Thank you sir, he is still outputting!

Zhou Chengshen was clearly a civil servant, but today he used all his might and drove his horse to the front of Xie Zhao first.Seeing that Chen Fu and the others behind him hadn't caught up, he scrambled and got off the horse, regardless of arranging his clothes, and begged in a low voice: "My wife is rude, my son is very kind, please don't take it to heart."

Three years ago, Grand Tutor Xie passed away, and when the news reached the capital, the Holy One was greatly mourned, and sent Zhou Chengshen to the south of the Yangtze River, intending to bring the lonely Xie Zhao back to the capital to raise him.

Zhou Chengshen originally thought it was a simple errand, but he didn't expect to take a boat to Jiangnan, but was declined by Xie Zhao, who was only sixteen at the time.

The young man in plain white clothes has black eyes and bloodshot eyes. Even though his face is haggard, he still has perfect manners and elegant demeanor. No matter who looks at it, he will say "what a handsome young man".

The 16-year-old Xie Zhao treated Zhou Chengshen very well. When Zhou Chengshen mentioned the order from the Holy Majesty, he did not show the joyful expression of receiving the Holy Family as Zhou Chengshen expected. It's just that my grandfather raised me up with painstaking efforts, taught me poetry and etiquette, and taught me the way of sages. Now that my grandfather passed away not long ago, how can I abandon my grandfather and go to the capital alone?"

Zhou Chengshen wondered: "So what is your plan?"

Xie Zhao sighed softly, and looked at Zhou Chengshen apologetically, "I should stay in the south of the Yangtze River and serve my grandfather as a filial piety for three years, so that I can barely be worthy of my grandfather's love these years."

Well, they don't want to go to the capital.

Zhou Chengshen returned without success and passed on Xie Zhao's words to the Holy Majesty.

As expected, the Holy Majesty did not blame, but was very pleased, and sighed with Zhou Chengshen: "Sure enough, they are worthy of being from the Xie family—they are from the Xie family, and they have never let me down."

His Majesty would chatter in front of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty every now and then, so even though Xie Hui had stepped down from the position of Grand Tutor for nearly 20 years, and it would be 15 years since Xie Yan dedicated his life for the country, Xie's family still had a strong presence in the capital. presence.

Now the Xie family has only one seedling, Xie Zhao, who is still in the south of the Yangtze River, how could the Holy Majesty not care about it?

Sure enough, just after the three-year period, Zhou Chengshen was sent to the south of the Yangtze River again, and took Xie Zhao to the capital in person.The Xie family's house had been sold by Xie Hui a few years ago, so the Holy Majesty asked Zhou Chengshen to take care of Xie Zhao for a few days. Considering the reputation of the Xie family, he also specifically asked Zhou Chengshen not to announce that Xie Zhao had arrived in the capital.

Zhou Chengshen took the words of the Holy Majesty into his heart, fearing that if Xie Zhao failed the ranking, the Holy Majesty would blame himself, so he never mentioned Xie Zhao's identity to his wife Lin Hui.

It's just that he never expected that Lin Hui would be so savage that she even invited Xie Zhao to the Zhuangzi in the suburbs of Beijing.Thinking of the scene where he took Eunuch Chen to Xie Zhao's courtyard and only saw a deserted courtyard, Zhou Chengshen was so ashamed that he wanted to get into the ground.

Now that Lin Hui has done what she has done, Zhou Chengshen can only hope that Xie Zhao will not take it to heart, and not go back and complain to the Holy Master.

Of course, Xie Zhao wouldn't hold grudges over such a trivial matter.

Lin Hui didn't short him for food and drink, and let him pass the palace examination peacefully. She didn't ask him to come to Zhuangzi until three days ago, and there was no problem with her words.She said that Xie Zhao had a hard exam, and after the exam, he should take a good look at the scenery to rest. It happened that Xie Zhao also had the same intention, so he took Bingwen out of the Zhou mansion readily.

Although the capital city is bustling and lively, it is not as beautiful and pleasant as the suburbs of Beijing. For the past three days, Xie Zhao and Bingwen's master and servant lived comfortably and comfortably.

Hearing Zhou Chengshen's words, Xie Zhao hurriedly supported him, and said with a smile, "Madam treated Xie Zhao very well. It was Xie Zhao's intention to come here. It was Xie Zhao's fault for not telling Master Zhou in time."

Zhou Chengshen heard that Xie Zhao took everything on himself, which meant he didn't take it to heart.

He heaved a sigh of relief, showing some gratitude on his face.

Chen Fu is the eunuch in charge of the supervisor of ceremonies, and he is deeply favored by the sage. Even if an ordinary official of the third rank comes to him, he should respect him and say "Hello, Eunuch Chen" affectionately. It can be regarded as infinite scenery.

There are not many times when you are in such a mess like today.

Chen Fu was panting and was supported by the guards to get off the horse. As soon as his legs touched the ground, he almost gave Xie Zhao and Zhou Chengshen a big gift.Fortunately, the guards quickly supported him, so that he would not make a fool of himself the first time he saw Xie Zhao.

He took a few deep breaths, then took off the dust whisk pinned to his waist and put it on his right arm, showing a kind and gentle smile to Xie Zhao.

"Slave Chen Fu, I have met Mr. Xie."

Chen Fu is not tall, and he can be described as round everywhere - his face is round, his waist is round, and his body is also round.This father-in-law, who is almost forty, has fair skin, kind eyebrows and kind eyes, and his smile is quite similar to that of Maitreya Buddha, which is very easy to be liked.

He smiled so much that his eyes were narrowed into a slit, revealing the fine lines at the corners of his eyes: "First of all, I would like to congratulate Mr. Xie on winning the first prize—this servant is here today because His Majesty wanted to see you, so he specially ordered this servant to come. Take you into the palace."

Tomorrow is the day of canonization, and the Holy One can't wait for one more day, and he will see Xie Zhao just after the announcement.

Zhou Chengshen thought to himself: in the future, he must take care of Xie Zhao more in court, maybe one day in the future, he will take care of him.

The Holy Majesty wanted to see him, Xie Zhao naturally couldn't refuse.He bid farewell to Zhou Chengshen and followed Chen Fu into the palace.

This is also Xie Zhao's first time entering the palace.

Although he was well prepared, Xie Zhao couldn't help being amazed when he saw with his own eyes the splendid and orderly row upon row of palaces, the flowery and well-arranged imperial gardens, and the man-made lake that could not be seen at a glance.

Chen Fu noticed the admiration in his eyes, and smiled: "Young Master Xie will have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of this palace in the future."

Xie Zhao heard what he meant, just smiled and didn't answer.

Chen Fu took Xie Zhao to the Hall of Martial Arts, where the Holy One lived.

Xie Zhao entered the hall, and calmly bowed down to salute.

The emperor Qin Houde, who was over fifty, watched from above, and smiled unconsciously: Xie Zhao is very good-looking, with a face like a crown jade, looking forward to the sky, and it is rare to have an outstanding appearance, with a leisurely and elegant demeanor that ordinary people cannot match.

It's what the Xie family should look like.

The more he watched, the more satisfied he was, Qin Houde immediately got up and helped Xie Zhao up, and ordered someone to give Xie Zhao a seat.

When Xie Zhao sat down, he looked at Xie Zhao again for a long time, his eyes were far away, as if he missed his old friend, and sighed for a while: "You and your father look alike." Seeing Xie Zhao's clear eyes, he was a little dazed for a moment, then Smiled, "But you look better."

Xie Zhao pursed his lips and smiled: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your compliment."

Qin Houde asked him: "Do you know that you are the champion?"

Xie Zhao nodded: "Master Zhou and Eunuch Chen have already spoken."

Qin Houde asked again: "How do you feel when you become the first person in the dynasty to win the three yuan consecutively?"

Xie Zhao replied without thinking: "Excellent."

This answer is really the style of the Xie family.

Qin Houde couldn't help laughing, and showed great indulgence: "As long as you are in a good mood."

He asked Xie Zhao many questions, what books Xie Zhao had read, how he was with Xie Hui in the south of the Yangtze River, how he felt when he returned to the capital recently, and whether he was not used to the northern climate. The elders of the family.

Xie Zhaodu answered seriously.His answer was not perfunctory, and he also expressed his discomfort with some places in the capital. His eyes were sincere, his tone was sincere, and his attitude was as natural as if the person in front of him was not the lord of a country who controlled the lives of tens of millions of people.

This conversation can even be called a little warm.

If it weren't for the palace rules, Qin Houde would have wanted Xie Zhao to stay overnight in the palace.Just thinking that Xie Zhao had to do other things today, he could only stop talking and sighed: "I'll have a good chat with Ah Zhao some other day."

Now they call Azhao directly.

He continued: "Tomorrow, if you are going to parade in the streets, you will definitely not be able to live in Zhou Shilang's house. I have already learned that Mrs. Xie has sold the original Xie's house, so I found a good house for you. Chen Fu later will take you there."

Xie Zhao couldn't help being a little surprised that the Holy Majesty was so thoughtful.

He restrained the surprise in his eyes, and finally he could only say: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Qin Houde waved his hand: "What is there to thank, you deserve it."

It is also what you deserve to thank your family.

So after leaving the Hall of Martial Arts, Chen Fu led Xie Zhao out of the palace and came to Xueya Street not far from the palace.Xie Zhao never expected that His Majesty would find him a house on Xueya Street. Although he had not been in the capital for a long time, he also knew that the people living on this street were royal family members and important court officials.

Qin Houde treated Xie Zhao really well. This house has all kinds of pavilions, terraces and pavilions, courtyards of different sizes, and a wide and beautiful garden. Let alone one Xie Zhao, there are ten or hundreds of Xie Zhao. It is also able to live.

Chen Fu straightened his back, shook the whisk lightly, and asked Xie Zhao for credit: "The Holy Majesty ordered the servant to look for this house, only look for the big and good ones, and the servant is lucky enough to live up to his fate."

He turned his head to look at Xie Zhao, and asked with a smile, "What do you think of this house, Mr. Xie?"

Xie Zhao sighed, frowning: "Okay, that's really great."

Chen Fu laughed proudly.

It's a pity that his smile quickly froze at the corner of his mouth.

Only Xie Zhao said: "It's good, but it's not suitable for living."

Is the house not yet habitable?

Chen Fu's eyes widened.

Xie Zhao thought, of course it is not suitable for living.

The number one scholar can only be granted a sixth-rank or seventh-rank official position at most. Such a sesame-sized official can't even go to court every day. Living in such a big house, can other officials poke their backs crookedly?

Unwilling to give up, Chen Fu wanted to take Xie Zhao to see another house on Xueya Street.Not long after the carriage drove, Chen Fu saw Xie Zhao pointing to a house outside the window, and asked him, "Eunuch Chen, is there anyone living in this house?"

Chen Fu poked his head over, curious as to which house could impress Xie Zhao, and when he saw the house he was referring to, he was startled and stumbled: "No... this house is unoccupied—but how could you live in it?" This house?"

Xie Zhao asked, "What happened to this house?"

Chen Fu hesitated for a while, and answered honestly: "This house is not lucky. For more than 100 years, no matter who lived in this house, no matter who lived in this house, they all lacked luck. They were either demoted or punished. As you know, Some adults are very taboo about these things, and gradually no one dared to live in this house. Until later, a Taoist priest who was good at Feng Shui suggested that a road wall should be built in this big house, and the house should be divided into two, so that the house can be broken. The bad luck of the house—”

Xie Zhao listened with gusto, and asked, "What happened later? Is this Taoist method useful?"

Chen Fu smiled bitterly: "Unfortunately, it seems to be of no use."

Xie Zhao immediately understood the reason why no one cares about this house.

It's a pity that he is a person who does not believe in evil, and the house was divided into two by a coincidence, and what he was referring to was the divided half.Although the area is half smaller, it is precisely Xie Zhao's identity that can live there without any problem.

So he ignored Chen Fu's bitter expression, and made a final decision: "I want this house."

Chen Fu couldn't resist him, and he was already thinking about what to say to the Holy Majesty later.

Xie Zhao asked again: "Is the other half unoccupied?"

"Someone lives there." Chen Fu stammered, "...the third prince of Beiyan lives there."

——That Beiyan Prince Fu Ling who has been a proton in the capital for ten years?

Xie Zhao raised his eyebrows, surprised.