Chapter 38: Capital Shocked, Reactions from All Sides【Seeking Recommendation Votes】

Da Xia Capital.

Compared to the bustling Xiao Xi Village, the capital interior is rather quiet.

Occasional liveliness is also some news of joy.

What, whose young master has been selected?

Whose young lady has been selected?

At this moment.

Gu Family.

Some servants are sweeping the street.

Usually, when there's nothing going on, the Protector Duke's Manor also appears rather quiet.

But just then, a figure appeared, moving extremely fast, seeming very urgent.

"Quick."

"Quick."

"Report quickly."

"There is an urgent matter to report to the Duke."

A figure appeared; it was a constable from the Lantern Watch Office, riding a strange beast horse, galloping all the way—leaving the capital was congested but entering was smooth.

Thus, after only a little over half an hour, he entered the capital, then continued racing at top speed to reach outside the Duke's manor.

A three-hundred-li journey.

For someone of his calibre, it's nothing at all, and the speed is reasonable.

After all, this is a world where immortals and martial arts coexist.

"What's going on?"

Steward Wang came out; hearing the sound, he immediately stepped out, his eyes full of doubt.

"Young Master."

"The Young Master composed a poem in the exam, drawing an omen, and has already passed the first stage."

"Master Gu sent me to deliver this message."

His heart pounded, breathless.

"The Young Master composed a poem in the exam? Drew an omen?"

Upon hearing this, Steward Wang was dumbfounded.

No matter how he thought, he could not imagine Gu Jin Nian composing a poem that drew an omen—it was impossible.

But soon, Steward Wang wasted no words, immediately grabbed the Lantern Watch Office person and headed inside.

Inside the study.

Grandfather Gu was flipping through some documents; these were all reports from the border.

But just then.

Accompanied by a sudden rush of footsteps, Grandfather Gu involuntarily lifted his head and looked over.

Not long after.

Steward Wang's figure appeared, unable to contain his excitement as he spoke.

"Grandfather."

"Great joy."

"The Young Master composed a poem in the exam, drew an omen, and has passed the gate."

Steward Wang spoke, overflowing with joy as he offered congratulations.

Pa—

In an instant.

In the study, the document in Grandfather Gu's hand fell straight onto the desk.

He froze in place.

His gaze became slightly dazed.

"What did you say?"

After a moment, Grandfather Gu spoke, his voice booming as he questioned the latter.

Steward Wang didn't know how to answer, so he directly grabbed the Lantern Watch Office person and had them explain.

"I, the humble official, pay my respects to the Protector Duke."

"Reporting to the Duke, the Commander Envoy ordered me to rush with good news."

"The Young Master has already passed the gate, and moreover composed an omen‑drawing poem in the exam."

"This is the poem composed by the Young Master, which I, the humble official, have copied; the handwriting is rough, please forgive the Duke."

The latter was quite clever, having already copied the poem, and directly handed it to the Protector Duke.

No nonsense at all.

The Protector Duke strode forward, took the paper, and glanced at it in an instant.

"Ten years to forge a sword, the frosted blade never yet tested."

"Today I show it to the lord; who has any grievance?"

"Good, good, a sword forged over ten years."

"Good, good, a frosted blade never yet tested."

"Good, truly excellent, truly excellent."

Upon seeing the poem, the Protector Duke's body couldn't help but tremble.

He could clearly understand the meaning of this poem.

He also understood Gu Jin Nian's thoughts.

At this moment, the scene of Gu Jin Nian leaving today involuntarily appeared in his mind.

That gaze was full of confidence.

That gaze was extraordinary and unusual.

At that time, he felt somewhat curious.

But after this poem appeared, Grandfather Gu was completely stunned.

His whole body trembled.

This is an excitement that springs from the heart.

This excitement is a hundred times stronger than the thrill of slaying enemy generals on the battlefield.

He is already eighty years old; although he practices martial arts and nurtures his health, he can still live for a while, but to him, any honor holds no meaning anymore.

Even if he were sent back to the battlefield now, even if he could recover the lost territories, it would not compare to the joy and excitement he feels right now.

He has fathered a fine grandson.

But what truly excites him is not this.

Poetry and literature, with a talent for the Confucian Dao, is a good thing, but what truly excites him is that his own grandson is unfathomable even to himself.

He has concealed it for over ten years.

Concealed right under his nose for over ten years, this proves that Gu Jin Nian is extremely deep and scheming, exceptionally intelligent.

The Gu family has produced a great talent in the Confucian Dao, which can alter certain variables, but merely reading books is useless.

One must be wise.

Gu Jin Nian is both intelligent and talented.

That is what excites him.

Thus he exclaimed "good" three times in a row.

"My grandson possesses the talent of a sage."

"Hahahaha."

"Hahahaha."

His hearty laughter was unrestrained, causing the entire study to tremble.

"Suping."

"Quick, quick, quick, have the kitchen prepare delicacies."

"Go again and invite all of this old man's good friends."

"Hahaha, my Gu family has produced a kirin child, my Gu family has produced a kirin child."

"Also go notify the eldest and them, have them all come back to me."

Grandfather Gu is truly excited; he laughs heartily and is extremely happy.

It is genuine joy and happiness.

"Master, rest assured; this old servant will see to it right away."

Manager Wang also couldn't help laughing out loud; seeing his master so happy, as a servant he naturally feels happy too.

"No, no, no."

"You stay home to arrange the feast, and send people to call those few back."

"This old man's friends, this old man will call them himself, hahaha, I will take this poem to call them."

"Damn it, from now on whoever dares to say my Gu family has no scholars, this old man will beat them one by one."

Grandfather Gu is overjoyed beyond words.

He intends to personally invite people.

He wants them to come and appreciate the poem written by his grandson.

But when he reached the door, Grandfather Gu turned his gaze to the constable of the Lantern Office.

"Suping, silver reward."

【95】 "Young man, have this old man spread the word; in two hours, I want the whole capital to know this."

"Young man, spread this matter for me; in two hours, I want the whole capital to know about this."

"Well done, limitless future."

Grandfather Gu spoke. He wants to show off.

He wants to show off ostentatiously.

He wants the whole capital to know that his grandson Gu Jin Nian, relying on his own ability, passed the examination of the Da Xia Academy, and moreover published a poem that can portend an omen.

"Is this not worth showing off, or should we save it for the New Year? 'Please rest assured, Duke, I will exert all my effort to publicize the Heir's glory.'"

The constable who came to report the good news, upon hearing these words, was instantly overjoyed; he is merely a probationary captain of the Lantern Office, compared to the Duke he is practically worthless.

Now, because of this matter, he not only received a silver reward but also can be promoted; how could he not be excited? He can't wait to rush off to spread the news.

At the same moment.

In the capital.

At the Military Council.

A burst of laughter rang out, startling many people to turn their gaze.

"My son possesses the talent of a sage."

"My son possesses the talent of a sage!"

Looking at the poem before him, Gu Qianzhou became so excited he danced with hands and feet.

Not as composed as his grandfather, but still relatively calm.

Gu Qianzhou never imagined that his son could clear the first trial, and that it was he himself who cleared the first trial.

Having passed the first trial, he wouldn't be this excited.

Rather, upon learning that Gu Jin Nian's poetry had summoned a celestial phenomenon.

Now that's something!

Even the Great Scholar struggles to condense such a phenomenon, yet his son managed to manifest it? How could that not make him thrilled? Yet before that, he stared blankly for almost half an incense stick's time, repeatedly questioning ten times, and after receiving the final answer.

Only then did he act so out of line.

"Ten years to forge a sword, the frosted blade never tested."

"What a ten‑year‑to‑forge‑a‑sword."

"Jin Nian."

"My good son."

"So you've been hiding all along."

"It's father's fault; I actually thought you were a dandy."

"Fine."

"Fine."

"Fine, worthy of being my son Gu Qianzhou, finally you have not let father's painstaking care go to waste."

"Hahaha—"

Inside the room.

Gu Qianzhou muttered to himself, and in the end he couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He truly couldn't help it.

But in an instant, Gu Qianzhou thought of something.

Then he left the Military Affairs Office directly.

He hurried outside.

After a quarter of an hour.

The Xuanwu Army Military Affairs Office.

Bang.

The deputy commander's main gate was kicked open in one swift kick.

Gu Ningfan, who already wore a bewildered expression, became even more confused at this moment.

He is Gu Jin Nian's third uncle.

Deputy commander of the Xuanwu Army.

His name differs from Gu Ningya by just one character.

Earlier, he and Gu Qianzhou had stood inside the city gate watching Gu Jin Nian off.

At this very moment.

His son reported the good news.

How could Gu Qianzhou not be boastful?

He was the first to swagger before the Third Brother.

But after kicking the door open, he found the Lantern Department had already reported, so Gu Qianzhou saved himself the trouble.

"Third Brother."

"Can you repeat what you said today for me, elder brother?"

"What does it mean to say someone is not material for studying?"

"Who today told me that Jin Nian is not material for studying?"

"Third Brother."

Gu Qianzhou was very arrogant, completely lacking the demeanor of a marquis, holding a copy of Gu Jin Nian's poetry, his face proud as he looked at his third younger brother.

"Elder brother."

"Is this poem really written by Jin Nian?"

Gu Ningfan stood up immediately; he hadn't even processed the information.

Now that his elder brother had arrived, he couldn't help but speak.

"If it wasn't written by Jin Nian, could it have been written by you, a half‑filled bucket of water?"

"Third Brother, Third Brother, do you look down on people with dog eyes?"

"Are you short‑sighted like a mouse?"

"Master Xu said Jin Nian is very clever, yet you refuse to believe it; since childhood the old master told you to study hard, but you insist on herding cattle."

"Shameful and embarrassing."

Gu Qianzhou scolded Gu Ningfan angrily.

"Hiss."

"My great‑nephew has saintly talent?"

"Elder brother, our family has produced a qilin child!"

Receiving a definite answer, Gu Ningfan jumped up, shouting excitedly.

"Yo? Now you know a qilin child has been born?"

"What about before? You didn't say that before, did you?"

Gu Qianzhou sneered.

"Elder brother, it's the third brother who is blind as a bat."

It's the third brother who's foolish, don't get angry, don't get angry.

Later I will penalize with three jars of wine, three jars of wine.

Go, go, go, we should hurry back now; Dad likely knows about this, our Gu Family is truly going to welcome a happy event.

Gu Ningfan was excited beyond measure.

This time he thoroughly didn't argue with his older brother, directly pulling Gu Qianzhou away.

However, just as he pulled Gu Qianzhou, Gu Ningfan immediately took the paper from Gu Qianzhou's hand.

Immediately afterwards he hurriedly hung it behind the desk, in a very conspicuous place.

Come here, copy this poem for me, hang it in all rooms, remember to sign it; this is my nephew Gu Jin Nian's writing.

Gu Ningfan shouted loudly, calling out to his subordinates.

Having said that, he pulled Gu Qianzhou and left.

Gu Qianzhou also had no ill humor, no longer arguing with Gu Ningfan, but instead spoke with a full-face smile.

First, don't rush back, go find Master Xu; this kindness cannot be forgotten.

Gu Qianzhou spoke, he wasn't in a hurry to return, planning to go find Master Xu to report the good news.

Good, good, good, go find Master Xu, go find Master Xu.

The two brothers had smiles on their faces, causing many people to be somewhat surprised.

After all, these two hold high positions, usually they don't even smile lightly; how come they are so happy today?

And at the same time.

Inside the Da Xia imperial palace.

Emperor Yongsheng quietly looked at a sheet of xuan paper on the desk.

His gaze was somewhat complex.

Ten years to forge a sword, the frosted blade has never been tested.

What a fine 'ten years to forge a sword'.

My nephew, truly is remarkable.

A murmuring voice sounded.

Yet one could not tell from this emperor.

Whether it is joy or anger.

But after a moment.

A voice sounded in the hall.

Come here.

Prepare a gift, send it to the Duke who guards the state's manor.

(End of chapter)