, take Lihua for a walk. I must speak privately with Master Zhu. I’ll find you soon.”
A sudden understanding flickered in Ruyi’s eyes at Master Zhu’s mention. “Alright.”
Chen Changsheng then cautioned the cat. “Lihua, stick close.”
Lihua glanced at Chen Changsheng and nodded silently.
After Ruyi and her cat departed,
Chen Changsheng addressed the scholar finally. “Thank you for earlier, Master Zhu.”
The scholar laughed softly. “Where did that come from? Miss Ruyi truly matched exceptionally well.”
Chen Changsheng was far from fooled. He recognized Master Zhu’s courtesy for granting Ruyi the beads.
Chen Changsheng pressed, “This test was meant to draw attention. And the beads hold significance. Taking them without just recompense is inappropriate.”
The scholar waved dismissively. “Mr. Chen cannot return them. I refuse any return.”
“Repaying directly is impossible then.”
Chen Changsheng admitted. “So instead, I shall attempt the matching verse properly. Regardless of the outcome, I shall then pose a challenge back to Master Zhu. Acceptable?”
The scholar demurred with a slight headshake. “Is this necessary, Mr. Chen?”
“I have my reasons.”
After consideration, the scholar yielded. “Very well. As Mr. Chen wishes.”
Chen Changsheng mused. “River-Gazing Tower, gazing river flow; On River-Gazing Tower, gazing river flow. Tower stands a thousand years, river flows a thousand years…”
“My response is…”
“Moon-Catching Well, catching moon’s reflection; Inside Moon-Catching Well, moon’s reflection caught. Well stands ten thousand years, moon reflected ten thousand years.”
Master Zhu, how does that land?”
The scholar froze momentarily. At first glance dismissible, deeper contemplation shook him.
“Moon Well… Moon Reflection…”
He murmured, glancing toward the full moon overhead.
Rhythm, rhyme, nuance – perfection manifest.
Regaining composure, the scholar bowed deeply. “Sir possesses extraordinary talent! This resolves a dilemma that long vexed me. Thank you!”
Chen Changsheng redirected. “I learned it elsewhere.”
Master Zhu persisted. “You’re too modest, Mr. Chen.”
“Indeed, merely recalled.” Chen Changsheng countered, though adding, “Yet flaw remains. ‘Ten Thousand Years’ pairs unevenly with ‘A Thousand Years’. Imperfect.”
Master Zhu argued, “Irrelevant! I’ve consulted countless masters and scholars. Among innumerable attempts, only Mr. Chen’s holds true. This version… remains unmatched…”
Chen Changsheng offered a gentle smile. “Now, for your challenge, Master Zhu.”
Anticipation sparked within the scholar. “A puzzle from Mr. Chen? Already I wonder the nature.”
Master Zhu fetched brush and ink. Portable stall became makeshift desk.
Chen Changsheng dipped his brush. “Heard this one too. Only five characters, yet challenge profound.”
Brush flourished across paper. Five stark characters emerged:
The scholar stared. Stunned.
Chen Changsheng set the brush down.
He met Master Zhu’s gaze evenly. “Should you ever solve it yourself… or should someone ever unravel its echo… honor me with the discovery. Truly, I long to glimpse that possible completion.”
Master Zhu carefully lifted the paper, eyes tracing mysterious characters.
Young
His brow furrowed, then slowly cleared. Bitter resignation surfaced as he gently placed the paper aside.
On it, five damning characters proclaimed—
Smoke locks pond willows.
“MR. CHEN! YOU ARE TRYING TO RUIN ME!”
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