The eldest grandson of the Red Chamber

In the spring, students from all over the city gradually appeared in Shengjing, and after the Lantern Festival, it became lively.

Mingxu was holding the cup in the teahouse and didn't let go, it was chilly, even wearing a rabbit fur cloak, he felt a little numb.And all of this was because the person opposite was leaning on the chair, it was enough to enter the tea house and sit by the window, but he wanted to open the window.

Feeling the whistling wind, Ming Xu tried his best to ignore all the eyes around him, and said helplessly: "You are really a tormenting little fairy."

Hua Zhang rolled his eyes, picked up the teapot and poured a bowl of tea, and replaced Ming Xu's steaming hands: "As for what, she looks like a little wife."

The corner of Ming Xu's mouth twitched: "If you really pity me, then close the window." There are so many people with miscellaneous eyes, like a snake spirit, it is not surprising to be wrapped in a sack.

Huazhang actually got up and closed it, the exam is only ten days away, so don't waste time, if because of this, brother Ming or himself gets sick, then he will be thanked by death.

"You really don't live at my house?" Mingxu seriously confirmed his friend's opinion. Something happened to Huazhang's family. This time he came to Beijing late, and the nearby restaurants and post stations were full. He was enjoying himself again. of.

"When you were in Jiangnan, you and Rongshi were clean people without a family. I lived as long as I lived, but now it is inconvenient." Huazhang sighed.

Rongshi is Qingrong's word.

"Pretentious." Ming Xu sneered.Isn't it hypocritical? Qingrong is a family of three living alone in Beijing. The owner is busy and has no time to take care of her, so it's just inconvenient.But I live in a courtyard by myself, and I don't want to go there. I'm talking about a high-profile mansion that affects my xinxing, or causes more troubles.

"My family has many shops in Beijing, just choose one at will, and there will be no shortage of places to stay overnight." Huazhang didn't care, the host's house was convenient for everything.

Mingxu is speechless, so why are you talking fart, who just pretended to cry and complained about the miserable encounter along the way and nowhere to stay.

"Back then we both took the township examination together, but now we are anxious and anxious, looking at the knife hanging above our necks, we can't hope that it will fall, and we can't hope that we can't fall, but Rongshi is at ease." Huazhang wondered if it was true. Because of the late arrival, he dragged Mingxu to talk about the anxiety in his heart, and Mingxu couldn't say that he felt okay, so he had to let him torment.

"Do you really think it's so hard to bear? In fact, as long as you don't fall into the same Jinshi, it's fine." Ming Xu said.Is the anxiety so serious before the exam? The left and right are still young, and victory and defeat are commonplace.

Huazhang thought it was bad luck. Before the exam, he was always good and not good. He was about to let Mingxu take back his foreword when he heard more and more discussions from the side.Huazhang insisted on sitting in the lobby on the second floor for this purpose, so he kept silent and listened carefully.

Ming Xu frowned and smiled lightly, then turned to look out the window.He has finished his closed-door retreat these days, and he always walks around the streets when he has nothing to do. Even if he doesn't listen deliberately, he knows what a group of people are talking about.

There is too much pressure before the exam, gossip about this year's candidates is spread, and there is talk about the popular candidate for the meeting.Mingxu listened to it a few times, and he also had familiar names, like Xie Yuan in Shandong, a descendant of Confucius, Kong Yu, the grandson of Duke Yansheng, a genius in Jiangsu, and Wen Qi from Xie Yuan, two of the more popular ones.I heard that there are even private places that started gambling, not only betting on the members of this session, but also the next ones.

Mingxu is not very familiar with these people, and he has no intention of joining in the fun, and even more despises the phenomenon of cliques forming small groups that have already appeared, so let's talk about being able to successfully enter the imperial court.

Huazhang listened with gusto, and when he didn't understand something, he even asked Mingxu for a summary of the previous story.

Huazhang looked at people, and he himself fell into the eyes of others. The two looked young, dressed very well, and looked like the children of aristocratic families. After a while, some students came forward to make friends.

Ming Xu lowered his eyes and said nothing, Hua Zhang couldn't help but twitch his eyebrows.It’s only a few days before the exam. These people are restless preparing for the exam, and even invited strangers to drink. It stands to reason that if they didn’t pass the provincial exam, they should have no problem with their brains, but these few don’t look like it.

He kept slandering in his heart, but Huazhang declined politely on his face. Seeing that these people were rejected and then went to ask them, he couldn't help being full of respect. This is a real warrior.

After meeting with Huazhang and gathering with his classmates from Lanting Academy, Mingxu returned home and did not go out anymore, and spent the last ten days in peace.

After ten years of sharpening a sword, I show it to the king today.When it came time to enter the examination room, Mingxu looked up at the sky, the sunlight shone through the clouds, and it was a bit blurry.

The winter in Shangjing was abnormally dry and cold. Today was the same as in the past, but it was also unusual.Mingxu turned his head and waved his arms lightly, signaling Mingxi to see him off, and then slowly walked into the examination room, his eyes were unprecedentedly sharp and firm, after ten years of cold weather, let's see today.

Let's see what you have learned all these years, he whispered to himself.

While Mingxu was fighting in the examination room, Wang Xifeng of the Rongguo Mansion was also doing the final checks to fill in the vacancies. The two mansions of Rongguo and Ningxia have a large number of relatives, so red and white things are common, and birthday banquets are held every year Several times, but this Jiji ceremony was the first time for an older girl to get on the sedan chair, and I heard that many rules were different, Wang Xifeng put a lot of effort into thinking about it, and the more thinking about it, the more sad it became.

Regardless of the money flowing out like running water, Jiji is a big gift for girls. The most noble day for girls, but I don’t have it. The Wang family is powerful, but girls don’t even recognize words. Of course there is no "gift" for pushing, but it's just a table for birthdays.

Sister Feng repeatedly confirmed that the scene was correct and the utensils were complete, and then went to ask the host, the hostess, and the guests to see if they were all right.

On the day of Huachao Festival, all the flowers are blooming, and the spring is just right.Rong Mansion guests come and go, very lively.

Mrs. Wang and Wang Xifeng are entertaining the guests in front, Daiyu, the protagonist of today's banquet, is sitting in the room, Baochai, Sanchun and other maids are sitting on the left and right.

"Speaking of which, it's the daughter's family of Jin Zun Yugui, but compared with Sister Lin, I'm nothing more than a worthless one." Nanny was combing Daiyu's hair, which has a special bun today, and Tanchun leaned closer and smiled.

"My good sister, what are you talking about? You are an idiot, and I am your elder sister. Aren't you an idiot?" Daiyu held Tanchun's hand, and she was actually very nervous.

"According to what you say, this is a house of grass." Baochai could see Daiyu's uneasiness, and joked.

Sensing her reassurance, Daiyu smiled, but she didn't say much because the nanny from the palace was standing beside her.At this time, there was a sound of drums outside the house, everyone's heart trembled, and they became quiet again, listening to the movement outside.

The auspicious time has come, guests, ministers, and praisers come to Rongxi Hall, the main hall of Rongguo Mansion. People from Wang Shixue came, even from the circle of the Ming Mansion, many of them were invited, most of them were people of high morals and high prestige.

"Please, please." Yousi Wang Xifeng said loudly.Daiyu, who was in the side room, was supported by two nuns and walked to the main table.These two nuns were given by the Empress Dowager to teach etiquette earlier, and they will be taken back after Daiyu leaves the cabinet.The Madam of the third rank and above had some impressions of these two people in front of the palace, and the eyes that fell on Daiyu's face became more meaningful.

The guest of honor invited by Jia's mother was the Song family. Firstly, the Song family was appointed by the third rank, and her status was noble enough. Second, it was because of her closeness.

After cleaning her hands, Song looked at the slim girl who had grown into an outstanding figure, and thought of the eldest son who was now in the examination room, and couldn't help feeling a little bit of joy in her heart. And matching, thinking of the two standing together, I feel pleasing to the eye.

Thoughts were drifting away in her mind, but her hands were still moving, Song picked up the comb in the tray, took apart the bun on Daiyu's head, combed it again, and then added the hairpin, hairpin, phoenix crown, and Daiyu's body respectively. The clothes are also changed, so three times.

The ceremony of the three additions is very solemn, not only reflected in the regulation of the dress of the guests, but also the plucking of the clothes, dark clothes, and long-sleeved dresses that Daiyu added three times. Release is very particular.It makes people feel the solemnity of its etiquette.

Daiyu carefully followed the etiquette taught by the nanny, and after three prostrations, her back was already covered with sweat.Jia's mother got up from her seat and faced west, and Song's congratulations were read to the east: "Etiquette is ready, and the moon is auspicious, and I will tell you the word. The word Kongjia is suitable for fashionable people. It is suitable for fakes, and it will be protected forever. It's called Wanqingfu." Daiyu replied, "Although Wanqing is not sensitive, I dare not only serve you all day and night."

When a woman promises to marry, she is polite and named.Speaking of Wanqing, Mother Jia went to see the Empress Dowager that day, and the Empress Dowager mentioned to her about Daiyu's selection of characters. "I was thinking of getting one for the county magistrate, but your in-laws came early. Before I could make up my mind, that brother took out one. Wanqing is very good, and it matches your granddaughter's nickname, It can be seen that it took a lot of thought to get it, since the two young ones are so good, I have no choice but to accept them, so let's call them Wanqing."

Although Jia Mu regretted not being able to get the letter from the Queen Mother, but seeing the attitude of the Queen Mother, she had a plan in her heart, so she didn't feel bad.This day, it was handed over to Mrs. Song to pick it up.

After taking the characters, most of the ceremony has been completed. Mother Jia usually said a few words as a lesson, and then played music. The musicians played "High Mountain" and "Flowing Water".It's a gift.

Daiyu thanked the guests and went back to her room to rest. Jia Amnesty, Jia Zhengbin and his wife entertained the guests.

……

When Mrs. Song came back from Jia's mansion, she recruited a girl to ask Mingxi's whereabouts. "Ma'am, the second master went there by car after lunch, and he should be back after a while." The girl replied very quickly.

Today happened to be the day when Mingxu returned home, Song was so worried that she couldn't pick her up in person.Hearing that Ming Xi had passed away, he calmed down a little.Call Mingzhao to sit in the main room and wait for the news.Usually, Ming Lai waited with her, but now that Lai's sister has left, the person waiting with her has changed, and there is one more person waiting.

And here, when Ming Xu left the examination room, he saw Chang An waiting at the door, Ming Xi stood behind him, met his eyes, and smiled.So Ming Xu also laughed, and trotted over without regard to his manners, Ming Xi helped him into the carriage, and then he also got in.

"Brother came out quite early, I thought we would have to wait for a while." Ming Xi wrapped the light fur in his hand around his elder brother, and handed him another hand stove.

"The test house is close to the entrance, so I come out early because I'm at the front." Mingxu chuckled, and when he left the small corner, even the air was a bit fresher.

"Brother has a fever?" Ming Xi frowned and said, it wasn't wind-cold, Ming Xu got into the carriage, his face was still red, but his fingertips were cold.

"Really?" Mingxu just felt a little tired today, and he thought it was because he was bored for too long, and he felt much better after leaving the examination room, but Mingxi said that, maybe he had a fever, after all, he could not wear layered clothes when entering the examination room , so wear more clothes but not heavy, most of the students are wearing thinner clothes than usual, the spring is cold to the bone, it is good that Ming Xu can last until now before he gets sick.

"Chang'an, hurry up." Mingxi ordered immediately.