Chapter 60: Writing the Eternal Masterpiece

The Poetry Tower was not only a place for reciting poems and composing elegant couplets, but also a place for dining, drinking, and enjoying the bustling world.

It was established by the largest academy in North Star Country—Huating Academy.

Scholars from all over the world gathered here, and the place was filled with talented individuals and literary figures.

They would discuss knowledge, share insights, critique famous works, write poems, and create eternal masterpieces.

They would repair missing pieces of music scores, solve unsolvable chess puzzles, and showcase lost painting techniques.

As long as it was related to talented individuals, the Poetry Tower had it all.

It could be said that every scholar in North Star Country who had made a name for themselves had left a mark at the Poetry Tower.

There was even a saying circulating: “If you haven’t entered the Poetry Tower, you can’t call yourself a scholar.”

Yue Chutang had come here with the intention of taking a shortcut, hoping to stand out in the literary circle and elevate her status.

Even if the dog emperor wanted to kill her, he would have to think twice!

Despite the apparent poverty of scholars, their power was great and terrifying.

The more powerful the rulers, the more they cared about their reputation and feared being condemned by public opinion, leaving behind a disgraceful legacy.

However, entering the Poetry Tower was not so easy. One had to pass an assessment.

The topics changed every day and were issued by Huating Academy.

When Yue Chutang arrived at the Poetry Tower, she looked up at the massive banner hanging down from the fifth floor.

“Sky as the chessboard, stars as the pieces, who dares to play?”

[Note: This comes from a dialogue between Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Bowen.]

This was the first line, and one had to compose a matching second line in order to enter the Poetry Tower.

If the second line was accepted as an absolute masterpiece, the Poetry Tower would hang a banner with the person’s name for everyone to admire for a day.

Additionally, the couplet would be displayed on the third floor for the scholars and literary figures to appreciate, helping to promote the individual’s name.

Yue Chutang was not very skilled in composing couplets, her head was filled with Tang poetry and Song lyrics, making it difficult to think of a fitting second line.

However, she was quite interested in couplets and had frequently dominated online competitions before.

Some were elegant, some crude, but as long as she could match the lines, she received plenty of praise.

She quickly thought of the second line and walked toward the table in front of the Poetry Tower.

Just as she lifted her foot, a familiar mocking voice sounded from behind.

“Miss Yue, the Poetry Tower isn’t a place you can just enter because you know how to write calligraphy.”

It was Princess Anping.

Yue Chutang rolled her eyes in exasperation.

This capital city was too small—wherever she went, she always ran into vile people!

She turned around, forcing a fake smile, and curtsied, “Greetings, Princess Anping.”

After curtsying, she stood up and said, “What the princess said is correct. Knowing calligraphy doesn’t mean one can enter. But if one doesn’t know it, they certainly can’t get in.”

Princess Anping clearly caught the hint that Yue Chutang was mocking her poor calligraphy skills.

She was so angry she almost wanted to lash out with a whip, but the Poetry Tower had rules—no fighting inside or outside the building.

“Miss Yue, do you think you can enter the Poetry Tower?” Princess Anping sneered.

The difficulty of matching the second line was immense, and many famous scholars had failed.

Yue Chutang glanced at the first line. “I’m just a country bumpkin, my talent is limited, and this couplet… is difficult.”

The difficulty didn’t lie in the structure, but in the grandeur of the sentiment conveyed by the couplet.

Princess Anping looked at Yue Chutang with disdain and mocked, “Matching this couplet requires breadth of mind and insight. Miss Yue lacks both, so naturally, you can’t match it.”

At the banquet the other day, she had lost face in front of everyone with her poetry.

Today, she would make sure everyone knew that Yue Chutang was nothing but a lucky fool!

Yue Chutang could see through Princess Anping’s thoughts.

She didn’t mind giving this fool another lesson.

“I’m just a country bumpkin, lacking both breadth of mind and insight, and I certainly don’t have the bearing to compare with a princess of royal blood.”

Princess Anping’s face turned dark.

She realized that Yue Chutang was about to roast her on the fire!

Fuming with anger.

Yue Chutang continued, “Such a grand and magnificent couplet, surely only a lady of your caliber can match it best, Princess.”

She directly flattered Princess Anping, elevating her to a lofty status.

It wasn’t about simply matching the lines—it was about creating an absolute masterpiece, worthy of a royal talent!

A crowd of onlookers quickly gathered, eager to flatter the princess. “Princess, with your beauty and literary talent, matching this couplet must be effortless.”

What fools!

If the princess could really match it, would she still be standing outside the Poetry Tower?

“Princess, you are the literary star of the heavens, and with your royal bearing, you will surely create an eternal masterpiece.”

Shut up!

Even the newly crowned top scholar wouldn’t dare call themselves a literary star, and yet you’re praising her like this?

“Princess…”

Princess Anping really couldn’t listen any longer and scolded, “Shut up! I have urgent matters to attend to and don’t have time to match couplets.”

Yue Chutang sidestepped and blocked Princess Anping, her smile not reaching her eyes.

“Since the princess has waited here for so long, you must have already thought of the second line. I know you’re busy, so I won’t take up your time. You don’t need to write it down, just speak it out loud for us to enjoy and feel the royal bearing and insight of a true talent.”

The onlookers, oblivious to Princess Anping’s ugly expression, eagerly chimed in.

Yue Chutang immediately realized something was off.

She scanned the surroundings, catching sight of Qi Yanzhou disappearing around the corner, and a smile tugged at her lips.

Princess Anping, cornered and unable to back out, was about to explode.

But she couldn’t come up with the second line and could only use her “urgent business” excuse again.

She glared coldly at everyone, “Anyone who dares to delay me from handling my urgent matters, are you seeking death?”

No one dared to confront Princess Anping head-on and immediately lowered their heads to avoid her gaze.

She smugly looked at Yue Chutang, shoved her aside, and hurried off.

Yue Chutang patted the spot where Princess Anping had pushed her and walked up to the table in front of the Poetry Tower.

“Unworthy as I am, I would like to try my hand at the second line. Is that permissible?”

Her voice was loud, and even Princess Anping, who had not gone far, could hear it clearly.

She really wanted to stay and watch Yue Chutang make a fool of herself, but she couldn’t bear to slap her own face.

She walked away, frustrated and seething.

The scholar standing by the table immediately ground some ink and said respectfully, “Miss, please teach us.”

Yue Chutang picked up the wolf-hair brush from the ink stand, dipped it in thick ink, and began to write.

“Mountains and rivers form the world, the people are the focus. When will it end?”

[Note: This was found online.]

The scholar, seeing that she had stopped writing, respectfully took the freshly written paper.

“Please wait, Miss.”

He turned around and placed the paper in the small window behind him.

The head scholar would assess the quality of the answer before deciding whether the person could enter the Poetry Tower.

After reading Yue Chutang’s couplet, the head scholar was stunned and personally came out to welcome her.

“Miss Yue, you are truly talented. Please enter the tower.”

Hearing this, the scholars and students gathered at the entrance craned their necks to see what kind of second line had earned such an accolade.

The head scholar noticed their curiosity and smiled.

“The second line will be revealed soon.”

This implied that Yue Chutang’s second line was an absolute masterpiece, and it would be hung in the Poetry Tower for everyone to admire.

With that, the head scholar led Yue Chutang inside.

The Poetry Tower resembled a smaller version of a cylindrical tower, with a narrow top and wide bottom.

The first floor was for dining, with a grand hall and private rooms.

Above that were places for elegant activities.

The head scholar asked Yue Chutang, “Miss Yue, have you come to the Poetry Tower to recite poetry or to dine?”

“First, to dine, and then to recite poetry.”

The head scholar gestured toward the private rooms, “Miss Yue, please follow me.”

Yue Chutang had come to the Poetry Tower to make a name for herself, so she chose to sit in the grand hall.

“I enjoy the lively atmosphere.”

After saying that, she sat down at an empty table and ordered two dishes and a soup.

The head scholar waited until Yue Chutang had finished ordering, then said, “Miss Yue, your second line was excellent. It will be displayed outside the tower, and later, I will ask you to sign it.”

Yue Chutang took a sip of tea and asked, “May I write it myself?”

Her calligraphy skills were already famous among scholars, and the head scholar immediately agreed.

“Of course, Miss Yue. Please wait, I will fetch the banner and ink for you.”