Chapter 2509 - 2483: Where to Hold the Banquet

This grand household naturally refers to Feng Zongping.

Feng Zongping was surrounded by everyone as they walked out, feeling happy the entire way. It wasn’t until he reached the Primus Pavilion that he realized, "Wait a minute, why am I treating alone? Your Bai family has two successful candidates, shouldn’t it be you treating?"

Bai Dalang put his arm around his shoulder and said, "We’ll treat together, we’ll treat together."

Bai Erlang nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes."

What nonsense, it should have been them treating, but Feng Zongping was dragged upstairs, thinking that today was indeed a joyous occasion, so he didn’t mind this minor loss.

In a teahouse a bit of a distance from the examination hall, those inside received the news later. When the complete list was passed on, Mr. Zhuang sitting on the second floor was stunned for quite a while before he reacted.

Mr. Jiang joyfully slapped him on the shoulder, "Well done, Zhuang Junmei, you’ve truly done it. Your three disciples are now all outstanding individuals. By the way, Bai Dalang was also your student before, wasn’t he?"

Mr. Chen also said, "This won’t do. I’m feeling quite envious now, you’ll have to pay for this tea."

Mr. Zhuang laughed heartily, "Alright, I’ll pay!"

Bai Shan and the others went off to enjoy themselves, while the servant accompanying them was sent home to deliver the news. Old Master Bai and the others were still waiting eagerly at home.

The servant jumped off the horse before reaching the side door, hurriedly ran to the entrance, tossed the reins to the gatekeeper, and dashed inside, shouting, "Master, Master, great joy, great joy..."

Old Master Bai couldn’t help but walk out of the main hall and ask, "Who succeeded? Or did all of them?"

The servant gasped for breath before saying, "Both the Eldest Young Master and the Second Young Master succeeded!"

Old Master Bai’s eyes widened as he pressed a hand to his chest, speechless.

Mrs. Bai was also extremely excited, spinning around twice before saying, "Quick, quick, distribute the celebration money."

Old Madam Liu hurried to help Old Master Bai back to his seat, while Old Zhou and the others came forward to offer congratulations, feeling very pleased as well. Oh, the Bai family’s Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master are going to become officials too. In the future, Manbao and Bai Shan will have allies in the officialdom, hahaha...

The Zhou Residence was bustling with excitement. The Bai family brought out a basket of copper coins, directly stuffing them into the hands of the servants, and then brought out another basket to scatter outside the main gate.

Old Zhou was dumbfounded, the Zhou family members were all dumbfounded.

After they snapped out of it, they remembered to ask, "By the way, what about Guan Yong? Did he succeed?"

The servant reporting the news said regretfully, "Young Master Guan is talented too, but unfortunately didn’t succeed this time."

The Zhou family wasn’t too disheartened, nodding in understanding, after all, success in the Ming Classic exam is not easily achieved.

Zhou Lixue and several others looked thoughtful, planning to take the Ming Classic exam next year with their elder brother-in-law, regardless of the outcome, to gain experience first.

Old Master Bai calmed down, looking around to share the joy with his sons, but found they hadn’t returned, and hurriedly asked, "Where are the Young Masters?"

"The Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master went to treat their classmates to a meal at the Primus Pavilion."

"That’s right, you should treat your classmates after succeeding. Someone, bring money here, and send it to the Young Masters. Tell them not to be stingy; they can order whatever their classmates want to eat."

The servants happily responded, took a heavy money bag, and left.

Old Zhou looked on enviously, wondering when he could spend money like that.

Well, he was out of money now; his and his wife’s private savings had been spent preparing Manbao’s dowry. The copper coins in his money pouch now were scraped together from Wulang and Liulang.

After the ranking list was announced, many people headed to the Primus Pavilion, which today was sure to be full of scholars.

Guan Yong followed Zhou Man and Bai Shan into a private room but hadn’t yet sat down before the door burst open with a bang, startling him. He thought someone had come to fight, but looking up, he saw three or four young men. The leading young man had a sword at his waist and wore a Forbidden Army uniform. Taking two steps in three strides, he came forward and slapped Bai Erlang on the shoulder, delightfully, "Well done, Bai Erlang, you really succeeded!"

Bai Erlang hissed a breath, touched his shoulder, and found it quite painful.

Zhao Liulang, seeing him like that, wasn’t pleased, "Really? It’s just a slap, did I somehow gain extraordinary powers being in the Forbidden Army for less than a month?"

Bai Erlang unapologetically rolled his eyes, "What extraordinary powers could you have? It’s not just your effort; they all helped."

Pointing at Bai Shan and the others, he said, "I think they just gave you a hard pat."

Bai Shan poured tea for everyone, Bai Dalang smiled cheerfully, and Feng Zongping quietly rubbed his shoulder, feeling the pain too.

Zhao Liulang saw Feng Zongping grimacing and figured out what happened, clicked his tongue twice, and called his companions to sit down, "Who’s treating this meal then?"

Bai Dalang said, "The three of us will treat together."

"That won’t do. One treat at a time, you can’t mix them. This is a joyous occasion; how can you mix them up? Hurry and decide, I could enjoy three days of feasting on such happy wine," Zhao Liulang said.

Manbao curiously asked, "Aren’t you on duty?"

Zhao Liulang waved his hand, "I can rest for a while during lunch, and I can temporarily patrol this area."

Manbao stopped speaking.

Bai Erlang said, "What’s your rush? Our family must host a banquet, and we’ll invite you over to feast then."

"How is that the same? In a restaurant, it’s free to eat; at your house, I must bring a gift, hmm," Zhao Liulang raised two fingers, "and two of them."

Manbao asked Bai Dalang, "Will your family host the banquet in Changqing Alley or at my place?"

Bai Dalang contemplated, "Our place is a bit small; I’ll discuss it with father and mother."

Last time, when he got married, they held the wedding ceremony in Changqing Alley, while the procession came from the Zhou Residence. At that time, the number of guests made Old Master Bai envious for quite a while.

There are pros and cons.

If they hold it in Changqing Alley, it naturally leaves the impression that they are the Bai family from Changqing Alley;

But hosting it at the Zhou Residence not only solidifies the relationship between the Bai and Zhou families, but also leaves the impression on the officialdom that their alliance is unbreakable.

If they were a well-established family or an affluent family, hosting separately would be ideal. However, for the three families—including Zhou Man, Bai Shan, and their siblings—they don’t have other relatives to support them in the officialdom. Being closer at this time is actually beneficial.

Bai Dalang’s mind considered many things, and he already had a tendency, while Bai Erlang directly said, "Of course, it should be hosted at the Zhou Residence; the Changqing Alley house is too small, can’t even turn around, and it’s perfect for barbecuing in the pleasantly cool autumn air. Can you barbecue in that little garden in Changqing Alley?"

Bai Dalang swallowed his words.

Bai Shan nodded in agreement and also said to Bai Dalang, "Cousin, if you host it at the Zhou Residence, then it will be seen in the eyes of the world as more than just one family with two successful candidates."

Bai Dalang’s eyes shone brightly, nodding slightly, "I’ll go back and talk to father."