250. I am a good emperor (10) (1/2)
The youngest princess under the late emperor was granted the title of Princess of Chang'an by His Majesty. She was given a palace and eight hundred elite soldiers, which can be said to be a mountain of favor.
And he did not forget the two princesses who died in the Huns. They were also given titles and memorialized in the Ancestral Temple. He only regarded them as princesses of the Liu Kingdom.
However, some of the Taoist priests in the Liu Kingdom are extremely quiet now, just because His Majesty has spoken. If anyone feels that the princess should not be brought back, but should stay with the Huns who are fighting with them in the Liu Kingdom, then go to the grassland. .
Didn’t he say that he wanted to marry a princess to achieve reconciliation between the two countries?
He didn't mind at all sending one or two people from the Liu Kingdom who had a great affection for the Huns to convince them not to come and wreak havoc in the Liu Kingdom.
What? Don't like the Huns?
If you really don't like her, why would you want to let the golden princess return to the windy and sandy prairie?
After several people in a row made a statement, "If the war begins, the war will begin. The princess has already been married to the Huns and she should be with the Huns." After they were forcibly sent to the Huns, no one dared to say such things anymore.
If it were anything else, those censors might have to stand up and die to prove it, but it's not like they didn't hear what His Majesty said in the court. Forcing the princess to return to the Huns, what's the difference between that and selling oneself for glory.
People's reputation can go down in history if they die to remonstrate, but if they die to remonstrate because of this incident, it will be infamy for thousands of years.
The court became quiet, and the most vocal scholars learned to shut up after a few of them were sent away.
And soon, a big event quickly attracted their attention.
The list is released.
When the list was posted on the wall, countless heads were rolling underneath. The nearby restaurants, especially the second floor where it was convenient for observation, had already been reserved.
Scholars have a good reputation, especially those who have read the scholar list. No matter how eager they are to know whether they are on the list, they still have to sit still and wait for their book boy or servant to report the results after reading them.
The best place to sit firmly is on the second floor opposite the list, directly opposite the box.
At this moment, Wei Mingyan and Zhao Shujiu were lying on the bedside, holding a long and thin thing called a telescope to look at it.
On the other hand, Zhao Shuqing, who should be the most anxious, was lowering his head slightly and taking a sip of tea, his eyes full of calm.
The little girl, who was still wearing thick clothes today, was too embarrassed to grab the telescope. She could only lie down beside the bed anxiously and expectantly, her slightly round and fair face slightly raised, looking at Wei Mingyan who was looking through the telescope.
"Your Majesty, how about it? Do you have the second brother's name?"
"I'm watching. There are too many people in front of me. Next time, I should have someone go directly to the city gate to report the names of those who won the election."
The emperor, who was rarely wearing white clothes today, leaned against the window, complained a few words, and then coaxed Zhao Shujiu, "Jiu'er, come to my side to see, I can see clearly."
When Zhao Shujiu passed by and looked at him eagerly, he maliciously gave her the telescope in his hand without saying a word. The little girl's cheeks turned red anxiously, and she opened and closed her mouth, hesitantly wanting to use the telescope.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I want to see it too..."
Wei Mingyan just pretended that he didn't understand, leaned to the left, moved out of his position, and said very kindly, "Come, come here and take a look."
Zhao Shuqing still couldn't stand it. He teased his sister, put down the tea cup, and said softly, "Jiu'er, before the list of candidates comes out, it will be shown to His Majesty. He will know early on whether I am on the list or not."
The exposed Wei Mingyan looked at Zhao Shujiu who was looking at him in disbelief with a pair of round eyes in confusion. He laughed a few times and gave her the telescope in his hand, "Actually, I want Jiu'er to move more. , Just like what you said, Shuqing, you need to exercise more. Look, Jiu'er is so happy with exercise."
Zhao Shuqing expressionlessly picked up the tea cup and took a sip, ignoring this person who was clearly teasing his sister on purpose.
Zhao Shujiu didn't care. He looked through the binoculars and hurriedly looked. When he saw the names written on the list clearly, he stamped his feet with rare joy. His beautiful face was full of surprises, "Second brother! Second brother, you are the second brother." One! Second brother!”
She looked at it again and then ran to Zhao Shuqing excitedly, "Second brother, you are so amazing!!"
Zhao Shuqing had expected this result, so he was not too surprised. He just saw that his sister, who had always been quiet and quiet, was blushing with excitement, her eyebrows softened, her face moved, and she showed a slight smile.
Zhao Shujiu stared blankly at his brother in front of him, "Second brother...Second brother, you will laugh!"
"What?"
Wei Mingyan, who was lazily leaning against the window, immediately stood up and approached Zhao Shuqing with a surprised expression. He looked at him as if he was looking at some rare object, "It's really rare. Shuqing can actually know how to do it." laugh."
"Look, I'll tell you that you are good-looking, and your smile is almost the same as mine."
Zhao Shuqing looked at him indifferently and stretched out his hand to pull down the raised corners of his mouth.
"Second brother, what are you doing?"
Zhao Shujiu looked at him puzzled, his expression full of confusion.
Although he didn't really want to answer, looking at his sister's gaze, Zhao Shuqing still said softly, "I can't take it back."
What can't be taken back?
Zhao Shujiu didn't know why, but Wei Mingyan burst into laughter suddenly. After laughing enough, the handsome emperor pointed at Zhao Shuqing, his voice trembled slightly because he had laughed before, "Your brother, your brother can't take it back." , Hahaha Shuqing, Shuqing, you are so funny.”
Zhao Shujiu, who was still worried at first, couldn't help but laugh out loud, with a pair of beautiful eyebrows full of smiles.
Zhao Shuqing indifferently wiped the smile from the corner of his mouth with his hand.
The faint joy that originally surged in my heart because I came first was completely suppressed at this moment.
It's such a small thing, what's so funny about it.
Boring ancient people.
***
Zhao Shuqing is not happy because he got first place in the exam, but that doesn't mean that others won't be happy.
The happiest person is the Zhao family, especially Mrs. Zhao, who feels proud and proud.
There was a rumor all over the capital that their family, Shuqing, was mentally ill. After her son's engagement was annulled, it wasn't like she hadn't thought about girls from other families. But as soon as the topic started, she was prevaricated by the other party.
To say that the two families were well matched, and even their family status was higher, how could Mrs. Zhao not feel uncomfortable if they were not even given a chance to talk.
Of course she knew that she shouldn't blame others. Let alone others, if she married her own daughter, she would not be willing to marry her daughter to someone who had no fame and was not the eldest son. There were even such rumors in the market.
I thought so, but I just couldn't calm down.
What a good child her son is. He looks good and has a good temper. Although he is a little cold, he has never lost his temper. He just reads books all day long. Although he likes to play with flowers and plants, he also likes to play with flowers and plants. What an elegant thing.
The son of a dignified prime minister can't even talk about marriage.
Every time she thought of this, Mrs. Zhao felt depressed in her heart, and she only hated the Fan family for being cruel.
They broke off the engagement and spread these messy rumors outside.
When she thought of how angry she was in those days, Mrs. Zhao felt that her heart began to feel uncomfortable again.
But fortunately, she suddenly thought that her son had already passed the examination and was ranked first.
He immediately became happy again.
After happily giving the servant a silver reward, Mrs. Zhao chose a pair of good clothes and went to the adult's house next door with great satisfaction.
She must tell the world the good news.
From now on, let’s see who has the nerve to say something bad about her son!
***
Soon, the news spread throughout Kyoto that Zhao Shuqing was admitted to the imperial examination and came first.
He was not a disciple of a great Confucian scholar, nor was he a talented scholar who had long been famous, but Zhao Shuqing, who was rumored throughout the capital to have a mental problem.
This news naturally aroused many people's discussion. Some people who failed to pass the exam felt sour and said angrily that Zhao Shuqing was the son of the prime minister, but as soon as the words came out of their mouth, they were blocked by others.
Who doesn't know that the prime minister avoided this exam, and no one knew who the name of the exam was when grading the papers. If you still want to talk about your identity, wouldn't it be directly equivalent to slandering the entire court.
The student was so frightened by his classmate's words that he naturally did not dare to talk anymore.
Some people are happy, and of course some people are worried.
Mrs. Fan was going out happily today, but unexpectedly she heard such news.
After she came back, she went to look for her daughter, fearing that she would feel uncomfortable, but Miss Fan despised Zhao Shuqing as always.
"Don't worry, mother. Even if he gets first place in the exam, it doesn't matter. Now, he still has no official status at all."
Mrs. Fan wanted to say that with such good results and the Prime Minister as his father, Zhao Shuqing's future official career would be smooth sailing, but looking at the confidence in her daughter's eyes, she couldn't say this.
"What my son is saying is that what we think about is not something that can be compared to just one person like him."
Miss Fan put down the embroidered flowers in her hands, with a hint of arrogance in her eyes, "Mom, think about it, this Zhao Shuqing has never accomplished anything in the past. If he had talent a long time ago, why didn't he show it before? Why did he have to pass the exam now?"
Mrs. Fan was a little confused, "What do you mean?"
"It's just because I'm old, didn't my mother say that? No one in the capital wants to get married to Zhao Shuqing. If he wants to get married, doesn't he have to study hard?"
The arrogance in Miss Fan's eyes deepened, "He has studied so hard. The rumors in the capital some time ago must have had some influence. Presumably, he still wants to renew his engagement with his daughter."
She didn't just say this because she felt good about herself. Ever since Miss Fan grew up and started going to various banquets, her beautiful appearance has attracted a lot of attention to her.
In the entire Kyoto, there are really only a few people who can compare with Miss Fan in appearance.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Fan immediately showed a proud smile on her face, "Yes, why did mother forget all this? My son is so outstanding, and Zhao Shuqing is also a young man, how could he not be concerned about it?"
The two of them laughed happily, but completely forgot that Zhao Shuqing, a homebody, didn't want to go out of the yard at all. He didn't even see Miss Fan's face, so how could he fall in love with her again.
The two of them laughed and started talking about business. Mrs. Fan said, "Mother has already found out that His Majesty really likes to leave the palace and often comes in and out of the Prime Minister's house. The reason why your eldest brother was punished to Lang's house that day was He bumped into His Majesty outside."
Miss Fan's fair face immediately showed a slight blush, "His Majesty is really good-tempered. He was so angry that he even asked someone to teach him martial arts."
"Exactly. Your Majesty has been very gentle in temperament since he came to the throne. I even asked the nuns who were released from the palace. Your Majesty, you haven't been close to women yet."
"ah."
Miss Fan exclaimed, her eyes even more shy, "Your Majesty is so old, why..."
Mrs. Fan chuckled, "The Queen Mother was about to choose a concubine for His Majesty when she left, but before she could choose a concubine, she left. Your Majesty has always been filial and has waited until now."
Knowing that the emperor in her mind had never been close to a woman, Miss Fan felt agitated in her heart.
Her mother was still giving advice, "When Your Majesty comes out of the palace again, mother will take you out of the palace. My son is so beautiful. Your Majesty only needs to take a look at it..."
"Mother, what are you talking about?"
Miss Fan lowered her head shyly, but she was thinking about what His Majesty would look like.
I heard that the late emperor was very heroic in his early days, so your majesty should follow the late emperor, right?
As she thought about it, she thought of the young lady from the Zhao family who was designated as the queen, and then thought of how often His Majesty visited the Prime Minister's Mansion, and her eyes immediately became a little hazy.
She is really restless. Although she is engaged, she will seduce His Majesty at such an age. If she waits for her to enter the palace, she will not seduce His Majesty's heart.
But when I thought about what my mother had said about Mrs. Zhao's appearance, she must be not as good-looking as her, I felt happy again.
The mother and daughter were talking so happily that they didn't notice a person lying quietly on the roof. When they couldn't hear any more words, they stepped lightly and went directly to the big tree next to the house.
***
There was still one month left for the imperial examination. Zhao Shuqing was not in a hurry, but Wei Mingyan moved a lot of books from the palace to him.
"These books contain the content that will be tested on the day of the imperial examination. I can tell you the questions thoroughly."
The emperor smiled proudly. Zhao Shuqing silently put down his hands and was reading a book. He watched the big boxes being lifted up by the servants and placed in front of him.
It wasn't until the seventh box landed that there was no follow-up.
He looked at Wei Mingyan expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, do you want me to read these seven boxes of books within a month?"
The emperor said confidently, "I believe you can do it."
Ah.
Zhao Shuqing stood up indifferently. It was cold at the moment and he felt that he needed to take a nap.
I hope that when I wake up, the person in front of me will have disappeared in front of me.
He walked all the way to the house but didn't see the man rushing to save him. He stood by the window in confusion, watching Wei Mingyan lead the people out of the yard with a smile, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
After getting along with him for such a long time, Zhao Shuqing had a preliminary understanding of the ancient emperor's mentality.
Just like a child, you need someone to accompany you in everything you do.
And he was the one assigned to accompany him.
For example, after leaving the palace, I came to the Prime Minister's Mansion specifically to deliver a few boxes of books without asking him to accompany me. This is absolutely abnormal.
After thinking clearly, Zhao Shuqing stretched out his slender hand, smoothed his frown, and left the room expressionlessly.
He walked all the way to the back door and waited quietly. Sure enough, after a while, the sound of his sister talking and laughing with the ancient emperor could be heard.
Then, he met the two of them's eyes.
Zhao Shujiu stopped with a guilty conscience, and Wei Mingyan looked at the sky.
"Brother Shuqing, what a coincidence."
Haha, this is so shameless.
Even though he longed to drag his sister behind him, Zhao Shuqing's voice was still calm, "Unfortunately, I'm waiting for you."
"Jiu'er, mother asked you to take care of the accounts this afternoon, do you remember?"
Zhao Shujiu carefully looked at his brother's face and said, "Second brother, I have already taken care of all that, using the method you taught me..."
After being reminded by his sister, he remembered that his sister had been struggling because she had to learn how to manage household chores, so he taught her some modern accounting methods.
"Shuqing, I've also seen your accounting method. It's really good. It's clear at a glance, and it's simple and not easy to make mistakes."
Wei Mingyan saw that the little girl Zhao Shujiu had her head lowered so much that she didn't dare to say anything, so he quickly came out to smooth things over, "I'm about to take Jiu'er to the theater, do you want to come with me?"
Zhao Shuqing looked at the sky with a rare doubt in his tone, "How about going to the theater with a sky like this?"
"Of course." The handsome emperor smiled proudly and went over to pat him on the shoulder, "It's still a big show."
***
Miss Fan received news from the palace servants bribed by her mother that His Majesty would leave the palace today and play in the streets.
Mrs. Fan had asked her servants to go to the palace gate to keep an eye on it early. She indeed saw a carriage being sent out. She quickly asked her daughter to freshen up and look at the carriage stopping at the Prime Minister's Mansion. The man in a white cloak brought several people with him. A follower went in, and then the servant came to report.
It was rare for Miss Fan to be so nervous. She took several deep breaths facing herself in the bronze mirror, and finally calmed down a little.
Today is her big day.
If everything goes well, once she is chosen as a concubine, if she gives birth to a prince in the future, she might even be able to think about the position of emperor.
If things don't go well...
She quickly suppressed this unlucky thought. How could it not go well? His Majesty must have been incognito when he left the palace. She, an official woman who did not know his identity, met him accidentally, and she was so beautiful | , no man will not be moved.
Miss Fan waited nervously until her mother came to call her. She said that the carriage stopped under the restaurant, and the young man in a white cloak led people up to the second floor. Then she quickly got up and looked at the bronze mirror again. Look, he took the maid out of the door.
There are still many young ladies on the street. After all, it is winter now, and fewer men go out. Some playful young ladies come to go shopping. Miss Fan, wearing a veil, entered a gold shop next to the restaurant. She seemed to be choosing jewelry, but in fact her eyes were always fixed on the door of the restaurant. My mother said that His Majesty was wearing a white dress today, and he was accompanied by four followers. One of them should be the eunuch chief steward in the palace. He was fat and always accompanied His Majesty. I don’t know how long she stood in the gold shop. Miss Fan finally saw a man in a white cloak coming out, followed by a fat attendant, and three guards with swords behind him. As soon as they came out, they were going to walk towards the carriage. Miss Fan was delighted, and quickly put down the jewelry she was looking at, bit her lip lightly, and walked over there with her people. Unfortunately, she dressed up today, but she didn’t attract the man’s attention. Seeing the man in white about to get on the bus, Miss Fan gritted her teeth and pretended to pull off the veil on her face.
"Ah!"
The man who was about to get on the bus heard the woman's exclamation, subconsciously looked over with doubt, and then saw a beautiful young face.
He was slightly startled, and his sight was a little absent-minded.
"This is just like what is said in the storybook."
Zhao Shujiu lay on the opposite building and looked down. Seeing that the two people were actually chatting on the street, the tips of his ears became a little hot.
"Otherwise, how can it be called a big drama." Wei Mingyan clapped his hands, raised his eyebrows and smiled at Zhao Shuqing who was sitting at the table, "How about it, Shuqing, do you like this drama of the first meeting of a talented man and a beautiful woman?" Zhao Shuqing picked up the teacup slowly and shook his head, "If both of them are good-looking, it is a first meeting. If one of them is ugly, then there will be no chance for them to meet again." The emperor laughed, "That's right." Miss Fan downstairs also saw the appearance of the man in front of her. What disappointed her was that the man in front of her was not as handsome as she imagined, and even a little ugly. But thinking of the identity of the man in front of her, she was still shy and gave him a shy look. Sure enough, the surprise in the eyes of the person opposite was even heavier. From that day on, Miss Fan frequently went out of the Fan family and secretly met this "Your Majesty". In his mouth, he was just the son of a wealthy businessman, who came to Beijing to do business and had a wife at home. Miss Fan didn't care at all. She thought he was hiding his identity, and his wife was naturally the young lady from the Zhao family who had not yet entered the palace.
She leaned in his arms and expressed her heart tenderly, saying that she was willing to be a concubine for him.
The two of them had been dating for more than a month, and with Mrs. Fan's help to cover up, finally, when the palace examination was about to begin, the young man who claimed to be the son of a wealthy businessman could not bear Miss Fan's urging and agreed to come to her house to propose marriage.
Miss Fan looked tender and sweet, but she was ecstatic in her heart.
During this period, she used the skills she learned from her mother on "Your Majesty". In addition, she met him because she admired his talent without knowing his identity. When she entered the palace, she must have been favored.
In the future, when the young lady from the Zhao family entered the palace, she had already won over the heart of "Your Majesty".
On the agreed day, Miss Fan waited expectantly, and the young man really brought people to propose marriage.
Lord Fan didn't know about this. He was furious when he heard that a mere merchant's son came to marry his daughter, and even as a concubine.
The young man said that this was discussed with Miss Fan.
He left him in the lobby angrily and went to Miss Fan's yard.
Miss Fan was drawing her eyebrows. After hearing Lord Fan's question, she looked at her father in surprise, "Father, why is he so angry? My daughter married His Majesty, so what if she is a concubine."
Lord Fan almost fainted at her sweet face.
"That's not His Majesty at all!! I have been in the court for many years. Can I still not recognize His Majesty's face!!"
"He is just an ordinary merchant's son!"
-Dong
The eyebrow pencil fell to the ground, leaving only Miss Fan with a pale face, looking at her father in disbelief.
The author has something to say: The first ten little angels sent red envelopes, good night everyone