Aspirations

Chapter 52
When Xia Xiang and Cao Shujun returned to Quanyou Inn, Jin Jia and Xiao Wu had been waiting for a long time.

As soon as he saw Xia Xiang, Jin Jia's beard trembled with excitement, rushed over and grabbed Xia Xiang's arm: "Xia Langjun, tell the old husband and the emperor why the medicine bed and medicine chair are not getting better?"

Xia Xiang didn't rush, took a sip of Xiao Wuliang's good tea: "Tell me what the Fourth Prince said first?"

"Guess." Jin Jia smiled, and did not rush to urge Xia Xiang. Instead, he pretended to drink tea easily, "The tea is good, but the water was overheated by three points when brewing, and the tea was old."

"The tea is not old, it's new tea." Xiao Wu felt aggrieved, and argued hard, "It should be that Mr. Jin Jia's tongue is old, so drinking any tea feels old."

"Xiao Wu is right. Mr. Jin Jia is not only getting old with his tongue, but also his hands and feet. When people get old, their legs get old first, and their feet get cold first. Mr. Jin Jia must have cold hands and feet at night..." Xia Xiang smiled lightly, He poured a cup of hot tea by himself, "Mr. Jin Jia, can you think that the tea is not too old because the water is too hot, but because the body is too cold?"

Jin Jia was stunned and stunned for a long time before he suddenly patted his thigh: "Aiya, Xia Langjun, you are so powerful, witty, and wise, the old man understands, the old man figured it out..."

Cao Shujun looked left at Xia Xiang and looked at Jin Jia and right at Jin Jia, and then at Xiao Wu with a puzzled look on his face: "What are you talking about? What does Mr. Jin Jia understand?"

"The tea is not old, and the water is just right. Why does Xia Langjun feel that the tea is delicious when he enters the mouth, but the old man thinks that he is too old? The reason is that the old man is in the age of [-] and Xia Langjun is a weak body. It is like a fish drinking water, and knowing whether it is cold or warm. The same medicine bed and medicine chair, Cao Gongzhi quickly saw it, but the emperor used it, but it did not improve. It is not the medicine bed medicine chair's fault, but the emperor's dragon body and Cao Gong's fault. The reason for the difference in physique. Xia Langjun helped the old man come up with ideas..."

"Sharing worries for the Holy One is the duty of a subject." Xia Xiang cupped his hands and bowed towards the palace, "The emperor's condition is a bit more serious than Duke Cao's. The first thing to do is to increase the firepower. The eunuchs and maids light the fire. They are afraid If overheating makes the emperor uncomfortable, he will be reprimanded and punished by the emperor. The firepower must not be allowed to reach the high temperature, and a special imperial doctor should be used to light the fire. Secondly, the amount of moxa must be increased. Thirdly, the emperor must use the medicine bed to sleep every day and use medicine every day It has been a long time since the chair handles official documents, and it may be seen that it has improved."

"It's the same as I thought, and the hero sees the same thing." Jin Jia was overjoyed, turned around and left, "Mr. Xia Lang, the old man is leaving, there is no need to send it away, there will be a later date."

"Don't go yet, what did the Fourth Prince say?" Xia Xiang was dumbfounded, Jin Jia only cared about himself and didn't care about others, he was really loyal.

"What did the fourth prince say? What can the fourth prince say?" Jin Jia laughed, stood at the door, turned around and grimaced at Xia Xiang and the others, "The fourth prince didn't say anything, just dropped the cup on the spot."

"It's a pity for a good cup, is it a jade cup, white porcelain, or a Jianzhan?" Xia Xiang smiled knowingly and said to Cao Shujun, "Cao Saburo, give the Fourth Prince a good cup when it's convenient."

Cao Shujun blinked: "Okay, why do you want to give the Fourth Prince a cup? The Fourth Prince has no shortage of cups. He has never seen any kind of cup."

"He has never seen the cup with good times." Xia Xiang played with the cup in his hand a few times, "The jade cup made by Cao Saburo and stamped with the emblem of good times must be invaluable. The most important thing is, Unique and unparalleled in the world.”

"It's not too late to talk about it later." Cao Shujuan still didn't know what Xia Xiang meant by his words, his mind was still on the emblem, he was eager to know which one, Yulianhuan or Ruoer, was more suitable for the little lady. "Can I go see Miss Lian?"

"No hurry, no hurry." Xia Xiang waved his hand, but sat down instead, "Xiao Wu..."

Xiao Wu moved forward, hehe smiled: "Sir, I went to post the list, and there was no one around. Just posted, there was one person. He said that it was too conspicuous to post directly on the black list, and this matter should not be publicized. It's better to try to cover up."

"Do you want to cover up? Haha, it should be said that you want to talk and then quit. This person has a heart. Did he say that there will be another yellow list on the black list?"

"Mr. is too powerful. That's what he said and did. I didn't let him post it, but he insisted. I almost beat him up in a fit of anger, but he didn't post it." Xiao Wu recalled that time He puffed up his cheeks and said angrily, "What does he know? Dare to post a yellow list on top of Mr.'s black list, it's unnecessary."

"It's not unnecessary, it's very necessary." As soon as Xiao Wu finished speaking, a voice from outside the door suddenly sounded, and immediately after the door rang, a person pushed the door in, and he came straight to Xia Xiang without saluting. Standing up with his head held high, he said proudly, "Mr. Xia Lang, although I disapproved of your confrontation with His Royal Highness in the street last time, I hate the fraud in the examination room even more. I just saw Xiao Wu at the gate of the Gongyuan. Posting the black list, you can know that you are announcing that there is a shady scene in the examination room of the world, but this is too blatant. If the black list is posted, it is okay if the examiner finds out first, but if the examiner sees it first, it will be revealed. Once it’s settled, this matter will be over. In order to uphold justice, and to return justice to the world’s exams, I made up my own mind and posted another yellow list on top of the black list, without any words on the yellow list..."

"After all, you still posted the yellow list. You are so annoying." Xiao Wu reached out and grabbed the collar of the visitor, "I want to beat you up, sir, do you want to beat him?"

"Xiao Wu, the gentleman speaks and does not do anything, let go." Xia Xiang stepped forward and pushed Xiao Wu's hand away, hehe smiled, and bowed his hands to the person who came, "Thank you Brother Teng for your help."

The person who came was Teng Zhengyuan, a scholar from Round Facebook.

Teng Zhengyuan didn't return the salute, his nostrils were still facing the sky, and he looked up at the roof at 45 degrees, as if there was some beautiful scenery on the roof: "You don't need to thank me, I'm not helping you, I'm just seeking justice for the world's exams. If there is another If there is something that requires me to come forward, just speak up, as long as it is for the sake of scholars all over the world, I will go through fire and water and will not back down half a step. Farewell!"

"Sir, he obviously ruined the important matter of Mr...." Xiao Wu stared at Teng Zhengyuan's back, like a leopard ready to pounce on its prey at any time.

"Teng Zhengyuan's move is to help me." Xia Xiang looked at Teng Zhengyuan's free and easy back thoughtfully, and smiled meaningfully, "Brother Teng is a man of temperament. It attracted the attention of many examiners, and made them think that the list was released, and then they competed to see it, but it turned out to be an empty list, and under the empty list was a black list..."

"Gao wah, it's hard to catch Teng Zhengyuan." Cao Shujun praised, "It's not too clever to use such a method in the court. Okay, okay, this matter is small, Xia Langjun, hurry up. I'm going to see Miss Lian."

"Don't worry, there are still things to do." Xia Xiang smiled and instructed Xiao Wu, "Go and call Brother Zhang and Brother Shen over for tea."

"You still want to drink tea?" Cao Shujun just wanted to see Lian Ruohan quickly, "Why don't you go to Anzhiju where good times are always there to drink tea."

"Cao Sanlang, please be safe and don't be impatient, maybe even the young lady will take the initiative to come to the inn to gather with me." Xia Xiang smiled complacently, and started to light the fire, "Come, set up the stove, bring the iron pot, let's boil water Tea welcomes guests."

As soon as the door rang, Shen Bao pushed open the door and came in, followed by Zhang Hou, both of them were surprised. Seeing Xia Xiangan's simplicity, he still had a leisurely and elegant way to make a fire and boil water.

Shen Bao thought that Xia Xiang was too sad, so he pretended to be relaxed, he stepped forward to comfort Xia Xiang: "Brother Xia, you don't have to be like this, the failure of the list may just be a misinformation, and even if you fail the list, it is not because of your lack of knowledge. Well, it's just that the chief examiner has no eyes. If you come back for the exam three years later, it will definitely be a blockbuster."

Zhang Hou's mouth moved slightly, he forced a smile without laughing, and patted Xia Xiang's shoulder lightly: "Brother Xia, don't be discouraged, think that I won the jinshi three years ago, but threw away the imperial edict. Go home, you are just not appreciated by the chief examiner, after three years, you will definitely be in high school."

Zhang Houzhi's words seemed to comfort Xia Xiang, but in fact he was showing off that he was much more talented than Xia Xiang, and his complacency was beyond words.

Shi'er also pushed open the door and came in, with a concerned look on his face: "Xia Langjun, can I help you boil the water?"

Xia Xiang waved his hand and said calmly: "No, I'm fine, come, let's see how my tea-making skills are?" While speaking, he flipped his wrist and lifted the iron pot, and a stream of hot boiling water poured into the teapot In the middle, the tea leaves are brewed and churned, and the aroma is overflowing.

In the blink of an eye, Xia Xiang had already poured a cup of hot tea for each of them. It has to be hot, the tea is not good when it is cold."

Zhang Hou shook his head and smiled, thinking that Xia Xiang was so mysterious, but it made him look down on Xia Xiang even more. How many more teacups?"

"Maybe there will be guests visiting later." Xia Xiang smiled quietly, "Today, there will be a good show."

"What good show?" Shi'er tilted his head and asked, admiring Xia Xiang's calmness and confidence, "Xia Langjun, what other guests will come?"

"It should be a good show featuring various characters, and there should be many unexpected guests." Xia Xiang took a sip of tea slowly, "So we don't go anywhere, it's a pleasure to drink tea and watch the show."

"But..." Cao Shujun couldn't sit still, and rubbed his hands repeatedly, "It's not a foolproof strategy to always go out for a walk or sit and drink tea. Besides, in a small all-you-can-own inn, where will guests come to visit?"

As soon as the voice fell, the door was pushed open, a figure flashed, and a person came suddenly like a breeze.

As soon as this person arrived, Xiao Wu immediately took a step back, his whole body was tense, and he looked straight at the person who came, as if he would fly up and fight the person without dying. .

The person who came was neither a warrior nor a strong man, but a delicate little lady.

Wearing a white robe that beats snow, a jade face like a fairy like the moon, and a sword like a dragon hugging his chest, the visitor only showed his face, and immediately shocked everyone.

It is Mantra.

Zhang Hou just glanced at him and stood there in a daze. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes were as big and round as copper coins, the teacup in his hand was tilted, and the tea was flowing all over his body, but he still didn't know that there was such a beautiful woman in the world?There are so many beautiful women in the world!His heart was like waves. When he saw it in Taipingju last time, why didn't he find the unparalleled beauty of Mantuo?
Yes, it must be. Last time, Mantuo wore a black dress, and he kept his head down and said nothing, only to be covered with dust. At this time, Mantuo, with white clothes fluttering, seemed to fly, his face was like jade, and he was as cold as snow. Zhang Hou was shocked.

Zhang Hou also has seen countless ladies and gentlemen, some are dignified, some are charming, some are elegant, some are arrogant and rude, and some are like Mantra. This is the first time I have seen them.As far as appearance is concerned, although Mantuo also has a beautiful appearance, it is not unparalleled in the world, but Mantuo has both a dignified appearance and a charming appearance. Between his actions, he is elegant and calm, and also proud. state.Compared with the indomitable arrogance of a wealthy and aristocratic woman, her arrogance is the cold arrogance of loneliness and self-admiration, and the coldness that rejects others thousands of miles away.

For the first time in Zhang Houping's life, he was fascinated by a woman's elegance. He is competitive by nature, and the harder it is, the easier it is to arouse his desire to conquer. Just like the hanging inscription in Taipingju, in his opinion, what is easily available I won't take it.

"Miss Mantuo, I'm next to you Zhang Hou." Zhang Hou took a step forward and smiled slightly, "The last time I met in Taipingju, I wonder if my lady still remembers me?"

Mantuo didn't even look at Zhang Hou. As if he didn't exist, she went straight to Xia Xiang: "Xia Langjun, I heard that you failed the list?"

Xia Xiang nodded: "It's really good things don't go out, bad things spread thousands of miles..."

"Is it related to your letter?" When Mantuo heard the news that Xia Xiang had dropped the list, she was shocked and hurried to ask for clarity. She knew that for a scholar, being dropped on the list meant ten years of cold weather. If she loses, she will have to wait at least another three years before she can get a chance. The image of her father reading poetry and books before his death is deeply rooted in her heart, and she will never forget it.

"No, when I handed you the letter, you had already finished the exam." Mantuo just couldn't think about it in a hurry, and only then did she figure out the problem. She also deliberately waited for Xia Xiang to finish the exam before handing over the letter. Since Xia Xiang's failure has nothing to do with her, her heart fell into the real world, and she turned around and left, "It's okay to fail the list, but now the officialdom is dark, it's a good thing that you're not an official, at least you can be on your own."

Zhang Hou coughed lightly to hide the embarrassment of being ignored by Mantuo. He watched the interaction between Mantuo and Xia Xiang with a cold eye.Xia Xiang was one of the candidates who failed the exam and came from a commoner background. Not to mention that he would have to wait three years before he could take the exam again. After three years, it is still unknown whether he was high enough. There are literary talents, this time must be high school, I don't believe that Mantuo will ignore his favor and only have an interest in Xia Xiang.

If this is the case, Mantuo is too blind.No, no matter how blind Mantuo is, he must let Mantuo know that he is more than a hundred times stronger than Xia Xiang, and he is the pillar of the Dragon and Phoenix Kingdom among the people.

"It's just a matter of taking care of yourself and being the next best thing. It's what you want to help the world." Xia Xiang smiled, "Since Mrs. Mantuo is here, why don't you stay and drink tea together."

"Drinking tea?" Man Tuo stopped, turned around and swept his eyes, and passed over the faces of several people one by one, like the wind passing over the water, without stopping at all, finally his eyes fell on Xiao Wu's face, and he paused, "And You might as well talk to Xiao Wu while drinking tea."

Xiao Wu waved his hands again and again and took a few steps back: "Miss Mantuo, I have nothing to tell you, and I don't want to talk to you either..."

Mantuo gave a rare smile: "It's fine not to speak, go, follow me to the courtyard, and I will teach you martial arts." After he finished speaking, he turned around and pushed the door out.

"Really?" Xiao Wuxi was overjoyed and looked at Xia Xiang.Xia Xiang nodded in acquiescence, Xiao Wu was overjoyed immediately, jumped up, and went out through the window.

Shi'er stuck out his tongue: "Xiao Wuzhong likes to go out through the window. If one day he is on the third floor and jumps through the window, won't he fall to his death?"

Shen Bao didn't say a word from the beginning to the end, just buried his head in drinking tea, and suddenly said: "Could it be that Brother Zhang is interested in Madam Mantuo?"

Zhang Hou was stunned for a moment, then smiled confidently: "Brother Shen is really right, I really fell in love with Mrs. Mantuo, Brother Xia, you and Mrs. Mantuo have no selfish relationship, right?"

Upon hearing this, Shi'er raised her ears and looked at Xia Xiang nervously.

Xia Xiang chuckled: "Brother Zhang's words are wrong. If I have an affair with Madam Mantuo, it is also a private matter, and it has nothing to do with you. If there is no relationship, it is also a private matter, and it has nothing to do with you."

Zhang Hou was choked for a moment, and he laughed: "So, Brother Xia is just as interested in Madam Mantuo as I am, but Madam Mantuo is ruthless towards you? Haha."

"Is Xia Langjun here?" Amidst Zhang Hou's laughter, a soft and soft voice sounded outside the door, "My family's little lady has come to see you."

Xia Shujun jumped to his feet, and said with joy: "Lian, even the little lady?" He responded loudly, "Yes, Xia Langjun is here, Cao Sanlang is also, even the little lady, please come in quickly."

Regardless that he is not the owner of the room, he immediately opened the door to welcome him out.

Outside the door, Lian Ruohan was getting out of the car with her skirt in hand.

(End of this chapter)