Frost for a Thousand Years

Chapter 29 The banquet begins

He dressed and put on his hat, smoothing out the wrinkles in his robe.

Picking up the exquisite wooden box on the table, Song Shi'an slowly opened the lid.

Inside was a pure gold reclining tiger.

After gently stroking the tiger's back with his hand, he closed the box and put it back on the table.

With a casual wave of his sleeves, he walked confidently toward the door.

.........

Inside the Situ residence, before the banquet begins.

"Are you ready?" Sun Situ asked.

“Everything is ready, Father,” Sun Heng said.

"What was the name of that Registrar Han's son again?"

“Han Zhongchen,” Sun Heng introduced, “sixth place in this imperial examination. I gave the order last night. If he performs well this time, he will be kept in the capital as an official, without needing to wait for a post.”

“Hmm,” Sun Situ replied knowingly.

“Father, his family background is decent, he’s from the capital, and he’s very loyal to the Sun family. He’s choosing a husband for my younger sister… What do you think of him?” Sun Heng asked tentatively.

"Those who are opportunistic and sycophantic are disgusting to behold."

Sun Yan had absolutely no liking for this person.

And it's only the powerful and sycophantic who do this kind of role.

Others with a bit more magnanimity would also be willing to do it if offered enough.

But there's no one like that who can do it so perfectly.

“Indeed.” Sun Heng nodded, not particularly fond of him either.

However, the main reason for disapproval is their appearance.

With upturned triangular eyes and thin, narrow nose, although not ugly, he always gives people a stereotypical impression of being shrewd and calculating.

The Sun family is famous for their 'good looks'.

When Sun Situ was young, his neighbors all called him handsome.

He was eight feet tall, with a handsome appearance and the demeanor of an ancient gentleman. After entering the court, he was always the emperor's chosen person for any mission to other countries, representing the grandeur of the Great Yu Dynasty.

The genes of the most beautiful woman in Jiangnan are incredibly strong.

"What was that third person's name again?" Sun Situ asked, remembering something.

“Reporting to Father,” Sun Heng said, “Fan Wuji, of the Chu Yang Fan clan, whose father is General Fan Qing.”

"Oh, I remember, his son is already of examination age." Sun Situ was somewhat surprised, then asked with interest, "What kind of person is he?"

“At nineteen, he is both talented and handsome. Although he is the descendant of a military general, he has a very good reputation among the gentry of Sili.” Sun Heng, who had already done all the research, said, “I heard that after he passed the imperial examination, many famous teachers were eager to take him as their disciple.”

"Okay, then we'll examine that carefully later."

With a military background, a respect for teachers, and third place in the imperial examination, he is definitely outstanding among this group of young people, and his future is limitless.

"Father, there is something I don't understand."

Just before the banquet was about to begin, Sun Heng finally voiced his concerns: "Although we are targeting Song Shi'an, what if this person admires the Sun family and takes the initiative to show his enthusiasm, wishing to become a disciple... If we do that, wouldn't it discourage the students of the world?"

“The Sun family has disciples and former officials all over the world. There are plenty of students who want to join their ranks. We don’t need one more person,” Sun Yan said disdainfully. “Besides, he is just an illegitimate son born to a maid.”

Hearing this, Sun Heng was stunned for a moment.

He was very surprised that such 'outrageous' words, which even he found somewhat absurd, came from his father's mouth.

Seeing his son staring blankly, Sun Yan smiled, a rare occurrence for him: "Heng'er, what do I look like right now?"

"Huh?" Sun Heng didn't understand. "Father means..."

"Like jealousy."

Raising his finger at Sun Heng, Sun Situ said, "Our targeting of the top scholar is actually an attempt to resist the military farm system. But doing so is too direct."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Sun Heng suddenly realized: "So, Father wanted to portray himself as ostracizing Song Shi'an because the 'Triple Crown' award was broken?"

"Insulting the top scholar is merely due to my narrow-mindedness."

Sun Situ had already come up with a reason.

His persona of being 'narrow-minded' may not be entirely an act.

However, this persona can be very useful as a shield in many situations.

Especially in matters that are not considered serious.

The workplace and the officialdom are the same.

If someone is described as 'not to be trifled with'.

This indicates that he wants to encroach on other people's psychological boundaries, and wants to bully the weak and make others give way to him.

When did you hear that a minister was "not to be trifled with" by the emperor?
Is a leader someone who is "not to be trifled with" by his superior?
They're not to be trifled with; they only ever treat their subordinates well.

Why is it that Sun Situ is known for his narrow-mindedness?
This is his 'domineering' nature.

Why is it that the noble families of Qinzhou dominate the market when both are original shares?
He was going to use his temper to represent the Jiangnan gentry class, stand up to the nobles of Qinzhou, and stand up to the imperial power in order to maintain his position.

If he is not assertive, the morale of the people behind him will crumble. Originally, the imperial examination system was a new institution established by this dynasty, and it met with strong resistance from the aristocratic class.

Knowing full well that my son was going to take the imperial examination, why didn't they consider human relationships at all?
I'll make a scene if you don't give me the top scholar title.

"Father, I understand."

Sun Heng had no more concerns about this.

Then they began to humiliate the top scholar!

Thinking about what was going to happen today, Sun Situ smiled and said, "Then let's do it."

.........

The Situ Mansion.

The grand vermilion gate is flanked by round wooden pillars inlaid with copper, with a pair of stone-carved mythical beasts guarding the space between the pillars.

On Situ's birthday, lanterns and decorations were everywhere, and visitors and guests came in an endless stream, making it a lively and festive occasion.

As one of the Three Dukes of the Great Yu Dynasty, if he had any happy events, court officials would visit him on their own initiative, even without an invitation.

However, Minister Sun had already stated that today's reception of scholars was for the purpose of choosing a husband for his daughter, so he would not accept gifts or entertain any other distinguished guests. He asked for their understanding.

Therefore, today, these officials from the imperial court have only sent people to express their congratulations.

The eldest son, Sun Heng, personally expressed his gratitude at the gate of the mansion.

Today's main focus is on these ten students.

Therefore, the early arrivals of the Asian currency group felt even more valued after witnessing these scenes.

And, flattered.

"Today, Minister Sun personally received us students and even wants to choose one of us as his son-in-law... Whoever is so fortunate is truly blessed!"

In front of Sun Heng, Han Zhongchen pretended to laugh and chat with others.

Ya Yuan, standing beside him, smiled but didn't reply.

The others also went their separate ways and did not get too close to him.

Gao Yunyi couldn't help but roll his eyes at him: "Your family's grave was burned down!"

"Have all the Asian members arrived?"

Seeing that almost everyone had arrived at the door, Sun Heng asked.

They looked at each other, and then someone said, "It seems like we're missing one person?"

"It seems the top scholar hasn't arrived yet."

"That's what someone who knows everyone else said."

"The top scholar, the number one, naturally has to appear last," Han Zhongchen joked to the crowd. "Otherwise, how can he stand out from the rest of us?"

Regarding this concept of Yin and Yang, some people agree: "The top scholar is indeed free-spirited."

"Is that person?" Gao Yunyi asked as he saw someone approaching.

Everyone turned in that direction.

A tall, handsome man walked over.

"Sorry to keep you all waiting."

Song Shi'an slowly walked over and bowed to everyone.

This was the first time that everyone had seen the top scholar.

They all looked him up and down with curiosity.

As a previously unknown spoiled illegitimate son, everyone had only heard rumors about him.

He simply failed the first two times, but got first place in both subjects the third time. He was fond of going to brothels and listening to music, and once even fell into a river while drunk.

Looking at it now, there seems to be another characteristic.

He's really handsome.

"Brother Jieyuan, did you come empty-handed?"

Seeing that his hands were light and empty, Han Zhongchen asked.

Apart from him, everyone else was basically holding something in their hands.

They are various boxes, of different sizes.

"How could I not have made preparations for Situ's birthday?" Song Shi'an retorted.

This b looks so yin and yang.

"Now that everyone is here, please come in."

Sun Heng smiled, then turned sideways and stretched out his hand.

After everyone nodded to him in greeting, they entered the gate of Situ's residence.

After everyone who was supposed to be there had arrived and the officials who came to offer their congratulations had been dealt with, Sun Heng prepared to head to the main hall to begin the banquet.

Just then, a royal carriage appeared.

"The Prince of Zhongping has arrived—"

(End of this chapter)