Chapter 575 - 214: Lu Ming Banquet
Chapter 575: Chapter 214: Lu Ming Banquet
Ancient China hosted a vast array of banquets for all sorts of occasions, but only four were held to celebrate the imperial examinations.
For the civil track, there were the Lu Ming Banquet and the Qionglin Banquet, held to celebrate newly passed scholars and Advanced Scholars, respectively. For the military track, the Yingyang Banquet and the Martial Arts Banquet corresponded to celebrations after the provincial and palace examinations.
Let us first speak of the Lu Ming Banquet’s origin.
Deer have always been revered as celestial beasts, symbolizing rare talent. The "ming"—the cry of the deer—was seen as a heavenly sign, signifying the Emperor’s search for and high regard for talent. Therefore, the name "Lu Ming Banquet" truly embodied the Emperor’s quest for gifted individuals.
There is another theory based on a play on words. The word for "deer" (lù) is a homophone for the word for "emolument" or "official salary" (lù). The ancients often used deer to symbolize this "prosperity," hoping for promotion and wealth. However, scholars were typically humble and reserved, unwilling to speak openly of worldly wealth, as it conflicted with the Confucian ideals of self-cultivation, family harmony, state governance, and bringing peace to the world. And so, they chose the more poetic name "Lu Ming" to commemorate the first formal step onto the path of officialdom.
A third theory holds that the banquet was so named because the "Lu Ming" Chapter from the *Lesser Odes* section of the *Classic of Poetry* would be chanted during the festivities.
Regardless of where the name "Lu Ming Banquet" truly came from, its status as the celebratory feast for the Provincial Examination is beyond doubt. Furthermore, because its purpose was to manifest the court’s grace and solidify the system of selecting officials through examination, it was held in high esteem by rulers and authorities for centuries.
On the day of the Lu Ming Banquet, Zhao Jing woke up very early.
As soon as he stirred, Chen Wanqing woke up as well.
Seeing the sky outside was already bright, she hastily threw on a robe and sat up.
"You have nothing pressing today, Wanqing. You should sleep in."
"What do you mean, nothing? Aren’t you attending the Lu Ming Banquet today?"
"I’m the one attending the banquet, not you. You should just focus on resting."
"No way. Today’s your day to shine. I won’t be able to rest easy until I see you properly dressed and out the door. Otherwise, even if I lie back down, my mind will be preoccupied, and I won’t be able to rest well."
Hearing this, Zhao Jing couldn’t help but smile. "Well then, I’ll be in your hands."
Chen Wanqing grumbled, "Fine, I’ll do it myself."
Then she took the garments from a nearby chest and began to personally dress him.
She hadn’t prepared these clothes; they were made by the court’s Towel Hat Bureau and had been personally delivered to their home just yesterday by someone from the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office.
The main garment was the signature attire of a civil official: an azure, round-collared robe embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, cinched at the waist with a silk sash. The outfit was completed with black official boots and a black gauze cap.
You had to admit, once he was dressed, he really did have the air of an official.
’This official just has such a baby face,’ she thought. ’I wonder if he’ll be able to intimidate anyone.’
Lost in her own thoughts, Chen Wanqing couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
Zhao Jing noticed. While he wasn’t sure what she found so funny, he had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with his attire.
He spread his arms and gave a little spin. "What is it? Do I not look good?"
Chen Wanqing took a step back, striking a pose as if she were a connoisseur appraising a work of art.
"Honestly, you look very handsome."
The young man in his azure robes looked even more like a stalk of green bamboo—elegantly austere and handsome. His features were cool and defined, his waist trim and strong, his figure tall and straight. If he were to hide the warmth in his eyes, he would be quite intimidating, even possessing a hint of that legendary "official’s authority."
Chen Wanqing couldn’t help but nod and praise him again. "Truly, you look incredibly handsome. You’re the very picture of that line from the *Classic of Poetry*—a refined gentleman, as if cut and polished. If I weren’t already married, I’d definitely be one of those girls snatching a new scholar for a husband right off the examination list."
Zhao Jing, having been thoroughly teased, wasn’t the least bit annoyed. Instead, he stepped forward, straightened the robes she was wearing, and took her hand to lead her out.
"There’d be no need to snatch me from any list. If you were unwed, my lady, I would gladly offer myself to your bed..."
He lifted the door curtain, only to see Xiang’er standing just outside, completely dumbfounded.
The poor girl had likely come to call them for breakfast, but she had been stopped in her tracks, thunderstruck by their conversation before she could even get close.
Her wide, bright eyes were filled with utter shock. ’You two... Are you always this risqué in private?!’
’No wonder Mother tells me not to disturb my brother and sister-in-law. If I came over a few more times, my face would probably be permanently scorched from blushing!’
Xiang’er’s face went rigid. She tossed out a single sentence, "Mother says to hurry up and come eat."
Then, she whirled around, lifted her feet, and scurried away in a flash.
Seeing this, Chen Wanqing laughed softly and gave Zhao Jing a light pat. "It’s all your fault. We’ve just been utterly embarrassed."
"It’s just a bit of fun between husband and wife. Xiang’er will understand someday."
The two of them wasted no more time and hurried to the main hall.
Even after they finished breakfast, it was still quite early.
Zhao Jing read another ten-odd pages of his book. Seeing it was nearly the auspicious time, he finally called for Cao Xu, and they set out for the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office together.
Since the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office was truly very close to the Zhao Family home, they didn’t even bother with a carriage. It was perfectly fine to walk, treating it as a leisurely stroll.