Heaven's Formula

Amid the yelling of the old bustard, seven or eight women filed in and sat beside each guest skillfully.These are the young people who have been carefully cultivated by the Zui brothel. They can not only play the piano and paint, but also appreciate poetry and brocade lines, and are most loved by scholars.After the girl entered the arena, the atmosphere in the wing room suddenly became much more lively.

However, everyone did not start to compete for talent, propose poems, or come up with their own well-thought-out words for the girl to play and sing as usual. The topic of everyone still focused on the recent affairs of the Bureau.

"I can recognize everything else, but don't you guys think that group of people is getting more and more extreme?" A man in a blue brocade robe and a jade hairpin said angrily after drinking a glass of wine, "What kind of shit is a reserve official?" , Who recognizes them as officials! The Ministry of Officials will enter the roster? The Ministry of Households will issue salaries? I think they are making a fuss by themselves!"

"Young Master Chen is right." Another young man with a big belly responded immediately, "I think he is an official if he is exhausted, and he is the most unpopular kind!"

"But that's not what they said in their propaganda," some people expressed concern, "After passing the assessment and being included in the main election, you can get a document certificate from Her Royal Highness. It's just an official's words... Isn't this too much?"

"Could it be that the bureau is making its own claims, or... simply deceiving the public?"

"I agree! How could Her Royal Highness allow such a child's play!"

"My lords..." A nobleman took the initiative to intervene, "What are you guys arguing about? Can you tell Yan'er too?"

"Yeah, yes, Yan'er asked a good question, and I want to know too."

"You don't have many opportunities to go out, so it's not surprising to have such doubts." Zhou Sheng, who had been silent all along, said at this moment, "Everything starts with the new policy promulgated by the Bureau."

As soon as he spoke, the discussion in the room suddenly subsided a lot, and everyone focused their attention on the talented man.The same is true for the girls, being able to interact with Jinxia's famous scholars is also a talking point for them to increase their social status.

Zhou Sheng enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention, but his eyes were more focused on a woman named Liu Ruyan opposite.

It can be said that one of the main reasons why he came to the Zui brothel was to meet Miss Ruyan.

The other Qingguan people are just goods that have been deliberately wrapped up, and their essence is the same as those of the young masters around them - piano, chess, calligraphy and paintings are all used to decorate the appearance, one is to make the price of their combs higher, and the other is to Make yourself look less superficial, or block your parents' reprimand.

But Ruyan Liu was not.

She is a rare gifted woman in this brothel. Whenever everyone recites poems and writes correctly, only her evaluation is not based on the scriptures, or deliberately flattering.Zhou Sheng could feel that she was the same kind of person as himself, who knew the beauty of words, and when faced with a good poem, that smile was a compliment from the bottom of his heart.

"As far as I know, the first batch of registrations has already started. Obviously, the Bureau of Affairs did not treat this joke-like new policy as a joke." Zhou Dacai shrugged after explaining the whole story concisely, "Maybe they think , I am the real Jinxia government office."

There was a burst of snickering at the scene.

"Haha, this is really... a novelty." Yan'er couldn't help but said, "As long as you can read and write, you are eligible to apply? Doesn't that mean that all the sisters can become officials?"

"Sister Yan'er, what kind of official do you want to be, a wine attendant?" someone joked.

She smiled sweetly, "It's not up to you young masters to decide."

Everyone laughed again.

"Anyway, it's all caused by that person named Xia Fan." Mr. Chen slapped the table and said, "The so-called bureau is just a trick created by the Privy Council to expand its influence! I checked his details A few months ago, he was just an ordinary alchemist, just like that guy Wei Wushuang, he was useless except to be able to sense Qi. What is the difference between such a person intervening in Jinxia City's government affairs and ordinary people going to court?"

"Speaking of which... Wei Wushuang doesn't seem to have come to drink with us for a long time."

"Hmph, let's embrace the new thighs. Obviously, we used to think of a way to pay for us to drink, and it depends on our mood whether we are willing to go."

"The son of a merchant, he really can't stand on the stage."

"Forget about the Wei family, as long as you can read and write, you can become a reserve official. This is a joke." Someone put forward a different opinion, "I'm worried about another point."

"what?"

"Open a school." The man frowned and said, "God knows how much money Xia Fan got from the Wang family. If they really let them teach a group of people, wouldn't the scientific examination three years later be occupied by this person's disciples?" Go to many places?"

"Don't worry. He can't do it." Zhou Dacai said confidently.

"Oh? Could it be that Mr. Zhou has already taken all the actions?"

"It's not really an action, it's just saying hello to the surrounding private schools and teachers." He looked around, "Not only Jinxia City, but even the surrounding counties and towns, no one will be a teacher. .Without a master, who will teach the school? Is Xia Fan alone?"

Although Juren's status was quite high, he didn't reach the point where everyone responded. Obviously Zhou Sheng used his own relationship and the influence of his teacher.

As soon as these words came out, everyone showed joyful expressions.

"Hahaha... Master Xia teaches by himself, can he explain the Four Books and Five Classics clearly?"

"As expected of Zhou's great talent, he can make the other party ashamed without making a show."

"At that time, there will be no one to teach, I'd like to see how the secretariat will step down!"

After the party, it's time to have fun on your own. If you haven't had enough fun, you can go upstairs to open a private room, and continue to have fun with the red ladies. If you have enough fun, you can leave the meeting and go home.Before the girls left, Zhou Sheng stopped Liu Ruyan alone, "I wonder if Miss Liu can borrow a word?"

Chapter 227 The Drafted Fate

Under the envious eyes of the sisters, Liu Ruyan followed Zhou Sheng to a corner.

"I don't know how you think about what I said last time?"

Ruyan lowered her head slightly under his scorching gaze, "If...Young Master is talking about combing, I don't have a choice."

"I'm asking about your personal thoughts." Zhou Sheng stretched out his hand and stroked the black hair next to her ear, "Or, you don't care who bought your right to serve?"

"No...of course not..." She bit her lip.

"That's right." Zhou Dacai's voice was softer, he liked the other person's expression very much now - not only did her weakness and fear not destroy her beauty, but it made her look even more lovely, which made him want to to pamper. "I've already talked to the proprietress, and the combing time is set after I go to Gyeonggi to take the test."

Liu Ruyan felt as if her heart was clenched by something.

"However, when I think that you will be under someone else's body in the future, it is not something I would like to see. So I have considered redeeming your body for you after your glory is over."

Hearing this, Ruyan raised her head in surprise, "Then... what happens after the redemption?"

Zhou Sheng raised the corner of his mouth, this was the reaction he wanted to see, "I will take you as my concubine."

Liu Ruyan lowered her head again, "I don't know the son's house..."

"I already have four concubines. Don't worry, they get along well on weekdays, and you know poetry and music, so it's not difficult to get close to them. Remember to teach everyone when the time comes, so that no one will appreciate my good lyrics. "

"The servant's house...is entirely up to the young master."

……

Saying goodbye to Talent Zhou, Liu Ruyan was immediately surrounded by all the sisters as soon as she returned to the small building where Mr. Qing was staying.

"Hey, what did Mr. Zhou tell you?"

"He actually likes you, doesn't he?"

"It can't be...he decided to ask for your first night?"

Liu Ruyan had no choice but to confess, "Young Master Zhou has indeed confirmed my grooming, and also said that he will redeem me."

These words instantly ignited everyone.

"Wow! Miss Liu, your luck is too good!"

"Yes, that's the famous talented Zhou."

"Let's not talk about us, I'm afraid all the ladies in the city will secretly envy you."

"After all, after the prince is gone, he should be the most anticipated candidate. He is talented and has a handsome appearance."

"I think you have forgotten someone." Some girls also objected.

"Who?"

"The new Prime Minister of the Privy Mansion, Mr. Xia. I heard that he is about the same age as Zhou's great talent, but his status is already equivalent to a fourth-rank official, and he is also the confidant of Her Royal Highness. Even the General Affairs Bureau is planned by him... like this How could a person be inferior to Young Master Zhou."

"Uh... You seem to be saying it that way. Why do the sisters seldom mention him?"

"Probably Master Xia has never been to a drunken brothel?"

"Yes, why? This is the best brothel in Jinxia, ​​right?"

"Or...does he have friends elsewhere?"

"Haha, it's like no one knows that Mr. Zhou will favor our girl Ruyan!"

This topic aroused everyone's interest, and the sisters chattered about it.

Only Liu Ruyan couldn't feel happy at all.

Redemption, taking concubines... Things that are enviable in the eyes of other nobles, but her heart is full of worry and uneasiness.

Among the women trained in Zui brothel, many of them are orphans and young girls bought from tooth shops. They were almost brought up from a young age, and everything they saw and heard happened in this square inch of land.But there are exceptions, like herself.

Liu Ruyan was already eleven or twelve years old when he was sold here, long past the age of ignorance.Usually brothels would not accept such a woman to become a nobleman, but she came from a wealthy family, had a good background in talent and learning and a good face, so she was bought by Zui brothel.It is precisely because she has witnessed the situation of the concubine before her family was in decline, and she has heard her mother tell the fate of such women many times, so it is difficult to feel happy when she hears Mr. Zhou's words.

From then on, her fate and joys and sorrows will be in the hands of one person.

Liu Ruyan couldn't help looking at the wild cats entrenched in the yard - she often feeds them, even so, she can't make any restrictions on this group of wild cats.

They come and go whenever they want, no matter whether it is a high gate or a courtyard wall, nothing can stop their footsteps.

This freedom even made Liu Ruyan feel jealous.

That was probably something she would never experience.

"You have said so much about Mrs. Xia, but that is only a temporary trend. After all, things like offending scholars will always be noticed by the princess. When something goes wrong, the princess will definitely use him to appease everyone. dissatisfied."

"That's right... as long as you can read and write, you can be an official in the bureau, it's too ridiculous."

"However, I'm a little curious. If I pass the registration screening and become a reserve official of the Bureau, will the drunk brothel take me back?" A sister asked ingeniously.

"Xiao Nizi, you have a good idea. Where is the brothel? Do you think they will accept you after you reveal your identity? Forget it, there will be no one in this world who will dislike you, and only us sisters!"

"But... no one has asked them this question?"

"Why, do you still have fantasies? Why don't you think about how to serve people, so that some son will fall in love with you sooner."

Everyone let out good-natured laughter.

But the other party's words made Liu Ruyan's heart skip a beat.

That's right, no one really asked the secretariat.

The conditions did not specify the restrictions on identity, did they forget, or is it something that is established in the world and does not need to be specifically listed?

After staying in the brothel for so many years, she has long understood that she should not have expectations.

But once that thought popped up, it took root and germinated in her mind like a seed, and it was hard to erase it no matter what.

Two days later, Ruyan Liu got a chance.

Those are the days when the Qing Dynasty people go out in batches to buy rouge, clothes or jewelry - because everyone's dressing style is different, so every one or two months, there will be an arrangement to go out to buy.Of course, it was under the leadership of the nanny, and they were not allowed to act alone during the whole process.

It's just that Mammy is meaning, after all, the girls have no household registration and no relatives to rely on, even if they escape, where can they escape?At least you don't have to worry about food and clothing in the brothel. If you become a homeless person, your life may not be guaranteed.

A group of people stopped and walked, and when they were close to the long street where the secretariat was located, Liu Ruyan pretended to go around the fabric shop, found a space that no one was paying attention to, and left the brigade quietly.

After confirming that she was not found, she lifted the corner of her skirt and ran all the way. The wind blew past her ears, and the sound of her heartbeat overwhelmed the panic in her chest.

At that moment, she seemed to be a wild cat.

After passing through the crowd, Liu Ruyan stumbled into the office's gate.

Following the signs, she quickly found her target.

——"Registration Office for Preparatory Officials of General Office".

A little girl received her.

This was Liu Ruyan's first feeling, even such a young girl, can she manage things here?

The second feeling is that there are... a lot of people who came to sign up.

"Hello, is there anything you want to ask?" The other party asked with a smile.

"I, I am..." Liu Ruyan wanted to retreat several times, just revealing her identity was embarrassing enough, let alone asking others.But when she thought about what would happen three or four months later, she hesitated and finally said, "I'm a brothel girl, and I know how to read and write... so I'm also eligible to sign up?"

The girl showed a surprised expression, she didn't answer immediately, but pondered for a while, "Well...the soil thief didn't tell me what to do in such a situation."

So——as expected, I forgot.

Liu Ruyan felt something sinking rapidly in her heart.

But what the other party said made her stunned.

"Why don't you wait here, Master Xia is in the Privy Council's Mansion right now, and I'll tell you when I get the answer."

Chapter 228

Just a few minutes of waiting seemed like years had passed.

Once it takes more than a quarter of an hour, she may be discovered by the nanny for sneaking away, and she will definitely be whipped when she returns.She also thought about turning around and leaving many times, but she couldn't move her footsteps no matter what.

Therefore, when the little girl reappeared in Liu Ruyan's field of vision, not only did she not feel relaxed, but her body tensed up even more.

All her attention was focused on the other's lips.

"I asked, and he said yes."

sure.

can.