Chapter 45 Spring Returns

In April, spring returns, the flowers have all faded, and only a few withered stamens remain on the bustling branches. However, the enthusiasm of the people of Shendu to appreciate the flowers has not diminished at all, because the peony blooming season has arrived.

In spring, hundreds of flowers gather to vie for splendor, except for the peony. It is not until the end of spring that the peony opens its buds, as if it were a belated arrival. Once it shows up, all the flowers that have bloomed in the previous three months have bloomed in vain.

Only the peony is the true beauty of the country; the capital city is moved when the flowers bloom.

The capital was bustling with people, and at this moment, both the nobles and the common people were equal, and they all crowded into the Luoyang Flower Garden to admire the beauty of the king of flowers. There were endless flower-viewing banquets, peony banquets, and flowing water banquets of various names. In the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Madam Ming was also talking about flower-viewing.

The peonies in Luoyang bloom every year, but this year is different. This year, a crown prince was appointed, and news came from the palace that the empress intended to move the capital. This was a boost to the old ministers of Yonghui. Madam Ming was in a good mood for several days, and even the rheumatism that had plagued her for many years was no longer painful.

At noon, all the members of the Ming family gathered together to greet the old lady as usual. The old lady slowly scanned the hall, and the more she looked, the more satisfied she felt.

That's great. Fortunately, she had kept her composure in the past few years and firmly believed that the Li family would turn things around one day, so she kept suppressing the matter and didn't arrange marriages for her grandchildren. Now it seems that she was really foresighted.

In the past few years, the Ming family lost power. Even if they gave up their daughter to marry into a good family, what good family could they marry into? But today is different. The next emperor's surname is Li. As old ministers of the previous dynasty, they have been abiding by the loyalty of the monarch and his subjects for many years. When the new emperor comes to power, are they afraid that he will not remember their kindness?

But Emperor Gaozong and Crown Prince Zhang Huai have been dead for many years, so it is inevitable that they have lost touch with the past. The Ming family does not have much friendship with the current crown prince, and when the crown prince ascends the throne, there may not be a place for the Ming family around him. Therefore, the marriage of children is still needed to pave the way.

There are three girls and three men alive in the third branch of the Ming family. The oldest, Ming Yu, is seventeen years old, and the youngest, Ming Shuo, is thirteen years old. They are all of marriageable age, with a wide age range and plenty of room for adjustment.

The more Madam Ming looked at her, the more pleased she felt. Her eyes fell on Ming Huashang. The girl was extremely pretty. Today she was wearing a scarlet top, a goose-yellow long skirt, and a blue shawl tied around her shoulders. Sitting in the sun, she looked like a fresh and tender crabapple.

It's a pity that he is incompetent. Old Madam Ming felt regretful again. She had said long ago that she would let the Duke of Zhenguo remarry, but the Duke of Zhenguo always refused. If the first wife had another legitimate daughter, why would Old Madam Ming support this Adou?

Madam Ming thought for a moment and then slowly said, "You have all heard about the relocation of the capital, right?"

Everyone stopped talking and looked at Old Madam Ming. Madam Ming II responded carefully, "My daughter-in-law heard about it."

Madam Ming nodded calmly and said, "Our Ming family's roots are in Chang'an, so it's a good thing to return to the old capital. Moving the capital to Zi is a big deal, and it won't be arranged in a short time. However, we can prepare some things in advance. Duke Zhenguo, you have been taking care of the house in Chang'an. How has the Duke's Mansion been doing in recent years?"

The Duke of Zhenguo said, "Don't worry, mother. I have an old servant guarding the house, and I also send someone to take care of it every year. The house and the walls of the Duke's Mansion are in good condition and not abandoned. But after all, no one has lived here for fifteen years, and some places may have mold. We have to repair it thoroughly before we can move in."

Madam Ming looked disappointed: "It's been fifteen years. When I first came to Luoyang, I wasn't used to anything. Now I haven't been back for fifteen years."

The second and third wives sighed, but the younger generations did not make any movement. For the third generation of the Ming family, they had been in Luoyang since they could remember, and they really did not understand the feelings of the elders towards Chang'an.

Madam Ming looked at the bewildered looks in her granddaughters' eyes and sighed even more: "I remember when we moved to Luoyang with Emperor Gaozong, Erlang and Erniang were just born. It was hard for you little ones, who had just lost your mother, to follow the court to move the capital to Luoyang. You siblings have been worry-free since you were little. The two of you were wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying side by side, and you didn't cry or make a fuss all day long. But as soon as one of you was taken away, the other would cry loudly. The maid had no choice but to let the two of you squeeze on a small couch, and even the wet nurse had to feed one and hold the other."

Recalling his children's childhood, Duke Zhenguo also showed a look of emotion: "Yes. When Er Niang was young, she was very protective of food and drank milk fiercely, as if someone was trying to snatch it from her. Even if she hiccuped, she would hold Er Lang tightly with her fingers. Er Lang was very polite. He didn't cry when his food was snatched away, and he didn't cry even when his face was red from being scratched by Er Niang. He would quietly look at the top of the tent every day after waking up. He had the demeanor of a gentleman at a young age."

At that time, the Third Lady had not yet married into the family. She smiled and said, "It turns out that Erlang and Erniang have been close since childhood. They are truly a match made in heaven."

Ming Huachang had no recollection of it at all, but it was not a decent thing for her elders to recall how she was breastfed when she was a child in front of everyone.

Moreover, Ming Huachang couldn't help but complain in her heart that her father treated them too differently. She was holding onto Ming Huazhang to protect her food, and Ming Huazhang was a gentleman because he didn't fight or compete? It was obvious that he couldn't compete with her.

Ming Huashang kept smiling awkwardly, and Ming Huazhang was also a little embarrassed. He coughed lightly, diverting the attention of Duke Zhenguo and Madam Ming, and interrupted them from reminiscing about the past.

He is not curious about breastfeeding, so there is no need to bring it up.

Ming Huazhang said, "Father, grandmother, I want to take part in the imperial examination. The Duke's old residence also needs to be repaired. Why don't I go to Chang'an to take care of the Duke's residence and find a quiet place to prepare for the exam."

After Ming Huazhang said this, everyone inside and outside fell silent. Everyone was shocked. Even the little maid outside the floor-length cover couldn't help but stick her head out and quietly look at the situation inside.

Madam Ming asked hurriedly, "Why do you want to take the imperial examination? Our family has enough money to support you in your career, so why do you have to squeeze in with those poor boys?"

The official system of the Tang Dynasty was inherited from the previous dynasty. The children of high-ranking officials and dukes and marquises all had quotas. The children of these families could directly enter the court as officials without taking any examinations, and they were the mainstream of court officials. However, in recent years, the number of civilian officials selected by imperial examinations has also gradually increased.

The previous dynasty had established the imperial examination system, but it was useless. Instead, the emperors of the Li family picked up the system. The Taizong Dynasty established the imperial examination system, but it was mostly used to help the children of aristocratic families to improve themselves. It was not until the reign of the Empress that people from poor families truly entered the officialdom, breaking into this field that had been monopolized by aristocratic families for nearly a thousand years.

Many of the notorious cruel officials were selected from the imperial examinations. However, old-school heroes like Mrs. Ming still looked down on the imperial examination candidates, thinking that they were just a bunch of peasants and mud-legged people.

It was really unmannerly for a group of people to fight for a few official positions like hungry wolves. Their family had the protection passed down from their ancestors, so why should they lower their status to participate in the imperial examination?

Ming Huazhang did not argue with Madam Ming about the merits of the imperial examinations. He said, "If I have real talent and knowledge, why should I be afraid of competing with others? If I can't even compare with common people who have no family education and no elders to guide me, then I don't want to be an official. Besides, there are only two vacancies in the Duke's Mansion, so I'd better leave them to my third and fourth brothers. I want to enter the officialdom with my own ability."

The second wife perked up when she mentioned this. Their family was a concubine's family, and any good things would be theirs after the first and third wives had chosen. There were three men in the mansion, but only two vacancies. Whenever there was a need to make a choice, her son would definitely be squeezed out.

If Ming Huazhang had taken the imperial examination, it would have been different. Ming Huazhang's words sounded nice, but there were thousands of students coming to the capital every year to take the imperial examination, and the number of students admitted ranged from 20 to 10. This was truly a situation where thousands of troops were trying to cross a single-plank bridge. Ming Huazhang had to compete with so many people, so he would have to take the exam for three to five years.

These years are the opportunities for their second house. Her third son is fifteen years old this year and will be able to enter the officialdom soon. Without Ming Huazhang blocking the way, the resources of the Zhenguo Mansion in the officialdom will definitely be fed to her son.

The Second Lady's eyes turned around, and her attitude towards Ming Huazhang immediately became enthusiastic: "Erlang is really a young talent with great ambitions! Our Zhenguo Mansion rose to prominence through military merit, and some women, whose families have fallen into such a state, still laugh at our Ming family for having no foundation. If Erlang passes the imperial examination and rides a horse in a parade in the streets, or has his name inscribed on the Wild Goose Pagoda in the future, I wonder what those people will have to say!"

Ming Huaiyuan frowned and said, "Isn't it too hard to take the imperial examination when you have nothing to do?"

The second wife secretly pinched her husband, glared at him, and said with a gritted teeth, "Do you think Erlang is your useless son? Erlang is both civil and military, so he will definitely pass the imperial examination. Moreover, Erlang is still young, so it doesn't hurt to give it a try. Once he passes, he will be the winner of the imperial examination, and his name will be on the list of successful candidates, which will be of great benefit to Erlang's marriage proposal."

Mingyu also understood the benefits of supporting the second wife. Ming Huazhang was her cousin. If he passed the imperial examination, she would gain honor, and if he failed, her younger brother would benefit. She immediately agreed with the second wife and strongly supported Ming Huazhang to take part in the imperial examination to prove himself.

This matter had nothing to do with the interests of the Third House. The Third Lady calmly waved her fan and watched the performance of the Second House with a smile.

When Ming Huashang came to Yanshou Hall to pay her respects, she usually just listened, but today she couldn't help but say, "Grandma, Father, since my second brother wants to do it, let him try."

The Duke of Zhenguo was tolerant of Ming Huazhang and always let him do whatever he wanted. But this matter concerned Ming Huazhang's future. Taking such a big risk, even the Duke of Zhenguo was a little hesitant: "Is this too risky?"

Ming Huashang disagreed and said, "I believe in my second brother. As long as he wants to, he can do it."

Many people looked over, even Ming Huazhang had a look of surprise in his eyes. The Duke of Zhenguo laughed and said, "You don't read books, how do you know?"

Ming Huashang was annoyed and said angrily: "I am unlearned and incompetent, but I know my second brother. I just know he can do it!"

鎮國公哈哈大笑，顯然沒把明華裳的話當真。唯有明老夫人上了心——不是對明華裳，而是對二夫人。

是啊，二郎還年輕，試一試沒有妨礙。世家大族一方面看不上科舉入仕的寒門官員，一方面卻很追捧才子進士。以明華章的相貌和德行，現在就有很多貴女想和他訂婚，如果再加上進士出身，擇親對象能更上一層，尚公主也沒什麽不可了。

明老夫人很滿意，說：“少年人有志氣是好事，我們做長輩的定然要支持。但修繕宅子免不了有人進出，恐怕會妨礙你備考。不如在家裏找個清淨的地方，你安心看書。”

“不用。”明華章說，“這些年多虧父親傾心教導，我已經長大，是時候為公府做些事了。女皇既然要遷都，那第一場科考必然會設在長安，反正遲早都要走，不如趁現在人少，我提早出發。”

鎮國公驚訝：“你怎麽知道？春闱少說都是明年的事了，何必這麽急？”

明華章頓了下，他見過女皇，知道女皇有意臨時加辦一場制科，就在九月。但這個消息還沒有放出來，他沒法告訴鎮國公實話，便道：“我是想着有備無患，提早準備總不會錯。”

“二郎有心了，讓他去吧。”明老夫人給這件事下了定論，“原本想着姑娘們要出閣了，趁今年讓你們兄妹多相處幾天。但兒郎前程最重要，你是家裏長兄，你出息了，其他幾個妹妹在夫家才能過得好。老二、老三家的，這幾天京中宴會多，你們帶着娘子多走動，三娘暫且不急，大娘和二娘的婚事，今年都看着定下來吧。”

明老夫人的話無異于一聲驚雷，明妤有些羞怯地低下頭，明妁一臉不在乎，但神情也是認同的。

娘子大了，自然該嫁人的。

明華裳的表情就不太好了。還沒等她想好怎麽婉拒，明華章就開口道：“祖母，這是我想和您說的第二件事。”

“二娘的婚事，不着急議。”

屋中一片安靜，連明華裳都意外地瞪大眼睛。二夫人笑了笑，道：“二郎，知道你疼妹妹，但女大當嫁。二娘都十六了，現在不議親，以後就嫁不出去了。”

“嫁不出去我養。”明華章語氣平淡，但莫名有種堅定的意味，“這次，其實我想讓她和我一起去長安。”

明老夫人板着臉道：“二郎，你在渾說什麽？你是郎君，不急着成家，但二娘是娘子。她若是十七歲還未出嫁，那就輪到官媒上門，到時被說給什麽人家，就由不得自己了。”

鎮國公向來寵愛孩子，此刻卻沒有替明華章說話，也道：“是啊，二郎，二娘去長安不妥。”

明華裳捏緊了衣袖，緊張地看向明華章。明華章筆直坐着，鎮定從容：“女子年滿十七必須嫁人不過是武德初年為了休養生息，定下來的權宜之計。哪能為了一條死規矩，匆忙決定自家女兒的終身？我聽說終南山德業觀清妙真人欲尋一女冠奉道，我覺得二娘正合适。德業觀修行不必斷塵緣，等二娘找到喜歡的人後，再還俗嫁人也無妨。”

明老夫人最開始完全不聽明華章的話，在她看來，女子生來就當嫁人生子，嫁一個好男人就是女人畢生成就，所謂不願意嫁人，都是嫁不出去的托辭。

可明華章說出德業觀後，明老夫人猶豫了。

三夫人這種小年輕可能不清楚德業觀，但明老夫人是跟着永徽朝的風起浪湧過來的，她很明白德業觀這三個字的份量。

女皇十分寵愛太平公主，其實她早年還有一個女兒，可惜剛出生沒多久就去世了。女皇十分悲痛，追封這個女兒為安定公主，谥號思。

對于李家的公主們來說，出家修道不是稀罕事，反正當女道士又不耽誤她們享樂。女皇同樣給長女安定思公主建立了道觀，正是德業觀。

因為侍奉的是未出閣的公主，所以德業觀裏沒有男道士，都是女冠。而觀主清妙真人更是出身世家，才學深厚，可惜婚姻多舛，連嫁三次，夫婿都不幸亡故。

夫家漸漸流傳出她克夫的名頭，她索性束發修道，成了清妙真人。女皇很喜歡清妙真人的才華，便将她調去德業觀，讓她每日給自己的長女念書談玄，以慰公主在天之靈。

德業觀不對外開放，雖然沒香火，但沒人敢輕視這座道觀。明老夫人的心思不由活動開了，女皇有多麽護短天下皆知，如果能進德業觀修行，那就是侍奉過安定思公主了。

明老夫人不由打量起明華裳。明華裳沒才沒德，除了一張臉以及龍鳳胎的祥瑞之名，委實沒什麽拿得出手的地方。

而德業觀裏全是女子，不用擔心名節問題；清妙真人是公認的隐士才女，從德業觀出來後，明華裳才名就有了；侍奉公主還能搏個德名，借一借皇家的光。

從各方面說，倒确實是一個給明華裳鍍金的地方。

現階段和李家、武家走太近都可能被卷入風波，從安定思公主入手，進可攻退可守。等明華裳從德業觀出來後，他們再給明華裳運作一下祥瑞之名，何愁不能名揚京城？

說不定，還能借此攀上皇家，步入公主王妃們的社交圈。

明老夫人能嗅出這其中的利益，其他人同樣能。明妤對做道士不感興趣，明妁卻坐不住了。

她悄悄拉了拉三夫人的衣袖，三夫人笑着說道：“二郎還真是神通廣大，竟然連德業觀的門路都認識。二娘今年十六了，娘子本來花季短，再讓她把大好青春都消磨在山裏，實在太可惜了。不如讓三娘去，她今年十三，先去侍奉公主幾年，等日後出來也不耽誤說親。”

二夫人面露嘲諷，刺道：“三弟妹，道觀可不同家裏，飲食清寒，不得自由，連父母都見不着。你忍心讓女兒受這種苦？”

三夫人當然不忍心，但想到忍過兩年清苦，女兒就能高嫁，三夫人還是狠心道：“侍奉公主，是她的福分。”

“弟妹真是深明大義。”二夫人諷道，“不像我一介俗人，萬萬見不得女兒受山野之苦。”

三夫人還要罵二夫人吃不到葡萄說葡萄酸，被鎮國公冷着臉呵止：“夠了。”

鎮國公看向明華章，躊躇了一下，說：“二郎，你對裳裳的好心我能理解，但在終南山修道太苦了。她素來嬌生慣養，好吃懶做，我也沒指望她大富大貴，能找個老實人安穩過日子就夠了。德業觀之事……”

“阿父。”明華裳打斷鎮國公的話，堅定看着他，說，“我覺得二兄說的有道理。我聽兄長的。”

在普通道觀修行當然清苦，但公主的道觀可不一定。何況，明華裳不信明華章真能把她扔到深山老林裏，這一定是他為了讓她免于嫁人，找出來的借口。

去侍奉一個已經死去的公主修道，修多久，怎麽修，全由明華裳自己說了算，再不用受家族擺布。等一年後真千金歸位，她也能順理成章脫離明家。

這種好事，明華裳怎麽會放過。

鎮國公實在想不到明華裳竟然願意，他愕然看着女兒，道：“裳裳，你再想一想，這可不是開玩笑。”

“我想清楚了。”明華裳暗暗嘆息，她本來想說真話，但他們非不信。既然如此，她只能開始道德綁架了。

明華裳正容道：“阿父，女兒頑劣無能，衣食住行皆由家族供養，卻無法回報家族，還總惹你和阿兄生氣。我也想為公府出一份力，阿父，你就讓我去吧。”

明華章冷眼看明華裳說得情深意切，對方講道理她談奉獻，對方說奉獻她談情懷，最後幹脆搬出忠孝這兩頂大帽子，終于把所有人堵得啞口無言。

明華章都差點信了。

明華裳泫然欲泣地說想為母親王瑜蘭盡孝，鎮國公還能說什麽？他只能長嘆一口氣，說：“既然你執意，那就去闖蕩闖蕩吧。要是受不住山中的日子就給家裏寫信，就算得罪陛下，我也要将你接出來。”

明華裳有一瞬間的動搖，鎮國公說得如此無奈，一片拳拳愛女之心躍然言表，他真的不是她的父親嗎？

她無法想象，面前這個中年男人，一年後會冷酷地推開她，讓人将她送回蘇家去。

明華章也忍夠了演戲，說：“父親放心，我以我的名譽擔保，只要二娘想離開，我一定完好無損送她回家。”

“那就這樣定了吧。”明老夫人一錘定音，“一會二郎去清點幾個能幹的管事，跟着你回長安。瑣事都交給他們，你安心備考就行。二娘也收拾收拾，跟着你兄長一起走吧，路上好歹有個照應。”

明華裳心裏樂開了花，還要裝作不舍的模樣應下：“謝祖母。”

This time, the greeting ended with the eldest wife frowning, the second wife secretly happy, and the third wife looking long-faced. The three of them walked out together, and when they were alone, the Duke of Zhenguo frowned and asked, "Erlang, Erniang, what on earth are you two doing?"

Ming Huachang felt guilty, thinking that the Duke of Zhenguo had seen through her secret joining of Xuanxiaowei. Fortunately, Ming Huazhang was very calm and said calmly, "If Second Mother doesn't want to discuss marriage, why not postpone it for two years in the name of practicing Taoism, and wait until she finds someone she likes, and then return to secular life."

Ming Huashang looked embarrassed. How could he tell such a confidential girl's secret to outsiders? Duke Zhenguo looked at Ming Huashang in surprise: "Shangshang, is this true?"

Ming Huashang gave up and nodded, "It's true. Even if I can convince my grandmother, the official matchmaker will come to my house to propose marriage to me next year. No matter how many times I say it, there will always be people who say that everything will be fine after I get married. I might as well just be a nun. I don't want to listen to those people's nonsense."

Duke Zhenguo frowned deeply, "Nonsense, how can you just become a nun just because you don't want to get married? There are so many couples in the world, who are together just because they like each other naturally?"

"I am!" Ming Huashang said angrily, "Anyway, I don't want to marry someone I don't like. Either I run away from the marriage, or let me go to Deye Temple, it's up to you."

Duke Zhenguo was very angry, but he couldn't bear to scold his little daughter, whom he had spoiled since childhood. Ming Huazhang said, "Father, don't worry. I have already taken care of Deye Temple and will not let her suffer any injustice. When she changes her mind, she can come back immediately."

What else could the Duke of Zhenguo do? He looked at his daughter who was making trouble and said with great sorrow: "Look at your brother, look at yourself! If you can be half as sensible as Erlang, I will be willing to die immediately."

"Then you can wait." Ming Huashang said quietly, "How can I be an unfilial daughter? I will definitely let you live a long time."

The Duke of Zhenguo was driven away by Ming Huashang. After the Duke of Zhenguo had gone far away, Ming Huashang approached Ming Huazhang and asked, "Second brother, why did you tell them to let me go to Deye Temple? You are not really going to send me to Zhongnan Mountain, are you?"

Ming Huazhang glanced at her calmly and said, "Yes."

Ming Huachang's breathing stagnated, and Ming Huazhang continued, "Your physical fitness is too poor, and your reaction is slow. If you go on a mission in this state, you will only hinder everyone. So I specially applied to send you to the secret base of Xuanxiaowei in Zhongnan Mountain to train you well."

Ming Huachang's face was completely dull. Ming Huazhang's clear eyes swept across her and he said leisurely, "I thought you would be reluctant, but I didn't expect you to be so determined and not leave yourself any way out."

Ming Huashang's emotions were very complicated. Why did she feel that Ming Huazhang did it on purpose?

He deliberately took revenge on her.

Ming Huashang didn't want to think of her brother, who was the most upright gentleman in her mind, in this way. She took a deep breath and comforted herself, thinking on the bright side, at least it meant that she had been promoted to the prefecture level.

I wonder how Jiang Ling and Ren Yao are doing? Will Ming Huazhang really only give one pass?

Ming Huashang tried to ask, "Am I the only one going?"

"Yes." Ming Huazhang ruthlessly crushed her fantasy. "Since you are my sister, I will train you personally. If you leak the news and tell others about this, I will have to avoid suspicion and let someone else take over you."

Ming Huashang had a tearful face and said weakly, "I understand."