Chapter 4 Spring Banquet

It's been several more days without a cell phone.

They even corrected his habit of reaching for the alarm clock when he woke up.

One after another, Zhuang Dongqing met with her father, the eldest son, the third son, and the fourth daughter.

Seeing that Zhuang's father was mainly a scolding, this time he didn't kneel in the ancestral hall. He said a bunch of classical Chinese and roundabout curses, which Zhuang Dongqing didn't understand much. In the end, he was hit on the hand with a slap, which hurt a lot. His whole palm was red and swollen. The next day, Zhuang Dongqing was still pouting and secretly blowing air on his palm.

Zhuang Yue, the eldest son, was someone Zhuang Dongqing met when he went to the school to ask for leave.

They hadn't exchanged many words, but Zhuang Dongqing could sense the intense wariness in the other person's gaze.

The third young master, Zhuang Ling, came to find Zhuang Dongqing in person and said a lot of admonitions. Although he called him his second brother, his tone was not tactful at all. He was interrupted several times and was a little angry, but Zhuang Dongqing managed to understand what he was saying.

The fourth young lady was still young, and we greeted each other when we met on the road.

"What should I call the friend I helped fend off drinks for?"

Liu Fu: "Young Master Ji?"

This should be a pseudonym.

Zhuang Dongqing sighed, "He's a benefactor."

How can you tell?

There are countless ways to see this.

First, the lady gave him a plea not to curry favor with the powerful and wealthy. Then, Zhuang's father subtly inquired about the details of his friendships. Finally, the focus shifted to Zhuang Ling, coincidentally, this friend of his.

He wasn't particularly smart, but if the answer was right in front of him and he still couldn't grasp it, he'd be stupid.

Zhuang Dongqing let out a long breath and went through the three princes one by one, still feeling uncertain.

I can't think of anything, and I'm not going to think about it anymore.

Let nature take its course; he will find out when the time is right.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of the outside world, Zhuang Dongqing also had many problems to solve, the most important of which was her studies.

The original owner of this body had just won first place in the academy's entrance exam. Even if she had been hiding her true abilities before, she would still have been among the top students. But now, with Zhuang Dongqing...

It can only be said that although he entered the original body and could recall some of the original body's memories, knowledge did not enter his barren brain in an easy and painless way.

Traditional Chinese characters, I can read them, I know how to read them. That's all.

Yes, it's gone.

Writing is not possible.

The first time Zhuang Dongqing has clearly seen the results of compulsory education in himself after living for more than ten years, he writes in simplified Chinese characters.

Oh right, speaking of writing, even just copying the brushstrokes for three or four days... Zhuang Dongqing still hasn't mastered the wrist control.

I can't even write the characters smoothly.

Not to mention the calligraphy, poetry, and exquisite writing that the original owner was so proud of.

The process of cramming is painful, and my already precarious mental state collapsed under Liu Fu's unintentional muttering.

In a rather informal tone, when Zhuang Dongqing was once again unable to eat, Liu Fu said, "He'll be fine once the young master goes to the academy."

This sentence triggered fragments of the original owner's memories.

When they are very young, perhaps eight or nine years old, or even ninety years old, some scenes from their lives flash by.

"..."

Zhuang Dongqing looked at the table full of vegetarian dishes and smiled bitterly.

So this is already an improved standard of living.

After putting down her chopsticks, Zhuang Dongqing, who was trying to adapt, had for the first time the urge to just starve to death.

At night, Zhuang Dongqing practiced calligraphy by the light of an oil lamp. There was a character with many strokes that he could never write correctly. He was already in a bad mood, and after practicing a few more times, he finally got the strokes right, but then the brushstrokes were wrong again. The crooked and twisted strokes were a dark mess on the paper, just like the dark and hopeless life Zhuang Dongqing was living.

I was determined to practice some more, but I accidentally got a big blob of ink on my hand.

"..."

Zhuang Dongqing collapsed instantly.

He pushed open the door and plopped down on the steps. Night had fallen, and the moonlight was as clear as water, but he had no heart to appreciate it.

Zhuang Dongqing's studies never returned to what they used to be.

More than a decade of study and practice is like the original body not being able to solve the hyperbola equation or knowing what mitosis is. It is also impossible for Zhuang Dongqing to master poetry, songs, essays, and policy articles in one or two months.

but,

The fact that he is able to get by now is based on his good academic performance.

In his memories, when he was a child, the original owner and Liu Fu often only ate half full. Occasionally, when the madam remembered him or when there was an event in the mansion, she would make him a new outfit to make a good impression. There was never enough charcoal... Just thinking about that bone-chilling cold made Zhuang Dongqing unable to bear it.

If one cannot enter officialdom, one loses one's value, and what about the days to come...?

Zhuang Dongqing sat with his knees drawn up to his chest, burying his head deep in them. All the frustration, distress, and helplessness he felt in this world erupted at that moment.

For the first time in my life, I've really wanted to experience the hardship of buying a house under socialist conditions.

That's so useless.

How can you be so useless?

Zhuang Dongqing's eyes burned, and she gritted her teeth.

When Liu Fu got up in the middle of the night and found no one in the study, he found Zhuang Dongqing on the steps. Fearing that he would catch a cold, and unable to persuade him to come inside, Liu Fu had no choice but to give Zhuang Dongqing a cloak to wear and thoughtfully poured him a glass of water.

Zhuang Dongqing slowly finished his drink, wiped his face, and after his emotions subsided, he chose to return to his study to practice calligraphy.

After he woke up, Liu Fu took care of all his needs, from food and clothing to shelter and transportation. Without Liu Fu, no one would have prepared medicine for him.

Even if they can't maintain their current standard of living,

He'll do whatever he can, as long as he has a clear conscience.

*

As it turns out, last-minute cramming can be useful.

Just a few days later, Zhuang Dongqing received an invitation to the Spring Banquet.

After inquiring around, I learned that it was a gathering of literati jointly organized by major academies in the capital before the imperial examinations. It lasted for several days, with different topics each day, such as composing poems, writing essays, or competing in calligraphy. Students who wanted to exchange ideas could participate on the spot, and the winning essays and poems were displayed in the center of the gathering for everyone to read.

The banquet was attended by many distinguished guests, and a few years ago there was even a story of an imperial visit.

If these essays and poems were fortunate enough to catch the eye of a distinguished person, the students would not only gain fame, but also have an additional path to officialdom, which would become a celebrated story.

After asking Liu Fu, I learned that the original owner of this body began preparing for the Spring Banquet after taking the academy examination.

Given this background, it would be unreasonable for Zhuang Dongqing not to participate.

Moreover, he had been confined to his residence since waking up, and by the time he learned of the many news from the outside world, the dust had already settled. Taking this opportunity to go out and see what the situation was like was a good idea.

Having made up their minds, the day of the Spring Banquet arrived in the blink of an eye. Zhuang Dongqing, Zhuang Yue, and Zhuang Ling rode together in the Zhuang family's carriage to the banquet.

The event was to be held at the school, and Zhuang Dongqing had asked for leave beforehand.

Upon entering again, there were some changes compared to the last time I came. Several calligraphy works were hanging at the entrance. After verifying the invitation, I entered. The path was lined with potted flowers and plants, including seasonal begonias that were blooming in the wind, as well as bonsai orchids that were appreciated by literati, which were aloof and elegant.

As they walked along the corridor, calligraphy, paintings, and articles hung at varying heights on both sides. Zhuang Dongqing couldn't understand them, but Zhuang Yue and Zhuang Ling stopped several times to admire them, which must have been quite nice.

As he walked to the banquet, he encountered a large crowd. Zhuang Dongqing met many of his classmates, greeting each one and explaining that he had bumped his head and didn't recognize anyone. After going around the banquet, he had basically gotten to know all the acquaintances.

Zhuang Dongqing sat down in an inconspicuous spot on the side, glancing at the fruits and snacks on the table, and secretly swallowed.

No rush, it'll all be his in a little while.

Silently reciting the mantra, Zhuang Dongqing sat up straight.

It's just that every now and then, I always catch a glimpse of it out of the corner of my eye.

Ah, pastries, I've never had them before, they look so exquisite.

They even have dried meat! I'm so touched, I want to eat some.

The loquats look so sweet and golden, I can't resist, I have to resist!

Amidst this internal struggle, Zhuang Dongqing followed everyone through the banquet procedures.

The organizers gave speeches, and Zhuang Dongqing listened to the academy's headmaster's speech, which immediately made his head spin with its classical Chinese phrases. Then came the teachers and invited scholars, some of whom were renowned scholars, as well as civil officials of high rank.

There were occasional murmurs around, and Zhuang Dongqing strained his ears to listen.

"Wasn't it said that the Crown Prince's tutor would be coming? I haven't seen him."

"That was said so long ago, and besides... the imperial examinations are approaching, so we're trying to avoid suspicion..."

Zhuang Dongqing searched his memory and vaguely recalled that the incident of the deposed crown prince seemed to be linked to the imperial examination cheating case. Imperial examination cheating... wasn't that during the spring imperial examinations...?

"The Crown Prince has arrived!"

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out, and only after Zhuang Dongqing knelt down with everyone else did she realize that the slightly shrill announcement came from the eunuch in charge of ceremonies.

They knelt and bowed, respectfully welcoming him and shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

After the ceremony was completed and everyone was seated, Zhuang Dongqing dared to raise his eyes to look at them.

Emperor Shengwu fought many battles in his early years, and all the sons who survived were born after he became emperor. Therefore, although the crown prince was the eldest son of the legitimate wife, he was actually less than thirty years old.

The crown prince's name was Li Cheng. Zhuang Dongqing looked at him from afar and felt that his face, dressed in fine clothes, was refined and honest. When he spoke with the scholars of the academy, he was also approachable.

After a while, it was the Crown Prince's turn to speak, and Zhuang Dongqing began to zone out again.

Until that shrill voice rang out again, "The Prince of Dingxi has arrived—"

"!"

Slightly slower, he hurriedly caught up with the crowd and bowed again. The voice that called out was different; it must have been the prince's attendant.

When he sat down again, Zhuang Dongqing had broken out in a cold sweat on his back.

I was startled because I didn't keep up with the luggage-carrying progress immediately.

Zhuang Dongqing wiped his neck with his sleeve and looked at the loquat and dried meat in front of him. He felt bitter. This meal wasn't going to be good either.

Having been frightened this time, Zhuang Dongqing became much more serious and cautious, sitting upright with her head down and eyes lowered, only listening to the whispers of the people around her.

"Why is this evil spirit here?"

"How would I know? But the Crown Prince doesn't look too good."

"Who would have a good look on the face of the Prince of Dingxi? Those three disgraced officials all passed through his hands..."

Cen Yan, the Prince of Dingxi, was the only prince of a different surname in this dynasty. A few years ago, he was summoned to the capital to defend the emperor and made great contributions. Afterwards, the emperor kept him in the capital. He requested to return to his fiefdom several times, but the emperor did not grant his request.

In fact, Cen Yan grew up with the male lead. When the old prince was still alive, he was summoned to the capital as the heir apparent to accompany the princes in their studies. He was taught along with the other princes and was favored by Emperor Shengwu from a young age. After making meritorious contributions, he was even more favored by the emperor and enjoyed unparalleled glory.

However, he only obeyed the emperor and ignored the princes.

In the later stages of his life, the princes tried every possible means to win him over.

With that thought in mind, the pre-banquet remarks finally came to an end.

During the break, the atmosphere became much more lively. The senior scholars in the front courtyard chatted warmly with the two great deities who had suddenly arrived, while the scholars and students around them began to drink tea, chat, and eat pastries.

Zhuang Dongqing quickly took two pieces of dried meat, gave one to Liufu, and took a bite herself.

Wow, it really is meat, and it tastes pretty good.

move.

All her attention was instantly focused on her taste buds. Without realizing it, she raised her head and stared blankly at the figure standing in front of her.

The original owner of this body had damaged her eyesight from staying up late reading in her early years, and was slightly nearsighted. Because the person was too far away, Zhuang Dongqing could only roughly make out that the person had high eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and smooth features, and should be... good-looking.

He squinted, still feeling confused and uncertain, but he had a feeling that the other person was looking at him too.

The head of the academy suddenly bowed to the man. Zhuang Dongqing felt a chill run down his spine and instantly realized that this was either the Crown Prince or the Prince of Dingxi. He quickly lowered his head... He couldn't see him, he couldn't see him!

The banquet followed immediately.

Liu Qi, who had just returned with the news, stepped forward to change the servants who were serving him. While serving Cen Yan food, he said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "The Sixth Prince has also arrived. He just entered through the side gate."

After speaking, there was no response. Liu Qi looked up and found that Cen Yan was staring intently at the person below.

"Master?" Liu Qi called out.

Cen Yan then came to his senses, paused for a moment, and pointed in a direction, "Go and find out who that student is."

Liu Qi looked down, scrutinizing the text again and again, unsure for a moment. "What is Master referring to...?"

Cen Yan glanced at it again, then pressed his temples. "Hmm, the one who's eating without even looking up."