PNB Chapter 133 Huiyuan
Chapter 133 Huiyuan
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
A procession of messengers dressed in bright red festive clothes, carrying gongs, entered the inn with an awe-inspiring display.
Upon seeing this, the page whispered in the young master's ear, "Young master, the officials have come to bring you good news."
Unlike his own page, who was impulsive and spoke without thinking, the young master was very calm and composed, saying, "Don't talk nonsense. There are many scholars in the hall. Perhaps it is someone else who has passed the imperial examination. It may not be me."
As soon as the young master finished speaking, Gu Lin couldn't help but glance at him, a look of surprise and admiration flashing in his eyes.
Putting everything else aside, just the fact that the other party remained so humble and composed after confirming his place on the list made Gu Lin think highly of him.
As Gu Lin watched the messenger bringing good news, he drifted off into thought, wondering what rank Zheng Hao would achieve in the imperial examination and when Da Zhuo would return with the news.
Just as he was lost in thought, one of the officials who came to deliver the good news stepped forward and spoke. He glanced at the scholars in the hall, then looked away and asked in a gentle tone, "Which one of you is Zheng Hao, the top scholar from Xuzhou Prefecture?"
Upon hearing the official's words, Gu Lin's expression shifted.
Then, he turned to look at Zheng Hao beside him. He saw that the other man's expression was calm and his dark eyes were fixed on the official. He said in a steady voice, "I am Zheng Hao from Xuzhou Prefecture."
As soon as Zheng Hao finished speaking, the officers immediately turned their gaze to him, and then raised their hands. The officers behind him immediately raised their arms, and the sound of the gong rang out again.
As the gong sounded, the leading official approached Zheng Hao, beaming with joy as he congratulated him: "Congratulations, Master Zheng, on achieving first place in the provincial examination and topping the list of successful candidates!"
After the official finished speaking, the entire inn fell silent, then erupted into a discussion that was both subdued and lively. Many scholars, including the young master who had just won tenth place in the imperial examination, looked surprised or incredulous.
Surprisingly, the top scholar in this imperial examination was not He Yanzhi or Du Yuan, but this unknown young scholar before us.
Just who exactly is Zheng Hao from Xuzhou Prefecture?!
Since the other party possesses the strength to win the top spot in the provincial examination, they should have heard of his reputation long ago. For example, some scholars in the inn recognized the tenth-place candidate in the provincial examination as the second-place candidate in the Suzhou prefecture examination, and he was also a candidate who was speculated by outsiders to be very likely to win the top spot in the provincial examination.
Despite single-handedly overpowering the most talented individuals from both the north and south and breaking through the encirclement to achieve the top score in the imperial examination, Zheng Hao showed no arrogance. He calmly and composedly thanked the official, saying, "Thank you for your trouble."
Faced with Zheng Huiyuan's newly delivered thanks, a hint of surprise flashed in the official's eyes.
He hadn't expected this year's top scholar to be so humble and polite. In the past, the top scholar would have urged the servants to give them the reward money and let them leave as soon as they received the good news, and would never have thanked them.
This word of thanks stirred a special feeling in the official's heart, and his smile became even more sincere. Such a learned and courteous scholar deserved to be the top scholar in the imperial examination.
He bowed to Zheng Hao and said, "I wish Zheng Huiyuan success in the imperial examination and that he may see all the flowers of Chang'an on the day of his parade!"
Niu Qiang stepped forward, handed the reward money to the official, who then clasped his hands in a fist salute and left.
However, they did not immediately turn around and step out of the inn. The leading official looked at the crowd and asked, "Which one of you is Deng Ying, the scholar from Suzhou Prefecture?"
“I am,” Deng Ying, standing in front of the page, said.
The official also smiled and congratulated, "Congratulations to Scholar Deng for achieving tenth place in the metropolitan examination!"
Relieved to receive confirmation from the messenger, Deng Ying gestured to his page and thanked the messenger.
After receiving the reward money, the group of officials turned and left amidst the anticipation of the other candidates in the hall.
The scholars, who had been full of hope, turned pale instantly, for they knew they were destined to fail the imperial examination.
They failed the exam.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Gu Lin whispered to Zheng Hao, "I'm finished eating, let's go upstairs."
Don't incite hatred here.
Understanding Uncle Gu's meaning, Zheng Hao nodded, and the two got up and went upstairs.
Unexpectedly, they encountered Deng Ying in the corridor on the second floor.
Deng Ying stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I am Deng Ying. I am honored to have the honor of speaking with Zheng Huiyuan."
Gu Lin knew that after today, once Zheng Hao's reputation as the top scholar spread, many people would come to visit him. However, he did not expect that Deng Ying would come to his door immediately, without even waiting until tomorrow.
It's not appropriate for him to get involved in this kind of situation.
So Gu Lin turned to Zheng Hao, who was standing beside him, and said, "I'll go back to my room first, you go ahead."
Zheng Hao turned his gaze, lowered his eyes slightly, and said to Gu Lin, "I've asked Da Zhuo to brew some tonic in the backyard of the inn. He'll bring it to Uncle Gu's room in a little while. Remember to drink it before you rest."
Gu Lin, who had been smiling and had a gentle expression, suddenly stopped breathing. Then, he looked up at Zheng Hao with a hint of disbelief in his eyes. However, he couldn't refuse in front of outsiders, so he simply said "okay" and walked past Zheng Hao and Deng Ying.
Then, Zheng Hao withdrew his gaze and turned to Deng Ying, who was standing not far away, and said, "Brother Deng, please."
Not long after Gu Lin returned to his room, Da Zhuo indeed brought up the tonic.
After being given several winter tonics by Sister Zhao and Zheng Hao, Gu Lin felt that he was not getting sick as often, and his health had improved considerably. In addition, since he had accompanied Zheng Hao to the capital for the imperial examination, he thought he no longer needed to take tonics.
Who would have thought that once winter was over, Zheng Hao would bring up the matter of tonics again, and no one knew when the other party had sent someone to buy the medicine.
Looking at the dark, murky medicine in Da Zhuo's hand, Gu Lin felt his mouth start to taste bitter even before he had drunk it.
He glanced up at Da Zhuo, thinking that he would pour out the medicine after the other party put it down and left.
After placing the medicine on the table, Da Zhuo stood aside and said to Gu Lin, "Master, the medicine is warm. Please drink it while it's hot."
Gu Lin paused, then turned his gaze to him.
Under the intense and undeniable gaze of his employer, Da Zhuo was in great inner turmoil.
But if he didn't watch his employer drink the medicine and let the other party pour it away, he wouldn't know how to explain it when Young Master Zheng returned.
Seeing Da Zhuo's troubled and tearful expression, Gu Lin knew without him saying anything what Zheng Hao had told them in private.
Not wanting to make things difficult for the other party, Gu Lin picked up the herbal medicine and swallowed it in one gulp.
After finishing his drink, he urged the other person to leave. Da Zhuo immediately breathed a sigh of relief and turned to step out of the room when Gu Lin said, "Stop."
Da Zhuo turned around, and Gu Lin looked at him and said, "One bowl of tonic a day is enough. All medicines have some toxicity. I'm fine and don't need to drink tonics all the time."
Da Zhuo hesitated, then stammered to Gu Lin, "Master..."
Seeing the other person's unsure how to speak, Gu Lin felt a headache coming on. He wanted to slap his head to wake himself up. If the other person had listened to him, they would have put down the medicine and left quickly, instead of staying behind to watch him drink it.
"Alright, alright."
Gu Lin waved his hand: "I don't want to make things difficult for you. I'll talk to Zheng Hao myself."
Da Zhuo said gratefully, "Thank you for your understanding, boss."
Fearing that his employer might make further demands that he could not agree to, Da Zhuo quickly turned and left.
Standing outside Gu Lin's room, even though it wasn't summer yet, Da Zhuo felt a thin layer of sweat on his body.
Don't blame him for disobeying his master; it's just that young master Zheng's methods...
Thinking of this, Da Zhuo's face turned pale.
Moreover, he didn't blindly follow Young Master Zheng's orders.
Young Master Zheng may seem to have control over the boss's people, but in reality, it's all with the boss's tacit approval and indulgence. From Lin Xiaoyao to Da Zhuo, these people only have Gu Lin as their master. Because Young Master Zheng has the boss's tacit approval, and everything he does is for the boss's good, they are willing to listen to him.
When the results of the imperial examination were announced, everyone's rankings were revealed. The top scholar was unexpected by everyone, and the ripples it caused were known throughout the capital, even to uneducated commoners. This year's top scholar was an unknown figure, yet he had surpassed all the young talents and won the top spot.
Immediately, people became curious about this top scholar, especially those who had passed the imperial examinations.
Du Yuan leaned against the wooden window of the restaurant, listening to the discussions among the people in the hall below about the top scholar in this imperial examination. Then he turned his head to look at the young man sitting to the side, whose captivating peach blossom eyes were mesmerizing.
“This Zheng Hao is truly remarkable. I had never heard of him before, yet he surpassed both of us to take the top spot in the imperial examination.”
Setting down his teacup, He Yanzhi raised his eyes and glanced at Du Yuan, saying, "Although he is not well-known, I have dealt with him before."
"Oh?" Du Yuan looked curious and turned around. Instead of leaning against the window, he looked at He Yanzhi and said, "Some people speculate that he is the last disciple of some reclusive Confucian scholar. They didn't let him show his name before, just so that he could win the imperial examination and shine brightly. Is that true?"
Upon hearing Du Yuan's words, He Yanzhi immediately recalled the debate he had with Zheng Hao at Yueming Prefecture that day, and he said with certainty, "It's fake, he is not a disciple of the great Confucian scholar."
Du Yuan continued to speculate: "Could they be the descendants of officials who have retired to their hometowns?"
“No.” He Yanzhi shook his head, and then, under Du Yuan’s focused and curious gaze, replied, “He can’t even be considered from a poor family. He comes from a farming family and only started school at the age of eleven.”
With a loud crash, the teacup in Du Yuan's hand fell to the ground and shattered. When he looked at He Yan, a look of surprise and disbelief appeared on his face. He wanted to see if the other party was joking or lying to him.
Undistracted by Du Yuan's violent reaction, He Yan's upturned peach blossom eyes flashed with a few ambiguous emotions: "I underestimated him."
In the previous debate at Yueming Prefecture, although he was defeated by Zheng Hao, he thought that the other party was just quick-witted and good at sophistry. He did not expect to be wrong. When he was not paying attention, the peasant boy who was not taken seriously by him quietly surpassed everyone else to become the champion.
Seeing that He Yanzhi was not joking, Du Yuan's expression became serious. According to He Yanzhi, Zheng Hao started studying at the age of eleven and, without the personal instruction of a great Confucian scholar, he overcame all obstacles and passed the imperial examinations in five consecutive years.
If that's true, their talent shouldn't be underestimated.
Du Yuan asserted, "This Zheng Huiyuan is likely to be a formidable opponent for both of us in the palace examination."
He Yanzhi didn't speak, but judging from his expression, it was clear that he thought exactly the same as Du Yuan.
In the box.
After the officials went to the Zhen residence and Peng Zhizhi's relatives' house to deliver the good news, the three of them dealt with the crowd and then immediately slipped away to meet Zheng Hao for a get-together.
Thinking that Uncle Gu hadn't left the house for many days, and since Zhen Yuan and the others were acquaintances, Zheng Hao asked Gu Lin if he wanted to go out together.
Gu Lin thought about it. The shop was still under renovation, and the house was starting to look promising. He had some free time, so he agreed.
The two arrived at the private room of the restaurant where they had arranged to meet Peng Zhizhi and his two companions. As soon as they saw Zheng Hao enter, Peng Zhizhi immediately went up to him and said, "Well done, Brother Zheng! You've been keeping quiet until now, and now you've made a name for yourself! The whole capital is buzzing with your name, Zheng Huiyuan. Some people are even speculating that you are a disciple of some reclusive Confucian scholar, who has quietly surpassed the top scholars from both the north and south in the provincial examinations."
Zheng Hao entered the private room, and because of his tall stature, he conveniently blocked Gu Lin from view, so Peng Zhizhi did not see him in time.
When Zheng Hao turned slightly and saw the young man walk in, Peng Zhizhi immediately shut his mouth. Then, he realized that he had just acted inappropriately and felt very embarrassed.
Seeing Gu Lin arrive with Zheng Hao, Zhen Cheng and Zhen Yuan were somewhat surprised, and they both stood up to greet him.
Gu Lin replied with a smile, "I was bored at the inn, so I came with Zheng Hao. I hope I'm not bothering you?"
Zhen Yuan's face was full of smugness. He shook his head at Gu Lin and said with a light laugh, "Uncle Gu, as an elder, it is our blessing that you can come to our appointment with Zheng Hao."
Seeing Zhen Yuan's witty remarks, Gu Lin knew that the other party's ranking in this imperial examination must be quite high. Look, Zhen Cheng glanced at him coldly, and Zhen Yuan had the courage to stop being so timid.
However, looking at Zheng Hao standing behind Uncle Gu with a warning in his eyes, Zhen Yuan felt helpless and dared not tease Gu Lin anymore.
Peng Zhizhi prepared himself mentally and stepped forward to apologize to Gu Lin: "I was rude just now, Uncle Gu."
Gu Lin thought it was normal for friends to joke around, and he didn't think Peng Zhizhi was being impolite at all.
Gu Lin said, "You guys can get along however you usually do. Don't worry about me. I'm just here to eat."
After speaking, seeing Peng Zhizhi's still somewhat conflicted expression, Gu Lin asked, "What rank did Zhizhi get in this imperial examination?" in order to let the other party know that he really didn't care.
Under the curious and amused gaze of the young man, Peng Zhizhi felt his cheeks burning. He lowered his eyes slightly to avoid the other man's gaze and said softly, "I can't compare to Brother Zheng and the two Brother Zhen. Because of Brother Zheng and the two Brother Zhen's predictions for this imperial examination, I was fortunate enough to get 150th place."
Gu Lin's face lit up with surprise, and then he said, "Even so, the reason you achieved such a ranking in this imperial examination is mainly due to your own efforts. If you hadn't studied hard for ten years and practiced diligently, even if someone had given you the exam questions before the exam, you wouldn't have known how to answer them."
Peng Zhizhi was deeply moved when the young man in front of him said those words to encourage him.
Just as he was about to thank Gu Lin, the young man behind him spoke up, his voice cold: "The food is getting cold, Uncle Gu, please take a seat."