Crown Jewels

Chapter 260
In Xuanyangfang, Lin'an, the mansion of the Zhou Mansion is brightly lit in spring.

The attendant who guards the gate between the opening and closing of the courtyard cordially leads the horses of the guests, and humbly invites the adults invited into the mansion.

The wheels of the car rolled across the official road, and the moment the curtain was raised, many microscopic guests stopped and looked in that direction in surprise, but the guard at the gate seemed to have been prepared, and quickly stepped forward and put a horse under the carriage. stool.

Meeting everyone's eyes, the moment the burly girl in the purple shirt stepped on the ground, the flesh on her face trembled slightly. AhZi didn't care about it at all, and she didn't even care about the eyes of everyone. The first thing she thought of was reaching out to support her lord in the sedan chair.

Immediately afterwards, the car curtain was lifted, and the woman in black shirt walked down slowly, causing everyone to gasp in unison.

In fact, apart from the outstanding places like the academy, how can you see a woman with such a sign in ordinary neighborhoods? What's even more rare is the faint smile on the corner of her mouth when she looks at her. When the smile is subdued, the serious look of the eyebrows and eyes is like the blue smoke of the distant mountains, with a bit of coolness in the curl.

On the road facing the street, another man who lifted the curtain to wait and see, saw the woman parked in front of the Zhou mansion, his eyes could not see a slight smile, only when he looked at her, he really looked at her, and his mouth held back. He couldn't help murmuring in a low voice.

"is her?"

Shen Lanqing landed on the ground, casually brushed the black official robe on her body, and handed the invitation card in her sleeve to the guard at the gate. The attendant bent down and hurriedly finished, opened it and glanced at it casually. When he saw the words "Master Shen, Minister of Rites" on it , the attitude is more respectful, the courtyard door is completely opened, the light and distinguished guests come in, take care of and guide the way, very thoughtful.

The green bamboo and pine waves are like stormy waves, slowly blowing the gentle breeze of spring, adding to the beauty of spring in the courtyard of the official residence.

"grown ups?"

Ignoring Ah Zi's worried gaze, Shen Lanqing took the pill calmly, but Ah Zi who couldn't hold her back could only hand over the water bottle she carried with her.

The warm water passed over the pink lips, bringing out the fragrance of honey that AZi specially added, just to suppress the bitterness, and in a blink of an eye, I saw the disapproval on AZI's face.

Shen Lanqing wiped off the water stains on the corners of her lips, thinking it was a little funny, she couldn't help reminding her.

"Master Zhou's private banquet today requires drinking, but today, I told Ah Zi that I'm going to a very important place..."

Meeting someone who... means a lot to me.

The breeze rustled the bamboo leaves, swallowing the unspoken words and lingering in his chest.

In the pavilions and waterside pavilions, the spring banquet is filled with the flowing water of the curved cup, and the water vapor from the pavement is cool.

Holding the wine cup, Shen Lanqing saw the surprised eyes of the adults around her, and did not dodge them. She raised her glass modestly and nodded slightly to them without saying a word.

AhZi obediently followed behind her, seeing her adults' familiar faces, her eyes shone brightly.

When the courteous reciprocity was politely returned, a man's full of enthusiasm came out from the shelter of the water pavilion in the distance, obviously smiling.

"My lords have been waiting for—"

When Shen Lanqing heard the words, she followed the voice and looked out, and saw a middle-aged man who was also wearing a black robe and a long beard. He was also the boss she would face frequently in the future when she returned to Lin'an City. grown ups.

Like a tacit understanding, Zhou Huaijin's eyes also fell on Shen Lanqing first, with a bit of scrutiny in his eyes.

Zhou Huaijin is the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and it is common for him to be awarded honors in examinations. What's more important is the appointment and dismissal of civil servants in the world, as well as promotion and transfer matters.

This time the Zhou Mansion set up a private banquet, and what they did in the end was the woman in front of them.

Thinking that a few days ago, the person who entered the palace overnight and summoned Zhou Huaijin was the former Empress Gu Jun, and what she did in such a hurry was to transfer the woman in front of her to the capital.

Zhou Huaijin didn't dare to refuse, she was surprised that such a high-minded person like Gu Jun could be attracted by such a person, so she checked Shen Lanqing's details overnight, and found some results.

Shen Lanqing, enrolled in Huaigu Academy, was once Xie Yuan in the Qiuwei Township Examination. A few years ago, he invited Gu Jun to go to the south of the Yangtze River, and later worshiped under the name of Mr. Meng Lao, a famous family in the south of the Yangtze River. , have something to do with this woman.

If it's just that, it's okay, but the most important thing is that the meaning of Gu Jun's words that night was to let Zhou Huaijin preach more, and he still didn't quite understand Gu Jun's meaning at that time.

As a result, the imperial decree entered the Ministry of Officials on the second day. It was the document that transferred Shen Lanqing from Jiangnan to the capital.

This kind of treatment must be shocking and surprising.

However, when Shen Lanqing joined Jiangnan, her political achievements were indeed good. This transfer is not without foundation, and there are two literary figures, Lu Jiuxi and Meng Lao, who jointly guarantee her. She is really good, being able to enter the official department and become the youngest maidservant, although it sounds a bit bizarre, it is not completely without confidence.

The most important thing, what Zhou Huaijin admired was that she was able to be appreciated by Gu Jun.

You know, that's Gu Jun with eyes above her head!

It was no surprise to meet Zhou Huaijin's gaze. As early as when Jiangnan was transferred back to Beijing, Shen Lanqing and the Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Mr. Zhou, had already passed many letters.

The strength of character between the lines, Shen Lanqing knows him a little bit, and she is not too nervous to see the real person this time.

Shen Lanqing had a respectful attitude, bowed her hands to Zhou Huaijin with a smile in her eyes, and greeted his hearty and friendly laughter. Before she came close, she couldn't wait to introduce her to the officials present.

This time, the banquet was held in the Zhou Mansion, and it was regarded as a private banquet, and the guests were basically officials who would have close dealings with the officials in the future.

Therefore, although the official ranks are high or low, they all have some intersections, and it is natural to be more friendly when meeting people than dealing with people from other government offices.

"Come on, come on—"

"All of you are not outsiders. Today, Huaijin hosted a banquet in the Zhou Mansion, and I have a brief gathering with you. More importantly, I want to show you Shen Shilang, who will work with us in the future. This way, we can take care of each other when we go out to do business. good."

"In the final analysis, the Ministry of Households is the Ministry of Households, and the Ministry of War is the Ministry of War. In this way, in our Ministry of Officials, you adults must work together!"

The hearty laughter sounded again, which surprised Shen Lanqing. Zhou Huaijin's impression in the letter was a bit strict and rigid, but he never thought that in private, when getting along with his colleagues, he would be a little...cute.

"Come on, Master Shen Lanqing, the document for the transfer of the servant has been issued, and you all need to help each other in the future!"

With Zhou Huaijin as the guarantor, Shen Lanqing will naturally face fewer doubts.

Although there were quite a few curious people, she was no longer the silent female scholar who retreated behind at the banquet.

In the past years of being an official in Jiangnan, she not only worshiped a famous teacher, but more importantly, she learned how to deal with her usual colleagues.

Holding the wine cup in her hand, Shen Lanqing walked slowly to Zhou Huaijin's side, and glanced at everyone with a smile. Even a woman can easily be liked by a confident and calm demeanor, let alone a servant of the Ministry of Rites in the future.

You must know that such an official rank is only inferior to Zhou Huaijin in the entire official department.

The position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials has already made Shen Lanqing the second position in the Ministry of Officials.

The officials and colleagues are not fools, and they may have doubts in their hearts, but Shen Lanqing's real official rank is there, and his posture is calm and upright at the moment, so naturally they will not lose their winks and make the atmosphere cold.

Soon, the water pavilion gradually became lively, and Shen Lanqing shuttled through the crowd, laughing and chatting with colleagues about Jiangnan scenery and anecdotes from time to time.

When toasting for entertainment, you are open and generous, and such a non-stage-fright posture can easily win the favor of others.

In terms of her demeanor and appearance alone, it is far from impossible for her to be an illiterate woman raised in a deep boudoir. When it comes to Jiangnan habits, she has a good conversation and knowledge, and she is quite measured in dealing with her.

Everyone couldn't help but sigh in admiration!Secretly said that the mountains and rivers in the south of the Yangtze River are beautiful, and the people who are nourished and infiltrated are also so sensitive and beautiful.

(End of this chapter)