As Jiang Che's deeply heartfelt line, "where the lantern light faded," slowly fell—
After a brief deathly silence, the entire main hall of Drunken Apricot Tower exploded like a powder keg!
Below the stage, waves of astonished cries and sharp intakes of breath rose one after another.
"Heavens! What is this lyric called? It's simply too magnificent, too evocative!"
A plump scholar dressed in brocade flushed with excitement, repeatedly slapping his thigh as he cried out.
"Exactly, exactly!"
A tall, thin scholar beside him shook his folding fan, his face full of admiration. "This blue-robed young master's talent has likely surpassed ours by far!"
"Brother Li, that's putting it far too mildly."
Someone could not help teasing, "Anyone with eyes can see that this young master's depth of learning leaves all us so-called talented men of Bianliang City more than ten streets behind, doesn't it?"
Countless burning gazes in the crowd converged upon Jiang Che's tall, upright figure.
"I see this young master is strikingly handsome and carries himself with great bearing. Every gesture of his possesses the calm composure of one long accustomed to high status."
An elderly renowned scholar stroked his beard, frowning slightly. "He must be the noble son of some foremost great family within Bianliang City."
"But I have spent half my life in this capital and have never seen this handsome young gentleman before. He looks quite unfamiliar!"
"Perhaps he is a direct descendant of one of those prestigious Jiangnan clans or powerful noble families, only recently arrived in Bianliang?"
"Ah, no matter whose son he is, after tonight, this lyric—and his own name—will surely resound throughout all of Bianliang City!"
"Brother, you speak wisely!"
"In my opinion, this young master's foundation in poetry and lyrics is in no way inferior even to young lady