Amid the sound of gongs and drums, the number one scholar rode his horse through the streets. Crowds of people gathered and flowers paved the road. The detectives of Shuntian Prefecture blew gongs and shouted to maintain order. The crowd was noisy and there were even screams.
"Marry me, Mr. No. 1 scholar!"
"Ahhh, Mr. Lin! You're so handsome!"
The people of Jinling are bold, and the appearance of this young top scholar simply drives the young ladies crazy. Where can you find a man of ideal talent and beauty? There is one on the street!
This is the first time in Lin Zikui's life that he has been so high-profile and the first time that he has lived under so many admiring gazes. The people on both sides all looked up to him, and he was truly surrounded by people, with the streets empty. But Lin Zikui suddenly turned around, and as far as he could see, there was only Xiao Zhaoling wearing a bright red gown, standing under the willows by the river, with the breeze blowing against the willows, looking stunningly beautiful, with a beaming smile on his face.
Petals were falling before his eyes, and at that moment, the flowers in Lin Zikui's heart also blossomed.
The ten-mile-long street was packed with people. If all the detectives of Shuntian Prefecture had not been dispatched, Lin Zikui would have been eaten in the street.
Lin Zikui was parading in the streets, and the Xiao family of three were sighing and lamenting.
When the second daughter of the Xiao family heard that Lin Zikui's eyes had recovered and he had passed the imperial examination, she was shocked and couldn't help but look down at the baby in her arms.
Master Xiao said, "At that time... oh, I really shouldn't have done that!"
Madam Xiao clutched her handkerchief and sobbed, "When Wen Shengli was a university scholar, I was impressed by his rapid promotion and the blessing of the royal family. Who knew he was so foolish! Lin Zikui, that Lin Zikui... Master, you say... He is such a loyal person, will he..."
The second girl just shook her head, "Mom, don't say anything. I already have a child. Fortunately, we didn't do anything too extreme. He just won the first place in the imperial examination and became a cabinet minister. Once he became famous in Nanjing, his official position will only get higher and higher. Dad is now a minister. We are in the same court with him. It's better to be good friends instead of enemies."
When she heard that the young number one scholar was parading on a horse, Miss Xiao couldn't help but go to take a look with her child in her arms. She saw a luxurious BMW car, flowers flying all over the sky, and the number one scholar with rosy lips and white teeth, and was extremely talented and stunning.
My father arranged this marriage for Lin Zikui because of her talent and appearance when she was fourteen years old. Now it seems that my father's vision is good after all.
When he returned to the villa, Mr. Lin's hat was askew, his clothes were torn by someone, and there were a few flower petals in his hair. People scattered flowers on him along the way, and later someone put flowers in his arms. Lin Zikui couldn't hold them all, so he could only thank them with a smile. Unexpectedly, the woman kept chasing him and called him "Mr. Zhuangyuan".
In the room, Mo Liu was packing his things in a daze, and all the servants in the villa were busy.
Seeing Lin Zikui dismount and enter the house, Mo Liu ran out: "Master, you are back?"
Lin Zikui: "What's going on? What are you packing?"
"Just now, an imperial decree came from the palace, His Majesty has granted you a mansion, and asked us to pack up and move in quickly."
“It’s nice to live here.”
Although it is my wife's property, in exchange for another... it is a gift from the court. Lin Zikui thought about it and read the imperial edict. It was indeed the seal of the Regent. The emperor also granted him a two-month leave and allowed him to return home in glory.
Lin Zikui sighed.
Mo Liu was confused: "Are you unhappy? Is this place not good?"
“No, let’s go and move it over.” Lin Zikui put the imperial edict into the box. He knew that if he kept worrying about everything, he would be worried to death. The salary from the court and all the things bestowed by the emperor would still be there in the future.
So Lin Zikui simply stopped thinking about it and asked, "Is the Madam back?"
"Madam hasn't come back yet. Sir, our madam, is she of an extraordinary status..." Two or three days had passed, and Mo Liu was still immersed in the shock that Chen Yuanqing was actually the commander-in-chief of the imperial guards.
Yuan Qing is the commander-in-chief, but where is Madam Xiao? ! Isn't he a royal relative? !
Lin Zikui hummed, but did not tell him, saying: "Let's talk about it later. Don't tell anyone. Commander Chen is doing something in my house. If people know about it, it will cause disaster."
"Yes, Mo Liu won't tell me, I will never tell you! I swear!" The villa looked small, but it was very heavy to pack up the belongings. Fortunately, the servants were quick and efficient and loaded all of Lin Zikui's suitcases and luggage onto the carriage. It was almost dusk.
Lin Zikui handed the address of the mansion given by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the coachman. The coachman rode his horse to bring them there. Jinzun went down first, clenched his fist and stretched out his arm to help Lin Zikui down.
His master had told him not to touch Master Lin with his hands, so he only used his arms.
Lin Zikui held his armored arm, raised his head slightly, and saw the plaque of "Lin Mansion", which was lit up by the orange light of the lantern.
The deep black small-leaf red sandalwood and the gilded copper characters are certainly not something that can be done in one day.
Were all these prepared in advance by Xiao Zhaoling?
The No. 1 Scholar’s uniform is, and the No. 1 Scholar’s residence is…
While he was thinking in a daze, Mo Liu suddenly said, "Sir, the mansion next door is actually the Dingbei Marquis's. Isn't Dingbei Marquis the current regent?!" He was startled and whispered, "The regent doesn't live in the mansion now, right? Our lady's surname is Xiao, could it be..."
Lin Zikui looked to the side and saw only the high walls next door.
So that's how it is. His new mansion is next to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion, but one has its door facing northeast, and the other faces southwest. The door is not on the side, so the place outside Zhuangyuan Mansion is much quieter. The osmanthus flowers on the street side are in full bloom and falling all over the ground.
The door lintel is not very tall, but rather low-key. The house is quiet when you enter it and unexpectedly spacious. The corridor is covered with rich wisteria flowers, and the aroma of food wafts through the depths of the house.
Lin Zikui knew that since dinner was ready, there was probably someone inside, so he could only follow Ling.
He could only walk along the central axis. When he was about to reach the hall, he vaguely saw a tall figure leaning leisurely against the railing door, looking down at him from the corridor hole.
Lin Zikui hadn't seen him wearing such a bright red dress for a long time. He stared at him for a while, then turned his head to Mo Liu and Jin Zun and said, "This house is so big, you can pick a yard you like and live in the one you like. After you pick one, come and have dinner."
"Okay!" Mo Liu left happily. Jin Zun glanced at the Marquis and turned away.
Lin Zikui straightened his clothes and walked towards Xiao Fu: "When did you come?"
Xiao Fu took his hand and said, "I arrived earlier than you. I saw you parading in the afternoon and then went back to the palace. Do you like this house?"
It was repaired two months ago just for giving it to him today.
Lin Zikui nodded, her crimson collar neatly arranged to reveal her slender, fair neck, and said, "I like it, but it's a little big."
"It's not that big. The mansion of the beheaded Minister Pang is twice as big as yours. But we don't need such a big house. We don't have children or concubines. What do we need such a big house for?" Xiao Fu lowered his head to look for the expression on his face and his clear eyes, and softened his voice. "You are a fourth-rank official, and this mansion is given to you according to the fourth-rank system. No one will say anything."
Lin Zikui nodded slowly and looked at him: "I see. Is your carriage at the Dingbei Marquis's Mansion? Did anyone see you when you came over?"
"No one saw me. I jumped over. Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's eat first."
On the first day of serving as an official in the court, Lin Zikui was given a two-month vacation.
In the evening, Xiao Fu explained to him: "If you pass the imperial examination, you will be given this leave to return home in glory. If you don't want it, you can come to court tomorrow, but it will be hard work."
Lin Zikui shook his head gently: "It's not hard, but I do have to go back to Fengtai County. It will take less than two months. I just need to visit my parents' graves."
Xiao Fu asked: "When will you be back?"
"Come back after the fifteenth."
"Then you should go with Elder Xue. He has stayed in Jinling for so long, it's time for him to return to Huainan."
Lin Zikui now has his own mansion, and his main courtyard is also separate. He can no longer hear the voice of his servant, and everything seems strange. A row of climbing osmanthus trees are planted under the courtyard wall, next to dozens of peach trees. The courtyard has all the necessary facilities, including bedrooms, study rooms and bathrooms, and it is quiet and silent in the night.
The bathroom pool had just been filled with water and was covered on both sides by three screens. Lin Zikui was about to take a bath when he discovered a herbal bag in the bathtub, with the hot steam giving off a faint herbal scent.
Lin Zikui asked Xiao Fu: "What's the matter with this medicine?"
Xiao Fu was undressing, and he couldn't see clearly through the screen. His voice was hazy: "Third brother adjusted your body. You shouldn't be as weak as before. How could you faint after the palace examination?"
Lin Zikui had not eaten that day, so he asked, "Did Mr. Xie prescribe this medicine?"
"It was prescribed by the imperial physician. Third Brother Xie has gone traveling." Xiao Fu quickly untied his clothes and walked out from behind the screen. When Lin Zikui touched him, he subconsciously looked away: "Then... the medicine is for me, do you want to take it too?"
Xiao Fu: "I'm giving you medicine to replenish your body, why can't I take a bath?"
Xiao Fu glanced at him and saw that he was still wrapped tightly. He found it funny and felt very pitiful. He and the young man took off their clothes behind two screens respectively. He had taken off all his clothes, but he was still wearing them! As a couple, they never took a bath together! Hiding every time!
Xiao Fu bullied him every time, and Lin Zikui endured it again and again, and his bottom line was pushed back again and again until there was no bottom line left.
“Then take a bath…” Lin Zikui was a little embarrassed. Who had ever seen such a white jade pool for bathing? It was a circle larger than the cypress bathtub, surrounded by dim lanterns and candlelight, with fruits, snacks, tea and wine on the table, and incense lit - when had he ever enjoyed such a thing?
First, I think it’s extravagant, and second, I think it’s inconvenient…
Lin Zikui gathered her clothes and was about to leave when Xiao Fu called her back, "Come back. Wait for me. Today, I told you not to look for me when you were parading in the streets. Why did you turn back?"
Lin Zikui stood with his back to the screen, remembering how he felt at that time.
"There are very few people wearing red clothes..." The carriage had already passed by, but Lin Zikui still caught a glimpse of it. He was worried and couldn't help but look back. It was indeed Zhao Ling——
Xiao Fu lay down beside the pool: "Then why don't you look back now?"
Lin Zikui didn't know how to explain it.
Xiao Fu: "Let me think, do you still have a grudge against me for letting you be the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace?"
Lin Zikui was silent for a moment, but still answered: "There is one thing, you should not abuse your imperial power." The supreme imperial power was abused by Yuwen Duo, causing the people to live in misery. He would not allow Xiao Fu to do this.
Xiao Fu: "Then come here, I will tell you why I don't allow you to be a Hanlin."
Lin Zikui: “Why?”
Xiao Fu shook his head: "I told you to take the medicinal bath after you came in. You were afraid of the bitterness, so I specially asked the imperial physician to prescribe a medicinal bath for you."
Xiao Fu did not force him, nor did he reach out to pull him. He just quietly waited for Lin Zikui to think for himself. After waiting for a long time, Lin Zikui said, "Then put out the candle. It's too bright."
Xiao Fu flicked the water droplets lightly, extinguishing half of the lights in the narrow bathroom, and the light dimmed in an instant. Lin Zikui was undressing with his back turned. There was a rustling noise coming from behind the screen. Xiao Fu leaned against the edge of the white jade pool with his head raised, watching him come out and go into the water in a secretive manner with half-open eyes. He had a shy expression on his face and sat properly on the other side of the pool.
The autumn night in August was not too cold, but Lin Zikui hid his neck in the candlelight. In the dim candlelight, he saw Xiao Zhaoling's expression was half-awake and half-clear. In the past, he liked to think, can't he just live a proper life? Why did he have to do that kind of thing, making himself seem a bit androgynous and destroying his self-esteem as a man.
But he was not without feelings in his heart, and he knew why. It was natural to be like this when love was deep. Lin Zikui was not so resistant, nor was he so afraid of pain.
"Can you tell me now?" He asked from a distance, "Why don't you let me go to Hanlin?"
Xiao Fu: "Hanlin is undermining your talent. Do you prefer to work with an old man? Or with me?"
Lin Zikui thought for a moment: "Old man..."
Xiao Fu: “…”
Xiao Fu was angry: "Say it again? The old man is still me."
Lin Zikui answered affirmatively: "Old man."
Xiao Fu: “…”
Xiao Fu couldn't help it, so he grabbed his legs from below, pulled him over and hugged him, pinching his waist with his big hands, which made Lin Zikui feel itchy, so he lay on him and shook his head.
"You like working with the old man, so I'll call all the old Hanlins to Wuying Hall? Let's see who you prefer to stare at Old Orange Peel or me all day long?"
Lin Zikui laughed and shook his head: "No, you are not following the rules. You promised me that you would not abuse it."
"No, you supervise me in front of me. If I abuse it, you can teach me a lesson when you get home. I won't abuse it... When my name is on the list of successful candidates, shouldn't we have our wedding night?" Lin Zikui lay on top of him and nodded, but not obviously.
Xiao Fu knew that this was his character. He dared to say treasonous words in the court, but he wouldn't dare to do so in bed. He held Lin Zikui down, first looking for his cheeks and lips from the surface of the water, kissing them moistly, and then holding him with his strong arms as he sank down.
Lin Zikui gradually sank, his self-esteem rose for a while, and he wanted to hide. Xiao Fu stopped, and just leaned forward and kissed his eyelids, nose tip, and lips very lightly, without saying a word, his body language completely replaced words.
Lin Zikui's self-esteem faded again. If Zhao Ling wants it, then just give it to him. It will hurt a little anyway. How painful can it be... Can it be as painful as when I was blind and fell down, and cried outside the Imperial Examination Hall after the exam?
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