Three days later was the Qionglin Banquet, where the Emperor hosted a feast for the top three scholars of the imperial examination. The banquet was held at Chengxiang Hall, beside Taiye Pond, with direct access through the Left Yintai Gate into the inner court, bypassing many of the outer court buildings.
When Su Cen arrived at the gate, two people were already waiting. One was a eunuch from the palace serving as a guide, and the other was dressed in coarse cloth. Upon seeing Su Cen, he cupped his hands in greeting, “Brother Su.”
This was this year’s Tanhua1rank 3rd in imperial examination, Cui Hao, from Hongzhou. It was said that his blind elderly mother had woven fishing nets to support him all the way to his current achievement. On the day of the announcement, he immediately sent someone back to his hometown to bring his mother to the capital, becoming a paragon of filial piety.
Su Cen returned the greeting politely.
The waiting eunuch said, “Everyone is here, let’s go in.”
Su Cen glanced around and frowned, “Aren’t we still missing one person?”
The eunuch chuckled and said, “The Prince came with Prince Ning’s carriage and is already in the palace.”
Su Cen was momentarily stunned, having almost forgotten that this year’s second-place scholar, or Bangyan, was Zheng Yang, the heir of Duke Zheng. Being Prince Ning’s eldest nephew, he naturally did not have to wait outside the palace gates like the others.
As they entered the palace gate, Su Cen, appearing casual, caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye and saw a look of disdain on Cui Hao’s face.
There had long been rumors that Zheng Yang got his position as Bangyan due to his connection with Prince Ning—ranking second, neither too conspicuous nor unseemly. However, this pushed Cui Hao, who had climbed his way up through every level of the exams—district, provincial, and metropolitan—down a rank. Otherwise, that second-place spot would have been his.
Su Cen wasn’t sure if Zheng Yang was truly talented, but it was clear that Cui Hao held a grudge.
Su Cen stepped forward and discreetly slipped a few pieces of silver into the eunuch’s hand, inquiring, “Gonggong, is Prince Ning also here?”
The eunuch weighed the silver lightly in his hand, tucked it into his sleeve, and smiled at Su Cen. “Of course he is. The current Emperor is only nine years old, and all major affairs of the court are decided by His Highness the Prince and the Empress Dowager. Although the official reason for today’s banquet is for His Majesty to meet you all, in reality, it’s these two who want to see you. Whether your future official career goes smoothly depends on how well you get along with them.”
Su Cen then took out a silver ingot and handed it over, saying, “Does Prince Ning have any particular likes or dislikes? I offended him quite a bit during the court examination, so I hope Gonggong could provide me with some advice.”
The eunuch grinned so widely that his eyes were barely visible. With a wave of his whisk, he said, “You’ve asked the right person! I serve in the Department of Internal Affairs, managing the daily needs within the palace. When the Prince stays in the palace to handle state affairs, it’s me who serves him.”
“As for likes…” The eunuch glanced at Cui Hao, noticing his plain white clothes, which didn’t make him seem like someone who could afford to offer bribes. He then pulled Su Cen a few steps ahead and whispered, “It’s quite strange, really. Our prince usually just drinks tea and plays chess. He lacks neither money nor women and doesn’t seem to have any particular preferences. If I had to say something, it’s that the prince once spent time on the battlefield and has a fondness for fierce horses. But the best horses in the army are always chosen by the prince first, so it’s not like we have anything good left to offer. There is one thing to note, though—the prince doesn’t drink cold wine. If you intend to offer him a drink, be sure to serve it warm, so you can’t offend someone of his stature.”
Su Cen smiled. “Thank you for the advice, Gonggong.” Then he turned his head and asked, “Prince Ning is not interested in women, but his residence is already full of wives and concubines. Does he just disdain the common beauties from outside?”
“Not quite,” the eunuch replied. “When the prince established his residence, he married the daughter of the Left Prime Minister of the previous dynasty, Wen Tingyan. Sadly, she passed away early. The prince spent many years on the battlefield, and the two didn’t even have a chance to leave behind any children before she died. The prince was deeply in love with his princess. Since her passing, he has not remarried or taken any concubines. During the late emperor’s reign, he could still be admonished on this, but now no one can say anything. Thus, the inner courtyard of the prince’s back yard has been left vacant ever since.”
Prince Ning, in his early forties, is in the prime of his life. Su Cen found it hard to believe that his residence was truly devoid of anyone.
“Oh?” Su Cen ignored Cui Hao’s cold glare and leaned closer. “I’ve heard rumors that Prince Ning has not remarried because he prefers men.”
The eunuch was taken aback, glanced around cautiously, and whispered, “That’s not something to say lightly. It concerns royal dignity—it could cost you your head.”
Hearing this, Su Cen knew there was something to it. He stuffed all the silver he had on him into the eunuch’s hands and bowed respectfully. “Rest assured, Gonggong, I will not spread this.”
The eunuch frowned, weighing the hefty bag of silver, and finally sighed. “You just happened to ask the right person. If it were anyone else, they truly wouldn’t have an answer for you.”
Su Cen chuckled. “What do you mean, Gonggong?”
The eunuch hurriedly walked a few steps with him and said, “It is true. All these important figures have their quirks; it’s just not known to the public. I entered the palace early and served Emperor Taizong back in the day. At that time, the current emperor and the prince were still princes. Before Emperor Taizong passed away, he lectured the prince, saying he could do as he pleased in private, but he must still marry and could not make it public. Prince Ning’s residence is as tight as a drum. Over the years, while there have been rumors, no one has ever found solid evidence, so the matter just faded away.”
“And the guard who follows Prince Ning…”
“You mean Qi Lin?”
Su Cen thought for a moment and nodded.
“Him?” The eunuch’s face was full of disdain. “He’s just a wolf cub that the prince picked up from outside.”
“A wolf cub?” Su Cen furrowed his brows.
“He’s not Han Chinese,” the eunuch explained. “He’s a Turk, picked up by the prince from the border.”
Su Cen recalled those amber-colored eyes. At first, he had simply thought the man’s gaze was pale, but now he realized it wasn’t something a Han Chinese would have.
“That man is just a blade in the prince’s hand, and his hands are far from clean,” the eunuch continued. “Have you heard of the Tuo Duo Three Guards? That wolf cub is one of them.”
Su Cen was startled. The Tuo Duo Three Guards were known as the strongest military unit in Da Zhou, entirely composed of Turks, but they served the Han Chinese. Years ago, Ashina led the remaining Turks to hide in the depths of the desert. The Han Chinese didn’t dare enter the desert, only sighing from afar. The Tuo Duo Three Guards, numbering only 150, ventured into the wasteland with supplies. Ten days later, only twenty of them returned, carrying the already mummified head of Ashina.
It was a victory that made them famous.
Yet, despite their fame, people avoided them like the plague. They were so ruthless towards their own people that if they ever turned against the Han, they wouldn’t show any mercy. In the eyes of outsiders, they were like a group of walking corpses, a sharp blade that, if wielded well, could cut through iron like mud; but if mishandled, could easily turn on its wielder.
Clearly, Prince Ning was skilled in wielding such a blade.
While they were talking, the eunuch led them through the courtyard and gardens to the front of Chengxiang Hall. Su Cen stopped to bid the eunuch farewell, while Cui Hao coldly brushed past them, not even sparing a glance, and took the lead inside.
Upon entering the hall, the young emperor had yet to arrive, but quite a few people were already seated.
Su Cen’s eyes immediately landed on Prince Ning, seated to the right of the imperial seat, casually chatting and laughing with Zheng Yang.
To be precise, it was Zheng Yang who was chatting and laughing, while Li Shi remained calm and unruffled. Today was a casual banquet, so Li Shi wasn’t wearing the intimidating court robes he had worn before. Instead, he was dressed in a deep black gauze robe with a dark purple color. Nonetheless, the man always seemed to carry an imposing aura in black, making the richly adorned silk drapes and light veils in the hall lose their vibrancy.
Seeing Su Cen enter, Zheng Yang instinctively moved back a seat and warmly invited, “Brother Su, sit here.”
The seat was, coincidentally, right next to Li Shi’s lower seat.
A light cough came from the left, and Su Cen turned to look. He immediately recognized the man as Liu Cheng, the top scholar from the 22nd year of Yonglong, the leading figure of the Empress Dowager’s faction, and the current Right Chancellor.
Before Su Cen could regain his composure, Cui Hao had already eagerly bowed to Liu Cheng, his eyes brimming with admiration.
Cui Hao’s reverence wasn’t without reason. Chancellor Liu, despite his young age, had already ascended to such a position, backed by Empress Dowager Chu. Supporting the rightful heir and preserving the imperial lineage, it was certain that once the emperor took power, he would be entrusted with great responsibility. It was no wonder he was revered by scholars throughout the land.
Chancellor Liu’s gaze swept past Su Cen and finally landed on Cui Hao. “Come over and sit,” he said.
Cui Hao quickly moved over to sit at the seat below Liu Cheng.
Su Cen furrowed his brows. Though the seating arrangement appeared casual, there was a clear division. On the left were the Ministers of Rites, Personnel, and Revenue, along with Chancellor Liu, all of whom were members of the Empress Dowager’s faction. On the right, led by Prince Ning, sat the other half of the power. Cui Hao had chosen the left side, thereby aligning himself with the Empress Dowager’s faction. Zheng Yang, naturally, sat with his uncle, Prince Ning. This left Su Cen, the newly crowned top scholar known for his outspoken opposition, awkwardly standing in the middle, subject to whispers and stares.
Su Cen hesitated for a moment, then ignored the eyes on him and took the seat that Zheng Yang had just vacated.
Li Shi glanced at him, raised his cup, and smiled—a smile laden with unfathomable meaning.
Su Cen felt that hair-raising sensation returning all over his body.
When the emperor took his seat, everyone else saluted, except for Li Shi, who remained motionless in his seat. Instead, the young emperor timidly addressed him first, calling out, “Imperial Uncle.”
Prince Ning’s reputation for wielding power over the court and ruling with the authority of the emperor was certainly well-earned.
Once the emperor was seated, and after delivering a speech full of praise, everyone began eating. Gradually, the hall filled with conversation. As this was the Qionglin Banquet, the topics discussed naturally centered around the three newly appointed scholars. The Minister of Personnel spoke up, “This time, all three top scholars are young talents. We haven’t had the chance to witness their brilliance yet. Why don’t we have a contest of couplets here and now, and let these three showcase their talents? We could all enjoy a bit of refined culture.”
Several members of the Empress Dowager’s faction chimed in with agreement. Outwardly, it seemed harmonious, but under the surface, the atmosphere was tense. Rumor had it that Zheng Yang was a fool who had gotten his position through connections, and these people seemed intent on using this opportunity to vindicate Cui Hao.
Su Cen glanced at Zheng Yang, who appeared completely unbothered, continuing to eat his meal. Seeing Su Cen looking his way, Zheng Yang raised his eyebrows and smiled.
“Chancellor Liu was the top scholar during the Yonglong period. Why not have Chancellor Liu present the couplet?” someone suggested.
Liu Cheng modestly declined a few times, then pondered for a moment before saying, “The bridge spans the Tiger Creek; three teachings, three sources; three men share a laugh.”
Su Cen silently sighed. Liu Cheng’s title as top scholar was indeed well-deserved. In one sentence, he encapsulated the three teachings of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Daoism, while also referencing three prominent figures: Huiyuan, Tao Yuanming, and Lu Xiujing. It was a simple phrase, yet deeply sophisticated.
The hall fell silent for a few moments. Liu Cheng glanced at Cui Hao beside him and said, “Since you are the third-place scholar, you should go first. It’s always good to save the most significant figures for the grand finale.”
Cui Hao cupped his hands in salute and said earnestly, “Allow me to make a humble attempt: The hut stands in Nanyang; three calls, three refusals; three legs, three tripods standing firm.”
This referred to the story of Zhuge Liang, the Marquis of Wu, with its rigorous parallelism and resonant cadence. Liu Cheng smiled with satisfaction and then turned his gaze, filled with interest, toward Zheng Yang.
Everyone was waiting for him to embarrass himself. However, Zheng Yang seemed oblivious to the expectations around him. After putting down his chopsticks and pondering for a moment, he replied, “Blessings to Qi Prefecture, nine revolutions, nine achievements completed, nine provinces return as one.”
The people at the banquet looked at each other, bewildered; those who had been waiting to see him make a fool of himself were left disappointed.
Cui Hao’s expression, in particular, was quite a sight to behold.
When his couplet was compared with Zheng Yang’s, the contrast was clear. Zheng Yang’s couplet not only subtly incorporated the Daoist concept of “nine revolutions achieving completion and nine becoming one,” but it also hinted at the unification of the realm under the Great Zhou. In comparison, Cui Hao’s response appeared narrow and lacked Zheng Yang’s grandeur and vision.
It seemed that Zheng Yang did possess some talent after all—at least, he wasn’t entirely relying on connections, as some had suggested.
Su Cen sneaked a glance at Li Shi, who wore a calm and composed expression, clearly already expecting this outcome.
Liu Cheng cleared his throat, visibly displeased after being shown up. He then turned to Su Cen and said, “Well, let’s hear what our newly crowned top scholar has to offer.”
Su Cen lowered his gaze and responded, “The lotus blooms in the monk’s abode; one flower, one world; one leaf, one Bodhi.”
![Flying Dust [Fei Chen]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/9k.png "Flying Dust [Fei Chen]")
