Seeing the enthusiastic crowds, Lin Yi quickly walked to the middle of the Qi Qiao grand stage, ordered Cheng Hu to arrange the distribution of sorghum rice, then briefly introduced the rules of the love poetry competition.

After preliminary selection, 10 talented literati were chosen, with five scholars from Hanlin Academy serving as judges scoring their poems. The examiners posed the subjects for poetry, with a full score of ten points. The highest and lowest scores would be discarded, and the average of the remaining scores determined the winner. Each round's victor would receive a handwritten inscription from Your Majesty.

The audience cheered and leaped for joy. Receiving a handwritten inscription from Your Majesty was indeed a matter to be boasted about for a lifetime, a fortune not even certain for those entering the court as officials.

Lin Yi invited the five scholars onto the Qi Qiao grand stage. When they saw a few familiar faces among the crowd, their scales of judgment were already tipping even before the competition had begun.

As the rounds of competition were underway, Lin Yi noticed certain patterns, the same familiar faces appearing over time.

Moreover, each time, the five scholars notably favored those familiar faces, making their bias ever more apparent.

Lin Yi was not one to indulge them and immediately summoned his confidant, Bai Lu, the chief shopkeeper of the Taiping Grain Storage, and Judge Zhong from the Ministry of Justice.

Judge Zhong's capabilities need not be mentioned—as one who grew up immersed in poetry and possessed broad knowledge, Bai Lu was somewhat less qualified, but with Lin Yi's covert assistance, he too could stand out.

Unexpectedly, however, the five scholars blatantly compromised the fairness of the competition, deliberately suppressing Bai Lu and Judge Zhong every time.

Several times Lin Yi almost couldn't help but speak out for justice, especially since he was the main organizer of this Qi Qiao event.

To avoid suspicion, he could only watch from the sidelines.

At some unknown point, a distinguished palanquin appeared among the crowd.

Fourth Prince had also come to join the festivities. Known for his literary finesse, he was close with the old scholars from Hanlin Academy.

Sharp-eyed Lin Yi immediately spotted the trickery—the five scholars and a few perennially successful literati on stage were all under Fourth Prince's influence.

'Ha, at this nationwide celebration of Qi Qiao Festival, Fourth Prince still seeks the limelight, leaving no opportunities for ordinary people.'

This cannot be allowed; Fourth Prince must not break the rules.

Thus, Lin Yi took the initiative to engage in a conversation with Fourth Prince.

"It's truly fortunate, Fourth Prince has such refined taste to spare time for today's Qi Qiao Festival."

"Hahaha, Mr. Lin, you haven't changed a bit. On this day of national celebration, of course, this prince wouldn't want to miss it."

It should be known that Fourth Prince came prepared; he was waiting for the love poem competition to end, aiming to make a significant gain in the subsequent love song contest.

"Well then, let's enjoy today's excellent works together."

Seeing Mr. Lin and Eighth Prince conversing amicably, the five scholars collectively stood up and offered the central seat to Fourth Prince to excessively display their respect for him.

So blatantly disregarding Lin Yi, Bai Lu could hardly stand it, glaring furiously at the five scholars.

Now in Duoyu Dynasty, at the court, it is clear to the discerning that Lin Yi ranks above Fourth Prince in both strength and status.

The only shortfall was his eunuch status compared to Fourth Prince, a royal family relative, which always seemed slightly lacking.

Yet Lin Yi thought otherwise. Looking at the subjects previously chosen by the scholars, he came up with a new idea.

"Fourth Prince, since it's rare for you to attend the annual Qi Qiao Festival, why not join in and contribute a poem? I believe the people are also looking forward to your literary work."

"What do you all say?"

The crowd cheered jubilantly, shouting for Fourth Prince to compose a poem.

The feeling of being supported by the common people was something the Fourth Prince truly enjoyed, and he immediately agreed to offer a poem.

Lin Yi nodded in satisfaction, seeing that the Fourth Prince was hooked, he let the Five Scholars set the question.

This question was indeed a test for the Fourth Prince. The Five Scholars were extra careful, and after discussing for a while, they chose a topic the Fourth Prince excelled in: "love at first sight."

Hearing the phrase "love at first sight," the faithful men and women exchanged even more meaningful looks.

Lin Yi saw through the thoughts of the faithful men and women and added: "The question posed by the Five Scholars is excellent, aligning with today's theme. Everyone present can participate, any couple that can create a couplet will be able to receive a pair of Love Jade Pendants from me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Yi placed an order for 1000 pairs of couple jade pendants at the Nine-Eyed Mall.

[Ding ding ding, Host has successfully purchased 1000 pairs of Love Jade Pendants, 3 million Heavenly Bead Coins have been paid, and the goods have been dispatched to the rear of the Dragon Chariot.]

Lin Yi instructed Ying Qi to manage the jade pendants well, as long as the faithful men and women produced poems, they could exchange them for a pair of exquisite jade pendants.

The enthusiasm of the faithful men and women soared to unprecedented heights, they all took out paper and pen to compose poems for their loved ones.

The Fourth Prince was also greatly surprised seeing the grand scene, he did not expect Lin Yi's idea to be so popular, which made him feel the pressure.

At this rate, the position of the Minister of Rites could not be shaken by anyone.

As the grand Fourth Prince, how could he willingly accept this? Hence, he picked up the inkbrush and wrote down a line of poetry generously.

"Before we met, a smile was shared, at first meeting, a lifetime was promised."

Seeing this, all five scholars clapped their hands in praise, all commending the lofty and meaningful verse of the Fourth Prince, a rare fine work indeed.

Subsequently, the Five Scholars led the applause, followed by the clapping from the common people.

The Fourth Prince was flattered, his smile stretching wide to his molars.

It must be said, attending today's Qixi Festival, the Fourth Prince gained the love and admiration of the common people, which for him, was a very proud matter.

Compared to the high-profile Fourth Prince, Lin Yi appeared much more low-key, he quietly took up paper and pen and wrote down a line.

"Since the Fourth Prince is proficient in poetry, this official shall also offer a humble contribution, someone, hang up my line."

At Lin Yi's command, General Cheng Hu personally came forward to hang up the poem Lin Yi had just written.

"When golden wind and jade dew meet, they surpass countless others in this world."

Upon this poem's reveal, the Five Scholars couldn't help but widen their eyes, inwardly exclaiming how well the verse fit the scene and cleverly expressed the theme of love at first sight.

But facing the Fourth Prince, how they should evaluate this verse became a dilemma.

To evaluate truthfully might offend the Fourth Prince, and to say the verse was inferior to the Fourth Prince's would clearly be against their conscience, while the common people watched from below.

Truly a difficult situation.

After the Five Scholars exchanged looks, they slowly spoke.

"Sir Lin's couplet and the Fourth Prince's poem are equally matched, both are the pinnacle of today's Qixi Festival's grand stage, and deserve our scholars' study."

Lin Yi smiled faintly, this bias was too apparent, it seemed the Fourth Prince held a high place in their hearts.

Looking at the common people whispering to each other below, it was clear they had some reservations about this result, with no one applauding.

...End of chapter…

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.