Although the incident involving Miss Li happened during the parade, it did not affect everyone's enthusiasm. However, Song Yanran did not throw away the handkerchief, but prepared to give it to Han Xu privately.
Looking at the group of people riding on tall and fine horses, Murong Shu realized for the first time the true meaning of the ancient poem: "The horses gallop in the spring breeze, and I can see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day."
I finally understood why the ancients were so keen on imperial examinations. As long as one was on the list, wealth and honor would follow.
After the parade, the students can rest for a few days, and then the emperor will hold a banquet and grant official positions.
In the Great Sheng Dynasty, the top scholar would basically enter the Hanlin Academy to serve, so at the banquet, Han Xu was appointed by the emperor as an editor in the Hanlin Academy and was rewarded with a two-story courtyard, which was located in a prosperous area and very close to the Song family.
Princess Mingyue had made great contributions to the building of such a good courtyard. She went to the palace to find the queen and cried to her. The emperor felt guilty, so Mingyue took the opportunity to ask him to compensate Han Xu and Song Yanran.
The emperor was very satisfied with the number one scholar he personally appointed, so he not only rewarded him with an official position that did not require him to go out for experience and a house in a prosperous area, but also gave him many precious things.
The Emperor directly sent Mu Siqing to the Ministry of Rites for training, which was inappropriate, but now he was not only the third place in the imperial examination, but also the fiancé of Princess Mingyue.
Therefore, even if you go to the Ministry of Rites, the ministers would not dare to say anything that is against etiquette, otherwise the protective King Zhenshan would argue with you in the hall and make you doubt your life.
After the official position was confirmed, both parties began to prepare for the wedding. Han Xu was the most anxious.
The emperor grants marriage, which is an infinite honor.
Everything was almost ready. Madam Han personally sent an invitation to Madam Song. It was the first time that the two parties met. Considering that it was inconvenient to go to a restaurant outside, Madam Song directly invited Madam Han to her house.
Madam Han really likes Song Yanran. The first time she visited her, she brought a generous gift to express her appreciation for Song Yanran. Madam Song felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey. The Song family had no shortage of gifts, what they wanted was attitude.
Mrs. Song also invited Song Wei and Murong Shu to come today. As an aunt, Song Wei was really happy for her niece and brought Murong Shu over early in the morning.
"Thank you for your hard work, Wei'er. Have you had breakfast?" Mrs. Song held her sister-in-law's hand affectionately.
"Sister-in-law, Shu'er and I came here after having breakfast."
"Aunt, you don't know how anxious my mother was. She woke me up before dawn." Murong Shu continued with a smile.
"Our Shu'er has worked so hard. If you feel sleepy later, go to your cousin's yard and have a rest." Mrs. Song saw that the little girl was not as energetic as before, so she wanted to let her catch up on some sleep.
"Don't listen to her lies. I called her according to her usual schedule." Song Wei explained to her sister-in-law with a smile.
"Children just need to sleep more." In Mrs. Song's mind, Murong Shu has always been treated as a child.
"Aunt, Shu'er is not a child anymore." Murong Shu protested. She was an older leftover woman in her soul.
"She's not young anymore. She's going to get married next year." Song Wei couldn't help but sigh.
"Who said it wasn't? I don't know when Yanran will get married. Her mother-in-law came today and I discussed with her family to see if it can be done next year. I really can't bear to do it this year." Although Mrs. Song had been arranging a marriage for her daughter, she was reluctant when the imperial decree came down.
"Next year will be good. You can still celebrate the New Year at home, and the new house is close, so it will be convenient for you to travel even if you get married there." Song Wei could understand her sister-in-law's feelings about marrying off her daughter, so she spoke out to comfort her.
"Aunt, our number one scholar dared to disobey the order for my cousin. Are you still worried that he will treat my cousin badly after marriage?" Murong Shu had already seen that his second brother and Han Xu were both love-brained, and they would definitely love their wives in the future.
"That's why I feel comfortable marrying your cousin to him!"
"Don't worry, Aunt. Madam Han likes my cousin very much. If my cousin marries her, our top scholar may lose his position. At that time, I'll have to rely on you to love him more." Murong Shu remembered the saying, "The more a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law, the more she likes him."
"Aunt believes in Shu'er. Shu'er said Madam Han is good, so she must be good." Mrs. Song has great faith in her niece's judgment.
"Madam, aunt, cousin, Mrs. Han and son-in-law are here." The servant came hurriedly to report.
"So early?" Mrs. Song thought Song Wei came early just now, and the future son-in-law's family would not give in.
"You came so early because you can't wait to visit and discuss the marriage." Murong Shu winked playfully. Mrs. Song and Song Wei obviously thought of it and laughed together.
"Sister and Shu'er, go to mother's yard first. I'll go to greet Madam Han." My daughter's future husband's family has already arrived at the gate of the mansion, and it would be rude not to go to greet them.
Mrs. Song walked out in a hurry. Murong Shu took her mother's arm and talked and laughed all the way to the old lady's yard.
At the gate of the mansion.
Han Xu and his mother were dressed very formally today. The young man looked full of vigor and vitality, and the clothes made Mrs. Song's eyes light up. The more she looked at them, the more she liked them.
"My son-in-law greets my mother-in-law, father-in-law and brother." Han Xu bowed to them very formally.
"We are a family from now on, so there's no need to be so polite. Come back home with your mother and rest. You must have had a hard journey." Mrs. Song took the initiative to hold Mrs. Han's hand and invited her and Han Xu to come in.
Mrs. Song's friendly, natural and warm attitude instantly made Han Xu and Mrs. Han, who were originally a little nervous, relax a lot, and the group walked happily towards the old lady's yard.
Duke Song and the old lady are the oldest people in the Song Mansion, so Han Xu and his mother should pay them a visit first.
Along the way, Lord Song couldn't help but talk to Han Xu. Recently, his colleagues all congratulated and envied him when they saw him. He dared to refuse the emperor's marriage proposal and insisted on marrying his daughter. Not only was he not punished by the emperor, but he was also admitted to the Hanlin Academy. A lot of people were really envious of him.
Although it was Han Xu's first time to formally meet Lord Song, he was not stage-frightened and answered every question perfectly. The more Lord Song listened, the happier he became.
As soon as the group walked to the gate of the yard, they heard laughter coming from inside. Madam Han finally felt relieved. It seemed that the Song family also liked her son very much.
The group first saluted the Duke of Song and the old lady, and then the rest of the people saluted each other. Han Xu and his mother felt the enthusiasm of everyone here.
After chatting for a while, Duke Song took his son, grandson and grandson-in-law to the study, leaving the ladies to discuss the wedding date.
Madam Han asked tentatively, "My dear relatives, what do you mean?"
"We are a family and we don't talk behind each other's backs. We want our two children to get married next year." Mrs. Song did not shy away. Since Song Han asked, she told him her true thoughts.
Hearing this, Madam Han's face lit up, "That's great, Xu'er and I have the same idea."