The Golden Age List!
He became the top scholar!
Next came the Golden Hall Flower-adorned Hairpin, the Horse Parade through the Streets, and the Qionglin Night Banquet!
Qin Ge changed into a bright red robe, dressed as a top scholar, mounted a tall, pure white horse, wore an official hat with a red flower in his hair, and rode out of the palace gate with the third and second-ranked scholars, as well as several other scholars who had passed the imperial examination. They rode around the entire capital of Dayong, from Yuchun Gate to Zhuque Street, and finally to Qionglin Garden.
The success of the imperial examination, with the top scholar ranking first, was a grand event held only once every three years in the Great Yong Dynasty. The people of the Yong Dynasty, who did not usually have many entertainment activities, naturally flocked to the streets to watch. The entire capital was practically deserted as everyone gathered on Zhuque Street to join in the excitement and watch the top scholar parade through the streets on horseback.
Ordinary people just join in the fun, but Dayong also has a custom called "catching a son-in-law after the list is posted" and "throwing fruit to fill the carriage".
"Catching a son-in-law after the list of successful candidates" refers to wealthy but powerless merchants sending their servants to capture successful candidates from the imperial examinations and bring them home to marry their daughters. This served two purposes: to find a good husband for their daughters and to allow their families to achieve a qualitative leap in status.
The story of a man finding a son-in-law after passing the imperial examination has been a celebrated tale since ancient times, and even royalty would not interfere.
Of course, when the newly appointed top scholar, third-place scholar, and second-place scholar, as well as the scholars who have passed the imperial examinations, are paraded through the streets today, they are all protected by a troop of imperial guards. The sons-in-law who were to be arrested have already been arrested, so there will be no chaos at this time.
However, like the young women and wives crowding the streets to join in the fun, throwing flowers and handkerchiefs at the top three scholars riding tall horses, one after another, dew-covered flowers were thrown at Qin Ge, who was wearing a brightly colored red official robe. He picked up a flower from his shoulder, smiled calmly and elegantly, and his already handsome face suddenly became even more beautiful and extraordinary, like a pearl that shines brightly in the world.
Upstairs at Zuixianlou.
Adorned with gold tassels, the beautiful young woman in palace attire rested her slender hand on the window, leaning slightly out. Upon seeing the dashing scholar, dressed in fine clothes and riding a spirited horse, smiling as he plucked a flower, her eyes suddenly lit up. "Is this today's newly appointed top scholar?"
“Yes, Your Highness,” the maid behind him replied. “The top scholar’s name is Mu Xiange.”
Princess Fengxi, Jun Yuanyao, spoke with an air of certainty, "I will go to the palace to request my elder brother to grant me marriage, and I will marry him!"
Such an outstanding young man should be her, Jun Yuanyao's, consort!
Princess Fengxi, Jun Yuanyao, was born to Consort Shu. She and Jun Chenbi were half-siblings, and their relationship was neither good nor bad. When the late emperor was alive, Jun Yuanyao was quite favored and was considered one of the more prominent princes and princesses. In addition, Jun Yuanyao was sensible. After her biological father, who could support her, passed away, she put away the arrogance and sharpness she had shown when the late emperor was alive, and kept a low profile, flattering and ingratiating herself with her adopted brother, Jun Chenbi.
Although Jun Yuanyao's status is not what it used to be, she is still considered lucky compared to her other unfortunate brothers who were killed by Jun Chenbi, among the Jun royal family whose bloodline is dwindling. Her life is relatively smooth.
Jun Yuanyao thought that she should ask her brother, the emperor, to grant her a marriage. Even if he had a reputation for being tyrannical, there was no reason for him to disagree.
A glint of confidence and certainty flashed in Princess Fengxi's beautiful eyes.
…
After parading through the Imperial Street, the Emperor will host a banquet for his officials at Qionglin Garden. This is the glory of the newly appointed top scholar, a once-in-a-lifetime event for some!
Qin Ge, dressed in a striking red robe befitting a top scholar, was the protagonist of the Qionglin Banquet. Although his official rank was not the highest, he sat in the most prominent position tonight, only a step away from the emperor.
Qin Ge raised his wine cup and responded appropriately to the congratulations from the officials, looking nothing like an eighteen-year-old boy.
Sitting under the palace lantern, after drinking quite a few cups, a faint blush appeared on his fair and delicate face, as if he had applied a layer of rouge, bright and intoxicating.
After several rounds of drinks, the emperor, as was customary, left early.
Before leaving, Jun Chenbi gazed at the handsome and charming top scholar in a scarlet robe under the palace lanterns, his eyes unfathomable.
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