"Not qualified?" Sheng Xiyan was a little surprised.

Sheng Yan was going to take the military exam, so Sheng Xiyan made a point of learning about it.

Taizu founded the country with military power, so he attached great importance to the military examination. However, people valued civil service over military examination, so the number of candidates for the military examination was far less than that for the civil service examination. Therefore, Taizu set a rule that the family background of candidates for the military examination should not be considered. During the reign of Taizong, there was even a person who passed the military examination as a third place despite being a lowly person. Taizong issued a special decree to cancel his lowly status, which became a good story.

After all, Sheng Yan is the son of an official, and he has never committed any crime, so how could he not be qualified?

Sheng Yan twitched his handsome eyebrows and said angrily, "They said I was fighting in the street and behaved improperly. If I want to take the exam, I need someone to guarantee me."

"Guarantee?"

Unlike the county examination for liberal arts, which requires a guarantor from a naturalized student, there has never been such a rule for the military examination.

That’s right!

Sheng Xiyan remembered. There was indeed a clause that said if the candidate had a history of fighting or committing crimes, someone would need to be their guarantor. This was specially set by Taizu in order to recruit talents and prevent those who really did evil from entering the government by taking advantage of the military examination.

Committing crimes is easy to deal with, as the government has records of them, but the definition of fighting is too vague. Most people who learn martial arts are hot-blooded, and if they get into a fight anywhere on a daily basis, as long as no one is killed, who would know about it? Therefore, the term "fighting" is almost fictitious.

"Could it be..." Sheng Xiyan frowned at first, then a thought came to her mind, "Is it because of what happened last time in Hua Shang Street?"

Sheng Yan nodded in frustration. He had punched Zhou Jingxun last time on Huashang Street, and now someone was using it as a handle.

Sheng Xiyan's heart was as clear as a mirror, and without thinking, she said, "It is the Yongning Marquis's Mansion."

Yongning Marquis's family was born in the military, and their descendants have been in the imperial army or the Ministry of War for generations. It is not difficult for Yongning Marquis's family to get Yan Ge'er's qualification for the exam. What's more, this Great Rong Dynasty was not a peaceful and prosperous era, and it was not just and honest.

Sheng Xiyan lowered her eyes and recalled, "I remember that the guarantor needs to be a military officer of the fifth rank or above."

This is troublesome.

Sheng Xingan was an official in the court, so he had some connections. But he was very proud, and if Sheng Yan needed him to find someone to guarantee him because of a "fight", he would most likely refuse. Today was the last day to register for the martial arts exam, and even if she could find a way to "convince" Sheng Xingan, it would be too late.

Sheng Yan returned to Beijing too late, and it was not so easy to switch from liberal arts to military studies, otherwise he would not have waited until the last day to register.

If Sheng Yan really failed to pass the exam because of his own incompetence, it would be fine, but now he is not allowed to take the exam. Not to mention Sheng Yan, even she will not be willing to accept it!

Sheng Xiyan narrowed her eyes and thought for a moment, then got off the carriage and said decisively, "I'll go ask."

Sheng Yan hurried to catch up, but before they reached the Ministry of War, a horse-drawn carriage drove up and stopped in front of them.

"Mr. Sheng."

The curtains were opened, and a handsome young man with red lips and white teeth poked his head out of the carriage and greeted him warmly, "Mr. Sheng, do you remember me? We just met at the Ministry of War. My last name is Chu, and I work at the Zhenbei Palace."

Sheng Yan recognized him: "Second Master Chu?"

"It's me." Seeing that he still remembered him, Chu Yuanyi smiled even more happily. He jumped off the carriage and bowed, saying, "My name is Chu Yuanyi."

His surname was Chu, he was the second child, and he was from the Zhenbei Palace. It was obvious that he was Chu Yuanchen's younger brother and the second son of Princess Jing'an. As far as Sheng Xiyan knew, Princess Jing'an had only two sons. Chu Yuanchen had been in the Northern Frontier for many years, and Chu Yuanyi was said to have just turned twelve this year, about the same age as Sheng Yan.

He was handsome, but his facial features were rather soft, unlike Princess Jing'an and Chu Yuanchen, but more like a guest of honor. Especially when he smiled, he looked elegant and refined, more like someone from a scholarly family.

Chu Yuanyi looked at Sheng Xiyan and asked politely, "Is this Miss Sheng?"

Sheng Xiyan bowed: "It's me."

Chu Yuanyi clasped his fists in return and took out a folded paper from his pocket, saying, "This is what my mother asked me to give to Master Sheng. The Zhenbei Palace will guarantee Master Sheng."

Sheng Xi's face lit up with joy, he took it with both hands, and said sincerely: "Thank you, Princess, for guaranteeing my brother."

Chu Yuanyi smiled shyly and said, "No, no, Miss Sheng, Mr. Sheng, I won't disturb you. I'll leave first." He clasped his fists and returned to the carriage.

The carriage left quickly. Sheng Xiyan unfolded the paper and took a look. The handwriting on the paper was elegant and beautiful, and it was stamped with the seal of the Zhenbei Palace. It must be a letter of guarantee written by Princess Jingle herself.

She handed the guarantee letter to Sheng Yan and said, "Go sign up first."

Sheng Yan took it with great care and immediately entered the Ministry of War. This time he came out very quickly and said happily, "Sister, I signed up."

Even though he knew there would be no problem with the guarantee of the Zhenbei Palace, Sheng Xiyan still breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed when he heard it.

Princess Jingle is really indebted to him this time, otherwise it would be hard to say whether Sheng Yan could register. If he had to wait for the next class, he would have to wait for three more years in vain.

After this important matter was resolved, Sheng Xiyan asked, "Brother Yan, how did Second Young Master Chu know that you needed a guarantee letter?"

"Maybe I heard it." Sheng Yan scratched his head and said uncertainly, "I had a quarrel with them in the Ministry of War before. It just so happened that the Second Master Chu was there too."

Sheng Xiyan didn't hesitate and said with a smile: "In a few days, you and I will go to the Zhenbei Palace to thank Princess Jingle."

Sheng Yan nodded quickly and asked cautiously, "Sister, are you still going to buy a horse?" His heart was pounding, for fear that his sister would think he was not doing well today and would not buy him a horse.

Seeing this pitiful little look, Sheng Xiyan was delighted. She waved her hand cheerfully and said, "Buy it! Get on the carriage, we're going to the West Market."

As soon as he heard about buying a horse, Sheng Yan threw aside his insistence on not riding in a carriage and jumped on happily.

The carriage went straight to the West Market. When passing by the Jian'an Marquis's Mansion, Sheng Xiyan lifted the window curtain and looked out. The plaque with the words "Jian'an Marquis' Mansion" above the vermilion lacquered gate had been taken down, and a few white strips with the word "sealed" were pasted on the door. There were no Dongchang guards at the gate, and even the two stone lions were gone. The once glorious Jian'an Marquis' Mansion would probably sink completely and silently like this.

Sheng Yan leaned over to take a look and said, "Sister, are you looking at the Jian'an Marquis' Mansion?" Without waiting for an answer, he continued to talk to himself, "I heard from Ah Cheng that the Jian'an Marquis' Mansion was guilty of treason, and the Dongchang found out."

Sheng Yan didn't know much, and since the matter involved the East Factory, everyone wanted to keep it a secret.

He lowered his voice and added, "Acheng also said that a few days ago, Prince Zhao criticized the Dongchang for acting recklessly, eliminating dissidents, and having rebellious intentions. Later, he was scolded by the emperor." After he finished speaking, he shut up, his heart pounding, as if the Dongchang bullies would pop up at any time and anywhere.

Sheng Xiyan tacitly avoided the topic and just asked, "What kind of horse do you want?"

Sheng Yan's eyes lit up. He had never thought that he could actually own a horse, but he still did his homework. When Sheng Xiyan asked, he immediately started talking, and while they were talking, they arrived at the West Market.

Xishi is a famous horse market in the capital, with many horses for sale, but it is hard to find a good horse, it depends on your vision and fate. Sheng Xiyan doesn't know how to judge horses, so she lets Sheng Yan choose by himself. Sheng Yan looks left and right, and after a lot of effort, he finally chooses a Mongolian chestnut horse. In Sheng Yan's words, this horse has dense and smooth fur on its back, bright and lively eyes, a strong body, and a beautiful figure. It is a good horse at first glance.

Sheng Xiyan didn’t know whether it was a good horse or not, but the horse’s temperament was exceptionally docile. Even when Sheng Yan, a stranger, rode on it, it just shook its hooves and didn’t show any signs of being restless.

Sheng Yan stared at her with burning eyes, his eyes flickering, until Sheng Xiyan paid the money, then he happily led the horse back.

The Sheng family had horses, which were mainly used to pull carriages. Sheng Yan could ride them if he wanted, but they were not his horses, so he could not ride them often. Now that he had his first horse in his life, Sheng Yan was so happy that he could not wait to get on the horse even though he had not bought a saddle yet. He strolled slowly beside Sheng Xiyan's carriage.

Sheng Yan grew up learning the six arts of a gentleman, and now he rides a horse quite well.

He was simply too cocky. Along the way, whenever he met someone he knew, whether familiar or not, he would stop to say hello and emphasize that this was his horse. If it wasn't really inconvenient, Sheng Yan would have even planned to show off in front of Ah Cheng, whom he often mentioned.

So, it took half an hour to go to the West Market, and more than an hour to come back.

As soon as Sheng Xiyan got off the carriage, Sheng Yan couldn't wait to place his horse, mumbling: "Sister, you go first, I'll go brush it and feed it some hay. I always feel that the hay we buy in our house is not good." He pointed at the two horses pulling the carriage and said pickily, "Look, they are thinner than the other. Tomorrow I will ask where I can buy good hay. And, sister..."

"Brother Yan, Sister Yan."

As they were talking, Sheng Xingan, who had returned at some unknown time, stopped them.

After the greeting, Sheng Xingan took a look at the horse that Sheng Yan was holding and asked, "Is this a new one?"

Sheng Yan smiled: "My elder sister bought it for me."

Sheng Xingan nodded slightly, without saying much. It is a good thing for the children to have a good relationship. Moreover, he thought about what Liu said at the time, letting her son practice martial arts is for the future to be promoted by the Zhenbei Palace. The better the relationship between the two siblings, the more secure Sheng Yan's future. If they can really win back a title for their Sheng family in the future, then the Sheng family can also rise to the top in one step. At that time, let's see who dares to complain that the Sheng family is just a peasant!

Sheng Xingan's throat moved, and he said nonchalantly, "I heard that the Zhenbei Palace has guaranteed Yan Ge'er?"

When Sheng Xing'an first heard that Sheng Yan could not take the military examination because of fighting, he was furious and felt that Sheng Yan was trying to discredit the Sheng family. But later, when he learned that the Zhenbei Palace had guaranteed Sheng Yan, he turned his anger into joy.

Sheng Xiyan nodded.

"That's good." Sheng Xing'an stroked his beard with satisfaction, "Sister Yan, go to the Zhenbei Palace tomorrow and thank Princess Jingle."

"I'm going to the Princess Yong'an's residence tomorrow." Sheng Xiyan replied, "The Princess's Hairpin Banquet is tomorrow."

He would definitely go to thank them. However, Sheng Xiyan knew from his expression that he was thinking about more than just thanking them. He was probably trying to take the opportunity to get close to the Zhenbei Palace.

Thinking about how much he hated his arranged marriage when the news of Chu Yuanchen's death in battle came, he felt how ridiculous Sheng Xingan was now.

Sheng Xingan also thought of it and said quickly, "Yes, yes, then wait until after the hairpin banquet. You've been busy these days, and your mother has someone to take care of her, so you don't have to go."

Sheng Xiyan responded and said, "My daughter will let Aunt Zheng take care of my mother by her bedside. My fourth brother and my fifth and sixth sisters are still young and cannot live without Aunt Zheng."

The fourth young master was born to Aunt Chen, and he was not yet four years old. The fourth and fifth girls were twins, born to Aunt Wang, and they were only five years old. Sheng Xiyan mentioned it deliberately, just to clear the way in front of Sheng Xingan.

"You are very thoughtful." Sheng Xingan nodded.

"My daughter will take her leave first." Sheng Xiyan bowed, and Sheng Yan quickly followed up with a sentence, "My son will take his leave as well." Without waiting for Sheng Xingan to speak, he led his horse and ran away, eager to brush the horse.

Sheng Xiyan looked at his back with gentle eyes, shook her head with a smile, and returned to her Caiqiuyuan.

At night, Sheng Xiyan went to the main courtyard to visit again, and her courtesy was so thorough that no one could find fault with her. Liu had already woken up, but she looked listless, and her face without makeup looked even paler. Sheng Xiyan didn't take her pulse, and didn't know how sick she was, but from her complexion, she was obviously much weaker. It had only been a day, and her cheeks were a little sunken, and there was a dark shadow under her eyes.

Seeing Sheng Xiyan coming, Liu said a few words listlessly and wanted to send her away in a hurry.

Whenever Liu saw her now, she would think of that thunder. She seemed to hear the rumbling thunder in her ears again. She couldn't help feeling a little panicked, as if she would be struck by lightning again.

Sheng Xiyan was also happy that she didn't have to stay any longer.

As usual, she read a few pages of the medical book before resting, and then went to attend the hairpin banquet hosted by Princess Yong'an after she had enough rest.

Sheng Xiyan brought the invitation and arrived at Princess Yong'an's mansion as promised. After getting off the carriage at the Yimen Gate, a maid led her to pay her respects to the princess.

The princess's mansion occupies a vast area, with an extravagant and luxurious layout, and every corner is filled with scenery and every step is like a painting.

Sheng Xiyan had no memory of this eldest princess. She only knew that she was the elder sister of the current emperor, that she had been married to three princes-in-law, and that her only daughter was given the title of Princess Qingping by the emperor.

Princess Yong'an loves liveliness and bustle; the sound of musical instruments and flutes is constant in the princess's mansion, and the nights are long.

The nanny led Sheng Xiyan for about an incense stick's time before they arrived at a flower pavilion. From a distance, they saw several graceful and beautiful women enjoying tea and drinking tea in the pavilion. Princess Jingle was also there.

Princess Jingle was sitting on the beauty's seat. A maid was standing in front of her with a basket of flowers in her hand. She had a smile on her face, but no one could hear what she was saying. However, Princess Jingle had a stern face and looked very unhappy.

Sheng Xiyan subconsciously quickened her pace.

As we approached, we could vaguely hear some movement in the flower pavilion, and a charming voice was saying, "...Jingle, these are the apricot flowers that I personally selected for you."

Princess Yong'an was leaning on the armchair. She was wearing a scarlet wide-sleeved gilded gown, with her hair in a charming ponytail bun and a flower on her forehead. Her skin was as white as snow, and she looked lazy yet charming.

Jingle said coldly: "Thank you for your kindness, Princess. I don't like apricot blossoms."

Yong'an curved her red lips and said charmingly, "What if I insist on putting flowers in your hair?"

Jingle's face turned cold.

She stared at the apricot blossoms in the basket without looking away. Her peach blossom eyes, which were very similar to Chu Yuanchen's, were no longer as bright as before, but were replaced by a sharp edge. Her bright and beautiful face naturally released a domineering aura, which was intimidating without anger.

Yong'an leaned forward slightly and said with a smile, "This apricot tree in my palace was brought from the northern border. I spent a lot of effort to keep it lush and green. As soon as it bloomed, I thought of you, Jingle."

Jingle placed her right hand on her knees and clenched it into a fist, her neatly trimmed nails digging deeply into her palm.

The other ladies drank their tea in silence, not daring to interrupt.

They had all heard that when the old Zhenbei King died in battle in the northern border, the Beiyan people cut off his head and hung it on the city wall, and buried his body under an apricot tree as fertilizer for the flowers...

"Princess. Miss Shanda is here."

The nanny's voice interrupted the tense atmosphere inside Hua Xie. Sheng Xiyan walked in gracefully, with light lotus steps, revealing two fluttering butterflies on her embroidered shoes.

After greeting Princess Yong'an, she bowed to Princess Jingle and said, "Princess."

Princess Yong'an looked Sheng Xiyan up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. She narrowed her sharp eyes, raised her red lips, and said with a smile: "Miss Sheng, you came at the right time. I asked someone to pick a few apricot flowers in full bloom. Go and put them on the princess's hairpin for me."

Inside the flower pavilion, everything was quiet.

All the noble ladies in Huaxie knew that the Queen Mother had arranged a marriage for the Prince of Zhenbei, but many of them were seeing Sheng Xiyan for the first time and couldn't help but pay more attention to her.

She is beautiful at first sight. Not ostentatious, but with delicate features, as bright and charming as a peony in full bloom.

The second glance is noble, not the kind of rich and elegant, but there is a kind of noble bearing in the look.

The maid brought the flower basket to Sheng Xiyan and said respectfully, "Miss Sheng, please put flowers on the princess's head."

Everyone was silent.

Although the King of the North of the Town has passed away for four years, as a son, how could Jingle allow Yongan to pin this apricot blossom on his head?

Just when Jingle was about to lose her temper, Sheng Xiyan arrived at the wrong time, allowing Yongan to easily shift the focus of the confrontation to her.

The two are the future mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Sheng Xiyan wears flowers in her hair. Whether Jingle wears them or not, she will definitely have resentment and even hatred towards this daughter-in-law. Sheng Xiyan will have a hard time when she marries her.

But if Sheng Xiyan refused... what were they thinking? This was the order of Princess Yong'an, how dare she refuse!

"Miss Shengda, go quickly."

Yongan urged her with a smile, half of her body leaning on the cushion, her eyes were charming and seductive, the corners of her rosy mouth were raised high, with an attitude of watching a good show.

She picked up a glass of fruit wine and shook it lightly in her hand nonchalantly.

Humph, Jingle still wants to fight with her. She is just the daughter of a prince, and she dares to disrespect the royal family!

Jingle's face darkened, and with anger and anger, he uttered two words coldly: "No need."

Who can't see Yongan's intention? She is deliberately humiliating her father and the Zhenbei Palace! Now she is treating her future daughter-in-law as a son. Who is she trying to show this pretentious look to?

The maid holding the flower basket passed the basket in her hand to Sheng Xiyan. In the basket, pink apricot flowers were small and blooming, with a pleasant fragrance. Hairpins usually use large flowers, apricot flowers are not suitable, so Yongan was just deliberately making things difficult.

Sheng Xiyan smiled slightly. She raised her hand, but did not pick up the apricot blossoms. Instead, she lifted up the bamboo basket full of apricot blossoms. Everyone showed an expression of "as expected".

The ladies exchanged glances.

Jingle's eyebrows were furrowed. She didn't want to embarrass her future daughter-in-law. Just as she was about to yell at Yongan, she heard a cry: "Oops! The basket fell."

Sheng Xiyan loosened her grip on the flower basket and it fell to the ground. The apricot blossoms that were filled to the brim spilled out of the basket and covered the ground.

The ground of the flower pavilion was covered with blooming apricot flowers, like a carpet of apricot flowers.

Sheng Xiyan said with regret: "It's not sure."

The words were spoken in a flat tone, without any ups and downs in the voice, just like the "oops" just now, without any true emotion.

Yongan sat up straight, and with his fiery red nail polish fingers tightly grasped the glass wine cup. Sheng Xiyan said again: "I will pick it up."

Then, she took a step and stepped on the apricot blossoms at her feet. She said she wanted to pick them, but she just walked back and forth a few steps and stepped on all the apricot blossoms at her feet.

Sheng Xiyan felt even more regretful, and said with a sigh, "Your Highness, I am a clumsy person."

Everyone gasped.

The flower pavilion was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard. The look in her eyes was filled with astonishment. No one had expected Sheng Xiyan to be so bold.

Yongan was simply stunned. How could Sheng Xiyan be stepping on flowers? She was simply stepping on her face!

Her mother said that Sheng Xiyan was extremely bold, but she didn't believe it at first. How could a mere servant be so bold? In front of the royal family, even the most courageous person could only kneel down and bow his head, allowing her to trample on him.

But now, looking at the trampled flower buds all over the ground, Yongan felt as if he had been slapped hard in the face.

"Bold!"

Yongan was so angry that he slammed the tea table.

"Please calm down, Princess." Jingle said without any sincerity, "My daughter-in-law is clumsy."

She looked at Sheng Xiyan and smiled at her soothingly, indicating that she didn't need to be afraid.

When Sheng Xiyan said "clumsy", Jingle followed suit and said "clumsy" as well. They looked so insincere, as if they were making fun of themselves.

"Miss Shengda." Yong'an's voice became a little colder. The golden tassels of the red gold pearl phoenix hairpin on her fallen horse bun swayed slightly with her movements, casting several reflections on her cheeks. Furong's face became even angrier. "I want you to wear flowers in your hair for Jingle." She said the word "wear flowers in your hair" loudly and heavily.

"Your Highness." Sheng Xiyan said with regret, "I am clumsy."

“Puchi——” Jingle chuckled, not trying to hide her joy.

Xigui lowered his head and managed to hold back his laughter with great difficulty.