Chapter 343 The Empress Proposes a Poetry Recitation Banquet!
“When they meet, they will definitely make a move. Keep an eye on Zhou Qiwu’s side. Only you can handle the poison expert over there!” Shen Lanxi’s voice was calm, which she tried her best to suppress.
Ban Sicao already knew how important this matter was to Shen Lanxi, so she naturally went all out.
"I'll go back now." He glanced at Shen Lanxi's injured hand and left a bottle of medicine before leaving.
Shen Lanxi sat blankly all night until the next day when the morning light shone on her face, and she suddenly felt as if she had been in another world.
"My lord, it's time to go to work," Chunxue whispered from outside the door.
Shen Lanxi got up briskly and opened the door, already full of energy, and no one could tell that she hadn't slept all night.
She went to the Imperial Guard in the morning, then to the Ministry of Rites. When she finished her duties, she went home as usual. In the evening, someone came to the Shen residence, and the old lady invited her to dinner.
"Lanxi, your mother has already gone to the palace to plead for Yuantang's sake. She owes the Empress a favor. In a few days, the palace will hold a literary banquet, and the Empress's intention is that since you are now the chief examiner for the imperial examinations, you should preside over this banquet." Old Madam Shen looked at Shen Lanxi with hopeful eyes.
If this matter is accomplished, the Shen family will have repaid the favor they owed the Empress.
Shen Lanxi glanced around and asked, "Where is Mother?"
Madam Shen said somewhat awkwardly, "Your mother said that the Shen family was in turmoil today, so she went to the temple to burn incense and pray for our family's well-being."
Fearing that Shen Lanxi might misunderstand, the old lady quickly explained on Zhou Xinrou's behalf: "Your mother has always been a compassionate person."
Shen Lanxi's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "The banquet for reciting literature was something Mother promised the Empress. If she goes, I will go!"
Madam Shen didn't think much of it and casually agreed, "I'll send someone to inform your mother in a bit."
Shen Lanxi nodded.
With one misfortune after another befalling the younger generation of the Shen family, the younger generation is filled with anxiety, and only a handful of people came to eat today.
Shen Lanxi chatted with Shen Yuanxu for a few minutes, and after dinner, she returned to her residence.
The next day she went to the palace to meet the emperor.
“Uncle, Her Majesty the Empress cherishes talent and has held a literary banquet. I truly feel ashamed of myself!” Shen Lanxi said with a self-reproachful expression.
Emperor Renxiao had already heard about the banquet from Wang Bao, and thought it was just another ordinary banquet. He didn't expect Shen Lanxi to react so strongly.
"Lanxi, you've already done very well, don't underestimate yourself!" Every day, Lanxi would go through the motions at the Imperial Guard in the morning and the Ministry of Rites in the afternoon. Her attitude of simply showing up and not caring about anything else, only about being present, greatly pleased Emperor Renxiao.
"Uncle, this is a literary banquet before the imperial examination, it's of extraordinary significance!" Shen Lanxi said with a look of concern for the country and the people, and a heart full of love for the Great Zhou. Her words were passionate and inspiring.
"The purpose of holding the imperial examination is to select virtuous and capable people for our Great Zhou. In the past six or seven years, our Great Zhou has lost countless virtuous and capable people. Even though Lanxi is a girl, she knows that the imperial examination is like crossing a single-plank bridge. Only a very few people can make it across."
Emperor Renxiao nodded, eager to hear what she would say next.
"I think it's a great pity that those who were screened out are simply returning to their hometowns. Why not take advantage of this literary banquet to select more virtuous and capable people for my uncle and for our Great Zhou? That is the true meaning of the literary banquet!"
Emperor Renxiao glanced at Shen Lanxi thoughtfully, his mind racing with thoughts.
"Was the Empress presiding over the literary banquet?" If so, what was the Empress?
“Uncle, the Empress wants me to preside over the banquet. As you know, I’m not literate at all. That’s why I’ve come here specifically to ask you to find someone else to preside over the banquet.” Shen Lanxi looked like she couldn’t wait to get rid of the job.
Emperor Renxiao had made up his mind.
"You will be the chief examiner for the imperial examinations, and Grand Tutor Mei will be the deputy examiner. For this literary banquet, you will be the deputy examiner, and Grand Tutor Mei will be the chief examiner. What do you say?" Emperor Renxiao was well-versed in the art of balance. With this back and forth, he seemed to be appeasing the court officials, but in reality, he, the emperor, was the one who benefited.
Shen Lanxi: "Uncle, your arrangement is really great. If those pretentious Confucian scholars at the banquet make things difficult for me, give me questions, and embarrass me, I will definitely kill them."
Emperor Renxiao looked at Shen Lanxi with annoyance, but in the end he could only laugh in exasperation.
"You, you, where is the woman you used to be?"
Shen Lanxi rolled her eyes: "I don't want to get married. Who am I trying to fool by pretending to be gentle and obedient!"
Emperor Renxiao's eyes flashed, but he smiled without saying a word.
Emperor Renxiao chose an early morning court session to discuss the banquet for reciting literature and entrusted Mei Nanhua with an important task.
"Your Majesty, such a grand event cannot be held in the palace with enough people." With so many people around, security will inevitably be compromised.
Emperor Renxiao nodded.
"In your opinion, where would be a suitable place to hold this event?"
Just as everyone was making recommendations, Zhou Ruyuan, who had been away from the city for many days, returned.
"Your Majesty, the high platform has been completed. I have returned to report!"
Emperor Renxiao thought of the descendants of the Prince Li again, and his face became somewhat gloomy.
Seeing this, the Left Chancellor Wu Yanzhi immediately stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I think that the high platform is a perfect spot."
Emperor Renxiao's heart stirred, and he gestured for Wu Yanzhi to continue.
"That high platform was originally intended to make it convenient for the common people to observe the execution. Why not use it as the venue for the literary banquet first? After the literary banquet ends, it will be a good opportunity for all the scholars in the world to observe the execution and set an example for others!"
This is more than just righteous indignation; it's practically making an example of someone.
Let all scholars and students in the world see this: this is the consequence of challenging imperial power and committing treason!
This move greatly pleased the Emperor!
"Let the Prince of Zhennan and General Wei jointly be in charge of the site's security!" Emperor Renxiao made the final decision, much to the delight of both the emperor and his ministers.
Only one person smashed a teacup in the central palace.
Because of the banquet for reciting literature and the execution of the descendants of the King of Li, Wei Dongzhu had just returned to the capital and was about to leave again.
"Lanxi, I've already heard about His Majesty's bestowal of a marriage upon Zhou Ruyuan." Wei Dongzhu couldn't suppress his joy.
With a smile on her face, Shen Lanxi had someone bring him the clothes that had been prepared beforehand, and then asked Chunxue to pack two boxes of pastries from the kitchen.
"I had the clothes made after you left last time. I don't know if they'll fit."
Wei Dongzhu looked delighted and said first, "It fits perfectly. As long as it's from you, it fits perfectly."
Shen Lanxi joked, "I didn't make it myself, so how do you know it fits perfectly?"
Wei Dongzhu was at a loss for words, and said with a simple smile, "If you made it yourself, I would definitely treasure it. But if you ordered someone else to make it, I certainly wouldn't cherish their craftsmanship."
Shen Lanxi looked at Wei Dongzhu with a smile. The latter carefully straightened his back and lowered his head slightly so that she could see him more clearly.
"Go ahead, I will go to Gaotai in a couple of days as the deputy examiner."
Wei Dongzhu's eyes lit up, and he blurted out, "I'll wait for you!"
Shen Lanxi watched Wei Dongzhu leave with a smile. This time, Wei Dongzhu looked back every few steps, and everyone could see that he was reluctant to part.
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