"The deer call to one another, eating grass in the field. I have admirable guests today; the lute and flute sound." A shout echoed out of the magistrates' building and into the streets filled with carriages.
The streets were filled with the soft chatter of beautifully dressed nobles and officials as they slowly entered the building with open gates. Inside, Bai Chun followed behind Master Huang, along with Huang Hao, as they were led to their seats. Sitting down, Bai Chun subtly looked around, taking in the festive atmosphere.
Dancers dressed in thin garments that seemed to elegantly float in the sky as they danced. He felt like anytime they moved, he could catch a glimpse of skin shaking. Quickly averting his eyes, he watched as servants rushed, pouring drinks for everyone before stepping away and out of sight.
Huang Hao leaned over and, with his mouth covered with his sleeve, spoke lowly.
"Do you like the atmosphere, since it's your first time at a banquet?" He asked with a hint of teasing in his voice. Bai Chun glanced at him, nodding his head before looking away, not wanting to deal with him at the moment. His eyes locked onto the center table where the magistrate and his family are supposed to sit.
Looking at it, his lips unconsciously dropped into a frown as he remembered that Min Qiang is now the son-in-law of the magistrate due to his marrying the only daughter of the magistrate.
"Hey, how did someone so dirty enter the banquet?" Hearing this so close behind him, Bai Chun turned around, locking onto Chun Xiaobo, who was arrogantly standing behind him with a servant standing behind him with his head lowered.
Standing Bai Chun bowed to him.
"It's nice to see you, Young Master Chun Xiaobo."
With a huff, Chun Xiaobo crossed his arms and looked Bai Chun up and down with a slight sneer.
"How did you get in? Not everybody can enter and enjoy my family's banquets." He said. With a smile, Bai Chun looked him in the eyes.
"I am one of the men who passed the exam and am here for the celebration and to be given a position." Bai Chun explained slowly. With a frown, Chun Xiaobo looked him up and down.
"You passed the exam?" He asked, slightly surprised.
Bai Chun nodded his head before waving a passing servant over.
"Yes, sir?" He asked with a bow.
"Go bring a plate of Tangyuan."
"Yes," With a bow, the servant rushed away. Chun Xiaobo raised his eyebrow while looking at him.
"Doing such a thing won't make me like you more." He said with a huff.
"I remember you since we met at the tea house when Huang Hao took me to celebrate finishing the exam." Bai Chun explained, trying to get closer to Chun Xiaobo.
Chun Xiaobo gave him a snear as he looked him up and down.
"Oh, I remember you all since your friend helped my sister, little Hua, get married to that terrible guy." He said sarcastically with an eye roll.
Bai Chun glanced over at Huang Hao, who had gotten up at some point and stood with a group of young masters chatting happily.
"I only found out about the plan when the young master's eldest brother came at us angry." Bai Chun then smiled at him.
"Does Chun Xiaobo like Huang Hao?"
With a scoff, He crossed his arms, looking angry.
"I don't like that guy, especially since he thinks he is so good to help another family with the marriage arrangement of their daughter."
"Well, I don't like him either." Bai Chun said with a smile while staring Chun Xiaobo in the eyes. Hearing this, Chun Xiaobo looked back at him with a raised eyebrow. During this lag in conversation, the servant from before approached them, holding a tray with a plate of Tangyuan sitting on it.
"Here you are, young masters." He said with his head lowered. Bai Chun reached out and carefully passed the plate over to Chun Xiaobo with a smile.
"I have already started making moves on him, but I really want to drain the money out of him." Bai Chun said in a low voice.
Chun Xiaobo looked down at the plate he held, then up at Bai Chun before grinning.
"Is that true?" He asked, starting to sound excited. With a smile, Bai Chun nodded.
Suddenly, Chun Xiaobo laughed loudly, drawing some eyes. Passing the plate to the servant standing behind him, Chun Xiaobo wrapped an arm around Bai Chun's shoulders.
"I like you, you seem like fun, so we shall be friends from now on." He said.
"I like you as well." Bai Chun said with a smile. The two stood chatting with smiles and sipping at Red tea. Suddenly, the door opened, and in walked the magistrate and his family.
"County magistrate is here! Magistrates, qizi Madam Mei! Miss Hua! Mister Qiang!"
Hearing them being introduced, everyone turned and looked, including Bai Chun. He looked with a frown, eyes locking onto Min Qiang, who followed behind his fuqin-in-law, looking angry. Just behind him, Chun Hua, his now qizi, followed with puffy eyes, her head lowered.
With a smile, Bai Chun leaned over to Chun Xiaobo.
"Min Qiang is terrible."
With a soft chuckle, Chun Xiaobo spoke back.
"You should see what happens at home whenever my annoying brother-in-law comes by."
Bai Chun chuckled, not needing him to explain, knowing it was bad. With a sigh, Chun Xiaobo took a step forward towards his family and looked back at Bai Chun.
"It's about time for the banquet to begin. Enjoy yourself." After saying that, he left. The magistrate, seeing him, smiled before turning to the crowd.
"Everyone have a seat." He said with a wave. Everyone gave him a bow.
"Greetings, Magistrate!" Then quickly everyone sat down. Huang Hao sat at his seat next to Bai Chun, then leaned over.
"I saw you getting close with young master Chun Xiaobo." He said.
"I'm just trying to make some connections." Bai Chun said softly. Huang Hao nodded before straightening his back up.
"I'm so glad everyone made it to this Deer Call Banquet I'm hosting for our students who are on their way to becoming officials." The magistrate said happily.
"Now, before we start eating and reading out poems for these new officials. Later on, I will hand out pins for those who passed along with a position, as long as there is one available."
Hearing this, Bai Chun and Huang Hao immediately stood up and bowed to the magistrate.
"We thank the magistrate for his generosity!" They said loudly, making sure he could hear them, since it's known that his hearing is starting to fail due to his age of sixty-three.
"I thank fuqin-in-law for his generosity!" Suddenly, Min Qiang's voice sounded out, causing Bai Chun and Huang Hao to look up, surprised and confused since he didn't even finish the exam.
The magistrates' smiles dropped, and he glared at Min Qiang, looking annoyed.
"I never allowed you to call me fuqin-in-law." He said with a huff, waving his hand at Min Qiang, whose hands tightened trying to keep his composure.
"I thank the magistrate for his generosity!" He repeated not wanting to argue with him in front of so many people.
The magistrate snorted and waved, letting them sit down. Sitting down, Bai Chun leaned over to Huang Hao and whispered.
"How is Min Qiang joining us since he never finished the exam?"
Huang Hao leaned a bit closer to Bai Chun and whispered.
"I'm not sure, but I'm guessing even though the magistrate doesn't like him, he is now his son-in-law, so he is helping him, so he is at least ranked."
Bai Chun sat straight and frowned, glancing at Huang Hao, thinking he was useless.
The magistrate, still looking annoyed, waved his hand and sat down.
"Let's begin the banquet!"
With those words, the doors opened as servants streamed in, placing food and drinks in front of everyone.