Chapter 65: The Pale Stone Lies in Silence, a Green Snake Coiled Upon It

Tang Chaoyang had only been divorced for a short while, yet someone already had their eye on her?

Could it be that this man surnamed Wang had some hidden ailment?

At this moment, Wang Quan only felt rather awkward, being watched and scrutinized by so many people.

Although Su Ling disliked Tang Chaoyang, since Tang Chaoyang was still living in the Su family, if people misunderstood that she was privately involved with an outsider, it would also reflect poorly on her and her elder sister.

So she had just stepped forward to help Tang Chaoyang explain.

Faced with the appraising stares of these young noblemen and ladies, Tang Chaoyang remained calm.

She had done nothing shameful and had no reason to feel anxious.

The princess, draped in a plain brocade cloak, slowly walked over to Tang Chaoyang. She stopped and asked with a scornful laugh, “Which Wang family are you from?”

There didn’t seem to be any prominent family named Wang in the capital.

One of the young men recognized Wang Quan. Because of the rumors that he had brought ill fortune to his late wife, Wang Quan was still somewhat known in the academies of the capital.

That young man pressed his palms together before his chest, leaning forward slightly in a respectful salutation. “Master Wang.”

In the academies of the capital, respect for one’s teacher was emphasized. As long as you were still a student, the basic rituals of courtesy had to be observed.

Although Wang Quan felt rather embarrassed at having his confession discovered by so many, after receiving the student’s respectful greeting, he recovered a bit of face.

Thinking it over, there was really nothing shameful about this—he sincerely wished to marry Tang Chaoyang.

These nobles were all from wealthier, more powerful families than he was, so Wang Quan dared not show any displeasure.

Tang Chaoyang intended to leave this place and find another quiet spot.

Princess Nan Qingqing was Dong Xinrui’s close friend, and naturally also disliked Tang Chaoyang.

“Miss Tang, upon seeing this princess, why haven’t you saluted?” Nan Qingqing lifted her chin, glancing sidelong at Tang Chaoyang as she prepared to leave. “Have you forgotten how to show respect?”

Among all those present, Nan Qingqing held the highest rank.

Tang Chaoyang smiled faintly and performed an elegant, flowing curtsey.

This was the nature of hierarchy: if those above you insisted on scrutinizing your manners, there was no way for those of lower status to refute it.

Nan Qingqing, seeing her complete the salute, curled her lips into a smile and didn’t press further. Instead, she laughed lightly and said,

“We were planning to have a poetry contest, but our numbers are too few. If Miss Tang is interested, why don’t you stay and join us?”

Though it sounded like an invitation, her tone carried the hint of a command.

Tang Chaoyang sensed hostility. Anyone who had heard of her would also have heard that she was not skilled in the refined arts of poetry, music, calligraphy, and painting.

She guessed that Nan Qingqing was trying to stand up for Dong Xinrui.

Tang Chaoyang slowly drew back her foot.

The friends of one’s enemies were also one’s enemies.

Tang Chaoyang smiled and decided to stay. “Thank you, Your Highness, for the invitation.”

Clad in her embroidered fur cloak, she stood beneath the bamboo, her face bare of makeup yet her lips still bright red and her expression delicate and striking.

A few of the young men couldn’t help glancing at her before quickly averting their eyes.

Seeing that she had agreed, Nan Qingqing’s smile grew even more vivid. She turned her gaze to Wang Quan. “Master Wang, would you remain and act as our judge?”

Wang Quan nodded. “Of course.”

Nan Qingqing beamed as she looked around. “Since we are here in the temple today, why don’t we take ‘stone’ as our theme? And naturally, a contest should have stakes.”

She removed the golden butterfly hair ornament from her hair and placed it in the tray held out by her maid.

The noble ladies and gentlemen all contributed something as a prize. Tang Chaoyang also removed her colorful jade hairpin and set it in the tray.

Nan Qingqing gave her a sidelong glance, then recited first:

“Guarding the mountain through wind and rain,
Year upon year clad in mossy green,
For countless ages, streams and footsteps cross,
Beneath the moon, alone I hear the monks chant Zen.”

“Wonderful! Your Highness, what fine literary talent!”

A young man deliberated a moment, then recited:

“An aged stone lies hidden in the mountain glen,
Through countless storms its hues grow deep.
Time carves no visible mark,
Yet frost engraves its secret lines.
Who can weigh its strength and softness?
Ten thousand fathoms rooted alone.
May it stand steadfast for a thousand autumns,
Becoming the very soul of earth.”

One by one, the nobles present recited their verses.

Wang Quan nodded appreciatively. As a scholar, he sincerely admired their artistry.

At last, only Tang Chaoyang remained silent.

Su Ling’s face showed a trace of barely perceptible distaste. She turned her head away, unwilling to watch Tang Chaoyang any longer.

Truly shameful—she didn’t know how to compose poetry yet dared to stay.

Nan Qingqing smiled sweetly. “Miss Tang, there’s no hurry. We can wait while you think it over.”

She turned to another young lady and sighed regretfully. “If Xinrui were here today, it would be even livelier. Whenever she joins such gatherings, even I willingly concede defeat.”

The young lady nodded in agreement, her eyes admiring. “Yes, Lady Fei’s literary talent is remarkable. Her poems are praised throughout the capital. If she were here, this contest would be even more splendid.”

Several young gentlemen also nodded. Dong Xinrui’s brilliance was universally acknowledged.

Their gazes fell on Tang Chaoyang, who still hadn’t spoken—a mix of disdain, mockery, ridicule, and pity in their eyes.

Wang Quan looked a little worried and somewhat embarrassed for her, though he knew well she wasn’t versed in this.

But Tang Chaoyang ignored all the scornful stares. She smiled lightly. “A splash of green upon the stone—how very beautiful.”

Everyone: “……”

Was that…supposed to be a poem?

Su Ling wanted to rush over and clap a hand over her mouth. If she couldn’t compose a poem, then fine—but to blurt out something so crude was utterly humiliating.

Nan Qingqing covered her lips with her sleeve and giggled. “Miss Tang, you are truly amusing.”

The noble ladies hid their laughter behind delicate hands.

The young gentlemen tried to maintain polite expressions but secretly thought Tang Chaoyang truly was…vulgar.

Such a woman was only fit to stay quietly in the inner chambers waiting for a man’s favor—not to mingle in society.

No wonder Lord Fei had cast her aside.

Tang Chaoyang’s lips curved into a faint smile. She lifted her finger and pointed. “Look over there. A splash of green upon the stone—so beautiful. Did I say something wrong?”

They all thought she’d lost her mind, but still, reflexively, they turned to look where she indicated.

A splash of green on the stone?

A snake???

A small green pit viper was coiled upon the rock, its two red eyes fixed on them. Its long tongue flicked in and out.

Its body slowly shifted and undulated.

The noble ladies, catching sight of it, went pale as paper. They clamped their hands over their mouths, nearly screaming.

Nan Qingqing’s hand trembled as she stepped back, her eyes full of terror.

She most feared soft, wriggling creatures.

A couple of the young men had some martial training and kept calm.

In low voices, they said, “Everyone move slowly—back away carefully. That’s a bamboo viper—not highly venomous, but still dangerous.”

It was poisonous enough. A bite to the neck could be fatal.

Since they’d come to the back mountain without guards following, most of the servants present were delicate and helpless.

The maids clustered around their mistresses, preparing to retreat.

Wang Quan moved close to Tang Chaoyang. As he kept an eye on the snake, he said quietly, “Miss Tang, we should also leave.”

Generally, snakes hibernated in winter. Who would have thought this bamboo viper was still active?

Tang Chaoyang inclined her head politely. “You go ahead.”

She walked over to the maid beside Nan Qingqing and took her colorful jade hairpin from the tray.

Nan Qingqing: “…”

Everyone was hurrying to leave, terrified, and this woman still had her mind on her hairpin.

Tang Chaoyang tucked the hairpin into her hair and gave Nan Qingqing a small smile. Then she calmly recited two lines:

“Pale stone in silence holds a green snake,
Cold glints drifting over the dusty sand.”

She walked directly toward the stone where the viper lay coiled. As she passed it, she tilted her head, studying it. “Quite cute, don’t you think, Nanny?”

Nanny Wu, who appeared composed, was actually bracing herself to shield her mistress if the snake struck. She forced a smile and said, “Yes, cute.”

Seeing her nanny’s strained expression, Tang Chaoyang stifled a laugh.

The viper, startled by her soft laughter, raised half its body and flicked its tongue in her direction.

In Tang Chaoyang’s mind, snakes were useful either for medicinal wine or for making certain poisons.

Though she knew how, she had never been fond of using deadly poisons indiscriminately. She always remembered that she was, above all, a physician.

She had only ever prepared lethal poisons for self-defense.

The bamboo viper did not attack her.

Nan Qingqing and the others stared blankly at Tang Chaoyang as she walked past the coiled snake and disappeared beyond the rocks, her figure perfectly calm.

She wasn’t afraid at all?

Nan Qingqing’s face tightened as she left. She had meant to humiliate Tang Chaoyang in front of everyone, yet this little poetry contest had ended in anticlimax.

Wang Quan’s gaze held a hint of dazed admiration as he watched her retreating silhouette. He had intended to follow her—but as his eyes fell on the bamboo viper, he found his feet rooted to the spot.