After the Lantern Festival, the sixteen newly ranked Jinshi became busy.
In addition to the two fixed items of thanking the examiner and paying homage to the prime minister, the Jinshi Group also arranged various banquets, such as big acquaintances, secondary acquaintances, small acquaintances, weddings, cherries, moon lanterns, ball games, peonies, seeing Buddha's teeth, and closing banquets Wait, there is a small banquet every day and a big banquet every three days. Even the most handsome man in Yangdu cannot bear the intensity of playing. He is so tired that he falls asleep when he returns home every day.
This went on for more than a month. The weather got warmer and the flowers in Dongdu City bloomed.
The Jinshi group was full of energy, preparing for the highlight of the tour banquet. This banquet is the end of a year's Jinshi activities. After this banquet, the imperial court issued appointments, and the new Jinshi will go their separate ways, so this banquet Also known as "Guan Yan".
The meaning of "Tanhua" here is different from the "Tanhua" that Lin Sui'an is familiar with. It is not the first and third place that are called Tanhua. Instead, several young and handsome Jinshi are selected as "Tanhua Envoys" to go to the East. Famous flowers are picked in various famous academies. On this day, all public and private gardens in Dongdu City are open to visitors, waiting for their visit.
The picked famous flowers will be decorated on a special float, and the newly decorated Tanhua envoys will tour the entire Dongdu City. At that time, people all over the city can watch the Tanhua elegance on both sides of the streets, which has been the most popular event since ancient times. .
Women in the Tang Dynasty were unrestrained and passionate, and their way of expressing love was direct and bold. If they saw the girl they liked, they would often throw flowers and fruits to express their love. I heard that five years ago, there was a young and handsome girl who was hit with fruit because she was too popular. He had black eyes and was quite unsightly. Later, it was stipulated that no fresh fruits could be thrown away, only flowers.
On this day, the flower trade in Dongdu City was the best of the year. Jin Ruo found a way to purchase the flowers early and went out as soon as the shop door opened, saying that he would make a lot of money today.
During the three-day Lantern Festival night market, Jingmen reorganized the food stall business and made a lot of money, which greatly improved the living standards of Jingmen's children. Now Dongdu Jingmen is convinced of Jin Ruo and has a hundred supports.
The Jinshi Corps announced yesterday the candidates for this year's top prize. There are four people in total. It is not surprising that Bai Ruyi and Hua Yitang are on the list. I never thought that two female Jinshi, Ning Rui and Wan Feiying, would also be on the list, which really surprised Lin Sui. Anhao was surprised.
"Compared to male Jinshi, female Jinshi are more popular," Mu Xia ordered eight attendants to carry incense burners and walk around Hua Yitang. "Especially the girls in Dongdu, they especially admire female Jinshi." Mu Xia said in an unprecedented way. He looked at Hua Yitang's clothes with his critical eyes and said sternly, "Silang, it's about Hua's face. You can't be robbed of your limelight today."
Hua Yitang raised his arms flat, raised one foot, raised his head slightly, and half-squinted his eyes. The bright afternoon sun shone on his jade-white skin, with an expression of enjoyment, "I am a flower girl." Shiro, if we talk about stealing the limelight, who can steal the spotlight from me?"
Today, his outfit is even more extraordinary. It is a new product made by Yangdu Hua's royal designer for ten days and ten nights. The "golden green swaying in the light and wind" robe, the hairpin "moon and water marks", and the "incense dust rolling on the ground" "Continuous" boots, "Infinite Eyes of Spring" fan, hanging a pair of gold and silver silk sachet balls, paired with the latest work of Hua's perfumer - "Yao Tai Fairy Traces, Bao Torch Produces Fragrance".
Fang Ke, who had just gotten up and passed by, was so smoked that he sneezed six times in a row. He was stunned and said, "Aren't you afraid of being stung by bees and turning into a pig's head?"
Mu Xia: "This fragrance is particularly special. It only attracts butterflies, not bees."
Fang Ke rolled his eyes, took the tea soup that Ita had just made, and walked away with his shoes. Ita chased after him and asked him if he wanted to go to Tanhua Tour City together, but Fang Ke refused with a look of disgust.
Hua Yitang put one hand on his hip and twirled around in a pretentious pose, "Lin Sui'an, how do you do?"
Lin Sui's eyes were dazzled by the gold and silver lace on his quilt, and he replied in a confused way, "Very good."
Hua Yitang's smile became even louder. When the convoy of the Jinshi Regiment arrived at the door, he urged Mu Xia to arrange a viewing seat for Lin Sui'an, and set off with his clothes swinging like a peacock in full bloom.
Lin Sui'an breathed a sigh of relief.
Mu Xia presented the "Flower City Tour Route Map" drawn by the Jinshi Group and explained the process with her fingers, "There are thirty-seven most famous flower gardens in the Eastern Capital City. The Jinshi Group arranged for Shiro at Wenwenfang. Baiyuan Garden, Wanmei Garden in Xiuyefang, and Qingfang Garden in Guandefang are all among the best in Dongdu. According to the planned route, after Shiro’s flower exploration, he will start from the south bank of Luoshui and follow the thoroughfare to Changxia Gate. Go north to Jiaqingfang, all the way to Nanshi, cross Luoshui, enter Luonan City from Shanglinfang, and then——"
"I won't join in the fun." Lin Sui'an stood up and went out with Qian Jing, "I have an appointment."
Ita: "Huh?"
The road map in Mu Xia's hand fell to the ground.
There were more people than expected attending the flower tour banquet. It originally only took two-quarters of an hour to walk from Jingxingfang, where Hua's No. 66 residence is located, to Fuxingfang, but the road was overcrowded, and the streets were filled with flower vendors and trucks. It was difficult to walk in the blocked alley, and Lin Sui'an was traveling in the opposite direction to the flow of people, like a boat sailing against the current. By the time he arrived at Qinghong Tea House in Fuxingfang, it was already a quarter of an hour later than the agreed time.
Lin Sui'an booked a private room on the second floor. It was a quiet location and suitable for confidential conversations. As soon as he opened the door, he saw Ling Zhiyan sitting by the window. Today he was wearing plain clothes, with only a simple piece of wood in his bun. With a hairpin behind her, she still sat upright, looking at the sky outside the window.
It had just rained last night, and the crisp air was refreshing.
A light yellow butterfly landed on the window sash and flew away again.
Ling Zhiyan watched the butterfly and smiled softly.
Lin Sui'an said "Wow" in her heart, lifted her robe and sat opposite Ling Zhiyan, clasping her fists, "Sorry, I'm late."
"It's okay." Ling Zhiyan picked up the tea spoon and scooped out a cup of steaming liquid for Lin Sui'an. Lin Sui'an noticed that what was boiling in the tea cauldron was not tea soup, but water.
"The annual flower tour in the city is crowded with people. It is a great scene in the eastern capital. Mrs. Lin did not go to join in the fun, but actually asked Ling to meet at such a remote tea shop. Ling was really flattered."
"It's enough for Hua Yitang to join in the fun alone." Lin Sui'an said with a smile, "I actually don't like the fun." He took out the An Yu Shi Ling from his arms, put it gently on the table, and said in a low voice, "Today, Lin came here specifically to ask for advice from senior."
Ling Zhiyan nodded: "Ling must have known everything and said everything."
Lin Sui'an: "Does the secret censor have a rank?"
Ling Zhiyan: "No."
"Can I be promoted?"
"No."
"Is there any punishment if I don't do well?"
"have."
"What punishment?"
"It depends on the saint's mood."
"If you do a good job, will there be a reward?"
"have."
"What kind of reward?"
"It depends on the saint's mood."
“How do you evaluate good or bad?”
"...It depends on the saint's mood."
"..."
Lin Sui'an's face twitched uncontrollably.
Don’t you even know the specific job responsibilities of the relationship position?
Ling Zhiyan coughed dryly and said, "In the case of the Feng family, the saint awarded Ling two hundred thousand dollars."
Lin Sui'an's eyes lit up, "Maybe travel expenses and other expenses will be reported to the public accounts?"
"cannot."
In other words, if the work satisfies the saint, you can make a lot of money. If the saint is not satisfied, maybe you will not earn a penny for your hard work, and you can still make money yourself?
It's just a matter of taking money. According to the danger level of Feng's Wenmen case, he might even risk his life.
It is indeed a high-risk profession with high risks and high rewards!
"The saint said before that if there is a mission, someone will contact me. Who is this person?"
Ling Zhiyan smiled, "It's me."
"..."
Ling Zhiyan took out a bamboo tube from her arms, broke the wax seal, and took out the paper roll inside. There were only four words on it:
[Qingzhou, Cheng County]
At the bottom is a red seal with the word "Langlang" written on it.
Lin Sui'an: "... I dare to ask Ling Sizhi, what does Langlang mean-"
Ling Zhiyan covered her mouth with her fist and coughed, "When the saint was the eldest princess, he gave himself a nickname, Langlang layman. This seal is the saint's private seal. Only the secret censor chosen by the saint knows it. It is extremely difficult to copy."
Lin Sui'an: "..."
Of course, no one has imitated it. Who would have thought that the majestic king of a country would actually take such an obscure nickname!
"So, my mission this time is to go to Cheng County, Qingzhou to investigate -" Lin Sui'an asked, "What case?"
Ling Zhiyan's face darkened, "Weird visions occurred frequently, and evil people acted strangely. The imperial court sent three groups of people to investigate, but they all died unexpectedly."
Oooh! The rewards for this job must be high.
Lin Sui'an scratched his forehead, "Can you tell others the identity of An Yushi?"
Ling Zhiyan smiled, "If it's Hanashiro, it should be fine."
"ha?"
"The saint originally preferred Hua Shiro to be the secret censor, but after meeting Shiro himself and Lady Lin, he changed his mind." Ling Zhiyan imitated the empress' tone and said, "Hua Shiro is too flashy and eye-catching, and is far less stable than Lady Lin. If we don't let these two people be in the light and the other in the dark, it will definitely have an unexpected effect."
"..."
"If Ling's prediction is correct, the position assigned to Shiro by the Ministry of Civil Affairs should also be in Qingzhou."
Good guy, she heard the saint's plan even across half of the eastern capital city!
Ling Zhiyan picked up the letter paper with a torch, stuffed it into the furnace to burn it, and scooped out another cup of water for Lin Sui'an, "Qingzhou is located in a remote area, and Cheng County is even more in a wilderness. Madam Lin and Shiro should take care of themselves." He picked up a cup of water in his hand and said, "If there is anything Ling Liulang can do to help, Ling will do his best."
"Don't worry, I won't be polite to you." Lin Sui'an smiled and drank the water in one gulp.
The wind blew through Ling Zhiyan's clothes. His clothes all had neat narrow cuffs. They didn't have the elegant feeling of Hua Yitang's wide sleeves. You could only hear the rustle of the wind passing through the clothes.
His hand paused slightly, lowered his eyelashes, and opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but did not say anything. He pressed his lips against the edge of the tea cup and slowly drank the cup of white water.
His expression remained motionless, but Lin Sui'an suddenly felt that he seemed a little sad.
Suddenly, loud screams and shouts came from the street. A name was like a golden cauldron slamming into the quiet teahouse, causing fierce ripples in the water in the tea cauldron.
"Shiro! Shiro! Kaiya Shiro!"
"Shiro, look back at me!"
"Ahhhh, Shiro, you are so beautiful! Shiro, my heart is with you!"
"Shiro, take my flower!"
"Shiro, marry me!"
Lin Sui'an and Ling Zhiyan looked downstairs in astonishment, and saw a swarm of people rushing over. Bouquets of flowers, scattered petals, women's shawls, tasseled purses, and embroidered handkerchiefs were flying all over the sky, and they were smashed into the ground. The front of the line.
There was a leader, wearing an extremely gorgeous brocade robe, with a head full of flower petals, holding the hem of the clothes with both hands and running wildly. The two sleeves of the big robe were like a pair of wind pockets. Hua Yitang's speed was simply unbelievable, and he was wearing such cumbersome clothes. His attire can actually make him stand out from those behind him.
Ling Zhiyan: "This is not the route to explore flowers and parade - right?"
Lin Sui'an raised his eyebrows: What kind of monster is this guy doing?
As if he had a telepathic connection, Hua Yitang looked up and was immediately overjoyed. He ran and jumped and shouted, "Lin Sui'an, Ling Liulang, help me!"
Lin Sui'an had no choice but to pick up Qianjing and jump out of the window. He spun around and landed next to Hua Yitang. He wrapped his arms around Hua Yitang's waist and lifted him up. He stepped on the ground with his left foot and flew up. Taking advantage of the wall's strength, he jumped up again, stepped into the wind with his feet, and climbed to the roof of the guest house opposite the tea shop.
"What are you doing?" Lin Sui'an asked angrily, "Aren't you taking a float to tour the city? Where is your car?"
Hua Yitang shook her small fan very fast, "The little ladies in Dongdu are too scary. The float can't move at all. Fortunately, I ran fast, otherwise Bai Ruyi would have suffered the same fate."
"...What's wrong with Bai Ruyi?"
Hua Yitang suddenly closed his mouth and turned his eyes to the side uncomfortably, "It's okay. The Bai family in Longxi is broad-minded and won't take it to heart. The worst is, I'll just be bitten by a dog."
Lin Sui'an grabbed Hua Yitang's wrist and asked, "Where is Bai Ruyi?"
Now go watch the fun - ah, is it too late to save Bai Ruyi now?
"When I escaped, I saw that people from Jingzhao Mansion had already arrived -" Hua Yitang's eyes moved over again, narrowing suspiciously, "You and Ling Liulang -"
Suddenly, a group of black shadows flew over. Lin Sui'an reflexively drew his sword and split it. It spread with a bang. Colorful petals were flying in the wind like rain, and it turned out to be a bouquet of flowers.
There were more people on the street. In addition to the girls holding flowers, there were also many men holding poems.
"I saw it, Hanashiro is there!"
"Ahhh, Hanashiro looks even better on the roof!"
"The green Hengdao is Qian Jing! That little lady is Lin Sui'an!"
"I knew that if I followed Hua Yitang, I would definitely meet Mrs. Lin!"
"Ms. Lin is so heroic!"
"Ms. Lin, this is a poem I wrote for you. Take a look at it!"
"Xiaosheng wrote a poem for Mrs. Lin, now read it to Mrs. Lin!"
"You won't be able to hear it from here, let's go to the guest house and climb to the roof!"
"Yes, yes, climb on the roof!"
The billowing crowd surrounded the guest house, and people poured into the guest house. They were about to go upstairs. Lin Sui'an was shocked. This guest house was a separate courtyard, separated from the building next to it. A few feet away, and now there is a big and fancy burden - no matter how powerful she is, she can't fly regardless of the earth's gravity - looking around, the best escape route is to return to the street, but the street is crowded with people , going down is like a sheep entering a tiger's mouth——
When the two of them were worried, laughter came from the opposite side.
Ling Zhiyan folded her arms and leaned against the second-floor window of the tea shop across the street, watching the two of them gloating about their misfortune.
Hua Yitang suddenly felt blessed. He pointed at Ling Zhiyan and shouted, "Ah, isn't that the Liulang Ling family who was famous in the Eastern Capital five years ago? Ah, ah, as expected, he is still so fair and beautiful, with a jade tree facing the wind! Ah ah ah Ah, I heard that Ling Liulang is not married yet, so he is going to the Tanhua Banquet today, hoping to find a suitable match!"
What a trick to divert trouble to the east!
Lin Sui'an watched helplessly as half of the traffic on the street was diverted by Ling Zhiyan and poured into the tea shop. Ling Zhiyan's face changed drastically, she shouted something at Hua Yitang (it sounded like eating dog shit), climbed over the window and jumped up The roof disappeared in a flash. Lin Sui'an seized the opportunity and jumped back to the street with Hua Yitang, and fled all the way before the crowd could react.
The chaotic flower-hunting party is finally over.
Fortunately, Jingzhao Mansion and Jinwu Guards arrived in time, and finally no crowd gathering accident was caused, but Lin Sui'an and Hua Yitang suffered a lot, and their intestines were almost broken.
Dragging their tired limbs back to the flower house, the two of them didn't even have the energy to speak. They had a hasty dinner and went back to their houses to sleep under the covers before it got dark.
Once asleep, it lasts three hours.
When Lin Sui'an woke up just after midnight, there was silence inside and outside the house.
She turned over and closed her eyes for a long time, then opened them again.
It's over, my mind is awake.
After trying tossing and turning over and over to sleep like pot stickers, pretending to be dead while sleeping in her Dantian, and sleeping like a silkworm chrysalis wrapped in a quilt, Lin Sui'an could only tragically admit that she had insomnia.
Sure enough, you can't go to bed too early.
Lin Sui'an put on his clothes, thought for a moment, and strolled out of Biyan Garden without Qianjing, and walked on the hazy stone lantern road to the Furong Bridge.
Unexpectedly, but not too unexpectedly, she saw Hua Yitang.
Hua Yitang changed into crisp white clothes, leaned against the bridge railing, closed his eyes, and the moonlight condensed on his thick eyelashes, so crystal clear that they seemed to be dripping down.
Lin Sui'an walked over and leaned on the bridge railing.
If she remembered correctly, this was their third time basking in the moon here.
Hua Yitang: "Can't sleep?"
Lin Sui'an: "Wake up."
"Something on your mind?"
"...There's something I don't know how to tell you."
Hua Yitang opened his eyes and looked at the vast night sky, "Have you done anything like An Yushi?"
Lin Sui'an was surprised, "How did you know?"
"That day when the saint invited you to Yingtian Tower, I vaguely guessed that you looked wrong during the banquet. After that, you always sighed, and today you met Ling Liulang mysteriously, so I was sure." Hua Yi Tang sighed, "If you encounter difficulties, you will definitely discuss it with me, but instead of telling me, you go to Ling Liulang. With his wooden head, if he can have any ideas, it must be because he knows what I know." Things I don’t know.”
Hua Yitang paused, "Ling Liulang is also the secret censor, so his black iron plate should be his identity certificate."
Lin Sui'an stared at Hua Yitang in surprise.
Hua Yitang turned his eyes and asked, "Why, are you surprised by Hua's intelligence again?"
Lin Sui'an narrowed his eyes: "Are you following me?"
Hua Yitang jumped up like a cat with a burned tail, "No, no! When I was traveling around the city, I didn't see you at the restaurant that Mu Xia ordered. I thought you were dressed up today and you must be going out. You If you don’t like the excitement, you will definitely have an appointment with someone when you go out. Ling Liulang lives in Fuxingfang, Fuxingfang is not on the route to the city, so, so——”
"So you came after me like crazy?"
"That's not true. I was frightened by those girls. I panicked and couldn't choose my way out!"
"puff!"
Hua Yitang seemed to have a rubber ball stuffed in his mouth, puffing up his cheeks and stopped talking.
Lin Sui'an suppressed a laugh, took out the Dark Censor's Ling from his arms, and presented it to Hua Yitang, "Here, this is the legendary Dark Censor's Ling. Open your eyes."
Hua Yitang's eyes turned around on the black iron tokens scattered among the stars, and his expression condensed, "Dark Censor, born in the stars, walks in the dark night, no one knows his true appearance, wherever he goes, he is like a holy driver. Visiting in person is the most mysterious power of the Tang Dynasty. Unexpected, unexpected..."
Lin Sui'an: "I didn't expect that it would be me and Ling Sizhi."
Hua Yitang rolled his eyes, "It's not mysterious at all!"
"Listen to Ling Si, the position of the Dark Censor of the Saint was originally intended for you." Lin Sui'an said, "Now it's been given to me, don't you think it's a pity?"
"Is there any difference between giving it to you or giving it to me?" Hua Yitang looked sideways, "Lin Sui'an, don't forget, you and I are inseparable partners."
"What a coincidence, the saint thought so too."
"ha?"
"The first mission the saint gave me was to go to Cheng County, Qingzhou."
"Big case?"
"Nine-nine percent."
Hua Yitang frowned and wanted to shake the fan, but found that he didn't bring the fan, so he could only use his palm to fan twice. He raised his eyebrows and smiled, "It seems that I can at least be made the governor of Qingzhou."
Lin Sui'an said "Oh?" "What rank is the governor?"
"Qingzhou is a lower state, and the governor is a member of the lower fourth rank." Hua Yitang said proudly, "You can barely match the rank of the fourth son of my Hua family."
Three days later.
Hua Yitang received a petition from the Ministry of Civil Affairs (a letter of appointment, similar to a certificate of appointment).
Lin Sui'an glanced at it. He didn't understand the chatty classical Chinese, but he still understood two words.
[Qingzhou Cheng County, County Captain]
"What grade of official is the county captain of Cheng County, Qingzhou?" Lin Sui'an asked.
Mu Xia blinked, "Cheng County is the lower county, it should be from the ninth grade..."
Jin Ruo and Fang Ke clicked their tongues at the same time, and Yita whispered, "Silang is mighty."
Lin Sui'an let out a long "Oh" and said with a smile, "I can barely match Hua Yitang."
Hua Yitang's face turned green. :,,
