The Grand Secretary’s Pampered Wife

Chapter 253

Everyone was stunned by Xuanpinghou's actions.

what's going on? The dignified Marquis of Xuan Ping actually organizes the clothes for a candidate? This is not an ordinary love so simple, generally speaking, only people who are very close, or people who value themselves very much.

Xiao Liulang's reputation in the whole capital may not be big, but he is completely famous in the imperial examination circle. He came from a poor family, but he was tied for the first place with the King of Anjun in the spring, which made him famous.

Coupled with his bad behavior, people pay more attention to him.

He is very recognizable, after all, there is no second lame person who has come to participate in the palace examination.

Most people's first reaction when they see him is, this kid is too good-looking, right? The second reaction is how is it a lame? And after the two reactions, this little cripple has actually been admitted to the club?

Everyone felt pity, envy, and disdain for him... In short, his emotions were complicated.

But no one present could predict that he would fall into the eyes of Marquis Xuanping.

That's right, even if Marquis Xuanping showed that he valued Xiao Liulang, no one would guess the relationship between father and son.

Everyone secretly muttered, is Xuanping Marquis not a military general? Doesn't he despise those sour scholars the most? There are so many outstanding talents in the spring of the calendar, how can it not be seen that Xuanpinghou favors any of them?

What was it about this little cripple that moved Marquis Xuanping, who had never gone to court early, to come over early in the morning to send him into the examination room?

Xiao Liulang is still the same, he can't see joy or gratitude.

The Marquis of Xuanping was not annoyed, and still neatly arranged his clothes.

In fact, Marquis Xuanping has never been a very competent father. He spent most of the time in the military camp and cared little about his son.

Xiao Heng's ability to become the most talented young man in Zhaodu is basically due to Princess Xinyang, except for his extraordinary talent.

Princess Xinyang is a kind and strict mother. She has been reading poetry and books since childhood. She hopes that her son will be full of knowledge in the future. She taught him carefully, so she has Xiao Heng in the eyes of the world.

When Xiao Heng was very young, he waited at the door of the mansion every day, wanting to recite poems to him.

But he always came back very late, and Xiao Xiao Heng fell asleep on the threshold.

If it was Xiao Heng who had memorized it, he listened perfunctoryly, nodded and said yes, Xiao Xiao Heng was very angry and said, "You didn't listen to you! I clearly recited three words wrong!"

The young and vigorous Marquis Xuanping could not lose face in front of his son, so in order to cover up his lack of knowledge, he would bluff and get angry at his son: "What's so great about reciting poetry? It's a skill! You can hold a gun,

Or dance with a knife? "

Xiao Xiao Heng was very hurt.

Before Xuanping Hou learned how to be a good father, Xiao Heng died in the fire. Only he knows how much regret he regrets.

Marquis Xuanping looked at Xiao Liulang, who had no expression on his face, and was lost for a moment. After a moment, he regained his senses, patted Xiao Liulang on the shoulder, and pinched his sleeve: "Go in."

The first time he sent someone into the examination room, he had no experience and didn't know how to do it, so he had learned from Mrs. Zhuang and Mrs. Yuan Shou when he got off the carriage.

Xiao Liulang went in without looking back.

Du Ruohan was a little dumbfounded behind Xiao Liulang. He was the closest person to Xuanping Marquis except Xiao Liulang. Xuanping Marquis was taller and more handsome than the rumored one.

This is a man who can stand by his side without fear of falling apart.

The aura was so strong, Du Ruohan felt like he was about to suffocate.

But such a powerful man stopped for Xiao Liulang and treated Xiao Liulang like a parent.

Du Ruohan died of madness, so jealous! What the hell did this guy do!

Xiao Liulang didn't know that he was catching Du Ruohan's jealous little eyes along the way. They entered the main hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony and found their position according to the test number, which was no different from the small test.

The palace exam is only for one day, and only one subject. The papers are issued at 4:40 in the morning, and the papers are collected at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon. The papers can be submitted in advance. No food is allowed in the middle, and no dry food is allowed.

Candidates who have passed the rural and general examinations are all in good physical condition, and they will not suffer from starvation if they are hungry for a day. The only concern is that they will not perform well.

After all, today is the emperor personally invigilating the examination, the emperor will come after the morning court, but no one knows how long the morning court will be, in case he writes and writes, the emperor suddenly appears behind him——

That scene is pretty scary to think about.

After a series of tedious pilgrimage procedures, the exam officially began. Officials from the Ministry of Rites distributed test papers to each candidate. There is a table and chairs in the middle, which should be reserved for the emperor.

In addition to these invigilators, there are also guards and eunuchs on duty in the hall. Therefore, although there is no separate examination room, it is difficult to cheat under so many eyes.

Furthermore, the question is not a dead issue like the scriptures, and cheating is of little significance.

Xiao Liulang quickly got his own test paper. This is the question from the emperor-asking the government of the emperor and the heart of the emperor, why does Anbang govern the country?

After experiencing the proposition of cutting Fan and Changxian, this question seems to be much gentler, at least no matter how you answer it, you can't go wrong, at most whether the content of the talk has a practical effect.

It can be rhetorical, as long as the writing is gorgeous enough;

The emperor is selecting talents, but none of these candidates have been officials yet. To put it bluntly, they are all on paper. The emperor does not expect a palace test to solve problems that civil and military officials have not solved. Otherwise, there are so many experienced people. What does a court official do?

The pattern of a candidate that the emperor really wants to see.

The prime minister can hold a boat in his stomach, how big a person's pattern is, and how wide the road will be in the future.

Most of the candidates do not realize this, and they are racking their brains and scratching their heads to think of new ways to govern the country.

Xiao Liulang was not in a hurry to write, he first made a draft.

He doesn't actually have the habit of writing drafts, but drafts are an important piece of evidence when checking grades.

He considered his words, cut and deleted them, and after about an hour, he began to formally answer the papers.

This is a question of policy. Before answering the question, you must write a pair of ministers, indicating that you are answering the emperor's question.

"My minister to:

I have heard that when the emperor is in control of the palace, there must be the real administration of the manager, and then the crowd can be restrained, intricate, and even the rule of Yongxi; There is a reason to achieve Zhilong.

Established the outline of the rules, ordered the laws, hung the watch of the elephants and Wei, and was written in the armor of the order. There is no one who is equipped with it, and it is full and tight, and there is no leakage.

What is a solid heart? Vibrate laziness, encourage shrewdness, originate in the deep and subtle, originate in the middle of Yumi, start in the palace and Muqing, wind in the hub of the country, pour into the frontier and stray, harmonize with the fall, spiritual thoughts , it is all smooth, the skin is shaped, and there is no impediment..."

Xiao Liulang mainly emphasized the importance of governing the country according to the law and implementing real politics. Laws and disciplines must penetrate into the people, and the voices of the people must be heard.

At the same time, it was also proposed to educate the people by studying Confucianism, vigorously punish corrupt officials, and fill the national treasury.

Of course, he also emphasized that the emperor is the son of the emperor, and everything he does is ordered by the heaven.

Compared with the sharpness of the previous exams, Xiao Liulang's wording this time was much gentler.

After all, someone has staked their entire net worth, and they can't just be happy with their own willful plans.

It was only after Xiao Liulang wrote that he realized that this question was really difficult. The ease when everyone first got the test papers had disappeared.

Xu Shi was so devoted to his writing that even the emperor stood behind Xiao Liulang for a while without noticing Xiao Liulang.

From the emperor's point of view, only one head of Xiao Liulang can be seen.

The emperor didn't watch it for too long, he didn't have the bad taste of putting pressure on candidates in the examination room, he just came in, happened to hit Xiao Liulang and passed by, and saw Xiao Liulang's handsome handwriting.

He glanced quickly, and the writing was fine.

He looked at the candidate's name again - Xiao Liulang.

Oh, is that the poor student who ranks first with King Anjun?

There is a cane next to it. Is it injured or disabled?

In fact, the election of officials in this dynasty is a bit of a face, mainly because the appearance of Xuanping Hou alone has raised the emperor's aesthetics for civil and military officials. He was too ugly to stay for a few years and let him go out.

The emperor was a little disappointed when he saw the crutches, and he was worried that the other party would not look good.

It's not that the emperor only looks at his face, and the old sacrifice wine is not good-looking. He can still be seen by the emperor. It is really that the old sacrifice wine is too powerful.

The emperor quickly walked past Xiao Liulang and sat on the front chair.

The invigilators all knew that the examinee was noticed by the emperor, so they didn't know whether the impression was good or bad.

After the emperor sat on the proctor's seat, he didn't pay attention to Xiao Liulang. After all, it was too far away to see clearly.

He asked someone to bring the memorial, and while invigilating the exam, he silently reviewed the memorial until the end of the exam.

The candidates stood up and saluted the emperor. The emperor randomly selected a few candidates and asked a few questions. The grandsons of King Anjun and Yuan Shoufu were all selected.

Xiao Liulang was not called.

At three quarters of the hour, everyone left the palace.

Don't look at the test for only one day, but everyone is more tired and tired than the township test and the spring.

Except for a few candidates, most of them have never seen the emperor in their lives, and under the same roof as the emperor, they almost can't write hyphenation.

"So nervous." Feng Lin's back was soaked.

His examination number is relatively high, and he sits in the first row, which is really under the eyes of the emperor, but he does not dare to look up at the emperor, for fear of being charged with disrespect.

"I feel like I failed the exam, and I don't even know what I'm writing when I get to the end."

he said dejectedly.

Du Ruohan comforted: "Don't be discouraged, everyone is like you, Your Majesty has forgotten what was in his mind."

The emperor was quite sympathetic to them. He didn't come until after noon. At that time, everyone's drafts were almost finished. Otherwise, he would sit there from the beginning and ensure that half of the people couldn't even type drafts.

When the emperor stood behind Xiao Liulang, he was also taken aback. The two test numbers were next to each other. Behind Xiao Liulang was in front of him. He could smell the ambergris on the emperor's body, and his scalp trembled with nervousness. numb.

However, thanks to being stimulated by Marquis Xuanping early in the morning, it seems that he has a stronger ability to bear.

"How's Liulang doing in the test?" Feng Lin asked Xiao Liulang.

Xiao Liulang said: "It's okay, I wrote everything I thought."

Feng Lin asked Du Ruohan and Lin Chengye again. The performance of the two of them is normal, but the subjectivity of policy questions is too subjective. Whether they can be admitted to the full list of jinshi depends on the preferences of the examiners.

This is not what they can control, they can only do their best to obey the destiny.

The group returned home.

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the examiners began to mark the test papers. The Minister of Rites and the Minister of Honglu Temple served as the chief and vice presidents, and the four cabinet scholars served as the examiners. This time, the test papers will not be divided into groups. Each test paper will be reviewed. It was reviewed by six people.

The top 20 in the overall ranking will be sent to the emperor.

Doing well in the Chunwei exam does not mean that you can also do well in the palace exam. Being able to withstand the emperor's coercion and playing stably is part of it, and it's also part of the field that happens to happen to you.

However, candidates like Xiao Liulang, who were tied for the first place with King An, got the emperor's attention, not to mention that the emperor stayed by his side for a while during the palace exam.

Therefore, if his test paper is not in the top 20, the emperor will definitely ask about it, and it is very likely that someone will bring his test paper to see how he fell out of the top 20.

The exam papers for the palace exam will not be copied. After all, they will be presented to the emperor. The emperor will see the candidates’ handwriting, but they will simply paste their names before presenting them to the emperor. In other words, the examiners will not see the candidates’ names.

But if you look at it sincerely, it is not difficult.

What's more, after the quiz, the examiners have already recorded the handwriting of some candidates.

Xiao Liulang's test paper soon arrived in the hands of Honglu Siqing. He recognized Xiao Liulang's character at a glance, and Mrs. Zhuang had already given an order not to let Xiao Liulang suppress the Anjun King.

If Xiao Liulang's article is not brilliant and is not enough to pose a threat to the King of Anjun, the Minister of Honglu Temple will safely put him in the top 20.

But obviously, Xiao Liulang's article is too brilliant.

This is an article that no examiner of any taste can find fault with, and it is definitely a huge threat to King An.

During the meal time, Honglu Siqing quietly went to Gong's room.

Near Gong's room, Mrs. Zhuang had been waiting for a long time.

"How?" Mrs. Zhuang asked.

"I haven't changed to Prince An." Honglu Siqing said, "I only changed to Xiao Liulang."

Master Zhuang handed him a piece of scratch paper from his arms, which King Anjun rewrote from memory after returning to the mansion.

After Honglu Siqing read it, his expression became solemn: "The exam papers of the two are on a par."

Is it equal or equal?

Mrs. Zhuang frowned, thinking of something, and asked, "What's the matter with Marquis Xuanping? I think he likes this son?"

Honglu Temple said: "Taifu, you... I'm afraid you didn't pay attention to Xiao Liulang's appearance."

Mrs. Zhuang puzzled: "What happened to him?"

He looks so good-looking that Xuanping Marquis took a fancy to him? But Marquis Xuanping is romantic, but not masculine.

Honglu Si Qing said: "He looks like a deceased little Marquis. The first time I saw him, I was really shocked. Maybe it is because of this that Xuanping Marquis favored him."

Master Zhuang sneered: "My son died, so do you want to find someone who looks similar to replace it?"

Your Majesty intends to suppress the banker. If there is someone who is not on a par with King An, it is unlikely that His Majesty will choose King An as the number one. Before today, it is unlikely that His Majesty will choose Xiao Liulang to be the number one.

Xiao Liulang came from a poor background. If he is too popular, he will be hated by others. If the emperor really loves Xiao Liulang, he will not give him the champion.

His Majesty will appoint another person to be the champion. If the ministers have objections, His Majesty will take out Xiao Liulang's examination paper, saying that he did not win the first place, how did King An get the first?

As for the exam paper of the champion, His Majesty will not let anyone see it.

This is the courtroom, this is the examination room!

However, Xuanping Hou came forward.

He is telling everyone that the person Xiao Liulang wants to cover, whoever dares to touch Xiao Liulang, must first weigh it.

Sooner or later, this matter will reach His Majesty's ears. His Majesty knows that Xiao Liulang has a backer, so there is nothing to worry about.

A cold light flashed in Mrs. Zhuang's eyes: "This kid is flattering my grandson and Marquis Xuanping at the same time. It's a good match! What this old man despises most is this kind of person who lives in Cao Ying and has a heart in Han!"

After five days, all examination papers were reviewed.

The top 20 were packed in a box by the Minister of Rites and sent to the emperor.

The emperor is in the Golden Palace, not far away.

However, as soon as the Minister of Rites was halfway through, he unexpectedly met the oncoming Marquis of Xuanping.

The Minister of Rites was slightly surprised. Why did the Marquis of Xuanping enter the palace again in the early morning? Has this guy been staying in bed lately?

Xuanping Hou Junmei had a faint smile on her face, and said politely, "Where is Li Shangshu going?"

The Minister of Rites said: "I want to send exam papers to Your Majesty."

"Oh, it's out." Xuanping Hou raised his eyebrows and reached out to touch the box containing the test papers.

The Minister of Rites took a step back, his face sank: "Marquis Xuanping! What are you going to do!"

Xuan Ping Hou smiled lightly: "This Hou, let's see if you have done anything on the exam paper."

The Minister of Rites frowned: "What nonsense are you talking about! We are all examiners appointed by His Majesty, how could we do such a thing? Aren't we afraid of beheading?"

The Marquis of Xuanping said: "I'm afraid that some people are really not afraid."

"Marquis Xuanping is saying who isn't afraid?" Mrs. Zhuang walked over leisurely.

Xuanping Marquis turned around and glanced at Taifu Zhuang with a half-smiling smile: "Yo, Taifu Zhuang is here."

The Minister of Rites bowed: "Master Zhuang."

Master Zhuang nodded in return, and then he looked at Marquis Xuanping: "Does Marquis Xuanping have any dissatisfaction with Li Shangshu? Or is he dissatisfied with the cabinet? Or is he dissatisfied with His Majesty?"

Xuanping Hou smiled lightly: "Don't buckle the hat too much, this Hou just wants to see if these test papers have been manipulated?"

In the world, only the Marquis of Xuanping dared to question the cabinet so much.

Master Zhuang hehe said, "If Marquis Xuanping doesn't believe it, just see for yourself."

Li Shangshu looked at Mrs. Zhuang in surprise, and Mrs. Zhuang said, "This official believes that Marquis Xuanping will not take the opportunity to play tricks on candidates' exam papers, Li Shangshu may let Marquis Xuanping see it, I will be responsible for anything that happens. ."

Speaking of which, Li Shangshu would be better off not showing Xuanping Hou.

Marquis Xuanping opened the box and turned over each test paper. The test paper had an ambiguous name on it, but he still recognized Xiao Liulang's current character. After all, he had read it many times in private.

He saw Xiao Liulang's test paper.

Mrs. Zhuang looked at the test paper, then at Xuanpinghou, and sneered, "Is there a problem?"

Marquis Xuanping gave Zhuang Taifu a deep look.

Mrs. Zhuang said frankly: "If there is nothing to do, these exam papers will be sent to Your Majesty, and His Majesty is still waiting for approval."

Marquis Xuanping put down the test paper, hesitated for a moment, and stopped for a moment with his suspicious eyes on Mrs. Zhuang.

Master Zhuang was unparalleled from beginning to end.

Xuanping Hou finally let Li Shangshu go, and he also stepped out of the palace.

Looking at his back without success, Mrs. Zhuang smiled coldly.

He knew it would be like this. He had already guarded Xuanping Marquis. Did Xuanping Marquis really think that what he saw was Xiao Liulang's exam paper? The handwriting is exactly the same and not false, and even the content is similar, except that some key places have been modified.

Xuanpinghou, the reckless man, couldn't see it.

Don't underestimate these little details, they are enough to offend the emperor.

So, what's the use of putting it in the top 20?

Xiao Liulang may not even be able to pass the second-class jinshi exam!

Master Zhuang proudly left the palace.

His carriage was waiting at the gate of the palace. When the servants saw him coming, they hurriedly drew the curtain for him. He was in a good mood and got on the carriage with a smile.

But he never expected that there was a person sitting in the carriage!

Master Zhuang shuddered with fright: "Marquis Xuanping?!"

What does his coachman eat? How did Xuanping Marquis come up?

"Come on!" he shouted fiercely.

Xuanping Hou said lightly, "Let's go."

The carriage is gone.

Mrs. Zhuang's face turned pale, he lifted the curtain and looked at the driver in the front seat, only to realize that the other was not his driver at all.

Where's his driver?

Where did it go?

His carriage had been parked at the gate of the palace, and there was guarded by the Imperial Guard. How did the Marquis of Xuanping lose his coachman?

Master Zhuang looked at each other angrily: "Marquis Xuanping, what are you trying to do?"

Marquis Xuanping sneered: "Put back Xiao Liulang's test paper, otherwise, your horse will be frightened. This Marquis can't guarantee that you can land safely. After all, you don't know martial arts, do you?"

Master Zhuang was stunned: "You..."

Xuan Ping Hou said: "I want to ask how Ben Hou found out? Ben Hou does not understand exam papers, but Ben Hou still understands you, Master Zhuang."

Master Zhuang's face was ashen from choking, and the arrogance of Marquis Xuanping often made people think that he was a reckless man, but look at what he did today!

Master Zhuang gritted his teeth: "You are so bold!"

Xuanping Hou: "each other."

Master Zhuang snorted coldly, "You... do you think this can threaten this official?"

Marquis Xuanping spread his hands: "No, I'm just giving you a suggestion. Since you don't want it, then the Marquis has a gift for you."

An ominous premonition surged in Mrs. Zhuang's heart.

The carriage stopped quickly and stopped on an open official road. There were no pedestrians going back and forth. Only a carriage was parked opposite the two of them.

Mrs. Zhuang opened the curtains, and someone in another carriage also opened the curtains, revealing King An who was tied up with five flowers and covered his mouth with a cloth.

Prince An excitedly looked at Mrs. Zhuang, his mouth mumbled, unable to utter a complete sentence.

Master Zhuang almost dropped his chin by the audacity of Marquis Xuanping.

They almost went out of the palace one after the other. After checking the papers, Xuanping Hou had no time to arrest people. That is to say, before checking the papers, Xuanping Hou was sure that he would use Xiao Liulang's papers, and put the security The king is caught!

"Do you know what you're doing? You didn't kidnap the imperial palace, you kidnapped the king of Zhao Kingdom!"

Marquis Xuanping leaned on the back of the chair lightly and looked at him calmly: "So?"

There was no fear in his eyes.

Arrogant like a wild horse that could trample everything at any time.

In fact, Mrs. Zhuang didn't take any reason. It was all the crime of beheading. It just depends on who can end it.

Master Zhuang clenched his fists and stared at Marquis Xuanping stubbornly.

Xuanping Hou said casually: "I don't have much patience, I will tell you one last time and put the test paper back."

Taifu Zhuang never admitted that he had taken the test paper, but this did not seem to affect Marquis Xuanping threatening him. Taifu Zhuang felt that he was a scholar and encountered a soldier, and he couldn't make sense.

If he is a literati, he can also go around and around the other side.

Xuanping Hou will not.

He doesn't give you a chance to detour at all.

Master Zhuang felt a deep sense of powerlessness, but he did not admit defeat so quickly: "Marquis Xuanping, don't be too arrogant!"

Xuanping Hou looked at Master Zhuang and raised his finger lightly.

In the other carriage, Chang Jing pulled out the dagger, and without hesitation, stabbed Anjun King's thigh with a knife.

Blood spurted out, Prince An gritted his teeth, but still made a shrill sound from his teeth.

Master Zhuang suddenly changed color: "Heng'er!"

Xuanping Hou leaned lazily against the wall of the car, raised his eyebrows and said, "Remember, this is arrogance."

Master Zhuang was trembling with anger, and his whole body was furious: "Aren't you afraid of causing death? My grandson died, do you think you don't have to pay for it?"

Xuanping Hou smiled coldly: "Do you think Lao Tzu will be afraid?"

Master Zhuang was stunned.

Two more in one.

Note: The original text of the test paper is from the palace test paper of Zhao Bingzhong, a candidate in the Ming Dynasty, and some translations are from Sohu.com - Calligraphy Lecture Hall.