Chapter 43: A Royal Decree of Marriage, Who Dares to Object?

With the antithetical lower line now delivered, it added the perfect finishing touch.

Wind and rain, blossoms and leaves, passing years, dawn and dusk.

Utilizing parallel reduplication words just the same, it sketched out an artistic conception entirely different from the upper line—one full of the vicissitudes of time and the beauty of shifting epochs.

One spring and one autumn, one flourishing and one withering, one dynamic and one serene.

Combining the upper and lower lines together, it was quite simply the pinnacle of matching couplets and the zenith of literature.

In this single moment, Xie Ning's image in the hearts of everyone present was elevated to that of a living legend.

Just at that moment, a crisp and excited voice broke the silence of the scene.

"The outcome has been decided!"

The young Emperor Li Qingzhi could no longer suppress the excitement surging in his chest; he sprang up from the dragon throne and made a resounding announcement.

"The winner of the third round of trials is the Heir of the Marquis of Dingyuan, Xie Ning!"

Though the young emperor's voice still retained a trace of childishness, it now brimmed with an unquestionable imperial majesty.

His words acted like a sudden thunderclap, startling everyone who was still immersed in the contemplation of the eternal couplet.

Ah, yes.

This was still a competition.

Best two out of three rounds.

In the first round, Xie Ning crushed Yuwen Yue with a single poem.

In the second round, Xie Ning voluntarily conceded defeat.

In the third round, Xie Ning used three couplets to render the entire literary world of Great Qi utterly incapable of raising their heads.

Two to one.

Xie Ning had won!

This high-stakes gamble, concerning the eldest princess's marriage and the destinies of countless individuals, had finally drawn to a close.

Li Qing宁 looked at Xie Ning beside her, her pretty eyes brimming with smiles and as tender as flowing water.

As for those civil officials who had just performed disciples' bows to Xie Ning, they were now thoroughly convinced in their hearts, stepping forward one after another to bow and offer congratulations.

"Congratulations, Poet Immortal Xie!"

"Poet Immortal Xie's literary talent surpasses all under heaven; we are convinced, utterly and completely convinced."

How pleasing to the eye Xie Ning appeared to them now.

To be defeated by such a supreme talent was not shameful in the least; rather, it was a supreme honor.

In the future, they would even have bragging rights when conversing with others.

Back in the day, this old man had witnessed with his own eyes the legendary battle of the Poet Immortal Xie Ning, and had even exchanged couplets with the venerable Poet Immortal himself!

The entire imperial garden abruptly transformed from an atmosphere of dreary gloom into one of jubilation, with the festive mood soaring to its absolute peak.

Only the Empress Dowager upon the silk canopy wore a gloomy expression, remaining silent.

She gazed at Xie Ning below, who was surrounded like the moon by a multitude of stars, and then glanced at her own emperor son, who wore a look of adoration and practically wanted to swear blood brotherhood on the spot; her heart turned ice-cold.

She knew that the general trend had slipped away, and nothing could ever reverse it.

Xie Ning, amidst the gaze of the multitude, slowly walked up to the silk canopy.

He did not look at the scholars who were paying him homage, nor did he look at Yuwen Yue, who had lost so thoroughly that he had been stripped of everything.

His gaze swept past the crowd and fixed directly upon the Empress Dowager.

"Empress Dowager."

He spoke indifferently, his voice not loud, yet it clearly resonated throughout the entire venue.

"The three rounds of trials have concluded. This subject has won. According to our previous wager, Yuwen Yue lost, meaning not only must he lay down his brush forever, but he must also call me grandfather. As for you, Your Ladyship, you seemingly also stated that if Young Master Yuwen were to lose..."

His words trailed off unfinished, but the implication was abundantly clear.

The Empress Dowager trembled all over, her complexion instantly shifting between green and pale.

She remembered.

She had previously uttered harsh words in an attempt to coerce Xie Ning.

"This dowager shall have your entire clan executed!"

Now that Xie Ning had won, was he going to turn the tables and settle accounts with her?

An unprecedented wave of fear and humiliation welled up within the Empress Dowager's heart.

As the dignified Empress Dowager of Great Qi, was she actually being cornered like this by a mere wet-behind-the-ears youth in front of all the civil and military officials of the court?

At that moment, Li Qingning stepped forward.

She walked to Xie Ning's side and gently tugged at his sleeve.

Then, she gave a slight bow toward the Empress Dowager.

"Mother Empress, today's events were merely a dispute of pride among scholars; there is no need to take it to such extremes. Xie Ning is young and frivolous, and his words have surely caused offense. This child hopes Mother Empress will be magnanimous and forgive him."

Her words were meant to provide the Empress Dowager with a graceful way out.

After all, if the Empress Dowager were truly pushed into a corner to the point of demanding a clan execution, it would benefit no one.

Knowing when to stop while ahead was the highest principle.

Xie Ning understood Li Qingning's intent as well.

His original intention was merely to give the old hag a fright, letting her know he was not someone to be trifled with.

Since his wife-to-be had spoken up, this face-saving gesture naturally had to be granted.

He shrugged and flashed a grin at the Empress Dowager.

"The Empress Dowager is the model of motherhood for the realm, and Xie Ning was presumptuous just now. However, regarding Young Master Yuwen..."

His gaze fell upon Yuwen Yue, who had just been revived by having his philtrum pinched and still wore a dazed expression.

Yuwen Yue shivered violently, the last traces of color draining entirely from his face.

Lay down his brush forever!

Call him grandfather!

These two wagers were like two towering mountains, crushing him until he could barely breathe.

Laying down his brush meant the ruin of his entire future.

Calling him grandfather meant the total destruction of all his dignity.

He looked at Xie Ning, his eyes filled with entreaty and terror.

Right at that moment, Li Qingning spoke once more.

"Young Master Yuwen possesses overflowing talent; forcing him to lay down his brush would be far too great a pity. As for that piece of idle banter, it certainly cannot be taken seriously. Today's trials are concluded, and this matter shall end right here."

Her words were tantamount to exempting Yuwen Yue from all punishments.

Feeling as though he had been granted a reprieve from death, Yuwen Yue nearly dropped to his knees before Li Qingning on the spot.

He looked at Li Qingning with eyes full of tearful gratitude, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single syllable.

However, Li Qingning could not even be bothered to spare him a glance.

She was not helping Yuwen Yue; she simply disdained using such petty methods to humiliate a defeated foe.

This was her pride, and the pride belonging to an eldest princess.

Xie Ning curled his lips; although he felt it let the fellow off a bit too easily, he still nodded.

"Very well, since my wife has spoken, we'll let it rest at that."

He used the term "wife" with such righteous assurance and natural ease.

A delicate flush quietly crept onto Li Qingning's cheeks, and she cast a reproachful glare at him.

Just as the storm was about to subside, the young Emperor Li Qingzhi suddenly spoke up.

"No!"

He stood up with a solemn expression, his small frame held straight and tall.

"The wager can be dismissed, but the laws of the state cannot be disordered. Xie Ning has won the trial, and he is therefore the Prince Consort of Great Qi whom I myself acknowledge."

He looked around the surroundings, his gaze sweeping over every single person before finally landing upon the Empress Dowager's face.

"My imperial sister's marriage is a matter of state paramountcy; how can it be treated as mere child's play?"

"Guards!" he shouted in a commanding voice.

"Prepare brush and ink!"

"Today, I shall personally issue an imperial decree to bestow marriage upon my imperial sister and the Heir Xie!"

The young emperor's words rang with solid impact, carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.

The entire imperial garden plunged into silence once more.

Everyone's gaze converged upon that imposing figure.

At this moment, he was no longer the young boy who required the protection of his elder sister, but a true sovereign beginning to wield supreme authority, whose every word carried the force of law.

The Empress Dowager looked at her son, her lips moving as if she wished to say something, but in the end, not a single word escaped.

She knew she had completely lost control over the situation.