binnovel Chapter 73 Three Champions Take the Lead!
Chapter 73 Three Champions Take the Lead!
Chapter Seventy-Three: The Three Champions Seize the Title!
As the sun began to move towards the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), many people gradually quieted down. Nearby, there were still many girls looking around.
Judging from their appearance, these girls were all waiting for Ye Ru to arrive.
Suddenly, a pair of talented men and beautiful women walked over from a distance. The man was handsome and elegant, dressed in a Zhuge-style robe, while the woman wore a pink dress, looking like a lotus emerging from the water, or like a gentle spring breeze.
"It's Yip Tong-sheng, what a handsome young man."
"If I were to marry him in this life, I would be laughing in my sleep. That girl is so lucky."
"If only my husband were that outstanding."
……
"Young Master Ye Ru, I'm scared..."
The words of these girls made Su Tongyao blush. Looking at the sea of people in the distance, she suddenly stopped and murmured to herself.
She had never been held hands by a man before, and Ye Ruwen was too famous, so she was afraid of being accused of being impolite.
"Don't worry, I'm here."
Ye Ru smiled slightly, tightened his grip on Su Tongyao's hand, and the two walked together toward the venue.
The girls all looked on with envy at this scene. Ye Ru's ability to do this in public was something they greatly admired.
"Ye Tongsheng is here."
Suddenly, a student bowed to Ye Ru.
"Ah."
Ye Ru showed no arrogance, smiled kindly, and returned the greeting with a cupped hand.
"It's Yip Tong-sheng!"
"Greetings, Brother Ye Ru."
"Brother Ye Ru."
Upon seeing this scene, the students of Wenxing Private School all stood up and bowed to Ye Ru. Some students from the other two major private schools admired Ye Ru's reputation, but others did not pay any attention to him.
"So Ye Ru's sweetheart is actually Tong Yao. They are a perfect match, a talented man and a beautiful woman."
Zhao Cheng walked towards Ye Ru. When he saw the two holding hands, he was stunned for a moment, a strange look on his face, and then he smiled and said.
"So that's why I said I was going to help Tongyao buy clothes that day. It turns out you had ulterior motives. Brother Ye Ru, you're really in high spirits now, with literary fame in hand and a beautiful woman by your side. If I were half as good as you, my father would probably laugh his head off."
Qian Wei was also taken aback, then laughed.
"I didn't tell you in time, but I will definitely host a banquet for you another day."
Ye Ru held Su Tongyao's hand tightly, afraid of losing her.
"Hmph, shameless."
Suddenly, a voice came from the crowd, causing him to turn his gaze in that direction. His eyes narrowed, and a chilling glint appeared in them as he said:
"Brother Yanze, you've just recovered from your serious illness? You seem to be in high spirits today. How about we have another literary contest?"
Upon hearing Ye Ru's words, some people who knew the situation covered their faces and laughed, which made Lin Yanze's face turn ashen. He then quickly put on his sleeves and left.
"You must be Ye Tongsheng, Ye Ru? I am Liu Juecheng from Liu Feng Private School. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Liu Juecheng walked towards Ye Ru and bowed to him.
Discussions arose all around.
"It seems Liu Juecheng is going to make things difficult for Ye Ru."
"Yes, Liu Juecheng is one of the best students at our Liu Feng Private School, and he has also joined the Fenghua Society of his brother Liu Canglan's Qinghua Academy in Bihai Prefecture."
"I know that. I heard that Liu Juecheng has been jointly recommended by all the teachers of Liu Feng Private School to Qinghua Academy. He can be guaranteed admission there for the imperial examination."
"These two geniuses are likely to clash today."
……
Ye Ru remained expressionless, nodding and smiling slightly.
"You must be Liu Juecheng from Liu Feng Private School. I have heard so much about you."
"Don't be afraid of him. This guy is jealous and can't stand seeing others do better than him."
Suddenly, a lazy young man walked over, chewing on a blade of grass and resting his head on his arm.
"Zhao Qingfeng from Peixin Private School?"
"Another talented scholar has emerged. This imperial examination is truly going to be a fierce competition, with the geniuses from the three major private schools all gathered together."
"The Crouching Dragon of Wenxing Private School, the Young Phoenix of Peixin Private School, and the Tiger of Liufeng Private School—this metaphor is more apt."
This remark caused everyone to burst into laughter.
"Hmph, Zhao Qingfeng, since you put it that way, how about the three of us take first place? It would be a good start to this imperial examination, wouldn't it?"
"Three champions vying for the top spot?"
Everyone immediately became interested. This title, "the most talented person among their peers," comes from the "Annals of Emperor Cheng" written by Xun Yue of the Han Dynasty.
The three winners also receive a prize, and it's the best reward. At the start of the competition, the prize money is held in the custody of a middleman.
This is also a way to enhance one's literary reputation.
However, Ye Ru simply cupped his hands in greeting and said without the slightest hesitation:
"Then you two can make the decision. I'll just watch from the sidelines."
"What? Is Ye Tongsheng scared? You are now a student of the first rank. If you don't even dare to win the top three spots in the imperial examination, then I won't be polite about taking the top spot."
Liu Juecheng smiled slightly, his words laced with sarcasm.
"Ye Tongsheng doesn't dare to compete? No way."
"Are you feeling guilty? Or are you just all talk and no action?"
Some of Liu Juecheng's close friends burst into laughter upon seeing this.
"Ye Tongsheng, this guy is really arrogant. You need to put him on the back of his game. I'll reluctantly add one more prize. Consider this a bonus for the two of you. The best will win."
Zhao Qingfeng spat out the straw, then said with a playful expression.
Ye Ru glanced at Zhao Qingfeng. Although this man seemed cynical, the clarity in his eyes was even greater than that of Liu Juecheng.
If what the other party said is true, then this person is very likely the kind of talented person who rises to prominence later in life.
"So, who do you think will win the championship?"
In a corner, a few men stroked their beards, looking somewhat sleazy.
“Ye Ru, his literary reputation is higher than the other two, not to mention he came from your Wenxing Private School.”
Magistrate Zhang said without hesitation.
"No, perhaps it's just all show and no substance."
A middle-aged man frowned, gave a cold snort, and said casually.
“Juecheng is going to Qinghua Academy. His talent is far beyond what Ye Ru can match. This time, the champion will definitely be from my Liufeng Private School.”
Another elderly man shrugged indifferently.
As for Fang Zifeng, he smiled indifferently and then said:
"Since they want to win the top spot in the three-way competition, why don't we also make a bet?"
"it is good."
"as you wish."
……
At the imperial examination meeting, the three of them stood in a triangular formation, looking at each other, with Su Tongyao holding Ye Ru's hand tightly.
Everyone looked towards Ye Ru, a sense of anticipation rising in their hearts.
"Well, Ye Tongsheng, if you don't dare to compete, then just say in public that you are inferior to the two of us, and then we can compete."
Liu Juecheng smiled slightly, as if a knife was hidden in his smile.
Ye Ru glanced at Liu Juecheng and Zhao Qingfeng's faces, smiled, and a surge of pride welled up from his heart. After all, he was now a student of Wenxing Private School, and he couldn't let the school's reputation suffer, could he?
"I'll keep you company."
Her calm voice, utterly fearless, ignited the anticipation in everyone's hearts!