Chapter 54: Turning White to Black

Ever since the day he woke up holding a writing brush, Gu Tingzhi had developed an extraordinary fondness for paper, ink, and brushes. Whenever he had a free moment, he would spread out a sheet of white paper to write and sketch.

He could draw anything he laid eyes on. A book picked up and glanced at just once could be recited and copied down from memory, regardless of whether he recognized the characters. Today, having watched the fierce scuffle between Yibai and Erbai, he spread out a few more sheets of paper and faithfully captured their entire brawl in a series of illustrations.

As if feeling unsatisfied even after finishing the drawings, he picked up Yibai from the floor and painted a tiny image of Erbai directly onto its pristine white turtle shell. Upon seeing its own miniature portrait, Erbai grew wildly excited, barking happily as it circled the turtle shell.

Gu Tingzhi’s gaze shifted back and forth between them. Noticing that Manman was deeply engrossed in sewing clothes and paying him no attention, he once again scooped Yibai off the floor, selected the largest and thickest brush, dipped it heavily in ink, and began smearing it all over Yibai. Within a short while, Yibai was pitch black from head to toe, perfectly complementing Erbai’s glossy, sleek black fur.

The more he looked, the more satisfied he became, even holding the two creatures side by side to compare the shades of black.

By the time Zhen Mier discovered what had happened, it was already too late. This was Hui ink, renowned for never fading! It was the very same ink cake bestowed upon him by the magistrate. It would take years for Yibai to wash that color off.

When the rest of the Gu family returned home, they were also startled to see Yibai looking as dark as a lump of coal. Refusing to accept defeat, Gu Qinghe fetched a massive basin of water, plunged Yibai inside, and scrubbed vigorously, only to find that the ink did not fade in the slightest! The water remained completely clear without a hint of turbidity.

Well, everyone simply had to accept it, comforting themselves with the thought that they would eventually get used to it after seeing it for a while. Yibai, however, remained furious for days, deliberately crawling around a wide detour whenever it spotted Gu Tingzhi.

On the eighth day of the second lunar month, with only one day left before the examinations, Zhen Mier kept telling herself to remain calm and maintain a steady state of mind. Yet, she still tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep as she flipped back and forth like a pancake. In the dead of night, she stared unblinkingly at Gu Tingzhi.

In the main bedroom, the sounds of tossing and turning echoed from time to time as well. Gu Lizong sighed helplessly and sat up to watch Madam Zhou fret endlessly.

"Whatever is destined to be yours will be yours; whatever is not destined should not be forced. Just set your mind at ease."

"Ah, although I tell myself that in my heart, I still feel a lingering resentment," Madam Zhou said, tears beginning to fall in heavy drops. "You tell me, isn't Tingzhi naturally brilliant with a wonderful mind for studying? Why on earth must heaven stubbornly torment him in this aspect? Two years ago, if it weren't for an old woman like me, and a year ago, if it weren't for an old man like you, Tingzhi might have attained official rank and academic honors long ago! Now that the examinations are finally here this year, Tingzhi has suffered such a misfortune. It aches my heart so dearly."

Gu Lizong let out a long sigh and tried to comfort her: "Didn't you see it with your own eyes just a few days ago? Although Sanlang's mind was injured, his innate talent is still there. He can remember everything he reads in a single glance. At worst, we can simply start over from the beginning. Even if he doesn't pass this year, taking the exams again in the future will be the same. Sanlang is still young; why are you being so pessimistic?"

"But my heart is terrified! Time and time again, three consecutive times disasters have struck. This is clearly a sign from the heavens telling us not to let him take the examinations. I'm afraid Tingzhi might remain like this forever and never recover." Realizing she had spoken inappropriately, Madam Zhou quickly spat three times to ward off bad luck, silently pleading with the Buddha not to take her words seriously.

"Alright, go to sleep now. The Buddha won't take your words to heart."

Yet, Madam Zhou still could not settle her mind. Early the next morning, she took her three daughters-in-law to the Ci'an Temple outside the city to burn incense and pray for Gu Tingzhi's blessings.

The temple was filled with people burning incense, especially family members praying for scholars.

Kneeling alongside Madam Zhou before the compassionate visage of the Buddha, Zhen Mier offered three pious prostrations, praying for the Buddha to protect her husband, grant him a speedy recovery, and bestow academic success upon him.

On the eighth day, the Gu family rose before dawn. The entire household mobilized to accompany Gu Tingzhi to the examination compound. Zhen Mier and Madam Zhou checked the items Gu Tingzhi would need over and over again, ensuring nothing was left behind before they finally felt at ease.

When they arrived at the examination compound, the gates were already packed with crowds, and numerous imperial guards were maintaining order. Only examinees were permitted to pass through the Dragon Gate, while accompanying family members were stopped outside the outer gates.

Zhen Mier handed the examination basket to Gu Tingzhi and coaxed gently, "Husband, be a good boy and go inside by yourself, okay? We will wait right here outside for you to come out."

Gu Tingzhi was reluctant, but he had always been obedient to Zhen Mier. Seeing that Manman wanted him to enter alone, he aggrievedly took the examination basket.

Gu Qinghe gave instructions with lingering worry, "Third Brother, follow the guards. Later on, a county official will call the roll and inspect your examination basket, clothes, shoes, and hat. Just obey all their arrangements and avoid getting into any conflicts with them."

Gu Tingzhi nodded, cast one last glance at Zhen Mier, and walked through the Dragon Gate, looking back every three steps.

Guards checked his household registration documents, verified his appearance, and thoroughly inspected his examination basket inside and out. The official was relatively courteous, handling his belongings with care without damaging or disarranging anything. Finding no issues, another guard led him to a changing cubicle, where his hair was untied and uniformly replaced with the scholar's attire prepared by the compound, before allowing him into the examination hall.

Gu Tingzhi did not know how to tie his hair up; Zhen Mier did it for him every single morning. Neither Gu Tingzhi nor his family members had anticipated that his hair would need to be undone as well, so no one had taught him how. Consequently, Gu Tingzhi entered the examination hall like this, instantly attracting the gazes of many scholars along the way.

Zhang Zhengheng was assigned to the same examination hall. Seeing him with his hair hanging loosely around his shoulders, and fearing this state would affect his ability to write the exam papers, Zhang made frantic facial expressions at him and pointed pointedly at his own hair.

Gu Tingzhi tilted his head, seemingly grasping his meaning. He reached into his sleeve, pulled out a hair tie, and casually bound his cascade of dark hair behind his back.

Fortunately, he possessed handsome features; otherwise, not just anyone could pull off such a disheveled appearance.

Standing a few positions behind Zhang Zhengheng, Lin Mo glanced back and forth between the two of them with a thoughtful expression.

Once all examinees had been inspected, the heavy examination hall doors were closed by two guards working together. All examinees answered the roll call, entered the central hall to collect their test papers, and took their seats according to their assigned desk numbers. Bailiffs carrying placard-lanterns patrolled the interior, and the examination questions were posted on boards and circulated for all examinees to view, marking the official commencement of the test.

Today was the first session of the preliminary examinations for prospective scholars, known as the county trial. The initial session of the county trial served as the principal test, comprising two essays on the Four Books and one five-character-six-rhyme regulated poem. Both the topics and the prescribed writing formats for the poems and essays were strictly regulated, and the entire exam paper could not exceed seven hundred characters.

Seeing everyone else diligently answering their questions, Gu Tingzhi felt momentarily at a loss, staring blankly at his exam paper in a daze. After a long while, large beads of sweat broke out across his forehead. Something flashed within his mind—scene after scene—yet he could grasp none of them.

Moments later, his eyes grew vacant and dull once more, as if his soul had been captured by some invisible force, stripping him of self-awareness. Then, with a mechanical motion, he extended his right hand, gripped a writing brush, and began to write furiously across his answer sheet.