Although this secret expression of emotion was barely perceptible, it was still noticed by those with sharp eyes.
Eunuch Liang thought to himself, "It seems that the thousand-year-old master admires the new champion very much and has been watching him for a long time."
As the Regent had to leave court early, Eunuch Liang quickly finished reading the transfer edict and looked at the group of loyal old ministers in the Mingtang, among whom were a group of young Jinshi. The youngest was the top scholar, who was not even twenty years old; the oldest was around forty, who had taken many years of examinations before finally becoming a Jinshi.
As soon as the court was over, the Regent asked Eunuch Liang to summon the top scholar to Wuying Hall. Lord Xiao wanted to say a few words to Lin Zikui, but when he saw that Eunuch Liang had taken the man away, he had to give up.
Liang Hong brought Lin Zikui to Wuying Palace. He thought that since he was favored by the Regent, he must have a bright future. He flattered him secretly: "During the palace examination, I thought the No. 1 scholar was extraordinary and would definitely pass. He really passed. When His Majesty was selecting the No. 1 scholar in the Imperial Study, I was right next to him. The No. 1 scholar is really promising at a young age. The younger generation is pushing the older generation forward..."
He praised so much, but Lin Zikui only heard a few words.
"Did His Majesty appoint me as the top scholar?"
Liang Hong turned his head: "Yes."
Lin Zikui reacted and lowered his head and said, "I was summoned by the Regent. I thought it was the Regent who appointed me."
Liang Hong smiled and said, "It was your Majesty's idea. But the Regent also seemed to have a crush on the No. 1 Scholar. This is the second time I have summoned you alone in the past few days!" Walking to the front of a palace, Liang Hong said, "This Wuying Palace is where the No. 1 Scholar will work in the future. He will accompany your Majesty to review memorials and draft imperial edicts..."
Lin Zikui thanked them one by one: "Thank you, Eunuch Liang, for your advice."
"What is the number one scholar thanking? They are all people who work for the emperor. The number one scholar has great potential and a bright future! Then I will go in and inform them first. The number one scholar, please wait here for a while."
Liang Hong then entered the room to announce the news. Before he could say anything, the Regent said, "The number one scholar is here? Let him in!"
Liang Hong came out and said, "The Lord has called, what are you still standing here waiting for, Sir? Why don't you hurry in?"
Lin Zikui silently stepped into the palace gate and heard Xiao Fu's voice: "Liang Hong, get out, everyone get out."
Lin Zikui stood still without moving.
The Regent: "The number one scholar stays."
Lin Zikui stood where he was, and out of the corner of his eye he saw several eunuchs retreating on both sides of him.
The Regent: "The champion, please come to me."
The door creaked shut, and Lin Zikui knelt down to greet him. Xiao Fu stood up and said, "Wait, stop greeting, and come sit over here."
Lin Zikui bowed as usual, placing his hands on his forehead and kowtowed in the etiquette of a monarch and his subjects: "I greet the Regent."
Xiao Fu frowned, bent down and helped him up: "Everyone has left, why are you kneeling?"
"There are too many people in the palace." Lin Zikui was afraid that he would be subject to rumors and gossip. Xiao Fu was in a position respected by everyone, and he himself was the new top scholar. He was afraid that rumors would spread in the court and that people all over the world would talk about him.
Just thinking about it, Lin Zikui couldn't help but take a deep breath. He was afraid that the relationship between him and Zhao Ling would never be exposed in this lifetime.
"Lin Lang, are your legs weak from kneeling? Does your knee hurt? Please sit down." Xiao Fu pulled his hand and led him to the desk, on which were piled secret documents and memorials.
“…I won’t sit.”
That was where the emperor sat, and the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace should be in the room outside. Lin Zikui had seen it when he came in. If the Regent often worked in Wuying Palace, there was a door between him and him. If the door was open, he would be thirty steps away.
"Come here." Xiao Fu still pulled him to his usual seat without giving him any explanation. Lin Zikui's heart trembled and he stood up in resistance: "I dare not!"
Xiao Fu frowned, probably knowing what he was struggling with, so he stretched out his long arms and pulled him into his arms: "If you don't want to sit on this chair, then sit on my lap."
Lin Zikui sat on his lap and tried to get up several times, but was held down by him. He was afraid of being seen and was very nervous. He heard Xiao Fu say, "No one will come in without my summons. Don't worry, Yuan Qing is guarding the door outside."
Xiao Fu said, "In ancient times, Cai Qi rode a horse and paraded through the streets. Now, you, Lin Zikui, are being paraded through the streets. The parade will take at least an hour and a half. I was afraid you would be hungry, so I asked the imperial kitchen to prepare your favorite snacks to fill your stomach."
Xiao Fu took it and fed it to him. Lin Zikui shook his head and took it himself. While lowering his head to chew the snack, he whispered, "The Regent shouldn't do this."
Xiao Fu put his arms around his waist and turned him to face him, but Lin Zikui's black hat brushed his face. Xiao Fu had no choice but to take off his hat, looked up at him and said, "I have dismissed all the eunuchs. Can't Lin Lang just treat me as if I were at home?"
"...No, this is the imperial palace." Lin Zikui remembered that he had been sitting for so long without eating or drinking, so he gave him some cakes and said, "Eat some too."
"I need you to feed me." Xiao Fu wrapped his arms around his waist and said, "I have no hands."
Lin Zikui lowered his eyes and looked at him for a while, then looked out the window. There was only light, but no one in sight.
There was indeed no one outside.
Lin Zikui broke it into pieces and fed it to him. The residue fell on his collar. Lin Zikui reached out and gently brushed it off. He sat on his lap and ate half of the plate of chestnut cake. Only then did he realize that what he often ate at home was brought out from the palace by Xiao Fu.
He did this kind of thing of abusing his power for personal gain more than once.
After Lin Zikui finished eating, Xiao Fu wiped his hands with a handkerchief, carefully wiping each finger. Then Lin Zikui asked, "Did the Regent summon me just to let me eat some chestnut cake?"
"My little lord is hungry, is that a small matter?" Xiao Fu didn't care that he had just become an official and spoke in an official tone and called himself a humble official. He just let him be like this in the palace.
Lin Zikui couldn't tell whether it was a small matter or a big one, so he said silently, "Why did you let me become the Grand Secretary of Wuying Palace? Such an appointment is rare in all dynasties."
"Rarely, not absent. The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet is only a fourth-rank official. Even... even that Tang what, can do it, so why can't you?"
Lin Zikui turned his head and looked into Xiao Fu's bright and smiling eyes, and said, "But before you left, you clearly said that you would not interfere in my affairs, and that I would do whatever His Majesty appointed. Did His Majesty appoint me as the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Palace?"
"Yes - it was an assignment from His Majesty and the Minister of Personnel. They decided on it yesterday afternoon. What did you think I was doing yesterday afternoon? Hmm? You know best. I was..."
Lin Zikui suddenly remembered and his face turned red: "Regent!"
Xiao Fu laughed loudly: "So, it wasn't my idea. I just made a suggestion. The decision was made by the young emperor and the Minister of Personnel. They wanted you to go to the Hanlin Academy to gain experience and temper your temper."
Lin Zikui: "Then I should go to the Hanlin Academy!"
"Hanlin Academy, a bunch of pedantic old men. Did you study for so many years just to enter Hanlin to read and edit books?" Xiao Fu's lips touched his chin, "Hmm? Is what Lin Lang said right? You can only talk about the righteousness in your heart and the injustice in the world in Hanlin. What do you want to do? If I let you gain experience, wouldn't it be better in front of me? Or do you think you are not qualified and this thing is too difficult for you?"
Lin Zikui knew that he was right.
If I were really allowed to go to Hanlin, I would inevitably feel that my talent was not appreciated.
However, he abused his power for personal gain, and the object of his personal gain was himself, which made Lin Zikui feel guilty and uneasy.
"What's more, let the Hanlin Academy teach you? I haven't taught you anything, so why should the Hanlin Academy teach you?"
Xiao Fu sat straighter than when he was in court. Only by sitting straighter could Lin Zikui sit steadily and not totter from side to side. Because he sat upright, his upper body pressed tightly against Lin Zikui, and his words sounded like he was rubbing his ears.
Lin Zikui was speechless, but his ears and neck were itchy, making him tremble a little.
Xiao Fu is good at using twisted logic, and he can even use it to convince Lin Zikui.
"You are still young. You can stay in the Imperial Academy for three to five years to become mature and stable. But can I wait? Can the country wait? So - if you want to resign, I won't allow you. If you want to thank me, just kiss me and that will be enough."
Lin Zikui buried his head in deep thought, sighed, pried open his fingers, got off his legs, bowed and nodded, saying: "I thank the Lord for his grace. I will do my duty faithfully and live up to His Majesty's grace."
The brightest light at noon entered through the hazy paper window, shining on his hair and his handsome and resolute profile.
Xiao Fu looked at him eagerly: "Thank you, young master, why don't you kiss me?"
"I will perform my duties faithfully... Rule number one is that you are not allowed to fight with the Regent in Wuying Palace."
Xiao Fu: "Then can we just go home?"
Lin Zikui looked hesitant, stared at Xiao Fu, nodded after a while, and said in a clear and crisp voice: "Yes. In the palace, the emperor is superior and the ministers are inferior. Leisure is light, but the country is heavy. The regent should remember this."
The two looked at each other, Xiao Fu helplessly: "At home, is it the other way around?"
Lin Zikui did not respond to his words: "If the Regent has no important matters, I should take my leave."
"I'm hungry. Please accompany me to eat before leaving. Liang Hong, Liang Hong, come in."
Lin Zikui immediately stood further away.
"Your Highness! Your servant, your servant is here!" Eunuch Liang hurried in and bowed his head to listen to the order. The Regent said, "I am hungry. Bring us some food. Please keep the champion in Wuying Hall to eat with us."
"...Ah? Yes, yes, yes..." As he spoke, Eunuch Liang noticed that the top scholar's black gauze hat was gone!
When I looked again, it was on the Regent's desk? !
Eunuch Liang looked at Lin Zikui in shock.
It’s incredible. It’s incredible.
Lin Zikui had forgotten about this matter until he noticed Eunuch Liang's gaze. He remembered it with regret, and looked up, even taking off his black hat. Lin Zikui could only keep a serious face, with no clues in his expression.
Xiao Fu also noticed it and threw his black gauze hat to Lin Zikui: "Mr. Zhuangyuan, you knelt too hard and your black gauze hat fell off. I won't help you pick it up next time."
"Yes...I am sorry for being rude." Lin Zikui put on his black gauze hat again, but the paper flower hairpin was gone.
When Liang Hong went to serve the meal, Xiao Fu picked up the hairpin that had accidentally dropped just now and walked over to put it on Lin Zikui.
"I myself..." Lin Zikui stepped back.
"What do you mean by yourself? I'll put it on for you." Xiao Fu put it on for him, and his fingers moved down to pinch his ears which were red due to nervousness.
Lin Zikui raised his head: "You are the most important..."
"The king is superior and the minister is inferior. This king knows and will change it next time."
He had to stay in the palace to have dinner with Xiao Fu, but it was a completely different feeling from being at home. There were eunuchs serving him, and Lin Zikui could only pick up the dishes in front of him, which was very painful.
In the imperial study, the young emperor heard from his trusted eunuch that the regent had summoned the top scholar alone.
Yuwen Xuan: "Did the emperor also reserve a meal for the number one scholar?"
"Yes, the regent usually doesn't like extravagance, but he invited the number one scholar to a public meal, and the dishes were several times more than usual. He also issued an imperial decree to reward the number one scholar with a large house."
Yuwen Xuan only knew that the number one scholar Lin Zikui was someone the Regent made friends with in the outside world as a gangster. Lin Zikui was highly regarded by the Regent and was a man of real talent. He was the one who wrote the thoughtful and comprehensive theory on water control.
He couldn't imagine there was something else going on and just thought that Lin Zikui was favored.
So when he learned that Lin Zikui was going to leave the palace, he immediately sent someone to invite him to the imperial study to express his condolences.
Yuwen Xuan said: "The champion probably can't remember clearly. At that time, the champion was still treating his eye disease. I was taken to the Qinhuai River by my father and received some advice from the champion."
Lin Zikui bowed and said, "I dare not accept it." He was still trembling in his heart. He suddenly thought of what Xiao Fu had said at that time: the four children had just lost their father. It turned out that Emperor Wen Tai had passed away at that time! And he actually brought the four candidates for the crown prince in front of him and asked him to set questions and test them to make the choice? !
Xiao Zhaoling, it's really...
Somewhat crazy.
Yuwen Xuan smiled kindly and gently: "Please stand up, Mr. No. 1 Scholar. If it weren't for your praise and appreciation, my father would not have seen me and let me be the emperor. Mr. No. 1 Scholar is very talented and honest. In the future, if Mr. No. 1 Scholar doesn't mind the trouble, can you be my Grand Tutor?"
"Your Majesty!" Lin Zikui looked up suddenly.
"Why? The number one scholar doesn't want to be the Grand Tutor?"
"I am deeply awed. Your Majesty's grace is so great that I am fortunate to have the honor of living here... I will follow your command."
Xiao Fu asked Yuan Qing to send Lin Zikui out of the palace. He was called over by the young emperor. Xiao Fu also knew about it. When he heard that the young emperor flattered the top scholar and made him the prime minister, he shook his head and laughed. Yuwen Xuan is good at observing people's words and expressions and winning people's hearts. Now he wants to win over Lin Zikui.
Well, let him win him over.
In the palace, only royal family members were qualified to ride in the ceremonial carriage. There were ceremonial guards granted by the emperor to court officials, but even though Xiao Fu had given them away, Lin Zikui did not dare to sit on them.
When Yuan Qing took him out of the palace through the nearest gate, there were eunuchs sweeping the road on both sides. One of them was wearing a black eye patch.
"Commander Chen is here, retreat!" When the young eunuch saw the commander, he also retreated.
However, she saw a strange young man, wearing a scarlet robe, a flowery hat, walking gracefully and with a dignified appearance.
"That must be the number one scholar. I heard that he was only 18 years old, and he won three first prizes in the imperial examination. He was just appointed as the Grand Secretary of the Wuying Palace! His surname seems to be Lin, Lin Zikui!"
Tang Mengyang, who was holding a broom in his hand, suddenly raised his head. There was a cloth covering his eyes, making it pitch black. His lips were pale and bloodless, and he looked as thin as a skeleton. Tang Mengyang suddenly heard a familiar name and asked hurriedly, "Who are you talking about? Is it Lin Zikui? Did he win the top prize?"
"Yeah, why, do you know Xiao Yangzi?"
Tang Mengyang's status and position have plummeted since he was banished by the Regent to empty chamber pots.
But he still managed to please the leading eunuch by means of his ability to flatter, and now he has worked his way up to sweeping the Shenwu Gate. It seems that he will be able to mop the floor of the Fengtian Hall soon.
When he heard that Lin Zikui had won the first place in the imperial examination, he burst into tears and tried to chase after him, but he couldn't find the direction. His tears wet Tang Mengyang's blindfold and he sighed sadly: "My dear brother, hard work pays off. You won, you won!"
Faintly, Lin Zikui seemed to have heard the voice and stopped.
Yuan Qing: "Master Lin?"
Lin Zikui shook his head: "Nothing, I heard it wrong."
The custom of "riding a horse and parading through the streets" originated from the previous dynasty and has been a tradition ever since. Because of the parade, every year's top scholar, if not as handsome as Lin Zikui, at least has a handsome appearance. The people of Jinling know that the top scholar will be paraded through the streets today, and they gather early on both sides of the long street. Especially the young girls who are in love with love, they all want to see the 18-year-old top scholar and see how handsome he must be.
"This horse was specially prepared for you by the Regent. It is docile, Lord Lin. I will lead the horse for you."
"No, no, no... Yuanqing, Commander Chen, you can't do it." Lin Zikui knew that a big tree attracts the wind, "Just let anyone come to help me."
Yuan Qing nodded, gave a look and sent someone to lead the horse: "How long do you want to swim, Lord Lin?"
Lin Zikui asked: "When will your master return?"
"The master... just left the palace secretly, saying that he wanted to watch you win the first prize in the imperial examination and ride a horse through the streets among the crowd. But the master told you not to look for him among the crowd. Just look at him in front of the main road, where he is surrounded by people and everything is open."
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