Top Scholar

Chapter 353 Who Sends the Brocade Letter from the Clouds?
Traveling downstream from Chengdu to Luzhou, a fast boat can depart in the morning and arrive in the evening.

The next day, She Yunluo's letter was delivered to Zhu Yin. Zhu Yin was shocked when she saw it and quickly showed it to Huang E.

Huang E looked at the letter but didn't care at all. She put it aside and laughed, "This is perfectly normal. Hongzhi is a very popular and talented man now. It would be strange if no girls liked him."

“It’s normal, but you still need to be careful,” Athena Chu advised.

"No need. Sister, don't you remember how those little vixens in Luzhou City bewitched Hongzhi? The one in Chengdu is just a bit higher in status, that's all." Huang E held the writing brush, writing steadily as she smiled:
"Don't worry, Hiroshi can handle it himself."

"Oh dear sister, you can't be careless about this." Zhu Yin thought she was too optimistic.

“Those women before were all just paying lip service to love something; they wouldn’t dare do anything really outrageous. But that princess is different; she’s serious. As the saying goes, it’s easy for a woman to pursue a man; what if Su Hongzhi can’t resist?”

"Don't worry, Hongzhi will definitely be able to handle it." Huang E shook his head and said confidently, "He has great perseverance and ambition, and he can't be held back by trivial matters of men and women."

"Are you that confident?" Athena Chu asked.

"Of course," Huang E said with a smug smile, "I chose the man."

As she spoke, she put down her pen, picked up Xue Tao paper, and said, "If you are really worried, please help me send this letter to Hongzhi."

Zhu Yin took it and saw that it was a poem called "Nanyue Tune: Cotton-padded Floss," so she read it softly:
"Her face was pale and thin, and she silently felt ashamed."

I suddenly recall those days, when the Milky Way stretched far and wide, making it difficult to cross by boat.

What is the reason for your seeking a title and honor?

Where does the fragrance of ink linger? I study diligently in Chengdu.

Alas, even a short separation of ten days feels like three autumns.
The sorrow of longing remains even when separated by distance.

"This piece is truly wonderfully composed!" Zhu Yin, also from a scholarly family, praised it highly, and naturally, she could discern the emotions of a young girl and the hidden feelings of longing beneath the pages.

The first sentence is a reminder to Su Lu that he shouldn't forget he has a fiancée at home.

The second sentence is a reminder to him to think about how difficult it was for him to win me over back then.
The third sentence was a reminder to him that he shouldn't forget what he was going to Chengdu for.

The fourth sentence serves as a reminder to focus one's mind on the imperial examinations and not let a pretty girl distract one's attention...

The fifth sentence reminded him that we've only been apart for less than a month, so he shouldn't get bored with something new too soon.

The sixth line means reducing the sauce over high heat; you must miss me as much as I miss you...

"I never imagined my sister was such a hidden master!" she said, now completely relieved. "No vixen could defeat you."

"Sister is joking." Huang E smiled, but firmly denied it, saying, "I was just expressing my longing, I didn't mean anything else."

"Right? I was overinterpreting it." Athena Chu laughed it off.

~~
Su Lu received Huang E's letter on the first day of the eighth month.

In August, Chengdu is filled with the sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms, a truly delightful experience.

Su Lu took a deep breath, opened the smoky blue envelope, and saw the familiar, delicate handwriting.

After reading the poem "Nanyue Tune" line by line, Su Lu couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head: "It seems my second sister-in-law complained about me, otherwise why would she say such witty things?"

"She insists that the Prince's Mansion always bestows gifts because the Princess has taken a liking to you." Su Tai said embarrassedly, "I couldn't stop her, otherwise, if mud fell into my crotch, I'd be in trouble."

“It’s right not to stop me,” Su Lu said with a smile. “My conscience is clear, what is there to hide?”

So he picked up his pen and composed a poem in response:
"The lamp in the inn is dim, and I think of my beloved from afar."

The moon shines over my old home, its clear shadow reflected in your eyes.

The fragrance of ink accompanies me as I diligently study in Chengdu.

Fame and fortune are as fleeting as drifting clouds, while longing for someone is as deep as the flowing Jinjiang River.

Though the Jinjiang River may have three thousand crossings, my heart only yearns for the autumn of Yangjiang.

In Sanqu (a type of Chinese verse) singing, the number of characters does not need to be exactly the same, as long as the tune and rhyme are the same. The number of characters can be flexibly adjusted within the framework of the tune.

~~
After finishing writing, Su Lu was about to have Steward Tian send it out when Li Qiyu and Cheng Wanfan returned looking dejected.

The two dragged themselves into the house and plopped down in chairs. Cheng Wanfan stared blankly, while Li Qiyu picked up the teapot and gulped down a mouthful of cold tea.

"Didn't you two go check the results? What happened? The results weren't good?" Su Lu asked.

The Grandmaster returned to the provincial capital three days ago, organized the examination the next day, and released the results today. His efficiency was extremely high.

"Sigh, the number of places for admission is pitifully small, and neither of us... got in." Li Qiyu wiped his mouth haphazardly and said with a wry smile, "If I had known, I wouldn't have made this wasted trip."

Cheng Wanfan sighed and said, "Even students from the Imperial Academy are taking the exam. What level are they at? How can we compare? It's all for nothing."

Su Dan was writing an essay when she put down her pen and said gently, "We're just here to broaden our horizons. It's normal if we don't pass the exam. How about... we eat before we leave?" "Get lost!" Li Qiyu glared at him irritably, then shamelessly smiled and said, "Actually, that's not wrong. We're just here to try our luck. It's normal if we don't succeed."

“We’ve already taken leave, so there’s no harm in going back early. Why don’t we stay here and accompany each other during the exam?” He then said to Cheng Wanfan, “Anyway, there are bound to be many who won’t pass. It’ll be better if we go back together.”

“Indeed, it would be beneath us to go back before the provincial examinations even begin,” Cheng Wanfan wholeheartedly agreed.

"Do we need you two to accompany us during the exam?" Su Lu waved his hand and said, "Our Yangjiang Society doesn't support idlers."

"Godfather, please let us stay. We'll do anything you ask," the two pleaded, feigning concern.

"Alright, that's what you said." Su Lu had been waiting for them to say this. "I'll find you two some work, help me copy a few volumes of ancient books, just to temper your temper."

"Then let's go back..." Li Qiyu knew what Su Lu's box of books was for; it was for copying!
“Once you step out of this door, we’ll sever all ties as father and son!” Su Lu had a trump card up his sleeve.

"No, no, I was just joking." Li Qiyu quickly stopped and said with a forced smile, "Don't worry, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!"

"I'll check it after you finish copying, and you can't make a single mistake." Su Lu said seriously, "This is very important, please."

"Understood." Seeing Su Lu become serious, the two nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, not a single word will be wrong."

~~
The next morning, Su Lu dressed neatly, prepared a small gift, and went to the front street of the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner's Office in the south of the city.

This wide avenue paved with bluestone was the seat of Sichuan's top government offices. The governor's office, the provincial judicial commissioner's office, and the provincial education commissioner's office were lined up in succession!

The government office was a heavily guarded place, with checkpoints set up at every end of the street. Although Su Lu was dressed in a scholar's robe, he was still stopped.

"This is a restricted area of ​​the provincial government ahead. All unauthorized personnel must detour," the guard shouted to him.

Steward Tian hurriedly stepped forward, showed the Grandmaster's name card, and added a small token of his appreciation. Only then did the soldiers remove the roadblock and let Su Lu and the other two in.

"The first place is the Provincial Education Office; don't go any further," the officer warned.

"Okay, thank you." Steward Tian nodded and then jogged to the Provincial Education Office to report.

The doorman had obviously been informed, and he led them inside without asking for a door bag.

Passing through the front office and entering the back residence, Su Lu saw Xiao, the provincial education commissioner, and several of his advisors packing their luggage. Apart from some clothes and daily necessities, the rest of the trunks were full of books...

“Hongzhi is here.” Xiao Tixue put down his copy of “The Analects of Confucius: A Correct Interpretation” and greeted him with a smile, “The room is a mess, let’s talk in the courtyard.”

"Let me help you pack, sir," Su Lu said, rolling up his sleeves. "Is it in such a hurry?"

"Of course," said Xiao Tixue. "The new Tixue will be taking office soon, so we need to make room for him as soon as possible."

"Our contract is over, and in a few days, we'll have to pay for our own meals," the white-bearded man joked.

"You still have the nerve to say that? I paid you double wages to keep you here for another year." Xiao Tixue laughed and scolded, "In the end, after three years as the supervisor, I didn't save a single penny and ended up with a mountain of debt."

He said to Su Lu, "Don't worry, the others will go first and help me take all my luggage back to my hometown in Jiangxi. I have to wait until the autumn examination is over and drink your wedding wine before I leave."

"Master Dong said that he might be demoted within a few days of returning to the capital, so he won't be bringing much with him," the bespectacled man said with a smile, pushing up his glasses.

"How about I go to the capital with you? If we get arrested and thrown into prison, I can bring you food or something," the fat man said with a smile.

Although the gentlemen usually complained that Xiao Tixue was too stingy, they actually admired him in their hearts. At least he was consistent in his words and deeds, and not only were his subordinates poor, but he himself was also poor.

"No need. They're already eating prison food, why would they need to bring their own meals?" Xiao Tixue said with a smile.

The gentlemen laughed heartily; now that their employment relationship was over, they were friends.

Su Lu felt a chill run down his spine. Was being an official this dangerous now? Was he already being prepared to be imprisoned and exiled before even arriving in the capital?
Thinking back to my own teacher and headmaster, as well as the experiences of Liu Jian and Xie Qian, I realized it made perfect sense.

He helped Xiao Tixue move some books and discovered that there were several stacks of exam papers among them.

"I always keep a few of my best exam papers as a memento," Xiao Tixue said, gently stroking the papers.

"Looking back on these three years, although it was tough, it was really worthwhile. It made me feel that my ten years of hard study were not in vain, and I finally had a chance to use my skills."

"Your and Yang Yongxiu's papers aren't in there; I kept them separately." He then smiled at Su Lu.
"Oh, by the way, I invited him over today too. You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not," Su Lu quickly replied with a smile, thinking to himself, "What good would it do if I minded?"
Before he finished speaking, the doorman brought in a handsome young man in a blue robe. Who else could it be but Yang Shen?
After bowing to the Grandmaster, Yang Shen immediately asked Su Lu, "Why did you flee without a fight at the literary gathering yesterday?"

"Will there be a literary competition?" Su Lu asked, puzzled.

"I want to compete with you, don't you want to compete with me?" Yang Shen said with an arrogant look.

"The provincial examination is in a couple of days, and we'll see the results then," Su Lu shook his head, indirectly accepting his challenge.

Their eyes met, as if sparks were about to fly.

P.S. I'll post two chapters first, the third chapter is still being written... This format is pretty good, right?

(End of this chapter)