Quite a few people were already seated in the open pavilion for the Qionglin Banquet.
The three first-class graduates sat at the very front. Wei Nisheng's seat was in the middle, with Wang Kan to his left and Xie Lin to his right.
Zhang Zai sat near the front of the second-class graduates, not far from Wei Nisheng. Only a few rows of low tables separated them; he could see Wei Nisheng just by turning his head.
The tables held an assortment of fruit, pastries, and drinks.
Wei Nisheng had barely sat down when Wang Kan leaned over and asked in a low voice,
"Brother Wei, do you think His Majesty will come today?"
Wei Nisheng glanced at him. Wang Kan's face was still just as dark.
"He will," Wei Nisheng said.
"His Majesty attended the Announcement of the Palace Examination Results in person. Naturally, he won't miss the Qionglin Banquet."
Wang Kan nodded, picked up his cup, took a sip, and put it down again.
Wei Nisheng noticed but said nothing. He merely picked up his teacup and raised it toward him.
Wang Kan paused, then raised his own cup. They made a toast across the space between them and each took a sip.
Xie Lin sat on the right, looking at no one.
For a while, the three sat side by side without a word.
Before long, a tall young man strode over with a wine cup in hand.
It was Wang Kuan, ranked twenty-first in this year's examinations, a second-class Presented Scholar in the Palace Examination.
He stopped beside Wei Nisheng and raised his cup with a smile. "Top Graduate Wei, a toast to you!"
"Since Lord Kou, you alone have taken first place in all three examinations!"
Wei Nisheng picked up his wine cup and clinked