Chapter 169: The Beginning of the Imperial Examinations (1/2)
Chapter 169: The Beginning of the Imperial Examinations
Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations
As he thought about this, King Duan, Lin Xingjue quickly followed behind the Sacred Lord, Lin Mubai. He felt that he should relieve some of his father’s burdens.
However, today was Ping Yang’s birthday banquet. Discussing the palace politics here would be quite distasteful.
King Duan understood this, therefore, he suppressed his thoughts but his smile grew even greater instead.
...
No one else continued trying to chase down what transpired in the living quarters between Ping Yang and Fang Zhengzhi. With the arrival the Sacred Lord, Ping Yang’s banquet officially began.
The Crown Prince, Lin Tian Rong personally invited Chi Guyan to join them at the VIP seats. However, Chi Guyan kindly and respectfully rejected and sat beside Fang Zhengzhi instead.
Seeing this scene, the Sacred Lord did not show any expression.
Obviously, he was merely tolerating this.
The Crown Prince did not mind at all. He simply said something along the lines of ”Today is Ping Yang’s birthday and you two are practically sisters since childhood”. After that, he set himself down beside the Sacred Lord.
Fang Zhengzhi observed this and realised why Chi Guyan decided to enter Heaven Dao Pavillion a year ago. Matters in the palace was filled with nitpicking procedures.
Attention must be paid to even the matter of a mere seating arrangement.
Fang Zhengzhi felt that he should not become an official. In fact, he did not want to become an official. He was not afraid of clashing heads with others, but felt that that required too much effort.
If he must choose…
He would definitely choose a more relaxed posting.
”Come, I shall use Ping Yang’s birthday to raise a toast to my beloved subjects!” Under the leadership of the Sacred Lord, all the officials and nobles raised their cups to celebrate Ping Yang’s birthday.
After three rounds of toasts, some of the nobles had loose energy spare and suggested some entertainment to complement celebrations such as recitation of poetry and exchanging couplets.
After all, a chance to exhibit their talents in front of the Sacred Lord comes only once in a blue moon.
The foundation for the establishment of the Great Xia Dynasty was the ”Law of Dao”. After the control of the Dao of All Creation came the flourishment of the dynasty. To witness the resulting talents that bloom from this flourishment was of no objection to the Sacred Lord.
After this, a few of the nobles started to churn out their poetry or couplets
Fang Zhengzhi had no interest in such subjects. He always felt that reciting poetry and exchanging couplets were too insubstantial in terms of skills required. Especially the exchange of couplets. He reckoned that if he just copied down some of the great classics, it would be enough to scare them into the ground.
Therefore, his attention was instead placed on Chi Guyan.
Today, Chi Guyan was gorgeous as usual. Her pale skin softly gleamed like a jade, with a light scent emanating from her.
However…
This was not what grabbed his attention.
Fang Zhengzhi’s focus was on what was in her hands. The pair of slender and pale hands were untainted and currently holding a pure silver tripod wine cup.
Chi Guyan was drinking.
Most importantly, she was chugging it down. Cup after cup went down without a hitch.
Fang Zhengzhi’s lips curled
He had never seen Chi Guyan drink. At least, he did not see her drink at the banquet at the Divine Constabulary previously.
That was not important. What was important was that he decided to wait for Chi Guyan drink till her cheeks were red, wobbly on her feet. Then, immediately after that when her guard was down, issue a challenge to her.
When that time comes in front of so many guests, Chi Guyan would be too embarrassed not to take it right
Although this was quite despicable, he would be able to wipe the floor with her in front of the Sacred Lord, Crown Prince, King Duan, the princes and other guests.
He was excited just thinking about it.
Hence, he started the wait…
When Chi Guyan was already on her twentieth cup, Fang Zhengzhi still did not see even a single hint of intoxication. Her stunning face did not colour a single shade of red, it was still glowing and smooth like a jade.
Fang Zhengzhi was disappointed.
Did a lady really need to hold her liquor this well? The men would not stand a chance.
Chi Guyan suddenly realised Fang Zhengzhi’s weird expression. Her starry orbs hid a flash of something.
”Want to compete with me?”
”I don’t drink!” Fang Zhengzhi calmly pushed aside his half-empty wine cup. He then poured himself a cup of tea.
He remembered a common saying. On the table, never test your liquor with a lady.
Especially the ladies who could drink because these ladies could drink the whole table under.
Then, Fang Zhengzhi remembered Chi Guyan’s identity, Northern Lands’ Divine Constabulary. What is that place?
That was the Iron Blood Army Marquis’ noble family.
A woman raised in the Iron Blood Army Marquis’ noble family…
Alright.
Fang Zhengzhi suddenly realised he was still too naive. For Chi Guyan to drink, it naturally meant that she would not be intoxicated.
The officials and nobles that sat beside these two heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words and instantly rolled their eyes. From the start of the banquet to now, Fang Zhengzhi was drinking non-stop. Yet, here he was brazenly claiming that he did not drink?
Who would believe?
Just as they had this thought.
Chi Guyan once again spoke, ”Mm, not drinking is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Those few officials’ and nobles’ face immediately looked as if someone gave them two tight slaps. Chi Guyan actually believed him?
This scene with Chi Guyan and Fang Zhengzhi at the table was spotted of King Duan.
From the very beginning, he was observing Fang Zhengzhi’s actions. Especially when the nobles suggested to compete with poetry recitation and the exchange of couplets. His eyes never left Fang Zhengzhi from then.
However, Fang Zhengzhi was too calm. It was as if he gave no thoughts to all the voices around him.
”So his weakness is here!” King Duan’s eyes flashed for an instant.
He had been thinking of the upcoming Imperial Examinations the whole time. However, after interacting with Han Changfeng, he learnt of the situation of the Theory Examinations at the River of Trust Province.