Seeing that Fang Yun did not dare answer, Shi Dehong grew even more delighted and asked Tong Li, "Tong Li, how is your Classic Interpretation Literary Qi?"
Though Tong Li was ecstatic, he still put on an indifferent air and said, "My learning is far inferior to Fang Yun's. However, I have studied 'ritual' quite deeply, and my Classic Interpretation Literary Qi is one chi six cun."
Fang Yun looked at Tong Li in surprise. He knew Tong Li's learning was not poor, but previously, his Classic Interpretation had only barely reached County-Exceeding level. Yet now it had reached one chi six cun. This meant that apart from making tremendous progress over the past month, he had also been extraordinarily fortunate and performed beyond his usual limits.
Shi Dehong immediately burst into laughter. "Well done, Tong Li! Jing Kingdom truly has crouching tigers and hidden dragons. When I became an Academy Student, my Classic Interpretation Literary Qi was only one chi four cun! How were your Appeal to the Sage's Words and poetry?"
Tong Li modestly replied, "My poetry did not reach County-Exceeding level, so it showed no Literary Qi. Thinking about it now, it should at least be B-middle. As for Appeal to the Sage's Words, this year's topic was truly bizarre. There was no chance I could earn a B grade even if I died trying. It is probably C-high."
Shi Dehong immediately said, "Tong Li, that will not do! Your Appeal to the Sage's Words is inferior to Fang Yun's, and your poetry is inferior to Fang Yun's as well, but your Classic Interpretation Literary Qi is abundant. What if Fang Yun's Classic Interpretation is worse than yours? Would Fang Yun's literary fame not become flowers in a mirror, the moon in water? No, Fang Yun, you