The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 124: The Banquet of Imperial Grace and Honor

Chapter 124: The Banquet of Imperial Grace and Honor

The fiery red morning sun rose from the east, gilding the world with a fresh and brilliant hue.

Before the Hall of Reverent Offering¹, under the personal presence of the Son of Heaven, the witness of princes and marquises, and the solemn ranks of the hundred officials, the Grand Proclamation Ceremony² continued.

After Du Yunse, a man in his thirties from Jiangnan named Chi Zihuai was awarded the place of bangyan³, and Xie Tanguang was named tanhua⁴.

The names of the three men of the First Class (yi jia, here meaning champion, runner-up, and third place) were each proclaimed three times. After stepping forward to kneel and thank the Emperor, they returned to the ranks and stood at the very front.

What followed was the reading of the Second and Third Class graduates’ names.

The numbers in the second (er jia) and third (san jia) classes were not fixed. In this session, there were ninety-six men in the second class, each granted the status of “presented scholar” (jinshi chushen) and assigned an official post; there were two hundred and one men in the third class, given the lesser title of tongjinshi chushen (“associate” or “same-ranked” jinshi).

Although all three statuses bore the name jinshi and led to official appointments, there were subtle distinctions. For example, in determining seniority in the bureaucracy, the tongjinshi ranked below those with jinshi chushen; and in the later competitive selection for the Hanlin Academy (shujishi), tongjinshi candidates had lower chances of being chosen.

Among the Liaozhou graduates from the same province as Du Yunse, the highest ranking was Qi Yazhi, who placed fifteenth in the second class. Li Ruicong, who had topped the Liaozhou provincial exam the year before, barely made the second class in the nineties — almost falling into the third.

Wang Yinzhi’s overall rank was just over two hundred — not enough for the second class, but near the top of the third class. For him, this was already very good, and he planned to accept immediate posting to an outer province, aiming for a favorable location.

Once the sun rose fully in the eastern sky, the grand proclamation neared its end.

When the imperial escort departed, the Ministry of Rites official received the Yellow List from the proclamation officer, went before the line of three hundred new graduates, and signaled them to follow.

Du Yunse straightened his wide sleeves, lightly lifted his robe with one hand, and strode at the head of the procession. Behind him came the bangyan and the tanhua, and farther back, the rest of the new jinshi.

The group followed the imperial way out of the palace, coming to Wu Gate, whose main gate stood open for the First Class three to exit; the other graduates left through the side gates.

They passed in order through Duan Gate and Chengtian Gate, crossed the Golden Water Bridge, and emerged onto the imperial roadway outside the palace.

A few hundred paces east and west along the imperial way led to the bustling city markets. Today being the day of proclamation, great crowds had gathered outside East Chang’an Gate, waiting to see the Yellow List posted and the champion’s parade.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting with rewards, the champion’s parasol, and the ceremonial guard of honor.

That afternoon, the new graduates were to attend the Banquet of Imperial Grace and Honor (enrong yan⁵). All jinshi first received a ceremonial artificial flower (zan hua) made of colorful silk, with a small copper plate hanging from it inscribed with the words “恩榮宴” (Banquet of Grace and Honor).

The zhuangyuan’s flower, however, was unique: leaves and stems of pure silver, adorned with kingfisher feathers, with the small plate made of gold, gleaming in the sunlight.

In addition to the distinctive flower, the champion enjoyed a set of robes bestowed by the Emperor.

After giving thanks, Du Yunse was led into a small prepared pavilion, where attendants quickly dressed him in the champion’s attire: beneath, a white silk inner garment; over it, a great robe and skirt of bright red gauze, both edged in black-blue trim; morning court boots and felt socks, all new.

His court cap was secured with pins, the jade ornaments (yaoyu) at his waist, the silvered crown strings hanging at his chin. An official held up a bronze mirror while he placed the pure silver, kingfisher-feathered flower at the side of his cap.

The young champion then took the reins with one hand and, under the envious gazes of the other graduates, vaulted into the saddle.

By the custom of the Yu Dynasty, no official, regardless of rank, might ride within East or West Chang’an Gate without imperial leave. Only on the day of the proclamation might the champion ride down the imperial way.

With a light flick of the reins, Du Yunse set the tall horse trotting; the ceremonial guard followed at once.

At the front, two officials carried tall red-lacquered wooden plaques: one reading “Zhuangyuan Jidi” (Champion and Presented Scholar⁶), the other “Imperially Appointed Hanlin.”

Behind them came pairs of musicians playing elegant court music.

Down the wide, open imperial way, the red-robed champion rode foremost, the boundless blue sky stretching overhead and behind.

Once he had aspired to soar as high as the clouds; today he rode proudly through the imperial street.

…

To learn the result as quickly as possible, Hua Ge’er had long since paid a high price to secure the best-view private room at a restaurant outside East Chang’an Gate.

A terrace extended from the room, offering an unbroken view of East Chang’an Street — prepared for wealthy patrons wishing to see the processions entering and leaving the imperial city.

Hua Ge’er was not alone; he brought Deng Die and the lively Min Leyi.

Min Leyi’s father and elder brother were both jinshi, but he had not been in the capital before; it was his first time seeing the posting of the Yellow List, the champion’s parade, and the new graduates leaving the city.

He had scarcely been there a quarter of an hour before he could no longer sit still, running to the terrace to look.

“When will they come out? I can’t stand it! Too bad we can’t go in. By now the champion’s name must have been read, right?”

Hua Ge’er called him back inside. “The morning dew is still heavy — don’t catch cold. I’ve asked around; the ceremony usually takes two or three hours. It’s still early.”

Min Leyi ran back in, gulped hot tea.

“I don’t believe you’re not anxious, Hua Ge’er. If you weren’t, why come so early to wait?”

Back in the room, Hua Ge’er had not touched a single one of the pretty pastries he usually adored, plainly distracted.

By contrast, Deng Die was composed. For her and Wang Yinzhi, passing the exams was joy enough; higher rankings were irrelevant.

She reassured Hua Ge’er: “I don’t know the ways of scholars, but everyone says Yunse is a star of literature descended to earth. Since he’s such, he must be the zhuangyuan. Just wait and watch the champion’s parade.”

Hua Ge’er smiled and shook his head. “I’ve seen what this road to the exams takes; to have reached this step is already remarkable. It’s not that I have to see him as champion.”

Yet precisely because he knew the hardship of the journey, and how outstanding Du Yunse was, and how much he had given, Hua Ge’er wished he would have no regrets.

Thus the proclamation still gripped his heart.

They waited, uneasy, until noon. Several rounds of tea and snacks had been served when noise rose from the street below.

Many were shouting excitedly: “They’re coming out! They’re coming!”

Hua Ge’er set down his cup and hurried to the terrace.

At the gate itself, there was still no sign of the graduates — but crowds were pressing to the roadside, likely having glimpsed the procession on the imperial way.

Hua Ge’er’s eyes fixed intently on East Chang’an Gate. First to emerge were the Ministry officials with the Yellow List; they pasted it outside the gate, where it would remain for three days.

None rushed up to read it yet, knowing the champion and graduates would be out in a moment.

Bright ceremonial music drifted through the gate, followed by two attendants with tall plaques: “Zhuangyuan Jidi” and “Imperially Appointed Hanlin” — eight characters that seemed to still the entire street.

Hua Ge’er stared at that small patch of ground before the gate. A great hoof stepped past the threshold, raising a puff of dust.

Only the champion might ride there today.

Hua Ge’er drew a breath and looked up sharply.

…

The red-robed champion on horseback was already looking at him.

Their eyes met in midair, stirred by a spring breeze.

Du Yunse smiled at him; realizing it, Hua Ge’er smiled in return.

Handsome as carved jade, with a heroic bearing, the champion’s crimson robe shone as he smiled from atop a great steed — drawing cheers from all along the street.

Yet his eyes never left Hua Ge’er.

Gradually, onlookers noticed and turned to the terrace, catching sight of the champion’s beloved.

Truly a flawless pair — beautiful and noble in demeanor.

In the early spring weather, Hua Ge’er wore a moon-white robe embroidered with narcissus, a pale lilac satin cloak edged in white rabbit fur that stirred in the breeze.

That face, growing ever more striking with age — even at a distance, it made many hold their breath.

The champion’s parade moved slowly but inevitably forward; by custom, Du Yunse could not turn to look back once they passed.

Hua Ge’er let out a long breath. “Come on — let’s hurry home.”

Min Leyi hugged his arms. “So now Hua Ge’er remembers the rest of us? Just now it was as if the world held only the great champion Du and you.”

Hua Ge’er grinned, letting the teasing pass.

Deng Die, having seen Wang Yinzhi in his robes with the ceremonial flower, was satisfied — she too wished to hurry home to pour out her thoughts to her husband.

Once beyond East Chang’an Street, the other graduates could go their own way, but the champion’s guard had to escort him home.

As Du Yunse lived nearby in Nanxun Ward, it would have been quick — but as this was an honorific display of imperial favor, it could not end too soon. By tradition, he would ride to the street’s end, then circle back the long way between Nanxun and Chengqing wards.

With the slow pace for the crowd’s benefit, Hua Ge’er and the others had time to get home first.

News of Du Yunse’s success spread like wind. By the time Hua Ge’er reached his gate, the parade had not yet arrived, but the neighbors — powerful families or high officials all — had already sent people with congratulations.

Before, Du Yunse had merely been a degree-holder with no office, newly arrived for the exams; the neighbors had paid him no mind.

Now, the new zhuangyuan was sure to enter the Hanlin Academy; he would begin as a sixth-rank xiuzhuan⁷, move to at least fourth rank in three years, and barring major errors, rise smoothly thereafter.

Such a promising stock — why not make ties at once?

Hua Ge’er accepted the visiting cards, told the servants to open the gates, tidy the grounds, and bring out the prepared rewards.

Though he knew nothing was certain, Hua Ge’er had long since secretly prepared silver melon seeds⁸ for the champion’s guard.

Smaller than real melon seeds, each weighed just over a gram; fifty made a tael of silver, charming to the eye and hand. These had “Zhuangyuan Jidi” engraved. If Yunse had failed, he would have melted them back down.

But he had been spared that.

Within, the servants, joyful in their master’s honor, bustled to ready the gate. From the lane came the music of the approaching parade, drawing the neighbors out to watch.

Hua Ge’er stood at the door, watching Du Yunse draw near, unstoppable till he stood before him.

Reining in, Du Yunse dismounted and took Hua Ge’er’s hand.

Beside the road, the apricot blossoms bloomed thick; a breeze sent pink and white petals drifting.

In the spring flowers, Du Yunse bent his head slightly, the jade at his waist chiming, the crown strings swaying.

In the bright crimson robe, with the unique silver-and-kingfisher flower gleaming, he spoke:

“My husband above all — Yunse is fortunate not to have failed you.”

Hua Ge’er froze, sudden heat stinging his nose, mist rising in his eyes.

He quickly pulled his hand free to pat Du Yunse’s, turning aside to master himself.

Today, Du Yunse’s brilliance and vigor outshone even sun and sky. He had stood by a young sapling in the mud, through storms and frost, until this day when its branches spread wide and its name was known across the realm.

No one interfered as the champion and his husband gazed at each other in silence, until the music moved to its next tune and Hua Ge’er came back to himself, sending Xingmi to give each guard a handful of silver melon seeds.

Next came the altar for ancestral thanks, receiving guests, and hearing further congratulations.

Having been up since before dawn, busy all morning with the ceremony — and with the banquet that afternoon — Du Yunse was urged by Hua Ge’er, busy with household arrangements, to rest.

The Banquet of Grace and Honor invited the new graduates with the examiners and clerks of the palace examination. The Emperor himself would not attend, typically sending one senior civil and one senior military official, with princes sometimes present.

Traditionally, the civil seat was one of the Grand Secretaries; the military host was usually Great General Wu Dingshan.

But Wu Dingshan, as the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle, had been disgraced and exiled in the treason case of winter in the 20th year of Yuanhua, his family ruined save for his sole son Wu Shen, now a baihu⁹ at the frontier.

Thus this banquet’s military host was named as the Second Prince, Jia Hongyi.

This delighted his faction; though skilled in martial arts and versed in military theory, he had never been allowed to command troops. Sitting as martial host seemed a sign the Emperor might entrust him with an army.

Yet almost immediately, Yuanhua named the civil host — not a Grand Secretary, but the Prince of Jin, Jia Honghan, whose literary fame had risen greatly in the last two years.

Nor had he forgotten the Crown Prince: with the civil and martial co-hosts chosen, the Crown Prince would also attend as a royal guest. Thus all three adult princes would be together.

When Hua Ge’er learned of this arrangement, he grumbled to Yunse in private:

“This isn’t a banquet — it’s putting the new graduates in the middle of trouble. With three rival princes at table, who could eat in peace?”

Yunse, changing back into his champion’s robe, smiled faintly.

“A cooling draught for the arrogance of the new jinshi, to remind them the official world is dangerous — not a bad thing.”

Hua Ge’er still found it odd. “Though princes are subjects, and hosting shows the Emperor’s favor, having the Second Prince and Prince of Jin as ‘subjects’ at table while the Crown Prince remains Crown Prince — isn’t that hint rather obvious? That’s not the Emperor’s usual way of keeping the succession’s scales in balance.”

Placing his crown, Yunse let Hua Ge’er fix the pin.

“The Second Prince and Prince of Jin’s backers have wagered too much since before His Majesty ascended; they cannot withdraw now. Decades of obsession will not dissolve at a hint.”

“Then whom is the Emperor hinting at?” Hua Ge’er asked.

“Why, the Crown Prince.”

Hua Ge’er blinked, the missing pieces too many to follow Yunse’s reasoning.

Sliding the flower with its “Enrong Yan” plaque into his hair, closing his sleeves, Yunse rose.

After ensuring no one was near to overhear, he let fall the thunderbolt:

“His Majesty wishes them to live; the Crown Prince wants only for them to die.”

notes:

1. 1. Hall of Reverent Offering (奉天殿) – Main ceremonial hall in the Forbidden City.

1. 1. Grand Proclamation Ceremony (傳胪大典) – Formal event announcing palace exam results.

1. 1. Bangyan (榜眼) – Second place in the palace exam.

1. 1. Tanhua (探花) – Third place in the palace exam.

1. 1. Banquet of Grace and Honor (恩榮宴) – Traditional banquet honoring new jinshi.

1. 1. Zhuangyuan Jidi (狀元及第) – Literally “Champion and Presented Scholar”; signifying first place and attainment of the jinshi degree.

1. 1. Xiuzhuan (修撰) – Sixth-rank official in the Hanlin Academy, often an initial posting for top exam graduates.

1. 1. Silver melon seeds (銀瓜子) – Small silver ingots shaped like melon seeds, used as decorative currency.

1. 1. Baihu (百戶) – A military rank, commanding a hundred households/soldiers.