Chapter 31 [31]
【31】/First release
Lu Zhiwan hurriedly paid her respects to Xiao Jingting, then took the initiative to step forward and asked, "Your Majesty, why are you here with me?"
Xiao Jingting looked at her indifferently: "Not welcome?"
"How could that be possible? Your Majesty's presence at Lifeng Palace is truly a great honor and a great privilege."
Lu Zhiwan smiled widely and quickly pointed at the little leopard in the railing: "Your Majesty, please come and see little Fugui. Steward Chen just brought him here not long ago, and he's already adapted to life."
Xiao Jingting slowly walked to the fence and took a look. Suddenly he said, "Do you like it?"
Lu Zhiwan was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded, "I like it. It's so cute, with a chubby face."
"It's a leopard."
"The leopard head and leopard brain?"
“…”
Xiao Jingting looked at her, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't. He just ordered the eunuch in charge of taking care of the little leopard to bring Fugui over.
After a while, the eunuch brought the leopard over and respectfully presented it to Xiao Jingting: "Your Majesty."
Xiao Jingting stretched out his hands, holding the little leopard's furry belly with one hand, and pinching the skin on the back of its neck with the other hand, and lifted it up in the air.
The little guy suddenly flew into the air, flapping his little paws, with a look of innocent panic in his big round eyes, and a soft cry coming out of his mouth.
Lu Zhiwan was stunned watching.
"He actually picked it up like that? Isn't he afraid the little leopard will bite off his fingers?"
"But from this angle, the little leopard is so cute. I want to give it a good rub."
Xiao Jingting picked up the little leopard, examined it and put it in his arms. The little guy was still running around and scratching at first, but he raised his hand and touched the little head that was shaking up and down, and the little guy gradually felt comfortable and closed his eyes.
Lu Zhiwan was filled with admiration. Xiao Jingting looked up at her and asked, "Have you ever held it?"
Lu Zhiwan gave an awkward laugh: "Not yet."
Xiao Jingting: "A hug?"
Lu Zhiwan showed hesitation and was just thinking about how to refuse politely when the man stuffed the little leopard directly into her arms, his movements as light as if he was stuffing a ball of cotton.
Feeling the warm weight in his hands, Lu Zhiwan's hair stood on end and he subconsciously wanted to throw it away, but when he met the innocent brown eyes of the little life in his arms, he suppressed his fear and held it stiffly, not moving a muscle.
Xiao Jingting looked at her little face that had suddenly turned snow-white, and her conflicted expression, and a smile flashed across his eyes.
"You don't even dare to hold it when it's so small. When it gets bigger, won't it scare you to death?"
He spoke calmly, but stepped forward and held Lu Zhiwan's hand: "Don't be nervous, with me here, you won't lose a single finger."
Lu Zhiwan's long eyelashes trembled twice, and he felt confused.
"How did he know I was worried about getting my fingers bitten?"
"It's so strange, this man seems to understand me more and more... Is it because I let my emotions show and act too easy to understand, or has he figured out the patterns after being together for so long?"
Before she could figure it out, the man pinched her fingers gently, and a deep voice rang in her ears: "Focus."
The hot breath brushed against his cheek, and Lu Zhiwan suddenly remembered the deep kisses he had shared that night.
Her heart was beating wildly for no reason, and she tried hard to calm it down and not show any flaws.
Xiao Jingting lowered his dark eyes, glanced at her, and said nothing.
He was calm and composed, as if he was taking her to pet a tiger for the first time, and slowly taught her how to soothe the little leopard's emotions.
Lu Zhiwan was a little uncomfortable at first, but seeing that he was teaching seriously, she gradually corrected her attitude and started to learn.
The afterglow of the setting sun dyed the clouds a brilliant crimson, and the evening breeze blew gently, bringing with it the fragrance of flowers.
In the courtyard, the emperor and his concubine, both of outstanding appearance, stood side by side, looking at the little leopard in their arms, with infinite tenderness in their eyes.
Yu Mingjiang, who was standing by, saw this harmonious and warm scene and quietly gestured for the palace servants to leave.
He and Aunt Qiu Rong also retreated behind a willow tree not far away, his face full of satisfaction: "Your Majesty and Concubine Zhao are truly a match made in heaven."
Aunt Qiu Rong also sighed: "Yes, I never dreamed that Your Majesty would one day experience the love between men and women."
Yu Mingjiang: "Look at them like this, they look like a family of three... It would be great if Concubine Zhao was holding a little prince instead of a leopard."
Aunt Qiu Rong looked at the warm scene bathed in the orange sunset and felt a surge of longing in her heart: "Don't worry, as long as His Majesty and Consort Zhao continue to get along like this, sooner or later, the sound of a baby crying will be heard in our palace."
***
Summer is here, cicadas are chirping everywhere, and the temperature is getting hotter day by day.
With Xiao Jingting's guidance, Lu Zhiwan became more and more adept at raising leopards.
As people and animals spend more and more time together, they develop a bond. Every morning when she wakes up, she asks about Xiao Fugui's day. And every time Xiao Fugui sees her coming, he rushes towards her enthusiastically, nudging her legs with his little head, scratching her with his little paws, and asking for a hug with his beautiful round eyes.
She spent her days sleeping, eating, and petting cats in the harem, leading a leisurely and comfortable life. In the previous dynasty, after Xiao Jingting cut off the tongues of those who spread rumors and expelled them from the capital, the people no longer dared to speak carelessly - cutting off the tongue was one thing, but it was said that anyone who spread rumors would be fined twenty taels of silver if reported.
That’s twenty taels. How can one afford such a fine?
Moreover, His Majesty has ordered the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard to jointly try the case and investigate it thoroughly. It is better to keep your mouth shut until the results come out.
The rumors gradually died down as the three hundred people were driven out of the capital.
The city of Jinling, thousands of miles away, has been a prosperous and wealthy place since the previous dynasty. Now it happens that scholars are preparing for the autumn examinations, and the hotels are full, with people coming and going, making it even more lively than usual.
According to convention, the exams start in early August and the results are announced in the middle of the month.
Early in the morning of August 14, the entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall was crowded with people, including the scholars taking the exam, their accompanying family members and servants, passers-by watching the excitement, and police officers maintaining order... For a moment, the place was crowded and noisy.
"Hey, stop pushing! What's the point of pushing?"
"Don't you have eyes? You stepped on my foot."
"I won, hahahahahahahaha, I won, second place, twenty-six! Dad, Mom, I won!"
"Master, your name is here, it's right!"
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations, everyone."
"Brother Weixi, over here, over here! Look, you're the top student in the first class!!"
As soon as this exclamation sounded in the crowd, it immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the number one, so they looked in the direction of the voice and saw two young scholars squeezed in the front row. One had an ordinary appearance and wore a brocade robe, while the other wore an ordinary white cloth, but he had an upright posture and was extraordinarily handsome.
Almost at the first sight of the two people, everyone automatically recognized who was the number one.
As expected, the man in the brocade robe was beaming with joy. He turned to the young man in white and said, "Weixi, I told you that you have great literary talent and will definitely take first place. I was right, wasn't I? You must treat me to a nice meal tonight and celebrate!"
The young man in white was none other than Zhao Wenshao, a student from Yuezhou.
Having won first place, he was naturally overjoyed, but he remained humble. He pulled Dai Ze, who was taking the exam with him, and said, "I know you're happy for me, Brother Dai, but please don't be too boastful... Did you find out your rank?"
"I looked for it, but it wasn't successful."
Dai Ze didn't care at all: "I had no interest in taking the imperial examinations, but my old man forced me to come. Instead of listening to him nagging at home, I might as well take this opportunity to go out and have some fun. Jiangnan is known for its beauties, and the courtesans along the Qinhuai River are even more talented and beautiful. I'll go back to Yuezhou after I've had enough fun."
Zhao Wenshao didn't say much after hearing this, but seeing that many people were looking at them, he didn't want to be too conspicuous. He exchanged a few words with a few familiar faces who came forward to congratulate him, then pulled Dai Ze away from the list.
Dai Ze was pulled out by him, still a little reluctant to leave: "Why are you leaving so quickly? Just now, several richly dressed gentlemen were staring at you, as if they wanted to come and find a son-in-law and marry their daughters to you."
"Brother Dai, please stop teasing me." Zhao Wenshao said, "You know I have no interest in women. I just want to study hard, gain a good academic record, and bring honor to my family."
Dai Ze clicked his tongue and was about to speak when he heard a crisp voice like a silver bell from not far away: "Young Master Zhao!"
The two looked up and saw a canopied carriage parked on the crowded street.
A pretty girl with twin buns and a pink silk flower was standing beside the carriage, walking towards them with a sweet smile. The royal blue curtain of the carriage was lifted a corner, revealing only a glimpse of a snow-white wrist.
Seeing this, Dai Ze lowered his voice and teased Zhao Wenshao, "No wonder Brother Weixi has no interest in women. After seeing the divine beauty of Miss Ning, how could he be interested in those vulgar women along the Qinhuai River?"
Zhao Wenshao coughed lightly and said, "Brother Dai, please be careful with your words and don't tarnish Miss Ning's reputation."
Dai Ze smiled ambiguously twice, but thought in his heart, when you were a hero saving the beauty that day, you hugged the girl's waist in front of so many people, and even pressed on her and almost kissed her. You have been very lucky, so why are you pretending to be serious now?
While he was thinking, the pretty maid had already walked up to the two of them, bowed gracefully, and said to Zhao Wenshao, "Master Zhao, my young lady heard that you passed the imperial examination and came to congratulate you."
Zhao Wenshao returned the greeting: "Miss, you are very polite."
The maid continued, "I wonder if Master Zhao is available right now. My young lady would like to have a chat with you."
Zhao Wenshao was stunned. He looked around at the people coming and going, and then saw Dai Ze still beside him, with a hesitant look on his face.
As if she was afraid that he wouldn't agree, the maid hastily added, "Master Zhao, my young lady will be returning to Yuzhang in two days..."
Zhao Wenshao was slightly surprised and looked up at the carriage. He saw that the curtain was slightly opened, revealing a light blue gauze sleeve.
"Brother Weixi, the beauty wants to see you, please go quickly."
Dai Ze pushed him and said, "After this farewell, I don't know when we'll meet again. Go and say goodbye. I'll wait for you here."
This made Zhao Wenshao determined. He nodded slightly to the maid and said, "Thank you."
The golden osmanthus is rich and fragrant.
In a private room in a high-rise building facing the street, several officials participating in the scientific expedition were seated in attendance.
A tall, thin official in his forties, holding a wine glass, looked out at the crowd at the entrance to the Imperial Examination Hall. He was about to compose a poem when he saw two people talking through the window beside the carriage. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes and said, "That person looks like he's the top scorer on this year's list."
After he said this, the others also looked over.
"It is indeed Zhao Wenshao."
"This kid is really lucky. I wonder whose daughter she is."
"He is handsome and talented, so he has no shortage of confidantes."
"In terms of talent and appearance, Minister Gu is handsome and elegant, with an outstanding temperament. He holds a high position at a young age, but he is very self-disciplined and has no concubines around him."
The topic suddenly turned to Gu Rongyu.
Gu Rongyu, who was sitting by the window, slowly put down his teacup and cast a faint glance at the carriage on the street.
When he saw the lights hanging outside the carriage, his brows furrowed slightly, as if they looked familiar.
Looking at the maid standing beside her, she suddenly remembered -
At the beginning of the month, when he was about to arrive in Jinling by boat, he heard the melodious and pleasant sound of a zither. In a state of high spirits, he took out his jade flute and played a tune in harmony with the music.
When the boat docked at the ferry, a girl in a blue dress and a veiled hat came down from the passenger boat next door.
The maid was accompanying him, and they got on the same carriage.
Although the identity of the woman in the car was unknown, she actually knew Zhao Wenshao and they had a pleasant conversation...
For some reason, I suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of melancholy, and it was as if a voice was urging me in my ear: "It's hard to find a soulmate who understands the beauty of mountains and rivers. You and this girl were so in tune with each other when playing the zither and flute together. You should go and ask her name."
However, his mind told him that it was just a chance encounter and there was no need to ask for the truth.
Gu Rongyu silently clenched the teacup in his palm and withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at the street.
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