The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

"Brother Lin," Zhang Ping'an said in surprise. He got on the carriage without any hesitation.

As soon as I got in the car, the heat disappeared.

Zhang Pingan saw two ice basins placed inside the carriage and couldn't help but sigh, "What a luxury!"

Ice is not cheap in summer, and since you need two basins at a time, only wealthy families can afford it.

Lin Junhui fanned himself and said leisurely, "If I don't put down the ice basin, I'll sweat easily. It'll really affect my image. I was hoping to leave a good impression on everyone at the Luming Banquet today!"

"No wonder she's dressed so grandly!" Zhang Ping'an muttered. Actually, he wanted to say that she was too showy, but then he thought that Lin Junhui would definitely not understand, and it would be troublesome to explain, so he didn't say it.

Zhang Pingan said this not because he was jealous, but mainly because Lin Junhui made himself smell good today, and he felt a little feminine.

Today, Lin Junhui not only made himself smell good, but also had his face neatly trimmed. The jade crown and silk ribbons on his hair were also carefully matched, and were hung with many pearls and gems. His silk shirt sparkled in the sun, with faint dark patterns flowing, which made it obvious that it was of great value. He also wore a tasseled jade pendant made of mutton-fat white jade around his waist.

A peacock with its tail spread out!

Compared with him, Zhang Pingan looked so shabby.

"When the results were announced yesterday, I learned that you also passed the exam, and ranked third. I guessed you would be very busy, so I didn't go to visit you. I just asked someone to send you a letter. I plan to visit you in two days when you are free. I don't know if you received it?" Zhang Pingan explained.

Lin Junhui poured cold tea for the two of them and nodded, "I received the letter, but I was really busy yesterday and didn't see it until very late. After the list came out, my father-in-law sent someone to inform me immediately. Then people kept coming to congratulate me. I had to deal with it all the time. It was very tiring!"

Zhang Ping'an nodded in agreement and encouraged him, "However, with your good result of third place, you have a good chance of passing the imperial examination!"

"I guess I finally lived up to everyone's expectations," Lin Junhui said modestly.

Lin'an City is full of talented people, and he was actually under a lot of pressure. He couldn't sleep well every day in the month before the exam, and he was completely supported by his strong willpower.

The carriage moved forward slowly and soon arrived at the Plum Garden where the Luming Banquet was held.

Inside, there were pavilions with carved beams and painted rafters, and lush flowers all around. Candidates were walking in in groups of three or two, all with beaming faces.

The two of them got off the carriage together.

As soon as Lin Junhui got off the car, he attracted a lot of attention. However, he just fanned himself as usual, walked forward with his head held high, and ignored all the attention.

Zhang Pingan followed quietly beside him.

There are servants leading the way, so there is no need to worry about getting lost.

The banquet was held in an open area of ​​the garden, and the table was already filled with fine wine and delicious food.

Maids were moving around and serving dishes.

Each person's position is fixed and ranked according to their rank.

Lin Junhui sat in the front position on the right side of the upper hand, and Zhang Pingan was in the middle.

The chief examiner, the academic official and other academic officials have not arrived yet, so we cannot start eating and can only drink tea.

The people around began to exchange names and addresses and greet each other.

No one is here today just to eat; making connections is the first priority.

Lin Junhui was obviously very good at these things. Zhang Pingan saw that he quickly integrated into the group and started chatting with his peers. He was full of energy and looked like a gentleman.

Not to mention that he already has a family, even if he doesn't, with his looks and talent, his sixth sister is definitely not worthy of him. What's more, he is very ambitious and knows clearly that what he needs is a good wife.

Zhang Ping'an sighed, shook his head and stopped thinking about it, and started chatting with those around him.

Although he is not as eye-catching as Lin Junhui, he is gentle, humble, young, and well-educated, so it is not difficult for him to make friends.

The scholar sitting on his left was ranked two places lower than him, but he was almost two generations older than him. He was a little fat and came from a farming and reading family with six sons and five daughters. Zhang Pingan was amazed when he heard this.

However, he saw that the man was dressed gorgeously and did not seem to be from an ordinary family. After careful inquiry, he found out that the man married a merchant's wife and had been supported by his wife's dowry for many years. He also had three concubines.

Hearing this man who was over 40 and had not earned a penny for the family, and his nonchalant tone, Zhang Pingan once again understood that the imperial examination was just like the college entrance examination, which could only filter out poor students but not scum.

He really suspected that this man would kick his wife out after he became successful. From the man's tone, he felt that he was capable of doing it.

After Zhang Ping'an said a few perfunctory words, he focused on chatting with the person on his right. This person was just thirty years old this year, with white hair on his temples. He was born into a declining scholarly family. He spoke very well, had his own ideas, and had unique insights on many things.

Such people are worth making friends with.

The two exchanged addresses and names, and agreed that when they held banquets to celebrate the success of the imperial examination, they would definitely invite each other.

The fat man on the left saw this, sneered disapprovingly, and went to talk to someone else. Soon he was having a good chat with another fat man.

All I can say is that everyone has their own kindred spirits!

Two quarters of an hour later, all the new candidates had basically arrived, and the sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras slowly stopped, indicating that the banquet was about to officially begin.

At this time, the academic officials, academic administrators, and chief examiners slowly entered the venue and took their seats in turn.

Sitting at the very top was an official wearing the uniform of a third-rank official. He had a long face, was very thin, and had a serious expression.

Zhang Ping'an has good eyesight and judging from his official uniform, he should be the Minister of Rites. This position is the most suitable for him to host the Lu Ming Banquet.

I was right indeed.

Attendants followed and called out the names of the officials who took their seats one after another, introducing their official titles and names.

The Minister of Rites was named Qian. He was born into the local Qian family in Lin'an. He originally served as an official in Beijing. After the capital was moved last year, he moved to Lin'an.

Mr. Lu had introduced this person before, and he was said to be very capable.

As the examiner and others took their seats, the noise immediately subsided.

Minister Qian, the highest-ranking official present, stood up first, raised his glass, and said solemnly, "To all the newly-appointed juren, on behalf of the imperial court, I congratulate you on your success. This Luming Banquet is a celebration for you all. May you all serve the country in the future and become its pillars!"

Everyone followed suit and raised their glasses.

After drinking, everyone toasted the chief examiner, the academician and other academic officials according to the rules.

Only then did Minister Qian pick up his chopsticks.

Only then can everyone start eating.

As delicious dishes were served, if a dish was more than half empty, it would be immediately removed by the maid and replaced with new dishes.

The sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras rang out again, and there were performances by singing girls and dancing girls.

Zhang Pingan tasted all the dishes in front of him and felt that they were indeed well-cooked and very delicious. In some of them, you couldn't even tell the ingredients.

After three rounds of drinking, according to convention, the first place in the provincial examination, also known as the Jieyuan, will give a separate speech.