The sound of this small copper coin striking the tray echoed particularly prominently in everyone's silence, even producing an ethereal reverberation.
Even the maidservant holding the wooden tray froze in shock, her mind going completely blank.
Minister Sun, who had just been smiling warmly at these scholars' filial piety, immediately turned solemn.
Interesting. Too interesting.
So this is the Jieyuan?
All the students froze in stunned silence. The Sun family members' expressions instantly turned ugly. Only Wei Yiyuan made no attempt to hide his amusement, filled with appreciation for this Song Shi'an fellow.
His purpose for this trip wasn't the Jieyuan.
The Prince of Jin had emphasized to him before coming—it was for Sun Qian.
This future pillar of the Sun clan.
But now, none of that mattered anymore.
Jieyuan, how will you perform?
"One wen?" Finally, a student couldn't help but break the silence. "Jieyuan-xiong's gift is actually one wen?"
Seeing this, Hu Yu beside Sun Qian added fuel to the fire, questioning: "Song-xiong, is this one-wen gift truly your intention?"
"How could Minister Sun possibly need this one broken copper coin?"
Finally reaching the moment to strike, Han Zhongchen said with a teasing smile: "This humble one has heard that on the day of the examination, Jieyuan-xiong barged through his own main gate and angered his father. So for several days he hasn't dared return home, right up until now."
Hearing this, everyone was shocked and began discussing amongst themselves.
"There's such a matter?"
"He hasn't returned home even after the rankings were posted?"
"It seems there is such a thing..."
Hearing these words, Sun Heng smiled. Then he used raising his sleeve to drink as cover for the corners of his mouth.
And cast an affirming look at Han Zhongchen.
"So, I must speak a word on Song-xiong's behalf."
Facing everyone, Han Zhongchen said with great sincerity, 'making amends': "Song-xiong naturally didn't mean to mock anyone. Perhaps he only has this one wen on his person, and has already taken out everything as a gift?"
With that, everyone present laughed.
Even including that Prince of Zhongping.
The others might have been performing to some degree, but he was genuinely amused.
Jieyuan, what will you do?
Using one wen as a gift shows you've got quite the temper, doesn't it?
Hurry up and curse out this bastard!
Gao Yunyi's blood pressure shot through the roof. Back at his hometown academy, despicable petty men like Han Zhongchen would have been stuffed in a sack and beaten after school.
The Sun Minister's household truly saved you.
You've already given one wen—might as well stop holding back on this Han Zhongchen!
"I didn't expect everyone to know this humble one's story so thoroughly."
Song Shi'an still responded with a smiling face, then made a show of searching around, looking toward the smug Han Zhongchen and asking: "May I ask, what is xiong-tai's honored surname?"
This one sentence immediately darkened his complexion.
There had been mutual introductions when they arrived.
Moreover, the banquet was already half over—you don't even know my surname?!
Glaring at Song Shi'an in displeasure, Han Zhongchen opened his mouth: "I..."
"Forget it."
Song Shi'an casually raised his hand to interrupt, simply not letting him speak, completely uninterested.
Han Zhongchen instantly flushed red. Gao Yunyi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Then looking toward Minister Sun, Song Shi'an said: "Minister Sun-daren, this coin is no ordinary copper coin."
"What makes it special?"
Minister Sun asked coldly.
"This coin was minted in the thirty-first year of Jiarui," Song Shi'an said.
Hearing this, everyone began recalling that year.
But it was far too distant.
It was now the forty-ninth year of Jiarui. Back then, most of them had been children of a few years old. The oldest were only thirty—there was no way they could clearly remember what happened.
There were no major recorded events from that year either.
"That year, this old man served as Supervisor of Coinage, overseeing the minting of new coins." Only Minister Sun had a deep impression of it.
"That year, His Majesty personally led the expedition and decisively defeated the false Qi, making the northern territories submit. The Great Yu's national power began its ascent to its zenith from that point. His Majesty ordered Minister Sun-daren, who was then Supervisor of Coinage, to specially mint a batch of new coins to demonstrate our great nation's magnificent bearing."
Picking up the copper coin, Song Shi'an displayed this tiny piece to everyone: "These words 'The Dynasty's Fortune Endures'—that is the inscription Minister Sun-daren minted for His Majesty on the new coins."
"And Minister Sun-daren has served as Chief Minister for over a decade, assisting His Majesty in extending this golden age."
"Today, this student specially presents this 'Dynasty's Fortune Endures' to Prince of Zhongping, Your Highness, and to Minister Sun-daren."
Three passages, each more impassioned than the last.
The listeners stood ever straighter.
While Han Zhongchen, who had just said 'broken copper coin,' quickly covered his mouth and lowered his head, afraid of being noticed.
It's actually a commemorative coin!
You bastard, pulling this stunt!
Minister Sun raised his hand slightly.
The maidservant brought the coin up to him.
Taking it, he looked at this rust-marked copper coin. The four characters 'The Dynasty's Fortune Endures' were still clear.
Then he handed the coin to Prince of Zhongping beside him: "Your Highness."
Because Song Shi'an had just said it was being presented to Prince of Zhongping.
"This prince was only two years old that year. I didn't expect so much time had already passed." Prince of Zhongping couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Afterward, he handed the coin back to Minister Sun, saying with a smile: "This is the Jieyuan's birthday gift for the Minister. The Minister should keep it."
Holding the coin, Minister Sun felt as uncomfortable as if he'd swallowed a fly.
This brat used one wen as a gift specifically to humiliate him.
But he couldn't refuse to accept this humiliation.
"Song-sheng, you are thoughtful."
Looking at him, Minister Sun used such a neutral, but in this setting, clearly somewhat 'dismissive' form of address.
Song-sheng. A student surnamed Song.
Like calling someone 'driver,' 'cook,' 'waiter.'
"Thank you for Minister Sun's praise. Song-sheng is deeply honored."
He certainly was thoughtful indeed.
From the change he received buying steamed buns this morning—out of a dozen or so coins, there was only this one commemorative coin.
And it was in pristine condition too.
Based on its commemorative value, this one wen was worth at least two wen.
This arrogant fool is truly seeking death!
Treating the Jieyuan position far too seriously.
Gripping his wine vessel, Sun Qian looked toward him, his gaze cold.
In this world, there weren't many who dared mock the Sun clan of Yangzhou.
"This old man is very satisfied with all the students' gifts. Put them away."
After speaking to the steward beside him, Minister Sun casually tossed the copper coin in his hand, producing a clear ringing sound.
Oh my, he's angry.
Prince of Zhongping grew ever more interested in what would develop next.
What other good shows would there be?
Quickly present them!
At this moment, Sun Heng rose and said to Minister Sun: "Father, today on your birthday, little sister Jinhu has prepared a zither piece to present to you."
Hearing this, everyone present was immediately stirred with interest.
This was today's main event.
At least the nominal main event.
Selecting a son-in-law for Sun Jinhu, the Most Beautiful Woman in Jiangnan.
Everyone had heard her 'illustrious reputation,' but not a single person had seen her with their own eyes.
Were they about to feast their eyes?
This is Minister Sun-daren's youngest daughter!
Han Zhongchen was already eager to try, determined to display his talents and win the beauty's favor.
"Good." Minister Sun responded placidly.
Then he kept his attention on that Song Shi'an, who still maintained his carefree manner, drinking alone.
Next, under the gaze of all, his youngest daughter made her entrance.
Except for Sun Qian, the eyes of all the sub-yuan scholars involuntarily turned toward the doorway.
As a pair of mandarin duck slippers entered their field of vision, the eyes of the young scholars gradually filled with radiance.
All present felt their hearts stirred and spirits uplifted.
And Song Shi'an, seated closest to the door, because he looked straight ahead without glancing sideways, was the last to see her.
Hmph.
She is indeed beautiful.