Chapter 310

Li Hechen, the young master of the Li family, after exchanging pleasantries with Mr. Wen, looked up at Gu Kang sitting beside Mr. Wen, smiled, and cupped his hands, saying, "Is this Master Gu? I've long heard of your name; it's an honor to meet you."

Gu Kang's heart had already turned to ash; even the second-place and third-place winners had already arrived at Nan Shan Shu Yuan.

He had indeed failed this time; even though he felt terrible, in front of Mr. Wen's guests he couldn't let his low spirits show.

Gu Kang nevertheless pulled himself together, rose, and greeted Li Hechen and Lin Jingyuan.

"Heir Apparent Lin, Young Master Li, it's an honor to meet you."

Li Hechen glanced at the scar on Gu Kang's face, his eyes flickering as he smiled and said, "I heard you also took the spring examination this time?"

As Li Hechen's words fell, Gu Kang's expression stiffened slightly.

After taking the spring examination, everyone cared most about each other's rankings.

After all, they would soon be colleagues serving in the court, all fellow students of the same cohort, bound by the camaraderie of fellow disciples.

It might even be a good thing if they could support each other in court, so when they meet they always inquire about each other's affairs.

While in Jiangnan, Li Hechen had heard that Mr. Wen had recently taken on a new disciple.

He was far away in Jiangnan, not familiar with the situation in the capital, but anyone who could catch Mr. Wen's eye as a disciple must be extraordinarily talented.

He was very interested in this Master Gu, wondering how he had managed to catch Mr. Wen's eye.

You see, back then his father had a good relationship with Mr. Wen and wanted to send him to the capital to study under Mr. Wen, but Mr. Wen hadn't readily agreed.

Now that Mr. Wen has taken on a disciple, Li Huchen today brought Lin Jingyuan to Nan Shan Shu Yuan also hoping to meet Gu Kang.

By the way, they asked what rank Gu Kang had achieved, so they could later win him over.

Lin Jingyuan's mother is Li Hechen's aunt; these cousins, one a second-place winner and the other a third-place winner, have already been illustrious.

They thought Mr. Wen's disciple would certainly not be far off, but when he asked that, Lin Jingyuan's expression changed slightly beside him.

Lin Jing Yuan secretly regretted; just now, he had been too excited about placing as the runner‑up, and he had not clearly explained this Mr. Gu's background to his cousin.

This Mr. Gu had always been a playboy in Jing Cheng; only in the past half year or so did he devote himself to study.

He even caught Mr. Wen's eye; the jinshi results have already been posted, yet he hasn't even carefully looked at others'.

But judging from Gu Kang's past conduct, he probably didn't pass this time.

Upon hearing his cousin's sudden question, he quickly reached out and tugged his cousin's sleeve; Li Hechen's question stopped abruptly, and he dared not say anything else.

Since he managed to place as the third‑ranked scholar, Li Hechen is naturally smooth‑handed and worldly‑wise.

Lin Jing Yuan tugged his sleeve; Li Hechen hurriedly stopped speaking, yet his heart felt even more surprised.

Mr. Wen's judgment is usually sound; could it be that this person really didn't pass the examination?

The atmosphere in the hall was slightly awkward; Gu Jiu Ling laughed and said, "Heir Apparent Lin, Master Li, congratulations to you both! Today I'll be the host; please have a drink at the Hall of Joint Joy to celebrate."

"What does Mr. Wen think?"

Mr. Wen also felt somewhat heavy‑hearted, although he is a person who sees things clearly and lets go.

Yet his own inner‑door disciple didn't even manage to place among the top few jinshi candidates, let alone come in last.

He felt a growing doubt these days, for he had personally been guiding Gu Kang.

This child's essays are quite good; if the exam were on poetry and prose he might be a bit weak, but for policy essays he believes Gu Kang's level even surpasses Lin Jing Yuan's.

This time he didn't even come close to the jinshi list, leaving him with a sense of regret.

But as this child's teacher, he cannot show anything.

Now Gu Jiu Ling spoke up, giving both sides a way out; Mr. Wen nodded repeatedly and said, "The Princess Consort of Rui's suggestion is not bad; these days my health has been somewhat inconvenient."

"There's no need to go to a fancy restaurant and endure the hassle of carriages and horses; we can simply set out a table of wine in my humble abode, sit down, and discuss literature over drinks—that would be a pleasant affair."

Gu Jiu Ling smiled and nodded, calling Jiu Yue to go to the restaurant to pack a few dishes to bring over.

She also brought out the fine wine she had previously stored; she herself does not drink, so she stepped back to watch while a few maidservants helped set things up.

At this moment Li Hechen's heart was filled with astonishment, and he also understood.

The disciple whom I admire, Mr. Wen, probably didn't pass any of the exams, right?

This drink was somewhat less than wholly enjoyable, after all, some households rejoice while others lament.

Li Hechen and Lin Jing Yuan are not so oblivious to social cues; after a short while they rose, bade farewell to Mr. Wen and Gu Jiu Ling, and then went down the mountain.

By now the sky was gradually darkening, and the students who had received Mr. Wen's guidance had mostly already reported their good news.

Gu Jiu Ling took advantage of the fact that the sky wasn't completely dark yet, leading the group in preparing to go down the mountain.

Gu Kang personally saw Gu Jiu Ling out of the academy's main gate.

Gu Kang helped Gu Jiu Ling into the carriage; Gu Jiu Ling lifted the carriage curtain and looked toward the crimson sunset that enveloped the slender figure of the youth before her.

Only then did she notice that, in just over half a year, this youth bore a trace of hardship and weariness beyond his years.

The evening breeze blew at Gu Kang's cuffs, slightly stirring a melancholy arc.

Yet the youth's expression was unusually composed, neither sad nor happy.

If this happened to someone else, being a disciple of Mr. Wen and failing to pass any exam would surely cause a mental breakdown and a pained expression.

But Gu Kang's sorrow at this moment was merely fleeting; after the grief passed, it was as if nothing had happened.

Between heaven and earth, he alone stood, composed and measured, upright there.

In that moment Gu Jiu Ling almost didn't recognize her own brother.

She suddenly understood why Mr. Wen had taken her brother as a disciple: the very composure of not being perturbed even if Mount Tai collapsed before him is a rare quality among many young people.

Gu Jiu Ling collected herself, smiled at Gu Kang, and said, "It's fine; I'll support you."

"Keep taking the exams; if you don't pass in one year, try two, if not two then three. Don't burden yourself with the idol complex of thinking that, as Mr. Wen's disciple, you must pass."

"As the saying goes, a dragon's nine offspring are all different."

"And you're just an ordinary person—don't be upset; I have plenty of money."

"I've left some banknotes for you in the room; go out and travel to relax your mind. By the way, would you like to come with me back to the Rui Wang Fu?"

Gu Jiu Ling saw that Gu Kang's expression was off, and wanted to help him relax.

However, Gu Kang slowly shook his head: "Master's body is still recovering; as his disciple, I am not suited for a long journey."

Silver notes, elder sister, you should take them back; I live at Nan Shan Shu Yuan, helping the master copy and write, I won't go hungry.

Gu Jiu Ling Xin Tou Bu Zhi Dao Shuo Shénme well, previously this brat liked money.

Now she doesn't even want to give him money; she suddenly felt an unreal feeling, yet she still nodded at Gu Kang, got on the carriage and went down the mountain.