Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 737: A Painting of Emperor Wu
In front of the Hanyuan Hall,
A long distance away,

Zhang Jinyu, along with the three princes, quietly walked over. Seeing the conversation between Shen Zhongxin and the censor, Zhang Jinyu couldn't help but laugh, and at the same time had a headache. These censors were really good at making fun of others. Not only did they make a big deal out of things, but their righteous words made others feel guilty.
"My Lord, this man is a relative of Su Yuankui of Jingnan Marquis's Mansion in Jingnan. Isn't Jingnan Marquis the consort of the eldest princess' aunt?"

The three princes at this time felt more and more familiar. Thinking back, it seemed to be related to the three of them. However, what the censor said made sense. If everyone was like this, lawless and self-centered, then the rules of the imperial examination would be gone.
Zhang Jinyu walked in the front, his head ached. In just one morning, all the weird things had popped up. How come he didn't know about Su Yuankui's relatives? If it was true, Her Royal Highness the Princess would have been recruited long ago.
Judging from the power of Beishan, I am afraid that Her Royal Highness the Princess has already swallowed up the power of the Marquis of Jingnan's Mansion. Otherwise, how could she have such huge financial and material resources, and even more manpower? After all, Princess Yongcheng seems to be the same. Who supports her?

Looking at the people in the courtyard again, their faces were full of piety, "Miserable!"

At this time, a nephew who is not sure whether he is real or fake pops up, which makes things really chaotic.

"Well, the relationship is well sorted out. The princess married the Marquis of Jingnan. In the eyes of ordinary people, she got married. It's also Su Yuankui's fault that he was unlucky and passed away like this, leaving behind such a large family. But this person said he was Su Yuankui's nephew. Who can prove it? Let's go and take a look."

Marquis Luo Yun talked to himself and walked over with his men. Only the eldest prince and the second prince had puzzled looks in their eyes. Did Marquis Luo Yun know about the affairs of Marquis Jingnan's Mansion, or did he not know? The three of them had heard from their mother about the secrets involved. It was nothing more than the matter of their father's seizure of the throne at that time. Such talk could not be tolerated. So what was the purpose of this person coming here?

With many questions in mind, he followed Marquis Luo Yun to the palace gate to see how Marquis Luo Yun would deal with it.

at this time,

In front of the palace gate,
Shen Zhongxin and Cao Guangzheng were still arguing, neither of them giving in. Many of the censors, or inspectors, did not even interrupt. However, they seemed to agree with Cao Guangzheng's opinion, especially Lu An, who was standing behind Shen Zhongxin. He could not help but bow.

"Sir Shen, the imperial examination is a big deal. One person's behavior cannot disrupt the order of the palace. Besides, how many people remember old things? I don't know about those things. As the saying goes, ignorance is not a crime. Since most people don't know, why do you still bring it up? Even if this person doesn't have ulterior motives, he must have a deep meaning. So I think what Sir Cao said is right."

"Yes, Lord Shen, this person claims to be a relative of Su Yuankui of Jingnan Marquis Mansion. In the early years, the Su family was designated as a rebel by the Emperor. Although His Majesty has forgiven them, the children of the family are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination. What kind of explanation is this?"

Qi Liang, who was beside Lu An, pointed out the inappropriateness without hesitation. He was from the capital, so he naturally knew about these rumors, so he also stood beside Lord Cao.
For a moment, Shen Zhongxin's face looked extremely ugly.

Only Zhang Jinyu, who had just arrived, took a look at the people in front of him. Wow, they were all stabbing each other with bayonets. The censor was really... His mouth was amazing.
"Well, what you three said is true. The descendants of the Jingnan Marquis's family are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination. Since you want to know the identity of this person, then check it out. Come on, bring that person here and verify his identity."

"Yes, Hou Ye,"

The personal soldiers behind him ran over and carried the man over. When they reached the steps, he refused to stand up. Zhang Jinyu waved his hand and said, "If you want to kneel, then kneel down."
"Master Qi, go check his test papers to see if they are genuine."

"Yes, sir, I will check it out right away."

Qi Liang clasped his fists, walked to Su Wenliang, and stretched out his hand.

"Please show me your test report card so I can check it."

"Yes, my lord,"

Su Wenliang knelt on the ground and handed over the examination paper.

Qi Liang took it in his hand, verified its authenticity, and then looked at it. It said Su Wenliang, a native of Linshan County in the south of Beijing, a student of Bailu Academy, currently living in Yueluofang, Jinling City.
He didn't even mention the matter of Jingnan Marquis's Mansion. He snorted coldly.
"How dare you fool me and all the gentlemen! It clearly says that you are from Bailu Academy, Jinling City, Jiangnan. How can you be from Jingnan Marquis Mansion?"

"Your Excellency, I have lived in Jiangnan since I was young. My father died early, leaving only my mother to raise me in my hometown. The Marquis of Jingnan Mansion has been supporting my mother, so that she can get through those days. So how can I be so unfilial? I can only kneel down and kowtow three times and nine times."

"you!"

Qi Liang was so angry that he could not be forgiven, but he was just making excuses.

Even Zhang Jinyu understood it. They were all involved, but they were separated and not a family. Some things were excusable.

"Master Qi, don't be angry. Since he is not from the Marquis of Jingnan's mansion and it is in accordance with the rules, let him in. After all, there is no rule that prohibits kneeling to enter the hall. It is only for the examinee to take the exam and cannot involve other people. If anyone spreads rumors again, drive him out."

"My Lord, I do not agree with this. This person has no respect for the court. Since he keeps saying that he is from the Jingnan Marquis's Mansion, according to the court's laws, the children of the officials' families are not allowed to participate in the imperial examination. Since he says he is from the Jingnan Marquis's Mansion, he must be strictly investigated."

I don't know if Cao Guangzheng was just a chicken blood, this momentum did not give in at all, making Zhang Jinyu stunned, what a fellow, he is coming at me, damn, they say that censors are stones in the toilet, smelly and hard, it's really true,
"Master Cao, this is serious. Candidates who can enter the Hanyuan Hall must hold a red ticket. This is the rule set by this marquis. As for him kneeling to come in, it is understandable. Although he keeps saying that he is a member of the Jingnan Marquis's family, after the division of the clan, there is no relationship. In addition, everyone in the world can walk through this place, except him."

"I would like to ask you, Lord Marquis, why not? Su Yuankui was designated as a traitor by the court. His clansmen have such rampant people entering the palace. Does that mean all the students in the world will die? Lord Marquis, what is your intention in being so partial? Moreover, it is still unclear whether this place is the place where Su Yuankui's blood was shed."

Cao Guangzheng's words made the examiners around him nod their heads continuously. Even Zhang Jinyu himself was convinced. However, he still wanted to save his face.

"Well, Lord Cao said it well, it's right, but Lord Cao, everyone can walk through this place except him, because Su Yuankui is his uncle, and he helped them and their mother, and he is indebted to him. As a son or nephew, as a junior, regardless of whether Su Yuankui's blood was shed here, he must have been injured in the palace at that time. If he walks through the graves of his ancestors, is he still a human being? He is worse than an animal."

Zhang Jinyu suddenly turned around, looked at the officials around him, and said;

"Students should know about loyalty, filial piety, brotherhood, and human ethics. The court has designated Su Yuankui of the Marquis of Jingnan Mansion as a traitor, but you should know that the eldest princess has entered the gate of the Marquis of Jingnan Mansion, and she has not divorced. The majesty of the royal family is something that ministers should always keep in mind. According to what Lord Cao said, the Marquis of Jingnan Mansion are all traitors, so is the eldest princess, as the wife of the Marquis, also a traitor?"

"My Lord, I have no such intention."

Cao Guangzheng turned pale and knelt on the ground to deny it.

"Since that is not your intention, that's fine. Since the three princes are here, let's see what they think."

Zhang Jinyu pointed at the three princes behind him and asked them to make the decision. If there was any trouble, wouldn't this be a shield?
The three princes were also stunned. What should they do? They glared at each other and then looked at the eldest prince Zhou Ding.

"Well, since you are asking, I will give you some suggestions. The special examination stipulates that you must bring a red examination ticket to enter, but it does not stipulate how to enter. Moreover, this matter is an old matter and there is no basis for it. The special examination of the court is to recruit talents. The purpose of recruiting officials in the world is not only to look at the knowledge, but also to look at the way of the saints. How much knowledge a person has learned can be considered."

"Okay, everyone, get up, this matter is over."

Zhang Jinyu waved his hand, moved his feet, turned around and returned to the east window.

What Luo Yunhou and his companions didn't know was that at the corner of the side door of Hanyuan Hall, a figure flashed by.
The Hall of Nourishing Heart,
Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong stood behind the desk. He rarely reviewed the memorials. Instead, he asked Dai Quan to grind ink. With one hand behind his back, he held a brush with the other hand and lightly drew a stroke on the rice paper on the desk. Then, he continued to draw a palace gate in the center. It was so lifelike that it seemed as if it was right in front of him.
Dai Quan stood beside the imperial desk, grinding ink carefully, and then secretly glanced at the painting that His Majesty had drawn. It turned out to be a palace gate. From the looks of it, this must be the gate to the Hanyuan Palace. His Majesty, what is this?
"Your Majesty, are you still worried about Hanyuan Palace?"

"Yes, I am still a little worried. After all, this is my first time in the palace. There are so many people taking the provincial examination, and I can't help but feel uneasy."

Emperor Wu sighed, and then painted the large tripod in the courtyard on the painting, adding more majesty.

"Your Majesty, do not worry too much. The examinees are coming in today. Marquis Luo Yun, Lord Chu Nian, and Marquis Xiangyang were all ready last night. They also summoned all the examiners first. Today, they are personally in charge of the Hanyuan Hall. I think there will be no mistakes."

Dai Quan bowed slightly to share the worries of His Majesty. With Marquis Luo Yun personally there, even if there was something, it would only be a small matter and would not trouble the Marquis. Besides, although most of the candidates were children of officials, they should know the rules because of this, and they should know a lot more than those children from poor families outside. Marquis Luo Yun was not one to suffer any loss.

"Well, I hope so."

Emperor Wu murmured, and suddenly he picked up his brush and drew the rain falling from the sky, and then he stopped writing.

"Your Majesty's brushwork is truly brilliant, especially at the end of this painting. The raindrops are like a palace in a fairyland, and the atmosphere of fireworks has returned. I think those students must be grateful for the court's intentions and your majesty's grace."

Dai Quan's witty words made Emperor Wu in a good mood. He put down the brush in his hand, took another look at the painting on the desk, and nodded with satisfaction, "Well, you are so good at talking. This painting will be given to Luo Yunhou after the imperial examination is over. He has worked hard for it."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I think the Marquis will certainly understand Your Majesty's intentions."

Dai Quan still had a flattering look on his face. He carefully took the painting from the desk, gently held it in his hands, and placed it on the table in the east to dry. Just as he placed it securely, he turned back to enter the hall.
Xiao Yunzi, who was waiting outside the door, entered the hall and knelt down.
"Your Majesty, there is the eunuch Yu Shang outside the gate, and he has something to report."

Emperor Wu had just taken his seat and hadn't yet settled down when he heard someone in the hall report, "Yu Shang, why is he here? Didn't I arrange for him to monitor Hanyuan Hall? Could something have happened?"

"Quick, let him in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Xiao Yunzi immediately bowed, then stood up and left the imperial study, bringing Eunuch Yu in.

As soon as Manager Yu entered the imperial study, he walked to the center of the hall with small steps and immediately bowed.
"Your Majesty, long live the Emperor Wu."

"Stand up and answer, but is there something wrong with Hanyuan Hall?"

Emperor Wu sat on the dragon chair and asked with a frown. Only Dai Quan quietly brewed a pot of tea, came over with a tea bowl, and gently placed the tea bowl on a corner of the desk, then stood there again.

The eunuch Yu Guanshi, who was kneeling on the ground, seemed a little nervous. He glanced at the old ancestor secretly, but unfortunately, the internal minister did not look in his direction. He felt nervous and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."

He nodded tremblingly, stood up, bent over and continued;
"Your Majesty, there were some minor incidents in Hanyuan Palace, but they were all resolved by Marquis Luo Yun."

"Hmm? If something happens, it happens. What are small things? Tell me, what are they?"

Emperor Wu habitually tapped the table with his finger, as if he was wondering what a trivial matter was.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I deserve to die for not explaining myself clearly."

Eunuch Yu was so frightened that he fell to his knees and kowtowed on the ground. At this time, Dai Quan looked over and scolded him;

"If you have something to say, just speak honestly. Your Majesty asks, and you must not hide anything."

"Yes, Lord Governor, I was just nervous,"

Eunuch Yu wiped the sweat off his face with his sleeve, then he carefully organized his words and spoke out.

"Your Majesty, it is raining heavily outside today, so the Marquis arranged the examination of the examinees in the main hall. Many examinees came, and everything was fine at the beginning. But not long after, some students started to make trouble and fight. After being caught by Marquis Luo Yun, they were hung at the entrance of the hall and flogged, and several of them were banned from taking the imperial examination."

"Oh, it actually made Marquis Luo Yun angry. Who is so bold?"

Emperor Wu narrowed his eyes slightly and quickly thought about which young man among the court officials was so bold. This was in the palace.

"Your Majesty, the two people who fought were Yang Ming'an, the son of Mr. Yang, the Minister of Imperial Households, and Xue Pan, who was staying at the Jia family in Rongguo Mansion. The other two who helped Mr. Yang to insult were Sun Huaizhong and Luan Yiqing."

Eunuch Yu thought about it and answered truthfully.

Emperor Wu's frown relaxed, he took the tea bowl and sipped it carefully. It turned out to be the two of them. They had fought once in Yanchun Tower, but the fight was not resolved yet.

As for the other two, they were somewhat familiar with each other and silently said,
"Luan Yiqing, Sun Huaizhong,"

Dai Quan saw that His Majesty was suspicious, and immediately whispered back;

"Your Majesty, they are the sons of Luan Gongfu, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Sun Boyan, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites,"

After hearing Dai Quan's explanation, Emperor Wu suddenly realized that it was these three who were the good students of Li Shoufu. It was really disgraceful and embarrassing.

"Lord Luo Yun did the right thing. Such lawless people should be kicked out and banned from the imperial examinations for a few years?"

"Your Majesty, Marquis Luo Yun has issued an order that the two leaders will be banned from taking the exam for six years, and the followers will be banned from taking the exam for three years."

Eunuch Yu was still kneeling on the ground, answering carefully.
"Okay, then punish them according to what Marquis Luo Yun said. In addition, Dai Quan, send people to the residences of the three of them to reprimand them and punish them severely. Tell them that they should take good care of their own children. As for the Xue family, forget it."

Emperor Wu's hand was still stroking the tea bowl. He had never expected that the three ministers were on good terms, and their disciples were also like this. Prime Minister Li taught them well. In addition, Marquis Luo Yun was really daring. The people of the Xue family could be fair and just in this kind of relationship, and they should be taken as role models.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this old slave accepts the order."

Dai Quan was obviously a little surprised that His Majesty would actually send people to reprimand the three adults, but the Xue family was ignored. It was obviously because of Marquis Luo Yun's face. However, the Marquis really put justice above his relatives. He even punished the Xue family and banned them from taking the exam for six years. Isn't it too cruel?

"Tell me more, is there anything else?"

Emperor Wu was also in high spirits at this time. It was rare for such things to happen in such a short time.
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing. This morning, a candidate came. He started from the courtyard gate, tied a mourning belt, and bowed three times and kowtowed nine times before entering the palace. This person claimed to be Su Wenliang, the nephew of Su Yuankui, the Marquis of Jingnan, and came to take the exam because of the separation of the clan and living in Jiangnan. However, because of this behavior, the inspector Cao Guangzheng stopped him and wanted to expel him from the special examination, but Lord Shen disagreed and an argument broke out."

Eunuch Yu finished speaking in one breath, his face looking a little ugly. What happened back then involved a lot of people, and the palace tried to avoid mentioning the matter, not daring to say a word. However, the incident in Hanyuan Palace would inevitably get out, so after thinking it over again and again, Eunuch Yu gritted his teeth and spoke out.

With this remark,
Everyone in the hall did not change their expressions. Dai Quan paused, and in an instant his eyes fell on Eunuch Yu, as sharp as a needle. Xiao Yunzi also shuddered and lowered his head even lower.

Only the Emperor Wu, who was sitting on the dragon throne, remained calm. After a long pause, he asked,

"What did Marquis Luo Yun say?"

It was hard to tell whether the emperor was angry or not, but Dai Quan knew that the emperor was angry.

Eunuch Yu obviously didn't know how serious this was, and he stumbled and kowtowed as he replied;
"Your Majesty, Marquis Luo Yun brought three princes here. He first checked this person's test lot, and then said that this person can enter, and gave reasons. First, according to the rules of the special examination, one must hold a red lot to enter, and second, people from the branch clan are not considered members of the Marquis Jingnan's mansion. He also said in public that everyone in the world can walk into the palace, except him. Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, loyalty and filial piety come first. How can he be worse than an animal?"

Eunuch Yu suddenly felt that what he said was inappropriate, but it was too late to undo what had been done, so he wiped the sweat off his face nervously.

"Also, Marquis Luo Yun said that if the people in the Marquis of Jingnan Mansion are all rebels, then is Her Royal Highness the Princess, as the Marquis's legal wife, also a rebel? Finally, I consulted the three princes before making a decision."

After hearing this, Dai Quan suddenly opened his eyes and stared at Eunuch Yu kneeling in the hall. He thought to himself, "You are so bold! You dare to spread anything!"

Emperor Wu still had no expression on his face, stroking the tea bowl with his hands, and asked;
"How to say?"

(End of this chapter)