My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

Gu Li was obviously caught off guard by the sudden enthusiastic greetings from these students, and was immediately frightened and hid behind Chang An.

Chang An gently patted Gu Li's hand that was holding his arm, and then asked, "What are you doing today?"

The leading student said, "I am honored to meet Marquis Dingkang. This morning, His Majesty issued an edict to reform the imperial examination system. I wonder if Marquis Dingkang is aware of this."

Chang An nodded and replied, "I do know, what's wrong?"

"We all know that the reform of the imperial examination system and the reform of the title system were both proposed by Marquis Dingkang. Either of them is a good strategy."

"We are all students from humble backgrounds. Thanks to Marquis Dingkang's good advice, we will have a better chance of success in the next spring exam. So we came here today to express our gratitude to Marquis Dingkang."

Chang An was suddenly at a loss for words. These students were just beating around the bush. It would have been better to just state the purpose directly. Why bother bragging in the beginning? He scratched his head and said:

"This...cannot be considered my credit..."

"Why not? If it weren't for Marquis Dingkang, our Tang Dynasty would still be troubled by smallpox. Now you have come to the palace to advise His Majesty and propose to amend the imperial examination system. For the poor families in the world, it will be like a rebirth!" At this time, a young man of eleven or twelve years old stood up and said.

"I... just went to the palace that day for other things, but some officials in the court..."

"I understand!"

Chang An looked at the man who had just spoken with a confused look on his face, and saw him say:

"Marquis Dingkang really has a heart for the world! On the one hand, it must be because he saw that some officials in the court were ignorant and incompetent; on the other hand, he saw that talented people from humble backgrounds were being neglected. This is not only to help Your Majesty recruit more and better talents, but also to make the court more honest!"

"In this way, they complement each other and kill two birds with one stone." Many students held their chins and thought seriously, and then seemed to... reach some inexplicable consensus?

Chang An looked at these students who were talking to themselves and had perfect scores in "reading comprehension" with a bit of bewilderment, then turned back to look at Gu Li who was standing behind him. He found that she was also looking at him with admiration and respect, and it seemed that she had also heard what these students said.

This girl is still too easily influenced by the outside world. Chang An sighed and asked, "What are you going to do today?"

"Oh!"

The students suddenly realized what was going on, picked up their baskets, and said, "Because Marquis Dingkang proposed the reform of the imperial examination system, we will have a greater chance to participate in the Spring Examination. We are here today to thank Marquis Dingkang."

"These are just some humble gifts from us. I hope Marquis Dingkang and his wife will not despise them."

Chang An waved his hands in embarrassment and said, "I am not targeting you for proposing the reform. I really feel ashamed to accept the gift you gave me."

"But at the very least, it was you who proposed the reform. No matter what the reason is, I have to thank you for it."

"this......"

Chang An was a little embarrassed at this moment. Seeing this scene, the students suddenly realized what was going on. Then they turned to Gu Li and said, "Madam Dingkang, please accept it."

"Marquis Dingkang doesn't want to accept it, can you please agree on his behalf?"

"Ma'am, please don't be disgusted."

"I......"

Gu Li was also at a loss like Chang An at this time, so he looked at Chang An. At this time, he found that Chang An was also looking at him, as if he was giving him the right to choose.

She looked at Chang An, then at these extremely enthusiastic students, and then said: "Well...then accept it. Thank you for your gifts."

"Zhen'er! Ask someone to help get it."

After receiving the order, Zhen'er beckoned and called over many servants and maids to accept the gifts from the students. Seeing that Marquis Dingkang and his wife had accepted the gifts, the students also said goodbye and left one after another.

Chang An and Gu Li politely watched them leave at the door, but after all the students had left, the young man who looked about eleven or twelve was still standing at the door.

Chang An asked: "This young man..."

"My surname is Chang, a single character in Chinese, Jian. Marquis Dingkang can just call me Chang Jian." Chang Jian said.

Gu Li blinked curiously. His last name is Chang? It's the same as Chang Lang's. So how should he be addressed?

"Lord Chang Jian." Chang An smiled and nodded slightly, then asked, "Does Lord Chang Jian have anything else to do?"

Chang Jian nodded somewhat embarrassedly, and then said: "Today, in addition to thanking Marquis Dingkang, I also want to discuss some knowledge with Marquis Dingkang."

"Discuss academic matters? I am also not very knowledgeable, how can I discuss academic matters with Lord Chang Jian?"

Chang An knew Chang Jian, a famous landscape poet in the Tang Dynasty. However, Chang Jian regarded Chang An's words as modesty and said, "Marquis Dingkang is too modest. Your poems have reached a level that is difficult for others to reach."

"What's more, His Majesty has published several articles you wrote to the world."

Chang An raised his eyebrows and asked, "Which articles?"

"Of course it's Ding Kanghou's "Fu on Afang Palace" and other works." Chang Jian said, "We have all read them before. We are ashamed of ourselves for not being as good as such articles."

Chang An was a little speechless. Why did he publish everything to the world? He was afraid that others would not know that it was written by me, Chang An. He snorted twice, obviously not knowing how to answer. In the end, he could only change the subject and ask:

"How old is Chang Jian now? Are you here to take the imperial examination as well?"

"That's right. I'm twelve years old this year. I went to Beijing last year, but failed the exam. Now I'm preparing to take part in the imperial examination next year." Chang Jian said in front of Chang An as if he was on a blind date.

Gu Li was a little confused, so he looked up and asked, "Chang Lang, can I take the imperial examination at the age of twelve?"

Chang An nodded and said, "As long as you pass the Tongsheng exam before the age of fourteen, you are eligible to participate in the imperial examination. In other words, no matter how old you are, as long as you pass the Tongsheng exam and become a Tongsheng, you can participate in the imperial examination."

Gu Li nodded in understanding, and then asked, "When did Chang Lang come?"

"Probably when I was ten years old..." Chang An answered after holding his chin and thinking for a while.

"So early?!"

Chang An nodded, and then said to Chang Jian: "If it's just a casual chat, I can chat with you, but when it comes to studying, I think I have to rely on myself."

"Whether it's studying classics or taking the imperial examination, you have to rely on yourself in the end, not on discussing with others. If you really don't understand something, I can teach you, but you can't just rely on others to discuss it casually, otherwise you will become dependent on others."

Chang Jian was stunned for a moment, then he felt that it was indeed the case, so he raised his hand to salute and said, "Thank you, Marquis Dingkang, for reminding me. I will take my leave now."

"Master Chang Jian, take care."

Standing at the door, watching Chang Jian walk away, Gu Li asked, "Why doesn't Chang Lang learn from him?"

"Why? Studying is your own business. Why do you have to approach someone who is better than you to discuss things?" Chang An said, "If I agree with him this time, there will be a second person. Then there will be a third and a fourth. Wouldn't I be tired?"

"Besides, I don't understand discussing academic matters with them. Madam Gu can go ask Huaiqin what I was like in the Imperial College."

Gu Li looked at Chang An's complaining expression and couldn't help but smile, then said: "Okay, okay, I know Chang Lang is doing this for the good of students all over the world."

"Chang Lang, be good and don't complain."

After Gu Li finished speaking, he tiptoed playfully and touched Chang An's head. Chang An raised his eyebrows and immediately shouted, "How dare you, Madam Gu, tease me, the Marquis."

"Oh!"

Gu Li cried out in surprise, and then Chang An picked him up and said, "See how I will deal with you when I get back!"

After saying that, he took Gu Li back to the main courtyard. But he just put Gu Li on the bed and then bolted the door.

He returned to the bed, where Gu Li was curled up, looking at Chang An with a red face. After the two looked at each other for a while, Gu Li asked, "Chang... Chang Lang, do you really want it..."

"Of course we have to punish Gu Niang for her transgression." Chang An sat on the bed and pressed Gu Li under him.

Gu Li swallowed nervously and said in a low voice: "But...but Chang Lang told me that now we can only do it twice a month..."

"These two times... I have already used it these two times. I can't do it again... Otherwise Chang Lang would be cheating me. Chang Lang can't cheat me."

After Gu Li finished speaking, he put his two hands nervously on his chest and twisted them together habitually. But Chang An leaned down slightly and his breath gently fell on Gu Li's face.

"Woo..."

Gu Li became even more nervous. Although they were an old couple, he was still very shy.

"But this is not a normal number, this is a punishment for Gu Niang..."

"But now... it's daytime now. If you want to punish me... why don't you punish me at night..." said Gu Li.

"not good!"

Chang An's face moved closer again, the tip of his nose slightly touching Gu Li's small nose, and then he said softly: "Besides, this is a punishment, how can the punishment be postponed?"

"Well, okay...okay..."

Gu Li simply closed his eyes, like a fish on a chopping board, allowing Chang An to "slaughter" him.