Chapter 361 - 139: Square Gate

Chapter 361: Chapter 139: Square Gate

Time passed in a flash, slipping away unnoticed.

But just as ripples sometimes disturb the surface of a placid river, so too did these peaceful days bring unexpected surprises.

"SCREEE!"

Fang Rui received a letter. ’That kid Yu Qian has entered the Purple Cloud Pavilion!’

He and his student exchanged letters often, so he was well aware of his progress. After entering the officialdom, Yu Qian had spent ten years making a name for himself in the provinces and another five serving at Court. Now, just over thirty years old, he was already about to enter the Purple Cloud Pavilion.

He was among the youngest to ever achieve such a feat in all of recorded history.

DONG DONG DONG! CLANG CLANG CLANG!

The thunder of gongs and drums filled Shangluo City as brilliant fireworks blossomed across the sky.

A flowing screen of light projected by the Chaos Four Symbols Banner created a celestial reflection of the Luo River in the sky. It shimmered and undulated as countless phantoms of golden flowers drifted down from above.

The spectacle was visible from every corner of the city, and a buzz of discussion rose from the streets.

"How strange! This isn’t the season for the provincial exam results to be announced. Why has the Luoh River Celestial List suddenly appeared?" someone exclaimed in surprise.

"Indeed. Could it be a mistake?"

"My friends, take a closer look. This isn’t the Osmanthus List. The Osmanthus List comes with phantoms of osmanthus flowers. These are golden flowers," said a more observant onlooker.

"This must be a major event. Elder Zhong, you are a man of great experience. Might you know what this portends?"

"Could it be...?"

An old man with a white beard seemed to have a realization. His eyes lit up, and he stroked his beard. "If I’m not mistaken, it must be that someone from our very own Shangluo City has been admitted into the Purple Cloud Pavilion! This is a truly joyous occasion!"

"Marvelous! Simply marvelous! Another has entered the Purple Cloud Pavilion! The prestige of Shangluo’s scholars will soar! I must go to the theater for some music to celebrate today."

"I just wonder which of our city’s luminaries it is. Why haven’t they been announced yet? I’d like to go and pay my respects."

"Patience! Patience! We’ll know soon enough."

...

A grand celebratory procession, after visiting the Yu Family, made its way to the Fang Family residence, beating gongs and drums all the while.

"Brother Fang, you are Yu Qian’s teacher! For all of his accomplishments, you deserve the lion’s share of the credit!"

Yu Song said excitedly, grasping Fang Rui’s wrist.

"Not at all. He is simply a natural talent," Fang Rui said, shaking his head.

"Even the greatest talent requires Acquired education. I insist, Brother Fang! You must share this glory with me and Yu Qian!"

Yu Song insisted with a hearty laugh.

「A short while later.」

A pulse of energy from the Primordial Golden List shot through the void from the Great Yu Divine Capital. It collided with the light screen generated by the Chaos Four Symbols Banner, creating a brilliant golden pillar of light that soared straight into the Nine Heavens.

The sky around the golden pillar filled with a magnificent, seven-colored radiance that bloomed like fireworks.

Then, from within the golden pillar of light, the figures of Yu Qian, Fang Rui, and Yu Song rose into the air—with Yu Qian at the fore and the other two slightly behind—to look down upon all of Shangluo.

This scene was, in truth, countless times more glorious than being nominated for the Osmanthus List!

...

"The one entering the Purple Cloud Pavilion is... the prodigy of the Yu Family?! Just as expected, just as expected!" one person exclaimed.

"I remember him. He was the prodigy nominated for the Osmanthus List at just fifteen or sixteen. Now, fifteen or sixteen years have passed in a flash. How time flies."

"Tsk tsk, what a glorious sight! If I could experience something like that just once, I could die a happy man."

"Behind Elder Yu... of the two men with him, I recognize one. That’s his father, the merchant. But the other one... why does he look so familiar?" the man muttered to himself.

"That’s Master Fang! You don’t recognize him?" someone immediately piped up.

After all, Fang Rui was quite well-known in Shangluo City.

"Back then, Elder Cai prophesied that one of Master Fang’s students would enter the Purple Cloud Pavilion within forty years. His prophecy has come true!"

"Master Fang is a remarkable man! Hey, friend, why are you so excited?"

"Haha! My son is one of Master Fang’s students! That means he can call Elder Yu his senior brother! If he enters the officialdom someday, that connection will be an enormous help!"

"What a pity I was never able to study under Master Fang."

A person nearby overheard, their voice filled with immense envy. "So many of Master Fang’s students find success. In the future, within the Great Yu Officialdom, they might even form their own faction, called the Square Gate."

...

At the Fang Family residence.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, her hair now silver, looked up with a kind smile. "Brother Rui’s father dedicated his life to healing others. I never expected that when it was his turn, he would abandon medicine for literature and end up with students all over the world."

"Brother Rui is accomplished in his own right, Auntie, but it’s also a credit to your good teaching," the Third Lady said, her lovely eyes gazing up at the celestial display.

Both of their voices were filled with pride and a sense of shared honor.

In the back courtyard.

Fang Ling and Nannan stood side-by-side.

"Brother is so amazing!"

"Mhm, he always has been. Brother Ah Rui succeeds at everything he does."

Nannan’s clear, bright eyes, as still as autumn pools, reflected the radiant splendor of the heavens without a single blink.

"If it weren’t for Brother..." Fang Ling shook her head slightly, trailing off.

But Nannan understood Fang Ling’s unspoken words. ’If Fang Rui weren’t so exceptional, setting the bar so high, how could they ever be interested in another man? It’s why they’ve never wanted to marry.’

Once you have seen the ocean, it is difficult to be content with a river; once you have seen the clouds of Mount Wu, no others are worth watching. ’Ah, one should never meet someone too dazzling in their youth!’

...

Yu Qian’s admission to the Pavilion spread his fame throughout Shangluo City, causing a massive sensation.

It wasn’t just the Yu Family whose doorstep was worn down by endless visitors; by association, the Fang Family’s home became as crowded as a marketplace.

There were those trying to build connections, those sending gifts while begging to be taken as students, and those hoping to use Fang Rui’s relationship with Yu Qian to ask for favors...

It was an endless nuisance.

Fang Rui simply closed his doors and instructed the gatekeeper to politely refuse all such visitors.

He was the type of person who disliked trouble and hated causing trouble for others even more.

But while he could turn away ordinary people, he couldn’t do the same to his own students. They didn’t do anything overt, merely visiting more frequently. By their sheer numbers, they spontaneously formed a network of connections, bound together by their shared tutelage under him.