Poor but talented scholar

Chapter 73 Wenhui

He knelt down, his voice firm, "Chuan'er knows that this small achievement is truly thanks to the hard work and dedication of all the elders and uncles of the clan."

"Today, I swear before the spirit tablet that when I go to the prefectural examination, I will do my utmost to uphold the reputation of the Lu family and live up to the high expectations of my fellow villagers."

After saying this, he bent down and kowtowed heavily.

"Thump—thump—thump—"

Three muffled sounds echoed within the ancestral hall.

Lu Deshou's eyes reddened as he listened. Only after Lu Chuan stood up did he steadily take the three incense sticks and place them in the center of the incense burner.

The news that Lu Chuan had topped the list of successful candidates was like water dripping into boiling oil, causing an uproar not only in Lu Family Village but also drawing envy from the surrounding villages.

The Lu family was tightening their belts to prepare for the imperial examination when their peace was shattered by the sound of rapid hoofbeats.

That afternoon, Lu Shouye was leading several young men to repair the old cart at the village entrance.

"Clatter—"

A bailiff dressed in a dark brown official robe with a knife slung across his waist rode up on horseback.

Lu Shouye's heart tightened suddenly. He subconsciously thought that they were here to collect miscellaneous taxes again, so he quickly rubbed the mud off his hands and went to meet them.

"Excuse me, sir, are you on official business?"

The constable dismounted, glanced around the village, and spoke with surprising politeness: "Is this the ancestral home of Lu Chuan, the top scholar in Qingyang? The county magistrate has sent a document to convey this message."

Upon hearing the name Lu Chuan, Lu Shouye felt a huge weight lifted from his heart, replaced by a look of pride.

He quickly led the person into the ancestral hall and then hurriedly invited the clan chief.

Lu Deshou took the gold-embossed invitation card with the county government's official seal with trembling hands. He glanced at it, and his old eyes lit up with a sharp light.

"The Yingnan Spring Literary Gathering, personally appointed by the County Magistrate"

Lu Deshou raised his voice eight octaves and shouted to the surrounding clansmen, "On April 7th, there will be a literary gathering in the prefectural capital. Chuan'er must attend."

Lu Deshou's hands trembled as he held the invitation; in his eyes, the red invitation was more dazzling than real gold and silver.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding tribesmen were first in a deathly silence, then erupted into a thunderous cheer.

"A literary gathering? Isn't that a grand event for scholars?"

"The county magistrate himself sent the invitation; our Chuan'er has more face than the heavens."

"Officer, quickly have some coarse tea and rest your feet!" Lu Deshou came to his senses, his face full of smiles, and hurriedly made arrangements.

Lu Dehuang quickly moved a long bench over and took some aged tea from the kitchen that he usually couldn't bear to drink. He hurriedly brewed a large bowl of the tea and presented it to the constable with both hands.

"Officer, you've had a tough time. This mountain road is bumpy. Please moisten your throat."

The constable, who had initially been somewhat arrogant because of the remoteness and backwardness of the village, now saw the scene and Lu Chuan's extraordinary demeanor. He knew that this young top scholar would likely be extremely distinguished in the future, and his smile became more genuine.

"Chief Lu is truly a young prodigy. The county magistrate has praised you highly in the yamen, saying you are a once-in-a-century talent in Qingyang County." The bailiff took the teacup, took a sip, and spoke with a fawning tone.

Lu Deshou listened with a radiant smile. While the constable was drinking water, he quietly pulled Lu Shouye aside, and the two exchanged a glance.

Lu Deshou subtly extended three fingers and pointed to his chest.

Lu Shouye understood immediately. He took out a dozen or so coins from his pocket and wrapped them tightly in a handkerchief.

As the constable put down his teacup and got up to leave, Lu Deshou stepped forward, took the constable's hand, and subtly slipped the small handkerchief into his hand.

"This little bit of tea money is enough for the constable to buy himself a drink to relieve his fatigue."

"If Chuan'er encounters any inconvenience in the city in the future, I will have to trouble you to take care of him." Lu Deshou lowered his voice and spoke sincerely.

The constable weighed the handkerchief in his hand, and his mouth instantly stretched into a wide grin.

Although Lu Family Village is poor, its etiquette is impeccable, even more so than that of people in the county town.

"Old man, you're too kind. Chief Lu's matter is our county government's matter. We will definitely pass it on, we will definitely pass it on."

After the messengers left, their horses clattering away, the atmosphere in the ancestral hall instantly became solemn yet warm.

"The literary gathering will be held on the seventh day of the fourth month." Lu Deshou looked at the date on the invitation and gently stroked it with his fingers. "The prefectural city is far away, and our oxcart is slow, so we need to set off early."

"Furthermore, it's a big event, and Chuan'er's attire and writing materials must be complete."

Lu Deshou sat in the main seat of the ancestral hall and set the tone: "Then we'll set off on March 20th, and the whole village will get moving in the remaining ten days or so."

"Shouye, you need to take good care of that oxcart. Make sure the bearings are well oiled and the shed is properly covered."

"Mrs. Chen, you personally handle Chuan'er's luggage. Make sure that blue shirt is ironed perfectly, it must not be a mistake."

Time flew by, and the day of departure arrived.

Time flew by, and the day of departure arrived on the morning of March 20th.

With red eyes, Lu's mother was stuffing two pairs of newly sewn thousand-layer soles into Lu Chuan's bundle.

She repeatedly felt the hidden compartments of the bundle, then turned to Lu Chuan and whispered some instructions:

"Chuan'er, remember to be frugal when you're traveling, even if you're poor. If the dry rations get hard, remember to ask the shopkeeper for a bowl of hot water to soak them before eating. Your stomach is weak, so don't eat anything cold."

The younger sister next to him rubbed her eyes and clung tightly to Lu Chuan's sleeve.

The usually boisterous little girl was unusually quiet at this moment. She took out a crookedly embroidered amulet from her bosom and stuffed it into Lu Chuan's hand.

"Brother, I learned this from Grandma. It's filled with soil from our stove. Grandma said that if you carry this with you, you won't miss home no matter how far you go."

The younger sister tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling, and said, "If you see anything delicious in the city, just tell Xiaoman when you get back. Don't waste money buying it."

Lu Chuan felt a pang in his heart. He gently patted his sister's head and bowed deeply to his mother, saying, "Mother, I understand. Please be careful while you and my sister are at home."

The old locust tree at the village entrance was already crowded with people; almost the entire village, young and old, had come to see him off.

The old ox was groomed until its coat gleamed, and Lu Shouye sat at the front of the vehicle.

Lu Chuan changed into a blue cloth long gown and stood by the carriage shaft.

"The chief investigator is on board!" Lu Dehuang shouted through the fog.

The villagers' words of advice rose and fell:

"Chuan'er, when you arrive in the prefectural city, don't feel pressured. Being able to achieve the top score in the county examination, you are already the literary star of our Lu family."

"Don't let the cold get to you on the way; remember to wear more clothes!"

Under the eager gaze of all his clansmen, Lu Chuan boarded the oxcart.

The old ox let out a long moo, and the wheels creaked as they turned.

Chen pulled Xiaoman along behind the car for a few steps until Lu Shouye waved to signal that they should stop seeing them off. The mother and daughter then stopped at the intersection, gradually shrinking into two blurry black shadows.

The oxcart traveled along the official road, with newly green rice seedlings spread out on both sides.