Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 290 - 126: Is it you?

Some praised, while others disagreed, "The imagery of this poem is certainly good, but I still think the last two lines of the previous one are better."

Everyone expressed their own opinions, engaging in a debate.

Gu Chengyu also discussed with Ye Zhiqiu and the others, but they all believed Gu Chengyu could undoubtedly compose something better, leaving Gu Chengyu feeling both amused and helpless.

"What’s the rush? Isn’t there one more poem left?" Fu Ming, seeing everyone was already debating over who was first, immediately shouted discontentedly.

Sun Xian nudged Gu Chengyu’s shoulder, "Quick! It’s your turn now!" He seemed even more nervous than Gu Chengyu.

Ye Zhiqiu leaned forward as well, curious to see what Gu Chengyu had written and whether he could outshine these Jiangnan literary talents.

Fu Ming held up the poem and began to read, "Apricot blossoms and spring rain moistening silently, the fragrant essence spills by the clear lake pool..."

"Wow!" Even just at the opening line, someone below couldn’t help but exclaim.

"This Gu, has such skill? The first two lines are already quite good!"

"Hush, there’s more to come!" Someone beside him nudged him to continue listening.

Once the poem was read to the end, the crowd reacted like a drop of water falling into a pot of oil, instantly exploding in chatter.

"Who is this young one? Ah? At first, I didn’t notice, but now that I look, this young one isn’t very old!"

Such a young boy has only studied for a few years? Yet his poetic talent is already this rich?

"Oh? So young and already a scholar? Since when did the Dayan Dynasty have such young scholars? How come we’ve never heard of this individual?" Some students initially thought Gu Chengyu was there just to broaden his horizons!

"I don’t know, you see, those two came with him, followed by two attendants as well!" A student pointed towards Gu Chengyu, explaining to the person next to him.

"This looks like a noble son of an aristocratic family. They’ve been taught by famous teachers since childhood, so of course, we can’t compare." Another student glanced at Gu Chengyu, speaking in a sour tone.

The others, hearing this, also took a closer look at Gu Chengyu. Indeed, judging by his delicate appearance, he seemed accustomed to a pampered life. Looking at his clothing material and accessories, he was at least the child of a wealthy family.

Even the attendants’ clothes were better than some of those seated here! Truly, comparing oneself to others only leads to frustration!

"Ah~ You can’t say that. Even if someone had prominent teachers from a young age, they must be naturally bright. Otherwise, why don’t you try it with a useless Ah Dou?"

A student joked, implying that while praising Gu Chengyu’s intelligence openly, he was secretly suggesting that with recognized teachers from an early age, anyone except the utterly incapable could succeed, carrying a tone of sarcasm.

Gu Chengyu shook his head after hearing this, thinking that an aversion to wealth seems to exist at every turn. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Liu Haonan’s face remarkably eased after hearing the poem. Initially, he had no supporters and was at the bottom. Now, with Gu’s emergence, the poem needed no further evaluation; the quality was evident at a glance, and it seemed Min Feng and Huang Junheng wouldn’t claim first place today.

Min Feng looked deeply at Gu Chengyu. He had initially thought Gu Chengyu merely came to gain experience and provide support. Now, he could no longer naively think so. This fellow Junior Brother Gu was probably here to participate in the Autumn Examination, wasn’t he? He vaguely felt that this person would be one of the opponents he needed to pay attention to.

Huang Junheng, after hearing Min Feng’s poem, thought he would undoubtedly be overshadowed. Unexpectedly, there’s yet another twist? Who exactly is this Gu?

"These people, belittling others when outdone in skill, truly disgraceful!" Sun Xian, being straightforward, most despised such looks and words from these people. He had known Gu Chengyu for many years; how could he not know the previous state of the Gu Family? These people were speaking nonsense without understanding the situation.

Gu Chengyu had achieved everything he had today by relying on himself.

"Words come from people’s faces; there’s nothing we can do!" Ye Zhiqiu sighed, advising Sun Xian.

These people just uttered a few sour words, and Gu Chengyu didn’t wish to argue with them. What he really cared about was whether he could move into the upper room. It was so hot now! Didn’t these people feel the heat? Actually, it didn’t matter to him, as he had his inner strength, but standing here was uncomfortable!

Ancient people couldn’t wear short sleeves, yet even in the scorching heat, they wore long sleeves with an undergarment inside, their feet wrapped in two layers, tightly sealed. By now, Gu Chengyu could smell a stench of sweat. He saw sweat beads sliding down the neck of the gentleman in front of him.

"Mr. Fang, who do you think is the first?" Fu Ming smiled at Fang Huai. You’ve been silent all this time; surely you will voice the final judgment, right?

"Who is the first place? Doesn’t Master Fu already have an answer in his heart? I believe every talented individual here has their own judgment." Fang Huai was a shrewd person. He wouldn’t do anything to offend others. He didn’t fancy Huang Junheng, but who could blame the powerful backing he had?

In any case, Fu Ming was the Mountain Master, even the Holy Emperor would give him some face. Why not let Fu Ming be the "bad guy"? Fu Ming was not an official in the court, so he didn’t need to fear offending anyone.

Humph! Fu Ming snorted coldly in his heart—this sly fox! However, just as Fang Huai thought, he absolutely didn’t fear offending people. Since the contest had commenced, there must be a winner and a loser.

"I think everyone already has the answer, and I fully agree with Mr. Fang; the first place is Gu Chengyu!" Fu Ming thought, if Fang didn’t say, he would still mention his name. After all, a decision made by one person was unlikely to convince the public; how could one person’s preference be the final decision? Of course, the imperial examinations were another matter.

"Gu Chengyu? Is it you?" Huang Junheng, hearing the name Gu Chengyu, asked in surprise.

Gu Chengyu, a bit puzzled, responded, "Yes, it is indeed I!" Was there something extraordinary about him?

"No wonder! Truly, I’ve long admired your name. Just earlier, I failed to recognize you. Since it’s Junior Brother Gu, it’s no surprise you took first!" Huang Junheng had heard of Gu Chengyu’s name from his uncle, and naturally, it stemmed from those two policy essays.

"Huh? Is this Gu Chengyu really famous? Why does Senior Brother Huang seem to know him?" The students were puzzled again.

"I don’t know! I hadn’t heard before, maybe he, like Senior Brother Huang, is from an aristocratic family?"

Many students had never heard of Gu Chengyu’s name, causing confusion. However, among them, there were a few, like Huang Junheng, who had heard from their families.

"So it’s him? Then getting first place is no surprise. Do you know about what’s been implemented in the past two years..." A knowledgeable student began to boast, stirring another round of discussion among the crowd.