The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 509 - 256 Three Hairpin Flowers (First Update)
Chapter 509: 256 Three Hairpin Flowers (First Update)
Chapter 509: 256 Three Hairpin Flowers (First Update)
In Zhan Country, there has always been a tradition of the top scorer in the imperial examination wearing a floral hairpin. Initially, only the top scorer was entitled to this hairpin, but over time it evolved to include the top three scholars. These hairpins were conferred by the Emperor, carrying extraordinary significance. Every young lady in Zhan Country aspired to obtain the top three scholars’ floral hairpins.
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Indeed, the hairpins of the top three scholars were never given to men.
However, it was also not casually given to women. Firstly, it was a gift from the Emperor, cherished by all. Secondly, there was a concern for offending some people by favoritism.
A case in point was a prior exam top scorer who gifted his hairpin to a famous courtesan from a brothel, infuriating a young lady from a noble family who secretly had feelings for him. As her father was a powerful official, needless to say, the top scholar’s career hit rough patches for many years. His scholarly peers who ranked second and third were promoted to cabinet positions, while he was relegated to a small county post.
Of course, this was an exception.
Regardless, the hairpins were exceedingly rare items.
There were two ways to acquire a hairpin. One was if the top three scholars willingly gifted it, and the other was to challenge the top three scholars; if victorious, the challenger could claim the recipient’s hairpin.
Previously, the wife of the Crown Prince had acquired two hairpins from two scholars – the second and third-place winners – using this method. Her feat became a legendary tale in Zhan Country.
If no one challenged Xiao Liulang, he could bestow the hairpin upon anyone he pleased. But if someone challenged him, he would need to accept and win the challenge before giving his hairpin away.
If he declined the challenge, he would no longer be able to offer the hairpin – such were the rules.
He intentionally took out his hairpin, apparently with the intention of giving it away.
This understandably sparked a great deal of envy.
In a tea house beside Gu Jiao’s, on the second floor with a window open, a young lady in purple and wearing a veil stood by the window.
From her dressing sense, it was clear that she was from a wealthy or noble background. Her demeanor was also commendable, and she had a maid at her side, suggesting that she was a wealthy or noble lady.
Without glancing at Gu Jiao next door, she lifted her chin slightly in an arrogant manner and fixated her gaze on the handsome top scholar. She said, “Miss has a couplet she wishes to ask the top scholar. Does the top scholar permit it?”
This was a challenge to the top scholar.
Every year, during the top scholar’s celebratory procession, daughters of noble families would challenge the top three scholars. However, few accepted the challenge, and even fewer lost. Thus far, only the Crown Prince’s wife had successfully claimed two hairpins.
This young lady is incredibly bold. Who is she?
The crowd naturally turned their gaze towards the young lady in purple.
Unfazed by the attention, she smiled, arrogantly yet naïvely, “What? Can the new top scholar not answer a couplet from this young maiden? If you can’t answer, you can’t give away your hairpin.”
The crowd finally understood: if she couldn’t have the hairpin, she didn’t want anyone else to have it either.
Alright, even if it sounded annoying, they felt a little satisfied. Yes, top scholar, you can only keep your hairpin; you’re not allowed to give it to another woman!
Xiao Liulang nodded slightly at Gu Jiao and then looked at the young lady with indifferently, “Miss, please offer your challenge.”
The lady in purple, feeling triumphant, delivered her couplet, “Looking at the river from the tower, the tower overlooking the river. The river and tower standing for eternity!”
The crowd gasped in surprise. Such a literary talent this lady has!
Without hesitation, Xiao Liulang responded, “Moon reflected in the well, the well reflecting the moon. Timeless well and moon.”
The crowd clapped and cheered. “Excellent!”
No doubt, he was the top scholar—his couplet reply is fantastic!
Caught off guard, the lady in purple didn’t anticipate such a fast reply. She asserted another couplet, “Fog locked in the hills, and hills locked in fog!”
Xiao Liulang responded, “Sky touching the water’s end, water touching the sky.
The lady in purple recited, “The moon shines on the yarn window, every hole in the cabinet light.”
Xiao Liulang countered, “Snowflakes fly over the plum ridge, everywhere is a fragrant mountain under Bai Letian.”
Desperate, the lady in purple was itching to recite another couplet. Still, Xiao Liulang said impassively, “Miss, you’ve used your attempts.”
She was the first challenger and was allowed three tries, but subsequent challengers only had one attempt. These were also part of the rules.
She was infuriated. Turning towards another young nun dressed in a Taoist robe in the room, she exclaimed, “Sister! It’s your turn now!”
The young nun took a sip of her tea and leisurely said, “Don’t make a fool of yourself. Come back. If the new top scholar could be troubled by a few couplets, he wouldn’t deserve to be the top scholar.”
