From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

A gentle breeze carried a faint floral fragrance as Yan Rugo followed Madam Li into the poetry gathering garden.

Everywhere you look, there are flowers in full bloom, a riot of colors.

Exotic flowers and rare herbs vie for attention, displaying their graceful beauty.

Rare varieties of peonies and herbaceous peonies are blooming in full glory, as if vying to show off their unparalleled beauty.

Pavilions and towers dot the landscape, with artificial hills, flowing water, and winding paths leading to secluded spots, all showcasing the heritage and luxury of a prominent family.

The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance, a mixture of various precious spices that made one feel slightly dizzy and overwhelmed by the opulence.

The elegantly dressed noblemen flitted about like butterflies, chatting and laughing.

They were dressed in fine clothes, wearing exquisite headdresses and jade belts, and their every move exuded elegance.

During their conversations, they would recite poems, exchange couplets, or discuss romance and nature, creating a lively atmosphere.

Laughter and cheerful voices filled every corner of the garden, creating a stark contrast with the surrounding tranquility.

Looking at the extravagant scene before her, Yan Rugo felt a growing sense of tension in her heart, like weeds growing wildly.

She nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, her fingertips turning white, like a small animal entering an unfamiliar environment, both curious and afraid.

She felt like a socially awkward person who had accidentally wandered into a large-scale "social arrogance" event, feeling out of place and extremely uncomfortable.

This stark contrast made her feel like an outsider, excluded from the lively atmosphere.

Just as she was secretly lamenting her misfortune, a gaze filled with intense hostility locked onto her.

Miss Su swayed her slender waist as she gracefully approached.

The golden hairpin on her head swayed gracefully with her movements, making a crisp clinking sound, as if mocking Yan Rugo's embarrassment.

A haughty smile played on her lips as she stopped in front of Yan Rugo, her tone tinged with disdain. "Miss Yan, I've long heard of your beauty and talent. At today's poetry gathering, why not start by exchanging a couplet, so everyone can see what you're capable of?"

Yan Rugo clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms.

She knew that this Miss Su was deliberately trying to cause trouble and embarrass her in front of everyone.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, but her body still trembled slightly.

Those around seemed to have caught a whiff of gossip, and they all stopped talking and turned their attention to this place.

Curious gazes, like invisible shackles, bound her firmly to the spot.

The air seemed to freeze, making it suffocating.

"Oh? Miss Su is in such high spirits today, actually wanting to test me on the spot." A clear voice broke the suffocating silence. From the crowd, the male protagonist Xu walked out slowly and deliberately. His tone was calm, but it made people feel an undercurrent.

What on earth does he want to do?

Yan Rugo was filled with doubt, while Miss Su's expression stiffened, and she awkwardly shifted her gaze, seemingly unwilling to face the male lead, Xu.

"Since that's the case, I'll start with a couplet. If Miss Yan can't match it, don't blame me for being ruthless," Miss Su said with a cold laugh after regaining her composure.

Yan Rugo's lips curled up slightly, a confident smile blooming on her face like the warm sunshine of early spring, dispelling the tension between her brows.

She cleared her throat and slowly recited the second line: "**Mist locks the mountain peak, the mountain locks the mist**, Miss Su, what do you think of this couplet?"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked.

They originally thought Yan Rugo would be speechless, but to their surprise, she not only responded correctly, but did so so neatly and cleverly, even subtly conveying a sense of artistic conception.

Miss Su's face instantly became a kaleidoscope of colors.

Her haughty smile froze on her face. Her already pale face became even more bloodless, as if she had been slapped hard, feeling both pain and shame.

An awkward atmosphere filled the air, like solidified glue, making it hard to breathe.

People around her whispered among themselves, their gazes towards Yan Rugo filled with amazement.

No one expected that this unassuming Miss Yan would be so incredibly talented.

Yan Rugo slightly raised her chin, a sly glint in her eyes.

She glanced at Miss Su, whose face was ashen, and felt a secret sense of satisfaction.

Sure enough, having a system is great; it's practically like having a cheat code.

She felt like a top student who had sped up her exams, sweeping through the competition and becoming invincible.

This feeling is simply not too good.

Just then, a gentle gaze fell upon her.

The male protagonist slowly walked to her side, a faint smile on his lips. His voice was soft, with a subtle magnetism, like a gentle breeze brushing past her ear, tickling her.

Yan Rugo turned her head slightly and met Xu's gentle, watery eyes, and her heart couldn't help but tremble.

She smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing slightly, like peach blossoms on a branch in March, delicate and beautiful.

Their eyes met, and everything around them seemed to lose its color, leaving only the reflection of each other in their eyes.

A small commotion arose in the crowd, as if some people were whispering.

They looked at Yan Rugo and Xu, wondering when these two had become so close.

Especially the male lead, Xu, who usually has a cold and aloof demeanor towards everyone, but seems to be different when it comes to Yan Rugo.

Before everyone could recover from their shock, a loud voice broke the ambiguous atmosphere.

Master Bai stroked his beard and slowly said, "Today at the poetry gathering, I will give you a topic: 'A Splendid Spring Scene,' and you shall compose a poem on the theme of 'A Splendid Spring Scene.' What do you say?"

Yan Rugo smiled slightly. With the system in hand, I have the world at my fingertips!

After a moment's thought, a poem came to mind.

She parted her lips slightly, her voice clear and melodious like the song of a nightingale, its intonation flowing gently like a mountain stream, captivating the listener: "The spring sun shines brightly, orioles sing and swallows dance, a hundred flowers vie for beauty, bees and butterflies flutter. Willow catkins flutter, poplar flowers drift, green grass carpets the ground, full of life. A warm breeze caresses the face, the sun shines brightly, all things revive, a scene of peace and harmony." As she recited the poem, her posture was elegant, her expression serene, like a fairy descended from heaven, captivating all who looked away.

Miss Su listened from the side, gritting her teeth. She had originally thought that Yan Rugo was just lucky, but she never expected that she was actually so talented.

Her eyes were red with jealousy, and she wished she could rush up and tear Yan Rugo's smug face apart.

Those around her listened with rapt attention, their gazes towards Yan Rugo filled with admiration.

They never expected that this usually unassuming Miss Yan would possess such astonishing talent.

She's such a gem!

Master Bai stroked his beard and nodded, his eyes full of approval. "Excellent poem! Excellent poem! Miss Yan's poem has a beautiful artistic conception and a perfect meter. It is truly a masterpiece!"

Just as everyone was immersed in this beautiful atmosphere, Hua Gongzi's sarcastic voice broke the harmony, "Miss Yan's poem, while beautiful in its imagery, seems to have some irregularities in its rhythm, doesn't it?" He looked at Yan Rugo with a provocative expression.

Yan Rugo smiled faintly, not flustered at all. "Young Master Hua, you are mistaken. My poem uses a new rhyme scheme, which is naturally different from the traditional meter. Hasn't Young Master Hua heard the principle that 'as long as it rhymes, it is a good poem'? What, Young Master Hua, with your extensive knowledge, do you intend to question Master Bai's judgment?"

Young Master Hua's expression changed. He hadn't expected Yan Rugo to be so eloquent, and he was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to refute her.

Just as Master Bai was about to speak up in defense of Yan Rugo, a melodious zither tune suddenly drifted from afar, like heavenly music, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound. Who was playing the zither?

Yan Rugo was also drawn to the music, her heart filled with doubt.

The music was so beautiful, yet it carried a hint of mystery, as if it were foreshadowing something.

"This music..." Madam Li murmured to herself, a strange look in her eyes.