Chapter 61: The Banquet

With the autumn harvest fast approaching, the conscripted corvée laborers had all been dismissed and sent back to their homes.

Magistrate Wang spent his days diligently tending to official business at the county yamen, eagerly counting down the days for the official appointment document to arrive from the Ministry of Personnel.

Chen Ping, having successfully secured a recommendation to participate in the imperial examinations for child prodigies, simply needed to await good news and spent his days peacefully studying contemporary essays.

As for Elder Ye, his primary purpose in coming had been to devise a plan for the official roadway repairs; with that matter settled, his schedule had cleared up. Naturally, there was no longer any need for the two of them to remain stationed at the yamen.

A few days later, after bidding a reluctant farewell to the deeply attached Magistrate Wang, they boarded the yamen’s carriage and journeyed smoothly back to the academy.

Just as they arrived outside the academy gates, and while still seated inside the carriage, they could already hear the voices of Li Yang, Li Feng, and several other instructors.

Chen Ping poked his head out and peered outside, instantly feeling a jolt of astonishment.

The welcoming party consisted of far more than just a few instructors; a crowd of local gentry from Qingsong Town, including the Imperial Scholar Wang, was also present.

Although the students of Huating Academy could not push their way to the front, they were still craning their necks and whispering behind the main gates.

Among them, two familiar figures had leaned out so far that half their bodies were protruding.

It was none other than Ye Chongwen and He Qingxuan, both beaming with excitement.

The moment they caught sight of Chen Ping, the two began making playful facial expressions and exchanging winks to greet him.

Seeing his close friends after being separated for several days filled Chen Ping with boundless joy. He instantly wanted to slip out of the carriage and join them to catch up on old times.

Unexpectedly, Elder Ye reached out, grabbed Chen Ping by the collar, and gently pulled the carriage curtain shut.

With a huff of mild annoyance, Elder Ye blew on his beard, glared at the boy, and said, "Do you really think everyone waiting outside is here just to welcome me?"

Seeing Chen Ping’s puzzled expression, Elder Ye was amused to the point of laughter and couldn't help tapping him lightly on the head.

"Your qualification to take the child prodigy examinations proves that our Huating Academy has produced an unquestionable prodigy," Elder Ye said. "Not only will this bring widespread renown to the academy, but it will also secure many tangible benefits for us."

"Apart from welcoming us back, these local gentry have come today to host a grand banquet to celebrate this very occasion. How could you possibly run off right now?"

Chen Ping immediately understood, yet in his heart, he truly did not wish to spend time cooped up with a group of elderly men—especially as the guest of honor of the banquet.

He could easily predict that the banquet would consist of nothing more than the same old lectures and admonitions that he had heard so often his ears had grown calloused.

*"You now have a boundless future ahead of you. Should you achieve great success and attain high office in the days to come, never forget Huating Academy."*

*"Even though you have earned the title of a prodigy, you must not slack off. You must work even harder to live up to everyone's expectations."*

*"For Huating Academy to be blessed with such a prodigy is truly a gift from the heavens..."*

A whole stream of identical, repetitive platitudes.

Being subjected to the endless, cyclical lectures of these old men would be nothing short of torture!

Chen Ping only wanted to find his friends and play heartily for a full day to reward himself for his many days of grueling study.

How sharp was Elder Ye's insight? How could he fail to see through Chen Ping's little scheme?

Making a slight concession, Elder Ye said, "Be a good boy and wait to attend the banquet, and I will make sure to invite both of them along. Satisfied now?"

Hearing this, Chen Ping ceased his struggling entirely. He sat quietly back in his original spot, a brilliant smile blooming across his face.

How could he not have known that he was utterly inescapable when it came to this banquet?

His previous resistance had merely been a ploy to find an excuse to bring his two friends along into the fold.

Suddenly realizing that he had walked right into the boy's trap, Elder Ye couldn't help twitching the corner of his mouth.

Another resounding knock landed squarely on Chen Ping's head.

"Such a little scoundrel, actually daring to scheme against your elder—you deserve that!"

Rubbing his head where he had taken the heavy blow, Chen Ping let out a few exaggerated wails.

Looking at this disciple who was becoming increasingly mischievous by the day, Elder Ye scolded him verbally, but felt a deep sense of gratification within his heart.

He had always wanted to help Chen Ping unleash his natural childlike innocence, and now it seemed those efforts were bearing fruit.

Compared to that, Chen Ping's rapid progress in mathematics and literary composition suddenly seemed far less important.

***

The celebratory banquet had already been meticulously arranged.

After simply washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Chen Ping and Elder Ye were escorted to the restaurant.

Qingsong Town was a small place with only a handful of local gentry. Combined with the instructors of Huating Academy and Chen Ping's two companions, the gathering numbered just over twenty people in total.

Those who were not particularly close to Chen Ping were sensible enough not to display excessive, overwhelming enthusiasm, offering only polite, customary congratulations.

After exchanging names with Chen Ping, establishing a brief acquaintance, and toasting him a few times, they politely took their leave.

Chen Ping also conducted himself with grace and composure, handling the social pleasantries with ease.

Less than an hour into the banquet, most of the guests had dispersed.

Only Elder Ye, Li Yang, Li Feng, and the three youngsters remained.

Seeing that all the strangers were finally gone, Chen Ping and the others cast off their restrained behavior.

Even the wine that had remained untouched throughout the meal began to tempt Chen Ping, who cast probing glances toward Elder Ye from time to time.

Of course, Chen Ping would never directly ask Elder Ye for wine.

Because he knew full well that he was still too young, and Elder Ye would never agree to it unless he was already thoroughly intoxicated.

However, Chen Ping was not entirely out of tricks.

After rolling his eyes in thought for a moment, he signaled He Qingxuan with a meaningful look.

Although He Qingxuan was not quite as sharp as Chen Ping, he was nonetheless a clever lad.

Catching Chen Ping's winks, and noticing Ye Chongwen's hand stealthily reaching toward a wine cup, He Qingxuan understood instantly.

Drinking wine from large bowls and eating meat in massive chunks—what young boy did not harbor dreams of wandering the pugilistic world as a knight-errant?

No matter how many times adults warned that wine was a bad thing, it could never extinguish the boundless curiosity of children.

If what the adults said was true, why did almost all of them love drinking so much, treating every single banquet as incomplete without it?

Through a silent exchange of glances, the three companions reached a tacit agreement.

To successfully secure those wine cups, they began to coordinate their efforts.

First, He Qingxuan—the eldest of the three and blessed with a silver tongue—proactively picked up the flagon and filled everyone's cups.

Then, he offered a respectful toast to Elder Ye. "Earlier, this student was foolish and mistakenly thought that taking Chen Ping on as your final closed-door disciple was a lapse in judgment on your part, and I even felt indignant about it on your behalf."

"Now, it is clear that your discerning eyes are capable of recognizing true talent long before anyone else."

"It is only because this student is still too young in years that I must refrain; otherwise, I would simply have to fine myself three cups!"

As soon as these words left his mouth, Elder Ye broke into a wide, delighted grin.

He Qingxuan's remarks had struck precisely at the right spot, scratching his greatest itch.

Among all the things he had accomplished in recent years, accepting Chen Ping as his closed-door disciple was unquestionably his proudest achievement.

Even helping Magistrate Wang organize account books and strategize road repairs paled in comparison.

Listening to Elder Ye's booming laughter, Li Yang, who still harbored a trace of wistful envy, seized the opportunity to chime in.

"If the student cannot drink, then let the teacher drink instead! Had I been fortunate enough to secure such a disciple, even a hundred or a thousand cups would not be too many!"

With that, he exchanged a glance with Li Feng. Fueled by rising spirits, the two instructors joined forces and launched a round of enthusiastic toasts to persuade Elder Ye to drink more.

At this point, Elder Ye was in high spirits and eager to let the alcohol heighten his joy.

Yet, given his advanced age, how could he possibly withstand a tag-team assault? Before long, a rosy flush crept up his neck, and he was already seven parts intoxicated.

Li Yang and Li Feng had also consumed a considerable amount alongside him.

At last, the three youngsters, who had been sitting quietly on the sidelines the entire time, could no longer hold back and stealthily reached for their wine cups.