112 Overpraise
◎Your Majesty, are you going to visit Concubine Ke today?◎
As the imperial examination approaches, the atmosphere among students at the Imperial College becomes increasingly tense. They study hard day and night, with candles never burning.
After the Spring Examination, the Palace Examination followed immediately. Many students with connections brought secrets from the palace, which caused quite a bit of controversy for a while.
A young student in his twenties, bringing news from someone he trusts.
"Have you heard? It's said that the cousin of the current Concubine Ke cheated in the imperial examinations for profit, passing inferior papers off as good ones, and only allowing candidates who bribed him to pass. This man was also responsible for covering up the names of those who offered him bribes, and he ignored the poor candidates, no matter how knowledgeable they were!"
Youth is like early spring, like the morning sun, like the budding of flowers. Young students are always full of vigor and passion, filled with enthusiasm for everything, and especially intolerant of injustice.
Such an unfounded statement was enough to make the students, who had been tense for years, relax instantly, and someone answered him from a distance.
"I heard he was born a poor scholar. All scholars in the world want to serve the court. How could he be so ruthless and destroy others' lives?"
A few students discussed it, which gradually attracted more students to join in, and gradually formed opposing views.
"He didn't know when he had the good fortune to win the favor of the Empress and be in charge of the Ministry of Rites. How could such a good job be given to such a person?"
A relatively calm student retorted, "How do you know? You're just catching wind and making up stories!"
Although it was a rebuttal, Cui Rumei's character was well known to everyone. The brother of such a person might not necessarily grow up astray, and might not necessarily be a short-sighted and narrow-minded villain.
The people all knew that Cui Rumei was able to hold the position of one of the four concubines today because of the Empress's approval. Even the pardon her mother's family received was obtained through the Empress' generosity.
This villain not only did not know how to be grateful, but also harmed the queen, completely disregarding etiquette and hierarchy.
The actions of a villain will sooner or later lead to his own destruction.
A student ran up to the student who had just rebutted and angrily stated, "Then how do you know it's not true? Cui's reputation has been like this for years. How can we believe that someone from such a family is fair? The imperial examination is such a major national event, and he dared to cheat for personal gain? He is simply unworthy of the trust of His Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, forget it. You just love the whole family. But the Empress, a Rong countryman, is so considerate of the Great Zhou and personally takes care of everything."
People are all made of flesh and blood; time reveals who is good and who is evil. The common people were deeply impressed by Rong Qianyu. When the carriages carrying the princess entered the capital, the roads were crowded with people who came to see the princess. In her red dress and brown hair, she was as beautiful as a figurine carved from white porcelain.
Later, Yibing offered good advice, rescued the new emperor from the city, and strongly advocated against marriage. Feixue advised the emperor. The emperor turned a blind eye to all these things, but the people knew them clearly.
The Imperial College has been disturbed by these rumors recently. Several large-scale protests have occurred among students, but fortunately they were all suppressed internally.
The rumors outside the palace continued to spread, inevitably reaching Fu Hua's ears. He firmly believed in Cui Rumei. He always felt that she was just a pitiful little woman, jealous and petty, and worried after having a child. No matter how much trouble she made, it was not a big deal.
But this time, he was a little confused, but in front of the ministers, he still tried his best to protect her.
In the Huangji Palace, he argued with several trusted ministers for Cui Rumei, "These things are just for the people to talk about, but why do you say so? Cui Zhicong used to have a mediocre reputation in the local area, but people can change. You don't have to think so."
Rong Qianyu made mung bean soup for Fu Hua these days. Her timely appearance prevented him from saying too much. When the ministers saw the queen, they knew it was time to stop.
She came to Huangji Palace with a food box.
The young eunuch hurriedly greeted, "Your Majesty!"
"I'm here to bring His Majesty some mung bean soup and some snacks. Please tell him."
Listening to the clamor in the hall, the young eunuch was in a dilemma. "Your Majesty is currently discussing the imperial examination with Lord He and Lord Huang. I'm afraid..."
Rong Qianyu was not in a hurry. She just told him to go ahead and talk to him. Whether he would see the emperor or not would depend on his majesty.
The young eunuch had no choice but to go in, "Your Majesty, the Empress is asking for an audience outside the palace. She said she brought some snacks for Your Majesty."
When the ministers heard that the queen had arrived, they tactfully withdrew.
Fu Hua finally sat back in his chair with peace of mind, breathing a sigh of relief. "Everyone, please leave first. We can discuss Cui Zhicong's matter later."
The expressions of the two gentlemen, He and Huang, were somewhat grim, clearly unwilling to let Fu Hua rush this matter. Cui Zhicong's matter could be a big deal or a small one, but right now was the most crucial time for the imperial examinations. The Spring Examination was about to end and the Palace Examination would follow. If someone made a fuss about it, I'm afraid the students would cause trouble.
It’s not right to say it, and it’s not right not to say it. There is no evidence or proof. Who can impeach the brother of the emperor’s favorite concubine?
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen."
Rong Qianyu was also very polite, and bowed slightly to return the greeting. "You two gentlemen are here for the imperial examination, right? Your Majesty is young, and there are always times when he is not considerate. You are the right-hand men and old ministers, so please don't mind."
"Is the Queen feeling better?" He Qiong suddenly asked.
Rong Qianyu was stunned at first, then suddenly smiled. It turned out that there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
It was rare for the other party to show concern, so there was no need to be cold. "I'm much better. Thank you for your concern."
Ever since the last time he knelt in the palaces on a snowy day, He Qiong's attitude towards Rong Qianyu has changed a lot. "The wind is strong in spring, and your Majesty is weak. It's better not to go out during this day."
Rong Qianyu said, "Master He, please take care of yourself too."
After saying that, he went into the house. Fu Huafu was sitting on the desk, looking worried.
"Your Majesty," she said, "I brought some mung bean soup and some snacks. Your Majesty has worked hard. Please rest for a while."
Rong Qianyu handed him a bowl of slightly cool mung bean soup, which was soft, sweet and perfect for relieving his current boredom.
Fu Hua took the mung bean soup and gulped it down. "What do you think of Cui Zhicong? Is he really useful?"
He was aware of the rumors, but he really didn't want to make a big deal out of it. If Cui Zhicong was touched, then his backer, Cui Rumei, would no longer have any reason to exist.
The Emperor and Empress of the Great Zhou Dynasty were of equal dignity and could participate in state affairs, but Rong Qianyu rarely asked about state affairs. She did not want to interfere in this matter.
"How dare I speak so recklessly? I know the principle of trusting those you employ, and not employing those you doubt." She refilled the mung bean soup. "Although I have recommended him, whether or not to entrust him with such an important task remains to be determined by Your Majesty. You cannot force him to stay on because of his official position and the favor I owe to Concubine Ke."
Fu Hua was at a loss for a moment and said angrily, "What the Queen said is about reunion."
Rong Qianyu didn't agree with what she said, but started a new topic, "Your Majesty, have you heard something? Why are you asking this suddenly?"
Fu Hua nodded, "There are some rumors among the people."
What he didn't know was that Rong Qianyu had known all these things for a long time. Xue Ji had told her about it early in the morning, including today when Cui Zhicong was impeached, she was the absolute mastermind.
This game of chess had been played since Rong Qianyu knew that Cui Rumei wanted to harm Liu, and everything was within her expectations.
She wanted Cui Rumei to be isolated and helpless, to pay the price, to feel pain ten or a hundred times greater than her own. Not only Cui Rumei, but also Fu Hua, but she had to take her time; it was not her character to compromise.
Today's situation is exactly what he wants.
Rong Qianyu walked behind Fu Hua and massaged his head. Her voice was gentle and her technique was skillful, instantly easing Fu Hua's headache. "I have lived in the deep palace for a long time and have never heard any rumors. Therefore, Your Majesty should make your own decision."
Every word she said was flawless, with no flaws at all. At this moment, she was gentle and considerate, just what Fu Hua liked.
Rong Qianyu leaned close to his ear and whispered. A faint fragrance of flowers and fruits lingered around Fu Hua. It was a completely different smell from Cui Rumei's, sober and quiet.
"Your Majesty, are you going to visit Concubine Ke today?" she asked.
At this point, there is only one last step left.
Fu Hua turned his head and reached out to hold Rong Qianyu's hand on his shoulder. "Why do you bring this up so suddenly?"
Rong Qianyu sat aside and said, "Your Majesty said before that merits and demerits should be balanced, so no banquet will be held. Today is An'er's hundredth day, and you should go and see him as usual."
She always spoke and acted appropriately, and was thoughtful. Fu Hua looked at her and felt a surge of affection. He had indeed gone too far in the past, and Rong Qianyu was the perfect fit for him as his queen. They understood each other well, and while they were wary of each other, there was also a certain amount of genuine affection between them.
"It's been a hundred days! It's gone by so fast." Fu Hua suddenly asked with concern, "Are you feeling better?"
"Much better." Rong Qianyu said calmly.
"It's time to go see An'er. If you have nothing else to do, go back too. The sun is strong in the afternoon, don't get too tired."
"yes."
Rong Qianyu watched Fu Hua walk away, feeling a little lost. She wondered if their relationship would be different without Cui Rumei. Could they reconcile, or were they just not destined to be together? Sometimes, it seemed like Fu Hua's concern was genuine, but it seemed like it came too late.
The time when this heart was most torn by these two people was when Xue Ji tilted his umbrella to shield her from the snow, when she was unconscious and on the verge of death, and when Xue Ji begged her to wake up without taking off his clothes. How could Fu Hua's small favors and her sudden awakening at this time compare to Xue Ji's sacrifice? Unfortunately, there is no if, everything is cause and effect.
Perhaps from the moment Xue Ji held her hand and walked into Zhou Ting and told her not to look back, she and Fu Hua were destined to be strangers in this life.
In the afternoon, Fu Hua followed Rong Qianyu's instructions and went to visit Cui Rumei and An'er. Hua Xue stumbled into the house to report and almost fell out. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
Cui Rumei sat alone by the window, embroidering clothes for An'er. "Why are you so flustered? What's wrong with you?"
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is here!"
It had been almost two months since Fu Hua last visited her. Cui Rumei knew that her favor was not as great as before, and she also vaguely knew the rumors outside the palace, so she naturally did not hold out any hope.
"Come on, have you lost your mind?"
Fu Hua quietly entered the room, still speaking sweet nothings as usual. This made people a little scared. "What's wrong with Mei'er now? Why is she so lost?"
"Your Majesty?" Cui Rumei looked over, surprised and delighted, almost falling over. "Why is Your Majesty here?"
"My beloved concubine, can't I come?" Fu Hua hugged her and signaled the servants to leave.
"I am very anxious now. Is this really Your Majesty?"
"Touch it?" Fu Hua held Cui Rumei's hand and let her touch his face. "You raised the prince for me in the harem, and your brother recruited talents for me outside. Why are you so cautious now?"
"I am just happy." After hearing Fu Hua say this, Cui Rumei cried with relief.
Rong Qianyu gave Fu Hua a way out and asked her to go see Cui Rumei, not only for An'er, but more importantly, to let him see it clearly for himself.
Men are like this, they only believe in themselves and won't give up until they reach the Yellow River. So let him see it clearly.
Fu Hua wiped her tears, held her little face in his hands and comforted her, "In a few days, I will meet with some ministers he recommended. Your brother is very good, and you are also very good. This time, the imperial examination was well conducted. I will appoint him as the Minister of Rites!"
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