Chapter 029 Traitorous Minister 29
Taohuawu, as its name suggests, is located on the hillside on the outskirts of the city.
The mountains and plains are covered with green hills, green trees and pink peach blossoms, like a pink ocean. When you look closely, the unique fragrance of peach blossoms is refreshing.
Looking closely, the white with a hint of pink, dotted on the branches, creates a unique scene.
The mountain air is particularly fresh, and taking a break from heavy homework is like opening up one's Ren and Du meridians. This makes the students, who are busy preparing for the next exam all day, feel a little lighter.
A Taoist temple with white walls and black tiles stands in the mountains. The owner of Taohuawu is an old Taoist priest, known as Taoist Wuwei.
I heard that he has been here for nearly eighty years, and all the fees he collected are donated to charity. He also often helps less wealthy families. Unlike the eldest master of the Sun family, this person is truly a rare and kind person.
The statues of the Three Pure Ones are enshrined in the Taoist temple. Taoist Wuwei is only wearing a simple Taoist robe with the cuffs washed white. His face, with completely white hair, looks energetic and does not look like he is in old age at all.
"May you be blessed with infinite happiness, I am honored to be here." Taoist Wuwei bowed.
Since ancient times, elders have been respected. Taoist Wuwei is so old that the younger generations who are younger than him dare not accept his gift and quickly move away to return the gift.
Young Master Guan was panting with exhaustion, and he didn't dare to act presumptuously in front of the highly respected Taoist Wuwei. However, he still muttered quietly, "Oh my god, how old is this guy?"
The headmaster frowned and shouted, "Shut up! Don't offend me!"
He apologized to Taoist Wuwei and said, "Please forgive me for the inconvenience. I was a naughty student and offended you."
Taoist Wuwei waved his hand with a kind look, and then a Taoist boy came out to greet him.
Xiao Chen was a little puzzled: "Why is it an offense?"
Xiao Yan glanced at him and replied, "Monks don't talk about their names, and Taoists don't talk about their lifespans. This is an offense."
"A monk does not mention his name, and a Taoist does not mention his lifespan" is a common saying, which means that monks abandon their worldly names. However, in the secular world, changing one's name is considered unfilial, so it should not be said openly.
The Dao does not mention longevity, which means that those who practice the Dao seek immortality. How can those who pursue immortality talk about age? It is considered offensive and disrespectful.
When others heard that there was such a taboo, they all kept it in mind, fearing that they might make a fool of themselves like Guan Shao and offend others.
Taohuawu is very large, with peach blossoms in front and behind, as well as green land and mountain streams. It even grows small vegetables, sour plums, and sweet dates for people to pick.
At noon, they also provided six dishes and a soup, including vegetable porridge, coarse flour steamed buns, and noodle dumplings. After the morning's journey, everyone was already hungry, so the dishes were quite delicious.
The purpose of the outing is nothing more than outing to see the flowers and the scenery. The students in the academy are not very old, most of them are in their teens or twenties, and there are also some in their thirties, but they are relatively rare. Their minds are not yet mature, and it is the age for being lively. It is not easy to go on a group outing, and it is a rare place to visit Taohuawu, so how can there not be some activities?
This is the "Qushui Liushang" (a game of gu shui liu shang) where a stream flows, tea is used instead of wine, and whoever takes a turn improvises a poem. Besides the "Qushui Liushang" (a game of gu shui liu shang), there are also other leisurely games such as tou hu (a type of pot tossing), cuju (a type of ball played with a ball), and kite (a type of kite).
With the presence of the county magistrate, gentry and merchants, many people were eager to participate for fame and fortune. However, Xiao Yan and others had no such intention and therefore did not participate.
Xiao Chen naturally would not choose to do such a "physical work" as flying kites, for fear that his brother would hurt himself. He tried to dissuade him but was afraid that he would envy others, so he simply took Xiao Yan to a slightly secluded lakeside.
There are peach blossom trees on both sides of the lake, and peach blossoms scattered on the lake surface, which is beautiful beyond words.
Inspiration struck, and the three of them spread out paper and started painting.
Xiao Chen painted the distant view of the Peach Blossom Lake, Mu Feng painted the close view of fish playing with flowers, and Xiao Yan painted the distant view, including everyone in the painting.
Princess Yongfu, the only one who came over after flying a kite, took a look and suddenly said, "Isn't this just like this—you're on the bridge, enjoying the scenery, and the people enjoying the scenery are watching you from upstairs?"
She couldn't help but admire the exquisite painting skills of the ancients, how a few simple brushstrokes could create such vividness. Unfortunately, her artistic skills weren't fully developed. She wished she could join the ranks of poets and painters, instead of running around with a kite, staring blankly at the sky, feeling like a fool.
The most important thing is that she has not cultivated her thick skin enough, and she cannot claim the poems of Li Bai, Du Fu, Bai Juyi and Meng Haoran as her own without batting an eyelid, comparing herself to the contemporary poet saint, or be like the time-traveling army in the novel, and develop things like glass, cement, explosives/bombs, gunpowder, airplanes, trains, etc. in ancient times.
I'm so sorry. In her previous life, she was just an ordinary and a little bit stupid high school student. She loved shopping, playing games and reading novels. After traveling through time for more than ten years, she has already lost all her knowledge to her teachers. At most, she can only remember that one plus one equals two, or the multiplication table. She really can't do the product research and development that even Baidu's comprehensive search may not be able to popularize.
She is just an ordinary high school student, not a scientist.
Princess Yongfu was lost in thought while the others had already finished their paintings. Upon hearing what she had said, they ran over to take a look and found that the scene was indeed what she had described.
However, while relaxing, I couldn't help but think about the imperial examination.
"Brother Yan, after the county exam, do you want to continue?"
No one thought that they could not pass the county exam. Although this was a bit too arrogant, it was true. There were not many outsiders here, and Princess Yongfu was not a talkative person.
Xiao Yan nodded, "If you can pass, then you can continue."
Mu Feng hesitated to speak, "But the six arts of a gentleman..."
Chongshan Academy also teaches etiquette, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy and mathematics, but they have just arrived at the academy and have not learned anything else. If they pass the provincial examination, they will inevitably be invited to some banquets that they cannot refuse, and the six arts that a gentleman must learn are among them. If they don’t know them, wouldn’t it be a laughing stock?
While these weren't mandatory in the imperial examinations, what if they were? You have to remember that the current emperor prioritized military skills over civil service, even publicly stating, "A gentleman who doesn't embrace martial virtues is inherently cowardly." Yet, the requirements for the civil examinations were the same as for the military ones... so it's possible they might actually be on the test.
Princess Yongfu didn't know about this either. After all, the novel mainly described a cool plot in which the hero was bullied and slapped in the face all the way. She had no idea what the imperial examination was about. She insisted that anything related to the imperial examination must be a "stinky account" in online novels, which are almost all the same but quite famous.
What author would write about the detailed answers required for the imperial examination? Even if the author was willing to write about it, readers might not want to read it! Who wants to read some obscure exam questions to kill time?
Of course, the author's own experience is limited, and he can't write it even if he wants to, so he just passes it by and gives up.
Xiao Chen still remembered the six arts of a gentleman and could barely pass them with a little practice, but Mu Feng didn't know them, and Xiao Yan shouldn't have known them either.
"I probably won't take the provincial exam, but I might take the academy exam." Xiao Chen pondered.
It’s not that Xiao Chen knows much about the current emperor. It’s mainly because the emperor fell seriously ill during the imperial examination in his previous life and blocked the news. It was only after he became a knife in the hands of the emperor that he got to know these unknown secrets.
But he couldn't tell this secret.
"There's still some time before the college entrance examination, so it's not too late."
Although Mu Feng was puzzled, seeing Xiao Chen so confident, he felt a little less uneasy.
Princess Yongfu was puzzled and attributed it to - perhaps this was the self-confidence of the top students!
Xiao Yan, the only one who knew the truth of the matter, just smiled and said nothing.
At this moment, the guard beside Princess Yongfu came running over and whispered something, and suddenly her expression changed drastically.
"What! My father is seriously ill?"
Although she was eager to cling to the male protagonist, she also had a very close relationship with her biological father who doted on her in this world. At this time, she didn't care whether he was the male protagonist or not and hurriedly said goodbye.
"Brothers, I will be leaving first and will not be back for sure. I hope you all get what you wish for."
Xiao Yan and others also bowed and said goodbye.
-
After the spring outing, it was time for the county examination.
The county examination was presided over by the local magistrates and was divided into three sessions, each lasting one day. Students who had already registered with the county office's ritual office began to answer the questions under the guarantor of their stipend students.
The Tongshi exam is nothing more than testing students' fluency in Chinese and basic academic foundation, but even so, there are many people who fail.
After taking three exams in a row, many students can feel the pressure of the imperial examination atmosphere, especially those like Shanjie who do not work hard before the exam and cram at the last minute, feeling like they have lost their parents.
The results of the imperial examinations were released in about a month. As there were fewer people taking the county examination, the results were released in three days. Not surprisingly, Xiao Yan and the other two all passed. However, what surprised Xiao Chen was that Xiao Yan actually ranked higher than him and won the first place in the county.
It's not that he's resentful, it's just that he has an extra life's worth of memories! Is his brother really that smart?
The top three places in the county examination were taken by Xiao Yan and his group. He ranked first, followed by Xiao Chen, and then Mu Feng.
The principal of Chongshan Academy was grinning from ear to ear, for a simple reason: among the hundreds of students who took the exam, most of them were admitted.
Their county alone only admitted thirty students! Almost seventy percent of them came from Chongshan Academy! What does this prove? It proves that their academy lives up to its reputation!
Although it is only a test for students of higher education, it can provide great confidence for the upcoming examinations in various departments.
Although the Tongsheng exam was a minor event, it was a major event for Shancai Village. It symbolized that in addition to Wang Xiucai, their village now had two more Tongshengs! Therefore, Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen took two days off to return to Shancai Village to worship their ancestors.
To put it bluntly, it is to increase the collective sense of honor, tell the villagers that they have not forgotten their ancestors, and tell the ancestors that they have a bright future. If you know about it in the afterlife, you will be happy too!
The ones who were most jealous were Shanjie and Xiao Dashi.
He would be jealous of Shanjie whenever he passed the exam. However, they lived in the same village, so they were always compared. In order to avoid being talked about, he simply stayed away from home. However, Shanjie's family was now concerned about his wife and unborn child, so they didn't give him much money. He was very tight on money and could only rely on Guan Shao for food and drink.
Xiao Dashi was furious and regretted why he had severed ties with Xiao Yan and his brother in the first place. Otherwise, this honor would have been his! He also heard that Chongshan Academy also gave silver to students who passed the exam. Xiao Yan, the first in the county, would have received ten taels of silver. Both of them would have received more than ten taels of silver!
This is more than ten taels of silver! How come it's not his?
Not only that, people came to give gifts like a tide, but unfortunately they were all rejected. Xiao Dashi's eyes turned red and he kept calling them idiots.
Unfortunately, he could only shut himself in the room and curse secretly, because Xiao Yan's brothers donated eight taels of silver to the public treasury. If he dared to have any bad thoughts, the villagers would be the first to disagree.
This is why Xiao Yan wanted to return home, as it could reduce a lot of unnecessary trouble.
The provincial examination was in April, and Xiao Yan entered a tense preparation period. In his spare time, he was dragged by Xiao Chen and Mu Feng to learn the Six Arts of a Gentleman.
The six arts of a gentleman are the five rituals of auspiciousness, inauspiciousness, military, guest, and auspiciousness; the music is Yunmen, Daxian, Dashao, Daxia, Dafu...
It just so happened that Xiao Yan, although he was the Emperor of Dayan and was known as the God of War in Heaven, was also proficient in the six arts of a gentleman.
It can be said that no other deity in the Heavenly Palace is more proficient in this art than him! Even if he is not, others would not say that he is "not doing his job properly". He is a good military commander, but he prefers to recite poetry, paint, play the piano and dance.
Using it to participate in the imperial examination would seem a bit like bullying, but others don't know it and just think that this boy is extremely talented.
Xiao Chen felt a surge of pressure, but Xiao Yan hesitated and looked at him, "Little brother, do you care about your ranking?"
His original intention was that if he valued it, he might as well wait until next time to take the test. It was not that he was arrogant, but it was too difficult for him to hide his shortcomings.
Just as Xiao Chen and Mu Feng said before, is it something that can be done with hands?
He also wanted to let that damn reformatory system block his memory, but that guy said that it was a statutory holiday and he was off for a short vacation.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Chen misunderstood. He asked in shock, "Brother, am I such a jealous person in your eyes? If I didn't have this kind of tolerance, how would I end up like this? Brother, you underestimate me."
Xiao Yan said with relief: "It's my brother's shortsightedness."
But in his heart, he thought to himself that the male protagonist was indeed worthy of being influenced by him, and he really had a broad mind and bearing that ordinary people did not have.
At this time, Xiao Chen still didn't know what was waiting for him in the future. After returning home to worship his ancestors, he was still studying hard.
Compared to the county exam, the prefectural exam attracted more students, and their papers were appalling. Some even studied too hard, all with dark circles under their eyes. After several students fainted in the classroom after studying so hard late at night, even the teacher could no longer sit still.
"Even fine iron needs to be tempered a thousand times. Without a healthy body, how can you even think of passing the test? Let's work hard together!"
With the intervention of the teachers in the academy, the school was closed at the end of the school day, and people were sent to check whether there were any students studying hard late at night. As a result, some shops that provided students with reading space emerged, which was ridiculous.
However, in the end, they compromised with the students. This was to prevent students who sneaked out to study from getting into danger, but it also helped to control the time, and the situation improved.
Time passed quickly and it was already April. Princess Yongfu left and never came back. Even Mr. Chu, who had enrolled at the school, was nowhere to be seen. The atmosphere in the capital was obviously a little tense. Even the county magistrate had heard from his connections at the top that he should be low-key and cautious.
It is said that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was under house arrest for three months, and a series of princes were held accountable. It seems that an inconspicuous prince broke the taboo, so the emperor became suspicious.
Xiao Chen couldn't help but sigh that the inconspicuous Eighteenth Prince was really a good brick, moving wherever he was needed. At this time, the emperor had no sharp sword in his hand, so he could only use the Eighteenth Prince to punish and implicate other princes from time to time. From then on, he would handle matters that the emperor was not convenient to handle.
His Royal Highness the current Crown Prince is too kind-hearted by nature, the Fifth Prince is vindictive and has the same bizarre political views as the old emperor, the Eighth Prince is a dandy, the Eighteenth Prince is often punished to the point of questioning his own life and is too timid and cowardly, and the other princes are too young and useless.
If not for this, he would not have chosen His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who still had a relatively normal mind, in his previous life.
It is now known that the emperor favors the fifth prince, but the fifth prince is not a wise leader.
Looking around, it seems that no one is a wise leader.
I am very worried!
"Why are you sighing? Don't be too arrogant on this trip. You should know that there are always people better than you..." Mr. Wang kept nagging and admonishing.
He looked at Xiao Yan and remained speechless.
Xiao Yan's title of first place in the county case was undoubtedly a slap in his face, but the two of them were brothers, and it was considered that the benefits should not be wasted on outsiders. He could only comfort himself in this way.
Their county was two days' journey from the provincial capital. In order to avoid the embarrassing situation of having no place to stay, Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen Mu Feng arrived half a month in advance. But even so, there were many students who arrived earlier than them, and some even arrived a month or two earlier.
Food, clothing, housing and transportation are incredibly expensive. If it weren't for the help of Xiao Yan's brothers to share two-thirds of the cost, Mu Feng would probably have to sleep on the streets.
They chose to stay in an inn not too far from the examination venue. It cost 850 coins per night, and it was a relatively simple one, with only a hard bed and a thin quilt. Food was not included. Fortunately, they had the foresight to prepare bedding and mats in advance.
Right now they are all staying in their rooms reading, occasionally going out for a walk during dinner.
Not to mention, the vinegar-blood duck that came here from other places is so delicious that most people who have eaten it will never forget it!
The material is small-headed duck with tender meat and excellent taste, and it is sautéed with sour ginger, sand ginger, dried pepper, tangerine peel, fermented black beans, star anise and other seasonings. The duck meat is put in and simmered for a while, and then bitter melon is added. Finally, vinegar blood is poured in and stir-fried, and a dish of vinegar blood duck is ready.
The finished product may not be outstanding, but it's incredibly delicious! Its popularity is evident in the number of people who order it.
In addition, there is also taro cooked with bok choy, which is soft, glutinous and smooth, accompanied by the crisp and refreshing bok choy. The taste is simply amazing. For a while, the restaurant was speechless, and everyone was busy eating, with the shadows of chopsticks interweaving. These days, it has become a must-visit place for Xiao Yan and his friends.
While we were eating, there was a sudden earthquake. The shock was so strong that the house and the tables and chairs were shaking, which caused a panic.
"There's a dragon! Get out of here!"
The ignorant waiter was still pulling the diners, "Silver, you haven't paid yet!"
The diner who was being pulled pushed him away and said, "Get out of here!"
Xiao Yan: “…”
I have never seen such a person who values money more than his life, but it is understandable. If the store loses money, the waiter will also be fined. At this time, there is no labor bureau to protect the workers.
But this does not mean that it can prevent others from escaping.
Finally, the chef who was busy in the kitchen and the owner of the restaurant went over and pulled the young waiter out, scolding him angrily: "It's already this late, and you're still thinking about money? If you don't survive, what will happen to your parents?"
The waiter is short and looks no more than ten years old. He can be described as having a pale and thin face.
After listening to local diners' discussions, they learned that the waiter had a pair of parents who were paralyzed in bed and unable to move. It was said that they were accidentally crushed by rolling stones when they were working. The employer had already paid a large sum of compensation, but it was not enough to cover the family's expenses.
Moreover, the money for medicine cannot be cut off, which is another huge expense. Out of pity, the shopkeeper made an exception and accepted him to help. Unlike a "fly" restaurant, the shopkeeper and his family can cook by themselves, and he is allowed to take back some leftover food.
Hearing this, the people who had been blocked before could no longer curse, but they were still a little angry. After all, not everyone has the opportunity to escape. Just look at the changes in the collapsed house and you can see what would have happened if they hadn't escaped.
To sum up, I feel angry and hateful, but I can't vent.
A kind-hearted person reminded me, "Your parents..."
Needless to say, the waiter had disappeared, but the shopkeeper wasn't too worried.
"His house was sold a long time ago, and he lives in a haystack now. He doesn't even have a piece of wood."
This is a blessing in disguise.
However, Xiao Yan also figured out some clues. Although the waiter was wearing men's clothes, he did not have an Adam's apple. In addition, his appearance was obviously different. He guessed that she must be a woman disguised as a man.
Seeing that the shopkeeper half-pulled and half-hugged her without any hesitation just now, it shows that she also knows about this.
Xiao Yan was not short of silver, so he took out a few taels and quietly stuffed them into the shopkeeper's pocket. Then he looked in the direction the waiter was leaving, and the meaning was self-evident. He was worried that a little girl like her would suddenly have money but no ability to defend herself, which might cause trouble, so he did not make a sound.
There are many diners like Xiao Yan. It seems that there are still many kind-hearted people in this world.
There were also students helping to rescue people from under the collapsed houses. There were cries of grief everywhere and the yamen runners arrived quickly, but unfortunately there was a shortage of manpower and most of the rescue efforts were spontaneous.
The scholars who arrived early specifically to take the exam had a miserable life. Some of them studied hard behind closed doors and didn't even know what was happening. They didn't even have the chance to open the door before they were buried in the house.
What is incredible is that despite such a big incident, the court did not postpone the meeting and proceeded as scheduled.
In other words, no matter whether you are injured or not, as long as you want to continue taking the exam, you can take it. It's really sad.
The prefect was also in a dilemma. There were only so many staff, and he couldn't take care of one thing while taking care of the other. The key point was that the captain was still playing Tai Chi.
It is said that a higher-ranking official can crush a person to death. The prefect is of the fourth rank, and the captain is of the fifth rank. However, this captain is from the empress dowager's mother's family, has a powerful background, and is in charge of the local military. If he insists on not listening, even the prefect will be helpless. Otherwise, it will become an example of someone suing this official in the court.
Still want to sue the royal family? I'm afraid you're just waiting to be eaten alive!
The prefect could only organize the candidates and the people who had spare capacity to save themselves, while the reconstruction of the examination hall was the responsibility of the yamen runners. After all, the imperial examination was a big deal and it could not be handled by the candidates. If something went wrong, the emperor would punish him and it would not only be him who would be in trouble. This was the only way.
The "earth dragon" had never existed in his previous life. It was probably because things had changed. People's thoughts were uncontrollable, just like many of the questions in the county exam were different from those in his previous life. However, Xiao Chen relied on his own diligence, not relying on the questions in his previous life.
During these days, Xiao Yan and his classmates lived in a makeshift straw hut with other students. In order not to offend the candidates, the innkeeper paid the remaining room fee out of his own pocket and even delivered hot soup every day. He was afraid of offending a student who might become successful in the future, and his desire to survive was very strong.
The waiter was also helping in the crowd. As the saying goes, long illness makes one a doctor. She knew more than ordinary people and had experience in taking care of people. She was accepted as a disciple by the doctor in the clinic on the spot.
The doctor was not one of those fake doctors who sold fake medicine to deceive people. He could naturally see what she was hiding, but he didn't care much.
Perhaps this is what is called a doctor's benevolence, which is different from the secular prejudice against men and women.
As time passed, the number of candidates arriving gradually increased. The wealthy families lived directly in the carriages, while those who had no money could only live in temporary straw huts like them.
As the provincial examination was approaching, the students did not go out to help, but stayed in the straw huts to study hard. The local residents also spontaneously became quieter, and some even sent porridge, noodles and other grains to express their gratitude.
At 2:15 am, Xiao Yan and his companions had already gotten up, washed, and prepared to go to the examination hall.
The queue was like a long dragon, with no end in sight, and that was even though they arrived early.
The provincial examination is also divided into three sessions, the first two lasting one day each, and the third lasting two days.
Compared with the county examination, the provincial examination is more strict in its search. Not only the whole body is searched, but even the hair is spread out for careful inspection, and the soles of shoes and personal items are not left out.
Even so, many people were found to have brought cheat sheets with them, and some even used the cheating method of "silver and salty characters".
Cheating at this time was a very serious matter. Not only would three generations of the offender be barred from taking the imperial examinations, they would also be exiled. Before that, they would be paraded through the streets in shackles for three months and become criminals. The most serious punishment was beheading as an example to the public.
All these punishments are enough to show how much importance the imperial court attached to the imperial examination.
However, no matter how severe the punishment is, it cannot extinguish the luck and desire for power of those who are determined.
Therefore, cheating is always common, and there are several cases in every imperial examination.
Now they have finally faced the threat of war. The court is unclear about its direction and there are undercurrents. They are caught on the spot and beaten to serve as a warning to others. The other candidates applauded.
After all, it would be useless if I failed the exam because I am not as knowledgeable as others. But if such a person were to pass, they would be so angry that they would die, and the people in the area would be in great trouble.
The prefect here was a relatively good official. Under his rule, there had been no cases of favoritism, fraud, bribing examiners, or misjudging candidates. He was highly respected by the people.
However, what Xiao Yan was thinking at this time was that the searches in ancient times were so strict. Just like the guarantors for the examinees, the yamen runners also needed several people to act as guarantors, which was tantamount to collective responsibility, to prevent the situation of being bribed at the same time.
But under such strict regulations, how do those female protagonists disguised as men in TV dramas manage to get away with it? Is it because of the protagonist's aura? Or is it because the search officers were not strict enough, resulting in mistakes?
How lucky do you have to be able to encounter such a coincidence?
Without thinking too much, he put the things into the exam basket after searching, and found his place with the exam guide.
Xiao Yan's seat was in the middle, where he sat and waited for the pens, ink, paper, and inkstone to be distributed.
It should be noted here that in the current dynasty, candidates were not allowed to bring their own belongings to the provincial examinations. They could only bring examination papers. Pens, ink, paper, food, and bedding for overnight stays were also provided by the Imperial Academy. This was also one of the means to prevent cheating by bringing in notes.
The provincial examinations became more difficult, with questions like policy essays, calligraphy, poetry, and eight-legged essays. They also included sensitive political topics, such as the question of whether to defend or attack the border towns after Dou Guo repeatedly harassed them. Even more crucial were questions about the responsibilities of the crown prince and the qualities required to shoulder such a heavy responsibility.
The former is fine, as it can make the people above you discover your talent. The latter is just short of asking you which prince you support. The question is extremely tricky and does not seem like a serious exam at all!
Is this really just a question for the provincial exam? Who would ask something like this in a serious exam?
I'm afraid the person above is taking the opportunity to express his personal emotions!
Although no one knows who set the exam questions, as a student, or even if you have the ambition to be an official, you cannot just bury your head in study and ignore what is happening outside the window. You also need to have an extremely keen political sense.
Those who have a clear idea in mind naturally cannot say which prince they support, but they cannot say nothing either, otherwise they will deviate from the exam topic and speak without substance. They need to flatter the prince while also explaining the necessary qualities of being the crown prince, which requires the candidates to strike a balance.
Those who follow the rules will speak in accordance with the requirements of a wise ruler, and then flatter him by saying, "A person as talented as Your Majesty deserves to be a wise ruler."
There are also some very stubborn people who express their own opinions, and those with more old-fashioned thinking talk about the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children.
As for Xiao Yan, he praised the current emperor to the hilt, his rhetoric so exaggerated that anyone who read it could tell the underlying message was this: Your Majesty, without you, our country will be doomed! You must hold on and try to borrow another 500 years from heaven.
Xiao Yan blushed as he wrote this, feeling extremely ashamed, which was extremely rare.
There's no way, he doesn't want to.
The emperor is currently ill, but he still finds time to intervene in the imperial examinations. This also shows that his condition is not that serious. If he takes sides at this time, wouldn't it be a taboo?
The most important thing was that since the emperor had meddled in the provincial examination, it meant he would definitely be involved in the matter. Regardless of whether he was flattering or not, any tactful examiner wouldn't have been so stubborn as to reject him. After all, he was speaking for the current emperor.
If the content praising the emperor is excluded, isn't this questioning the emperor?
If an upright examiner saw this, he would not reject him because what he said was completely true. Although the emperor is now stupid, old and suspicious, he was indeed a clear-headed and wise ruler in his prime.
For example, he personally led expeditions to distant frontiers, recovered lost territories, subdued neighboring small countries, improved people's livelihood, and implemented policies that benefited the people, all of which made immeasurable contributions to consolidating and expanding the territory.
He even followed the example of his ancestors and said that his country would never have a marriage alliance. I just don't know why he is so difficult to describe when it comes to love. Maybe this is the saying that love makes people lose their minds???
Xiao Yan, who planned to be alone forever, was shocked and very puzzled.
After finishing the answer, Xiao Yan checked it again. There were no typos, no deviation from the question, and no taboos. The flattering article was still as embarrassing as ever, so Xiao Yan began to rest.
Even Xiao Yan felt a little overwhelmed after three consecutive exams, but he was relatively okay. Looking at Xiao Chen who almost had to be supported to walk, it was obvious how much he suffered.
Mu Feng had been doing farm work since he was young, so his physical condition was naturally good. Even Xiao Yan, who looked the thinnest and most frail, only looked a little pale.
What Xiao Chen couldn't believe was why he was the weakest among the three!?
It's outrageous!
Xiao Yan comforted him, "You are just young, you will be fine in the future."
After hearing this, Xiao Chen regained his lost dignity.
After the exam, no one had the energy to discuss the questions. Most people just fell into a deep sleep and decided to deal with everything else after waking up.
Xiao Yan and his companions only rested in the provincial capital for one day. They packed up and went home before the results were announced, because it would take a month for the results to be announced. Moreover, the provincial capital was just adjacent to the land dragon, so it was not a good place to rest. Not only would they suffer if they stayed here, but it would also be a waste of money.
When I returned to town, no one was so tactless as to come and visit me.
After the academy learned about it, they gave them three days off to recuperate. However, the next day after returning, Xiao Chen went back to the village to report to Mr. Wang. He didn't even have time to review the questions. After all, Mr. Wang was his mentor.
Xiao Yan and Mu Feng went to visit Wei's mansion and thanked him for recommending another good friend in the city to act as a guarantor.
The reason why Master Wei did not go with them was because his married daughter was about to give birth, and as a father and mother they naturally could not be absent, so he just rushed back to inquire about matters related to the provincial examination.
Perhaps because people are in high spirits when they are happy, Master Wei no longer has a sullen face. When Xiao Yan saw him, his whole face was soft and he was rubbing his hands with a smile.
"Are you back?" Master Wei tried to sound serious, but failed.
"How did you do on the test?"
Master Wei was not worried about these two students at all, but they were hesitant and stammered, which made Master Wei full of questions.
"If you fail, you can just take the test again next time. Why are you acting like this?" Master Wei had a really stern face this time, worried that they would never recover from this setback.
Xiao Yan didn't say anything, looking a little ashamed, and watched Mu Feng step forward and tell him the fatal question of the provincial examination.
Master Wei: “???”
Master Wei rubbed his ears. His first reaction was, "Is this a proper exam?" His second was, "Why would such a question appear on the exam?" His third reaction was, "Isn't it enough to flatter the ministers?" He was actually trying to bully the students!
That’s right, Master Wei had a sharp eye and could tell at a glance that this was not a test of choosing sides. If one chose to take sides, he would basically fail.
It was obvious that the emperor was using the test questions to punish the restless prince!
Master Wei asked sternly, "How did you answer?"
Mu Feng blushed as he spoke out his answer. It was the same flattery as Xiao Yan's, but it was more subtle and implicit. However, even so, he felt that bragging about it was a bit too insincere.
Unexpectedly, Master Wei nodded and said, "Not bad, not bad."
He looked at Xiao Yan: "What about you? How did you answer?"
He knew that although this student was not a cause for concern, he was a gentleman of the time and would definitely not tell lies!
What a pity, what a pity!
Master Wei had even prepared words of comfort, but when he saw Xiao Yan recite his invincible flattery on the spot without changing his expression, he
Master Wei: “???”
Master Wei: “!!!”
He blinked slowly, thinking that perhaps his age had weakened his hearing. Otherwise, how could he have heard his student, who was known for his gentlemanly demeanor, utter such flattering words?
He must be old! Yes, he is old!
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Mu Feng looked at Xiao Yan in amazement, his mouth wide open enough to swallow an egg.
After a long while, he seemed to have figured something out, and said thoughtfully, "It seems I was too reserved."
"Originally, I wanted to do something big, but I was worried. Now it seems that I have to make a decisive decision and not hesitate too much. I am far inferior to Brother Yan in this regard. I will learn from you."
Mu Feng's words were vague, but everyone knew that the so-called exaggeration was just a regret for not praising him too much, and he was worried that others would say he was flattering.
Now, who would dare to speak openly about it? It's just some gossip, but the benefits are real, and they are not making it up for the sake of boasting.
This is all about skill! Knowing the right measure!
Master Wei took a long time to find his voice again, and looked at Xiao Yan with a complicated expression: "It is because of my poor judgment that I was worried that you would not be able to adapt to the officialdom. Now it seems that you are a natural-born genius!"
Just ask yourself, who wouldn't dislike a subordinate who understands their intentions, is talented, and can be used as a tool? In the eyes of their colleagues, this person has talent but no ability, and is simply favored by the emperor to carry out his orders. Although he may have his faults, they will not lower their status and make him an enemy.
The two have different perspectives and perceptions. He knew how to establish his own "personality" so early and was able to show up in front of the emperor. I have to say that this move is really smart.
But it’s better for you to know the meaning yourself, there’s no need to say it out loud.
Xiao Yan bowed humbly, his attitude sincere: "Sir, please do not praise me anymore. I am just stating the facts. I am truly unworthy of your praise."
Master Wei: “…”
Looking at Xiao Yan's extremely sincere eyes, Master Wei couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. Was he really overthinking it?
It might sound a bit Versailles, but in reality, Master Wei was overthinking it. Xiao Yan's target was Xiao Chen, and the imperial examination was just a side job. He didn't have the time to speculate on his superiors' intentions. He simply analyzed the current situation to determine which answer would be the most 'perfect'.
As a student, isn't answering the questions a matter of course? Is there any need to try to understand the emperor's intentions? Isn't it enough to analyze the current situation?
Xiao Yan expressed his confusion, but fortunately he did not voice his doubts, otherwise Master Wei might have been so angry that he wanted to beat him up. After all, saying such things in front of someone who was not accustomed to the officialdom was just asking for a beating.
That night, Xiao Chen finally rushed back and started to check the questions, and then he was in disbelief - he felt that he was too tired and had auditory hallucinations - he was worthy of being my brother, even his answers were so perfect - it was a pity that he was still a little tactful!
There were many other candidates who rushed back like Xiao Yan and his friends, and they were all discussing that extremely outrageous and fatal test question.
The teacher of the academy also learned Xiao Yan's answer from Master Wei, and was speechless for a long time.
Although this answer is perfect, it seems a bit flattering when used as a topic, which is very unfriendly to the atmosphere of the academy. Moreover, this is just an exception and it will not happen every time. If students develop the habit of flattery, it will really corrupt the atmosphere of the academy.
Moreover, this fatal test question is not a joke. They have to consider the person above them, and they cannot appear too flattering or too useless. In the end, they can only hold their noses and use it as a topic.
There is nothing wrong with this answer. The answer does make sense, but it makes people blush.
Xiao Yan became famous in the academy, both good and bad. People said that he was a real person and one should not judge a person by his appearance. However, Xiao Yan was not a person who cared that much about reputation.
When you can't have your cake and eat it too, wanting both the benefits and the reputation, isn't that playing both sides? How can such a good thing happen?
So in order to gain benefits, he doesn't care about what others say.
The provincial examination was held in August in the provincial capital.
If they pass, Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen plan to continue taking the exam. However, Mu Feng may feel that he does not have enough confidence and plans to take the exam again after three years.
The two brothers of the Xiao family had been in school for a short time, and the teacher was worried that they were not well prepared. However, during the examination, he found that they were indeed capable of continuing, so he did not persuade them anymore.
As a result, past exam papers filled up their study rooms, and they studied almost day and night. Of course, only Xiao Chen was good at studying. Xiao Yan was afraid that he would feel burdened, so he also took a look, but he didn't study as hard as he did.
Xiao Chen also noticed his perfunctory attitude. After trying to persuade him again and again, he was worried that he was too tired, so he had to give up.
But it is impossible to say that there is no luck in my heart.
Xiao Chen's biggest obsession now is to defeat his brother once, just once!
Of course, this kind of victory is not a win that is disrespectful and lets the opponent win, but a win that is won by giving full play to each other's strength. Only then can it be considered a well-deserved victory.
Xiao Yan, who was still preparing for the exam at this time, had no idea how much of a sensation his answer had caused.
First is the examiner who marks the paper.
The chief examiner was presided over by the prefect, as well as the specially appointed ministers who marked the papers. This was a privilege previously reserved for the provincial, metropolitan and palace examinations, which showed how much the emperor cared about the answers this time.
The examiners were overwhelmed by the answer sheets, and their backs ached, their hands were weak, and their eyes were blurry. In order not to affect the marking, the examiners would take a break occasionally.
An examiner twisted his neck and accidentally glanced at an answer sheet.
How should I put it? It's quite exaggerated. How could someone be so shameless!? To give a perfect answer, have they even given up on dignity?
"What's shameless?" The examiner next to him heard it and came over to see curiously.
It turned out that the examiner had inadvertently expressed his true feelings, but fortunately no one made a big deal about it.
The main thing is that after reviewing the papers these days, they all have this idea in their minds. At the beginning, they could still learn from it, but later they read too many cookie-cutter flattering articles and became immune to it, and even a little numb.
I believe that these days, they have read the most flattering articles in their lives, no doubt about it!
However, under such circumstances, the examiner was still able to say such words, which showed how powerful this person was and aroused his curiosity.
Take a look, oh wow!
Look again, shameless bastard!
As I watched, I realized this candidate had something special! It wasn't just empty talk.
Ministers who can become examiners must have profound talents and knowledge, and be well-read in poetry and books. Otherwise, they will not be able to convince the people. Moreover, officials look at problems from different angles and depths than teachers in academies.
Don't just think that this is just a flattering article. In addition to the proper measure, the more impressive thing is that this candidate has a sharp understanding of the problem and does not flatter for the sake of flattery. Every sentence is on point and he can also flatter the person at the same time.
A thought flashed through the minds of all the examiners - what a pity, it's a pity that this test paper is a flattery test paper. If it was any other test paper, who knows how many outstanding answers there would be.
Out of curiosity, the examiners took a closer look at the candidate's other answers, and found that they were indeed astonishing as they had expected.
For example, the Dou State invaded repeatedly.
The Dou State was a tiny country, and its advantage lay in its navy being far superior to theirs, while the garrison troops were all transferred from outside. This was not to say that transferred troops were bad, but that it was easy for them to condone and foster treason.
Everyone knows that the customs is extremely profit-driven, and there are countless people who secretly trade for profit. The army is also unwilling to give up power, and also to show that they are useful and will not carry out a full-scale crackdown, which makes it difficult for the local people.
Originally, they only had to pay taxes to the court, but in order to survive, they not only had to endure the invasion of Dou State, but also had to pay them "life-saving money".
The answer pointed out that the troops should be exiled from the local area because the locals were good at swimming and knew the terrain. In order to protect their loved ones and no longer be harassed, the chance of collusion with the Dou State would be reduced in the case of a blood feud between the two. It would also solve the problem of the garrison spending a large amount of military expenditure every year to learn swimming and adapt to the local environment, and there would be no need to worry about the officers and soldiers colluding with the enemy country.
The most important thing is that the emperor has long been dissatisfied with the fact that he has to take more troops from the national treasury every year than others.
Is this a question of whether to defend or attack? No, the question is how to solve this problem! And you can also legitimately take back the military power!
This candidate really has something! Not only did that person feel moved, but even they were a little apprehensive.
I don’t know how many colleagues this person will offend after becoming an official.
No matter what they thought, they didn't dare to treat it against their will. Putting aside the fact that the other party had indeed solved this problem, the minister who took the photo was still there. Did he want to hide it? I'm afraid he wanted to clear the household registration book.
In this way, step by step, Xiao Yan's answer was also sent to the capital.
The current emperor is Emperor Xiaozhi, who is forty-six years old, which was considered an old man in ancient times because people's life expectancy was short. It was rare to find someone as long-lived as Taoist Wuwei.
This is also the reason why people with long lifespans enjoyed certain treatments in ancient times.
Perhaps it was due to a taboo regarding the reign title, but Emperor Xiaozhi suffered from asthma, a condition inherited from his father's generation. His relapse was caused by the discovery that someone had put dairy products in his diet, which could easily trigger an asthma relapse, nearly killing him.
At the same time, it also shows that some people are restless and are eager to wait for him to die so that they can sit under his butt!
Fortunately, the imperial physician was highly skilled and saved him in time, but unfortunately, the person behind the scenes was extremely well hidden. The thought that there was such a sinister person who had not yet been uncovered made Emperor Xiaozhi unable to sleep or eat.
He was lucky enough to escape this time, but what about next time?
Emperor Xiaozhi, whose condition had improved, was not at ease with anyone and held power firmly in his hands, and all the princes and concubines were accused of other crimes.
It is better to kill someone innocently than to let him go, this is the emperor's domineering philosophy.
The older the prince gets, the less relieved he feels. He just feels that everyone he looks at looks like a villain who wants to harm him!
Although Emperor Xiaozhi was old and still ill, he never neglected court affairs. The answer sheets of Xiao Yan and other candidates were handed to the emperor at this time.
After looking at several answer sheets in a row, Emperor Xiaozhi frowned, his imperial majesty grew stronger, and then he slammed the answer sheet on the dragon table.
“Bullshit!”
Many palace servants have been punished these days, and almost all of them have been replaced. No one dared to offend the emperor at this critical moment. They all shrank their necks and dared not even breathe.
Emperor Xiaozhi didn't care what the palace ladies thought. All he could think about was—that's it? That was enough to pollute his eyes?
Is he looking for flattery? What a bunch of losers! Idiots!
And this, what does it mean to have both offensive and defensive capabilities? Does he want to attack or defend? How can he not understand the current situation at all? Is the navy blind to have siphoned off so much silver from the national treasury? What difference does it make whether it's offensive or defensive?
He doesn't even understand what he means, yet dares to talk big. With such an official, he will be mad to death sooner or later!
Bad review! Bad review! Crazy bad review!!!
Emperor Xiaozhi had gone crazy with killing.
Emperor Xiaozhi leaned back on the dragon throne with his eyes closed, resting. Eunuch Tao brought him a cup of hot tea with a forced smile.
"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother asks you to take care of your health."
Emperor Xiaozhi paused and looked at Eunuch Tao, who immediately understood, "Your Majesty, this is the health-preserving tea prescribed by the Imperial Physician Wei."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Xiaozhi took it.
Yes, including his nominal mother, the Queen Mother, he also had doubts! Since ancient times, hens crow at dawn, and the Queen Mother's regent affairs should not be too many, not to mention that they have no blood relationship, but were raised by the Queen Mother later. He was being cautious.
"Announcement: Minister Fan is here to see you."
Shangshu Fan was the Minister of Rites, and the imperial examinations were also under his jurisdiction.
When Minister Fan was summoned, his heart skipped a beat and his face turned bitter, thinking that he knew this matter would be difficult to handle!
His Majesty insisted on bringing in his own agenda, and he said that this was against etiquette. After all, it was always the emperor who set the questions in the palace examination. However, it was difficult to disobey the imperial order, and in the end he had no choice but to compromise with the imperial power.
The ministers in the court were not stupid either. His Majesty was taking this opportunity to attack the princes and to centralize the imperial power! But would anyone dare to make such a suggestion knowing that it would offend the princes and the Queen Mother?
If Your Majesty was in his prime, they would still dare to do it, but Your Majesty is old now, and they will have to make a living under the rule of an unknown prince in the future. Coming forward now is nothing but false prosperity and temporary pleasure!
Let's not talk about the princes. The bottomless pit of military funds belongs to the Queen Mother's brother! Otherwise, who would have the guts to make money under your majesty's nose? Even your majesty would not dare to deal with it lightly without a proper reason.
Don't you see that Your Majesty knows that the ministers at court dare not speak out, so he intervenes in the imperial examination? Otherwise, how could such a vast court be without people? They are just playing dumb and protecting themselves! No one wants to be a sharp weapon with a very short shelf life in Your Majesty's hands.
Minister Fan wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked into the hall, then a brush hit him on the head with incredible accuracy.
He subconsciously admired in his heart, what an accurate shot!
What a pity that he is so old!
Emperor Xiaozhi watched Minister Fan rub his forehead, which didn't seem to hurt, in a very exaggerated manner. He narrowed his eyes and asked, "Fan Baoning, do you admit your guilt?"
Minister Fan quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty."
Emperor Xiaozhi snorted coldly: "You also know that you are guilty? Then tell me what crime you have committed!"
Minister Fan: “…”
Minister Fan kowtowed obediently: "Your Majesty, please clarify."
Emperor Xiaozhi threw another brush at him, and Minister Fan felt quite fortunate that although His Majesty was a little moody, he was not a bloodthirsty and tyrannical person. He did not hit anyone with the inkstone, which could really kill someone!
Just as he was lost in thought, he heard Emperor Xiaozhi say, "You don't even know what crime you've committed, yet you still dare to claim you're guilty? Fan Baoning, are you attempting to deceive the emperor?"
Minister Fan: “…”
Minister Fan had a hard time saying, "It is the duty of a minister to obey your majesty's words. Your majesty, if you say I am guilty, then I am guilty."
This was a very clever statement. First, it implied that he was a loyal minister. Second, it flattered Your Majesty. Third, it saved his life. If Your Majesty did not want to be a tyrant, then he could not arbitrarily punish him.
As expected, Emperor Xiaozhi laughed and scolded, "Fan Baoning, you are so slick. If I say you are guilty, wouldn't I be a foolish and ignorant ruler?"
Minister Fan dared not agree, and kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, please understand. Heaven and earth can bear witness to my humble devotion to Your Majesty. I would never dare to deceive Your Majesty in the slightest!"
Emperor Xiaozhi also knew that he was not guilty in this matter, but these candidates were just too disappointing!
When he thought of the candidates, he thought of the answer sheets, and when he thought of the answer sheets, Emperor Xiaozhi felt a headache.
But even though he couldn't punish him, he still had to vent his anger. Otherwise, he couldn't have called someone here just to vent his anger, right? He wasn't a tyrant king, so he took his anger out on his ministers.
Well, although there is a little bit, it is mostly for other purposes.
The simplest explanation is that he was extremely dissatisfied with the results of the provincial examination, and he even wanted to interfere in the provincial examination! I don't believe that no one can fail to see what he means! If this is true, then this is the only option left.
But...Emperor Xiaozhi knew that now was not the time.
Although this is the original intention, it must be brought up through some conversation and cannot be stated directly.
"Heaven and earth are witnesses to this, just look at these!"
Minister Fan took the answer sheet from the palace maid and took a look. Oh wow, there really was a candidate who was so stubborn that he would rather risk offending the princes and the empress dowager just to enjoy this false prosperity!
But...isn't this exactly the person His Majesty wants? Why is he still so furious?
Minister Fan looked at him again and again and confirmed that this person was indeed the one His Majesty wanted!
Confused, he asked, "Your Majesty...what's wrong with this answer?"
Emperor Xiaozhi was so angry that he laughed. He said angrily, "What's wrong with that? This is a huge problem! Why don't you read this nonsense?"
Minister Fan glanced at the article, which was so ornate and exaggerated that even he blushed, and hesitantly said, "This, this... this is inappropriate, right?"
It turns out His Majesty summoned him not to interfere with the provincial examination, but to show off with him! And he could have secretly enjoyed it, but why would he have others read out these articles praising him in public? His Majesty actually has such a habit!
Emperor Xiaozhi slapped the dragon table and said, "Read it! If you don't, I will punish you for deceiving the emperor!"
After saying that, he picked up the teacup to calm himself down.
Minister Fan's mind was full of false accusations, and he had no choice but to read it out.
As Emperor Xiaozhi listened, he almost spit out a mouthful of tea.
Even though he himself blushed after hearing this article, he still asked his ministers to read it out on the spot, which was tantamount to public execution.
But... it seems to be true. Haven't I accomplished such great feats? Hmm... Galloping across the battlefield, invincible, expanding territory... formulating policies that benefit the people... I've done so much! Without me, will the world be doomed? Am I really that important?
It turns out that everything I have done has been seen by the people of the world... This person understands me very well, he is so capable, he is my confidant!
Emperor Xiaozhi concealed his expression by drinking tea, and then the corners of his mouth rose silently.
Minister Fan took a furtive glance and saw the look of uncontrollable joy in his eyes. He thought to himself that this candidate had really guessed it, but... it was just a flash in the pan.
It's a pity that such a great talent was born at the wrong time. If he had met a wise ruler, he could have become a minister who governed the country, but unfortunately he met their Majesty.
What Your Majesty wants is a sword, not a minister who can govern the world.
When he mentioned Dou State, the light in Emperor Xiaozhi's eyes became brighter.
This is exactly the sword I'm looking for!!!
Without caring about his manners, Emperor Xiaozhi repeatedly called out, "Present it to me!"
The more he looked at it, the more Emperor Xiaozhi felt like he had found a treasure, and he was so excited that he kept saying "good" three times.
After the excitement subsided, Emperor Xiaozhi finally came to his senses and looked at Minister Fan, whose legs were numb from kneeling, and asked in confusion, "Lord Fan, why are you still here?"
Minister Fan: “…”
When there is something wrong, it’s Fan Baoning; when there is nothing wrong, it’s Fan Aiqing. Haha, he sees through it!
Also, why is he still here? Does Your Majesty really not know? Without Your Majesty's words, would he dare to leave?!
Minister Fan stood up despite the numbness in his legs and was about to leave the palace when he heard Emperor Xiaozhi say, "Wait."
Emperor Xiaozhi said meaningfully: "Today's events..."
Minister Fan scratched his head. "What happened today? Your Majesty, didn't you summon me here to inquire about the Empress Dowager's birthday?"
Emperor Xiaozhi glanced at him approvingly, "My dear minister, you are indeed intelligent. This examinee... do you understand?"
Honestly, Minister Fan didn't want to understand, but he couldn't just feign ignorance to cover it up. If he truly wanted to please His Majesty, then what difference would that make him the sword in His Majesty's hand? And it wasn't even a false prosperity; at most, it would only be resented by all parties!
Minister Fan refused with a look of disapproval, "Your Majesty, this is unreasonable and violates ancestral rules!"
Operating in secret? Don't even think about it! He was already taking a huge risk by keeping it secret!
Emperor Xiaozhi frowned, "Fan Baoning, I just praised your intelligence, and you want to slap me in the face?"
Minister Fan: “…”
Minister Fan was a little tired. "Your Majesty, it's not that I don't want to, but this is against etiquette. As the Minister of Rites, I also oversee the imperial examinations, and I value fairness and justice. If even I can abuse my power for personal gain, then who can guarantee the students' grades?"
Seeing Emperor Xiaozhi's growing impatience, he quickly finished his last sentence and changed the subject: "Furthermore... Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and you have a discerning eye for talent. This candidate is no ordinary person. Why are you so impatient?"
He said something with a hidden meaning: "To be honest, Your Majesty, there are many insects in my mansion. You also know that I have no other hobbies. The only thing I like is green plants imported from overseas that can eat insects."
"Whenever I can't stand it anymore and want to pull it up a little, to make it grow faster, my daughter always tries to dissuade me, saying that good grass is hard to come by, so why force it to grow? And if I keep exaggerating about such a treasure of mine, what if someone gets jealous and destroys it?"
Emperor Xiaozhi's expression changed several times, and he suddenly smiled and said, "My dear daughter is indeed intelligent. I specially give her a pair of gold bracelets."
He looked kind, "I remember your daughter is about the same age as Yongfu, right? Go out more often when you have time, and don't be confined to the house all the time. A girl can only be happy before she's married. After she's married, she's bound by countless rules."
The world has always respected women as "staying in the main gate and not stepping out of the other gates," so Minister Fan would not comment on this matter. He could only say, "I, your humble servant, would like to thank you on my daughter's behalf. Your Majesty, your wise words are wise."
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