There were countless poems and lyrics on the subject of Jiangnan, making it extremely difficult to write something original.
More troublesome still, Song Bieqing's "Remembering Jiangnan" was a rare six-character quatrain, which put one's skill to the test.
The Three Hundred Poems of Enlightenment selected classics written since the founding of the Sacred Court, and Song Bieqing's poem happened to be about the Jiangnan of Jiannan Road.
Choosing this subject clearly gave Xu Yi an advantage, because Third Young Master Yun might only know that there was a Jiangnan in Jiannan Road; he might never have set foot there.
Thus, the moment the Second-rank Star Official announced the subject, a commotion broke out.
Third Young Master Yun remained composed, unmoved in the slightest. "Since your poems and lyrics are already written, let's not waste time. How about limiting each round to the time it takes a quarter of an incense stick to burn? That should be enough for you to rack your brains."
Xu Yi replied, "As you wish, Third Young Master. Please begin."
Third Young Master Yun let out a cold laugh, seized the writing brush from the jade desk, where the Four Treasures of the Study had already been laid out, and at once, rows of words like little spirits appeared on the bright white paper. "The wind blows hard; the crows' cries have yet to cease. Rain falls; the battling ants are in the thick of it. Where lie truth and falsehood? Looking north from the human world, one sees south."
The moment he spoke, the entire venue fell silent. Then earth-shaking cheers erupted.
"Such quick wit, such poetic talent! No wonder he's the foremost poet of the Yun family—truly a rare genius!"
"Impressive, truly impressive. The poem never mentions Jiangnan, yet captures it completely. Third Young