After Xiao Fubao's life was stolen, he became the favorite of everyone in the capital

Chapter 305 The Ceremony of the Passion
Arriving earlier than the imperial edict to enter the palace was the ceremony of announcing the names of the nobles.

Although the rankings of this imperial examination had been announced previously, the official path forward was revealed after the ceremony of announcing the results. Only those who passed the examination could find ways to become officials.

On this day, all the newly-appointed Jinshi scholars were dressed in dark blue robes, with Jinshi scarves on their heads. They held tablets and rulers in their hands and lined up neatly, waiting to kowtow. Only three people in the first class were different, as they were dressed in bright red robes.

As the top scholar, the jinshi scarf he wore was a little different, with two more silver hairpin flowers.

After Gu Mingda changed his clothes, he saw Qin Jing, who was also wearing a bright red robe. His eyes immediately lit up. He felt that the person in front of him was radiant and brilliant, like a banished immortal.

The runner-up standing beside him said with a smile, "Huaiyu, you are such a good-looking person. I wonder how many beautiful ladies will be upset when you are paraded in the streets today."

Qin Jing frowned slightly when he heard the praise. He didn't like others talking about his face all the time. But today was the ceremony of announcing the names of the successful candidates in the imperial examinations, so he couldn't get angry even if he wanted to.

Gu Mingda came to his rescue and said to the runner-up: "Go out first, don't keep His Majesty and the adults waiting for too long."

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs.

The ceremony of announcing the imperial edict was actually a grand sacrificial ceremony.

After the long prayer, there is a roll call ceremony.

"Gu Mingda, the first place winner of the imperial examination in the 19th year of Emperor Deqian's reign!"

This voice was sung three times in a row before an official from the Ministry of Rites came to help and guided Gu Mingda up the imperial road, step by step.

Even though he knew he had become the number one scholar three days ago, Gu Mingda still had the illusion that he was in a dream.

The official from the Ministry of Rites in front stopped, and Gu Mingda also paused. He had been reminded long ago and knew what to do at this moment.

Gu Mingda lifted his skirt and kowtowed respectfully: "Your Highness, I kowtow to the Emperor and thank you for your grace."

Following him were the second and third place winners Qin Jing.

Only three people in the first class can receive the honor and walk along the imperial road to kowtow and thank the emperor.

The chief eunuch beside the emperor appointed officials on the spot. Gu Mingda was given the sixth-rank title of Hanlin Academy editor, and the second and third place winners were given the sixth-rank title of Hanlin Academy editors.

There has been a tradition in this dynasty that "only Jinshi can enter the Hanlin Academy, and only Hanlin can enter the Cabinet." The starting point of the top three in the officialdom is one level higher than that of other Jinshi.

After them, people continued to call out names. There were nearly a hundred people in Class Two, and each person could be called out once individually and also had a chance to show their faces individually.

But when it came to the third class of Jinshi, they didn't even have the chance to have their names called out. Instead, they were only told, "Three hundred people in the third class," which perfectly demonstrated the treatment that Madam Ru received.

Although the second-class candidates were not granted official titles, they could still enter the Hanlin Academy by taking the imperial examination. The third-class candidates did not even have the chance to enter the Hanlin Academy, so they could directly mobilize all their connections to seek an official position in the Ministry of Personnel, and either stay in the capital as a minor official or be sent out to be a county magistrate.

After the roll call, there is a farewell drink.

At this point, the every move of these new scholars was still guided by the officials of the Ministry of Rites. Gu Mingda had been reminded of this in advance and was the first to stand up.

There are many rules for toasting the emperor. Only after seeing the emperor pick up the wine glass with his own eyes can Gu Mingda shake his head and raise his glass respectfully to the person at the top.

"Your Majesty, the five blessings are bestowed on you at this time. I, Gu Mingda, respectfully wish your Majesty good health and happiness for eternity!"

Listening to Gu Mingda's toast, which was full of "Fu" characters, Li Yong thought of something and laughed loudly, saying, "The number one scholar has great literary talent, and it should be made public!"

The emperor had to drink from the glass before Gu Mingda could finish his own drink. Gu Mingda had made a good start, and the runner-up behind him racked his brains to come up with a toast, but the emperor was not as interested as he was with Gu Mingda. After taking a sip, he set his sights on Qin Jing, the third place winner behind him.

When the runner-up sat down, his eyes darkened.

When Qin Jing stood up to toast.

The emperor smiled and said, "You are so unique, there is no other like you in the world. My third place winner is worthy of this sentence."

After saying this, the emperor picked up the wine glass and drank it all, obviously he liked Qin Jing's good looks very much.

How much the emperor drinks in a glass of wine depends entirely on his mood.

But his every move concerned other people's hearts. Many people present looked at the three people in the first class, and most of them focused on the runner-up who was treated differently.

The runner-up frowned and lowered his head, making it impossible to see the expression on his face.

After the farewell wine, the highlight after the ceremony of announcing the names of the officials began: praising the officials in the Imperial Street.

The newly-appointed scholars left the palace and rode horses to tour the main streets of the city. This was called "Parading on the Imperial Street", also commonly known among the people as "Parading on Horseback".

Every year, the Imperial Street Officials’ Parade is a grand spectacle in the capital, with restaurants and shops on both sides of the main street packed with people.

The Gu family had already booked a private room on the second floor of the Zhuangyuanlang Hotel in Beijing at a high price.

Old Lady Gu said to her family proudly at this time: "This is all thanks to me. The day before yesterday, I was in the market and heard that this private room is very popular every year, so I rushed over to reserve it, and I just happened to grab the last room on the second floor."

Zhang Yunniang smiled and praised: "You are decisive, otherwise we would have to squeeze in with everyone else on the street."

The Sun family also stayed in the private room reserved by the Gu family.

Sun Jiaxing hugged Changshou and said, "Aunt, no wonder they say that having an old person in the family is like having a treasure, it's really true."

Being praised by Sun Jiaxing, the runner-up in the previous subject, Mrs. Gu was so happy that her tail was about to rise to the sky and she held her head high like a general who had won a battle.

Father Gu said vaguely: "A blind cat meets a dead mouse..."

Mrs. Gu was in high spirits. When she heard this, she immediately glared at her husband and said, "I rely on my real ability!"

Old Man Gu glanced at his wife casually with his cloudy eyes. Then he moved his feet slowly to the window of the private room and leaned out to look outside.

Although Mrs. Gu was angry with the old man, her worry prevailed in the end, and she said, "Go back and sit down. What are you looking at? Be careful not to fall down."

Father Gu said: "I... I have an idea..."

Old Mrs. Gu's brows were suddenly furrowed so sharply that they could pinch a fly to death. She no longer dared to brag to others and stood aside, holding Old Man Gu tightly.

But Niuniu suddenly asked, "Grandma, is Grandpa healed?"

Old Mrs. Gu glanced back at her precious granddaughter and said casually, "How can it be possible that the illness is cured? Old Doctor Yan said that it is like this. It's okay if you are confused. Just don't run around. Don't run to the mountains with you guys like you did in the countryside before. Not only do you say that he is confused, but you also say a few unpleasant words from time to time to undermine me..."

"When the five blessings are collected, I respectfully offer them, and wish you a good harvest in the spring and the world" comes from "New Year's Day of Jiaxu", and "Lang Yan is unique, there is no other like him in the world" comes from "Bai Shi Lang Qu"