Chapter 335: Lanting Elegant Gathering 1

When the carriage stopped in front of the Song Mansion, the children were stunned by the scene before them.

The vermilion gate is more than two people tall. The copper nails on the gate sparkle in the sun. The stone lions in front of the gate are majestic, as if guarding this luxurious compound.

"Such a big door? How much will it cost?" a child muttered in a low voice, his eyes as big as copper bells.

"I don't know. Don't look around randomly, or you might break a taboo." Another child reminded nervously, pulling on the corner of his companion's clothes.

The two of them quickly lowered their heads and followed the teacher closely.

After entering the door, you will pass through one exquisite courtyard after another, with rockery, flowing water, pavilions and towers, all showing the atmosphere of wealth.

Finally, they arrived at the courtyard where they lived.

Song Qiquan smiled and said, "This courtyard is quite large, so you can stay here for the time being. You can look after each other. It's just that this courtyard is a little shabby, so please don't mind it."

Gu Huangan and the others looked at the courtyard with its carved beams and painted buildings, winding corridors, and one room within another, each decoration exquisite.

They were secretly shocked: such luxury is called shabby? It turns out that the life of the rich is beyond their imagination.

The children were excitedly holding the packages and were about to run into the room.

Su Zhuxing quickly grabbed Zhang Zhaodi by the collar, his brow furrowed, his eyes full of reproach. "Where are you going?"

Zhang Zhaodi looked back doubtfully, blinking her big eyes: "Of course, it's to choose a place to live."

Su Zhuxing glanced at Song Qiquan, a mocking smile on his face: "Is this what you call a perfect arrangement? Letting a girl live with a bunch of boys?"

Before Song Qiquan could speak, Zhang Zhaodi hurriedly explained, "Master, please don't be angry. I can live with my classmates. After all, I'm dressed like a boy now, so outsiders won't be able to tell."

This time she went out dressed as a boy. Her small face and tied-up hair made her look pretty and cute. However, the lively look in her eyes and eyebrows could not hide her girlish temperament.

Su Zhuxing's mocking gaze was like a thorn, making Song Qiquan feel uncomfortable. He quickly said, "How could I not arrange it? Zhaodi, please wait a moment. The courtyard I arranged for you is next door. I'll take you there later."

"Okay, thank you, Master." Zhang Zhaodi felt a little disappointed. She actually wanted to live with everyone so that they could discuss academic matters together at night and share what they saw and heard during the day.

But now it seems that this little wish will be in vain.

*

The morning light pierced through the clouds, casting a gilded glow on the glazed tiles of the Song Mansion.

After last night's sumptuous dinner and this morning's exquisite breakfast, everyone was in good spirits.

Following Song Qiquan's instructions, everyone took out the school's custom-made uniforms and put them on, then went out in high spirits.

The carriage rolled over the bluestone pavement and stopped before a vermilion-lacquered gate. The jade plaque hanging from the carved lintel shone coldly in the sunlight. Even more majestic than the Song Mansion, the gatehead stood like a silent barrier, signaling the noble status of its owner.

Gu Yuhe's fingers, clutching the hem of his shirt, turned pale. The etiquette and rules Song Qiquan had taught him last night were now a jumbled mess in his mind. He looked at Gu Huangan beside him, only to see his Adam's apple rolling, his left foot nearly tripping over his right, looking clumsy and nervous.

Several children followed closely behind, their coarse cloth soles rubbing against the door sill, making a slight rustling sound that seemed particularly abrupt in front of the silent door.

Song Qiquan was wearing a moon-white long gown, with the jade pendant on his waist swaying slightly with his steps, and walked side by side with Master Du.

Before the two men stepped onto the stairs, two servants in black suddenly came out from the corridors on both sides and asked, "Do you have an invitation?" Their words were respectful, but their movements and gestures showed the nobility of the host family.

Song Qiquan looked calm as he took out a gold-stamped post from his sleeve.

The servant took the note and went closer to check it carefully.

A moment later,

"We're at the Qiushi Academy in Annan County. Please come in."

The servant's drawn-out voice echoed in the porch, and the carved wooden door slowly opened. With a creaking sound, another servant came walking slowly on the bluestone bricks.

The young man wore a moon-white headband, his eyes smiling, and his every move was a practiced elegance. "Please follow me."

He led everyone through the nine-turn corridor. The parrot hanging under the corridor suddenly flapped its wings, startling Gu Yuhe so much that he almost jumped up.

Gu Yuchuan, who was walking beside him, reached out and held him down, his eyes full of warnings for him to behave himself.

The servant seemed oblivious to the incident. He walked along while explaining, his voice clear as a spring. "This year's competition is similar to previous years, but there are some subtle differences. For example, if you want to participate in this year's competition, you must first take the entrance examination. Only students who pass the examination can participate in the formal competition later."

He paused for a moment, his eyes sweeping across the curious faces of the crowd, and continued, "This year, you can challenge higher-level players. For example, a Tongsheng can challenge a Xiucai player. If the challenge is successful, you can get double the points. Of course, if the challenge fails, you will also lose double the points."

"There are also hidden test questions hidden in the backyard. If any student can find and solve them, they can get double the points."

Gu Huangan's eyes instantly lit up like stars, and he quietly clenched his fists in his sleeves. Zhang Chuyan, on the other hand, stroked the bamboo flute at his waist, a confident smile on his lips.

They came on this trip with the mission of bringing glory to Gu Jiayue. The anxiety they had originally felt due to their age and knowledge was now completely swept away by the temptation of double scores.

Under the shade of the sycamore trees, mottled light and shadows fell on their young faces, reflecting their eagerness to try.

The entrance examination was held in front of a waterside pavilion. A nine-curve bridge led to a pavilion in the middle of the lake, where three silver-haired old men were sitting.

They were sitting around a stone table, savoring their new tea, the aroma of tea mixed with the fragrance of lotus filling the air. It wasn't until the servant beside them leaned over and whispered something that the three of them looked up at the shore.

Master Wang, standing in the middle, twirled his goatee and scanned the crowd with a hawk-like gaze. A hint of a smile played on his lips. "Brother Du, I haven't seen you in a while. I heard that your dean lost to a remote school?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "mountains and wilds" and glanced at the children's clothes, with no disguising the disgust in his eyes.

Master Du stroked his beard and laughed, the bronze wine pot at his waist swaying slightly with his laughter. "Brother Wang, Brother Li, Brother Chen, it's been a long time since we last met, and you're still as charming as ever. It's not that our dean wants me to lose to Qiushi Academy, but I volunteered to go there. If you have time, come to Qiushi Academy and you'll find it quite enjoyable!"

He recalled the time he spent discussing academic matters with the children at Qiushi Academy, and Gu Jiayue's unconventional teaching philosophy, and his eyes rippled with slight joy.

The three old men looked at each other and exchanged meaningful glances.

The "scandal" that the largest Wutong Academy in Juzhou was defeated by an unknown mountain primary school last year has long become a topic of conversation among them after dinner.

The arrogance that Mr. Du had shown at Wutong Academy at that time now became a handle for them to ridicule.

Master Li took a sip of his tea and said slowly, "Brother Du, are you saying 'I'd rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix'?" Before he finished speaking, the other two people burst into ambiguous laughter.

Just as the atmosphere was tense, Song Qiquan stepped forward and bowed as the jade pendant on his waist jingled softly. "Greetings, teachers. I am Song Qiquan, the leader of Qiushi Academy, and I am here to take the assessment on behalf of our school!"

His straight back cast a straight shadow in the sunlight, forming a sharp contrast with the nervous yet determined children behind him.

The three old men were slightly startled.

Song Qiquan is the prefect's nephew, and I heard that the prefect thinks highly of him.

Although they had some achievements and were given some respect by outsiders because of their age, they were still not as good as the prefect.

Now that the prefect's nephew has spoken, we have to give him some face.

But how much to give is up to them.