Clear and Muddy Loss of Love

One stone stirred up waves

That night, Ganoderma lucidum was lying in the side room of the Nuan Pavilion, tossing and turning, unable to sleep, it would be fine if she was the only one who saw what happened today, but the young Highness also saw it.

His Highness is young and doesn't understand the pros and cons. The most terrifying thing is Tongyan Wuji. If one day he sees the princess or the son-in-law and mentions this matter, wouldn't he know about it and not report it?

Ganoderma lucidum didn't dare to ask Xiancao for advice, so she was worried all night with this secret in her heart, and the next day she was listless and distracted several times.

When I was doing needlework, I was spotted by Xiancao, and I was even teased by the other party.

Ganoderma lucidum said awkwardly: "You do it yourself first, I remembered that His Royal Highness ordered something that I haven't done yet, so I will go back."

After speaking, she put down the messy Yingluo in her hand and went out of the Nuan Pavilion. After going around the corridor for a few times, she finally decided to report the matter to Aunt Qiuju, the chief female officer in charge of Weiming Palace.

Ganoderma lucidum thought: I am just a little servant girl, the master is young and has no backing, let alone rely on him.If you come across this kind of thing and reveal it, you are guilty of not reporting what you know, and if someone else finds out about it, you may be silenced.Instead of this, it is better to fight for the credit of the "first report".According to the laws and regulations of the Wei State, the meritorious service of the first report can be avoided.And even if the imperial concubine and the son-in-law just met by chance, he said to Aunt Qiuju that he had found a "superior" to join him, as the saying goes: when the sky falls, a big one will take over.

After thinking about it, Ganoderma felt much more relaxed, and she unknowingly quickened her pace, fearing that this matter would be exposed in advance if it was half a moment too late.

Arriving near the main hall of the Weiming Palace, Lingzhi slowed down, turned her back to tidy up her appearance, and even breathed carefully, for fear of breaking any taboos.

Although Ganoderma lucidum is also a servant of Weiming Palace, she was assigned to the remote Nuan Pavilion as soon as she entered the palace, and she rarely left there.Therefore, to her, the main hall of the Weiming Palace is like the weight of the imperial palace in the hearts of the common people: solemn and mysterious.

As the female official in charge, Qiu Ju only needs to serve around Nangong Jingnv, and door guards are done by third-class servants. Lingzhi swallowed her saliva and came to the door, and gave a deep blessing to the maidservant at the door. : "The maidservant is the fairy grass serving in the Nuan Pavilion. I have something important to report to Aunt Qiuju. I wonder if my sister can pass it on for me?"

The palace maid glanced at Lingzhi, saw that the other party's clothes were decent, and said calmly: "Have you got the belt card?"

Lingzhi quickly took out the badge from her bosom and handed it to the other party for inspection, the maid returned the badge to Lingzhi, said: "Wait" and pushed open the corner door to enter the inner hall.

Ganoderma thanked repeatedly, went down the steps and retreated a distance, and after a while, the corner door opened again.Qiu Ju, the female official in charge of Weiming Palace, came out, Qiu Ju was the most powerful assistant beside Nangong Jingnv, even though Ganoderma lucidum's status was low, she remembered her appearance, she came over with a smile and asked, "Why are you here? But what's the matter, Your Majesty?"

Ling Zhi raised her head and glanced at Qiu Ju, and then caught a glimpse of the maid who was not far away, hesitating to speak.

What kind of clever person is Qiu Ju?She smiled and said, "You come with me here."

With the movement of footsteps, the two came to a secluded place. Before Qiu Ju could speak, Lingzhi knelt down in front of her with a "plop".

Qiu Ju's face darkened, and she asked, "But something happened to your Highness?"

Lingzhi hastily denied it: "Your Highness is taking an afternoon nap in the Nuan Pavilion, and this servant came to find aunt on her own initiative."

Qiu Ju: "Oh? What are you doing?"

Lingzhi swallowed, and reported everything she saw yesterday to Qiu Ju, and at the end she slammed her head heavily on the ground: "Your slave stayed up all night last night, all souls and souls have gone, please aunt. "

Qiu Ju's expression turned kind in an instant, and she helped Ganoderma lucidum up from the ground: "I think it's a big deal? It turned out to be nothing more than this, so please worry about it."

Ling Zhi looked at Qiu Ju in puzzlement, and the latter continued: "Although the inner courtyard of the palace is spacious, it is only that big. The son-in-law is currently living in Weiming Palace, and yesterday he asked His Highness to go to the imperial garden alone. The son-in-law The master is from the folk and has never had any ostentation, and he is also the most kind to our servants. The noble concubine is also a loner, and it is inevitable to come across a few greetings in this spring-filled imperial garden. You don't have to take it too seriously .”

Seeing that Ganoderma lucidum was still a little uneasy, Qiu Ju continued: "But we servants in the inner court, it's always better to be more cautious. I know about this matter, so go back."

Ganoderma lucidum gave a deep blessing and resigned.

After Ganoderma lucidum left, Qiu Ju's expression became serious again. She thought to herself and returned to the main hall. Nangong Jingnv put down the brush in her hand, looked at the words she had written, and asked indifferently, "What's the matter?"

Qiu Ju replied: "It's the maidservant next to His Highness who took His Highness to play in the Royal Garden yesterday, and accidentally bumped into the son-in-law and Concubine Yagui to exchange a few words in the Royal Garden. This girl is timid, so she came here to report it." .”

Nangong Jingnv raised her head and asked, "At that time there were only the two of them in the garden?"

Qiu Ju: "According to the servant girl, yes."

Nangong Jingnu chuckled lightly, and said lightly: "Concubine Yagui doesn't like the palace servants and everyone in the inner court knows that Qi Yan has never had any servants around her in the palace for many years, but she happened to meet and said a few words, what is the big deal in this palace .”

Qiu Ju: "Your Highness has a clear lesson." From a certain point of view, Qiu Ju's thinking is quite close to that of Nangong Jingnv.

Nangong Jingnu: "Which slave is it?"

Qiu Ju: "It's the big maid next to Princess Yanyang, named Ganoderma lucidum."

Nangong Jingnv thought for a moment, and thought of such a person.She had seen Ganoderma lucidum and Immortal Grass a few times, but felt that these two maids were slightly displeased when they saw her trembling and flustered appearance.

It's just that the two of them serve Qi Yuxiao with all their heart, and they are also the youngest group of maids in the palace. Maybe they got along well with Qi Yuxiao and didn't deal with it. If today's incident happened...they can't stay up.

Nangong Jingnu: "Is this year the election year?"

The so-called small election year is the year when the inner court recruits maidservants from private or official homes. Every five years, a batch is released from the palace, which is called "big release", and a batch is selected every three years, which is called "small election".

Qiu Ju: "Yes, they were selected into the palace last month and are studying in the Inner Court Division."

Nangong Jingnu: "In the afternoon, you go to the Inner Court Department yourself, and pick four good ones to bring to the Nuan Pavilion. Two older ones are more sensible, and two younger ones are lively."

Qiu Ju: "Yes, what about the original two in the Nuan Pavilion?"

Nangong Jingnv picked up the brush again, and said calmly: "Sent to Huanyifang as a rough envoy, find someone to watch over."

Qiu Ju: "Yes."

After lunch was over, Qiu Ju was ordered to do it.

Nangong Jingnv sat in the main seat but did not move her chopsticks, another quarter of an hour later Qi Yan was late.

Qi Yan: "Your Highness."

Nangong Jingnu: "Sit down."

Qi Yan: "Thank you, Your Highness."

Nangong Jingnv looked at Qi Yan, saw that his face was pale and tired, and asked, "Have you taken the prescription prescribed by the imperial doctor on time? Why is your complexion so bad?"

Qi Yan hooked the corners of her mouth, and replied: "Illness comes like a mountain, and goes away like a thread, even if there is a good medicine, it will not be so fast."

Nangong Jingnu: "It's still because your foundation is too poor. I will ask the imperial doctor another day if there is any way to recuperate... By the way, I heard that the hot springs in Tangquan Mountain have excellent effects on this chronic illness. I heard that At that time, Taiwei Lu was unconscious due to his old injury. Later, he went to Tangquan Mountain for recuperation for half a year and then he gradually recovered. In the past few years, he has settled down in Tangquan Mountain, and he does not care about political affairs. Why don't you go to recuperate for a while when you have time? day?"

Qi Yan thought to himself: Lu Quan didn't have any old injuries, but he was afraid that Nangong would submit the matter of returning soldiers to lead the Duke of the country and went to the mountains to avoid disaster, but this old fox has been hiding in the deep mountains and old forests, so it is difficult for him start...

Qi Yan: "Since it's so amazing, I really want to try it for myself. I'll 'settle' the candidates when the exams are released, so I can go there again."

Nangong Jingnu: "Let's eat."

Qi Yan: "Yes."

After lunch and afternoon tea, Nangong Jingnu asked casually, "I haven't been in the Imperial Garden for a long time because I have so many trivial matters today. What's the view inside? Are all the flowers blooming?"

Amber eyes flickered, Qi Yan said with a smile: "Your Highness, I almost forgot, there is one thing I just want to tell Your Highness."

Nangong Jingnu: "Oh? What is it?"

Qi Yan: "Yesterday, when I was taking a walk, I ran into Concubine Yagui, and exchanged some pleasantries. The concubine has something to ask Your Highness for help."

Nangong Jingnu: "Since I'm looking for help from Bengong, why don't you come here in person."

Qi Yan didn't answer Nangong Jingnv's question, and said to herself: "Concubine Yagui said that she has been away from her homeland for several years, and she wants to return to Luobei to visit her relatives in the near future. Because of His Majesty's health, she can't bear to disturb her, and would like to ask His Highness to replace her." She spoke to His Majesty."

Nangong Jingnu said without hesitation: "I heard that Concubine Ya and the current governor of Kitakyushu, Anujin, are not siblings. Now that Erihe is dead, Concubine Ya's biological mother died early. What will she do when she goes back?"

Qi Yan had to re-examine Nangong Jingnv, she didn't expect that the other party would investigate Jiya's background, it seems that she has placed her eyeliner in the north...

Qi Yan was still calm, and replied: "Maybe it's hard to leave the homeland. Although I have never been to Luobei, but many people in Jinzhou who fled and returned, some people have been to Luobei, saying that the customs, architecture, The B&B is completely different from the south, maybe this is why Empress Yafei wants to go back and have a look."

Nangong Jingnv nodded: "What do you mean?"

Qi Yan put his hands on the table, crossed his fingers, and replied: "In my opinion, if Your Majesty has no special order, this matter shall prevail."

Nangong Jingnu: "Tell me your reason."

Qi Yan: "On one hand, according to the law, the status of a noble concubine can visit relatives, and the request of the concubine Ya is not inappropriate, so it should be accepted. On the other hand, the empress Ya's homeland is far away from the capital. The status... needs to be escorted by a prince to show etiquette, and the Kyushu Jiedu envoy shoulders the heavy responsibility of Luobei's safety, so it is not impossible to take the order of visiting relatives to inspect it."

Nangong Jingnu smiled: "Sure enough!"

Jingjia 15th March.

Above, read Nagus Giya, who has been in Beijing for several years and abides by his duty.Chartered back to visit relatives in Luobei, Concubine Nianya has no children, specially appointed the third prince Nan Gongwang to serve as the escort imperial envoy, and went to Luobei together.

In the same month, the three-yearly general examination began...

Ji Ya thought carefully, and it was not surprising for her to find out that Nangong Jingnv was the person who listened to the government behind the curtain. Qi Yan didn't know why she could keep this secret for so long. duty.Even Qi Yan has not guessed Jiya's real purpose until now, she does not believe that Jiya came to Wei country just to please an old man who is dying.

Jiya is like a shadow hiding in the darkness, Qi Yan doesn't know whether it's medicine or a dagger in her hand, it's like a thorn in her back but she can't do anything about it.

If she has been allowed to stand still, Qi Yan's side will inevitably change when the time is right, so it's better to follow her wishes and see what her goals are.

On the one hand, it can keep the secret of Nangong Jingnv listening to politics behind a curtain, and on the other hand, it can also take the opportunity to send Nangong Wang away, so that she can take the opportunity to finish the final arrangement.

This year is a big exam year, more than [-] people have passed the exam than Qi Yan's class. Fortunately, the exam room is spacious and can accommodate up to [-] students.

Although the chief examiner fell into the hands of Qi Yan in the end, the third prince Nangongwang and the fifth prince Nangongda did not give up the opportunity to attract talents, and they respectively recommended a confidant to be the deputy examiner.

They are Zhongshu Sheng Zuo Pushe, and the eldest son of the Taiwei Mansion: Lu Boyan.

Minister of the Ministry of Rites, the second son of the Gongyang Mansion: Gongyanghuai.

According to common sense, in order to ensure the absolute authority of the chief examiner, the official position of the assistant examiner is slightly lower than that of the chief examiner, but the two chief examiners are not only from aristocratic families, but their official positions are not lower than the chief examiner.

Fortunately, Qi Yan has a status as a royal family member, so he can whitewash it, so that the referees will not see the abnormality.

After going through a series of procedures such as body examination and name examination, the gate of the examination institute opened, and the candidates received their house numbers and walked to their respective trumpets.

These three main examiners are all "newcomers" who are taking the position of main examiner for the first time, and they have a common mission on their shoulders - to attract talents.

The three of them appeared at the entrance of the examination institute in unison, and they were going to make a familiar face to the students first, so as to leave a good impression on them so that they would be easy to handle in the future.

Qi Yan, as the main examiner, of course has to stand in the middle, plus she is the only one among the three without a beard, and she has a pair of flirtatious amber eyes, so many actions are focused on the risk of offending. Eye.

At the end of the team, several young people who looked familiar gathered together and discussed: "I heard that the three chief examiners this year are classmates of the first class."

"I've heard that too, and it's still the top three in the palace."

"It's really a lucky start. I hope that the few of us can walk into the Golden Palace together like these three adults."

"However, I think that the imperial court's move has a deep meaning."

"Brother Zilu, what do you say?"

"Look, these three adults all look so young. In previous years, the chief examiners were all respectable old scholars. Presumably the imperial court is in the midst of employing people, and they value young people. Half of the six ministers are young people. It's time to flex your muscles!"

"Brother Zilu is right, I really hope to be named on the gold list!"

Lu Boyan has sharp ears and eyes, and heard the arguments of the candidates. Although he was the champion of the last scientific examination, he was overwhelmed by Qi Yan in the examination because he did not get three yuan and one flower. Being able to be a supporting assistant exam seemed to be a thorn in his heart.

He coughed heavily, and reprimanded: "The exam is an important place, who is whispering?"

Several candidates immediately fell silent and bowed their heads in silence.

Gong Yanghuai on the side has now become a political enemy with Lu Boyan, and he has never been used to Lu Boyan's "academic" nobility, so he said with a smile: "Lord Lu is so angry, look at these young people like this!" Young people must also pass the exam, and it is inevitable to feel novelty."

Lu Boyan snorted coldly: "Entering here means stepping into the court with one foot. We have read the sages and sages for more than ten years before we are today. Naturally, we must set an example for the world. We must be cautious in words and deeds, decent and dignified." Yes, if you are curious, you can't be curious at the entrance of the examination institute."

Gong Yanghuai scoffed at Lu Boyan's remarks: "It's only after ten years of bullshit studying hard that you are here today. You are just relying on your family background, and you can enjoy the shade under the big tree."How dare you speak out here...

But even though he had the guts to say this, he didn't have the confidence to say it.

Although Gongyang Huai still maintains the stamina of his youth, he is no longer a piece of flawless white jade, he can stand in the position of Minister of the Ministry of Rites, although the Gongyang Mansion didn't do much, but it was 10% given to him by Qi Yan. Wanliang Xuehuayin opened the way.

In the final analysis, he and Lu Boyan are very different, one depends on Lao Tzu and the other depends on money, so don't look down on each other.

Thinking of the five insides of Gongyanghuai, I have mixed feelings.

He turned his head to look at Qi Yan who was standing in the middle of the two, wondering if his old friend "didn't do anything clean".

He touched Qi Yan and said in a low voice: "Master Qi."

Qi Yan: "Master Gongyang, please speak if you have something to say."

Gong Yanghuai raised his chin, and motioned to those who had gathered together to discuss: "Look at them, don't they look like when we were young? In Yunzhou..."

Qi Yan smiled: "Yeah, but Mr. Gongyang's metaphor is a little inappropriate."

Now it's Gong Yang Huai's turn to laugh, yes...

What he and Qi Yan were talking about back then was "Yunzhou's tyrant" Ding Fengshan, how could they be compared with the two of them?

Gong Yanghuai: "I made a slip of the tongue."

Lu Boyan watched these two people playing charades with each other, and his teeth itched with hatred.Just when I said that I should respect the examination room, Gong Yanghuai blatantly pulled the examiner to chat, wouldn't it be a slap in the face?

But Bai Shilai looked at him with his eyes straight, and he was not easy to get angry, let alone walk away, so he had to put back his serious expression and show a kind smile.

The exam questions for the general examination are given by the chief examiner alone every year. Before the opening of the papers, even the two assistant examiners don't know what the questions are.

After the papers were handed out, there was a burst of discordant voices in the silent examination hall.

Some of them gasped, some breathed out, some even clapped their hands, and some were so frightened that they dropped their pens.

The exam questions are divided into three parts. The last big question is about politics, which is also the big prize. The answer sheet for this question alone has three pages, which can be seen.

The topic of this year's political discussion is very simple: discuss the old evils and new policies.

This theory, of course, is about national policy.Who issued the national policy?Naturally the emperor...

But the topic is very clearly defined: on the old disadvantages, that is to say, if you sing praises, it will be regarded as off-topic and placed in the ranks of the third-class papers.

However, how can anyone throughout the ages dare to openly question the fault of the Holy Majesty?This is a great crime that can be decapitated at the slightest level, and the responsibility is serious!

Lu Boyan: "Silence, silence!"

Gong Yanghuai even walked directly down the high platform, went to the small room and took a candidate's paper to see what question Qi Yan had asked.

The whispers below were still going on, Qi Yan glanced calmly, and saw Gong Yanghuai running back in a panic with an examination paper, trying to pick up the Shangfang sword on the imperial case and hit the incense cauldron heavily Knock: "Come here!"

As soon as Shang Fang's sword was released, it was as if His Majesty had come in person.

All the guards with weapons knelt down on the ground: "See Your Majesty."

Even Gong Yanghuai and Lu Boyan had to kneel down, and the examinees in the small cell also knelt down belatedly, and the examination hall was dead silent.

Only Qi Yan stood proudly on the high platform wearing a crimson official uniform and holding a Shangfang sword, becoming the focus that people dare not look directly at...

Qi Yan: "This year's exam questions are drawn by me personally. I know what you are talking about, and I know what you are afraid of. This is why His Majesty personally bestowed Shang Fang with the sword. No need to say anything, I will give it to you." It takes a stick of incense to think about it, left and right!"

Guard: "Yes!"

The guard immediately took out a fine incense stick and lit it in the incense burner.

Qi Yan: "I will make an exception once. During the time of a stick of incense, anyone is allowed to voluntarily give up the qualification to answer the test paper. You can return the test paper directly without writing your name and place of origin. However, you are not allowed to leave the examination hall during the examination period. , The side hall has already been cleaned up for you. Go inside and stay there for three days. Someone will take care of your food and drink. After three days, you will leave with everyone. For those who abandon the exam, I will use this sword as a guarantee: never ask for names, If you don’t file for the record, you can leave on your own, and you can take the exam again after three years.”

One stone stirred up a thousand waves, and the examination institute once again set off a wave of discussion.

The examinees were shocked, even Gong Yanghuai and Lu Boyan were dumbfounded...

But Qi Yan still stands in the center of the high platform, unmoving, holding the Shangfang sword, and looks indifferent.