Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 765 Handkerchief, Petals, and Pouch Rain [Thank you! Thank you again! 25k words owed]

The next day,

The first quarter of Chen Shi (after 7 a.m.)

South Gate of the Imperial Palace

The flags on the Xuande Gate palace wall and the willow branches hanging down by the river swayed gently in the morning breeze.

Outside the palace gate,
People and horses thronged the wide open space.

Among them were several palace guards clad in golden armor, a group of musicians dressed in new clothes carrying musical instruments, and imperial guards responsible for carrying various merit plaques.

The largest group consisted of newly appointed scholars wearing new clothes and flowers in their hair, their mounts, and the soldiers leading the horses.

Closest to Junrong were three exceptionally handsome horses.

At this time,

'Hissing sound—'

One of the magnificent black horses, with its bright eyes, neighed and nodded forward.

The object of the neighing was the largest of the three, a white steed with glossy, smooth fur.

The burly attendant standing in front of the black horse quickly stroked its neck to soothe it.

Just as the black horse was about to neigh again, the white dragon colt in front of it, wearing a long gold-inlaid jade horse ornament on its forehead, simply turned its head and glanced back, and the black horse fell silent.

Xuande Gate

The emperor's chief eunuch stood outside the door with a group of palace servants.

Before them stood the current Crown Prince, Zhao Fang.

Zhao Fang looked at Xu Zaijing, who was wearing a black gauze hat with palace flowers adorning the brim and a bright red brocade robe, and nodded with a smile: "Jing-ge'er, you look handsome today! You seem to have about seven or eight parts of my style!"

Xu Zaijing smiled and cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

Zhao Fang smiled and reached out to pat Xu Zaijing's arm.

Afterwards, Zhao Fang took two steps to the side and said a few words to the actual runner-up of this imperial examination.

Finally, Zhao Fang looked at Changbai, who seemed a little reserved, and helped Changbai straighten the palace flower on the brim of his hat.

"Alright! The three of you, let's set off!"

Zhao Fang laughed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

After bowing respectfully, the three turned and walked towards their mounts.

Passing through the crowd, Xu Zaijing walked to the front of the dragon horse.

After mounting his horse with a graceful movement, Alan quickly helped Xu Zaijing adjust his scholar's robe.

After a short while, once everyone was on horseback, the chief eunuch shouted, "Let's begin!"

The voice of the chief eunuch came, and Junrong began to play music.

"Let's go!"

"Clang!" A gong rang out.

The golden-armored imperial guard at the head of the procession began to urge his horse forward.

The horses ridden by the scholars were also dressed in finery today, with saddlecloths made of brocade on both sides of the horses.

Moreover, the saddlecloth made of brocade was specially made to be very long, covering the entire horse's rump and hanging down to the horse's belly.

The reason for covering them is that the horses have manure bags attached to their rear ends.

The provincial scholars, having passed the imperial examinations, rode through the streets, leaving a trail of horse manure.

The whole group slowly followed.

Xu Zaijing rode at the forefront of the group of Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), followed by the second and third place winners, Changbai, and behind them, four other Jinshi riding side by side.

After riding his horse across the bridge over the moat of the palace, Xu Zaijing realized that the roads, buildings, and rooftops on both sides of the Imperial Street were already filled with onlookers.

Upon seeing Xu Zaijing and his entourage arrive, the crowds along the Imperial Street instantly erupted in excitement.

Many people waved and cheered at Xu Zaijing and others.

"They're here! The top scholar and the other successful candidates are coming!"

"The top scholar!"

"The top scholar, my lord!"

"A Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination)!"

Shouts of "etc." were heard incessantly.

Outside the crowd, on one side of the Imperial Street, were the Imperial Guards of Bianjing and soldiers from the Street Office responsible for maintaining order.

These fierce soldiers, armed with fire-and-water clubs, whips, and other weapons, stood there, and no one among the onlookers on the street dared to approach the scholar.

Xu Zaijing and his entourage had a high vantage point while riding on horseback.

Whenever Xu Zaijing saw or heard the words of congratulations from the people around him, he would bow and nod in greeting.

Wow! The top scholar's mount is really tall!

"The third-ranked scholar's horse is quite tall too!"

Among the group of successful candidates, Gu Tingye, who was standing near the front, looked at his classmates walking ahead and sighed with some envy.

"Sigh! If I had tried a little harder, I might have been the leader!"

We set off from Xuande Gate and headed south along the imperial road.

From Xu Zaijing's perspective, all he could see were people; it seemed that everyone in Bianjing had gathered along the Imperial Street.

Smiling and nodding all the way, Xu Zaijing felt his cheeks getting a little sore.

"when!"

Another gong sounded ahead.

Xu Zaijing looked around and found that the group had reached the wide canal bank.

Not far away is a beautiful stone bridge.

The stone bridge has a wide surface and spans the canal.

This is a famous scenic spot in the capital – the Moon over Zhouqiao Bridge.

This exquisite and wide stone bridge, coincidentally, is located almost in the very center of Bianjing City, one of the most prosperous locations in the city.

When the moon is full, many people come to the high bridge to admire the moon and the river, and also to enjoy the various snacks around.

The various vendors along the bridge have been notified in advance to make way, so even four horses can cross it side by side.

Such a bustling place is naturally different from other places: the canal is lined with three-story wooden buildings of all colors, including restaurants and brothels.

Some wooden buildings have a base that is half a story high; they are said to be three stories, but in reality they are almost four stories high.

At this time, the streets were filled with people, both on the ground floor and on every floor above.

There were both men and women among them, but their actions were remarkably consistent: they waved, cheered, and screamed at Xu Zaijing and the others.

"what--"

"The young master in the lead is so handsome!"

"Scholar, look here!"

"What a distinguished scholar!"

"You are all truly fine men of our dynasty!"

"Scholar, do you have any secrets to studying?"

"Sir, would you be willing to be my concubine?"

"Gentlemen, come to my house sometime for drinks and poetry recitations!"

It's no wonder the surrounding people were so enthusiastic; just before Xu Zaijing and his group arrived, a series of low exclamations came from the crowd.

The reason for the exclamation was that someone shouted that the top two scholars in the procession of scholars riding horses through the streets were still unmarried!

This immediately sparked an idea among the onlookers.

Especially the female entertainers in the brothels and entertainment venues along the streets.

Upon arriving near the bridge, the people in the surrounding wooden buildings looked down from above.

quickly,

Various objects were thrown at the procession from the wooden buildings on both sides.

Some people threw purses, some threw round fans, and there were also various embroidered balls and various rag dolls stuffed with notes.

Some people forgot to prepare, so they picked a few flowers from the side, wrapped them in their handkerchiefs, and threw them vigorously at the procession of people riding horses through the streets.

Some things were caught, but most fell to the ground.

Some of the handkerchiefs and kerchiefs that were flying in the air scattered, and the petals and flowers inside fell down one after another.

Because it was thrown from the second or third floor, the handkerchief and flower petals scattered in the air together.

It was like a rain of petals and handkerchiefs.

Xu Zaijing, who was walking at the very front, became a prime target for the attack.

Therefore,
When Xu Zaijing rode his horse across the bridge, many flower petals had already fallen on him and his horse.

Most of my classmates behind me were in the same boat. Once we got on the bridge, there weren't even any soldiers on it.

Xu Zaijing also discovered that many passenger boats were moored on the canal near the bridge.

Many passenger ships were also crowded with people standing on their roofs and masts.

"The top scholar, my lord!"

Hearing the continuous shouts from the river, Xu Zaijing turned his head and saw several men dressed in sailor clothes standing on the mast not far from the bridge, smiling and waving at him.

Xu Zaijing smiled, cupped his hands, and nodded.

"Scholar, look over here! There are people over here too!" shouted the people standing on the roof of the boat on the other side of the bridge.

Xu Zaijing smiled and did as he was told.

Then, taking advantage of the break, Xu Zaijing rubbed his cheeks.

Looking at Xu Zaijing on the bridge, a young scholar standing on a canal boat exclaimed, "Truly, riding high on the spring breeze, one can see all the flowers of Chang'an in a single day!"

Another middle-aged scholar looked at the group of successful candidates behind him and nodded in agreement: "After years of hard study, they have finally achieved their goal! Their magnificent display of riding through the streets on horseback is truly enviable!"

Someone else sighed, "I've heard that this top scholar is skilled in both literature and martial arts. He made outstanding contributions when he recaptured Bai Gao a few years ago. We all admire him!"

Then, watching the hundreds of scholars passing by in a procession on the bridge, the scholar on the boat fell silent.

"Snapped!"

At the very front of the line,

The cavalry guards, clad in golden armor, cracked their whips.

The street, which had been somewhat chaotic, instantly fell silent.

"when!"

Another gong sounded.
Xu Zaijing had already ridden his horse off the bridge.

The "garland of handkerchiefs, flower petals, and purses" that had stopped when we crossed the bridge started falling again.

Xu Zaijing continued to smile, nod, and clasp his hands in greeting from time to time.

suddenly,

Xu Zaijing's gaze sharpened: in his field of vision, there was a second-floor unit on the street that wasn't even full of people.

Only two figures wearing veils stood by the railing.

Behind the two figures was a veiled woman who looked like a maidservant.

Noticing Xu Zaijing's gaze, the two wearing veils lifted their faces.

Seeing Xu Zaijing's surprised look downstairs, Rong Feiyan and Chai Zhengzheng upstairs covered their mouths and laughed.

Seeing Xu Zaijing smile and nod with his hands clasped, the two noble ladies upstairs quickly returned the greeting.

Suddenly, Chai Zhengzheng's eyes widened.

The reason was that she saw a hydrangea ball flying from somewhere, heading straight for Xu Zaijing's official hat.

Seeing Xu Zaijing slightly turn aside and dodge the embroidered ball, Chai Zhengzheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As Xu Zaijing passed by the wooden building, he turned back and glanced at it again.

As a result, many onlookers followed Xu Zaijing's gaze.

But when everyone looked over, they discovered that on the second floor of the wooden building, bamboo curtains were being lowered by the maid, obscuring two graceful figures upstairs.

Upstairs, Chai Zhengzheng watched Xu Zaijing leave through the gap in the bamboo curtain, and smiled at Rong Feiyan beside her: "That embroidered ball was thrown quite skillfully just now."

Rong Feiyan nodded: "It looks like it was thrown from the third floor across the street. To throw it so well from that distance takes some skill."

As they spoke, the two continued to watch the scholars riding past on horseback below.

The third floor opposite,

The private room separated by several screens had been transformed into a space where Li Shishi, who had been standing by the railing facing east, had now moved to the south.

Looking at Xu Zaijing in the distance, Li Shishi stomped her foot in annoyance: "Does he have eyes in the back of his head? How could he dodge that!"

The maid standing nearby said regretfully, "Miss, perhaps it was just a coincidence."

"What's wrong with taking a little bit of his good fortune?! You're so stingy!" Li Shishi said resentfully.

After saying that, Li Shishi glanced at the second floor across the street, which was covered by bamboo curtains, and asked, "You just said that the Chai family has the best location across the street?"

The maid nodded: "Yes, miss! The servant said he saw the license plate on the carriage."

"How strange! Who is that lady from the Chai family beside her? Is the top scholar looking at the lady from the Chai family, or at the girl beside her?" Li Shishi muttered to herself.

"Young lady, could it be about this top scholar's marriage?"

"If it were just the Chai family's daughter alone, it would be almost certain. But the Chai family's daughter is accompanied by others, and both of them seem to have better temperament, figure, and appearance than I do."

Outside the Vermilion Bird Gate of the inner city,

Beside Longjin Bridge,

"when!"

A gong sounded.

The imperial guards in golden armor and cavalry, along with the imperial guards carrying wooden plaques bearing the names of those who had achieved merit, passed by.

Behind him was Jun Rongzhi, who was playing music.

"Brother Xu Wu!"

"Second brother!"

On the second floor of a teahouse by the street, Rulan waved and shouted to the procession of people riding horses behind her.

Standing next to Rulan, Minglan leaned forward, like a bird released from its cage. She put her hand to her mouth like a megaphone, her eyes crinkling with laughter, and called out loudly, "Brother Xu Wu! Brother Xu Er!"

The two people's shouts drew the attention of many to the second floor.

Mo Lan, who was standing nearby, quickly covered her face with her fan: "Stop shouting! Everyone's looking over here!"

“We’re happy to do it, it’s none of your business, Fourth Sister!” Rulan retorted, raising her chin.

Mo Lan looked at Chang Feng beside her and said, "Third brother, aren't you going to do anything about those two?"

Standing next to Changzhen, Changfeng waved his hand and said, "Molan, your two younger sisters are happy for your second brother and Xu Wuge, so you, you don't need to worry about it!"

Mo Lan said dejectedly, "I..."

After Changfeng finished speaking, he put his arm around Changzhen's shoulder and looked downstairs, saying, "Qilang, I'm really envious!"

“Third brother, I’m envious too,” Nagamaki said with a smile.

"Hehe—" Changfeng laughed and pulled Changzhen into a tight hug.

Rulan looked at Xu Zaijing and the others who were still smiling and bowing towards the street in the distance, and said anxiously, "There are too many people! They can't hear us. Sixth Sister, shout again, I need to rest my voice. If only Sister Pinlan were here, she has a loud voice!"

Minglan nodded and continued shouting, "Fifth Brother Xu! Second Brother Xu!"

Seeing the two of them like this, Mo Lan secretly rolled her eyes.

When Minglan called out "Brother Xu Wu," she used a lot of force, as if she had been holding it in for a long time and was finally able to shout it out freely.

Hearing Minglan's somewhat hoarse shouts, Rulan glanced at her with a puzzled look.

"Sixth Sister is indeed obedient, shouting so loudly! Unlike that annoying Mo Lan!" Ru Lan nodded, thinking to herself.

"Cough cough! Fifth Brother Xu, Second Brother Xu!" Minglan continued to call out.

Rulan scratched her cheek, looking at Minglan with a puzzled expression, thinking to herself, "But why does Sixth Sister's voice sound like she's saying goodbye?"

Seeing the smile on Minglan's face, Rulan thought to herself, "Tsk! Looks like I misheard!"

When Minglan called out for the third time, Xu Zaijing was closer and his gaze swept over.

Minglan quickly said, "Fifth Sister, look! Fifth Brother Xu is looking over here."

"Huh?" Rulan quickly looked over: "Brother Xu Wu didn't look this way, I think he was turning around!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Zaijing and Changbai waved in this direction together.

"Wow!" Rulan jumped up happily, waving and laughing.

Xu Zaijing and Changbai passed by not far from the building. After laughing for a while, Minglan pointed to someone not far behind Changbai who was looking this way and asked, "Fifth Sister, what does Second Brother Gu mean?"

"Huh?" Rulan looked over in confusion. "Oh! Why does he keep looking this way?"

"Is it because we didn't call him 'Second Brother Gu'?" Minglan asked uncertainly.

"Second Brother Gu!" Rulan called out and waved to Gu Tingye.

Sure enough, Gu Tingye smiled and nodded, then pointed to the two orchids.

She waved her hand a few more times with a smile and said, "Let's take a break! Second Brother and the others are in the first class, and Eldest Brother-in-law is in the third class at the back. It will be quite a while before he passes by!"

"Mm!" Minglan nodded with a smile, watching Xu Zaijing's figure disappear into the distance, silently saying in her heart, "Fifth Brother Xu, may your future be bright! We... will never meet again."

After silently finishing her thought, Minglan watched Xu Zaijing's figure disappear and then looked downstairs.

Before even seeing Zai Zhang, Minglan sensed something and looked towards the opposite side.

Before she could see the situation on the other side clearly, Minglan felt a sudden darkness around her, only to find Molan standing beside her.

Turning her head to look at Mo Lan, whose eyes were filled with emotion and excitement, Ming Lan followed her gaze and saw a noble young man standing in the crowd opposite with his servant, looking up at the building with piercing eyes.

"Brother Yuanruo." Mo Lan covered her mouth with a handkerchief and waved her hand gratefully.

Minglan avoided Qi Heng's gaze, turned her eyes and took a few steps back, hiding behind Rulan, and said, "Fifth Sister, why isn't Brother-in-law coming over yet?"

(End of this chapter)