Chapter 25 Arrogant and Self-important Lord, Times Have Changed!
Fortunately, thanks to the new regulations promulgated by Lord Su, Wen Yu no longer needed to bother dressing himself up as a man, and was able to lead several children into Lu Garden, where the literary gathering was being held, with dignity and composure.
Today, the heavens are shining brightly, the sky is clear and blue, and the breeze is gentle. The scenery in Lu Garden is especially delightful.
Lush trees and blooming flowers abound, with pavilions and towers nestled among them. A clear stream flows gently through the buildings, meandering and its babbling water adds to the elegant charm.
Not to mention those few, even Wen Yu himself couldn't help but be captivated upon first seeing them.
Seeing restored landscapes in modern film studios can never compare to witnessing them firsthand in ancient times.
The three teenagers stared in disbelief, their eyes filled with both astonishment and a hint of trepidation at entering an unfamiliar place.
This place has always been the private garden of high-ranking officials and nobles. In previous years, ordinary people could hardly even get close to watch the literary gatherings, let alone participate in them.
At this moment, even though they have been granted permission to enter, many tourists who are entering this place for the first time are still very careful, walking lightly, for fear of stirring up dust and dirtying the clean stone path.
Fortunately, Lord Su's arrangements were extremely meticulous and thoughtful. At the garden gate, there were servants who kindly guided them, clearly informing them which areas they could freely visit and which places they had to stop and were prohibited from entering. They also distributed slips of paper with simple maps.
Having received directions and without being stopped or reprimanded upon entering, the tourists gradually relaxed, and the park was soon filled with laughter and cheerful conversation.
Children's kites soared high on the lawn, and teenagers swung on swings under the flowering trees, creating a lively and festive atmosphere, just like a joyous holiday.
While waiting in line at the entrance, Wen Yu overheard some people still having doubts about the new rule, whispering among themselves: "If everyone can get in, doesn't that mean voting can be done repeatedly? What if someone intentionally rigs the vote?"
She also had some doubts: how could such rules be made absolutely fair?
But it didn't take long for her to understand.
Lord Su clearly had a plan for this.
Each visitor receives a special ticket stamped with the bright red official seal of the Luzhou Prefecture Government. This ticket serves as the sole proof for voting later on; one vote per person, and there is no room for tampering.
If anyone attempts to forge an official seal, it is a serious crime, punishable by death.
I see.
Wen Yu couldn't help but sigh, "This Lord Su is truly an extraordinary person, to be able to come up with such an innovative method in ancient times."
"Sister, is that the inner garden over there?" Wen Qingshi tugged at her sleeve.
Wen Yu looked around and indeed, at the end of her vision was a small door, separated from where they were by a colorful silk ribbon.
She had read the rules written on the notice: students holding invitations had to enter the library in the inner garden to answer questions, while the audience could only move around in the outer garden.
"Let's go over there," Wen Yu said with a smile.
The competition was scheduled for the time between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM. With only 4:45 AM left, although there was no rush, the children all agreed to arrive a little earlier.
Wen Yu led the three through the bustling crowd, and couldn't help but glance around a few times.
The roadside stalls not only sell exquisite writing implements, but also elegant games such as guessing lantern riddles and playing the "flying flower order" game, creating a lively atmosphere that rivals the Lantern Festival.
Seeing the thoughtful arrangements and openness firsthand, Wen Yu couldn't help but feel even more genuine goodwill towards the unfamiliar Lord Su.
Seeing several children peeking around, she stopped at the stall and bought a fortune charm for each of the three children, which they then wore.
She smiled and said, "I wish you all the best in your endeavors and may you achieve great success!"
----
Upon reaching the entrance to the inner garden, a stern-faced gatekeeper stopped her, saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, please show your invitations."
His gaze lingered on Wen Yu for a moment, and he added in a rigid tone, "Ladies, please wait in the outer garden."
Wen Yu's heart skipped a beat, and her gaze swept over the three people beside her.
He was dressed in blue robes and a turban, with clean features and a slightly tense demeanor, but there were no obvious flaws in his appearance.
Wen Qingshi stepped forward and calmly handed over the invitation. His voice was clear and steady, revealing no gender characteristics: "Wen Qingshi, Lin Lan, Wen Yue."
She was already quite tall and handsome, and her scholarly air was undeniable. As expected, the gatekeeper did not suspect anything and handed her the register to sign after verifying her identity.
When Wen Qingshi held the pen, his strokes were steady and his handwriting was clear and elegant.
The gatekeeper caught a glimpse and couldn't help but mutter a soft "Well done!"
After signing, Wen Qingshi turned back and exchanged a glance with Wen Yu, then led the two of them into the inner garden, their backs turned resolutely.
Wen Yu remained where she was, pondering to herself: the literary examination process was lengthy, lasting several hours, but fortunately, she had heard that lunch would be provided here, and that the best chefs from the city's finest restaurants would be in charge, so the participating candidates would not go hungry.
Now that she has delivered the person, there is no need for her to wait here idly.
Oh, and she also made an appointment with Ning Shengan to go to the betting stall over there to place a bet for the kids.
If you arrive late, you might not be able to get a good spot.
Thinking about this, she turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, after taking only a few steps, he almost bumped into someone walking briskly.
Wen Yu moved aside and looked over.
The man was dressed in a slightly old-fashioned dark robe. His face was fairly regular, but his brows were furrowed and his lips were pursed into a cold, hard line. He exuded an air of rigidity and seriousness.
Although he almost bumped into someone, he didn't slow down at all, as if he didn't hear the commotion around him.
Behind him followed a young page carrying heavy books and luggage, panting and pleading, "Young...Young Master...please slow down, wait for me..."
"At such a crucial moment, how can we take our time!" The man said impatiently without turning his head. "Last time, I was a step too late, and that guy surnamed Gu got the upper hand. He must have shown off his words to the examiner to outdo me! I absolutely cannot repeat the same mistake this time!"
Someone surnamed Gu?
Wen Yu's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately guessed the person's identity.
Presumably, he is Lu Chengzhou, the one everyone talks about who is on par with Gu Ming.
She couldn't resist using the cover of the nearby grove of trees to quietly follow them, wanting to hear what they had to say.
The young page finally caught up with him and asked in confusion, "But young master... didn't Lord Su change the rules this year, making it a public vote? The examiner's preferences shouldn't determine the outcome, right?"
"Hmph, that's just foolish thinking!" Lu Chengzhou scoffed, his tone utterly certain. "What public jury? It's nothing but a pretext for Su Lin to win people over and gain fame!"
"The literary gathering has been passed down for many years and has its own rules. Who will win the championship is not something that illiterate commoners can say for sure. In my opinion, the best course of action is to show up early and leave an impression of quick wit in the minds of you gentlemen!"
The young page dared not refute, and could only nod repeatedly: "Young Master is wise, Young Master is wise..."
"Just you wait and see, I arrived half an hour early. This time I will definitely take the lead and seize the initiative!" Lu Chengzhou was full of confidence, as if victory was in his grasp.
----
However, his pride at having seized the initiative early vanished without a trace when he saw the sign-in book.
To his astonishment, he discovered that three unfamiliar names were neatly written at the top of the book!
“Wen Qingshi, Lin Lan, Wen Yue?” Lu Chengzhou frowned. “I know all the well-known students in the city. Where did these country bumpkins come from? Do they even deserve to be here?”
Upon hearing this, the guard beside him explained in a serious tone, "Young Master Lu, Lord Su has ordered that the path to talent be broadened, and this time he has specially invited many scholars well-versed in literature from outside the city to participate in the gathering."
"Absurd!" Lu Chengzhou roared in fury, as if he had been greatly defiled. "Those vulgar people, short-sighted and of lowly birth, to let them step into this refined and elegant place is an insult to civilization! Lord Su, what exactly..."
Seeing that he was talking in an increasingly outrageous manner, the guard's face also darkened, and he interrupted him curtly: "Young Master Lu, I am only responsible for checking the sign-in. How can we presume to know the thoughts of such an important person? Please do not make things difficult for me."
Lu Chengzhou was taken aback. Suppressing his anger, he reluctantly signed his name and turned to go inside.
"Wait a minute," the guard raised his hand to stop the page behind him, "Young Master Lu, according to the new rules, attendants are not allowed to enter the inner garden."
"If it was possible to carry him last year, why not this year!" Lu Chengzhou's temper flared up again.
The guard remained expressionless: "Lord Su has clearly ordered that, to prevent any suspicion of fraud, no accompanying personnel are allowed to enter. It's clearly written on the notice, Young Master Lu... didn't you see it?"
Wen Yu, who was secretly observing from the side, watched the drama unfold silently without saying a word, but the comments in his mind were already flying by.
[Sir, eat poop! (doge.jpg)]
[Young Master Lu: I anticipated the rules. Lord Su: I modified the rules.]
[Aren't you annoyed? Hahaha, I love seeing you hate it but can't do anything about it!]
[Face-slapping preview: What you despise now, you'll be begging for in a minute!]
[@WenYuSister! Think of a way to get a camera in there! I need to watch the live stream! Urgent!]
[+1+1! I'm so anxious because I can't see Qing Shi's sister dominating the battlefield!]
Wen Yu: "..."
Sorry, the live stream camera is following her, so she can't get in!
“…Never mind!” Lu Chengzhou hadn’t really looked at that damn notice, and was rendered speechless by the guard’s words. He could only suppress his anger and walk inside.
After walking a few steps, he suddenly seemed to have seized on something, pointed sharply at the three figures inside, and turned to the guards angrily: "Look! Why is that person allowed to go in with two pageboys? Is this rule set up specifically for me, Lu?"
The group looked in the direction he pointed and saw Wen Qingshi leading Lin Lan and Wen Yue into the building.
From a distance, all three appeared to be dressed as students, their steps equally steady.
Perhaps it was because Wen Qingshi was a few years older and taller than the other two that he had this misunderstanding.
The guard was clearly exasperated with this unreasonable young master, and patiently explained, "Young Master Lu, those three are candidates who signed in earlier, not pageboys."
"Examinees?" Lu Chengzhou looked at their backs with disdain, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. He sneered, "So it's those three clueless people... Judging by their size and age, they probably haven't even grown up yet. They should be playing in the mud at home. What are they doing here at the literary gathering?"
"Young Master..." The pageboy, fearing he might say the wrong thing, anxiously whispered a word of dissuasion.
"Heh, nothing to brag about." Lu Chengzhou seemed to have suddenly regained his sense of superiority, his expression suddenly relaxed, even with a hint of pity. "Just three immature kids. If I have to be wary of even such trash, then I, Lu Chengzhou, need not stand in the literary world of Luzhou."
He straightened his clothes, puffed out his chest, as if the title of leader was already his for the taking.
"Just wait, who else but me will win the laurel today!"
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Author's Note: The ranking system has changed; I'd like 100 favorites! [pleading]
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