As dawn broke through the thin mist, all was quiet except for the distant, melodious sound of bells and drums, heralding the imminent start of the annual imperial examination.
In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the red walls and yellow tiles gleamed in the morning sun, and the golden glazed tiles sparkled with dazzling light, as if even the sky was infected by this solemnity, becoming higher and clearer.
In the square in front of the palace, hundreds of scholars dressed in brocade robes and wearing Jinshi headscarves stood solemnly, each with a confident air. Some were deep in thought, while others were exchanging whispers. The air was filled with a tense yet expectant atmosphere.
Having endured the rigorous tests of the provincial, prefectural, and metropolitan examinations, they finally stood at the heart of the imperial palace, all for that ultimate glory—to be listed among the successful candidates.
With a long, drawn-out chant, the palace doors slowly opened, and the emperor, dressed in a dragon robe and wearing a crown, entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony, surrounded by numerous palace maids.
He sat upright on the golden throne, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the scholars below. His majesty and nobility inspired awe in everyone present. On either side of the emperor stood a prince of extraordinary bearing, wearing a golden crown and black robe, his eyebrows like the crescent moon in a painting.
On the other side was an old scholar with a long beard.
The scholars greeted him with clasped hands and addressed him as "Master," for he was indeed the venerable Master Li.
The palace examination officially began. After kneeling and bowing, the scholars began to write on their examination papers. The hall was completely silent, save for the soft scratching of pens on paper, a sound like celestial music echoing through the ancient hall. Each stroke carried the weight of the scholars' years of diligent study and their boundless aspirations for the future.
As time went by, the examination papers were gradually completed, and the scholars left the palace one by one. The emperor, together with his ministers, reviewed the papers and carefully ranked the scholars based on their talent, knowledge, and governing philosophy.
Ultimately, those talented and insightful scholars will be able to pass the imperial examination with flying colors.
Three days later.
With the sound of a gong, the imperial edict was unveiled, revealing the names of the top three scholars: the first, second, and third place winners. Immediately afterwards, the three, riding tall horses and dressed in magnificent official robes, began their procession through the streets.
Countless young girls flocked to the streets, and Jiang Jiaojiao joined in the fun, booking a private room with the best view at the Red Mansion.
She also invited Yuan Bao'er and Luo Twelve, and even the Fourth Princess was brought out of the palace, so the brothers Jiang Jingtian and Jiang Lingtian were also there, as well as the Thirteenth Prince, who immediately clung to Yuan Bao'er as soon as he entered.
As for the Jin family's cousins, they had been pestered by the Thirteenth Prince for a long time and were staying in the next room. To avoid the Thirteenth Prince bothering Jiao Jiao, they didn't dare to come over to greet him.
"Eh—didn't the Imperial Concubine say she was going to join in the fun too?"
Luo Shier sat by the window and asked curiously.
Jiang Jiaojiao said helplessly, "She does want to come out, but His Majesty is keeping a close eye on her. Even her maternal grandmother is kept in the palace to watch over her, for fear that she might sneak out."
“These days, the Imperial Concubine has been working very hard managing the six palaces, so how could Father Emperor dare to let her leave the palace?”
These days, under Jiang Jingtian's clumsy attempts to please her, the Fourth Princess has gradually started to smile. Her originally pale face has become rosy, and her eyes are sparkling with a bright light, as if she has rediscovered the joy and hope of life.
"The Imperial Concubine is amazing! I heard that the first thing she did was to issue a decree forbidding the private killing of eunuchs and palace maids within the palace. Anyone found guilty would be handed over to the Censorate for sentencing and punishment."
Luo Shier smiled broadly.
Jiang Jiaojiao nodded. Xiao Jinjin was different from them. She seemed to value human life very much, and sometimes she would even say things like "everyone is equal" which were considered outrageous.
However, her years of life in the palace had taught her about the strict hierarchy and the distinction between the noble and the lowly, so she learned to keep quiet and not say anything shocking.
However, Jiang Jiaojiao knew that Xiao Jinjin's inherent sense of equality had always been there, and now that she had the opportunity and the right, she naturally wouldn't remain indifferent.
only……
This would likely offend the Empress and all the concubines.
"Here it comes! Here it comes!"
Luo Shier exclaimed in surprise.
Everyone immediately gathered around. The long street was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the crowds were bustling and lively.
The top scholar rode a tall horse, wearing a red robe and a golden flower in his hair, looking dashing and heroic. His face was full of confidence and pride, and he waved his riding whip, smiling and gesturing to the crowd on both sides.
The second and third place winners followed closely behind, also dressed in fine clothes and riding magnificent horses, looking very imposing. Their faces were also filled with joy and pride as they received congratulations and praise from the people, just like the top scholar.
Along the streets, the people cheered and threw sachets and pouches at the three talented scholars. The young girls looked shyly at the top scholar, their eyes sparkling with admiration and affection.
"Oh my, Jiaojiao, look at that top scholar! He's even more handsome than the third-ranked scholar!"
Luo Shier pointed at the top scholar, Zhuangyuan Lang.
Jiang Jiaojiao looked in the direction the finger was pointing, and her expression changed slightly. It was him!
Little Twelve's past life was with that hypocritical husband!
Then look at Little Twelve, who is holding her face and looking at it with great joy.
suddenly--
As if sensing Luo Shier's burning gaze, the top scholar suddenly looked up, waved in their direction, his eyes gentle as water, and smiled tenderly.
"Ahhh—he saw me! He's smiling at me!"
Luo Shier screamed, just like when she saw the most handsome young man at Qingfeng Pavilion, her eyes were clear and bright, without any infatuation or passion.
Jiang Jiaojiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
His eyes swept over his second brother, who was nervously sipping tea, and he thought to himself that he was pathetic. Then he smiled and teased Xiao Twelve, "He doesn't look that great to me. He's not even as good-looking as my second brother!"
"Pfft—"
Jiang Lingtian spat out a mouthful of tea, jumped up in shock, and was too flustered to face anyone.
Luo Shier was taken aback, looked Jiang Lingtian up and down, and rolled her eyes. "I don't like pretty boys."
Jiang Lingtian suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with hurt, and then... silently lowered his head.
"..."
Luo Shier was stung by that wounded look and suddenly felt a little awkward. She quickly turned her head to look out the window. "It doesn't seem... that pretty. Look, those girls are going crazy."
As soon as Luo Shier finished speaking.
Suddenly, the top scholar's horse was hit on the head by a purse and started galloping away with a neigh!
The top scholar was so frightened that he grabbed the horse's neck and screamed!
Even the horses of the second and third place scholars were startled and started running away. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The three horses charged forward like madmen!
The people on both sides were so frightened that they quickly made way for them, and the guards followed them as they ran!
Before the ladies in the restaurants on both sides could even see the top scholar's face clearly, they heard a series of screams, and he had already flashed past them!
The ceremonial guard arrived at their destination, panting heavily.
The three horses had been brought under control, but they continued to neigh and pound the ground with their hooves, raising clouds of dust.
The top three scholars—the first, second, and third—slumped to the ground, their hair disheveled, their once-neat robes now ragged and torn from the struggle, looking utterly wretched. Their faces were as pale as paper, devoid of any color, as if they had just experienced a tremendous shock.
This may be the fastest parade of a top scholar in history.
In the crowd, Dao Qing secretly glanced at Jiang Jiaojiao, who was staring in disbelief upstairs, then silently lowered his straw hat, concealing his merit and fame.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com