novelhk Chapter 93 The Infatuated Young Master Wen
Chapter 93 The Infatuated Young Master Wen
After the horse parade through the streets, it's time for the Qionglin Banquet.
The Qionglin Banquet was hosted by the Ministry of Rites, and the banquet venue was naturally located at the Ministry of Rites.
The chief examiner this time was Han Shize, who was the Minister of Rites, but he was also a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. He spent most of his time handling government affairs in the Wenyuan Pavilion and did not have much energy to manage the Ministry of Rites.
Nowadays, the Ministry of Rites is handled by the Vice Minister of Rites, who is Wen Zongji's father, Wen Chuanhong.
For example, this Qionglin Banquet was coordinated and arranged by Wen Chuanhong, and Han Shize did not show up.
After the successful candidates returned to the Ministry of Rites after their parade through the streets, the banquet seating arrangements had already been made.
On the high platform were the seats for Wen Chuanhong and other officials, and below them were the seats for the successful candidates in the imperial examinations.
In addition, there are three seats in the very center of the front row, which belong to the top three students in the first division.
The importance that the Great Chu placed on civil officials can be seen from this series of arrangements.
As long as one can pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, one will gain boundless glory.
Lu Nian'an remained seated in the center, with Wen Zongji and Wu Fengyuan sitting on either side of him.
Besides officials from the Ministry of Rites, officials from the Hanlin Academy also attended the Qionglin Banquet on the high platform.
Watching the scholars below clinking glasses and making a lively scene, someone laughed and said, "The Marquis is certainly in high spirits today."
"As the saying goes, there are four great joys in life: rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, the wedding night, and passing the imperial examination with flying colors. Your third son first married the Princess of Anhe County and started a family, and now he has passed the imperial examination with flying colors, achieving two of the four great joys. How could Your Excellency not be overjoyed!"
Wen Chuanhong was indeed very happy. Even though the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations was yesterday, his emotions had not completely calmed down. However, he was used to keeping his emotions hidden, so his expression did not change much.
"My lords, please do not overestimate my son. We have been in officialdom for a long time and know that he has only taken the first step. There is still a long road ahead."
"What you say is true, Your Excellency. But there are countless scholars in the world, and the imperial examination is like ten thousand people crossing a single-plank bridge. Your son has reached the other side of the river amidst thousands of troops, so Your Excellency should still give him some praise."
"If my son were this promising, I could immediately redeem the courtesan he likes and bring her into my household."
"Haha, Lord Zhou's words may be rough, but they make a lot of sense. It's normal for men to be a little philandering."
At this moment, someone chuckled and said, "You common folk shouldn't compare yourselves to our Lord Wen. During the parade, Lord Wen publicly professed his love to the county princess and refused all the sachets offered by the young ladies. This matter has already spread far and wide."
"I've never heard of that before, Your Excellency. Your son is quite the romantic."
Wen Chuanhong naturally heard about this matter. He was very satisfied with Wen Zongji's handling of it. Wen Zongji was already married and it was indeed inappropriate for him to accept those sachets, especially in front of Princess Anhe.
"Let the young people handle their own affairs."
"You are right, my lord."
The official in charge of ceremonies checked the time and said, "It's time to bestow the plaques."
The Qionglin Banquet is not just about eating and drinking; there are other procedures involved as well.
The process of bestowing flowers and plaques is one of the most important steps in the process.
Wen Chuanhong nodded: "Let's begin."
Following Wen Chuanhong's order, the hairpins and silk plaques that had been prepared beforehand were bestowed upon the scholars.
The top scorer is an exception!
He's a silver medalist!
After the ceremony of bestowing flowers and plaques concluded, music began, and the Qionglin Banquet officially commenced.
Wen Chuanhong rose and raised his glass: "I hereby congratulate you all on passing the imperial examination with flying colors and becoming Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest level of the imperial examination). May you all enter the imperial court in the future. I hope that you will all remember the words of the sages, cultivate yourselves, manage your families, govern the country, and bring peace to the world!"
Wen Zongji and the others stood up together and raised their glasses: "We will remember your teachings, sir."
Wen Chuanhong didn't say much; after he finished speaking, he told them to do as they pleased.
Lu Nian'an looked at Wen Chuanhong: "Brother Wen, your father is quite imposing."
Standing there, unsmiling and stern, he inspired fear in others.
Wen Zongji smiled and said, "You'll get used to it."
In the few months since they transmigrated, Wen Zongji and Wen Chuanhong have spent very little time together.
After returning to his residence yesterday from the grand ceremony of announcing the results of the imperial examinations, Wen Zongji expected Wen Chuanhong to meet him, but he did not.
Wen Chuanhong is not a tender father; in his heart, family lineage always comes first.
Compared to being father and son, Wen Zongji felt that dealing with him was more like dealing with a leader.
Wen Zongji was perfectly suited to this way of getting along.
This is also why he was not afraid to meet Wen Chuanhong, but did not know how to face Aunt Chen.
Of all things in this world, emotions are the most complex.
It cannot be seen or touched, nor can it be weighed to show fairness.
Wu Fengyuan thought of his father, Wu Yangeng, who didn't even tell him that he hadn't become the top scholar, claiming it was to toughen him up.
Oh--
Wu Fengyuan sighed: "Having an extremely strict and demanding father is not a good thing."
Wen Zongji glanced at him: "Brother Wu, if anyone hears you saying that, you'll probably get a beating."
Your father is already the Grand Secretary, what more do you want?
Wu Fengyuan poured himself a glass of wine: "I'm only telling you two this."
Lu Nian'an really wanted to say that we weren't familiar with each other.
Wu Fengyuan's outgoing nature made Lu Nian'an somewhat panicked, constantly wondering what Wu Fengyuan could possibly want from him.
Wen Zongji did not respond.
He and Wu Fengyuan were not yet at the point where they could discuss family matters.
Seeing that neither of them responded, Wu Fengyuan sighed inwardly and took the initiative to change the subject, talking about other things.
The banquet lasted for a long time before ending after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, and then they all went home.
……
The Marquis of Zhongyong's Residence, Yunguang Courtyard
When Wen Zongji returned to the inner room, he saw Pei Rujing leaning against the couch reading a book. She was wearing a light-colored gauze dress, and her long hair was casually draped behind her.
Seeing Wen Zongji return, Pei Rujing looked up and asked, "You're back?"
Wen Zongji nodded: "I'll go take a bath first."
As he approached, Pei Rujing smelled alcohol on him and frowned: "You've been drinking?"
"I couldn't refuse a toast from someone I was born in the same year."
Pei Rujing, however, thought back to their wedding night and stared intently into his eyes: "You're not going to act crazy when you're drunk, are you?"
Wen Zongji chuckled: "I never act crazy when I'm drunk."
He has a very good drinking manner.
Pei Rujing pouted: "Liar! On our wedding day, you got drunk and went crazy, and you even wanted me to serve you."
Wen Zongji: "..."
Okay, I almost forgot about the original owner's self-destructive behavior.
"That's an exception. Besides, I'm not drunk, so it's impossible for me to act out."
Pei Rujing had already confirmed that Wen Zongji wasn't drunk and seemed quite sober. She nudged him and said disdainfully, "You smell strongly of alcohol. Go take a shower."
Wen Zongji said helplessly, "I was going to take a bath anyway."
She was the one who pulled him to talk, but now she's complaining about him.
What an unpredictable temper the county magistrate is!