Chapter 76 Parade on horseback

Chapter 76: Parade on Horseback

Listening to Mo Qingkuang's words, Wang Yu's smile grew even stronger. "Alright, alright, Lord Mo, I admire your generosity."

"It's about time, let me help you onto the horse!" With that, Wang Yu took Mo Qingkuang's arm and approached the most majestic imperial horse. He reached out to grab the reins and prepared to help Mo Qingkuang onto the horse.

Seeing this, everyone was even more surprised. The top scholar in the literary exam, willingly assisting the top scholar in the martial exam and even doing so during the parade on horseback, was simply unbelievable.

Mo Qingkuang remained vigilant in his heart, maintaining caution towards Wang Yu's peculiar behavior. Wang Hua was a traitor, while Mo Qingkuang was a hero of the empire. Therefore, Wang Yu could never truly befriend Mo Qingkuang, and his odd actions must have a hidden agenda.

However, Mo Qingkuang didn't openly confront him at the moment. After carefully inspecting the horse and saddle for any abnormalities and finding none, he allowed Wang Yu to help him onto the horse.

"The auspicious time has arrived. The top scholars of the new imperial examination, ride on horseback!" announced the eunuch standing outside.

The top scholars of both literary and martial exams mounted their horses, and the crowd cheered, clearing a path for them to proceed.

"Lord Mo, as a hero with outstanding literary talent, you should lead the way," Wang Yu said, mounting his horse and respectfully bowing to Mo Qingkuang.

His words puzzled the crowd even more. According to the usual custom of the parade, the top scholars from both exams should ride side by side. Was Wang Yu willingly falling behind Mo Qingkuang?

Mo Qingkuang smiled and didn't refuse, urging his horse forward to take the lead once again.

The tradition of parading on horseback had a long history, aimed at allowing the common people of the capital to see the talented youth of the current year and providing opportunities for these youths to gain fame. It was also a grace bestowed upon the newly talented individuals by the court.

Therefore, the parade route circled around the residential areas outside the palace, where the houses were generally owned by wealthy and prestigious families.

In the capital, there was no tradition of selecting husbands by dropping embroidered balls from the balcony, but there was a tradition of young talents being noticed by high-ranking officials or wealthy families during such parades.

Many renowned scholars and talented youths had found their spouses this way, and it was considered a stepping stone to success in life.

As the procession reached the residential area, the doors and windows of the houses were already wide open, and elegantly dressed young ladies took the opportunity to select the most outstanding husband candidates from the talented youths.

"Hey, isn't the first one Master Kuang Qing, the top scholar in martial arts? I heard that Kuang Qing isn't dark-skinned with a simple appearance. How come he looks like a noble young master?"

"Oh, sister, you're really ignorant. Kuang Qing is just his pseudonym, and his previous appearance was also a disguise! This is his true appearance, Mo Qingkuang, the young master of the largest family in Tian Nan City."

"Indeed, he's handsome! I heard that he even wrote 'Ode to the Lotus' yesterday, surpassing Wang Yu, the grandson of the prime minister and the top scholar in literature. Who wouldn't like a husband who excels in both literary and martial arts?"

"Sisters, I'll take the lead!" With a sweet smile, that young lady dropped her embroidered ball directly towards Mo Qingkuang.

"Miss, are you crazy?" Suddenly, the maid beside the young lady exclaimed.

"Green, what do you mean?" The young lady glared at the maid in dissatisfaction, but when she looked at Mo Qingkuang, who had already caught the embroidered ball, she quickly put on her sweetest smile.

"Miss, Lord Mo is indeed outstanding, but haven't you heard about Lord Mo and Princess Nine...?" The maid hurriedly whispered.

The young lady was suddenly taken aback, feeling as if a sharp gaze was piercing through her. When she looked, she saw a veiled young lady standing behind Mo Qingkuang, glaring at her coldly.

In an instant, the young lady broke out in a cold sweat, forgetting that the second-ranked scholar in martial arts was Princess Nine, Han Yan'er!

Some of the other young ladies who witnessed this scene couldn't help but feel a bit of schadenfreude, while others felt helpless.

Mo Qingkuang's reputation had long been circulating among these wealthy young ladies. He was almost every girl's ideal husband.

However, how could these girls not recognize Princess Nine? And when they saw Mo Qingkuang and Han Yan'er riding side by side, their clothing and styles so similar, they couldn't help but suspect that they were wearing couple outfits!

Wasn't this supposed to be a parade on horseback? It seemed more like a grand display of affection now!

Seeing Han Yan'er's furious gaze, many of the young ladies had no choice but to give up on Mo Qingkuang and turn to see if there were any suitable husbands among the other top scholars.

After all, apart from Mo Qingkuang, the other two top scholars in martial arts were both women.

Of course, there were also wealthy and fiery-tempered women who were not afraid of Han Yan'er's presence.

Looking at the procession, besides the three scholars who walked behind because of Wang Yu's lead, there was another detail that caught their attention. Han Yan'er and Mo Qingkuang's horses were almost side by side, and their clothes and styles were so similar, with subtle connections in their patterns.

It was clearly a set of couple outfits designed by one person!

What kind of parade was this? It seemed more like a large-scale display of affection!