Do you know that it starts with Meng Tong?

Sheng Changbai on the side had a thoughtful expression on his face when he heard Wei Chen saying that he was too late to attend Jinke Spring Festival.

It suddenly occurred to him that a bachelor's degree as a lecturer had a respected status in the Hanlin Academy, but he was qualified to serve as the deputy examiner of the imperial examinations, including during the imperial examinations.

If Wei Chen hadn't happened to be busy with his marriage, he might have been selected as the deputy examiner of the joint examination. At that time, it would naturally be a lot of benefits for people like Sheng Changfeng, Qi Heng, and Gu Tingye who were taking the examination.

However, in Sheng Changbai's view, it would be better if Wei Chen should not be the examiner. Otherwise, if Sheng Changfeng and the others pass the exam in the future, the melon fields and plums will be unclear, which will affect Wei Chen's official reputation and reputation, then the gain will outweigh the loss.

Anyway, after the Henan Provincial Examination, Wei Chen's "Tan Wen Lu" had spread throughout Bianjing. The candidates who came to Beijing for the examination had also heard of this book, and almost everyone had a copy.

If these people become Jinshi in the future, their respect for Wei Chen will probably not be much worse than that of a master who can take the exam.

Wei Chen could easily gain a large number of students without having to work hard as an examiner.

In the yard, Wei Chen gave Sheng Changfeng a few words and then sent him back to the study to prepare for the exam. Mother Liu walked over and said, "Uncle, the mistress and the Zhang family are waiting for you at Wei Ruixuan."

"Auntie is here too?"

Wei Chen was surprised, but he quickly realized that Wei Ruyi was probably invited by Wang Ruofu to discuss the wedding date.

Wei Chen couldn't help but feel a little funny. He was really anxious, but this was quite in line with Wang Ruofu's style.

He was about to leave for Wei Ruixuan when he suddenly stopped and asked, "Are the two sisters here?"

Liu

The mother shook her head and said: "The girls in the family now have their own yards. The fifth girl lives in Taoranju, and the sixth girl lives in Mu Cangzhai. Apart from sleeping in the morning and dusk every day, they will not go anywhere else if they have nothing to do."

Wei Chen was a little disappointed and nodded to let Liu's mother continue to lead the way.

Sheng Changbai also followed to watch the excitement. He was not interested in other people's excitement, but the more excitement about Wei Chen, the better.

Not long after, the group arrived at the main hall of Wei Ruixuan. In the spacious hall, Wang Ruofu and Wei Ruyi were seated separately as host and guest. Hai Chaoyun stood behind Wang Ruofu to serve.

Wei Chen first saluted a few people, and then gave Wang Ruofu and Hai Chaoyun a meeting gift.

Before being dragged to Sheng's house by Sheng Changbai, Wei Chen asked Yuan An to quickly go back to the Wei Mansion to get the gift, which came in handy now.

What Wang Ruofu received was a pair of very good-quality mutton-fat jade bracelets. After trying it on, she couldn't put it down. Since it was a gift from her future son-in-law, she accepted it with peace of mind.

What Hai Chaoyun received was a gold inlaid agate dragonfly hairpin, which was also valuable.

Hai Chaoyun felt that the items were too valuable and wanted to return them to Wei Chen, but when he saw Sheng Changbai nodding slightly at the side, he did not insist.

Wei Ruyi looked on and nodded with satisfaction. She helped Wei Chen choose the gifts for Wang Ruofu and Hai Chaoyun.

Wei Ruyi looked at Wei Chen and asked, "I heard that His Majesty granted you a wedding leave. Do you know how long we can take it? If you tell me the number, we can arrange a wedding date for you."

Wei Chen nodded and said: "The Hanlin Academy can't wait too long, but since His Majesty has opened Chrysostom, there is always three to five months of leave."

】

When Wang Ruofu heard this, he smiled and clapped his hands and said: "This is great. Your aunt and I were worried about not being able to find a good life. Now that you can go to the Yamen to take office a few months later, we are much better off here!" "

Wang Ruofu pondered for a moment, then turned to look at Wei Ruyi and asked in a consultative tone: "In-laws, do you think we can set the wedding date on the sixth day of April?"

Wei Ruyi counted on her fingers, nodded immediately and said: "Yes, it is indeed a good day to get married, and there is nothing wrong with it!"

After saying that, she looked at Wei Chen again: "Brother Chen, what do you mean?"

Wei Chen bowed his body and said respectfully: "Let the elders make the decision in everything."

Wang Ruofu and Wei Ruyi looked at each other and couldn't help but smile.

Wei Ruyi immediately agreed: "In that case, don't waste time picking and choosing. The wedding day will be on the sixth day of April!"

The wedding date was finally set, and everyone was worried. Wang Ruofu stood up with a smile and said, "In-laws, the food and wine have been prepared, why don't we stay and have dinner together?"

Wei Ruyi suggested: "On this special day, why not invite my sister here so that she can be happy too?"

Wang Ruofu's expression froze when he heard this.

Ever since Rulan and Minglan were granted marriage by the imperial decree, Wang Ruofu had a vague feeling that Wei Shuyi's status in the Sheng family would rise sharply.

And when Wei Ruyi came to discuss marriage as Wei Chen's elder, Wang Ruofu confirmed this in his heart.

In the past two years, Sheng Hong went to Wei Shu's courtyard more often than before, and Wang Ruofu naturally complained a little.

But thinking about the past when Lin Sushuang was here, Wang Ruofu felt relieved.

In the past, Lin Sushuang alone took most of Sheng Hong's possessions, while Wang Ruofu only took a smaller half.Now Wei Shuyi only accounts for a small half, and the majority is still with Wang Ruofu. What else is Wang Ruofu dissatisfied with.

Wanting Sheng Hong to devote himself to me is just an extravagant hope. Even if Wei Xiaoniang is gone, Zhang San, Li, Si Wang and Wu are still the same.

Thinking about it this way, Wei Shuyi is actually not bad.

After all, Wei Shuyi is different from that bitch Lin Sushuang. Wei Shuyi has a non-competitive nature from beginning to end.

Even though a mother is more important than a daughter, Wei Chen still calls her aunt, but Wei Shuyi always guards his Qinyun Courtyard. He respects Wang Ruofu on weekdays and never means to violate the rules.

Since she is so knowledgeable, Wang Ruofu doesn't mind showing her generosity as a mistress.

Thinking of this, Wang Ruofu smiled and nodded, then turned around and ordered: "Mother Liu, go to Qinyun Courtyard and invite Miss Wei over for dinner."

Chapter 259

God bless the ninth year, the first day of the lunar month.Tao

The emperor Zhao Zhen followed the etiquette and law, went out of the imperial city, and offered sacrifices to heaven at the Qingcheng Palace in the south of Bianjing City.

Just after the rooster crows, the sky is dark, the night wind is strong, and there is no moon in sight. Only hundreds of torches, blown by the wind, light up the square in front of Daqing Hall.

In the huge square, there were a total of 220 people who were in charge of the troops, led the troops, and were in charge of the various departments.

In addition, there are thousands of civil and military officials accompanying the driver, as well as vehicles, horses, and even six elephants.

】

Tens of thousands of people took their places in the square without any disorder, waiting for the emperor to come out of the main hall of the imperial city.

Civil servants of the fifth rank and above, military officers of the fourth rank and above, as well as Hanlin officials and imperial censors all accompanied the emperor to worship heaven.

The father and son Sheng Hong and Sheng Changbai, one of whom was the director of the fifth-grade Ministry of Industry and the other was the editor of the seventh-grade Hanlin Academy, were among those accompanying him.Tao

Now is the coldest time in Bianjing. As a southerner, Sheng Hong stood in the cold wind wearing a thin court dress, and his teeth were trembling with cold.

At this moment, Sheng Hong missed the fox fur that his wife had sewn by hand.

Although it looks a bit ugly, at least it is made of solid materials and is windproof and warm.If I could put one on now, I would definitely be much warmer.

It's a pity that Sheng Hong can only think about it. This is an annual ceremony to worship heaven, and he must wear court clothes to show his grandeur.

Compared to the middle-aged Sheng Hong, who is physically weak, Sheng Changbai's condition is much better.

The seventh-grade court uniform is not thicker than the fifth-grade court uniform, but Sheng Changbai is young enough and has strong firepower, so he can barely bear it.

The lights in the square flickered on and off, and the coldness brought by the strong wind seemed to have set a rhythm. Wave after wave, it hit people, making it difficult for people to guard against it.Tao

Sheng Changbai raised his sleeves, covered half of his eyes, and tried to look forward.

But I saw four people standing at the front of the line in the Hanlin Academy. They were Liu Tingxi, a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and a minister of Zhan Shifu, Wu Yingyan, a bachelor of the Imperial Academy and the minister of the Ministry of War, Tao Yue, a bachelor of the imperial academy and a minister of the Ministry of War, and Ding Siquan, a bachelor of the imperial palace.

Among the four first-level Hanlin scholars, Liu Tingxi took the lead.Wu Yingyan and Tao Yue stood behind Liu Tingxi, separated on the left and right.Behind Wu Yingyan is Ding Siquan, and behind Tao Yue, there is obviously a vacant position.

That is the position of the new lecturer Wei Chen, but Wei Chen has not yet taken up his post.

Sheng Changbai couldn't help but sigh secretly when he saw this.

It's good to be given a leave of absence to get married, and you don't even have to attend the heaven-sacrifice ceremony. At this moment, Wei Chen is probably still lying at home sleeping.

Sheng Changbai suddenly felt a little envious of Wei Chen because he didn't have to get up early or get cold.Tao

If possible, who would want to stand here like a fool in the cold weather and blow the wind?

Dispelling the random thoughts in his mind, Sheng Changbai tightened his pathetically thin court uniform and continued to hold his breath like all his colleagues around him, silently waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Snapped!Snapped!Snapped!

After three cleansing whips, drums and music blared in front of the palace, and everyone's expressions suddenly became solemn and solemn.

The Emperor Zhao Zhen slowly walked out of the palace gate, tens of thousands of people knelt down and worshiped, shouting "Long Live the Mountain". The shouts were like landslides and tsunamis, echoing in the sky above the square.

Immediately, Zhao Zhen climbed onto the jade chariot, and after the ministers of Honglu Temple loudly praised him, the sounds of drums, horse hooves, and footsteps began one after another.

First, six elephants start the guide

Driving, more than a hundred riders from the Qingyou detachment marched along the road, followed by more than [-] people from the front guard of honor holding banners such as Suzaku and Huanglong, Feng Boyu Master, Lei Gong and Dian Mu.Tao

Then there are Taichang's front propaganda, Si Tianjian, front cavalry, Sixth Army honor guard, left and right Xiao guards, Jinwu guards, Peng Japanese army, Fengchen army...

Dozens of teams of people passed through Xuande Gate in batches and walked south along the imperial road.

On the jade chariot, Zhao Zhen was holding it like a sculpture in a temple.

Although he is the emperor of Zhou Dynasty, Zhao Zhen's situation is actually not much better than that of officials like the Sheng family and his son.

He is still cold now.

The jade chariot under the seat is an antique handed down from the founding of the Zhou Dynasty. It has a green dragon on the left and a white tiger on the right, decorated with turtle back patterns, and is coated with gold and silver.

The decoration is extremely exquisite, and the various furnishings are full of nobility, which is very suitable for the emperor's status, but the comfort of the ride is not considered.Tao

The jade chariot was ventilated from all sides, with only one layer of gauze covering the emperor's face, but this thin gauze could not block the biting cold wind at midnight.

So, on the way south from Xuandemen, before crossing Zhouqiao, Zhao Zhen's face turned blue and his lips turned white from the cold.

Gao Huai, who was accompanying him, quickly discovered that Zhao Zhen was abnormal, and quickly asked someone to find a small heater. When he was about to hand over the jade gown, he was stopped by Zhao Zhen softly.

In court ceremonies, everything must be done in accordance with etiquette. Even the emperor cannot act willfully. There can be no more or less jewelry and utensils carried with him.

Even if it's just a small heater.

Zhao Zhen, who was trembling with cold, waved his hand to signal Gao Huai to step back. Then he took a deep breath, straightened his waist, sat upright, and continued to maintain the majesty that an emperor should have.

This is how I managed to survive in previous years. I just need to survive until Qingyang Palace.Tao

There are palaces there that are as warm as spring, and there are also imperial doctors with superb medical skills. As long as you drink a bowl of warm and nourishing medicinal soup, after sweating, and rest for a while, your body will feel much better.

The sky is getting brighter, and the majestic ceremonial vehicles have driven out of Nanxun Gate one after another.

When the red sun completely jumped above the horizon, Zhao Zhen finally arrived at Qingcheng Palace, five miles south of the city.

Seeing that Zhao Zhen's face was terribly pale, Gao Huai and several other chamberlains hurried forward and helped Zhao Zhen out of the jade chariot.

Gao Huai whispered: "Your Majesty, the imperial physician is already waiting at Duancheng Hall."

Zhao Zhen tried his best to open his eyes wide, looked at the palace not far away, nodded, and took steps with some difficulty.