Breaking through the sky again

In March, the spring breeze washes over the bustling capital, and the new branches are green and fragrant everywhere.A woman dressed in men's clothing in a certain guild hall was not in the mood to appreciate the beautiful spring scenery, she was bored in a room, sitting down and standing up, circling back and forth, opening the door and rubbing her hands to look out, "Ah! Why hasn't there been any news yet? This Xiaosi, is he guarding there properly?"

Another beautiful woman with a graceful figure was not as anxious as she was. She was sitting leisurely at the table, slowly applying bright red Koudan to her long nails. After looking at it carefully from a distance, I felt very satisfied, and then I said slowly: "What time is it? The emperor, roll out the names one by one, and... well, anyway, there are so many rules, and you can't get out, you, just be patient. Besides, Xiuxiu, I really don't know what you are worried about, Ah Fei You have already won Huiyuan, and the palace test went well, so how much can there be wrong?"

Xiuxiu turned back again, and lightly slammed her fist on the table, "There's nothing wrong with him, he's different from others, no matter how many ranks he has won, he's considered successful and famous, and he's a glorious family member, but the task given to him by the emperor It's Sanyuan Jidi, if you can't do it, you may still pursue your previous crimes, how can I not worry?"

"It can be seen that whether Ah Fei can go to high school this time depends entirely on what the emperor thinks. If he wants to reuse Ah Fei and let us go, he will naturally give him a champion. Otherwise, your worries are useless." Ru Yi paused for a while , sighed, and said: "Actually, I can understand your feelings. The last time I waited for the news that Mr. Xianggong released the list, I didn't have such worrying things. I also waited anxiously."

Xiuxiu heard her talking about this, and became interested, so she came over and pulled a chair to sit beside her, "Hey, what was it like when Mr. Xiang was the number one scholar? Wasn't it very beautiful? Tell me about it."

"Of course it's beautiful! It's famous all over the world!" Ru Yi clapped her hands together, held each other in front of her chest, proudly recalling the scene of that day, "That day, Xianggong was wearing a red brocade robe, with a gold hairpin on the black gauze. Hua, riding a tall horse to praise the official, when he came from afar, the common people on the street rushed to look at it, thousands of people admired it, and thousands of people envied it! Mr. Xiang smiled and looked around on the horse, as if Seeing the whole world, but not seeming to see anyone, that demeanor... well, I can't describe it to you."

Xiuxiu asked again, "Oh, did you go to see Xianggong Kuaguan parading the streets that day?"

"I...Of course I went! But there were too many people and I couldn't squeeze in front, so I saw my husband, but he didn't see me."

"Oh," Xiuxiu nodded. She didn't know, but Ruyi didn't tell the whole story at that time. She really couldn't help but watch him parade through the streets, but she felt that she was born in a prostitute, and Wen Bizheng But she was already the number one scholar in high school, and their identities were vastly different. She was really afraid that when she met him on the imperial street, he would pass her by pretending not to know each other.So she only dared to hide behind the crowd, watching him from a distance.Fortunately, she met a loving and righteous man.

"It's a pity that I didn't have the chance to see the grand event back then. If Ah Fei is also in high school this time, I must go and see it with my own eyes!" Xiuxiu raised her chin with one hand longingly.So one person longed for it, and the other person recalled it, and the room was temporarily quiet.

At this moment, a voice suddenly came from outside, vaguely mixed with the word "coming", Xiuxiu stood up, hurriedly pushed the door open and walked out, asking loudly: "What's coming? Is there any news?" Ru Yi hurriedly followed out.

At this time, the family had led a strong man with a knife into the yard. Xiuxiu saw that it was Liu Fei's elder brother Liu Shi, so she let him into the house. After Liu Shi entered the door, he looked around and said straight to the point He came to look for his brother, Xiuxiu told him that today is Chuanhe Day, and Liu Fei went to the Forbidden City early in the morning.

Liu Shi slapped his forehead, "Look, I've been so busy and confused these days that I forgot such a big thing, but it's okay, Xiao Fei is not here, so I'll tell you the same thing about it."

"Oh? Brother Liu, please sit down and talk slowly if you have something important to do." Xiuxiu knew that since Liu came here out of her busy schedule, it would not be because of some unimportant issue, so she invited him to sit down and talk in detail, and called Ru Yi goes to pour tea.

Liu Shi casually sat down on the chair on the right side of the hall, and said, "Sister Bao, I don't have time to drink tea today, I'm here to tell you a piece of news, the local official you and Xiao Fei found out last time The investigation of the case of false reporting of disasters and embezzlement of money and food has almost been completed, we have handed over the information we have, and it is estimated that in a few days, the Lord Censor will go to the memorial hall and prepare to collect the net and arrest people."

Xiuxiu tapped the table excitedly, "Great! Although Liu Fei and I handed over this case to the courtyard and failed to follow through to the end, we have always kept in mind that now this nest of corrupt moths will finally be punished." It's exciting to dig out the roots! As soon as Liu Fei comes back, I'll tell him the good news!"

But Liu Shi waved his hand, "I didn't come here specially to announce the good news, I came to tell you that this case is not only committed by the magistrate, but also involves many high-ranking court officials - how about letting you hand it over to Yu Shi?" My lord organized it, and seconded a lot of people from our six departments—let me tell you, there are only six or seven people involved in the household department alone—of course I can’t tell you who it is.”

"Of course, this matter should be kept secret, Brother Liu, you don't have to tell me." But I was really curious about who those pious people were, Xiuxiu said, alas, I have to wait for Ah Fei to come back and guess.

Liu Shi also said: "Although this matter is confidential, there is no guarantee that there will be no leaks among the officials. According to my usual experience, before and after closing the net, these criminals are most likely to struggle to the death, or lose their minds." Crazy revenge, sister of the Bao family, this case was originally handled by you, so please be careful during this period of time. Right now I have something to do in Beijing. Before I leave, I am really worried, so I came here to remind you .”

Xiuxiu nodded, and said seriously: "We have worked in this position of offending people for so many years, and we have some experience. I have no problem with myself. Liu Feiyi, a scholar, is unable to protect himself. I just won't let him leave my side, really. In special circumstances, we will definitely arrange people to follow him to protect him. Don't worry, Liu Fei's safety rests with me!"

"Not just the two of you, but everyone, including Miss Ruyi and Xiaobao, must be careful."

Just as Ru Yi was talking, she poured tea, when she heard this, she smiled and asked, "Oh? Why are you talking about me? What should I be careful about?" While talking, just as she put down the tray, a small figure flew in from outside the door. Throwing her from behind, "Er Niang Er Niang, the wind is fine today, will you accompany me to fly the kite?" He said and raised the kite in his hand.

At the end of the conversation, Xiuxiu pulled her ears and pointed her finger at her head to teach her a lesson: "Where did you go crazy? Huh? Today your Uncle Liu released the rankings, and everyone in the family waited anxiously for the news. You are the only one who only knows how to play! Heartless, he really hurts you for nothing! What kind of kite to fly? No way! Your Uncle Liu just said that from now on, you and your second mother will have to stay in the guild hall, and you are not allowed to go out privately!"

Only then did Xiao Bao see Liu Shi, struggling to reach his side with both hands, "Uncle Liu Shi, I miss you so much!"

Liu Shi rescued him from Xiuxiu's "devil claws" with a smile, put his arms around his shoulders and patted his head lovingly, "We haven't seen each other for more than a year, our little treasure has grown taller again! Little treasure, listen to your mother If so, don’t sneak out to play, and after a few days when uncle returns from work, he will take you to fly a kite.”

"Well, when you come back, I don't want to fly a kite anymore, I'm going to your house to play with your fun things." In Xiaobao's view, Liu Shi's tools for handling cases are much more interesting than children's toys.

Liu Shi laughed loudly, "Okay, then it's a deal, you are obedient, and Uncle Liu will teach you a few tricks when you come back!" Xiaobao happily agreed.After Liu Shi finished explaining, he was about to leave. He stood up and took two steps, then stopped, turned his head and said to Xiuxiu with a smile: "I heard that Lord Xunguan usually likes to collect some poor and weak people to use in the house. For a while, please restrain yourself."

Xiuxiu was a little embarrassed, "Did Liu Fei tell you? Well, I'll listen to my brother, and I won't use newcomers who don't know the details in the near future."

Liu Shi nodded in satisfaction.At this moment, there was a sudden noise in the courtyard, and then Liu Fei's follower Xiaosi rushed in out of breath.Suddenly, everyone's eyes were fixed on him, holding their breath and waiting nervously for him to announce the news of his investigation.

Xiaosi gasped for two big breaths, suddenly jumped three feet high, grinned and shouted loudly: "I got it! I got it! Our Master Liu won the first prize!" With a clatter, everyone laughed Get up, "Great! Finally waited for this day!", Xiaobao jumped up and down the room happily, "I knew it a long time ago, I knew it a long time ago! Uncle Liu is the most powerful!".Xiuxiu patted her chest and let out a long sigh of relief, laughed along with everyone, then suddenly felt a little worried, and said to herself: "The winner is Tanhua...why not the champion..."

Xiaosi hurriedly said: "When the emperor's list was posted on the left gate of Chang'an, I heard people say that Master Liu was originally the number one scholar, but the emperor liked him because he was handsome and charming, so he ordered Tanhua. I was happy, so I yelled that it was my master who was in the middle of my throat, but after a huff, I was surrounded by three layers of people. They were all high-ranking family members. They asked me to ask our master Liu's age, whether it was Marriage or something, that scene is much more beautiful than the Zhuangyuan's house! If I hadn't come back in a hurry to announce the good news to my lord, I really wanted to brag about it to Master Liu!"

Everyone laughed when they heard Xiaosi's narration with beaming eyebrows and gestures.Knowing Xiuxiu's worry, Liu Shi also smiled and said to her: "Although Xiaofei failed to win the third prize, the emperor will not pursue the old affairs any more. Girl, just relax."Ru Yi also nodded violently, Xiuxiu thought that this was indeed the case, she became happy again, and ordered the whole government to send out handymen, each person would be rewarded three taels of silver, and Xiaosi doubled.Xiaosi happily thanked the reward, and told him that this year, the Xiyuan garden was newly built, and the emperor was happy, and wanted to invite new scholars to visit the royal garden, to show the great grace of the emperor, the court is thirsty for talents, and the intention of courteous corporals, so I went down The Rong En Banquet was set up in Xiyuan three days later, and today they were only given imperial wine, presumably by now, the three of them should have already put on their brocade horses and paraded through the streets to praise their officials.

Xiuxiu nodded and said with a smile: "It seems that we can't catch up with them today, but it doesn't matter, and tomorrow, we will book a few tables at Jixian Building where they must pass by tomorrow, and go to more people to cheer and support Mr. Liu! Then he turned to invite Liu Shi: "Brother Liu, you can go with us tomorrow."

Liu Shi scratched his head and said with emotion: "Oh, back then I watched Xiao Fei Han Chuang study hard for so long, but by mistake, he missed it. Now that he has fulfilled his long-cherished wish, I really want to see him straddling the horse and parading through the streets, proud of himself." Look, it's a pity that the business is urgent, and I have to rush out of Beijing in the afternoon, this scene is really unsightly."

Since business matters are urgent, Xiuxiu can only regret it, and make an agreement with Liu Shi that after he returns to Beijing, she and Liu Fei will go to the door for a small reunion.After Liu Shi bid farewell and left, the small courtyard of the guild hall under the patrol became even more jubilant. Everyone happily discussed how to celebrate Liu Fei, and after a while, some fellow villagers heard the news and came to congratulate him. There were also people who wanted to make friends and came to vote for them. People came and went, and the noise didn't calm down until after dinner.

It's just that Liu Fei didn't come back. The family who followed him said that he had gone to apprentice for a while, and then said that he was dragged out to drink in the same year. Xiuxiu knew that it would be too late to socialize.The night was getting late, Xiaobao was a child who couldn't stay up too late, Xiuxiu saw that he was already sleepy, so she asked Ruyi to put him to sleep, she opened the door, took a book and read under the lamp, but always She was distracted and couldn't bear to watch, so she took out a pen and paper and sank down to silently write the poems that Liu Fei taught her in the past.Satisfied, Xiuxiu picked up a few chapters in one breath and looked at them under the slightly flickering candlelight, only to realize that all the articles she had just written were "I have an appointment to stay in the middle of the night, I am free." Knocking the chess pieces to drop the candles," "A gentleman is in the service, I don't know the period" and other sentences, she laughed at herself first, feeling a little embarrassed, threw them all away, and picked up a pair of scissors to cut the candles, and was At this time, hearing the sound of footsteps coming from outside the door, Xiuxiu turned her head in surprise, and she saw Liu Fei walking in the door slowly with her hands behind her back.

"You're finally back!" Xiuxiu rushed forward a few steps, and then smelled the soaring alcohol smell, emanating from every pore and every strand of hair on his body, it was so strong that it didn't look like drinking wine. It's like someone jumped into a wine tank and took a bath.Only then did she realize that he walked slowly because he couldn't go fast at all, and he was trying hard to control himself not to get drunk.She quickly grabbed his arm, "Hey, how much have you drunk? If you don't send someone to pick him up, won't you be able to get him back?"

Ah Fei looked at her and smiled, "You haven't slept yet at this late hour?"

"Hey, how can I sleep if I don't wait for you today?" Xiuxiu replied while pulling him towards the chair, "Come on, sit down."

However, Liu Fei broke away lightly. He took out a paper scroll that he had been clutching in his hand before entering the house and hid it behind him, and handed it over with both hands, "Ma'am, here is the betrothal gift."

This is what the two of them had agreed on before: to be hired with the title of the gold list!

When Xiuxiu saw it, she didn't care about being shy, so she copied it over and said happily, "Ah! Let me have a look!" She laid it on the table and smoothed it out with her hands, and saw Liu Fei's name and "a A No.3, bestowed Jinshi Jidi".She looked at it several times, then held her hands gently against her chest, and sighed a long time: "Hey, we have finally waited for this day, and we have been hanging on this heart for three years... Hey! Ah Fei, let's put it on tomorrow Frame this, hang it up!" As he spoke, he looked around for the hanging position.

Seeing her overjoyed expression, Liu Fei also narrowed his eyes with a smile, "You have accepted my betrothal gift, what gift do you want in return?"

"Huh? You want to return the gift?" She really didn't think about it. Ordinary gifts are easy, but she really couldn't think of it for a while.

Liu Fei looked at her sincerely worried, sneered, turned his head, and pointed to one side of his cheek, "Isn't this simple? Come, here..."

"Ah?..." She couldn't help being shy, but Liu Fei's request was too simple and reasonable, and it was really unreasonable to refuse, so she hesitated, and unconsciously glanced at the door.

"Hey! There's no one else, they're all asleep, hurry up..." Liu Fei moved his face forward again, urging her.Xiuxiu made up her mind, she leaned over and kissed him quickly on the cheek, and then backed away quickly.

This kiss can be called a superficial touch, and a goose feather strokes the face.

I can't stop thinking about it!But this is Xiuxiu's first time offering a kiss on her own initiative, so she can't be rushed, A Fei thought so, smiled and let her escape from him easily.Seeing that there was wine on the table, he poured two glasses casually, "Xiuxiu, you have to drink a few glasses with me today."

The wine was prepared by Xiuxiu, she originally wanted to help him, but now she changed her mind. "Hey, you've drunk too much today, shall I pour tea? Shall we replace wine with tea?"

Liu Fei shook his head, "No, you can replace wine with tea at any time, but not today, today I, uh..." As soon as he said this, he suddenly hiccupped, and the word "happy" behind him stopped. I didn't say anything when I went back, so I couldn't help laughing first, "Okay, then just drink three cups."

"It's decided that it's only three cups." Xiuxiu took the wine glass he handed over and clinked it with him, "Well, then for the first cup, I congratulate you on your victory and your long-cherished wish has come true." Fei drank quite solemnly, holding the cup in both hands, and drank it down in one gulp.

"Second cup, I wish you a bright future and show your ambition!" The two toasted together again.

"The third cup..." Xiuxiu was about to speak, but Liu Fei suddenly interrupted her with a wave of his hand, "I'll tell you the third cup," but he didn't say anything. Said: "Okay", touched the rim of her cup lightly, raised her neck and drank until not a drop was left.After finishing the three glasses, he put down the glass and sighed: "What you said just now is right, today I really... got my wish."

"me too!"

"Oh? Are you sure what you said is the same as what I think?" Liu Fei tilted his head, squinted his eyes, and took a step closer. He was really drunk. When he moved his feet, his body swayed, almost shaking Xiuxiu go on.

Xiuxiu supported him, "I hope what you think is the same as what I think."

"Hahahaha" Liu Fei laughed loudly, this person has grown up again, and he has started to play word games with himself!He became interested and grabbed her hand, "Come on, Xiuxiu, accompany me to see the moon!"

"Ah? Look at the moon again!" In the past two months, she has seen the moon with him countless times, whether it is round, curved, or not—then look at the stars, or the rain, or the moon. Feng... I don't know if the moon will feel familiar after seeing them now. "It's late, aren't you sleepy? You still have a lot of work to do tomorrow, hey, threshold threshold, walk carefully..." Xiuxiu was dragged out by him while nagging.

Sure enough, there is a moon tonight. Although it is not too round, it is cloudless, and the silver light sprinkles on the courtyard, which is as clear as water.

"Xiuxiu, let me sing you a song...I'll sing you a song..."

The literati's madness after drinking came out. Xiuxiu was afraid that he would "play the piano and shout again" in the middle of the night, which would wake everyone up. Now that Afei was staggering and dragging her, she desperately maintained the relationship between the two. In a balanced manner, he hurriedly snuffed out his dangerous thoughts, "What song are you singing in the middle of the night, please keep your voice down and be quiet, hey~ stand still..."

"Okay, if you don't sing, then I'll sing a poem for you... People today don't see the moon in ancient times, but the moon used to shine on the ancients. The ancients are like flowing water, and the moon is like this. I only hope that when the song is in harmony with the wine, the moonlight will always shine Jinzunli... I only hope that when the song meets the wine, the moonlight will always shine in the Jinzunli..."

Ah Fei's drunkenness became more and more obvious. It was hard work being a crutch for such a big man who couldn't stand firmly but refused to be honest, so Xiuxiu helped him to sit on a bench in the yard, "Sit here obediently for a while Ah, sitting down will not delay reciting poems."

Liu Fei listened to her arrangement and sat down, but refused to sit upright. He leaned on Xiuxiu and looked at the moon in a daze for a while, then sighed, "Xiuxiu, tell me, toast to Mingyue, Mingyue will definitely Can I come and take a photo?"

Xiuxiu was confused by him, and frowned, "What are you talking about? It's not in a poem, I just remember the song you taught me in the water tune song: How can everything be fulfilled in life? For a long time, it will be good to share the beautiful beauty of thousands of miles."

"Thousands of miles together?" Liu Fei chuckled twice, but he was talking about brothers and relatives, not him and Xiuxiu.

The two of them didn't speak any more, and sat quietly cuddling each other.A gentle breeze blew the white petals of a flourishing pear tree in the courtyard down. Liu Fei stretched out his hand to catch them, but the petals leaked from between his fingers and did not catch on.

"Ah, Xiuxiu, look, it's snowing."

"That's not snow, it's petals, the petals of pear blossoms."

"Pear blossoms? Pear blossoms are not good, I don't like them."

"Then what kind of flowers do you like?"

"Uh... Peach Blossom, Xing Blossom, both are good... Pear Blossom, I hate..."

Xiuxiu watched him gesturing and scribbling, and didn't continue talking. After a while, she spoke softly again: "A Fei, today the emperor ordered you to be a prostitute, what's the meaning?"

Liu Fei laughed silently.What's the meaning?He also kept guessing, he asked himself that there were no mistakes in the essays in the palace examination, but in the end, the second and third in the final examination became today's No. [-] champion, but he dropped from the first to the third position.Although it is a great honor for scholars to be named on the gold list, but in this way, there is always a little bit of unhappiness buried under the glory.On this day, he was surrounded by smiling faces, and all he heard were compliments and congratulations, and only Xiuxiu could pick it out with him face to face, so that this unhappiness would not be like a provocative The pustule, buried in his heart, slowly festered.He sighed a long time: "The Sacred Heart is unpredictable... so don't try it, just... think of a countermeasure."

He was slurred in his speech after drinking, and deliberately lowered his voice when he spoke, so Xiuxiu only heard the first sentence clearly, and she asked, "What's 'test'? Please explain clearly." However, after waiting for a long time, Liu Fei Without explaining, she asked again: "Then what kind of official do you want the emperor to appoint you? Do you want to enter the Imperial Academy? Or do you want to be let out to manage a place?"

Afei didn't answer for a long time, Xiuxiu couldn't help shrugging, shaking him and urging, "Hey, I'm asking you, do you hear me?"

"Don't move...dizziness...let me lean on for a while..." Liu Fei hummed and said, moved, readjusted to a comfortable posture, and continued to lean against her and close his eyes to rest.Xiuxiu really didn't move.

After a while, Xiuxiu said quietly: "Afei, you still owe me one thing, do you remember?"

Ah Fei remained silent, Xiuxiu turned her head to look at him, and found that he was gently closing his eyes, breathing evenly, and had fallen asleep with his pillow on her shoulder.Her master, I'm really tired today, Xiuxiu's heart is soft, her arms quietly wrap around his body from behind, her red lips are lightly printed on his smooth forehead, Ah Fei, take a good rest...

The moonlight is as thin as gauze, gently covering a couple of lovers, and pear blossoms are blooming one after another, sprinkled on the two of them.