As he predicted, once he left, Xu Huaiqian grabbed Meng Fangxun and lamented: "Senior Brother Meng, what should I do? I'm so good-looking, but I ended up as Zhuangyuan?"
"Deal with it as it comes!" Meng Fangxun looked at Xu Huaiqian's worried face and felt like hitting him. "Why did you want to be Tanhua so badly?"
Xu Huaiqian replied without hesitation: "So that everyone in the world would envy my A-Jiu for having a well-educated and handsome husband who married into her family."
"Can't Zhuangyuan do that?" Meng Fangxun stared at his face, wondering what went on in his head all day. "Your looks already surpass the Tanhua. Now you've become Zhuangyuan on genuine merit. People will only envy your wife even more!"
"A man having a Zhuangyuan husband who married in, who is even more handsome than the Tanhua—"
"Huh?" Before he finished, Xu Huaiqian seemed to realize something. "That seems right!"
"I'm this year's Zhuangyuan! And I'm better looking than the Tanhua! Ah! My A-Jiu will be the envy of everyone!"
"More than just envy; some might even want to take her place." Although the Jin Dynasty was more liberal towards men compared to previous dynasties, their status was still low. A Zhuangyuan like Xu Huaiqian, who married into a family and was so strikingly handsome, would make many people green with envy.
"Taking her place is out of the question," Xu Huaiqian said happily. "I'm satisfied if my A-Jiu becomes the object of envy and jealousy!"
He remembered back in Xinghua Village, how many people said Chen Liejiu wouldn't survive the heat period and would burn to death.
And how many made sarcastic remarks behind their backs when Chen Liejiu married a sickly man like him. Even more waited to laugh when Chen Liejiu gave up his own interests for him. And those mediocre men, inferior to him in looks and learning, who had the audacity to covet his wife and shamelessly offer themselves for marriage!
The Tanhua could rely on looks, but the Zhuangyuan? The Zhuangyuan could only be earned through knowledge.
And throughout history, there probably hadn't been many as handsome as him who also managed to become Zhuangyuan!
He had single-handedly raised the standard for marrying into his wife's family. From now on, any shameless person wanting to offer themselves would have to consider: Are they as good-looking as him? Can they become Zhuangyuan?
"First Class, second place, Meng Fangxun—"
While Xu Huaiqian was lost in his excitement, Meng Fangxun, having resolved Xu Huaiqian's worries, snapped back to reality upon hearing the Herald call his name. He couldn't hide the surprise and delight on his face either.
Bangyan!
Although not as dazzling as the Zhuangyuan or Tanhua, this was a position envied by countless Second and Third Class Jinshi. Moreover, with the Zhuangyuan and Tanhua drawing most of the attention, he, the Bangyan, could perfectly maintain a low profile.
Compared to Xu Huaiqian, who only wanted to be the Tanhua based on looks, his Bangyan position was the true case of quietly making a fortune!
Hahahaha!
Thinking that he had unobtrusively secured the Bangyan title, even the usually calm Meng Fangxun couldn't help but laugh triumphantly in his heart.
Finally, only Xu Huaiqian remained outside the palace gate, his heart pounding nervously.
Zhuangyuan!
Heavens!
The position he had never even considered had actually landed on him so easily?
Xu Huaiqian felt like he was dreaming. Although he didn't achieve the Triple First, Shen Wennian was indeed better at poetry. If he had gotten the top Metropolitan Graduate rank, it would only have brought endless trouble.
But he had surpassed Shen Wennian in the Palace Exam's current affairs section, even without giving his full effort! What did he have to fear?!
In the future, if anyone challenged him on current affairs, he wouldn't be afraid. He could even wave them over: "Come on, come on! Any major current affairs topic, north or south, you name it! If I lose, I'll acknowledge you as my father!"
And since he was the Zhuangyuan, he could use Shen Wennian as a shield: "If you want to challenge me, beat the Tanhua first."
It couldn't be more perfect!
Thinking this, Xu Huaiqian completely let go of any regret about not getting the Tanhua. He believed the public's eyes weren't blind; they could tell who was better looking between him and Shen Wennian. Even if he didn't get the Tanhua, his Zhuangyuan title was countless times more glorious!
Therefore, when Xu Huaiqian heard the Herald announce his name, he strode into the palace gate with the soaring spirit of a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
"First Class, first place, Xu Huaiqian—"
"First Class, first place, Xu Huaiqian—"
"First Class, first place, Xu Huaiqian—"
The Zhuangyuan was indeed the most glorious. Under the gaze of thousands, Xu Huaiqian, dressed in a deep blue court robe, a jade pendant at his waist, stepped into the main gate of the Taihe Dian. The Danbi Dayue music played simultaneously on both sides of the hall in his honor.
The majestic and passionate national music welcomed him with immense fervor!
Having presented his strategies before the throne, his name now shone on the golden list in spring's vibrant colors. The elegant young master, refined as polished jade, walked past officials of various ranks lining the sides of the Taihe Dian, through the kneeling Jinshi in the central pathway, until he reached the very front. Just as he was about to lift the hem of his robe to perform the three kneelings and nine prostrations to the Emperor, the Emperor, as if finding the young man's glory insufficient, declared, "The Zhuangyuan is exempt from kneeling."
He hadn't forgotten how Xu Huaiqian had staggered when bowing to him three days ago. What he valued was Xu Huaiqian's talent, not these empty formalities.
This left not only Xu Huaiqian stunned but also all the Jinshi kneeling behind him. The Emperor was granting the Zhuangyuan such a great honor?
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Since the Emperor excused him from kneeling, Xu Huaiqian could only perform a bow with clasped hands.
Seeing Xu Huaiqian comply without kneeling, Emperor Changsheng was satisfied. With a nod, he signaled the Ministry of Rites officials to continue.
"Bestow the robes!"
At the command of the Honglu Temple official, the Danbi Dayue music played again. Palace maids filed in from both sides of the Taihe Dian, each holding the Jinshi robes to be presented before the new Jinshi.
Xu Huaiqian's was, of course, the bright red Zhuangyuan robe. Since no official rank had been bestowed yet, the robe lacked the rank badge, being purely crimson, to be draped over the shoulders. There was also an exquisitely crafted Zhuangyuan hat adorned with pearls, with golden flowers to be inserted on it.
Xu Huaiqian was already handsome. Adorned in the red robe and sparkling jewels, he became breathtakingly beautiful.
The palace maid presenting the attire blushed instantly.
Xu Huaiqian paid no attention to her blush. Upon seeing his outfit, so different from Meng Fangxun's and Shen Wennian's, any dissatisfaction about being Zhuangyuan vanished.
Clothes make the man, and the saddle makes the horse. He already outshone them; with this outfit, he would leave them in the dust.
If their positions were reversed, and Shen Wennian, with his looks nearly matching his own, wore this dazzling Zhuangyuan attire, he might truly steal Xu Huaiqian's thunder.
Then, wouldn't his plan have backfired? Even as Tanhua, he might not get much attention, and his clever scheme would be ruined.
Thankfully!
The Emperor had chosen him as Zhuangyuan!
Thinking of the Emperor, Xu Huaiqian looked towards the throne. The Emperor, having concluded the ceremony, was about to leave.
Recalling how the Emperor had exempted him from the full prostration before everyone, he felt his intuition in the Baohe Dian during the Palace Exam was correct. The Emperor did show him considerable favor.
Why?
Because of his poor health?
Before Xu Huaiqian could figure out the reason, the Emperor rose from the dragon throne and affixed his imperial seal to this year's new Jinshi roster.
Then, the newly robed Jinshi performed the kneeling salute again: "We respectfully send off Your Majesty!"
Once the Emperor departed, the senior official from the Ministry of Rites carried the roster on a cloud-patterned tray, preceded by yellow parasols, leading the nobles and officials out of the Taihe Gate towards the Wu Gate, heading to the gate east of the capital to post the list.
After the posting, Xu Huaiqian could lead the new Jinshi to celebrate the list—also known as the parade.
***
Outside, Chen Liejiu knew nothing of the events inside the palace. They had been waiting on the crowded Imperial Street for a long time. Not seeing Xu Huaiqian, Chen Xiaomei grew impatient. "How much longer?"
They had been waiting almost the entire morning!
"Soon, soon," Chen Liejiu said, observing everything around him. "The officials have already gone to post the list. Your second brother will be out shortly."
"Oh!" Only then did Chen Xiaomei calm down. Hearing the crowd discussing the Zhuangyuan, she asked Chen Liejiu, puzzled, "Big Brother, why doesn't Second Brother want to be Zhuangyuan?"
Clearly, the Zhuangyuan was the most glorious!
"Because the Tanhua is universally acknowledged as the best-looking among the new Jinshi!" Chen Liejiu smiled, thinking of his little husband's looks. "Your second brother is so handsome; it would be a shame if he didn't become Tanhua."
"But if Second Brother is Zhuangyuan, wouldn't that mean he's both the best-looking and the most glorious?" Chen Xiaomei didn't understand their logic. Clearly, being Zhuangyuan would make her second brother even more dazzling. And she heard from Zhang Bingwen and the others that Second Brother was fully capable of becoming Zhuangyuan. Why didn't he want it?
Wang Wanwan also nodded. "I hear people around us talking about the Zhuangyuan, but hardly anyone mentions the Tanhua. If Second Brother became Zhuangyuan, wouldn't they be talking about him the most?"
This kind of fame and glory—if you can be first, why settle for third?
"I know!" Chen Liejiu certainly understood this. "But your second brother likes being the Tanhua, so we should support him in that, right?"
Xu Huaiqian chanted daily at home about how good being Tanhua was, so Chen Liejiu naturally came to believe it was better. Even if the Zhuangyuan was more glorious, as long as his little husband didn't like it, they didn't care!
He would be happy no matter what rank his little husband achieved.
"Right!" Chen Xiaomei had nothing more to say. Playing with the sachets in her basket, she asked, "So, do we throw the sachets as soon as Second Brother appears?"
"Mm." Chen Liejiu agreed, but seeing Chen Xiaomei's eager expression, he added, "Throw gently. Don't hit your second brother."
"Got it!" Chen Xiaomei weighed the sachets filled with dried flowers, thinking this little weight probably couldn't hurt Second Brother, right?
As she thought this, Chen Liejiu frowned. He suddenly realized many people nearby had bought sachets to throw at the Tanhua. If Xu Huaiqian really became the Tanhua, wouldn't the sheer number of sachets potentially overwhelm him?
Thinking this, Chen Liejiu suddenly felt it might be better if his little husband didn't become the Tanhua. His skin was delicate, he was still sick... if he got hurt, wouldn't that be like adding injury to insult?
But now it seemed the die was cast. His little husband had probably already become the Tanhua, and he couldn't change anything. He could only hope the capital's crowd would be captivated by the Zhuangyuan and pay little attention to his little husband.
After all, Shen Wennian was also a renowned, elegant figure in the capital. He probably wouldn't be much worse than his little husband. It would be best if he drew the attention.
Just as he was thinking this, someone in the crowd shouted: "They're out! They're out! The new Jinshi are coming out!"
Chen Liejiu quickly focused, waiting for the new Zhuangyuan to lead this year's Jinshi forward so they could throw sachets for Xu Huaiqian.
The Imperial Guard vanguard led the way with ceremonial paraphernalia, gongs, drums, music, and dance, creating a lively atmosphere. After much fanfare, from within the Wu Gate emerged the Zhuangyuan, riding a white horse, dressed in red robes, wearing the golden flower-adorned hat. The capital's citizens, who had been waiting eagerly, were all stunned.
Including Chen Liejiu. When he clearly saw the Zhuangyuan's face, he, like the others, was completely stunned.