The system asked me to chase his wife

On the day when the results were announced, all the candidates went to see the list with trepidation.

Those who were admitted to the Imperial College through imperial favor were called the Enbang, and those who were admitted to the imperial examination were called the Longhubang.

Xiang Xiu'an got up early to go and see the list, but the servant in the mansion arrived earlier than him and ran back to report the news before Xiang Xiu'an even left the house.

As a student of imperial favor, his name was of course on the list. The clerk ran back happily to tell Xiang Xiu'an that he was ranked tenth.

When Xiang Xiu'an heard this, he immediately felt relieved. He could enter Class A. He heard that Lord Kong, the chief academic officer of the Imperial College, would teach Class A the Book of Documents.

After getting the exact news, Xiang Xiu'an naturally didn't need to squeeze with the others under the list. He turned around and went directly to the backyard to find his grandmother and the others.

After the imperial examination results were announced, families with daughters in Beijing also began to become active.

Some families were so brave that they sent their servants to guard the list of the best and the worst. If anyone made it to the list and was good-looking, they would immediately capture him and take him back to arrange a marriage.

People call it catching a son-in-law from the list!

Throughout August and September, the sweet-scented osmanthus was fragrant and good things happened in pairs in Beijing.

However, the noble families remained calm. Being on the list for a while was nothing, and even entering the Imperial College did not necessarily mean one would be a golden dragon in the pond.

You have to take your time when choosing a son-in-law.

Someone came to the palace and delivered a message, asking the Grand Princess to host a hairpin banquet for the children of the noble families in the capital.

Where did the hairpin come from in autumn?

It's just an excuse for the noble families to let their children go and see each other and form a bond.

They disdained such a crude method of catching a son-in-law from the list, and only the banquet led by the Grand Princess was impressive enough!

The eldest princess is the emperor's biological sister, has a very close relationship with his majesty, and enjoys a high prestige in the capital.

The standard of the Hairpin Flower Banquet organized by her was naturally very high. Officials below the fifth rank in the capital were not allowed to participate. Of course, the scholars on the Dragon and Tiger List could make an exception and attend the banquet.

After all, it is a matter of choosing a son-in-law, so such a potential talent cannot be missed.

The Hairpin Flower Banquet is held on the seventh day of September, which is the White Dew season. At this time, the climate is not as hot as in summer, and a misty white fog can be seen in the early morning.

The eldest princess built a large garden in her own princess palace and sent out invitations to all the celebrities and scholars in the capital to attend the banquet.

The Duke's Mansion naturally also received the post.

Xiang Xiu'an had no intention of going to that useless flower-hair banquet, because as for his future wife, his grandmother and sister-in-law had already decided with him on Liu Wuniang.

So he privately felt that this hairpin flower banquet had nothing to do with him.

But when he heard Liu Wuniang say that her mother would take her to the Hairpin Flower Banquet, Xiang Xiu'an could no longer sit still and decided to go as well.

By the way, you should also try to gain favor with your future mother-in-law.

In fact, when Liu Wuniang returned from the hunting ground, she told Madam Liu that Qiao Yuandong wanted to come to her house.

Although her daughter's words were confusing, Madam Liu was a smart person and immediately understood what the Duke's Mansion meant.

But it was just as Qiao Yuandong guessed. Madam Liu was afraid of the status of the Duke's Mansion. She felt that if she really married into the Duke's Mansion, her daughter would be bullied to death without them knowing it.

Liu Hui obviously agreed with his wife's idea. Therefore, when the Duke's Mansion delivered the invitation, Mrs. Liu politely but tactfully refused.

So until now, the marriage has not been settled yet, and Xiao Xiang feels that she has to fight for her own happiness.

Didn't Mrs. Liu bring her daughter to the Hairpin Banquet just to choose an excellent son-in-law?

All he needs to do is to stand out from the crowd of young men and let his future mother-in-law notice him!
This is not easier than scientific examination!

In preparation for the Hairpin Flower Banquet, Xiang Xiu'an worked for several days and nights and wrote several poems and articles that might be used in the Banquet.

On the day of the Hairpin Flower Banquet, he took out all the clothes in the house and tried them on, and even went to consult He Huan, who was by Qiao Yuandong's side.

He Huan is best at makeup and dressing up. Facing the nervous Xiang Xiu'an, she reservedly hinted to him not to be too showy.

So, after taking off a jade pendant, changing a belt, taking off the scholar's scarf on his head, and putting on a black headband, the elegant Prince Xiang went out.

Qiao Yuandong went there with Xiang Xiu'an.

Because there were two of them, Qiao Yuandong brought two maids, Rongzhu and Xia Mang, to serve them.

The Hairpin Flower Banquet was held in the princess's mansion, which was next to the palace.

In less than half a day, rows of carriages were parked on the wide road outside the imperial city, and all of them were of standards that could only be used by carriages of the fifth rank and above.

When they arrived at the princess's mansion, Rongzhu and Xia Mang waited for the two masters to get off the car. Xia Mang took the opportunity to look around the huge and prosperous princess's mansion.

The gate of the princess's mansion was so large and grand that Xia Mang had to tilt his head back to see the copper bell hanging on the eaves.

Without having time to take a closer look, she followed Qiao Yuandong and his group into the princess's mansion.

Walking past the carved beams and painted buildings, waterside pavilions and terraces along the way, Xia Mang felt that this place was even bigger than the Duke's Mansion.

Before accompanying her leader on a business trip, she also did background checks.

The eldest princess was the emperor's biological sister and was highly respected by the emperor, so she lived a very honorable and comfortable life.

The only pity is that the eldest princess lost her husband at a young age, and she didn't even have any children. However, no one in the capital dared to complain about the princess's unlucky fate.

The emperor selected new princes-in-law for his eldest sister every day, but the eldest princess didn't like any of them, so she has been a widow until now, when she is about thirty years old.

However, she kept a lover in the princess's mansion. It was unknown what kind of charm that lover had that won the princess's favor.

The princess even went to His Majesty to ask for a rank of Yuanwailang for her lover!
How do you know Xia Mang so much?
Gossip is something that can never be kept secret!

Xia Mang followed Qiao Yuandong to the princess's mansion this time, first to see the world, and second to see this legendary concubine. Since the death of her husband, the eldest princess has acted very flamboyantly.

She had brought her lover to many celebrity banquets and openly displayed her affection in front of everyone, not caring at all about other people's opinions.

In one word, free and easy!
Xia Mang wanted to see how handsome this lover was, to be able to charm the princess who had seen the world so much!

The Hairpin Flower Banquet was held in the huge garden in the princess's mansion. The garden was full of flowers and trees, and was surrounded by osmanthus trees and various autumn chrysanthemums moved from the greenhouse.

It was evening and the sky was beginning to darken.

Maids brought in rows of tall mahogany lanterns, and lanterns were also hung on the branches of trees in various pavilions, lighting up the entire garden in a hazy and elegant manner.

This season is not hot, there are few mosquitoes, and the air is filled with the rich fragrance of osmanthus. Sitting outside is really the most comfortable thing.

The maid led Qiao Yuandong and his group to the seats that had been arranged earlier, which was in the Phoenix Pavilion in the center of the garden.

The Phoenix Pavilion is composed of three pavilions connected to each other. The two pavilions on both sides are connected to the main pavilion by a short corridor. The eaves are flying like a phoenix spreading its wings.

There are two big characters embedded in the lotus leaf plaque on the pavilion: Yahui.

When Xia Mang followed Qiao Yuandong into the Phoenix Pavilion, there were already three or two people sitting inside, all of them were wives of officials.

As for Xiang Xiu'an, he was taken outside. The same arrangement was made for all the boys and girls who attended the Hairpin Flower Banquet.

Outside the pavilion, there was a tulle that separated the two sides. On one side sat the lady, and on the other sat the boy. They could hear each other's voices, but they just couldn't see or describe them clearly.

Qiao Yuandong led Xia Mang to find his seat - right below the eldest princess.

Every time she went to the palace to visit the queen, she would occasionally meet the eldest princess, and after a few visits, the two became familiar with each other.

Because of their common experience, they felt a sense of sympathy for each other.

At this time, the banquet had not yet begun and the eldest princess was not present. Qiao Yuandong just sat there and chatted with the ladies he was familiar with.

Xia Mang stood beside her with his head buried, pretending to be a quail, while Rong Zhu was sent to serve Xiang Xiu'an.

Xiang Xiu'an was sitting on a mat at the moment, stretching his neck to look towards the women's seat, but unfortunately the light was not bright enough and there was a veil covering it, so he couldn't tell where Liu Wuniang was sitting.

Sitting on his left was Liu Chong, the son of Minister Liu. The two had a very good relationship on a daily basis. Because of the special examination, both of them were assigned to Class A of the Imperial Academy.

Sitting on the right was Wu Wendong, who was bragging to a few of his close friends.

What? You're asking me which girl I came here for tonight?
No, no, no, I'm here for the imperial brew. My grandfather drank it once and came back bragging about it. I must try it this time!
Wu Wendong was boasting so much that spit was flying everywhere, but he didn't know that the servants around him had secretly replaced his wine with low-alcohol fruit juice.

In order to prevent this guy from doing anything naughty after drinking, I added some water to the fruit juice.

Soon, all the people who were coming to the banquet arrived, and some who came early had already started chatting.

One said, "I've long admired you," and the other said, "You are a great talent!"
The ladies at the female seats remained reserved for a while, then began to whisper to each other.

One said that the perfume her sister put on today even attracted butterflies, and the other said that her sister's skirt was so beautiful, like a flower.

It was in this cordial and lively atmosphere that the Grand Princess attended.

Hearing the servant's message, Xia Mang, who was about to fall asleep while standing, was startled and immediately followed everyone's gaze to look for the host.

Here she comes! The legendary evil-looking mistress is here!

In the distance, a line of beauties in palace dresses were walking slowly towards them, holding lanterns. Xia Mang vaguely saw a woman in gorgeous clothes walking among them.

Under the light, the woman looked beautiful and graceful. She was undoubtedly the eldest princess.

The eldest princess is already over thirty years old this year, but time has been very kind to her, and her noble and carefree life makes her still look charming.

Xia Mang stood on tiptoe to see the eldest princess's favorite lover, but unfortunately she could only see a tall and thin figure in the crowd.

When the Grand Princess arrived, everyone naturally stood up and saluted.

As a first-rank lady, Qiao Yuandong only needed to bow and salute, but Xia Mang did not have this treatment.

She knelt down obediently with the others, her head hanging low.

The eldest princess had already taken her seat while her sleeves were rubbing against each other. She gave everyone a light support and her voice was soft yet majestic.

"No gift."

Everyone then sat back up straight.

A few words must be said before the banquet begins. The eldest princess slowly raised the wine glass and looked at the young men in the room with a deep smile in her eyes.

She first expressed her joy that everyone could come to the banquet, then praised Dajin for being lucky to have this group of young people, and finally expressed her heartfelt wishes for a successful completion of tonight's banquet!

After that, everyone accompanied the princess and drank the wine in the glass.

Wu Wendong poured the last drop of wine in the glass into his mouth. He frowned and smacked his lips for a long time, then leaned close to Xiang Xiu'an's ear and sighed.

"This imperial brew is different. You have to try hard to taste it. I just can't get used to it. I always feel that it is not as strong as the wine my grandfather collected."

Xiang Xiu'an didn't want to bother with this fool, so he quietly moved a little further away from him.
Qiao Yuandong was sitting very close to the princess, so Xia Mang could see the lover sitting next to the princess as soon as he looked up.

The man was wearing a purple velvet straight-legged auspicious robe with a lion patch, revealing the white silk Taoist robe lining, and a Confucian scarf on his head.

He sat upright beside the eldest princess, who was dressed in gorgeous clothes. He did not look around and did not exchange pleasantries with others. He would only smile occasionally when the eldest princess spoke to him.

It’s this smile!
The originally handsome but slightly cold eyebrows and eyes instantly became relaxed, like the moon in the breeze, making the pearl and jade crown on the eldest princess's head lose some of its brightness.

Otherwise, how could Bao Si deceive King You of Zhou so much that not even a bitter tea seed was left?
Beautiful women should smile more.

(End of this chapter)