Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examination Ch. 107

Chapter 107

After bidding farewell to Zhang Luan’s family, Cui Xie returned to the small building where the judges were staying to have his meal. The scholars had eaten snacks earlier and were not particularly focused on their meal. They ate just enough to satisfy their hunger and then continued with the massive task of evaluating the poems. Occasionally, someone would pick out an exceptionally good or notably poor poem and read it aloud for a bit of entertainment among themselves.

There was even a hint of over-voting in the literary context: some individuals submitted multiple submissions, all containing the same poem; others voted for all five beauties, but only wrote a single poem praising a generic beauty, but not specifically aligning with any of the five; and there were even votes for Empress He and Empress Fu who were not even possible candidates to vote for….

After discarding the invalid votes, the formal scoring was not to be conducted there, but rather, it involved inviting ten of the best ‘adjudicators’ in terms of scholarship, who would head to the garden and score the poems live, calculating the scores on the spot. Thus, once these judges were selected, the rest were free to enjoy the night’s festivities. Seven of the invited dignitaries were there specifically to serve as ‘adjudicators’ and the remaining three were chosen from the twenty-seven students, who selected Ning Ju, Wang Chen and Li Zongshang—all three renowned for their love and talent for poetry. Cui Xie, being one of the hosts, was also a potential candidate for being an adjudicator, but since his own poetry skills were still yet to mature, and he could not offer much in terms of critical analysis, he voluntarily opted out, much preferring to be an audience member instead.

The scholars who were not serving as adjudicators extended their hands in friendship to Cui Xie, inviting him to join them in exploring the gardens, suggesting that it would be much more fun to roam the grounds together. However, Cui Xie graciously declined with a smile, explaining, “As you all have mentioned, I am somewhat of a host here, and it would not be right for me to just enjoy myself like a guest. As night falls and the lanterns are lit, this lush garden becomes a fire hazard, so I want to take the opportunity while it’s still light to check on fire safety measures throughout the evening.”

As Cui Qi led the adjudicators and students on a tour around the grounds, Cui Xie asked a servant to find someone familiar with the garden’s layout. He wanted to inspect the first safety equipment and visit places most populated by lanterns, as well as quieter, less frequented areas of the gardens.

The owner of the gardens, a merchant from the Huang family, and his household members were also present today. Upon learning that Cui Xie, who had helped organize the event, was touring the gardens, they saw it as an excellent opportunity to meet him and establish some rapport. The Eldest Young Master of the Huang family personally guided Cui Xie along with several other experienced servants, showing him the strategically placed water tanks, buckets, fire extinguishers and hemp mats. They also led him to closely inspect secluded areas such as water channels, the lakeside, and artificial caves, ensuring that security personnel were vigilantly stationed throughout these noted spots.

Eldest Young Master Huang spoke with pride, “Our family’s garden was a significant investment and it has hosted numerous esteemed officials and nobles in the capital. If it weren’t for the reputation of Cui anshou, Businessman Cui Qi and Shopkeeper Ji to have so extravagantly promoted this beauty contest….or rather ‘Flower Queen Selection’, my father would have never agreed to lend the gardens for such an event.”

Cui Xie expressed his gratitude, to which the Eldest Young Master Huang humbly responded, “Cui anshou, there is no need for thanks. It is our family who is benefiting more from this. Hosting such an intriguing event with so many dignitaries attending, brings honor to our family. In the future, when people mention the Huang family’s Garden of Tranquil Harmony, they will recall it as the site that hosted the ‘Three Kingdom’s Number One Beauty’ contest, elevating the prestige of our gardens.”

Hearing the mention of dignitaries and noble personages, Cui Xie instinctively inquired, “Does the Eldest Young Master know if there are any members of the Jinyiwei attending tonight?”

At this question, the confident stride of the Eldest Young Master Huang momentarily faltered and the proud expression plastered on his face froze. He waved his hand dismissively, saying, “That is not something we should discuss!”

In previous years, the Eastern and Western Depots had created widespread panic with their sweeping purges and severe crackdowns. Even officials were unsure when the day would come that they might be dragged away, and merchants felt as vulnerable as grass exposed to the wind. It had only been a year or two since the downfall of major figures in these agencies and the lingering fear of the Jinyiwei had yet to fully dissipate. The mere mention of Jinyiwei sent shivers down Eldest  Young Master Huang’s spine. After a while, he regained his composure and asked in a hushed tone, “This Three Kingdom’s contest shouldn’t have anything that violates any taboos or regulations, right? There is no reason for the Jinyiwei to come snooping around, is there?”

No…Cui Xie had just wanted to know if any off-duty Jinyiwei might be attending the event for relaxation purposes.

As the daylight began to dim, turning a faint yellow, the curfew hour of the first watch at 9 PM loomed ever closer. If anyone was planning to attend the final round of the beauty contest in the evening, they would likely have already left through the Chaoyang Gates at this time.

Distracted by such thoughts, Cui Xie’s focus wavered and the jovial mood of Eldest Young Master Huang faded as well. After a hurried tour of the colorful pavilions and the opera stages, Young Master Huang excused himself, leaving Cui Xie outside the room where the adjudicators were gathered.

The small pavilion was empty and silent, with the adjudicators and judges currently enjoying their time in the gardens. As Cui Xie passed by earlier, he saw the group just leaving the Lady Zhen pavilion, knowing it would be a while before they explored the pavilions dedicated to the Qiao sisters and Sun Shangxiang. Taking advantage of this quiet moment, Cui Xie closed the windows, locked the door and quietly took out the robes he had stashed at the bottom of his bookbag. 

Feeling a little self-conscious, Cui Xie knew he was the only among his classmates who had brought along such a brightly colored new robe to change into. The thought of changing into it being seen by his peers made him somewhat uneasy.

Carefully unfolding the garment, he was dissatisfied with the wrinkles that had appeared in its rough storage. He sprayed a bit of water over it and used a hot kettle from the small furnace to iron out the creases. This particular straight robe was custom made by his tailor, not adhering to the usual baggy style. Instead, it featured two curved vertical pleats at the back, subtly cinching in the waist and raising the waistline. When tied with a wide sash, the robe lent an illusion of heightened stature and elongated legs, making him appear taller than he would in his regular dress.

The cuffs of the robes were designed to be wide and billowing, made from soft, thin fabric that had been lightly starched, which allowed the sleeves to flutter gracefully with every small movement, reminiscent of the Wei and Jin’s dynasties elegance. Cui Xie, struck by a whimsical thought, folded a few discarded poem papers into a fan shape, he then waved it up and down, letting his wide sleeves dance in the air, losing himself in the charm of ancient scholars. After enjoying this moment, he suddenly remembered the bottle of men’s cologne he had yet to apply. He quickly unwrapped the tightly packed cloth, uncorking the porcelain bottle to dab on some of the perfume.

Originally, he had planned to use this particular scent for some time now, but the overwhelming fragrance of flowers in his courtyard had greatly deterred him, which made this the first time he was actually using it. It almost felt as though he had been saving it especially for this day.

Shaking his head at his overthinking, Cui xie poured some of the perfume onto his palm. As he uncorked the bottle, a subtle scent of jasmine began to permeate the air. However, having slept amidst floral fragrances for days, his sense of smell had somewhat dulled and he wasn’t entirely sure of the scent’s strength. Hence, he decided to pour a little more to test.

Just as he did so, the screen door was suddenly slammed several times from the outside, and someone shouted, “Eldest Young Master, it’s here, the time for the final event is coming, come take a look!”

What has arrived?

Startled, Cui Xie’s hands jerked, spilling a significant amount of the fragrance onto his hand, sleeve and even some onto his thigh. Fortunately, his all-white robes masked the spill well. The rich, yet not overpowering aroma of jasmines now filled the room and clung to his person, leaving him both pleasantly surprised and somewhat overwhelmed as a headache began to come on —

After such a long effort in perfecting his floral dew, it had finally paid off with one successful attempt. It was undoubtedly a good thing, but ironically, it happened at the moment when he had intended to use a more subtle fragrance. And now, it had spilled all over him!

He hesitated, contemplating whether to change back into his original clothes, but as the urgency of the calls outside increased, he realized that the fragrance had already seeped into his undergarments as well. At this point, changing his outer garments would not make much of a difference. Cui Xie, considering the vastness of the gardens, filled with fresh flowers and gently drifting fragrant breezes, he thought his own scent may not be too noticeable. With this in mind, he gritted his teeth, deciding to face whatever was outside. Opening the door, he asked, “Who has arrived?”

The clerk, used to seeing him in a blue robe, was taken aback by the sight of a youth in white, exuding a strong fragrance. It took him a moment to recognize Cui Xie and then he explained, “It is time to light the lamps. The main event is about to begin. Is the Young Master not going out there?”

It was clear that the show was about to start, yet the way the clerk had spoken had made it seem as if someone important had arrived, leaving Cui Xie feeling a bit inexplicably disappointed. Sighing lightly, he replied, “I will be right there…no need to guide me. I have already wandered around the garden earlier, I will find my way.”

Storing the floral dew in his sleeve, Cui Xie asked the attendant to fetch a real fan and vigorously fanned his sleeves and hem, heading towards the door.

The sky outside had completely darkened. Along the paths, lanterns hung from copper wires attached to tree branches illuminated the entire gardens, making it appear as bright as day. Melodies drifted from the central stage, which remained unlit, casting a very dim silhouette in the courtyard’s lighting. From this shadowy area, the thin sounds of singing and music could be heard, creating an enchanting ambience.

In the gardens, seats were arranged into five major sections, corresponding to the characters for whom the guests had voted during the day. Based on the number of votes counted earlier, the seating had been organized with varying proximity to the center of the stage, which allowed particularly dedicated fans to get a closer view as desired. Those wishing to sit in the front rows had the opportunity to also buy additional votes on the spot to secure better seats.

Numerous vendors wove through the seated crowd, offering drinks and snacks, seizing the opportunity for one last opportunity to make some money. Additionally, servants of the Huang family sold fresh flowers, enabling guests to toss them onto the stage as a form of appreciation for the performers. At a climatic moment in the zither music, a sweet and captivating tune, apt for the Double Seventh Festival, began to fill the air.

As the song concluded, lantern lights located at the four corners of the stage suddenly alighted, revealing musicians dressed as celestial beings, their hands gracefully strumming the pipa, erhu and yueqin, while others tapped rhythmically on sandalwood clappers. Then, the lights dimmed once again. A procession of young girls, dressed as maids, emerged from the corners of the stage, carrying lanterns and converged at the center. Their light revealed a towering paper pavilion, each of its four sides adorned with life-sized exquisitely painted portraits of a radiant beauty with palms pressed together, gazing upwards in a reverent moon-worshiping pose.

The first to make an appearance on stage, naturally, was Diao Chan, one of the earliest characters introduced in the book. The audience erupted in cheers, particularly those who had cast their votes for Diao Chan. Carried away by the enchanting melodies and the atmospheric lighting, the painted figure of the beauty seemed even more intriguing and fresh than a real beauty. 

However, as the lights on the stage dimmed one by one, it left behind a faint glow, the lantern bearers carefully obscuring the remaining light, disappearing behind the paper pavilion. The audience, now familiar with this pattern, settled back into their seats, eagerly anticipating the next beauty’s entrance. But, in a surprising twist, just as they were relaxed and diverted their attention from the stage, the lights suddenly rekindled. This time the illumination emanated from within the paper pavilion, casting a shadow silhouette that perfectly mirrored the pose of the painted figure on the outside.

As the four-sided paper pavilion suddenly unfolded, it revealed a slender figure at its center, cradling a lantern that glowed like pure moonlight in her hands. Under the soft illumination of this lantern, the beauty’s flaws were concealed, leaving only her vividly painted face, indistinguishable from the painted beauty in the portrait. Gradually, lights behind her began to brighten, revealing a group of maids holding lanterns, encircling Diao Chan as they escorted her to the front of the stage.

Then, as the lights dimmed once more, Diao Chan offered a charming smile to the audience seated below, extinguished the moon-like lantern with a gentle blow, and disappeared into the darkness. 

This performance was truly astonishing, a breathtaking display that rose far above the ordinary!

In the audience hall, the division of allegiance to the various beauties had dissolved, as the crowd surged towards the stage, eagerling tossing flowers towards that one captivating corner that had housed the beauty from earlier. Caught in the midst of the throng, Cui Xie quickly tightened his grip on his new garment, securing his headgear, fearing being disheveled by the pressing crowd.

Moving backward was cumbersome, and with no space to turn around, he almost stumbled, pushed along by the surging crowd. Instinctively reaching out behind for support, it was almost serendipitous when he grasped a pair of hands. These hands were exceptionally steady and strong, unmistakably those of a warrior. With a gentle tug, the owner of the hands pulled him aside and supported him under the arm, deftly maneuvered him into a narrow space between the seats. The subtle scent of jasmine seemed to waft through Cui Xie clothes with the breeze, creating an aura of tranquility that contrasted sharply with the bustling scene.

Looking up at the person who had steadied him, Cui Xie smiled and said, “I have been searching for a while and did not expect to find Xie-xiong would be here.”

Xie Ying released him and said naturally, “Perhaps someone’s shadow obscured your view. With the sky darkening, and your eyes not as trained as mine, it is understandable you could not see clearly. Earlier, I did catch a glimpse of you in the Eastern courtyards, but I was accompanying a colleague and seeing you were with guests, it wasn’t appropriate to approach and greet you.” He was wearing a new set of green satin robes, designed by Cui Xie, which made his figure appear even more slender and elegant. However, under the dim lights, the color seemed somewhat subdued, not as eye-catching as the bright reds and whites others wore.

Seeing the audience beginning to return to their seats, Cui Xie pondered, “Since your colleagues are here, I will head back first and we can talk more at my residence. Enjoy yourself here, I will have someone send over some food.”

Xie Ying loosened his grip on Cui Xie, yet took a step closer, allowing the delicate fragrance to intensify subtly between the two. In a low voice, he suggested, “They are too engrossed to think about food or returning here. It is so dull to sit so restrained in a seat. Would it not be more delightful and elegant to find a spot adorned with ancient trees and curiously-shaped rocks and listen to the melodies clearly carried by the breeze, watching the silhouettes in the lantern light?”

Cui Xie, having recently toured the entire garden, was enticed by Xie Ying’s elegant proposal. “Actually, just outside this courtyard, there is a lotus pond, near which stands a tall waterside pavilion, close enough to have a clear side view of the stage. The remaining four beauties’ performances will likely be similar to Diao Chan’s. If Xie-xiong does not mind the less clear view, can I take you there for a stroll?”

They navigated their way out of the maze of seats towards the rear exit, emerging into a brilliantly lit, expansive garden. On the eastern side, a spacious lake sprawled out, its surface adorned with partially closed white lotus buds. These buds, along with the undulating lotus leaves and the tender lotus pods, swayed gracefully in the breeze, creating a serene dance on the surface of the water. Perched on the edge of this lake stood a double-eaved waterside pavilion. Painted in vibrant vermillion with a contrasting green roof, the structure was elevated high above the water on sturdy wooden columns, almost as high as a two-storied building. Around the perimeter of the pavilion, lanterns were hung, casting a warm glow, while the interior remained unlit, patrolled by watchful attendants.

Cui Xie exchanged greetings with the attendants and carefully selected two lanterns from those adorning the pavilion’s exterior. Holding a lantern each, he and Xie Ying proceed to ascend the short bridge leading to the pavilion, their path illuminated under the soft, flickering light.

The two of them hung their lanterns by the window and leaned out to gaze towards the stage. From this vantage point, the view of the performance was limited, but neither of them brought attention to this fact. Instead, they both simply leaned against the window, leisurely taking in the scenery. The sound of water from below mingled with the soft strumming and singing drifting over front the main courtyard, carrying it with a clear and melodious tune of the Double Seventh Festival—

The west wind yearns to shift its direction, as the strings and pipes draw forth its tune, harmonizing with the rhythm of drums. 

Decorated pavilions and towers, bathed in a stream of light amidst blossoming trees, as if reaching to join the Milky Way.

Contemplating the heavens, where joyful gatherings are sparse and coldness pervades, yearning for the earthly realm abundant with delights to cherish.

What are these feelings? If only there is someone to share with, to traverse through the expanse of music and song together.

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TN: Hope you are all doing well, have a great weekend and stay safe! This chapter was so pretty and lovely, finally some interactions between the two!!<3

Huge Announcement: We have set up a kofi and patreon account! If you would like to support us or get early access to advance chapters for Blood-Sucking Empress OR TMD, those options are available for you (in support us page)! I have just added a patreon tier for Transmigrating to the Ming Dynasty’s Imperial Examinations in which patreons can have access to a google document with ALL of my advanced translated chapters for the novel. Since I am a college student, there should usually be at least 10 advance chapters in the document at a time, but depending on my schedules, there may be fewer or more. I’m currently extremely busy, but I have translated out some new chapters for you all! But, I will still post each week with the same schedule. Thanks!

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