Sitting in the carriage, Zhao Ying's face was extremely grim.
In his eyes, Shen Jing had always been foolish and useless.
He never dreamed that he would one day be humiliated by Shen Jing.
"Alright, don't be angry."
Song Lianxin comforted Zhao Ying, "No matter how much Shen Jing shows off, he will still marry into the Wang family the day after tomorrow! At that time, I wonder if he'll still be able to smile!"
"Hmm, that's true."
Zhao Ying's expression softened slightly, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes, "When he gets married, I'll definitely send him a generous gift!"
Originally, he couldn't even be bothered to watch the spectacle of Shen Jing getting married.
But Shen Jing not only injured him today but also made him lose face, and he simply couldn't swallow that insult.
Unless he thoroughly humiliated Shen Jing, he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
"And that Miss Su! We absolutely cannot let her off!"
Song Lianxin reminded him, "If she hadn't incited those people to speak up for Shen Jing today, we would have already dragged Shen Jing to the authorities!"
In fact, Song Lianxin had also seen Su Yourong's true face for the first time.
But she didn't think her own looks were inferior to Su Yourong's.
However, she had noticed the extra glances Zhao Ying had given Su Yourong earlier.
Thinking of Zhao Ying's gaze at that time, she felt uncomfortable all over.
"Hmm, right!"
Zhao Ying nodded lightly, and Su Yourong's face unconsciously reappeared in his mind.
If he could also take Su Yourong into his household, then all the men in Luochuan Prefecture would probably be mad with envy!
What a pity!
He hadn't left a good impression on Su Yourong today.
Shen Jing!
That damn Shen Jing!
It was all this scoundrel's fault!
Otherwise, with his family background and talent, if he had just left a slightly good impression on Su Yourong, wouldn't it have been easy to take her into his household?
Thinking this, Zhao Ying wished even more that he could crush Shen Jing to death.
As Zhao Ying left, several people who were close to him also quickly bid farewell and departed.
The remaining people gathered around the unfinished article, pondering and savoring it.
"Young Master Li, why don't you try to continue it?"
At this moment, someone else suggested to Li Zhao.
Li Zhao was also a famous scholar from Huaizhou.
Although his literary reputation was not as good as Zhao Ying's, he also passed the imperial examination this year and ranked third.
"No, no!"
Li Zhao waved his hands repeatedly, saying with a bitter smile, "Shen Jing's prose, with its magnificent rhetoric, profound charm, and deep artistic conception, is truly rare in the world! Even if I studied for another ten years, I might not be able to continue this work!"
Hearing Li Zhao's words, everyone was surprised.
Even after another ten years of study, he might not be able to continue it?
Li Zhao's evaluation of Shen Jing's unfinished "ode to the goddess of the luo river" was too high, wasn't it?
"In that case, if Shen Jing could finish this work, the title of the number one scholar in Huaizhou would undoubtedly belong to him!"
"Could this be plagiarized?"
"Plagiarized? How could it be plagiarized? Even if you gathered all the books in the world, you might not be able to copy this work!"
"Do you think Zhao Ying really didn't want to continue it? He simply couldn't!"
"Right, if Zhao Ying could continue it, he definitely wouldn't miss this opportunity to gain fame..."
Everyone gathered there, discussing animatedly, filled with emotion and admiration.
But more than anything, there was regret.
Not being able to see the full text of such a divine work was truly one of life's great regrets.
Su Yourong pondered for a moment, then quickly put away the two pieces of paper and looked apologetically at everyone, "Everyone, I am truly sorry that today's event turned out this way! I will present a small gift to all of you, and I hope you will be understanding."
"Miss Su, you are too kind."
Li Zhao shook his head and smiled, "Today's gathering was truly spectacular! Whether it was the funeral music played by Shen Jing or this unfinished masterpiece, both made me feel that this trip was well worth it!"
"Young Master Li is absolutely right."
Everyone echoed his sentiments with emotion.
Leaving aside everything else, just seeing Zhao Ying, the number one scholar of Huaizhou, being humiliated, made the trip worthwhile!
...
On his way back, Shen Jing stopped to buy a few things.
Once home, he began tinkering with his gadgets.
He knew that Sunzi, Zhao Ying, would definitely not let it go.
His current body was still a bit weak, with techniques but not enough strength, so he needed to make something for self-defense.
In critical moments, some things could even be used to bluff people!
Chi Chi didn't know what Shen Jing was tinkering with, but she didn't ask much, just stayed by Shen Jing's side.
When Shen Jing needed her help, she would assist him.
When he didn't need her help, she would rest her chin in her hands and watch quietly from the side.
She felt that ever since her Young Master came back to life, he had completely changed.
He was much braver than before, and his ideas were strange and whimsical.
Sometimes, even she thought her Young Master was a bit crazy.
If it weren't for Shen Jing remembering everything from before clearly, she would have suspected that the person pulled from the river was just someone who looked exactly like Shen Jing.
Just as Chi Chi was lost in thought, two figures suddenly appeared at the doorway.
Shen Jing looked up and saw Su Yourong and Jin'er gracefully walking in.
Su Yourong was wearing her veil again.
"Why are you here again?"
Shen Jing looked at Su Yourong in surprise.
Chi Chi was startled for a moment, then looked up at Su Yourong and quickly rose to greet her, "Greetings, Miss Su."
Although Su Yourong was said to bring misfortune to her husbands, Su Yourong had helped them at Qin She (Music House) today, and she remembered Su Yourong's kindness.
"No need for formalities."
Su Yourong nodded gently at Chi Chi, then her gaze fell on Shen Jing, "What are you doing?"
"There are always wicked people trying to harm... me, so I'm making some things for self-defense."
Shen Jing clapped his hands, "Do you want to come in and sit?"
"I'm afraid I might bring misfortune to your house, so I won't go in."
Su Yourong shook her head lightly and said straightforwardly, "I'm here to ask for compensation from you."
"What?"
Shen Jing looked at Su Yourong in astonishment, "What compensation are you asking me for?"
He hadn't damaged anything in her Qin She (Music House), had he?
Surely, she didn't need compensation just because the suona had his saliva on it, did she?
Was she trying to extort him?
He was a pauper right now; she should pick a better target for extortion!
A hint of a smile flickered in the corner of Su Yourong's eyes, "I organized the 'Meet Friends Through Music' event to sell zithers! You messed things up today, and I only sold two zithers, and I lost a lot of money on gifts!"
Saying this, Su Yourong leaned in slightly, staring at Shen Jing with a half-smile, "Don't you think you should give me some compensation?"
"Is that so?"
Shen Jing thought for a moment and then said readily, "Alright, seeing as you're not a bad person, I'll pay! How about this: ten days from now, I'll pay you five hundred taels of silver!"
Five hundred taels?
Chi Chi's face twitched, and she looked at Shen Jing speechlessly.
He really dared to speak big!
Shen Jing was unconcerned and gave Chi Chi an "it's alright" look.
Five hundred taels, what's the big deal?
This Daoist priest is a polymath who knows a little bit of everything!
As long as this Daoist priest finishes the annoying business of marrying into a family, earning silver will be easy, won't it?
"I'm afraid you won't live to see ten days from now."
Su Yourong said half-jokingly, then added, "Don't compensate me with silver; just finish the 'ode to the goddess of the luo river'!"
"..."
Shen Jing instantly deflated.
Just remembering that middle section, I already feel like I'm cheating!
Finish it?
She thought too highly of him.
"Let's not talk about that; I don't have that ability."
Shen Jing smiled helplessly, "If you're worried I won't live to see ten days from now, you can also, while I'm still alive, have me offer myself to you, to leave an heir for your family..."