Bastard's Counterattack [Rebirth]

Your Majesty has noticed me!

Zhou Mingjie held his breath, his heart was beating like a drum, and he stared at the corner of the bright yellow robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon in front of him. Excited and ecstatic, he took it for granted that he raised the flowers higher, waiting for the emperor's admiration.

but no.

Emperor Chengtian stopped for a moment, looked down at the seven lotus flowers held by Zhou Mingjie in silence, without any expression, raised his foot forward, and continued to look at the lotus flowers presented by other Jinshi.

The bright yellow dragon robe flashed and then disappeared.

why? !

The confident Zhou Mingjie was stunned in shock, his face full of disbelief, he ignored the etiquette in his desperation, looked up at the back of the emperor who was walking away, and opened his mouth slightly.

Stupid, alas!Why don't you bow your head now?

Marquis Pingnan hated that iron cannot be made into steel, and tried his best to wink at Zhou Mingjie.Fortunately, he was in a high position and stood in front of him. When he was so angry, he finally attracted the other party's attention, and immediately stopped his grandson from continuing to make mistakes with sharp eyes.

Why?Isn't it the quantity that wins the flower hunting competition?

Zhou Mingjie was at a loss, and hurriedly bowed his head in accordance with his grandfather's instructions. The frenzied excitement slowly calmed down, and he held flowers and waited anxiously.

King Qing was tall and straight, standing firmly like a pine, with his younger brother next to him.The Ninth Prince was on tiptoe, begging his elder brother in a low voice: "Brother, rowing a boat to pick flowers looks so interesting! Isn't it?"

"I don't think so." King Qing said solemnly, "It's humid and hot. There are many kinds of mosquitoes in the lotus pond. If they bite your wound, the consequences will be unpredictable."

"Yes." The Ninth Prince nodded regretfully.The child loves to play by nature, and he especially wanted to go down for a couple of laps, and his heart was itching with curiosity.

Emperor Chengtian paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his face sinking like water, obviously not satisfied with the result.He ordered the flower hunting competition, not to embarrass the new scholars, not to like to watch fierce and brutal competition, but to take the opportunity to observe the words and deeds of people on the shore and on the water when they are in trouble.Even if there is no gain in the competition, as long as the advance and retreat are well-founded and the response is appropriate, he will give appropriate appreciation as appropriate.

What is achieved on paper is always shallow, and difficulties can sharpen people the most.

Thinking of this, Emperor Chengtian was very disappointed with the performance of many new scholars.He walked slowly in thought, and walked up to Rong Youtang and Xu Lingyun. His mood finally improved a bit, and he looked at them majesticly: he saw that the number one scholar picked three lotus flowers, and the second place one. Their blue official robes were mostly wet with sweat, and their pitch-black official hats Drenched with sweat, exhausted.But his waist is still straight and his posture is correct.

Among them, Rong Youtang has better physical strength and is more familiar with rowing than Xu Lingyun, so he has been leading the way ahead, almost exhausted from exhaustion, his exposed skin is tanned red, covered with all kinds of debris, and his face is ashen.

Emperor Chengtian narrowed his eyes, straightened his face, and admonished dissatisfiedly: "Although you are civil servants, you should also exercise properly. I don't require you to be proficient in all eighteen martial arts, but at least you must be strong! Row the boat twice If you are so tired, how will you support yourself when the government affairs are heavy in the future?"

All the contestants agreed in different ways: "My ministers/students would like to follow His Majesty's teachings."

Emperor Chengtian always stopped in front of the number one scholar, frowned and asked: "Rong Qing, Xu Qing, do you two not know water?"

According to the rank, the champion should answer first.

Rong Youtang said frankly: "Return to Your Majesty: I drowned when I was young, and almost drowned, so now I am trying to learn to swim."

"Xu Qing, what about you?"

Xu Lingyun bit the bullet, and explained in embarrassment: "Return to Your Majesty: I am a fool, I only concentrate on studying. Although I was born in a land of fish and rice, I don't know how to swim. I am extremely ashamed. Thanks to His Majesty's teaching today, I will definitely work hard to exercise my body when I go back. Learn to swim!"

"Hmm." Emperor Chengtian nodded in satisfaction, and said earnestly: "There is no limit to the sea of ​​learning, if you have something, you can change it, if you don't have it, you can encourage it, so that you can continue to benefit what you can't do."

All Jinshi shouted and thanked again.

"Rong Qing, Xu Qing, how did you discover the hidden waterway?" Emperor Chengtian asked with interest.

Xu Lingyun is not a bookworm who doesn't understand the world.At this moment, he first replied: "Your Majesty, this is for your lord to observe, and I am just accompanying you."

"Your Majesty, the entrance to the waterway was only found by my minister and Master Xu." Rong Youtang said humbly, and briefly explained his deduction.

Emperor Chengtian raised his eyebrows, and glanced at the inner court guards: "You said you saw some mud spots on the corners of the guards' robes on the rockery?"

"Yes."

"Even if it is determined that the imperial guards are responsible for tying the ribbon, why do you guess which area the lotus is in? After all, the lotus pond is several acres in size." Emperor Chengtian asked.

Rong Youtang said respectfully: "It's really a fluke. Your Majesty, before the game, I stand on the high place in the East Garden to enjoy the beautiful scenery. I especially like the crescent-shaped lotus pond, so I took a few more glances. When rowing to find flowers, I can only guess There should be a waterway in the middle for gardeners to maintain, and I had a whim, recalling the "Creasing Moon Array" I heard about by accident, and estimated that most of the lotus flowers may be located at the bottom of the crescent concave, and the rest are distributed on the two wings of the moon." As a confusion. Our bait.

Good boy!You remember what the king said.

King Qing smiled and was in a good mood. He lowered his head to straighten his younger brother's crooked collar, which caused the Ninth Prince to look up.

At this moment, Zhou Mingjie's heart kept sinking, his anxiety and excitement disappeared like smoke, and he couldn't accept Emperor Chengtian's favoritism at all!

"Yueyue Formation?" Emperor Chengtian was surprised, and then asked Li Deying: "Who is in charge of arranging the arena?"

Li Deying hurriedly reported: "Return to Your Majesty: After the old slave takes orders, he urgently invites the inner court guard Dongyuan Qian Liang to assist."

"Qian Liang?" Emperor Chengtian raised his voice and asked.

The little leader of the imperial guards who accompanied the guards came out and replied, "I would like to report to your majesty: the last general was born in the army. When arranging the arena, the 'Yueyan array' was indeed selected according to the terrain of the lotus pond."

"Hmm." Emperor Chengtian asked with a stern face and a flat tone: "Rong Qing, you still know how to march?"

Rong Youtang thought for a while, and respectfully explained: "Return to Your Majesty: I used to be a cook in Beijiao Daying, once I was driving a car to transport vegetables back to the warehouse, passing by Beiying Lake, I saw His Royal Highness King Qing teaching by the lake from a distance. Formation, I was honored to listen to a few words. It's a pity that the humble minister is stupid and can only memorize it bluntly. I didn't expect to be fooled today."

Emperor Chengtian's eyes were full of smiles, Yu Guangyun turned to the third son of the emperor.

King Qing's eyes were clear and resolute, as if he was lost in memory, he frowned slightly, and then bowed his head restrained and respectful.Even if it is a father and son, it is not respectful or filial to look at the emperor directly on important occasions.

"Hmph." Emperor Chengtian didn't hold his hand any longer, his left hand was naturally hanging down, his right hand was wrapped around his waist, and he asked lightly: "You never thought that I might order someone to scatter twenty flowers in various places in the lotus pond in a disorderly manner." place?"

How can such a question be answered positively?If twenty lotus flowers were hidden in a disorderly manner, wouldn't the emperor intend to embarrass the new Jinshi?It is absolutely impossible, the words and deeds of the emperor will be recorded in the annals of history, only the faint king can abuse the imperial power to vent his anger at will.

Rong Youtang made a decisive decision, and replied sonorously: "Your Majesty is sage and benevolent, loves the people like a son, and the humble minister Sansheng is fortunate to be able to follow and serve you."

Flatterer!

Zhou Mingjie scolded secretly, anxious and helpless, his whole body froze.In addition, kneeling and holding the seven lotus flowers all the time, I was already tired, my arms were sore and trembling slightly, it was hard to get off the tiger, so I could only support it desperately.

"Hahaha~" Chengtian Emperor Long Yan was very happy, laughed lowly, and pretended to be angry: "I saw that you found more than ten flowers, why did you only pick three?"

"Your Majesty has an order before the match, and I dare not increase or decrease without authorization." Rong Youtang said honestly.

Under the eyes of everyone, Emperor Chengtian finally stretched out his hand, took the three lotus flowers presented by the number one scholar, and gave his arm a hand, and said kindly: "Get up, let's get flat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Rong Youtang shuddered all over, not daring to use the emperor's arm to stand up on his own.

At this time, a few sudden "pops" were heard——

Rong Youtang was surprised, subconsciously turned his head with everyone:

When he got up, Zhou Mingjie's arm was sore and trembling violently. His mind was unable to control his limbs, and he accidentally scattered the lotus on the ground!

Seven lotus flowers, fresh and juicy, full of fragrance, rolled to the ground at this time, and the pink and white petals were covered with dust.

Pity.

Zhou Mingjie plopped down on his knees, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, forgive me! The student lost his hand due to exhaustion, and it was not intentional. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

Emperor Chengtian turned around, with a blank expression on his face, and slowly walked towards Zhou Mingjie.

Pingnanhou's face turned blue and red, and finally it was as black as the bottom of a pot. He forced himself to be calm, gritted his teeth, and took a few steps forward, as if he was about to kneel down: "Your Majesty, forgive me, the old minister has no way to teach."

"What's the crime of Aiqing? Hurry up and get flat." Emperor Chengtian held him in vain, then let go, and said with a smile: "The flower hunting competition is just to entertain the Jinshi banquet, it's just for entertainment, there's no need to be serious." He casually told Zhou Mingjie: "It's rare for grandfather and son to enjoy the East Garden together. Xiao Zhou, please give the flowers to Marquis Yang."

"Yes." Zhou Mingjie blushed with embarrassment, his fingers trembled when he was picking up flowers, and after regaining his composure, he felt extremely remorseful.He hugged the flower, turned around on his knees, and presented the dusty lotus to his grandfather. He was too uncomfortable to speak, and his eyes were full of prayers.

The much-anticipated grandfather and son looked at each other for a moment, and Marquis Pingnan laughed so hard that the corners of his mouth twitched, his teeth clenched and he took the lotus flower, and he said helplessly, "The old minister is terrified, thank you for your kindness and kindness." According to etiquette, he gestured to kneel again.

"Excuse me." Emperor Chengtian raised his hand again kindly. He held three lotus flowers in his hand and enjoyed them over and over again. Before returning to the dragon chair, he said to Zhou Mingjie lightly: "Next time, if you can't carry it, take a few less. Don't get tired." gone."

"Yes, yes." Zhou Mingjie's voice was like a mosquito, he was dying of shame and anger, his face flushed red, and he couldn't lift his head.

Everyone saw it, and their hearts exploded: some sympathized, some despised, some gloated...

So far, it's time to apply for the banquet.

After Emperor Chengtian took his seat, he gave Li Deying a few words in a low voice, and the latter immediately arranged for a servant to present fifteen rewards, singing and preaching: "Your Majesty has a decree: the results of the flower hunting competition are obvious to all, and the winner is now rewarded: Zhou Mingjie with the highest number First, a bounty of Ruyi and two strings of pearls; the rest of the contestants will each be rewarded with a set of the Four Treasures of the Study Room and a fan pendant. This is my honor."

winner?Who exactly?

Rong Youtang followed his companions to thank Shengen, and while he was in deep thought, Emperor Chengtian said leisurely: "According to the law, after being awarded the first rank in the gold list, you should enter the Hanlin Academy to study. However, I think the number one scholar should have enough energy, and young people should be seniors." Share your worries."

Rong Youtang bowed his head and held his breath.

All the ministers listened attentively:

"How about it," Emperor Chengtian patted the armrest of the dragon chair, and asked cordially, "Wu Yu, don't you always think that everything in the household department is cumbersome?"

Wu Yu, Minister of the Household Department, came out, without squinting, and said in shame: "The old minister is incompetent, please punish him."

"Aiqing has done her best, and I see it all. However, the Ministry of Household Affairs has too many people to deal with, and it will be detrimental to the society." Emperor Chengtian was worried, and looked at the officials majesticly.

"This..." Wu Yu frowned in embarrassment, lowered his eyes, and drifted towards Pingnanhou from the corner of his eye without showing any traces. official way.

However, the emperor's meaning was very clear, and no one would bluntly remind him.

The way of the mean is to be wise and protect one's life.

There was no sound at the Kangyang Lake. King Qing knew his father's intentions very well, but it was a pity that he should not open his mouth.

Marquis Pingnan was directly humiliated today, full of anger, he didn't even look at his grandson, he opened his mouth several times, but he didn't say anything.But he knew that he should speak as soon as possible, showing openness and generosity.

During this period, Grand Tutor Han Feihong was still reticent, his emotions and anger were invisible, his beard and hair were snow white, and he was humble and calm.Apart from the princes, only a few of their important officials had seats.

"Huh?" Emperor Chengtian raised his voice at the end, and after a tea time, his smile gradually faded away.

"The old minister has the courage to ask His Majesty to give you someone to assist with the tedious affairs of the household department." Wu Yu said helplessly.

Marquis Pingnan couldn't sit still anymore, took a deep breath, got up and cupped his hands, spoke with difficulty, and suggested in a harsh voice: "Your Majesty, according to the old minister's humble opinion, the number one scholar in this department has quick thinking and quick thinking, so he should be a cultivable talent."

"Really?" Emperor Chengtian laughed again, turned his face straight, and said critically: "Rong Qing, Yang Hou strongly recommends you to join the ministry, but you have no political experience."

Rong Youtang suppressed his nervousness, stepped forward and cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, I am a low-level official, and Mr. Yang praised you so much. Your Majesty, I am a humble and inexperienced minister, but I will never let down your high expectations. No matter where I serve, I will definitely do my best. , do your best."

"Since that's the case," Emperor Chengtian ordered without hesitation, "I remember that there is a vacancy for the head of the household department in Zhili, and you will fill it."

The head of Zhili of the household department belongs to the sixth grade.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness! I have obeyed the order." Rong Youtang immediately kowtowed, unable to hide his excitement.

——Han Chuang has worked hard for many years, Rong Youtang has entered the household department as a sixth-rank official today, and at the same time is also a writer, learning from the seniors of the Imperial Academy.

why?

What is the reason for all this?

After the banquet was over, Zhou Mingjie left the East Garden in a daze, lost his mind, and walked out of the palace like a walking corpse, his clothes were messy and dirty, and his eyes were staring straight.

Suddenly, a high open carriage stopped beside him, Ping Nanhou's confidant hurriedly wrapped Zhou Mingjie in a clean coat, and said in a low voice, "Get in the carriage quickly, my lord, please."

Zhou Mingjie woke up as if he had just woken up from a dream, quickly boarded the car, plopped and knelt in front of the soft chair, facing the grandfather whom he had admired since childhood, his eyes burned with grievance, and he blurted out: "Grandfather, Rong Youtang—"

"shut up!"

Marquis Pingnan resolutely stopped, his face was stretched, and he reprimanded harshly: "Mingjie, what's the matter with you today? You are rude and reckless, you are brave and foolhardy, and you are laughable!"

"I, I..." Zhou Mingjie was indignant, his facial features distorted with jealousy, and he explained sadly: "I just want to win the game. Since it's a game, shouldn't I go all out? I'm upright, picking flowers by my own strength, what's wrong have?"

"Oh, Mingjie, you, you—" Ping Nanhou was furious. He had a lot of experience and knew that his grandson was in a dead end, so he taught him patiently: "Think about it carefully: you should go all out in the competition, but At that time, we watched the game from a high place. If you were too careless and aggressive, how out of character would you look? You are a scholar, not a rough martial artist! The champion is very calm at a young age. "

"What's so great about Rong Youtang? It's just luck!"

Zhou Mingjie shook his head again and again, his chest heaved violently, and he said angrily: "He serves people with sex, he is a man's favorite, and he is a man of King Qing's power, otherwise he will not even be allowed to approach the gate of the Imperial College!"

Marquis Pingnan suppressed his anger and scolded in a low voice: "Since ancient times, the winners and losers, what's the use of being angry? No matter what the champion's personal character is in private, in short, whoever wins His Majesty's favor wins, understand? Then The kid is both wise and brave, quite a city man, and his future is limitless."

"Grandfather, but he—" Zhou Mingjie was in a hurry, and was about to shout "Rong Youtang is my concubine Mingtang", but was interrupted impatiently by the other party.

"Enough!" Marquis Pingnan waved his hand tiredly, and said earnestly:

"Mingjie, you were born as the eldest son of your family. You are loved and valued a lot. You have been smooth sailing for 20 years and have never experienced any real setbacks. Now you are upset, which is inevitable. But you have to accept the saying that 'the strong are more powerful' Facts, otherwise, how do you work with others? I am considered a high-ranking person, and I still have a few opponents at such a young age, let alone you?"

It is a pity that the radical young people cannot listen to the unreserved golden words of the elders.

Zhou Mingjie said with a livid face: "Grandpa doesn't know something. I am convinced when I lose to others, but I will never be convinced when I lose to Rong Youtang! What kind of thing is he?"

Marquis Pingnan fell back angrily, disappointed, and said stiffly: "You are too irrational, that's why His Majesty bestowed the Nanzhu Buddha string! Don't be busy with other things in the near future, concentrate on receiving teachings in the Imperial Academy, cultivating one's morality, and strive to win the election." Shuji, don't let me down the chance to ask for it."

"But I want to go back to assist His Royal Highness as soon as possible!" Zhou Mingjie asked cautiously: "Grandfather, has my cousin calmed down?"

"Not yet." Ping Nanhou began to close his eyes and meditate, and waved: "You go home and reflect."

"grandfather--"

"Come here, send the young master back to Zhou Mansion." Ping Nanhou ordered directly.

"Yes."

The carriage stopped, and Zhou Mingjie got out of the car in grief and anger, feeling that his future was bleak and he was completely abandoned!He was so angry that he pushed all his faults onto the damned younger brother!

at the same time

Rong Youtang had already returned home with the emperor's reward, put down his things, and couldn't wait for water to take a bath.

"Didn't you attend the Jinshi banquet? Why did you make it like this?" Rong Kaiji hurriedly asked someone to prepare water, and asked anxiously.

Rong Youtang's body was dirty and stained with sweat, and he couldn't wait to take off his clothes when he entered the room. He explained with a wry smile: "Your Majesty ordered some of our Jinshi to row boats into the lotus pond to find flowers for the banquet."

"Ah?" Rong Kaiji was dumbfounded, and hurriedly took over the crumpled official robe, unable to hide his distress, and said, "When I left home in the morning, I was clean and refreshed, but at night I returned home with a tan like a monkey's ass!" He looked nervously at his son's face, Hands and neck, anxiously said: "Sunburn! Will it fade away?"

Rong Youtang has already taken off a pair of underpants, looking very funny:

The complexion of the body is fair and flawless, but the hands and neck are red and slightly swollen, like extremely cooked shrimp.

With a sound of "crash", Rong Youtang, who had wiped a few times, jumped into the bathtub, scrubbed busyly, and let out a comfortable sigh.

"Will it fade?" Rong Kaiji was in a hurry, carefully poking at the red and swollen sunburn.

Rong Youtang had fun in the bitterness, and laughed at himself: "It should be fine? If not, I will be 'Xiao Guangong' from now on."

"Nonsense!" Rong Kaiji frowned, walked out quickly with his dirty robe, and hurriedly said: "Hurry up and wash it, I'll ask a doctor to show it to you."

"Oh~"

Rong Youtang leaned back, resting his head on the tub, humming a nonsense tune briskly, feeling so good that words can't describe it: Great!

Heaven has paid off, I have finally entered the imperial court as an official!Although it is only the sixth rank, it can slowly rise in the future.A man should make meritorious deeds and shine on the lintel.

At the same time, it can also narrow the gap with His Highness.

As for why he wanted to narrow the gap with King Qing?Rong Youtang never thought deeply about it, it was completely a subconscious wish.

After soaking thoroughly, Rong Youtang had just tied up his clothes when he heard two familiar loud voices outside: "Youko? Master Rong?"

"Zhuang Yuan Lang?"

"Here we come!" Rong Youtang replied with a smile, stepped on clogs and quickly opened the door, and saw Hong Lei and Chen Ji who had returned to the city from vacation.

"Hahaha—hey, what's wrong with your face?" Hong Lei's smiling face froze, and he hurriedly stepped forward to observe Rong Youtang's cheeks.

The tall and strong Chen Ji also took a closer look and asked worriedly, "Is it bitten by a poisonous insect? What did the doctor say?"

"I'm sun-dried and bored. It shouldn't be a serious problem. My father has gone to ask for a doctor." Rong Youtang intimately pushed Hong Lei and Chen Ji towards the living room one by one, and outlined the reason.

Hong Lei carelessly put an arm on his friend's shoulder, and said in amazement: "Wow, Jinshi Banquet is really exciting! I thought it would be right to take an exam to recite poetry."

"Brother Rong, I heard from your housekeeper that Your Majesty has sent you an official in charge of the Zhili Department of the Household Department?" Chen Ji asked admiringly.

Rong Youtang nodded, and said in a low voice: "Oh, to be honest, I'm really a little scared."

"What are you afraid of?" Hong Lei patted his brother on the shoulder heavily, encouraging him, "You're a weird boy, you have a lot of ideas in one slap on the head, and you're still worried about not being able to do the job you're in charge of?"

"That's right! Those people in the kitchen miss you. Every time they see you, they will talk about it, saying that they have already eaten your No. [-] banquet, and now they are looking forward to drinking more Gaosheng wine." Chen Ji was humorous.

Rong Youtang felt sincerely: "I miss Beiying and you too, but it's a pity that I won't be able to go every day in the future."

"Come back and watch when you have time, Beiying changes every day." Hong Lei was dark, tall and thin, full of vigor, with a hint of courage in every gesture.

"That is required!"

The three of them have become close friends, and they walked away laughing and laughing, shoulders and shoulders crossed.It wasn't until he crossed the threshold of the living room that Rong Youtang saw another guest: the man was sitting sideways, with slender hands and feet, thin and dressed in light blue shorts, and he was eating a plate of cakes for guests. Swallowing sound, patter, cheeks swelled up.

The three of them were stunned for a moment.

"Ahem! Song Shen, what are you doing?" Hong Lei was so annoyed and ashamed that he couldn't help himself.

"Song Shen, this is Rong Youtang." Chen Ji was equally embarrassed, after all, they brought him into the Rong family.

"Yuko, er, Song Shen will follow, he claims to be your old friend." Hong Lei explained coyly.

old friend?

Rong Youtang was at a loss, and looked intently:

Song Shen swallowed a mouthful of cakes in a calm manner, poured himself a cup of tea and drank it all. He has wheat-colored skin, thick black sword eyebrows, small but piercing eyes, a high humped nose, delicate lips, and white and neat teeth.

Rong Youtang had no memory of the face in front of him.

"Tsk tsk~" Song Shen tilted his head and smiled evilly, his eyebrows fluttered up and down, and said melancholy: "As expected, the nobleman forgets so much! I came to visit on purpose, but you completely forgot about Song."

Suddenly, Rong Youtang's eyes widened.