Gu Chengyu glanced around the shops above, but couldn’t figure out who it was, so he had no choice but to toss the embroidered shoe in front of a shop entrance. There’s no other way, a girl’s shoe can’t be taken recklessly; put it in your pocket and you might have to marry her. No one knew who had a lapse of judgnt and threw the embroidered shoe over, soone would have to co out and look for it later.
"Xiao Bao!" Gu Wan finally saw Gu Chengyu, her beloved Xiao Bao really beca the top scholar.
Gu Wan looked at the young man on horseback with pride and burst into tears of joy, wiping the tears from her eyes with a handkerchief. She was four years older than Xiao Bao, but Xiao Bao had always accommodated her.
Now Xiao Bao had grown up and even beca the top scholar; if their parents knew, how delighted they would be! No! Not only their parents, but the entire Gu Family would be overjoyed, as if their ancestors were blessed.
Gu Chengyu heard the nickna "Xiao Bao," and knew it was the second sister and her family arriving; in the Capital, only the second sister called him that.
He looked up, and sure enough, standing at the window were his second sister, her husband, and Ming Mo. Gu Chengyu smiled at his second sister and waved, causing a group of girls to howl in admiration.
"Chengyu really beca the top scholar, I said so! Chengyu was the examination champion, he was sure to be in the top three."
Sun Xian had always admired his little brother-in-law. How many people in the world have such innate talent? Gu Chengyu was not only naturally gifted but also diligent and hardworking, winning the top scholar title mostly due to talent, complented by personal effort.
As the ceremonial procession approached, Princess Rong Jia felt that there was no one else in the world because her eyes could only see him.
The young man draped in the red scholar’s garb, stood tall and straight, described as looking polished, like cold jade, with a calm deanor like autumn water, very handso indeed.
"Ah! So that’s Gu, the top scholar?" Yao ngdie clutched her handkerchief, gazing at Gu Chengyu adorned with a big red flower below, her face underneath the veil blushing like the rosy dawn.
Regardless of gender, everyone loves a good complexion. Gu Chengyu was handso, always making girls feel shy; nevertheless, admiration was all it was. To say he captured hearts would be an exaggeration; were any won from noble families not worldly-wise?
In marriage, family background and status count more than appearance. Of course, if pleasing to the eye, it adds perfection. Gu Chengyu was of humble origins; even as top scholar, he’d start from the Secondary Sixth Rank.
The noble families’ children have spots for grace, and the Secondary Sixth Rank in the Capital is just a small official. Looking for potential, Gu Chengyu indeed has it, but who can wait that long? Moreover, the political scene changes swiftly; influential in-laws are crucial.
Princess Rong Jia murmured, "Talent rivals Zhi Jian, looks like Pan An."
Yao ngxian glanced at Princess Rong Jia, surprised that the aloof princess would evaluate Gu Chengyu so highly, showing how Gu Chengyu’s looks made a quite an impact on her.
Gu Chengyu suddenly heard soone call his full na and looked up, finding Zhu Pang.
At that mont, Zhu Pang stood at the window, looking down while waving, shouting for Gu Chengyu: "Chengyu! Chengyu! Here."
To get Gu Chengyu’s attention, Zhu Pang suddenly detached the Jade Pendant he wore and tossed it at Gu Chengyu. Gu Chengyu happened to look up, seeing an unknown object flying towards him, instinctively dodged aside.
Zhu Pang aid well; the Jade Pendant landed on the horse, Gu Chengyu glared at Zhu Pang helplessly, putting the Jade Pendant in his pocket for later return.
Who knew this act shattered young hearts around.
"Ah! Could it be Yu Lang likes n?" A fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl felt devastated.
"Wasn’t it said before he did a duet with Tianxiang Pavilion’s Oiran Qin Xiao? That tune was wonderful, surely he doesn’t like n, right?"
Yao ngxian and the others were directly across Zhu Pang, watching him throw the Jade Pendant.
"Did Zhu Pang and Gu Chengyu know each other before?" Princess Rong Jia’s face darkened, knowing Zhu Pang as a playboy known in the Capital. From his actions, he seed quite familiar with Gu Chengyu.
"They both studied at Imperial College, they were classmates and friends." Yao ngxian explained, knowing Princess Rong Jia’s inquiry was directed at her, as Gu Chengyu was her grandmother’s little disciple. She was always inford about Gu Chengyu, and if she didn’t answer, Princess Rong Jia might perceive her as defying royal authority.
Anyhow, Gu Chengyu unknowingly spread a rumor suggesting he liked n among all workshops, due to one casual action.
Due to public fervor, Gu Chengyu had to end his horseback parade early and was escorted back to the estate.
Tomorrow was the celebratory feast, after only having a pastry this morning, Gu Chengyu was already starving.
"Xiao Bao! Who would’ve thought you really beca the top scholar; if our parents hear, they’d be thrilled to bits." Gu Wan and the others had arrived at the estate, as people from nearby hos had already waited at the gates to congratulate, knowing the estate housed the Champion Scholar.
Gu Wan knew her mother had long awaited this day, hoping for Xiao Bao to study during tougher tis. Once life got better, her dream ca true. Now her younger brother won the top scholar title, realizing her wish to beco an imperial decree granted lady’s mother.
"Ming Mo, have the wedding money spread outside the gates, let the neighbors share the joy." Gu Chengyu’s top scholar achievent followed the tradition of distributing wedding money; such grand happiness should be shared among all.
"Rest assured, master, the wedding money has been prepared per your instructions, a whole basket full!" Wedding money was silver exchanged for copper coins; it took several hundred silver taels to fill a basket!
The entire estate was brimming with joy, with even the servants receiving rewards from Gu Chengyu.
"Xiao Bao! I’ve heard, after becoming the top scholar, one can directly receive an official position; can mother earn an imperial decree?" Gu Wan was deeply concerned, as her mother had awaited this mont for years.
Sun Xian chuckled, "How could one think so? Though Chengyu is the top scholar, he can directly be assigned as Hanlin Academy’s compiler, but that’s a Secondary Sixth Rank position. Since the previous dynasty, Sixth Rank officials could petition for family honors, but must show political results and it’s not an imperial decree, it’s an edict."
Sun Xian didn’t ntion that Gu Wan’s mother, Mrs. Lv, was a succeeding wife, and if Chengyu petitions for honor, he’d first have to posthumous honor the original wife, Da He, then request for Mrs. Lv.
Gu Chengyu paused holding the scholar uniform’s corner; he had long considered this matter. Yet now he’s only at the Secondary Sixth Rank, likely spending three years at the Hanlin before promotion, with the imperial decree a matter for three years later; no need to worry about it yet.
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