Chapter 101

 The Luming Banquet: A Resounding Triumph

The Luming Banquet—or "Deer-Cry Banquet"—is a celebration hosted by provincial officials the day after the results of the provincial civil service examinations are posted. It honors the newly successful *juren* (provincial graduates) and includes the chief examiners and administrative staff as guests.

A tradition spanning multiple dynasties, it is a long-established custom often mentioned alongside the Qionglin Banquet; the latter, however, honors the newly minted *jinshi* (metropolitan graduates) and holds a slightly higher rank of prestige.

Regardless, it is invariably a grand and lively affair.

With over two thousand scholars sitting for the exam in the province this year and more than a hundred ultimately passing as *juren*—plus the attendance of established *juren* and officials—the turnout promised to be substantial. Indeed, who could possibly refuse such a glorious, triumphant occasion that brings such honor to one's ancestors?

Yi Shuyun opened his mouth to offer a word of caution but was promptly restrained by Song Haocheng’s hand beneath the table. "Very well. As the provincial *jieyuan* [top scorer], bringing a guest along shouldn't be a problem."

Lu Lizhi did not presume upon his status. "If it causes any difficulty, there is no need to push for it. I simply want certain people to know the reason why I am attending."

The three men present felt a jolt in their hearts; Jiang Baiye, in particular, was deeply moved, his emotions heavy with significance.

Lizhi—he remained the same Lizhi: shrewd and decisive, aloof yet steadfast. The proposal naturally met with considerable opposition, particularly from those who harbored a deep-seated aversion to—and shame regarding—same-sex romance; these individuals felt that Lu Lizhi would never forgive them anyway, and indeed, they had no desire to associate with him.

Lu Lizhi’s stance also ignited their ire: "He certainly has a massive ego! Does he think being a mere *Jieyuan* makes him so special?"

"Actually, it *is* a big deal," someone retorted under their breath. This wasn't a title earned after countless attempts at the provincial examinations, nor one secured after years of dedicated preparation.

He had prepared for only a single year—and even then, he had spent time managing flood control and epidemic relief efforts. It was said he hadn't even spent half a year at the prefectural academy; he had achieved the rank of *Jieyuan* almost entirely through self-study.

Had they not already been aware of his talents, they might have simply marveled at his innate gift.

Yet, rumor had it that Lu Lizhi had prepared for the imperial examinations for only a few short years. Before that, he had never even considered taking them, focusing instead on poetry and painting—devoting the vast majority of his time to such refined pursuits.

He was a mere nineteen years old. For most people, accomplishing just one significant feat in a lifetime is a rarity; he, however, had juggled multiple endeavors simultaneously—excelling in every single one without letting any fall by the wayside.

"It is far more than something that can be summed up by simply calling it 'impressive'!" Amidst the chorus of sighs, the voices criticizing him began to sound increasingly isolated and futile. Yet, they remained indignant. "His attitude made it clear he was challenging us! He deliberately tried to make us look bad, acting as if the fault lay with us!"

"Wasn't it you who badmouthed him? Wasn't it you who spread rumors? You claimed Lu Lizhi had several illicit lovers—even alleging one was a male courtesan—heaping such humiliation upon him..." There were even more obscene and vulgar things said that they couldn't bring themselves to repeat aloud.

"And to think you call yourselves scholars, yet lack even the slightest capacity for tolerance!"

"Have you ever wondered why the imperial court permits marriage between two men?" Not all scholars were hidebound by tradition; on the contrary, many had broadened their horizons, and a good number possessed truly open minds.

"At the very least, whenever Qian'an interacts with us, he conducts himself as an upright, normal man."

"Even back when he bathed and changed clothes during the provincial examinations—he likely only said what he did out of consideration for everyone's reputation..."

In this way, more and more people began to speak up for Lu Lizhi. Although there were still some officials who voiced objections, the Governor ultimately approved his proposal. "What kind of provincial *Luming* Banquet would it be without the top provincial scholar (*Jieyuan*) present? Besides, the person he is bringing has been personally commended by His Majesty! I have no idea where those pompous scholars get their arrogance; if it weren't for them stepping in at the Chun-tang Clinic, who knows how many people might have been affected by that epidemic in the spring!"

If things had gone wrong, even he—the Provincial Governor—might have faced demotion, given that the incident occurred within his jurisdiction. Yet, the matter was resolved by Jiang Baiye and his group before he even had to intervene.

The Governor was deeply grateful for this; even without the *Luming* Banquet, he would have invited them for a meeting to express his thanks.

Just as the official ceremonial procession sent by the provincial capital arrived in Xuanhe Prefecture to deliver the good news, the *Luming* Banquet was being held—following meticulous preparations by many parties—in the garden of a vacant estate on the outskirts of the city.

The name *Luming* (Deer's Cry) comes from the verse "The deer cry out in chorus, eating the mugwort of the fields." True to its name, the banquet centered on food—specifically venison, symbolizing official emolument (*lu*)—complemented by scholarly discourse. The festivities were lively, featuring recitations of the "Luming" poem from the *Classic of Poetry* (*Shijing*) and performances of the *Kuixing* Dance.

However, everyone was surprised when Lu Lizhi arrived—or rather, arrived surrounded by a crowd of friends—yet the one person missing was that... *paramour*—bah, *partner*—of his.

That earlier affair had caused quite a stir, so the Governor and others naturally couldn't help but ask about it. Lu Lizhi cupped his hands in a respectful salute. "The Luming Banquet is a crucial part of the imperial examination process and a significant gathering for us successful candidates. He said... this is an occasion for us—he would come over once we were mostly finished."

In truth, Jiang Baiye had said much more; his reluctance stemmed not from the nature of his relationship with Lu Lizhi, but from his own status and the solemnity of the occasion.

Given the strict etiquette and rules of the imperial examinations—and the fact that Lu Lizhi had been willing to risk offending so many people for his sake—how could Jiang Baiye not be considerate of Lu Lizhi’s position?

Upon hearing this, the crowd’s attitude shifted; even those who had previously frowned, feeling uninterested or skeptical, changed their minds.

Much of their ill will dissipated, replaced by an indescribable sense of shame and emotion that left them silent for a long moment. Eventually, some could no longer suppress their conscience and stepped forward to personally apologize to Lu Lizhi.

"I was too narrow-minded!"

"You are both exceptional talents. My best wishes to you both!"

On that day, although Jiang Baiye did not appear in person for a long time, his name was spoken in every corner—no longer with an air of disdain or contempt.

Instead, he was regarded with newfound respect.

When proud, high-minded scholars truly begin to look at someone seriously, they quickly discover that person's past achievements and remarkable qualities. As the discussion deepened, people realized that in this regard, he was in no way inferior to the exceptionally gifted Lu Lizhi.

With Jiang Baiye gaining recognition, there were far fewer people using him as a pretext to mock or belittle Lu Lizhi.

Lu Lizhi, however, felt a surge of protectiveness; he did not want Jiang Baiye to suffer the slightest grievance, feeling that even the smallest slight against him was an act of disrespect.

Consequently, the ensuing literary contest turned into a battlefield where Lu Lizhi dominated completely. His style shifted drastically, and he utterly routed his opponents, leaving them so thoroughly outclassed that they wished they could crawl home immediately and start studying the Four Books and Five Classics all over again.

"Lizhi is terrifying!" Yi Shuyun exclaimed, trembling and clicking his tongue in awe; he was so intimidated that he could barely distinguish friend from foe.

"I was firmly on their side, after all—I’d spoken up for them plenty of times. Before Jiang Baiye arrived, I even put in a good word for them..." Just as he was saying this, he noticed Lu Lizhi glancing in his direction. He hurriedly shrank behind a folding screen, terrified that Lu Lizhi might single him out and cause him to make a fool of himself in public.

In doing so, it was revealed that the person standing behind him wasn't Song Haocheng, but someone else who had been hiding in his shadow. Those men had frequently disparaged Jiang Baiye’s status as a merchant; Yi Shuyun’s eyes flashed, and he quietly shifted the screen to a new spot. The men, caught off guard, were suddenly left fully exposed to Lu Lizhi’s gaze.

“Ah, I give up!”

Tu Huanwen was perhaps the only one on the scene who managed to remain composed, though even he felt a mix of exasperation and helplessness—he was being drained dry.

People kept pleading with him for rescue, desperate to concede; for all their numbers, they were no match for Lu Lizhi alone.

Observing the scene, the Governor and other officials could hardly contain their delight. “Today’s Luming Banquet is truly a unique and memorable affair!”

“It’s the sort of event that goes down in history. Did you all write down those poems of Qian’an’s? It turns out his creative genius peaks when he’s angry—he’s been churning out golden phrases and brilliant couplets one after another!”

Just as everyone was groaning in distress—and even Tu Huanwen was contemplating slipping away under the pretext of a call of nature—Lu Lizhi, who had been radiating a fierce, menacing aura, suddenly caught sight of something. His demeanor softened instantly, as if touched by a gentle spring breeze.

Everyone turned to look, and upon spotting that unfamiliar, towering figure, a thought quickly crossed their minds. Someone, in a moment of unguarded speech, waved and shouted, "Our savior! We're over here!"

Oh dear—he wasn't just a savior; he was the very nemesis of the "Devil"!

The "Devil" extended a hand with a gentle expression. "You're here."

Jiang Baiye had expected to find everyone passed out from drink and had even worried that Li Zhi might be pressured to consume alcohol. While many *were* indeed sprawled out—some even hiding under the tables—Li Zhi was still standing.

"What is it?" Jiang Baiye naturally took his hand—a gesture so tender and effortless that the onlookers felt no surprise, only a sense of relief and satisfaction at seeing the "Devil" finally tamed.

"Nothing much; I’ve just been busy until now. You must be hungry, right?"

Jiang Baiye hadn't spent his time in the provincial capital solely keeping Lu Lizhi company; he had also been setting up the medicinal workshop he had long planned. Over the past few days, he had frequently coordinated with Ding Yue, whom he had sent ahead to handle the preparations.

With the grand opening scheduled for the next day, he had been kept quite busy.

Jiang Baiye paid his respects to all the officials present. The Governor took a special interest in him, asking numerous questions about the medicinal workshop. His initiative to sell medicine at low prices had effectively driven down market rates across the board—benefiting countless common people and standing as a genuine public service. "It is only right," Jiang Baiye said modestly. In truth, he had made a handsome profit; by boosting production capacity and efficiency—focusing on both quality and volume—he had steadily captured the lion's share of the market. Coupled with the imperial seal of approval bestowed by the Emperor, Jichun Hall was soaring, and few other pharmacies could rival it.

He conversed eloquently with the officials, including the Governor, sharing business theories and insights not found in books. The sharp-witted among them were deeply impressed.

Even the less perceptive ones, seeing the high regard the Governor held for him, realized that this young man had long since transcended the status of a mere nouveau riche merchant.

The Governor was an upright official; unlike Prefect Yan, who was still struggling to climb the career ladder, he prioritized the well-being of the local populace and the development of the province. Through his conversation with Jiang Baiye, he gained perspectives that the scholars and bureaucrats around him could not offer.

Given his age and experience, the Governor benefited immensely from the exchange, a testament to the fact that Jiang Baiye was no ordinary man.

He grew increasingly fond of Jiang Baiye, praising and esteeming him more and more.

With even the highest-ranking official—the Governor—treating him with such respect, not a single person present dared to harbor complaints or look down on him. At that moment, the Governor waved his hand grandly—

"Let the banquet begin!"

Lu Lizhi whispered into Jiang Baiye’s ear, "I specifically delayed things until now so you could have a hot meal."

Jiang Baiye smiled and said, "You really are a clever little thing."

*Clever little thing?* The person sitting in the row behind them wondered if they were hallucinating; that man was clearly a terrifying devil!

The Luming Banquet was the main event; the servers filed in one after another in a steady stream. Every dish was prepared with exquisite care, much like the many modern dishes Jiang Baiye made—prioritizing novelty and unique flavors.

The dishes served at this banquet were worthy of a state feast; each one involved complex preparation processes—Coral Pigeon Breast, Five-Colored Silver Needles, Phoenix Bird’s Nest, White Mushroom with Chicken Kidney, "Immortal of the Sea," Plum Blossom Shark Fin, Mandarin Duck Snail Skirt...

It was difficult to even distinguish the ingredients used, but upon tasting them, one experienced a myriad of flavors—an absolute delight for the senses!

This was one of the reasons why many *juren* scholars from impoverished backgrounds felt that this day marked the pinnacle of their lives.

Jiang Baiye couldn't help but marvel; the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients were in no way inferior to any era of the modern world. This was especially true for dishes that might take hours or even days to prepare—works that truly embodied unique, masterful artistry. A fine meal naturally called for fine wine; the Governor and other officials took the opportunity to offer congratulations and words of encouragement to the assembled scholars. "Tomorrow’s Metropolitan Examination rests on your shoulders. I hope you can bring honor to our province—we can’t keep ranking at the very bottom every time!"

"Even if we can't beat the Jiangnan region—which always sweeps the top spots—we should at least aim to place in the top three!"

The Jiangnan region was not only economically prosperous and culturally rich—fostering a multitude of scholars—but, most importantly, it was home to the Lu family of Jiangyi, a clan that upheld half the literary world of the Great Ning Dynasty and supplied a vast number of talents to the imperial court.

"They produce the *Zhuangyuan*—the top scholar—every single time; meanwhile, we have the fewest successful candidates overall," Yi Shuyun remarked.

Lu Lizhi tightened his grip on his wine cup. Soon after, the Governor began analyzing their formidable rivals from other provinces, much as Prefect Yan had done back home.

"The one who demands the most attention and vigilance is Lu Qingchuan of the Jiangyi Lu family. He is seventeen—like a premium seedling grown in the richest soil and nourished by the finest water."

Sometimes, Lu Lizhi wondered: if things had truly unfolded as Granny Li described—if his grandfather had never left Jiangyi—would those very words have been used to describe *him*?

What kind of life would his family have led?

He dared not imagine it, nor did he wish to; for in that scenario, while he might have possessed everything else, he certainly would never have had Jiang Baiye. Finally, the Provincial Governor detained Lu Lizhi a while longer to express his high expectations:

"Securing the top spot in the metropolitan examination—you should be able to manage that. With your talent, you are in no way inferior to Lu Qingchuan! Say, does your Lu clan subsist entirely on books?"

Lu Lizhi never undertook a challenge without confidence, yet time and again, he found himself pushing his limits.

Instead, he felt a surge of boundless determination and courage—especially knowing he had no burdens holding him back, his beloved by his side, and a child growing within...

"Rest assured, Your Excellency; I shall give it my absolute all!"

It was time, too, to uncover the truth behind his father's death...

Jiang Baiye had helped Lu Lizhi drink quite a bit and was feeling the effects of the alcohol, yet he remained clear-headed enough to offer a reminder:

"We’ve pretty much wrapped things up here. Shouldn't we head back and tell my parents that they’re about to have a grandchild to hold?"