Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 470 - 306 Lyric

Lu Chen noticed that although Gu Chengyu wore a smile, there was a cold glint in his eyes, indicating his reluctance.

Lu Chen also felt a bit displeased, thinking that as a Marquis Mansion’s son, besides a few specific individuals, there was no one in the Capital who dared not show him respect. Even in front of the Fourth Prince, he was usually quite at ease.

Yet this mere scholar Gu Chengyu dared not to give him face.

However, he knew that losing his temper now would be unbecoming. So he restrained himself and cupped his hands towards Gu Chengyu.

"Gu Jieyuan might have misunderstood me. I have no intention of coercing you. It’s just that a friend greatly admires your poetic talent. He has been bedridden for years, and during his idle times, he often studies your poems."

Lu Chen paused, seeing that Gu Chengyu’s expression remained unchanged and unmoved by his words, then continued, "Since I’ve encountered Gu Jieyuan today, I ask that you compose two poems so that I can take them back, giving my friend some comfort."

Gu Chengyu perceived that although Lu Chen spoke politely, his demeanor was not entirely so. But given the circumstances, it would be unreasonable not to comply.

"Brother Lu’s devotion to your friend is admirable, and since your friend holds me in high regard, I shall compose a poem to honor the bond between you!"

Gu Chengyu smiled and then took his seat.

Seeing Gu Chengyu agree, Lu Chen asked Madam Hua to prepare the writing tools.

Min Feng observed with a slightly sullen face. Looking at the paper in his hand yet to be touched, he felt a lack of interest.

It seemed that wherever Gu Chengyu was, people only saw his talent and overlooked him, one of the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan.

No matter how hard he tried, Gu Chengyu always maintained his superior position, leaving him unsettled since their encounter.

"Alas! This Gu Chengyu was born to overshadow us. Whenever he’s present, who remembers us as the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan?"

Liu Haonan, who had prepared several poems, now felt that with Gu Chengyu composing, he had no chance. He wisely refrained from stepping forward to avoid embarrassment.

"Hey? Isn’t that Gu Jieyuan? Wasn’t he just said to be imprisoned a few days ago? How is he out now?"

Some students, not in the know, weren’t aware that Gu Chengyu and the others were released.

"Yes! Didn’t they say many were arrested? It was because of a cheating scandal! Who knows if they can still participate in the Imperial Examination."

"That’s old news! They’ve been out for some time now. I heard the cheating scandal was entirely fabricated. You’re quite uninformed. Just wait! The Imperial edict will be posted in a few days, and the examination results will soon be out."

"I wasn’t aware of that. Can you tell me more, brother?"

Lu Chen also returned to his seat, and Yu Ting began murmuring beside him.

"The reputation of the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan is prominent. There’s no absolute need for Gu Chengyu’s poems, is there?" He still harbored resentment over the incident at Tianxiang Pavilion last time.

Originally thinking Gu Chengyu would be stuck in prison, it was surprising that he was released after just one day.

Min Feng penned his poems, waiting for the ink to dry. Looking at the elegant seat opposite, he saw Gu Chengyu focusing intently on grinding ink.

"You should have composed poetry earlier. Why waste the unnecessary silver? It was twelve hundred taels! You truly spared no expense." Zhu Pang, whose monthly allowance was limited, found it hard to understand why Gu Chengyu spent twelve hundred taels for just one night due to his father’s tight control over his spending.

"Do you know who Lu Chen’s friend is?" Zhu Pang gave Gu Chengyu a mysterious glance. Gu Chengyu dipped his brush in ink, ready to write.

"Could it be the Fourth Prince?" Gu Chengyu blurted out.

"How did you know? Did someone tell you? Well, it’s not exactly a secret." Zhu Pang felt the question was uninteresting, merely out of curiosity! Marquis Zhan’s Mansion was the maternal family of the Eldest Prince, and the Princely Heir often associated with the Eldest Prince. It was unexpected that the second son, Lu Chen, would befriend the Fourth Prince.

Moreover, the mansion did not interfere, nor did the Eldest Prince show any anger. Perhaps the relationship between the Eldest Prince and the Fourth Prince was that good? Maybe because the Fourth Prince, being long estranged from the throne due to illness and lack of familial support, was not taken seriously by the other princes.

"Not from hearing, just a guess." Gu Chengyu knew little about the Fourth Prince. Not that he wasn’t curious, but there were few rumors in the Capital, perhaps because he seldom left the mansion.

Being the son of a noble family, Lu Chen mentioned someone perpetually unwell. Gu Chengyu had only heard of the Fourth Prince, so he made an offhand guess.

Gu Chengyu pondered briefly and wrote the opening line.

"Jade burner incense, red candle tears, shine on the painted hall’s autumn reflections. Brows thin, sideburns withered, long nights cold bedding..."

Since it was set in a brothel, according to Tianxiang Pavilion’s tradition, everyone composed poems related to amorous themes, so Gu Chengyu penned these related verses.

"Hey? Is this a poem? Why does the format seem different?" Zhu Pang saw Gu Chengyu pause after writing a few lines and quickly went over to look.

Gu Chengyu smiled lightly, "This is a lyric form."

There were no lyric forms yet in the Dayan Dynasty. With so many literati and guests present, Gu Chengyu had noticed some had decent poems, but since he wasn’t well-versed in this style, he decided to take a novel approach to stand out.

"Lyric? Never heard of it." Zhu Pang wasn’t skilled in composing poems but knew about poetic formats. He had never seen the format of Gu Chengyu’s poem.

Curiously, he admired Gu Chengyu’s work, finding that this so-called lyric form resembled a musical score.

Lu Chen, seeing Gu Chengyu had set down his brush, ordered a servant to bring over Gu Chengyu’s poem for everyone to critique.

Meanwhile, the bidding on the other side had concluded, and everyone’s attention turned to the poetry competition. Even those unfamiliar with literature dared not make noise, knowing that the speaker earlier was an influential figure in the Capital, someone they definitely couldn’t offend.

Madam Hua smiled outwardly but was seething inside. She hadn’t expected an obstacle, as the six hundred taels were already in her hands, only to be cut off.

But she dared not show any dissatisfaction, knowing full well that the gentlemen seated there were not to be offended by Tianxiang Pavilion.

Fu Yanshan also wanted to know what Gu Chengyu had written, though he was eager, he knew someone would surely recite it later.

He handed his completed poem to his attendant to submit it.

Those initial oral poems were merely preludes; the main event was the written works hereafter.

"Today, with all the scholars gathered, I suggest putting all the poems together to have someone recite them aloud so everyone can appraise them."