Free Web NovelChapter 346: Chapter 138: Banquet (Part 2)
It was already late when they returned last night. But he had been drinking and was full of vigor.
Perhaps because he was feeling so content, he became all the more persistent.
Chen Wanqing had already kept him at arm’s length for two days. With Zhao Jing trying every trick to entangle her, how could she possibly resist? She had no choice but to indulge him.
But then came a BANG BANG BANG from the door, which made her tense up uncontrollably. He, however, found it all the more thrilling and grew even more brazen.
Thinking of those moments, Chen Wanqing shut her eyes tight and quickly pulled the covers over her head, burrowing underneath.
Her body was utterly exhausted, and Chen Wanqing soon fell asleep.
But she was still worried about Zhao Jing and De’an, so she didn’t sleep soundly. Every so often, her brow would furrow, as if troubled by something.
...
In the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, there was a large, bright, open space. In previous years, this was where the Lord Prefect would receive the newly-passed scholars. freeweɓnovel.cøm
It was now late in the fourth month, and in the flowerbeds beside the open space, the grass was long, warblers were in flight, and everywhere one looked were clusters of blooming flowers.
Wisteria climbed the pergolas, its blue and deep purple blossoms hanging down in clusters. Chinese trumpet vines produced vibrant, orange-red flowers. The sight was breathtakingly beautiful.
Tables and chairs had been set up early in the center of the courtyard, but the Scholars, having just earned their new titles, did not presume to sit down so casually. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
As the Lord Prefect and the various County Magistrates had not yet arrived, the scholars all gathered to talk around the pavilion or stood chatting and laughing heartily by the flowers.
A closer look revealed that all the Scholars were impeccably dressed, their faces beaming with comfortable and uninhibited smiles. Some were brimming with ambition, others were dashingly flamboyant. They were at the height of their success, and everywhere one looked was a scene of triumph.
It was here that Zhao Jing and De’an spotted Wang Jun and the others.
Wang Jun was dressed opulently in a full suit of brocade, and the golden crown on his head glittered brilliantly.
Chu Xun, for once, was also making a statement. He wore a purple robe with a floral medallion pattern symbolizing steady advancement, and a translucent, lustrous jade hairpin was tucked into his hair. A Jade Pendant, tassels, and a sachet hung from his waist, giving him the complete appearance of a young master from a prominent family.
Ding Shutian had also clearly taken pains with his appearance. Even Huang Chen, with his homely face, looked quite agreeable at that moment.
The group gathered and began to poke fun at one another.
"Mr. Wang, you’re looking so full of life! Are you about to be a bridegroom or something?"
"Mr. Chu, such a fine appearance! From a distance, I mistook you for some wealthy young master."
"Mr. Huang, did you put powder on your face or what?"
"Mr. Zhao, winning the minor triple-crown was already enough to make us all envious, but you just have to look so dashing on top of it all. Give the rest of us a break, will you?"
De’an eagerly poked his head forward and spun around in front of everyone with his arms outstretched. "What about me? Everyone, look at me! I dressed up nicely today, too. How come no one’s complimenting me?"
Hearing this, the others all turned to look at De’an and then burst into uproarious laughter.
"De’an, were you eavesdropping on someone last night? Why do you have dark circles under your eyes?"
"Chen, don’t tell me you were too excited to sleep all night?"
"Chen, you were completely outshone by your brother-in-law this time."
De’an was incredibly frustrated to hear this.
At the same time, he felt a little guilty.
He hadn’t been eavesdropping. He had gone to bed and fallen asleep as soon as he got home last night.
But because he’d had too much to drink, he woke up thirsty in the middle of the night and got up for some water.
After drinking water, he needed to relieve himself. And as it happened, while he was doing so, he suddenly heard a noise from the room next door...
The sound was very, very faint; you couldn’t hear it at all if you weren’t listening closely. He quickly covered his ears, trying not to listen. ’But the thought that my sister and my best friend were in the room next door just feels... strange.’ An inexplicable emotion churned in his chest, and it was a long time before he could fall back asleep.
Of course, this was something De’an would never tell anyone. Just as he was racking his brains for an excuse to change the subject, some constables appeared to clear a path, and the County Magistrates from the various county governments arrived.
They bowed to the assembled County Magistrates. Just as they straightened up, an official emerged from the rear courtyard wearing a stone-blue robe with a tiger rank badge and an official’s hat adorned with a knob and peacock feather. Who else could it be but Mr. Sheng, the Magistrate?
With Mr. Sheng’s appearance, everyone present, including the County Magistrates, bowed in unison once more.
Mr. Sheng looked down at the crowd of talented men packed before him, stroked his fine beard, and with a hearty laugh, bid them all to rise.
Afterward, Mr. Sheng delivered a rather official speech. First, he praised them all as men of great potential, whose service would be a blessing to the court. Then, he spoke of their diligence, which had brought them to this day, acknowledging how difficult their step-by-step journey had been. Finally, he encouraged them all to continue striving for excellence and to achieve even greater accomplishments...
Mr. Sheng was a seasoned veteran, and official platitudes rolled off his tongue effortlessly. Nearly everything he said struck a chord deep in the hearts of his audience. For a time, the scholars were overcome with excitement and elation, and they came to regard Mr. Sheng as a deity in their hearts.
