Chapter 84: The Parade of the Top Scholar

Chapter 84: The Parade of the Top Scholar

Fu Bin called out Fu Jiaze's name, and Fu Jiaze stepped forward to kneel and pay homage.

Fu Bin's voice nearly cracked when he called Fu Jiaze's name, while his tone became slightly hoarse as he continued to announce the names of others.

The rest also stepped forward one by one to pay their respects.

Due to Fu Bin's performance, many people recalled the special relationship between this eunuch and Fu Jiaze.

If not for the presence of the emperor, these students might have raised objections on the spot, suspecting foul play in the palace examination. Many were planning to review the top scholar's answer sheet once it was submitted to the Imperial Academy.

After the announcement ended, Emperor Chengde did not linger, as he found the top scholar's essay distasteful and had no interest in encouraging these inexperienced scholars.

If these inexperienced scholars were to progress, they would likely propose policies like those of the top scholar Fu Jiaze, which he found displeasing and impractical.

After the emperor left, it should have been the time for the parade of the newly minted jinshis, but Fu Bin took out several copies of the answer sheets.

Fu Bin spoke respectfully, "Gentlemen, here is the answer sheet of the top scholar from Feng City, Fu Jiaze. Due to the short time, only these copies have been transcribed. Gentlemen may take a look."

The jinshis looked at each other, none willing to be the first to step forward.

"I want a copy to read with the second place winner," the third place winner said without hesitation.

Zhou Bang, the second place winner, nodded slightly and stepped forward, "Thank you, Eunuch Fu."

With this lead, two or three people began to share a copy of Fu Jiaze's answer sheet.

The third place winner was the legitimate son of a Wu family censor, who read Fu Jiaze's answer sheet with a critical eye. Initially frowning, his expression relaxed after reading the opening paragraph.

While the emperor disliked the later parts of Fu Jiaze's political suggestions, he still found the writing elegant and eloquent.

To an insider like Wu Yusheng, Fu Jiaze's essay was even better.

The essay was seamless, written in one breath, with every word a gem.

Understanding the emperor's preferences was a necessary skill for sons of noble families participating in the imperial examinations. Wu Yusheng, having some insight, found that Fu Jiaze's essay, besides being coherent, did not flatter the emperor and was substantial.

Even as the son of a censor, Wu Yusheng could not achieve such a level. While the emperor found Fu Jiaze's political suggestions immature, Wu Yusheng saw them as insightful.

Thinking about his own essay, Wu Yusheng realized that to gain a good ranking in the palace examination, he had used many unnecessary ornate phrases, which, compared to the top scholar's essay, seemed nonsensical.

Admiring Fu Jiaze's literary talent and courage to speak, Wu Yusheng was thoroughly convinced that the title of top scholar was well-deserved.

Wu Yusheng bowed deeply to Fu Jiaze, "The top scholar Fu's essay is eloquent and the first place is well-deserved."

Zhou Bang, the second place winner, though disliking Fu Jiaze's political views, found them somewhat off-topic, but admitted, "As Censor Wu said, the top scholar Fu's essay is indeed excellent."

With both top-ranking scholars acknowledging Fu Jiaze's essay, others also chimed in, praising Fu Jiaze's work.

Fu Jiaze clasped his hands and said, "I am Jinyuan, please call me Fu Jinyuan. Gentlemen, you are too kind."

Fu Bin smiled and said, "Gentlemen, please follow this way."

A highlight moment for scholars was about to begin—the parade through the streets.

Everyone mounted their horses, adorned with red silk flowers, starting from the palace gate and circling through the main areas of the capital city.

/

In early spring, the fine rain had moistened the entire capital city, and dry grass had sprouted new green shoots. In just a few days, these green shoots would spread rapidly, covering all the soil.

The streets were bustling with crowds waiting for the parade, and the Fu family, Pei Jin, and Wen Hui were naturally present.

Because Pei Jin often accompanied Pei Qinghe, she had become friends with Wen Hui and also befriended Fu Wanan.

Fu Wanan was innocent and naive, while Pei Qinghe was shy and reserved, making them good playmates.

Fu Heng did not know how long this friendship would last, but it was good for her daughter to have a playmate for now.

Lin Yingxue turned her head to look at Auntie Ou, who had come to stand beside her.

Clearly, the old woman had sensed something and stood next to Lin Yingxue.

Lin Yingxue looked at Auntie Ou, who was initially tense but then relaxed and whispered, "Miss, you noticed too?"

Lin Yingxue nodded, and seeing Auntie Ou pinch her lip and grip her sleeve, she understood they needed to talk privately. Seeing that the parade of the jinshis would take some time, she walked with Auntie Ou to a corner.

"Miss, if your mother remarries, will you... try to stop her? And what about your husband..." Auntie Ou, fearing Lin Yingxue would interfere, quickly added, "When Master Lin deceived Miss, you thought you were the principal wife and were very happy, only occasionally regretting the lack of a phoenix crown and red dress. Hui is such a beautiful girl, and I've watched her grow up, always hoping for a better life for her."

For Auntie Ou, leaving Lin Yi meant that Wen Hui would live independently, which she felt was a regret.

Meeting Manager Pei, she realized what that regret was—she wanted Wen Hui to be cherished and to marry again with dignity.

Lin Yingxue looked at her mother and Pei Jin, her brows furrowed, "My husband knows about this, and we agree not to interfere, letting things take their natural course." She had initially thought Manager Pei hadn't considered it, but now believed he had, though her mother might not agree.

Auntie Ou smiled, "It should happen soon. I can tell."

Lin Yingxue shifted her gaze from Wen Hui and Pei Jin, feeling awkward discussing her mother's remarriage.

At that moment, Wen Hui was talking to Pei Jin.

Since the book of landscapes was written by Pei Jin in his youth, Wen Hui had read it many times, gradually feeling closer to him and speaking freely.

Pei Jin listened intently, his expression reflecting the warmth of Wen Hui's words.

Just then, Lin Yi happened to see the two chatting happily.

After giving Wen Hui the release document, Lin Yi still couldn't help but keep track of her, even dreaming about encountering her after her remarriage, where she laughed and chatted with her new husband, whom he couldn't see clearly, and he could only offer his congratulations.

The regret and jealousy in his dream led him to write the best poem of his life.

That poem was only known to some officials at the banquet that day. Lin Yi thought that if Wen Hui remarried like he did, he would publish the article; if she didn't remarry, it would stay buried forever.

Seeing Pei Jin and Wen Hui standing together now, the scene merged with his dream.

Taking advantage of the crowd, he pushed Wen Hui, causing her to fall into Pei Jin's arms.

Although Pei Jin quickly steadied Wen Hui and took a step back to avoid suspicion, Lin Yi gritted his teeth.

Doesn't Pei Jin, a scholar, know the principle of avoiding suspicion?

Where is Lin Yingxue?

Where is Lin Yingxue, watching her mother stand with Pei Jin, even chatting and laughing?

Lin Yi soon found Lin Yingxue talking to Aunt Ou.

No wonder Wen Hui was speaking to Pei Jin alone.

Lin Yi planned to scold Lin Yingxue and strode over, but before he could cause trouble, someone cut his money pouch.

"Thief!"

Someone cried out in alarm. Lin Yi instinctively looked down and found not only his money pouch gone but also his sash cut open.

"What bad luck," someone nearby muttered. "Sir, you should go home and change your sash."

Young ladies giggled as they watched Lin Yi hold up his robe.

Lin Yi's face turned red; it would be very inappropriate to appear before Lin Yingxue now.

He had no choice but to buy a new sash from a nearby shop.

Watching Lin Yi's retreating figure, Fu Heng's lips curled slightly. Lin Yingxue had no idea that Lin Yi almost came to confront her, ruining her mood.

/

"Here he comes, the top scholar is here."

Cheers erupted at the alley entrance, and Lin Yingxue's heart raced.

In the distance, a grand procession approached, and fireworks were set off in the alley, crackling loudly.

Children ran around, screaming and clapping, scolded by their elders, "Look closely, see how impressive the top scholar is. Study hard, and you might achieve such glory too."

The children watched to see what the top scholar looked like.

Riding a magnificent white horse, the top scholar led the procession. His handsome appearance, combined with being Fu Bin's nephew and riding a pure white horse without a single blemish, made him stand out brilliantly among the others.

Fu Jiaze's gaze met Lin Yingxue's, and she smiled at him with twinkling eyes.

Fu Jiaze had once told her about his ambition to win all six honors, and although it took several years, he finally achieved his goal.

He said a few words to those behind him, and the third and second place winners nodded. Then he dismounted.

Lin Yingxue watched as he strode toward her, and the crowd instinctively parted to make way for the top scholar.

Her blood raced, making her feel dizzy, and she wished there was a crack in the ground to hide in.

She took a step back but was stopped by a firm hand on her back.

Turning her head, she saw her mother-in-law, Fu Heng.

Fu Heng whispered, "This is Jinyuan's wish. Do you really want to run? He said long ago that if he placed in the top three, he would pin a flower on you in the street."

Lin Yingxue blushed but stopped moving.

Achieving this day was the pinnacle of scholarly joy, and he wanted to share his happiness with her. If she ran away, she might regret it when they were old.

Fu Jiaze's eyes sparkled as he bent down to pin a freshly bloomed peony from the imperial garden onto his new wife. The peony, grown in a greenhouse, bloomed beautifully in the cold wind.

"Jinyuan has not failed," Fu Jiaze said with a smile. "My future goal is to secure a noble title for my wife."

While buying an official position could satisfy his ambitions, it would make people look down on Lin Yingxue, thinking she married an unambitious husband. Today's top scholar title would give Lin Yingxue something to talk about for the rest of her life.