Chapter 033 Chapter 33
The champion of the Shuntian Prefecture's provincial examination was an ordinary middle-aged man in his forties, but his writing was indeed solid. After reading his essay, the arrogance on Yan Jingzhao's face disappeared.
Xie was afraid that her son would make trouble, so she pulled his arm and said, "There will be a Luming Banquet soon. The chief examiners of Shuntian Prefecture are all Hanlin scholars. I heard that the chief examiner this time is Scholar Du, who is the father-in-law of Liu Ji, the commander of the Jinyi Guard."
Yan Jingzhao still loved Xie very much. Besides, he had long since stopped being angry. He just said, "Mother, I know my limits."
Yao Niang patted her chest and said, "Brother, you must be worried about us to death."
Yan Jingzhao laughed: "You are too timid. All right, all right." He called out to Xie: "Mother, my son can't wear the long shirt you made."
The judge wanted to change the Confucian scarf and robe into a blue round-necked robe, so Yan Jingzhao made this statement.
Xie didn't care about this at all. She was just a little excited: "It's as it should be, it's as it should be." She mentioned Guan again: "I'll let your wife take care of it at home. If anyone comes to announce the good news, there will be water and wine at home after you attend the Deer and Ming Feast."
To be honest, Guan was also a bit of a coward. If Yan Jingzhao had failed the exam, she wouldn't have had to comfort him or embarrass herself here. But if Yan Jingzhao had passed, she would have taken the initiative to help with the arrangements, and everyone would have only praised her for her virtue.
As they were talking, Yan Jingzhang and Yan Jingwen also came up to talk, but suddenly a man beside them beat his chest and stamped his feet, even kneeling on the ground: "Dad, Mom, my son finally got it, my son finally got it."
Seeing that he acted like a madman, Yao Niang was shocked.
Qing Dai covered her mouth and laughed, "Miss, he looks so funny."
"Don't talk nonsense. The provincial examination is not easy. Look at his young age, but his hair and beard are white. I'm afraid he has spent a lot of effort. Once he succeeds, he will be ecstatic." Yao Niang scolded.
Not to mention the provincial examination, even a provincial examination makes one feel like they have experienced all kinds of life and is filled with sighs.
On the way back, Qianniang and Yaoniang sat in the same carriage. Qianniang looked at Yaoniang and said, "Third sister, congratulations. Big brother has won the prize, and you will have a bright future."
Yao Niang smiled and said, "I was worried to death. Big brother is still young, and I don't know how he will do in the examination next year. Now we are already very satisfied."
Qianniang put on a smile but said nothing. In her heart, she felt that Yaoniang was too lucky. She didn't have to work hard for anything and everything was within her reach. Especially after Yan Jingzhao passed the imperial examination, Qianniang felt completely different.
It is also said that Yingniang and Zhen were riding in the same carriage. Although she did not get along well with Yaoniang, she had no ill feelings towards Yan Jingzhao. But seeing her mother's face as gloomy as water, Yingniang, who had always been spoiled, did not dare to say anything.
Zhen always thought that Xie was very lucky. Her son was so ambitious, and the old lady of the third house was also an important official in the province. Even without Yan Yingqi, Yan Jingzhao could still go a long way. In addition, Yan Jingzhao's father-in-law was a Hanlin scholar, so this marriage was also a good one. Even if Guan was not better than Yu in dealing with people, her value was much higher than Yu.
She suddenly felt depressed and opened the car curtain. She saw the Shen family's car frame again. Then she remembered that Shen Linfeng was also hit, and she threw down the car curtain in an instant.
Ministry of Personnel
Yan Yingqi was looking at the resumes of several officials. The role of the Ministry of Personnel, apart from recommending officials by the imperial court, was also to oversee the promotion of officials throughout the country. Although he would drink tea and rest for a while in the past, he was a little absent-minded today when the list was posted.
What if Jingzhao fails the exam?
This child is very similar to him, always arrogant, and may not be able to accept setbacks for a while, and Lan You doesn't know how sad he is. However, looking at Lan You's silly look, it seems that he doesn't take it too seriously.
He stood up and paced a few circles, then sat down again, took a sip of tea, and felt uncomfortable again.
Fortunately, a servant from his family came into the government office at this time. The servant said with a smile: "Master, our eldest son won the second place in the Shuntian Prefecture County Examination and is now attending the Deer Ming Banquet."
Yan Yingqi breathed a sigh of relief: "This kid..."
After the Luming Banquet, Yan Jingzhao had a good relationship with several of the princes who passed the imperial examination, and invited some of them to visit. Xie was very considerate in her hospitality, and never treated guests differently. Whether it was a son of an official like Shen Linfeng or a prince from an ordinary family, she treated them normally.
After Yan Ningxin was freed because Yan Jingzhao passed the imperial examination, the only place she could go on a daily basis was the garden. After the Prince of Qi returned to his fiefdom, there was no news from her anymore.
On this day, Shen Linfeng was invited to the Yan family to attend a literary gathering. Of course the Yan family had to come. Yan Jingzhao's father was the Minister of Personnel. Even if they passed the examination and were assigned official positions, they would have to ask the Ministry of Personnel for help.
This is why many people are willing to be Yan Jingzhao's friend.
When Shen Linfeng returned home, he washed up and the smell of alcohol dissipated. But he saw his sister coming to visit him in the middle of the night. He couldn't help but look at her: "How is it? Is there something wrong?"
Shen Mo smiled and said, "My brother has been taking the imperial examination these days, so I can't come and disturb him. But I have one thing to tell you. A prince died in the palace."
"What?" Shen Linfeng really didn't understand.
Shen Mo said, "My mother came to the palace yesterday, and Concubine Chang Gui said so."
Although Concubine Chang's surname was Chang, she was the granddaughter of the Shen family. It can be said that she was raised by the Shen family and she regarded the Shen family as her natal family. The emperor had few children in the palace, and Concubine Chang had no children. However, because of her kindness and kindness, and because she entered the palace early, she was deeply trusted by the emperor.
Shen Linfeng said: "These have nothing to do with us. The Royal Concubine has no children, so it has nothing to do with us."
Shen Mo smiled and said, "Brother, since ancient times, capable people have to look three steps ahead. I have a plan that can be used for both attack and defense. What do you think?"
"What do you mean?" Shen Linfeng asked.
Shen Mo said, "The Prince of Qi is quite obsessed with me, but he also said that the Qi Palace intends to let him marry his cousin. It is obvious that he has a good relationship with his cousin. After all, we are childhood sweethearts. So, if I marry the Prince of Qi, I can sit on the throne and the Shen family will prosper from then on. If I fail, I will be the Princess of Qi and the throne will be passed down from generation to generation."
"That being said, you can't do it just based on the favor that Prince Qi has for you, right?" Shen Linfeng put his hands behind his back.
Shen Mo glanced at Shen Linfeng and said, "This depends on my brother."
"Brother, you and Mr. Yan are both in the same class of exams, and you have similar personalities. You are usually not interested in girls, but you have praised Yan Ningxin several times. Besides, after marrying her, even if the relationship with Prince Qi's Mansion is put aside, I can't marry Prince Qi, but you will still be the son-in-law of the Minister of Personnel." Shen Mo said.
Shen Linfeng looked at Shen Mo and laughed: "How do you know that the Yan family will choose me as their son-in-law?"
Shen Mo said: "Brother, if you are not a womanizer, even the daughter of the family would be interested in you."
**
In fact, Zhen also mentioned Yan Ningxin's marriage. She said to Yan Yingqi, "The eldest girl is not young anymore. I feel sad to see her lose her fortune at a young age. In terms of marriage, you must make sure she finds a husband of your dreams."
Yan Ningxin was ill a few days ago. The doctor said that she had suffered from hunger and cold in her early years and had a bad body. Yan Yingqi knew this. This daughter had indeed suffered a lot. When Princess Linzi died giving birth to this child, the Prince of Qi wanted the child to go, and she did not put much resistance. Originally, he was thinking whether to remarry Xie or not marry her directly and let Xie take charge of the family.
Later, he was busy with his career and had many children, so he didn't pay much attention to his daughter.
But he would never marry his daughter to the Prince of Qi. He simply did not want to deal with these princes anymore. So, it would be better for him to choose a scholar with good character and appearance. It would not be a bad thing to have a good relationship with him.
"Has any matchmaker delivered a letter?" Yan Yingqi asked.
Zhen smiled and said, "Since we haven't let anyone know, some people naturally don't dare to date someone who is too high up. In fact, I saw several of my eldest brother's peers on the list, and Mr. Shen is quite good."
Yan Yingqi thought about Shen Linfeng, the son of Shen Zongxian. He was said to be rarely involved in prostitution. The Shen family was rich, talented, and well-mannered. But this man was quite similar to Yao Niang. Yao Niang was a proud girl and would not tolerate other women. Shen Linfeng was pure in terms of women, so she wanted to leave this son-in-law to her third daughter.
In fact, he had other plans for his eldest daughter. This child was not well-behaved, her talent and knowledge were average, and it was even more difficult to protect her. If she really married into the Shen family as a matriarch, she would probably not be worthy of the position.
Therefore, Yan Yingqi smiled and said, "I have met this young man Shen Linfeng before. Although he is not bad, we can't let our Yan family take the initiative."
Zhen thought that the old man was really partial. For such a good marriage, the most suitable person in terms of age would be Yan Ningxin. But the old man avoided the topic. Could it be that this Shen Linfeng was really reserved for the third girl?
But she was a very tactful person and would not say anything bad in front of Yan Yingqi.
Yan Yingqi asked about Yan Jingwen's studies again: "His elder brother has been attending the National Day these days, so things have been a little more lively at home, and they can relax for a few days, but they must not really relax. Call him over."
Zhen quickly asked the maid to call Yan Jingwen over. When Yan Jingwen heard that it was Yan Yingqi looking for him, he went from talking to his sisters in a lively manner to being as calm as an eggplant hit by frost.
Yao Niang smiled and said, "Third brother, why don't you go quickly and join us in arranging flowers later."
"Yes, third brother, go quickly. If you go late, be careful or dad will beat you." Ying Niang also covered her mouth and laughed.
Yan Jingwen left with heavy steps.
When he left, Yao Niang suddenly thought of Xin Wan: "I wonder how Cousin Xin is doing at home? There are new white roses blooming in our garden. If she knew, she would definitely be happy."
Qianniang was threading the needle on the embroidery frame. Hearing what Yaoniang said, she couldn't help but look up and said, "Yes, it would be great if she came with us, but we are relieved to have her stay with the old lady."
“也是，這幾日晚上都不需要用冰了，酷暑總算是過去了，白天雖然還是很熱，但比之前好多了。我昨兒聽說趙芳的哥哥鄉試中舉，也打算明年參加會試，打算來我們家拜會呢，也許，到時候就能見到趙姐姐了。”窈娘笑道。
“趙顯中了嗎？”倩娘脫口而出。
窈娘按捺下心底的不尋常，淺笑道：“是啊，當年在我們家的時候，不是都誇他大才嗎？”
甚至于聽說當年銘二太太和鈞三太太妯娌結仇，就是因為銘二太太想把顏如貝嫁給趙顯，遭到鈞三太太的反對。
瑩娘百無聊賴拿着一朵荷包道：“來就來吧，也沒什麽大不了的。”
有時候窈娘也覺得自己要向前看，不能永遠惦記着之前的人，她沒有反駁瑩娘，繼續把花插入花觚中。
姐妹幾人悠閑的享受初秋時，家中要辦雅集，所謂的雅集自然是文人騷客吟詩作賦的集會。邀請的人除了顏景昭的同窗外，還有不少聞名公車的青年俊才。
這一場雅集就變得意味深長了。
甄氏也把顏寧馨喊過去暗示一番，顏寧馨則道：“女兒的事情但憑父親母親作主。”
甄氏笑道：“你是家中嫡長女，自小在齊王府那樣鐘鳴鼎食之家長大，應該知曉你們這個年紀的女孩子，若是早些回來，定親早也是常理。你父親平素極忙，但也是有心想給你說一個東床快婿，今日這些舉子們，若有好的，老爺當然會青睐，你且放心。”
平心而論，甄氏覺得顏應祁雖然偏心三丫頭，但是對顏寧馨也算不錯了，今日說了公中一萬兩的嫁妝加上臨淄郡主當年的陪嫁全部算給她，也是極其豐厚了。這些女兒們公中都是一萬兩的嫁妝，至于私下貼補就看自己親娘貼補了，這也是沒辦法，妻妾的身份天生就是不平等的。
顏寧馨自然知道她回來之後，家裏會被安排親事，就像之前還跟在她屁股後面的少年吳羨也定了親，龔大小姐聽聞最近也小定了，她十五了，要定親也是理所當然的事情。
其實表兄最近和她來信，說了不少沈臨風的好話，說他已經通過某些渠道知道了沈臨風中舉，日後必定前途很好，不以功利的意見，沈臨風都是個極其好的選擇。
顏寧馨坐在這裏會回憶起那些刻意忘掉的記憶，她不是顏寧馨，而是許四娘。是軍戶許旺的養女，她被拐子怪走，是許旺夫妻救下她，她們對她很好，即便是荒年，唯一的糧食都留給她吃了，就這樣過了三年，她那時候七歲了，養母有了身孕，養父許旺因為機靈，在軍中得到貴人賞識，一切都朝着好的方向展。
可就在那一年冬天，養父為了救了淄青節度使而死，養母得到這個消息之後，肚子裏的孩子早産，親戚們只想吃絕戶，她們甚至故意把他藏起來，讓養母月子不能好好做。養母是個很善良也很聰明的女子，她在最後一刻把她送進淄青節度使府，她離開養母之後的那天她才肯閉上眼睛。
節度使的主母賞了二十兩給她養母下葬，又憐惜她父親，所以讓她陪着魏無忌到軍中訓練，那時她才七八歲，雌雄莫辨之時，魏無忌也……
想到這裏，又見金盞進來道：“大姑娘，二姑娘和三姑娘那邊聽聞給老爺送了荷包鞋襪，您這裏要不要奴婢們也幫您做兩雙充數？”
“算了，我爹那個人你不做他還不會說什麽，你若是撒謊，他可能就會挑剔。”顏寧馨趴在桌上，越發不敢做什麽，也不敢搶妹妹們的風頭。
金盞有些心疼：“可這明明是您自己的家啊。”
顏寧馨搖頭：“算了，現在那幾位妹妹能夠和我和平相處，我就謝天謝地了。”
**
雅集自然是由解氏來操辦，顏景昭畢竟是三房的人，解氏雖然沒有甄氏經驗足，但她也向顏景昭打探頗多。
因此，傍晚入夜，舉子高士們進入顏家後，只覺得金銀煥彩、珠輝玉麗，花影缤紛，再來花園雅集聚集之地，此處都是用的琉璃燈，數不盡的富貴之所。
侍女們魚貫而入，衣香鬓影。
亭臺樓榭之中，歌舞聲袅袅，此時，雅集才剛開始。
另一邊，窈娘和解氏還有大房的女眷們一起在用膳，大家都公開知曉了，這是在為顏寧馨擇夫婿。
經過一輪詩詞比完，勝者有三人，下人在門口說着。
甄氏擇忍不住問道：“你說的這三人中，都可曾婚配？”
“回大夫人的話，一位是山陰劉誠之，是國子生，今年二十二歲，有未婚妻。再有商丘王勉，此人是名臣王栾之子，他叔父原本是戶部尚書王同，大爺說他雖然父親叔父相繼去世，可家中也頗為富貴。原本可以做蔭官，但此子心性俱佳，在今年河南府鄉試第一名，來京數日，就頗得賞識。至于最後一位便是吳興沈臨風沈公子，他是左都禦史的長子，亦是品貌俱佳。方才，老爺對王公子很是賞識。”
甄氏一貫都是顏應祁說什麽，她向來不反駁，想來王勉雖然家世一落千丈，可到底才學極高，只是要出頭還得靠着顏家，日後顏寧馨嫁過去，即便有什麽纰漏不當之處，他看在顏家的面子上可能會包容一二。
外面的人不知道顏寧馨是什麽樣，家裏的人可是很清楚。
可甄氏還是覺得顏應祁偏心，因為這三個人中，顯然沈臨風家世最好，才貌俱佳。
“知道了，你先去吧。”甄氏點到為止。
窈娘聽了半天，轉頭見瑩娘一臉怒氣的看着顏寧馨，她略感驚奇的道：“四妹妹……”
卻見瑩娘站起來道：“娘，女兒身體有些不适，想先下去了。”
甄氏眼眸內略微有些不悅，但還是關懷道：“你這孩子，今日晚上吃多了，下去吧，好好歇息。”
雅集正在進行第二輪，王勉和沈臨風還有主人家顏景昭都是詩詞俱佳的人，他們談笑風生，自然與旁人不同。
到了第二輪時，窈娘也有點困了，解氏摸了摸女兒的頭：“回去歇息吧。”
“嗯。”
窈娘提着風燈在經過假山一隅時，突然見到了沈臨風和另一位年輕的士子，她見他們要往東邊過去，所以先定住不動。
只聽沈臨風道：“王兄，今日可是恭喜你了，依我之見，顏少冢宰（吏部侍郎的別稱）對你很是賞識。”
窈娘暗道此人應該是王勉，又聽那王勉笑道：“沈兄過獎了，其實我是一心讀書罷了，今日過來也是受顏兄相邀。我對女子，身份毋須太貴重，但一定要是我看重的才行，尤記得前些日子我在感業寺中聽到有人彈琴，琴音之美妙令我久不能自持，後來聽聞是顏家姑娘在彈，所以我才上門。”
他說的人難道是自己？
前幾日窈娘陪解氏去感業寺禮佛，因為那裏清幽幹淨，她便彈了一首梵音以表心情。
又聽沈臨風道：“原來王兄有此奇遇，其實我對女子的要求，唯獨有一條，合适做我沈家主母便成。”
王勉回了什麽，窈娘已經是聽不懂了，因為他們走遠了。
……
雅集退散之後，顧媽媽見窈娘還有些睡不着，不免催促道：“姐兒，夜深了，快些睡吧。”
“知道了。”窈娘笑道。
這次雅集之後，沈家送了帖子過來，要求求娶的人是顏家大姑娘。
原本的王勉卻沒有任何動作，解氏還私下道：“不應該啊，老爺不是很賞識王勉嗎？”
窈娘卻清楚，王勉即便上門提前也是要等自己功成名就之後再風光上門提親，且他當時認為的顏姑娘不是大姐，可能因為這些原因。
顏應祁對顏寧馨以前的遭遇的确很同情，但是現在沈臨風求娶的事情，他沒有通過甄氏，直接喊顏寧馨過來說話，這無疑是個很大膽的決定。
但顏應祁怕有人從中間傳話産生什麽歧義，所以還是喊了她過來。
“寧馨，坐下，今日就是咱們父女敘家常。若是倩娘窈娘或者瑩娘的婚事，我不必問，直接定下就行，可你的情況特殊。你自小和兵魯子一起長大，擅長騎馬很會治跌打損傷，這些對于軍戶女而言的确是很好的，可你現在是顏家大小姐，嫁的人家非富即貴，這些人要求的是管家、女紅、交際，不是爹看不起你，而是你能力有限，你會活的非常辛苦。我私心是更看重王勉，他叔父父親相繼過世，卻是個有志氣的年輕人，才學自不必說，他若娶你，無論他走的再遠，至少你爹我可以護着你二十年。”
“可沈臨風不同，他是吳興沈氏宗子出身，你嫁過去是要做宗婦的。”
顏寧馨想到她表哥說的，若她嫁給沈臨風，日後還能說動沈家和齊王的事情，反正這兩人她都不認識，還不如選一個對大家都好的。
"Dad, I don't know the rules, but since you asked me, I will choose Master Shen. I will learn to be a good mistress of the clan in the future."
Yan Yingqi found it strange that his daughter should be very shy when talking about her marriage, but she said this seriously. Seeing her firm will, Yan Yingqi nodded.
But after nodding his head, he still felt uneasy. He might have just felt that he was acting too hastily and had not expected that this marriage would cause such a huge uproar in the future.