Early in the morning, Si Qin Mi fiddled with him, put on his crown, put on his dark clothes, and picked and selected, before he bid farewell to Zhuang Xun and went out with satisfaction.
"Don't touch the water, read more and do less work." Zhuang Xun still warned her before leaving.
"Yes, you are my husband, how dare I disobey your orders." Si Qinmi agreed. She had lost credibility in Zhuang Xun's eyes, although she did have to do something without credibility.
"I'm leaving." Zhuang Wen felt relieved when Si Qinmi agreed.
"Langjun, be careful with your words and deeds. Have a safe journey." Si Qinmi waved his hand gently.
After meeting Xu Houde and walking through the main road, the number of refugees has not decreased, and there are many people begging along the street.
Zhuang Xun felt pitiful in his heart, but he knew that he could not save them now, and secretly hoped that if he could govern the country in the future, he would not let such a situation happen.
When they arrived in front of the palace, they checked the invitation, and the gatekeepers let Zhuang Xun and Xu Houde in.
The palace is also divided into two parts: inner and outer. The inner court is the residence of the emperor and his concubines, and the outer court is where officials work and where banquets are held.
The Wanshou Banquet was held in the square outside Chunhua Palace. Many decorations had been arranged in a trapezoidal layout. Chunhua Palace was naturally the seat of the emperor's nobles. The scholars and disciples each arranged a small long paper in the square under the stairs. Table and cushions.
There are already many noble ladies in gorgeous dresses on the walls of the palace city. They cannot come to participate in the Wanshou Banquet, so they come to take a look during the rehearsal. There are also some officials who have nothing to do and watch on the other side of the city wall. .
Is this the opportunity Xu Houde mentioned?
Zhuang Xun didn't care, and had no special intention to show off. He walked slowly according to what Si Qinmi had taught him in recent days. After separating from Xu Houde, he tried to find his place among the many talented scholars in fine clothes.
"But Zhuang Xun and Zhuang Xiaolian, your seat is in front." An attendant recognized Zhuang Xun and said to him.
"Please come down with me," the attendant said, leading Zhuang Xun up.
"Thank you." Zhuang Xun followed and walked up the stairs. Then he felt something was wrong. He was almost reaching the main hall.
"Sir, have we passed by?" Zhuang Xun was suspicious, wondering if someone like Qian Xinzhao was trying to mess with him.
"Because the emperor specifically said that he wanted to take the exam for Xiaolian in the school, Master Shangshu told him to put you first." The attendant explained.
"Is that so? What does Xun need to do?" Zhuang Xun walked to the middle steps and glanced at him. Many people in the square were looking at him.
"You don't need to do anything. Xiaolian, your seat is here. Just get up and join the officials in wishing the emperor longevity, and then wait for your majesty to ask you. If the emperor forgets, it doesn't matter. Just wait until the banquet is over." The attendant led Zhuang Xun found his position, at the end of the first row on both sides of the middle platform.
"I understand, what should I do now?" After Zhuang Xun found his position, he was confused about how to rehearse.
"It's okay. Xiaolian can leave on his own. Xiaolian will just remember his place when the banquet starts in a few days." The attendant said to Zhuang Xun.
"This..." Zhuang Xun looked at the talented people rehearsing the performance below and didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Xiaolian is a member of the Holy Family, so naturally he doesn't have to behave like others." The attendant saw his hesitation and said to him.
"If you want to sit, you can sit for a while. If you want to leave, you can leave now." The attendant's attitude was gentle, and he probably didn't know Zhuang Xun's future achievements.
"Xun understands, thank you sir." Zhuang Xun thanked him and said that he couldn't sit down here with so many people staring at him in the square.
Going down the steps, he left the palace city under the gaze of everyone, but he did not leave to go home. He stood outside the palace city and waited for Xu Houde to come out.
After all, it would be too rude and impolite to come together when you come and leave first when you leave.
A gust of fragrant wind, a handkerchief, business letters blowing on my face, all kinds of tenderness.
Grabbing the hand Juan from the face, a blue bird fluttering about to fly was embroidered on the hand Juan.
Zhuang Xun looked around, but there was no one around, and there were no shops nearby. He looked up and saw a familiar bamboo hat.
Still remember the stunningly beautiful face under the hazy white gauze. Isn’t this the Ms. Jiang I met a few days ago?
Zhuang Xun raised his handkerchief and wanted to shout loudly, but he felt that it was not polite. He said that if he dropped the handkerchief, he would look like a coward, so he was momentarily embarrassed.
"Xiaolian, please wait for a moment until my wife comes down." The girl dressed as a maid next to her walked down the steps to Zhuang Xun, who had nothing to say.
After a while, the plump beauty walked down the corridor with small steps and came out of the palace gate.
"Xiaolian, I've been waiting for a long time." She bowed to Zhuang Xun, and the beauty's words were apologetic.
"It's okay. This is Madam's handkerchief. Here it is." Zhuang Xun handed over the handkerchief.
"Thank you Xiaolian for picking it up, but since the handkerchief has been dropped, it is inconvenient for the slave family to take it back. Why is Xiaolian standing here?" Jiang Xianting took a step back and refused the handkerchief that Zhuang Xun returned.
Zhuang Xun understood instantly. He thought the handkerchief was "dirty" and he couldn't just throw it away, so he just held it in his hand.
"The seating arrangement is different from that of other virtuosos. The rehearsal has been completed and we are waiting for our friends to come out and return home together." Zhuang Xun explained.
"How about going to the restaurant on Zhuque Street to wait? There are so many people waiting here." Jiang Xiannuo invited.
"No, I'm waiting for my friend here. I'm afraid he won't be able to find me." Zhuang Xun refused.
After seeing her face last time, he went home and hugged Si Qinmi for a long time before firming up his mind. Now he doesn't want to have anything to do with her.
"Lan Qiu, please wait for Zhuang Xiaolian's friends here." Jiang Xiannuo ordered the maid.
"Thank you, madam, for your kindness. It's nice here." Zhuang Xun didn't want to accept this kind of invitation. He knew that he was lustful, but he still jumped into the trap of beauty. He was mediocre, but he was not an idiot.
"Are Xiaolian afraid that the slave family will become Duke Zhenguo's wife?" Laughter passed through the veil.
Zhuang Xun felt embarrassed and said, "That's a rumor among the people. Madam, don't listen to it."
"Then why did Xiaolian reject the Nu family's invitation? The Nu family has no ill intentions toward you. Instead, they helped Xiaolian promote Xiaolian." Jiang Xiannuo said gracefully and elegantly.
"He helped recommend Xiaolian? Madam? Thank you madam for the recommendation." Zhuang Xun was surprised and quickly thanked him, not only Xiaolian, but also the government recommended him.
"You're welcome. I met Xiaolian by chance. How about inviting Xiaolian to the restaurant for a chat." Jiang Xiannuo invited again.
"Very good. Madam, please ask someone to stay with you and inform your friends." As a benefactor, Zhuang Xun had no reason to refuse.
"This is natural, Lan Qiu." Jiang Xiannuo called the maid.
"Understood." Lan Qiu walked towards the carriage and horses, and soon brought a group of guards.
"Let's go, Xiaolian, this can be considered the first official meeting between the Nu family and you." Keeping their distance, Jiang Xiannuo walked in front, Zhuang Xun followed behind, Lan Qiu followed the two of them, Zhuang Xun couldn't find him When the time comes to throw away the handkerchief, I can only put it in my sleeve.
When they arrived at the restaurant, the guards were waiting outside. When they sat down at the dining table, Jiang Xiannuo ordered some fruits. Lan Qiu handed over the menu. She took off her bamboo hat, revealing her face as a princess.
She is about thirty years old, with a face as graceful as a peony, eyebrows as deep as spring, a pair of water-cut autumn eyes with a majestic appearance, a sharp nose and sandalwood lips, full of plumpness, a mixture of gentleness and style of a mature woman, and a texture as beautiful as pine trees and red maples, elegant and gorgeous. , the noble temperament makes people look at each other with shame.
"Thank you Madam Jiang for the recommendation. You and I have not known each other before. I don't know why Madam Jiang recommended me." Zhuang Xun did not say much. He wanted to know Jiang Xiannuo's purpose, and at the same time he glanced at her and lowered his head.
It's very beautiful and suits his taste, but that's all. He has a wife.
"There is no reason. I admire Xiaolian as a person. I saw Xiaolian's demeanor at the execution ground and heard about Xiaolian's righteous deeds afterwards, so I asked someone to recommend him." Jiang Xiannuo said it calmly, as if it was a trivial matter not worth mentioning.
"No other reason?" Zhuang Xun was confused.
"No! I invite Xiaolian here now because I met Xiaolian by chance. I thought of something and wanted to talk to Xiaolian and see with my own eyes how the recommended Xiaolian is doing." He looked at Zhuang Xun with a smile and looked at him with his eyes.
Every move of a beauty is pleasing to the eye, especially this kind of graceful and ethereal beauty, which can arouse men's obscene desires.
Zhuang Xun didn't have any charming feeling in his mind, because he was thinking about why. This was completely incompatible with the principle of exchange of interests in his mind.
When others treat him well, he only thinks that it is an exchange of interests. He feels that he is the only one who can do this kind of thing to others, and others...
He had never found anyone with such kind intentions. Si Qinmi was so kind to him because she was his wife.
Now suddenly a rich woman with a fairy-like appearance comes and says that she will sponsor you without any other requirements. Zhuang Xun is in a state of disbelief.
"Don't you believe Xiaolian?" Seeing Zhuang Xun's silence, Jiang Xiannuo also knew that it was strange for her to help others without any demands.
"The letter is a letter, but I don't quite understand why Mrs. Jiang did this. I'm going to disappoint Mrs. Jiang. I don't have much talent." Zhuang Xun didn't think Jiang Xiannuo was lying.
There were very few people who knew that he didn't do anything about promoting Xiaolian, and they knew it when he said it so generously without being afraid of exposing it.
"Xiao Lian is self-effacing. The Nu family is a member of the Cheng country, and Cheng Yu is dependent on each other. Naturally, I hope that there will be more kind and righteous people like Xiao Lian in the Yu country. However, if Xiao Lian is later appointed by Emperor Yu, it is not the work of the Nu family." Jiang Xian Cuo said appreciatively.
"Is that so? Then I have to thank Mrs. Jiang." Zhuang Xun clasped his fists and bowed his head in thanks.
"No need to thank you. Because of Xiaolian's simple nature, a person who seeks fame and reputation has been taken down from the canon. On the contrary, Xiaolian's past stories of helping those in distress and those in need were dug up." Jiang Xiannuo said modestly.
She had never thought that Zhuang Xun was such a high-quality seedling. Although he was not aware of the danger in Yu State and still stayed here, it was a bit ignorant, but it was nothing compared to the flawless virtues.
"It was a momentary move without much thought. I will tell you whatever Mrs. Jiang wants to talk about." Zhuang Xun had heard too many simple compliments.
Chatting with a beautiful woman is a kind of enjoyment. The other person still recommends his benefactor, but Zhuang Xun doesn't want to talk to her any more.
There are two reasons. On the one hand, he feels that the other person is like a spider spinning a web. If he is not careful, he will fall into the trap of beauty. On the other hand, he is just like that. He doesn't think there are people in this world who are purely kind to others. , even Si Qinmi gave out porridge with the idea of earning fame.
I feel like the other party has another agenda.
"Xiao Lian is so polite. What kind of official position does Xiao Lian want? The Nu family has little influence in this court." Jiang Xiannuo said the words that most people were ecstatic about. Maybe some people were already grateful.
"There is no need to trouble Madam Jiang. Your Majesty will allocate official positions. Ministers, I will obey the state's policies." Zhuang Xun did not do it and was playing Tai Chi with Jiang Xiannuo.
"What if Xiaolian is recruited to serve as an official in Xihe?" Jiang Xiannuo asked curiously.
"..."
This question touched Zhuang Xun's weakness. He thought about how to answer, and after glancing at Jiang Xiannuo's charming smile, he answered honestly.
"Abandon office."
He was determined to restore production, benefit the area, and allow the people of Xihe to return to their homes, but this was obviously beyond his ability. He couldn't save it, he really couldn't save it.
What Xihe lacks is not a good official, but a good environment.
"Xiao Lian is honest. He said that he dared to go to Xihe to serve as an official slave, but he felt that Xiao Lian was perfunctory. What official position does Xiao Lian want besides Xihe?" Jiang Xiannuo asked again.
"Go to other counties to help the people." Zhuang Xun thought for a while and said.
This is his current political ambition, it can be said.
"I hope that the people under the rule will not live in Yindu and become refugees." Zhuang Xun glanced outside the building. There are no refugees on Zhuque Street. You can feel the majesty of the country on this street, but it is limited to this street. .
"Then where is Xiaolian going? It's hard to move without money, and you can't be an official without assets." After listening to Zhuang Xun's words, Jiang Xiannao's beautiful eyes were filled with autumn water when she realized that Zhuang Xun was sincere and not lying.
I am very satisfied. I am a building material waiting to be matured and I have a very good intention.
"Let's go to Daijun. The people there have a hard life and are often invaded by Beidi. I hope to improve the local situation." Zhuang Xun and Siqin Mi have discussed the situation in Daijun countless times, and they are relatively familiar with it and can talk about it immediately.
"As for money, I won't use it for now, if I pass the emperor's examination." Now is not the time to expose his collusion with Xiao Shaowen.
"With Xiaolian's talent, it is easy to pass the school examination. Daijun has really wronged Xiaolian, but is there anywhere else he wants to go?" Sensing Zhuangxun's public sentiments, Jiang Xiannuo felt that she needed to help him Daijun is really aggrieved. He may be harmed by Beidi one day. It is only a little better than the current Xihe County. At least there is order.
"..." Zhuang Xun was hesitant. Should he accept Jiang Xiannuo's kindness? He could start at a different location.
Think fast and say no.
"No need, it's just that Dai Jun is not good, so he has to change and do something. Even if the good things are not there, he will still be good."
He is not very able to accept this kind of inexplicable kindness, and he has double standards.
He feels that accepting kindness from others means more, and if he feels that he is in debt, he will be able to repay more in the future. As for his kindness, it doesn't matter if the other person doesn't repay it, as long as the other person doesn't act like a white-eyed wolf.
There is also the caution Si Qin Mi told me in the morning.
"Xiaolian is so ambitious." Seeing Zhuang Xun rejecting her, Jiang Xiannuo was not angry, but admired Zhuang Xun even more. After all, the core of the wood was straight, and it was not too late for the tree planter to be happy.
"Madam, do you have any questions?" Zhuang Xun couldn't sit still, felt very reserved, and wanted to leave.
"The slave family has questions about whether Xiaolian and the Duke's wife really have an affair?" Jiang Xiannuo asked seriously, her smile becoming serious.
"Mrs. Jiang was born in a high family, how could she ask such a question?" Zhuang Xun couldn't laugh or cry.
"You have this group of guards when you go out on weekdays, and the same goes for the Duke's wife when she goes out. There are many followers. How can these people see me having a tryst with the Duke's wife without telling Duke Zhen?"
"Indeed, the son of the Minister of Industry, Xiaolian Qian Xinzhao of Zhangyang County, visited the Zhenguo Duke's Mansion yesterday, probably to verify the authenticity of this rumor. Since there is no such thing, there is no need to worry." Jiang Xian Chu's words also explained why she asked this question.
"Thank you, Mrs. Jiang, for reminding me." Zhuang Xun never felt that his morals were flawless, but looking at it now, he was sitting upright, so what was he afraid of? Qian Xinzhao couldn't find an excuse for not mentioning Xiaolian even when he asked Potian.
