Chapter 90: Proposal in the Palace
The eunuch sang loudly, and everyone ended their conversation and took their seats according to their order.
The people surrounding Qi Mubai dispersed, and Yu Shengsheng couldn't help but look at him.
Qi Mubai didn't look at her, but raised his fingers slightly and made a gesture.
That was a gesture that only he and Yu Shengsheng understood.
Yu Shengsheng lowered her eyes, and the sweetness in her heart spread out and disappeared into her eyes.
"The Emperor has arrived, and the Empress has arrived!"
Everyone stood up and saluted.
The emperor and empress were present in person, which shows how much they valued the event.
"No need to be so polite. Just stand up," the emperor said with a smile on his face and a hint of joy in his voice.
It can be seen that he was very satisfied with this palace examination.
Everyone thanked him and took their seats again.
Yu Shengsheng lowered his head and didn't even glance at the main seat.
She thought that this was the last time she would see the queen and there would probably be no chance for them to meet again.
The music started and the palace banquet began, it was very lively.
Yu Shengsheng didn't want to drink, as she thought it was too weird, so she poured some water into the glass and sipped it slowly.
The hall was extremely lively. The male guests were chatting and drinking in groups of three or four, while the female guests were also chatting in low voices with their good friends.
Yu Shengsheng sat in the midst of the excitement, but had nothing to do with it.
She just hoped it would be over quickly so she could go back home and wait for Qi Mubai to come.
After a few songs, the wine was changed.
"Your Majesty," a voice sounded, and everyone looked for the voice.
Kong Dezhao stood up and walked to the middle aisle.
The emperor smiled slightly: "De Zhao, what's the matter?"
Kong Dezhao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have been to the palace for banquets three times. The first two times, I performed for Your Majesty and competed in martial arts. This time, I want to help Your Majesty have fun again."
The prince said, "Sir Kong, today is the palace examination, which is a happy event. It is really inappropriate..."
Kong Dezhao smiled and waved his hand: "The palace examination is the business of civil officials, and it is a happy event. We military generals guard the border and prevent the enemy from invading, which is also a happy event. Your Highness, please do not value civil officials over military officials."
The smile on the prince's face froze slightly. "Master Kong, you are joking. I have never valued civil officials over military officials. All civil and military officials serve the court."
Kong Dezhao didn't even look at him: "Please grant your permission, Your Majesty."
The emperor smiled lightly, his eyes sweeping over his legs: "Your leg is just fine. If it is injured again, your father will ask me for his son. What should I do?"
Kong Dezhao laughed and patted his legs: "Your Majesty, don't worry. This is just a minor injury. How can I, a Nanshun boy, be so weak and useless?"
The noise at the scene gradually died down.
Everyone felt a little awed.
"Nanshun's son?" Someone said in a clear and pleasant voice, "Your Highness, what you said is not accurate. Our dynasty is called Chu. Everyone knows that Great Chu is powerful. Nanshun is just a small part of Great Chu."
Everyone gasped and turned to look.
The emperor remained calm and glanced.
The man was wearing a top scholar robe, holding a wine glass, with bright eyes, and his integrity and unwillingness to compromise could not be concealed between his eyebrows.
Yu Shengsheng's heart tensed and he clenched his hands tightly under the table.
Kong Dezhao turned his head and looked over, his eyes sharp as an eagle, he tightened his sleeves and chuckled, "The number one scholar has great literary talent."
"Where the Great Chu land is located, the troops are deployed on the borders, and the directions of the mountains and rivers are all known to me. I can draw a strategic map on paper at any time."
"It's a little too early for the champion to teach me with just a few articles and a few pens."
Kong Dezhao withdrew his gaze, but the feeling of oppression around him did not diminish.
Qi Mubai said slowly: "What the prince said..."
Kong Dezhao no longer looked at him, but his words were cold and stern: "Top Scholar, you haven't entered the officialdom yet. This prince has been petitioning the emperor, and the chief minister and the censor have not said much. Don't you think too highly of yourself?"
Qi Mubai's face turned pale and blue, and his ears turned slightly red.
He is a man of letters, and no matter how sharp his words are, he still has to consider his face. He is not like Kong Dezhao, who just peels off his face without leaving any trace.
Yu Shengsheng's heart was in her throat, fearing that Qi Mubai would suddenly stand up and confront Kong Dezhao.
Not to mention Qi Mubai now, even if he becomes an official in the future, he cannot confront Kong Dezhao head-on. Yu Shengsheng has already witnessed Kong Dezhao's cruelty and fickleness.
Fortunately, the emperor spoke at the right time.
"Okay, since De Zhao is so interested, let's have a competition. It just so happens that I haven't seen your skills for many years, so let's see if you have regressed today."
Kong Dezhao laughed loudly: "Your Majesty, please watch me. I have been training every day and have never been lazy for a single day."
The emperor kept smiling, but a flash of coldness flashed across his eyes.
The prince waved his hand, and two leaders of the Eastern Palace guards stepped forward.
Kong Dezhao didn't even look at them: "It's okay for the guards of the Eastern Palace. It would be unfair to win against them."
The prince's face changed slightly, the queen glanced at him, and he forced himself to control himself.
Kong Dezhao pointed his finger at Hao Mengye who was standing at the bottom of the stairs: "Commander Hao, can you give me some advice?"
Hao Mengye stood expressionless and proudly said, "The Red Dragon Guards are responsible for protecting the emperor and will not fight with others. Master Kong, I'm sorry that I can't obey your orders."
Kong Dezhao wanted to say something, but the deputy commander of the imperial guards, Li, stepped forward and said, "The last two times the prince competed with the imperial guards, this time, it has to be the imperial guards again."
The emperor nodded, and Kong Dezhao raised his eyebrows slightly: "Okay, then the Imperial Guards!"
The last time he led people to the Su Mansion to investigate, it was this Commander Li. Yu Shengsheng remembered that he was very arrogant at that time and did not take the Su family seriously.
Today, facing Kong Dezhao, he was cautious.
Yu Shengsheng once again refreshed her understanding of Kong Dezhao.
Everyone watched carefully. This was a silent contest, and it was not about winning or losing by a single move.
Those present were all important officials in the court, so they naturally knew the truth.
Yu Shengsheng looked at Qi Mubai, who was watching intently with a slightly furrowed brow.
A passionate man like Qi Mubai, who is determined to serve the court and the country and the people, certainly looks down on people like Kong Dezhao.
Yu Shengsheng sighed inwardly, it was a pity that he was too insignificant in front of Kong Dezhao.
It is better to wait for the court to release him outside, away from troubles. Even if it can benefit the people there, it will not be in vain for more than ten years of hard study.
While I was daydreaming, the winner had already been decided.
Commander Li was defeated by Kong Dezhao by just half a move, but Commander Li was wearing armor while Kong Dezhao was light and agile, so no one could say who was stronger in a real fight.
Commander Li bowed and said, "Thank you, my Lord, for showing mercy."
Kong Dezhao clenched his sleeves tightly and said, "Commander Li is quite powerful. No wonder he can protect the emperor."
The emperor nodded and praised: "De Zhao's martial arts have improved again. Come here, give him a reward!"
"Bring me the bow I used for hunting last spring and give it to De Zhao as a reward."
Kong Dezhao thanked him happily: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The prince said, "Father, today is the day of the palace examination. It is rare that the prince is in a good mood to cheer us up. I am so brave that I would like to ask for a reward for the champions."
The emperor glanced at Qi Mubai and the other two and nodded with satisfaction: "What the prince said makes sense. I approve it."
"You three are the pillars of the imperial court. What do you want? Just tell me. I will grant it to you today!"
The Queen smiled and said, "The Emperor hasn't been this happy for a long time. You three should seize the opportunity."
"We have served the court and are loyal to the emperor, so we dare not ask for any reward." The second and third place winners said in unison.
Qi Mubai seemed to be thinking about something. He stood up, walked to the middle and knelt down with his body straight.
"Student Qi Mubai has something that I would like to ask the emperor for his approval."
The emperor had heard a lot of polite words, and he expected what the second and third place winners would say.
But Qi Mubai was really able to ask for it, and he was a little surprised and curious.
"Oh? What do you want? Tell me the truth."
"The student wants to marry someone."
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