Resourceful beauty

Chapter 158
On the ninth day of February, the triennial Spring Festival kicks off.

On the tenth day of February, news came from Wulingbo Mansion that Fang Ruhua gave birth to a young lady in the early hours of the morning, named Han Yan, and everyone in the mansion called her Sister Yan.

When receiving the wedding eggs, Concubine Wu was both happy and disappointed, and finally happily went to Wulingbo Mansion with the gift.

After Su Yuan was placed under house arrest, the words released to the outside world were that Princess Qi was unwell and needed to rest and calm down. Several wives who usually walked around Su Yuan sent posts, but they were all rejected by Chen Mei. King Qi was seriously ill and went to the palace for recuperation. Everyone guessed that Su Yuan was suffering from a sudden illness, so they kindly gave up their thoughts of visiting, but no one suspected that they went to the other side.

Although Fang Zhengru is free to go in and out of Prince Qi's mansion every day, he knows that once he reveals the fact that his mother is under house arrest by his elder brother, then he will not be able to hide what his mother has done. Not to mention, his life might not be as easy as it is now, so Fang Zhengru kept silent about it.

Fang Ruyu didn't even dare to mention it.

When Concubine Wu arrived at Yanshuang Pavilion, Mrs. Wulingbo happened to be there, and Concubine Wu still used the same excuse that the concubine was too sick to get up. The concubine who gave birth came to see the child in person?

Mrs. Wu Lingbo smiled and led Concubine Wu into the house.

Fang Ruhua was wearing a warm hat on her head, lying on the bed with a pale face, when she saw Concubine Wu coming in, she said weakly "You're here", her eyes turned red.

Come to think of it, having a child has suffered a lot.

Mrs. Wu Lingbo accompanied her and said a few words, knowing that the two of them had private conversations, she took advantage of the time to prepare lunch and went out.

As soon as Concubine Wu walked to the side of the bed, Fang Ruhua's tears fell.

Busily taking out the handkerchief to wipe her tears, Concubine Wu said angrily: "During confinement, you can't shed tears. When you get old, your eyes will hurt when you blow the wind. Don't cry, huh?"

While talking, the wet nurse came holding the newborn sister Yan.

The child was still a little red, but looking at his eyebrows and eyes, he was quite delicate, and he would be a beauty when he grew up. Concubine Wu hugged her for a while, and then let the wet nurse hug her again.

Fang Ruhua's eyes were red and she said in a low voice: "The second child got married the day before yesterday, and I had a seizure when I came back from the new house, but that night, the son was drunk, and he didn't even come to see me, so he went to Yiyun Pavilion excitedly. At night, I asked for water three times."

The Aunt Qin, Qin Yun'er, lived in Yiyun Pavilion, and because of the name of the yard, Fang Ruhua still felt sulky for a while.

Sister Yan was born early in the morning. Although Han Song had joy on his face, Fang Ruhua felt that the joy didn't go deep into his eyes.

After taking a look, Han Song said that he was going to be on duty, so Han Song left without even saying a few words to Fang Ruhua. The child was crying, and Fang Ruhua's heart also burst into tears.

But she still had to hold back in front of her, until Concubine Wu came, and then she could cry a few words of grievance.

"Young master dotes on that Aunt Qin again, but no one can change your position as wife. Don't worry, huh? Take good care of your body. After the confinement period, hurry up and bring young master back to your room and give birth as soon as possible." Having a son-in-law is the most important thing, those concubines don't have to worry about it at all."

Consoling Fang Ruhua in a low voice, Concubine Wu said disdainfully: "Concubine, it's a man's thing to say the least. You, the wife of the main house, why are you competing with them? Don't give up on Bizi Tang, as long as you don't let them have sex." If you are ready to give birth to a son before you, then let them go, if it is not possible, you will be at ease if you go down with a pair of red flowers and kill their children."

Concubine Wu has repeatedly told these things before she got married, and now she repeats the cliché to reassure Fang Ruhua. After all, she is the mistress, and the lives of those concubines are in her hands. The mistress is happy, maybe It can make you have a son and a half daughter. If you are unhappy, you will never want to be a mother in your life.

After speaking out the frustration in her heart, Fang Ruhua felt a little better, so she inquired about the affairs in Prince Qi's mansion.

Concubine Wu didn't know much about Su Xin, but which woman in the inner house was stupid?If the past and the future are connected together, even if the guess is not [-]% or [-]%, there will always be [-]% or [-]%.

When Concubine Wu said one thing, Fang Ruhua would be able to think of another. After Concubine Wu finished speaking, Fang Ruhua already had a good idea of ​​the current situation in Prince Qi's mansion.

After instructing her mother not to meddle with her, just live her own life well, Fang Ruhua's heart has already begun to make plans.

In the afternoon, when the newlyweds came back to visit their sister-in-law three times, the two sisters-in-law chatted in low voices for a long time in the inner room. Those who didn't know where they were, thought that the two hit it off very well.

Throughout February, the hottest topic in the capital was Chunwei.

The inns, large and small, in the city were full of people. In the teahouses and restaurants, there were often high-spirited students discussing the affairs of the dynasty.

After the exam, the doors of several examiners' houses were almost stepped on by the students.

On February 25th, red paper was neatly pasted on the imperial wall at the foot of the imperial city, on which were the names, ages, places of origin and rankings of the students.

In the Zhaoyang Palace, Emperor Rui'an looked at the list in his hand, and looked at it with a bit of joy, but the words he said didn't sound like that, "It is said that all the candidates in the world are A disciple of the Son of Heaven, but I feel that the prime minister is the real peach and plum everywhere..."

A total of 128 people were selected by Chunwei this time. According to the secret report obtained by Emperor Rui'an earlier, more than half of the top [-] people were from the disciples of Prime Minister Qiu Zongde.

Let me ask, these people will be assigned to be officials in various places in Dayuan in the future. Emperor Rui'an dare not even imagine what the court will look like in ten years' time.

As for the few talented and learned people mastered by Emperor Rui'an, it is a pity that they all failed this time.

Some did not perform well on the spot, some test papers were messy and were discarded by the examiner, and some words were tabooed. In short, the reasons are very legitimate.

Throwing the roster in his hand aside, Emperor Ruian wrote a few people's names with a brush, and handed them to Eunuch Xu, "These people, I said that I have heard their remarks, and I think they are quite Talent and learning, exceptionally selected to participate in the palace examination."

There was also such a precedent in Rui'an's first spring in three years. Emperor Rui'an was never a person who played cards according to common sense.

After the morning court was over, Qiu Zongde was declared into the imperial study.

"I have drafted a few exam questions, and Qiu Xiang will help me to see which one is more suitable."

Emperor Rui'an spoke, and beside him, Eunuch Xu held a piece of paper and handed it to Qiu Zongde.

The first title is: "The way of university lies in clearing morality, being close to the people, and ending in perfection and righteousness".

The second title is: "Neutral without relying on strong righteousness".

The third topic is: "To the people of the world, gather the world's own goods, trade and return, and everyone gets what they want."

They are all well-regulated topics, no matter which one is taken out, those candidates can write an eloquent article.It's just that different examinees have different understandings, often the same proposition, some people can draw inferences directly on the key points, while others can only focus on the topic and strive to be safe.

Qiu Zongde thought about it carefully, and said with a smile: "I am also in a dilemma for a while, I think these three topics are very good, please Your Majesty to choose."

Although he didn't say anything, Emperor Rui'an seemed extremely satisfied.

The palace examination is scheduled for the ninth day of March, and there is still ten days left. No matter what the topic is, it is enough for them to prepare a novel article, right?

When he came out of Zhaoyang Hall, Qiu Zongde seemed to have seen the noisy scene of those proud students prostrating themselves in front of him, calling them "teachers".

After the list was released, the capital became lively like a new year.

Some went to thank their teachers with gift boxes of eight treasures, and some celebrated with friends and drinks in restaurants. People came and went on the streets of the capital, and students wearing square scarves and holding folding fans could be seen strolling in the courtyard everywhere.

"It's not yet March, the fans are all taken out, and they are all stupefied..."

In the carriage, Mu Mian glanced at it and said with a smile.

Today is the day when King Qi came back from "recovery".

Fang Zhengjun took a day off, took Fang Ruxuan out of the city, and went straight to the palace to pick up King Qi who was "recovering from a serious illness".

The imperial doctors went straight back to the palace to return their orders, calling out "God's grace is mighty, fortunately you have not disgraceed your fate", and each received a reward. After King Qi returned to the palace to take a bath and change clothes, he went into the palace non-stop to thank him, and then came out of the imperial study. It was already dusk hour.

Watching the light in the sky disappear little by little, and then a large piece of darkness rises, King Qi's eyes seem to be able to cut through the darkness, bright as two clusters of small flames.

In the early morning of the next day, Emperor Rui'an mentioned the request of King Lu before leaving.

The courtiers had different opinions, and they were roughly divided into two factions.

The faction headed by Qiu Zongde agreed to greatly increase the number of troops in Ningbei, and took precautions to suppress the arrogance of the Udal tribe, so as not to miss the opportunity and regret it.

The other faction, headed by King Qi, advocates peace, and hopes that the imperial court will send envoys to the Udal tribe for peace talks, and hope that both parties will abide by the original contract and not interfere with each other.

Most of the military officers advocated forceful suppression, waving their fists as big as hammers, saying that they would teach those barbarians a lesson and let them know how powerful Da Yuan is.

The civil servants were very talkative, their spittle was flying and their faces were blushing and their necks were thick. If it wasn't for the presence of the emperor in the hall, they would probably rush to tear off the opponent's official hat, and then cursed "you cowardly".

After the commotion, Emperor Rui'an made a final decision, "For the past few years, the Udar tribe has been restless, and even the Hulan Kingdom is a little bit ready to move. Da Yuankong has tiger and wolf troops, but they are feeding like sheep. Reinforcement from Ningbei is urgent, led by Wuling Bo An army of [-] went to Ningbei."

Withdrew from the court, civil and military officials left Zhaoyang Hall in groups of three or four.

The few officials who followed Qiu Zongde sneered and sneered, which made the courtiers who tried their best to make peace feel embarrassed and angry, but they were powerless to refute.

Looking at the back of King Qi pacing away, Qiu Zongde had a few smiles on his lips: so what if you recover from illness, Northwest Daying, you will never go back.

(End of this chapter)