AWB Chapter 143, Item 1
Chapter 143, Item 1
[Oh my, look at all this sweet talk! Who's saying Zhou Zhixing is a taciturn guy? I'm the first to disagree!]
Gu Xinyi's face flushed slightly.
Madam Zhou also looked at her son with surprise. Wasn't he quite good at talking?
I really want to pull the old man over and see how his usually taciturn son can be so witty and eloquent in front of his future daughter-in-law.
In the days that followed, matchmakers came to propose marriage, arrange the betrothal, and choose a date for the following year. The Minister's mansion was bustling with activity, and Su Xiuran was as busy as a spinning top.
Gu Mingtang complained that Su Xiuran was neglecting him.
Su Xiuran comforted her gently, saying, "Gu Chenshi certainly didn't put much effort into arranging Xinyi's marriage before, but this is my first time arranging something like this, so I have to make sure everything is done properly. I've been learning from other experienced ladies these past few days, and I'm afraid I won't do a good job."
"Besides, this is Xinyi's second wedding, and I'm determined to make it a grand affair, even more spectacular than her first wedding, so that that bastard Cui Sheng can see for himself that Xinyi will be better off without him."
"It's also to support Xinyi and prevent Zhou Zhixing from looking down on her. Zhou Zhixing seems good now, but what about in the future? Who can guarantee that?"
Gu Mingtang was deeply moved: "Thank you, my wife, it's so good to have you."
"There's no need to thank me. My sister-in-law is like a mother to me; this is what I should do."
Gu Mingtang pulled Su Xiuran into his arms.
Hey, hey, hey, I'm still here, shameless!
Gu Mingtang looked down and saw Gu Linglong crawling over to pull at his clothes.
Su Xiuran suddenly pushed Gu Mingtang away, tidied her hair, and picked up Gu Linglong in one scoop: "What are you doing here? Weren't you in your eldest brother's room?"
Gu Linglong put her hands on her hips. [Hmph, my older brother is busy preparing for the academy and doesn't play with me at all.]
Su Xiuran patted her head to comfort her, "Is big brother busy? Then we won't bother him. Let's play together, okay?"
【Okay okay】
Time flew by and the day of the competition between the various colleges arrived.
The capital city was bustling with activity, and the streets were even more crowded than usual.
This year, five colleges participated in the academic discussion, which was even more lively than in previous years due to the reopening of the Imperial College.
It involves not only selecting students, but also screening teachers and deans.
The students below were buzzing with discussion: "I heard His Majesty will be coming later!"
"Really? I've never even seen His Majesty's face before!"
"Then I'd better do my best."
The students selected by the five colleges are all the most outstanding students in their respective colleges.
The number of spectators below the arena was several times greater than before. Jiang He, on the stage, straightened his back. He no longer cared about the position of Dean of Tianxing Academy; he wanted to be the Dean of the Imperial Academy.
As he was lost in his fantasies, a sharp voice rang out.
"The Emperor has arrived"
The people knelt down one after another, chanting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Chu Yuan raised his hand: "No need for formalities."
"Thank you, Your Majesty"
Zhao Fu helped Chu Yuan to sit in the head seat, his voice booming: "Who is presiding over the event today?"
Jiang He stepped forward: "Your Majesty, it is I, a humble commoner."
Chu Yuan nodded: "You're the vice dean of Tianxing Academy?"
"exactly"
"Yes, I often hear the dean mention you; your 'Ode to a Beauty' is exceptionally well-written."
Jiang He was overjoyed; he had caught His Majesty's eye! "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Go then, and ensure everything is done fairly.
"Yes"
Jiang He returned to the ring, his mood as bright as the sun hanging in the sky.
He cleared his throat: "Welcome to this academic discussion, students. Friendship first, competition second. Let's learn from each other, exchange ideas, and refine our knowledge."
"Of the Six Arts of a Gentleman, today we will examine music, archery, and calligraphy. We will not only rank the students within the academy but also award individual rankings."
"The first event is archery on horseback. There is a target in front of each student, and there are ten arrows in the quiver. The closer you are to the bullseye, the higher your score. Each target is worth ten points."
Student representatives from each college drew lots to choose their competition order. Jiang He was slightly taken aback when he saw Gu Yu'an, his eyes filled with disbelief.
How did he end up representing Chengwei Academy in the competition? After Gu Mingtang was acquitted, he visited Gu Mingtang and asked Gu Yu'an to return to the academy to participate in this competition.
Gu Mingtang declined the offer for various reasons, but then went to Chengwei Academy instead.
It's laughable that one's own student would turn around and go to a rival academy, especially since he's now a young nobleman.
Jiang He's pupils contracted slightly as he suddenly sensed something was wrong, and a nameless panic washed over him.
Jiang He quickly regained his composure and announced loudly, "First to appear is Haoxue Academy, second is Junzi Academy, third is Xinhuai Academy, fourth is Tianxing Academy, and fifth is Chengwei Academy!"
The students from the five colleges are also very easy to identify, as their uniforms all bear the logo of their respective colleges.
The students of Haoxue Academy lined up, drew their bows and released their arrows. The arrows flew in unison toward the target. Not all academies have archery ranges; most of the time, it was the wealthy students who practiced more.
Most students at Haoxue Academy come from ordinary families, so their scores aren't ideal; the total score is 70 points.
Junzi Academy's total score is 80 points.
Xin Huai Academy's total score: 65
Tianxing Academy: 85 points
So far, Tianxing Academy has the highest score, and the highest individual score is also the highest. Lu Li is the only one present to get a perfect score.
When Lu Li left the field, he deliberately turned his radiant face toward Gu Xinyi, wanting her to know how outstanding he was.
Since Gu Xinyi stopped supporting him, he has been living a much more frugal life than before, and he is also running out of money for his mother's medicine.
However, given how decisively Gu Xinyi left the Cui family, it was impossible for him to drag her down to find her.
He wanted Gu Xinyi to come and find him herself to be her son, so that she would realize how wrong she had been and how much she had lost him as her son.
Moreover, the news of Zhou Zhixing and Gu Xinyi's engagement had already spread throughout the capital. Zhou Zhixing's family background was much stronger than Cui Shengqiang's. If he were to become Zhou Zhixing's son...
With his uncle being the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat and his own talent, wouldn't he be able to roam freely in the academy and the imperial court in the future?
As soon as Lu Li stepped off the stage, the other trainees offered their congratulations.
"Senior Lu Li, your archery skills are amazing! You hit the bullseye!"
"Exactly, this round is in the bag, and he's the only one to get a perfect score in the whole game."
Lu Li humbly cupped his hands in greeting: "Not at all, not at all. There are still students from Chengwei Academy who haven't participated in the competition yet; there must be outstanding individuals among them."
"The only decent one at Chengwei Academy is Gu Yu'an."
Lu Li narrowed his eyes as he watched Gu Yu'an enter the stage. His white robes fluttered, and he had a dignified appearance, but in Lu Li's eyes, he was still so annoying and pretentious.
They used to be equals, but now he has to bow to Gu Yu'an.
However, he came from a slightly better background.
Once he becomes Zhou Zhixing's son, he too can be granted a title and become a high-ranking official.
After the students of Chengwei Academy fired nine arrows, they all shook their heads. This time, they might lose. On the other hand, Gu Yu'an hadn't even started shooting or drawing his bow.