Qingyun's Love: Tiger Boy Falls in Love with a Pretty Lawyer

Seeing everyone's high spirits, Wu Shao and Hu Ling exchanged glances and said, "Since this is a poetry gathering, we can not only appreciate the works but also discuss them. Everyone can point out the strengths and weaknesses of the works so that we can improve."

The story told by Qingsheng was fascinating. Although the ending was hasty, there were no other shortcomings. Seeing that no one was saying anything, Ranmo pointed out a small flaw.

"The story is pretty good, but some words need to be pronounced correctly. For example, 'Rong Ma Hun Hun', not 'Kong Kong'. Don't let small things ruin the listener's experience."

Qingsheng blushed slightly when he heard this and said, "I admit that I haven't read much, so I have to correct any mispronunciations. But I think when listening to a story, you should focus on the plot and the feelings, and not be too picky about individual words."

No one spoke. Ran Mo glanced at them and said, "Don't ignore small mistakes. Here, I would like to share with you a popular proverb: details determine success or failure. This means that often the key to success or failure lies precisely in those things that people overlook or consider insignificant.

It's like on the battlefield, where even a single incorrect word or phrase could lead to a missed opportunity or even a major mistake."

Everyone nodded, praising his words. Ran Mo glanced over there proudly from the corner of his eye. He thought, "Little brat, when it comes to debate, I'm your master. In this public place, are you afraid you'll come over and beat me up?"

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw Qingsheng stand up from the other side, walk around the table, and walk towards Ranmo with his hands clenched. Ranmo was shocked. No way? He really wants it?

Qingsheng walked to Ranmo's desk, picked up the teacup, filled it with tea from the teapot, then placed it respectfully in front of Ranmo, bowed and went back.

Ranmo finally understood the meaning of his action. Everyone applauded Qingsheng, praising his humility and courtesy. They also told Ranmo to drink his tea quickly. Ranmo took a small sip.

Hu Ling and Wu Shao smiled at each other. Wu Shao said, "It is a great virtue to correct one's mistakes. Now, please allow Master Ran Mo to tell us about his masterpiece."

Ran Mo humbly bowed and said, "Sister Hu's works are truly exemplary. I haven't created anything of my own today. I'd like to tell you a story I read in a foreign book, set in a distant, exotic country. Because customs and concepts vary greatly from region to region, you might as well treat it as a strange novel."

I mentioned this book to Sister Hu a while ago and I have a connection with her, mainly referring to the title. Sister Hu's novel is called "Red and White," and this book is called "Red and Black." The two are very different in content, but both contain profound truths.

Hu Ling nodded in understanding. Everyone listened attentively.

"There was a carpenter's son, gifted with intelligence and good looks. He dreamed of one day rising to the upper class. However, given his status, the path to advancement was not smooth. Unwilling to accept this, he hoped to find a shortcut.

On a recommendation, he went to the provincial government to help out. The governor's wife had occasionally met him and was impressed. While the governor was on official business, the two of them came into contact frequently, and soon a secret love blossomed. However, in the man's heart, ambition outweighed love.

The governor's wife used her connections to smooth his path, bringing him into contact with many high-ranking officials. Later, fearing their affair would be exposed by the sharp-eyed and gossipy servants, the man left the governor's office to seek a better position. The governor's wife was reluctant to let him go, but she had no choice.

By sheer luck, the man had found his way to the Marquis's mansion. He took the opportunity to showcase his talents. His refined demeanor and intelligent personality had even won the young lady's affections. Fortunately, the Marquis was open-minded and valued talent, and the young lady was finally able to marry him. His future was bright.

Unexpectedly, at this time, the wife of the governor sent a letter to the Marquis's residence, revealing the man's affair with her. The Marquis was furious when he learned about it and cancelled the engagement between his daughter and him.

The man knew his future was ruined. Furious, he went to the governor's wife to settle the score. Without waiting for her to explain, he stabbed her with his sword.

After being injured, the lady told him that the letter was written by someone else after the governor learned of their relationship and forced her to sign and mail it. She had absolutely no intention of ruining his future.

Upon learning of this, the man was filled with remorse. He did not flee and was detained and interrogated. In court, he did not defend himself, but instead delivered a thought-provoking speech.

He hated a society that prioritized family background over social status. It denied him, a poor family, the path to advancement, forcing him to resort to unorthodox methods. He was willing to sacrifice his life to denounce this system and warn future generations against following its path.

To make it easier for everyone to understand, Ranmo has slightly simplified and revised the original storyline. A masterpiece is a masterpiece after all. This has already caused great emotion among the audience.

Someone asked the man about his final fate.

"The man was sentenced to death by beheading for assassinating the governor's family and committing acts contrary to moral principles. The governor's wife also died of depression shortly thereafter."

Everyone sighed upon hearing this, not knowing how to judge the man's actions and thoughts.

Hu Ling exclaimed, "There's always someone better than you! This author's storytelling skills are far superior to mine. This story sounds strange at first, but upon closer inspection, it truly captures the subtleties of the human heart. It's so heartbreaking, it's hard to put into words."

Azan asked Ranmo, "Sister Hu's 'Red and White' tells the story of the Red Prince and the White Prince. What's the meaning of the name 'Red and Black'?"

Azan was originally shy and reluctant to speak in public, but after a few playful moments at noon, and impressed by the work's appeal, he took the initiative to seek advice from Ranmo.

Ranmo explained that the original book's "red and black" originally referred to the struggle between two forces, but it could also be interpreted as the dual nature of a single person. There's a sunny, radical side, and a dark, cunning side. It's like the saying goes, half immortal, half demon.

Everyone nodded in agreement. This book had a profound psychological impact on them.

Whether they are Wu Shao and Qingsheng, who come from aristocratic families, or Azan and Xin'er, children of ordinary families, they are all confused and inexplicably moved by the men in the book's unscrupulous pursuit of advancement. It seems that this mentality also reflects the depths of their own hearts.

Xin'er murmured, "This man's behavior is simply despicable! It's so hard on the Marquis' daughter! Her sincerity has been wasted."

Everyone looked at Xin'er, surprised by the young woman's ability to speak so powerfully. Young Master Wu nodded, then looked at her and Azan and said, "There are still two friends who haven't spoken yet. I won't ask too much of you. As long as you speak coherently and completely, you'll receive a gift box."

Xin'er and Azan glanced at each other and lowered their heads shyly. They were making small gestures to each other, each letting the other speak first. They were like elementary school students avoiding answering questions in class.

Hu Ling smiled and said, "Women first. Let Xin'er speak first." Xin'er stopped refusing and stood up, bowing to everyone. Then she sat down, straightened her back, and began to speak.

"The story I'm telling is quite simple. It tells of a scholar who was traveling to Beijing to take the imperial examination. Passing through a small town, he chose to stay in a dilapidated temple to save money, rather than staying at an inn. Despite the cold and quiet, he still read by the moonlight.

There was a nunnery near this temple. A young woman, a nun with long hair, was walking back to the nunnery when she passed by the temple. She saw the scholar sitting at the temple gate reading a book. She felt pity for him and asked him if he needed help.

Everyone's spirits perked up at the mention of the dilapidated temple and the nun. Xin'er had originally wanted to tell the story of a prostitute. She had indeed heard it there, but it was difficult to bring it up in this situation. So she changed her identity.

After thanking him, the scholar simply said he had been busy studying for the exam and had no other thoughts. The woman was secretly impressed. After that, she often passed by the temple gate and brought the scholar some food and daily necessities.

This woman's family originally sold tofu. Her parents were skilled at making delicious tofu, and they passed their skills on to her. Unfortunately, her parents died young, leaving her with only this meager livelihood. She also spent her days chanting Buddhist scriptures in a nunnery.

Now, she made fresh tofu for the scholar every day. He had become plump and plump these days. When he wasn't reading, he would talk and recite with the woman. The two of them became very familiar with each other. Eventually, they fell in love and decided to spend their lives together. Ahem.

As the scholar continued on his journey, the woman gave him plenty of money and a heart-shaped knot. The scholar promised that if he passed the imperial examination, he would return to marry her. The two parted in tears.

The scholar studied diligently and took the exam with ease, his paper catching the examiner's eye. He was ranked second in the imperial examination and subsequently appointed an official. A powerful official in the court even offered his daughter to him in marriage.

Xin'er paused at this point. Everyone was listening to this story; the first half wasn't surprising, but they didn't know what would happen to the two of them.