Chapter 473 - 309: Truly Deserved Reputation

Chapter 473: Chapter 309: Truly Deserved Reputation

Gu Chengyu was not willing to keep writing like this; his purpose for coming today was Hua Lian. How could he continue writing endlessly?

So, he shook his head, "I haven’t thought of anything yet!"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a bit regretful.

Some scholars didn’t believe it, having long heard of Gu Chengyu’s remarkable quick wit. He never needed to prepare when composing poems; he did it on the spot.

However, they didn’t want to expose him. As this was a literature gathering for everyone, although Gu Chengyu was extraordinarily talented, they had all become mere foils. But there was no need to revolve around him all night, was there?

Lu Chen still remembered the previous suggestion, "Then, I wonder if Brother Gu could play and sing the lyric you just composed? It would be a treat for everyone’s eyes."

Gu Chengyu pondered for a while before saying, "These two pieces have only lyrics, and I haven’t delved deeply into the music."

Zhu Pang suddenly remembered something, "Last time when I went to your mansion, didn’t I hear you playing a tune? I asked what it was, and you said it was a lyric."

When Zhu Pang visited the Gu Mansion last time, Gu Chengyu was playing the zither in his study. By the time Zhu Pang walked in, Gu Chengyu’s performance was nearing its end. He hadn’t heard the tune before, so he casually asked, and Gu Chengyu replied that it was a lyric.

Zhu Pang wasn’t interested in such melodies, listening only made him sleepy. So, he didn’t pay attention, forgetting about it afterward, until he suddenly remembered now.

Gu Chengyu looked at Zhu Pang speechlessly; he could only play the zither, not sing, and here Zhu Pang was setting him up again.

Actually, Zhu Pang visited just a few days ago, after Gu Chengyu watched Xi Yan play the zither at Tianxiang Pavilion, resolving some points he didn’t understand. Only then did he go back and try playing.

"Oh? Then I presume Junior Brother Gu has another lyric and has already set it to music. Why not perform it today for everyone to see?"

It was Fu Yanshan who said this; he was quite interested in Gu Chengyu’s lyric. Gu Chengyu thought that adding music might indeed make it easier for everyone to accept the lyric.

Madam Hua had already called out the prices, but noticed that the first place hadn’t been decided yet, making her anxious. Actually, it wasn’t she who was anxious, but the patrons.

Those wealthy patrons weren’t there to admire poetry; they were there to spend silver and enjoy a night with the girls. Who had the leisure to appreciate these poems? But with the first place undecided, they didn’t even know which girl would win, leaving them with nowhere to spend their silver.

"Gentlemen, has the first place been selected yet? The patrons are getting impatient."

Madam Hua swallowed her pride and came to urge them. She first looked at Lu Chen and Liang Shaoen. Among these young gentlemen, they had the higher status, so Madam Hua could only look toward them.

Lu Chen understood Madam Hua’s meaning and asked Jiang Cheng to read the remaining poems aloud. Then, they laid the best poems on the table, naturally including Gu Chengyu’s lyric.

Afterward, they began the selection, though there was no real need to select; Min Feng’s poetry was undoubtedly well-crafted.

But everyone also knew that Gu Chengyu’s lyric was a new format, and creating a new poetic form was something not even contemporary Great Scholars could achieve. Besides, the two lyrics were well-composed, no weaker than Min Feng’s poetry.

Some scholars glanced at Min Feng with some sympathy. He had always been the second place beneath Gu Chengyu, who was like a mountain pressing him down, making it impossible to rise.

Others weren’t blind to the hidden rivalry between Min Feng and Gu Chengyu.

To be precise, it was Min Feng himself competing with Gu Chengyu, while Gu Chengyu paid him no mind. It was just a personal struggle, with Gu Chengyu not considering him at all, which was the saddest part.

Lu Chen smiled at Madam Hua, "Isn’t the result about to be announced?"

He turned around and addressed everyone, "I think Brother Gu’s lyric is undoubtedly the first. What do you all think?"

In fact, everyone had always agreed with Lu Chen’s opinion. Regardless of what the Great Scholars said, merely creating a new format was already worthy of admiration, not to mention the two lyrics were indeed well written.

"Brother Gu is already famous; getting first place is well-deserved."

A scholar’s tone was slightly sour, and there was a sneer on his face. His words seemed to suggest Gu Chengyu’s unanimous approval was due to his fame.

Others, upon hearing this, also felt there was some truth to it. It’s been said since ancient times that scholars belittle one another; wherever Gu Chengyu was, he stole the spotlight, causing some inevitable discontent, though it was mostly kept inside.

Zhu Pang was displeased, "His fame is due to his excellent poetry, fame accumulated through one’s own efforts, not given by others. Some people, incompetent themselves, resent others, even blaming the heavens, which is truly puzzling."

The person who heard this turned sullen. Although he did mean it, being exposed so bluntly by Zhu Pang, leaving him no face, made him quite embarrassed.

Furious, he planned to retort.

Gu Chengyu pondered inwardly; since he had already gained fame, envy was unavoidable. As the saying goes, once you reach a height unattainable by ordinary people, others naturally wouldn’t dare to harbor jealous thoughts.

Just like the current Great Scholars, having gained everyone’s recognition, no one could match them, so there wouldn’t be any sarcastic remarks.

"Brother Gu’s poetry is unanimously acknowledged. I remember Brother Gu’s poetry was recently rated first by the Great Scholars."

While saying this, Lu Chen glanced at Yu Ting, as the couplets on the Ten-mile Pavilion’s latrine had become widely known.

Though Lu Chen was proud by nature, he always held those with true talent and knowledge in high regard.

The final result naturally did not disappoint; Gu Chengyu won first. As everyone was just getting accustomed to the lyric, some resistance was inevitable, with some believing it disrupted the poetic format, making it hard to accept.

However, regardless, this new format was proposed by Gu Chengyu, and though no one said it aloud, they truly respected him inwardly.

Upon receiving the news, Madam Hua immediately left. Gu Chengyu chose Hua Lian. Though Madam Hua was a bit disappointed, she had already gained a lot of silver tonight. Thus, even if dissatisfied, she dared not say much.

"Since Brother Gu has lyrics already set to music, please don’t hesitate to share them with everyone!"

Lu Chen had already asked repeatedly, making it hard for Gu Chengyu to refuse. Besides, singing the lyrics could help everyone grasp the lyric sooner.

"If you all don’t mind, then I shall give it a try. However, I can only play the zither and flute, and for singing, we may need someone more capable."

Actually, Gu Chengyu already had someone in mind for this, and that was Xi Yan.