Tanhualang

Half a month later, Shen Jing returned to the Imperial Academy.

Fang Wei, the bachelor, told him two things.

One is flood control in the south of the Yangtze River.Because Zhuo Dajiang is still ill and there is no one to take charge of the flood control in the south of the Yangtze River, the minister of the Ministry of Industry invited the Holy Master, and ordered the member of the household department, the foreigner Xia Zeji, to take the head of the Ministry of Industry, Zhou Yunzhi, to take charge of the matter together with Shen Jing.

The second is the exchange of salt for food.Fang Wei asked Shen Jing to go to Zhan Shifu to see Hong Zeming when he had time.

Shen Jing agreed, and first went to Zhan Shi's mansion to see Hong Zeming.

Only after meeting did I know that Hong Zeming had already informed the Holy Majesty that the matter of exchanging salt for grain had been temporarily handed over to the Ministry of War, and Sun Ping, the new servant of the Ministry of War, was in charge.Because this report was drafted by Shen Jing early in the morning, Hong Zeming specially called Shen Jing, and told Sun Ping that if he had any questions, he would ask Shen Jing for help.

Shen Jing naturally obeyed everything.

Sun Ping was also neat in his work. Hearing that Shen Jing had returned to work in the Yamen, he invited Shen Jing to the Ministry of Industry that afternoon, and together with a member of his staff, Wai Lang, and several principals, discussed the matter of exchanging salt for grain.

When they were discussing, Shen Jing took the opportunity to study the report on the table carefully, and compared it with the previous draft.

After three months, this draft was revised several times by the household department.Shen Jing carefully marked all the changes in the household department, and presented them to Sun Ping and others to discuss how to deal with the changes.

It was almost dark when the business was finished.

Sun Ping called Shen Jing and the others to go out for dinner together. Shen Jing wanted to decline, but Sun Ping smiled and said, "Even Bachelor Fang Wei has agreed, so why not come with you?"

Shen Jing had no choice but to obey.

I didn't realize until I was in the carriage that not only Fang Wei came, but also Yu Zhijing and Lu Meng.

Because Sun Ping is fond of drinking and has a forthright and talkative personality, the atmosphere during the banquet was quite lively.Fang Wei, a bachelor, is the oldest. He also knew Sun Ping's grandfather, Sun Yao, a general, and they talked about the old days.Gao Tu, the young head of the Ministry of War, pulled Lu Meng and spoke quietly.

Gao Tu's personality is also very straightforward. After drinking a few glasses of wine with Shen Jing, Yu Zhijing, and Lu Meng, he pulled Lu Meng and said with a smile, "You have a good name, and you were born to be the governor. Why did you go to the Jinshi examination instead?"

Lu Meng sighed with a Cantonese accent: "Brother Gao, don't make fun of me. I got this name because my father likes to read Three Kingdoms. It's fine if he likes to read Three Kingdoms, but his old man doesn't like Zhuge Liang or Zhou Yu, he just likes it." Lu Meng. Just give me the name Lu Meng."

He spoke with a strong accent, and what he said was funny, which made everyone laugh.

Several people toasted again, and after several rounds of drinking, Lu Meng asked Yu Zhijing, "I don't see you very much these days, what are you doing in the Ritual Department?"

It turned out that Yu Zhijing was borrowed by the Ministry of Rites shortly after arriving at the Imperial Academy, and only returned to the Imperial Academy from time to time.

Yu Zhijing smiled and said: "The past few days were better, I helped sort out the documents for foreign envoys coming to court, and I wasn't too busy. However, these days are quite busy because of Prince Yu's concubine appointment."

Before the words fell, a "dang clang" was heard.

Everyone looked at Shen Jing, Shen Jing lifted the wine glass up, and explained with a smile: "...I accidentally knocked it over."

Gao Tu took the jug, filled it up again for Shen Jing, and hurriedly said to Yu Zhijing: "Why does King Yu want to accept a concubine? In the past, King Yu had repeatedly contradicted the Holy Majesty because of his refusal to accept a concubine. Yes, is it real or not this time?"

As soon as these words came out, even Sun Ping and Fang Wei over there stopped talking and looked at Yu Zhijing together.Sun Ping put down his wine glass, hesitantly said: "This matter... I'm afraid it's not allowed? Where did Yu Zhuan get this news? I just met His Royal Highness Prince Yu the day before yesterday, and I didn't hear him mention the matter of accepting a concubine? "

Yu Zhijing was watched by everyone, and she began to wonder if she had said something wrong: "...Maybe it's just that the servant is planning ahead? Two days ago, the servant came and asked us to look through the ancient books, and the prince's appointment, three books The six ceremonies and other ceremonies have been thoroughly checked, and there must be no mistakes. Isn’t there only one prince in my court, His Royal Highness Prince Yu?”

Everyone was silent for a while when they heard the words. After a while, Fang Wei said: "I heard that the lady of which family has this blessing?"

Yu Zhijing shook her head and said, "I really don't know about this."

But Lu Meng looked at the crowd and said hesitantly: "...I also heard someone say something two days ago. Said that Concubine Li is inquiring about the lady who is married to the minister's family, I don't know why...or maybe Uncle Li Guo might as well."

Everyone was silent for a while, it was still Fang Wei, put down his wine glass, stroked his beard and said slowly: "His Royal Highness accepts a concubine... this is no small matter."

Sun Ping said with a smile: "Isn't it always the case that there is a candidate for a concubine first, and then the three media and six hires? Speaking of which, I am familiar with His Highness, but I have never heard him mention the intention of accepting a concubine. I am afraid I don’t know if it’s just a rumor. Let’s not mention this unfounded thing, let’s have a drink!”

When everyone heard Sun Ping's words, they all changed the subject with interest.However, Lu Meng approached Shen Jing and asked in a low voice, "Didn't you work in Prince Yu's mansion? Didn't you hear anything?"

Shen Jing shook his head silently.

Then Shen Jing didn't listen to what everyone said at the table.

When the banquet was over, Gao Tu drove the carriage, first took Shen Jing back, then Yu Zhijing and Lu Meng.

After calming down, the carriage said goodbye to everyone, walked into the alley with dragging feet, and walked to the door of the house.

Standing in the shadows in front of the door, he remembered what Yu Zhijing said during the dinner about King Yu wanting to accept a concubine, and immediately held his chest, feeling so stuffy that he couldn't breathe.

Thinking back carefully over the past half month, Zhao Heng had also entered the palace two or three times in addition to rushing to the imperial court.But every time he came back, he never mentioned why he entered the palace, at most he said "some business".

He didn't say anything, and Shen Jing never asked.

Shen Jing stood in front of the door for a long time before gathering enough strength to knock on the door.

After a while, Xiao Meng came to open the door. While opening the door, he smiled at Shen Jing: "Mr. is back? Your Highness has been waiting for you in the study for a long time."

Shen Jing was startled when she heard the words, and forced a smile: "Got it."

He entered the yard, went back to his bedroom along the corridor, and took off his cloak.After standing at the door for a long time, he let out a long sigh, opened the door and went into the study.

As soon as he entered the study, he saw Zhao Heng in a light robe, sitting on the couch, playing chess against the chessboard on the side of the couch.Seeing that Shen Jing had come in, he threw away the chess piece in his hand, and opened his arms to him with a smile: "Why did you come back?"

After a quiet pause, he walked over slowly.

Zhao Heng pulled him into his arms, rubbed his hands twice and said, "Aren't you wearing a cape? Why are your hands so cold?"

Shen Jing smiled and said, "The wind picked up on the way back."

Zhao Heng approached, sniffed at the corner of his lips, frowned and said, "Who are you drinking with again?"

Shen Jing smiled, lowered her eyes and said, "Your Highness still doesn't understand these things? It's all just business entertainment."

Zhao Heng let go of his hand, wrapped Shen Jing in his arms, and said in a low voice: "I really regret asking you to take the Jinshi exam... Now I can't even see you together for a day."