Chapter 21
Since Emperor Wu of the previous dynasty destroyed the tyrannical Qin dynasty, unified the country, and established the imperial examination system, the imperial examination has become an important way for the imperial court to select officials, and also the most effective way for countless scholars from poor families to rise above their station.
Zhao Shixian was the only scholar in Xiao'an Village, and also a man of great ambition and aspirations. He was handsome, talented, and adept at social maneuvering. After passing the provincial examination, he tried every means to get close to the powerful Yuan family and became one of the many advisors in the prime minister's office.
One day, he happened to meet the young lady of the third branch of the Yuan family. With his good looks and witty words, he successfully won over the young girl who was just beginning to fall in love. She cried to her parents that she would marry no one but him.
The third master doted on his youngest daughter and had no choice but to compromise. He promised Zhao Shixian that if he could rank among the top three in the imperial examinations the following spring, he would marry his daughter to him.
Regardless of Zhao Shixian's character, he was indeed a man of genuine talent and learning. The following spring, he ranked among the top five in the written examination and astonished everyone in the palace examination, catching the eye of the new emperor, who appointed him as the top scholar. He was adorned in red ribbons, rode through the streets on horseback, and was extremely pleased with himself.
That night, at Zhengyang Palace, the Qionglin Banquet was held.
Golden and magnificent, with palace lanterns shining brightly, bracket sets and flying eaves, a symphony of wind and palace music.
At the Qionglin Banquet, distinguished families filled the halls, gazing at each other as they recited verses on the
Despite his success, Zhao Shixian remained humble, neither arrogant nor impatient, and was very polite. The senior doctors all had a good impression of him.
At this moment, dozens of palace servants filed in from outside the hall, their shrill, high-pitched voices piercing the heart: "The Emperor has arrived—! The Empress has arrived—!"
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects to Your Majesty, and Your Majesty the Empress..."
The emperor and empress entered hand in hand. The young emperor had delicate features, a beautiful face, and an outstanding temperament, but his overly pale complexion indicated that he was physically weak.
The new emperor smiled as he tenderly supported his beautiful queen, occasionally whispering in her ear with a lingering and affectionate gaze.
"All of you, rise and take your seats."
The Emperor and Empress took their seats at the same time. Yuwen Jing glanced around at everyone in the hall with a slight smile and raised his golden goblet.
"The Qionglin Banquet is held every three years. Those who can sit here tonight are all pillars of the Great Yan. I toast you all."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The ministers rose and sat down, raised their wine cups and drank them down in one gulp.
The Empress, dressed in a light yellow phoenix robe, sat regally beside the Emperor. Her slender fox-like eyes were cool and indifferent, yet a gentle smile played on her lips. An exquisite and grand phoenix crown was coiled around her high-bun hairstyle, with a lifelike golden phoenix holding a fine pearl in its beak, gently hanging down in front of her forehead.
She sat there quietly, smiling faintly and saying nothing, yet her aura was even stronger than that of the emperor beside her, and none of the officials below dared to look her in the eye.
Most officials in the court feared the empress more than the emperor.
"Your Majesty, taking advantage of this beautiful moonlight, I, your humble student, would like to compose a poem to enhance the drinking experience for Your Majesty and the Empress." Zhao Shixian stood up, the golden wings on his hat gleaming brightly.
Yuwen Jing loved people like this, and clapped his hands and laughed, "Hahaha... The top scholar is truly thoughtful, quickly compose your poem." He then looked at his beautiful wife beside him, "If you can satisfy the Empress, I will reward you handsomely!"
Yuan Qiong picked up her wine glass, took a sip, smiled but didn't say anything, only looking at this year's new top scholar with great interest.
I heard this is her future cousin-in-law?
Third to the right of the emperor sat Prince Cheng, Yuwen Zhe. His gaze swept between Zhao Shixian and Yuan Qiong, his expression unfathomable.
In his previous life, Zhao Shixian, that heartless man, composed a poem called "Dragon and Phoenix" at the Qionglin Banquet, thus currying favor with Yuan Qiong and becoming her most troublesome dog.
Sure enough, Zhao Shixian frowned and took three steps in the hall. Just like in his previous life, he suddenly raised his head and smiled, saying, "I already have a poem in my mind, entitled 'Dragon and Phoenix'."
He then loudly recited his ten-line poem, praising both Yuwen Jing and Yuan Qiong without appearing obsequious. His mastery of language was so superb that Yuwen Jing cheered loudly.
"Does the Empress think this should be a reward?"
“A reward would certainly be painful. However…” Yuan Qiong nodded slightly, leaning forward a little, his posture so perfect that no one could find fault with it: “What reward would be appropriate for someone as talented as the top scholar? What are your thoughts, top scholar?”
Yuwen Jing turned his gaze to Zhao Shixian: "My dear minister, do you desire wealth or an official position?"
"I don't want any of these students. I only wish to request an imperial edict from Your Majesty."
"Oh? Tell me about it."
"I am engaged to the fourth young lady of the Yuan family. I wish to give her a promise, but I fear she will not believe me. Therefore, I would like to request Your Majesty to issue a decree personally, requiring me to never marry another, never take a concubine, never change my heart, and to be with the fourth young lady of the Yuan family for life!"
These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.
Having three wives and four concubines was standard practice for aristocratic families. No matter how high the status of a wife's family, it was impossible for her husband not to take concubines, right? This top scholar actually had such thoughts; he was truly a lovesick fool!
After hearing this, Yuwen Jing was stunned for a long time, then looked at Yuan Qiong and placed his hand on hers.
"One life, one love, one partner..." That had always been his dream...
"I grant your permission!"
At this moment, Zhao Shixian's status in the emperor's heart rose sharply, and he could almost be considered a confidant!
After the Qionglin Banquet, the news that the newly appointed top scholar was a love-struck fool spread to every corner of the capital, and the fourth young lady of the Yuan family became the envy of all young ladies.
The Yuan family greatly admired Zhao Shixian's behavior. On the day of the fourth young lady's wedding, there were thousands of servants, a ten-mile-long red bridal procession, and an immeasurable amount of dowry.
Yuwen Zhe sat in his wheelchair, looking down from the top of the restaurant, his entire demeanor as cold as ice.
At this time in his previous life, it was the first time he had met Wenluo.
She stood in the crowd, her face veiled, naturally alluring. The hatred in her eyes was palpable, directed straight at the groom on horseback, who noticed her at a glance.
In this life, he searched everywhere, investigated everyone around Zhao Shixian, and turned every brothel in Yandu and the surrounding area upside down, but he still couldn't find her.
Why is that?!
What exactly went wrong? Is this the price he paid for being reborn?
Just then, a familiar figure appeared in the crowd in the distance, and Yuwen Zhe almost thought he was seeing things.
After realizing what had happened, he was incredibly excited and immediately shouted to the people around him, "Quick, hurry and catch up with that person!"
He disregarded his feigned disability and immediately got up and ran towards the location. However, the large crowd hampered his movements, and after several twists and turns, he watched helplessly as the familiar figure used his light-footed skill to disappear...
"........"
He stopped in his tracks, somewhat stunned.
Have you admitted your mistake?
The delicate Wenluo doesn't know any martial arts at all...
It's probably just my eyes playing tricks on me...
**
Within the two gates of Yandu, the Fengyun Money Exchange stands.
"Little tiger, I'm back!"
Yuan Liu Niang stepped into the money shop with a smile and spoke to the fourth old man who was calculating on the abacus at the counter.
"Let me tell you, it's such a waste that you didn't go see Miss Yuan's wedding! My goodness, the Yuan family is so rich! Marrying off a daughter is like marrying into a gold mine! It's the first time I've ever seen a real ten-mile-long red bridal procession!"
After saying that, he exclaimed, "That top scholar is truly blessed. Marrying such a wife is like marrying a god of wealth; he'll never have to worry about anything for the rest of his life!"
The fourth brother raised his head, his newly grown mustache twitched, and he raised an eyebrow at her: "Do you remember what my eldest brother said before we came to the capital? He forbade you from running around in the capital! If you continue to disobey him, I will write to my eldest brother and have him send someone to kidnap you and take you back."
"Tch! How old are you, still tattling? If you don't tell, how will the boss know if I've been running around..."
"You ungrateful wretch! If I hadn't spoken up for you, would your elder brother have allowed you to go to the capital?"
The fourth brother carried the abacus into the inner room: "The money exchange has just opened, and there are some major checkpoints in the capital that require the eldest brother's personal involvement. He should be here once things in Lingnan are settled. So you'd better be careful, or I won't be able to speak up for you anymore."
"Okay!"
Yuan Liuniang followed him inside, muttering as she went, "There are only a few minor officials in Lingnan, why would the chief go there personally? He only went because he heard about Wang Yao."
Thinking about this made her feel uncomfortable.
"It's been three years already, the boss should have given up long ago..."
"You're telling me this, and I can pretend I didn't hear it. But you absolutely must never mention that name in front of my older brother again, understand?"
She pouted, "I know! I'm not stupid..."
Author's Note: Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the [nutrient solution]:
3 bottles of Irene sauce; the top bunkmate who's terrible at naming things also has 1 bottle of naming sauce;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com