Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 528 - 364 Thanking the Mentor

Today, when Gu Chengyu met the Emperor, the Emperor bestowed a name upon him. He needed to inform his teacher about this matter.

Gu Chengyu took a carriage to Liang Mansion, where Liang Zhirui was already waiting for him. It was still early, around 3:00 PM, and it was appropriate to have dinner at Liang Mansion before returning.

"Teacher!" As soon as Gu Chengyu saw Liang Zhirui, he knelt and solemnly kowtowed three times. Having become the top scholar, he had to first thank his mentor.

Liang Zhirui was so moved that even his beard trembled, "Good! You have not let down this old man’s expectations."

He stepped forward to help Gu Chengyu up from the ground, feeling deeply moved. That Gu Chengyu could top all three levels of the examination was a source of pride for him as a teacher, something he hadn’t anticipated. Achieving the top in all three levels not only required immense talent but also surpassing other candidates, with many uncontrollable factors involved.

Involving the court affairs, even if one is extraordinarily talented, becoming the top scholar is still difficult, especially considering the Emperor’s preferences.

"Since you entered my tutelage at the age of eight, I could only teach you for three years, something I still regret. After you moved to the Capital, I couldn’t guide you anymore. One could say that today, most of your achievements are due to your hard work, although luck also played a part."

Liang Zhirui had Gu Chengyu sit in front of the desk and began to reminisce. The little boy from those years had grown into a young man.

"During those three years, Teacher taught the student with all his heart, and there’s no need for regret. Now that I’m in the Capital, Teacher can still teach me how to navigate the official circles. Although you couldn’t teach me personally, I learned a lot from my senior brothers."

As Gu Chengyu spoke, he suddenly stood up and made a deep bow to Liang Zhirui, "I must also thank you for disregarding my scheming back then and generously teaching me."

Liang Zhirui found it somewhat disconcerting to see Gu Chengyu being so formal today. However, he could see that Gu Chengyu was genuinely grateful and respectful towards him. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Why bring up past matters? If it weren’t for some clever maneuvering on your part back then, I wouldn’t have taken you in even if you were an eight-year-old scholar. If that were the case, we wouldn’t have the teacher-student bond we do today."

As Liang Zhirui looked at Gu Chengyu, he couldn’t help but think of his granddaughter. She was third in line at the Duke Mansion, and he heard that a marriage was being arranged for her second sister, and after that, it would be her turn.

He favored Gu Chengyu, but Gu Chengyu’s foundation was shallow. It wasn’t about looking down on Gu Chengyu’s background, but because Gu Chengyu needed a supportive marital family.

Having retired, he couldn’t be their pillar anymore, and a family like Xian’s might not be much help unless she married into a ducal family and became a Lady of the Clan. Otherwise, the Duke Mansion wouldn’t regard the husband’s family highly or support her.

If he mentioned this to Gu Chengyu, Gu Chengyu, out of respect for him, wouldn’t refuse, but it could affect Gu Chengyu’s career. Even if his granddaughter married into the Gu Family, she wouldn’t have support from her maternal family. Still, Gu Chengyu would likely treat her well.

Liang Zhirui was in a bind, experiencing a dilemma. For Xian, marrying into the Gu Family had many advantages. While Gu Chengyu was currently at the Secondary Sixth Rank, how far he could go in the future was unknown.

With Gu Chengyu’s insight and methods, he was likely to advance further in the court. In summary, marrying Xian to Chengyu might bring some initial discomfort, but the benefits outweighed the disadvantages.

To Gu Chengyu, Xian’s title as the legitimate daughter of the Duke Mansion’s main line meant nothing. Liang Zhirui spent days analyzing at home, still unable to make a decision.

"Teacher, today when I met the Emperor, he gave me a name."

Gu Chengyu’s words interrupted Liang Zhirui’s thoughts, and he was taken aback.

"Really?"

The Emperor had never before bestowed courtesy names on officials, but then again, past top scholars had already been of coming of age, unlike Gu Chengyu, who wasn’t yet.

"This is indeed an honor for you. But what name did he bestow?" Liang Zhirui wondered why the Emperor favored Gu Chengyu so much. Was it simply because Gu Chengyu was his chosen top scholar? In recent years, the top scholar selection had changed to every six years; it used to be every three years.

Since the founding, there had been dozens of such scholars, yet there seemed to be nothing particularly special about them in the Emperor’s eyes.

"Jinyu! Because there’s ’yu’ in my name, that’s how it came about." Gu Chengyu was indifferent about the bestowed name. Since the Emperor had decreed it, it couldn’t be changed.

"Jinyu? Both are synonyms for beautiful jade, quite fitting for you." Actually, Liang Zhirui had been thinking of a courtesy name for Gu Chengyu these past days. Since the Emperor had spoken, they had no choice but to use this one.

Liang Zhirui looked at Gu Chengyu, thinking perhaps his appearance also played a role in this bestowed name.

"The Emperor gave me the courtesy name, likely on account of my teacher. When I mentioned you, his face showed nostalgia, and he eventually gave me the name."

Liang Zhirui was a bit surprised but then shook his head. The Emperor could be unfeeling; even if you served the court for decades, if he found you unhelpful, he could strip you of your position.

Back when Xia Qing’s influence gradually expanded, the Emperor showed great favoritism towards Xia Qing. He had withdrawn at the right time, giving Xia Qing a position; otherwise, he might have lost both face and influence.

Unwilling to say much about that, Liang Zhirui thought of the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony.

"In a few days, you’ll begin your duties at the Hanlin Academy. Why not choose a day to hold the coming-of-age ceremony? I’ve calculated, and three days from now is an auspicious day, and you happen to be free."

Gu Chengyu nodded; the timing was a bit rushed. However, the necessary items had already been prepared earlier, so only some invitations needed sending.

"Then I must trouble Teacher with the arrangements!"

Gu Chengyu returned from Liang Mansion, not immediately visiting his senior brothers’ residences. There would be time for that later. Back at his mansion, his initially joyful mood had calmed.

Having been named the top scholar, he most wanted to share the news with his parents. Unfortunately, they were not in the Capital. The court’s messenger to Jingyuan Prefecture should have already departed by now. Gu Chengyu thought about writing a letter, inviting his parents to stay in the Capital for a while.

"Young Master! Miss Ji has arrived." Ming Mo cautiously observed his master, unsure of his master’s intentions towards Miss Ji.

The second maternal aunt had asked him several times to ensure Miss Ji didn’t get close to his master. But as a servant, how could he meddle in his master’s affairs? Besides, his master surely had a plan regarding Miss Ji.

Gu Chengyu put down his pen, "Let her in."

He had matters to discuss with Ji Fuqu. The other day, Xiao Sanzi had come to the mansion, and Gu Chengyu told him the plan, asking him to consult Old Jue. A response was expected these few days.