Chapter 780 A Grand Feast for the Top Scholar

The celebratory banquet was scheduled for the third day after the palace examination.

Although Cheng Wanwan was not from the capital, she knew quite a few people, such as the Lin, Zhang, and Ruan families, her colleagues from the Court of State Ceremonial, Si Dan's classmates, and many other wives of court officials she had met. Since she was going to hold a grand banquet, it would be inappropriate to invite this person but not that person, so she sent out invitations widely and held a large-scale banquet.

Before dawn, everyone in the yard was busy, even the little kids like Zhuzhu were helping to arrange the dried fruit.

"Mrs. Sui, congratulations!"

"Let's also share in Lady Sui's joy!"

"Madam Sui is truly skilled at raising her son, producing a top scholar who has achieved the highest honors in the imperial examinations—a feat that only comes around once every few decades!"

"Lady Sui, you'll have to tell us about how to raise children later."

"..."

Guests arrived in waves, and the courtyard immediately became lively.

Because there were so many guests, the first courtyard was entirely for male guests, while the second courtyard was for female guests. The guests alone occupied half of the mansion, so you can imagine how many guests there were.

Ruan Mingzhu came with Madam Ruan: "Aunt Wanwan, I'm here!"

Seeing that she was still dressed in men's clothing, Cheng Wanwan said helplessly, "I prepared the Eighteen Years' Top Scholar Red Wine today, so don't mess it up for me."

"Don't worry, Aunt Wanwan, I'm not drinking today," Ruan Mingzhu said with a smile. "Aren't there a lot of people coming from the military camp? I'll go talk to them. Bye!"

She rushed into the men's section without any apparent concern.

Madam Ruan shook her head: "This girl, really..."

Cheng Wanwan said, "Madam Ruan, don't think about this anymore. Go sit in the backyard for a while."

Wu Huiniang led the female guests to the backyard, smiling as she said, "Madam Ruan, this way please."

"Second Aunt".

A pretty voice rang out; it was Situ Man. Beside her was Cheng Zhao, and behind her were the rest of the Cheng family.

Cheng Wanwan did not have any contact with the Cheng family when she came to the capital this time. She had been living here for half a year, and the Cheng family had never come before. This was the first time they had come to visit.

Grandma Cheng picked up the congratulatory gift in her hand and placed it in Granny Qi's hand, saying calmly, "Congratulations on your son becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination. Your Zhao family has finally produced a talent!"

For her, being a mother herself wasn't a great achievement; it was raising a child who could study that truly made her life better.

However, the fact that Si Dan did better than Zhao Er on the exam left her feeling somewhat uneasy.

Cheng Wanwan understood the subtle psychology of the Cheng family, and she smiled and said, "Yingying, please bring the guests inside."

Cao Yingying responded and led the Cheng family inside.

Guests arrived in droves, gifts piled high and were constantly being sent into the storeroom, and the courtyard was filled with the sounds of conversation.

When the time was almost up and she was sure no one else would come, Cheng Wanwan prepared to return to the courtyard to arrange the banquet. Just then, a low-key yet luxurious carriage slowly stopped at the gate of the mansion.

Cheng Wanwan recognized the man driving the carriage immediately. She looked at him several times before realizing who he was and quickly went to greet him: "Why are you here, Eunuch Ming?"

Eunuch Ming, dressed in a servant's uniform and wearing a black commoner's hat, a completely different look from his usual attire, burst into laughter: "Madam Sui is hosting a city-wide banquet, how could we not come?"

Cheng Wanwan's gaze immediately swept towards the carriage. The master who could make Eunuch Ming drive the carriage—that must be…

She immediately curtsied: "Your Majesty has arrived. I am late in welcoming you. Please forgive me..."

"Madam Sui, there's no need for that."

The carriage curtain was lifted, and the Emperor and Empress stepped out one after the other, using stools to alight from the carriage.

The emperor and empress were dressed like ordinary people, but having lived in a position of power for so long, even in ordinary silk clothes, they could not suppress their noble air.

"This is my first time visiting Lady Sui's residence," the Empress said with a smile. "Today I am not the Empress, so Lady Sui can simply call me Sister Yan."

Eunuch Ming readily agreed, saying, "This is Master Huang, and this is Madam Huang. Madam Sui, please lead the way."

Cheng Wanwan felt grateful that the Emperor and Empress had disguised themselves and come to drink the wine to celebrate her son's academic achievement, which was an unparalleled honor for her.

She no longer stood on ceremony and gestured for them to come this way: "Master Huang, Sister Yan, this way please."

She led the Emperor and Empress, along with Eunuch Ming, into the courtyard.

The first courtyard was filled with male guests, including some of Zhao Sidan's classmates, some soldiers from the military camp, some acquaintances, and the rest were all court officials.

These ministers attend court every day; how could they not recognize the current emperor?

One by one, they were so frightened that they immediately stood up from their chairs, lifted their robes, and were about to kneel down to pay their respects.

The emperor raised his hand to gesture for silence: "I am just an old friend of Lady Sui today, and I've come to ask for a cup of wine to celebrate the top scholar's achievement. Everyone, please don't stand on ceremony and sit down."

Everyone sat down nervously.

"Father, this is Master Huang." Cheng Wanwan led the emperor to the male guests and said to Old Man Zhao, "It's not easy for Master Huang to come all this way, Father, please have a few more drinks with him."

Originally, the emperor should have been led to the throne, where Grand Tutor Lin and other important court officials were seated.

However, she thought that since the emperor was dressed like this to attend the banquet, he certainly didn't want to be flattered by the court officials. It would probably be better for him to sit with the common people.

At Old Master Zhao's table were Zhao Youyin, Zhao Youcai, Old Master Cheng, and some neighbors who lived here—all so-called commoners.

Although Old Man Zhao was old, he was not senile. He could tell from the restraint of everyone after Master Huang entered that Master Huang must be of extraordinary status.

However, since Master Huang was unwilling to reveal his identity, he naturally wouldn't ask any further questions. He immediately smiled and said, "Master Huang, our Zhao family is a farming family, and we don't know much about the etiquette in the capital. If we have offended you in any way, please don't hold it against us peasants."

The emperor waved his hand: "I'm not one to be bound by rules, so please make yourselves at home."

After the emperor was seated, Cheng Wanwan led the empress to the second courtyard: "Sister Yan, would you like to sit at the same table with Madam Lin and Madam Ruan, or with my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law?"

"Naturally, I'll sit at the same table as you Zhao family members," the Empress said, smoothing her hair. "Looking at me, I should just be an ordinary lady, right?"

Cheng Wanwan chuckled: "Even if Sister Yan is wearing coarse clothes, she can't hide her innate nobility. However, my mother-in-law and the others have never seen a real noble person, so naturally they can't recognize Sister Yan's identity."

The Empress smiled and said, "That would be wonderful."

If she wanted to act like an empress, she could have come dressed in palace attire. The reason she and the emperor secretly left the palace was to truly integrate with the common people.

They also wanted to know what kind of family had raised a Mrs. Sui.

Cheng Wanwan led the Empress to Old Madam Zhao's table and said with a smile, "This is Madam Huang. I'll call her Sister Yan. I don't know anyone here, so please take good care of her, Mother."

Old Mrs. Zhao immediately stood up: "Mrs. Huang, please take a seat."

For the eldest son's wife to come over and give such a serious explanation, this Madam Huang must be someone of extraordinary status!

She immediately made room for the Empress at the head of the table and respectfully invited her to sit down.

This table is filled with the women of the Zhao family, as well as Old Mrs. Cheng, Sister-in-law Cheng, and Situ Man.

Although Situ Man was from the capital, the Situ family was of low rank, and she had never been to the palace, so she did not know the Empress. However, she could sense that this Lady Huang's husband should be at least a high-ranking official of the second rank or above.

No one at this table recognized the Empress, but at the next table, and the table two tables away, were distinguished guests, such as Madam Lin and Madam Ruan. They had been to the palace countless times and had dined with the Empress many times, so they recognized her at a glance.

But when Lady Sui introduced her as Lady Huang, they couldn't very well stand up and bow. They were all extremely surprised. The Empress dressed like this to attend the top scholar's banquet was a huge honor for Lady Sui. Lady Sui's branch of the family was truly about to rise.