Chapter 4: Riding Through the Streets 2

Due to his experiences in both lifetimes, Lin Lang has always been a bit sensitive about familial bonds. Now, with a little kid who relies on him wholeheartedly, growing from a tiny bundle into a chubby little boy, how could he not spoil him?

Little Chubby Boy wanted to ride the horse with him, and Lin Lang saw nothing wrong with it. He simply reached out, lifted him onto the horse, and sat him in his lap, taking him along for a ride through the streets.

The eunuch leading the way thought it was a bit inappropriate, but Lin Lang just gave him a look. The eunuch was momentarily stunned, thinking to himself that with such a handsome top scholar, who could bear to refuse him? So, he continued to smile broadly, pretending nothing was amiss, as he beat the gong and shouted while leading the way.

Little Chubby Boy had never seen such a lively scene before. His chubby little hands clutched the mane of the big white horse, and his plump little legs kicked the horse’s belly with all his might. His little bottom bounced up and down as if he were sitting on a spring, and he excitedly shouted, “Giddy up! Giddy up! Horsey, run faster!”

Lin Lang patted the soft, slightly curly hair on his head and smiled apologetically at Fan Zhong and Lu Ji, saying, “My little one is a bit mischievous, please forgive him for making a spectacle—”

Lu Ji blushed and waved his hand, saying, “It’s nothing, it’s nothing, your son is very adorable—” In such a setting, being able to disregard the eyes of others and hold his son while riding through the streets was indeed an extraordinary display of affection for his child.

Fan Zhong also nodded slightly, saying, “It’s no problem.”

At this moment, the onlookers were surprised to see the top scholar holding a child in his arms while riding a horse through the streets. They exclaimed, “Who is this little child? How can he be riding with the top scholar?”

Those in the know said, “You don’t know? This is the top scholar’s son, and he’s already this big—”

Many uncles and aunts praised, “This child is so cute, like a carved jade doll. Truly, a dragon begets a dragon, a phoenix begets a phoenix—”

Meanwhile, the hearts of the young maidens shattered, and they couldn’t help but show a look of sadness, saying, “Boohoo, the top scholar already has a child this big—”

Some little kids, seeing this, also started crying and clamoring, “Dad, Mom, I want to ride a horse too! I want to ride a horse too!”

Impatient parents gave them a light knock on the head, and the noisy little ones immediately burst into tears.

The scene was quite lively—

Finally, they arrived at the Guozijian’s Dayan Pagoda, where a group of officials, fellow scholars, and students were already waiting. Since today was a special day, the rear plaza where the Dayan Pagoda stood was open to the public, and a crowd had already gathered.

Fortunately, the imperial guards were there to keep order, so most people could only stand on the outskirts, leaving the area around the Dayan Pagoda quite spacious.

The three of them dismounted and greeted everyone.

Leading the group was Minister Meng, who was both the Minister of Rites and the head of the Guozijian. After congratulating the three of them, he gave a speech encouraging the scholars, mostly urging them to cultivate themselves, manage their families, govern the country, and bring peace to the world, benefiting the people and the nation—

Minister Meng was getting on in years, and his speech was a bit long-winded, going on for quite a while.

Lin Lang recalled when he became the top scholar three years ago, Minister Meng had also given a lengthy speech. Back then, he was filled with excitement and a passion for serving the court and benefiting the people, and he listened to the speech with great respect, not daring to show any sign of impatience. Now, with memories of two lifetimes, listening to this rambling speech felt like enduring a boring Monday morning assembly, tedious and dull.

The large open space of the rear plaza had no trees for shade, and it was already spring, with the weather gradually warming up. Standing in the sun for half a day would leave one dizzy and lightheaded.

Fortunately, Little Chubby Boy had already been taken home by Uncle Lin. If he had stayed by his side, he would have been unbearably hot.

Before long, a sharp voice announced, “His Majesty has arrived—”

Immediately, the crowd around the Dayan Pagoda knelt down.

The Emperor, with a lazy tone, said, “Everyone, rise—”

He then stepped forward and said, “I wonder if I have missed the fine works of the scholars?”

The Emperor’s presence at the Dayan Pagoda was a great encouragement to scholars everywhere. Minister Meng, with an excited expression, stepped forward and said, “Many scholars have already composed excellent works, but the top scholar, second place, and third place have yet to present theirs—”

The Emperor nodded and said, “Very well, continue, don’t mind me. I’m also curious to see what kind of poem the top scholar can create—”

Minister Meng, with his graying beard, was speechless. Such a significant presence, how could one simply not mind it?! Moreover, with so many scholars and officials present, including the second and third place, the Emperor was only curious about the top scholar’s poem, leaving the others feeling somewhat overshadowed. However, given the Emperor’s notorious reputation, no one dared to say anything, fearing it would only lead to dissatisfaction with the new top scholar.

Minister Meng thought this in his heart, but outwardly he smiled and said, “Top scholar, second place, third place, who would like to go first?”

Composing poems at the Dayan Pagoda was a long-standing tradition. Even if the horse-riding parade and the Qionglin Banquet were sometimes omitted based on the Emperor’s wishes, the poetry session was never skipped. Moreover, the poems would be compiled into a collection and circulated among scholars nationwide, with outstanding ones engraved on the stone tablets in front of the Dayan Pagoda for all to admire.

For scholars who had studied diligently for many years, having their poem engraved on the Dayan Pagoda’s stone tablet and circulated nationwide was a tremendous honor and a lifelong aspiration. Therefore, any scholar who achieved high honors would give their all to create a poem that could be remembered for generations. Some even prepared their poems well in advance.

Of course, Lin Lang was not among those people. Three years ago, he was like these scholars, believing that having a poem circulated nationwide was a great honor. The poem he composed on the spot was indeed praised by everyone. That day, he was full of ambition and pride—

But the higher you soar, the harder you fall. Now, he saw these as mere vanity—

He wasn’t particularly enthusiastic, but Fan Zhong and Lu Ji were still very excited. Especially Lu Ji, who was young and lively, stepped forward first and said, “Then I shall go first and present my humble work.”

He picked up a brush and wrote at the large desk beneath the Dayan Pagoda: “For a thousand years, poetry and books gather dust, among them, many things are beyond one’s control. To have one’s name inscribed at the Dayan Pagoda, in all seasons, wind and rain feel like spring. (Note 1)”

The scholars present all applauded and praised.

Minister Meng said, “Lu Tan Hua’s poem is full of openness and optimism, very good, very good—”

Fan Zhong also composed a poem: “Three thousand words in the imperial examination, named on the golden list, a colorful spring. May I serve with loyalty and filial piety, without being burdened by the dust of the world. (Note 2)”

Once again, there was a round of applause, and several older officials couldn’t help but nod approvingly.

When it was Lin Lang’s turn, he didn’t hesitate any longer. He picked up the brush and quickly wrote, “The rivers and lakes are full of disputes, where in life is there no desolation.”

His elegant and free-flowing cursive writing drew admiration from everyone.

“Many things are done without intention, why not drink and sing. (Note 3)”

Some people were momentarily stunned, with some praising it as a great poem, bold and heroic—while others wondered what this poem had to do with being named on the golden list today. Some even whispered that the poem seemed to carry a hint of melancholy, which was odd for the day Lin Lang was named the top scholar—why was there no trace of joy in it?

Minister Meng was momentarily at a loss and turned to the Emperor for guidance, “Your Majesty, what do you think?”

The Emperor glanced at the old fox and said, “Who said today’s poem must be related to being named on the golden list? I think the top scholar’s poem is excellent, the undisputed best of the day, only slightly inferior to what Zimo composed before—The poems by the second and third place are also commendable, have them all engraved on the Dayan Pagoda’s stone tablet.”

Everyone: The Emperor’s favoritism is too obvious, where is the undisputed best?!

But since the Emperor had spoken, no one dared to oppose, and they all praised the Emperor’s wisdom.

Lin Lang: …

He couldn’t help but blush a little. It was just something he casually came up with, and even though he had changed his appearance, the Emperor still spoke so casually and falsely?!

But with the Emperor’s decree, everyone turned to congratulate Lin Lang, Fan Zhong, and Lu Ji.

The poems composed by the scholars were immediately relayed to the onlookers. Most of the common people couldn’t read many characters, nor did they understand whether the poems were good or not. However, the common people were experts at enjoying the spectacle. To them, anyone who could be there was among the best scholars in the world, and as long as it was a quatrain or a seven-character regulated verse, it was a good poem, and they thought it was very impressive.

Moreover, seeing the Emperor was a rare event for ordinary people, something they might not experience in a lifetime, making it all the more exciting and lively. Not to mention the many handsome scholars, with the top scholar being the most handsome of all—

Now, with the Emperor declaring the top scholar’s poem the best, the people believed it to be the best. Before long, Lin Lang’s poem spread throughout the capital, and later on, Lin Lang wished he could dig a hole and bury himself in it, but that’s a story for another time—

Note 1: Original.
Note 2: From Yuan Dynasty, Wang Mian’s “Sending Wang Keming to Anfeng as a Recorder.”
Note 3: Original, previously written in “Young Song,” considered a hidden name poem, containing the names Xiao Se and Wu Xin, used here as it fits Lin Lang’s state of mind.