Top Scholar

Chapter 350 The Charming Guy

After the four teachers finished speaking, the students eagerly asked questions, which the teachers answered patiently one by one.

As noon approached, the King of Shu coughed and said politely to the four gentlemen, "May I ask that each of you esteemed gentlemen propose a topic for the students to work on?"

"As you command." The elders bowed slightly, picked up their pens, wrote the questions on the small table, and showed them to the students.

"This morning's literary gathering will now conclude here." With the help of his eunuch, the Prince of Shu slowly rose and said gently to the scholars, "A light meal has been prepared for lunch. Please have a bite to eat. Afterward, you may choose one of the four topics to write an essay on. Once you have finished, you may consult your teachers."

After speaking, he left Mingli Hall with the students seeing him off.

After the four gentlemen had left, a eunuch invited the students to move to the dining hall.

"I've heard that the food at the Prince of Shu's residence is the best in Sichuan," Yang Shen said expectantly. "Today I'll finally get to try it."

Su Lu glanced at Yang Shen, but refrained from saying, "I'm almost tired of eating this."

Just as he reached the palace gate, a young eunuch called out to him, "Master Su, my master requests your presence."

Su Lu pointed to his nose: "Me?"

"Are you Su Hongzhi, Master Su?"

"Yes."

"Then that's the right choice. Come with me." The young eunuch smiled and gestured for them to follow.

Su Lu had no choice but to leave Mingli Hall with him.

Watching Su Lu's retreating figure, Yang Shen couldn't help but say sourly, "You only called him?"

"Brother, watch your image. You're talking a lot today," Yang Dun had to whisper a reminder to him.

"Really?" Yang Shen asked, somewhat surprised.

"Yes." The members of the Lizhe Society nodded in agreement: "Even Brother Yongxiu doesn't usually talk this much in a day."

"Okay..." Yang Shen then fell silent. He didn't know what was wrong with him, but he just couldn't help wanting to talk whenever he saw Su Lu.

'Could this be my inner demon?' he thought to himself. 'It seems that only by defeating Su Hongzhi head-on can I regain my normal state of mind...'

~~
On the other side, Su Lu followed the little eunuch to the back hall, where he could smell a strong medicinal odor even before entering.

Inside the hall, His Highness the Prince of Shu was holding a jade bowl, frowning as he ate his medicine.

"Your Highness, Prime Minister Su has arrived," a young eunuch whispered as he entered.

"Please let him in." The King of Shu then casually put down the medicine bowl.

Su Lu entered to pay his respects, and the King of Shu ordered him to rise and take a seat. He looked Su Lu up and down and said, “Well done, you are truly as handsome as a pine tree in spring and as elegant as a jade tree in the wind. You are indeed a great talent who is on par with Yang Yongxiu. I think the top scholar of this year’s examination will be one of the two of you.”

"Your Highness is too kind. I am but a student of limited knowledge and learning, and I dare not presume to ask for such praise." Su Lufu respectfully composed himself and thanked the Prince of Shu, saying, "I have been in the province for more than ten days and have been repeatedly honored by the Prince's generous gifts. I have no way to repay you and am deeply humbled. I humbly thank Your Highness."

"Oh, those food and daily necessities you mentioned?" Upon hearing this, the King of Shu laughed and said, "You've thanked the wrong person; they weren't gifts from me."

"What is that?" Su Lu knew, of course, that it wasn't from him, but that was all he could ask.

"It was bestowed upon me by my mother." The King of Shu didn't keep him in suspense and coughed before saying, "She greatly admires your 'The Difficulty of Finding Beauty in the Imperial Court' and says you are the most filial son in Shu. Hearing that you have come to the provincial capital, she naturally wanted to inquire about you."

He chuckled and said, "She still wants to see you."

Although Su Lu was puzzled, the Dowager Consort's reaction was too quick. She had just arrived in the city and was already sending him food, which was not like the behavior of an elderly person. However, he was still very grateful and said, "It is my great fortune to be so fortunate to receive the Dowager Consort's favor. I am overjoyed to be able to come and express my gratitude in person."

"Haha, then come with me." The King of Shu laughed and stood up, leaning on the table.

"Your Highness, the medicine..." his eunuch attendant reminded him.

"Alas!" The King of Shu sighed helplessly, picked up the medicine bowl, gritted his teeth, and drank it down in several mouthfuls.

The eunuch quickly served a cup of osmanthus dew, which was sweet and refreshing with a slight coolness, instantly washing away the bitterness of the medicine.

The King of Shu then relaxed his brows and said, "You flatter me. I'm so young, yet I've become a sickly person."

"Everyone gets sick sometimes," Su Lu said softly, trying to comfort you. "Your Highness has a renowned doctor to treat you, so you'll recover soon."

"Alas, how easy is it? My illness has been recurring and protracted, and even the imperial physicians in the capital cannot cure it." The Prince of Shu sighed, then smiled again and said, "You feel much better after taking the medicine. Come, let me take you to see your mother."

So the King of Shu boarded his palanquin and, with Su Lu in tow, arrived at Changchun Palace, where the Dowager Queen resided.

After the announcement was made, the Queen Dowager summoned him from the eastern side.

The Prince's Palace had strict rules, with a clear distinction between inside and outside. Su Lu then performed a grand salute to the Princess Dowager through the beaded curtain.

"Student Su Lu pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, wishing Her Majesty good health and longevity."

"You may rise, no need for formalities." The Dowager Consort's kind voice came from behind the beaded curtain. "Raise your head and let this old woman see you."

Su Lu raised his head as instructed, and the Dowager Princess ordered someone to lift the curtain. He saw that Su Lu's eyebrows and eyes were as clear as the bright moon, and his posture was as upright as a pine tree.

They couldn't help but exclaim, "This child is so handsome, and so well-mannered!"

She then ordered someone to offer him a seat and tea, and they chatted for a while, asking him how old he was, where he was from, and who his family members were... Su Lu answered each question respectfully, his words were pleasant to hear, and he pleased the old lady very much.

"You'll be eighteen after your birthday." The Dowager Princess paused for a moment and then slowly asked, "You've reached the age for marriage. Have you made any engagements yet?"

The Dowager Consort and the Prince of Shu both stared at Su Lu, who replied with a happy expression, his eyes fixed straight ahead: "Your Highness, I was engaged last year, and I will return to my hometown to get married after the autumn imperial examination!"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager sighed softly, and the Prince of Shu, who was sitting beside her, also showed a look of regret.

"Oh?" After a long while, Su Lu heard the Dowager Princess ask, "Which family's daughter is so fortunate?"

"Your Highness, it is my great fortune to have such a wonderful marriage." Su Lu said, bowing towards the southeast, unable to hide his joy, "My fiancée is from Suining, the daughter of Provincial Judge Huang of Shanxi!"

"Oh..." the Empress Dowager said with surprise, "Your fiancée wouldn't happen to be Huang E, would she?"

“Exactly.” Su Lu nodded proudly.

"Impressive!" Even the King of Shu couldn't help but praise, "The most famous talented woman and the most beautiful pearl in Sichuan has actually fallen into your hands, boy."

"Yes, you are quite capable to have married Lord Huang's beloved daughter," the Empress Dowager praised.

Su Lu smiled shyly and said, "It was indeed very difficult. It was only with the help of all the people in Luzhou that I was able to barely persuade my father-in-law to part with it."

"It's not easy to have you, so you must cherish it." The Empress Dowager said earnestly, "I have met Lord Huang's daughter. She is truly well-educated and reasonable, and quite beautiful. She and you are a match made in heaven."

"Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered!" Su Lu also said solemnly, "My only wish in this life is to be with one soulmate for eternity, and to have a confidant by my side is enough!"

Upon hearing this, the Dowager Princess smiled and sighed, "I told you! A filial son is bound to be a loyal minister, and he will certainly be faithful to his wife. He would never be a Chen Shimei who starts a relationship and then abandons the woman."

These words didn't seem to be spoken to Su Lu, but rather to someone beside him.

The King of Shu, fearing that Su Lu might not understand, explained: "This is a newly performed play. It tells the story of a scholar named Chen Shimei from the Song Dynasty who, after becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination, abandoned his wife and children to marry a princess, and was subsequently executed by Judge Bao."

“He was killed because he committed murder; otherwise, Bao Zheng wouldn’t have beheaded him.” The Dowager Princess seemed to be a fan of Bao Zheng, never forgetting to protect her idol’s image, saying, “Bao Zheng is fair in rewarding and punishing, and he wouldn’t kill people indiscriminately.”

"Alright, alright." The King of Shu quickly admitted his mistake, "It was my son who was not precise."

The Empress Dowager then turned to Su Lu and said gently, "Good child, I wish you and Miss Huang a long and happy marriage, and a life of mutual respect and harmony."

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Highness." Su Lu quickly rose and bowed again.

"Take a look and enjoy." The Empress Dowager gave another order, and palace maids brought out all kinds of jewelry, gold and silver ornaments in a continuous stream.

Su Lu was about to politely decline when the Dowager said, "This isn't a gift for you, it's a gift for you two. I couldn't attend the wedding banquet, so why should I refuse a little something from you?"

He could only humbly express his gratitude and accept it with shame.

"Your subject has taken Hongzhi to have a meal," the King of Shu said, rising to his feet.

"Go ahead and entertain them properly for me." The Dowager Princess nodded.

"This student takes his leave." Su Lu bowed again and then followed the King of Shu in bowing as he withdrew.

After Su Lu's figure disappeared into the distance, the palace maid rolled up the beaded curtain.

The Dowager Queen was actually not yet fifty years old, and she possessed an air of elegance and grace. Because of her excellent maintenance, her face was free of wrinkles, making her appear even younger.

Standing beside her was a graceful young woman in palace attire, with a slender figure, fair skin, sweet eyes, and gentle demeanor—just like the Queen Dowager when she was a young girl.

However, she looked forlorn, with slightly red eyes, as if she had been through a cold.

Seeing her like this, the Dowager Princess took her hand and shook her head helplessly: "Dan'er, did you hear everything? It's not that your mother doesn't want to help you, it's just that we're not meant to be."

"Sigh..." The princess sighed softly, forcing herself to save face, "Mother, I never said I wanted to stay with him."

"Huh? And you're still sending him this and that under my name. Now everyone in the Prince's mansion knows you've taken a liking to him?" The Dowager Consort was speechless.

"I simply admire his talent and character. Just watching him from afar and reading his writings brings me comfort. It's nothing more than admiration for a virtuous person. Are you saying I can't even have this simple thought?" the princess declared emphatically.

"As for giving him some food and supplies, it's just a way of giving back and thanking him for the emotions his articles evoked in me!"

"Alright, alright, whatever you want." The Dowager Consort patted her hand and said, "Who can't have their own preferences?"

"Hmm..." The princess then sat down next to her mother and rested her head on her shoulder.

The Dowager knew her daughter too well, and gently patted her shoulder, saying, "If you want to cry, then cry a little."

“I can recite every article of his from memory, I love every word he writes…” The princess shook her head forcefully, but tears kept falling. “But Mother, do you know, my favorite is not his ‘The Difficulty of Finding Beauty’.”

"What is that?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"It was his love poem—" the princess recited tearfully:

"I pledged my life to you on the Stone of Three Incarnations, and our dreams are filled with the blooming of twin lotus blossoms."

"In this life, one love for one person, until we grow old together amidst the green hills, sharing dawn and dusk..."

She murmured, "How could I not love such a devoted and talented man? That's precisely why I can't ruin his marriage with Miss Huang, because if he changes his heart for Miss Huang, he won't be the man I love anymore..."

"Sigh, you child..." The Empress Dowager shook her head, unable to understand the young man's thoughts.

P.S. I know everyone's eager, so I'm quickly posting two chapters. I'll continue writing the third chapter...

Don't worry, there won't be any character collapse. I have very high standards for the top scholar's character. Since the beginning of the book, I don't know how many words and actions that didn't match the top scholar's character have been deleted...

(End of this chapter)