Blackening starts from the golden years

Soon after Yuan Xudong left, a group of Gao's maids and servants came looking for her with lanterns. They found Gao Hui, and the nurse Jiang, who was walking in front, hurried forward, looked her up and down carefully, and asked with concern:
"Are you okay, miss?"

"It's okay, don't worry, Nanny."

Under the dim candlelight, Gao Hui replied with a slightly blushing face.

"Where is that bad guy just now?"

"Run away, Nanny, my father should be back soon, let's go back quickly to avoid being caught by him."

"Why don't you tell Mr. Ouyang?"

"Let the servant tell him, we will go back first."

"That's fine. It's too dangerous outside. It's better to go back home early."

"Ah."

……

Soon, the group returned to Gao's house and asked the servants. Gao Hui couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when she learned that her father had not returned yet.

The other maids and servants all left, leaving only the wet nurse Jiang and a personal maid to stay with Gao Hui. Passing through the front yard and into the backyard, Gao Hui walked towards the garden where she lived, saying:
"Nurse, please arrange for two servants to go to Qiantang as soon as possible to check whether Ouyang Xu is engaged."

"Okay, girl."

"Don't tell my dad about this yet."

"This is good."

After a slight hesitation, the wet nurse Jiang finally agreed.

Entering the garden where she lived, Gao Hui asked her wet nurse Jiang to go back and rest first, and her personal maid Chuntao went to help her prepare hot water and fresh flower petals for bathing.

Soon after, Gao Hui's boudoir was filled with warm water that filled half a tub. A layer of flower petals for bathing floated on the water. She took off her clothes, walked into the tub and sat down. In the mist, her graceful white figure looked even more attractive. She sat in the tub and scooped water to pour on her white and round shoulders, bathing her seductive body. The maid Chuntao stood by her side and said with a smile:
"Miss, you have a beautiful body, so white and tender."

"Chun Tao, don't talk nonsense, what do you mean by white and tender?"

Gao Hui blushed shyly. Seeing her like this, the maid Chuntao smiled and said:

"I'm not talking nonsense. Miss is not only beautiful, but also has a beautiful body. If my future husband sees her, he will definitely be fascinated."

"It's just nonsense."

Gao Hui scooped water to bathe herself, and said coquettishly with a blushing face. She couldn't help but think of Yuan Xudong, the bad man who took her first kiss. When she thought of that kiss, her heart trembled slightly. That strange feeling was something she had never experienced before.

"Miss, ma'am?"

"Well, what happened?"

"Miss, why is your face so red?"

"It's okay. It's hot."

"hot?"

"Well, the water is a little hot."

Gao Hui said with a blushing face.

……

On the other side, in Shuangxi Tower, in Zhang Haohao’s boudoir.

At this time, Zhang Haohao was lying lazily on the bed, resting, her face was like a peach blossom, and her eyes were like a pool of spring water. Compared with the past, she was more charming and enchanting.

Looking at her, the maid Xiaoyu said with concern:
"Miss, do you still feel pain?"

"Well, it doesn't hurt anymore."

Zhang Haohao shook his head lightly and said with a smile:
"Xiaoyu, go back and rest first. You don't have to stay here with me."

"It's okay, I'll go back later, Miss, you..."

Looking at Zhang Haohao lying on the bed, the maid Xiaoyu begged in a low voice:

"Can you take me away from Shuangxi Building? I want to follow you all the way."

"Okay, don't worry, I will always keep you by my side."

Zhang Haohao smiled slightly.

"Thank you, miss, you are so kind to me."

The maid Xiaoyu was very happy. She looked at Zhang Haohao and asked shyly:

"Miss, are you comfortable with the prince?"

Hearing this, Zhang Haohao blushed and said shyly:
"Pah, what's comfortable?"

The maid Xiaoyu blushed and said shyly:
"I heard you scream, Miss..."

The voice behind was barely audible, Zhang Haohao blushed and said shyly:

"Then I'll let you be the prince's bed-warmer. If the prince is willing to favor you, you'll know."

As she said this, she looked at the blushing maid Xiaoyu and said teasingly:

"Xiaoyu, are you willing to be the prince's bed-warmer?"

"I, I listen to the lady."

The little maid lowered her head, blushing and embarrassed. Seeing her like this, Zhang Haohao couldn't help but tease her:

"Are you in love, little girl?"

"Miss, you are making fun of me."

The maid Xiaoyu was very shy.

……

On the other side, the backyard of the palace.

Yuan Xudong walked into the backyard and saw Sun Sanniang sitting alone in the pavilion in the garden. He walked over and asked with concern:

"Sanniang, why haven't you slept yet?"

"Ah~~"

Late at night, she suddenly heard a voice behind her. Sun Sanniang was startled. Seeing that it was Yuan Xudong, she patted her chest lightly and said coquettishly:
"Your Majesty, you scared me to death. How come you walk without making any sound?"

Glancing at Sun Sanniang's plump breasts without leaving any trace, Yuan Xudong smiled slightly and said:
"Are you scared? Let me take a look, I'll rub it for you and it will be fine."

As he spoke, Yuan Xudong sat down next to Sun Sanniang, put his arms around her and said with a smile:
"Let me see, where are you frightened? Is it here? Or here?"

"My Lord, please don't be like this."

Sun Sanniang's pretty face turned red with shame, and she struggled slightly in Yuan Xudong's arms.

"Don't move, let me hold you for a while."

Yuan Xudong gently kissed Sun Sanniang's earlobe and said this. His right hand reached into the collar of Sun Sanniang's coat and played with her warm and soft body wantonly.

"My Lord, don't~~"

Sun Sanniang moaned tenderly, her eyes filled with spring water as she begged:
"No, not here, okay?"

"Why, you want to go to my room?"

Looking at Sun Sanniang in his arms, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"Sanniang, do you want to serve me?"

"No, don't talk nonsense."

Sun Sanniang blushed. Seeing her like this, Yuan Xudong continued to play with her soft body under her clothes and smiled gently:

"Then why are you sitting here all night thinking about something? Are you thinking about your son? How about I send someone to Qiantang to check on him, or bring him to Tokyo so that you and your son can be reunited?"

"Need not."

Sun Sanniang's eyes were red, and she said stubbornly:

"That heartless bastard doesn't even want me as his mother anymore, so why should I want him as his unfilial son?"

"is it?"

Looking at Sun Sanniang, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"Sanniang, are you willing to give me a child?"

"Your Majesty~~"

Sun Sanniang called out softly, she lowered her head, blushed and said nothing. Seeing her like this, Yuan Xudong immediately held her to sit on his lap, let her face him, and then untied each other.

"My Lord, don't~~"

Sun Sanniang was immediately horrified and said shyly:

"Don't be here, come to my room, okay?"

"Don't be afraid, there are only women in the backyard, no other men." Yuan Xudong said in a low voice, breathing heavily.

Having said that, he took direct action.

"Ah~~"

Sun Sanniang couldn't help but let out a soft cry. She was so embarrassed that she hugged Yuan Xudong tightly and buried her head in his arms.

……

The next morning, sunlight shone into the room through the gaps in the windows. The birds in the garden were singing, and the blooming peach blossoms were colorful and gorgeous, with a fragrant aroma.

The scenery outside the house was beautiful, and the room was also full of spring scenery. On the huge bed, Yuan Xudong lay on his right side with his head resting on a jade pillow, holding the naked Sun Sanniang in his arms. Compared with before, Sun Sanniang's face had become much rosier in just one night, and there was a hint of charm between her eyebrows.

Looking up at Yuan Xudong, Sun Sanniang blushed with tears in her eyes and said shyly:

"My Lord, you must not bully me like this anymore. What if someone sees us?"

"It's okay. The people living in the backyard of this palace are all women. Even if someone saw it, what does it matter?"

Looking at Sun Sanniang in his arms, Yuan Xudong smiled and said:
"Besides, don't you think this is exciting?"

"Your Majesty~~"

Sun Sanniang was very shy and said angrily:

"I don't want it. If you bully me like that again, I will go find Pan'er and let her make the decision for me."

"Okay, I was wrong, okay?"

As he spoke, Yuan Xudong reached out and gently stroked Sun Sanniang's face, saying very gently:

"Sanniang, I will take good care of you in the future."

"Hmm~"

Looking up at Yuan Xudong, Sun Sanniang gently snuggled into his arms. Yuan Xudong turned over and pressed her under him.

"Your Majesty~~Hmm~~"

……

Inside the palace, crows were crying and the rising sun was shining obliquely on the palace's multi-story buildings and carved beams and painted rafters. The newly-appointed top three officials, dressed in indigo-colored official uniforms, entered the palace with nervousness and excitement.

Ouyang Xu followed the top two candidates in the imperial examination with a restless heart, thinking about the audience with the emperor and the appointment of officials, and also about the incident last night. He went to Gao's house to see Gao Hui, but the maid said that she had already fallen asleep. Ouyang Xu didn't know whether Gao Hui was really asleep or didn't want to see him again. Would there be any changes in the marriage with the Gao family?

Seeing Ouyang Xu in a daze, his mind wandering, the nobleman in charge of leading the way couldn't help but remind him:

"Mr. Ouyang?"

Hearing the voice of the noble, Ouyang Xu suddenly came back to his senses. This was the imperial palace, and it was a critical moment for the emperor to grant him an official position. If he lost his manners in front of the emperor, it would be too late to regret. Thinking of this, Ouyang Xu quickly gathered his thoughts and respectfully bowed to the noble who kindly reminded him, thanking him:

"Thank you for your help, the palace is so majestic and magnificent that I was distracted for a moment."

"Ah."

The nobleman smiled at Ouyang Xu and continued to lead the way. Ouyang Xu was very respectful and gave him a piece of fine mutton-fat jade, which was very valuable. Naturally, the nobleman was very satisfied with him.

Ouyang Xu followed closely behind the top two candidates in the imperial examination. A hundred steps away was the imperial court he had longed for. He had studied hard for many years just for the moment of seeing the emperor and appointing him as an official. All other things were inferior except for studying. As long as he had an official position, he would be the best among men.

At this time, four young eunuchs passed by carrying a sedan chair. In the sedan chair sat an old Taoist priest with a celestial appearance. The nobleman immediately ordered Ouyang Xu and the other three to stop and salute. After the old Taoist priest's sedan chair passed by, he saw that Ouyang Xu and the other two had different expressions. The nobleman could not help but explain:
"This is Master Tongxuan of Chengtian Temple. He is highly versed in Taoism and is highly respected by the government. He was specially granted a sedan chair in the palace."

After saying that, the noble continued to lead the way. Ouyang Xu walked at the back. He couldn't help but glance at the Immortal Master Tongxuan who had already gone far away. His eyes were full of envy. They, the newly-appointed Jinshi, were treated worse than an old Taoist priest who pretended to be a wizard. At this moment, Ouyang Xu made up his mind to please the emperor. As long as the emperor was happy, maybe he could also ride in a sedan chair in the palace like the Immortal Master Tongxuan.

In stark contrast to Ouyang Xu's performance, the top two candidates walking in the front were both filled with disgust. The current government officials were superstitious about Taoism and wanted to cultivate immortality and seek longevity. They came from famous families and considered themselves to be upright people. They hated those who tried to please the government with talk of ghosts and gods the most. They did not believe that there were any ghosts and gods in this world, only those villains who pretended to be gods.

Since ancient times, there have been so many emperors and generals, but who can achieve immortality?

He walked to the door of the main hall and asked Ouyang Xu and the other two to wait outside the main hall. The nobleman walked into the main hall. After a moment, he heard the nobleman shouting loudly:
"Announce that Shen Jiayan and three other top-ranking Jinshi of this year's imperial examination are here to see you."

Hearing the noble's announcement, Ouyang Xu and the other three walked into the hall, bowed and saluted respectfully, saying:

"Long live His Majesty."

"Flat body."

Looking at Ouyang Xu and the other two, the official said calmly:

"You are all young talents who are well-read. Today, I will not ask you about academic matters. Instead, please tell us about your hobbies."

As soon as the official finished speaking, Shen Jiayan, the top scorer of this year's exam, was the first to answer:

"I know a thing or two about the art of medicine."

"it is good."

After Shen Jiayan finished speaking, the emperor looked at the runner-up again, and the runner-up replied respectfully:

"I like music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and I am also quite knowledgeable about Go."

"it is good."

Obviously, the emperor was not interested in the hobbies of the top two candidates. He looked at Ouyang Xu, who was at the end of the list, and asked with a smile:
"Tanhualang, I heard Concubine Gao talk about you. Can you tell me what you like to do in your daily life?"

Ouyang Xu glanced at the furnishings in the hall without leaving a trace, the plaque with the words "Three Pure Ones Reaching the Sky", the incense burner with purple mist, as well as Taoist scrolls and talismans. It was obvious that the emperor was extremely obsessed with Taoist metaphysics, so much so that even this hall was decorated like this.

When he heard the official's question, he said respectfully:

"Your Majesty, I don't have any hobbies on weekdays. I just like to recite the Three Thousand Daoist Canons and study the Huang-Lao School."

As soon as Ouyang Xu finished speaking, the top two candidates standing beside him changed their expressions, while the official sitting high up in the hall became excited. The scholars all said that he was superstitious about Taoism and ghosts and gods, but now they had a rare opportunity to meet a third place candidate who shared the same hobbies as him, and they immediately became interested.

Leaving the top two candidates aside, the official looked at Ouyang Xu and asked with great interest:
"Tell me, what is your favorite scripture?"

Hearing this, Ouyang Xu spoke eloquently:
"Your Majesty, I like the Great Cave Jade Sutra and the Great Mysterious Capital Wonderful Book of Pure Mind and Body Sutra the most. In addition, I still remember the biography written by Prime Minister Wang when the emperor was offering sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai. On the eve of the previous sacrifice, it was foggy and windy, and candles could not be used. When the ceremony started, the wind suddenly stopped, the sky became clear, and the candle flames became solid."

"Yes, finally here comes a young man who understands the wonderful way of morality."

The official looked at Ouyang Xu and smiled with great satisfaction:

"Recently, I want to give a plaque to the newly built Ziji Palace in Xijing, and I want to invite Master Baoyi to be the palace master. Now I am still short of an imperial edict. Tell me, how should I draft the edict?"

Hearing this, Ouyang Xu bowed and said respectfully:

"Please give me some writing materials."

"it is good."

The emperor was in a good mood and asked the eunuchs to bring up a table, writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone. Ouyang Xu picked up the brush and dipped it in ink, took a deep breath, and after pondering for a moment, he waved his hand and wrote a flattering imperial edict in a very short time. The top two candidates in the imperial examination were standing next to him. Seeing that he used all his life's knowledge to write such a flattering imperial edict, they were extremely disgusted and looked at him sideways, disdaining to have anything to do with him.

After Ouyang Xu finished writing, the eunuch handed the manuscript on the table to the emperor, who read it and said:

"The immortal master lives in the rocks and valleys, with his ambitions rising above the clouds and mist. He is a man of the Tao, and he seeks the truth of inaction. Not bad, not bad, his writing is brilliant, and he deserves the title of Tanhua."

Seeing such a good imperial edict, the emperor was overjoyed. He even came down from his high seat and walked up to Ouyang Xu and asked in person:

"Tanhua Lang, where do you want to be an official?"

Ouyang Xu was extremely excited. He tried his best to speak calmly:

"In the past, Rong Chengzi followed Emperor Huangdi. Now I want to follow his example. I will follow whatever the government sends me."

Hearing this, the official smiled with satisfaction and said:

"That's right. In this case, I will appoint you as the assistant minister of the Ziji Palace and the deputy envoy of the Ziji Palace. Go to Xijing on my behalf and invite Master Baoyi to come out of seclusion and serve as the master of the Ziji Palace."

"I will definitely live up to your orders and serve you like a dog or a horse."

"well!"

……

After coming out of the hall, the top two candidates in the imperial examination, who had originally had a good relationship with Ouyang Xu, distanced themselves from him one after another, looking at him with contempt. They walked quickly in front, while Ouyang Xu walked alone behind.

Climbing down the stairs, the sunlight was blinding and Ouyang Xu felt extremely regretful. He used the stories of ghosts and gods to please the emperor in order to get a good official position. However, the emperor appointed him as the Assistant Director of the Ziji Palace and the Deputy Envoy of the Imperial Court. This was not a good position at all. Instead, he was asked to search for the reclusive Taoist master in the mountains and rivers for the emperor. Isn't this just shooting himself in the foot?

He is a third place winner in the imperial examination, and yet he got such an official position?
……

In the main hall of Gao's house, Gao Hu's face was filled with anger. He looked at Ouyang Xu standing in front of him and slapped him hard on the face. Ouyang Xu quickly knelt on the ground and said humbly:
"Father-in-law, calm down."

"Don't call me father-in-law. I don't have a son-in-law like you."

Gao Hu said angrily that Ouyang Xu had used the story of ghosts and gods to curry favor with the emperor during the audience, and the matter had spread in the circle. Everyone knew that he was the son-in-law of the Gao family. This made Gao Hu, who valued the family's reputation the most, furious. It was outrageous that his son-in-law was actually a flattering jester.

Looking at the furious Gao Hu, Ouyang Xu pretended to be wronged and said:
"The emperor was interested at that time, so how could I dare to say no? The third place winner has always been appointed as a ninth-rank judge in the Dali court. I am an eighth-rank official. I did this all for the sake of marrying Hui Niang. I hope my father-in-law will calm down."

Looking at Ouyang Xu who still didn't know he was wrong, Gao Hu was furious and said:
"My Gao family cannot afford a capable official like you who has relied on ghosts and gods to rise to power. Your marriage with Hui'er is over now. If you are smart, wait three months and find a reason for the matchmaker to come to cancel the engagement. If I hear any criticism about Hui'er, I will..."

At this point, Gao Hu, who was born as a military commander, turned around and drew out the sword on the table. He put the blade to Ouyang Xu's neck and roared:
"roll!"

"Father-in-law, calm down. I will take my leave now."

With Gao Hu holding a sharp sword to his neck, Ouyang Xu was so frightened that he crawled away from Gao's house.

...(End of chapter)