Chapter Ninety-Four: The Celebration Banquet

The Banquet of Triumph is a grand feast held by the court especially for the newly appointed scholars. In the Song Dynasty, this banquet was generally hosted in the Jade Forest Garden, hence it was also known as the "Jade Forest Banquet."

The past petty squabbles are not worth boasting of; today, my thoughts run free and boundless. With the spring breeze at my back, my horse’s hooves fly swift, and in a single day, I behold all the blossoms of Chang’an!

The guests of the Banquet of Triumph are mainly those scholars who have received official recognition and those specially recommended, as well as the various examinees. At this time, other categories of tribute exam candidates had been abolished, so only those officially recognized and specially recommended scholars attended, with the overseer of the tribute exam presiding over the feast.

Besides these participants, the Emperor, Prime Minister, and other high officials also take part. Court officials such as scholars of the Hanlin Academy, ceremonial officials, secretariat members, and attendants may participate too, but only with the Emperor’s special permission.

When circumstances allow, the Emperor almost always attends, to display his boundless grace and to bestow poetry upon the scholars during the banquet.

At this moment within the Jade Forest Garden, the presiding official led several hundred newly appointed scholars into the garden. At the same time, musicians began playing the "Music of Proper Peace." When the guests reached the central courtyard, all stood solemnly facing the direction of the palace. As the music ceased, the Emperor and banquet officials entered, and the assembly bowed in reverence to the Emperor.

"Bestowing upon you the Banquet of Triumph…" A palace official read the imperial decree, formally announcing the commencement of the banquet.

The Song Emperor Zhao Xu composed an impromptu five-character quatrain for He Changyan, the top scholar of this year’s tribute exam:

“May you enter the government and offer your talents,
Rise through ranks and enjoy noble rewards.
Perform the deeds of Yao and Shun,
Dream and wake with loyalty as your guide.”

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty for your gracious kindness," He Changyan replied, bowing with tears in his eyes.

The musicians struck up the tunes for the banquet once again, and fine wines and dishes flowed forth like a river. The new scholars, led by the banquet official, all raised their cups to toast the Emperor, and the atmosphere was lively and festive.

But perched high atop a tree, looking down at the Banquet of Triumph, Li Sanjian and Li Qingzhao could only see the bustling scene; they could barely hear anything.

"Which one is the Emperor?" After a long while, Li Sanjian suddenly asked.

Li Qingzhao glanced at him, then peered once more through her farsight device and replied, "The one in the center, wearing crimson robes—that’s the present ruler. Here, take a look."

She handed the farsight device to Li Sanjian.

"He's not that old?" Li Sanjian asked in surprise.

In his mind, the Emperor should have been a white-bearded elder, but to his astonishment, the present ruler appeared so young—perhaps not even twenty? Maybe even younger… Could he be only thirteen or fourteen?

"He’s never been that old," Li Qingzhao replied. "This is the fourth year of Shaosheng… The Emperor is just over twenty. Why do you ask?"

"Nothing, just asking," Li Sanjian answered offhandedly.

He examined the Emperor closely through the farsight device. The Emperor indeed looked young, his build more like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, and he appeared frail, slumped in his seat, drinking but barely eating anything.

"Is he Huizong?" Li Sanjian suddenly recalled something and asked.

"What Huizong? Our dynasty has no such ruler. What nonsense are you talking about?" Li Qingzhao scolded.

"Then what title does he bear?" Li Sanjian pressed.

"What title? He’s the present Emperor—he doesn’t have a temple name yet," Li Qingzhao replied, confused.

Temple names are given after an Emperor’s death. Li Sanjian’s question was quite out of place.

"What about his father? What title did he bear?" Li Sanjian continued.

"The late Emperor was Shenzong," Li Qingzhao answered, her eyes wide. She wondered where he was from, how he could know so little, even his questions seemed odd. She wondered how he managed to become a provincial top scorer.

Song Shenzong? Song Shenzong—Li Sanjian knew him; during his reign, Wang Anshi carried out reforms, and Li Sanjian had some knowledge of that. But the question remained, who succeeded Shenzong? Who followed Huizong? No matter how hard he tried, Li Sanjian couldn’t recall, blaming his poor grasp of history. He resolved to study it better in the future, although history could only reach up to the present.

For now, Li Sanjian could only judge by imperial titles; the Emperor’s name was even harder for him to recall.

"Hey, what are you thinking?" Li Qingzhao saw him deep in thought and nudged him with her elbow.

"Oh… nothing," Li Sanjian replied, looking down. "It truly is a grand feast, lively and magnificent."

"San… don’t be discouraged," Li Qingzhao turned to him. "You’re not yet seventeen, right? Three years per exam—you’ll have many more chances."

Li Sanjian turned to her in surprise. "Who said I’m discouraged? I’m motivated, you know?"

He had indeed felt some discouragement after his first failure, but that had long passed; he was determined to seek out good teachers and prepare for the next exam.

Usually, those who fail the exam avoid scenes like the Banquet of Triumph, as it can be painful and a heavy blow. But Li Sanjian, knowing this, chose to face it head-on, using the experience to temper his mind.

It would be a painful process.

Li Sanjian had always avoided facing setbacks before, and thus…

"Motivated? What do you mean by motivated?" Li Qingzhao asked, then quickly understood.

She stared into his eyes, wanting to see if he was sincere, to understand his true thoughts.

"You truly are a remarkable person," Li Qingzhao suddenly felt a surge of curiosity about Li Sanjian, eager to know who he really was.

"Remarkable?" Li Sanjian smiled, tracing a circle above the Jade Forest Garden and said, "One day, I, Li Sanjian, will be the sole protagonist here."

"Ah…" His words startled Li Qingzhao so much that she leaned back, lost her grip, and let out a shriek, nearly falling from the tree.

Li Sanjian’s words had too much imagination—sole protagonist? The champion of the palace exam could be called the protagonist, so could the newly appointed scholars, even the Emperor himself.

"Sit still," Li Sanjian reacted swiftly, reaching out to steady her, pressing her firmly onto the branch.

"Let go of me, let go, you scoundrel…" Though frightened, once Li Sanjian steadied her, Li Qingzhao blushed furiously, struggling in embarrassment.

In his haste, Li Sanjian grabbed her slender waist with one hand, and with the other, accidentally touched her chest.

"My apologies, forgive me, circumstances demanded it," he quickly released his right hand, but kept his left hand on her waist to secure her.

"Was my remark really that shocking? Don’t move, or you’ll fall," he warned, seeing her still struggling.

Not only would it be troublesome if Li Qingzhao fell, but if their commotion attracted the guards, it would be even worse.

Li Qingzhao, hearing his words, stopped moving, but felt his hand on her waist like burning coal.

She blushed deeply, lowered her head, fiddled with her skirt, and whispered, "Don’t utter such treasonous words. You’re treading on dangerous ground, do you know?"

How could he be so bold, saying whatever he pleased? She wondered.

"Treasonous words? Why do you say that?" Li Sanjian asked in surprise.

"You… wasn’t your remark… hmm?" She shifted uncomfortably, looking at him.

"Heh…" Li Sanjian chuckled and shook his head, "My dear Qing, you misunderstand me. Even if I had courage as vast as the heavens, I would never dare utter such rebellious words. My meaning was… do you understand?"

"Who… who is your Qing? Don’t say such things," she murmured, her head dropping lower and her face reddening further.

Li Sanjian inhaled her delicate fragrance, gazed at her gentle beauty, and felt his heart stir. His left hand unconsciously tightened, drawing her into his embrace.

"Qing, do you know?" He gently brushed her hair with his cheek. "Since I saw you by the Gan River, my heart has been full of your shadow—unable to dispel it. Yet I am a humble man; how could I dare aspire to you? I once thought… once hoped… but matters have come to this, alas, alas!"

He sighed deeply.

Li Sanjian’s affection for Li Qingzhao grew stronger. She was not only talented and beautiful, but also kind-hearted. Since arriving in Kaifeng, she had never looked down on him, always showing him care, for which he was deeply grateful.

He sensed she had some affection for him too. Had he succeeded in the exam, he would have had some standing to speak of such things, perhaps even propose marriage. But now, how could he bring it up, or even think of proposing?

“Lotus fragrance fades, jade mat in autumn,
Loosening silken robes, boarding the orchid boat alone.
Who sends a brocade letter from the clouds?
When the wild geese return, the moon fills the western tower.
Flowers drift as water flows,
A kind of yearning, two places of idle sorrow.
This feeling cannot be dispelled,
Just leaves the brows, only to return to the heart.”
Li Qingzhao leaned in his arms, softly reciting.

“Ask the world, what is love,
That binds life and death in its vow?
Two flying guests, north and south,
Old wings have weathered many winters.
Joy and sorrow, parting pain,
And most of all, foolish lovers.
You must have words,
Across thousands of layered clouds,
A thousand mountains in twilight snow,
To whom does the solitary shadow fly?”
Li Sanjian responded.

By now, night had fallen, and the moon climbed above the treetops. Bathed in its silvery light, high atop the tree’s branches, their two shadows gradually merged into one.