The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 386: Deer Singing Feast (Part )
"Is this person Jia Huan, the winner of this year's provincial examination? He is too young, could he really be a child prodigy?"

"Hehe, it's not certain that a child prodigy will be born from heaven, but it's certain that he will be born into a good family."

"Hey, what do you mean, brother?"

"This Jia Prodigy was born in Rongguo Mansion. His father is a doctor in the Ministry of Works. His uncle is Wang Ziteng, the Minister of War. He is in a high position and has great power. His uncle is Lin Ruhai, the governor of Yingtian and the inspector of Yangzhou Salt. He is definitely a high-ranking official. Mei Hanlin, the co-examiner for this provincial examination, is his cousin's husband. Oh, and the current Consort Xiande is his sister."

"Tsk tsk, so that's how it is. I've really been born into a good family. I'm the envy of others. If I had such a unique condition, I would definitely become the top scorer."

"Ha ha……"

The newly-appointed scholars present were examining Jia Huan while whispering to each other, making sarcastic remarks, and discussing him. Some even made openly "spit" sounds to show their disdain.

Jia Huan has seen all kinds of big scenes, but he still stands straight, walks calmly and confidently, and ignores the comments around him. Lu Xiangsheng can't help but secretly admire Jia Huan's composure. Although the eyes and comments around him are not directed at him, he still feels a huge pressure standing next to Jia Huan.

A kind word warms you through three winter months, while an evil word hurts you through six months of summer.
"My two classmates, there are exactly two seats left here. If you don't mind, why don't you sit with us?"

Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng were just about to look for an empty seat to sit down when someone stood up not far away, waved and called out loudly, enthusiastically inviting them.

Jia Huan looked up and saw that the man had thick eyebrows, big eyes, a square face, and was very handsome. He was exactly the kind of handsome man that conformed to the aesthetic standards of the ancients. He was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, had a smooth and steady voice, and had a very leadership temperament.

At this time, several scholars who were sitting at the same table with this man also stood up and invited Jia Huan and Lu Xiangsheng to sit at the same table with a smile, but that smile seemed a little malicious.

Lu Xiangsheng whispered, "Ziming, I heard this group of people talking about you before. I'm afraid these guys have bad intentions. To avoid trouble, let's find another place to sit."

"No problem!" Upon hearing this, Jia Huan stepped forward and said with a smile, "Thank you all for inviting me. It would be disrespectful for Jia Huan to refuse."

"Haha, Jia Jieyuan, you are too polite. It is our honor to sit at the same table with the top scorer in the provincial examination. Come, come, please take a seat." The scholar with thick eyebrows and big eyes personally pulled out a chair for Jia Huan, and another scholar pulled out a chair for Lu Xiangsheng. They were very enthusiastic, as if they were afraid that the two would run away.

Jia Huan was not polite and sat down directly. His courage made the other candidates at the same table admire him. This was like going to the mountain of tigers knowingly. This boy was quite brave, but I didn't know if he had the real ability. If he made a fool of himself later, everyone would see it, hehe!
The scholar with thick eyebrows and big eyes flashed his eyes and said with a smile: "My name is Zhang Pu, courtesy name Tianru, from Taicang. I am lucky enough to be ranked fifth in this year's provincial examination. I have long heard of Jia Jieyuan's name. It is really a great honor to meet him today."

"So it's Mr. Zhang, nice to meet you!" Jia Huan calmly bowed in return. However, Lu Xiangsheng next to him was slightly surprised and said, "So you are Zhang Pu, the founder of Yingshe?"

Zhang Pu smiled and said, "It is me. It seems that I am quite famous. I am flattered. What is your name, classmate?"

Lu Xiangsheng clasped his hands and said, "I am Lu Xiangsheng, courtesy name Jiandou, from Yixing County. I was lucky enough to pass the exam and ranked 99th in this year's exam."

"So it's Mr. Lu. I heard that Mr. Lu and Jia Jieyuan are both students of Mr. Lin, the governor of Yingtian. Mr. Lin is a double-professional Jinshi and the third place in the imperial examination. It's really a case of a good teacher producing outstanding students. I admire you!" Zhang Pu complimented with a smile.

The scholar with triangular eyes beside him smiled and agreed, "Brother Tianru is right, but I have a question. You two are both students of Governor Lin, so why did Jia get the top prize, while Lu... Hehe, I'm not making fun of Lu, I'm just curious. The two of you are really far apart in ranking."

These words were undoubtedly extremely vicious. On the one hand, they slapped Lu Xiangsheng in the face, and on the other hand, they implied that Jia Huan relied on connections to get to the top, which was why he "stole" the first place in the provincial examination.

Lu Xiangsheng could not help but feel angry, and said calmly: "This classmate is wrong. I am naturally dull and my talent is not even a fraction of that of Ziming. If you say that you are Master Lin's top student, then Ziming is worthy of that title. I only learned a little bit from Master Lin, so it is not surprising that the difference in our ranking in the provincial examination is so big!"

Zhang Pu laughed and tried to smooth things over, "Mr. Lu, you are too modest. Oh, this is Mr. Wu, Wu Changshi, courtesy name Laizhi, who ranked 60th in this year's provincial examination. Brother Laizhi is always quick-witted, so I hope Mr. Jia and Mr. Lu will not mind."

Then Zhang Pu introduced Zhang Tingshu, the runner-up of this year's exam, and Wu Weiye, the ninth place. Since six people sit at a table at the Luming Banquet, Jia Huan, Zhang Pu and others just fill up one table.

Jia Huan sneered in his heart. This Zhang Pu was quite eloquent. The people in front of him were obviously led by him. It was possible that they were the ones who spread the rumors about him. In that case, don't blame me, Jia Huan, for being rude. To catch a thief, you must first catch the leader; to hit the snake, you must strike at its most vulnerable part!

After everyone exchanged greetings and sat down, Zhang Pu said with a smile: "We haven't started the meal yet, so let's serve tea and wine. Let's toast to Jia Jieyuan first."

"Yes, everyone respects Jia Jieyuan. We hope that Jia Jieyuan will take care of us and support us in the future. Who knows, we will be able to rise to great heights." Wu Changshi said with a smile, obviously still thinking about the "profound" background of Jia Huan.

Jia Huan remained calm and raised his glass calmly, saying, "Thank you for your kindness. From now on, we are all of the same age. We should help each other, be loyal to the emperor and serve the country, and benefit the people!"

Zhang Pu and the others were all surprised. This boy is quite patient. His calm demeanor is very inconsistent with his age. He seems to be not a shallow person. Rumors that he participated in cracking the Yangzhou smuggling salt case and even led troops to suppress pirates may not be groundless. "Haha, what classmate Jia said is right. Come on, drink this cup to celebrate our friendship!" Everyone raised their glasses and drank together.

Zhang Pu put down his teacup and said with a smile: "Master and the others have not yet taken their seats. It is estimated that there is still some time before the banquet officially begins. It is boring to sit here alone. Why don't we play a game of drinking?"

Zhang Tingshu and the others understood the elegant meaning of the music and immediately echoed it. Jia Huan smiled and said, "It's really boring to play without wine!"

Wu Changshi curled his lips slightly, thinking to himself, you are a coward, with so many excuses. Now that you have fallen into our trap, you have no choice. If you don't have real ability, you will make a fool of yourself, and it will also prove that your title of Jieyuan was not obtained legitimately.

"Haha, it's just to kill time. Why do we have to drink? It's also okay to drink a cup of tea as a penalty if we lose. What do you think, Jia Jieyuan?" Wu Changshi glanced at Jia Huan with his triangular eyes, as if he was afraid that the latter would refuse.

Jia Huan said with a smile: "Well, since we are going to play a game, a cup of tea is obviously not enough. How about a pot of tea?"

After hearing this, Zhang Pu and others were stunned. Although tea is not harmful to the body, drinking this pot is enough to make one feel nauseous. After a while, they will definitely have to run to the toilet to add two more taels of tea.

"What's the matter? Brother Laizhi doesn't dare?" Jia Huan also glanced at Wu Changshi, who blushed and said loudly, "Why not? One pot is enough!"

Lu Xiangsheng shook his head secretly and mourned for classmate Wu, because he knew Jia Huan's abilities very well. He was proficient in lyrics, poetry and prose, and playing the game of making orders was a piece of cake for him. Zhang Pu and others were clearly asking for trouble.

Zhang Pu hurriedly said, "Then I will be the commander."

The Lord of Orders is responsible for issuing orders, so naturally he has the final say on what orders to issue, which means he has the initiative in his hands.

Jia Huan said calmly, "Of course, I will. Then please let Mr. Zhang start the game."

Wu Tingshu and others were secretly surprised to see Jia Huan so confident. Is this guy bluffing, or does he really have the ability?
Zhang Pu nodded and said, "Okay, then let's play a unique drinking game. I will start with the first couplet, and then it will be my turn for the next person to come up with the second couplet. Those who can come up with the second couplet will not be punished, but those who can't will be fined a pot of tea, and so on."

Jia Huan almost laughed out loud. He actually played a pair with himself. Isn't this like lighting a lamp in the toilet? Those weird absolutes on the Internet in the future, just picking up a few pairs at random would be enough to make these guys drink a pot.

At this time, all the candidates at the banquet nearby cast their eyes to watch the excitement, and one even urged loudly, "Brother Tianru, stop shaking, and start quickly. The master will be seated soon."

The chief examiner of the provincial examination is the chief examiner, and all new candidates will be treated as his disciples. For example, the palace examination is presided over by the emperor himself, so Jinshi are also called disciples of the emperor.

Because of this, the chief examiner of the provincial examination is a popular position, and many people are eager to become one, because presiding over a provincial examination is equivalent to having a group of additional Juren students. These Juren are the future pillars of the empire, and the connections they bring are immeasurable. If one or two of them stand out and become high-ranking officials in the future, it will definitely be a good deal.

Let's get back to the point. Amid the noise of the crowd, Zhang Pu calmed down and said, "Then I, the commander, will throw out some ideas to inspire others - the moon is bright and the breeze is clear."

"The sun rises and the flowers on the river turn red." Wu Tingshu immediately responded with the first line of the couplet: "One lamp and four words, wine, wine, wine."

Wu Weiye immediately replied, "Second watch drum, four gongs, clang clang clang clang."

"Good!" Cheers suddenly rang out from all around.

Wu Weiye had a slightly pleased look on his face, and he cupped his hands and said, "It's my turn. Student Lu, be careful. Work hard to learn every word in the world."

Lu Xiangsheng immediately followed up, "I am determined to read all the books in the world. Ziming, listen to my first couplet: The sun under the water is the sun in the sky."

Jia Huan smiled and said, "This is easy. The person in front of you is the one in front of you."

There was another round of cheers from all around; the new champion was indeed quite capable.

It was Wu Changshi's turn next. He was obviously a little nervous and urged, "Jia Ziming, come up with the first couplet quickly!"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Then I will give you an easy one first. Listen carefully, Mr. Wu. A solitary boat, with two or three poets, using four oars and five sails, passing through six beaches and seven bays, and going through eight ups and downs, but it is a pity that it is so late."

As soon as Jia Huan finished reciting the poem, people all around him gasped. Wu Changshi was even dumbfounded. "You are too cruel, boy! This is what you call giving the easy one first?"
(End of this chapter)