The Red Mansions

Daming Palace, Inner Study Room

Not long after, the internal eunuch came to tell Fang Huan, the servant of the Ministry of Rites, Liu Zheng, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, and eighteen bachelors of the Imperial Academy, to come together.

He entered the hall of the inner study in a dense manner, and bowed to the middle-aged emperor behind the case.

The few bachelors of the Imperial Academy didn't know why, and they usually buried their heads in their files. Not long ago, as fellow examiners, they read the exam papers.

After Emperor Taizong of Chen Han Dynasty, 18 examiners were appointed for the general examination, and they were divided into [-] rooms to review the papers. Most of them were edited and reviewed by the Imperial Academy.

Because it is graded, the possibility of leaking questions is actually the smallest.

In the end, the people who leaked the questions were two examiners, one principal and two deputy examiners.

Emperor Chongping said: "You should also know that Dengwen's drum was sounded, and the scholars beat the drum to express their grievances. They said that there were leaks in the current examination. Since I came to the throne, there have been five or six examinations. This is the first time I have encountered a leak problem!"

Fang Huan was shocked when he heard the words, and clapped his hands to argue: "Your Majesty, this matter is absolutely impossible. The printing of the test papers is completely confidential. How could the questions be revealed in advance? That candidate must be lying, otherwise, with his talent and learning, there will be a lot of trouble." Why don't you take the test yourself? Why don't you write it for someone else?"

A layer of cold sweat oozes from the back, the matter of leaking the question, did it happen?
He remembered that he only told one of his nephews, which was regarded as setting the scope of the exam, how did it leak out?

Sometimes, when one person vents, everyone vents.

Xu Lu's expression turned serious, and he said, "According to the scholar's confession, that Xu Ying gave him a full 1 taels of silver notes in order to obtain a high school fellow Jinshi, but after the incident, he felt fearful, worried that he would be found out in the future, Only then did we beat the drums and voice our grievances, and make this matter known to the public."

Fang Huan knelt down and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I really don't know why you have leaked the question."

Liu Zheng and a dozen Hanlin scholars knelt down together.

Emperor Chongping's face was gloomy, and he ordered: "Xu Qing, bring the officials involved in the case to the Imperial Academy for questioning, and ask for details."

Xu Lu cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, and said: "Now the scholars in Beijing are arguing about the suspected fraud in the imperial examination. No matter whether there is fraud in the imperial court, we must investigate and find out. Xu Qing, deal with it properly, calm down the rumors, and don't affect the middle of the month. wedding."

Han Huang and Zhao Mo: "???"

Xu Lu cupped his hands and said, "Wei Chen has already sent someone to arrest Xu Ying, go to the Metropolitan Procuratorate for questioning, follow the clues, and should be able to find out who leaked the test questions behind his back."

Liu Zheng, the academician of the Imperial Academy, changed his expression, thought for a while, and cupped his hands and said: "My lord, if the test questions were leaked, I seem to have heard such rumors not long ago."

"What rumors?" Emperor Chongping said.

Liu Zheng said in a low voice: "There are rumors in Beijing that there are more candidates from Jiangnan than those from the north, and the top rankings in the imperial examination are dominated by scholars from Jiangnan. This minister is also very puzzled."

Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, and glanced at Han Huang.

During the palace examination, Emperor Chongping was worried about side affairs, but he didn't really care about it. The ranking was determined according to the ranking in the examination and the quality of calligraphy written. This is actually a common practice.

Unless the emperor personally wants to choose someone as the number one scholar.

Han Huang's heart sank to the bottom of the valley, and his eyes turned to Fang Huan.

Is it true that there are frauds in the current imperial examinations?

As for why Fang Huan was suspected, it was because Zhao Mo was a cabinet minister, and Han Huang knew a lot about his usual conduct.

Han Huang really didn't know the fraud in it.

Because as the chief assistant of the cabinet, he was worried about border affairs and the drought in the northern provinces not long ago, and he was not the chief examiner.

Emperor Chongping said in a deep voice: "Send someone to investigate carefully, no matter who is involved in the matter, investigate to the end!"

"Your Majesty, if there is a case of fraud, what should be done to deal with the scholars? Whether to retake the exam?" Xu Lu pondered for a moment, then asked with cupped hands.

This is a sudden event that tests political wisdom. If the exam is retaken, those who have passed the exam based on their true talents will have to take the exam again. If they fail, they will definitely feel resentful.

Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment, and said: "Investigate the case first, find out the fraudsters, put them in prison, remove their merits, and re-examine the other middle-ranked Jinshi, and try to eliminate those who are fraudulent, treacherous and cheating. In the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, we will open Enke again to celebrate the great victory over the captives, and pass it on to the outside world, so as to quell the fuss in Beijing."

Han Huang and Zhao Mo's hearts trembled slightly.

Open Enke again and celebrate the victory over the captives. I really can't do everything without that Duke of Wei!
Xu Lu's face became serious, he bowed and said, "My lord, I obey the order."

This is indeed a relatively good way to face fraud in the imperial examination, because those who were originally ranked in the first place can at least avoid tossing as long as they take another imperial examination, and the candidates who have not yet taken the scientific examination can still take the scientific examination again.

It should only be an enke to celebrate the conferment of the slave chief.

Zhao Mo's heart was covered with a haze. If the imperial examination fraud was really found out, someone must be responsible for it.

Emperor Chongping said indifferently: "Let's leave it like this today, Han Qing will stay."

When Han Huang heard the words, his mind was shocked, and the other courtiers had plastic surgery, saluted, and retreated slowly.

Emperor Chongping looked at Han Huang quietly and didn't speak for a long time.

Han Huang only felt the cold sweat seeping through his small clothes, and cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty."

Emperor Chongping suddenly said coldly: "Who does Han Qing suspect?"

Han Huang's expression froze, and he said, "Your Majesty, I will guarantee with my head that Zhao Bojian will not pretend to be true in the selection of candidates for the imperial examination, and deceive the superior and the inferior."

Emperor Chongping said, "That's Liu Zheng?"

Han Huang's lips twitched, and he remained silent for a while.

Emperor Chongping said: "Liu Zhengxiang is pure and noble, and Ya'an admits himself. Although I don't like him being out of touch with current affairs and not arbitrarily changing circumstances, I know Liu Zheng is a man, so I shouldn't be so self-willed and depraved."

It is difficult to hide any fraudulent cases in the imperial examination. Once it breaks out, it can be hidden almost quickly.

Han Huang's voice was difficult, he lifted his official robe, knelt down, held an ivory wat board, and said with a pause, "Your Majesty, in this case of fraud in the imperial examination, I am in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Rites, and I have a duty to do so."

Emperor Chongping stared at Han Huang for a long time, and said slowly: "This matter has nothing to do with Han Qing. Han Qing has been fighting for the north these days, and the disasters in various provinces have taken care of it."

Hearing this, Han Huang's voice seemed to be a little choked up, and he said, "Thank you, my lord, for your understanding."

Emperor Chongping's eyes flashed, and he said, "Dai Quan, help Han Qing get up."

Dai Quan was standing by the curtain at this moment, with his head lowered tightly. Hearing this, he quickly responded, and stepped forward to help Han Huang get up.

Emperor Chongping waved his hand and said, "Han Qing, there is a continuous drought in the north. The day before yesterday, I ordered the household department to rush to plant sweet potatoes, but the food for the victims must also be distributed in a coordinated way. It's very big, I think it can be done in the land of Bashu, but is the land in the south of the Yangtze River different from other regions?"

Han Huang bowed his hands and said yes, but felt his hands and feet were cold.

The emperor is putting pressure on himself?
In fact, Emperor Chongping half listened to Jia Heng's words that he should not act too hastily, and he was still thinking about the innovative strategy.

Because Jia Heng first said in the inner study: "With great victory, innovation will lead to the great cause of Zhongxing, and seek the foundation of the great man forever."

The emperor's health is not very good, and he has already given birth to a little impatient.

Emperor Chongping stared at Han Huang with burning eyes, and said: "Since the founding of the country, the land in the south of the Yangtze River and the merger of the land of the two provinces can be described as shocking. Although Gao Zhongping lost his radicalness in the south of the Yangtze River, he pointed out the disadvantages. I deeply believe it."

Han Huang quickly said: "Your Majesty, the south of the Yangtze River is a place of wealth and wealth. Now that the north is suffering from frequent disasters, I think you should not act too hastily."

The Son of Heaven is going to dig out the roots of the scholars in the south of the Yangtze River, and this cannot be compromised. If the southeast is really to be seized, then the country will really be in danger.

Emperor Chongping's complexion was complicated, and he said in a low voice, "Jia Ziyu said the same thing when he returned to Beijing."

When Han Huang heard the words, his eyes were fixed, and his heart was full of turmoil.

Duke Wei also said this?It's really old-fashioned.

Emperor Chongping said: "Jia Ziyu has the talent of managing the country and helping the world. I think if he can go to the south of the Yangtze River with him and help Gao Zhongping carry it out in the south of the Yangtze River, it should be able to accomplish this."

Han Huang: "???"

"Your Majesty, since the Duke of Wei feels that things are difficult to achieve quickly, he should take a slow plan, so how can he go south to help this national policy?" Han Huang pondered for a moment, and advised: "Your Majesty, the border troubles are still uncertain, so it is not appropriate to use heavy swords to destroy corruption."

In the end, it was even a little bitter.

Emperor Chongping glanced at Han Huang, and said: "I think this matter can be tried, and Han Qing doesn't need to worry."

Seeing this, Han Huang couldn't persuade him anymore.

After Han Huang left, Emperor Chongping's eyes under his thin brows showed thoughtfulness, and he murmured in a low voice: "There is something strange about this matter, the imperial examination fraud case came out at this time, or is it the scholar Faden Wengu?"

Although this matter gave him the opportunity to put pressure on the Zhejiang Party again, he always felt that there was a layer of fog in it.

Dai Quan who was not far away didn't respond, but just held his breath, not disturbing Emperor Chongping's thinking.

Although Emperor Chongping had a suspicious temperament, he couldn't think of the reason, so he just sat down again and picked up the memorial to review.

In Daming Palace, when the atmosphere in the inner study was oppressive——

Tangli Palace, where Princess Xianning originally lived, is filled with a leisurely and relaxed atmosphere.

At this time, the female officer cut a watermelon, one tooth by one tooth, and put it on the small table.

Jia Heng picked up a piece of melon and ate it lightly, the taste was sweet and the juice flowed horizontally.

He couldn't help but look up at Song Yan who was not far away, whose hands and feet were slightly cramped, and asked, "Cousin Yan'er, why don't you eat?"

In fact, compared to Xianning, who is beautiful and beautiful, she looks like a goddess with black and straight.

Song Yan is a little shorter in stature, but she does resemble her aunt, Empress Song, with fair skin, slender eyebrows and big eyes, bright eyes, beautiful nose and mouth, especially facial features, eyebrows and eyes, which are almost similar to Empress Song Points, one thing to say, it does feel a bit like the youthful version of Empress Song.

Of course, there is no stalwart of Queen Song.

Princess Xianning glanced at Song Yan, who had picturesque eyebrows and eyes, and persuaded with a light smile, "Yan'er, eat."

Cousin Yan'er is really similar to the queen mother.

In fact, although Empress Song and Concubine Duan Rong are sisters, they have quite different faces and temperaments. On the contrary, Song Yan, who is a niece, is quite similar to Empress Song.

Song Yan said "Hmm", picked up the watermelon, took a bite, and under her pink lips, a mouthful of clean white teeth appeared.

Mother taught her to be a lady, and she didn't like to eat in front of other men.

Thinking like this, absent-minded, she was choked by the melon juice, and the girl's white and greasy face flushed slightly, "cough coughing", feeling ashamed for a while, but at this moment, she saw a handkerchief on the other side handing her a handkerchief. come over.

Song Yan's crystal-clear and jade-like face was startled, she looked at the young man with bright eyes, met that warm gaze, quickly lowered her eyelashes, and said: "Thank you."

At this time, Princess Xianning's bright eyes flashed, and she said with a smile: "Sir, I'm choking too, do you have any other handkerchiefs, sir?"

Jia Heng: "..."

You have endured a lot of choking, which time did you not give you a handkerchief?

Listening to Princess Xianning's joking words, Song Yanxue's cheeks blushed slightly, and she quickly handed over the handkerchief, saying: "Cousin."

Princess Xianning looked thoughtful, and said softly: "Cousin Yan'er keep it for herself, and after washing it, I will return it to others."

Song Yan let out a "hmm", and took a peek at the innocent young man, and didn't want to say anything else.

At this time, Li Chanyue's eyes were shining brightly, and she said softly, "Mr. Jia, when shall we go to the residence?"

Jia Heng said softly: "It'll be over in a while, and you guys should check the door in advance."

Li Chanyue said: "When Mr. Jia was not in Beijing, my cousin and I went there many times."

Jia Heng naturally took the little princess's plain hand, and asked: "Did your mother write to you in the past few months?"

In fact, he still wanted to inquire about the details of this imperial examination fraud case.

He didn't know much about Xiaoxiao's arrangement.

Li Chanyue, on the other hand, was a little shy. She glanced at Song Yan and said, "Mother sent a letter and asked Mr. Jia about the war. I don't know if he has received the news of Mr. Jia's return to Beijing."

Several people were talking, when an inner eunuch entered the hall, with a flattering smile on his fair face, he bowed and said, "Your Highness, Your Majesty summoned Duke Wei to come over."

Jia Heng put down the watermelon rind, took the handkerchief delivered by Li Chanyue beside him, wiped his mouth, and said softly: "Xianning, I'll go there first, I'll be here later."

Princess Xianning responded, watched Jia Heng leave, then pulled Song Yan aside, and said, "Sister Yan'er, I will teach you how to dance with Chanyue later."

Song Yan was still holding a handkerchief in her hand, she put down the watermelon and said, "Yes."

At this time, Jia Heng followed the inner eunuch to the inner study, walked along the palace road, and just walked to the front hall, suddenly he was taken aback, and saluted the beauty who came towards the palace road: "I have seen the queen Empress, the empress is a thousand years old."

Surrounded by a few court ladies, Empress Song came from the palace pillars. Under the summer sun, the graceful beauty, the golden hairpin with cloudy hair on her temples, and the earrings on her earlobes shone brightly, reflecting the Zhang Fengrun's charming face is graceful and gorgeous, charming and charming.

Compared with Song Yan's greenness, Empress Song's eyebrows, eyes and facial features are more colorful, her skin is fair, her facial features are small and delicate, the autumn waves between her willow eyebrows are glistening, and her red lips are moist.

"Zi Yu." Empress Song looked at the boy in the python suit, and said with a light smile on her snow-skinned and jade-like face.

Jia Heng cupped his hands and said, "Is the Empress going to see the Holy Majesty?"

"Isn't it just that when the Dengwen drum rang, His Majesty went to the inner study. It seems that it is noon now, and I am going to call for His Majesty to go to the Empress Dowager's place to say hello." Empress Song stepped forward, with light paint The beautiful eyes with rose-red eye shadow looked at the young man, a slight smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he said, "Zi Yu, you follow Xianning, shouldn't you call me your mother?"

Jia Heng quickly lowered his eyes, his heart skipped a beat, and said, "I dare not."

How could this Empress Song have a bit of the sense of sight of sister Yu molesting a little milk dog.

Gorgeous and gorgeous beauties, don't they know how charming they are when they walk?

Under the white and greasy neck, the plump and trembling fragrance contains the fragrance of fat and powder, which is the fragrance of the long-term spice orchid musk. The faint and imperceptible smell of sweat floated to the nostrils, almost making people feel drunk.

If it is a black silk fishing net like that of Xianning, make another hole...

Well, I can't think about it, I want to fry it.

It's all Xianning's fault, there was too much nonsense between the bed and curtain earlier.

Of course, there was nothing inappropriate about Empress Song's joke, because in her eyes, Jia Heng would marry Xianning soon, and they would be a family soon.

"That's all." Empress Song looked at the serene boy in the python suit with divine eyes, smiled, and restrained her charming and lively demeanor.

She didn't know what happened just now, seeing this boy, her mentality seemed to be a little younger, but luckily she didn't lose her composure.

In a few days, Ziyu will marry Xianning. He is also an outsider, only a nephew.

Thinking of this, Li Xinhu also calmed down, not feeling strange.

Jia Heng's face changed after plastic surgery, and he changed the subject and said, "Ma'am, let's go to see the Holy Majesty."

When the queen travels, she usually has a nun and a female official by her side, and she has to pay attention to her manners a lot of the time.

Empress Song nodded her head, and her phoenix eyes looked thoughtfully at the downcast young man. For some reason, her mood was faint and bright, and she smiled sweetly and said: "Let's go, it's already noon when we talk , it's time for lunch."

"Ziyu, but just now you said that the officials in the capital had gone out of the palace to suppress the ground because of the current fraud case, so it's not in the way?" Queen Song suddenly turned her face while walking. , asked softly.

Jia Heng said: "Your Majesty, don't worry, the scholars are all scholars who share the same merit. Even if they are filled with righteous indignation, they will not do anything radical. When the imperial court comes forward to clarify the fraud in the imperial examination, it will calm down."

Empress Song seemed to say "oh", her voice was round and smooth, and she said, "I think so, too. It's been so many years since there was any cheating in the imperial examination."

Jia Heng didn't dare to look at Empress Song more, and reminded softly: "But there have been cases of fraud in the imperial examinations."

Empress Song glanced at Jia Heng with beautiful eyes under her beautiful eyebrows, and suddenly said coldly: "During this period of time, Wei'er went to the Ministry of Criminal Justice to observe politics, and learned a lot from Mr. Zhao Ge, but he still said he wanted to go Jingying can share the worries of his father and emperor in the matter of dealing with captives."

Zhao Mo was the main examiner, but according to Ran'er, Mr. Zhao Ge deliberately supported him to enter the East Palace.

On the contrary, Mr. Han Ge was a little ambiguous.

His Majesty is too taboo about things behind him, how can this be done for the sake of the state of the ancestors of Chen Han?
Besides, when there is chaos in the Central Plains...

Well, it's really hard to think about it at this time.

However, it would be great if Wei'er could go to Beijing Camp. Your Majesty is really, why are you so guarded against your own flesh and blood?
The beauty has a dignified demeanor and a smile on her beautiful face, but she is also complaining deep in her heart.

In other words, there was a trace of grievance hidden in the deepest part of this queen's heart, that is, Emperor Chongping hadn't established the East Palace for a long time, so he didn't know what he was thinking.

In terms of raising children, this beauty gave birth to the two kings of Wei and Liang for Emperor Chongping. In addition, she also married her younger sister, and Concubine Duanrong had a son and a daughter.

Ordinarily, it should be Wei Wang who established the East Palace.

Listening to Empress Song's words, Jia Heng vaguely understood what the mature woman meant, did she want him to help with the conversation later?
As for the Beijing camp, well, forget about it.

And this Empress Song didn't know that the imperial examination fraud case was originally a matter of Xiaoxiao helping him to fight against the Zhejiang Party?
Jia Heng didn't answer the question, but glanced at the plump figure under the vermilion dress, changed the subject and said, "King Liang has a straight temper and hates evil like hatred, so it's appropriate for him to watch politics in the Ministry of Punishment."

Empress Song walked slowly. Hearing this, she glanced at the young man who was half a step behind and looked down at the road. Unobtrusively pouted.

I thought to myself, what a little fox.

At this moment, Jia Heng couldn't see this playful gesture of the mature beauty, otherwise he would have to agree on the spot.

Even so, smelling the fragrance of Empress Song's alluring flesh all the way, without squinting, my mind was as clear as possible.

While the two were talking, they were approaching the study in the Daming Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Empress and Duke Wei are here." An inner eunuch came into the hall and reported.

"Ziyu is here?" Emperor Chongping was reviewing the memorabilia, but Empress Song didn't realize it for a while, raised her head and said, "Let him in."

Not long after, Jia Heng quickly walked into the hall, bowed to the middle-aged emperor and said: "I have seen the Holy One, long live long live long live."

Emperor Chongping's eyes were gentle, and he smiled and said, "Ziyu."

Then he glanced at Empress Song in surprise, and said, "Zitong, you're here too."

Empress Song: "..."

What kind of look is this His Majesty, she shouldn't be here, right?