Qing Wu Red House

Chapter 135 Prelude to Palace Examination

June 24th of the seventh year of Hong Zhen was the day of Chu Tianyou's palace examination.

Although Chu Tianyou had said early on that no one would send him off or give him blessings, Daiyu and Teng Man got up early, not for any other reason but because they both became nervous with Chu Tianyou.

But because Chu Tianyou had said long ago that the two of them were not allowed to go to the front yard, the two of them were chatting one after another in the living room of Yanyu Pavilion.The living room of Yanyu Pavilion is very spacious. In summer, when the large windows are opened, one can directly see the rockery and flowing water in the yard, and the breeze blows by, making one feel at ease.

Baochai also got up early, and although the injury on her calf was not completely healed, she still insisted on coming to the dining hall to have breakfast with Daiyu and others every day.At this time, Yinger and a girl named Xiangling are supporting Baochai and walking towards Daiyu and Tengman.

When Tenman saw Baochai coming, his gaze became deep. Ever since Aojian said what Aojian said the day before yesterday, Tenman has always looked at Baochai very carefully, wanting to know what Aojian is. mean.But two days later, she still got nothing.

On the evening of the last day, Yinger returned from Rongguo Mansion, bringing not only this girl named Xiangling, but also greetings from Aunt Xue.But both Daiyu and Tenman expressed surprise that Aunt Xue did not visit in person.

Baochai behaved normally, but simply said that she was busy with Aunt Xue, so it was not convenient for her to come.But the two girls brought here are also very strange.The little girl named Xiangling is very good-looking, and there is a cinnabar mole between her eyebrows.But Yinger is very scheming.

As soon as Tenman saw Xiangling, he knew that she was a good girl who was spoiled by that fool Xue.She couldn't help thinking of finding her family for Xiangling, but then she thought about it, she had been missing for such a long time, and she didn't know if the Gourd Temple was still there.

"Why did Sister Bao wake up so early, why didn't she sleep a little longer?" Daiyu smiled and beckoned Baochai to sit beside her, since Baochai and Daiyu said those words last time.She felt that Baochai was also a sweetheart, and she was no longer the model Xue Baochai in Rongguo Mansion, so she couldn't help but become kind to her.

Baochai laughed and said, "Why did the two younger sisters get up so early, and I am the reason why? Why didn't the two younger sisters go to Wangshan Pavilion to visit Brother Chu?" Teng Man frowned and looked Baochai up and down.She always feels that this Baochai is thousands of miles away from the Baochai in her memory, but she doesn't know how to transfer the topic to Baochai without leaving a trace, so that she can measure whether this Baochai is the original population , and a little tricky.

Daiyu didn't answer Baochai's question directly, but said slightly: "Brother Chu doesn't want to see us getting up early and working late at night. That's why I solemnly told us not to go to the front yard at will. We will help you no matter how worried we are." Nothing to do, just wait for the news at home!"

Baochai looked at Tenman with a smile.She looked like an intimate big sister: "Sister Teng is transparent, but I am much more confused in comparison. I woke up earlier, and I was worried about the gray weather. I don't know who is going to accompany Brother Chu to the palace. Yes, it may rain."

Baochai's voice did not fall.I heard Qingwen outside complaining: "The weather is really strange. It was sunny yesterday, but it's raining today." After hearing this, Daiyu burst out laughing, and Tenman also laughed and said, "Sister Bao really It’s right in the middle of the sentence, it’s really raining.”

Baochai's expression was a little embarrassing: "I don't know if Brother Chu has ever encountered this rain..." Daiyu glanced at Baochai, as if she hadn't heard her words.Still chatting with Tenman about the weather.

At this time, Chu Tianyou really caught up with the rainy weather. At dawn, Chu Tianyou and other Jinshi had already entered the palace in order.Waiting in line at the back of the Hall of Preserving Harmony, and received a pack of palace cakes.Although Chu Tianyou was not picky, he also felt that the palace cake was too dry, so he casually put it on the table beside him and never ate it.

That An Xiuyuan was right behind Chu Tianyou.Since he saw his every move clearly, at this time he also put the palace cake on the table casually.He said softly: "Brother Chu, have you ever drank water at home? I heard that you can't go to the toilet casually here!"

Chu Tianyou smiled and said: "Thank you Brother An for your kindness, God bless you for saving it!"

The person behind An Xiuyuan was Yin Xiaoming, the son of Yin who had been hotly discussed outside the gate of the Gongyuan.At this moment, he was looking at Chu Tianyou and An Xiuyuan coldly, with an inscrutable look on his face.After a while, several young eunuchs came out from the Palace of Preserving Harmony. The one in charge stood in front of everyone, and said with a smile on his face, "Today is a big day for the palace examination. As for the test questions, after the civil and military officials pay homage for a while, it will be time for everyone to show their magical powers. I will say a few things here, and please remember them clearly!"

Chu Tianyou and a group of candidates hurriedly stood up, the little eunuch did not look up, took a piece of paper and read quickly.What are the specifications of the exam paper, how many words should be written in each line, and then nagging about the seating of some candidates.While he was speaking, hundreds of civil and military officials had already come to court one after another, and for a while, the outside of the Hall of Preserving Harmony was bustling with activity.

Of course, there are candidates who are familiar with some officials who will secretly cheat on them at this time, but because the test papers are issued by His Majesty the Emperor himself, the leak of the test questions is trivial.Finally, after three blows of the whip, a middle-aged Emperor Hong Zhen with a beard walked into the hall.After a lot of voices shouting long live, Chu Tianyou only heard a somewhat majestic yet calm voice saying: "Everyone is asking for leave, today is the day of the palace examination, all the gentlemen have to work hard."

The courtiers who were kneeling at the bottom hurriedly said: "Your servants should do their best." Hearing this, Chu Tianyou couldn't help but lowered his head a little bit, thinking of the latter sentence of flattery, he couldn't help but He also felt a little more sympathy for Emperor Hongzhen.

Naturally, the others did not have such absurd ideas as Chu Tianyou, and they all spoke as loudly as possible so that His Majesty the Emperor could notice him.Although Chu Tianyou still had a lot of court officials in front of him, because he was this year's Gong Yuan, he had already been secretly noticed by many people, including Gao Fu'er, the chief eunuch beside the emperor.That Gao Fu'er climbed up from a young eunuch to his current position little by little, so he naturally knows the matter of groveling.

At this moment, when he saw Chu Tianyou lowering his head hard, he knew that Chu Tianyou's flamboyant intestines.I can't help but feel that this year's Sanyuan Jidi may be ruined, even if Emperor Hongzhen is a person who doesn't like to listen to flattery.But after all, good advice is not good.

After all civil and military officials expressed their determination, Zhang Hua, the chief examiner of the Wenhua Palace, took the test questions from the yellow case in the palace and awarded them to the officials of the Ministry of Rites.Then the officials of the Ministry of Rites put the test questions outside the hall, and they were visited by civil and military officials and candidates.It wasn't until the stick of incense was burned out that the officials of the Ministry of Rituals began to shout one by one by name: "Jinling Chu Tianyou!"

Chu Tianyou hurriedly restrained his emotions, strode forward, knelt on the ground and raised his hands above his head to accept the test questions, then stood up again.A small eunuch was waiting for him and led him to the seat.

Chu Tianyou put the test questions on the table, and began to grind the ink silently by himself.He grinds very slowly.He just stared at the inkstone wholeheartedly, never looked around.And the candidates who had already received the test papers couldn't help but look around curiously.

Emperor Hongzhen is thirty-seven this year.It is the prime of life age, conscientious and conscientious towards the government, the harem may not be entered once in ten and a half months.At this time, he was also looking at his own disciple of the emperor.Although this is not the first time he has presided over the palace test since he ascended the throne.But he also knew that he was just a puppet in the last imperial examination.It is necessary to obey the opinions of the Supreme Emperor in everything.

Now that he has been in power for nearly six years, he already has some of his cronies.And this year's imperial examination is the best time for him to take away his direct line.At this time, he was also paying attention to Chu Tianyou, and felt that the boy was very strange, even when he was grinding, he seemed to be cautious.

This discovery doesn't matter, he is really interested.Wei Wei waved her hand, and called the supplementary exam from the Gong Yuan.

The auxiliary examiner's surname is Li, but he is only a fifth-rank official.Because I got the chance to go to court because of the palace examination today, I was laughing unceasingly.Seeing His Majesty calling him at this moment, his calf became weak from nervousness, he hurriedly stumbled to Emperor Hong Zhen's side, and knelt down with a plop.He stumbled and said: "The next official pays homage to the emperor, long live the emperor, long live the emperor." Emperor Hong Zhen waved his hand casually.Nodding in the direction of Chu Tianyou: "The boy is Gong Yuan this time? How old is this year?"

Li Fuguan staggered and said: "Back... back to the emperor... His name is Chu Tianyou, it's that Jinling..." Emperor Hong Zhen waved his hand impatiently, and said to Gao Fu'er next to him: "Go and find out, come later Give me back!" That Li Fuguan drooped his head, knowing that the emperor in front of him despised him, and his expression couldn't help being very depressed.

Emperor Hongzhen saw that Li Fuguan was still kneeling beside him, and said, "Go ahead, so that you can help Mr. Zhang manage the examination room records, don't be careless!" When Li Fuguan heard that Emperor Hongzhen had not withdrawn his control, he hurried The shit ran over.

After a while, Gao Fuer sent a thick file, which seemed to be the idea of ​​the examiner in charge and the assistant examiners after the start of this scientific examination.Gao Fu'er smiled and presented this booklet to Emperor Hong Zhen, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty doesn't know something, but now there is a big gambling game in the market."

Emperor Hongzhen frowned: "Oh, tell me?"

Then Gao Fu'er smiled and said: "Everyone is discussing who will become the champion of the new subject. Everyone thinks that Yin Xiaoming in the capital is more likely to win the championship in one fell swoop. And this Gongyuan Chu Tianyou is so blessed that few people place bets. But this Chu Tianyou's information is still the most complete, it is estimated that those high-ranking officials are looking at girls of the right age."

After hearing Gao Fu'er's words, Emperor Hong Zhen smiled slightly: "Why is no one betting?" Gao Fu'er took a few steps forward and said: "They suspect that Mr. Chu is too young, and there are many things that he didn't consider carefully. "

Chu Tianyou didn't know that the Lord of the World was muttering about his situation in a low voice. At this time, all the candidates' test papers had been distributed, and only waiting for the chief examiner's order, everyone had to go straight ahead and complete the palace test. .

And Emperor Hong Zhen couldn't help sighing again when he heard Gao Fuer's excitement, and opened the thick booklet in his hand.Unexpectedly, Emperor Hong Zhen, who was still in good spirits, changed his expression drastically when he saw the booklet, which made people puzzled.