In Love With My Fierce Farming Wife!
Chapter 1245 - 1156: Academic Award Ceremony

Chapter 1245: Chapter 1156: Academic Award Ceremony

At this moment, dawn was still early, with a faint soft light just beginning to show on the eastern horizon. It was almost daybreak, flowers yearning to bloom, and the glazed tiles atop the palaces of the Imperial City reflected a dazzling golden light, illuminating the first rosy clouds of the morning.

Outside the Meridian Gate, there stood a dense crowd of people.

On one side were the Civil and Military Officials dressed in court robes, and on the other side were the newly qualified Jinshi scholars in their brand new scholarly attire.

Compared with when the Tribute Scholars met yesterday, this early morning gathering was a complete contrast to the previous day.

There were those whose faces were animated with joy—these were undoubtedly pleased with their palace examination results; and there were those who were downcast—naturally, these were the ones whose results had not lived up to their expectations. Of these two extremes, none were more so than Li Wenli and Xue Qian!

The conflict between Li Wenli and Xue Qian in front of Bangpeng Street yesterday had, by today, become known to almost everyone.

Now, Xue Qian’s face radiated with joy, while Li Wenli looked as if he had suffered a great loss, their expressions so contorted that they hardly looked like faces. This only led people to speculate more about the rumors they had heard.

Su Ke frowned and couldn’t help but gently nudge Xue Qian with his elbow, murmuring softly,

"Don’t smile like a fool, it’s embarrassing."

"I can’t help feeling joyous in my heart," replied Xue Qian, completely unconcerned that his excitement was apparent to others, flashing a triumphant set of white teeth.

Su Ke, however, could not stand to see him provocative in this manner, "Don’t forget we have important matters today."

This remark finally made Xue Qian withdraw his gaze from Li Wenli.

"Understood."

Though he said this, he simply stopped looking at Li Wenli; his excited demeanor was something he could not hide.

The sky gradually brightened, and this morning’s court session was evidently set to start somewhat later. After the fifth watch had passed, the ministers in court robes entered the palace for the morning court session.

Once they had gone, the Tribute Scholars were no longer restrained and gathered together again to talk about another topic.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the news came that His Majesty had summoned everyone to court.

After being reminded by the Master of Ceremonies, more than four hundred new scholars, according to the results announced during the Spring Imperial Civil Service Examination, lined up in a long queue, proceeding in two rows towards the Meridian Gate.

During the Spring Examination, Su Ke had been ranked on the special Beneficent Examination list, and the three people on that list were at the very front. Su Ke stood at the second position on the left as he stepped through the Meridian Gate.

This magnificent palace slowly unveiled its mysterious veil before everyone’s eyes.

Entering through the towering doors of the Meridian Gate, what came into view was a wide-open space in front of the Great Celebration Hall. Rows of Imperial Guards, wielding shining swords and long spears, stood as if ready to strike down at any moment; their fierce eyes stared at every person passing by them, causing a chill to run down everyone’s spine as they bravely continued forward.

Su Ke was at the front of the crowd, following the steps of the Master of Ceremonies without looking sideways.

Indeed, this place justified the saying, "Every five steps a pavilion, every ten steps a tower; corridors winding, eaves soaring; each building situated to take advantage of the terrain, competing for splendor. Clustered round and round, like beehives and whirlpools, one could not know how many thousands of buildings there were!" Su Ke was truly amazed.

Although it was not his first time entering the Imperial Palace, it really was his first time entering from the Meridian Gate!

The scenery here was indeed different from what he saw on usual days.

It wasn’t until they reached the front of the Purple Zen Hall that everyone finally came to a halt and tidied their clothes and headdresses once more, before waiting outside the Purple Imperial Hall under the guidance of the Master of Ceremonies to be called in.

Only when the shrill voice of a Eunuch came from inside did everyone, directed by the Master of Ceremonies, step inside the hall.

At that moment, a ceremonial officer came out holding a leather whip more than a meter long. He swung the whip three times in front of the steps before them, its sound crisp and loud, resonating with a pleasing echo.

After the cracking of the whip had finished, from within the Hall of Supreme Harmony came the sound of the courtiers paying their respects.

At this time, they heard a loud proclamation, "Announce the newly qualified Jinshi scholars to enter the hall!"

Everyone was startled, knowing that the academic award ceremony had begun.

The newly qualified Jinshi scholars, including Su Ke, were standing at a considerable distance from His Majesty, and everyone knelt down in unison to pay their respects.

"We, your humble officials, pay homage to Your Majesty!"

"Rise."

A solemn and deep voice came from the dragon throne.

"Thank Your Majesty."

The new scholars thanked the Emperor and rose to their feet.

Su Ke was also mixed in among the crowd, and he didn’t know if it was because his own feelings were different or for some other reason, but he felt that the Emperor, who sat on the dragon throne, was a completely different person from the Fourth Brother-in-law he knew on usual days! It was difficult to precisely describe that feeling, yet it was decisively real.

While he was lost in his thoughts, the Emperor sitting on the dragon throne began the routine questioning of a few individuals.

"All of you present are the pillars of the nation, having studied diligently for ten years and withstood numerous challenges to finally stand before Us. You are all Our students, and seeing all of you gathered here fills Our heart with great joy."

He glanced over the crowd as if searching for someone and then abruptly turned the topic.

"Who among you is Li Wen Li?"

Li Wen Li had never expected that His Majesty would call his name at this moment. He was stunned for a moment before he stood out from the ranks and bowed with his fists clasped.

"Your humble official Li Wen Li pays homage to Your Majesty."

"Hmm, indeed a scion of the Li Family’s Direct Line, one who certainly possesses a noble appearance and talent."

Qin Yi nodded in approval and then changed the subject, "I personally reviewed your dossier, and it was written with seasoned skill, sharp and pointed, like the glint of swords and shadows, brimming with murderous intent. I quite liked it."

Even if he liked it, he still ranked him last.

Li Wen Li cursed inwardly, yet on the surface, he had to pretend to be grateful and smile, "Thank you for your favor, Your Majesty. Your humble official is unworthy."

Qin Yi waved his hand, "That’s alright. Just keep this in mind. You must understand that there’s always someone better out there. In the future, contribute diligently to the commoners of Our Great Zhou, and it will not be in vain that you’ve studied the sage’s books for ten years."

Qin Yi indeed liked Li Wen Li’s article.

But after the initial admiration, a significant error was pointed out in the article!

That was, it did not avoid mentioning his name; the character "Yi" appeared in the text.

Such an error, in Qin Yi’s view, was not a big deal, but to the examiners, it was a grave offense sufficient for the extermination of one’s entire clan! In the end, it was Qin Yi who strongly argued against the majority, not only preserving his honors but also ranking him last in the palace examination. Hence, today he specifically called his name, to give him a pointed reminder.

However, from the expression on Li Wen Li’s face at that moment, it seemed that all he had just said was spoken in vain!

"Your humble official will respectfully abide by Your Majesty’s decree."

Li Wen Li accepted the command and retreated to one side.

Subsequently, Qin Yi summoned Lu Da, Wang Gui, Feng Jiu, and others for individual inquiries.

Lu Da’s responses in his essays were somewhat ostentatious, and if Qin Yi had been true to his former temperament, he certainly would not have chosen him as the top scholar. But, as Su Pan’er had said, "Being able to study is one thing; being able to govern is another. Being studious does not necessarily mean being good at governance, nor does being good at governance necessarily mean one does well in exams." And Lu Da’s penchant for investigation was very well-suited for officialdom.

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