Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 34 The Night Banquet at the Xue Mansion, Thunder Burns Bamboo on the Awakening of Insects!

Jingzhe.

into the night.

The flags on the city walls of Jiangyin fluttered in the wind, startling the crows perched on the eaves of the watchtower.

Torches burned in the watchtowers, and the soldiers on night patrol carried scabbards with goose feathers at their waists, their armor gleaming coldly.

inside the city,

The night watchman struck the clapper, and lights were lit in every household. Smoke curled from the chimneys, charcoal crackled, and the aroma of roasting goose wafted from the tiled roofs.

Night market stalls are filled with wine flags, and street vendors are hawking hot food.

The results of the county examination have just been released, and the entire Jiangyin county is still immersed in a lively and festive atmosphere.

As dusk settled over the bluestone alley, seventy-two jade goose-fish lanterns hung inside and outside the gates and corridors of the Xue State Duke's mansion, lighting up one after another. The gilded fish-shaped lanterns, each holding a candle flame, trembled gently in the breeze.

Inside the main hall of the mansion, the main table was already set with a dazzling array of silver chopsticks, in preparation for celebrating the newest student in the Xue family.

"Young Master Jiang, it's frosty and cold. Please have a cup of warm wine to warm yourself up!"

Miss Xue wore a moon-white dress, and her slender hand held a gilded wine cup in her sleeve, the amber light in the cup rippling.

The Xue brothers, Fu and Gui, sat on either side.

Jiang Xingzhou stepped into the hall, glanced around, and took his seat at the head table.

Tonight is a family banquet at the Duke of Xue's mansion, and he is the only outsider present.

The wisps of smoke rising from the incense burner suddenly stopped.

"Thank you, Miss!"

Jiang Xingzhou took his seat and looked up to see Xue Lingqi smiling faintly. The gold phoenix hairpin with filigree at her temples was adorned with a pearl pendant. Her brows were dark, and the jade belt around her waist accentuated her graceful, pale yellow neck.

For the past six months, he has been busy preparing for the county examination at Langhuan Pavilion, and has not had many opportunities to see Miss Xue.

Since her coming-of-age ceremony last year, she has lost the childishness of the young girl she first met, and has become much more mature in managing the Xue Guogong Mansion.

"By the way, second brother, third brother, how did you do on the exam? Chun Tao came back in a hurry and forgot to check your results."

Xue Lingqi asked casually.

"Chuntao is really something, she only cares about Brother Jiang and doesn't care about us two young masters at all!"

Xue Fu rubbed his nose and said helplessly, "We both passed the exam. Sixth in Class B and third in Class C!"

"Then are you going to give up on this year's preliminary examination and try again next year? In two or three years, maybe you can even become the top candidate!"

Xue Lingyi asked with a smile.

"That's all!
The competition for the top spot in the civil service examination in Jiangyin County was extremely fierce.

Even prodigies like Han Yugui and Cao An, who rose to fame at a young age, couldn't achieve the top rank in the imperial examinations. Even if I studied diligently for another ten years, there would be absolutely no hope of becoming the top student!

Upon hearing this, Xue Fu was so frightened that he quickly waved his hand.

He originally just wanted to test how deep the water was in the county examination, but after witnessing the cruelty of the competition firsthand, he had no confidence left to compete for the top spot in the preliminary examination.

There are as many as three thousand students in Jiangyin County who have passed the preliminary examinations, with new additions every year, including many emerging young geniuses. Meanwhile, older students are being replaced, their experience growing richer with each passing year. The competition for the top spot in the preliminary examinations is extremely fierce.

Since he wasn't going to compete for the top spot in the preliminary examination, there was no need for him to wait until next year to take the exam again.

"That's fine!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Lingyi did not force the brothers.

Taking the preliminary examination for the imperial examination is relatively easy, but taking the top examination for the imperial examination is extremely difficult.

moment,

The four concubines also came with more than ten younger brothers and sisters, who sat in the second seat at the banquet table.

"Second Aunt, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, Fifth Aunt are here! Let's start the feast!"

Xue Lingqi smiled and instructed Chuntao.

After the head of the Xue family and his wife took up their posts in Jiangzhou Prefecture, the Xue family mansion in Jiangyin was handed over to the eldest daughter of the Xue family. All matters concerning finances, personnel, and affairs, as well as the monthly salary of the mansion, were under her management.

Chuntao clapped her hands three times, and the copper bells under the eaves responded with a clear and melodious echo.

Six maids and servants dressed in light green robes filed out carrying sandalwood food trays, serving up a variety of delicacies in a flowing stream, quickly filling a lavish banquet table with dishes such as Deer Cry Eight Treasures Stew, Roasted Deer Tendon, Cold River Silver Fish, and Purple Jade Soup.

"This banquet is to congratulate Young Master Jiang on passing the imperial examination with top honors!"

My young mistress, Xue Shuting, has always been fond of literature. I'll have her seek your guidance another day, and I'd like you to be her tutor!

Second Aunt, holding a wine cup, toasted Jiang Xingzhou with a smile.

Previously, the concubines of the Xue family had somewhat neglected and looked down on Jiang Xingzhou, feeling that he was climbing the social ladder by studying at the Xue family's private school and benefiting from the Xue family's prestige.

But now, Jiang Xingzhou has passed the imperial examination and become the top candidate in Jiangyin County. In particular, this is a result of the imperial decree of the Confucian Temple, which has caused a sensation throughout the entire Jiangyin County.

They immediately became incredibly enthusiastic. This was the first time in their lives they had encountered a Holy Judge, and their eyes lit up, their minds becoming active.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the imperial examination was the only path to advancement. In the future, Jiang Xingzhou would pass the provincial and state examinations and become a county magistrate or even a prefect.

These daughters, born to concubines of the Duke of Xue, were not legitimate daughters of the Xue family. Marrying a county magistrate or prefect was by no means a loss of status; on the contrary, it was considered a step up.

"Fifth Sister can't even recite the Thousand Character Classic properly yet; Second Mother is being too hasty."

Upon hearing this, Xue Lingyi's face immediately turned frosty, and she rebuked him lightly.

"Well, Sister Qi is right!"

Seeing Xue Lingqi's pale face, the second concubine felt embarrassed and awkwardly put down her wine cup.

Isn't this a case of striking while the iron is hot? If Jiang Xingzhou passes the imperial examination in a few years, when will her young lady have any more opportunities to get close to him?
However, after being rebuked by Xue Lingqi, she realized that this was probably not her mistress's place, so she dared not bring it up again.

Jiang Xingzhou picked up a piece of cold river silver fish with his chopsticks, smiling without saying a word.

The banquet at the Xue residence was quite lively.
The group played a drinking game at the table—a refined game where they could continue the drinking and recite the poem in various ways, but they were required to quote classical texts and use rhymes.

He gave the order, "The jade branches reflecting the moon must be linked tails, and the flying flowers must pass over the pavilion!" She then replied, "Those who mistakenly cut the flowing clouds, must mend their drunken makeup at the Pipa Pavilion!"

When it was Miss Xue's turn, she took a few sips of the weak wine from her rhinoceros horn cup, and, slightly tipsy, gave the order: "Guan Guan cry the ospreys, on the islet in the river."

The rouge around her eyes was smudged by the smell of alcohol, spreading like fiery clouds across the sky; her cheeks were flushed, and her breathing was rapid.

It was Jiang Xingzhou's turn to receive the order.

"A beautiful and graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections!"

Jiang Xingzhou was stunned for a moment.

The banquet fell silent at some point, and even the maids brewing wine under the eaves held their breath.

"Oh my, big sister, your cheeks are red!"

After drinking a few cups, Xue Gui became drowsy and emboldened, and immediately started shouting.

"I was just drunk!"

Xue Lingqi, her face flushed, laughed and scolded.

Xue Gui shook his head, "No way, you can drink a whole pot without getting drunk! A few sips and you're already drunk? It must be hinting at something. Oh dear!"

His head throbbed with pain. He saw Miss Xue's cheeks puffed out, holding a jade fan in her hand, glaring at him angrily. He was so frightened that he hurriedly scurried away.

"Oh dear! My sister has such a bad temper, and she even hit someone! She'll never get married!"

"Young Miss, your young master has rough skin, be careful not to hurt your hands."

Chuntao exclaimed in surprise.

Inside the banquet hall of the Xue residence, everyone was joking and laughing.

suddenly,

"Boom~!"

A series of muffled claps of thunder sounded outside, interrupting the merriment of the crowd.

A light drizzle, like strands of hair.

The rain intensified, and the raindrops pattered on the muddy ground outside the eaves of the Xue residence, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees.

"Today is the Awakening of Insects, and there was thunder!"

Xue Lingqi then got up and went outside the hall. She stretched out her snow-white neck and looked at a rolling dark cloud pressing down on Jiangyin County, and whispered.

Jiang Xingzhou, dressed in a blue robe, stood under the eaves and smiled, saying, "The 'Monthly Ordinances' records, 'Thunder is heard,' which means spring!"

But then, with a rumble of thunder, a bolt of purple lightning struck, hitting a side courtyard of the Duke of Xue's mansion and igniting a fire.

"Thunder and fire are falling from the sky! Go and see!"

To everyone's surprise, they carried oil-paper umbrellas to the side courtyard of Langhuan Pavilion, only to find that a grove of bamboo in the corner had been struck by lightning and was burning in the rain.

The lightning and fire were extinguished in the rain in a short while.

Jiang Xingzhou walked over and broke off a three-foot-long section of scorched bamboo from the charred bamboo grove.

In the torrential rain, the bamboo emitted bluish-purple smoke, and the cracked, charred surface revealed its texture.

He exclaimed in surprise, "This is Thunder-Burning Bamboo. The fire contains the Qi of Gui Water. It's a good thing and can be used to make a literary treasure—the Thunder Bamboo Sword!"

Moreover, this item carries the aura of thunder and scorching heat, making it extremely effective for warding off evil spirits and repelling insects!

"Huh! Are they trying to drive away paper insects?"

Xue Lingqi ran her fingertips over the charred bamboo, her bright eyes lighting up as she immediately came up with a good idea.
-
The Awakening of Insects has arrived, time to catch paper worms!

Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)