In the imperial study, the emperor was reviewing the memorial.
When the prince was fifteen years old, he was already able to participate in political affairs. The emperor placed a table in the imperial study for him, so that he could observe government affairs on weekdays.
Today, the father and son are discussing a major event that has happened in the court recently. It is called discussion, but it is actually teaching. The emperor asks questions and the prince answers step by step.
When He Lanzhou arrived, the discussion between the two had just ended.
"He Aiqing? Why are you here today?"
The great eunuch served tea to him. He Lanzhou thanked him and took out two famous cards from his sleeves with great embarrassment. "I came to the palace today, but I have something to ask for. I have an old friend, and I have two full-year-old children at home. I have heard about the name of Qingsong Academy for a long time, and I also want to study in Qingsong Academy."
"Old friend?"
He Lanzhou touched his nose, his handsome face blushing slightly: "It's the one Wei Chen mentioned to the emperor before."
The great eunuch took the name card and presented it to the emperor.
There was a slight smile in the emperor's eyes: "I think I will hear the good news about the No. 1 Scholar's Palace soon?"
The prince was curious: "What's the good news?"
He Lanzhou hurriedly said: "I am reporting to the Emperor, but I have been rejected."
"Refused?"
He Lanzhou smiled bitterly: "I'm afraid I scared her by rashly proposing marriage after so many years."
"You are the number one scholar appointed by me. What kind of girl does she look down on you?"
The emperor opened the first page and glanced at it casually, "Tuoba? It's a rare surname..." His eyes paused slightly, and his eyes froze on the ink characters, "This character..."
The name card is written in beautiful small regular script with hairpin flowers. The strokes contain character but are extremely familiar. With just one glance, he fell into a trance. In an instant, scenes from several years ago surged before his eyes. He thought about the past day and night, not daring to forget it, and recorded it in the depths of his memory like a knife or an axe.
His Ah Qing...
His Ah Qing also has such a beautiful hairpin in regular script. Although she is a merchant, she has read many books and is a gentle and intelligent girl.
He Lanzhou's voice sounded like it was from another world, "He is a child she adopted. He has the blood of the Hu people. He grew up in Yuncheng since he was a child. I have seen him in my hometown."
The emperor came to his senses in a daze and hurriedly closed the name card, feeling a little embarrassed.
Fortunately, no one in the palace noticed it.
The prince was curious and wanted to see the famous post. He subconsciously stretched out his hand to hold it down, and quickly came to his senses, feeling that he was a little funny again. As soon as his hand was loosened, the prince took the name card away.
"Wen Shan?" The prince said, "Is she Qi Yun's little cousin?"
He Lanzhou: "She now lives in Uncle Zhongyong's mansion."
"What a coincidence." The prince smiled and turned around and said: "Father, this Wen Shan is the child I mentioned to you last time. I felt kind to her as soon as I saw her, just like when I saw Jiahe Same."
"Wen Shan?" The emperor read the name and said thoughtfully, "Her surname is Wen?"
"yes."
"There are many people named Wen in Yuncheng?"
He Lanzhou said: "Wen is a common surname in Yuncheng, and there are indeed many of them."
He responded lightly.
The prince saw the name card and handed it back to him again.
The emperor moved his fingers, thinking of the very similar handwriting, and for a moment he didn't dare to reach out and pick it up.
In fact, it's not exactly the same.
His Aqing has a gentle temperament, a girl in the boudoir who is unknown to the world. Her handwriting is soft and graceful, and she is very much like her master. Although the calligraphy on the name card is also clear and beautiful, it is restrained and sharp, giving a vague glimpse of the owner's tough character. Although similar, they are also different.
But it’s really too similar.
Asking him to just look at it, he couldn't help but think of those old things. Those days were as short-lived as an epiphyllum, and now he could only relive the memories over and over again like a lost dog, chewing the same thing again and again, wishing he could swallow even the residue and foam into his stomach.
But his Ah Qing is dead.
The prince didn't realize it, and when he didn't answer it, he put the name card next to him.
The eunuch next to him came forward to refill the tea, and the sound of running water brought the emperor back to his senses. He closed his eyes and said, "Since He Aiqing is the guarantee, let them enter the school."
He Lanzhou was overjoyed: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"It doesn't matter." The emperor lowered his eyes and looked at the name card in his hand. The smile on his lips fleetingly disappeared, "I said before that I would give you a congratulatory gift. Since your happy event has not yet been decided, I will treat it as a congratulatory gift in advance. Sent. If there is any good news in the future, remember to let me have a wedding drink too."
He Lanzhou bowed to thank him.
The eunuch laid out the rice paper, and the emperor took up a pen and wrote the consent form for the two to enroll. With fresh ink, he carefully folded it and put it in his arms.
After they left, the eunuch complimented him: "The emperor really values Lord He, and even considers Lord He's life-long events."
"If it can be done, it will be a good thing."
"The Emperor is kind."
The emperor snorted inexplicably. The evaluation of him both inside and outside the palace was far from benevolent. This sentence seemed to be ironic.
"Liang Yong."
The eldest eunuch said hurriedly: "My servant is here."
"Is it almost the eighth day of the Lunar New Year?"
"It'll be the day after tomorrow."
The emperor nodded: "Prepare it for me."
"yes."
The prince picked up a memorial and began to read it silently.
More than ten years ago, on the eighth day of April, the night in the Forbidden Palace shone red with blood, and everyone inside and outside the court avoided talking about that day. Only the emperor would stay for a while at Jinyun Temple outside the city on the eighth day of April every year, worshiping Buddha and meditating.
…
The consent letter written by the emperor was sent to Qingsong Academy, and soon everyone in the Zhongyong Mansion knew the good news.
As soon as he learned the news, Qi Wenyue rushed back immediately.
"Mom, I heard that the child brought by Qing Niang is going to study in Qingsong Academy?!" She said anxiously: "How can you do this for her? What are the identities of the students in Qingsong Academy? If she wants When you go in, you will have to go through repeated interrogations about your life experience. Wouldn't it be known that I and Qing Niang have switched identities?!"
Mrs. Qi said with a cold face: "What does it have to do with me? She has great abilities, and she came to Master Xiao He. It was Master He who came to the palace to ask for the grace from the emperor. When I know, people will be sent to the school. Home is coming.”
Qi Wenyue's face turned pale: "Master He?"
When Mrs. Qi mentioned this, she became angry.
She had even drawn up the dowry list, and just had to start drawing up the guest list. She originally thought that Wen Yiqing was just ignorant for a while, and would be obedient after a few words of advice, but she didn't know that she didn't say anything and went directly to He Lanzhou to refuse the marriage!
She and Uncle Zhongyong didn't sleep well for several days as they watched her uncle miss out on a big help.
After all, being left outside is not as considerate as raising someone by yourself.
Mrs. Qi looked at her panicked daughter and said comfortingly: "Qing Niang has already rejected Mr. He's marriage proposal. Mr. He is a popular person in front of the emperor. How can he be so beautiful and make Qing Niang lose face? How can he care about her again in the future?"
Qi Wenyue: "If Master He doesn't care, why would you go to the emperor to plead for her?"
"I heard your eldest brother mention this. Master He and Qing Niang are from the same hometown. He was favored by Qing Niang in the beginning. What kind of character Mr. He is, he just repaid this kindness."
"But she has even entered Qingsong Academy." Qi Wenyue said hesitantly: "Sister Shan'er is a child, and she speaks freely. What are the identities of the students in the academy? If they heard something from Sister Shan'er, then... …”
Mrs. Qi thought for a while: "It's not difficult, just ask her to drop out of school."
"Drop out?"
"The emperor personally gave his permission for her to enter the school. If she were to stop her, people would inevitably notice her. After she entered the school for a few days and then asked to drop out, no one would notice."
"Can Qing Niang respond?"
Mrs. Qi sneered: "It was okay for her to act recklessly before. She thought the uncle's house was somewhere else, so she was allowed to act recklessly."
Qi Wenyue was relieved.
She walked out after talking to Mrs. Qi.
On the way out of the house, two children walked together. The little girl walked briskly. She was carrying a book bag with something heavy in it. She jumped and jumped along with her movements. She almost fell down several times and screamed. The big boy next to him held him steady.
Shanshan also saw her, stopped and greeted her warmly: "Auntie!"
Qi Wenyue responded coldly.
She raised her chin and looked down at the little girl.
Shanshan happily told her, "I can go to school soon!"
After hearing the news from her mother, Shanshan went crazy with joy. She walked at home and told everyone she met on the way, whether it was a familiar older cousin or a maid whose name she couldn't pronounce. , even the third lady who disliked her the most was not left behind.
Today I met Mrs. Xuanpinghou, and Shanshan happily shared the good news with her: "I will be my cousin's classmate soon!"
A sneer appeared on Qi Wenyue's lips: "Really?"
Shanshan said happily: "I have received the school uniform, which is exactly the same as my eldest cousin's. You see, my mother also made me a school bag. From now on, Brother Shitou and I will also be students in the school."
"I heard about it. Qing Niang is really capable, even Mr. Xiao He does things for her."
Upon hearing this, Shanshan raised his head proudly and said proudly, "Yes, that's how powerful my mother is."
Qi Wenyue: "..."
"Shan Shan." Shitou reminded from the side: "It's time to go."
Shanshan waved to her, took Shitou's hand, and hurried out.
Nanny Chen and Wen Yiqing had already held the carriage and were waiting outside. Shanshan extended his hand and asked his mother to get into the carriage.
Wen Yiqing asked: "Have you brought your things?"
Shanshan patted his book bag and said, "I've brought everything with me."
Her book bag was bulging, and the original small purse was no longer enough. In it were not only the wood Shanshan, but also the wood mother. Recently, Stone carved another wood and stone for her, and Shanshan also took it with her, three pieces of wood. The little people crowded together affectionately.
Wen Yiqing turned her head to the coachman and said, "Let's go."
The carriage drove slowly outside the city gate.
Nanny Chen looked back and couldn't help but said, "Why is Grandma Si Gu here again?"
Wen Yiqing said coldly: "I'll come soon."
"I heard that although Grandma Si Gu became Mrs. Hou, her mother-in-law was still making things difficult for her, so her life was not going well." Nanny Chen said, "This Grandma Si Gu is also the same. A married girl, she runs to her parents' house every three days. , no wonder Mrs. Hou can’t stand it.”
"You don't care what she does."
Nanny Chen kept silent and did not mention it again.
Shanshan lifted the car curtains and moved to the small window to look at the scenery outside. The carriage drove through the main road of the capital, and the shops and vendors along the street passed by in a flash, and slowly walked out of the city gate.
They were going to Jinyun Temple outside the city.
I heard that the Bodhisattvas in Jinyun Temple are very effective. Her mother said that she would go to school soon and worship Manjushri Bodhi, asking the Bodhisattva to bless her so that she could become smarter in her studies in the future.
The nanny also told her that the vegetarian food in Jinyun Temple was also delicious. Shanshan had been looking forward to it since she heard it, and even ate less than half of today's snacks.
Jinyun Temple is not far from the capital, but the carriage was swaying and it still took half a day to arrive.
There were many pilgrims in the temple. They came not too early, and there were many carriages parked at the foot of the mountain. Jinyun Temple is located halfway up the mountain. To reach the temple, you must first walk up a long stone staircase.
Shanshan stood at the foot of the mountain, raised his head and looked up. He saw that the long steps reached to the sky, as if straight into the clouds. Even the majestic and deep temples were hidden in the green mountains and white clouds, making it difficult to see clearly.
She was completely dumbfounded.
Wen Yiqing had already reached out to her: "Come on, Shanshan."
"Mom, should we go up there?" Shanshan said hesitantly: "Actually, I'm quite smart not to worship the Bodhisattva..."
Wen Yiqing smiled.
How could she not understand what kind of temperament her little lazy bitch had? He just said: "When you can't walk anymore, mother will carry you again."
Shanshan looked down at her feet. The little goldfish on the toe of her shoe stared at her with round eyes. She let out a long sigh and held her mother's hand bitterly.
One step, two steps.
After walking countless steps, she lay on Wen Yiqing's back and whispered: "The Bodhisattva can fly by himself and is not considerate at all."
Wen Yiqing taught him softly: "Don't be disrespectful to the Bodhisattva."
She then shut her mouth obediently.
After resting enough, she climbed down from her mother's back, stopped and walked all the way, and finally climbed up the mountain.
The temple was filled with a strong smell of incense. The pilgrims who came to offer incense all had solemn expressions. Shanshan was also infected by the atmosphere. He was obedient and did not dare to say a disrespectful word. He was led by his mother to Manjushri Bodhisattva and said seriously. Kowtow and bow.
After praying, she raised her head and looked at the compassionate face of the Bodhisattva, as if her eyes met with His.
Shanshan held up the incense, closed his eyes, and said in his heart: Bodhisattva, Bodhisattva, in addition to what my mother said, please help me find my father.
He is in the capital, very close.
She opened her eyes and was about to put the incense in it. She thought of something and quickly closed her eyes again. She added to the Bodhisattva: If you don't care about this, please tell other gods. When I find my father, I will thank you together.
Then she put the incense into the incense burner.
After driving all the way and walking so much, Shanshan was already hungry, and it was finally time to eat.
She had been looking forward to the vegetarian meal that the wet nurse had told her about for most of the day. As soon as she took the food, she wrinkled her face in grievance and said, "The wet nurse is lying."
Wen Yiqing coaxed in a gentle voice: "Son, good, good, mother will prepare delicious food for you when you get home."
But they have to stay in the temple for one night and will not go home until tomorrow.
Shanshan ate the vegetarian food with a frown on his face, touched his belly, thinking about eating less and worrying about half the plate before going out. He felt extremely melancholy.
The temple is not like at home. Apart from the vegetarian meal, there are only vegetarian cakes and no other snacks. The things I brought out before going out were already eaten by Shi Shi with a big appetite on the way.
The little girl was so tired that she couldn't cheer up.
They booked a private room in the temple, and Wen Yiqing and the nanny were busy cleaning it up. Shitou was embarrassed that he had eaten all her snacks, and was too embarrassed to coax her, so he went over to help.
Shanshan held his fleshy face and sat sadly on the threshold of the yard, looking at the beautiful scenery of green mountains and green mountains outside, thinking about the delicious food in the capital that had not yet fallen into his stomach.
Suddenly, a young novice carrying a food box hurried past her.
The aroma of the meal leaked from the cracks in the food box, and she keenly caught the aroma, causing her to raise her head.
She took a deep breath, and immediately recognized that it was different from the clear soup and watery vegetarian food in the temple. It was the aroma of exquisite dishes cooked with thick oil and red sauce. It must be the skill of a skilled cook. The smell made her salivate. He couldn't help but stood up.
She reached into her book bag and found her small purse, which contained unused pocket money.
"Mom!" Shanshan shouted to the room, "I'm going to buy something delicious!"
Wen Yiqing's voice came from the house: "Shanshan, don't run around."
She responded, holding the money bag, and excitedly chased in the direction of the scent.
…
The emperor is reading scriptures.
He did not stay in the house, but found a quiet place with pleasant scenery in the temple. He came in a low-key manner, without any fanfare. He only brought a few guards with him, and now they are all guarding him.
Liang Yong took the food box from the novice monk, took out plates of exquisite dishes, and placed them on the stone table. "Your Majesty, it's time to eat."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the sound of hurried and heavy footsteps approaching. The guard reacted very quickly, blocking the person with his unsheathed long knife, and said sternly: "Stop!"
A clear and childish "Ouch" sound reached his ears, and the emperor subconsciously raised his head and met the eyes of the little girl in the distance who was so frightened that she sat down on the ground.
