The Transmigrated Farm Girl Has a Cheat Code

Chapter 80 Jiang Chengzi

After Lin Yan finished writing, she handed the paper to the teacher.

Those who witnessed the scene remained silent, offering neither praise nor ridicule, their expressions one of profound sorrow.

The master picked it up and realized why the workers had praised the calligraphy earlier. The calligraphy was elegant and flowing on the paper, a pleasure to behold.

The Master read aloud as before:

"Ten years have passed, and we are separated by life and death. I do not think of you, yet I cannot forget you. A lonely grave a thousand miles away, where can I speak of my sorrow? Even if we were to meet again, you would not recognize me, my face covered in dust, my temples white as frost." [1]

Before he had finished reading, the Master stopped, immersed in the sorrow of the poem, and after a while, he continued reading:

"In a dream last night, I suddenly returned to my hometown. By the small window, she was dressing her hair. We looked at each other speechlessly, only tears streaming down our faces. I know that every year, on this night of bright moonlight, I will be heartbroken at the short pine hill."

The crowd remained silent for a long while.

Dean Fu clapped his hands. "Good, good! This poem is full of endless longing and sorrow. Just reading or listening to it can make people feel the same way."

The crowd recovered from their grief and exclaimed, "Indeed, every word is written in blood and tears, filled with sorrow."

"The sorrow in this poem bursts forth from the words, so sincere and poignant that it brings tears to the eyes of the reader."

“‘Unforgettable even without thinking about it,’ I seem to feel the same way…” one person said with a desolate expression, his eyes vacant, as if he were thinking of someone.

Even Lin Yu was confused but understood the meaning behind the words.

…………

The poem written by Lin Yan was composed by Su Shi in remembrance of his deceased wife. When she first read it, she was moved to tears.

Thinking of loved ones during the Ghost Festival is a fitting theme.

Fu Wenchi looked at Lin Yan. It was impossible for a young girl like her to write such lyrics, especially since the lyrics contained phrases like "dust covered her face, her temples were like frost."

He asked, "Young lady, who is the author of this poem?!"

Lin Yan said, "That man called himself Su Dongpo!"

Upon hearing this, the group began to discuss it again.

"Su Dongpo? Never heard of him?"

"I've never heard of it either."

"I really want to meet this person!"

"........."

Lin Yan thought to herself: That's right, you've never heard of them, we're not from the same world!

Dean Fu did not press the matter further. He said, "There are many hermits in this world, unknown to us. We don't necessarily need to meet this person; it would be a blessing for us to appreciate his poetry!"

Everyone nodded in agreement. "Yes! It's a blessing to be able to see his poems!"

“This poem by the young lady deserves to be the best!” Fu Wenchi announced.

The scholars all nodded in agreement.

However, some people were dissatisfied, saying:

"She didn't write these lyrics! How can she be considered the best!"

Dean Fu said:

"That may be so, but I have already promised the young lady that if she can write a masterpiece that none of us have ever heard of, she will be the winner. Now, I cannot go back on my word!"

The man was unwilling to accept defeat; he also really wanted the jackpot this time. "This..."

A student said to him, "Hey, brother, if you're not satisfied, then write a masterpiece that surpasses it. It doesn't have to be yours, as long as we haven't heard it before."

The student had just seen Lin Yan's calligraphy and greatly admired it. Although the person didn't say it, it was clear that the calligraphy had been painstakingly crafted and was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

The man had no rebuttal and could only sigh.

Dean Fu chuckled, "Hahaha, in that case, let's give the prize to this young lady!"

"Great!" Everyone applauded and cheered.

Lin Yu: ⊙_⊙

"Sister, when did you get to know another Su Dongpo scholar?! Does our Rong'an County even have such a person?"

"Su Dongpo was a literary master from another world, not someone from here."

"Another world... is it the world you came from, sister?"

Lin Yu lowered his head and muttered something softly.

"What did you just say?" Lin Yan asked, puzzled, not having noticed what Lin Yu had said.

Lin Yu looked up and smiled, "It's nothing, that Su Dongpo scholar, he's amazing!"

"Of course!"

The poetry gathering came to an end, and everyone left.

Lin Yan looked up, thinking about how to talk to Dean Fu about the prize, when she saw a young student walking towards her and her brother.

Lin Yan looked at him closely and realized that this student was the one who helped the dean onto the stage at the beginning of the ceremony.

The person stopped in front of her, smiled at the two of them, and said in a calm tone, "Young lady, the dean would like to speak with you over there."

Lin Yan nodded: "Okay! Thank you!"

"Let's go, A-Yu!" Lin Yan pulled Lin Yu and walked towards where Dean Fu was.

Fu Wenchi was looking at the poem Lin Yan had written on the paper when he saw her arrive. He smiled and said, "Miss, who taught you this calligraphy? It has a lot of character."

Lin Yan lowered her eyes and said nostalgically, "I learned it from my grandfather."

She did indeed practice calligraphy diligently in her previous life; her grandfather taught her to write from a young age. However, her calligraphic style developed later.

"You've practiced very well; your handwriting is much better than many of the students in my academy!"

"Dean, you can praise someone if you want, but don't include us!" a young student muttered.

"Hmph, I'm going to bring you along so you'll know you still have a lot to learn!" The dean smiled and glanced at him.

"Then tell me, is her writing better, or is Brother Shen Mo's writing better?" The elementary school student pointed at Lin Yan, and then at the young student who had just called Lin Yan "sister and brother".

The dean pondered deeply, "Compared to Shen Mo..."

"Hmm...they each have their own merits!"

"Each has its merits?"

The dean stroked his beard. "As the saying goes, one's handwriting reflects one's character. Shen Mo's handwriting is vigorous and steady, with a penetrating spirit. The young lady's handwriting is unrestrained and elegant, with a hidden sharpness! It's clear that their personalities are different."

When Lin Yan heard the dean describe Shen Mo's handwriting, she suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. She remembered the handwritten copy she had bought in Rong'an County, and that person's handwriting was indeed vigorous and steady. However, upon further reflection, she felt it was impossible.

"Young lady, as I promised you, you can be my student for six months if needed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and I will do my best to answer them."

Lin Yan shook her head and pointed at Lin Yu, "It wasn't me, it was him!"

Fu Wenchi looked at the boy she was pointing to—his youthful face, slightly nervous eyes, and… a determined look in them. He asked, “This is… your younger brother!”

Lin Yan smiled and said, "Yes, I have no intention of studying for the imperial examinations, but A Yu loves reading, so I wanted to compete with them for this prize."

The dean nodded. "That's fine! But it's not appropriate for me to teach him now. Let's wait two years. If he can get into Yunlu Academy, I will take him as my disciple."

Everyone was taken aback by the dean's words.

"what?"

Shen Mo also slightly raised his head, his eyes flickered, and looked at the two siblings.

The younger student, however, was less composed. "Why, Dean, do you want to take him as your disciple?!"

Lin Yan was also taken aback, not expecting there to be an advanced version of the reward. "The Dean's criteria for selecting disciples are..."

Fu Wenchi laughed heartily: "My standard is that there is no standard. It's all up to me. If I like someone and he can get into Yunlu Academy, I will accept him."

Lin Yu looked steadily at Fu Wenchi: "I will get into Yunlu Academy!"

Fu Wenchi laughed heartily, "Great!"

A student nearby scoffed, "Getting into the academy isn't that easy. So many people fail the entrance exam!"

[1] "Jiang Cheng Zi" by Su Shi