Chapter 54 Chapter 54 You have a dark heart
It was time to leave the government office, but Chen Shao had no intention of leaving Wenyuan Pavilion. While serving tea, his attendant quietly reminded him that the newly admitted scholars would come to visit the teacher today, and it was almost time.
Chen Shao didn't even raise his head. "Tell them to go back. I already said I won't see them."
Lao Jiayuan wanted to say something but stopped himself. After hesitating for a moment, he bowed and retreated.
Chen Shao raised his eyes and looked at Liu Fang on the other side. He was pondering over a poem and didn't seem to pay attention to this side.
Chen Shao lowered his eyes and continued writing his petition.
The sun gradually set in the west, and when the last ray of sunlight disappeared, Chen Shaocai put down the pen in his hand.
Gently rubbing his tired, sore eyes, he looked at Liu Fang, "Master Liu hasn't left yet?"
Liu Fang put down his pen and said with a wry smile, "I'd like to leave, but my son is impatient and has pushed the job of writing the Qingci onto his father. The elder knows I'm not good at it, so I've been working all afternoon and only managed to finish half a piece. It's due tomorrow, and I don't know what to do!"
Chen Shaowei sighed, "Children are a debt. Without debt, no one comes. As their fathers, we can only repay the debt."
Liu Fang: "Your Excellency is right. I'm dying for grandchildren. My son... Oh, I envy you so much. You have grandchildren everywhere. Unlike me, I go home to a lonely place and can only sigh with my old wife."
"It's his own destiny." Chen Shao said a few words to comfort him, then walked out of the palace gate holding the prepared proposal.
The Chen family's sedan chair had been waiting for a long time. The Chen family was very particular about food, clothing, housing and transportation. Not only did the sedan chair bearers have rules for their words and deeds, but their skills in carrying the sedan chair were also top-notch, neither hurried nor slow, slow and steady. Even when Chen Shao was holding tea, not a drop spilled.
When they arrived at the gate of the Chen family, they slowly got out of the sedan chair. When Chen Shaogang came out, he saw a hustle and bustle at the door, and several managers had come out to take care of things.
He asked his old family, "What happened at home?"
The old family was also confused. Before they could find anyone to ask, they heard the second steward shout inside: "The master is back!"
Then he ran over happily and knelt down to greet them, "Master, these are all newly admitted Jinshi this year. They are here to pay their respects to the master as per custom."
Chen Shao frowned and glanced at his old home with a worried look on his face.
The second steward was also very perceptive and explained: "The old steward sent someone to tell them what the master said, and I also told them, but they refused to leave no matter what."
While we were still talking here, a large group of people came out, some asking for favors, some calling us teacher, some introducing themselves and trying to establish connections. They all bowed down and said more auspicious words than the other.
People all love to hear nice words. Chen Shao finally smiled and told them to stand up, "Stand up, all of you. We will all be officials in the same court and colleagues. Your showing me such great courtesy makes me feel ashamed."
A banquet has already been set up in the courtyard, and it would be unreasonable to kick people out at this time.
Chen Shao smiled and made a "please" gesture, and a group of people surrounded him and took their seats.
Nearly fifty banquet tables filled the courtyard, with Chen Shao sitting at the head. Everyone came forward one after another, wanting to express their admiration for the teacher and their eagerness to make contributions to the country, but at the same time not being too flattering and losing the spirit of a scholar. They really racked their brains and tried their best, which was no less than taking the imperial examination that day.
At first, Chen Shao found it interesting, but after listening for a while, he found it noisy and left the room on the pretext of changing clothes.
When Chen Lingyi saw his father glance at him, he immediately understood and followed him.
"You must have let them in. The steward wouldn't be that bold. I told you I wouldn't see them, why didn't you listen?"
Chen Lingyi said nonchalantly, "This is customary. It happens every time the results of the imperial examination are announced. If you don't see it, people will say your father is arrogant and looks down on others!"
Chen Shao shook his head. "The situation is different now. It would be fine if we just had a cup of tea, but you made such a big fuss about it."
"Just because it's different from usual, I need to see you even more! These people will all become officials in the future, but no matter how high they get, when they see me, they must respectfully call me Teacher and remember my kindness in promoting them. If I need money, someone will bring it to me. If I have an idea, someone will fight for me."
Chen Lingyi was quite pleased. "If a student opposes his master, he is betraying his master and ancestors. He will never be able to hold his head up high in his life, and his career will be ruined. I am doing this to recruit talents for my father."
This is the truth. Otherwise, every time there is an exam, people with some qualifications will try their best to squeeze in and become the chief examiner.
But why did he still feel uneasy? Chen Shao looked at the crescent moon in the night sky and said, "In another quarter of an hour, I'll let them go."
"You're not coming over? The banquet just started." Chen Lingyi looked at his father in surprise, but his father left without a word of response.
He really couldn't understand what his father was afraid of. Many examiners had gone through the same thing, so why couldn't he do it when it was his turn?
Chen Lingyi didn't understand, nor did he want to understand. He flicked his sleeves and sat at the top.
A close confidant came over and whispered to him, "There's a very unsociable person. Everyone is rushing to see the elder, but he hides behind the crowd and only bows, not even kneeling."
Chen Lingyi's eyes immediately turned cold and he asked who it was.
"This year's champion, He Ping, humph, is arrogant because of his talent. He will definitely be disloyal in the future."
"As for him, don't worry about him. Remember, don't confront him unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Ah... why? Who is he?"
Chen Lingyi smiled, stood up and patted his shoulder, "Follow me to toast everyone."
He carried a wine jug and went from table to table to urge people to drink, and ordered people to call the singing girls and dancers he kept at home to add to the fun. The banquet was suddenly very lively and the atmosphere reached its peak.
But at this moment, there was a sudden "bang bang" sound like muffled thunder, one after another, and immediately above everyone's head, balls of fireworks exploded one after another. It was really a spray of flowers and colorful lights, making the courtyard as bright as day, as if a strong light was shot out from the sky, shining directly on the Chen family.
He Ping who was enjoying his meal: Oh, here comes the ultimate move!
Chen Lingyi was startled. "Who set off the fireworks?"
The servant came running over in a hurry, "My lord, it wasn't anyone from the mansion who put it there. Judging from their attire, they look like some Jinshi scholars. Perhaps they were too drunk and got carried away."
"Did you see it clearly?"
"Look carefully, those people lit fireworks at the entrance of the alley, then came in and resumed their seats with laughter."
Chen Lingyi raised his chin towards the people below and asked, "Can you figure out who it is?"
The servant looked embarrassed and said, "I just glanced at it and didn't see its appearance clearly."
At this time, someone came to persuade him to drink, but Chen Lingyi didn't want to get angry and spoil everyone's mood, so he had to give up.
The night wind swept the loose dust on the square in front of the temple. The late spring night wind was still cool, blowing on people's faces and driving away the last bit of sleepiness.
Emperor Hongde withdrew his gaze from the night sky and asked, "Who is setting off fireworks?"
As early as the first firework exploded, Lu Liang ordered people to investigate, "Replying to the emperor, it is Chen Ge Lao's home."
Emperor Hongde smiled and asked, "Is there any happy event in his family today?"
During the Lantern Festival two years ago, fireworks were set off in front of the Meridian Gate. Sparks accidentally ignited the red silk on the tower, nearly setting the entire gate ablaze. Later, the emperor issued a ban: except during festivals and major celebrations, no fireworks were allowed within a ten-mile radius of the imperial palace.
And the Chen family is within a ten-mile radius.
Lu Liang thought for a moment and replied, "After the results of the imperial examination are announced, it is customary for the students to pay a visit to the chief examiner."
"Oh?" Emperor Hongde became interested. "Let's go to his house and take a look. If you don't want to show off, you can go with three or four more guards."
This is a secret visit.
Soon, the group quietly came to the alley in front of Chen's house.
Emperor Hongde did not come closer, but just stood in the corner and looked at the Chen family quietly.
It was late at night, long past curfew, but the place was still brightly lit and bustling with people. The sound of laughter mixed with the sound of stringed instruments reached clearly into the ears of each of them.
The servants of the Chen family called him "Jinshi Master" one after another.
Jinshi should be divided into three classes after the palace examination, and the emperor will grant them the status of "Jinshi Chuan" or "Tong Jinshi Chuan".
However, the palace examination generally does not disqualify candidates. These tribute students will sooner or later become Jinshi, so in order to get a good start, people will also call them Jinshi before the palace examination.
It all depends on what the emperor thinks.
Lu Liang secretly glanced at Emperor Hongde. The emperor looked normal and showed no sign of displeasure.
He thought for a moment and then asked tentatively, "Since it's a violation of the ban, should we ask the Five Cities Military Affairs Department to take care of it?"
"After ten years of studying, one day one's name is on the imperial examination. Anyone would be excited. It's nothing." Emperor Hongde smiled kindly. "They are all pillars of the court. How could you mobilize an army to arrest them? Wouldn't that make me a cruel and unkind ruler who does what he wants?"
"Yes, yes." Lu Liang's smile was a bit shy and honest.
The group left quietly, just as they had come.
Wu Yong flashed from the shadows, scratching his hair in frustration, "It's over, the emperor doesn't care at all."
"No rush." Chen Ling'an said calmly, "The palace examination hasn't started yet. The emperor won't get angry at this time. Let's wait and see."
Wu Yong looked at the Chen family, his voice tinged with worry. "These people are all Chen Shao's disciples. After the palace examination, they will all be assigned official positions, which will be even more disadvantageous to us. Alas, it would be better to push Liu Fang to be the chief examiner."
Chen Lingan smiled and said, "Wait until the palace examination is over, then you can see."
A few more days passed and the results of the palace examination came out.
"Not the top scorer?!" Xiaoman was so shocked that her scalp tightened and she shook Jinxiu vigorously, "You must have heard it wrong, how is that possible!"
Jinxiu struggled to remove her hand from her shoulder. "Lord Chen sent a message saying that Master He is second, second in the imperial examination. Tomorrow is the grand ceremony of announcing the imperial examinations. The yellow list will be posted at Chang'an Gate, and there will be a horse-riding parade. Let's go to Yuqian Street to take a closer look."
Mrs. Jiang was surprised and said, "Second place is already a big deal. Why aren't you happy for him? Instead, you're feeling dejected."
Xiaoman laughed bitterly, "My brother postponed the Spring Examination for three years just to get the title of having won three consecutive top honors. Now... well, I really can't imagine who can help him pass the exam."
-
At this moment, He Ping was beating his chest and stamping his feet in front of Mr. Lin Ting, tears streaming down his face. "It's a conspiracy, a conspiracy, there must be a conspiracy!"
Mr. Lin Ting drank his tea calmly and said, "Stop acting in front of me. Isn't the result what you expected?"
He Ping wiped away a tear of bitterness. "Teacher, what you said is too much. Instead of upholding justice for your disciple, you calmly watched the show. Are you still a teacher? If your disciple had won three prizes in a row, it would only make your beautiful face more radiant. Now that you haven't won, your pearl has become a dead fish eye."
Mr. Lin Ting spit out a mouthful of tea, "Get out, and don't say I'm your teacher."
"It's too late." He Ping blew his nose hard. "I was drinking at Chen's house that day and I couldn't control myself. I told everyone."
Mr. Lin Ting froze for a long time before pointing at He Ping and cursing, "You are such a black-hearted kid."
This time the top scholar has been badly screwed!
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