Chapter 101
"Your Highness, Boss Pang sent this." Xu Lingguan came in from outside, with his men carrying a screen.
Xuanyunfu thought it was the orchid embroidery we talked about last night, but it was so big. The screen was covered with red silk, and the outline of it gave us a rough idea of what was underneath.
Officer Xu Ling had seen it during the inspection, but he didn't reveal what it was at this time, as his master loved new things.
Xuanyu Fu put down the snack in his hand and wiped his hands. "Screen?"
"Yes." Xu Lingguan smiled.
Xuan Fu knew at a glance, "This is exactly what I want to say."
"Master, I can't guess that. You have to see it. But I think you will like it when you see it." Xu Lingguan said modestly.
Xuanyuefu muttered, "He said yesterday that he would give me orchids, but orchids are not rare." It's not that orchids are not rare, but that Xuanyuefu is not an elegant person who loves flowers. He is like a cow chewing on a peony. When he sees a flower in full bloom, no matter what kind of precious flower it is, even if it is a wild flower on the roadside, it is the same in his eyes.
It blooms well, blooms vigorously, blooms brilliantly and festively.
"Be careful and open it." Xuanyufu said.
Xu Lingguan asked his men to put away the screen and unroll the red silk.
The true appearance of the screen soon came into view. It was a four-panel screen, about 1.8 meters high. The main frame was made of pear wood and was carved with exquisite relief patterns. Before Xuanfu could see what was carved on it, he was attracted by the embroidery in front of him.
Not to mention the Four Gentlemen of plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum, there are also lifelike animals embroidered on each fan. The Four Gentlemen are just embellishments of the background, while the animals are the main subject, like the cute little kitten next to the orchid, raising its furry, round face to sniff the orchid.
Magpies on the winter plum branches.
Cranes deep in the bamboo forest.
A puppy is lying under the chrysanthemum ball.
These single-panel screens can also rotate. The embroidery methods on the two sides are different, and the pattern on the back is different from the front. For example, the front side shows a puppy lying down, while the other side has the puppy open its eyes. The color of its fur is also different. When you turn the single screen, the puppy seems to come alive, and you can feel the gentle breeze from the bamboo forest.
"It's double-sided embroidery." Xu Xuanfu marveled at the superb embroidery skills. He looked at the four panels one by one, walked around for a while, and then thought of something and said, "Call Pang Hai in to talk."
This screen is very beautiful and lively. It combines stillness and movement very well and is very interesting.
After a while, Pang Hai came in, bowed first, then stood aside and waited for His Highness to ask questions. When he came in, he saw that the screen was open, and His Highness must have been very satisfied.
"Your screen is very good, and the embroidery skill is also good. I will keep it for my appreciation and ask you to come in. I want to order another screen from you." Xuanyifu looked very serious. "You must keep this a secret. You will know when it can be spread out."
Merchants value profit, so if we make a product that's the same as the one the prince made, it will surely sell well.
Pang Hai hurriedly said: "I know, but I dare not spread it around, I will keep it secret."
That's right. Xuan Fu's serious expression immediately softened, "I want to order a festive screen for my wedding. It's the Yan Huaijin you met yesterday..."
When Pang Hai first heard this, he thought, "What a great happy event!" The Crown Prince is actually getting married. He didn't know which girl he's marrying, probably from some noble family in Shengdu City. Then the more he listened, the more he felt something was not right. His heart was beating like a drum. No wonder it had to be kept secret. He was afraid that if it got out, he'd be implicated.
The current emperor has only one prince, Your Highness.
However, Pang Hai was knowledgeable and experienced. It was nothing that His Highness was fond of homosexuality, and he did not need to worry about the royal heirs. It was just that this matter was indeed a big deal. Now that His Highness wanted to order a screen, he could not just turn down such a great opportunity, right?
Only a fool would push this.
"Your Highness, the embroiderers of the Grassroots Weaving Workshop have been observing plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum and even animals for a long time. They have seen the best and most exquisite orchids, the winter plum blossoms that have been squatting in the snow for half a month, the spring bamboo forests that have been listening to the wind, and the autumn chrysanthemums that have been in full bloom. Only with these kinds of things can a screen be lifelike..."
What this means is that Pang Hai only met Young Master Yan a few times yesterday and did not dare to look at the noble man carefully. Besides, Pang Hai was just the owner of a weaving workshop and a businessman, so even if Pang Hai described it to the embroiderers, it would not work.
Xuanyu Fu nodded and said, "Then ask your embroiderer to come here. I will pay for the delayed working time."
Pang Hai naturally said no, and then he flattered him, saying that it was a great honor for the embroiderer to be able to serve His Highness all the time.
"Shuncai, go and get one thousand taels." Xuanyu Fu asked if it was enough.
Pang Hai is naturally enough.
"If you do well, I will reward you again."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Then Shuncai saw the guest off.
Xuanyu Fu told Zhuyue, "Clean up the guest rooms. Take good care of the embroiderer that Pang Hai sent. Don't let her work."
Nowadays, embroiderers make a living by their hands. The screen sent by Pang Hai is so exquisite. The embroiderer must have superb skills. How could she let others do rough work?
Every month, he hurriedly said yes.
After deciding on a wedding gift for his fiancé, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was very happy. Then he looked at Zhuyue, Xu Lingguan and the others - they all knew about it. However, as the saying goes "too many lice, no worries", His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has become indifferent to his secret love affair.
He was indifferent. Zhuyue and the others looked at each other privately later and all maintained: His Highness just said to keep it confidential, so let's not spread it around.
So, unknowingly, Xuanyifu and Yan Huaijin's love affair became an unspoken secret - in the entire team, except for the peripheral personnel, only the chief steward Wang, who was close to His Highness, was kept in the dark.
The servants around His Highness were not talkative, so they naturally would not chatter about the romance between His Highness and Young Master Yan in private. In addition, Zhuyue and the others subconsciously felt that His Highness had a close relationship with Steward Wang. They all knew about it, so Steward Wang must have known about it a long time ago. Therefore, no one asked about it in front of Steward Wang - everyone was a little afraid of Steward Wang.
"Yan Jinjin, I prepared a gift for you. No, I should say I prepared gifts for both of us." Xuanyufu went to find her boyfriend, knocked on the door, pushed it open, and talked as she walked.
In the room, Yan Huaijin was sorting out his book boxes.
"What gift?" Yan Huaijin put down the book in his hand and asked curiously.
Xuanyu Fu laughed: "Keep it a secret, we will know when we return to Shengdu."
"Then I'll look forward to it." Yan Huaijin said with a smile, and then said: "I don't have enough books, and I'm afraid I'll embarrass you when I ask you questions. Today I want to go to the official school library to take a look."
Many blessings: ...
It's not that he has no loyalty.
"Well, you go ahead. I'll play at home. No, I'll wait for you to come back home for lunch." Xuanyu Fu waved his hand. He didn't want to hang out in the library.
Today's books, especially those used for the imperial examinations, are obscure and difficult to understand.
Yan Huaijin smiled and said yes, then added: "I'll ask around outside and find a good restaurant. I'll treat you to a meal."
"This is great." Xuanyu nodded.
After that, the two chatted for a while, Yan Huaijin packed up and went out with his servant. Xuanyuefu had someone come to see him, it was Chao Hong, the son of Mr. Chao, who was 28 years old this year. He was called Chao Hong and they got along well from the first sight. Liu Qian brought Chao Hong in.
Xuanyu Fu chatted with Chao Hong for a few words and commented: This guy is smarter than Liu Qiang, has a straightforward personality, and can be a playmate.
Chao Hong is already married with children. He represents the Chao family to accompany the prince. Naturally, he will not take the prince to some filthy places. The prince has not married yet. In this regard, whether he is homosexual or has poor health, it is not his business. The most conservative way to accompany the king is to avoid this place.
Therefore, Chao Hong suggested where the plainclothes officers should go to eat, play, watch a play, and other entertainment, and Xuanfu was still somewhat interested - Yan Jinjin had gone to the library to read, and it was quite boring for him to stay in the backyard, either sleeping or playing flying chess with the people around him.
You can play chess at any time.
"Traveling in plain clothes." Seeing Wang Banban nervous, Xuanyunfu turned around and said, "Call Brother Lin Zheng and Wang Yuansun and ask them to discuss safety. I'm going to change clothes and we'll be back as soon as it gets dark."
Chao Hong said: "Don't worry, Steward Wang, my father has already sent someone to explore the place Your Highness is going to -"
"Doesn't this expose the route?" Wang Yuanyuan said with a frown.
Chao Hong: "There are soldiers guarding nearby, so I guess no one would dare to mess around, right?" He looked at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Xuan Fu met Chao Hong's gaze. This man really didn't know what the "only prince" meant. He really thought that no common people would dare to attack him. He said, "Let's go to another place. We can talk while walking."
There is no need for Chao Hong to lead the way, so as to avoid blaming Chao Hong if something goes wrong.
Chao Hong figured it out in his mind, and immediately bowed his hands and apologized, saying, "My thoughts were too crude."
"I don't blame you. I am a noble person." Huaiping Prefecture is adjacent to Jiangnan Road. Previously, there were many pirates in Jiangnan Road. His father had taken over the old place. He was afraid that there might be some troubles that he hadn't cleaned up. Xuan Fu treasured his life.
He is their father’s biological son!!!
Now I have a handsome and charming boyfriend, I am alone and cannot afford any accidents.
Chao Hong couldn't help but glance at His Highness when he heard him say this, and couldn't help but smile, and hurriedly lowered his head. If someone else said something like "I am of noble status", they would just think you are shameless to add status to yourself, but His Highness the Crown Prince's words would not be annoying at all, but rather very cute, even funnier than his son.
Before noon, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince set out in plain clothes.
Many blessings: ...
They were dressed lightly, but they were all dressed in plain clothes. But they were all so busy that no one knew he was the prince. Forget it, let's just go.
We first went to a restaurant to eat and taste the local specialties.
Xuanyifu was sitting in a private room on the second floor. When the meal was almost over, the hall on the first floor was very noisy. He could hear everything from the second floor, saying "Let's go see what's going on outside."
Xu Lingguan ran to check it out, and came back after a while, saying, "Master, there are some scholars discussing essays downstairs."
"..." Xuanyu Fu was silent.
Xu Lingguan: "I just listened to a while, praising the emperor's land reform order, and writing poems for His Highness."
"Write a poem for me?" Xuan Duofu asked, then quickly replied, "I'm not really curious, don't go and read it."
Xu Lingguan should be.
It was even more lively in the audience, with constant applause as the students read articles and poems. Xuan Duofu asked the students to leave, and as soon as he showed up - Xuan Duofu finally understood that in the past, during class, the head teacher always liked to say "I know exactly what you are doing secretly in class".
It's almost the same here.
It was natural for the scholars to want to praise him, but because he was in disguise and did not reveal his identity, the scholars below acted as if "Your Highness, Your Highness the Crown Prince has come out," but then suppressed their excitement and pretended not to recognize him.
The hall was silent for a moment, but soon became lively again, with people continuing to praise the prince's poems.
Xuanyu Fu: I haven’t done anything great.
As a result, the scholars praised him for being fair and honest, and the copying of the anonymous palace examination rules was established by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. This matter is particularly important in the minds of scholars, avoiding connections and backdoors, and all the results are achieved through one's own talents.
Xuanyu Fu: I am borrowing the methods of the ancients. Although I am also an ancient now, I have not made the greatest invention as you boast. It is not the case.
Because of this action, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince actually left a very good impression in the minds of scholars.
"I heard that the official learning has been moved back?"
"Of course. Now that His Royal Highness has arrived at Huaiping Prefecture, I heard that His Royal Highness has been studying in Chongming Palace since he was a child, and has been taught by the great Confucian scholars, Master Hu and Master Yan. He is proficient in both civil and military affairs..."
Many blessings want to cover their faces. Stop blowing, stop blowing.
Especially when there was a "puff" laugh coming from behind, Xuanyu Fu knew who was laughing at him without even turning around! Liu Qiang, you're going to die!
"Ten days from now, we will be blessed to discuss the article with His Highness in person."
"I was wondering why the original three-day consultation was postponed. So this is the reason. Your Highness is coming. We can't be too narrow-minded. We should wait for the scholars from the other three prefectures to listen to your teachings together."
...I can’t teach you anything.
Manyu Fu forced a smile and nodded to everyone. Xu Lingguan led the way and asked his master to go out. After he went out and breathed a sigh of relief, he turned around and looked for Liu Qiang, "What were you laughing at just now!"
"You can even hear this?" Liu Qiang was shocked.
Xuanyu Fu: "Nonsense, who in the whole team dares to laugh at me."
"I just heard everyone praising your military and literary skills, and I thought of your boxing skills, which I admired particularly." Liu Qiang still gave Fu a lot of face when he was outside.
Manyu Fu's teeth chattered when he heard Liu Qiang's "praise".
"So Your Highness practices martial arts and knows Kung Fu?" Chao Hong flattered him. "I really didn't realize that. I admire you."
Liu Qiang tried to hold back his laughter and said, "That's right. Your Highness is an excellent boxer." Hahahaha, he could hardly hold back his laughter.
"Wang Yuansun——"
"I was wrong, I was wrong." Liu Qiang admitted his mistake very quickly and said sincerely, "Actually, your boxing skills are really good and can fool people, but I heard from inside that when they ask you about your knowledge, how will you fool them?"
Many blessings: "..."
Yan Jinjin, hurry up and learn! Come on, learn!
Because the guilty prince was not having a good time that day, he bought some snacks and went back early. He had to ask Yan Jinjin how she was doing today. As soon as he arrived at Pang's house, Shunde reported that the son of the political envoy had come and had been waiting for the whole afternoon.
"…As soon as His Highness left, Young Master Hua arrived and brought some snacks."
Xuanyu Fu: "Then you receive them, and then we can go our separate ways." He was busy cramming. Liu Qiang, the pig, was right. He was the big shot, and he would definitely have to say something that day. He had to prepare well on the surface to fool people, but the rest of the real stuff had to be put on carefully!
Chao Hong was staying in the guest room in the front yard of Pang's mansion. When he turned around, he saw the son of the government envoy, a fat and fair young master. He had been sweating a lot after waiting for the whole afternoon because it was hot. In addition, he had not eaten breakfast and was very hungry.
The box of snacks that Huaping brought was not as tasty as before because of the hot weather, so it naturally could not be given to His Highness to enjoy.
The two exchanged a few pleasantries and then went to rest.
Yan Huaijin came back a moment earlier. Duo Xinfu went straight to Yan Huaijin's room and told him about his guilty conscience and fear. "...Do you think I should prepare an opening script?"
"That's fine." Yan Huaijin encouraged, "Whatever you want to say, Master Wen and I can help you write it."
"Okay, okay, that's it."
Xu Duofu and his boyfriend stayed in the room writing for less than half an hour - less than an incense stick of time - before Xu Duofu became distracted and lay down on the bamboo couch, saying in a long voice, "Yan Jinjin, are you going to have dinner?"
"Then let's have dinner. I'm a little hungry."
Xuanyunfu sat up all at once, "Okay, I'm telling you, the local food at the restaurant we went to today isn't particularly tasty. I think the food there might not be good enough."
Yan Huaijin nodded and said a name, but Xuanyufu shook his head and said they were not from the same family.
"The restaurant you asked about?"
Yan Huaijin: "Today I went to the official school to read books and met a student from the prefectural school. We chatted for a while and he recommended me a restaurant that serves rice noodles."
"After we finish studying, let's go eat." Xuan Fu wrote it down.
For several days afterwards, Xuanyifu did not go out. Yan Huaijin went out of the house before dawn to read and return books at the provincial school, and made friends with several knowledgeable students. Xuanyifu slept until he woke up naturally in the morning, had breakfast, and then took the speech manuscript that Yan Huaijin helped him to polish to discuss his ideas with Wen Erdan.
In the afternoon, Yan Huaijin would come back with some new books.
The young couple would read under the tree in the yard.
Manyu read it for a while, touched the fish, drank some sour plum soup and ate some snacks, and then went back to read it when he was refreshed. There are some differences between the textbooks in the north and the south. For example, the policy essays are linked to current affairs. In the north, they are mostly about snow control, while in the south, they are about water control and flood disasters.
Then there are the economic differences.
Seeing that His Highness was studying so hard, Chief Steward Wang would stand by his side from time to time and bring him some fruits, herbal tea, etc. When he saw His Highness put his arm on Young Master Yan's shoulder, or his cheek was very close to Young Master Yan's cheek, and the two of them were smiling in the middle of a conversation, Chief Steward Wang did not think anything wrong.
Your Highness has studied so hard that he has become absorbed in it!
Young Master Yan helped His Highness to solve his problems. What profound ideas did Xiao come up with?
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and the Manfu Official School in Huaiping Prefecture launched its triennial academic inquiry activity. In fact, this activity had always been there. Every time there was a provincial examination, the school would organize it, and the scholars of the school as well as the scholars outside the school could enter the official school to watch and ask questions.
Students ask questions, teachers answer them, and they also ask each other questions, answer their doubts, and share their learning experiences - this is basically the activity.
The activity is a good activity, but what is being asked now is a lot of blessings.
I can't laugh at all.
Xuan Duofu woke up before dawn that day, and the people around him helped him to dress. It was the hottest time of the year, but for occasions like this, he had to dress formally - that means many layers.
Although the fabric of the summer clothes is light and thin, it is still very thick.
Xuanyuefu put on his underwear as usual as he had to eat breakfast soon. Yes, he couldn't eat breakfast with too much soup. He thought it was troublesome to go to the toilet, so he just ate dry food. After a while, Yan Huaijin came, neatly dressed. When Xuanyuefu saw him, his eyes lit up immediately.
Yan Jinjin roared and looked!
"Come on, come on." Xuanyu Fu stood up and held Yan Jinjin's hand, and the two sat together to eat breakfast.
Wang Dazongguanguan next to him was still looking at the sky outside, muttering: I wonder if it will be hot today, but I hope it won’t be too sunny.
"It won't be good if it rains." Xuan Fu heard Wang Banban praying for rain and said, "The students have been waiting for ten days. It won't be good to let them down. Some of them have come from far away, and it will be the same day. If it rains today, I can't run away right away."
Wang Yuanyuan first made three "Pooh, Pooh, Pooh" sounds, "Oh my God, that kid's words are so careless, don't take them seriously."
"Banban, I'm ready. If you don't believe me, ask Yan Jinjin."
Yan Huaijin nodded and said seriously: "Many people have been preparing for nine days, and I have also met with Master Wen and the teacher of the official school these days. We talked a lot about learning, and I have written down all the questions from previous years."
Many blessings: hehehe.
My boyfriend is a genius student and I also point out key points for him. I am so happy!
After the two of them had breakfast, the convoy outside was packed up, and Xuanyu Fu and Yan Huaijin got on the carriage to the official school. It was just dawn at this time.
The official school of Huaiping Prefecture was built in the suburbs, where there were few mountains and plenty of water. When we arrived, the official school had waterside pavilions, lakes, and green willow trees, and the whole environment was very beautiful. Wen Liangluo did the greetings and other chores on behalf of His Highness, and Xuan Fu only needed to prepare to sit on the upper floor and ask questions later.
"Where should I sit?" Xuanyuefu was confused now.
Yan Huaijin went to hold Duoduofu's hand and said, "When we first came in, there was a high ground—"
"I remember it was a big square with a stone statue." After saying this, Xu Xuanfu turned to look at Yan Jinjin. Yan Huaijin nodded. Xu Xuanfu: ...
That stone statue is a great scholar of this time and space, with a status similar to Confucius.
"How can I be so virtuous and capable!"
Yan Huaijin touched the back of Xuanfu's hand, but the miserable prince still did not forget to tease his boyfriend, turned his hand over and scratched Yan Jinjin's palm with his fingers. Yan Huaijin smiled, knowing that Xuanfu was fine, he was just complaining.
Xuan Fu has seen big scenes before and is not stage-frightened - except in the areas where he is weak. But now he has no choice but to go forward since he is already here.
After waiting for an incense stick of time, Wen Lianglu and the principal of the official school came to invite us.
Xuanyi Fu lifted up his wide sleeves and said calmly, "Let's go, I want to meet the students of Tōkaidō." He looked impressive enough to scare outsiders.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's seat was actually in the middle, and the school had raised it up, so he had a separate table. On his left and right were the teachers from the official school. Naturally, the ones closest to him were Yan Huaijin, Wen Lianglu, and Wen Erdan.
There are students at each step of the stairs.
The official school has been in operation for eight years. The trees here are lush and green, with luxuriant branches and leaves. There are lakes and waterside pavilions in the distance. The breeze blows gently, and it is not very hot.
Some students from the other three prefectures arrived only after they had received the news, while others who did not know the news had no chance to study this time. In short, there were thousands of students at the bottom.
Everyone bowed, and Manyu Fu stood up and said, "I came to Manfuguan to study today. I heard that many students came from other prefectures. I admire your eagerness to learn."
Some of the students below had tears in their eyes when they heard this.
"I have a classmate who is five years older than me. His father was a loyal man who sacrificed his life for the country. The emperor made an exception and allowed him to study in Chongming Palace. There are two teachers in the palace. Master Hu is particularly strict, while Master Yan is kind and amiable. But both masters take good care of my classmate."
"During those years of school, in the hot summer and cold winter, I went to the palace and saw him holding a book and reading silently on the steps outside the palace every day. It was not that the teacher was punishing him harshly. He said: I am not as knowledgeable as everyone in the palace, and I am old. After my father passed away, the court took pity on him. With my father's protection, he will have an official position, but he does not want to tarnish his father's reputation as an honest official-"
Xuanyufu is referring to Ke Qing, the eldest son of Lord Ke Anke.
"He kept repeating this every day, starving himself and emptying his body to encourage himself."
"A few years later, he failed the exam twice and was one of the few remaining students in the hall."
"Then the Chongming Palace was closed. I went to look for him, and he was still studying hard as always. But this time he said: He had been thinking wrongly in the past. He had failed the imperial examinations many times and was afraid of bringing disgrace to his father's reputation. Now that the palace was closed, he finally came to his senses."
Xuan Fu looked at the students at the bottom of the stairs. Most of these students were middle-aged people, including some with gray hair. There were a few young scholars standing in the front row. They were good seedlings, and those behind were all older.
They failed the exams many times and were disheartened, but they were unwilling to give up the decades of hard study. Some of them tried to curry favor with him by taking shortcuts, while others studied hard and down-to-earth, like Ke Qing.
"He said: He should study for the sake of the Great Sheng, and serve as an official for the sake of the people of the world. Even if he is a minor official, even if he is sent to a local government to clear up a wrongful case, he has done his duty and is worthy of the emperor's will and his father."
When the students below heard this, they all raised their sleeves to wipe their tears.
"Being an official is full of hardships and dangers, and there are all kinds of temptations such as fame, wealth, and beauty."
"Please remember that studying for the imperial examination and becoming an official is for the sake of prosperity and the people. You should be worthy of heaven and people, and stick to your original intention."
Ke Qing passed the exam in the previous session, but his ranking was very low, so he sought to move to a lower-level place, a prefecture or county that was not very wealthy - if Ke Qing was willing, many people would give him this backdoor.
Ke An exchanged his life for the account book. Without Ke An, the collusion between officials and bandits in Jiangnan Road would not have been exposed. Although Ke An was a low-ranking official, he was truly concerned about the country and pleaded for the people.
But Ke Qing didn't do that. Ke Qing wanted to go to the place on his own initiative. Others didn't want to go, but he did. The place was poor, so he wanted to go and see the people and help them relieve their worries.
After Xuanyu Fu finished speaking, the students were all very excited and wanted to die to prove their loyalty. They would never forget what His Highness said: they became officials for the sake of Dasheng and the people.
A few steps behind, Yan Huaijin looked at Xuanyifu, his eyes filled with love and admiration that were about to overflow. Xuanyifu was so amazing and so great.
The author has something to say:
Your Highness Duozi: Yan Jinjin must have been charmed by me!
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