Top Scholar

Chapter 489 Praising Officials on the Imperial Street, and Granting a Feast at the Jade Forest

However, the two brothers didn't have time to chat with their parents for the time being, because there was a ceremony waiting for them soon!
It was indeed a ceremony performed on horseback...

Tian Butang led the three to a colorful tent by the roadside, where the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture and the Magistrates of Daxing and Wanping Counties, each leading a tall, pure white horse adorned with red decorations, had been waiting for some time.

The three of them will represent the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) to perform a grand ceremony on the Imperial Street in Chang'an.

As for the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) of the second and third classes, they went to the Ministry of Rites to attend the Qionglin Banquet first... No one stopped them if they insisted on parading through the streets, but since they had no horses, they could only follow on foot, and naturally no one was willing to lower the price.

The glory of the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) all belongs to the top three scorers, which is why it is said that "everyone must strive to be the first to pass the examination"...

Su Lu and his two companions entered the decorated pavilion, where the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture personally adorned the top scholar with flowers and a red ribbon. The bright red silk and shimmering gold flowers made the top scholar shine even more brilliantly!
The magistrates of Daxing and Wanping counties followed suit, adorning Jingyang and Suman with flowers and red ribbons. The third-ranked scholar, dressed in this attire, was even more breathtaking…

Once the attire was complete, the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture handed over the riding whip with both hands and said politely, "Scholar, please mount your horse."

"Thank you, sir." Su Lu hurriedly took the whip with both hands, bowed in thanks, and then gracefully mounted his horse.

Jingyang and Suman each took the riding whip and mounted their horses with ease.

As soon as the three mounted their horses, the officials set off tens of thousands of "red fireworks," which shot into the sky as if they were free... Even in broad daylight, you couldn't see anything special, just to make a noise and let the people know that the parade was about to begin.

In fact, there was no need for any announcement; both sides of the Imperial Street were already packed with people. The triennial Imperial Street Parade of Officials was a grand event in the capital, and who wouldn't want to witness the spectacle of the top scholar parading through the streets and see what the top scholar, adorned in red and flowers, really looked like?

The first floor of the restaurants and teahouses along the street was empty, but the windows on the second floor were packed with onlookers.

Of course, high-ranking officials and nobles would not tolerate such crowding; they would spend a lot of money to book a private room facing the street, where the view would be the best.

The young princess sat in the best spot, excitedly leaning on the railing and looking down, saying happily, "Eunuch Song chose a really good place; you can see the whole street from here."

"That's right." Eunuch Song said with a doting smile, "This old servant placed the order half a month in advance. If it had been later, no amount of money would have been able to secure it."

"Mmm-hmm." The little princess nodded happily and said, "Father-in-law is so reliable!"

"Who told you, young master, to be so obsessed with this?" Eunuch Song said helplessly.

"Everyone needs something good in life," the young princess said with a smile. "So what if I like Young Master Su?"

"Nothing's wrong, everything's fine." Eunuch Song smiled wryly, "Young Master, are you so sure that Young Master Su can make it into the top three?"

"Of course!" The young princess held out a delicate white hand and said confidently, "Young Master Su has already achieved the highest rank five times in a row. How could the emperor be so foolish as to give the top scholar title to someone else?"

"That's true." Eunuch Song had no choice but to nod; the young princess was using all her brainpower on Young Master Su.

Just then, firecrackers rang out from the direction of Chang'an Prefecture gate, and fireworks shot into the sky. The young princess excitedly stood up and exclaimed, "It's starting! It's starting!"

~~
Amidst the sound of firecrackers, the procession of officials lining the Imperial Street began.

Two teams of officials dressed in bright red uniforms led the way, carrying four lacquered wooden plaques with gold lettering that read "Six Successful Scholars in a Row," "Top Scholar," "Second Scholar," and "Third Scholar." Behind them followed a band of musicians playing instruments, with the sounds of sheng and xiao (traditional Chinese wind instruments) and gongs and drums resounding, creating a truly lively and festive atmosphere.

Following them were a pair of green fans and a red umbrella, leading three tall horses adorned with red and colorful decorations. Su Lu and his two companions sat upright on the horses, enjoying the scenery of "seeing all the flowers of Chang'an in one day".

The wide Imperial Street was already packed with men, women, and children watching the spectacle, shoulder to shoulder, a sea of ​​people. If it weren't for the soldiers from Shuntian Prefecture forming a human wall, the entire Chang'an Street would have been completely filled.

The people of the capital stood on tiptoe and craned their necks. When they saw the three magnificent horses adorned with red ribbons and colorful decorations, and the three armored warriors on their backs wearing red hairpins and flowers, the entire street instantly erupted in excitement!

"Look! The top scholar is here!"

Wow, what a young top scholar!

I've heard of achieving the highest rank in three consecutive examinations, but what does it mean to achieve the highest rank in six consecutive examinations? Does it mean you became the top scholar twice?

"Is he crazy to take the imperial examination twice and become the top scholar? He achieved the minor three-time champion followed by the major three-time champion, making a total of six top scholar titles, understand?!"

"Oh, does that mean I have to be number one from the very beginning?"

"What do you think?"

"This is unbelievable! It's like the God of Literature has descended to earth!"

The sounds of discussion, admiration, and cheers mingled together, creating a deafening roar. The crowd reached its peak of excitement when the three elite warriors rode up on horseback. Men, women, and children alike were flushed with excitement, and young women and wives alike tossed prepared flowers and embroidered balls into the street.

In an instant, petals filled the air, red, pink, and white, falling gently on the Imperial Street, on the shoulders of the three people, and on their horses.

Unsurprisingly, the popularity of the top scholar who achieved the highest score in six consecutive examinations was only about the same as that of the third-ranked scholar.

As for the poor second-place winner, hardly any girls greeted him with embroidered balls. He barely had any petals fall on him…

But that's normal. Jing Yang is already in his early thirties. How can he compare to young heartthrobs?
But just thinking about his classmates who went directly to the banquet made him incredibly satisfied. Looking at the cheering crowd and the fluttering flower petals, listening to the deafening drums and cheers, he felt his heart surge with pride and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

This is truly—flowers float, wine shadows gleam, and the rosy clouds are dazzling; the sun shines on the robes, and the colors are vibrant and auspicious.

On the pavilion in front of Twelve Street, who wouldn't look at the immortals when the curtains are rolled up?
~~
In the best private room facing the street, one could indeed see the entire procession of officials. The silver-saddled steeds of the three top scholars, their gold-embroidered red silks, and the incomparably handsome third-place scholar... none of these caught the little princess's eye.

She simply cupped her cheeks in her hands, gazing intently at the top scholar riding his horse through the middle of the Imperial Street.

"I told you, Young Master Su would definitely become the top scholar." The little princess was full of pride, as if she herself had become the top scholar.

The eunuch Song beside him looked helpless, thinking to himself, "Why is Su Jieyuan... uh, Su Huiyuan... uh, Su Zhuangyuan, why are you being so exaggerated? You're raising the little princess's standards to the heavens. How is she going to find a husband to settle down with in the future?"

After the procession with its music and fanfare had faded into the distance and disappeared from sight, he sighed and said, "Young master, have you finally fulfilled your wish this time?"

"Hmm." The young princess nodded in satisfaction.

"Shall we go back then? We're talking about going back to Chengdu. We've been away for half a year now. Don't you miss home?" asked Eunuch Song.

"I do want to, but I still have an imperial mission to complete," the young princess said casually. "No rush, I'll first submit a memorial to the Emperor and ask what to do with his white fox."

"Then let's wait and see..." Eunuch Song rolled his eyes. The prince had submitted so many memorials to the emperor, but he hadn't responded even once.

~~
After leaving Chang'an Avenue, the procession of officials went to the Guanyin Temple and the Guandi Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings, attracting crowds of people along the way to watch and cheer.

Afterwards, the procession escorted the three top scholars to the Ministry of Rites for an honorary banquet.

The Enrong Banquet was originally the Qionglin Banquet held during the Song Dynasty to celebrate newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations). Although it had changed its name, it remained the most important celebratory banquet in the hearts of the newly appointed Jinshi.

Fei Hong and his officials waited in front of the Ministry of Rites. When the three top scholars arrived, Fei Hong smiled and went forward to help Su Zhuangyuan take the reins.

"Thank you, sir." Su Lu said his thanks and dismounted nimbly.

"Please, gentlemen, we've been waiting for you." After the second and third place scholars dismounted, Fei Hong smiled and stepped aside to invite them.

The three top scholars followed Vice Minister Fei into the main gate of the Ministry of Rites. They saw the ceremonial gate wide open, with banners lined up in the courtyard. Musicians from the Imperial Music Bureau, dressed in colorful clothes, stood solemnly on both sides, playing music to welcome the three to the banquet.

The banquet was grand and solemn. In the center was a seat reserved for Zhang Mao, the Duke of Yingguo, a meritorious official who was ordered to attend the banquet.

The seats for the examiners and officials were arranged on the left and right, while the seats for the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) were arranged according to their ranking below the steps.

"Hahaha!" Seeing the three top scholars enter, Zhang Mao laughed loudly, "The three officials who were praised on the Imperial Street have returned. Please take a seat!"

The three men hurriedly expressed their gratitude and, guided by the Ministry of Rites officials, took their seats. Su Lu, as the top scholar, sat in the first seat among the successful candidates, directly opposite the main seat in the hall. The second and third place scholars sat to his left and right.

Once everyone was seated, Tabedo announced the start of the meal.

The music from the Imperial Music Bureau began to play, and at that moment, officials from the Ministry of Rites entered in single file, carrying flower trays, to adorn the newly appointed scholars with flowers. Each flower was a silk flower, with a small bronze plaque tied to its stem, engraved with the three characters "Enrong Banquet" in small seal script.

The only one given to the top scholar was a different, more exquisite flower—its branches and leaves were all made of silver thread, adorned with emerald feathers, shimmering brilliantly. Even the plaque was made of silver with gilded plaques, also engraved with the three characters 'Enrong Banquet,' but it felt heavy in the hand, completely different from the silk flowers of others.

The person who adorned him with flowers was changed to Fei Hong, the former top scholar. Su Lu bowed to accept the flowers and pinned them to the side of his black gauze scarf.

All eyes in the hall turned to them, and no matter how high-ranking the official was, they couldn't hide their envy.

There's no way around it; this is an honor reserved for the top scholar (Zhuangyuan). And with so many important figures present, there couldn't be a third Zhuangyuan…

After the newly appointed scholars finished adorning themselves with flowers, the music subsided. Zhang Mao, who was waiting for the banquet, rose and said, "I am honored to host this banquet for the newly appointed scholars on behalf of His Majesty. Let's cut to the chase and begin."

Having said that, he raised his wine cup and said bluntly, "I'm a rough old man, and I don't know how to say any other polite words! Just one sentence—congratulations to all of you on passing the imperial examination and achieving your goal of ten years of hard study! I wish you all a bright future, and never forget the glory of today and the Emperor's expectations! Come, drink this cup to the brim!"

The examiners then rose and raised their glasses: "What the Duke said is absolutely right! You are all students of the Emperor, you should cherish this honor and live up to your youth!"

"Thank you, Your Excellency, and thank you, gentlemen." The newly appointed scholars quickly rose and raised their cups.

"Cheers!" Zhang Mao tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, then turned the glass upside down to show the bottom.

"Cheers!" All the officials and scholars drank their cups to the brim.

The Imperial Banquet officially began, with a dazzling array of delicacies, both land and sea, and exquisite wines and spirits, truly befitting a banquet bestowed by the Emperor.

But precisely because it was a banquet bestowed by the emperor, everyone sat upright and no one spoke or laughed loudly. The newly appointed scholars were especially dignified, eating slowly and carefully, for fear of being impolite.

After the Qionglin Banquet, I was even hungrier.

P.S. The intricate ritual is finally finished! I re-verified everything; it was exhausting. Please vote with your monthly tickets!!!

(End of this chapter)