Yuan Jing, the fourteen-year-old scholar who was more beautiful than flowers, was often mentioned after his visit.
In the Zhenbei Palace, Tao Yuzhu, who had restored her own name, had a hard life. She suffered a lot in the Sky Prison before being taken out by Mu Jinxuan. After being rescued by Mu Jinxuan, she thought her hard days were over. Mu Jinxuan still loved her wholeheartedly, and she planned to repay Mu Jinxuan well, treat him wholeheartedly, and no longer think about Yan Rushong.
Didn’t you see that Yan Rushong couldn’t even protect himself, let alone save her.
But when she entered the Zhenbei Palace, there were no sweet words waiting for her. Her former lover treated her like a maid and ordered her around. Tao Yuzhu, who had long since left the status of a maid and was used to being served by others, was not as careful as a maid. She hurt Mu Jinxuan accidentally, and the increasingly irritable Mu Jinxuan scolded her, waved his hand, threw her to the ground and just watched coldly.
Not only that, the maids and old women serving Mu Jinxuan all had a bad attitude towards Tao Yuzhu. They used to be careful to pamper her, but they didn't expect that this lowly person who was trying to pass herself off as a real person really thought of herself as a rich lady and threw all the dirty work to her.
If Tao Yuzhu complained, these people would not be nice. They would pinch and twist her directly, especially in places that could not be seen. Could Tao Yuzhu take off her clothes for the little prince to see? Doesn't this prove that she was born a lowly person, a fickle thing.
If it weren't for her, the little prince would not be lying in bed. As a result, they have to keep a low profile now. They don't know what situation they will end up in if they follow such a master in the future. When they think of this, they hate Tao Yuzhu even more and torture her even more severely in private. In just a few days, Tao Yuzhu seems like a different person.
That day, the maid threw Mu Jinxuan's clothes to Tao Yuzhu to wash. She didn't want to wash them? Even if she went to the young prince to cry and complain, the young prince would not think she was a good person. Tao Yuzhu walked by with her head down and holding the wooden basin. Suddenly, a voice from behind the rockery stopped her in her tracks because she heard the three words "Tao Yuanjing".
"I went to see him the other day. This year's third place winner is really handsome. But I didn't expect that he has the same surname as that woman, Tao, Tao Yuanjing."
"Tsk, there are thousands of people with the same surname in the world, how can they have anything to do with that woman? One is a lowly servant, and the other is a new scholar with a bright future. Don't get them mixed up. If I had known that the scholar was so handsome, I would have gone out with you to see him that day."
The third place winner? Tao Yuanjing? How is this possible?
The basin in Tao Yuzhu's hand slipped to the ground, and the noise startled the two maids behind the rockery and they came out. When they saw that it was Tao Yuzhu they had just talked about, they showed contempt in their eyes. One of them said, "Who was it I thought? It turned out to be Tao Yuzhu. She hid behind and listened to our conversation. She is really shameless."
Tao Yuzhu had only one thought in mind, which was to ask whether the third place winner was the Tao Yuanjing she knew. She rushed over and grabbed one of them and asked, "Who is the third place winner you are talking about? Is his name really Tao Yuanjing? Where is he from?"
"Ah! What are you doing?" The maid was startled and pushed Tao Yuzhu out quickly. Tao Yuzhu, who had not eaten breakfast as punishment, did not have much strength and fell to the ground after being pushed. "What does it have to do with you that the third place winner is called Tao Yuanjing? Do you think it has anything to do with you just because he has the last name Tao? Huh, you want to turn things around by relying on the third place winner this time? Dream on."
"Let's go. Don't bother with this kind of woman."
The two walked away hand in hand. Tao Yuzhu lay on the ground and shouted, "Come back and tell me who Tao Yuanjing is. I have a cousin named Tao Yuanjing."
The two maids heard it, but they thought she was talking nonsense. If someone could do such a thing as using someone else as a substitute, what couldn't he do if he recognized a scholar who had won the imperial examination as his cousin?
A servant reported the matter to Mu Jinxuan. Mu Jinxuan now turned from love to hate for Tao Yuzhu. If it weren't for Tao Yuzhu, how could he have had his leg broken by that bastard Yan Rushong and have to lie in bed until now? Not to mention that he later found out that she was a substitute, a maid pretending to be a rich lady. He suddenly felt that the kind and generous baby in his mind had become hateful and was no longer the Yan Zhifu he knew in the past.
Only then did he believe what the emperor said. This woman was just like other women, she was after his status, so he wanted to keep her by his side so that she would never be able to have him for the rest of her life, and even let her watch him marry other women in the future to make her suffer and regret.
If Yuan Jing knew what Mu Jinxuan was thinking, he would definitely give him a three-word evaluation: crazy.
No wonder he could become a couple with Tao Yuzhu, a woman with the same mental disorder. It turned out that they were both mentally ill. Besides, he was now a disabled man, but he still thought of himself as the young prince of the Zhenbei Palace. Wouldn't everyone give him some face when he walked around in the capital?
Now the old emperor is overwhelmed by the struggles in the court, so how can he have the leisure to care about this son who has no status?
"She said the new top scholar is her cousin? The top scholar Tao Yuanjing?"
"My young prince, maybe she is just talking nonsense."
"Hmph, maybe it's true. Find someone to check on Tao Yuanjing."
"Yes, my Lord."
However, the servants were stopped by Mu Ancheng's men before they could leave the palace. Nothing Mu Ancheng wanted to know in the palace could escape his eyes and ears. Whether it was Tao Yuzhu's hysterical shouting or the servants' report to Mu Jinxuan, Mu Ancheng knew about it.
He pointed to his confidant and said, "Go and explain to him the grudge between Tao Yuzhu and Yuan Jing, and see what kind of woman he wants to marry."
"Yes, Your Highness." The trusted subordinate complained inwardly. The prince's words became more and more rude nowadays. However, perhaps it was because of the series of incomprehensible behaviors of the young prince that forced even a normal person to become abnormal.
The servant came to Mu Jinxuan and said that he was following the prince's order and told him the story of the grudge between the new top scholar and a maid named Tao Yuzhu.
Why did this trusted subordinate know so much? Because he was the one who was responsible for investigating the matter in the first place. The result of his investigation left him dumbfounded. He could not figure out the reason why Tao Yuzhu did this. This woman was so cruel and selfish to the extreme, but the young prince was so blind as to treat her as a treasure.
Little prince, do you want to know what she did? It was just a ten-year-old girl who tricked her eight-year-old cousin into the mountains and pushed him down the mountain, then returned home as if nothing had happened, leaving the elders of the family to stay up all night looking for him in the mountains. It was also the eight-year-old cousin who was lucky enough to be found by the villagers the next day, revealing her true identity and causing her parents to be separated from the family.
After the family was divided, the ten-year-old girl not only did not reflect on her mistakes, but instead complained about everything. As soon as she recovered, she took all the money from the family division and ran away from home, without caring at all about how her family would survive without the money. Because she did many excessive things, Tao Yuzhu no longer exists in the clan. In other words, she is an illegal resident.
Mu Jinxuan's face was so dark that ink could be squeezed out of it. He stared at the man in front of him. He knew that he was his father's confidant and he couldn't do anything to him. He gritted his teeth and said, "So you can't wait to see me make a fool of myself?"
The subordinate smiled and said, "Your Excellency is too kind. I am only telling you about this experience according to the order of the prince. As for how you judge it, it is not your business. I have finished speaking. Your Excellency, please allow me to leave."
The servant bowed and then leisurely left the little prince's room. Finally, he glanced to the side meaningfully, with a smile on his lips, and walked away without looking back.
Tao Yuzhu was hiding nearby and heard everything. This was just right, as it also let her know what she had lost. He had never seen a woman so brain-dead, and her cruelty was no less than some of the women in the backyard.
But it's too late to regret now.
Tao Yuzhu was indeed hiding aside and listening, biting her lips until they almost bled. She didn't expect that Tao Yuanjing really passed the exam and won the third place. He went to Beijing to take the imperial examination several years earlier than in her previous life, and his results were even better than in her previous life.
Why? Why is Tao Yuanjing's luck better than in her previous life? Just when she thought her luck was turning and she was about to rise to prominence, she was dealt such a heavy blow, returning to her original form. Can she still become prosperous again with the help of Mu Jinxuan?
"Call that girl Tao Yuzhu in!" Mu Jinxuan's low growl sounded in the room. Tao Yuzhu was startled and subconsciously wanted to run outside. Another maid happened to see her and stopped her. Tao Yuzhu didn't dare to escape because if she ran away and was caught again, the punishment would be even more severe.
Tao Yuzhu was afraid this time. When she was reborn and did that thing, she didn't think she did anything wrong, but she knew how others would see it, otherwise she wouldn't be afraid of being known. Now, what would Mu Jinxuan think of her?
How hateful! It was Tao Yuanjing who harmed her again!
Tao Yuzhu never looks for reasons in herself, but always puts the blame on others, saying that it is others who make her life unhappy.
Not long after, screams and crying were heard in the room.
When Mu Cheng'an found out what had happened here, he was speechless to the extreme about his cheap son. It turned out that normal people could not understand the brain circuit of such an abnormal person. Mu Jinxuan actually dragged Tao Yuzhu to the bed and slept with her as if she were a maid. He was not afraid of causing a death in the sleep and gave the old emperor an cheap grandson.
However, he did not tell Yuan Jing about this matter to avoid polluting Yuan Jing's ears. Anyway, he now treated this adopted son like a pig. He couldn't leave the house even if he wanted to. He could do whatever he wanted to him in his yard in the house.
***
After the palace examination, Yuan Jing, the third place winner, was appointed as an editor of the Hanlin Academy at the seventh rank together with the second place winner. The first place winner was appointed as a compiler of the Hanlin Academy at the sixth rank. Yu Xiao and Zou Weiting also took exams to enter the Hanlin Academy as scholars.
After entering the Hanlin Academy, Yuan Jing discovered that being young did have its advantages. He was not assigned many tasks, so he immersed himself in the ocean of the Hanlin Academy's library, as if he wanted to record all the books there in his mind.
Unlike him, the top two candidates were quickly lured over and stood in different teams. The two also tried to win over Yuan Jing, but Yuan Jing pretended not to understand and got away with it. This was also because they did not attach much importance to a 14-year-old editor. Other new scholars who entered the Hanlin Academy were also very active.
Yu Xiao ran to Yuan Jing's place to hide away, poured himself a cup of tea and drank a sip, saying: "It's still quiet here, it's terrible, I think those princes are starving and will eat anything they can."
The following words were spoken in a low voice, which made Yuan Jing laugh. Isn't that exactly the case? How capable can the newly minted Jinshi be? These princes have racked their brains to make them take sides. It is understandable that Yu Xiao and Zou Weiting have been harassed a lot, because Jinshi like them with backers are more valuable to be won over than others with smaller backgrounds.
Just as he finished speaking, footsteps were heard again. Yuan Jing said without even raising his head, "Brother Zou is here."
Sure enough, the next moment, Zou Weiting appeared at the door. He had been in the Hanlin Academy for more than a month and there was not much quiet time. Even Zou Weiting, who was quite gentle in front of outsiders, couldn't stand it anymore. What's more, being gentle was just his external image. He was not really without temper.
"I've thought about it, and decided to ask Marquis Huaining to help me find a place to stay in remote areas for a few years before returning to Beijing. I guess by then..." Zou Weiting didn't say the rest, but everyone knew what he meant. He meant that the situation should have stabilized by then. He was not cursing the old emperor to death, but that was the fact.
Yu Xiao was stunned: "What should I do if you leave?"
Yuan Jing chuckled when he heard this. Zou Weiting walked over to him and tapped his head with his folding fan: "Not weaned yet? How about we find a neighboring county for you to stay with me?"
Yu Xiao was annoyed at first, but then he thought it was a good idea: "But isn't it too disloyal to just abandon Yuan Jing like this?"
Yuan Jing shrugged and lowered his head to continue reading. Zou Weiting didn't know what to say: "You are the dumbest among the three of us. When did Yuan Jing ever need you to worry about him? I think Yuan Jing is enjoying his life now, right, Yuan Jing?"
Yuan Jing raised his head and said with a smile: "I will not leave the capital for the time being. Don't worry, I will stay in the capital and send you a letter immediately if there is any movement."
Are you kidding? Mu Chengan is still in Beijing. How can he leave? If he leaves, won't we be separated for at least three years? That won't do.
Zou Weiting spread his hands and said, "That's it."
Yuan Jing did not ask whether the Huaining Marquisate had taken sides, but it was good for the two classmates to be able to escape from this vortex for now. After discussion, the two of them made some arrangements and were sent to work in a not-so-remote place half a year later. They would not be able to return to Beijing for at least three years, or possibly multiples of three years.
Yuan Jing felt a little uncomfortable with the departure of the two. Fortunately, these two people really worked in a nearby county, so they could still keep him company, which made Yuan Jing less worried about them.
Yuan Jing would think in his spare time that if it were in modern society, his mission would be almost completed by now, and he could just enjoy life afterwards. But it is not the case here. It is not that the disabled Mu Jinxuan and Tao Yuzhu, who has become a maid, can pose much of a threat to him, but that this is an imperial society, and what is coming is the most intense and tragic struggle for imperial power. If he is not careful, he may be drawn into the vortex and become cannon fodder.
His mission also includes completing the life of his original body and making the old lady and his family gain the respect of others, so he has to live well and strive to live longer so that his family will not have to worry while they are alive.
For this reason, Yuan Jing never brought what happened in the court back home, and his family, including Tao Dayong, were very cautious and would not cause any trouble to Yuan Jing.
He stayed quietly in the Hanlin Academy, and almost everyone else had forgotten about him, the third place in the imperial examination. At this time, a major event happened in the court. A serious flood occurred in Jiangnan Province, and the embankments along the river were washed away, submerging countless fertile fields. Many people were displaced. Moreover, the news of the incident was not reported to the court until half a month after the incident, which made the old emperor very angry, and he ordered a thorough investigation.
Faced with such a situation, Yuan Jing felt very complicated. The severity of the floods in ancient times would be far beyond his imagination. How much of it was due to natural disasters and how much was due to man-made disasters? He dared to say that the latter outweighed the former. Even in such a situation, many officials in the court did not think of disaster relief first, but seized the opportunity to work together to drag the eldest prince down first, because the eldest prince had the greatest influence in Jiangnan Province.
The eldest prince is not innocent, but to hold him accountable before resolving the disaster is to treat the lives of the people as a joke. Yuan Jing could not help but feel sad for the common people of this era. In the bustling court, how many people care about the people in the south of the Yangtze River who are in dire straits?
Fortunately, Taojia Village is not in Jiangnan Province, and Yu Xiao and Zou Weiting did not take up positions in relatively wealthy places, so they were not involved in this vortex of right and wrong.
The capital city was in too much chaos. Every day, either this official was thrown into prison or that official lost his job. Yuan Jing was upset, so he asked Tao Yuanze for a few days off and took his whole family to a farm outside the city. Of course, he also wanted to talk to Mu Chengan, so he sent a letter to Mu Chengan before leaving.
The situation in the capital also affected the old lady and little Song. They only breathed a sigh of relief when they arrived at the farm and were away from the chaos. They had known about the flood in the south of the Yangtze River. Farmers knew best how serious floods were. They would really force ordinary people into a desperate situation, and selling their children would be the least of their worries.
"Grandma, don't worry about anything. Just stay at the farm for a while. Yuanze and I will go up the mountain to hunt some wild animals and bring them back to add to the dishes for grandma and mother."
"Okay, okay!" Tao Yuanze raised his hands and feet in agreement.
"Is it okay to go to the mountain? That's the territory of Zhenbei Palace." The old lady still remembered whose territory the back mountain belonged to.
"Don't worry, grandma. I've already asked the village head. It's okay to go hunting in the mountains. We won't go far."
"Okay then, you two be careful, Niu Niu has to listen to his brother."
"I know, brother, let's go." Tao Yuanze urged his brother impatiently.
After seeing her two grandchildren off, the old lady was in a much better mood at the farm. She and her daughter-in-law looked at the vegetables planted in the fields, fed the chickens, and looked at the lotus roots planted in the pond.
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