"Because... I simply don’t care!"
Don’t care?
Many people looked at each other, baffled.
What kind of explanation was that?
At that moment, Xue An said indifferently, "Miss Tang, you are a fine lady, but all that you have mentioned, including this so-called Tang Family estate, is worthless to me!"
Hearing this, Tang Sheng first secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Anyhow, as long as he hadn’t agreed, it was fine.
Then, he felt extremely uncomfortable. Did he really look down on the Tang Family?
So, he sneered and said, "Oh? From the tone of Young Master Xue, it seems you really think little of my humble Tang Family? May I then inquire what lofty aspirations you hold?"
Upon hearing this, many people in the room let out soft jeers.
Among them, Yao Chaofeng’s laughter was the most arrogant and unrestrained.
However, facing all this, Xue An didn’t even lift his eyelid, simply stating, "What I desire, how could any of you possibly understand?"
"Hmph!" Tang Sheng, upon hearing this, snorted disdainfully, his face full of scorn. He liked Xue An even less now, considering him utterly ignorant and arrogant.
Meanwhile, Tang Ling’er stared blankly at Xue An.
She finally understood what Xue An had meant by saying it’s better to speak clearly about certain things in person before coming!
So, that was his way of making it clear!
Tang Ling’er suddenly felt a surge of grievance and sadness.
She didn’t understand.
She had arranged everything so meticulously, yet he had disagreed.
Could everything be explained simply by ’not caring’?
Tang Ling’er’s heart was filled with mixed emotions.
Yao Chaofeng, however, was so delighted he almost jumped out of his seat.
In his eyes, Xue An was purely a fool.
Refusing such a coveted opportunity, if not a fool, then what?
But do you think, just this was enough?
What I want, is to see you utterly ruined!
Yao Chaofeng sneered to himself and then cast a glance at several guests in the distance.
These guests had already been bribed by him, so upon seeing Yao Chaofeng’s signal, these pedantic literati had already considered their plan.
Then one of them, full of sarcasm, laughed and said, "What a man of magnificent ambitions! It’s just a pity... he is somewhat ignorant!"
These words incited laughter from several other guests.
"Brother Liu is right, some people are indeed all talk without substance!"
"Tsk, tsk, I have heard that ever since someone entered the Tang Family, it has been nothing but eating and sleeping. I doubt he even understands the basics of verse, yet dares to speak so boldly?"
These words were extremely harsh and unpleasant.
Tang Ling’er’s expression changed.
Although Xue An had rejected her,
she still did not want these pompous literati, who were all talk, to sully Xue An’s reputation.
After all, facing their provocations, if Xue An dared not respond,
his reputation would be completely ruined.
And a scholar’s ruined reputation meant he could forget about progressing in the court or the literary world in his lifetime.
This also revealed the malicious intent of these people.
Thus, Tang Ling’er thought to chide the group.
But just then,
Xue An’s gaze grew colder, but a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Oh? So, it appears that all of your literary skills must be quite remarkable, huh?"
"I wouldn’t claim they’re remarkable, but at least they’re much stronger than some!" A middle-aged literatus holding a folding fan, full of pride, said lightly.
Xue An nodded, "Very well, since you’re good at it, how about a contest?"
"A contest? What contest?" The middle-aged literatus glanced at Xue An with disdain.
"How about judging the winner based on poetry?" Xue An suggested lightly.
Upon hearing this, this group of literati guests all wore a shocked expression.
Especially the middle-aged literatus, who was startled, then scoffed, "You want to compete in poetry with me? Are you sure?"
Xue An nodded, confirming lightly, "Yes, I am sure."
"Fine, you said it yourself, how shall we compete?" The middle-aged literatus wore a look of sure victory.
In his view, this was simply Xue An asking to be slapped.
Although he had not made a great name for himself, his poetry skills were still commendable!
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