Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 104: The Grand Feast of Qionglin

Three days later, the horseback parade through the streets commenced.

In the faint light of dawn, officials from the Ministry of Rites delivered the bright red official robes and golden flowers.

The red was so glaring it felt somewhat unreal.

Su Ming and Xu Qing, along with all the new jinshi, gathered before the palace gates.

The Top Scorer, the Second Place Scorer, and that handsome yet slightly somber-looking Third Place Scorer, Wei Zi'ang, stood at the very front of the procession. They wore black gauze caps and red robes, the golden flowers on their chests gleaming brilliantly in the morning light like stars in the sky, attracting countless envious gazes.

Su Ming's position was at the forefront of the Second Class group.

He could clearly see the backs of the three men ahead and could also feel the countless gazes of jealousy or curiosity from behind, pricking his back like needles.

Xu Qing stood not far behind him, excitedly adjusting his own robes, his cheeks flushed red with excitement.

"The auspicious hour has arrived! Begin—!"

With the ceremonial officer's loud cry, bells and drums sounded in unison, and grand music swelled.Instantly, the solemn ceremonial music filled the sky.

The prepared horses, already adorned with red silk and colorful decorations, pawed the ground restlessly.

The Top Scorer took a deep breath and was the first to mount his horse, followed closely by the Second Place and Third Place Scorers, with the Second Class jinshi following in order.

The horses' hooves first trod upon the specially laid red felt carpet on the official road, then landed on the hard bluestone slabs of Chang'an Street, producing crisp, rhythmic clopping sounds.

These sounds were instantly drowned out by the roaring cheers and discussions from the crowds lining both sides of the street.

Both sides of the street were already packed with people; commoners had poured in from everywhere, vying for a glimpse of the new Son of Heaven's disciples.

"Look! That's the Top Scorer! So imposing and dignified!"

"The Third Place Scorer is so handsome!"

The crowd surged like boiling water, people jostling and squeezing, craning their necks. Children rode on their fathers' shoulders, young girls covered their mouths with their hands, their eyes following those red figures.

Scented pouches, handkerchiefs, even fresh flower petals rained down like colorful drops from the windows of taverns and the balconies of teahouses on both sides, landing on the jinshi's shoulders and before the horses, diffusing a rich, heavy fragrance.

Xu Qing finally loosened up a bit, clumsily yet sincerely imitating those ahead by cupping his hands in salute to the crowd, a pure and dazzling smile on his face.

At this moment, the loneliness of his ten years of diligent study, his family's poverty, all his efforts seemed to be compensated.

Su Ming sat upright on his horse, wearing a perfectly appropriate smile tinged with a bit of restraint and joy.

After the parade ended, the procession headed directly to the royal garden—Qionglin Garden.

The Qionglin Banquet, a feast bestowed by the Son of Heaven, was the supreme honor for the new jinshi.

The royal garden was filled with pavilions, towers, carved beams, painted rafters, and exotic flowers and rare plants vying in splendor. The very air was permeated with an aura of luxury and majesty.

The new jinshi were guided by ceremonial officers to their seats according to their rankings.

The top three of the First Class were arranged in the area closest to the imperial throne, sharing space with imperial relatives, nobles, and important ministers of the Grand Secretariat.

Su Ming's seat was in the front row of the Second Class area.

This position was delicate. He could clearly see the casual conversation and laughter of the great figures ahead and also see their appreciative glances toward the top three.

As for Xu Qing, he was placed in a more rearward area of the Second Class, separated by over a dozen tables, a distant view.

An invisible chasm had already formed.

"His Majesty arrives—!"

Following the palace eunuch's long, drawn-out announcement, everyone rose and knelt in obeisance.

The Great Xing Emperor, surrounded by a host of eunuchs and palace maids, slowly walked toward the imperial throne.

Su Ming, kneeling on the ground, caught a glimpse of a bright yellow dragon robe passing before his eyes from the corner of his vision.

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live, long live, long live!"

After the mountain-shaking cries of "long live," the Emperor took his seat, his voice majestic and even.

"All ministers may rise and be seated."

Everyone's gaze was fixed upon the imperial throne.

The Emperor's voice was majestic and resonant. After offering a few words of praise and encouragement, the ceremony of bestowing wine and rewards began.

The Top Scorer, the Second Place Scorer, and the Third Place Scorer, Wei Zi'ang, stepped forward and knelt before the Emperor.

imperial wine upon the three of them. He specially granted the Top Scorer golden flowers, a black gauze cap, and court robes, and bestowed

honor caused countless jinshi below to reveal

perceptible, restrained smile at the corner of his mouth the entire time he received the reward and gave thanks. His eyes were calm yet carried a trace of unconcealable arrogance, as if all this was only natural and

The banquet began.

string and wind instruments rose, and palace maids, like butterflies flitting through

of the finest quality—each was a top-tier enjoyment from

himself, sat four fellow graduates of

names and hometowns; all were among the top ranks of the Second Class and were likely to serve as

was superficially harmonious but inwardly carried a hint of cautious probing

delicacies before them—unseen delicacies in their entire lives—with refined

three rounds of wine, the atmosphere gradually warmed, entering the segment where the

Top Scorer, accompanied by the Second and Third Place Scorers, they began toasting the princes, important ministers, and fellow

new jinshi

Grand Secretary Zhang, the elderly man with white hair and beard merely nodded faintly and casually

when they reached Yongchang Marquis, that burly, resolute-looking middle-aged noble laughed heartily, personally stood up, and patted Third Place Scorer

you haven't brought shame to your father! Tonight's wine

respect finally appeared on Wei Zi'ang's

you for your praise, Marquis. Zi'ang is

scene caused countless people around them to change

figures

table, speaking standard, polite

was Su

a steady-looking man in his forties,

Top Scorer raised his wine cup and said clearly to the few at the table, "Fellow graduates, today we have

he drank it all in

his tablemates hurriedly stood up

Zi'ang's turn, his gaze lingered on Su Ming's face

look wasn't curiosity, nor scrutiny, but a

some reason, had been placed here and was

on his face, and addressed Su Ming, as well as the others at the table, with a standard polite

serving in the same court, I ask

he followed the Top

beginning to end, he didn't spare Su Ming another

perhaps just a name, a symbol, a poor student from a humble background

first protective talisman. The

down, picked up his wine cup, and drank the slightly

carried a hint of spiciness as it went down

by the top three ended,

truly has the innate nobility of aristocracy,"

remembered him: eleventh place in the Second Class,

have some criticism toward Su Ming, this "dark

that didn't reach his eyes, "you really hit the jackpot this time. I heard Chief Examiner Minister Wang particularly favors balanced and peaceful essays. Your policy discussion essay must have perfectly hit

praise but actually implied that Su Ming had achieved his high ranking by taking advantage of an opportunity and catering to

table immediately stopped their chopsticks and looked over

sneered in Su Ming's

the classic sour grapes segment. Disciple, ignore him. Let

Ming, however,

Qian flatters me. This student's essay merely rehashed old ideas. I was merely fortunate enough to catch the eye of

modest and proper, leaving no

horse" had clearly piqued

sixth or seventh-rank official robes continuously approached, holding wine

Su Ming, the fellow graduate from Qingshi County! I've

placed in the top ten of the Second Class! Truly a talented youth! May I ask which great Confucian scholar you

outstanding people. My hometown is also in the Southern Metropolitan Region. Come, come, let's have

immediately slipped into the

stood up, acting flattered and wearing a somewhat simple, awkward expression, returning the

I dare not.

is not

My apologies for not recognizing you

replies were watertight

his demeanor measured, but in his words, one couldn't hear any astonishing insights or see any

officials who

to

man seems...

views on policy discussions, he couldn't articulate anything substantial, only saying 'all relying on the Sage's teachings.' Such

achieve great things. A pity,

reached Su Ming's

heart was as still as an ancient well, even

banquet, the few true giants—including Yongchang Marquis—from beginning to end, never cast a single glance of attention

had nothing to do with this poor student from a humble background who had suddenly leaped to

Second Class tenth-place graduate with no roots or foundation, whether "lucky" or not, had not yet entered the

was

precisely the effect he

......

superficial glamour of the Qionglin Banquet rapidly receded from the capital's