Chapter 115
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The eunuch came to a halt ahead of the gathered group.
“His Majesty is hosting a banquet in the Chengyun Hall. All esteemed guests, please follow this humble servant.”
A banquet?
It wasn’t only Lu Liangsheng who looked puzzled—several of the other successful candidates also showed signs of confusion. After all, once the Palace Examination concluded, was it not customary for His Majesty to personally confer the top three ranks?
The eunuch walking at the front seemed to understand their doubts and turned his head back with a smile.
“His Majesty delights in feasting with his ministers. You gentlemen are all rare talents of your generation, each excelling in poetry, prose, and song. Naturally, you must be honored. Even the civil and military officials have all gathered here today.”
As he finished speaking, they arrived at Chengyun Hall. Lu Liangsheng walked among the eighteen, his expression calm. Upon entering, though it was still daylight, the hall was brightly lit with lanterns. Chengyun Hall was spacious, with civil and military officials seated on both sides. The Minister of Appointments, Min Changwen, was among them, seated to the left with a solemn expression.
The soft melodies of bronze bells and silk-string instruments drifted through the air. Wisps of sandalwood incense curled upwards like mist. Once Lu Liangsheng and the others had made their way to the center and come to a halt, the emperor raised his sleeve from behind the dragon desk at the head of the hall and gave a gentle wave.
The dancing maidens with long flowing sleeves bowed and withdrew.
Standing amid the group, Lu Liangsheng finally got a clear look at the front. Beneath the broad palm-leaf fans embroidered with gold thread sat Chen Shubao in imperial robes, appearing around thirty years of age, with dignified features. However, seated to his left and right were two women. One of them wore a crimson peony gown, her dark hair coiled into a high bun, adorned with a blossom carved from crystal, accentuating her already stunning beauty—so striking it stole one’s breath.
“He Jingqiu?”
Lu Liangsheng murmured softly. As if sensing something, the woman also took notice of the scholar amidst the crowd. Her beautiful eyes widened slightly, and her rosy lips parted in surprise.
“Master Lu…”
“What did my beloved consort just say?”
“Your Majesty, I was only remarking that this year’s Jinshi candidates are all so young.”
Upon the nearby dragon throne, Chen Shubao glanced at the quick-witted consort before him. A faint smile played at the corner of his lips as he straightened his posture, both hands resting upon the armrests. Gazing toward the front, he slowly spoke.
“Indeed, all are to be the pillars of the realm in years to come. Beloved consort, do you see? Among them, quite a few are truly youthful and handsome, with graceful bearing… Far beyond what I can hope to match.”
Though his words seemed a casual exchange between two people, Lu Liangsheng heard them clearly—and his brows furrowed slightly.
…Why did those words carry such a sour note?
“Regarding the Palace Examination, Zhen shall not yet announce the top three ranks.”
The emperor spoke slowly from atop the dragon dais, his voice measured and composed, but then a smile curled upon his lips.
“You are all exceptional talents of my Chen Dynasty. I find great delight in your presence. As all the civil and military officials in this hall know, I have a certain fondness—for each banquet I hold, I invite my consorts to sit with me. You are soon to become my subjects; think of this as an occasion to become accustomed to courtly matters.”
His tone grew somewhat frivolous toward the end. From the left side of the hall, Minister of Appointments Min Changwen looked as though he wished to speak up. But with the emperor addressing the assembly, any interruption would disrupt the harmony between sovereign and subject. He could only remain silent and listen on.
Chen Shubao had new seats brought in—nineteen in total. The eighteen newly ranked scholars offered their thanks and went to take their seats one after another. Only Lu Liangsheng remained where he stood, his gaze fixed upon the emperor as he returned to the dragon throne. Drawing in a deep breath, Lu stepped forward and cupped his hands.
“Your Majesty, this humble scholar, Jinshi Lu Liangsheng, has a matter to present.”
The civil and military officials on either side exchanged glances, curiosity flickering in their eyes—what would this young man say?
“Oh?”
Chen Shubao leaned against the armrest, fingers slowly rubbing together. “Speak.”
Below, thoughts raced like lightning through Lu Liangsheng’s mind as he swiftly gathered his words.
“Your Majesty, last year, this subject traveled through Heliang Prefecture. The land was full of disaster victims—starving people strewn across the wilderness. The granaries of every city, taxed and depleted, could not even offer relief…”
At these words, Chen Shubao felt a stab of irritation behind his temples. He waved a hand to cut the youth off.
“Hasn’t it been raining lately? This year will bring a fine harvest.”
“But Your Majesty, the taxes remain unbearable. The people still—”
Lu Liangsheng wanted to say something more, but the emperor lowered his hand and gazed down at him, leaning forward slightly. “Lu Liangsheng, you are not yet an official.”
Lu Liangsheng stood there, stunned.
“Oh, that’s right. Zhen has a question for you.”
From atop the dragon throne, Chen Shubao turned his face slightly, glancing toward Zhang Lihua, seated not far away. A glimmer of memory crossed his mind—the jade pendant still resting upon his study desk. The corner of his mouth lifted in amusement as he turned back.
“Zhen has heard that you know a few little parlor tricks.”
Both elbows resting on the armrests, he tilted his chin toward the young scholar below.
“Let’s see a trick. Entertain Zhen.”
“Your Majesty!”
Gasps rippled through the ranks. Min Changwen stood up with a sharp rustle of robes. For a man of letters, honor and dignity were sacred—doubly so for one who practiced the Dao. Even Zhang Lihua, sitting beside the steps of the imperial dais, furrowed her slender brows and turned her head toward the emperor.
“Your Majesty, this—”
All around, the palace guards instinctively reached for the hilts of their blades, their eyes locked onto the center of the hall.
A parlor trick…
Lu Liangsheng stood frozen, his teeth clenched tight. Within his sleeves, his fists had already curled, trembling with restrained fury. He shut his eyes for a long moment, then slowly unclenched his hands.
With a flick of his wide sleeves—fwaa—he turned on his heel and walked away.
Min Changwen stepped out from his seat and took a few hurried strides, but the figure had already vanished from sight. He stared blankly into the dazzling sunlight outside, pounding his chest in frustration.
“Your Majesty, our Chen Dynasty has just lost a pillar of the state!”
“A pillar?!”
Back on the dragon throne, Chen Shubao waved his sleeve dismissively. “Begin the banquet!”
Outside, the sunlight was piercing. The streets were near-empty, with few passersby. Lu Liangsheng wandered aimlessly, his steps sluggish, his face clouded with bitter disappointment.
“Heh… So this is what kind of emperor he is… This kind of emperor… One who turns his back on the millions in Heliang Prefecture…”
Bathed in sunlight, he closed his eyes. Humiliated without cause, and now, after seeing what sat upon the dragon throne, he could not reconcile that image with what a sovereign ought to be.
“Drowning in wine and debauchery… besotted with superstition… indifferent to the suffering of the people… haha…”
Not far off, outside a wine shop, a bored-looking servant yawned lazily—then caught sight of the scholar walking past and hurried over to greet him.
“Come, come—honored guest! Our wine is rich and mellow. You look weighed down by troubles… Why not come in for a few cups? Perhaps your worries will vanish with the drink!”
Lu Liangsheng halted. The fragrance of wine drifted from within the shop, and after a moment’s pause, he turned and followed the attendant inside.
Before long, the server came bounding up the stairs to the second floor, arms full, brimming with enthusiasm.
“Sir! Here’s the pear-blossom brew and the Huangxing wine you ordered. Might I suggest a few dishes to go with—”
He hadn’t finished when Lu Liangsheng, seated across the table, reached out and snatched a wine jug, lifting it straight to his lips.
Cough—
Cough, cough—!
Setting down the jug with a thud, the sharp, fiery flavor stung his throat, and tears welled in his eyes. Red-rimmed, he stared at the ink and brush lying on the table before him.
“These past four years, what was I doing it all for…”
“What was it all for?”
Ha… ha ha ha—
Suddenly, Lu Liangsheng burst into laughter. He grabbed the wine jug and drank greedily. He had never been fond of drinking, but at this moment, he found wine to be the only honest thing in the world.
Thud.
The jug landed heavily on the table, splashing wine across its surface. Drunkenness had already begun to color his cheeks. Noticing the wide-eyed server nearby, he fumbled out a few broken silver coins and slapped them onto the table.
“If it’s not too much trouble, bring me a blank scroll.”
He laughed.
