Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 358 - 194: Both Mentor and Friend

"That package of Longjing is nothing special, but you’ll definitely like this package of tea."

Accompanying the tea was a set of teaware. This is a purple clay pot, and Gu Chengyu instructed Ming Mo to bring another bundle. This is a sandalwood tea tray, and Gu Chengyu intended to gift this set to Mr. Wen.

Previously, Mr. Wen’s tea tray was made of solid wood. When he came over before, he saw a crack at the bottom, and Mr. Wen had always been reluctant to throw it away, saying it was hard to come by a good tea tray. That tea tray came with a set of white porcelain teapot and teacups.

Gu Chengyu felt that brewing tea was better with a purple clay pot. Since the time he saw the cracked tea tray, he wanted to replace Mr. Wen’s teaware with a new set.

But previously, there was only sandalwood in the space, and it wasn’t ready-made. He couldn’t make it himself, so he took the wood and asked a somewhat famous craftsman in the capital to carve it for him.

He looked at the tea tray, and it was crafted with great detail. In his lifetime, only two teachers taught him seriously, one being Teacher Liang Zhirui and the other being Mr. Wen in front of him.

Although Mr. Wen’s scholarship wasn’t as good as Liang Zhirui’s, he didn’t learn much from Mr. Wen. However, he had a special affection for the teacher.

"Wasn’t Teacher’s tea tray damaged last time? I’ve been searching for something that suits your taste. Look at this set of teaware, do you like it?" Gu Chengyu placed the teaware on the table and smiled at Mr. Wen.

Mr. Wen was taken aback, not knowing Gu Chengyu’s intentions. This set of teaware was not cheap. For those who love tea, as long as they had the money, they’d be willing to spend even a thousand gold. If he wasn’t mistaken, the tea tray should be made of sandalwood.

The purple clay teapot and teacups also looked exquisite, but how could he accept something so valuable?

Even though he knew Gu Chengyu’s family was quite well-off now, regarding the items in the gift box, they probably weren’t a big deal to Gu Chengyu.

He also planned to give a gift of equal value when Gu Chengyu held a banquet. But this set of teaware was different; it was so valuable that he couldn’t repay it.

"To do a good job, one must first sharpen their tools. This teaware is indeed of top quality, making one yearn for it. But this set of teaware, I can’t accept."

Mr. Wen no longer looked at the teaware. Instead, he shook his head and looked at Gu Chengyu with firm eyes.

"Teacher, do you also think this teaware is good? When I was first enlightened, you took great care of me and often encouraged me. I remember it all. This teaware is nothing compared to the care you’ve given me. It’s my small token of appreciation. In the future, when we’re separated by thousands of miles, who knows if we can often meet. Please accept it!"

Actually, compared to Liang Zhirui, Gu Chengyu felt he and Mr. Wen were like kindred spirits. What ancient people often referred to as both teacher and friend must be like this!

"Drinking tea is about the tea and savoring one’s heart. One can still taste the myriad flavors of life without good teaware. To focus too much on the quality of teaware is somewhat inferior. Just use my set. Quickly brew the tea."

Gu Chengyu could also see that Mr. Wen firmly refused to accept it, so he stopped persuading, feeling a bit regretful.

He opened the tea package and grabbed a handful of tea leaves, placing them into the white porcelain pot.

As Gu Chengyu opened the paper wrap, Mr. Wen caught a whiff of fragrance, "The aroma is just right, and smelling it actually invigorates the spirit. This is indeed good tea."

Although the tea leaves came from the space, they couldn’t compare to Spiritual Tea, but they did absorb a hint of spiritual energy during growth, making them quite unique.

While brewing the tea, Mr. Wen asked Gu Chengyu about his studies at the Prefecture School and the cultural practices in the capital.

In the midst of their lively conversation, suddenly, they heard a crisp sound.

Gu Chengyu quickly looked at the table and found that the teapot had cracked. The tea poured through the crack, spilling onto the tea tray.

The tea tray, upon suddenly encountering such high-temperature tea, had its crack grow even larger.

Both Gu Chengyu and Mr. Wen were dumbfounded, though Mr. Wen’s first concern was not for the teaware but rather the nearly brewed tea inside the pot.

Even with the lid on, the fragrance had wafted out, distracting him from the conversation. Unexpectedly, the teapot cracked.

He hurriedly reached out, intending to remove the teapot and pour out the tea inside.

As soon as he placed his hand on it, Gu Chengyu pushed it away, "Careful, it’s sure to be scalding hot right now, don’t touch it."

The brazier was still burning, and touching it now would certainly blister the hand.

Mr. Wen sighed, feeling it a pity for such good tea.

Gu Chengyu, however, laughed, "It’s fate, isn’t it? Now Teacher won’t refuse my teaware, will you? Please set it up!"

Mr. Wen laughed heartily, actually, he liked this teaware very much. He just felt it was too valuable to accept. Well then! Furthermore, refusing such sincere intent would just be being overly formal.

Gu Chengyu washed and scalded the teaware with water, then began to boil water and brew tea anew.

Ever since Gu Chengyu entered the private school, Ma Junhui had seen him. The disparity between him and Gu Chengyu was now vast.

Others had already become scholars, while he hadn’t yet even taken the exam. The teacher used to say that there was only one Gu Chengyu and only one Ye Zhiqiu.

These two were one in a million. Even Sun Xian was exceptionally knowledgeable and truly achieved excellence this time.

Mr. Wen said that in all his years of running the private school, he had never encountered a genius like Gu Chengyu, or even someone with the insight of Ye Zhiqiu. It could be his life’s proudest students.

This was what the teacher said in Class A, and everyone knew that the top scorer of this year’s Provincial Examination came from their private school.

The teacher would sometimes mention these two to inspire everyone. Previously, he was also a student in Class C with them, and classmates would often ask him about these two.

Currently, he had shed his youthful arrogance and pettiness, leaving only a longing for the imperial examinations.

Thinking about the success and prominence of Gu Chengyu and Ye Zhiqiu after becoming scholars and passing the examinations, he felt a surge of excitement. He then opened his books and carefully reviewed them.

After leaving the private school, Gu Chengyu went to a teahouse to meet with Wang Qikai and You Siyuan.

The two had failed the exam but were not disheartened. In the past, Wang Qikai had been poisoned, so he hadn’t learned much and only decided to try the exam without holding high expectations. However, the poison was almost completely eradicated, but it was said that losing the weight would not be easy.

As for You Siyuan, his aptitude wasn’t great from the start, so failure was expected. The two decided to diligently study at home and try again in three years.

Over the years, their relationship had gradually warmed, showing a closeness where one can’t leave the other.

Gu Chengyu said some encouraging words and invited them to a gathering ten days later.

His scholar banquet and Gu Wan’s wedding could not be scheduled together, so the dates had to be staggered. After saying goodbye to the two, he headed towards the fabric store, needing to visit Manager Zhou.

"Let’s go! Why are you still watching? He’s a scholar now, growing farther and farther away from us."

You Siyuan noticed Wang Qikai still staring at Gu Chengyu’s receding figure and reminded him.