Chapter 234: Chapter 178: Must There Really Be a Performance at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony?

The Emperor looked at Song Yan, intending to nurture him, and took his own stance, “The essay’s scope is limited. After the grand ceremony, submit a detailed memorial to me.”

As the Emperor’s words fell, the officials couldn’t help but glance sideways.

Although the memorials they typically wrote were small matters, not every official’s trivial matters could be directly presented to the Emperor.

Generally, those who could submit directly were officials of the Standard Fifth Rank and above, while those below, including Secondary Fifth Rank officials, needed prior review by the Internal Affairs Pavilion.

If the review found it wasn’t an urgent or important matter, it would be withheld to avoid disturbing the Emperor.

In this court, the most direct reflection of an official’s rank was whether they could say trivial words in front of the Emperor. If they could, they succeeded.

Every new court official dreamt that one day the Emperor would hear their trivial words. Unexpectedly, Song Yan fulfilled their dream even before officially receiving an appointment!

And what she spoke weren’t trivial words—they were earnest ones, alas.

Damnable woman!

“Student obeys the order!”

Song Yan had not yet been appointed, so as an Emperor’s Student, it was appropriate to refer to herself as “student” in front of the Emperor.

The Emperor’s smile widened, as Song Yan was both ambitious and steady. Having a life-and-death camaraderie with Yi Fen, such a person would undoubtedly protect Yi Fen.

Even if Yi Fen were to dislike reviewing memorials in the future, she could… no, no, let’s talk about that later.

Officials with eyes could see the Emperor’s satisfaction with Song Yan.

Moreover, Song Yan was very measured. She didn’t rush to perform just because it was her first formal audience with the Emperor, delaying the ceremony.

She moved with propriety, and soon the ceremony continued.

The second and third places were unfamiliar to Shen Jingxian, especially the second place, who seemed to be around forty. At that age, being able to achieve second place indicated significant diligence!

As for the hundreds that followed, Shen Jingxian wasn’t familiar with them. She stood below, staring at the Emperor, pondering why her old father didn’t grow a beard—was he trying to look young?

The Emperor was also daydreaming, constantly pondering why the Empress was so adept at giving birth to such an obedient daughter. He felt so fortunate!

The ministers, in fact, were daydreaming too.

Someone’s back itched, wanting to scratch but couldn’t, so they endured.

Someone wanted to see the Princess, but their rank was too low, standing far away, only seeing the Princess’s back—how they hated it!

Someone else was pondering what to eat for lunch, feeling hungry.

Another was staring at a pillar, counting the number of patterns on it.

The illustrious appearance of the grand ceremony—who knew what it truly was like?

Even Song Yan was wondering if the Princess was there for her.

After the names were called, Song Yan, representing over three hundred new Advanced Scholars, knelt to thank the Emperor’s grace.

The Emperor accepted the ceremonial bow before rising and leaving.

The Yellow List was placed on a Cloud Plate, handed to the Minister of Rites. He carried it in front to lead the way, with Song Yan and the new Advanced Scholars following, as drum and music resounded along the path, the civil and military officials, along with the nobles, followed behind the new scholars.

Today, a Princess somehow mingled within.

However, she didn’t walk far before Xiao Qi discreetly lifted her from the procession.

Shen Jingxian struggled, “How dare you! Let go of this Princess!”

Xiao Qi sighed, “Your Highness, the Empress is looking for you.”

Shen Jingxian fell silent.

Indeed, today the Empress only permitted her to attend the grand ceremony, not to leave the palace for play.

In the past, she might have forced her way out, but after her recent drunken escapade, she dared not overstep.

Such a nuisance!

The procession Song Yan was in had to journey from the Chengtian Gate to the Capital Gate. The Yellow List, inscribed with the top three ranks, would be hung on the palace wall at Jingzuo Gate for three days.

The top scorer must lead the new scholars to view the list.

Here stood a stone tablet engraved with “Officials dismount here.” Regardless of official rank, all must dismount here.

Every three years, the top scorer leads new scholars to Jingzuo Gate to see the Yellow List. Once a scholar becomes an Advanced Scholar, it’s akin to a ’carp leaping over the dragon gate’—no matter the past poverty, after appearing on the Golden List, they’re the new elite.

Even though Song Yan was born to a noble family, she was the first to stand on the court without relying on family influence.

Moreover, she was the most illustrious, the top-scoring female scholar!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep