Chapter 107: Divergence
The Lu Clan established the clan on literary education, and has always produced talented scholars one after another, dominating the literary world. Whenever people mention the Great Xuan literary world, the first thing they think of is the Lu Clan; whenever they mention the Lu Clan’s literary giants, the first one they think of is Lu Yi. Many people have hyped him up as the literary world alliance leader, and over time, Lu Yi came to regard himself as such.
In the view of Alliance Leader Lu, even if he wrote something casually, those youngsters in their teens or twenties could not catch up even if they tried their best. With him ghostwriting for Lu Xi, he could naturally win without a doubt, so others could not gossip.
Lu Yi was convinced that the article favored by everyone was definitely Lu Xi’s. So he was too lazy to waste more time, reached out and gestured, “Bring it over!”
That chief instructor hurriedly found that exam paper and walked toward Lu Yi. He even praised aloud in his mouth, “Our Lu Clan has produced a literary star, all thanks to the steward’s careful guidance!”
How could the other instructors let the chief instructor take all the credit? They also chattered on, “This article could be called a timeless masterpiece, it really doesn’t seem like something written by a youngster in their teens or twenties!” “So good, so good, standing out from the crowd, it will surely win the championship next year!”
Lu Yi listened with great delight, thinking that they at least had some vision. But comparing his article to a bunch of youngsters was really an unfair victory. If he had known this, he should have written it worse, to attract less attention…
While Lu Yi was feeling pleased, he suddenly heard someone say, “Yeah, it couldn’t be that the steward wrote it for him, right!”
“Nonsense!” Lu Yi immediately felt guilty and glared fiercely at that instructor who had flattered the wrong way, “This seat has never written for anyone!”
That instructor hurriedly bowed to apologize, greatly puzzled in his heart. He hadn’t said anything wrong, why did the steward react so strongly?
At this time, Lu Yi finally took that exam paper and casually glanced at the article on it. Although every word was his own handwriting, he still had to put on a full show…
Who knew that with just one glance, his whole person froze there. After a moment, Lu Yi came back to his senses, rubbed his eyes hard to make sure he wasn’t having an eyesight problem, then angrily slapped the article onto the table, glaring at the chief instructor, “Did you bring the wrong one!”
“Ah?” The instructor hurriedly leaned over to look at the signature on the article, greatly puzzled, “No mistake, it’s this article by Lu Yun.”
“Right, the child who wrote this article is called Lu Yun!” The old pedants also chimed in one after another, “I heard he is Lu Xin’s son, indeed a good father produces a good son!”
“I think next year, Lu Yun will surely get the Top Scholar. Father and son both Top Scholars, what a great story!” The old pedants stroked their beards, nodding and shaking their heads.
Only after a good while did someone notice that the steward lord already had an ashen face, nose not nose, eyes not eyes.
These old gentlemen who had read too many books and become muddle-headed finally realized the situation was bad and hurriedly all fell silent.
This was truly a great humiliation! His article as the literary world alliance leader of the literary world had suffered a crushing defeat to a youngster without any dispute. Lu Yi only felt his cheeks burning painfully, wishing he could kill all these old guys to silence them. His chest heaved violently, his gaze coldly staring at these bookworms.
The old gentlemen were all creeped out by the steward lord’s gaze and didn’t even dare to breathe, fearing to anger Lu Yi again.
Having controlled the scene, Lu Yi finally let out a long breath of turbid air, “Bring… the second place’s article…”
The chief instructor hurriedly presented the other exam paper, not daring to say a single extra word this time.
Lu Yi glanced at this article; the signature was Lu Xi, precisely the one he had ghostwritten. With a black face, Lu Yi placed the two articles in front of him, first carefully reading Lu Yun’s once, then seriously rereading his own. Even though he was extremely unwilling in his heart, he had to admit that Lu Yun’s article was indeed much better than his own.
Of course, Lu Yi would absolutely not think that Lu Yun had better literary talent than him. He believed he had underestimated the enemy, slipped up, and failed to perform at his normal level.
After a good while, Lu Yi raised his head, his finger lightly tapping Lu Xi’s exam paper, expressionlessly looking at the crowd of old pedants, “This seat thinks that the Great Elder’s grandson’s article seems to be slightly better.” He deliberately did not say Lu Xi’s name but emphasized Lu Xi’s identity, clearly pressuring the old pedants.
No matter how muddle-headed the old pedants were, they could understand the steward lord’s meaning. They immediately looked at each other, falling into a silence that greatly embarrassed Lu Yi.
Lu Yi’s face, which had just returned to normal, turned ashen again. He coldly looked at the chief instructor, “Seventeenth Uncle, what do you think?”
That chief instructor was from the Lu Clan’s collateral lineage. Although his seniority was higher than Lu Yi’s, his status was truly much lower. It could be said that his fortune and honor were entirely in the other’s hands.
Seeing Lu Yi forcing him to state his position, fine beads of sweat appeared on the old gentleman’s forehead. His lips moved several times, but he couldn’t speak.
A hunchbacked old man sitting below him suddenly said loudly, “Reporting to the steward, Lu Xi’s article is indeed good, better than the vast majority of articles…” He paused, then slowly said, “But compared to Lu Yun’s article, it still falls short…”
“Did this seat ask you?!” Lu Yi, who usually valued self-cultivation greatly, unexpectedly lost his temper rarely. He glared fiercely at the hunchbacked old man, turned to stare at the chief instructor, “Seventeenth Uncle, you answer!”
“Reporting to the steward…” The chief instructor said with difficulty, “That’s how I see it too…” After speaking, he looked relieved, “We old things have read books until our heads are addled, out of touch with the times, unreasonable. Please forgive us, steward.”
“Good! Good!” Lu Yi was practically driven mad with anger; his guts turned green with regret. Why hadn’t he followed the routine and instead asked them who was first?! If he had followed the rules, let them select three articles, and then decide the candidate himself, how would he end up in this dilemma?!
“Your task is done, all leave!” Lu Yi didn’t want to look at these old bookworms another glance and waved his hand to dismiss them.
“Yes.” The instructors had no power or influence, just some teaching gentlemen, and could only be ordered around by Lu Yi.
“Also, after leaving, no discussing today’s articles!” Lu Yi said coldly again, “If I hear anyone talking nonsense outside, go home and hold your grandson!”
The instructors were about to leave but stopped upon hearing Lu Yi’s words. That hunchbacked old man looked at Lu Yi with a pained face, “Steward, justice is in people’s hearts. Don’t forget our Lu Clan’s clan motto!”
Lu Clan clan motto—Fear heaven’s might, fear earth’s wrath, fear people’s hearts!
The most important one is to revere people’s hearts!
“…” Lu Yi naturally knew that the other was unmistakably accusing him of betraying the Lu Clan’s clan motto!
“Get out!” Lu Yi had no words to respond and flew into a rage out of shame.
After driving out the instructors, Lu Yi shut himself inside the room, frowning in thought facing the two articles.
.
Outside the Ritual Education Institute, the crowd was bustling, more and more Lu Clan people gathering. Lu Song and others had quickly browsed the articles on the wall, their gazes unanimously stopping on the third-to-last article on the right side of the pink wall.
“I think this article deserves first place!” Lu Lin said in a rough voice, “Well written, much better than mine!”
“Not just well written,” Lu Song laughed with full admiration, “This is the true style of a master, a stroke of genius. Our Lu Clan actually has such a master of writing hidden, laughable that I was always so arrogant!”
Lu Bai also nodded; everything he wanted to say had been said by Lu Song. He glanced at the people around and asked aloud, “Who is Lu Yun?” Everyone had signed their own names on the articles, and this one was signed Lu Yun.
Many people’s gazes fell squarely on the unparalleled handsomeness youth beside Lu Xin.
Lu Xin showed an embarrassed smile, “It is my son.”
“Ah, no wonder, only Tenth Uncle could teach such a master of writing!” Lu Lin laughed heartily and walked over, intimately pulling Lu Yun’s arm, looking him up and down, “Virtuous younger brother, you’ve outdone Lu Song!”
“Not just the article, but also the looks.” Lu Bai also rarely made a joke, walked over to greet Lu Yun.
“Hey, you two, just praise him, why drag me down?” Lu Song said so, but wasn’t annoyed, and also came over to meet Lu Yun.
Lu Yun hurriedly returned the courtesy politely. Although he didn’t like being the center of attention, he had to adapt quickly.
