Chapter 9: The Palace Examination Ruined (9)
Zhu Qingchen wrapped himself in a quilt, lying obediently on the couch, not moving a muscle.
He was pretending that he was frozen and that what happened just now was not done by him.
Liu An was the first to react and said, "If the Master is too distracted to meet guests, I will go and help the Master deal with it, right?"
"Hmm..." Zhu Qingchen suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled him back, "No, you can't."
If you go there you will be shot to death with an arrow!
Pei Xuan said: "Then I will go."
Zhu Qingchen:!
"No, neither can you!"
If you go there, you will become gloomy and jump off the city wall!
Zhu Qingchen raised his head and glanced at the students' faces one by one.
This one is so stupid, this one is so dumb, this one...
Forget it, Zhu Qingchen resigned himself to his fate, threw back the quilt and got out of bed.
Let him go, after all he is the teacher.
Zhu Qingchen simply washed up, put on two or three thick clothes, and wrapped himself in a cloak before heading to the warm room surrounded by students.
In the warm room, Prince Jing was sitting upright drinking tea.
Last time outside the Yihe Palace, Zhu Qingchen rejected him, and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
The emperor was suspicious and didn't treat him well, so he let him stay in the capital as an idle prince. But who among the others didn't treat him with respect?
It happened that Zhu Qingchen, who took the title of "Master", was rude to him.
Besides, he was unwilling to let go of Zhu Qingchen and his students.
He didn't have any talented literati under his command. All the civil officials in the court were hypocritical and were very rigid. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get into their circle.
He could only start with the students who were about to take the spring exam.
Today, a spy from the school government reported that a group of students came to visit the patient, so he hurried over.
The scientific examination is held every three years. He must seize this opportunity, otherwise he will have to wait another three years.
As Prince Jing was thinking this, he heard footsteps outside the door. He calmed down and forced a gentle smile on his face.
The door of the warm room was opened, and Zhu Qingchen, supported by his students, walked in with a pale face and coughing every three steps.
Prince Jing was startled by him, and quickly put down his teacup and stood up: "Master Zhu... why are you so ill?"
Zhu Qingchen nodded, his face red from coughing: "Cough cough cough... Your Majesty is polite, please sit down."
Prince Jing paused for a moment and threw out the polite words he had prepared earlier: "I heard that the Master was ill. I think it was because I was talking to the Master in the wind during the palace banquet a few days ago, and the Master caught a cold. I was very worried, so I specially sent some medicinal herbs to the Master. Please see if they are suitable for use."
"Here is a wild ginseng. It was presented as a tribute a few years ago. I thought it might be useful to you, so I brought it here. This is the root..."
Zhu Qingchen was out of breath: "Ahem... Thank you... Your Majesty also sent ten ginsengs a few days ago, but the doctor said that I just have a slight cold. If I take too much tonic, my internal heat will be too strong, which is not good..."
King Jing was shocked: "Ten...ten?"
The emperor gave him ten ginsengs with just a wave of his hand?
Could it be that the emperor is also trying to win him over?
Prince Jing was stunned for a moment and hid his small "white radish whisker" behind him.
He originally thought that the civil servants were poor and that a simple gift would make him grateful and shed tears, but in the end...
With the emperor in front of him, how could he put these things on the table?
Prince Jing came back to his senses and cleared his throat: "Your Majesty loves talents, which makes me look shabby."
He raised his eyes and his gaze fell on the student behind Zhu Qingchen.
Zhu Qingchen shuddered, coughed, and moved over to block them behind him.
King Jing smiled and turned his gaze back: "Master, there are so many talented people here, I am longing for it..."
Before Prince Jing finished speaking, Zhu Qingchen coughed loudly: "They are all useless things. Why does Your Majesty want to see them?"
Students:?
Stand still and be scolded.
King Jing was shameless, as if he had just seen Pei Xuan, and said in fake surprise: "Pei Xuan, you are here too."
Pei Xuan nodded slightly and greeted him: "Your Majesty."
Prince Jing wanted to say something else, but Zhu Qingchen was about to cough up his lungs.
Liu An stood in front of Pei Xuan, supported Zhu Qingchen, patted his back, helped him to calm down, and said to King Jing: "Your Majesty, the teacher has not recovered from the cold, and is really unable to see guests. Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. We will take the teacher back to his room first."
"Okay, then you guys..."
Prince Jing originally thought of leaving one or two behind to win them over.
As a result, as soon as Zhu Qingchen left, the group of students followed him like a group of little ducks.
Leaving him alone in the warm room...
Wait, there's one more!
Prince Jing looked at Song Feng with hope: "You..."
Song Feng smiled at him and said, "Your Highness, I am a servant. I am here to see His Highness off. This way please."
Prince Jing's face turned pale. He ignored him and walked away with a flick of his sleeves.
*
On the other side, the students supported Zhu Qingchen and looked worried when they saw that Zhu Qingchen was coughing hard.
"Is the master okay? Do you want to ask the doctor to come and see him again?"
"You were fine just now, why are you coughing like this all of a sudden?"
"It's all Prince Jing's fault. I told him long ago that the Master was not in a position to see guests, but he insisted on staying in the warm room to ask for an audience. The Master must have caught a cold after walking all the way."
Zhu Qingchen coughed and looked back.
Liu An understood and said, "Master, the person has left."
Zhu Qingchen straightened up, cleared his throat, and strode back to the room.
Students:?
Is the Master well again?
Back in the room, Zhu Qingchen wrapped himself in the quilt again and started eating candied fruit again.
He twisted the pickled cherries and put them into his mouth: "It's a miracle drug. I stopped coughing after taking it."
“……”Liu An had no choice but to put away the whole bag of preserved fruits.
"An'er, you took away my life-saving medicine!"
Liu An hesitated for a moment, but ultimately did not want to be charged with “master-killing” and put the preserved fruit down: “Master, please eat it. There aren’t many left anyway.”
Liu An asked in a low voice: "Why does the Master not want to see King Jing?"
The other students were also curious and came closer to look at him.
Zhu Qingchen cleared his throat and asked them, "If you pass the imperial examinations in the future and become officials, will you be loyal officials or treacherous officials?"
The students did not hesitate: "Of course he is a loyal minister."
Zhu Qingchen smiled, patted their clear and stupid cheeks, and said seriously: "Be a pure minister."
"Master, what is the difference between a loyal minister and a pure minister?"
The students didn't quite understand what he said, but Zhu Qingchen refused to say anything more and secretly took a piece of preserved fruit to eat.
The system flew up from behind him: "That's not what you said last time. Last time you said you wanted to be a 'powerful official'."
Zhu Qingchen said confidently: "I am a teacher. How can a teacher be the same as a student? There can only be one powerful minister, and naturally I will be the one!"
Zhu Qingchen waved his hand and dismissed the students: "Go out and review your lessons, don't hang around me. An'er, keep an eye on them and don't let them run wild in the backyard."
Liu An nodded: "Yes."
Zhu Qingchen glanced at Pei Xuan and said, "Xuan, please stay for a while."
"good."
The others left, and Pei Xuan sat down on the cushion beside the couch: "Master."
Zhu Qingchen leaned on the soft pillow and looked at him with some complicated expression, which made Pei Xuan a little nervous.
Zhu Qingchen cleared his throat and said, "Ah Xuan, how long have I known you?"
Pei Xuan did not hesitate: "Master, it has been a whole month."
"Is this teacher your most beloved teacher?"
"yes."
"Then the master will ask you some questions, and you must answer truthfully."
"Yes." Pei Xuan nodded vigorously and looked at the teacher seriously, "The student must answer honestly."
"Hmm." Zhu Qingchen paused and lowered his voice, "What do you think of Prince Jing?"
Zhu Qingchen added: "Just say it casually, I won't tell anyone."
Pei Xuan seemed a little confused: "The prince often stops at the wine shop when he goes out of town for hunting. He is a regular customer of the wine shop. My mother and I are very grateful to the prince."
Zhu Qingchen asked again: "If Prince Jing asked you not to take the imperial examination and to be his staff, would you be willing?"
Pei Xuan was shocked: "Master, what are you talking about? How could I not take the imperial examination? Is this what King Jing wants?"
"No, no, I'm just asking casually." Zhu Qingchen continued, "If in the future, you become an official in the court, and your interests conflict with those of Prince Jing, and Prince Jing wants you to give in in exchange for a favor, what will you do?"
Pei Xuan said seriously: "Of course I won't be partial!"
"Although Prince Jing is a regular customer of the winery, my mother and I are grateful to him, but we are doing business honestly, not begging him for food. Prince Jing pays, and my mother and I collect prey, cook and brew wine for him, and we have never taken a penny of money that is not deserved."
"The business matter has already been settled in the wine shop. How can it be brought to the court? I am only doing business with him, not selling myself to him!"
Zhu Qingchen nodded, very satisfied with his answer.
"Okay, with your words, I feel relieved." Zhu Qingchen said seriously, "Don't forget your original intention."
Pei Xuan lowered his eyes, then raised them again, as if a little aggrieved: "Master, does Prince Jing want me to do odd jobs in his house? Or does Master not want me anymore?"
Zhu Qingchen was startled and a little flustered: "No... Master doesn't have it..."
Pei Xuan lowered his head, as if he was about to cry because of his own imagination.
Zhu Qingchen quickly sat up, patted the back of his hand, and then patted his shoulder: "Don't... why are you crying?"
Zhu Qingchen is most afraid of others crying.
He explained: "I am just afraid that you are not clear about the twists and turns of officialdom, so I am giving you a few words of advice. Ordinary business dealings are not a big deal, but I am afraid that he will say some nonsense to you and distract your attention."
Pei Xuan raised his head and said seriously: "Master, rest assured, I know my limits. I only have one thing in my mind -"
That's learning!
In the original book, Pei Xuan was deceived by King Jing with just a few words because he didn't know anyone.
King Jing personally pushed him into the abyss, and personally pulled him out. Who could not like him? The savior who saved himself from the quagmire.
But now, Zhu Qingchen is not going to give Prince Jing this opportunity.
Now Pei Xuan has teachers and classmates, so he will naturally not be seduced away by King Jing's small favors.
Zhu Qingchen was relieved and said, "There's nothing else to do. Go out and review your lessons with them."
"Yes." Pei Xuan stood up and was about to leave.
Zhu Qingchen suddenly remembered something and said quickly, "Oh, if you are tired of reviewing, go to the yard and do some boxing and stretch your body. The spring exam lasts for three days and tests not only your knowledge but also your health."
Pei Xuan saluted: "Students know that students exercise every day."
"Well, go ahead."
Zhu Qingchen watched him leave with relief.
In order to ensure Pei Xuan's success in the palace examination, he made several preparations. Not only did he keep an eye on his studies, let him make friends with his classmates, and taught him to be bolder and not be as cautious as before, but he also -
Zhu Qingchen also taught him martial arts.
If Prince Jing was desperate and rushed in to hug him like in the original book, Pei Xuan should be able to break free and escape.
If Pei Xuan practiced diligently, he might be able to shout loudly and then backhandedly punch King Jing twice.
Humph!
Zhu Qingchen leaned on the soft pillow with a smug smile on his face.
The system glanced at him and said, "Host, stop laughing. I'm scared."
Zhu Qingchen continued to hum: "Just laugh, just laugh."
*
Zhu Qingchen was still sick and was afraid of infecting the students, so he did not invite them to dinner.
In the evening, Pei Xuan left the academy and prepared to go home.
As soon as he returned to the wine shop and stepped over the threshold, he saw Prince Jing sitting alone by the window.
Seeing him coming back, Prince Jing smiled and said, "Are you back?" His tone was familiar, as if he was a friend who had known each other for a long time.
Pei Xuan felt uncomfortable and bowed: "Your Highness."
Jing Wangchao waved his hand and said, "Come and sit down."
Pei Xuan couldn't refuse, so he could only sit down in front of him.
Prince Jing had just gone to the academy during the day, and now he came to see him again, and the questions he asked were strange.
Pei Xuan became alert.
Prince Jing first asked him why they stayed in the school for so long even though the teacher had been coughing so badly in the afternoon.
Then he asked him whether he had ever been bullied by the children of wealthy families when he was studying in the government office.
Finally, King Jing said that the Master had to teach the children of noble families as well as teach them, and sometimes he might not be able to take care of him. If he was willing, he could help introduce him to other school officials.
Even if Pei Xuan was slow, he had just reacted after being reminded by Zhu Qingchen in the afternoon.
The first question is that King Jing was complaining about the Master.
The second question was intended to sow discord between him and his classmates.
The third question was to sow discord between him and the Master.
Pei Xuan carefully considered his words and passed it off with insignificant remarks, leaving no room for any gossip.
Seeing that he refused to listen, Prince Jing's smile faded and he became even more resentful of Zhu Qingchen.
At night, Pei Xuan saw King Jing off and read a book on the cabinet.
He thought, no wonder the teacher didn't let them see Prince Jing, and no wonder the teacher had to give him special advice in the afternoon.
On the surface, Prince Jing enjoys horse riding, hunting, and making friends with playboys, but it seems that he is not like that behind the scenes.
The Master wanted him not to be instigated by King Jing and not to be involved in unnecessary power struggles.
The so-called pure minister is one who has an upright mind and is focused on his work.
The teacher asked him to remember why he came to take the imperial examination.
Pei Xuan figured this out, so he lowered his head and continued reading.
*
The next morning, Pei Xuan went to the school to visit the teacher and told him everything that happened last night when King Jing came to see him.
Finally, he said, "Master, rest assured. I have not told King Jing the details of my interactions with you and my classmates. I always remember your advice and be a loyal minister."
Zhu Qingchen was very satisfied with his answer and patted him on the shoulder as a reward.
Pei Xuan knelt on the cushion in front of the couch, next to the bedside, with lingering fear: "If there is no teacher's guidance, I am afraid that I will be fulfilled by His Royal Highness Prince Jing's words to find a teacher for me. The benefits given by His Royal Highness Prince Jing will probably be taken back in the future. If I accept his benefits, I am afraid that when I enter the court as an official in the future, I will be instructed by him and become a member of Prince Jing's party."
"Yes." Zhu Qingchen said, "But the benefits that the Master gave you must be taken back."
Pei Xuan raised his head: "Hmm?"
Zhu Qingchen looked at him seriously and whispered, "Master, I'll give you five coins. Go to the preserves shop in the east of the city and buy some salted cherries. Remember to avoid Liu'an."
"yes."
Zhu Qingchen took out a small purse from under his pillow. Pei Xuan stretched out his hands, and Zhu Qingchen solemnly placed five copper coins in his palms.
"Go quietly and come back quickly."
"good!"
Zhu Qingchen leaned on the couch and watched Pei Xuan leave with full confidence.
Half a cup of tea later, there were chaotic footsteps outside.
Zhu Qingchen sat up from the couch, ready to greet his filial student: "You're back so soon..."
The next second, the door was pushed open, and Liu An came in from outside, grabbing Pei Xuan's ear.
"Master, he said that it was Master who asked him to buy the preserves?"
Pei Xuan quickly changed his words: "No, no, Senior Brother Liu, it was me..."
But he really can't lie, and only thinks about making up for it after he lets the cat out of the bag.
Zhu Qingchen swiftly climbed back onto the couch and slid into the quilt. He grabbed the quilt with both hands and pulled it up to cover his head.
Just consider me dead, killed by Pei Xuan’s stupidity and Liu An’s anger.
Liu An said sternly, "Master, you always don't take care of your health. When will you recover? When will you return to the academy? When will you give us lectures?!"
Zhu Qingchen sat up:?
Is this what a human being would say? I live just to explain articles to you?
Liu An threw Pei Xuan aside, sat down beside the couch, and said seriously: "Master, Prince Jing went to find several other old academic officials."
Zhu Qingchen looked serious and asked, "Did you go there this morning?"
"Yes, he said he had nothing to do and wanted to study, which was obvious."
It sounded nice, but he must have been turned down several times by Zhu Qingchen, and his patience ran out, so he turned to other academic officials.
Liu An asked: "Do you want to inform the senior school officials?"
Zhu Qingchen thought about it and shook his head: "No, the senior academic officials will be stricter than me in their teaching."
Prince Jing bought people's hearts and won over the old scholar with sharp eyes and golden pupils. It was really...
Because Zhu Qingchen was young, he gave him room for maneuver in everything he said and did, and even tried to persuade him at the beginning and teach him to turn back from the wrong path.
Did he think that the old school official would be kinder than Zhu Qingchen?
Or did he think that the old school official would tolerate him inciting students under his nose?
Which one of the students under the old academician is not a good candidate carefully selected?
The old school officials would usually scold or slap their children on the hands, expressing their disappointment in their students. However, they were the only ones who could scold and beat them.
Once the students are taken outside, the old academic official will protect them like a hen protecting her chicks. How could he allow them to be abused at will?
Zhu Qingchen couldn’t understand how such a stupid person could become the emperor in the book.
His eyes fell on Pei Xuan who was standing aside and grinning foolishly.
After all, it was the author of the original book who favored King Jing and sent him an extremely incompetent opponent and a top scholar to assist him.
Pei Xuan could go up to the city wall and down to the fields. He could write with a pen and farm with the body bent.
With his assistance, any piglet in the pigsty can ascend to the throne.
At this time, Pei Xuan was kneeling obediently on the cushion, and Liu An was teaching him: "Don't buy candied fruit for the teacher anymore. Even if you don't want to learn, others still want to learn."
Pei Xuan lowered his head and listened carefully: "Yes, Senior Brother taught me that."
Of course...it still looks a little silly now.
When God is about to confer a great responsibility on a man, he must first be made to suffer in his heart and toil hard for his muscles.
He will only become exactly like in the book after experiencing drastic changes and setbacks.
But Zhu Qingchen would rather he have a smooth journey and become a local official of moderate importance in the future, rather than have him endure the dirty deeds done by King Jing.
Zhu Qingchen folded his hands and thought, this time without Pei Xuan's assistance, he wanted to see how Prince Jing would rebel.
The next second, Liu Xuan raised his voice: "Master, don't you want to get better soon? How could you be so greedy? Master, you are not sensible, are you not sensible too?"
Zhu Qingchen came back to his senses, his smile froze on his face, and he blinked his eyes:?
Wait a minute, why does this sound weird?
The eldest disciple said this to him, right? Definitely, right?!
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