Chapter 130 City Streets 30

Chapter 130: City Life in the Prefecture, Part 30

Hearing Yang Su's words, Qin Rongshi furrowed his brow slightly and asked in a low voice, "You're saying this is the Education Commissioner's poem?"

He even asked in return, as if completely unaware.

Yang Su grew anxious and hurriedly said, "Yes! It’s his! I’ve read all his poems! This is terrible—we’ve stolen from the Education Commissioner! If this poem gets circulated, he... he’ll definitely be furious!"

As he spoke, he began stuttering again.

Yang Su was a person who barely stood out in the academy. Though his academics were solid, he was overly timid and avoided the spotlight, so few people noticed him. Even the instructors paid him little attention.

He was genuinely dedicated to learning, spending all his free time in the library—a total bookworm. Though intelligent and knowledgeable, his timidity always got the better of him during exams, so he always underperformed.

After expressing his panic, Yang Su snuck a glance at Qin Rongshi and whispered, "Did you really not know it was his poem?"

Qin Rongshi kept a straight face, pulling out the book *Selected Poems of the Three Top Scholars* from his bag casually. "I saw it in this book—just came across a chrysanthemum poem and happened to use it."

The book looked brand new, likely rarely checked out from the library.

Yang Su glanced at it and mumbled under his breath, "You even read such obscure poems?"

The Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua were collectively known as the "Three Top Scholars." As the name implied, *Selected Poems of the Three Top Scholars* was a collection of poems by past title holders.

However, not all top scholars excelled at poetry, so students usually read works by famous poets from various dynasties. That was why this anthology was rarely borrowed.

The new Education Commissioner had once been a Tanhua. After serving in the Hanlin Academy, he was transferred to Jiangzhou as the Education Commissioner, so his poems were naturally included in the collection.

But Yang Su found it strange.

He mumbled, "You didn’t do it on purpose? This poem was written when the Education Commissioner was young, before he even earned the Tanhua title. How could you have memorized such an early work?"

Qin Rongshi countered, "Is it strange that I know it? Don’t you know it too?"

At this, Yang Su stuttered again, his tone flustered: "I... I... I heard the Education Commissioner would attend the poetry gathering, so I did some research on his work, hoping to impress him."

Qin Rongshi chuckled, turning to Yang Su with another question: "You wanted to get the Education Commissioner’s attention at the poetry gathering?"

It wasn’t that Qin Rongshi meant to mock him, but Liu Guyu had once said that Yang Su had what you'd call... social anxiety?

With his personality, Yang Su probably didn’t even want to attend the gathering, preferring to hide alone in his room where he felt comfortable and at ease.

Yang Su "I, I, I" for a long time without getting a full word out.

Qin Rongshi then said, "I really did stumble upon it. I memorized it because it was an excellent chrysanthemum poem."

Yang Su believed him and nodded, saying, "So you really didn’t know! That's quite a coincidence."

He said goodbye to Qin Rongshi and continued muttering to himself about the coincidence as he headed toward the library.

After Yang Su left, Qin Rongshi opened the poetry collection and found a sweet osmanthus leaf bookmark inside. On the page it marked, the header read "Selected Poems of Yang Wancheng."

Yang Wancheng was the name of the new Education Commissioner.

As for whether Qin Rongshi genuinely wanted to read poetry or had planned all along to plant this obscure, little-known "Ode to the Chrysanthemum" in Ceng Wei’s mind—only he knew the truth.

Perhaps encountering this incident today merely provided him with a convenient opportunity, and Ceng Wei got what was coming to him.

*

September 9th, the Double Ninth Festival.

The autumn sky was clear, the air crisp, with golden winds and jade-like dew, with oranges turning yellow and tangerines green—a perfect day for climbing high and enjoying the scenery.

Today’s destination was Cuwei Mountain outside the city, known for its many ginkgo trees. Half the leaves had already turned yellow, creating a tapestry of gold and green across the slopes.

It was said there was also a mirror lake on the mountain, another great spot for sightseeing.

"Erlang, you should head out now; no need to wait for me. You’re attending the poetry gathering, and I’m helping in the kitchen. We won’t be in the same place. You go ahead and find your classmates."

Liu Guyu packed his things while speaking to Qin Rongshi, who was helping him out.

Qin Rongshi was already dressed neatly in a pine-green robe with a round collar and wide sleeves. His eyebrows were dark and thick, his nose bridge high, and a faint smile lingered on his lips. The morning sunlight cast golden specks into his eyes, accentuating his gentle, approachable demeanor.

He nodded and repeated patiently, "Wait for me to leave together in the afternoon."

Liu Guyu also nodded, urging him, "I know, I know—you’ve said it eight hundred times! Go on now!"

Only then did Qin Rongshi leave.

Liu Guyu packed several boxes of pastries to be delivered to the poetry gathering. He couldn’t carry them alone and had to wait for Zhang Yun to give him a ride out of the city and up the mountain. Some of the food needed to be prepared fresh once the gathering began.

The day would be busy, even the food stall had closed for the day.

...

"Rongshi, come over here."

Zhou Pozhi waved as soon as he saw Qin Rongshi, who quickly approached and bowed respectfully.

Zhou Pozhi added, "Stick close to me later. I’ll introduce you to a few instructors from Caotang Academy—all knowledgeable scholars. You can learn from them."

Qin Rongshi nodded in agreement.

His words sounded pleasant enough, but how did Zhou Pozhi actually introduce him?

"This is Qin Rongshi, the County First in the recent academy exams, now studying at our academy."

"This is the County First from the recent exams—now one of us at Xiangshan Academy."

"Last time’s County First went to your Caotang Academy instead of ours! But this time? He’s with us!"

"This student has a solid foundation. His teacher often praises him! Go ahead, test him—ask anything!"

A group of instructors gathered around, bombarding him with questions one after another, until Qin Rongshi’s ears were filled with their voices.

...

"The Education Commissioner has arrived—"

Someone announced, and the poetry banquet fell silent, the chatter gradually fading away.

Zhou Pozhi gave Qin Rongshi a look and whispered, "Go on now."

Qin Rongshi nodded and blended back into the crowd of students.

The instructors and teachers from both academies bowed to the Education Commissioner who had arrived late, and the students followed with deep bows of their own.

"Greetings, Education Commissioner!"

"Greetings, Education Commissioner!"

The Education Commissioner was lean in stature with piercing eyes, dressed in a navy blue everyday robe and a futou, with a black beard adorning his chin and a stern, cold expression on his face.

He raised his hand slightly, a faint smile touched his lips, and said, "Everyone, rise."

"Here, there is no Education Commissioner, no official—only students and teachers. Feel free to speak your minds."

"Thank you, sir!"

After the Commissioner finished speaking, he took his seat at the head position, and the others also found their respective seats and sat down.

"Today, on the Double Ninth Festival, let us take climbing high and admiring chrysanthemums as the theme for a poetry competition. This will also allow me to witness the literary talent of Jiangzhou's scholars."

This was an expected theme, and the scholars below had long been prepared, writing swiftly.

The Commissioner nodded with satisfaction and turned to speak to the several teachers seated beside him.

"Not bad."

"I heard that this year’s prefectural exam in Jiangzhou admitted 153 government students?"

Someone immediately bowed their head and replied, "That is correct."

The Commissioner nodded: "Good. Has the County First of this examination arrived?"

Anticipating the question, Zhou Pozhi promptly replied, "Sir, he is here."

The Commissioner continued to nod, stroking his beard with a slight smile. "I heard this year’s County First is a student of Mr. Lü?"

Zhou Pozhi said, "Mr. Lü has long since retired from office. Now, he merely teaches in the countryside, living a carefree life."

"He certainly enjoys a carefree life," the Commissioner chuckled.

"Speaking of which, during the Spring Examinations of my year, the chief examiner was Mr. Lü. Thanks to that opportunity, I can also call him my teacher, albeit in an informal capacity. Today, by chance, I have the chance to meet his actual student."

Zhou Pozhi hurriedly said, "It is this young man’s good fortune."

The Commissioner nodded and shifted his gaze to the assembled scholars, asking clearly, "Who is the County First of this examination?"

Qin Rongshi’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and the next moment, he rose unhurriedly, cupping his hands respectfully toward the Commissioner’s direction, answering calmly and confidently, "I, Qin Rongshi, am the County First of this academy examination."

The Commissioner waved him over, smiling. "Bring your poem up for me to see."

Qin Rongshi nodded and stepped forward, presenting his poem with both hands.

Ceng Wei was seated just behind him, initially full of confidence, believing he would surely make a name for himself this time. Little did he expect that before his own poem could reach the Commissioner, Qin Rongshi’s would be presented first!

Darn it! He just got lucky ranking first!

If not for the title of County First, how would Qin Rongshi have this chance to show off!

Ceng Wei thought bitterly, but then another thought struck him, and he grew anxious.

The poem presented above was written by Qin Rongshi, and the one in his own hands was also by Qin Rongshi. Who knew if Qin Rongshi had saved his best work? Perhaps the poem he wrote for himself was the better one!

If he presented his poem later, wouldn’t he be overshadowed by Qin Rongshi?

"Excellent!"

"At such a young age, you possess such talent—truly remarkable! You are a promising young scholar, in the prime of your youth."

Clearly, the Commissioner was pleased after reading Qin Rongshi’s poem. The next moment, he passed it around for all to see.

Soon, the poem reached Ceng Wei’s hands.

Fortunately, it was a fine poem, but the one in his own hands was just as impressive.

However... to write two such excellent poems in one go—Qin Rongshi was truly something!

Ceng Wei's resentment flared up again.

"Does anyone wish to compete with Qin Rongshi?"

The Commissioner asked again.

Hearing this, Ceng Wei without hesitation stood up promptly and said respectfully, "My talents are modest, but I would be honored to receive your guidance."

The Commissioner, still in high spirits, smiled and gestured, "Bring it here."

Ceng Wei suppressed a triumphant grin and eagerly presented his poem.

Qin Rongshi glanced up, a barely noticeable smile curling at the corner of his lips. He watched calmly as Ceng Wei approached, and only after the poem was handed to the Commissioner did he lower his head to taste a freshly served pastry.

It was a translucent chrysanthemum-flavored crystal cake, and from the flavor, he knew it was made by Liu Guyu. Apparently he had already arrived and was likely busy at the moment.

Meanwhile, Yang Su sat in a corner, half-hidden by a lush green banana plant.

He frowned, scrunched his nose, and pursed his lips—his entire face was contorted. Watching Ceng Wei actually present his poem, his expression tightened even further, resembling a crumpled dumpling.

"...This is bad, he's going to be furious."

Yang Su muttered to himself, then ducked further behind the broad banana leaf, wishing he could hide entirely to avoid the impending storm.

The Commissioner smiled as he accepted the poem and started reading it with enthusiasm.

Hmm.

He stopped smiling.

He was no longer cheerful.

The Commissioner’s face frosted over instantly. He picked up the paper, shook it sharply, pressed his lips together, and asked sharply:

"Did you write this poem?"