Chapter 582: Xia Zhining: Oh, There Is a New Sister.

August 5, the second year of Yong'an.

Outside Xiangyang, pedestrians and merchants were shoulder to shoulder, and scholars chatted and laughed with each other. They lined up and walked towards the city. Some vendors even set up stalls outside the city, which was very lively.

The guards at the city gate strictly checked the people entering the city.

The provincial examination was imminent.

This was the first time that the "Chen Mo regime" held the imperial examination. The four states attached great importance to it and did not allow any mistakes.

The Song Dynasty did not ban swords and guns, but banned armor, so it was not uncommon for civilians to carry swords and guns, and the four states also had them.

But as time entered August, the state capitals of the four states issued a ban, prohibiting outsiders from carrying swords and swords into the city during the provincial examination.

Anyone who carried a sword or sword would turn around and leave immediately, and those who did not leave would be confiscated.

This move also made the scholars and officials who came to Xiangyang to participate in the imperial examination feel that An Guogong valued them, and their sense of belonging and admiration for Chen Mo doubled.

Many of them came to Xiangyang for the first time. After entering the city, they saw the prosperous and lively market in the city, the faces of the people were full of smiles, and the atmosphere of life was strong. From these, it can be seen that under the rule of Anguogong, the officials were clear and fair, and the people were well governed.

No one dislikes the peaceful scene. Such Xiangyang makes them linger, and they are determined in their hearts that if they are on the list, they must be good officials, follow the footsteps of Anguogong, serve Anguogong, and make decisions for the people.

As more and more candidates came to Xiangyang City, local officials were also very good at handling things. They held a poetry conference and gave some rewards to write poems about the scenery, people's livelihood, public security, prosperity and other aspects of Xiangyang.

Over the past few days, many excellent poems and songs have emerged, and some have even been made into songs for people to sing.

This behavior of the government has also attracted imitation from the people. Some restaurants and brothels have also held so-called poetry conferences to attract customers.

For example, if you write a poem, whether it is good or bad, you can drink a bowl of wine for free.

If it is excellent, there are other rewards.

Some gentry even organized an activity to curry favor with Chen Mo, offering a reward to all those who praised the Duke of Anguo in their poems.

This led to Chen Mo's "positive image" becoming more deeply rooted in people's hearts.

Now, when people talk about Chen Mo privately, they all say good things about him, and almost no one says bad things about him.

In short, the craze for the imperial examination mobilized all the people of Xiangyang.

"Knock knock."

"Make way."

At the city gate, a team of armored soldiers came trotting from the street not far away and cleared the road.

"What happened?" The people in the city looked puzzled.

Then they saw the officials and clerks in the city rushing to the city gate in groups, and then stopped, as if they were waiting for someone.

Fortunately, their doubts were answered not long after.

On the official road not far outside the city, a long line of carriages and horses suddenly appeared, as well as soldiers in bright armor.

As soon as this group of people appeared, they attracted the attention of everyone outside the city, and everyone stood on tiptoe and looked up.

"That seems to be the personal soldiers of the Duke of Anguo!"

"Yes, the personal soldiers of the Duke of Anguo."

"That's right, the Duke of Anguo must be back, and Lord Wei and the others are here to welcome the Duke of Anguo."

"."

Soon, the news of the Duke of Anguo's return spread, and from one person to ten, ten to a hundred, everyone in Xiangyang knew that the Duke of Anguo had returned.

The happiest people were undoubtedly the scholars who came to participate in the provincial examination.

It is no surprise that most of the scholars who were able to participate in the imperial examination held by the "Chen Mo regime" were admirers of Chen Mo, and many of them had never really seen Chen Mo. Now that the "idol" is back, they naturally want to see the real face of the Duke of Anguo.

The wealthy candidates brought their servants and servants to occupy the high ground along the street into the city, or in the pavilions and terraces of the restaurants, set up a table of wine, and waited for Chen Mo to enter the city.

Ordinary candidates squeezed in the crowd on both sides of the street with their friends, and waited and watched.

And Chen Mo did not disappoint them.

After the cavalry entered the city, they spread out in a bow shape. The soldiers behind surrounded Chen Mo, who was sitting on a tall horse, and slowly entered the city.

After entering the city, the whole street was crowded with people. When they saw the Duke of Anguo, there was a deafening cheer.

"It's the Duke of Anguo."

"Is he the Duke of Anguo? He's so young."

"That's right. The Duke of Anguo is only twenty-three this year."

"Duke of Anguo!"

"Duke of Anguo!"

"Duke of Anguo!"

Someone shouted, and then the scholars in the crowd shouted. This enthusiastic atmosphere quickly infected all the people, and they also shouted.

This scared the constables and brave guards who maintained law and order, fearing that some of them would rush forward excitedly and cause a stampede.

Chen Mo, who was riding on a horse, had a faint smile on his face. Who doesn't have vanity? Looking at the scene of the people welcoming him, Chen Mo couldn't help feeling a little floating in his heart.

In the carriage at the back, Yue Ruyan, Xiao Yunxi, and Xiao Ya were in the same carriage.

Xiao Ya heard the cheers outside and lifted the curtain of the window. Seeing the crowded scene outside, she couldn't help but say in surprise: "Brother Mo is so loved by the people."

Yue Ruyan and Xiao Yunxi were also a little surprised. They had seen similar scenes before, but today it seemed particularly lively.

Xiao Yunxi smiled and said: "My husband has a very good reputation among the people."

Xiao Ya gently lifted the curtain a little, looked at the scene outside, her face flushed, and thought: "Brother Mo will be my husband in the future"

In the carriage behind, Zhihua also lifted the curtain a little, looked at the scene outside, and was slightly stunned: "Is this the place where the Duke of Anguo governs?"

Looking at the smiling people, Zhihua's eyes darkened slightly, and she said softly: "The people living here are so lucky"

…

"Your subordinate greets the Duke of Anguo." Wei Linchun led a group of officials from the yamen to greet him.

Chen Mo also saw Chen Xiu, Geng Songfu, Zuo Lianglun and others.

"Get up." Chen Mo knew that they all had something to say to him, and immediately said: "I just came back and I'm a little tired. Let's talk about it tomorrow."

Everyone looked at each other and nodded.

"Let's go back to the mansion." Chen Mo said to Sun Meng.

The carriage went towards the direction of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

When he rode to the center of the street, Chen Mo stopped his horse, bowed to the people on both sides, and said: "Welcome to Xiangyang to participate in the provincial examination. I wish you all work hard and get your name on the list."

"Duke Anguo!"

"Duke Anguo!"

"Duke Anguo!"

Received Chen Mo's encouragement, the scholars in the crowd shouted even more excitedly.

Chen Mo smiled, did not stop, and drove towards the Duke Anguo's mansion.

After leaving the busy street, Sun Meng rode forward and whispered: "My Lord, are you taking Miss Zhihua back to the mansion?"

Chen Mo was stunned, and then said: "Send her to Tongque Garden and keep her under strict guard."

"Yes."

Sun Meng nodded, turned his horse's head, and told the people below to make arrangements.

...

In the carriage.

Xiao Yunxi once again told Xiao Ya who was in the mansion and what their identities were.

And every time she heard it, Xiao Ya would feel a little nervous.

"Xiao Ya, don't be afraid. The sisters in the mansion are all easy to get along with, only..." Xiao Yunxi paused as she spoke.

"Only what?" Xiao Ya hurriedly asked.

"There is only one named Xia Zhining, who likes to be jealous. She is hostile to everyone except her sister. She may say a few sarcastic words, but she is cold on the outside but warm on the inside, so she is not difficult to get along with." Xiao Yunxi said.

"Xia Zhining" Xiao Ya nodded and remembered the name.

Xiao Yunxi said again: "Xiao Ya, although I know you and know that you can't do such a thing, just in case, I still remind you that you can offend anyone in the mansion, but you can't offend your sister An Niang."

In the mansion, she wouldn't call Wu Mi sister, but when she met Han An Niang, she would always call her sister An Niang.

"Why?" Xiao Ya was a little curious.

"This is a long story. When you enter the mansion, you will slowly understand." Xiao Yunxi said.

"Oh."

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Anguogong Mansion.

When the servants and guards of the mansion saw the carriage stop, they hurried forward to unload the things on the carriage and move them into the mansion.

Chen Mo reminded: "These boxes are the dowry of the new wife. Don't move them to the warehouse. Find an empty room and put them separately."

"Yes."

Chen Mo turned over and got off the horse, found a familiar maid and asked: "Where are the ladies?"

"Replying to the master, the weather is hot, and the ladies are waiting for the master in the newly built cool room." Chen Mo glanced at the big sun above his head and nodded.

He has said more than once that in the future, when he comes back, he doesn't need a group of people to wait outside.

He turned around, and at this time the three women also got off the carriage.

Chen Mo smiled and said: "Go in, we're home."

Chen Mo and the three women, led by the maid, walked towards the cool room.

There is a small hill in the Anguo Mansion, and this hill is in a very shady place all year round. The so-called newly built cool room is to open up a space inside the hill.

At this moment, Wu Mi was sitting in the cool room, playing chess with Xia Zhiqing.

This chess game was a little gadget that Chen Mo had made in his spare time, and it was easy to play.

Except for the first day, no one was Chen Mo's opponent.

Later, Chen Mo couldn't beat anyone.

Among the women, Wu Mi and Xia Zhiqing were the best at chess, followed by Nangong Ru and Liang Xue.

Wu Mi's maid was holding little Chen Jia, and Xia Zhining, who was also taking care of the baby, was watching the game.

Han Anniang and Ning Wan were sitting together, looking at the account book of Fuze Restaurant last month.

Song Min and Xiaolu were playing with Xiao Chen again.

Liang Xue and Nangong Ru were sitting on a bamboo rattan chair, looking at the "Three Kingdoms Storybook" that had been sorted out.

Chu Juan was learning needlework from Xiaolu's servant Xiao Ling, sewing a robe for Chen Mo.

Their respective maids were waiting on the side, waiting for instructions.

At this moment, a maid came in and said to Wu Mi respectfully: "Madam, the master is here."

Hearing this, the women stopped what they were doing, stood up, and prepared to greet him.

But Chen Mo took the lead and walked in: "Mi'er."

"My husband is back." Wu Mi walked up to help Chen Mo take off his robe, then took the clothes handed by the maid and put them on Chen Mo.

For a moment, Chen Mo felt much cooler.

"My husband."

"Brother Mo."

"My husband, I heard that you were assassinated in Jiangnan. Are you okay?"

For a moment, the whole cool room was filled with the voices of Yingying and Yanyan.

This made Xiao Ya, who came in later, feel very restrained and nervous.

While Chen Mo responded to them one by one, Wu Mi walked in front of Xiao Ya and said, "Who is this sister?"

"Call Sister Mi quickly." Xiao Yunxi reminded from the side.

"Sister Mi, I'm Xiao Ya." Xiao Ya looked like a frightened rabbit, with a white oval face and a charming look.

Wu Mi heard and saw that there was a new person in the mansion. After saying a few polite words, he hurriedly asked the servants to clean up a room for Xiao Ya.

"This is Sister An Niang." After greeting Wu Mi, Xiao Yunxi brought Xiao Ya to Han An Niang.

Before Han An Niang had children, she would feel a little sour when she saw a new person in the mansion, but now that she had Chen Zhong, she didn't care about it anymore. She greeted Xiao Ya with a smile and asked her nickname.

"Then I will call you Xiao Ya from now on." Han An Niang smiled.

Xiao Ya nodded slightly.

"This is Yi Shiyan, you can just call her Sister Xiaolu." Xiao Yunxi said.

"Sister Xiaolu."

"This is Sister Zhiqing."

"Hello, Sister Zhiqing." When Xiao Ya said this, Xia Zhining on the side suddenly glared at Chen Mo and said coldly: "Oh, this trip to Jiangnan was not in vain, there is a new person in the mansion."

After the voice fell, Xiao Ya felt extremely embarrassed.

"Zhi Ning." Xia Zhiqing pulled Xia Zhining's hand, glared at her, and then said to Xiao Ya: "Xiao Ya, this is my sister Zhining, you can just call her Sister Zhining. She is like this, don't take it to heart."

Xiao Ya forced a smile and called Sister Zhining.

The first meeting, I was impressed by Xia Zhining.

If it weren't for the child, Chen Mo would have to go up and spank her. In front of the child, Chen Mo could only bear it and gave Xia Zhining a look that he had been waiting for the night.

Afterwards, Xiao Yunxi introduced Liang Xue, Nangong Ru and others to Xiao Ya one by one, and even introduced the maids in the house to Xiao Ya.

When Xiao Ling, Xiao Lu's maid, called her "Sister Xiao Ling", the room became quiet for a moment, and then all the girls laughed with their mouths covered.

Xiao Ling's face turned red, but she glanced at Chen Mo secretly, obviously expecting something.

Chen Mo let the sisters chat, and he teased the child.

The child was still too young and didn't remember much. He was a little shy after just a few months of not seeing her. It was only when Wu Mi and the others pointed at him that he called him daddy.

Little Chen Nuo and Little Chen You could speak clearly.

Chen Mo held Little Chen Jia in his arms, and seeing that the girls had calmed down a little, he asked with a smile: "Did anything interesting happen in Xiangyang during my absence?"

"Yes, yes." After Chen Mo finished speaking, Xiao Lu was the first to speak. She smiled and said: "My husband, there is a poem in the city praising you recently.

It says "Mr. Mo is a handsome and beautiful young man, raising his cup and looking at the blue sky with his eyes wide open, as bright as a jade tree in the wind. ""