Chapter 213 The top scholar is paraded through the streets!
After the palace examination, there was a banquet. The emperor personally attended the banquet and raised his glass to encourage everyone, urging them to be loyal to the emperor and serve the country.
The banquet was held in a spacious courtyard, and the aroma of the delicacies carefully prepared by the imperial chef filled the air.
The scholars took their seats one by one, their faces filled with joy and pride that were difficult to conceal.
Although the request for marriage was not successful, it did not affect the excitement of the few people.
When the emperor saw that Gu Ting did not reject Qin Qingyuan on the spot, he felt that there was still hope.
Otherwise, with Gu Ting's temper, he would definitely turn hostile on the spot. The emperor now likes Qin Qingyuan more and more.
He is handsome, talented, and was chosen by himself as the third place in the imperial examination. Although his family background is not so good, his niece will not be bullied if she marries him.
At the banquet, musicians played melodious music and dancers danced gracefully.
When the banquet was at its peak, the scholars either recited poems or wrote couplets, or talked about their ambitions, and the sound of laughter and joy could be heard everywhere.
After the banquet, everyone rode horses in a parade.
The main streets of the capital were already packed with people, all wanting to catch a glimpse of the new number one scholar.
Qin Zhizhi, Gu Yunfei, and Ning Ning were also pulled out by Wang Xinru.
The streets were decorated with lights and all the seats on the second floor were reserved. The sounds of gongs, drums and firecrackers could be heard one after another.
This year's top three are all young and handsome men. Except for the top scorer who is already married, the other two are not engaged yet.
Even if they don't like me, other Jinshi will do.
Qin Zhizhi didn't expect there would be so many people, and Ning Ning was the most excited.
Although it was not her first time to watch the top scholar parade, this time was different. Not only was her brother there, but also Brother Qingyun.
Gu Yunfei and Qin Zhizhi were a little calmer. Ning Ning pulled Wang Xinru and stood by the window looking out.
"Ning'er, Sister Xinru, come over here and rest for a while. It will take a while."
Gu Yunfei felt tired watching the two of them standing there.
"Princess, come here quickly, Brother-in-law Gu and the others will be here soon."
"I heard that this year's new Jinshi are all more handsome than the other!"
"All the young ladies in the capital should be here today."
"Don't even think about the top scholar. Brother-in-law Gu is devoted to Sister Zhizhi."
Ning Ning and Wang Xinru are both extremely excited now, and Ning Ning speaks in favor of Gu Jinghuai in every word.
"Come over and rest for a while." Qin Zhizhi was amused by their conversation.
Wang Xinru returned to her seat, but Ning Ning insisted on standing by the window and looking out.
Not long after, a ceremonial guard was seen slowly approaching.
"Here they come, here they come, come quickly, Brother-in-law Gu and the others are here."
Gu Jinghuai had the best results, and it was basically a foregone conclusion that he would be the top scorer. Ning Ning knew that he would definitely be the one ahead.
Qin Zhizhi saw from afar the yamen runners leading the way, holding signs that read "Silence" and "Keep Away", walking majestically in front.
Following closely behind was the drum band, with gongs and drums beating together and the music shaking the earth.
Then a tall horse came slowly, and on its back sat the new number one scholar.
Qin Zhizhi saw her husband Gu Jinghuai at a glance. At this moment, he was wearing a bright red brocade robe, a black gauze hat with golden flowers on his head, and a gold medal of the imperial first place in the imperial examination on his chest.
At this moment, Qin Zhizhi felt that her husband was so handsome that it made her dizzy. Behind Gu Jinghuai, the runner-up and third place winners were riding horses closely behind him.
Behind the second and third place winners were a group of newly-appointed Jinshi. They marched in a line, and the whole team was huge and spectacular.
Whether it was the common people on both sides of the street or the young ladies from the noble families on the second floor, they all cheered.
The people below shouted, "Here comes the champion!"
Merchants began to burn incense and pray, hoping to be blessed with the good luck of the top scholar.
Gu Jinghuai and his entourage rode on horses, bowing to the people on both sides, humbly and calmly.
The young woman on the second floor had a shy and expectant look on her face, holding a carefully embroidered handkerchief tightly in her hand.
When Gu Jinghuai and his group rode by on their tall horses, they pushed and shoved each other, laughing and joking, but not daring to be too ostentatious.
Finally, someone plucked up the courage and threw the handkerchief down.
Then the other women followed suit with great enthusiasm, and in a moment, countless handkerchiefs flew from the pavilions towards the parade.
Gu Jinghuai is already married, so naturally he would not accept these handkerchiefs. Qin Qingyuan only has the princess in his heart, so he would not accept them either.
But looking at the handkerchiefs that kept floating down, Gu Jinghuai and the others showed a gentle smile on their faces.
Some Jinshi scholars caught the handkerchiefs. Seeing this, the onlookers cheered and the scene was very lively.
In contrast, the women who threw their handkerchiefs covered their faces with their hands, blushing with shame, and their eyes sparkled with joy.
Qin Zhizhi was stunned. Who said that ancient people were feudal? They were obviously very open-minded.
"Sister Zhizhi, why are you being so silly? Brother-in-law Gu and the others are coming. Hurry up and throw the handkerchief to Brother-in-law Gu!"
"Ah, my husband and I are already married, do I have to throw it away too?"
Qin Zhizhi felt that he and Gu Jinghuai had been married for a long time, so it seemed inappropriate to throw the handkerchief again.
"What's wrong with it? Otherwise, everyone else has a handkerchief, but Brother-in-law Gu doesn't. How pitiful! Sister Zhizhi, don't hesitate, throw it away quickly."
Ning Ning was afraid that a few people would pass by their building and miss them, so she urged Qin Zhizhi.
"Brother-in-law Gu, Big Brother Qin, Brother Qingyun, Second Brother, we are here!"
Ning Ning stood at the second-floor window and shouted. Gu Jinghuai and the others looked up and their eyes met.
Qin Zhizhi threw down the handkerchief at the urging of several people, and Gu Jinghuai caught it quickly.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Princess sister, hurry up, otherwise Brother-in-law Gu and the others will come over."
Ning Ning had long noticed the little ambiguity between Qin Qingyuan and Gu Yunfei, and took advantage of today to instigate Gu Yunfei to throw the handkerchief.
Although Gu Yunfei was a little shy, she really wanted to throw it to Qin Qingyuan, so she threw the handkerchief towards Qin Qingyuan.
Qin Qingyuan had been paying attention to Gu Yunfei and reached out to take his handkerchief.
Ning Ning watched Qin Qingyuan catch Gu Yunfei's handkerchief steadily and feigned surprise as she exclaimed, "Brother-in-law Gu's hand was too slow. Big Brother Qin actually caught it."
Gu Yunfei's face turned even redder. Ning Ning didn't dare tease her anymore, but shouted at Ning Xuan below.
"Brother, catch it!"
Then he threw his purse down, and it landed steadily in Qin Qingyun's arms.
Qin Qingyun's smile was gentle, and her eyes met Ning Ning's in the air, both eyes full of love.
"Sister, you threw it off target!"
Ning Xuan was a little anxious because he didn't catch it, but he felt relieved when he saw that it was Qin Qingyun who caught it.
I thought to myself, it’s a good thing that my sister’s purse didn’t fall into another man’s arms, otherwise it would be troublesome.
The two men were riding horses not far from each other. Ning Xuan was right behind Qin Qingyun. He called out, "Brother Qingyun."
Qin Qingyun turned around and asked, "Brother Ning, what's wrong?"
"Remember to return my sister's purse to me. Ning'er gave it to me."
"Let's talk about it when we get back. They're still parading in the streets."
Qin Qingyun avoided answering Ning Xuan's request, but put her purse away silently.
This was clearly thrown to him by the little girl, how could he possibly return it to Ning Xuan?
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