Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

The Great Zhou Palace, outside the Huangji Hall.

Among the tribute scholars, Jia Cong's every move has always attracted attention. Now the person who greets him is the tribute scholar who ranked third in the examination, which makes him even more eye-catching.

At the back of the examination team, there was a plump candidate who kept looking out from the team and saw Lin Zhaohe talking with the top winner.

He smiled and said to the candidates around him, "Look at the two people talking over there. One is Jia Cong, the top scholar in the imperial examination, and the other is Lin Zhaohe, the top scholar in the Hangzhou prefecture.

There are two provincial champions in the top three of the imperial examination, which was a rare event in previous spring examinations. I assert that the competition for the top spot in the imperial examination this time will most likely be between these two."

The "greatest scholar in the world" refers to the top scholar in the imperial examination. This is the topic that everyone talks about most. As soon as the slightly fat scholar started the topic, everyone in front and behind him in the queue laughed and agreed with him.

At this time, Sun Shouzheng was also walking beside the line of tribute scholars. He and several other palace examination stewards, accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Rites, led the 300 tribute scholars out of the palace.

I happened to see Wu Liang laughing and talking. Although he was talking about the glory of others who won the first place in the world, his excitement could not be concealed in his words. Naturally, he was proud of being on the list.

Sun Shouzheng saw Wu Liang's shape, then glanced at the front of the team. His eyes were gloomy and cold, with a hint of disdain and disgust.

At this moment, the gorgeous sunset glow filled the vast blue sky above the Huangji Palace, and the clouds were in full swing, strange and gorgeous, and as red as blood!

……

The palace city of Da Zhou, Fengzao Palace.

The palace's flying eaves and new green carved tiles looked as warm and smooth as emerald under the sunset glow.

The gorgeous vermilion palace walls, reflected by the setting sun, were coated with a layer of golden halo, appearing exceptionally bright and eye-catching.

A palace lady walked past the vermilion palace wall, her slender and beautiful figure leaving behind a moving shadow.

She was in her twenties, tall and slender, wearing a red silk gown with a closed collar and a front button, wide sleeves, a plain pleated skirt, and an exquisite Qu crown on her head.

When he arrived in front of the Queen's bedroom, he asked the maid on duty, "Your Majesty, are you free? I need to report to you on several palace matters today."

The maid smiled and saluted the woman, looking quite polite and respectful.

She said, "It's Miss Jia. The Queen is free, but the King of Zhao just came to pay his respects and is now talking inside."

Yuanchun smiled and said, "Since the Prince of Zhao has come, Your Majesty must have a lot to say, so I won't bother you. These palace affairs are all daily matters, and it won't be too late to report to Your Majesty tomorrow."

Yuanchun turned around and went back with a smile, and the maid did not forget to greet her, with very detailed and thoughtful manners.

Nowadays, every eunuch and palace maid in the palace knows that Ms. Jia came from a noble family, but she has been unknown since she entered the palace for many years.

But a few years ago, the Jia family of Rongguo produced a man of extraordinary talent, the world-famous Weiyuan Earl Jia Cong.

This young earl not only had outstanding military achievements and was proficient in the manufacture of firearms, but was also a talented writer and poet, and was highly regarded by the current emperor.

Ms. Jia was the cousin of Earl Weiyuan. When the Empress heard that Earl Weiyuan was an outstanding young man, she summoned him personally and allowed the siblings to meet in the palace many times.

It is said that this young earl has extensive connections, and the current King of Zhao and King of Ning are both familiar with him. Naturally, such a prominent young nobleman attracts everyone's attention.

In the recent Spring Examination that attracted worldwide attention, Earl Weiyuan was ranked first in the exam. His talent and fame once again shocked the world, and his future prospects are likely to be even brighter.

The once unknown Ms. Jia became famous because of her cousin. Her status and fame in the palace soared. The Queen and the Queen Mother gave her rewards during every festival.

The eunuchs and maids in the palace are all smart people. They are very good at changing their attitude according to the situation and will change their faces to flatter and get close to people.

Although the queen's close maid had some background in Fengzao Palace, she was still very polite and considerate when she met Jia Yuanchun.

However, Yuanchun grew up in a noble family and was not a beautiful girl from a humble family. After ten years of hardships in the palace, she knew the ups and downs of her life.

Her situation in the palace has improved in recent years. As Jia Cong becomes more and more brilliant, he becomes more and more warm to her in his daily interactions with the palace people. She knows why and can handle it calmly.

……

Yuanchun returned to the small courtyard where she was in charge of palace affairs. As soon as she stepped through the gate, she heard the rumbling sound of drums coming from afar.

She had been in the deep palace for nearly ten years and was very familiar with the sounds of various bells and drums in the palace. The usual drums for announcing time in the palace would stop after being struck once.

But this time the drum sounded one after another and did not stop. Instead, it rumbled, revealing an unusually passionate atmosphere, the sound shook the four directions and moved the people's hearts.

Yuanchun followed the direction of the drum sound and it seemed to be the Huangji Palace in the east. Her beautiful eyes lit up.

At this time, a girl in palace dress walked out of the room. She was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a beautiful face, graceful posture, and elegant appearance like an orchid.

She followed the direction of the drum sound and said happily, "Miss, it is almost the end of the You hour now. The drum sound comes from the Huangji Palace. Usually, there is only one drum sound, but now it is the third drum sound.

Today, the Third Master is taking the palace examination in the Huangji Palace. This is not an ordinary drum, but the drum sound that marks the end of the palace examination. I wonder how the Third Master did in the exam. "

Yuanchun couldn't help laughing and said, "You don't usually care about these things, but now you have figured out the meaning of the drum beats so clearly. It's rare to see you like that."

Baoqin blushed and said, "The palace examination is a big deal. Besides, our Third Master is also taking part, so I naturally paid attention to it. I specifically asked the eunuch on duty to find out.

Young girl, you don't know that the Third Master won the imperial examination this time, and the news has spread like wildfire in the palace. The palace maids and eunuchs are always talking about it.

They all said that the Third Master was really good at the imperial examinations. They hadn't heard of anyone like him in many years, and he always won the first place in every imperial examination.

Now he is the dual leader, the first time since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Everyone says that he is the real Wenquxing who has come to earth.

There are also those little palace maids who said that the Third Master had come to the palace to meet the Emperor. They had seen the Third Master from afar and said that he was not only well-educated, but also more handsome.

When they talk about the Third Master, their eyes light up and their faces turn red. They look so shameless..."

After hearing Baoqin's complaints, Yuanchun couldn't help but chuckle and looked at her maid meaningfully.

Although the two are master and servant, they have been together since childhood and have supported each other for ten years in the palace, and are as close as sisters.

No one would hide their secrets from each other, and even if some words were not spoken, they knew what the other person was thinking.

……

Baoqin's pretty face turned redder involuntarily, and she said, "Miss, the Third Master won the first place in the imperial examination this time. He is so outstanding in study and learning. I have never heard of anyone like him before.

If the Third Master can get the top spot in the palace examination this time, it would be so glorious."

Yuanchun's expression slightly stiffened after hearing this, and she said: "Although Brother Cong is very talented, he has been too dazzling in recent years. The title of first place in the imperial examination is enough to greatly enhance the reputation of the Jia family.

He already held two titles, had outstanding military achievements, was famous throughout the south of the Yangtze River, and was also the chief official of the Ministry of Works. This time, he suddenly won the top spot in the imperial examination, as if he had snatched away all the honors and favors in the world.

The current Holy Emperor is wise and resolute. Baoqin, you have also heard the truth that the moon waxes and wanes. If it is up to me, it would be fine if Brother Cong does not get the top spot.

He has already won the first prize in the provincial examination. Even if he had won the first prize in the palace examination, it would not be much more glorious than him. Why would he need such an empty title?

When a scholar reaches his level of achievement, he has already achieved perfection and has no regrets in his life of studying. "

Yuanchun was selected to serve as an official in the palace because of her talent and virtue. She had been a well-read woman since childhood. Baoqin became her personal maid, and under the influence of her, she also became well-versed in literature.

When she heard Yuanchun say that the moon waxes and wanes, her heart was slightly touched. Although Yuanchun's words were subtle and obscure, she immediately understood the meaning.

Said: "What the girl said makes sense, but it's a pity..."

Yuanchun smiled and said, "I know what Brother Cong is thinking. I don't think he would care too much about this matter. But you care more about it than he does and you are actually protecting him."

……

Baoqin felt a little embarrassed by what Yuanchun said, and suddenly thought of something.

He said, "Miss, today I went to inquire about the Third Master's palace examination, and I heard the eunuch on duty mention something.

The eunuch on duty was from the same hometown as the eunuch Chen Bao from the Imperial Household Department. Chen Bao was the follower of Xia Shouzhong, the Imperial Household Department's vice-chairman.

He heard from his fellow villagers that Xia Shouzhong had recently gotten into trouble and was demoted by the emperor to sweep the floor at the Zhidianjian, which implicated Chen Bao as well. It was said that the incident was related to the girl.

Yuanchun was shocked when she heard this and asked, "I don't know Xia Shouzhong, and we have no dealings with him in palace affairs. How can his affairs have anything to do with me?"

Baoqin said, "I was curious at first, so I asked a few more questions. The young eunuch said that someone outside the palace spent a large sum of money and asked Eunuch Xia to help with an important matter." Yuanchun's heart moved slightly. Although she had no contact with Xia Shouzhong, she still knew this person. The Internal Official Supervisor was busy with the palace's selection of concubines some time ago.

My heart sank slightly, and I asked, "Who asked him for help, and how could he be related to me?"

Baoqin looked a little unnatural, and said, "Chen Bao and the young eunuch said that someone outside the palace spent ten thousand taels of silver, and asked Eunuch Xia to mediate so that the girl could be selected."

When Yuanchun heard this, her pretty face turned pale. She had been suffering in the palace for nearly ten years, and what she had been thinking about day and night was to leave the palace and return home as soon as possible.

In the past few years, Jia Cong has become more powerful in the Jia family and no longer has to suffer in the palace. Her long-cherished wish is about to come true. Over the past year, she has often looked forward to the harmonious days of returning home.

At this juncture, someone actually spent a huge amount of money to send her to the talent show. Isn't this just her years of anticipation being dashed in one day...

Yuanchun asked, "Who asked Xia Shouzhong to do this?"

Baoqin said, "Chen Bao and the young eunuch said that it was the favor of the Guihua Xia family, and it was also the silver that his family paid. It is said that Xia Shouzhong is a relative of the Guihua Xia family."

Yuanchun was puzzled and said, "I don't even know the Guihua Xia family, so why would they spend so much money to do this for me?"

Baoqin said, "I also asked the eunuch on duty, but Chen Bao only confided in him after drinking. He didn't say much else, and seemed to be a little hesitant."

Yuanchun looked thoughtful and said, "The Xia family has no relationship with us, how could they spend so much money to help me do this? They must have been entrusted by someone.

In this world, only the Jia family members hope that I will be favored in the selection. But the last time I exchanged letters with my brother Cong, he already knew my feelings and he had the same idea as me.

He is now the head of the two mansions, and he will definitely explain this matter to the old lady and the master.

I was brought up by the old lady, and now that she is old, she probably won’t be too persistent in helping me gain the emperor’s favor.

The master values ​​and trusts Brother Cong the most. Now that he is the head of the family, as long as Brother Cong explains the matter, the master will definitely not have any objection.

According to common sense, no one from the Jia family would come out to handle this matter, and ten thousand taels of silver is not a small amount of money.

If we transfer money from the public treasury, we can’t hide it from Brother Cong, but he has never mentioned this matter in his letters…”

……

Yuanchun had some vague guesses in her mind, and she suddenly remembered that her mother had written a letter to the palace some time ago.

The letter told her not to worry, that her family was very concerned about her and would definitely plan everything for her. The words were vague and seemed to have something unfinished, which made Yuanchun confused.

Now thinking back to the meaningful words in her mother's letter, Yuanchun felt more or less certain. Her pretty face turned paler and her eyes turned slightly red.

Baoqin saw that Yuanchun's face was gloomy and there was even pain in her eyes.

She advised with some concern: "Miss, don't worry. I don't know what Xia Shouzhong did wrong, so he was demoted by the emperor to sweep the floor.

Now that he has lost his power, he can no longer control the selection of girls and prevent them from returning home. God has a good eye. I heard yesterday that the selection of girls in the palace has been closed."

Yuanchun sighed and said, "I know Xia Shouzhong can't accomplish anything. I have been in the palace for ten years. If I could accomplish anything, I would have done it long ago. Why do I have to wait until today?

Not to mention spending 10,000 taels of silver, even 100,000 or 1 million taels would be useless. Brother Cong knows this truth very well, but someone in the family cannot see through it. "

Baoqin had followed Yuanchun since she was a child, and could guess some of her thoughts and ideas. She was moved and asked, "Miss, did you guess who asked the Xia family to do the work?"

Yuanchun did not answer Baoqin's question. She was silent for a while and then said, "Baoqin, I used to think about going home every day, and now I still hope to go back as soon as possible.

But I started to be a little scared to go home, not knowing what would happen after I got back..."

Baoqin was smart. She knew that only a member of the Jia family would ask the Xia family to do this. There were only a few people in the Jia family, so she could guess who it was with just a little thought.

Seeing Yuanchun's sad expression, she advised: "Young lady, don't think too much. Going home is such a good thing. Even if there are any obstacles, you still have the Third Master.

The Third Master is so capable, and his words and personality are compatible with the girl. If the girl has any problems in the future, the Third Master will definitely speak up. He is the head of the family now, and who in the family will not listen to him..."

Yuanchun felt a little relieved after hearing Baoqin's words.

He and Jia Cong had met several times in the palace. Although they didn't spend much time together, they got along very well with each other. With him in charge of the Jia family, what did he have to worry about in the future?
She smiled slightly and said, "Baoqin, the examination papers have always been marked for only a few days. You should pay more attention these days so that we can know how Cong-brother will rank on the list sooner."

Baoqin smiled and said, "Don't worry, young lady. I will pay close attention and inquire about it in the next few days."

……

In the palace city of Da Zhou, as night fell, countless palaces lost their grandeur and fell into silence. Only the Wenhua Hall was brightly lit.

The three hundred candidates completed the palace examination and were led out of the palace by officials from the Ministry of Rites. However, the examination marking work did not stop for a moment and was in full swing that night...

The six examiners received a total of 319 examination papers.

Including more than 300 tribute scholars this year, as well as tribute scholars from the previous year whose palace examinations were delayed due to mourning, illness, etc.

The examiner will check the palace examination papers according to the list of candidates on the imperial examination list to confirm whether any candidate has been missed.

The answer sheets will also be initially proofread for basic rules such as neat handwriting and word taboos.

In fact, this preliminary review is just a formality, and candidates who are able to enter the palace examination rarely make such low-level mistakes.

The examiner sorted out the answer sheets of the palace examination and handed them over to the sealing officer overnight to have them sealed with a seal, and then sent them to the examiner in charge of the examination.

Due to time constraints, the black papers of the palace examination did not need to be transcribed into red papers.

Because there is no record of favoritism, when the examiner encounters an ink paper with familiar handwriting, he may recognize the identity of the candidate, giving this candidate a subtle advantage. This is not uncommon during the palace examination marking.

After receiving the ink scroll, the official in charge of the scrolls will go into the East Pavilion of the Wenhua Palace and stay there to guard the ink scroll all night. There will also be imperial guards outside the East Pavilion to supervise and guard it all night.

It would not be until the early morning of the next day when the three chief examiners and eighteen co-examiners would enter the East Pavilion to mark the papers. Only then would the examiner in charge of the papers hand over the transcribed papers and release the ban and leave the palace.

……

On May 11th, the fifteenth year of Jiazhao, in the Earl’s Mansion, Jia Cong’s Courtyard.

In the early morning, before it was fully light, it was quiet outside the corridor of the main house.

In the courtyard, lights in the left and right wing rooms have been lit up one after another.

Wu'er was the first to appear at the door, and was the next to see Lingguan. When they saw that the lights in the main room were not on, they smiled at each other and went back to their rooms.

At this time of the day, Jia Cong and Yinglian would have already entered the study, Wu'er Lingguan would probably go to prepare breakfast, Zhishao and Qingwen would do the chores, and the little maid Si'er Juan'er would sweep the courtyard.

But Jia Cong took the palace examination yesterday and looked tired when he came back. Wu'er and others guessed that he would sleep a little longer, so everyone slowed down their usual pace.

The door of the main house was not opened until the morning glow cast shadows under the eaves of the courtyard.

Jia Cong walked out of the room, looking happy and refreshed. Facing the morning glow in the yard, he stretched his waist.

He said to the person behind him: "Zhishao, I feel like I haven't slept in for a long time."

Zhi Shao smiled and replied, "The sun has not yet risen, it is still early, Third Master, this is not considered as sleeping in, but you just get up a little later than usual when you study.

Now that the Third Master has passed the palace examination, he has time to study poetry and books. As long as he doesn't have to go to the government office, it would be a good thing for the Third Master to sleep in more like this, so as to make up for some of the hard work in the past."

Jia Cong looked back at Zhishao and saw that her eyebrows were dark green and her eyes were soft, bright and clear, as gorgeous as the morning glow.

At this time, people opened the doors of the left and right wing rooms from time to time, and the sound of laughter was heard. The quiet courtyard in the morning light was instantly filled with vitality and liveliness.

Qingwen's voice is crisp and beautiful, and is particularly striking to the ears.

"Third Master, you came back from the palace examination yesterday. I saw that you looked very tired. I haven't had the chance to ask you yet. How did you do in the exam yesterday?"

"When will the Third Master pass the imperial examination? I've heard about it in operas before, but I've never seen such a rare thing with my own eyes!"

Jia Cong looked at the rosy clouds in the sky and said with a smile, "Looking at the current time, the Wenhua Hall in the palace has probably already started marking the papers. In just two or three days, you will be able to see this rare sight..." (End of this chapter)