I'm coming clean: I'm the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

On his last night at Laifu Inn, Gu Ci slept soundly.

On the contrary, Gu Ang tossed and turned until late at night before finally falling asleep.

He kept replaying the events of the past few days in his mind, and the more he thought about it, the more unbelievable it seemed.

My younger brother is only eight years old, and he's already here to take the prefectural exam.

Those candidates who were several times older than Ci'er were still left behind, weren't they?

Thinking of this, Gu Ang felt a surge of pride.

......

The next day at noon, the sound of a horse-drawn carriage could be heard outside the inn.

Gu Ang opened the window and looked out, and saw a green-canopied carriage parked at the door.

Standing next to the carriage was a middle-aged man in a gray long gown, who was Wang Chengen's advisor.

"Young Master Gu, Lord Wang sent me to pick you and Mr. Gu up for a banquet at Yipinxuan."

The advisor looked up and bowed to the upstairs.

Gu Ang turned to look at his younger brother, who was packing his things: "Ci'er, Lord Wang's men have arrived."

"Okay, let's go."

Gu Ci put away the exam basket and followed his brother downstairs.

The carriage traveled all the way to the most bustling area of ​​the prefectural city.

The street was bustling with people, and the shops on both sides had colorful signs hanging on them.

Gu Ang lifted the carriage curtain and looked out, unable to help but marvel: "This prefectural city is really different, much more lively than our Qinghe County."

"Brother, you'll come often in the future."

Gu Ci leaned against the carriage, closing his eyes to rest.

Gu Ang understood the meaning behind his brother's words and grinned.

The carriage stopped in front of a three-story restaurant.

A golden sign hangs at the entrance—Yipinxuan.

Two rows of servants stood at the door, dressed in matching blue short shirts. Upon seeing the guests arrive, they called out in unison, "Welcome, distinguished guest!"

This display of force startled Gu Ang.

The clerk alighted from the carriage and gestured to the Gu brothers, "Gentlemen, Lord Wang is waiting in the private room upstairs."

Gu Ci followed the clerk inside.

The lobby on the first floor was full of guests, clinking glasses and having a lively time.

The air was filled with the aromas of food and wine.

Gu Ang followed behind his younger brother, looking left and right, his eyes darting around as if he couldn't take it all in.

The decor of this restaurant is even more impressive than that of Wangjiang Tower.

The walls are adorned with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, and the floor is covered with a thick carpet that feels soft and plush to the touch.

Even the tables, chairs, and benches were made of the finest sandalwood, with intricate carvings.

Gu Ang clicked his tongue in amazement, wondering how much silver it would cost to eat a meal like this.

The advisor led them up to the third floor and pushed open the door to the innermost private room.

"Lord Wang, Young Master Gu has arrived."

In the private room, Wang Chengen was sitting in the main seat, drinking tea.

Seeing Gu Ci enter, he immediately stood up, his face beaming with smiles: "Young Master Gu has arrived! Please, have a seat!"

He pointed to the spot on his right.

Gu Ci bowed and said, "Thank you, Lord Wang."

"Don't be so polite, we're all family."

Wang Chengen waved his hand and nodded to Gu Ang, "Young Master Gu, please have a seat as well."

Gu Ang sat down properly at the lower seat.

There were a few other people in the private room, all of whom were officials and wealthy merchants from the prefectural city.

Wang Chengen introduced them one by one, and Gu Ci politely nodded in greeting.

The way these people looked at him was with curiosity and scrutiny.

After all, an eight-year-old prodigy is someone everyone would want to take a second look at.

A wealthy merchant dressed in silk even leaned close to an official next to him and whispered, "Is this the child who wrote 'A Young Man Should Reach for the Clouds' in Qinghe County? I thought he was at least seventeen or eighteen years old."

Wang Qingya sat next to Gu Ci, her little face flushed.

She wore a light pink dress today, with a beaded flower in her hair, looking exceptionally elegant.

"Brother Gu, how did you sleep last night?"

She asked in a low voice.

"good."

Gu Ci gave a casual reply.

Wang Qingya breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good. You should get some rest after the exam."

She picked up a teacup from the table and handed it to him: "Brother Gu, have some tea first."

Gu Ci took the teacup and took a sip.

The tea is warm, just right.

Wang Chengen watched this scene, stroking his beard and smiling.

How could he not see what his daughter was thinking?

However, he didn't point it out.

Gu Ci is a child with a bright future.

If he could become my son-in-law, that would be an incredible stroke of luck.

"Come on, let's serve the food!"

Wang Chengen clapped his hands.

A row of servants immediately entered from outside, carrying trays.

Dishes were placed on the table one by one.

The table was laden with cold dishes, hot dishes, and soups.

Gu Ang stared wide-eyed.

He had never even heard of these dishes.

Jadeite and White Jade Soup, Longjing Shrimp—just hearing the names makes them sound incredibly precious.

Wang Qingya picked up a piece of fish and put it into Gu Ci's bowl: "Brother Gu, this mandarin fish is their signature dish, you should try it."

Gu Ci picked up a piece of fish and took a bite.

The meat is tender and melts in your mouth.

"This fish is good."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qingya immediately picked up another piece and put it in his bowl: "Then eat more!"

Gu Ang also picked up a piece of fish and tasted it.

"This fish is so fresh!"

He had never eaten such delicious fish before.

Wang Chengen raised his wine glass: "Come, everyone, I invited Mr. Gu and Young Master Gu here today, firstly to welcome them and secondly to wish Mr. Gu success in the imperial examination."

"Come on, bottoms up!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Gu Ci picked up his teacup: "This junior offers tea in place of wine to Lord Wang."

"Okay, okay!"

Wang Chengen drank it all in one gulp, put down his wine cup, looked at the dishes on the table, and suddenly became interested.

"Gu Ci, today's dish, Peach Blossom Flowing Water Mandarin Fish, is Yi Pin Xuan's signature dish."

"Could you compose a poem to suit this occasion and enhance the drinking experience?"

Everyone in the private room looked at him.

Gu Ci put down his chopsticks and glanced at the mandarin fish on the table.

The fish meat is white and tender, the soup is clear, and a few peach petals float on top.

It does have a certain artistic conception.

He paused for a moment, then began to recite: "White egrets fly before Mount Xisai, peach blossoms float on flowing water, and mandarin fish are plump."

"Wearing a green bamboo hat and a green raincoat, I need not return home in the slanting wind and fine rain."

The wine glass in Wang Chengen's hand was suspended in mid-air.

The officials and wealthy businessmen were all stunned.

It took a while for everyone to come to their senses.

Wang Chengen put down his wine cup, slapped the table, and laughed loudly: "What a fine poem! What a fine poem!"

"Poetry contains painting, and painting contains Zen!"

"Your poem perfectly captures the essence of peach blossoms, flowing water, and mandarin fish!"

Others echoed his sentiments.

"A child prodigy is a child prodigy; he can compose perfect poems effortlessly!"

"This poem possesses a profound and evocative imagery, refreshing and refined; it is truly remarkable!"

"I think this poem is just as good as those timeless masterpieces!"

Gu Ang felt very pleased to hear these praises.

Ci'er is amazing!

Wang Qingya's face was also flushed, and her eyes were full of admiration.

A waiter who was waiting outside the private room heard the commotion and froze on the spot.

He stood there for a moment, then suddenly turned and ran downstairs.

After a short while, there was a knock on the door of the private room.

"Lord Wang, the shopkeeper requests an audience."

The servant's voice came from outside the door.

Wang Chengen paused for a moment, then said, "Let him in."

The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man dressed in a silk robe walked in.

The man was in his fifties, with a goatee and a beaming smile.

"Lord Wang, I apologize for disturbing you."

He bowed to Wang Chengen, then looked at Gu Ci.

"This must be Mr. Gu, right?"

"Exactly."

Wang Chengen nodded: "You need to see him about something?"

The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together, his smile widening: "It's like this, I was just in the kitchen watching the dishes being prepared when the waiter ran over to say that Mr. Gu has written a wonderful poem for our Yipinxuan's signature dish."

"Upon hearing this, I knew I couldn't miss it! I quickly ran up, hoping to humbly request that Mr. Gu bestow upon me a piece of his calligraphy."

As he spoke, he took out a stack of silver notes from his pocket and handed them to Wang Chengen: "This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Lord Wang."

Wang Chengen waved his hand: "I can't accept this money. If you want an inscription, you'll have to ask Mr. Gu."

The shopkeeper immediately turned to Gu Ci, bowed, and said, "Young Master Gu, your poem was truly exquisite!"

"It would be our greatest honor to have your calligraphy inscribed and hung in front of our Yipinxuan Pavilion!"

"This meal is on my behalf, it's all on the house!"

"Furthermore, consider this thousand taels of silver as a writing fee!"

As he spoke, he handed the silver note to Gu Ci.

Gu Ci glanced at the silver note, then at the shopkeeper.

This guy knows how to do business.

A poem, a piece of calligraphy—these bring more than just fame.

From then on, whenever someone mentions peach blossoms, flowing water, and mandarin fish, they will think of this poem.

And this poem hangs in front of the Yipinxuan Pavilion.

This business is a sure thing, you can't lose money.

"You're too kind, shopkeeper."

Gu Ci waved his hand, refusing the silver note: "It's just a short poem, not worth that much money. If any down-on-their-luck scholars come here in the future, you can serve them food."

The manager of Yipinxuan was taken aback for a moment, then became even more respectful: "Young Master Gu, your magnanimity is truly admirable!"

He put away the banknotes and bowed deeply.

The officials and wealthy businessmen in the private room looked at Gu Ci with more respect.

An eight-year-old child with such composure.

Truly extraordinary.