Song Zhi sat in the courtyard, holding a book in his hands!

Yet his mind was not on reading.

His gaze watched the brilliant fireworks blooming in the night sky not far away.

His heart wavered uncertainly.

Go?

Or not go?

He suddenly thought of a solution.

He set down the book in his hands, then pulled out a copper coin.

He placed it in his palm.

He thought to himself, if it landed heads he would go, if it landed tails he would not go.

He tossed the copper coin into the air.

The copper coin fell.

He gripped it tightly in his palm.

His heart sank. He opened his palm to look.

It was actually heads.

The result was to go!

Song Zhi felt helpless, but in the end he still accepted this so-called arrangement of “fate.”

Then he returned to his room and changed into slightly better clothes.

To make himself look less out of place.

Finally, he picked up a lantern and went.

Today, nearly half the citizens of Gaoding City had come.

Looking down the street, one could not see the end.

Song Zhi had never seen such a scene before.

A “big city” was truly different!

Crowded and lively.

When any activity was held, it was extremely festive.

He squeezed through the crowd and went to Wen Bridge.

Beside Wen Bridge was a very spacious red corridor filled with tables, chairs, and benches. Many scholars had already arrived, along with quite a few literary masters and noble young masters.

Behind the corridor was a spacious courtyard. Inside the courtyard were several long tables with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on them. Lanterns hung all around and above the courtyard.

Beyond the courtyard was a lake, and by the lakeside was a pavilion.

Light gauze hung around the pavilion!

One could not see inside.

But those sitting in the pavilion could clearly see everything on this side.

Song Zhi stood in place and hesitated for a moment.

His hand holding the lantern involuntarily tightened a bit.

Suddenly someone saw him and called out to him: “Brother Song.”

He looked toward the voice and saw a cleanly dressed, frank-looking man walking over from the corridor.

Hmm?

Who was this person?

Song Zhi quickly searched through his mind.

No impression at all.

That person walked over with enthusiasm all over his face, put his arm around his shoulder, and said: “Why did you come so late?”

Song Zhi finally spoke: “You are?”

“You don’t recognize me, but I recognize you.”

“…Ah?”

“My name is Yuan Jiang. There was a poetry gathering before where you answered Xue He’s poem, remember?”

Oh!

Song Zhi nodded: “I remember.”

That person said: “I was there at the time. You should know, among all the people present, except for you, no one else could answer it. You truly have talent.”

“You flatter me, I… was just lucky.”

“Don’t be so modest. Come, hurry inside, I saved a spot for you.”

“Thank you.”

That person then pulled Song Zhi inside.

He sat down in the empty seat beside him.

Song Zhi immediately blew out the lantern in his hand and placed it at his feet.

A lantern also cost several copper coins, so this old lantern could not be lost.

He felt nervous inside, not knowing what to say to the people beside him.

Yuan Jiang poured him a cup of tea: “Young Master Song, have a taste.”

Song Zhi smiled slightly, picked up the tea and first held it to his nose to smell, then took a sip.

The tea’s fragrance filled the air.

Its taste was sweet going down the throat.

He said: “It’s good tea.”

Yuan Jiang poured him another cup: “If you like it, drink a few more cups.”

Very enthusiastic.

And hospitality was hard to refuse, so Song Zhi drank several cups in succession.

The several people at the same table also began inquiring about Song Zhi’s family background.

After all, those who could be invited here were all people with reputation and status.

But when they heard about Song Zhi’s background, everyone was astonished.

So he was a poor young man.

They all changed tables one after another.

Only Yuan Jiang and two other friends who were close to him remained.

Song Zhi’s face showed some embarrassment.

But Yuan Jiang patted him and said: “Brother Song, don’t mind them. They’re all shallow people. Don’t stoop to their level.”

Song Zhi smiled without speaking.

Yuan Jiang’s two other friends pulled him aside.

They asked with great curiosity: “What’s gotten into you? Why are you so enthusiastic toward a poor scholar?”

“What do you understand!”

“Tell us.”

Yuan Jiang looked back at Song Zhi, then lowered his voice to tell the two: “Think about it, although that scholar is poor, his connections are impressive! I heard that Lord Li from the City Department is very familiar with him, and the Master Ji who solved Du Mubai’s case is also familiar with him. This shows he’s definitely not simple—there are people backing him. Moreover, you’ve all witnessed his talent with your own eyes. He will definitely be in the top three.”

The other two people suddenly understood.

“So that’s how it is.”

Yuan Jiang: “So making good relations with him now will definitely help me in the future.”

“We didn’t expect you to be so shrewd, thinking so far ahead.”

“You’re the ones who are shortsighted.”

The several people discussed in low voices for a good while.

Afterward, the several people treated Song Zhi extremely well.

Very enthusiastically.

This left Song Zhi confused. He was a penniless man—were these people showing flattery to the wrong person?

But it wouldn’t be good to ask directly for the reason.

He could only let it go.

In the pavilion on the lake, at this moment, Na Yan was sitting inside.

From the moment Song Zhi appeared, his gaze had been fixed on Song Zhi.

Regarding Song Zhi’s talent, he was also aware. At the last poetry gathering, it was he who had answered Xue He’s verse.

Added to the fact that this person had close dealings with Li Cheng and Ji Yunshu, he must have exceptional qualities.

Therefore, Na Yan had specifically invited him to participate.

That’s right, the organizer of this event was Na Yan.

His purpose was also simple—he wanted to find someone with hope of being in the top three to become his protégé.

And this target, he had temporarily placed on Song Zhi.

A guard following him asked: “Your Highness, are you certain about him?”

Na Yan slightly frowned.

Then he picked up the tea before him and took a sip.

He curved his cold lips and said: “Whether it’s him or not, we still have to see if he has that capability. This prince does not want to find another waste like Xue He to be his protégé, only to implicate this prince again in the end.”

The guard added: “However, your subordinate still has one concern.”

“What concern?”

“It’s Song Zhi, he…” The guard hesitated to continue.

Na Yan looked at him: “Speak.”

The guard looked at Song Zhi sitting awkwardly at the table in the distance and said: “Your subordinate feels that Song Zhi is somewhat dull. Although he’s good material for studying, his usual conduct is somewhat thought-provoking. He appears very rigid. Even if he truly achieves top honors in the future, he probably won’t last long in an official position, so your subordinate is worried.”

Na Yan carefully considered this.

These words were not without reason.

Indeed!

Song Zhi was too foolish!

So foolish that he was too upright!

And people like this, in general television dramas, could only survive about two episodes.

Not to mention if he truly achieved top honors in the future and entered court as an official—he would certainly be the one constantly suffering losses.

Therefore, Na Yan hesitated.

Because the “new person” he must choose must be intelligent.