Chapter 40: Procession and Official Parading

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Seeing the rare trace of loneliness that had appeared on Zhao Zhen’s face, Zhang Maoze pondered briefly before folding his hands and offering comfort.

“Though father and son may never have acknowledged one another, the bond of blood shines as clearly as the sun and moon.”

“Now that the prince has entered official service and is living in Bianjing, there is still plenty of time ahead. Why should Your Majesty fear that there will be no opportunity to show him affection?”

“In recent days, I have had the Imperial City Office discreetly investigate the matter. Who would have thought we would learn that His Highness the Prince is already betrothed?”

At this, Zhao Zhen’s teacup came to a halt in his hand. He asked eagerly, “Which family is the young lady from? What is her family background? Her character? Her appearance?”

“Your Majesty, she is the eldest legitimate daughter of Sheng Hong, a gentleman who was recently transferred here from Jiangsu and Zhejiang.”

“The Sheng family is of impeccable standing. Their ancestor was a palace examination laureate, and it was precisely that family which Lady Xu, the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi, had once insisted on marrying into.”

Zhao Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly and tapped his knuckles twice against the table.

“Speaking of that, I do seem to remember it. The old Marquis of Yongyi was furious at the time. He claimed illness for several days in succession and refused to attend court.”

A smile touched the corners of Zhang Maoze’s mouth as he replied, “Your Majesty has an excellent memory. But in the end, the old Marquis could not prevail against his own daughter. Before long, she was married off in splendid style, with a magnificent procession of bridal gifts stretching for miles.”

“I seem to recall that not long ago Your Majesty praised Lord Sheng’s fine calligraphy.”

Zhao Zhen nodded and fell silent for a moment.

“His reputation as an official is also excellent. He is a respectable choice, though his family background is somewhat modest.”

Zhang Maoze answered cautiously, “In terms of rank and pedigree, the family indeed cannot compare with the noble lords and distinguished houses of Bianjing. But their family principles are upright, and their sons are diligent.”

“I have also learned that his eldest legitimate daughter was raised from childhood by Lady Xu. Her appearance and bearing must surely be extraordinary.”

The only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi had once been a woman of unparalleled privilege and distinction, renowned among every noble lady in Bianjing.

A girl brought up by her could hardly be anything less than exceptional.

Zhao Zhen weighed the matter in his heart.

“If that is so, then it will do.”

“She is, after all, the girl Han’er has chosen. Once he returns to the ancestral fold, we can simply bring several consorts of distinguished birth into his household.”

“Your Majesty is wise!”

Zhang Maoze immediately clasped his hands and bowed. Smiles rippled through the fine lines at the corners of his eyes as he continued, “His Highness has spent the past two days searching for a residence in the capital.”

“He has toured nearly every part of Bianjing, yet has been unable to settle on one. I dare to speculate that the silver recorded in his accounts is somewhat tight.”

At this, Zhao Zhen shot him an annoyed glance.

“You old rogue, are you truly going to stand by and watch my cherished son struggle over such worldly trifles?”

“Go and arrange a suitable residence for him. It must be close to the palace, and the surroundings should be elegant as well.”

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“I recall that there are several vacant official residences around Hanlin Street. Think of a discreet way to give one to him.”

Zhang Maoze smiled and replied, “This old servant will see to it at once. I guarantee that His Highness will suffer not the slightest hardship in the capital.”

—

The following day, the eighteenth day of the third month, dawn spread across the heavens. Refined music rang out, accompanied by the lingering notes of ritual chimes.

Outside Donghua Gate, the streets were packed with people and filled with excitement.

The successful candidates stood in orderly ranks according to their results in the metropolitan examination. Dressed alike in plain white robes, they swayed gently in the morning breeze, their faces brimming with anticipation.

Officials’ families and commoners from throughout the city had arrived early to secure their places, all eager to witness with their own eyes the splendor of the proclamation ceremony.

As the appointed hour drew near, the Sheng family carriage came slowly to a stop not far away.

Hualan lifted the curtain. With a gentle smile and her usual graceful composure, she personally helped Wang Ruofu down from the carriage.

Rulan, Minglan, and Molan shared another carriage and followed close behind.

The maids had just set down the mounting stool when Rulan gathered up her skirt and leaped from the carriage first. Pointing into the distance, she cried brightly, “Sixth Sister, look! There’s someone selling candied hawthorns over there. They’re so red and shiny—they must be sweet!”

Minglan followed the direction of her finger and smiled behind pressed lips.

“Fifth Sister has such sharp eyes. You can see them clearly from this far away.”

Molan was the last to leave the carriage. She smoothed a stray lock of hair at her temple with her slender fingers, her eyes carrying a hint of disdain.

“We have come out today to watch our eldest brother-in-law’s name be proclaimed. You think of nothing but eating, drinking, and amusing yourself all day. No wonder Father is always saying that you have no decorum.”

Rulan’s face flushed at once. Her almond-shaped eyes widened.

“What did you say?”

“Even if I have no decorum, I am still the legitimate daughter of this family. You, a daughter born to a concubine, actually dare lecture me?”

“Everyone in your Willow Perch Pavilion, from top to bottom, truly knows nothing of propriety!”

Molan spoke with biting sarcasm as she waved her round fan lightly.

“And what if you are the legitimate daughter? You still have no place in Father’s affections.”

“Besides, Father cannot bear to hear people making distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children. Is Fifth Sister knowingly breaking the rules again?”

“You—!”

Rulan trembled with rage.

Before she could say more, Minglan hurriedly tugged at her sleeve and said softly, “Fifth Sister, there are too many eyes upon us today. Father has repeatedly warned us not to lose our manners and become a laughingstock.”

“Sixth Sister, at least you understand propriety and know how to conduct yourself.”

Rulan drew several deep breaths, gave a cold snort, then quickly took Minglan’s hand and followed in Wang Ruofu’s footsteps.

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Amid the crowd, the corners of Wang Ruofu’s mouth never once drooped.

Ever since Zhao Han had become the chief graduate of the metropolitan examination, she had found her future son-in-law more pleasing with every glance. She was merely waiting for the proclamation ceremony to end so that she could visit the Kang family and boast properly to her elder sister, Wang Ruoyu.

Hualan linked arms with Wang Ruofu and rose slightly onto her toes, her beautiful, lively eyes fixed on Zhao Han from beginning to end.

“Dong—”

A deep bell rang out. The clamorous crowd fell silent at once, and the palace gates slowly opened.

Han Zhang, the Minister of Rites, emerged holding an imperial edict of bright yellow silk. Behind him came a procession of eunuchs in crimson robes, filing out one after another until they stood before the assembled crowd.

“In the second year of the Jiayou era, in the examination of the Dingyou year, the palace examination names are proclaimed—”

“First class, first place, Top Laureate: Yu Sixian of Qizhou, Shandong!”

“First class, second place, Second Laureate: Gan Yuan of Xinzheng, Henan!”

“First class, third place, Third Laureate: Zhao Han of Yangzhou, Jiangnan!”

“...”

When he heard his own name, Zhao Han exhaled deeply. The tension that had held his shoulders and back rigid finally eased.

Hualan’s hand, which had been gripping her handkerchief tightly, relaxed as well, and her eyes overflowed with joy.

Rulan tugged at Minglan’s sleeve, hopping with excitement. Only Molan remained unchanged, still holding her round fan, her expression thoughtful.

The names of the three men in the first class were proclaimed three times. All the others were announced only once—a singular honor reserved for the highest-ranked candidates.

The proclamation continued for an entire hour, until the last successful candidate had finished offering his thanks.

Nine blasts of ceremonial cannon fire rang out, announcing the triumphant conclusion of the great examination.

Next came the procession through the streets, when the new laureates would be displayed in honor. Officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Rites carried the imperial edict, beating gongs to clear the way.

The year’s Top Laureate, Second Laureate, and Third Laureate were dressed in red robes, palace flowers tucked into their hats, and rode tall, fine horses slowly along the Imperial Way as they received the homage of the people.

The Imperial Way was so crowded that the city seemed emptied of everyone else. Even the windows on the second floors of the nearby teahouses and taverns were packed with onlookers.

Whether they were noble young ladies adorned in pearls and jade or common women in simple hairpins and cloth dresses, all pressed along both sides of the street. Fragrant handkerchiefs and fresh flowers rained toward the three men from every direction.

Naturally, it was the Third Laureate, Zhao Han, who received the greatest share.

Seeing this, Hualan’s eyes shone with pride, and her heart fluttered.