Just as Fang Yang was busily paving the way for his first pot of gold, the news of him pawning his family's ancestral property spread rapidly through the streets and alleys.
At the Song Residence, Song Yiran stood gracefully.
Her father, Song Li, sat upright, his brow slightly furrowed: "You went and canceled the engagement with the Duke of Cheng's Residence?"
"Yes, Father, that Fang Yang is unlearned and unskilled; his reputation as a Spendthrift has implicated your daughter greatly. Now, he's even been expelled from Imperial Academy, which shows how utterly useless he is. Your daughter would rather die than marry such a person!"
Song Yiran's face was resolute.
Song Li's brows furrowed even deeper.
Years ago, the old Duke of Cheng had shown him the kindness of recommendation, and because of that, this childhood engagement came to be.
He hadn't expected his daughter to take it upon herself to break off the engagement today. If word got out, it would damage his reputation. However, his daughter had already done it, and there was no room for maneuver.
Fortunately, the Duke of Cheng Residence was already in decline. If it had been the Duke of Cheng Residence of several decades ago, and his daughter had done such a thing, he might have had to beg for his bones to be buried to preserve the Song family.
Before Song Li could speak, Song Yiran continued, "Father! I know the old Guo Gong Fu (Duke's Residence) was kind to you, but the old Duke of Cheng has been dead for many years, and your kindness has long since worn thin."
"Furthermore, that Fang Yang is truly not a good match. Today, his father just took on the arduous task of patrolling the border, and he immediately pawned a hundred acres of fertile land from the Guo Gong Fu (Duke's Residence). How much of a Spendthrift is this person? If your daughter were to marry him, who knows if he would even sell your daughter!"
By the end of her speech, Song Yiran looked even more pitiful.
Seeing this, Song Li finally sighed helplessly.
He was also aware of Fang Yang pawning the land.
The Clerk who helped Fang Yang draw up the deed had returned to the yamen and spread the news of Fang Yang pawning the land.
Thus, the news of Duke Chengguo's son pawning his ancestral property instantly spread among the high officials and nobles in the capital.
Everyone was waiting to see the joke.
After all, his father had just sacrificed his reputation to secure an arduous task that would allow him to show his face before the Emperor before the New Year, and as a result, the Spendthrift of the family immediately tore the house down.
He pondered for a moment before saying, "Forget it, we have completely offended the Duke of Cheng Residence."
"Father, there's no need to worry. What's so important about a declining Duke of Cheng Residence? Cui Lang became the Imperial Examination Top Scholar and will surely be highly regarded in the future. His prospects are much better than a Spendthrift from a fallen noble family."
When she mentioned Cui Lang, the light in her eyes was completely different from when she mentioned Fang Yang; it was like heaven and earth.
Song Li heard this and couldn't help but shake his head slightly.
"Your eyes are only on Cui Hao now. Do you know that Duke of Cheng, by stepping forward and taking on this border patrol duty, will surely be reinstated by His Majesty upon his return? It's possible that the Duke of Cheng Residence could rise again this time."
"What of it? When it comes to Fang Yang, it will still decline. Besides, I heard that a prominent figure will appear at the poetry gathering three days from now. By then, Cui Lang's talent will be fully displayed, and his starting point will inevitably be higher than ordinary people's." Song Yiran's face was full of determination.
Song Yiran was unconcerned.
Song Li sighed and said no more, dismissing Song Yiran.
...
For three consecutive days, Fang Yang did not step out of the Guo Gong Fu (Duke's Residence).
He studied until late at night every day before sleeping.
The distillation method for high-proof alcohol was far more complex than he had imagined.
Finally, diligence paid off. On the afternoon of this third day, Fang Yang successfully distilled his first jar of high-proof alcohol.
Fang Yang merely took a sip.
That familiar sensation immediately rushed down his throat. As it entered his belly, a warm current flowed throughout his body.
At this moment, Fang Yang knew he had succeeded.
So, he instructed his servants to begin distillation according to his method.
The next day at noon, Fang Yang dressed meticulously.
Clad in a brocade robe with Guang embroidery, wearing a gold-threaded crown, and with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, he truly exuded an air of nobility.
The folding fan in his hand added a touch of unruliness.
"Lian'er, how is the wine I asked you to prepare last night?" Fang Yang asked slowly.
"Young Master, it's ready, but don't poetry gatherings usually provide wine? Isn't it... odd for us to bring our own?" Lian'er was extremely conflicted.
She didn't know what her Young Master was thinking.
He was clearly going to someone else's poetry gathering, yet he insisted on bringing his own wine.
"I told you, today is the perfect opportunity for our Fang Residence's celestial intoxication to become famous in the capital."
'Clap!'
Fang Yang closed his folding fan with a snap and shouted, "Let's go!"
Lian'er quickly called two servants to carry the wine to the carriage.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the Hundred Flowers Garden outside the capital.
The entire garden was built against a small mountain.
Mountain springs flowed from the mountain into the Hundred Flowers Garden, forming a small river within the garden.
The river surface was currently covered with blooming lotus flowers.
At this time, the garden by the river was already filled with people.
Fang Yang held a folding fan in one hand and a wine jar in the other.
Lian'er followed behind him, carrying a wine jar in her arms.
As the two passed by, This Young Masters around them cast strange glances.
Nothing else, just that the smell of wine on Fang Yang was truly strong.
If one looked closely, it wasn't difficult to see that many parts of Fang Yang's clothes were already damp.
And the smell of wine emanated from them.
Just as Fang Yang and Lian'er were about to reach the center of the poetry gathering, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Fang Yang!"
Hearing this voice, Fang Yang's brow couldn't help but furrow.
Without looking, Fang Yang knew it was Song Yiran.
Song Yiran stopped in front of Fang Yang. Standing beside her was a handsome and elegant young man, whose appearance was no less impressive than Fang Yang's. This person was none other than the current Imperial Examination Top Scholar, Cui Hao.
"What do you want?" Fang Yang asked with displeasure.
"That's enough, Fang Yang. Didn't I already tell you that day at your Duke of Cheng Residence that you didn't need to accompany me to this poetry gathering? Our engagement has been dissolved, and I have no more connection to you." Song Yiran frowned.
"I didn't come to the poetry gathering to find you? Miss Song, please don't be so self-important. After all, in my eyes, Miss Song's looks are not much different from those common beauties. So, please don't think so highly of yourself in the future?" Fang Yang said with a face full of disdain.
"You!" Song Yiran frowned.
Then she said in a cold tone, "Hmph, you're good at finding excuses for yourself. Since you're not looking for me, then what are you doing here? With your limited knowledge, do you think you can write poetry?"
"What's so difficult about writing poetry? This Young Master came here this time to make a name for himself. Everyone says I, Fang Yang, am a Spendthrift, but who knows the depths of my mind? So, I'm not going to hide it anymore. How about it, Miss Song? Is that enough? Move aside, don't block the way." Fang Yang said impatiently.
"Hmph! You talk as if it's true. Who doesn't know your level of scholarship? Your 'From afar, the rock is big; up close, it's a big rock' is quite popular!" Song Yiran retorted.
"Then I won't trouble you to worry about it," Fang Yang replied indifferently.
Cui Hao, who had not spoken until now, chuckled upon seeing the two of them. "Haha, Brother Fang can hide his knowledge so well; he truly has profound thoughts and extensive learning. Everyone just decided on the poetry theme: 'Lotus.' Does Brother Fang want to participate?"
"Of course, but if there's no wine, then forget it. Poetry without wine is not worth discussing." Fang Yang smiled slightly, his face full of unruliness.
Song Yiran frowned slightly. She didn't know why, but she felt that this Spendthrift was a bit different today.
Cui Hao found it amusing, but his face still maintained the appearance of a refined gentleman. He smiled slightly and said, "Of course there is. Excellent plum blossom wine, it will definitely make Brother Fang unable to stop."
"Haha, yes, it will definitely make Young Master Fang unable to stop!" Xie Ping laughed loudly, emphasizing the last phrase heavily.
"Lian'er, since Imperial Examination Top Scholar Cui has said so, then let's go take a look."
As he spoke, his folding fan snapped open.
Holding a wine jar in one hand and fanning himself with the other, he strode towards the center.
At this moment, several Imperial Academy students were discussing there.
Suddenly, one person clapped his hands and said, "I have it!"
"Green water reflects the lotus fragrance,
A gentle breeze brushes the leaves aloft.
Born from mud, yet unstained,
Its noble purity naturally spreads its fame."
After reciting the poem, the person immediately snapped his fan shut, his face full of pride.
The surrounding scholars cheered continuously.
The several elderly men sitting in the pavilion nearby all had calm expressions.
The poem was decent, nothing particularly outstanding, but to write a poem of this quality in such a short time was quite good.
Immediately after, several others recited their own poems.
Fang Yang listened, shaking his head.
Song Yiran, seeing this from the side, frowned and said, "Fang Yang, why are you shaking your head? You're a Spendthrift, if you don't understand, just go to the side. Don't make a fool of yourself here."
"Heh heh, Miss Song, 'Spendthrift' rolls off your tongue constantly. For a young lady like you, isn't that a bit unrefined? It seems Song Vice Minister's way of raising his daughter is nothing special." Fang Yang sneered.
"You!" Song Yiran was immediately furious.
This damned Fang Yang, he used to always obey her every word, but now he dared to contradict her repeatedly! He was truly detestable!
So she spat out, "Crude brute!" and then turned her head away.
Cui Hao, seeing this, said nothing more, only invited, "I see Brother Fang doesn't quite approve of everyone's poetry. Would Brother Fang like to offer a poem?"
Fang Yang chuckled, then looked at Cui Hao with interest and said, "Brother Cui, you go first. Otherwise, once my poem is out, I'm afraid Brother Cui won't have a chance."
"Is that so? Since Brother Fang has said so, then I shall go first."
Cui Hao replied.
Then he feigned contemplation, pacing back and forth a few steps.
In truth, he had already composed the poem, and as for the theme of 'Lotus,' it was something he had intentionally or unintentionally guided towards.
This time, it could be said he was fully prepared, all for the sake of having a better stepping stone to officially enter officialdom.
Thus, Cui Hao walked back and forth a few steps, then suddenly clapped his hands together, as if struck by inspiration, and declared loudly, "I have it!"