Chapter 16 The Emperor finally decided on the candidates for the imperial examinations...
Zhou Xiaoyan turned to look at him: "Stop laughing, it won't look good if someone sees you."
Fu Mingzi pursed her lips and remained silent, but the smile in her eyes didn't fade.
"This Fourth Prince is quite interesting," Fu Mingzi commented.
Zhou Xiaoyan sighed, put the bow aside, and walked towards the resting place by the training ground. Fu Mingzi naturally followed.
The two sat under the shade of the pavilion, first taking a sip of the strong tea that had been brewed earlier, before Zhou Xiaoyan said, "You used to call me 'Be Careful, Fourth Brother,' but what do you say now?"
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Now we naturally need to be extra careful."
Zhou Xiaoyan's expression was inscrutable. He glanced at Zhou Xiaoheng, who was speaking gently to the Eighth Prince in the distance, snorted coldly, and suddenly changed the subject: "Did you know that the Yuntai Camp destroyed a bandit stronghold on the outskirts of the capital yesterday?"
Fu Mingzi naturally knew this. Ever since Fu Mingbai told him that the outskirts of Beijing were unsafe, Fu Mingzi had been waiting for this news every day. The capital city under the emperor's nose, even if it was unsafe, it wouldn't last long.
"Of course I've heard about it. Rumor has it that the bandit leader will be brought to the capital to be executed in a few days," Fu Mingzi said cautiously.
Zhou Xiaoyan glanced at Fu Mingzi: "Your second brother is in the Yuntai camp. He's probably going to make a name for himself this time."
Fu Mingzi smiled and said, "Your Highness is joking. This attack on the bandit's den was personally commanded by the Admiral. My second brother is only the deputy commander of the cavalry battalion, and he was only in charge of the rear army this time. I'm afraid he won't get any credit."
Zhou Xiaoyan remained silent, as if bringing up this topic was just a casual remark, and looked back at the people on the training ground.
Fu Mingzi began to ponder in his heart. The commander of the Yuntai Camp was originally a subordinate of the Duke of Jingguo. The reason he was able to sit in this position was because of this identity. However, people's hearts are fickle. After so many years, who can know whether his former confidants still have their hearts with the Duke of Jingguo's mansion?
If he truly cared for the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, then the commander wouldn't have let Fu Mingbo lead the rear army during this attack on the mountain bandits, and he didn't even get any credit.
Fu Mingzi's eyes grew cold. After a few years, when his father retired and his elder brother became the Duke of Jingguo and took charge of the Five Armies Commandery, would these soldiers under his command still be of one mind and one heart?
Fu Mingzi has now guessed the contents of the letter his elder brother asked him to deliver that day. It was probably a reminder to his second brother not to fall out with the governor over this matter. After all, the atmosphere is tense now, and the Duke of Jingguo's mansion dares not have any trouble.
However… Fu Mingzi looked at Zhou Xiaoyan. Why did he suddenly bring this up? Was it just idle chatter? Or… or had he already guessed this? Fu Mingzi frowned. If that were the case, he was far too intelligent, almost demonic.
The afternoon martial arts class ended quickly, and Fu Mingzi didn't find an opportunity to inquire about his doubts. He could only return to the Fu family with a heart full of questions.
However, when he returned, he learned that the chief examiner for the imperial examination had not yet been decided at the court meeting, and the emperor had not announced it, so he did not know what he was considering.
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingzi could only sigh, perhaps their Duan Shijiang's sick leave would have to be extended even further.
Three days later, the Emperor finally decided on the candidates for the chief examiners of the imperial examination.
On this day, Duan Shijiang's illness finally subsided, but he looked as if he had aged ten years, lost a lot of weight, and lacked his former energy in class.
Fu Mingzi sat below watching, feeling uneasy as well.
After finally finishing the morning's classes, Fu Mingzi followed Zhou Xiaoyan back to the West Third Institute, but the whole way they talked about the candidates for the chief examiner of this year's imperial examination.
“Li Congwen, a Doctor of Classical Studies from the Hanlin Academy, I’ve never heard of his literary reputation before,” Fu Mingzi said with a smile.
“Lord Li may not be renowned for his literary talent, but he was a probationary official in the third year of the Yongzhang era, more than qualified to be the chief examiner for the imperial examinations,” Zhou Xiaoyan said in a deep voice.
Fu Mingzi glanced at Zhou Xiaoyan and chuckled softly, "I've heard that Lord Li and Minister of Revenue Lu are from the same hometown, so they must have a good relationship." In officialdom, besides teacher-student relationships, the most important thing is hometown relationships; this is what is meant by "fellow townsmen."
Lu Ding, the Minister of Revenue, was the father of Consort De and also the maternal relative of the Second Prince.
No one expected that this matter would so easily benefit the Second Prince.
Whether the Empress and the Crown Prince fought or not, both sides suffered heavy losses this time. The Hanlin scholar temporarily appointed by the Duan family was too young to hold the line, while the scholar recruited by the Crown Prince was too old and risked becoming senile. However, this Dr. Li was just the right age and had excellent knowledge, so no one could find fault with him.
To everyone's surprise, Zhou Xiaoyan only gave a cold laugh upon hearing this and remained silent.
Fu Mingzi asked, somewhat puzzled, "Am I wrong?"
Zhou Xiaoyan shook his head: "You'll know in a few days. I can't be sure right now."
Fu Mingzi scratched his head anxiously, "Your Highness, please have pity on me and tell me."
Seeing his expression, Zhou Xiaoyan couldn't help but sigh: "I've heard that although Dr. Li and the Minister are from the same hometown, they had a falling out over personal matters years ago, and their relationship is not as close as others imagine."
Fu Mingzi was somewhat surprised: "If that's the case, then why did the Second Prince push him out in the first place?"
"Let's wait and see. We'll eventually find out who's on our side," Zhou Xiaoyan said calmly.
Fu Mingzi's interest in this spring imperial examination grew even stronger; watching these clever people outwit each other was quite interesting.
**
As soon as he returned from the palace that day, Fu Mingsong sent someone to summon Fu Mingzi.
Fu Mingzi didn't think much of it and casually went to Fu Mingsong's study. When she entered, she was surprised to find that Fu Mingbai and the Duke of Jingguo were both there. Fu Mingzi asked in surprise, "Second brother, why are you back?"
Fu Mingbo frowned: "You're so old, why are you still so easily startled? You're not composed at all."
Fu Mingzi touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly and changed the subject, saying, "Second Brother, is there something important that brought you back this time?"
As the deputy commander of the Yuntai Camp's elite cavalry, Fu Mingbo could only return home once a month. His sudden return before his day off was indeed unusual.
Fu Mingbai frowned slightly: "When I went to the capital to present the prisoners, the Admiral selected me."
No sooner had he finished speaking than the Duke of Jingguo snorted coldly: "Zhou Mingguang has become quite cunning. He doesn't include you when it comes to making contributions, but he does include you when presenting prisoners. He doesn't give you a chance to make contributions, but he also brings you along to save face. He shuts me up. You receive rewards without any merit. How can your subordinates be convinced by you?"
Fu Mingzi suddenly realized that the intricacies involved were indeed complex, and that this admiral was truly cunning.
“Father, even if I were to receive His Majesty’s favor by chance, I would still refuse.” Fu Mingbai said firmly.
The Duke of Jingguo's expression remained unchanged: "You think you can just refuse like that? This time, such a large group of bandits was wiped out, and His Majesty is in high spirits. How can he let you spoil the mood? Even if you refuse, His Majesty will accept it, but the fact that you have taken credit for someone else's work has already been established. Do you think others will understand your predicament?"
Fu Mingbo sighed deeply, feeling utterly helpless.
"It's alright." Fu Mingsong said coldly, "Since Admiral Zhou has given you this opportunity, just seize it. You come from the Duke of Jingguo's family. Even if you were given the position of admiral, wouldn't you be able to accept it?"
"Exactly, exactly." Duke Jingguo clapped his hands and laughed: "Zhou Mingguang himself came from humble beginnings, and he has reached his current position because of his military achievements and the support of his soldiers. He has been in that position for a long time, so he thinks that everyone is like him." Duke Jingguo looked at Fu Mingbai: "Mingbai, even if you get along well with the soldiers in the army, do you think they will forget your identity?"
Fu Mingbo lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.
Fu Mingzi, seeing this, became anxious and couldn't help but say, "Second Brother, you come from the Duke of Jingguo's family, and now you've been forced into this situation. If you don't move forward, you'll retreat. Is there any third way?"
"I understand," Fu Mingbo said in a deep voice.
Duke Jingguo stepped forward, patted his son on the shoulder, and said in a gentler tone: "I know what you're thinking. You don't want to rely on your family background, but want to rise to the top based on your own abilities. I also want to see you like that. But in this world, you can't do whatever you want. You are my son after all, born into the Duke Jingguo's family. You are different from those ordinary soldiers from the very beginning."
“I understand.” Fu Mingbai raised his head to look at the Duke of Jingguo, his expression firm.
The Duke of Jingguo smiled, his face no longer showing any gloom.
Fu Mingzi, standing to the side, could see clearly that this was a play put on by his elder brother and father, one playing the bad cop and the other the good cop, persuading and forcing his second brother to accept the result. Otherwise, given his second brother's stubborn nature, he might actually refuse the credit on the spot, which would displease the emperor and cause trouble for their Jingguo Duke's Mansion as well.
Fu Mingzi took a deep breath. Seriously, she couldn't even trust her own father.
After speaking of Fu Mingbai, the Duke of Jingguo finally turned his gaze to Fu Mingzi: "The day after tomorrow, the Prince of Cheng's mansion will host a banquet. Remember to escort your sister-in-law there."
"What?" Fu Mingzi asked in surprise, "Why do I have to go over there? Doesn't my brother have time?"
Duke Jingguo looked at Fu Mingzi and laughed: "Silly son, in that kind of occasion, someone like your elder brother, who has both sons and grandsons, can't go. Only a young man like you who is not yet married can go."
Upon hearing this, Fu Mingzi felt a chill run down her spine. Was this what it meant to be a matchmaker?
He instinctively wanted to say no, but then he thought about his plans and realized this was a perfect opportunity.
After considering it for a long time, Fu Mingzi finally nodded reluctantly: "Okay."
The Duke of Jingguo, who had originally intended to press the matter further, was stunned. He hadn't expected it to be done so easily. He looked at Fu Mingzi with suspicion and said, "Don't cause any trouble later. If I find out that you're deliberately causing trouble, I will not forgive you when you come back."
Fu Mingzi thought to herself, "Of course I'd cause trouble!" But she wouldn't tell the truth in front of the Duke of Jingguo, so she just nodded, pretending to be a little annoyed, and said, "Understood!"
Seeing his reluctant expression, the Duke of Jingguo breathed a sigh of relief: "Alright, that's all for you. Go back now."
Fu Mingzi felt a lump in her throat, almost dying of anger. She flung her sleeves, turned around, and left!
A note from the author:
----------------------
Happy Chinese New Year everyone! May everything go smoothly in the new year!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
