Volume 2 Chapter 64: The Banquet

  The third update is delivered... Do you want to continue with three updates tomorrow? Well, it depends on the enthusiasm and support of all the readers.

  Mid-Autumn Festival, night of full moon.

  As night falls, the round moon jumps onto the willow branch, eager to sprinkle soft moonlight all over the world.

  The Tianyun dynasty is at its peak, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is also a grand festival in the year. As a result, every time this day arrives, from the capital city to the countryside, it is exceptionally grand and the atmosphere is extremely lively.

  On this day, the curfew in Jiangzhou City was also postponed from Xu Shi to Zi Shi, just to let the people have a good time on the night of reunion.

  The bright moon in the sky is the focus of attention for all; and tonight, the focus of the entire Jiangzhou City is naturally the Zhuangyuan Building.

  Former governor, current Minister of Rites Wu's eldest son spent a thousand taels to rent the entire Zhuangyuan Building to celebrate his qualification for next year's imperial examination, hosting a grand banquet and inviting all officials with face in Jiangzhou, as well as teachers and students from Minghua Academy, and famous scholars and poets within Jiangzhou's borders.

  The number of guests finally exceeded three hundred.

  It can be said that this banquet is of a high standard, at least on par with a multi-story building.

  The Zhuangyuan Building has only three floors.

  The specific banquet proceedings, arrangements, had been arranged long ago. The students of Minghua College were uniformly assigned to the first floor, while ordinary literati and slightly lower-ranking officials were assigned to the second floor; as for the third floor, they were all heavyweight figures.

  The floor is clearly divided, representing the clear division of classes.

  The Tianyun dynasty is a country of etiquette, with clear rules and regulations that cannot be overstepped, otherwise it will become a target for others to attack.

  The lights inside the Zhuangyuan Building are shining brightly, with laughter and chatter filling the air. Several dozen waiters rush about busily without a break.

  Compared with the noise of the first and second floors, the third floor is relatively quiet.

  The third floor of Zhuangyuan Building is luxuriously decorated. The screens and wall paintings that are usually used to separate the space have all been removed, forming a large open area.

  The place is not small, but there were only three tables open.

  Seated in the center of the main hall, with a dignified appearance, and sporting three wisps of flowing long whiskers, was none other than Magistrate Nie Zhiyuan, father of Nie Xiaoqian.

  At the same table, the host Wu Wenzai naturally had a seat, sitting next to Nie Zhizhou. The others included Tongzhi Daren and Tongpan Daren. One of them, over sixty years old with a clear face, was Song Zhiyuan, a famous Confucian scholar in Jiangzhou. His annotations on the classics, including "Li Ji", were included in the imperial examination curriculum and printed all over the world, carrying significant weight and influence.

  As for Nie Xiaoqian, she was in a corner, surrounded by a screen, forming a small compartment, where she ate alone, with maids serving her.

  At the banquet, Song Zhongyuan suddenly asked Wu Wencai: "Wencai, I heard that you have a fellow student named Chen Jianchen, who is talented and outstanding in his youth. Is this true?"

  Wu Wencai's mouth twitched, and the old man reluctantly replied: "There is indeed such a person. However, as for being a young talent, it's hard to say. He took the imperial examination this year, but only achieved fourth-class honors."

  Song Zhiyuan stroked his beard and smiled: "The meaning of the classics and literature is not trivial, it's not surprising that he didn't do well when he first entered the academy... Hmm, I heard that in March this year, when you went to Bishan Mountain for a spring outing, he improvised a poem 'Dusk' on the spot. The poem says: As dusk approaches, the atmosphere is hazy and fragrant; The setting sun has endless beauty, but it's just near dusk. This poem shows great talent, is it really his work after three attempts?"

  Wu Wenzai felt bitter in his heart, really didn't think that Chen Jianchen's poem had such a great influence, even Song Zhongyuan highly praised it, but this matter has long been spread out, and it is impossible to deny it, so he said: "At that time, it was indeed the case."

  Next to Zhang Tong, who was judging the poem's meaning and tone, suddenly interjected: "Song Fuzi, that 'Dusk' poem is indeed good, with a profound atmosphere and thought-provoking philosophy. However, considering its connotations, it's rather desolate and deep, not quite like something a 17-year-old youth could produce."

  In other words, it implies that Chen Jianchen is suspected of deceiving the world and stealing fame.

  Upon hearing this, Wu Wenzai immediately felt a great sense of relief and subtly made a gesture to Zhang Tongbian to express his gratitude.

  Zhang Tong was overjoyed: Wu Shang had only one son, and he doted on Wu Wenchang extremely. By pulling the strings for Wu Gongzi, it was equivalent to pulling the strings for Wu Shang, with many benefits.

  Nie Zhi Zhou's eyebrows slightly furrowed as he said, "This poem is also well-known in our state, it's indeed not bad."

  He didn't say much, but others already knew his attitude and stance - this kind of impromptu poem recitation, where the topic was unknown beforehand, made it extremely unlikely that he was trying to fake it, it was simply a blind cat hitting a dead mouse.

  Song Zhiyuan did not express his opinion, and smiled: "It turns out that the governor also thinks this child is talented... Hmm, tonight's banquet, he was also invited to come, why don't we ask him to come and take a good look? If he is indeed a promising talent, we should encourage him to become a great talent, and in the future, he can become a pillar of Jiangzhou."

  Nie Zhizhou smiled and said: "Great, it's been many years since we've seen such a stunning young man in Jiangzhou. Today is a good opportunity, I must invite him to meet us."

  Song Fuzi proposed it and Nie Zhi state agreed. What else could the crowd say? Of course, they all echoed in agreement.

  Wu Wencai cursed in his heart: Tonight, he was the only protagonist, eating and drinking well, then borrowing a donkey to find an opportunity to propose to Nie Xiaoqian in public, what joy!

  But if Chen Jianchen rushes over, it will spoil everything. What if that kid performs well and steals all the limelight?

  He mustn't be allowed on the third floor...

  In an instant, Wu Wenchai's mind was made up and he said: "Please wait a moment, I will send someone to call Chen Jianchen right away."

  After finishing speaking, he left his seat and went outside, instructing his loyal servant Wang Cai in a low voice for a few sentences.

  Na Wangcai understood and went downstairs to find Chen Jianchen on the first floor, saying: "Young Master Chen, my young master has invited you."

  Chen Jianchen was taken aback, got up and followed Wangcai out of the building, but walked to a small alley outside the Number One Scholar Building.

  In the small alley, it's a bit gloomy, quiet and deserted in front and behind, where can I find Wu Wencai's figure?

  What's going on?

  Chen Jianchen immediately became vigilant and stared at Wang Cai with piercing eyes.

  Wang Cai crossed his arms over his chest, speaking in a loud and rough tone: "Chen Gongzi, my young master has said that he doesn't like you very much. Tonight's banquet was only held out of courtesy, now that you've eaten and drunk enough, it's time for you to leave."

  Expulsion Order

  A guest order covered with a veil of shame!

  Chen Jianchen remained silent for a moment, then calmly said, "In that case, thank you for your hospitality, young master."

  Turned around and drifted away.

  Wang Cai was taken aback, not expecting Chen Jianchen to be so calm, thinking he would burst into anger instead. Anyway, the young master had already given orders that if Chen Jianchen dared to complain, they could take action, and everything would be taken care of by the young master. Now that Chen Jianchen knew his place and left, it saved a lot of trouble.

  He saw Chen Jianchen off in the distance before returning to the Zhuangyuan Building to report back to Wu Wencai.

  Wu Wenzai praised: "Well done."

  Returning to the seats, he said to Nie Zhizhou and Song Zhiyuan: "Two uncles, just now the servant reported that when he went to call Chen Jianchen, his face suddenly changed greatly, saying that there was an urgent matter at home, and then hastily left the seat."

  Upon hearing this, whether it was Nie Zhiyuan or Song Zhongyan, or the people present, they couldn't help but reveal a strange expression on their faces, and unanimously felt that this matter was too coincidental.

  "That Tong Pan Ma said with a strange and eerie tone: 'Want to invite him up but say there's an urgent matter at home? Hehe, I'm afraid it's because he's guilty and doesn't dare come.'"

  Song Zhiyuan's face also looked a bit unsightly, and he said: "This child is impolite. If there are words to be spoken, please speak them, I dare not decline. Even if his family has an urgent matter, they should have personally explained it clearly before leaving, how can they leave in such a hurry?"

  Everyone else then followed suit.

  Nie Zhi Zhou also felt quite displeased: Chen Jian Chen was clearly guilty in his heart and didn't dare to come, could he really be a deceitful and infamous person? In any case, this behavior of his had already greatly disappointed people, and it was all for nothing that he had looked up to him.

  At this time, the young man who was considered to be a deceitful and infamous person had already walked on the road back home, wanting to hurry back and spend a happy Mid-Autumn Festival with his mother, Abao.

  "Chen Jianchen, wait for me!"

  A clear and crisp cry.

  Chen Jianchen suddenly turned his head and saw Nie Xiaoqian, dressed in men's clothing, walking towards him under the moonlight. Her eyebrows and eyes were as beautiful as a painting, as if she had just stepped out of the moon. She was smiling, with a hint of shyness and playfulness.

  "Nie Xiaoqian, what are you doing here?"