After the palace examination, there will be a Xinglin Banquet, where Emperor Longqing will entertain all new scholars. Of course, this has nothing to do with Sang Nuanyue. After all, Qing'er hasn't even taken the provincial examination. Xinglin Banquet really has nothing to do with the siblings.
However, after the Xinglin Banquet, the Marquis of Wu'an sent a message to Sang Zhai, inviting the two siblings to attend Shen Tinglan's celebration banquet two days later.
Qing'er took the red and gold invitation and asked Sang Nianyue: "Sister, are we going?"
"I won't go, but you can do it."
Qing'er looked at her sister in surprise, "Sister, you haven't been to Wu'an Marquis' Mansion recently. It seems that the last time you went to the Marquis' Mansion was when we went to pay New Year's greetings to the old lady after the new year. It's been more than two months, you I have never been to that mansion once. Sister, what’s wrong with you? Did someone in that mansion say something that made you angry? Or do you have other considerations? You want to take the opportunity to distance yourself from the Marquis Mansion, no? Let others gossip about our siblings?"
Sang Nuanyue asked Qing'er: "Why do you think so? Don't worry, no one gossips about me, no one makes me angry, and I don't deliberately distance myself from the Marquis of Wu'an. I'm just too busy. Now, I have to decorate the shop, set up bookshelves, and do waterproofing, moisture-proofing, and fireproofing, so I’m too busy to get away from it.”
Sang Nianyue would never tell Qing'er about her affair with Shen Tingjun, and it was not suitable for this child to know about Zhou Baolu's plot against her. So on the one hand, she was deliberately alienating the Hou Mansion, but on the other hand, she didn't want her brother to notice anything fishy.
Qing'er is very thoughtful, but he still doesn't know that his sister doesn't want to make Zhou Baolu's life easy, not because Zhou Baolu bullies them and pesters them. He didn't know that his sister was almost tricked by Zhou Baolu again and almost became a concubine in the palace.
Qing'er didn't know this, so she didn't know why her sister didn't want to go to the Hou Mansion.
He felt that the excuse given by his sister was a bit far-fetched, but it seemed reasonable.
He is too young and doesn't understand anything about decorating a shop. Although Uncle Dumb and others can help, my sister is determined to train herself and do everything she can do by herself. My sister is indeed very busy these days, so it’s okay if she doesn’t have time to go to Wu’anhou Mansion.
With this in mind, on the day when the banquet was held at the Marquis Wu'an Mansion, Qing'er came alone with gifts.
The old lady was busy receiving the female relatives, so Qing'er naturally didn't see the old lady. The person who received him was Shen Tinglan, but Shen Tinglan was too busy and could only say a few words to him before going to entertain the steady stream of classmates, friends, and brothers who arrived.
Qing'er was a little bored staying alone. There was a age difference between him and the guests around him, and others couldn't talk to him.
In this case, Qing'er started wandering around the yard bored. Who would have thought that just as I was wandering around, I would see a very familiar figure from behind.
Who else could it be if it wasn't Shi Xingzhou?
Thinking of the scandal between Shi Xingzhou and his sister, Qing'er reflexively avoided it. After doing this action, he regretted it again.
He didn't do anything shameful, but avoiding him at this time made him look like a villain.
But when he was about to come out, he suddenly heard the man standing on Shi Xingzhou's side smiling and asking him: "Brother Shi has been given a Jinshi status this time, and he has a bright future. I wonder if Brother Shi wants to join the Hanlin Academy in the future." Should we take the supplementary official examination, or should we let the Marquis intervene and directly serve as an official?"
Qing'er immediately stopped and thought to herself, Shi Xingzhou also won the Jinshi? That day, he didn't remember that Shi Xingzhou was among the officials praised in the imperial street.
But there were too many people at the time, and he was too excited to watch. He talked to his sister several times. Could it be that he missed him at that time?
Maybe, after all, Shi Xingzhou is his master, and his knowledge is really good, although it is still a little worse than Mr. Shen. But it seems that it is not that hard to imagine that the third master won the top prize and Shi Xingzhou won the Jinshi.
Not to mention that Qing'er was full of complicated thoughts this time, but that Shi Xingzhou almost didn't even think about it after hearing what his friend said, and said straightforwardly: "Let's go abroad. There are so many talents in the capital, and it is not so easy to pass the Imperial Academy's supplementary examination." "." The previous Jinshis are still sitting on the bench and have not been assigned to positions. A new scholar like him must either have talent or financial connections, otherwise he would not be able to successfully replace his official position.
With the help of the Hou Mansion, it would not be difficult for him to fill the gap, but what's the point? It is better to let the Marquis arrange for him to be released outside. By then he will be a county magistrate and can do practical things for the people.
When Shi Xingzhou said this, his friends immediately praised him: "Brother Shi is devoted to the people, and one day he will be loved by all people."
"I hope so."
Shi Xingzhou sighed and then became depressed again. When the friend saw this, he was surprised and said, "They say there are four great joys in life. Brother Shi has already been named on the gold medal list. Why are you still depressed?"
Shi Xingzhou was speechless, but there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. The friend was a cunning person, so he joked: "Is it possible that Brother Shi has lofty ideals and wants to achieve the other three happinesses before he can be happy?"
The other three joys are the rain after a long drought, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, and the night of flowers and candles in the wedding room...
The friend suddenly remembered something, and his face suddenly became more interesting: "I heard someone say before that my aunt hired a good girl for Brother Shi. I wonder when Brother Shi is going to get married? Will it be before he takes office, or will he have to wait until After taking office?"
After Shi Xingzhou became a Jinshi in high school, the Hou Mansion bought him a new courtyard with two entrances. The yard was a bit small, but his family's population was small, and there were only three people in it, so the yard was large enough to live in. Besides, even though the yard is small, it is in Xicheng where every inch of land is precious. From this point of view, the Hou Mansion treated him kindly.
A few days before the boat trip, he had moved out of the Hou Mansion and lived in Xicheng. I came back specifically to attend Shen Tinglan's celebration banquet today.
He was born in poverty, so he couldn't say that he did well in the exam this time, but Shen Tinglan and he were in the same subject, and he was a guest of the Hou Mansion. The relationship between the two is very close, and he should come to congratulate them both emotionally and logically.
He just came to congratulate her, but he was not happy at all. Because just two days ago, her mother hired the legitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman for her.
The horoscopes have been combined and the wedding date has been set. Because he wanted to take the bride away with him before he took office, the wedding date was set in January.
When Shi Xingzhou said this, his friend immediately congratulated him. However, the surface of the boat was only stiff and there was no trace of joy at all.
The friend couldn't help but think of the rumors he had heard before.
It is said that Brother Shi had a good match in the Hou Mansion, but because the aunt didn't like the girl's low background, she beat them up. Now that he has returned to his old place, Brother Shi must have thought of the woman with whom he fell in love, right?
However, Brother Shi was about to get an official position, so it was really outrageous to hire a maid. Although Auntie's methods were more forceful, she was all for Brother Shi's benefit and loved her son so much. How could Brother Shi not be considerate?
The friend started persuading him again, and when Shi Xingzhou heard him mention his previous crush, his face suddenly turned red and then turned pale again.
How could she be a maid?
She is a lady who was born in a family of poetry, books and etiquette. It’s not that they are in love with each other, it’s that he is so worried about shaving his head... But let’s not talk about these things. It’s in the past. If we mention it again now, it will only add a few points to others for nothing. Talk.
Shi Xingzhou immediately cheered up and changed his friend's topic. Seeing that it was getting late, the two of them began to walk out to talk to their classmates.
When Qing'er heard this, she felt a little angry.
He heard the rumors about his sister and Shi Xingzhou from the maids. But those are all false and not at all true.
Moreover, because the Shi family's grandma was hot on his heels, his sister had to take him back to live in Qiangweiyuan.
My sister's attitude is obvious enough. She would just stick it on the wall to avoid suspicion, but why are there so many rumors?
Qing'er wanted to explain things to Shi Xingzhou and ask him not to mention her sister in front of anyone in the future. But even after her feet moved forward, Qing'er stepped back again.
Why bother? Shi Xingzhou is about to get married. Now if he goes to find her again, it will just add to the trouble.
Forget it, I won’t look for it anymore.
Qing'er turned out from behind the flowers and was about to return to the yard. It was at this time that he noticed someone not far away seemed to be looking at him.
Qing'er looked directly over, and after seeing clearly who the person was, his expression suddenly became stiff.
"Hou, Mr. Hou, why are you here?"
Shen Tingjun slowly walked out from the corner. He had just finished entertaining the guests and came here to hide for a while, but he saw Qing'er sneaking behind the flowers and trees.
Now Qing'er was still looking at him as if facing a formidable enemy, with a look of shock and fear.
Shen Tingjun frowned when he saw this. He looked at the figures walking away in the distance. One of them was Shi Xingzhou, and the other one was unclear, but the shape looked familiar. He should be the new Jinshi who he had seen at the Xinglin Banquet. .
After recognizing one of them as Shi Xingzhou, and thinking about Qing'er's actions, Shen Tingjun understood a little bit more.
But it’s better not to understand.
He didn't pursue what happened before, and he didn't bother to poke his own heart. Then he called Qing'er: "Follow me to the front."
Qing'er Nuonuo responded: "Okay, okay. Just follow the Marquis' instructions."
Therefore, many new scholars who came to the banquet today, as well as classmates and friends of the two brothers Shen Tingjun, looked at Qing'er with special attention.
Everyone secretly inquired about Qing'er's identity. Unfortunately, except for the two brothers Shen Tingjun and Shi Xingzhou, no one at the scene knew him.
However, after Shi Xingzhou saw Qing'er, he hid behind others as if to avoid it, and Shen Tingjun and Shen Tinglan would not go out of their way to explain anything to anyone. As a result, Qing'er's identity became inexplicably unfathomable, and even some of the family heads attending the banquet asked their children to talk to Qing'er.
No matter which family this young master is from, or what his background is. Being able to have the Shen brothers take him with them shows how extraordinary he is. Establishing a good relationship with him in advance will only have advantages and no disadvantages.
Qing'er was very, very unaccustomed to being held in the middle by everyone like stars holding the moon. However, since he could not lose face in the Marquis' Mansion, he imitated the way the Marquis entertained guests, and started chatting and laughing with others politely.
On this day, Qing'er was more fulfilling than ever. He also made several friends, two of whom even made an appointment with him to fly kites together on a spring outing in a few days.
After Qing'er returned to Sang's house, she explained everything about today to her sister. He highlighted that Shen Tingjun and Shen Tinglan were kind to him and always took him with them when meeting people.
Qing'er was a little confused about this.
He didn't know that Shen Tingjun had an affair with his sister, and he didn't know that Shen Tinglan owed his sister a lot because of what Zhou Baolu had caused.
For various reasons, these two people treat Qing'er with special regard and take good care of her. But Qing'er only wondered, could it be that his personality charm had become so great unknowingly that even the Marquis and his brothers fell in love with him?
The monk Zhang Er was confused, but insiders such as Su Jin and Su Xin heard Qing'er's arrogant words and really wanted to kick him out.
She doesn't look beautiful, but she thinks she is quite beautiful. I don’t know what kind of earth-shattering charisma this little kid with barely even hair has to be able to charm the famous Marquis of Wu’an and marry Shen Tinglan, the new beauty prospect.
It might happen to other people, but never to a little kid.
Qing'er felt uncomfortable being looked at by several people, but he was so happy today that he didn't care at all about Sister Su Xin's teasing. He nestled next to his sister and whispered to her. Suddenly thinking of something, Qing'er said: "By the way, I saw it today..."
He also saw Shi Xingzhou today.
When the words were about to come out, Qing'er covered her mouth dangerously.
His sister and Shi Xingzhou obviously had nothing to do with each other, but he mentioned Shi Xingzhou specifically. Isn't it like this?
Sang Nuanyue looked over: "Who else did you see?"
Qing'er shook her head like a rattle, "I also met Sister Shuangli."
Sang Nuoyue understood after a moment's thought, "Did you meet Shuangli when she was seeing off guests?"
"Yes, yes, sister is smart." Qing'er suppressed her heart that was beating too fast and quickly told what Shuangli told him.
"In half a month, it will be the old lady's fiftieth birthday. This time it is a birthday, and the Hou Mansion intends to make a big deal for the old lady. Sister Shuangli said that she should make some nice clothes and buy some beautiful jewelry in the next few days. It’s time to make a glorious appearance at the banquet.”
After finishing her words, Qing'er asked doubtfully, "We are definitely going to attend the old lady's birthday party, but wouldn't it steal the old lady's limelight by dressing up too much? Isn't this the proper etiquette for visiting other people's homes?"
Su Jin and Su Xin suddenly thought of something, and even Sang Nianyue couldn't help but clenched her hands.
Because the master and the servant had their own thoughts, they had no time to deal with Qing'er, so they urged Qing'er to go back to bed quickly.
Qing'er was indeed a little tired. He said more words in one day today than in the previous ten and a half days. The friends were so enthusiastic that he almost went crazy playing. I didn't feel tired at the time, but now my legs and feet feel heavy, and I don't even have the strength to walk to the front yard.
Qing'er dragged her heavy body back to the front yard, leaving only the master and servant in the backyard flower hall. Su Jin then asked Sang Nianyue in a low voice: "Girl, does the old lady intend to find a house for you?"
Sang Nuanyue's expression remained unchanged, and she nodded slightly: "That should be the case."
This is the first update, there will be another update later at the same time. Do you still have babies who don’t know when my fixed update time is? Around 7:30 in the evening. Updates at other times are additional updates, and updates at 7:30 are fixed updates. The babies enjoyed reading the article.
(End of chapter)
