The calendar used today is the Dayan Calendar, which is quite accurate. The four seasons in Tianbao Six Years are also distinct. Summer is from April to June, and autumn is from July to September.
In mid-June, the Great Heat is a time when humidity and heat are combined and all things grow wildly.
In the early morning, Xue Bai hadn't woken up yet and was already sweating on the mat.
Vaguely, I felt someone taking off my clothes. I thought it was Lai Niang, so I pulled her catkin, and when I opened my eyes, I saw that it was Qing Lan.
"Is Mr. Lang very hot?"
Qinglan didn't panic when one of her hands was held. She was now very used to holding hands with him. She picked up a round fan with her other hand and gently fanned him.
"Fortunately, I can bear it."
"Why does Mr. Lang sleep for so long every day?"
"When the body grows."
Xue Bai muttered, woke up for a while, turned around and saw the little maid's bright eyes staring at his morning erection again.
She looked at it seriously, and after a while she realized that he had noticed her, and immediately lowered her head shyly.
"Lang Jun, I just thought about when I was in the tank, I didn't... I didn't mean anything else..."
Only then did Xue Bai realize that he was still rubbing her tender hands, with a thought in his mind. But when I looked at the little girl again, her face was red and she had no experience.
"Do you know how to prevent...pregnancy?"
"Langjun? What?"
"Oh it's all right."
The Du sisters and Yang Yuyao used to refuse to let him worry about these things, but the little girl didn't know anything and could cause big trouble.
What's more, even the matter of her lowly status has not been settled yet. If she has a child, she will be relegated to the lowly status.
Xue Bai then turned over, thinking that living alone with a man and a woman was always too challenging, so he might as well kick her out of the main house.
Thinking again, I have been tested for a long time and I am not afraid.
…
Now Wang Zhongsi has been back to the northwest for two months and has not yet begun to attack Shibao City. I only know that the imperial court has been sending officials to urge him.
Although I don’t know how long it will take, once the Shibao City is captured and Qinglan is redeemed and becomes a good citizen, someone will definitely use the case of the three common people to stir up trouble, and Xue Bai wants to prepare early.
In addition, in less than two months there will be the Imperial College annual examination, followed by the Mid-Autumn Festival. The emperor will hold an imperial banquet at Qinzheng Tower, and An Lushan will also go to Chang'an to present treasures.
Xue Bai thought about it over and over, and to be on the safe side, he should offer something to the current emperor's interest.
He planned to write an opera based on the outline of "The Romance of the West Chamber", find some literati to polish it, and find some singers to rehearse it, so as to open the eyes of Li Longji, the founder of the opera house.
When he got up to change clothes, he asked: "If you want to buy a singer, should you go to the East Market to find Nu Yalang?"
"Langjun wants to buy a singer?" Qinglan was very wary of this, "But... if you want to watch her dance, I can also dance for you."
"You can also dance, let me see."
Qing Lan was a little embarrassed, took two steps back, hesitated for a while, spread her arms, and danced around.
In the early morning, she was wearing thin clothes in the house, her skirt was fluttering, and she showed off a very attractive look, a little clumsy, which looked cute...but it was not a dance at all.
"Mr. Lang, aren't you okay?"
Xue Bai smiled.
Qinglan flattened her mouth and muttered in a low voice: "Caiyun said that I dance beautifully. If you want to see me dance, I'd better be beautiful."
"What are you talking about?" Xue Bai said: "I want to find a professional and serious rhythmic dance to educate me."
Qinglan didn't believe him and secretly scolded her husband for being a coward. He didn't want to watch the beautiful maids dance at home, but also wanted to spend money to buy a singer from outside.
"Mr. Lang is about to take the annual exam. I think it's better to study peacefully."
~~
Xue Bai is indeed studying with peace of mind.
He often goes to Yanzhai to learn how to take exams...
"There are three scientific examinations for Jinshi, including classics, poems, and policy questions. In addition, calligraphy also affects the ranking."
Yan Yan held a ruler in her hand. Although she didn't dare to hit Xue Bai, she would pat her little palm from time to time.
"Tie Jing is nothing more than filling in the Confucian and Taoist scriptures and memorizing them by rote; policy questions and answers on current affairs, just have something to say; calligraphy, my brother got the true biography of the Yan family, and he is getting better and better day by day. These brothers can barely pass the test. It can be seen that What are your weaknesses?"
She is not old, but her aura is not small. In the tone of a teacher, she asks and answers: "Poetry. The boss praises and criticizes. In fact, poetry, poetry is the most important thing. The result? Poetry is famous. Xue Lang from Chang'an wrote poems and essays for the examination, and the rhyme and rhyme were messed up. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if it was spread out?"
Speaking of rising, Yan Yan imitated the way Yan Zhenqing taught her a lesson when she was a child, glaring at Xue Bai's face.
It's a pity that the word "oh" at the end was not suppressed, and the childish anger came out.
Xue Bai then turned to look at her, but she herself lost her momentum first and ran away coquettishly.
"Ahem, I'm so angry at you anyway, so now I have to teach you. Well, let's take a look, and I'll teach you based on the imperial examination exams over the years."
"good."
Yan Yan was already prepared. She took out a scroll from the shelf, unfolded it, and said: "In the spring of Jiayin in the second year of Kaiyuan, it was titled Qi Fu, with the rhyme of 'windy sun and cloudy fields, military country is pure'. Brother is here." Write one.”
"..."
After a while, Yan Yan frowned slightly, feeling a little confused.
But she did have a patience for Xue Bai that others did not have. She quickly opened her brows and spread the scroll in front of Xue Bai.
"It doesn't matter, let's take a look at the No. 1 scholar's poem at that time, 'The beauty of the country is beautiful, and the flag is multi-functional. Wen Cheng Ri Peng, the shadow disappears in the sky. The fog hangs in the wind, and the wind suddenly sways.' Here , Gong, Kong, Feng, what rhyme do you use?"
Xue Bai pondered.
Du Wei once gave him a copy of "Qie Yun", and he worked hard to memorize it, but it was much more difficult than memorizing a dictionary.
"Dongyun." Yan Yan reminded, "It's Dongyun."
Xue Bai read it a few more times and asked, "Why do 'empty' and 'wind' have the same rhyme?"
"That's how Gu Yun reads it. Look at my tongue...long...does it sound like the sound of wind? Brother, just remember it like this..."
~~
Wei Yun sat by the side and embroidered until Xue Bai stood up and left.
"Master's wife, the student has left."
"Sanniang is ignorant and her words are neither big nor small. Don't get angry with her."
"No, Sanniang has taught me a lot. There is neither strength nor weakness. Where the Tao lies, the teacher lies."
Since Xue Bai had received favor from the Yan family, he still cared about some things and said: "Zhenren Qixuan was practicing in seclusion a while ago. I plan to visit Zhongnan Mountain in the next few days and ask him to treat Sanniang."
"You kid, you've taken the trouble." Wei Yun smiled, looked at Xue Bai a few times, and said, "It looks like he's grown taller again. It's autumn and I'll cut off two more clothes."
She asked the embroiderer at home to measure Xue Bai's measurements, and chatted about family matters, starting with Yan Yan's illness.
"Sanniang was weak since she was a child. Some people said it was due to conflicts with our couple. In addition, we had never raised a daughter, so she was adopted and raised by her brother and sister-in-law for nine years. Therefore, although she is our only daughter, she is also the third child in my brother-in-law's family. mother……"
This "brother and sister-in-law" refers to Yan Zhenqing's elder brother Yan Gaoqing and his wife Cui.
Xue Bai was very interested in this person and inquired specifically. He learned that Yan Gaoqing had become an official in Menyin, and had first served as Fanyang Hucao to join the army. Judge Tian.
Just yesterday, the Yan family got the letter. Yan Gaoqing will come to Chang'an with An Lushan next month.
"So, Sanniang has two father-in-law and mother-in-law."
"Well, they are all my grandpa and grandma."
Xue Bai said naturally: "In autumn, when Mr. Yan arrives in Chang'an, I should also pay him a visit in person."
Yan Yan rolled her eyes and immediately knew that this brother was trying to make friends with officials again. She sighed helplessly and looked at him as if she had no choice.
"..."
After a few pleasantries, Xue Bai left.
Back at Xue's house, Du Wulang was actually there again.
"The annual exams are coming soon, and then the Spring Festival?" Xue Bai asked, "Don't you want to study?"
"I'm Ming Jing Ke." Du Wulang said matter-of-factly, "It's the same wherever you recite scriptures. I can bring Jiulang and Eleven Lang to study together when I come here."
"Really? But I didn't see you reciting it."
"No hurry, wait until lunch."
"You'll be sleepy again by then."
Xue Bai was too lazy to pay attention to Du Wulang anymore, so he turned back to the west backyard, had lunch with Qing Lan, spread out the scroll, picked up the pen, and prepared to write an opera.
However, the brush hung on the paper and did not fall down for a long time.
Until someone knocked on the door again in the east courtyard.
Xue Bai actually put a knocker on the inner courtyard door, and refused to open the courtyard wall to better integrate with the Xue family.
"Brother Six, someone is here again." Xue Shiyilang said, "Brother Six is a famous person, right? There are so many people coming to visit, I feel like a doorman."
Xue Bai touched the child's head and said, "If you study hard and study hard, you will become a famous scholar in the future."
"Okay, I want to be like Sixth Brother."
This time it was Princess Yuzhen who sent the message, inviting him to a banquet the next day.
Xue Baizheng wanted to pay a visit to Princess Yuzhen because of Yan Yan's affairs, so he happily agreed. He went back to the west backyard to pick up a pen, thought hard for a long time, and finally wrote something.
~~
The next day, I met Wang Wei in front of Princess Yuzhen's residence in Taipingfang.
Wang Wei came over just after leaving the office, wearing a red official robe.
"Mr. Mojie is so polite." Xue Bai looked at him with a smile and said, "This new official robe better suits your temperament."
"It's thanks to you." Wang Wei didn't see much joy on his face. He waved his hand lightly and said, "I have been moved to the position of doctor of the Treasury."
"Congratulations."
Even Shifo, who has benefited from Xue Bai this time, has to express his position.
"The annual exam and spring are coming. You should work harder and don't let anyone take the blame."
What this meant was that Wang Wei was willing to help Xue Bai get the first place, so he advised him to really gain more knowledge, so as to avoid another ridiculous farce and an unpleasant scene.
Xue Bai said with a smile, "I have my own way in the spring. If Mr. Mojie feels that he owes me a favor and owes it first, he will pay for it later."
Wang Wei frowned slightly, as if he didn't want to owe a favor.
The two of them walked into the huge princess mansion, and Xue Bai took out a scroll and handed it over.
"Sir, please take a look."
"This is?"
"Drama." Xue Bai said, "I want to write a drama, but my ability is limited. I would like to ask Mr. Mojie to write it together."
He said that they were writing together, but in fact, what he wanted was to ask Wang Wei to write, while he only provided guidance.
After all, the story of the monkey can be told in the vernacular, but opera is all about real skills.
He did not ask Yan Zhenqing to take action on this matter, because Yan Zhenqing valued practical matters and did not like to please the emperor with these gorgeous poems. In this regard, Wang Wei's talent is obviously more outstanding. After all, he once served as Tai Lecheng, specializing in teaching music and dance.
Wang Wei stopped and stared at the content on the scroll with something strange in his eyes.
After a long time, he put away the scroll and handed it back to Xue Bai's arms.
"I can't do this."
"Mr. is extremely talented and proficient in music."
"It's too gorgeous." Wang Wei said lightly, "It conflicts with my writing style. If I write it for you, it will affect my poetry."
Although he knew that this was a good opportunity to gain the favor of the Holy Spirit, he was not so motivated after all.
But thinking of his friendship with Xue Bai, he still said: "I will find someone to write for you on this matter."
"Thank you, Mr. Mojie."
Wang Wei nodded calmly, and a maid came to greet them in front, taking them both to change clothes and rest for a while.
Somewhat strangely, Xue Bai was taken to the backyard alone, bypassed the many courtyard walls, and went straight to an attic.
The maid stopped and said Wanfu: "Xue Lang, please come in."
The surroundings were quiet, and there was a door ajar on the other side of the corridor.
Xue Bai realized something was wrong, but it was nothing more than soldiers coming to block it and water coming to cover it up. He stepped over and pushed the door open.
There is a person standing behind the curtain.
Lifting the curtain, he saw that this man was in his forties, with a tall figure and several raised scars on his face. He was none other than the emperor's eldest son, Prince Qing Li Cong.
…
"Xue Lang, there is no need to be polite."
Li Cong didn't wait for Xue Bai to salute, but took a step forward, held his arms, and took a deep look at him.
Although the scarred face looked a little scary when he got closer, Li Cong's eyes were very kind.
"It looks like, it really looks like."
"What did Prince Qing say?"
"Shenyu Huijie, tall and handsome, with such a handsome appearance, he is worthy of being the queen of the Xue family." Li Cong murmured to himself: "I saw you in the Forbidden Garden before, and I was thinking that you really look like the Prince Consort. Xue Xiu.”
Just listen to this, and after ten years, you will be able to identify ghosts. What we are talking about is friendship, and what we are talking about is all about interests.
Xue Bai didn't answer.
Although he had a premonition that something like this would happen, he was far from ready to be Xue Pingzhao.
At this time, it would be very disadvantageous for him to make friends with Li Cong and get involved in the struggle for the throne.
Because what Li Longji is most afraid of are these restless people in the Ten Kings' House. As a minister, whoever recruits them will get into trouble.
Li Cong seems to be the king of Qing, but in fact he has no power and is just a prisoner.
But this kind of thing is unavoidable. When both the Right Prime Minister's Palace and the East Palace regard Xue Bai as a member of King Qing's lineage, the truth and falsehood are no longer important; while Xue Bai is still very young, Li Longji will die sooner or later. By then, this will Relationships that are harmful but useless will become crucial again.
It is extremely difficult to grasp the right balance. Many people have been killed in Dali Temple with sticks because they failed to grasp this right balance, and their entire families have been sent to Lingnan.
"I don't understand what Prince Qing is saying." Xue Bai said.
"The Eighteenth Mother has exposed this matter and said that you and I have an understanding." Li Cong said: "It shows that Concubine Wu Hui's children will not let you go."
Coincidentally, Li Niang was the eighteenth among the princesses, and Li Xuan was the eighteenth among the princes, both of whom were born to Concubine Wu Hui.
Xue Bai said: "She made a false accusation. The sage does not believe it."
"Sooner or later they will prove this." Li Cong sighed, "When Concubine Wu Hui planned the case of three common people, the prince and I had a deep relationship and tried our best to save his sons. Unfortunately, we were unable to save the Xue family. I still hate it. Today. You have finally grown up, but if you are too talented, you will definitely become a thorn in the side of Concubine Wu Hui and her family, and you will be very dangerous by then."
There are many hidden meanings in these words. For example, if the deposed prince Li Ying is said to be the prince, where does that leave Li Heng? Although Concubine Wu Hui's family now poses a small threat to the throne, they are their common enemy.
Xue Bai knew that he was in danger. He was preparing to deal with it before meeting Li Cong, but when he met Li Cong, he was even more in danger.
He then maintained a calm and gentle attitude and denied it, saying: "I am not the son of the consort Xue Xiu. How are they going to prove this?"
This made Li Cong a little disappointed. He thought everyone would hit it off. But this was a big deal, and he couldn't be discouraged because of it, and he still maintained a close attitude.
"You are."
When talking about this matter, Li Cong's tone was more decisive than others, and said: "You will know this matter as soon as you ask Siniang."
"Fourth mother?"
"Princess Tang Chang, she was imprisoned in Tang Chang Temple in Anyefang and became a female crown."
Xue Bai asked back: "If it is true, I am afraid that my death is about to happen. Can Prince Qing protect me?"
"I will try my best." Li Cong said without hesitation.
After saying that, he stepped forward and patted Xue Bai's arm gently, and said: "Since you can achieve this, I believe there must be a way."
"Prince Qing is just afraid of misunderstanding."
"It doesn't matter, you will trust me in the future."
Li Cong has no power at all, so he is not here to help, but to express his position.
As the Yang Party's power grows, it must confront the East Palace. Sooner or later, it will be necessary to find a prince to support him. He thinks he is the best candidate, and believes that Xue Bai will naturally get close to him.
However, Xue Bai didn't think it was necessary to decide who to support first, just like Li Linfu didn't know that King Shou had no future for a long time?
It is precisely Li Linfu who understands too well that the saint only cares about himself, and in comparison, he does not care so much about the future of the Tang Dynasty. Whether the prime minister can suppress the prince is the key. Who will be the prince in the future? A saint has more than twenty sons and hundreds of grandsons. As long as he has power, who can he support?
~~
Xue Bai walked down to the attic. There was no one else in the courtyard. There was only a maid who led Xue Bai to the front hall for the banquet.
He recalled what had just happened in his mind and concluded that Li Cong was not sure that he was Xue Pingzhao at all. The reason why he said that was just to trick him into finding Princess Tang Chang. And once he goes and is discovered, whether true or false, he will become Xue Pingzhao, and everyone's interests will be completely bound together.
The risk of this matter is too great and the benefit is too small, but sooner or later we will face it.
Solutions may need to catch up more quickly.
…
Entering the front hall and sitting down, Princess Yuzhen and Wang Wei have not arrived yet.
However, two female crowns walked side by side and floated in. One was like a lotus, with a noble temperament, and the other was like a peach blossom, burning its flowers. They were Li Tengkong and Li Jilan.
Li Tengkong was holding a fly whisk and was still reserved. When Li Jilan saw Xue Bai, his eyes lit up and he stepped forward and handed a stack of colorful papers to him with both hands.
"Xue Lang, can you comment on your lyrics for me?"
Xue Bai looked around, and what he saw in her beautiful eyes was actually her love for poetry.
He was stunned for a moment, then took the colored paper and saw a small poem first.
"From near to far to east and west, from deep to shallow clear streams."
"The highest is the sun and the moon, the closest relatives are the distant husband and wife."
Xue Bai looked at it, a little silently, knowing that he could not comment on this female poet at all.
But he put one hand on his scroll, thinking back to what Wang Wei said, he already understood who was suitable to write the drama he wanted.
I'll go through Chapter 2 again, about twenty minutes~~
(End of chapter)
