Chapter 344 Shen Lanxi's efforts turn the literary banquet into a mini imperial examination!
As soon as the news of the literary banquet came out, the students gathered in the capital discussed it and finally defined the banquet as a mini imperial examination.
The Grand Tutor's mansion, which had already been sparsely populated, was once again bustling with people, all vying for the qualification to enter the Recitation Banquet.
I don't know where Shen Congwen heard the news from, but he sent someone to find Shen Lanxi early in the morning.
“Yuanxu will definitely be able to attend the Yongwen Banquet, but the family can’t just focus on Yuanxu and ignore the other sons.”
Shen Lanxi listened quietly.
“Although there was a decree that no male members other than Yuanxu could take the imperial examination, it did not say that they could not attend the Recitation Banquet. Lanxi, you are the daughter of the Shen family, and you will definitely need the help of your brothers in the future. You must make sure that all the male members of the Shen family attend this Recitation Banquet.”
No sooner had Shen Congwen left than Shen Lanxi went to the palace to file a complaint against him.
"Uncle, my father made me bend the law for personal gain, this is outrageous! You must do justice for Lanxi..."
Emperor Renxiao's lips twitched. His daughter was suing her father; she really knew how to go all out.
Shen Congwen was really unlucky; he actually managed to threaten his daughter!
"Lanxi, don't cry, leave this matter to me!"
With the token of freedom to enter and leave the palace returned by Emperor Renxiao hanging from her waist, Shen Lanxi happily left the palace.
Wang Bao kept finding fault with Chen Lanxi.
“Your Majesty, this Shen Lanxi always bothers you with the smallest things. Doesn’t she worry about tiring you out?”
Emperor Renxiao smiled and scolded Wang Bao a couple of times.
"Her mother frequents temples year-round, and her father is muddle-headed and biased. If she doesn't complain to me, who else can she turn to?"
Wang Bao, in a strained voice, said irritably, "She's only doing this because His Majesty can back her up."
Emperor Renxiao smiled and continued reviewing the memorials.
No sooner had Shen Lanxi inspected the venue for the Poetry Recitation Banquet than Emperor Renxiao issued an edict stating that officials of the fifth rank and above could bring their family members to the banquet, and other scholars could enter without examination if recommended by renowned officials or scholars. If no one recommended them, they could enter the banquet after passing the Ministry of Rites' examination.
When Shen Lanxi left, she only said goodbye to Emperor Renxiao and the Shen family, and did not say anything to anyone else.
As a result, Zhou Yunxue arrived at the door only to find it empty.
Zhou Yunxue tried to inquire about Shen Lanxi's whereabouts from the guards, but naturally, she couldn't find out. In the end, she could only leave a servant to keep an eye on her before returning home dejectedly.
Before they knew it, the day of the literary banquet arrived. Starting two days prior, scholars and dignitaries had already arrived.
When the day arrived, the area outside was packed with people, and vendors were constantly selling their wares, creating a scene of great prosperity.
On the high platform, Shen Lanxi presented something to Emperor Renxiao.
"What is this?" Emperor Renxiao looked at the bamboo tube-like object with great curiosity.
Everything Shen Lanxi had given him in the past was a treasure. This one was definitely a treasure too, but he didn't know what it was for.
Shen Lanxi picked up the bamboo tube and placed it on her right eye as a demonstration.
“Uncle, I found this by chance while I was out shopping. It’s called a telescope. From here, you can see clearly even if it’s thousands of miles away. I thought such a wonderful thing could only be worthy of someone as distinguished as you, Uncle!”
Emperor Renxiao's interest was piqued by Shen Lanxi, and he took the item from her and imitated it.
"Hmm~ It's definitely good stuff!"
The street scene outside the high walls was clearly visible.
Shen Lanxi, feigning concern for Emperor Renxiao, said, "As the ruler of a nation, Uncle, although you think of sharing joy with the people every day, you also have to consider various security concerns. Now, with this mirror, you can see the people living in peace and contentment, which is no different from sharing joy with them!"
The more Emperor Renxiao looked at it, the more he felt that it was true what Shen Lanxi said. Which monarch doesn't want to be remembered in history, doesn't want to be a great emperor for all time, a wise and benevolent ruler of a prosperous era?
The standard for a wise and benevolent ruler in a prosperous era is that the people live in peace and contentment. Emperor Renxiao was so engrossed in the lively scene outside that he almost forgot that Shen Lanxi was standing next to him.
It wasn't until Wang Bao came to remind her that the banquet was about to begin that she reluctantly handed the binoculars to him.
"Keep it safe. After we return to the palace, remind me to take it out and look at it." Today he stands on the high platform to see the prosperous world; tomorrow he will stand on the high city wall to see the entire Great Zhou.
Wang Bao: "Yes!"
Shen Lanxi accompanied Emperor Renxiao to the banquet. All the officials and students attending the banquet had arrived and had been waiting for a long time.
Some people took advantage of the moment when no one was looking up to peek. They wanted to admire the emperor's face, but instead their attention was drawn to Shen Lanxi behind Emperor Renxiao.
Regardless of whether the rumors circulating about Shen Lanxi are true or false, there is one thing that no one will doubt.
That is, Shen Lanxi has won the Emperor's heart!
Shen Lanxi was dressed in a ducal uniform today, with her hair styled like a man. Such a simple outfit made all the women present green with envy.
Even those dressed as princesses, county princesses, or even noble ladies pale in comparison to Shen Lanxi's jet-black duke's uniform.
After receiving permission from Emperor Renxiao, Mei Nanhua walked up to the high platform and announced the official start of the literary banquet!
As soon as the exam question was released, the students rushed to speak, all wanting to make an impression on Emperor Renxiao and his officials. The scene was like water being poured into a pot of oil, causing an uproar.
The entire Shen family was present today, including her reclusive mother.
Shen Congwen intended to promote the future sons-in-law of the Shen family, and all of them were present.
Shen Lanxi glanced around and saw Zhou Yunxue, with her husband Fang Wenting standing next to her.
However, Zhou Yunxue was sitting, while Fang Wenting was standing.
People from the Marquis of Jining's residence also came, as did the Grand Secretary's family, the Left Prime Minister's family, and others who had connections with the Shen family.
The morning passed quickly, and several promising students were summoned by Emperor Renxiao and asked their names. This greatly stimulated the students present.
During the lunch break, students would gather in groups and debate animatedly.
Shen Lanxi had originally arranged to have lunch with Wei Dongzhu, but when someone from the Shen family called, she took Wei Dongzhu with her to the Shen family's place for lunch.
The Shen family was already used to seeing Wei Dongzhu and Shen Lanxi sitting together again. After a brief greeting, they began to eat at separate tables.
"Where is Yuan Tang?" Shen Lanxi suddenly asked.
Shen Yuanqing asked in confusion, "It was just here a moment ago?"
"I just saw her. She probably went to change her clothes!"
"They'll probably be back soon."
Shen Congwen was still angry with Shen Yuantang, so he casually said, "Let's eat first. The literary banquet will start soon. None of you have performed well this morning, so you'd better seize the opportunity this afternoon."
Upon seeing this, the Shen family men quickly buried their heads in their food, not daring to utter another word.
Once Shen Congwen started talking, he didn't stop. He talked entirely about the literary banquet that afternoon, his tone full of disappointment and frustration.
Shen Yuantang hadn't returned by the time lunch was over, so Shen Lanxi quietly sent someone to look for him.
Just as I sent the man out, someone rushed in with a panic.
"Sir, something terrible has happened!"
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