Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 530 - 366: Grace and Honor Banquet

"You were just too nervous. Anyway, the imperial examination is over now. It’s time to think about future plans. Are you planning to take the scholar exam?" Gu Chengyu asked Ye Zhiqiu about his future plans, as becoming a scholar was a chance to swiftly rise through the ranks, and scholars were also known as "Chuxiang."

Ye Zhiqiu was somewhat hesitant, as he naturally wanted to enter the Hanlin Academy. But merely talking about the esteemed Hanlin was not enough. The Hanlin Academy was just a clean government office, where one could only rely on the court’s salary to make a living.

His mother arranged a marriage for his second sister in the Capital. He was a scholar, but the family’s financial situation was average at best, and they were struggling to support education, with no silver coins to spare.

In recent years, his mother and the others had used the silver earned from embroidery to support his education, leaving no surplus at home. They couldn’t even afford his sister’s dowry.

He thought if he could be posted out, he could help support the family a bit. Of course, this did not mean embezzlement. He wasn’t a naive person, as they say, ’when water is too clear, it has no fish,’ and even the Emperor understood this principle.

"Let’s talk about it later!" Ye Zhiqiu frowned; the family’s poverty meant becoming an official wouldn’t change the constant worries over silver coins. The numerous officials in the Capital required many interactions, exhausting a year’s salary just for social engagements. He didn’t want his mother to work so hard anymore.

Gu Chengyu was also aware of Ye Zhiqiu’s family situation. He thought about talking to Gu Wan when he saw her next, to think of some new ways to let Ye Zhiqiu’s mother earn more. Having known each other for eight years, they were close friends, and he wanted to help within his capacity.

"It doesn’t surprise me that you became the top scholar. Chengyu, Mr. Wen said years ago that you had the talent to be the top scholar, and it seems Mr. Wen indeed had a keen eye."

Mr. Wen had mentioned this in front of Ye Zhiqiu, choosing moments when Gu Chengyu was absent, fearing that Gu Chengyu would become arrogant due to youthful pride.

"Oh? Becoming the top scholar isn’t just about good literature; luck plays a part too. I didn’t expect Mr. Wen’s assessment of me to be so high?"

Mr. Wen was very strict with Gu Chengyu, rarely praising him. Gu Chengyu always thought Mr. Wen found him somewhat arrogant.

Later, after Gu Chengyu became a scholar, Mr. Wen’s attitude towards him changed. Perhaps because by then Gu Chengyu was a scholar but hadn’t become arrogant, he wasn’t studying at Mr. Wen’s private school anymore, and they barely met. There was no need to suppress his personality further.

As they were talking, less than a quarter of an hour passed before they reached the outside of the palace gates. Gu Chengyu and the others got off the carriage and walked east along the red palace walls, where the government offices and Honglu Temple were located.

Gu Chengyu and Ye Zhiqiu followed the eunuch, walking for almost half an incense stick’s time, and finally arrived at the Ministry of Rites. At this time, new advanced scholars had already arrived at the Ministry of Rites, talking in small groups. But being in the Imperial Palace, they dared not speak loudly.

Gu Chengyu’s arrival attracted attention from these people. The incident of him being granted an honorary title by the Emperor on the day of the Imperial Examination had already spread. While people envied him, they also wanted to get closer to him, especially since Gu Chengyu was the top scholar, destined for great success.

Of course, some candidates understood the court’s situation. Gu Chengyu hadn’t entered the court yet but stood opposed to Xia Qing, indicating tough times ahead.

Even though he earned the Emperor’s favor, entering the Hanlin Academy meant merely a secondary sixth rank with few opportunities to meet the Emperor. The Hanlin Academy’s ceremonial lectures were not his to conduct, as those were reserved for Hanlin Academy’s Assistant Reader and Assistant Lecturer.

Therefore, everyone observed without being too enthusiastic. However, Gu Chengyu’s appointment as a secondary sixth rank official placed him ahead of the others in rank. Even without taking the scholar exam, he avoided a seventh rank county magistrate appointment!

As his rank was high, they couldn’t pretend not to notice him, so they nodded and smiled at Gu Chengyu.

Among the four hundred advanced scholars, a majority were posted out, but court positions were limited. Thus, many advanced scholars would have to wait at home for vacancies before being offered positions.

This is where financial resources and connections were tested. If one sent gifts and had ties with a court official, the position could be prioritized for them.

The top three First Class scholars were directly granted positions without any concerns.

Today’s honorary banquet would be attended by the Reading Minister, Imperial Guard Commander, Minister of Rites, Assistant Minister, and officials who participated in the Imperial Examination and the Imperial Examination ceremony. Any official participating in these events was expected to attend.

However, attendance was not mandatory; some officials chose not to attend depending on their mood. The Emperor’s presence at the honorary banquet was also dependent on his mood. Gu Chengyu had heard that the Emperor didn’t attend the last two times, citing busy state affairs, though Gu Chengyu secretly guessed he was occupied with alchemy.

Shortly after, Gu Chengyu saw Min Feng and Huang Junheng arriving together. Huang Junheng scored a respectable second rank, placing twentieth in the Imperial Examination. As one of the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan, he was expected to have this standard.

Upon seeing Gu Chengyu, Min Feng recalled conversations with his teacher. Initially, his teacher placed his test paper before Gu Chengyu’s, but the Emperor selected Gu Chengyu, and even the teacher couldn’t change it.

Moreover, the Emperor was recently dissatisfied with the teacher, so the teacher advised him to keep a low profile for now.

No matter the situation, they were all officials in the same court, and Min Feng prepared to greet Gu Chengyu. In the future, upon entering the Hanlin, he would become a compiler, seventh rank, lower in rank to Gu Chengyu, who became his superior.

With this realization, Min Feng felt somewhat displeased.

"Chengyu!" Zheng Lun had already noticed Gu Chengyu. After Gu Chengyu cleared his wrongful case and was released from prison, he had sent word to him. However, Zheng Lun’s father had heard rumors and insisted on limiting Zheng Lun’s interaction with Gu Chengyu.

Although the restriction was lifted later, with the imperial examination approaching, Zheng Lun didn’t seek out Gu Chengyu again, focusing on his studies. Nevertheless, he had a servant deliver a letter to Gu Chengyu.

"Brother Zheng! I haven’t congratulated you yet on becoming a new advanced scholar." Zheng Lun placed a respectable second rank, ranking twenty-eighth. Though Zheng Lun later didn’t reply, now that he had come, it was only polite to welcome him warmly. Moreover, if this person was not suitable for friendship, then maintaining distance in the future was enough.

At this time, Gu Chengyu didn’t know Zheng Lun had written him a letter, as he hadn’t received it; he assumed Zheng Lun refrained from deepening their friendship due to his father’s interference.

"Congratulations to you too! I haven’t had the chance to congratulate you on becoming the top scholar!"

After Zheng Lun spoke, he exchanged greetings with Ye Zhiqiu.

"I apologize for the previous matter. My father urged me to focus on preparing for the imperial examination, so I only sent you one letter. I’ll definitely make it up to you with an apology in the future." Zheng Lun felt genuinely remorseful; had Gu Chengyu been narrow-minded, he might have ended their friendship.