Chapter 779 Old Zhao's Family Throws Money in the Street

The top three scholars, the first, second, and third place winners, paraded through the streets, causing a sensation throughout the city.

The people followed the procession toward the center of the street, and countless flowers fell on Zhao Sidan's head.

He rode atop a tall horse, feeling the gazes of attention from all directions. This scene had appeared countless times in his dreams, and he never imagined that this day would actually come true.

When he entered the palace early in the morning, his goal was to be ranked in the second class or above, but in the end, he was personally selected by the emperor to be ranked first in the first class.

He wasn't the best performer, but his answer was the most original, and he was also Mrs. Sui's son.

He understood that this was the Emperor's favor bestowed upon his mother.

As he searched for his family in the crowd, another large bouquet of flowers fell on him. He casually picked up a few, which made up a large bunch.

"Four Eggs, we're here!" Mrs. Sun shouted, jumping up and down. "Look here, look here!"

Not to be outdone, Zhao Youcai roared, "Zhao Si Dan!"

Old Mrs. Zhao said sternly, "How can you use such an unseemly name like Zhao Jingsi in public!"

“Yes, my uncle’s name is Zhao Jingsi!” Zhao Yuezhu, perched on Zhao Dashan’s shoulders, turned to look at Zhao Mochen, who was perched on Zhao Ergou’s shoulders. “Let’s call him by his name together!”

Zhao Mingxuan also joined the group, and the three children shouted together.

"Zhao Jingsi!"

"Zhao Jingsi!"

The childish voice, distinct from the surrounding noise, was indeed heard by Zhao Sidan, who immediately turned his head to look over.

He saw his mother standing in the crowd surrounded by people, his grandparents with slightly red eyes, his second and third uncles with proud faces, his second and third aunts with joyful faces, his eldest, second, and third brothers excitedly, his eldest cousin with an approving look, his master looking at him encouragingly, his master's wife and Yu Jiao looking at him and also at Yu brother... At this moment, his heart was filled with joy.

He raised the bouquet in his hand and threw it towards Cheng Wanwan: "Mom, it's all for you!"

His shout drew the attention of everyone watching, and countless eyes immediately turned to him.

"Isn't the top scholar's mother Lady Sui?"

"I never expected that Madam Sui would be crowding the roadside to watch the parade just like us ordinary people."

"Madam Sui truly lives up to her reputation as our Madam Sui; she's so approachable."

"..."

Cheng Wanwan smiled and nodded to the onlookers.

Granny Qi hurriedly said, "Luckily, this old servant prepared copper coins in advance!"

She quickly turned around and asked Cheng Jia and Cheng Yi to bring over a large trunk. In the capital, wealthy families who had passed the imperial examinations would scatter money in the street on the day the results were announced. This was a tradition that had been passed down for hundreds of years.

Fourth Master was a top scholar who achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations, a feat that only comes around once every few decades. Such a great honor deserves to be celebrated with generous gifts.

I didn't mention it before because I was afraid that if I brought it up and then failed the exam, it would disappoint my wife.

Now, naturally, we need to make arrangements as soon as possible.

Cheng Wanwan had heard of this custom, but she didn't prepare in advance because she felt that throwing money in the street was too nouveau riche.

But when she was actually there, she realized that only by throwing money could she express her excitement and joy.

She immediately grabbed a handful of copper coins and scattered them down the main street: "Come, come, everyone, let's share in the joy! May all your wishes come true, may your daughters marry good husbands, and may your sons become top scholars..."

Grandma Zhao and Grandpa Zhao were so excited their hands were trembling. In the past, they would never have been willing to throw away so much money, but now, it seemed that only throwing money could calm their excitement, otherwise they would faint sooner or later.

"My grandson passed the exam! He became the top scholar!" Grandma Zhao threw the coins into the crowd. "These copper coins are full of good fortune; whoever catches them will be lucky!"

Sun grabbed a handful of money and stuffed it into Zhao Mingxuan's hand: "Xuanxuan, take this money. In more than ten years, you will definitely become the top scholar!"

Zhao Mingxuan immediately handed the copper coin to Xiao Zhuzhu: "Sister, go buy some candy later..."

Zhao Yuezhu caught it and threw it into the middle of the street, clapping her hands and shouting, "Robbery! Robbery!"

The four flowers, Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, found it fun and came over to help scatter money.

A box full of copper coins was scattered in an instant before they had even taken a few steps.

Granny Qi hurriedly told Cheng Jia and Cheng Yi to go to the money exchange again, and to scatter money along this road, the more the better.

The parade lasted for half an hour, during which more than a dozen boxes of copper coins were scattered out, amounting to about a thousand taels of silver. This amount of money was really nothing to Cheng Wanwan.

The highlight of the parade was seeing the imperial edict, which listed Zhao Jingsi's name on the first line.

After the results were announced, the successful candidates could not go home. They had to attend various banquets held by the imperial court and could only return home in the evening.

After watching the commotion, the Zhao family didn't go home. Instead, they went to a nearby restaurant and celebrated together.

Upon returning home, countless people came to congratulate him.

Old Madam Shen and Shen Dongming waited at the door, and the two families congratulated each other.

"It's truly thanks to our ancestors that our Xiaozheng was able to become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)." Old Madam Shen exclaimed. "Back then, five years ago, Xiaozheng even struggled to pass the Xiucai (a lower-level imperial examination) exam. After staying in Dahe Village for a while, he found a godmother and befriended Cheng Zhao, a good brother. His good fortune started to come. People learn to be good by following good people."

Shen Dongming also sighed for a moment, and then, because there were more guests arriving, the Shen mother and son left.

The King of Qin came over shortly after and informed Cheng Wanwan of the results of today's palace examination.

"Today's exam focused on the relationship between the Great Yu Kingdom and its vassal states. Everyone was free to speak their minds, and Zhao Jingsi's words were particularly unique. Of course, he is young and has no experience in court affairs, so there must be some unreasonable or inaccurate points in his words. However, he is bold, outspoken, and has novel insights, which is why he was personally selected by the Emperor as the top scholar." The Prince of Qin said with a smile, "Since the Hanlin Academy already has the son-in-law pair of Minister Situ and Minister Cheng, it would be a bit inappropriate to add another cousin like Zhao Jingsi. Therefore, the Emperor directly sent Minister Cheng to the Court of Imperial Sacrifices with the rank of fifth grade, and appointed Zhao Jingsi as a seventh-grade editor in the Hanlin Academy."

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices was the place where the Crown Prince worked.

Cheng Zhao had only been an official in the court for three years. According to the normal procedure, he was promoted once every three years, so he could only be a mere seventh-rank official.

But now, because Si Dan passed the exam, the Emperor directly promoted Cheng Zhao by several ranks... He really intends to build up her faction, and the rewards he bestows are generous.

After the King of Qin offered his congratulations, he left. Then, the Lin family, the Zhang family, the Ruan family, the Jin family, the Li family, the Situ family, and so on, all sent people to offer their congratulations.

While she was receiving guests, Old Mrs. Zhao, along with Mrs. Wen and Mrs. Sun, were discussing the banquet arrangements.

For the villagers, passing the imperial examination with top honors is an auspicious event, and they would feel it would be a disservice not to hold a grand feast for several days to honor such a person.

Old Mrs. Zhao even took out her retirement savings: "Here are three hundred taels of silver. Take it all out to make wine."

Wen also took out some money: "I have three hundred taels here, which can help out a little."

Although Mrs. Sun was reluctant, since everyone else was contributing money, she couldn't be stingy, so she also took out three hundred taels of silver.

Lu Yingxue readily pulled out a thousand taels of silver: "Our Yu family is filthy, and it's not suitable for us to hold a banquet. Even if we did, we wouldn't have any guests to invite. So we'll just go with Sister Wanwan. Sister Wanwan, please don't think the money is too little, take it quickly."

Cheng Wanwan was somewhat moved.

The Zhao family gave a total of nine hundred taels of silver, which was undoubtedly a huge sum of money for them.

Moreover, during their trip to Beijing, their family business had to stop, resulting in significant losses and huge expenses. She was hesitant to take the money.

However, Old Mrs. Zhao didn't give her a chance to refuse: "Eldest daughter-in-law, hurry up and draft the guest list. Old man, choose an auspicious day for the banquet. Dashan's wife, Chunhua, and Cheng Fang, the three of you draft the menu. It's best to bring out all your best dishes..."

Under Mrs. Zhao's arrangement, the whole family got busy.