Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 476 - 312 Mr. Dong Yuan

Gu Chengyu naturally wouldn’t refuse, but he didn’t know how to compose music, so he couldn’t teach it either.

Seeing some people with displeased expressions, Gu Chengyu smiled and explained: "It’s not that I’m being stingy and unwilling to share the score, but rather that I only know how to fill in lyrics, not compose music. This piece was something I casually played at home. If there is anyone here who knows how to compose, feel free to set it to music."

After Gu Chengyu’s explanation, everyone’s expressions improved.

At this moment, Lu Chen pondered for a while, as if he recalled something.

"I do know someone who can compose music. I’ll send an invitation another day for Brother Gu to discuss together. By then, please do not hesitate to offer your advice, Brother Gu."

As soon as he said this, everyone was filled with envy. Lu Chen was the legitimate son of the Marquis Mansion, befriending him could mean having someone to support you when you enter the officialdom in the future.

Gu Chengyu nodded, "Brother Lu, you are really courteous. If there’s anything I can do, I surely won’t decline."

Lu Chen nodded with satisfaction, thinking that the Fourth Prince would definitely be interested in this matter.

The Fourth Prince Mansion had some actors who were experts in vocal music, and even the Fourth Prince often studied these. The Fourth Prince would probably treasure this lyric like a gem.

The night banquet reached this point, and it was time to end. Xi Yan had long returned to his inner chamber, and Hua Lian had already been sent to the side room.

Seeing that there was nothing much to watch, everyone wanted to leave. But Gu Chengyu couldn’t go yet, not because he wanted a night of passion, but to find Madam Hua to redeem Hua Lian.

Gu Chengyu noticed that some of the gentlemen were somewhat interested in Hua Lian, and regretted when Gu Chengyu took her away. Perhaps they would come again tomorrow, being aware of the fleeting nature of opportunities.

"Oh! I almost forgot, a good night’s worth its weight in gold, we should not disturb Mr. Gu any longer."

Lu Chen suddenly remembered that Gu Chengyu had chosen the girl named Hua Lian, then winked at Gu Chengyu with a very ambiguous expression.

In the eyes of these men, it seemed perfectly normal for Gu Chengyu to flirt with Miss Xi Yan and at the same time pick Hua Lian as a companion.

Men! Who doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? Especially as these are just brothel girls, viewed merely as a romantic escapade.

Gu Chengyu was somewhat reluctant for Hua Lian to carry such a reputation, as she would eventually have to make a living and might even find a good place to settle down.

However, explaining to these people would be unconvincing, and there’s no need to. Once they leave the Capital for another place, who will know of Hua Lian’s past?

Zhu Pang, seeing Gu Chengyu getting his wish, wanted to step forward with a quip.

Suddenly, a follower entered from outside, "May I ask, who is Mr. Gu Chengyu?"

Gu Chengyu turned to look at the person, hearing the voice.

He was puzzled, as this person seemed unfamiliar and Gu Chengyu had never seen him before. After a quick mental check, he confirmed he didn’t know him.

"I am the one. May I know who you are?"

Gu Chengyu stepped forward, cupped his hands toward the man, and replied.

"Feng Sheng? Why is it you?" Lu Chen turned and was quite surprised to see the newcomer.

"Isn’t it Mr. Lu himself?" the one named Feng Sheng saluted Lu Chen.

"Brother Gu! This is Feng Sheng, a follower beside Mr. Dong Yuan, the Great Scholar of our time."

Mr. Dong Yuan? Gu Chengyu was utterly astonished. He didn’t expect Lu Chen to know the Great Scholar himself.

No wonder he spoke earlier of sending the lyrics to a Great Scholar without mentioning who. Gu Chengyu assumed it was Fu Ming of the Boshan Academy. Who could have guessed it was the famous Mr. Dong Yuan?

There are three Great Scholars in the Capital, one is Fu Ming from the Boshan Academy, another Wei Yilin from the Luming Academy, and lastly, the illustrious Mr. Dong Yuan, Xu Yunmu.

Xu Yunmu surpassed the talents of the other two, especially with his unique insights on poetry and prose; his compositions left the others in awe.

Xu Yunmu was the third-place scholar in the 32nd year of Dayan, outstanding in literary talent, yet he was upright and disliked officialdom, resigning after three years to devote himself to the great outdoors and traveled all around.

It was only ten years ago that he settled down to pursue academic work, gaining recognition over three years and becoming a Great Scholar even more renowned than Fu Ming.

However, Xu Yunmu was known for his reclusive nature and rarely mingled with others. He would only attend two significant literary gatherings each year.

One of these is the Jinghong Literary Society held in April in the Capital, with no fixed location, initiated by the three Great Scholars of the Capital. The other is the Princess’s Literary Gathering, hosted by the Eldest Princess at the Princess Mansion, to which Gu Chengyu currently has no status to attend.

The Eldest Princess is the current Emperor’s eldest daughter, titled Ningping. Every golden autumn in October, she sends out invitations to aristocratic wives and daughters, and noble sons and famous scholars and young officials of the Capital.

Talented individuals in the Capital consider attending these two literary gatherings an honor. The Princess’s gathering has status restrictions, but the Jinghong Literary Society does not. Whether a poor student or a noble son, as long as you have genuine talent and fame, you will receive an invitation.

Gu Chengyu has been in the Capital for three years but has never received an invitation to the Jinghong Literary Society. It was because Gu Chengyu was too low-key, rarely letting his works circulate. Perhaps he hadn’t caught the eyes of those Great Scholars, being merely a minor talent in their view, showing the high threshold of admission to these gatherings.

"I am here to deliver the results to the gentlemen. The lyric form Mr. Gu Chengyu created is highly valued by my master, who wishes to find an opportunity to discuss it with Mr. Gu Chengyu. However, the master also knows Mr. Gu Chengyu has to attend the Imperial Examination, so he can only invite Mr. Gu Chengyu to this year’s Jinghong Literary Society and will send an invitation in due course."

Feng Sheng, around twenty years old, had been influenced by his master’s environment and, though not exceptionally proficient, was still above the average scholar in poetry. He found Gu Chengyu’s lyric style very novel.

However, receiving an invitation to participate in the Jinghong Literary Society from his master was indeed a blessing.

Feng Sheng’s words made everyone understand Mr. Dong Yuan’s intentions. It meant Gu Chengyu was undoubtedly the winner of tonight’s event. It seemed Mr. Dong Yuan had acknowledged Gu Chengyu’s lyric form and wanted to discuss it.

Everyone was shocked, for anyone in the Capital knew Mr. Dong Yuan. To be endorsed by him was an immense honor. Moreover, the master sent his personal follower to convey this and invite Gu Chengyu to this year’s Jinghong Literary Society.

Gu Chengyu didn’t know much about the Jinghong Literary Society, but others did!

"I didn’t expect Gu Chengyu could attend the Jinghong Literary Society. It seems Mr. Dong Yuan thinks highly of him. Maybe he’ll even accept him as a disciple! Truly makes others envious indeed!"

Someone couldn’t help but whisper to the person beside him, their tone full of undisguised envy.