Two days later, the king held a banquet in Changchun Garden to entertain the famous teachers and scholars and their families who came to Beijing this time.

Speaking of which, this Changchun Garden is also the place where His Majesty entertains his children after the results of the

palace examination are announced. Therefore, this time it is very suitable to use it to entertain these great scholars and celebrities. In particular, in addition to these famous masters, there are also several great scholars in the court today, all of whom are the best in the past spring palace examinations. Therefore, this banquet can be said to be full of academic atmosphere.

Speaking of this Changchun Garden, in addition to the pavilions, towers, famous flowers and trees, the most special thing is that a small stream was built to imitate the Lanting Qingxi. Every time a banquet is held, people sit along the stream and drink wine by the winding stream. It can be said to be extremely elegant.

After the 3:00 pm, the invited guests began to enter the garden one after another. While His Majesty and the

Empress Dowager had not yet arrived, they chatted one after another. In addition to praising the beautiful scenery in the garden, everyone today, like the people in the capital in the past two days, paid the most attention to the new storybook published by Master Xiaoyao.

"I heard that each storybook of this author has a prototype, but I don't know who this gentleman in this story is? He is really

a man of high moral character and great virtue!" "That's right, he can help his classmate who he hasn't seen for many years. He is really a rare kind person!"

"Yes, yes..."

These voices entered my ears, Next to the crowd, the famous Lanling scholar Gu Hongbai whispered to his old friend Qi Shuguang beside him, "Aren't you the one in that book? You are amazing. When did you become friends with the famous Mr. Xiaoyao?"

Qi Shuguang had been in a fog these days. Hearing this, he could only shake his head and smile, "I don't even know the age or appearance of this young man, so how can we talk about friendship? To be honest, I don't know how others knew about this and wrote it down."

Mr. Gu nodded and said, "I'm also wondering. This is not your style. How did you let others know about this?"

Qi Shuguang shook his head again.

Before he could say anything else, he heard a message outside the garden, "Your Majesty has arrived, the Queen Mother has arrived, Concubine Yi has arrived..."

Everyone stood up immediately, and then they saw the three people in the message step into the garden.

Immediately, there was a sound of greeting, and the king nodded and said, "Please sit down."

Everyone nodded and sat down again.

Tea, snacks, wine and food were served, and the Queen Mother smiled and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, please don't be polite. Today, His Majesty has specially prepared it to thank you all. Please enjoy it."

Everyone nodded and thanked the royal family for their efforts.

After a round of drinking, the Queen Mother said, "Speaking of which, I heard everyone talking about Mr. Xiaoyao just now? Have you all read Mr. Xiaoyao's new story?"

- After the last incident with Ge Yuanhua, everyone has already deeply realized the status of Mr. Xiaoyao in the Queen Mother's heart. Naturally, they all said yes and praised Mr. Xiaoyao.

Seeing this scene, Yuwen Lan glanced at Yan Shu.

He thought that she should be very happy to be praised by so many famous scholars.

Unexpectedly, he saw that she was eating lotus cake seriously, and she thought very calmly, "You are a scholar, and these people say that, but they are just flattering me, the big boss. It doesn't mean they like me that much. Sober up. 】

Yuwen Lan, "..."

Well, it seems that her mentality is very good.

However, what is the "big boss on the list"?

At this time, the Queen Mother asked, "Then you all know that the prototype of this is among the gentlemen."

Yuwen Lan, "???"

Is the Queen Mother going to... name him in person?

So direct?

He couldn't help but secretly look at Qi Shuguang, but saw him sitting with his eyes down, and his heart was full of surprise, [She already knew? How did she know? 】

Yan Shu, who was originally concentrating on eating, was excited and shouted in her heart, [The Queen Mother is great! No drag!!! What is Mr. Qi feeling now? Is he excited??? 】

Yuwen Lan, "..."

As expected, with the Queen Mother's words, the surroundings were already surprised, and everyone asked, "Who is this kind and chivalrous gentleman?"

But Mrs. Gu smiled and said, "I know, it is Mr. Qi. He once saved a girl like this in Fengqiu. This matter can be testified by me and my husband."

As soon as these words came out, the garden immediately rang with praises for Mr. Qi.

Not only those famous scholars, but even the great scholars in the court who accompanied him also expressed their admiration for Qi Shuguang.

Scholar Zou said, "I have heard that Mr. Qi is outstanding, but it is a pity that he retired early, which makes us very regretful. It is also an honor for me to sit and drink with Mr. Qi today." Everyone echoed

.

Qi Shuguang had no choice but to stand up and say, "You are really too kind. I am ashamed."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Queen Mother smiled and said, "Mr. Qi, don't be too modest. You are indeed a rare and precious quality to be able to do this, just as before."

Yuwen Lan paused.

Before he could say anything, he heard a burst of screams unexpectedly——

[Ahhh, Queen Mother, you are so brave ahhhhh I love you!!!]

Needless to say, it was Yan Shu's.

The volume was so loud that Yuwen Lan wanted to cover his ears.

Of course, covering his ears was useless...

He could only try to control his expression and not show any abnormality.

Qi Shuguang saluted the Queen Mother again, "Your Majesty, this is just a small thing, I believe everyone can do it."

Just as he finished speaking, another scream rushed into Yuwen Lan's ears.

[Ahhh, they are talking ahhhh!!! The Grand Scholar is so abstinent!!! CP fans are crazy ahhhh!!!]

Yuwen Lan, "..."

Can you stop screaming...

And what is "abstinence"?

But the Queen Mother said again, "This is not a small thing, there may not be one person in a thousand who can do it like you."

Everyone nodded and said yes. After all, it was eight hundred taels of silver, not eight taels, but eighty taels!

After a pause, the Queen Mother asked again, "Mr. Qi is probably not a wealthy man, so how did he get all that money?"

Qi Shuguang said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, this money was not paid by me alone, but by several friends and fellow villagers, especially Mr. Gu and Mrs. Gu, who generously donated 100 taels of silver. Therefore, this matter is definitely not my own achievement, and it is a sin to ask me to bear all the praises alone." The empress dowager's

eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said to the Gu couple, "The virtuous couple are also chivalrous people, worthy of admiration." As

soon as she finished speaking, everyone followed suit to praise them.

Gu Hongbai said hurriedly, "Thank you all for your praise. We two also couldn't bear to see Mr. Qi sell off his collection of calligraphy and paintings for many years. This is just the best we can do. It's really not worth mentioning. Mr. Qi is indeed worthy of praise from the world. But having said that, according to my understanding over the years, Mr. Qi is a low-key person. I don't know how this matter got out?"

Yan Shu said hurriedly, "In fact, Mr. Xiaoyao received a letter two days ago. The letter cut out the beginning and the end of this matter, and only said one sentence, 'Mr. Qi bought a concubine from a wealthy businessman', which made people suspicious. Mr. Xiaoyao then handed the letter to His Majesty. His Majesty knew Mr. Qi's character well, and he also knew that Mr. Qi was alone. Therefore, he was very surprised and ordered people to investigate. Only then did the truth come out." As

soon as these words came out, everyone raised their eyebrows and pondered the meaning of them.

Gu Hongbai said, "Does the writer of the letter know the truth, or did he just hear it from others? The intention of writing such a letter to Master Xiaoyao is worth investigating."

In contrast, Madam Gu was much more outspoken, and said directly, "To tell only half of the story is just to spread rumors. If it weren't for your majesty's keen observation, wouldn't Mr. Qi be unable to explain himself? Who is so full of himself that he could do such a thing?"

As soon as the words fell, everyone nodded. Madam Gu said what they wanted to say but didn't dare to say.

Only An Hongsheng felt a little uncomfortable.

He never thought that the king would ask someone to investigate.

What's more strange is that it takes at least three days to travel from Fengqiu to the capital. How could it be found out so quickly?

However, at this moment, Yan Shu said, "In fact, this person not only wrote a letter to Mr. Qi, but also to Mr. Gu." As

soon as this was said, the Gu family was stunned.

Mrs. Gu hurriedly asked, "Madam, can you tell me what that person wrote about my old man?"

Yan Shu coughed and said, "The letter said that when Mr. Gu was young, he didn't like to study. He set up a stall in the market all day to tell fortunes, cheating people..."

As soon as the voice fell, An Hongsheng was stunned again. How could this be?

He hasn't sent it out yet? ? ? He

originally planned to send it out after dealing with Qi Shuguang? ? ?

Madam Gu was immediately furious. "Please understand, Your Majesty, this is pure slander! He pretended to be a fortune teller in the market for a few days just to see me. He never opened a business, so how can he be a liar? This person is making up rumors and causing trouble. What is his purpose?"

Of course, who would do this if he didn't have a purpose?

Everyone present had already understood. Hearing this, they immediately began to condemn, "It's really ridiculous. What's the intention of spreading such rumors?"

"If we can find out who it is, we must not let him off lightly!"

Madam Gu said angrily, "If you have any opinions about us, you can just come out and make it clear! You spread rumors secretly, aren't you afraid of going to hell and having your tongue pulled out!"

Gu Hongbai hurriedly said to Empress Dowager Yan Shu of Yuwen Lan, "Please forgive me, my husband has always been like this."

The empress dowager smiled and said, "Madam Gu is a heroine, what you said is absolutely right. And I heard that the person who wrote the letter is in the garden today."

When these words came out, everyone was surprised, looking at each other, guessing who it was.

Yuwen Lan looked at the man named An Hongsheng, but saw his eyes flickering, constantly looking around, but he had already started to think in his heart, [It is not advisable to stay here for long, let's hurry back to Yangwu after the banquet...]

Want to run away?

Yuwen Lan said, "Don't worry, everyone, I have asked someone to investigate. I believe that the net of heaven is vast and there is justice. Even if this person does not take the initiative to admit his mistakes, he will definitely be found."

After these words came out, An Hongsheng became more nervous, but he was still cheering himself up, [It's okay, it's okay, even if it is really found out, just say that you don't know the truth. Anyway, it's just a letter, it's not a big crime.]

He is quite capable.

Yuwen Lan sneered and glanced at Hanlin scholar Zou Mozhong.

Scholar Zou immediately spoke up, "Speaking of this, I am reminded of an old story. A few years ago, I was chatting with a colleague who had just joined the Hanlin Academy and heard about an incident. This colleague lost his father at an early age, and his family was supported by his widowed mother who did needlework. At that time, he studied at the White Horse Academy, and a professor in the academy took good care of him. This colleague was very grateful. However, out of the blue, someone suddenly spread a rumor that the professor had an affair with his mother. The kind-hearted professor left in anger, and this colleague, who could not bear the humiliation of his widowed mother's reputation, also left. The rumormonger took the opportunity to fill the vacancy and was directly promoted from lecturer to professor. Now thinking back, the rumormonger's method is the same as this time."

White Horse Academy?

Professor?

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked at An Hongsheng who was trying to play dead.

Isn't this him?

It turned out to be him!

However, An Hongsheng still planned to play dead, lowering his eyes to avoid everyone's gaze.

Mrs. Gu sneered, "I also remember that when Mr. Qi was raising money for that poor girl, he was just away from Baima Academy. The professors of Baima Academy probably heard about it." As

soon as these words came out, everyone suddenly realized it and shook their heads to look at An Hongsheng.

Someone has already sighed, "It's fine if you don't help, but what's the point of spreading rumors behind people's backs? Do you think it's your turn to ruin other people's reputations?"

After these words came out, An Hongsheng finally spoke, "This is really a coincidence. I am from the White Horse Academy. I don't know which colleague committed such a stupid thing..."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Mrs. Gu shouting his name angrily, "An Hongsheng! You are really the most stupid person I have ever seen in the world. The most shameless person! When Professor Feng Xuehai left Baima Academy in anger that year, wasn't it you who filled the vacancy? You were my husband's junior fellow student back then. Who else but you knew that my husband had ever set up a stall to tell fortunes? Two years ago, when Mr. Qi was raising money everywhere, wasn't it you who avoided seeing so many people? You are really shameless! "

After these words came out, I don't know who started it, everyone applauded Mrs. Gu.

Gu Hongbai hurriedly smiled and said, "Madam is just straightforward, at least give Professor An some face and let him admit it himself!"

Mrs. Gu snorted again, "What kind of face does a shameless person need! I think he won't admit it today even if he is beaten to death!"

Everyone applauded again, "Mrs. Gu is really a chivalrous woman!!!"

After the words fell, An Hongsheng finally couldn't hold it any longer, and quickly stood up and knelt on the ground, kowtowed to the king, "I was just confused for a moment, please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

But the Queen Mother said coldly, "If Madam Gu hadn't scolded you, you don't know how long you would have been there, how can you ask Your Majesty to forgive you?"

Then she said to everyone, "In my opinion, this person deserves to be scolded! Come, write a notice about today's situation and the shameful things this person has done, and post it in the capital and the White Horse Academy for three months, so that everyone in the world can scold him and help him wake up."

After the words fell, everyone praised, "The Queen Mother is wise!"