Chapter 285 - 121: Answered All

Chapter 285: Chapter 121: Answered All

If Gu Chengyu also gets it right, then the three of them can stay at the inn without paying. Though it’s just a lower room, you don’t need to be picky while traveling, right?

Sun Xian just asked the waiter, and the lower room can accommodate three people in a single room, which is perfect for the three of them. As for Ming Mo and Ming Yan, they would have to spend Silver. In this way, they only need to spend one share of Silver, which is still a saving.

"If you can also answer it, then should we give it a try? It’s a pity that everyone can only answer once, and servants or followers cannot participate," Sun Xian spoke with some regret.

Gu Chengyu glanced to the side and noticed that several waiters were standing there at some point, with one of them even looking in their direction. Gu Chengyu instantly understood that these people were specifically arranged by the inn to prevent students from sharing answers.

In fact, the students generally disdained doing so, as it was akin to cheating. If someone found out, it would be a matter of losing face. A scholar can admit to being less knowledgeable but would never destroy their reputation.

He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, forming a general idea about the poem, though it needed some polishing.

Gu Chengyu was inclined to prefer the upper room. Why not stay in a free room unless you’re a fool? But since Sun Xian and the others were staying in the lower room, it wasn’t good for him to stay in an upper room alone, putting him in a dilemma.

"I’ve actually got all the answers, but I need to think it over again. You guys should go and line up first!" Gu Chengyu opted to wait and see. If Sun Xian and the others all succeeded, he would choose the lower room.

Gu Chengyu had some confidence in Ye Zhiqiu and the others, believing that one piece at least would undoubtedly be correct.

"What? You got all the answers?" Ye Zhiqiu looked at Gu Chengyu in shock. Could it be that he has been left far behind by Gu Chengyu? How could there be such a gap between them?

As they were discussing, some other students overhead their conversation, "Hmph! Such boastful words! With so many of us students here, none of us have come up with a single couplet, yet you claim you’ve solved them all. How is that possible?"

Student B listened to Gu Chengyu’s words and was extremely angry, unable to help mocking Gu Chengyu.

"What? Someone actually solved them all? Is this true? I don’t believe it." Student C also resolutely refused to believe it. It’s impossible! These problems were only put up at 1:00 PM. They had arrived early and did not see Gu Chengyu and his companions, proving they came later.

So in just this short period, he says he’s solved them all? Who’s he fooling?

Sun Xian could not hold back first. He trusted Gu Chengyu’s knowledge and believed Gu Chengyu wouldn’t speak wildly.

"Just because you can’t do it doesn’t mean others can’t. You should know there’s always someone better."

"Some people really know how to bluff. This is the foot of the Emperor, not your hometown. Don’t think that after achieving some results in your rural area, you can come to the Capital and show off. You’d better not brag too much, or you might bite your tongue!"

Student C looked at Sun Xian, hearing the official dialect mixed with a slight accent, guessing he was from the Northern region. Northern scholars couldn’t compare with those from Jiangnan, as Jiangnan’s exams were much harder than the Northern ones. Coming to the Capital should show them what real scholarly talent is.

Originally, Gu Chengyu hadn’t expected one sentence to arouse such anger, causing Brother Sun to be wronged because of him. He looked at the student, his face darkened, thinking they could disbelieve, but there was no need to slander, right? And looking down on country folk?

Then Gu Chengyu smiled. Since he had come for a challenge, why not be arrogant just this once?

"Brother, your words earlier seemed a bit one-sided. Although we come from rural areas, it doesn’t mean we lack real knowledge. Does Brother look down on those born in the countryside?"

The people staying at the inn who had come to the Capital weren’t locals, most being from rural areas. With one sentence, this student offended many people.

Hearing this, some students nearby didn’t look too pleased. You look down on country folk? All of us got here through our efforts, step by step. Who here isn’t truly talented? Moreover, you’re not from the countryside, so why are you even standing here if you have Silver? Why not spend Silver and go directly inside?

"Exactly! With such skills, how come you haven’t answered a single question?" Student D couldn’t bear it anymore. He came from a farming family and still became a scholar, didn’t he? Did he cheat to achieve that?

With one voice of agreement, others joined in, but just as some agreed, others opposed.

"We didn’t mean that! We were saying you were bragging too much. If you have real skill, show us your talent. Just talking isn’t worth much."

A student seeing the topic going astray quickly stepped forward to correct it, wanting to see if this student was really bluffing.

"Exactly! Do you dare to write down all your answers?" Exam-taker C, having misspoken, was being criticized. Seeing someone stepping in, he quickly took the opportunity to back down.

"Little junior! Write it down. Do you think we’ll be scared of them?"

At this point, all the examinees divided into two factions, with just a few people previously feeling unjust and speaking for Gu Chengyu.

"Mr. Fang! Do you think this student is bluffing?"

Fu Ming and Mr. Fang from Boshan Academy had heard the argument long before, sitting aside to watch the excitement. The one boasting was a boy who looked about eleven or twelve years old, making Fu Ming curious—had he passed the scholar examination at such a young age, or did he just look young? He wanted to see if this young scholar could really answer everything.

"That remains to be seen! Aren’t they about to start? Let’s wait and see," Fang Huai picked up his teacup, blowing away the floating leaves on the surface before taking a sip.

Fu Ming, seeing Fang Huai ignore him, snorted coldly. That man was always putting on airs.

The shopkeeper, seeing the situation getting out of hand, intended to step forward to stop it. Each person could only participate once, which meant once they participated on the left, they couldn’t participate on the right. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be chaos?

"Manager Wan, hold on! This student’s so arrogant. Why not let it play out? No students here ever claimed to solve everything at once, right? Just be at ease."

Fu Ming wanted to watch the spectacle, after all! How could he let Manager Wan spoil his fun?

Manager Wan forced a smile, looking worse than crying. Fu Ming was clearly one to enjoy the commotion without bearing any responsibility. He could watch merrily, but he couldn’t break the innu’s rules. Yet, seeing Fu Ming ignoring him, he had no choice but to suppress it. Well! He couldn’t afford to offend this one either!

Now he could only hope the student was indeed bluffing.

"Chengyu! Are you really sure?" Ye Zhiqiu looked at Gu Chengyu worriedly. Could he really have solved them all in just this short time?

Sun Xian also frowned, feeling that Gu Chengyu had been pushed into the eye of the storm.