When County Magistrate Ma spoke, Ma Xiyue seemed to find her backbone, immediately uplifting her spirit and said, "Yes, a literary competition should naturally be about who has unparalleled talent, rather than resorting to these petty tricks unfit for the stage."
Dean Ying was displeased and accused Ma Xiyue, "When Teacher Yu suggested playing a small game, you already agreed. What now? Are you reneging because you lost? Can't you handle losing?"
Ma Xiyue's face alternated between pale and flushed, yet she stubbornly retorted, "Since Teacher Yu is a Ninth Grade academic, she must be extraordinarily talented.
If Teacher Yu dares to compete with me again, and I lose, I shall concede wholeheartedly to her from now on."
Dean Ying was about to say that no one would compete with her again since the contest was over when Yu Xiaolian interrupted, "What would we compete in? Composing poetry or matching couplets? You choose!"
