Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 785: Returning from the Journey
The street outside the Meridian Gate,

In the teahouse,
Many young students came, and it was obvious that they had just come out of the examination hall. Some of them had not yet unloaded their packages, and they were clamoring for some delicious cakes and tea.

When there are too many people, it seems a bit crowded!
Princess Yongcheng noticed something was wrong, glanced at the people on the street, and said;

"What a coincidence! Today is the provincial examination for the special examination. When the dragon gate opens, the two examination halls will probably have already dispersed. I just don't know how the examination questions in the palace should be arranged."

I just saw that there was no movement in front of the Meridian Gate. The old lady and others in the Rongguo Mansion also got on the carriage to rest. The main people have not arrived yet, so I focused my attention on the students who have just arrived. Seeing that many of them have happy expressions on their faces, I think they must have done well in the exam.

The provincial examination doesn't seem that difficult, so it's better to think about it.

Ge Qing also took a look and saw that indeed, many students came in. Some were laughing, while others were sighing, just like in previous years.

"Master is right. They are all candidates who have just passed the Dragon Gate. As for how to arrange it, it is not difficult to find out. They will tell you in a while."

Ordinary people don't have these precautions.

The examinees at the Imperial Examination Hall were fine, as they didn't know the inside story, but the students from the Academy of Hanyuan Hall started talking about it.

"Hey, brother, is what Marquis Luo Yun said in the palace true or false? We know that the number of admissions has increased greatly, but there are rewards for first-class essays, and the top three will be granted official positions. Isn't this the treatment of the palace examination?"

A student who had just left school had a worried look on his face, not knowing how he would do in the exam. The other three people sitting with him waved their hands.
One person held a teapot and poured a bowl of tea for each of the three people, comforting them;
"What are you thinking? How can we not believe what Marquis Luo Yun said? It seems that the Marquis has never lied. If he says yes, then yes. We can forget about getting the top three. There are so many children from noble families. We can always get a B or above. It will be fine if we pass the provincial examination."

As soon as he finished speaking, the other two nodded.

He echoed;
"Yes, what the second brother said is right. It's good enough if we can get through it. Why bother with those things? Come on, have some tea to moisten your throat. I haven't touched it for several days."

Another person touched the tea bowl with his hand, and his expression was full of sighs. Only the older person on the east side picked up the tea bowl and said solemnly;
"Brothers, let's not waste any more time. Let's drink tea instead of wine."

The four of them drank their tea bowls cleanly, as if they were alone. They seemed to be still unsatisfied.

At this moment,

Ge Qing's eyes turned.
He took out a bag of cakes from behind, stood up and walked over, and put them on the table for four people.
As soon as this was released, someone asked;
"May I ask, brother, what does this mean?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I just saw you guys being so righteous and relieved. I admire you guys so much. I just bought some cakes to cheer you up. Isn't that wonderful?"

Ge Qing was afraid that the others might misunderstand him, so he opened the pastry paper, took out a piece and put it in his mouth.

"Everyone, I just bought some cloud cakes from Yaoji Store. My son is curious, are the questions in this year's imperial examination difficult?"

Ge Qing pointed to the table behind him and explained the purpose of his visit. After saying this, the others obviously let down their guard. The cloud cakes from Yaoji Store were not easy to buy.
The leader clasped his fists and said;

"I misunderstood you, brother. No merit, no reward. Since you asked about the exam questions, it's fine. Third brother, please tell me."

He called out to the third student, who was the student across from him. He was swallowing a piece of cake. When he heard the eldest brother talking, he quickly swallowed it, drank a sip of water, and bowed without losing his manners.
"My dear brother, there is nothing you cannot say. It is strange that Marquis Luo Yun did not use the previous test questions, but used the backup ones instead. The first one is about poetry and songs, with the capital as the background. The other one is about policy essays, with the rise and fall of the country being the responsibility of every man, and two parts, internal and external. It seems simple, but it is actually hard to write."

"Yes, it is extremely difficult to write an eight-part essay."

The person next to him also shook his head. Seeing this, Ge Qing understood what was going on and clasped his fists to express his gratitude.
"Thank you, senior brothers. I wish you all success in the exam."

After saying this, without waiting for the others to be polite, he turned around and went back to his master's table.
As soon as he sat down, Zou Xiao's eyes curved slightly and he said with a smile;
"Sister Ge Qing is really amazing. She found out the truth so quickly."

Just now a few people had a conversation.
Princess Yongcheng Zhou Ying's eyes were full of brilliance. Marquis Luo Yun was really amazing. He didn't even miss a single flaw. Some people in the market had been reselling test questions. Although it was unknown whether they were real or fake, many people bought them. They changed the questions at the last minute and the original questions were not released. Who knew whether those sold were real or fake? This saved the court a lot of trouble. It was really amazing.

"Qing'er did a good job. It seems that Marquis Luo Yun had been prepared for this. The people who were watching the jokes no longer had any jokes to watch. It's hard to say that they have become a joke themselves."

Zhou Ying's words were suggestive. There must be many powerful people involved in the imperial examination cheating. If Marquis Luo Yun found any clues, they would be the ones who would be anxious.

"Master, there are too many people. Should we leave now?"

Mrs. Shi looked at the increasing number of people around and reminded,

"Well, let's go back. The Jia family drama is not important anymore. It seems that the palace is planning to show mercy. It's boring to watch it anymore."

He shook his sleeves, stood up and led everyone out of the teahouse.
Almost instantly,

The empty table was surrounded by the visitors. The waiter continued to wipe the table, change the teacups and teapots, and entertain them.

In front of the palace gate,

The Meridian Gate opens.

Prime Minister Lord Li, dressed in a bright red official robe, walked out slowly with the help of Xiao Yunzi. Looking at the people in mourning clothes kneeling on the ground in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh. These noble families are constantly blessed with blessings, and as long as they don't make big mistakes, they can live a worry-free life. Unfortunately, there are too many unfilial descendants.

"Master Prime Minister, just go straight over like this,"

Xiao Yunzi brought a lot of eunuchs with him. After all, they were going to read the imperial edict. But why did the Prime Minister look like he was not here to read it, but to give an admonition instead?

"Well, just watch me do what I do."

Li Chonghou nodded and continued walking forward.

Xiao Yunzi didn't dare to say anything more, he lowered his head and followed closely, and the eunuchs around him followed suit.
These few steps were not far away, and what caught his eye was the burning Dengwen drum. Li Shoufu still did not go to see it.
With a hunched body, he walked to the fire, took out a handful of paper money from the basket and put it into the fire.

Wang Xifeng, who was kneeling in front of him, was at a loss.
Li Chonghou did not embarrass them and spoke first.

"Sister-in-law, it's time to come down. I'm already here."

Wang Xifeng was shocked. How could she not recognize the Prime Minister, Lord Li? She just didn't know that Prime Minister Li was so familiar with the old lady. She quickly stood up and walked to the front of the carriage.

Hearing the voice, Jia's mother lifted the curtain and saw Li Chonghou. She sighed and, with the help of Feng Yatou, she also got off the carriage.

"I didn't expect that after waiting so long, the Prime Minister would actually come. Why? He came to punish me."

Grandmother Jia showed no fear at all. She took two steps forward with her cane.
Li Zhonghou smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"It's already this late, why are you still making such a fuss? Just go back when you have the results of some things."

You have to persuade them, but you can't stop people from talking in public.

Grandmother Jia seemed to understand what the Prime Minister meant. The Ningguo Mansion issue was resolved, but how could Jia Jing die here?

"Even if the matter is over, how can we end the fact that Jia Jing, who has always been indifferent to worldly affairs, died in an unclear manner?"

It's not that Grandmother Jia doesn't know what's good for her, but everything has a cause and an effect, and there must be an explanation for why she died.

As if Prime Minister Li had already prepared a response, he said nothing more, took out the imperial edict from his pocket, and handed it over without reading it out.

"It has come to this. I have said what should be said and asked for what should be asked for. No one expected Jia Jing's death. The censor Zhong Yugu has also been imprisoned by the emperor. This is an explanation. Sister-in-law, it's okay to make a fuss. The court and the palace also need to be respectable. Jia Jing was born at the wrong time."

A sigh,
What he said was from the bottom of his heart. If the former crown prince had ascended the throne now, how could Jia Jing have ended up like this? The Jia family would have certainly enjoyed eternal wealth and prosperity. But now, times have changed and all the things of the past have long since vanished. Even Jia Jing is gone. There are almost no people left who once served in the former crown prince's mansion. Some died, some fled, and so many were killed that there is no way to trace them.

I can only say that fate plays tricks on people.

Grandmother Jia's lips trembled, and this sigh revealed so many sad things to people like them. They wanted to ask and say things, but they could never open their mouths. Even when the old Duke was still alive, there were many aggrieved things. In the end, it was all because of the royal family's affairs that cost them their lives. To live with the emperor is like living with a tiger.

He took the imperial edict tremblingly and knelt on the spot to thank God for his grace.
"The lady accepted the order and thanked the emperor,"

Although I haven't seen it, since Prime Minister Li has come forward, he should have thought of everything that can be thought of. I opened the imperial edict and saw that Jia Zhen and his son were pardoned from capital punishment. One was exiled to Lingnan, and the other was flogged thirty times, demoted to a commoner, and expelled from Ningguo Mansion. The last one was Jia Jing, who was taken back and buried.
Finally, it is perfect, that's all.

"In that case, let's go back. My body is not in good condition, so I should go back home and take medicine. Otherwise, I won't be able to hold on."

Li Chonghou coughed twice deliberately, causing Xiao Yunzi beside him to worry. If the Prime Minister made a mistake under his nose, it would be a disaster.

"I will listen to the Prime Minister. I will not say much. I will apologize to the emperor." She knelt on the ground and kowtowed three times. The ladies behind her did the same. After kneeling, Jia's mother stood up again, wiped her tears, and shouted;
"Go back and stop the funeral."

then,

Someone in the team shouted,
"Arise,"

The person kneeling there, wearing mourning clothes, cried out loudly,

Jia's mother couldn't stay any longer, so she asked Wang Xifeng to help her get on the carriage. Everyone behind her stood up and followed Jia's mother's carriage, turning a corner and heading to the street.
Go back.

When Prime Minister Li saw the man leave, he coughed twice and said to Eunuch Yun beside him,
"Eunuch Yun, please tell the emperor that the people from Rongguo Mansion have left and the matter has been resolved. I am in poor health and will go back to take medicine. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"this?"

Eunuch Yun saw the Prime Minister in front of him. His old face looked extremely tired, as if he could not stand. However, when the Emperor hesitated,
In front of the Meridian Gate,
A carriage came.
The eldest son, Li Chaosheng, got off the carriage and saw his father standing there. He hurried over and confessed his crime.

"Please don't worry, father. I just went to have a cup of tea on the pretext of drinking it."

This is said for Eunuch Yun to hear. It's not that he doesn't want to stay here, the key is that the people from Rongguo Mansion have come, and there is no place to stay.

Seeing this, Xiao Yunzi knew that he couldn't keep the person, so he nodded.

"Then please go slowly, Prime Minister. I will report the truth to His Majesty. I hope you will pay more attention to that place and not cause any more trouble."

This is also what Eunuch Yun did according to the instructions of his godfather Dai Quan, not to let the Jia family make trouble again.
Li Chonghou smiled and nodded.
"Please ask Eunuch Yun to tell the internal minister that the old man is keeping an eye on this matter. With the old lady in the Jia family, nothing serious will happen."

"That's good. I'm sure the eccentric will tell you."

Eunuch Yun responded cautiously. He did not expect that the Prime Minister knew everything. He knew that what he had just said was from his godfather. He was indeed the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. His Majesty wanted to rely on him. The eldest son of the Li family would probably not be in the cabinet for long.
A few people exchanged pleasantries.

Li Chaosheng helped his father onto the carriage and rode away. Eunuch Yun glanced at the burnt-to-ash Dengwen drum and turned to leave.

at this time,

The captain of the imperial guards on duty came running over, knelt on one knee, and bowed;

"I am the captain of the Imperial Guards on duty at the Meridian Gate. May I ask Eunuch Yun, since the drum for reporting was burned, did the Imperial Guards on duty withdraw to the Meridian Gate?"

Xiao Yunzi just raised his footsteps, but he took them back upon hearing the voice, and replied calmly,
"Why do you want to withdraw? What were you on duty for before? It's still the same now. You're talking too much."

Suddenly, a displeased look appeared on his face.

The captain's face turned pale with fear, and he slapped himself in the face and confessed his crime;

"Eunuch Yun, please calm down. It's all because I don't know the rules. But when the drum for reporting was burned, I was terrified."

Seeing the person in front of me acting,
Eunuch Yun felt somewhat proud. He had never been called eunuch before. When he was in a good mood, his words became less harsh.

"Who said the Dengwen drum is gone? Even though the drum is gone, the stone platform is still there. Whoever strikes it, as long as it makes a sound, the rules remain the same. You should also learn from others in the future. At the same time, the gap between the guards on duty at the city gate is too big."

He shook his head, took the eunuchs and returned to the palace.

Only the captain who was kneeling there, who didn't know who the eunuch was talking about, saw the eunuch leave, and hurriedly shouted:

"Farewell, Eunuch Yun,"

Watch and see,
Zhang Jinyu, Xiangyang Hou and others stood in the courtyard of Hanyuan Hall, watching the candidates gradually leave.
Zhang Jinyu turned to Bai Guangju and instructed,

"Brother Bai, please arrange for the officials to have a meal and rest for a while. I will go to the front to see what happened."

"This is probably against the rules. Even if there is something wrong, the Marquis must not interfere."

Bai Guangju was in a dilemma. Although he wanted to go over and see what happened, he was under great pressure to leave his post. Only Marquis Luo Yun had the courage to do so.

"Just go and have a look, take a look and come back,"

It's not that Zhang Jinyu is looking for trouble, he's just curious, who is so bold as to come to the palace gate to cry, or who has suffered a disaster or been wronged these days, but it's not right, if you have grievances, you won't write a memorial, so why run to the palace gate to cry, how can the court still have face?

I was thinking about the court officials and the noble families, and I never thought of the Jia family.

"That's fine too. My Lord, please go and come back soon."

Bai Guangju hesitated for a moment and nodded in agreement. As soon as he agreed, the three princes around him were unwilling to go over and take a look.
"My Lord, I want to go and see it too."

"Yes, my Lord, I am very curious,"

King Zhou Ding of Jin and King Zhou Chong of Wei looked over eagerly. Even the third prince, King Zhou Long of Chu, had a hopeful look in his eyes. Zhang Jinyu touched his hands. Damn, there were so many things to do.

"Okay, come on, help the three princes change their clothes, and gather the personal soldiers to go out together."

"Yes, Lord Marquis."

Seeing the three princes change their clothes and follow the guards behind them, the usually talkative Xiangyang Marquis also shut up, without even a glance, and led his people back to the east to check on the food.

When Zhang Jinyu left, he was quite speechless. It seemed that Brother Bai's eyes were sharp enough!
Chongwenmen,
Seeing fewer and fewer students leaving, until there was no one left, the guard waved his hand,

The guards on duty seemed to have lost their temper and staggered back to the city gate. Seeing their lazy appearance, General Yu started to scold them.
"A bunch of cowards, look at what you have become. Damn it, you just stood there for a while. If you were not my old brothers, I would have replaced you long ago."

After cursing for a while, the captain Sun Shan came over and started cursing as well;
"Look at what you are, it's all because of General Yu's kindness. If you change to this lieutenant, you will be subject to military law."

Then, licking his face, he ran to Yu Dingzhi and asked;

"General, everyone has left. Can you brothers take a few more days off to rest and stretch your legs before going back to have a good meal?"

Yu Dingzhi originally thought that Sun Shan would be able to scold him for him, but he had this idea. His face darkened, and he was talking about something else. The examination of papers in the palace had not yet been completed.

I still want to curse,

But he was stopped by someone behind him.
"How could General Yu be so angry? It's only natural for the brothers to want to let him off."

Suddenly I heard words,

Yu Dingzhi and Sun Shan turned around quickly, only to see Luo Yunhou and his men standing behind them. They did not dare to be negligent and saluted in unison.
"I have seen you, Lord."

Zhang Jinyu smiled. He knew them better. These two were old acquaintances.
Looking at the group of lazy imperial guards in front of me, I couldn't help but laugh. Aren't they just those who want to be lazy? Aren't there only those who have connections here to guard the palace gate?

"My Lord, what are you doing?"

Yu Dingzhi was a little confused. What was the purpose of the Marquis coming here? Was he going to ignore the marking of the papers?

Zhang Jinyu didn't hide it, he just wanted to come out and see what was going on at the Meridian Gate, so he asked;

"Before, who came to the palace gate to cry and complain, and who beat the drum for hearing the news?"

"Well, doesn't the Marquis know?"

Yu Dingzhi didn't even think about it, and blurted out,

Because when the visitors from the Jia family arrived at the Meridian Gate, Yu Dingzhi was still drinking tea in the attic of the palace gate. The sound of drums scared General Yu so much that he fell off his chair. Especially the crying that followed, which could be heard from far away.

(End of this chapter)