ATPnovel Chapter 41: Lin Tanhua, Parading Through the Streets on Horseback
Chapter 41: Lin Tanhua, Parading Through the Streets on Horseback
As April arrived, it was time for the palace examination to begin.
However, Xia Chengzong didn't pay much attention to it.
After all, he himself did not participate in the palace examination, but his uncle Lin did.
However, Xia Chengzong knew that he would eventually become the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination, so he didn't pay much attention to it.
Lately, he has been keeping an eye on his mood score every day.
As he got closer to reaching 100,000 emotional points, his anticipation grew stronger.
On this day, he was still teaching at the main hall.
After lunch, on his way back to his courtyard with his children, he saw many eunuchs carrying food boxes, walking in an endless stream toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Out of curiosity, he couldn't help but ask Xia Bei.
Only then did they learn that today was the day of the imperial examination.
Xia Bei was indeed clever; after following me into the palace, he was put in charge of gathering information.
During this time, he did manage to gather quite a bit of information.
When Xia Chengzong was free, I reported it to him.
Although this information was of little use to Xia Chengzong.
But Xia Chengzong did not stop him from doing so.
Just because it's not useful now doesn't mean it won't be useful in the future; you'll need it sooner or later.
He doesn't have much money right now.
If possible, he would give Xia Bei a sum of money so that he could make more friends and find out more information.
Upon hearing this news, he couldn't help but realize how foolish he had been, having completely forgotten about it.
He hurriedly asked Xia Bei to go to the imperial kitchen and fetch a fine meal to send to Lin Ruhai.
Xia Bei accepted the order and left.
After dinner that evening, Emperor Yonglong asked, "Brother Zong, I heard you had someone send a meal to that Lin Ruhai?"
Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "Uncle Lin is a good friend of my father. I was worried that he wouldn't eat well, so I had someone send him a meal. I didn't expect it to alarm my grandfather."
Emperor Yonglong then asked, "Are you and your Uncle Lin so close?"
Xia Chengzong laughed and said, "My Uncle Lin is currently staying at the Prince's Mansion."
"Furthermore, this Uncle Lin is very knowledgeable and has extraordinary talent. During my time off, I often consulted him on his teachings."
Hearing Xia Chengzong's high praise for him, Emperor Yonglong also became curious.
He asked, "Is your Uncle Lin truly so talented?"
Xia Chengzong said softly, "Uncle Lin, you have at least the talent of a third-place scholar."
Just now, Xia Chengzong was actually thinking about whether he should help Lin Ruhai and help him become the top scholar.
He soon realized that his recent fame had made him a little arrogant.
My grandfather was first and foremost the emperor, and only then was he my grandfather.
There are some things he cannot do.
Otherwise, it would surely incur the Emperor's displeasure.
Therefore, he was simply telling the truth and had no intention of seeking anything in return.
As for Emperor Yonglong, he was increasingly pleased with Lin Ruhai, both because he had taken a liking to the young man and because the boy knew proper etiquette and how to conduct himself appropriately.
……
After the palace examination, the examiners distributed and graded the papers according to their official ranks. Each examiner was responsible for grading twenty to thirty papers, and they were not allowed to exchange them.
The examiners used ○ (excellent), △ (average), and × (poor) to mark the exam papers. Those who scored the most ○ were nominated for the top honors.
They presented the top ten volumes, which were the final rankings, to Emperor Yonglong so that he could determine the final order.
The emperor could review the papers himself or have someone else read them aloud.
Emperor Yonglong was getting old and was somewhat tired, so he asked Grand Secretary Gao Lian to read the examination papers.
Before long, the ten exam papers were read, and Emperor Yonglong pondered for a moment before deciding on the rankings.
Upon opening the sealed envelope, Emperor Yonglong saw that Lin Ruhai was indeed the third-ranked scholar.
This made Emperor Yonglong chuckle.
Yesterday, Brother Zong said that his Uncle Lin had at least the talent of a third-place scholar.
Today it has come true; Brother Zong's insight is indeed sharp.
After the list was filled out, the imperial edict was posted at Chang'an Gate, and a copy was stored in the Grand Treasury.
Next came the part where the top three scholars (状元, 榜眼, and 探花) rode horses through the streets.
After his soul transmigrated into this world, Xia Chengzong was confined to the Prince's Palace for the first seven years.
Although the lockdown has been lifted, he still only goes back and forth between the Prince's Mansion and the Imperial Palace.
I occasionally visit the Prince Chungshun's Mansion during my days off, and I also visited the Confucian Temple last time.
Apart from that, he really hasn't gone out for a stroll.
He had never witnessed a procession on horseback through the streets before.
For a moment, I was filled with curiosity.
He sought out Emperor Yonglong and begged to go out for a stroll.
He said pitifully that he had never been out shopping before in all his life.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yonglong immediately softened.
Normally, this little guy is exceptionally gifted, so people tend to forget that he's only seven years old.
Furthermore, since the Prince's residence was previously closed off, he had never gone out to stroll the streets.
Emperor Yonglong's heart softened, and he agreed.
Xia Chengzong was overjoyed and said that none of his brothers had ever gone out for a stroll, so he begged Emperor Yonglong to let them go out with him.
Emperor Yonglong also agreed.
So, the brothers openly skipped class, changed into casual clothes, and went out shopping.
夏承绪负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承言负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承仁负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1
夏承礼负面情绪+1+1+1+1+1+1+1
……
Xia Chengqian's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
……
Xia Chengkun's positive emotions +1 +1 +1
They changed into civilian clothes and, surrounded by guards and eunuchs, quickly arrived at the Imperial Street.
At this time, both sides of the Imperial Street were already completely blocked by people.
These are all people who came to see the top three, with a particularly large proportion of young women and married women.
Many young ladies from wealthy families had already secured prime spots on the second floor, eagerly awaiting their turn.
If they then set their sights on a particular scholar who ranked among the top three in the imperial examinations, and it just so happens that they are not yet married.
Then these families will take the initiative to extend an olive branch, which could very likely lead to a happy marriage.
There was even a tradition of "catching a son-in-law after the list of successful candidates has been published." Of course, such matters had to be based on mutual consent, and it wasn't a matter of simply arranging a marriage ceremony after the candidate had already been chosen.
Before long, the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) arrived, wearing a bright red brocade robe with gold cloud and wild goose patterns, and a black gauze Jinshi hat adorned with palace flowers.
The top scholar wore a golden peony hairpin on his horse, the second-place scholar wore a silver peony hairpin, and the third-place scholar wore a magnolia hairpin. They rode their horses through the Imperial Street.
In this era, unmarried women were not allowed to go out easily, let alone show their faces in public.
Today was an exception; the young ladies could stand on the second floor and watch to their hearts' content, even standing at the window, waving handkerchiefs.
Just as the poem says: "In my youth, I wore a thin spring robe, rode a horse and leaned against a slanting bridge, surrounded by red sleeves beckoning me from all around."
Xia Chengzong observed that the top scholar had a fair complexion and a slight beard, and his every move exuded an air of nobility.
The second-place finisher was a burly, imposing man, while the third-place finisher, Lin Ruhai, was a refreshing sight.
This third-place scholar was indeed handsome, and his calm and reserved scholarly air made him even more extraordinary.
He can be described as a gentleman as jade-like as a stranger, a peerless young master in the world.
Upon seeing him, Xia Chengzong couldn't help but exclaim: "Uncle Lin is truly handsome; I wonder how many young women he will captivate!"
Meanwhile, in a private room on the second floor of the most luxurious restaurant in the middle of the Imperial Street, a stunningly beautiful young lady, surrounded by a group of maids and servants, was leaning against the window gazing out.
As the horse galloped past, several maids pointed below and exclaimed, "Oh, Miss, Tan Hua is so handsome!"