They've all become top scholars in the imperial examinations, and you're telling me this i

Chapter 34 Bodhi Has No Tree

When Zhang Changling heard Chen Guangrui's joking remark about "clinging to Prime Minister Yin's thigh," and then watched him turn and leave without looking back, his heart sank, and he was filled with regret!
"My damn mouth!" He pinched his thigh hard, only to accidentally touch the spot where he had fallen earlier that day, making him wince in pain.

Why did you have to be so sarcastic, saying that the Prince of Qin's mansion was going to deal with Wei Zheng?
Well, that's great! Chen Guangrui thought this "new big shot" was unreliable, but what if... what if he really found Wei Zheng troublesome and turned around to curry favor with Prime Minister Yin and ask for her hand in marriage ahead of time?

You should know that Zhang Changling was only the second-place scholar, while Chen Guangrui was the first-place scholar!
If he were to ask Prime Minister Yin for his hand in marriage, it would surely be a celebrated story! It would be far better than me, the second-place scholar.

The thought of this possibility sent chills down Zhang Changling's spine! For so many days, he had been scheming and calculating, never once telling the truth.

But today, because Chen Guangrui disregarded past grievances and pointed him in the right direction, Zhang Changling couldn't help but tell him some accurate information.

Better now!

I regret it so much!

He limped and hurriedly chased after him into the courtyard, forcing a smile that looked more like a grimace, his voice urgent and weak: "Brother Chen! Brother Chen! Wait! Wait!"

Chen Guangrui stopped and turned to look at him, his face still bearing that ambiguous smile: "Brother Zhang, is there anything else?"

"Oh my, my good brother Chen!"

Zhang Changling leaned closer, rubbing his hands together, his face full of flattery.
"What you just said... really scared me to death! I was just hearing rumors, don't take them seriously! Lord Wei is a favorite of His Highness, with a bright future ahead of him! It's safest to stick close to him!"

His eyes darted around, cautiously probing.

"As for Prime Minister Yin... cough cough... such a high-ranking family, it's not easy to curry favor with them, is it? You are a distinguished person, with a long-term vision, you certainly wouldn't look down on him... uh, what I mean is, you must have a better place to go! Right?"

Of course, he didn't care about saving face; he absolutely had to express his most accurate thoughts on his face. Otherwise, what if Chen Guangrui pretended to be stupid? Then the consequences would be hard to predict.

It's best to play dumb and make our stance clear now that this matter has just been brought up.

Looking at Zhang Changling's frightened yet pretentious expression, Chen Guangrui suddenly burst into laughter, his clear and loud voice carrying far in the quiet courtyard.

“Brother Zhang,” Chen Guangrui patted his shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy, “What have you been thinking about?”

His smile was open and honest, with a hint of mischief.
"What I said just now was just a joke. Clinging to someone's coattails? You and I are both newly appointed scholars, and we will naturally have to rely on our own abilities to walk our own path in the future! The apple of Prime Minister Yin's eye will naturally find a good match. The top scholar, the second-ranked scholar, and the third-ranked scholar may all be fortunate enough to be so."

He looked directly at Zhang Changling, his tone exceptionally sincere.
"If I were truly interested in competing for it, why would I have waited until today? Nor would I have said it to you and upset you. Rest assured, I, Chen Guangrui, would never do anything that would harm you for my own benefit!"

Zhang Changling was a little stunned by the loud laughter and straightforward words, but after carefully considering Chen Guangrui's meaning, he thought, "I would never do something that would harm you and benefit me." These words sounded comforting and meant that he would not ruin Chen's plans.

But... the words "good match" still made him feel uneasy, and he was still a little unsure.

Chen Guangrui spoke so frankly, could he be trying to fool me?
He felt that if he and Chen Guangrui had switched identities, they would not have done it so readily. He would not only want to gain a huge favor, but also some tangible benefits.

Chen Guangrui saw that although he was nodding and grinning, the deep sorrow and worry between his brows were so intense that they could not be dispelled. He was clearly still worried that he would pose a threat to the Yin family's marriage proposal.

Seeing Zhang Changling's pitiful appearance, filled with anxiety and hesitation, Chen Guangrui understood.

Very well, since he's so wary, let's just reassure him. "Postmaster!" Chen Guangrui suddenly raised his voice.

The postmaster, who had been waiting under the eaves, listening intently to the commotion, immediately jogged over, his face full of respect.
"What are your orders, Your Excellency, the top scholar?"

"Prepare writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and bring them to my room."

"Yes! Yes! Coming right away!"

The postmaster ran off nimbly.

Zhang Changling was completely bewildered, having no idea what Chen Guangrui was up to. He followed Chen Guangrui into the room, where the postmaster quickly laid out writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones on the table, and even diligently ground the ink.

Chen Guangrui walked to the table, picked up the ordinary sheep-hair brush, and dipped it heavily in the inkwell. Looking at the snow-white Xuan paper, he hesitated for a moment, then the brush tip flowed smoothly like clouds and water.

Bodhi has no tree, nor is the bright mirror a stand. Originally there is nothing, so where can dust settle?
The brushstrokes are fluid and powerful, the characters written in one go!
"Ah? This...this poem..."

Zhang Changling leaned closer to take a look, gasped, and froze! Although he was mostly preoccupied with scheming, he was, after all, a second-place scholar in the imperial examinations, and he still possessed basic discernment.

These four lines of poetry! Every word and phrase seems to carry Zen wisdom, directly touching the heart, reaching a lofty realm!

This poem...this poem is absolutely amazing!
"Brother Chen... what's wrong with you...?"

Zhang Changling looked at the poem, then at Chen Guangrui, and for a moment his mind was a little confused.

Chen Guangrui put down his pen, picked up the poem he had written, gently blew on the still-wet ink, and said in a calm but unquestionable tone: "Brother Zhang, take this."

He handed the poem to Zhang Changling.
"Just spread this poem out."

Seeing the shocked look in Zhang Changling's eyes, Chen Guangrui finally revealed a confident smile.

"The wider the better. Let the whole of Chang'an know that 'having nothing to my name and no worries in my heart' is my current state of mind."

He stretched out his finger and gently touched the line "Where does the dust settle?", his gaze fixed intently on Zhang Changling.
"If one is so untouched by even the 'dust,' how could one possibly have the mindset of marrying and starting a family? Everyone... naturally understands."

These words struck Zhang Changling like a thunderbolt! He instantly understood Chen Guangrui's intention! This poem was the clearest and most unambiguous statement!
Chen Guangrui is telling everyone that he has no interest in romantic relationships! Who would still think that Chen Guangrui has feelings for Yin Kaishan's daughter? Who would still consider him a rival?
My previous worries were completely unfounded!

Overwhelmed with joy and indescribable gratitude, Zhang Changling's suspicions and fears vanished in an instant!
"Pfft!"

Zhang Changling trembled with excitement, his legs buckled, and disregarding the injury on his knees, he truly knelt down before Chen Guangrui, bowing deeply to the ground! His voice was choked with emotion, filled with unprecedented sincerity:
"Brother Chen! Brother Chen! You...you are truly my second parents! Your immense kindness...I...I will never forget it!!!"

Chen Guangrui also had his own ideas:
I've written such a Buddhist poem, surely the Buddhist order won't refuse to accept me now?

Watching Zhang Changling, profusely thanking everyone and limping away with the manuscript of the poem "Bodhi" as if it were some rare treasure, Chen Guangrui withdrew his gaze, a faint, slightly cold smile curving his lips.

As for Zhang Changling? If you trick him, he'll be kneeling and thanking you!
(End of this chapter)