As the welcoming melody of the Deer Call poem echoed through the hall, the triennial Luming Banquet officially commenced. The twenty newly minted provincial graduates present were the most promising candidates to pass the metropolitan exam. This banquet served as a signal of their entry into officialdom. Especially for those from ordinary backgrounds, it could very well alter the course of their entire lives.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, everyone gathered in joyous celebration. The examiners congratulated the new graduates on their success, encouraging them to continue their diligent studies to ace the upcoming spring exams and serve the country in the future.
Adorned with golden silk flowers on their hair crowns, Song Qiming and the other nineteen graduates bowed in gratitude to the twenty examiners. Standing in the corner, Song Gaoli looked at the golden flowers on everyone's crowns, feeling a sense of emptiness in his heart.
He was leaps and bounds behind these people. The spring metropolitan exam selected only one in ten thousand—could he really pass it?
Catching Duan Yanhua's gaze from the corner of his eye, Song Gaoli quickly masked his disappointment, puffed out his chest, and nodded respectfully in greeting.
Following the flower-pinning and bowing ceremonies, musicians and dancers slowly made their way to the center of the tables. After five performances, the grand finale of the Luming Banquet began.
The examiners presented the prompts, and the twenty graduates began to compose impromptu poetry to showcase their talents. All eyes zeroed in on Song Qiming, attempting to outshine the thirteen-year-old Jieyuan, the top scorer. It was as if surpassing him would prove their brilliance was greater than the very best.
The scholars from Anyang Prefecture had already witnessed Song Qiming's abilities at previous literary gatherings, but the ten scholars from outer prefectures knew little about this young top scorer. Seeing his young age, they were quite unconvinced. After answering their prompts, each of them threw a few provocative remarks his way.
Holding his wine cup, Duan Yanhua let his gaze fall on Song Gaoli, who looked even more anxious than Song Qiming himself. A knowing smile graced Duan Yanhua's lips.
Barely half an hour later, whether it was poetry or couplets, no one had managed to outdo Song Qiming. Instead, they only cemented his title as the top scorer, proving it was entirely well-deserved.
During the intermission, Duan Yanhua stood up and walked out of the Chongde Hall. Mu Hongyue was just about to shoot a look at Song Gaoli to follow him, only to find that before he could even open his mouth, the kid had already trailed after him.
He couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle; the boy was sharper than he had imagined.
When he first received the news, Mu Hongyue couldn't fathom why Duan Yanhua would take an interest in Song Gaoli. He was the last-place passer; logically, an examiner wouldn't even remember his name, let alone specifically request him to be brought to the Luming Banquet. It was simply bizarre.
It was only upon asking on their way here that he learned the kid had played a clever trick in his examination poetry, utterly flattering the chief examiner. That was likely when the seed of opportunity was planted.
Duan Yanhua was a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, working under Fei Yanzhang. If Song Gaoli could secure this connection, it would mean standing alongside Song Qiming when he eventually entered the imperial court. This was by no means a bad thing for him.
Song Gaoli only hurried back as the Luming Banquet was nearing its end. No matter how well he tried to suppress the joy hidden between his brows, Song Qiming, who knew him well, saw right through it.
His gaze drifted over the faces of Song Gaoli and Duan Yanhua, and a happy smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
On the way home after the banquet, Song Gaoli couldn't wait to climb into Song Qiming's carriage. His brows were raised in sheer delight. Guess what Teacher Duan said?
Song Qiming raised an eyebrow in thought. Teacher Duan—that sounded quite intimate. He took you in as a student?
Song Gaoli's eyes widened. How did you know?
Song Qiming parted his lips in a smile, his eyes holding a trace of surprise alongside his happiness. He really took you as a student? What exactly did he say?
Song Gaoli leaned back against the carriage wall, looking upwards as he recalled. The smile on his face was like a blooming sunflower, radiant yet slightly goofy.
He said that although I am not a top-tier genius, he felt a strong sense of destiny with me. Teacher Duan was also the very last to pass his metropolitan exam back in the day, and I passed both the college and provincial exams in last place. He said our master-disciple relationship is the will of heaven, a red thread tied by God himself.
The more Song Qiming listened, the more mystical it sounded. Why did it feel like someone was being swindled?
Song Gaoli held up a finger. Oh, right! He knows we are setting off for the capital tomorrow and wants to travel with us.
Song Qiming blinked. Did you tell him we will be rushing the journey and it might not be very comfortable?
Song Gaoli nodded vigorously. I did, but Teacher said he is in a hurry to return to the capital and needs to rush too, so it is perfectly on the way.
Spending day and night together on the road makes it easier to build a bond. I can use this opportunity to perform well and leave a deeper impression as a good student.
Song Qiming swallowed hesitantly. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was all going a bit too smoothly. Could there be something off about this Duan Yanhua?
