CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 12 SCENE 5

The next day, Gu Chengyu entered the guesthouse with a refreshed spirit! He was carrying a package of braised donkey meat, intending to let everyone have a taste.

On a spring morning, before the dawn, the sky appeared somewhat hazy.

"Gu Xiaocaizi, out so early?" As soon as Gu Chengyu stepped across the threshold, he heard Manager Jiang’s voice from the counter.

Ever since they moved in, Manager Jiang had been taking good care of them. Hot water was delivered to the room daily without even having to request it. The meals at the guesthouse weren’t cheap either, but each time they ordered, Manager Jiang always gave them extra portions. Gu Chengyu knew this was all thanks to Manager Liu from Huichun Hall.

"Manager Jiang, you’re really early!" Gu Chengyu bowed to Manager Jiang, suddenly remembering that since they arrived at the guesthouse, they hadn’t paid for their rooms yet. Although Manager Jiang had mentioned there’s no need to pay upfront, and they could settle the bill on their departure day, the business is still a business. Since they weren’t short on Silver, it was better to pay sooner.

"Young man, there is one thing I’ve forgotten to ask the manager. Since we checked in, we haven’t paid for the rooms and meals yet. Could the manager calculate the total and let us know how much Silver it comes to?"

"Actually, to be honest with Xiaocaizi, Manager Liu has already paid for the rooms, so there’s no need for Xiaocaizi to spend." Manager Jiang chuckled.

Manager Liu wasn’t aware that there would be so many people coming for the exam this time and had given Manager Jiang fifty taels of Silver. However, he instructed Manager Jiang to refund any excess before leaving, so naturally, Manager Jiang couldn’t accept Gu Chengyu’s Silver.

"How could this be? We’re staying at the guesthouse; there’s no reason for Manager Liu to pay for us. That’s not right. Please refund Manager Liu’s Silver to him; we’ll pay for ourselves." Gu Chengyu had already seen the wooden board hung on the opposite wall, listing the room prices clearly.

The lower-tier rooms cost three hundred wen a night, the middle-tier rooms five hundred wen, and the top-tier rooms eight hundred wen. The price difference between the three types of rooms was significant, and of course, the room decor and comfort level varied greatly. This guesthouse didn’t have shared sleep areas, so most guests here were relatively well off.

Gu Chengyu calculated that they might need to stay for ten days, which would be 32 taels for four top-tier rooms, minus the few days for second son and their room, which still amounted to over twenty-seven taels. It’s truly shocking when calculated, and there’s also the meal expenses. It wouldn’t be right to have Manager Liu pay so much.

"This... might be difficult to explain to Manager Liu!" Manager Jiang was a bit troubled. Manager Liu had repeatedly instructed him before he left, not to accept any Silver from the Gu Family.

"Xiao Bao! Why haven’t you come up yet? We’re almost ready to go!" Mr. Gu was getting anxious since Gu Chengyu hadn’t returned yet, so he prepared to go downstairs to look for him. Who would have thought, just as he got down, he heard Gu Chengyu speaking.

"Coming! Let’s discuss it after today’s exam!" Noticing the hour was getting late, Gu Chengyu headed upstairs.

"Then let’s first wish Xiaocaizi success in becoming the county champion in the county examination!" Manager Jiang had heard about the results from the past few exams over the past few days and couldn’t help but praise. Some people are simply gifted at studying; at present, Gu Chengyu seemed the most likely to become the county champion.

"Chengyu! This is the last round; after the exam we’ll be ranked, and we can finally relax a bit." Sun Xian thought it was indeed not easy to have persevered until now. The fifth round most likely won’t eliminate anyone, but just thinking about the chief examiner made him nervous.

Ye Zhiqiu and others were equally tense. Ye Zhiqiu wasn’t very talkative and was somewhat shy; he feared that upon meeting the chief examiner, he might be too nervous to speak.

"Yes! It’s just the last round; no need to stress. Perform to the best of your ability, and we’ll meet up again for the prefectural exam in April!"

Gu Chengyu’s words brought them beautiful anticipation, and everyone expressed their determination to perform well.

This fifth round oral exam didn’t require bringing the exam basket; it was simply an oral discussion. The chief examiner would pose questions about the classics, and the candidates needed to express their understanding and answers orally.

Even seat numbers weren’t necessary this time. Since Gu Chengyu was the top scorer in the previous round, he naturally would go first.

Gu Chengyu cleared his throat and followed the constable into the main hall where they usually waited for their turn. County Magistrate Lu was already seated in the main position.

"Student Gu Chengyu greets Lord County Magistrate!" Gu Chengyu stepped forward and offered a deep bow; unfortunately, he still wasn’t a Scholar yet and didn’t have the privilege of not bowing before an official.

"Rise!" County Magistrate Lu sized up Gu Chengyu; this youth looked refined, behaved with grace and courtesy, and did not show apparent nervousness before him, indeed very composed.

He had already heard of the incident that occurred when the results were released yesterday. Every year, a few disappointed examinees might utter disrespectful comments. Since the situation hadn’t escalated, he let it slide; a few sour remarks were quite normal. Society is diverse and has all kinds of people; as long as it isn’t too excessive, he didn’t want to make things difficult for the examinees.

Moreover, once the county champion’s script was pasted on the day of posting results, those voices would naturally disappear.

"Thank you, Lord!" Gu Chengyu politely stood up, awaiting County Magistrate Lu’s questions.

County Magistrate Lu wasted no words and directly dove into the main topic.

"What is your interpretation of ’A gentleman follows moderation, while a petty person acts against moderation’?" County Magistrate Lu stroked his beard, studying the young boy before him.

"Response to the Lord! This quote is from ’Zhongyong.’ The original text says, ’Zhongni said: A gentleman follows moderation, while a petty person acts against moderation...’

"The explanation is... moderation means just the right amount, the highest moral standard."

"Hmm! Quite good!" County Magistrate Lu nodded in satisfaction; this student had a solid grasp of the classics.

Then, he posed the second question, "From where does ’A gentleman does not take unjust wealth’ originate?"

"It originates from ’Li Ji’ in the ’Tan Gong’ section during the episode where Ziliu’s mother dies, and Zishuo requests arrangements. It talks about..." Gu Chengyu’s clear young voice echoed in the hall, his tone smooth, with a slight smile on his face.

"I see you’re not only skilled with the Four Books and Five Classics but also versed in other texts. If I’m not mistaken, you’re only eight years old this year, so how have you memorized these texts?"

Understanding that County Magistrate Lu had touched upon personal matters, Gu Chengyu guessed the exam had come to an end.

"In response to the Lord! The student has a good memory and can remember what I’ve read."

"Oh? Are you saying you have photographic memory?" County Magistrate Lu seemed surprised; what an impressive talent!

"Response to the Lord! I wouldn’t say photographic memory, but after reading something twice, I can generally remember it. After some time, it needs to be reviewed, or else it will be forgotten." True photographic memory was something Gu Chengyu hadn’t achieved.

"Ah~ You don’t need to be so formal talking to me; having such an ability is remarkable. I find that your poetry and writings are commendable too. Well then! Go home and prepare well for the prefectural examination; I hope you achieve a good rank! You may go down!"

Gu Chengyu’s talents were truly extraordinary, undoubtedly he would shine in the imperial examinations, perhaps even become a colleague in the future. It was wise to leave a good impression for the possible networks down the line.

Gu Chengyu also understood the situation; his performance was solid, with a likely good rank, possibly even contending for the county champion!

"By the way! Your poetry is excellent!" As Gu Chengyu stepped out of the hall, County Magistrate Lu added a compliment about his poetry. Turning back, Gu Chengyu saw County Magistrate Lu already sipping his tea, while the instructor was calling the next candidate.

Being the first, Gu Chengyu had finished; there were others who had to complete their exams, and County Magistrate Lu certainly wouldn’t delay the process.