Apprenticeship Banquet

On the nineteenth day of the second month, the snow stopped. A sharp spring chill lingered, but it was an auspicious day, with all things destined to go smoothly.

The gates of the Wei Residence stood wide open, red silk hung high, and the lanterns had all been replaced.

The young gate servants wore brand-new blue robes and stood spiritedly at the entrance to welcome guests.

The bluestone steps had been swept spotless, and even the stone lions outside the gates had been polished to a gleam.

The courtyard was packed with guests' sedan chairs, while carriages and horses arrived in an endless stream.

Servants hurried back and forth with tea and water, their steps quick but their work orderly.

Inside the Central Hall, everything had been arranged for the apprenticeship ceremony.

Red candles burned brightly on the incense table, fragrant smoke curled through the air, seats stood in neat rows on either side, and the kneeling cushions had been laid out squarely.

The guests visiting the Wei Family today were either wealthy or distinguished.

The central figure was Qin Yan, Director of Studies at the Imperial College, a great Confucian scholar of Neo-Confucianism and a renowned upright scholar.

Among the guests were Qin Yan's colleagues and students, as well as Wei Mingde's colleagues from the Ministry of Works.

Assistant Director Zhou Yan, Section Chief Liu He, and a host of subordinate officials, including office heads and deputies, were all present.

Some scholars in the Capital with longstanding ties to the Wei Family had also come to offer their congratulations upon hearing the news.

The entire Capital knew that after today, the Wei Family's eldest legitimate son would become Qin Gong's personal disciple, with a future as splendid as brocade.

In the Central Hall of the Wei Residence, Wei Mingde was in exceptionally high spirits. He cupped his hands and exchanged greetings with everyone he met, smiling so broadly that the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepened.

Dressed in splendid finery, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, Cui Shi moved among the women's seats with two-year-old Wei Shoucheng, receiving compliments from the ladies of every household.

"What good fortune you have, madam, to have such an accomplished son!"

"Once he enters Qin Gong's tutelage, there will be no limit to his prospects!"

Elsewhere, Wei Shouzheng stood in the study wearing a brand-new student's robe, turning this way and that before the mirror, both nervous and excited.

After today, I'll be Qin Gong's disciple. Who will dare look down on me then?

For a time, the entire Wei Residence glittered with lanterns and decorations, brimming with festive cheer.

Compared with the bustle in the Main Courtyard, the Side Courtyard was so quiet that it seemed like another world.

Wei Nisheng sat at his desk, leafing through a copy of the Arithmetical Classic.

Just then, the door opened, and a maid entered carrying a tray, with Wei An following behind her.

On the tray lay a brand-new set of robes.

Everything, from the innermost layer to the outermost, from head to toe-even the boots-was new.

The moon-white brocade robe was neatly folded, with a jade belt resting on top.

The maid bowed. "Second Young Master, madam sent me with these new clothes. Please change into them and go to the Main Courtyard shortly to attend the eldest young master's Apprenticeship Banquet."

Wei Nisheng glanced at the clothes, his brow creasing slightly.

My stepmother is playing her little tricks again.

The apprenticeship ceremony in the front courtyard is already nearing its climax.

Only now does she send someone with new clothes to summon me to the banquet.

On the surface, it's a 'favor.' In truth, she wants me to appear before everyone at a different time.

But then another thought occurred to him.

"Isn't the protagonist supposed to arrive at a different time and make his entrance alone...?"

After the maid withdrew, Wei An assumed Wei Nisheng did not want to go, so he stepped forward and spoke quietly.

"Second Young Master, you must attend today's banquet."

Wei Nisheng looked up at him.

"Today is the day to build your reputation." Wei An's gaze was deep. "Word of yesterday's events has already spread throughout the Capital. You are now the 'Fiery Child' His Majesty personally praised."

"Lord Qin specifically asked to see you. However unwilling your father may be, he has to let you attend."

"Besides, today's banquet is a gathering of great scholars from the learned schools and renowned upright scholars.

"Second Young Master, your grandfather already walked the bitter road of the imperial examinations for a poor family, so you would not have to.

"You ought to be a son of an eminent house!"

"Uncle Wei, I understand." Wei Nisheng nodded, then called the maid back in to help.

After all, this was Wei Nisheng's first time wearing such formal attire.

Inner robe, middle robe, outer robe, belt, boots... layer upon layer, elaborate yet dignified.

Once the final outer robe was on and the belt had been fastened, the maid stepped back and raised her head.

She froze.

Wei An froze too.

The figure in the mirror wore a moon-white brocade robe with a jade belt at his waist, his bearing straight as a pine.

He had handsome features, an elegant presence, and teeth like white jade.

His face combined the graceful beauty of Jiangnan with the air of pure nobility belonging to the Wei Family's legitimate line.

Simply standing there, he possessed the unmistakable bearing of a son of an eminent house.

The maid murmured, "Second Young Master... you're so handsome..."

Wei An recovered and nodded emphatically, voicing his approval again and again.

"Now this is the legitimate bloodline of our Wei Family! This is Duke Wenduan's-our master's-legitimate grandson!"

Wei Nisheng looked at himself in the mirror, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

He turned, pushed open the door, and strode toward the Main Courtyard.

Wei An followed close behind.

In the Central Hall of the Main Courtyard, the auspicious hour had arrived.

Red candles burned brightly on the incense table, fragrant smoke curling through the air.

Qin Yan sat upright in the seat of honor, dressed in a dignified full-length robe. His hair and beard were white, his face lean, and his entire bearing that of a great Confucian scholar.

The guests stood solemnly on either side, observing the ceremony.

Wearing his student's robe, Wei Shouzheng approached the incense table step by step under the master of ceremonies' guidance.

The first step was the offering of the wild goose. Holding a wooden carving of a wild goose in both hands, he respectfully presented it to Qin Yan.

The goose was carved so lifelike that it seemed alive, symbolizing steadfast loyalty.

Qin Yan accepted it, set it on the incense table, and nodded slightly.

The second step was presenting the apprenticeship petition. Wei Shouzheng knelt and offered it with both hands, the document bearing his name, ancestral home, and the names of three generations of his paternal forebears.

Qin Yan accepted it, read it carefully, and nodded again.

The third step was performing the bows. Wei Shouzheng kowtowed three times, each time with perfect respect, touching his forehead to the floor.

His movements were precise and his posture humble, earning approving looks from the guests.

The fourth step was presenting the ceremonial tuition gifts. Wei Shouzheng offered all six traditional gifts.

Dried meat, celery, dried longan, lotus seeds, red dates, and red beans-not one was missing, each neatly wrapped in red silk.

The fifth step was the teacher's admonition.

Qin Yan rose and offered a few words of encouragement. "The way of learning lies in illuminating bright virtue, in drawing close to the people, and in resting in the highest good.

"Now that you have entered my tutelage, you must apply yourself diligently to learning and never bring dishonor upon your family's name."

The sixth step was the completion of the ceremony.

Wei Shouzheng bowed once more and rose.

Everyone applauded and offered congratulations.

With lowered eyes and a deferential manner, Wei Shouzheng looked the very picture of simplicity and benevolence.

Every kowtow was perfectly measured, neither servile nor arrogant, winning approval throughout the hall.

Qin Yan nodded slightly, reasonably pleased with his first impression of this disciple.

Standing to one side, Wei Mingde watched his son complete the grand ceremony without a hitch, his face blooming into a chrysanthemum of a smile.

Seated among the women, Cui Shi received compliments from the ladies around her, smiling so broadly that she could not close her mouth.

Everything was so perfect.