Su Qingkun's face first flushed red, then turned ashen, then purple. Hu Xiaotian was clearly taking a roundabout way of insulting him, and the insults were vicious indeed. He was just about to erupt when Ji Feihua gave a tinkling laugh. "Apt enough, but rather too vulgar. What does Your Highness think?"
The Third Prince, Long Tingzhen, laughed as well. Once the two of them started, everyone who had been struggling to suppress their laughter joined in. Su Qingkun nearly spat blood with rage. You little bastard! If I don't avenge this insult, I'm not a man!
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "There really are so many coincidences in this world. The child I mentioned was fortunate in his own way, but his surname was Shu, as in 'comfortable,' not Minister Su's Su." The more he explained, the blacker he painted it, and Ji Feihua laughed all the more heartily.
Wen Boyuan did not laugh. He quietly watched Hu Xiaotian speak with such easy confidence and suddenly realized that the fellow was indeed a rare talent.
Ji Feihua said, "Since everyone is enjoying themselves so much, I have a line for a couplet too."
Everyone stopped laughing and looked toward Ji Feihua, but his gaze rested on Long Tingzhen alone.
Long Tingzhen smiled. "I shall wash my ears and listen."
Ji Feihua said, "My opening line is: Two hands cleave open a path through life and death!"
Long Tingzhen's brows drew together slightly. He said softly, "One brush writes out every tale of sorrow and joy!"
Everyone cheered in unison.
Ji Feihua, however, slowly shook his head. "Your Highness's answering line sounds fitting, but savor it closely, and it is not the best."
Beside him, Wen Boyuan said, "I also feel it seems to lack something." He paused, then raised his head