The Ming Dynasty started with caution

Yan Kesong was full of suspicion. His Majesty is starting to be lazy about government?

He didn't ask any more questions, dismissed his personal soldiers, and rode back to the palace.

In the west district of Beijing,

a slightly dilapidated courtyard, covered with snow, seemed to collapse at any time.

The housekeeper knocked on the door lightly, and the voice of the doorman came from inside: "When will we cut the candle in the west window together?"

This is a codeword...

He looked at Yan Kesong for help, Master, you are a Jinshi at least.

Yan Kesong was embarrassed. Cheng Jin's codeword was not matched by the old man. After thinking for a while, he said: "Ahem, I am the master!"

The doorman was startled and lay on the crack of the door. He was wearing black armor and a black fur coat. The black and shiny goatee was really the master.

A moment later, the main hall of the new mansion.

After changing into Confucian clothes, Yan Kesong picked up the hot tea and took a sip.

Yan Chengjin complained in his heart that his father did not even wash his face and became more vulgar. However, the hard life in the border area can indeed change a person.

His father was also determined. He did not use the excuse of illness to transfer back to the capital.

"Did something big happen in the palace? Why did no one dare to mention it when Dad asked others?"

"The Queen Mother passed away. It is the mourning period. The people dare not make a loud noise. It will be fine in a few days. Dad does not need to worry." Yan Chengjin said.

Yan Kesong sighed lightly: "In this case, your wedding will be postponed again."

After the Queen Mother passed away, the princes and nobles were forbidden to marry. Chengjin was a second-rank official, and Li Dongyang was a first-rank cabinet minister.

I am afraid that the wedding will be postponed until next year.

Yan Chengjin looked at his father with a little meaning. He finally married Li Qing'e, and he didn't want to delay it any longer.

But the Queen Mother passed away, and it was indeed necessary to observe the mourning period.

If I go to the palace and ask Emperor Hongzhi for special treatment at this time, I will definitely be displeased, so I can't resist.

…

Li Mansion, Central Hall.

Zhu couldn't help but sigh and looked at Li Qing'e helplessly: "Your marriage with Lord Yan will be in ten days. What a pity. If you wait for an auspicious day, it will be September."

It's only February now, and there is still more than half a year away from September.

Qing'e is a maid with a humble background, and Yan Chengjin is a second-rank official. Zhu is worried that Yan Chengjin will change his mind.

Tang and Chu next to them have unspeakable feelings in their hearts. They hope that Li Qing'e will get married as soon as possible.

In this way, the master will have more thoughts on them.

Li Dongyang walked in with his hands behind his back. Except for Zhu, the others stood up and saluted slightly.

"Madam is right. Now is the time when His Majesty is in grief. Waiting for a few more months is helpless." Li Dongyang smiled.

But he was happy in his heart. As a father, he was always reluctant to let go. It was really a bargain for Yan Cheng.

Li Qing'e nodded slightly: "My daughter understands."

Housekeeper Li came in and reported: "Master, Lord Yan is here. He said he wants to see Miss Qing'e."

Li Dongyang's eyes moved slightly. Hearing that Anding Hou had returned to the capital, he thought he would have to make a wasted trip.

...

Wei Mansion,

Chai Sheng has not visited other officials since he entered the capital for more than a month.

These days, His Majesty ordered a rest, so he had time to walk around.

At this time, in the special copper basin, red-hot anthracite was burning, and within a foot, it was warm.

Chai Sheng hugged the warm cloak, holding the black chess between two fingers, and said while playing: "It's better that Yan Chengjin and Li Ge Lao can't become father-in-law and son-in-law, otherwise, he will inevitably be partial to him in the court."

"Well, this kid always wants to change the system. If Li Ge Lao supports it, it's useless for us to say more." Wei Shen held the white chess.

He and Chai Sheng were both Shangshu who had just taken office. Based on this, they quickly became close friends.

However, there was a secret that Wei Shen did not tell. Yan Chengjin had bad luck. Any official who offended him would always be sent overseas for unknown reasons.

Chai Sheng had just arrived in the capital, and no official would take the initiative to tell him such a secret.

"I heard that Lord Chai accepted Zhan Ruoshui and Cui Xian as his disciples?"

Chai Sheng had a weak foundation in the capital, so it was normal for him to want to accept disciples, but what surprised Wei Shen was that Zhan Ruoshui was arrogant and was willing to become Chai Sheng's disciple.

"It's not worth mentioning, haha, I wanted to accept Yan Song, but that kid worshipped Yan Chengjin. Fortunately, Zhan Ruoshui is not bad either. Perhaps, he will definitely win the first place in this year's exam."

...

Qianqing Palace,

Emperor Hongzhi rested for two days and did not ask about government affairs. Liu Jian, the cabinet, handled it on his behalf.

Xiao Jing walked in and reported: "Your Majesty, Han Wen asked for an audience and asked whether we should issue relief silver for the severe drought and snowless northwest."

On ordinary days, when hearing about these natural and man-made disasters, one would always feel pity for the world.

At this time, Emperor Hongzhi felt extremely upset. Day after day, there was either a disaster in the west or a disaster in the east. When would the world be peaceful?

"Let him handle it himself!"

There is no money for him to handle it himself. Your Majesty, don't you understand that Han Wen is here to waste money.

Xiao Jing walked out with hesitation. Not long after, he walked back, "Your Majesty, Zhang Sheng from the Ministry of Rites asked for an audience. The imperial examination is imminent. He wants to ask you for a policy question."

The first policy question of the imperial examination was given by the emperor.

The second and third questions were given by the two chief examiners.

Emperor Hongzhi had a stern face and was a little upset: "Let him ask a question for me. Don't let this matter leak out of the palace."

Officials asked questions for the emperor, which showed that the emperor did not attach importance to the spring examination, and chilled the hearts of officials and scholars.

After a while, Xiao Jing came back: "Your Majesty, Yan Chengjin wants to see you, it seems... for the wedding."

Emperor Hongzhi's face changed slightly, and he whispered: "The Queen Mother just passed away, and this boy wants to get married. He really doesn't understand me."

Xiao Jing was delighted: "Your Majesty, will you see him or not?"

Outside the palace,

Yan Chengjin stood in front of the palace gate with his hands folded, and Han Wen and Zhang Sheng were standing beside him. Mu Xiu was the most unlucky.

It was like everyone was on holiday, but he still had a lot of work to do. It would be better if no one had a holiday.

Han Wen came to ask for money. The empress dowager's funeral was paid by the national treasury, and His Majesty hadn't given him the money yet.

Zhang Sheng looked constipated. He still needed a question from His Majesty for the Spring Examination, and the papers could not be closed.

"As a minister of the Ministry of Rites, don't blame me for not reminding you. The empress dowager just passed away, but you are holding a wedding ceremony, which will make His Majesty unhappy."

"Thank you for reminding me, Lord Zhang."

Yan Chengjin said to Zhang Sheng.

As soon as he finished speaking, the palace door opened, and Xiao Jing said to Han Wen and the others, "Master Han and Master Zhang, go back. Your Majesty only wants to see Yan Chengjin."

Han Wen and Zhang Sheng were somewhat gloating. They were afraid that Your Majesty wanted to scold this boy. They planned to come back later, and Your Majesty's anger would be mostly gone.

Yan Chengjin stepped into the bedroom, burning anthracite, which was much warmer than outside.

Emperor Hongzhi said with a stern face, "Are you here to ask me for permission to get married?"

"No, I want to ask Your Majesty to come to court as soon as possible. The imperial examination is imminent, the construction of the Grand Canal is also imminent, the southwest is at war, and there is no news of silver from the island country.

Governing a country is like sailing against the current. If you don't advance, you will retreat. Your Majesty, don't relax."

Yan Chengjin estimated that the Portuguese fleet had already sailed past the Cape of Good Hope.

If you don't make progress, the West will make progress. Your Majesty is in his prime. If you die at this time, it may take several years for Zhu Houzhao to ascend the throne and stabilize everything.

Emperor Hongzhi was relieved, but the next moment, he glared at Xiao Jing.

Xiao Jing was so scared that he peed himself, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, when he just reported it, he really said that he was begging for permission to get married."

Yan Chengjin, this dog official, actually tricked me.

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