Five Gorges gave a heavy slap on his belly and said, "Heaven has three killings: killing fortune, killing rank, and killing life. But I wonder, little novice, what do you plan to kill Brother Poor?"
Cloud Zheng, with his hands behind his back, was about to leave. When the monk mentioned that Cloud Two would be his sānyí (novice), he had indeed harbored thoughts of killing him, his mind racing to find a solution. The cluster of jacaranda flowers at the foot of the mountain gave him great inspiration. Hearing Five Gorges ask this question, he replied with a grim face, "I have no interest in killing your fortune or rank; I will only kill your life."
"Arrogance!" Vaus Root did not utter anything, but loudly rebuked Cloud Zheng. The other young men and women looked at the furious Cloud Zheng in shock, unable to believe that this youth had the courage to criticize Five Gorges, a monk renowned throughout Sichuan.
Five Gorges remained unperturbed, smiling as he asked Cloud Zheng, "I would like to hear your reasons! Today's test is for you to think of how to kill me silently."
"Young sir came rashly today and may have offended the abbot. Please forgive us, and when we meet again, I will personally apologize on behalf of my ancestors!" Vaus Root's face turned ashen; he bowed and prepared to leave, thinking that Five Gorges was angry.
"Letter! You seek only a letter from me today. Whoever devises a plot to kill Brother Poor silently wins the challenge. I will write it immediately without any hesitation," Five Gorges said.
Vaus Root was momentarily stunned. Everyone said that Five Gorges was strange, but not in such an extreme manner. Getting a recommendation from this renowned monk would be of great significance for his imperial examination. With this letter as proof, he could surely go to Tokyo and Bianjing City if his exam results were not too poor. His heart warmed with hope; turning around, he saw that Cloud Zheng had already vanished.
Since seeing Cloud Da's appearance, Miss Lin had remained silent, saying nothing. Now hearing that Five Gorges intended to use a letter as the prize, she was also intrigued. Seeing that Cloud Zheng did not seem particularly interested in the monk's letter, out of pride, she decided to forgo it and sighed. This was what people called being stubborn; such people might be incredibly wise but would ultimately end up with nothing. The same principle applied: one who does not go all-out cannot become the husband in Lady Luo's poem.
"More than a thousand riders from the east, my husband is at the top. How do you recognize him? On a white horse following a brown one. With a green thread tied to its tail and gold decorating its head. A sword of Lu lu worth ten thousand; he served as a small official in the fiefdom at fifteen, an official by twenty, and at thirty, became a palace attendant. He has fair skin with a slight beard. His steps are graceful in the governor's office, and those present say that my husband is extraordinary." Qiang Li saw how engrossed Blue was again and understood clearly that she had gone to see her well-dressed husband. She recited the poem from Lady Luo for fun.
Blue did not show any signs of shyness as a common woman; instead, she widened her eyes and asked Qiang Li, "Do you not want such a husband?"