Chapter 21: Desire to Gain

After a while, Song Yuyan turned around and took in the surprise in the boy's eyes. Her eyebrows curved.

"I don't know how good your painting skills are. I happen to have some brushes, ink, paper and inkstone here. Would you like to paint a picture now?" The young man put away the surprise in his eyes and couldn't help asking.

Song Yuyan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said softly, "Okay, then I'll show you my ugliness."

The young man immediately asked someone to get pen, ink, paper and inkstone.

On Song Yuning's side, Song Yuwan pulled the two of them and squeezed into the crowd. It took a lot of effort before they finally saw the young man who was writing poetry.

At the same time, she also heard the poem about peach blossoms written by the young man.

However, after listening to the poem, Song Yuwan did not think it was amazing. She even thought it was only of average level and not an excellent poem.

At this moment, a young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in plain cloth, stepped forward and said, "I think the last two lines of your poem don't quite rhyme. It might be better if you could replace one or two words."

Someone nearby recognized the young man and asked in surprise, "Isn't this Mr. Lu? I didn't expect him to be here today."

Another person interjected, "If even Mr. Lu says this poem isn't good enough, then it's probably really not good enough."

Song Yuning followed the gaze of the crowd and saw that Mr. Lu had an outstanding appearance and a gentle temperament, and he exuded the unique scholarly aura.

The young man who had composed the poem earlier was not intolerant. Seeing Mr. Lu speak, he bowed and asked for advice: "Mr. Lu, what two words do you think would be better to change it to?"

Lu Xiucai raised the corners of his mouth slightly and said two words.

Song Yuwan recited the last two lines of the poem again, and immediately felt that the artistic conception of the poem was greatly enhanced after replacing two words.

"Who on earth is this Mr. Lu? He actually has such abilities." Song Yuwan stared at the scholar, her eyes revealing a hint of astonishment and admiration.

Song Yuning and Song Yurou looked at each other and shook their heads to indicate that they had never heard of this person's name.

At this time, a girl standing nearby heard Song Yuwan's words and took the initiative to answer their questions, saying, "This Mr. Lu is indeed very talented.

He passed the examination for a student at the age of nine, and became a scholar at the age of twelve. He was supposed to take part in the provincial examination at the age of fifteen.

If it weren't for the three years of mourning for his father's death, he might have become a juren by now."

When Song Yuwan saw that Lu Xiucai had finished speaking and turned around to leave, she had an idea and whispered a few words to Song Yuning, then pulled the maid to chase after Lu Xiucai.

Song Yuning and Song Yurou did not stop her. After all, they came here to cast a wide net, and it was a good thing that Song Yuwan had a target.

"Seventh sister, I see there is a pavilion over there. Do you want to sit there?" Song Yuning asked Song Yurou.

Song Yurou turned her head to look at the pavilion. Seeing that there were few people there, she thought for a moment and shook her head: "I'll just walk around here and take a look. If you feel tired, you can go over and rest on your own."

Song Yuning responded and turned to walk towards the pavilion.

At this time, Song Yuwan led the maid to catch up with Lu Xiucai at a fast pace. When Lu Xiucai saw Song Yuwan, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he still stopped.

"I wonder what can I do for you, young lady?" Mr. Lu asked politely.

Song Yuwan smiled and said softly, "It's not a big deal, but I just saw that you used only two words to enhance the artistic conception of the poem. It's really admirable.

So I've come here specifically to ask for your advice. Also, I've written a few poems in my boudoir, and I wonder if Mr. Lu would be so kind as to offer some guidance and help revise and polish them."

"I see. Of course you can." Mr. Lu replied attentively.

The smile on Song Yuwan's lips deepened, and she read a few poems she had written to Lu Xiucai.

Lu Xiucai listened carefully and then gave some suggestions of his own.

"Young lady's poems are absolutely wonderful. Such talent is rare." As Lu Xiucai listened to Song Yuwan's poems, the surprise on his face became more and more intense, and he couldn't help but start a more in-depth conversation with her.

As the communication deepened, he was pleasantly surprised to find that Song Yuwan not only understood what he said thoroughly, but also had unique and profound insights.

Lu Xiucai stared at Song Yuwan, and a hint of admiration gradually appeared in his eyes.

After chatting for a few more words, Song Yuwan said goodbye to Lu Xiucai.

Lu Xiucai looked at Song Yuwan's back for a long time before turning around and leaving.

"Miss, why are you talking so much to Mr. Lu? From the way he's dressed, he doesn't look like someone from a wealthy family.

Although he does have some talent, there are many talented people like him. Why did the young lady choose such a person? "Qingque, the little maidservant beside Song Yuwan, asked with a puzzled look.

"When did I say I would choose him? It's just a matter of getting in touch and chatting." Song Yuwan chuckled.

Another maid, Chanzhi, poked Qingque's head and said with a hint of reproach, "This scholar's status is indeed unworthy of our young lady.

But if he passes the provincial examination next year and becomes the top scholar, he will be a perfect match for our young lady.

No one can predict what will happen in the future. Just because you get to know him now doesn’t mean you’ll really choose him as your son-in-law.”

Song Yuwan nodded in agreement: "Chanzhi is still smart, Qingque, you have to learn more from Chanzhi in the future."

Song Yuwan thought that she just felt that Mr. Lu was a little special and wanted to know more about him, but she didn't think that far.

Moreover, she didn't know whether Mr. Lu was really talented and whether he could achieve good results in the imperial examination.

However, what Chanzhi said also makes sense. If Lu Xiucai can really pass the imperial examination, then his status and position will be improved, and then maybe he can really get to know him in depth.

Mr. Lu must still be in mourning, so according to common sense, he shouldn't be here during this period. However, since he has come here, it means that he must have encountered an unsolvable problem.

Or perhaps, like them, he came here to cast a wide net and look for opportunities to get close to the powerful or marry a wife who would be good for him.

But this is not a big deal. Song Yuwan also has bad intentions and plans. It's the same for everyone.

If you want to gain something, you must first give something.

"Chanzhi, after we return, go find my aunt and ask her to find out about Mr. Lu's family situation.

If his family is in trouble, we will help him. After all, as the saying goes, there are many who add icing on the cake, but few who help when it is snowing.

If he does become a successful man in the future, regardless of other things, if we ask him for help one day, he will definitely not refuse." Song Yuwan said.

Chanzhi said yes.