Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 92 Celebrations from All Sides!

Chapter Ninety-Two: Celebrations from All Sides!

The entire room fell silent, and everyone, including Chen Tianjian and the others, stared wide-eyed.

"Chief Ye only married one person?"

Su Tongyao was also stunned. In the Confucian and Taoist Continent, it was normal to have three wives and four concubines, and she was prepared for it. She would just have to make do for a while.

But Ye Ru's words made her heart tremble slightly, and tears of emotion fell from her eyes.

"If you do not leave me, I will follow you to the death."

A firm resolve welled up in her heart, and Su Tongyao gripped Ye Ru's hand tightly.

"Please stop trying to arrange marriages for me. Once I pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, I will marry Su Tongyao. We will be together for life, and my heart will never change."

Ye Ru shouted loudly.

"Master Ye cannot do this. It would be against the rules of propriety. If Master Ye were to marry only Tong Yao, he would surely be ridiculed by scholars all over the world."

One person said.

"Exactly! This completely contradicts the principle of 'benevolence and forgiveness'!"

Ye Ru sighed. The ancient concubine system was a bizarre existence, a great mockery of human nature, and a dark humor after the concept of "benevolence and forgiveness".

"drive!"

At that moment, a carriage slowly made its way through the crowd, with a coachman sitting inside.

"Young Master Ye, Madam Ye, we are here on the orders of Hanlin Song to bring you back to the Ye residence."

Seeing the coachman, Ye Ru breathed a sigh of relief, then looked gratefully at Song Xiuwen on the high platform, and pulled Su Tongyao into the carriage.

However, even after Ye Ru boarded the carriage, many beautiful girls and matchmakers still crowded around it:

"Lord Ye, I can do laundry and cook. I only ask that I stay by your side."

“Young Master Ye, Miss Song from next door asked me to tell you that she is willing to be your concubine.”

"Hurry up and go."

“Ye Tongsheng, please remember tomorrow. We will be there to bother you as scheduled.”

Liu Juecheng and Zhao Qingfeng said in unison.

Ye Ru lifted the carriage curtain and laughed loudly at everyone:

"Tomorrow I must host a Deer Cry Banquet, and we'll drink until we're completely drunk!"

We will certainly attend the banquet!

Some students who wanted to befriend Ye Ru clasped their hands in a fist salute.

After the carriage departed, Ye Ru breathed a sigh of relief and returned to the Ye residence.

As evening fell, all the servants in the Ye household began to get busy. They all knew that their master was the top scholar in Qingyun County, so they worked extra hard.

Large red lanterns hung on both sides of the Ye residence, creating a festive atmosphere, along with several large red couplets.

Ye Ru sat in a pavilion in the mansion, with Su Tongyao and Xiaobai beside him.

"What's on your mind, young master?"

Su Tongyao watched Ye Ru drinking alone and couldn't help but ask.

"Although the Ye residence is large, it always feels like something is missing."

Ye Ru drank it down in one gulp, looked up at the bright moon, and couldn't help but think of his parents from his previous life.

I wonder how my parents are doing now.

Su Tongyao stopped talking, went over and hugged Ye Ru. She knew Ye Ru missed his family.

"May my parents in my past life be healthy and well. In this life, I will definitely find Ye Ru's biological parents."

Ye Ru raised his wine glass and toasted the bright moon in the sky.

The following day, the Ye residence was bustling with activity. Carriages carrying wine jars were being transported to the Ye residence, and many more servants were brought in. Dozens of round tables were set up in the courtyard, laden with fish and meat, making the food look incredibly appetizing.

"This is for the guests. Please sit with us."

Xiao Bai tried to steal some food, but Su Tongyao interrupted her with a smile.

"Chief Ye is all smiles, and Madam Ye is also very kind. These items are a gift from the three of us on behalf of the Qingyun County government."

As evening approached, the lanterns were all lit, and the red lanterns created a particularly festive atmosphere.

Countless students arrived at the Ye residence, exchanging toasts and laughter, all with joyful expressions.

One reason was to celebrate his success in the imperial examination, and the other was to cultivate a good relationship with Ye Ru.

"Magistrate Zhang has arrived!"

Surprisingly, this Deer Cry Banquet was a banquet for scholars, and even the county magistrate, Zhang, and other heads of the county came here.

This surprised everyone.

"The magistrate and his men have actually come too."

"No way, doesn't the county magistrate usually not attend these banquets for children who have just graduated from high school?"

Countless people discussed in surprise, and Ye Ru hurriedly went out to greet them.

Magistrate Zhang and his entourage were seen riding in a carriage, which was filled with wine, meat, and a box of silver.

"You're too kind, Magistrate. Please take these things back."

"That won't do. These gifts are for you. Otherwise, people will say you don't know how to behave properly."

Magistrate Zhang said.

"Then I will gladly accept it."

Ye Ru smiled and said that he knew the etiquette of officialdom here.

"Scholar Pang, Scholar Li, Scholar Liu, here!"

However, before the gasps of surprise from the crowd could subside, another voice rang out, silencing everyone instantly.

A look of shock crossed everyone's face, and each student could barely hold their cup.

"Congratulations to Ye for achieving such outstanding results in the imperial examination. He is sure to become the top scholar in the palace examination. I hope he will rise to great heights in the future and never forget Qingyun County."

Pang Jun waved his hand, and the carriage behind him began unloading its contents.

"Thank you for your kind offer, esteemed scholars. May I ask where Scholar Song and the others are?"

Ye Ru looked at the three Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and asked.

"Old Chen's condition is not good. He was only at the end of his rope when he passed the imperial examination. Now that he has been stripped of his literary rank, his health is deteriorating day by day."

Li Wenfeng sighed.

"I will definitely visit you in the future and find the longevity fruit to add ten years to Chen Jinshi's life."

Ye Ru's eyes darkened, and he gestured for Ye Ru to proceed.

"Chief Ye need not blame himself. I wish Chief Ye the best of luck in the provincial examination and that he will once again be at the top of the list."

Liu Yan smiled, and then the three of them took their seats.

Everyone looked at the three scholars and the county magistrate with awe, not daring to utter a sound.

"Please take your seats, everyone."

Ye Ru waved his hand, and everyone took their seats.

"Lord Chen Tianjian, the Military Minister, and Song Hanlin, the Minister of Works, have come to pay their respects!"

The sound from outside the door rang out again, and all the students in the courtyard gasped, their hearts filled with shock.

Even children know that the Military Minister is a position directly under the central emperor, who controls the Yanhuang Kingdom's army and holds a position second only to the emperor.

"Greetings, Lord Wu Xiang."

"Greetings, Your Excellency Hanlin."

Pang Jinshi and the others bowed to Chen Tianjian and his companion.

Many people kept their heads down and remained silent, fearing that their homes would be raided.

"Lord Chen, Lord Song."

Ye Ru looked puzzled. Logically speaking, the other party should have already returned to the capital. Why is he still here?

“I can skip other banquets, but I can’t miss Ye Anshou’s Deer Cry Banquet. This time I’ve brought my best wine from the bottom of my chest.”

With a wave of his hand, Chen Tianjian broke the clay seal on a jar of wine. The aroma of the wine immediately wafted for miles, causing everyone to involuntarily swallow.

"This is the Baiye Sacred Wine, awarded by His Majesty and reserved for state banquets. It is fitting to offer this wine to Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Pang, the scholar, and the others were all taken aback.

Only ten jars of this Baiye Shengjiu are produced each year. It is made from various precious medicinal herbs. After drinking it, one can prolong life and be protected from insects and rodents. It is known as the number one wine in the world.

"Okay, I won't come back until I'm drunk!"

Ye Ru bowed, and Chen Tianjian and the others took their seats.

Seeing everyone take their seats, Ye Ru cleared his throat, but just as he was about to speak, a voice came from the sky, causing everyone's wine glasses to shatter with a crash, and a look of horror appeared on everyone's face!

"National Academy of Saints, Chen Changfeng; Academy of Saints, Wen Lue, congratulations to Ye Tongsheng on being on the list!"