pluck cinnamon flowers in the palace of the moon—succeed (/obtain a degree) in civil examinations
? 這一去，可是要 ‘～’了！ 我不能送你了。(《紅樓夢》 109)?So you’re going to ‘pluck fragrant osmanthus in the palace of the moon’.I’m sorry I can’t see you off.
?I wish you every success.I’m sorry I can’t see you off.
蟾宮折桂chan gong zhe gui
pluck the laurel branch for Toad Palace—obtain a jinshi degree
蟾宮折桂chán ɡōnɡ zhé ɡuì
蟾宮：月宮。舊指應(yīng)試考中。win the laurels in civil examinations,pass the examinations for the highest degree