With Gifts Delivered, the Man in White Arrived

"The Chen Residence? Could it be that Chen Bozheng...?"

Upon hearing the name of the Chen Residence, several whispers and exclamations immediately arose from the crowd, indicating that they knew its origins.

"First it was Void Master, and now even the Chen Residence has sent people to congratulate him. Just who is this top scholar of this year's imperial examination?"

For ordinary people, passing the imperial examination is a great honor to their ancestors, while becoming the top scholar (状元) is like being the reincarnation of Literary Star genius, a figure of unparalleled stature. Reaching this level is enough to make one die without regrets, and any praise one receives is not surprising.

However, among the people gathered in the inn, some candidates and scholars have some knowledge of the affairs of the imperial court, and therefore have different opinions.

While it is rare to be the top scholar, Qiu Yan achieved the highest honors in Triple Examination Laureate the imperial examinations: the Provincial Examination, the Metropolitan Examination, and the Palace Examination. Such a figure is rare even in the entire history of the Imperial Examinations, and he deserves to be worshipped by later generations.

However, the title of "top scholar" only represents the Qidian in officialdom; frankly speaking, it represents potential.

And who is this Void Master?

His reputation and prestige are not limited to officialdom. In the academic field, he can be regarded as Grandmaster of his generation. Not to mention, the Void Academy founded by Void Master has a tendency to Central Passes. His proposition of Viewing the World Through Qi has gradually spread among the people, guiding others in their actions and thoughts. Some people have even used it as a basis to embark on many wonderful paths, which are too numerous to describe.

Such a person, let alone a top scholar in the imperial examination, could be ignored even by the current prime minister. You should know that the top scholar six years ago was a disciple of Void Master!

Such a person, an elder, sending someone to give Qiu Yan a congratulatory gift is like a famous Grandmaster in Qiu Yan's previous life suddenly giving a gift to the top scorer in the college entrance examination that year. Of course, it is shocking and then puzzling.

When Zhang Cheng entered the inn, it sparked another round of whispers. But this time, the people were talking about Zhang Cheng.

Zhang Cheng was a disciple of Void Master and already had a reputation in Prosperity Capital. He had once defeated two rising stars in Virtue Learning and learning in debates. In his youth, he wrote several articles that were praised by the late emperor, and he even challenged Bai Zhaoyuan at the Literary Hall. Although he lost, he was still honored.

Bai Zhaoyuan was deeply inspired by this and secluded himself for over a month.

There are even rumors that Zhang Cheng is a person who has gathered the Literary Heart, enough to start a branch of the school of thought, and is the future successor of the Grand Void Learning.

Grand Void sent someone to congratulate Zhang Cheng. This was not something an ordinary person could handle, but Qiu Yan did not show any surprise and dealt with it calmly.

Following them, Chen Bi, representing the Chen Residence, also entered. He was dressed as an ordinary steward, and although he had a distinguished air about him, he was far inferior to Zhang Cheng.

However, the Chen Residence behind this person is no ordinary family.

Qiu Yan had learned a bit about the Chen family over the past few days. He knew that the Chen Household was a prominent family of the previous dynasty, and that their ancestors had been friends with the Great Rui and had been granted a golden token of immunity from death. They were extremely famous among the people, and no commoners came and went from their home.

Such Lineage sending people to congratulate the newly appointed top scholar naturally arouses suspicion.

How could a top scholar, in terms of power and wealth, compare to such a prestigious family?

In any other situation, people would inevitably suspect that Qiu Yan's achievement of becoming the top scholar involved connections or other underhanded means. But with Qiu Yan, they would never have such thoughts. The reason is simple: the unusual posting of the results and the dazzling parade through the streets are tantamount to divine intervention; who would dare to question it?

The emperor, known as the Son of Heaven, is the son of Heaven itself; who can be greater than Heaven?

"Gentlemen, please come in..." Qiu Yan invited the two into the inn. The innkeeper was quite sensible and, without saying a word, instructed the waiter to prepare tables and chairs. Judging from this, he didn't even plan to do business, but his face was beaming with joy, as if he were proud of himself.

"No need for such formalities. I'm only here on orders." Zhang Cheng shook his head, his words polite but revealing a hint of suspicion.

Clearly, Zhang Cheng was also puzzled by his teacher's decision. He had heard of Qiu Yan before, and due to his relationship with Qi Jiulian, he knew more about him than most people.

It is precisely because of this understanding that I am even more puzzled and genuinely confused. The teacher wants to congratulate such a new top scholar, but as it is the teacher's command, I cannot refuse.

Qiu Yan nodded and accepted the gift.

The congratulatory gift was a scroll of calligraphy, rather meager. However, there are many unspoken rules in officialdom. Qiu Yan had just become the top scholar in less than a day. If he accepted something too valuable, it would become a hidden danger. As a Divine Spirit Body, he possessed the thoughts of all people, so he could see through these mortal rules at a glance.

On the other side, the moment Qiu Yan received the scroll, his hands trembled slightly, and a sense of bewilderment arose in his heart. He couldn't help but pay attention, but he didn't open it on the spot.

"The gift has been delivered; I shall take my leave now," Zhang Cheng said, turning to depart.

Qiu Yan then spoke up, saying, "Brother Zhang, please convey a message to Void Master, telling him that I will soon send a return gift."

"A return gift?" Zhang Cheng's face showed surprise, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. He felt that Qiu Yan was being somewhat tactless. Who was Void Master? Giving and receiving gifts in return—did he really think he was someone who could stand on equal footing with Grand Confucian?

Zhang Cheng is a disciple of Grand Void, doesn't that mean he's inferior to Qiu Yan?

However, having Qi Nurturing for many years, Zhang Cheng merely returned the greeting with a cupped hand, without saying a word, and left in a hurry, seemingly not wanting to stay any longer.

After he left, people around him whispered among themselves. Many people had reservations about Qiu Yan's handling of the situation. However, his status as the top scholar, the extraordinary phenomena surrounding him, and his current popularity allowed him to dispel any criticisms.

Qiu Yan understood Zhang Cheng's displeasure but didn't offer any further explanation. Some things, when the time is right, will naturally fall into place.

Beside him, the steward of the Chen Residence stepped forward and said, "Young Master Qiu, I am only here on orders, and I do not deserve your hospitality." Then, he handed over an invitation card, "My master asked me to come and offer my congratulations, and to deliver this invitation card. He hopes that you can come to the Chen Residence when you have time."

"Invitation, Chen Residence." Qiu Yan nodded and accepted it. Several figures flashed through his mind, the last image of which was the uninvited Household Ancestor Chen at the banquet in the Pang Residence's villa.

Seeing that Qiu Yan had accepted the invitation, the manager took the opportunity to say goodbye and left with his men.

Watching the departing figure, Qiu Yan didn't move. He narrowed his eyes, handed the invitation and scroll to Hu Qi, then narrowed his eyes again, his City Will radiating outwards. He thought to himself, "The Void Academy sent the scroll, Chen Residence only came to extend an invitation. Whatever their requests, at least they didn't intend to harm us. However, whoever comes next is another story."

As the thought crossed my mind, another voice came from the crowd outside the door—

"Is Young Master Qiu here? I have come on behalf of Lord Tian Youqing to offer my congratulations!" As soon as the voice fell, urging voices rose from the crowd, prompting those along the way to make way.

Five people squeezed out. The leader was thin with a mustache, while the other four were tall and strong, and they carried a box in pairs.

The box was quite large, and it swayed as I walked, appearing unusually heavy. I wondered what was inside.

After the five people entered the inn, the man with the mustache came up to Qiu Yan.

Thump! Thump!

With two dull thuds, the two boxes were placed on the ground, causing the floor to tremble and dust to rise.

After bowing, the man with the mustache said, "I am Tian Qi. I have come on my master's orders to congratulate the top scholar. This is just a small gift, nothing more." As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the man carrying the box bent down and opened the lid, revealing the contents inside.

Instead of the gold and silver jewelry I had imagined, there were scrolls of calligraphy, and beneath them, the covers of books.

"Oh?" Qiu Yan raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "I appreciate Lord Tian's kind offer, but I cannot accept such a gift without having done so much. I have never even met Lord Tian before, so I cannot accept it."

"Scholar," Tian Qi smiled, "This is just a small token of my appreciation. My master is a good friend of Lord Pan Xiang, and thanks to his guidance, he knew that you, the scholar, enjoy calligraphy and painting, so he took out a portion of his collection to give to you."

He then lowered his voice and said, "To be honest, my master was misled and had a misunderstanding with the top scholar. Now that he understands the cause and effect, he sent me here to arrange a time to talk with you in person."

"A misunderstanding?" Qiu Yan narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly. This expression and action made Tian Qi's face light up with joy, but the next sentence made his expression change drastically—

"Take your things back."

"You..." Slightly taken aback, Tian Qi subconsciously revealed a chilling tone, then forcibly restrained himself and continued in a low voice, "Scholar, this is a token of my master's goodwill. In officialdom, having more friends is always better than having more enemies. A sedan chair is carried by many people..."

Guided by Order, Karma are self-evident. Qiu Yan shook his head and interrupted abruptly, saying, "I, Qiu, am an official not here to engage in intrigue and power struggles with you. If I were to be bogged down by worldly affairs, wouldn't that be unbearable? Go back and tell Tian Youqing that he doesn't need to use such methods to appease me. With my current position, I pose no threat to him at all. If he wastes too much energy on me, he will overlook his real opponent. When doing things, it's best to concentrate on resolving the main contradictions first. Of course, the premise is that one can clearly understand what one knows."

Tian Qi only vaguely understood what was said, but the meaning behind it still secretly surprised him.

"Why does Qiu Yan seem to already know what the adults have done? Could it be that, as the adults predicted, Ma Yang has already told him about it?"

This congratulatory gesture was a spur-of-the-moment idea by Tian Youqing, but even in this simple act, there were many ulterior motives. Tian Qi could vaguely see them and praised the brilliant move, but now that Qiu Yan had directly rejected it, it was as if he had punched empty air, and no matter how hard he tried, it was no use.

Looking into Qiu Yan's bright eyes, Tian Qi felt angry and wanted to remind him, but before she could speak, her words were drowned out by a few soft gasps from the doorway.

"Why is even he here?"

"Is he here to offer congratulations as well?"

"There's a good show going to happen..."

Amidst the murmurs, Bai Zhaoyuan, dressed in white, stepped out from the crowd and entered the inn. Ignoring Tian Qi and the others, he went straight to Qiu Yan, his eyes gleaming with a strange light.

"We meet again. To be honest, I really didn't expect that you would understand it first!"

P. S.: Thanks to "Buying Vegetables Queue" and "Cold Wind Through Broken Leaves" for their monthly votes!

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