Chapter 506: Failed

After the provincial examination, Gu Yuchuan and the other four did not immediately return to Taohua County or their homes, but chose to stay in Juzhou City.

They attend endless literary gatherings here every day and make friends with students from various counties and states.

The eight-immortals table in the teahouse was filled with inkstones and books. The sound of arguments overflowed from the window lattices, mixed with the aroma of roasted tea and drifted far away.

The students seemed to have boundless energy, and every day early in the morning someone would start debating academic matters in the lobby.

Sometimes they are passionate, sometimes they are depressed, and they compete with each other and neither of them is willing to give in.

Whenever this happened, Gu Yuchuan would not participate. He seldom argued with others because his remarks often made people think deeply and others could not find any point to refute him.

Occasionally, someone would raise a question, and he would say, "You have a point," and then a debate that was about to begin would just vanish. It always felt like punching cotton. It felt completely powerless.

As a result, after more than half a month in Juzhou, Gu Yuchuan did not make any new friends.

The day for the results announcement soon arrived.

The bulletin board in front of the Imperial Examination Hall was crowded with people, and everyone wanted to see which geniuses would become the Juren.

However, most candidates, conscious of their status, did not attempt to enter the examination hall themselves. Instead, they gathered in a teahouse not far from the Imperial Examination Hall, waiting for the yamen runners to come and announce the good news.

After a while, a cry of surprise rang out from the crowd. "Gu Yuchuan? Who is this Gu Yuchuan? He actually won the first place in this year's provincial examination. Why haven't we heard of this person's talent before?"

As the crowd exclaimed, Captain Zhao and the yamen runners began to announce the good news.

As a favorite of the prefect, the task of reporting the good news to the top scholar naturally fell on him.

He struck the gong and said, "Congratulations to Mr. Gu Yuchuan from Annan County for passing the provincial examination and becoming the top scorer!"

The servant brought by Gu Yuchuan had been waiting downstairs of the restaurant early and led the person who brought the good news upstairs.

According to the rules, reward money was given.

Yamen runner Zhao touched the thick red envelope, his face beaming with joy. "Mr. Gu, I'll be leaving for Taohua Village tomorrow to announce the good news. Do you want to come with me? Or is there anything you need to bring back?"

"I'm not going back. Can you take a letter back for me? I'll have my servant deliver it to Captain Zhao's house later."

"good."

After seeing off Captain Zhao, we naturally have to welcome everyone's congratulations.

After another round of socializing, Song Qiquan suddenly shouted, "I won! I won!"

Song Qiquan ran over happily and stood in front of Gu Yuchuan, "Master, I passed the exam! I'm also a juren! Hahahaha."

He didn't know how to describe his current mood in words. Although he was only at the bottom of the class, he did pass the exam.

Juren, he is finally not the worst in the family.

"Very good." Gu Yuchuan only said two words, but it still made Song Qiquan even more excited.

He then set his sights on the other three men.

Su Zhuxing and the other two looked pale and dejected, and it was obvious that they had failed the imperial examination.

"It's okay. We'll fight again in three years." Gu Yuchuan was not good at comforting people, so he could only say it dryly.

But the comfort from others around them was much more heartfelt. The three of them quickly adjusted their mindsets.

After all, passing the imperial examination is like a thousand troops crossing a single-plank bridge, and failing is the norm.

They had been mentally prepared for this and felt that being able to see the world in the provincial examination was already a gain.

The Lu Ming Banquet was held in the back garden of the governor's office on the second day after the results were announced.

The morning dew bent the chrysanthemum branches. On the bluestone-paved corridor, the newly-elected scholars lined up in a long queue according to their ranking. The hems of their blue cloth gowns swept the ground, raising fine dust.

The examiner, wearing a court robe with peacock patches, stood in front of the platform, his voice as loud as a bell. "Thank you—"

More than thirty scholars bowed together, and amid the rustling sound of their clothes, Gu Yuchuan looked at the "Enrong" plaque above the platform and suddenly remembered the scene of standing here in his previous life.

Back then, he was also a top scholar, his back sweat soaking his shirt, his palms clenched tightly. Now, standing here again, the curve of his knees bent perfectly, yet his heart was as calm as a deep pool of water.

After the ceremony of thanksgiving, everyone took their seats according to their ranking.

Celadon bowls and plates were placed on the rosewood table, with sauce-colored venison sliced ​​into thin slices and plump white steamed buns piled next to it.

When the examiner raised his glass, the musicians in the corridor played ancient music, and everyone sang "The Book of Songs - Xiaoya Deer Singing" together. There was a bit of awkwardness in the singing, but it was full of solemnity.

When the third chapter was sung, the emcee sang loudly: "Jieyuan Gu Yuchuan, perform the Kuixing Dance~~"

When Gu Yuchuan stood up, his fingertips touched the jade pendant on his waist. The cool jade calmed him down.

He raised his hands and turned to the beat of the music, bent his left knee, and pointed his right hand into a pen shape towards the sky.

The audience's eyes fell on him, with admiration and envy, but he seemed unaware.

When I danced this dance in my previous life, all I wanted was to live up to my hard work. When I danced it again in this life, my movements were still standard, but I felt an indescribable feeling in my heart.

Same dance steps, same occasion, but the mood is a whole lifetime apart.

After the dance, Song Qiquan came over and lowered his voice. "Master Gu, you looked just like the Lord Kuixing in the painting."

There was adoration on his face.

Gu Yuchuan nodded lightly and glanced across the table.

The candidates were toasting each other, exchanging pleasantries. Amid the clinking of cups, some excitedly discussed their family histories, while others cautiously inquired about connections. Song Qiquan, surrounded by several other candidates, spoke of his uncle, the prefect, with a straight back but a reserved expression. He subconsciously glanced at Gu Yuchuan as he replied.

As he was speaking, the governor's personal servant came over and bowed to Gu Yuchuan: "Sir, please come over and talk to me."

Seeing him approach, the governor raised his hand and signaled, "Lizhi, come closer and talk."

When Gu Yuchuan heard the word "Lizhi", his fingertips moved slightly.

This was the name given to him by his mentor in his previous life, which means "a sword's sharpness comes from sharpening."

At that time, he had just entered the Imperial College. His mentor stroked his beard and said, "Only those who can endure the hardships can become great."

Although they never met again in this life, he still used this word, as if waiting for a belated appointment.

"I have read your essay and find it solidly based and insightful. Do you intend to enroll in the Imperial College? I would like to write a letter of recommendation for you."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of the prefect standing beside him lit up.

The Imperial College was a dream destination for students from all over the country. Entering it not only offered them access to renowned teachers but also allowed them to make friends with the children of the most powerful in the capital, symbolizing their entry into officialdom. In previous years, countless successful candidates would have crowded the governor's door just to seek a letter of recommendation.

Gu Yuchuan bowed. "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I plan to take part in the imperial examination next spring and will not be entering the Imperial College for the time being."

The governor frowned slightly. "Do you know how difficult the Spring Examination is? Even I, back then, spent three years in the Imperial College before I dared to take the exam."

"The students are aware of this." Gu Yuchuan's voice was steady, "But the students already have a set of rules and want to give it a try."

The governor's face darkened. "It's good for young people to be energetic, but don't be too conceited."

"I'm not conceited, but I'm somewhat confident." Gu Yuchuan raised his eyes. "If I'm lucky enough to win, I'll definitely treat you to a glass of top-scoring wine."

"Hahaha, top scholar wine! Boy, it's a good thing to have lofty ambitions, but you also have to be careful that your life is as fragile as paper!" After the governor said this, he turned away.

The prefect followed behind. He looked at Gu Yichuan with an indescribable expression. "You kid, you have such a great opportunity in front of you, but you don't know how to seize it!"

Speaking of which, he is also very optimistic about this kid, and his performance at the Lanting Elegant Gathering was also very impressive.

Before this, he had recommended Gu Yuchuan to the governor many times, and just now he had repeatedly asked him to write poems and paint. This made the governor look at him more at the Luming Banquet.

The governor was attracted by the talent and took the initiative to recruit him.

Unexpectedly, this kid refused to listen and was stubborn in his own opinion, as if he didn't understand what people were saying.

He is only twenty years old. What is the difference between taking part in the Spring Examination this year and taking part in the Spring Examination three years later?

If you wait another three years, you will not only gain the favor of the governor, but also be able to build up connections in the Imperial College.

You know, the Imperial College not only has geniuses from all over the country, but also the children of powerful people from Kyoto and other places.

These connections can’t be bought with money!

Silly boy, silly boy.

The prefect glared at him with some disappointment.

Then, looking at his nephew who was following behind him hesitantly, he felt even more annoyed.

They are all a bunch of stubborn people who can't even get out of the cowshed!

Song Qiquan was stared at with confusion. What had he done wrong?

He passed the imperial examination and his uncle is still not happy?

Well, in this case, I don’t know if my uncle’s promise to let him marry Yunyan if he passes the exam still holds true.

Forget it, leave him alone. If his uncle doesn't recognize him, then he'll elope with Yunyan!

Gu Yuchuan turned around and saw his extremely arrogant expression, and was speechless for a moment.

How could Lord Song, such an upright man, have a nephew like this?

What a stain on life!