A trip starting from the courtyard

Chapter 620 Wang Lidong has become a sweet pastry
Princess Pingning has been paying attention to his son's actions, and found that he was talking and laughing with the three girls of the Sheng family, so he proposed to see the old lady of the Sheng family with Wang.They've all come to the Sheng family, so the oldest one can't be left behind.

Mrs. Wang hurriedly said: "My mother caught a bit of cold on the way to the capital. This disease is the easiest to spread. Wait for my mother to recover some other day, and then let the little father-in-law go to see her."

wind chill?

Seeing Wang's relaxed face, he knew that the condition was not serious.Princess Pingning immediately said a few words of concern, and then gave Father Qi a look.

Duke Qi found a suitable opportunity and said to Sheng Hong:
"We were so busy chatting with Xiu Jin that we almost forgot about our business. It's getting late, Xiu Jin, can Bai Er take Heng Er to meet Xue Zhuang?"

Sheng Hong patted his thigh lightly, and suddenly said:
"Haha, don't mention respect, I also forgot, Zhuang Xuexue sent someone to ask if the young master is here." Turning to look at the eldest son, let him take the young master to Zhuang Xuexue's small courtyard .

After Wang Lidong greeted everyone in the hall, he followed Sheng Changbai brothers out of the hall.

On the way, Sheng Changbai kept silent and continued to maintain his aloof personality, while Sheng Changfeng never stopped talking, saying good things and compliments all the time. Although Wang Lidong didn't like the men of the Sheng family, but in order to avoid Embarrassed, I still dealt with it casually.

After passing a small pond and turning two corners, we entered a small courtyard surrounded by wooden piles.

After looking around, there are two houses in total, plus a small garden of more than ten square meters.

Although the area is small, the layout is very careful.

In the small garden, there are rockery, strange rocks, pools, stone bridges, all kinds of elements of Jiangnan gardens.

Wang Lidong walked to the pond that was three or four square meters in size, looked at the three or four early-grown lotus flowers floating in it, then looked at the stone bridge that was not much thicker than his own arm, thought for a while and still didn't step on it. "Scholar Zhuang should have made this up himself, right?"

Sheng Changbai nodded slightly, and said a word: "Yes."

"It can be arranged in two or three days? These things are hard to find."

Sheng Changfeng continued: "The rockery, flowers and plants have been prepared for less than half a month. Before coming to the capital, Xuejiao Zhuang told his father the request."

"Uncle is really hardworking."

When he saw the white-haired Xuexue Zhuang, Wang Lidong saluted: "Sir, I haven't seen you for a few years, and you seem to be two years younger."

"Yuan Ruo has changed a lot in the past few years." Zhuang Xuejiao laughed and stroked his beard and said: "The mouth is much sweeter than before. But you should tell your teacher this, she will definitely Would be very happy."

Wang Lidong asked curiously, "Why didn't you see Master?"

As usual, at this time she was either playing the piano or busy with female celebrities.

Zhuang Xuexue said: "As soon as I arrived in the capital, I was picked up by your senior sister."

Wang Lidong nodded, and then handed over a gift, the same as the one given to Brother Changbai, a set of the Four Treasures of the Study, but with two extra rolls of paper.

When Zhuang Xuexue saw the three-axis paper, his eyes brightened, he hurriedly picked up one axis, and gently untied the rope, "Chengxintang paper?"

Wang Lidong praised: "Sir, you have a good eye."

"Too precious!"

The old man said it was precious, but his hands were not slow at all. He moved the things on the coffee table to the two small stools beside him, and then carefully wiped the coffee table to make sure that there were no stains or water stains before carefully Carefully spread out the roll of paper in your hand.

Sheng Changfeng was a little puzzled, and asked his second brother in a low voice,

"What are you pedantic for? Isn't it just a blank sheet of paper, as if it was written by Wang Youjun himself."

Sheng Changbai glared at the ignorant third brother, "I didn't hear the pedant say it, this is Chengxintang's paper."

Chengxintang paper was first produced in the Southern Tang Dynasty. There was a book collection in the Southern Tang Dynasty imperial palace named "Chengxintang".Chengxintang paper is one of the three treasures of the study in the Southern Tang Dynasty. It is rated as the best paper in the history of Chinese papermaking.

"Chengxintang, I seem to have heard of it"

"Queen Li."

Sheng Changfeng slapped his head,
"It was used by the emperor of the previous dynasty, so this paper is not cheap."

"A shaft is about 500 pieces, there is a price but no market."

"Hiss! Is it so expensive!" Sheng Changfeng's eyes were wide open, a piece of broken paper would cost him more than ten years' pocket money, and suddenly he realized that he also had a roll of paper in his gift, and hurriedly said to his second brother, "The two of us received it just now. Inside, is this paper too?"

Sheng Changbai nodded.

Posted!

Sheng Changfeng was so happy that his mouth split open.

Just two days after he came to the capital, he found that the prices here are ridiculously expensive. He was thinking about how to get some money so that he could invite some second-generation friends to make friends. Now the funds for the event have been settled.

On the way just now, he felt that Wang Lidong was too arrogant, and he didn't plan to deal with him in the future, but now the Duke's mansion is too fucking rich, so he can give you any gift, and it will be thousands of dollars. Young master, this friend, I, Changfeng, have made a deal!
Zhuang Xuexue studied for a long time, reluctantly tied up the paper again.

After looking at the other three samples, Xuanzhou Zhuge Brush, Li Tinggui Ink, and Wuyuan Longwei Inkstone are all high-quality products, and the sum is estimated to cost seven to eight hundred guan.

Full of sincerity.

At first, I thought that Wang Lidong was going to study with him again, so I gave such a heavy gift, but I didn't expect that it was to inquire about some related experience after entering the examination room.

After he came up with two questions and passed the on-the-spot assessment, he felt a little bit emotional about why he didn't realize that this student was a good candidate for studying, so he unreservedly shared his experience in the examination room with Wang Lidong.

After watching the carriage of Qi Guogong's family go away, Sheng Hong and his wife returned to Wei Ruixuan.

After Wang ordered a bowl of tea for her officials, she said:
"It's really a bit of a gift for us to give the little grandpa this time. Fortunately, the little grandpa seems to like it."

Sheng Hong glanced at his wife, took the tea bowl, and took a sip, "Even if you don't like it, the young man won't show it." Then he complained a little: "What can I say about you! Such an important relative, even You can forget it. Otherwise, you must prepare a better meeting gift."

Wang was a little embarrassed, after all, she was a relative on her side.

But she can't be blamed for this.Ever since she was a child, her parents have never mentioned to her that she has such a wealthy and distinguished relative.

"Officer, this little father-in-law looks really good-looking. I heard that he is 13, and he hasn't made a marriage agreement yet."

Sheng Hong put down the tea bowl in his hand, looked at Fa's wife and said, "What do you mean, lady?"

Wang crackled and stuffed her thoughts into the ears of the officials.

"Let Ru'er be the princess's daughter-in-law?" Sheng Hong was shocked by his wife's bold idea. He is now a sixth-rank green-robed official.As for Qi Guogong, according to his title, he is a first-rank official, and according to his official position, he is now the deputy envoy of the third division, and I heard that he will be promoted to the third division envoy in a short time. too."

The eldest lady said: "Officer, the Sheng family is a family of hairpin tassels for generations. The father-in-law is Tanhualang, and the mother is the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi. You are the only daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi. You are a Jinshi on the second list. My father, Rulan's grandfather, was a former grand master." The more I talked, the more excited I was, thinking that if my youngest daughter could marry into the Duke's mansion, she would become the eldest lady of the Duke's mansion. Duke Qi has only one son, and he has served so many salt and iron envoys. I heard that more than half of the capital is now Carbon charcoal is his family's business again, and millions of dollars a year go into Duke Qi's treasury. I don't know if it's full.
Seeing his wife's eyes turned into gold ingots, Sheng Hong was speechless.If his family really wanted to be so awesome, then his eldest daughter, Hua Lan, would not marry Yuan Wenshao, who was second in the Duke Zhongqin's mansion, but the eldest son of several dukes' mansions in the capital.

"I heard that in the past two years, there are many nobles who intend to marry the Duke of Qi, but even Concubine Rong seems to have been rejected. If Hua'er is not married yet, your idea is still possible, but Ru'er."

Thinking of the little daughter who is only proficient in eating, Wang felt that someone had poured cold water on her head, but she still refused to reconcile and said: "Didn't the princess just now praise Ru'er for being honest and well-behaved?"

People are being polite, you can't say in front of them, your daughter is an idiot!

Seeing that his wife started messing around, Sheng Hong got a little tired, and after saying that he had business to deal with, he left Wei Ruixuan
After walking for a while, he came to the courtyard of his concubine Lin Xiaoniang - Lin Xi Pavilion.

When Lin Xiaoniang saw Sheng Hong, she rushed forward enthusiastically, thinking that Cao Cao would be there soon.

"Hong Lang, sit down for a while, I'll go to the kitchen and cook some favorite side dishes for you."

Sheng Hong said, "Just fry two of them, don't work too hard."

Lin Xiaoniang smiled and nodded.

After about a stick of incense, there were six side dishes on the dinner table, and seeing that they were all his favorites, Sheng Hong looked at Lin Xiaoniang with even more gentle eyes
Next, the two of you have a cup and I have a cup, you and I have a drink, Sheng Hong can't help but come to kiss and hug and hold high.
"What?! You want Mo'er to marry into Duke Qi's mansion?"

Sheng Hong, who was dizzy, sobered up in an instant, and said with a straight face, "Which decent family has not appointed a lady, but the reason for concubines first! Although our Sheng family is small, it is also a scholarly family. A precedent for a daughter to be a concubine."

Lin Xiaoniang stared wide-eyed and said: "Hong Lang, I never said that Mo'er should be a concubine. I am the eldest lady who made Mo'er the young master."

Sheng Hong stared at Lin Xiaoniang dumbfoundedly, and then put the back of his hand on the concubine's forehead. It seems that the pretty face that is slightly hot and red should not be considered as having a fever.
Lin Xiaoniang was a little confused by Sheng Hong's operation: "Hong Lang, what's wrong?"

Sheng Hong asked suspiciously, "How did you come up with such an idea?"

"Young master is a good-looking person, with a good family background, and now he is a relative of our Sheng family. Mo'er is only three years younger than the young master. I think the two are very suitable in all aspects. If they get closer together," Lin Xiaoniang The more he talked, the more excited he was, and he didn't even notice that Sheng Hong's face was covered with frost.

"Enough!" After patting the dining table heavily, Sheng Hong pointed at Lin Xiaoniang and said, "I usually see you as a shrewd person. Today I just found out that you are a complete idiot!

You feel? !

What is your identity? ! !Do you find it helpful? !
How could it be so whimsical to let the future Qi Guogong marry a concubine daughter of a sixth-rank official to be his eldest wife? !
Crazy you! "

Seeing that Sheng Hong's face was so dark that it was scary, Lin Xiaoniang knew that this man was really angry, she hurriedly stepped forward to help him sit down, and asked in a low voice, "Hong Lang, I asked Mo'er just now, today's Princess The meeting gifts for the three girls are all the same. This does not prove that Qi Guogong and the princess don't value the concubines very much.

Our Mo'er was born so well, looks so outstanding, and is proficient in all kinds of poems and songs, maybe he has caught the eyes of the princess.

The lord Qi Guogong is only a son of the young lord, if Moer can marry into the Duke's mansion, it will be of great benefit to the lord's official career, Changbai Changfeng and Minglan's marriage in the future."

Sheng Hong's heart was moved when he heard this, but he calmed down immediately. He was not as self-righteous as Lin Xiaoniang. Even if someone from the Sheng family married into Duke Qi's mansion, it could only be Ru Lan.

Unless it is the concubine of the queen's own sister, Princess Pingning may nod, just his family's Mo Lan ha ha!

If the little father-in-law really married, he would definitely become the laughing stock of the capital.And it will make people wonder whether it is the Duke of Qi's mansion, some reason has fallen on the Sheng family, or some shady activities have taken place.

The Sheng family didn't get anything good in the end!

"You have also read a lot of books. The most important thing for a person is self-knowledge. What I said just now, I took it as a joke, and I am not allowed to mention these stupid things in the future, otherwise I will never forgive you!"

Sheng Hong stood up, flicked his sleeves and walked out.

Lin Xiaoniang grabbed Sheng Hong's arm and said, "For Mo'er, Hong Lang might as well give it a try..."

"Try it? You said it so lightly!" Sheng Hong sneered and said, "Have you ever heard of a family that came to propose marriage for its own girl?
If I came to propose marriage and was rejected by the Duke's Mansion, have you thought about the consequences? ! !

The Sheng family was ashamed!The relatives of the Duke's Mansion must also be lost!
The entire capital will definitely treat our Sheng family as a joke.

My colleagues will think that I am a vassal, stalking and clinging to the powerful, and I think it will not be long before I will be transferred from the capital, and I will be assigned to an unknown corner to be a county magistrate! "

Throwing Lin Xiaoniang away abruptly, Sheng Hong left Lin Xi Pavilion angrily. He could understand that the lady had such thoughts.But Molan may have been too indulgent towards Lin Xige these years, and all the eyeballs of her pets have grown on her forehead!
Time soon came to the day of the county examination.

Before three o'clock in the morning, the cheap old lady entered Wang Lidong's room.

At four o'clock, the family arrived at the entrance of the Gongyuan of the capital, but there were many people who came earlier than them. At this time, there were already hundreds of candidates and their families standing at the entrance of the Gongyuan.

When it was five o'clock, Wang Lidong lined up in the Kaifeng Mansion's Gongyuan with a special examination basket half a meter high in his left and right hands under the expectant eyes of his father and mother.

The disadvantages of physical fitness have come out. If it was changed to before, Qi's mother would have prepared a small basket at most. After all, there is too much for the predecessor to carry, but now he has enough strength. Even if he can pass the exam for a long time today, he has prepared for two days. Food and all kinds of messy things.

After verifying the candidate's information and passing the body search, Wang Lidong came to a seat number overview map, which indicated each candidate's house number and location.

I quickly found out his name, and his house number—'Hong-eight'.

Although it sounds a bit weird, it's fine if it's not bastard.

After a while, Wang Lidong found the seats for the next five exams according to the signs.

Candidates in the capital have an advantage. From the county examination to the general examination, except for the imperial palace examination, the other three stages of examinations are all in the same examination room, and at most they have to change positions. The farther away from the capital, the harder it is for candidates , For example, here in Yunnan and Guizhou, according to the road conditions of this era, it will take about three or four months, and you have to pray that you will not encounter the special product of the Song Dynasty on the way-the robbery!
Looking at the next number of houses, the width and height are about the same as that of a telephone booth, and the depth is half a meter less.There are two grooves on the wall half a meter above the ground and one meter above the ground. This is the place to put the wooden boards. The wooden boards below are used as benches, and the upper one is used as a desk. If you sleep at night, you can remove the upper one. Put it down and put it together to make a bed.

Wang Lidong first put the two test baskets aside, took out a small broom from a cloth bag, and gave the dormitory a big cleaning.By the way, check the build quality for any leaks or cracks.

He was quite satisfied with the result, no major problems.I think the one who built this tribute courtyard a few years ago should have been more honest and didn't cut corners.

When the white belly appeared in the sky, the yamen servants began to distribute the test papers one by one.

Wang Lidong got the test paper, opened it up and looked at it, it was an ordinary thick paper folding book, each page was separated by a red line, and there was a special place to write the name on the cover.

After a while, two servants walked past the hall holding a wooden board, on which were the exam questions.

On the first day of the county examination, the test consisted of two essays in four books and one poem in five-character and six-rhyme test papers. This kind of difficulty was like asking him to do 1+1 equal to what. It was after two o'clock in the afternoon, and finally After waiting for a student to hand in the paper, Wang Lidong followed the large group out of the examination room.

According to the regulations of the examination room, after the examination papers are handed in, candidates cannot leave the examination room immediately. They must wait for the number of people to reach 50, and the magistrate personally removes the seal on the gate before they can leave. Then the magistrate re-locks and seals it.

The next day, the second test consisted of one of the Four Books and one of the Theory of Sexuality or the Theory of Filial Piety.

On the third day after the last exam, at the gate of the Gongyuan, Buwei looked at the list of those who passed the county exam posted on the bulletin board, and carefully read the names from the first name one by one. I found that the third last name was exactly My son hurriedly trotted to the front of the carriage,
"Young lady, my lord, the son has passed."

Qi's mother pushed open the car door, looked at the excited expression on her face, and said happily, "Is it the case?"

Wang Lidong rolled his eyes and said, give him the 'leader'?Unless the governor of Kaifeng is crazy, or he doesn't plan to continue to be an official in the Song Dynasty in this life.

"Where does Heng'er come in?"

It took him a long time to jump out, "The third from the bottom."

(End of this chapter)