$250, I Am a Good Emperor (10) (1/2)

This youngest princess during the previous emperor's time was named Chang'an Princess by the current emperor, and was given a princess's mansion and eight hundred elite soldiers. It can be said that he was favored like a mountain.

He did not forget the two princesses who died in the Xiongnu. He also gave them titles and offered sacrifices in the Taimiao, as if they were still princesses of the Liu Kingdom.

Some of the moralists in the Liu Kingdom were very quiet until now, because the emperor said that if anyone thought that the princess should not be brought back and should stay in the Xiongnu who were fighting with them, then they should go to the grassland.

Didn't he say that the princess should be married to achieve reconciliation between the two countries?

He didn't mind sending one or two people from the Liu Kingdom who had a great liking for the Xiongnu to persuade them not to come to the Liu Kingdom to wreak havoc.

What? No liking for the Xiongnu?

If he really didn't like them, why would he think of letting the princess of the golden branches and jade leaves return to the grassland full of wind and sand?

After several people were forcibly sent to the Xiongnu for making remarks such as "War is war, the princess has already married the Xiongnu and should stay there", no one dared to say such things anymore.

If it was something else, those imperial censors might have to stand up and die to prove it, but they had heard what His Majesty said in the court. Forcing the princess to return to the Xiongnu was no different from selling herself for fame.

Others' death for admonishment can be recorded in history, but if they die for admonishment because of this matter, it would be a minor thing to be infamous for ten thousand years.

The court was quiet, and the scholars who were most able to express their opinions also learned to shut up after a few of them were sent away.

And soon, a major event quickly attracted their attention.

The list was announced.

When the list was posted on the wall, countless heads were surging below, and the nearby restaurants, especially the second floor where observation was convenient, had been booked long ago.

Scholars are very proud, especially those who have passed the examination for the title of scholar. Even if they are eager to know whether they are on the list, they still have to sit still and wait for their bookboys or servants to read the results and report back.

The best place to sit still is the box on the second floor opposite the list.

At this moment, Wei Mingyan and Zhao Shujiu were lying on the bed, looking through the long and thin thing called a telescope.

On the other hand, Zhao Shuqing, who should be the most anxious, lowered his head slightly, took a sip of tea, and his eyes were full of calmness.

The girl, who was still wearing thick clothes today, was too embarrassed to grab the telescope. She could only lie on the bed anxiously and expectantly, with her slightly round and fair face slightly tilted up, looking at Wei Mingyan who was looking through the telescope.

"Your Majesty, how is it, is my second brother's name?"

"I am looking, there are too many people in front, next time I should let people go directly to the city gate to report the names of the successful candidates."

The emperor, who was rarely dressed in white today, leaned against the window, complained a few words, and then coaxed Zhao Shujiu, "Jiu'er, come to my side, I can see clearly here."

When Zhao Shujiu came over and looked eagerly, he was malicious and gave her the telescope in his hand without saying a word, which made the little girl's cheeks red with anxiety, and she opened and closed her mouth, hesitating to use the telescope.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I want to see it too..."

Wei Mingyan pretended that he didn't understand, so he leaned to the left and moved out of his position, saying very kindly, "Come, come here and see it."

Zhao Shuqing couldn't stand him teasing his sister, so he put down the teacup and said in a light voice, "Jiu'er, the list of candidates will be shown to His Majesty before it comes out, and he will know whether I am on the list or not."

Wei Mingyan, who was exposed, looked at Zhao Shujiu in front of him in disbelief, looking at him with a pair of round eyes, laughed dryly, and handed the telescope to her, "Actually, I want Jiu'er to move more, just like what you said, Shuqing, the body needs more exercise, you see, Jiu'er is so happy when exercising."

Zhao Shuqing picked up the teacup expressionlessly and took a sip, ignoring this person who was obviously teasing his sister on purpose.

Zhao Shujiu didn't care. With the telescope, she hurried to see. When she saw the name on the list clearly, she stamped her feet with joy, and her pretty face was full of surprise, "Second brother!! Second brother, you are the first!! Second brother!! "

She looked again, and then ran to Zhao Shuqing excitedly, "Second brother, you are so awesome!! "

Zhao Shuqing had expected this result, so he was not surprised. He just saw that his sister, who had always been quiet, was now flushed with excitement, her eyebrows softened, her face moved, and she smiled slightly.

Zhao Shujiu stared blankly at his brother in front of him, "Second brother... Second brother, you can laugh!"

"What?"

Wei Mingyan, who was originally lazily leaning against the window, immediately stood up and approached Zhao Shuqing with a surprised look, looking at him as if he was watching something rare, "It's really rare, Shuqing can actually laugh."

"Look, I said you are good-looking, and your smile is almost the same as mine."

Zhao Shuqing looked at him indifferently and stretched out his hand to pull down the corners of his mouth.

"Second brother, what are you doing?"

Zhao Shujiu looked at him puzzledly, his expression full of confusion.

Although he didn't really want to answer, looking at his sister's gaze, Zhao Shuqing still said in a calm voice, "I can't take it back."

What can't be taken back?

Zhao Shujiu didn't understand, but Wei Mingyan suddenly burst into laughter. After laughing enough, the handsome emperor pointed at Zhao Shuqing, and his voice trembled slightly because of his previous laughter. "Your brother, your brother can't stop laughing. Hahaha Shuqing, Shuqing, you are so funny."

Zhao Shujiu, who was still worried, couldn't help laughing out loud, and his beautiful eyes were full of smiles.

Zhao Shuqing coldly wiped the smile from the corner of his mouth with his hand.

The faint joy that had surged in his heart because he ranked first was completely suppressed at this moment.

It was just a small thing, what's so funny.

Boring ancient people.

***

Zhao Shuqing was not happy because he ranked first, but it didn't mean that others wouldn't be happy.

The happiest people were the Zhao family, especially Mrs. Zhao, who felt proud.

At the beginning, it was rumored in the whole capital that their Shuqing was not smart. After her son was rejected, she did think about other girls, but the topic was just started and was evaded by the other party.

To say that the two families are well matched, and their family's status is even higher, how can Mrs. Zhao not feel uncomfortable when they didn't even give her a chance to talk.

Of course, she knew that she shouldn't blame others. Not to mention others, if she were to marry her daughter, and the other party had no achievements or was not the eldest son, and there were even rumors about that, she would not be willing to marry her daughter to him.

She thought so, but she couldn't let it go.

Her son was such a good child, good-looking and good-tempered. Although he was a little cold, he had never lost his temper. He just read books all day long. Although he liked to fiddle with flowers and plants, it was also a refined thing to fiddle with flowers and plants.

The son of a prime minister, he couldn't even talk about marriage.

Every time she thought of this, Mrs. Zhao felt depressed and hated the Fan family for being so cruel.

They broke off the engagement, but they spread these messy rumors outside.

When she thought of how angry she was during those days, Mrs. Zhao felt that her heart began to feel uncomfortable again.

But fortunately, she suddenly remembered that her son had passed the imperial examination and was the first.

She immediately became happy again.

After happily giving the servants a reward, Mrs. Zhao chose a nice dress and went to visit the neighboring family with great pride.

She had to announce this good news to the world.

From now on, who would dare to say bad things about her son!

***

Soon, the news that Zhao Shuqing passed the imperial examination and was the first in the exam spread throughout the capital.

He was not a disciple of a great scholar, nor was he a famous talent, but a Zhao Shuqing who was rumored to have a brain problem in the capital.

This news naturally caused a lot of discussion among people. Some people were upset because they did not pass the exam. They said in an indignant tone that Zhao Shuqing was the son of the prime minister, but they were blocked as soon as they said this.

Everyone knew that the prime minister avoided the exam this time, and no one knew whose name was on the paper they were marking when marking the papers. If they still wanted to talk about the identity, wouldn’t it be equivalent to slandering the entire court?

The student was frightened by his classmate’s words and naturally dared not talk about it again.

Some people are happy, and of course some people are worried.

Mrs. Fan was originally happy to go out today, but she never expected to hear such news.

After she came back, she went to find her daughter, fearing that she would feel uncomfortable. Miss Fan looked down on Zhao Shuqing as always.

"Don't worry, mother. Even if he got the first place in the exam, he still has no official position at all."

Mrs. Fan wanted to say that with such good results and the Prime Minister as his father, Zhao Shuqing's official career in the future would definitely be smooth sailing, but looking at the confidence in her daughter's eyes, she couldn't say this.

"My son is right. What we want is not comparable to him as a mere juren."

Miss Fan put down the embroidered flowers in her hands, and there was a trace of arrogance in her eyes. "Mother, think about it. Zhao Shuqing has never achieved anything in the past. If he has talent, why didn't he show it before? Why did he have to pass the exam and become a juren now?"

Mrs. Fan was a little confused, "What do you mean?"

"It's just because of his age. Didn't mother say that no noble lady in the capital is willing to marry Zhao Shuqing. If he wants to get married, he must study hard, right?"

Miss Fan's arrogance deepened, "He has studied so hard. I guess the rumors in the capital some time ago also had some influence. Maybe he still wants to renew the engagement with his daughter."

She didn't say this just because she felt good about herself. Since Miss Fan grew up and started to attend various banquets, her beautiful appearance has attracted a lot of attention.

In the whole capital, there are really few people who can compare with Miss Fan in appearance.

Thinking of this, Mrs. Fan immediately smiled proudly, "Yes, how could mother forget all this? My son is so outstanding, and Zhao Shuqing is also a teenager, how could he not be interested in him?"

The two of them laughed happily, but completely forgot that Zhao Shuqing, a otaku, was unwilling to leave the yard at all. He didn't even see Miss Fan, so how could he be attracted to her again.

After laughing, the two began to talk about business. Mrs. Fan said, "Mother has already found out that His Majesty really likes to go out of the palace and often goes in and out of the Prime Minister's Mansion. That day, the reason why your eldest brother was punished to the Lang family was because he bumped into His Majesty outside."

Miss Fan's fair face immediately showed a little blush, "His Majesty is really good-tempered. He was bumped by him, but he actually asked someone to teach him martial arts."

"That's right. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, his temper has always been very gentle. I also asked the maid released from the palace. His Majesty has not been close to women yet."

"Yeah."

Miss Fan exclaimed, her eyes even more shy, "Your Majesty is so old, why..."

Mrs. Fan chuckled, "The Queen Mother was about to choose a concubine for His Majesty when she left, but before she could choose a concubine, she left. Your Majesty has always been filial and has waited until now."

Knowing that the emperor in her mind had never been close to a woman, Miss Fan felt agitated in her heart.

Her mother was still giving advice, "When Your Majesty comes out of the palace again, mother will take you out of the palace. My son is so beautiful. Your Majesty only needs to take a look at it..."

"Mother, what are you talking about?"

Miss Fan lowered her head shyly, but she was thinking about what His Majesty would look like.

I heard that the late emperor was very heroic and brave at the beginning, so your majesty should follow the late emperor, right?

As she thought about it, she thought of the young lady from the Zhao family who was designated as the queen, and then thought of how often His Majesty visited the Prime Minister's Mansion, and her eyes immediately became a little hazy.

She is really restless. Although she is engaged, she will seduce His Majesty at such an age. If she waits for her to enter the palace, she will not seduce His Majesty's heart.

But when I thought about what my mother had said about Mrs. Zhao's appearance, she must be not as good-looking as her, I felt happy again.

The mother and daughter were talking so happily that they didn't even notice a person lying quietly on the roof. When they couldn't hear any more words, they stepped lightly and went directly to the big tree next to the house.

***

There was still one month left for the palace examination. Zhao Shuqing was not in a hurry, but Wei Mingyan moved a lot of books from the palace to him.

"These books contain the content that will be tested on the day of the imperial examination. I can tell you the questions thoroughly."

The emperor smiled proudly. Zhao Shuqing silently put down his hands and was reading a book. He watched the big boxes being lifted up by the servants and placed in front of him.

It wasn't until the seventh box landed that there was no follow-up.

He looked at Wei Mingyan expressionlessly, "Your Majesty, do you want me to read these seven boxes of books within a month?"

The emperor said confidently, "I believe you can do it."

Ah.

Zhao Shuqing stood up indifferently. It was cold at the moment and he felt that he needed to take a nap.

I hope that when I wake up, the person in front of me will have disappeared in front of me.

He walked all the way to the house but didn't see the man rushing to save him. He stood by the window in confusion, watching Wei Mingyan lead the people out of the yard with a smile, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

After getting along with him for such a long time, Zhao Shuqing had a preliminary understanding of the ancient emperor's mentality.

Just like a child, you need someone to accompany you in everything you do.

And he was the one assigned to accompany him.

For example, after leaving the palace, I came to the Prime Minister's Mansion specifically to deliver a few boxes of books without asking him to accompany me. This is absolutely abnormal.

After thinking clearly, Zhao Shuqing stretched out his slender hand, smoothed his frown, and left the room expressionlessly.

He walked all the way to the back door and waited quietly. Sure enough, after a while, the sound of his sister talking and laughing with the ancient emperor could be heard.

Then, he met the two of them's eyes.

Zhao Shujiu stopped with a guilty conscience, and Wei Mingyan looked at the sky.

"Brother Shuqing, what a coincidence."

Haha, this is so shameless.

Even though he longed to drag his sister behind him, Zhao Shuqing's voice was still calm, "Unfortunately, I'm waiting for you."

"Jiu'er, mother asked you to take care of the accounts this afternoon, do you remember?"

Zhao Shujiu carefully looked at his brother's face and said, "Second brother, I have already taken care of all that, using the method you taught me..."

After being reminded by his sister, he remembered that his sister had been struggling because she had to learn how to manage household chores, so he taught her some modern accounting methods.

"Shuqing, I've also seen your accounting method. It's really good. It's clear at a glance, and it's simple and not easy to make mistakes."

Wei Mingyan saw that the little girl Zhao Shujiu had her head lowered so much that she didn't dare to say anything, so he quickly came out to smooth things over, "I'm about to take Jiu'er to the theater, do you want to come with me?"

Zhao Shuqing looked at the sky with a rare doubt in his tone, "How about going to the theater with a sky like this?"

"Of course." The handsome emperor smiled proudly and went over to pat him on the shoulder, "It's still a big show."

***

Miss Fan received news from the palace servants bribed by her mother that His Majesty would leave the palace today and play in the streets.

Mrs. Fan had already asked her servants to go to the palace gate to keep an eye on it. She indeed saw a carriage being sent out. She quickly asked her daughter to freshen up. She watched the carriage stop at the Prime Minister's Mansion. The man in a white cloak brought several people with him. A follower went in, and then the servant came to report.

It was rare for Miss Fan to be so nervous. She took several deep breaths facing herself in the bronze mirror, and finally calmed down a little.

Today is her big day.

If everything goes well, once she is chosen as a concubine, if she gives birth to a prince in the future, she might even be able to think about the position of emperor.

If things don't go well...

She quickly suppressed this unlucky thought. How could it not go well? His Majesty must have been incognito when he left the palace. She, an official woman who did not know his identity, met him accidentally, and she was so beautiful | , no man will not be moved.

Miss Fan waited nervously until her mother came to call her. She said that the carriage was parked under the restaurant, and the young man in a white cloak led people up to the second floor. Then she quickly stood up and looked at the bronze mirror again. Look, he took the maid out of the door.

There are still a lot of young ladies on the street. After all, in winter, there are fewer men coming out. Some playful young ladies come to go shopping. Miss Fan wears a veil and enters a gold shop next to the restaurant.

She seemed to be choosing jewelry, but in fact she was staring at the door of the restaurant.

Mother said that His Majesty was wearing white clothes today and was accompanied by four attendants. One of them should be the chief eunuch in the palace. He was chubby and always by His Majesty's side.

She didn’t know how long she stood in the gold shop, but Miss Fan finally saw a man in a white cloak walking out, followed by a chubby attendant, and behind him were three guards with swords. As soon as they came out, He was about to walk towards the carriage.

Miss Fan was overjoyed. She quickly put down the jewelry she was looking at, bit her lip gently, and led the way over there.

It's a pity that she was dressed up today, but she didn't catch the man's eye.

Seeing that the man in white was about to get into the car, Miss Fan gritted her teeth and pretended not to pull off the veil from her face.

"ah!"

Lang Jun, who was about to get in the car, heard the woman's exclamation. He subconsciously looked at her in confusion and saw a beautiful young face.

He was slightly startled, looking at his eyes, he was actually a little lost.

"This is just like what the storybook says."

Zhao Shujiu lay on the opposite floor and looked down. When he saw the two people actually chatting on the street, the tips of his ears felt a little warm.

"It's a big show."

Wei Mingyan clapped his hands, raised his eyebrows and chuckled at Zhao Shuqing who was sitting at the table, "How about it, does Shuqing like this scene where a talented man and a beautiful woman meet for the first time?"

Zhao Shuqing picked up the tea cup unhurriedly and shook his head, "If both of them are good-looking, it's the first time they met. If one of them is ugly, then they will never see each other again."

The emperor laughed, "Exactly."

Miss Fan downstairs also saw clearly the appearance of the husband in front of her. What made her a little disappointed was that the appearance of the man in front of her was not as handsome as she imagined, and even a little ugly.

But thinking of the identity of the person in front of her, she was still shy and gave him a shy look.

Sure enough, the surprise in the eyes of the person opposite was even greater.

From that day on, Miss Fan frequently went out from Fan's house and secretly met with this "His Majesty".

In his mouth, he was just the son of a wealthy businessman. He came to Beijing for business and had a wife at home.

Miss Fan didn't care at all, she thought he was hiding his identity, and his wife was naturally the young lady of the Zhao family who had not yet entered the palace.

She leaned in his arms and expressed her heartfelt tenderness, expressing her willingness to be a concubine for him.

The two went on like this for more than a month, with Mrs. Fan helping to cover it up. Finally, when the palace examination was about to take place, the man who claimed to be the son of a wealthy businessman finally couldn't stand Miss Fan's urging and agreed to come to his home to propose marriage.

Miss Fan's face was tender and affectionate, but her heart was filled with ecstasy.

During this period, she put the skills she learned from her mother to good use on "His Majesty". In addition, she got to know him because she admired his talent without knowing his identity. After entering the palace, I must be indispensable for this kind of grace.

In the future, when the young lady from the Zhao family entered the palace, she had already won over "Your Majesty"'s heart.

On the appointed day, Miss Fan's family waited expectantly, and the husband really came to propose marriage with someone.

Master Fan didn't know about this, and he was furious when he heard that a mere businessman's son came to ask for his daughter to marry him, but he still wanted to be his concubine.

The man then said that this was something he and Miss Fan had discussed together.

He angrily left the person in the lobby and went to Miss Fan's yard.

Miss Fan was having her eyebrows drawn. After listening to Lord Fan's question, she looked at her father in surprise, "Why is my father so angry? What if my daughter marries His Majesty and becomes a concubine?"

Lord Fan almost fainted from the sweetness on her face.

"That's not His Majesty at all!! I've been in power for many years, is it possible that I still can't recognize His Majesty's face?!"

"He is just an ordinary businessman's son!"

——Boom

The eyebrow pencil fell to the ground, leaving Miss Fan with a pale face, looking at her father in disbelief.

The author has something to say: The first ten little angels give out red envelopes, good night everyone