Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 739 How to cure the disease with medicine
Nancheng Gongyuan,

The side room in the attic,

There was only a table and a bed in the room, and on the table were only the four treasures of the study, nothing else.

This is where Nan Da Ren temporarily lives in the Imperial Examination Hall. It is not luxuriously decorated but extremely simple.
Inside the room, Pei Shaoqing sighed and fell into silence again.
a long time,

Master Nan looked out the window and saw that the rain was gradually easing. He then gave the order,
"Shaoqing, go and make some arrangements. Ask the head of the yamen to light a fire in the classroom and boil some hot water for the examinees. Let them drink some hot water to get rid of the cold. This is all we can do."

"Yes, Lord Nan, I will go right away. I just don't know what is going on with Marquis Luo Yun in Hanyuan Palace?"

Pei Shaoqing clasped his fists in response, and just as he stood up and prepared to leave, he asked a question. As soon as he said it, he regretted it. Isn't this just being nosy?
"You, don't worry about anyone except Marquis Luo Yun. In the palace, if anyone dares to act recklessly, Marquis Luo Yun will not take it easy. If you make trouble under his nose, you must be really bold. Just do your job well."

After Lord Nan turned around and came back, he smiled slightly. He really didn't worry about the palace today. Even if there were some troubles, according to Marquis Luo Yun's methods, it wouldn't even be considered a trouble. On the contrary, he was under a lot of pressure.

"Yes, Lord Nan, I am sorry for saying too much. I will make the arrangements right away."

Pei Shaoqing apologized and said no more. He immediately took a few steps back and left, leaving Lord Nan alone in the room.

After seeing Shaoqing leave, Nan Zixian turned around and sat at the desk. He smoothed the rice paper on the table and actually wrote down everything he had seen today. After finishing writing, he folded it neatly and placed it under the pillow at the head of the bed. No one knew what his intention was. Everything seemed strange.

Only Lord Pei hurried to the inspection room. It happened that many officers were checking the candidates who had just come in, and the inspectors from the Hanlin Academy were checking the students' examination signatures to see if there were any imposters.

"Can someone please tell me your name?"

"The student is from the Li family in Zhongshan County, and his name is Li Feng, the eldest son of the illegitimate son of the head family."

The candidate answered nervously, and the old Hanlin checked the pass and other items again. Only after confirming that everything was correct did he nod and let him go.

As for Lord Pei, after taking a look around and finding no problems, he instructed the squad leader to ask the resting servants to find a place to light a fire and get some hot water ready. He also told those people to cook some thin porridge for the gentlemen. After all, it was a little gift from him, Shaoqing Pei, and having something to drink on a rainy day would help to drive away the cold.

After giving the order, he left as well, glanced at the Li family, shook his head, and muttered that the Li family of Zhongshan County had also fallen into decline. There was no one in the family serving as an official. The family members who took part in the special examination did not even get a red ticket. A new emperor means new ministers!
The Palace of Mental Cultivation,
Outside the hospital,

Several furtive figures walked over along the winding path around the corner. The Second Prince kept stamping his feet. After walking such a short distance, not only were his feet soaked, but his clothes also touched branches and dead leaves, and the rain also hit his body, making it sticky and extremely uncomfortable.
"Brother, walk faster, or slower, you're almost soaked."

"Yeah, big brother, there is no dry spot on my back, it's really uncomfortable,"

The third prince was walking at the back and also complained. He didn't know how to hold the umbrella, and the rain flowed down his back without him noticing.
The eunuch who led the way in front of them was moving forward with a sad face, not daring to speak. Just as he was about to speak, he was scolded by the eldest prince Zhou Ding behind him.
"You little dog slave, why are you walking so slowly? You've delayed things. I'll make you pay."

"Master, it's not that I can't walk fast, it's just that the road is slippery. Master, you are delicate, please don't bump into anything and fall. Even if I have the courage of heaven, I dare not block your way. Just pass the palace in front and you will reach the Yangxin Palace. When you get there, please save my life."

I have a sad face. If my ancestors knew about this, they would skin me alive.
"You are the only one who talks too much nonsense. If you stay by my side, no one can do anything to you. Go faster."

"Yes, master."

Seeing the impatient expression of His Royal Highness Prince Jin, the steward had no choice but to speed up his pace.

After passing a palace and getting on the main road, after walking about a hundred steps, we saw the courtyard of the Yangxin Palace.

At the urging of the three princes,

After a while, they walked into the courtyard and to the corridor. They put away their umbrellas and ignored the guards at the door. They threw their umbrellas aside and squeezed their way into the hall.
The eunuch on duty at the palace gate wanted to stop them, but when he looked up, he saw three princes rushing in, followed by the eunuchs in charge of the palace. He wanted to ask what was going on, but he saw the three princes rushing in excitedly.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, please come in slowly, come in slowly,"

The eunuch on duty called out a few times, but the three princes ignored him and ran straight to the study. No one could stop them, so they could only chase after them.

But how could they catch up? In a moment, three figures rushed into the imperial study.

Suddenly, with a "thump", the third prince and the second prince slipped as soon as they entered the imperial study. They fell to the ground one after another, and even the eldest prince was not spared. He fell forward and fell to the ground.

The noise was so loud that Dai Quan in the room jumped. Eunuch Yun, who was waiting at the door, changed his expression and wanted to scold them, but he saw that the three people who fell were the three princes. He swallowed his words and hurried over to help them. Not far behind him, the eunuch on duty outside had just arrived with his people.

"Eunuch Yun, I failed to stop the three princes, so I come to apologize."

"Go down,"

"Yes, it's Eunuch Yun,"

The people guarding outside the door also knew that it was inappropriate, so they slowly retreated.

In the imperial study room,

Emperor Wu sat firmly on the dragon throne, frowning, his eyes fixed on the three of them. His miserable appearance was unbearable to look at. How could they become like this in just one night?

"Why didn't you three stay in Hanyuan Palace and come here in this state? It's so disgraceful."

Emperor Wu's tone was unkind, it was simply lawless. The prince of Da Wu actually wore eunuch's clothes.

The three princes were covered in mud. With the help of Eunuch Yun, they finally stood up. The eldest prince, Zhou Ding, especially, tripped and fell. His clothes, which were already in a mess, were torn and the belt around his waist was also thrown to the ground. Seeing his father asking about it, he had no way to correct himself. He hurriedly grabbed his clothes, walked over and bowed.

"Your son pays respect to His Majesty, Father. May Your Majesty be well."

The King of Jin first greeted the Emperor Wu, then adjusted his clothes and went to

"Your Majesty, the three of us have urgent matters to report to you. However, there are so many people in Hanyuan Palace, so we can only disguise ourselves and sneak out without attracting attention."

"Oh? Urgent. What could be so urgent for you three? You can't wait to come back, right?"

Emperor Wu couldn't help but be suspicious. The three of them didn't look like they were doing serious work. Besides, with Marquis Luo Yun in charge of Hanyuan Hall, what kind of emergency could possibly happen? Even if there was, it wouldn't delay that long.

"Father, you can't wrongly accuse us. It's raining and it's not easy to walk all the way. Look at my clothes, they are all wet."

The Second Prince was still pulling at his soaked clothes, pouting in grievance, but compared to the clothes of the Third Prince beside him, it was obviously not good enough. Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong saw it and immediately ordered, "Dai Quan, go get some clean clothes for the three princes to change into. Um, prepare three sets of the same clothes."

"This, yes, I understand."

Dai Quan paused for a moment, but nodded in agreement. He also winked at Xiao Yunzi, who was waiting at the door, and asked him to go downstairs and get some clean clothes. Xiao Yunzi bowed in agreement, turned around and left the study.

"Okay, just tell me, what's the emergency? Why are you being so careful? Is it someone causing trouble again?"

When Emperor Wu saw the three people in such a state of disgrace, although he spoke harshly, he felt sorry for them. It was really ridiculous.
"Father, this is indeed an important matter. Marquis Luo Yun said that the test questions for the special examination have been leaked. If we continue the examination as scheduled without changing the test questions, some students may get excited and cause a commotion on the spot. So Marquis Luo Yun asked me and others to go and ask you to make a new test question and use it before the special examination begins tomorrow. At that time, even if some students bought the test questions and wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble, as long as the test questions are different, there will be no chaos. The previous idea was a little lacking. Now the special examination should focus on stability."

"Yes, Father, that's what Marquis Luo Yun meant. You don't know that the examiners in Hanyuan Palace are really sharp-tongued, worthy of being censors. Even Minister Shen was almost defeated by them. If Marquis Luo Yun hadn't made the final decision to keep Su Wenliang, he would have really been driven away."

The second prince Zhou Chong flicked his sleeves, his face full of emotion. It is true that one thing can defeat another. The third prince seemed unwilling to be outdone. He walked forward and approached the imperial desk in front of him and said;
"Father, I think what Marquis Luo Yun said makes sense. Judging from the candidates who entered the examination hall today, there are many brave candidates. Instead of catching the person behind the scenes, it is better to deal with the safety of the Enke examination first. After all, the success of the Enke examination is the face of the court and also the face of your father. It is not a good idea to follow the clues to find the culprit at the moment."

The three of them talked about the cheating in the imperial examination. They thought that their father would not be happy, but Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong laughed and suddenly said:
"Okay, okay, well said. My three sons have grown up and can share my worries. So, tell me, how should we set the test questions? What kind of questions should we set?"

While talking,
Outside the door, Eunuch Yun came in with a group of eunuchs carrying brand new clothes. Emperor Wu waved his hand and Little Yunzi led them over. In the imperial study, the three princes changed their clothes directly inside the room. Little Yunzi was careful and collected the clothes that the three princes had changed out of one by one and handed them to the eunuchs to take away.

Not waiting for a moment,
Another group of eunuchs came in, carrying food boxes in their hands, and waited at the entrance. Xiao Yunzi said softly;
"Your Majesty, I saw that the three princes were in a hurry and were afraid that they were hungry, so I ordered someone to bring a few plates of cakes and some hot porridge from the imperial kitchen to the three princes to relieve their cold."

"Well, Dai Quan, you are the best teacher. You have done so many thoughtful things. Bring them in. They are on the table to the west."

Emperor Wu was somewhat relieved at this moment. It seemed that his sudden inspiration had yielded some benefits. This move was the right one.

"Yes, Your Majesty, it's not that I taught you well, it's that Your Majesty is so gracious, and we servants have received Your Majesty's grace and figured it out on our own."

Dai Quan continued the conversation with witty remarks and gently waved his hand towards Xiao Yunzi. Xiao Yunzi nodded in response, turned around and led the young eunuchs in. He placed the prepared cakes and hot porridge on the west desk, filling the table. It was not just a few plates of cakes.

The three princes moved quickly and took off their wet clothes in no time. They took new clothes, tried them out, and put them on again. They all fit just right. From here, one could see that Xiao Yunzi had a sharp eye. He memorized the figures of the three princes with just one glance.

After changing his clothes and adjusting his collar, the eldest prince Zhou Ding felt much more comfortable and said with a fist.
"Father, I have changed it. As for the test questions you mentioned, I have thought about it and time is running out. Father, you can write the policy essay questions first. As for the previous ones, I am afraid that I will not have enough time."

For a time,

The eldest prince was a little hesitant. In the imperial examination, policy essays were usually the last part of the exam, while there were classics and poems before them. If they were to be changed, it would not be finalized in one day. So how to change it? Even Emperor Wu frowned and thought. It was easy to change the policy essay questions, it was nothing more than changing the title, but what about the classics and poems before them?

While the three princes were thinking hard, Xiao Yunzi personally brought a bowl of hot porridge over and handed it to His Royal Highness Prince Jin.

"Your Highness, please drink some hot porridge to get rid of the cold."

"Thank you, Eunuch Yun,"

Zhou Ding took it and thanked him.

"Your Highness, there is no need to do this. It is too much for me."

After he finished speaking, he stepped back and brought the food to the Second Prince and the Third Prince in turn. At this moment, the Third Prince Zhou Long, who had been silent, smiled shyly and suddenly spoke;

"Father, I think that since it's all troublesome, why not just do it simply? The Enke exam doesn't have to be the same as before. Marquis Luo Yun dared to set up a separate exam room and be the first in the world. Since the exam lasts for three days, why not do one policy essay per day, just like the bowl of porridge that Eunuch Yun brought us. It looks the same, but it's actually different."

The Third Prince's words made Emperor Wu understand instantly that they were going to skip the classics and poems and go straight to three policy essays. Thinking back, it was feasible, but the amount was too large and some candidates might not be able to finish it.

"Long'er's idea is good, but three policy papers in three days is a bit too much, especially for Hanyuan Palace, Luo Yunhou's unified examination, and rest time. We must consider it carefully."

However, the Second Prince Zhou Chong stood forward, his stomach puffed up, and without thinking, he took the porridge, lowered his head and sipped twice, and actually drank it all in one gulp. Seeing this, Xiao Yunzi hurried forward, took the empty bowl, and went back to serve another bowl of porridge to the Second Prince.

Zhou Chong smacked his lips, wiped the corners of his mouth with his hand, and smiled;
"Father, why do we need to go through so much trouble? What Third Brother said just now is correct. If we want to change it, then change it all. If it can't be changed intentionally, then forget it. Re-propose the topic for poetry and essays. Father, do you remember the topic you gave us earlier? I think it's a good one."

When Emperor Wu heard this, his eyes sparkled. Thinking of what the Second Prince had said, he understood.
"You mean what Luo Yunhou said before, that every man is responsible for the fate of his country."

"Uh, yes, that's what I said."

The second prince was stunned for a while, then nodded. It was because of this sentence that he was scolded, and he still hadn't figured out how to write it.
Emperor Wu Zhou Shihong narrowed his eyes slightly, leaned back, and could not tell whether he was happy or angry. He turned his head and looked at His Royal Highness Zhou Ding, the Prince of Jin, and asked;

"Ding'er, what do you think?"

The eldest prince Zhou Ding held the bowl of porridge, but did not drink a single sip. He touched his chin and said, "What the second and third brothers said makes sense. If that is the case, it is easy to deal with.

"Father, I think what my second and third brothers said is very true. Right now, the court is in chaos with the Taiping Sect, and outside, the Donghu are eyeing the northern border covetously. Outside the Great Wall, there are the Jurchens lying on their side, and in the northwest, the Xianbei are in power. As Marquis Luo Yun said, every man has a share of responsibility for the fate of his country. This topic can be used for both internal and external affairs. In this case, the policy essay will be divided into two parts, just like the imperial physician in the palace. When a person is sick, he will be prescribed both internal and external medicines. Only by taking both methods can the disease be cured."

"Okay, well said. Only by taking medicine internally and applying externally, can the disease be cured. This year's special examination, the policy essay will be his. It is divided into two parts, internal and external. The other part is poetry. Luo Yunhou's poetry is the best in the world, and no one can match it. The theme of the poem is the capital. Dai Quan, secretly submit the examination questions. Tomorrow, you will arrange someone, no, let Xiao Yunzi personally deliver the secret examination questions to Lord Nan of the Imperial Academy. Now write another letter and let the three of them take it and hand it to Luo Yunhou. Only the people in the room know about this."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I know how to do it,"

Dai Quan knew that the matter was of great importance, so he took the memorial and the brush from the east desk and wrote it on the spot. Then he took the memorial and showed it to His Majesty. Emperor Wu glanced at it and nodded. Dai Quan then copied another copy and handed the secret memorial to the eldest prince Zhou Ding.
The King of Jin took the memorial and took a look at it. He knew what was going on, so he put the memorial into the sealed envelope and put it in his arms. After putting it away, he left in a hurry without even finishing his porridge.
"Father, I will go back now."

Just as he turned around, he was stopped by Emperor Wu.

"Wait, why are you in such a hurry? It's still raining outside. Don't leave in a hurry. There is so much food on the table. Eat it slowly. It won't be too late to leave after the rain stops."

"Uh, thank you, father,"

For a time, the father was kind and the son was filial.
Hanyuan Hall,
At the entrance of the corridor, Jia Baoyu had just taken off his clothes, finished the examination, and received his examination number with a red face. He didn't know if it was bad luck or because he was a little slow in getting dressed, but the bamboo slip number he received from the examiner was 644, which was very far back.

Jia Baoyu first packed his bag, folded up the examination slips and numbers, and put them in his arms. He felt aggrieved and indignant. He had never suffered such things in Rongguo Mansion. But when he thought of his elder brother Xue in the mansion, who was hung in front of the palace gate and flogged, his heart went cold. Luo Yunhou was indeed cruel and could not even let his own people off. Also, why did elder brother Xue come to Hanyuan Palace? He came to take the special examination, why didn't anyone in the mansion hear about him?
For a moment, Jia Baoyu couldn't figure it out, and he stopped thinking about it. He reluctantly picked up his bag and walked along the corridor to the side hall at the back. There were inspectors walking back and forth along the way. When he passed the first row of resting places, which were all beds with barriers, he took a look and didn't pay any attention. He continued to walk in. As soon as he took a step, he stopped.

Because not far away, on a bed at the front, I saw a familiar figure. Wasn't that Lang Ge'er from my sister-in-law's yard? Why was he here? I wanted to confirm it again, but the people behind me were crowded, so I turned around but didn't see anyone.

But when he stopped, he was discovered by the inspector, who scolded him.
"Everyone, take your exam number and quickly return to your bed. Do not stay."

Jia Baoyu had no choice but to suppress his thoughts and walk away.
(End of this chapter)