After being reborn as a man, the woman improved her family's fortunes through education.

Chapter 572 Former Classmates, Poetry Gathering Game

Jiang Xiaoqi could clearly feel Qiu Feng's back stiffen for a moment. How could the person who fawned over her when they were children behave like this when they met again?

What has Qiu Feng gone through all these years? Where did the arrogant young master he was as a child go?

"Indeed, it has been many years since we last met."

Jiang Xiaoqi replied indifferently.

Song Jinyang, however, seemed oblivious and simply sat down.

Qiu Feng moved closer to his father, his expression seemingly saying, "I'm not afraid, I just find it troublesome."

"Lord Jiang really enjoys the tea and snacks at Minister Tong's residence? After eating so much, you might as well skip dinner."

"Do you know that the disaster victims in Guangdong and Guangxi are now starving and poorly clothed, yet Lord Chiang seems to have a good appetite?"

Jiang Xiaoqi looked at Song Jinyang, who was talking to himself, with a strange expression. She then naturally picked up another delicious-looking pastry, put it in her mouth, chewed, and drank tea in one smooth motion.

Song Jinyang was momentarily at a loss for words. Should he not refute him? And still have the mind to eat?

No! We must provoke Jiang Mingfei! If we fail to complete the task assigned by the Fifth Prince, his and his sister's situation will only become more difficult.

The Fifth Prince may seem good-tempered, but he is not as easy to serve as the Third Prince.

But since they've already pledged allegiance, they can't back out halfway; otherwise, all that awaits them is death.

"Hehe, I was wrong. Lord Jiang not only has a good appetite, but his mentality is also beyond the reach of ordinary people. However, he lacks some compassion."

Qiu Feng didn't want to speak, but seeing Jiang Xiaoqi's indifferent attitude, he became angry.

What? You just listen to others slandering you and still have the mind to drink tea!

Before he could even speak, Qiu Cheng stopped his son. "Why are you meddling? It's obvious that Young Master Jiang has more presence. Can't you see that?"

A true clash requires both sides to engage. Song Jinyang's one-sided attacks only make him look like a clown.

He probably realized this himself, and immediately shut up. After the servants of the Tong family served tea again, he picked up one of the cups on his own.

It's good to have something to drink, since they don't have seats with the Fifth Prince, and they're thirsty after talking so much.

Qiu Feng looked disgusted; he was drinking his own cup of tea.

Before Qiu Feng could speak, the well-trained servants of the Tong family poured him another cup of tea.

Jiang Xiaoqi slowly put down her teacup, looked up, and smiled at Song Jinyang.

"Young Master Song is so concerned about the disaster victims in Guangdong and Guangxi. I wonder how much money and supplies he has donated? If Young Master Song sets an example by donating generously, then he might have more confidence to criticize others?"

Song Jinyang's expression froze. He was merely a pawn of the Fifth Prince, barely able to protect himself, let alone have any spare money to care for disaster victims.

"I...I am willing but unable, and I am short of money. My sister and I are currently living under someone else's roof, so naturally we have no spare capacity to help the disaster victims."

Song Jinyang was clearly a little guilty when he said this.

He wasn't really penniless, but how could he just donate the things he and his sister had painstakingly saved up to have something to rely on?

"Oh, I see, I see. So Young Master Song is being generous with other people's money. He just moves his lips and writes a passionate poem, and that's considered doing his part for the disaster victims!"

Jiang Xiaoqi chuckled, "This is a good deal. You don't have to spend any real money, and you get a good reputation for free. Impressive, impressive. No wonder you're a scholar."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Feng's lips unconsciously curled up, and he secretly praised Jiang Xiaoqi for her brilliant counterattack.

After these ambiguous remarks, let's see how that person will still have the face to stay here and drink tea.

Song Jinyang did want to get angry; in fact, he was already furious and embarrassed, but he couldn't lose his composure or be at a disadvantage in this situation.

"Lord Jiang said I am a scholar. Isn't Lord Jiang a scholar? I can write a poem to help the disaster victims. What has Lord Jiang, as an official of the court, done?"

After all this time, whether it's writing poems about butterflies or composing poems for disaster victims, it seems that Lord Jiang is quite disdainful? He hasn't picked up a pen at all, has he?

Hehe, I wonder how prestigious the title of the top scholar in the first rank really is. How can just anyone become the top scholar? The threshold for the palace examination doesn't seem that high either~

"Well, it's not really that high a score; you can pass it with a little effort. But it might be a bit high for Brother Song, since he hasn't even passed the provincial examination yet."

Not to mention the provincial and palace examinations, there's still a long way to go!

Hahahaha, Qiu Feng was surprised that Song Jinyang was still only a Xiucai (a lower-level scholar), he thought he was at least a Juren (a higher-level scholar) like himself.

If only I had started from there and properly curbed his arrogance, that Lord Jiang, why didn't he say so sooner?

Song Jinyang's face turned red from the retort, mainly because the other party had hit a nerve.

At this moment, he could no longer hide the shame, anger, and resentment in his eyes, which revealed a sinister glint.

Oh ho, this is more in line with his ungrateful character~ Jiang Xiaoqi has always held grudges, and he will never let anyone who ruins his great-uncle's reputation get away with it.

Now that they're on opposing sides, Jiang Xiaoqi feels she has twice the reason to confront Song Jinyang.

Song Jinyang, whether he was gathering his words or was stunned by what he was being said, paused and was about to speak again when he was interrupted by a hearty laugh.

Minister Tong walked over unnoticed and said with a smile:

"Alright, alright, we are all talented young people. We gathered together to exchange knowledge and enhance our friendship. Why be so confrontational?"

Minister Tong looked at Jiang Xiaoqi and praised him, "Young Master Jiang's words are sharp and his insights are unique. He truly deserves to be the top scholar in the imperial examination."

He then looked at Song Jinyang and said, "Young Master Song cares deeply for the disaster victims and has the world in his heart; this is truly rare."

Haha, is he implying that he's sharp-tongued? That old fox, Minister Tong.

Jiang Xiaoqi secretly grumbled to herself, but her gentle smile remained unchanged, her deep dimples seemingly intoxicating.

Hearing what Minister Tong said, Song Jinyang was not convinced, but he dared not make a scene. He could only force a smile and say, "It was Jinyang who lost his composure. I hope Lord Jiang will not take offense."

Jiang Xiaoqi responded politely, "It's alright, Young Master Song's intentions are sincere. Well, let's try our best to pass the provincial examination this year. After all, only by standing higher can we see further!"

This is accusing me of being short-sighted! Very well, very well, as expected of a sharp-tongued top scholar! No wonder the Fifth Prince was both wary of him and eager to win him over.

With someone like that around, at least in a verbal battle, you won't lose.

Qiu Feng watched this scene from the sidelines, secretly amused, thinking that this farce had come to a temporary end.

After all, Minister Tong has shown up, so he must have guessed that Song Jinyang was put forward by the Fifth Prince to deliberately cause trouble.

But when did Minister Tong ever concern himself with such trivial matters? How strange!