Chunguang Brocade

Chapter 80 Returning to Beijing
The dark guard nodded, "Who dares to disobey His Highness's instructions."

Mu Tong bit his lip, "Then quietly ask what Miss Shen is doing lately."

The dark guard quietly glanced at the closed study door, "I dare not send a dark guard, but I can ask my friends from the rivers and lakes to help you find out."

"Okay, don't worry, I will pay for the errands."

The hidden guard made fun of him, "Will you not renege on your debt?"

"No, no, hurry up."

The dark guard disappeared in an instant.

In March, the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty was covered with greenery, and peaches, plums and apricots were blooming like brocades.It is a good time for the noble sons and young ladies to go out in spring, and it is also the best time for the marriages of various powerful families in the Wei Dynasty.

This year, in addition to the clichéd marriage of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, uncles of great and small countries were added. They were the most valuable diamond kings and fifths in the Wei Dynasty, and they became the best candidates for officials and hairpin families.

Uncle Daguo Gaochen sat in the shade of a tree in the garden to enjoy the shade without much interest, watching all kinds of little ladies swaying in front of him to give him a sense of presence, he had no interest in marriage at all.

Extremely boring.

He asked, "Where is the surname Shen?"

The master suddenly asked a question without beginning or end, and the attendant thought it was the daughter of the right servant of the Ministry of Industry, "Return to Your Highness, the little lady of Shen Shilang's family has a cold, so she didn't come to our flower party."

Gao Chen squinted, his eyebrows and eyes were sullen.

Another guard immediately stepped forward, "Master Hui, after the little lady disguised as a man was released by His Highness, she first went to find her girl for ten days, and then went to the northern hills in the suburbs of Beijing to pick up a businessman surnamed Yu, and she is coming back." on the way."

Gao Chen's pretty eyebrows twitched several times, "She wants to take back the shop?"

"Probably so." The guard carefully touched the owner's mind and said: "Master, this little lady has more eyes than a sieve, and the people below have already watched her little one, and she will report back and forth to the master whenever there is any movement."

Without Ji Chong's protection, can she take back the shop from them?Uncle Da Guo, who was originally bored, suddenly became interested, "I want to see how he snatches back the shop."

Huang Baoya has been very unlucky lately, and every time he gambles, he will lose. He is so angry that he sees someone beating someone, and the little subordinate is afraid of being beaten. I heard that no one is protecting her anymore, how about taking her here and selling her for a good price?"

Huang Baoya's desire for revenge has never been forgotten, "Is she really abandoned by the powerful?"

"It's true."

"Haha..." Huang Baoya stroked his greasy, fly-stained hair, "No wonder I've been losing all the time recently, so it's because I want to be proud of my love. Boys, come here, let's catch someone together."

"Yes, boss."

The misfortune moved eastward, and the little Luoluos surrounded them happily.

Two days later, the dark guard quietly told Mu Tong the news he had inquired about.

"Looking for a girl... pick up the one surnamed Yu..." Mu Tong clicked his lips, "She still wants to make a fuss."

The dark guard shrugged.

Mu Tong thought for a moment, "Xiao Wu, don't you think Miss Shen is different from all the girls we've seen?"

The dark guard Xiaowu agreed, "It's true, she does what men can do all day long."

"No, no, what she does, sometimes men may not be able to do it." Although he hates iron but not steel, Mu Tong said quite objectively, "She likes to wear men's clothing all day long, is it just that she looks like a woman?" Face, is she actually a man?"

This Xiaowu didn't dare to speak up, if he admitted that Miss Shen was a man, then he would indirectly admit that His Highness is a good man... Covering his mouth with his hands, he didn't even dare to think about it.

"Mutong, what are you muttering about?"

Master Su didn't know when he stood beside them, Mu Tong shivered in fright, "Master Su, why are you walking like a cat without making any sound at all."

Su Juesong glanced away at him, "I'm afraid someone has done something wrong."

"Master Su, don't talk nonsense. I have nothing to do. It's you, how is the selection of the chief examiner for the imperial examination? Your Highness has been so worried that I haven't slept well for several nights."

When it came to this, Su Juesong sighed, "It's hard, it's hard." After speaking, he entered Ji Chong's study as if he didn't understand.

"Difficult, difficult..." His Highness has raised so many staff, but he still can't handle Mrs. Gao, Mu Tong rolled his eyes, "If it was Miss Shen, I probably would have figured out a way."

After finishing speaking, Mu Tongcai unconsciously said what was in his heart, and ran away in fright.

In the room, Su Juesong approached the door, and when he heard his muttering, he was startled suddenly, yes, maybe Miss Shen has a different idea?He even forgot to salute when he walked in front of Ji Chong.

The spring in the north is dull and dry, Ji Chong is pressing his heart to relieve the pain, he has not seen the matter of his subordinate's ceremony for a long time, his brows are frowned, and he looks at him lightly to see when his mind wanders.

The aides who waited on the pen and ink were really sweating for Mr. Su. They wanted to remind but dared not. It was really a dilemma.

Suddenly, Su Juesong showed a smug smile. After waking up, he realized that he had already stood in front of His Highness, and hurriedly saluted, "Your Highness, I'm a little weak recently, and I want to ask for a two-day leave."

"..." The staff quietly glanced at His Highness in surprise. In March, when there were so many government affairs, Master Su dared to ask for leave. Sure enough, it was different who got favored.

Ji Chong's cool eyes were emotionless, he stretched out his hand and pushed down a pile of folders in front of him, glanced at him, got up, and left the study with his hands behind his back.

Su Juesong didn't seem to see the master suppressing his anger, and smiled softly at the staff, "Hurry up and tidy it up, and use it tomorrow morning."

"Yes, my lord." The staff looked at the sky outside, it was dusk, could it be that His Highness didn't come to work after dinner, so Master Su took His Highness to have a good time?

Master Su hurriedly followed Ji Chong, "Your Highness, I know a good breakfast restaurant, why don't I take you there to repay the taste?"

Ji Chong glanced at the sinking sun, which was hanging red in the sky, "Go to have breakfast now?" What kind of stimulation did his subordinates get so delirious, he raised his eyes, "Call the imperial physician."

"Don't yell, don't yell." Lord Su hurriedly stopped his followers, and then smiled at his master, "Your Highness, it's normal to eat the same thing for dinner and breakfast, it's not surprising, do you want to go with your subordinates?"

The abnormal is the demon.

Ji Chong looked at him coldly.

He nodded with a smile.

"lead the way."

"Yes, Your Highness." Su Juesong hurriedly ordered the carriage to be prepared.

Shen Chuxia brought Boss Yu back to Beijing, but instead of going home, she rented a small courtyard near Zhang Feiran's house, and the group lived in it together.

"We're doing business around here?"

Shen Chuxia shook her head, "No."

"Oh, look at what I said, we came back to rob the shop."

Shen Chuxia still shook her head, "No, it's not too late to grab the shop back."

"That's..." Boss Yu was puzzled.

"I'm too tired from the journey today, everyone should take a rest, if anyone is hungry, go to the stall outside to buy something to eat, and tomorrow we will start to work hard."

The little rabbit asked, "Brother Xia, don't you go out to eat?"

Shen Chuxia's small body couldn't withstand the long journey, "I won't go out, you bring me some, I'll sleep first."

At dusk and sunset, the twilight is all in one, leaving only the last touch of the setting sun caressing the horizon with nostalgia.

Boss Yu is like a king of children, with a few young and middle-aged people behind him, taking them to a small restaurant for dinner. Along the way, there is an endless stream of pedestrians, and there are many shops on both sides of the street. Is it dazzling or dim, just like the life of every pedestrian walking on the street.

Boss Yu sighed unconvinced. He must put his roots here and let future generations live comfortably here.

Zhu Erniang and his wife were cleaning the shop and preparing the ingredients for tomorrow's breakfast. Unexpectedly, someone came in to eat noodles, not only that, but also someone she knew—her former employer benefactor, and quickly put down his hands to say hello.

However, the rich and extraordinary young people around Engong made her timid and stopped. She was able to open a small shop in the capital for a few years. Regent.

She pulled up the man and was about to kneel down, but was restrained by Su Juesong, "Two bowls of light plain noodles."

"Yes, my lord."

Zhu Erniang dragged her husband into the kitchen, walked a few steps, thought for a while, then turned her head, "My lord, would you like a bowl of Yangchun noodles?"

Su Juesong had never heard of it before. Looking at Ji Chong, his expression was indifferent and his eyes were cold. Even without the blessing of his identity, he still had an aura that strangers should not get close to. Seeing that he didn't say anything, he nodded, "OK."

During the waiting time, the host and guest looked at the street in front of the small shop. Since there were several guards standing in front of the shop, many pedestrians walked across the street.

At dusk, the light is soft, hitting pedestrians with a layer of warm color, which makes people watching the scenery relax unconsciously.

Suddenly, several familiar figures came into Su Juesong's sight, his eyes lit up, his whole body became energetic, and his eyes instantly searched for a small figure, and he looked around three times, but he still couldn't find the person he wanted to meet.

Looking at His Highness in failure, only then did he realize that the Master was just like him, looking for the few people who passed by on the opposite side.

These middle-aged and middle-aged children have always followed Miss Shen, how could there be no her today?Did something happen?I almost couldn't bear to inquire, but I endured it for a long time, and quietly glanced at the master.

The master lowered his eyes, and has retracted his gaze.

"Yangchun noodles are here—" Zhu Erniang came with steaming smooth noodles.

He raised his eyes in surprise, "Zhu Erniang, there is nothing in this noodle, why is it called Yangchun Noodle?"

Zhu Erniang smiled, "I don't know why." She glanced over and saw those boys, "Well, it was Miss Shen among them who asked me to call it that way, saying that it was a folk custom to call October Xiaoyangchun, Noodles also sell for ten renminbi, it’s ugly to call it smooth, it’s better to call it Yangchun Wenqi.”

It was true that which pot was not opened and which pot was lifted, Su Juesong gave Zhu Erniang a color and told her to leave quickly.

She always does things so differently, a bowl of smooth noodles is so poetic by her - Yangchun, as if hearing March.

Holding up the chopsticks, he chewed slowly and ate a large bowl.

Mu Tong stood on the side, his hands were almost clasped together, he was really 'Amitabha Buddha', wait... He seemed to have thought of something, His Highness, this is...

The years seemed to quiet down all of a sudden. For Mr. Su, who was almost too busy, why he felt this way, of course, was because of Mrs. Shen who would come to trouble.

Since she was released from the other courtyard by His Highness, there are no more virtuous names about the regent in the market, and there are only stumbling blocks that those old thieves secretly envoy to His Highness. Heart, can't go up and down, it's really aggrieved and uncomfortable.

"What is she doing lately?" Ever since he knew that Mu Tong was secretly inquiring about Miss Shen, Master Su also followed up on a daily basis.

Mu Tong shook his head, "Recently I've been wandering around the moat for four or five days, and I don't know why."

moat?Want to jump into the river?impossible.But apart from boatmen and traders, it was ordinary people who went to the river to buy clothes.

"Not found?"

"No." Mu Tong sighed, "I heard that Uncle Da Guo's people also followed quietly, and I also want to know what she is doing."

If it weren't for the approaching April Spring, Master Su would have wanted to meet Miss Shen in person, "I won't tell you anymore, I have to go to His Highness to quickly confirm the matter of the examiner."

"It will start in about ten days, why haven't we decided on the chief examiner yet?" Even a guard like Mu Tong looked anxious.

Su Juesong looked helpless, "I think so too, but none of the three people recommended are so suitable, I'm so worried."

"Could it be time to catch the blind?"

Of course not, only dwarfs can be elected as generals.

Chu Liangjun has been going to the Library of Scholars Pavilion, looking forward to meeting Miss Shen, but since he helped Jiang Qingxuan redeem him last year, she seldom goes there. He also wanted to ask her out directly, but what can he say if he has an appointment?
A middle-aged man in his thirties who was frustrated in his official career looked for a young lady in his fifteenth or sixteenth year. It seemed weird to him. Later, when he heard that she was missing, he didn't need to think about it. Instead of being locked up in a big prison, he was locked up in his other courtyard.

This is what Miss Shen told him when they just met.

"Then you're looking for me now..." He knew the little lady's father, and it wasn't close to him, but he definitely wasn't an acquaintance.

Sitting in the boat, the boat is driving in the middle of the river, what they say, no one will hear.

Shen Chuxia looked around habitually, "Mr. Chu, is he going to spend his whole life like this, or do he want to develop everything?"

Chu Liangjun frowned, not knowing what she meant.

"Don't you think that the Great Wei Dynasty was riddled with holes and sickness?"

"Of course I know this." Chu Liangjun suddenly felt very funny, "Your father was imprisoned by Ji Chong, and you still expect him to change the fate of the Great Wei Dynasty?"

"I count that onion."

"Then what do you mean?"

Shen Chuxia said sternly, "Mr. Chu, don't expect anyone to achieve each other, how about it?"

Chu Liangjun straightened his waist suddenly, with a dangerous face on his face: "What do you mean?"

"you and me."

"I still do not understand."

Shen Chuxia smiled slightly, "The competition between Mrs. Gao and the regent for the chief examiner of the imperial examination has caused a lot of trouble, you know that?"

"Of course." He exclaimed, "All the students of the Great Wei Dynasty in Beijing know about it."

"So here's your chance?"

"I……"

"Yes, that's right." Shen Chuxia looked at him meaningfully.

Chu Liangjun understood something, his hands trembled a little, "But...but I'm alone, who...who will push me to Qingyun?"

"Do you believe me?" Shen Chuxia looked at him slyly with sharp eyes.

"I...I..." Chu Liangjun's hands were shaking uncontrollably, "I... still can't believe you, a little lady..."

"Why did Jiang Qingxuan redeem people? Don't you believe it now?"

"That... just a trickster, now... now the chief examiner." Chu Liangjun, an old man who had been in the officialdom and businessman, couldn't control his emotions, and he kept stammering.

Shen Chuxia's eyes were determined: "I only want your two original intentions..."

"Those two?"

After getting off the boat, Chu Liangjun was in a daze, and the prostitute from Hongcui Building followed him ashore.

In March, Shen Chuxia hid at the bottom of the underwater boat. She didn't come ashore quietly from the bottom of the water until the evening when the passenger ship was in chaos.

Everyone who stared at Shen Chuxia thought she would make a big move, but unexpectedly, she just brought a few half-children and set up a small stall in Zhouqiao Night Market for barbecue.

"That's it……"

"Yes, Lord, our people are really staring at you."

Daguo's uncle, Gao Chen, has been busy helping the old man with his imperial examinations, and only occasionally asked about Shen Chuxia when he was free. Based on his knowledge of her, "It's unlikely."

"But our people have been watching. She went to the moat to buy spices for barbecue. I heard from people who have visited the night market that the barbecue tastes amazing. It is really delicious. Many people eat it and earn a lot of money in one night. "

"A stall, how many more can there be?" Gao Chen didn't care, scratched his chin with his fingers, without Ji Chong's protection, this woman gave up?

Before Gao Chen had time to ponder this matter carefully, news came from the message line, "Master, a certain examiner whom the regent is about to recommend has finally acted, and he has been caught as a bet."

"Do it with clean hands and feet."

The attendant hesitated a little, "Master, it seems that our people haven't done anything yet."

Gao Chen was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "The one surnamed Ji thought that his subordinates were clean and honest officials, but he didn't expect the world to be as black as crows."

"Master, now this matter has reached the Western Department."

Gao Chen frowned, as if something was wrong, "Hurry up and find out, what's going on?" Based on his sense of smell, no one would dare to go to the Western Department to make trouble with only enthusiasm?There must be someone behind it.

Ji Chong?Impossible, he will not shoot himself in the foot.

Who is that?There are not many people who dare to fight against the Taishifu. "Go and check Uncle Xiaoguo."

"Yes, sir."

"There is also the Shen family in the capital."

The attendant was taken aback for a moment, "Master, are you talking about Miss Shen?"

"Tch," he hooked his lips, "haven't you been staring at her recently, who is she getting close to?"

"Except for the one surnamed Yu, that is, the one surnamed Zhang, they had breakfast together. In Zhuji, there was no one else."

"That's it."

"Yes, little one understands."

The Shen family, the servant of the Ministry of Industry, belonged to the Zanying family in the capital. During the time of Emperor Zhengxing, their ancestors served as Sangongs. Later, as Emperor Zhengxing favored Ren Wang, they gradually left the center of the temple. Now the highest position in the entire family is the Ministry of Industry. The position of a servant, whether it is high or not, is important or not, it can only support the appearance.

But this kind of family has very hard bones, and has always refused to associate with the Taishi's mansion. In the court, it is either angry with the Taishi or Ji Chong. Like a chicken rib, Gao Taishi and Ji Chong seemed to be waiting for the other party to get rid of the thorn, but neither of them did it, leaving the thorn to exist.

The West Office is where the Sangong Jiuqing and the Six Departments work.

Gao Chen got up quickly, "Where's my father?"

"Old Master Gao is preparing to go to the Western Department."

Gao Chen hurriedly adjusted his robe and went to the study in the main courtyard.

When Ji Chong arrived at the West Office, the usually solemn and solemn West Office was as noisy as a vegetable market. Gao Taishi stood on the high steps of the government office, watching with nothing, and his son Da Guoshu stood in front of the crowd in a scarlet robe. , allowing a young man to grab Mr. Li.

Master Li hid his face and dodged back and forth like a bereaved dog.

Ji Chong holds the military power, is a military officer, and his office is in the East Office.

There is a clear distinction between the East and West Departments, which is one of the reasons why Ji Chong has not settled these literati since he came to power. They were grouped together in the West Department headed by Gao Taishi, and it was difficult for him to reach in.

When Grand Master Gao saw Ji Chong approaching, he acted like an elder speaking earnestly, "Wen Chu, it's not that this old man disagrees with the officials you recommend, but take a look... what is this all about?"

The East and West Departments were close to the imperial city, so how could students without official positions come in at will. They were able to reach the West Department without knowing how much water was released along the way.

Ji Chong stood with his hands behind his back, his face was silent, and his eyes were cold.

Su Juesong asked people to rescue Master Li.

Lord Li knelt down in front of Ji Chong, without saying a word to himself, "Your Highness, please convict me."

Ji Chong didn't seem to see him, and was about to leave with his hands behind his back.

The old master Gao said behind him, "Wenchu, let Mr. Zhao take care of the chief examiner. One is that he has served as the chief examiner in the Zhengxing Dynasty, and the other is that he is old and persuasive. What do you think?" ? If there is no objection, don't wait until tomorrow morning, let's settle him now, how about it?"

Mrs. Gao left one 'What do you think?Another 'how' seems to ask the regent's opinion on everything, but in fact, the soft knife stabbed his ribs deeply, making him unable to move.

Ji Chong stopped in his tracks, as if he wanted to turn around.

A few students were stunned and shouted at all the officials, "You officials protect each other, we don't believe in anyone, we need a literati who has integrity and will not go with you, we need a real examiner who will not be corrupt and accept bribes. People are qualified to preside over big events for us."

The old master Gao and Ji Chong looked at the young man who was leading the conversation at the same time. His accent had a strong Lingnan accent, as if he had just entered the capital.

Su Juesong smelled something different from the young man's words, and he wanted to ask a question, but he was the most popular around Ji Chong, so it seemed inappropriate to ask.

Gao Ji fought, the other officials didn't want to be cannon fodder at all, and for a while, no one gave this young man a step down, making him unable to say what he said next.

Shen Gongci, the servant of the Ministry of Industry, cupped his hands and stepped forward, "Your Highness, old grand master, if you have something to say, I don't know if I should say it or not?"

Fishbone is here again!
Su Juesong seized this opportunity and spoke for him, "Master Shen, if you have something to say—"

Shen Gongci said, "After the rebellion of the Three Kings subsided, there were many vacancies in the imperial court. There is really no one who can be the chief examiner for a while. Why don't you listen to the voices of the students and see what kind of person they want to be their chief examiner?" .”

The young man responded immediately, "We hope that Mr. Wanfeng will be the examiner."

The officials were surprised.

The members of the Gao Party looked at Mrs. Gao.

Ji Pai looked at the regent.

Su Juesong was also surprised. Everyone knew that Mr. Wan Feng, Chu Liangjun, was a member of the Ministry of Officials, and his position was demoted by His Highness. This... He hesitated, but today, Mrs. Gao is bound to win. Instead of letting Mrs. Gao The Taishi's people have to go, so it's better to let Chu Liangjun, who is not connected with the two factions, be the chief examiner.

Su Juesong quickly weighed the pros and cons, and just about to remind His Highness, Ji Chong's thin lips parted lightly: "Yes."

(End of this chapter)