I go to the ancient imperial examinations

Chapter 288
Zhou Shuyao didn't expect to meet a family member in this poor place in Xiangwu County, especially after hearing Yang Xu's introduction, Mr. Qiu was born in the Qiu family in Qianzhong Road, and he almost fell down, but was finally supported by Qiu Jinyu Zhou Shuyao blushed with embarrassment.

The Zhang family and the Zhou family are said to be the families of officials and scholars, but now the highest official position is the fourth-rank magistrate. In the early years, some clansmen also served in the chief envoy, but the highest official position was only left and right to participate in politics. That's all, never been an official in Beijing.

But the Qiu family is different, not to mention that Mr. Qiu, an old man who is alone, has saved the life of the saint, but it is said that in today's Qianzhong Road, the chief political envoy is the head of the Qiu family, and Qiu Jinyu wants to call him uncle. An official, a senior official of the second rank.

Coupled with Qiu Zongxi's relationship, everyone in the officialdom knows that Mr. Qiu will be transferred to Beijing in two years, and he may enter the cabinet. Although Qiu Jinyu is not from the direct line, he also has the surname Qiu, not to mention that it is rare The little three yuan, Feng Hou Baixiang is just around the corner.

"Miss Zhou, there are so many people in a mess, why don't you take a few steps this way." Qiu Jinyu's voice was clear and sweet, and her whole body exuded the gentleness and nobility of the children of the aristocratic family.

"Thank you, Mr. Qiu." Zhou Shuyao nodded slightly, moved her lotus steps lightly to the left and took a few steps. As soon as she stopped, she realized something was wrong, and the biting cold wind seemed to have disappeared.

Looking up, it was Qiu Jinyu who stood in the way of the wind.

The two were the same age, but Qiu Jinyu was a man and a martial arts practitioner. He was tall and tall, a full head taller than Zhou Shuyao. When he stood at the wind, Zhou Shuyao was blocked tightly.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Qiu was so considerate, Zhou Shuyao's originally flushed cheeks were stained with rouge-like redness again.

Yang Xu didn't notice the abnormality at all. He regarded the Zhang family as strangers, but Zhou Shuyao was a girl's family after all, and Yang Xu couldn't expel him with bad words even if he was his cousin by blood.

Half an hour later, all the coarse grains in the rice shop were sold out, and Yang Xu, who had been busy all morning, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Xiao Xu, it's almost time. Why don't you go to the nearest restaurant for lunch." Qiu Jinyu said in a gentle voice. Although he was old, his words were in a negotiating manner, obviously treating Yang Xu as his peers.

Yang Xu was also very hungry at this meeting, and glanced at Zhou Shuyao, she actually stood here for a quarter of an hour, and she couldn't say anything to make people leave, "I heard Xiaoyu said that the food in Babaolou is not bad, not as good as ours. Just go there."

After the three got into the carriage and left, they didn't notice that Zhan Feiyu and Qiu Zongxi were always there on the second floor of the opposite teahouse.

"This is being sold and returned to the number of people." Qiu Zongxi snorted, and he no longer had any hope for Yang Xu's elm head. You must not have the intention of harming others, and you must have the intention of being a prisoner. This brat is I don't remember it at all.

Zhan Feiyu leisurely drank the mutton soup.

Although it is a tea house, there is no warmth there. Four dishes, one soup and two pastries are properly prepared at noon. It's not normal for Yang Xu to notice the number of stages."

In particular, Qiu Jinyu had been kind to Yang Xu for saving his life. Besides, Qiu Jinyu had always been gentle and refined. He didn't show his feet, so how could Yang Xu doubt him for no reason.

"In the final analysis, we use the greatest maliciousness to speculate on people." Zhan Feiyu resisted and reflected for a moment. After all, the results of the investigation have not yet come out, but they all took the first step to determine that Qiu Jinyu had a problem. He contacted Yang Xu has ulterior motives.

"The old man is not blind, just because he is Qiu Shao's seed, there is no good thing in the third room!" Qiu Zongxi snorted disdainfully, his words expressed the rejection and dislike of the third room of the Qiu family.

However, even though Qiu Zongxi has a violent temper, he would not tell Yang Xu clearly that he is young, so it is good to suffer, so as to save himself from taking his heart and lungs to the individual, and he has no guard against him at all.

Perhaps because of Qiu Zongxi's laissez-faire attitude, Yang Xu and Qiu Jinyu have gotten closer and closer during this period of time, and they almost became brothers of the opposite sex.

Yang Xu also saw Qiu Zongxi's dislike for Qiu Jinyu, but the more he was like this, the more embarrassed he felt, and he became closer to Qiu Jinyu who was not treated by Qiu Zongxi. The angry Qiu Zongxi pulled out a few beards again, which made Zhan Feiyu overjoyed I watched the excitement.

In private, Zhou Shuyao had also visited the Qiu Mansion, and the three of them got along very well. Zhou Shuyao restrained the arrogance of an official daughter, and naturally treated people impeccably.

It's just that Zhan Feiyu has a lot of homework, so she goes to the study before dawn, and doesn't go back to her room to rest until midnight, and Yang Xu doesn't want to disturb her study.

"Treading the snow to find plums?" Zhan Feiyu put down the post, glanced at the snowflakes flying outside, and seriously suspected that Yang Xu was a scholar, while he was a martial artist who did not understand elegance and romance.

Knowing that Zhan Feiyu was afraid of the cold, Yang Xu hurriedly explained: "It's a valley with hot springs, and it's not cold at all..."

Yang Xu only knew about this place after listening to Zhou Shuyao's introduction. The valley has a peculiar terrain, surrounded by mountains on all sides, but there is no cold wind at all.

It is probably due to the underground hot springs. Even though the surrounding mountains have been covered with snow, the temperature in the valley is very comfortable.It is said that a great Confucianist traveled to Xiangwu County in 30. By chance, he discovered this valley. Later, he asked people to plant plum trees on the mountains close to the valley. After more than 20 years, this plum The tree became a Merlin.

Every winter, the mountains are covered with white snow, plum blossoms are in full bloom at the foot of the mountains, and there are green grass and hot springs in the valley. Find three or five friends to set up a bonfire in the valley, enjoy the plum blossoms and snow, and have a few drinks. Isn't it wonderful.

"Surrounded by mountains?" Zhan Feiyu's eyes flickered, and his first reaction was not that the valley was so strange, but that the terrain was the most suitable for ambush, the whole terrain for catching turtles in an urn, "Okay, I'll ask sir."

Yang Xu obviously realized that Grandpa Qiu had been violent towards him in the past few days. He didn't dare to scold him anymore, so he could only nod to Zhan Feiyu, "We'll set off at Sishi tomorrow, and we'll be back around Youshi."

Looking at Yang Xu who left the words and ran away, Zhan Feiyu was not in a hurry to find Qiu Zongxi. He glanced at the clepsydra and found that the rest time had passed. He added water to grind again and continued with the unfinished homework.

……

Although reading was hard work, time passed extremely quickly. By the time Zhan Feiyu dried the ink and put away the new article, He Nuan had been waiting for a long time, and it was already past meal time.

He Nuan poured the warm water from the copper pot into the basin, and handed over the fragrant soap, "Mr. Qiu has been waiting in the side hall for a long time."

In the sound of splashing water, Zhan Feiyu washed off the ink that was inadvertently stained on his hands, and couldn't help laughing when he heard He Nuan's words, "Didn't you eat?"

"Well, it should be because of what Young Master Xu said about going out tomorrow." He Nuan handed over the cloth towel, and after Zhan Feiyu wiped off the water stains on his hands, he opened the pearl ointment for wiping his hands.

"A Nuan, if I win the first prize in the future, half of the credit must be due to you." Zhan Feiyu sighed again, even in her previous life, she did not have such a delicate life.

Now being taken care of by He Nuan meticulously, Zhan Feiyu feels that he is almost becoming a waste of life who can do nothing but study.

He Nuan also laughed, "This is the job of a slave."

When Zhan Feiyu arrived at the side hall, Qiu Zongxi was already impatient, "There are still more than two years left in the township examination, are you planning to burn your body and bones in exchange for Jie Yuanxu's name?"

Stern but full of concern.

"I will definitely eat on time next time." Zhan Feiyu hurriedly sat down.

Qiu Zongxi still had a sullen face, "Drink the soup first to cushion your stomach."

He Nuan first handed a bowl of soup to Qiu Zongxi, and then gave another half bowl to Zhan Feiyu. The soup was simmered in a casserole over low heat. Excellent, this will still be warm enough to drink in just one sip.

The delicious fish soup was stewed with milk and white milk. After half a bowl of soup, Zhan Feiyu finally came back to life, so he picked up his chopsticks and ate his late lunch. I sent a piece of it, saying that it is time to go to step on the snow and look for plum blossoms tomorrow, is that valley the one you painted in the "Picture of Years and Winter"?"

Qiu Zongxi is good at calligraphy and painting, and has lived in Xiangwu County for several years. He must have been to this valley. Xiangwu County is too cold. During this time, Zhan Feiyu can go out and relax besides reading.

"Plum Valley is worth a visit." Qiu Zongxi didn't stop him, no matter what purpose Qiu Jinyu had, and no matter how many ghosts and monsters were hiding in the dark in Xiangwu County, it was absolutely impossible to hurt this girl.

No matter whether Qiu Zongxi traveled to the Daqing Dynasty or settled in Xiangwu County later, there were always people who protected his safety. These people were all dead men secretly cultivated by the Qiu family.

Not to mention anything else, just because Qiu Zongxi saved the Holy Master and Gu Xueshi back then, as long as the Qiu family does not seek rebellion, the Qiu family will definitely have a smooth career.

Ever since Zhan Feiyu moved into Qiu's mansion, Qiu Zongxi knew that besides He Sheng, He Nuan, and the coachman, there was a secret team of people around the house to protect the little girl's safety.

A few days later, the head of the Qiu family's guards reported to Qiu Zongxi that besides the people around the house, there seemed to be a group of people hiding in Xiangwu County.

It's just that the whereabouts of this group of people are a mystery, and the commander of the guards can't be completely sure, unless they secretly send someone to track them down, even then they may not be able to find the whereabouts of this group of people.

Naturally, Qiu Zongxi wouldn't ask anyone to investigate, as long as there was no hostility, it didn't matter who sent him to protect the little girl or not.

Until Zhang Yiyi was arrested by Wu Baihu and sent to prison, Qiu Zongxi suspected that the team might be from the Forbidden Dragon Guard, so it was even more impossible to follow up and investigate.

This is also the fundamental reason why Qiu Zongxi is not worried about Zhan Feiyu's safety. Even if something happens to Yang Xu, this girl will be fine.

No matter how strong the old Yang family's troops are, they are no match for the forbidden dragon guards. Of course, the large number of Yang family's old troops is an innate advantage.

"So Zhou Shuyao really fell in love with Qiu Jinyu?" Zhan Feiyu's eyes were shining with excitement, his curious look was not at all like a scholar, but more like those gossiping women in the village.

But she has a fair complexion and big eyes. With such round eyes blinking, she only looks cute and cute, which makes people laugh, and she is not willing to scold her.

Qiu Zongxi came from a family, but he has an unruly and casual personality, so he naturally didn't care that Zhan Feiyu brought up this topic, "There are few books and little knowledge, and the Zhou family and the Zhang family still claim to be a scholarly family!"

The strong irony is self-evident.

Zhou Shuyao fell in love with Qiu Jinyu because he was fascinated by his looks and family background, but how could Zhou Shuyao take the initiative to post a post if he was ugly or came from a poor family.

In Qiu Zongxi's opinion, if she is really a girl from a scholarly family, she will not be so superficial if she has read a lot, especially with Zhan Feiyu as a comparison, how can a little girl be loved by love with her small heart? Bewildered by love.

"Zhou Shuyao is so inexperienced, Zhang Minxian is a fellow of the fifth class, and he has read all the books in the stomach of a dog!" Qiu Zongxi would not criticize Zhou Shuyao, a little girl who is not yet old enough, after all, she grew up in the back house, and it is normal to have little knowledge.

But Zhang Minxian, as the magistrate of Linzhou Prefecture, actually allowed Zhou Shuyao, a niece, to contact a foreigner. This behavior was too ugly, and he didn't even want the face of the official's family.

It's fine if it works, but if it doesn't work, Zhou Shuyao's family's reputation will be ruined, and the miserable days in the future can be imagined.

Thinking of this, Qiu Zongxi suddenly put down his chopsticks, and his tone was never serious, "You are still young, since you are going to take the imperial examination, you should concentrate on studying. As for your marriage, I will leave it to Gu Qingzhou to check on you!"

A mouthful of food almost spewed out, and the choked Zhan Feiyu coughed in embarrassment, quickly wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief, and said helplessly, "I'm only nine years old, and even if we want to get married, it will take ten years. I said it’s okay if I don’t want to marry.”

What are you marrying for?Zhan Feiyu didn't have the slightest idea, but it's really too early to say this now.

Qiu Zongxi frowned involuntarily. He didn't want the little girl to be unkind, but it would shock the world if she didn't get married. But when he thought of Xueshi Gu who had never married so far, and thinking of himself who was also single, Qiu Zongxi suddenly lost the courage to persuade him. He stared, "Eat !"

Zhan Feiyu, who sees through and doesn't tell the truth, suppressed a smile, and continued to eat obediently.

On the second day, the weather was beautiful, not only did the wind stop, but even the snow stopped. Seven or eight carriages drove out of the official road of Xiangwu County and headed straight for Meigu.

In the carriage, Zhan Feiyu glanced out the window, "This means that even the snow on the road has been cleared."

"After Zhou Shuyao posted the post, the county captain's daughter and niece were all going to participate, and the daughters of several wealthy businessmen in Xiangwu County, as well as the daughters and granddaughters of two Juren families also wanted to go, so apart from the yamen's arrest In addition, a few wealthy businessmen also took money and hired dozens of people to clear the snow on the official road." He Nuan was well informed, not to mention that the snow removal matter was so powerful that it had already spread throughout Xiangwu County.

Zhou Shuyao is the eldest daughter of the Zhou family, and with her status, some people want to curry favor with her.

This is also because the weather is cold and the news has not been spread, otherwise the daughters of aristocratic families and rich families in Weizhou Prefecture will rush over to participate when they receive the news.

Zhan Feiyu who understood clearly put down the curtain, "Is there anything unusual in Meigu?"

"No ambush has been found yet, but if you come back at Youshi, even if you don't make an ambush earlier, there is still time." He Nuan didn't go to Meigu to investigate, but He Sheng went overnight.

As Zhan Feiyu suspects, Meigu is indeed an easy place to set up an ambush, surrounded by mountains on all sides, especially there are many huge rocks in the plum forest, there are naturally strange rocks where there are plum blossoms, this is the elegance of scholars.

But once the enemy makes a move here, it will be extremely difficult for the people in the valley to escape, and the falling stones can smash the people in the valley to their feet.

Zhan Feiyu looked at the topographic map of Meigu hand-painted by He Sheng, and after a while, he suddenly asked: "There is no snow falling in the valley, but it is winter after all, and there are many dry branches. What will happen if it is attacked by fire?"

"What?" He Nuan was startled, his expression changed suddenly.

She only thought about an ambush, but never thought about a fire attack. Once the enemy guarded the mountain, as long as they set fire to it, they would definitely ignite dead branches and weeds. If tung oil was added, the fire would be fierce.

Zhan Feiyu continued: "I heard from the old man that the valley has a unique terrain, so there is no wind, so the thick smoke will not dissipate."

In a general fire, not many people are actually burned to death, and most people die from the thick smoke.

He Nuan nodded in understanding, quickly took out a pen and ink from the carriage, and quickly wrote a note. When the ink was dry, He Nuan took out a bone whistle and blew it. The sound was not loud, but the timbre was very unique.

A falcon flew down from the sky at an extremely fast speed, and with its white feathers, unless it kept staring at the sky, it would be difficult for even warriors to spot this white falcon.

After a while, the falcon flew into the sky again from the window of the carriage, and there was a bound secret letter on his feet.

(End of this chapter)