Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 651 - 487: Young Man!

Gu Chengyu nodded, "It is indeed acquaintances; we all work together at the Hanlin Academy, seeing each other all the time."

In fact, Gu Chengyu was just being perfunctory. The Hanlin Academy is so large; how could he have time to wander around leisurely?

Min Feng spotted Gu Chengyu from afar. With his prominent presence, it was hard not to notice him.

"Come! Come! Come! Let’s go to the pavilion and play pitch-pot." The boy in the ink-colored straight robe called out loudly, pulling a few people alongside him toward the pavilion to play pitch-pot.

Seeing this, Qin Min immediately stepped forward to give orders, "Someone! Quickly bring a pot for Young Master Zhou."

Gu Chengyu glanced over and realized it was the same young man who had previously gossiped about him with others.

"This person is Zhou Yuewei, known as Hongguan, the legitimate eldest son of Zhou Xiang, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice." Lu Chen whispered in Gu Chengyu’s ear.

Gu Chengyu thought the young man was lively and good at creating a vibrant atmosphere, but he didn’t expect Lu Chen to suddenly speak up.

Turning around, Gu Chengyu found Lu Chen shockingly close, just inches apart, with their sleeves brushing against each other. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Slightly frowning, he stepped aside, "This person is interesting!"

Lu Chen was inscrutable, and Gu Chengyu thought it best to keep a distance, fearing one day Lu Chen might betray him.

Moreover, he wasn’t accustomed to such proximity with others, which made him uncomfortable, especially with strangers.

Lu Chen observed Gu Chengyu’s subconscious action, and rubbed his nose. He had long heard that Gu Chengyu was somewhat particular about cleanliness, and today he had witnessed it. It seemed he wasn’t used to close contact with people.

"Big brother! I’ll entertain Young Master Zhou and them!" Qin Ke hurried over to speak to Qin Min.

Qin Min nodded, watching Qin Ke walk toward the Lake Heart Pavilion.

"Mr. Min! Young Master Zhou is playing pitch-pot. Are you interested, Mr. Min?" Min Feng was Xia Qing’s closed-door disciple, so Qin Min had to show some respect by offering a polite invitation.

However, as Min Feng arrived late and coincidentally, Qin Min personally escorted him over. Otherwise, he, as the Princely Heir of the Duke Mansion and son of the Eldest Princess, didn’t need to flatter even as a disciple of the Grand Secretary.

Min Feng was not entirely ignorant of social niceties and quickly said, "Today’s host, the Princely Heir, must be very busy. You go ahead; I need to pay my respects to those above."

It wasn’t surprising for Min Feng to see Gu Chengyu, but he was a bit surprised not to see Ye Zhiqiu.

It seemed that the Eldest Princess’s flower appreciation banquet wasn’t just for unmarried young officials; their family background had to be considered. As for why someone like the farmer Gu Chengyu was invited, it was probably because Gu Chengyu had recently gained the Emperor’s favor.

Besides, Gu Chengyu’s senior brothers were still serving in court. Even if you didn’t consider the monks, you had to consider the Buddha.

Min Feng just didn’t want to admit it. Even without mentioning Gu Chengyu’s senior brothers, Gu Chengyu’s own talent garnered respect.

Who else could become the top scorer at fourteen? And who else could get promoted just two months after becoming an official? These were all due to Gu Chengyu’s abilities.

Min Feng initially thought Gu Chengyu only excelled slightly in poetry and prose, but didn’t expect him to have such unique insights into political affairs. Sometimes he couldn’t help feeling a little discouraged and defeated.

But his teacher was right, who can guarantee they’ll have the last laugh? Liang Zhirui became the Grand Secretary before his teacher, but his teacher didn’t lose heart and eventually succeeded after Liang Zhirui retired. He had been too impatient before.

Qin Min glanced ahead, a slight smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Mr. Min, are you referring to Mr. Gu? Both Mr. Gu and Mr. Min are indeed young talents. In this dynasty’s spring exams, there have been no such young Advanced Scholars like this! A rarity in a hundred years." Qin Min glanced at Min Feng’s slightly awkward expression, his eyes glinting.

"Mr. Min, I’m truly too busy today; please feel free! Next time, I’ll host and compensate Mr. Min!"

Qin Min was indeed busy today, with many elders among the ladies he had to greet.

"The Princely Heir is too polite!"

Gu Chengyu had just glanced at Min Feng, then focused on the pitch-pot game.

He didn’t know why these people were heading in that direction; wasn’t it about playing pitch-pot? Yet they were winking and making faces.

Zhu Pang beside him eagerly tried to pull Gu Chengyu over, "Jinyu! Let’s hurry, and join the fun too."

Bian Yunyi and Tong Qiutang, waiting on the side, were also eager, seemingly planning to head to the Lake Heart Pavilion.

Gu Chengyu didn’t quite understand why these people were so enthusiastic. It was just pitch-pot, something he’d played with classmates back at the Imperial College. A trend for aristocratic family gatherings of this era.

This trend had been circulating for a long time, so how could it be that after all these years, their interest in pitch-pot hadn’t waned? Simply unbelievable!

"You go ahead! I’m not interested in pitch-pot." Gu Chengyu shook his head, refusing, trying to pull away from Zhu Pang’s grip and find a place to sit.

Seeing this, Bian Yunyi, who was about to walk forward, couldn’t help but laugh, "Ahem! Mr. Gu! You probably don’t know their true purpose, right?"

Seeing Gu Chengyu’s puzzled expression, Lu Chen chuckled lightly, "These people have ulterior motives beyond just the game!"

Taking a few steps forward, noticing Gu Chengyu looking over, Lu Chen no longer kept him guessing.

"Do you see the position of the Lake Heart Pavilion? Once you stand in the pavilion, you can see the Qionghua flowers in the third courtyard. The third courtyard is partially un-walled and planted entirely with Jade Flowers."

Lu Chen leisurely walked towards the Lake Heart Pavilion. He liked the Qionghua flowers, only the Qionghua flowers.

Gu Chengyu finally understood Lu Chen’s meaning. There was a small bridge between here and the Lake Heart Pavilion, and looking from here, the pavilion wasn’t far from the third courtyard.

And Zhu Pang just mentioned the third courtyard was where the women stayed. Perhaps Lu Chen wasn’t talking about seeing Qionghua flowers, but those ladies?

Even if several Jade Flower Trees were in the way, one could still catch a glimpse. This wouldn’t be improper; the Eldest Princess’s ingenuity was indeed clever.

Gu Chengyu laughed, shaking his head, not intending to join the crowd. That pavilion was only so big, and if everyone went, it would be too crowded.

Zheng Lun, seeing Gu Chengyu not moving, wanted to pull him along, but Gu Chengyu refused, "You go ahead! I’m not into that kind of commotion."

They were all a bunch of boisterous young men!

Zheng Lun was also enthusiastic; though he hadn’t attended a flower appreciation meeting before, he had heard about it before coming. He just didn’t want to stand out as different. Yes, that’s it.

Seeing Gu Chengyu heading in the opposite direction, Lu Chen’s eyes dimmed slightly. Was it a lack of understanding, or simply no interest?

He stopped, casting a glance at Gu Chengyu’s face, suddenly smiled, then continued walking forward.

Gu Chengyu saw a stone table ahead and intended to rest there for a while, but unexpectedly heard Lu Chen’s voice.

"The Qionghua flowers are beautiful, and those at the Duke Qin Mansion are famous in the Capital."

By the time Gu Chengyu turned to look, Lu Chen had already walked far away.