Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 309 - 145 He Jisheng

By the time the Lu Ming Banquet ended, it was already late afternoon. Gu Chengyu, being young, did not drink. Only Sun Xian, being older, had been forced to drink a lot.

Ye Zhiqiu was at an awkward age, in another year he would be able to take a wife, and he drank a little but was somewhat intoxicated.

Gu Chengyu looked at the two, feeling a bit of a headache. One was somewhat tipsy, and the other reeked of alcohol, stubbornly claiming he was not drunk.

"Drink! I’m heading back home tomorrow, and I’m a scholar now, let’s see who dares to look down on me!" A drunken scholar howled by Gu Chengyu’s ear.

The officials had already left the venue early, and most others had also taken their leave, leaving only those heavily intoxicated behind.

Gu Chengyu had no choice but to call on the slightly dazed Sun Xian, supporting Ye Zhiqiu, and together they headed to the inn.

The next day, Ye Zhiqiu slept until the sun was high before waking up. Gu Chengyu left Ming Yan to take care of him while he himself took Ming Mo to pay respects at the residences of his Second and Third Senior Brothers.

"Little Junior Brother did well in the exams this time! The teacher will surely be pleased." It was He Jisheng who said this.

He Jisheng was an elegantly refined middle-aged man, younger than the First Senior Brother, and appeared amicable to people, looking at Gu Chengyu with a cheerful expression.

Though He Jisheng was not as stern-faced as Yin Kun, making him seem easy to get along with, Gu Chengyu found himself getting along better with Yin Kun. Perhaps it’s the fate between people!

In Gu Chengyu’s view, though Yin Kun was strict with him, he could see that he genuinely cared.

These thoughts were fleeting, and Gu Chengyu shyly responded, "Senior Brother, please don’t overpraise me, it was merely by chance!"

"We are senior and junior brothers, why so humble? Stay for a meal today, and let’s have a game of chess!"

The two had only met three times in total, and He Jisheng seemed to avoid Gu Chengyu, not touching upon political affairs during their conversations. More often, he inquired about the teacher’s well-being, discussed family matters, or asked about academic pursuits, suggesting that Gu Chengyu ask if he had any questions.

Gu Chengyu naturally agreed and humbly sought answers to a few queries.

"Speaking of which, I’m ashamed to say that I’ve been preparing for the Autumn Examination for the past two years, paying little attention to chess. Recently, I’ve been focusing only on calligraphy and painting, having spent little effort on chess. How can I compete with Senior Brother in chess? Moreover, I still have to visit Second Senior Brother’s residence later and may run behind schedule, please forgive me!"

Liang Zhirui was quite accomplished in the art of chess and had previously guided Gu Chengyu, but Gu Chengyu had focused more on preparing for the Autumn Examination, investing less time in chess.

However, Liang Zhirui had praised Gu Chengyu, saying that if he put in a little more effort in chess, he could become an expert within a few years.

Indeed, Gu Chengyu was being modest. Though not an expert, he was far from being a novice.

It’s just that he had heard from the teacher that He Jisheng had a natural talent for chess.

Hence, he did not seek humiliation. Moreover, playing chess could easily expose personality flaws, and to these astute chess masters, a few games could roughly outline one’s character.

Of course, Gu Chengyu wasn’t exactly afraid; rather, he still had to visit Second Senior Brother’s residence later. If he didn’t go today, he would have to spare another day tomorrow, and Sun Xian, steeped in homesickness, would likely be eager to return.

"Why such urgency? Is the departure fixed?" He Jisheng paused while reaching for the chessboard and then sat back down.

"We are set to depart tomorrow; the boat is already booked. The senior brother traveling with me is to marry into my family and will also study in the Capital later. Time is short, so our schedule must be quick."

Since Sun Xian and Ye Zhiqiu had already passed the examinations, studying in the Capital was definite. There were many schools of various sizes in the Capital; it was simply a matter of selecting a good one and passing its entrance examination.

"That’s truly joyous news; let me congratulate you in advance! When are you planning to return to the Capital? Have you decided on which school to attend?"

Gu Chengyu was slightly surprised upon hearing this; had the teacher and First Senior Brother mentioned to him about studying at the Imperial College?

He contemplated for a moment, realizing eventually it would be known, and there was no harm in saying it now.

"In over a month, I will head to the Capital, planning to attend the Imperial College."

"The Imperial College?" He Jisheng was so surprised that his voice inadvertently rose a great deal without realizing it.

Gu Chengyu, observing this, found it increasingly strange. He suddenly recalled the teacher mentioning before that He Jisheng and First Senior Brother did not study at the Imperial College.

Entering the Imperial College had stringent requirements; noble sons received slots through hereditary privilege; others could donate silver, thus securing a place called "donated admission," although such admittees were ineligible to take official examinations. The remaining options were through official recommendations or exceptional academic performance, both of which Gu Chengyu possessed.

Having figured this out, Gu Chengyu intended to change the topic.

Unexpectedly, He Jisheng was unwilling to let it go, "Is it the teacher’s recommendation?"

His expression was subtle, a fleeting stiffness on his face quickly transitioning to natural, suggesting perhaps a certain view toward the teacher?

Before Gu Chengyu could respond, he self-answered, "Indeed, being the top scorer, you naturally have the qualification for the Imperial College."

Seeing him somewhat in a daze, Gu Chengyu seized the opportunity to excuse himself.

He Jisheng, regaining composure, didn’t urge him to stay, simply stating he had prepared some items for Gu Chengyu to take back to the teacher.

Leaving the gates of He Mansion, Gu Chengyu reflected on the expressions the teacher had when discussing the senior brothers in the past.

First Senior Brother had mentioned that He Jisheng had once been the most favored among the senior brothers due to his cleverness and dedication, although the teacher later perceived him as being overly slick and ambitious, coldly distancing himself.

Nonetheless, it couldn’t be denied that among the three senior brothers, He Jisheng was the most intelligent.

Gu Chengyu boarded the carriage and proceeded to Wu Mansion.

The lady of Wu Mansion had gone to the temple for prayers a few days ago, returning only this morning. Naturally, Gu Chengyu needed to wait for their return to pay a visit!

Since He Jisheng had returned home earlier from court, visiting He Mansion first made sense.

Wu An had one son and two daughters, with the son studying at a school in the Capital. Hence, the household likely only had the womenfolk at home, and Gu Chengyu’s visit was just a formality, paying respects to the matriarch and madam.

Second Senior Brother Wu An’s grandfather had been a military general, though of low rank. It seemed Wu An was the only scholar among many grandsons and as the eldest legitimate grandson, it was a source of great pride to the old grandfather.

The Dayan Dynasty favored the scholarly, with a scholar emerging from a military family, especially one who passed the advanced scholars’ examination and held an official post. The Wu Family couldn’t be more delighted.

Before the grandfather passed away, he even purchased a residence in the north for the Wu Family, a two-entry estate, though smaller than the Yin Mansion, still larger than the average two-entry estate.

The carriage quickly arrived at Wu Mansion, and after parking the newly purchased carriage, Ming Mo approached to knock on the door.

The gatekeeper recognized Gu Chengyu from a previous visit and promptly went inside to report.

Gu Chengyu rode the carriage through the side gate, alighted, and followed a servant into the inner courtyard.