Shen Jintang smiled, a smile tinged with indulgence. She adjusted the black gauze hat in her hand, looked up at Gu Zhixing on horseback, and teased, "Why aren't you bowing your head and putting it on, my third-ranked scholar?"
Her voice was clear and melodious, like a string of silver bells swaying in the wind.
Most of the people around didn't recognize Shen Jintang and whispered among themselves, "Who is she?"
"I didn't realize that Young Master Gu was angry, yet he still dares to speak like that?"
"Is she really not afraid of death?"
"Given the Crown Prince's temperament, let's see what her fate will be."
The crowd was noisy, as if they were waiting for a good show.
However, to their utter surprise, Gu Zhixing actually lowered his head, his proud head tilted slightly, his eyes filled with indulgence towards Shen Jintang.
He smiled slightly, letting Shen Jintang tiptoe and place the official hat steadily on his head.
"it turns out……"
"how so?"
Everyone was incredulous, their eyes filled with a mixture of shock and confusion, as if they had witnessed something strange.
After putting on his hat, Gu Zhixing raised his head and glanced at the crowd around him, his eyes filled with an indescribable pride and confidence.
He shouted to those around him, "Did you all hear that? I am hers!"
The voice, like a resounding bell, echoed through the bustling street. Every word seemed to carry immense power, instantly silencing the surrounding crowd.
Gu Zhixing's tone was filled with indescribable pride, as if he were announcing his ownership to the whole world.
Shen Jintang smiled and let him say whatever he wanted, her eyes full of tenderness.
She reached out and took the horse reins from Gu Zhixing's hand, gave them a gentle tug, and the horse obediently followed behind her.
And so she walked ahead of the horse, leading it toward the palace with steady and composed steps, as if asserting her sovereignty.
Gu Zhixing sat proudly on the horse, looking down at Shen Jintang who was leading the horse for him, his eyes filled with uncontrollable smile.
The surrounding noise gradually subsided, and no more handkerchiefs were thrown at Gu Zhixing.
The crowd's eyes followed their retreating figures, their gazes filled with a mixture of envy and amazement.
——
On the 29th day of the fourth month of the 17th year of Jingyuan, at the third quarter of the Yin hour.
As dawn broke, a solemn atmosphere enveloped the imperial city and its surroundings.
The vermilion palace walls were bathed in the morning light, and the glazed tiles were covered with lingering morning dew. The imperial guards stood with their halberds in hand, their armor gleaming coldly.
The nine-tiered palace of the imperial city was still shrouded in the indigo morning mist, and the bronze bells on the Five Phoenix Tower rang out clear and melodious sounds in the breeze.
The bronze crane incense burners on both sides of the steps were already emitting wisps of smoke, the scent of agarwood mixed with the morning dew of early summer, lingering in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Today is the triennial announcement ceremony, where the final rankings of the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) will be revealed in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Standing beneath the white marble steps, Gu Zhixing could clearly feel the thin layer of sweat seeping from his palms.
He was dressed in a brand-new imperial examination robe, the red satin collar standing out brightly in the morning light, and the black gauze hat hanging down on both sides gently brushed his shoulders, swaying gently in the breeze.
The other candidates who had passed the imperial examinations held their breath and focused intently on the direction of the main hall.
In the distance, civil and military officials had already lined up, dressed in scarlet robes and jade belts, solemn and dignified as pines.
"Waaah—"
A deep horn sound came from in front of the palace, its sound like a dragon's roar piercing the clouds and soaring to the heavens, as if to awaken the sleeping earth.
Immediately afterwards, the drums began to beat loudly, like thunder, one after another, making people tremble.
The ceremonial music then began, with the sheng, xiao, qin, and se intertwined, creating a solemn and magnificent atmosphere.
Gu Zhixing turned his head slightly, his gaze passing through the crowd of people and landing on the figure who was reporting back in the court.
It is Shen Jintang.
Shen Jintang, dressed in a long red robe, stood among the officials, his brows and eyes cold and aloof, kneeling in the hall, stating something.
The atmosphere inside the hall was somewhat heavy, and the emperor's expression was unpleasant, revealing a hint of anger.
He exchanged a few words with Shen Jintang. The wind was blowing hard, and Gu Zhixing couldn't hear the specifics. He could only see Shen Jintang get up and walk out after she finished speaking, and the palace door slowly closed behind her.
Shen Jintang's expression remained aloof, but a faint smile appeared in her eyes the moment her gaze met Gu Zhixing's, like a warm ray of sunshine in winter, instantly dispelling the slight worries in Gu Zhixing's heart.
Gu Zhixing felt a slight sense of relief, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing his cuffs. Just as he expected, Shen Jintang stood directly beside him.
Why did you come out?
Gu Zhixing asked in a low voice, his tone tinged with doubt.
Although he longed to see Shen Jintang every moment, logically speaking, Shen Jintang should not be expelled from the palace, let alone stay by his side, since he had returned to the capital to report today, regardless of the outcome.
However, before Shen Jintang could answer, a burst of hurried footsteps broke the brief silence.
The chief examiner of the palace examination, holding the yellow list in his hands, slowly walked out of the hall. The bright yellow scroll shone brightly in the morning light.
He walked to the yellow table in front of the hall, bowed and placed the imperial edict on it, then stepped aside and waited quietly.
The palace gates were wide open, and the emperor himself arrived. The court was solemn, and the air was filled with a dignified and tense atmosphere.
"kneel--"
The official from the Court of State Ceremonial shouted, his voice booming like a bell, causing the air in front of the hall to tremble slightly.
On and off the steps of the imperial court, officials and scholars knelt in unison, a dark mass that seemed to lower the earth itself with its solemn aura.
Gu Zhixing lowered his head, his forehead gently touching the cold gold brick. The chill instantly penetrated his skin and reached his bone marrow, but it also made him more awake.
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