The wives of the concubines are empresses

Chapter 467 The Empress and Mu Xiang question the Master of the Shen Family

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, felt a pang in his heart and made a bold guess.

Could it be that the Empress came to visit in person?

If that's the case, then he needs to go home and take a look.

Could it be that his boss guessed right, and the emperor really came to find husbands for the female officials?

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, rushed home without stopping and found that there was laughter and joy coming from the main hall. He was a little surprised, and then he sped up his actions to call for help.

When he saw the first lady sitting at the bottom left, his heart almost jumped out of his chest.

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, hurried forward and bowed, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty."

Hearing what her master said, Mrs. Shen widened her eyes in shock.

"Master, this..."

emperor?

This is impossible. How could the emperor, with his noble body, come to their humble abode?

Master Shen had already pulled his younger brother Shen Yi to bow.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, my Lord."

Teacher Shen was shocked and felt that he had been careful enough to ask someone to call his father back. Fortunately, he did not make a wrong judgment.

Shen Yi was even more shocked. His elder brother actually guessed it right.

Seeing that his wife was still in a daze, Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, hurriedly reminded his wife.

"Madam, please come and pay your respects to the Emperor's side."

Mrs. Shen, who had reacted quickly, came to Shangguan Wanjun and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty."

The two young ladies had already bowed and squatted to greet each other.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, who was obviously sweating profusely from running, and raised her hand slightly.

"No need to be polite, please stand up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, thought it was inappropriate for the two masters to sit at the bottom, so he leaned over slightly and spoke to Shangguan Wanjun.

"Your Majesty, you and the concubine please take your seats."

Xingpinfu-Zhengzhou Xing looked at Shangguan Wanjun, only to see her mouth slightly raised and open.

"I am here as a guest, how can I become the host? You two should take a seat."

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, and his wife were at a loss for a moment.

"This... I'm afraid it's inappropriate." After all, you are the emperor.

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, looked at the concubine's husband, Zhengzhou Xing, wanting him to say something for him, but he just smiled gently and spoke.

"Sir Shen, Madam Shen, please don't be restrained. We are only on a private visit today. Please don't disturb the emperor's interest."

In response to his suggestion, Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, was extremely grateful.

"Yes, Your Majesty, then my wife and I will sit down." Alas, this meeting is not as simple as the last time I went to the palace to meet the emperor.

Even though he went to the palace to see the emperor last time, at least he had his superior by his side, but this time he was at home. It was a private visit in disguise.

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, sat down with some fear and nervousness, and Madam Shen was even more hesitant to sit down.

Shen Qiulian, the director of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, saw that his wife was still standing there stupidly, so he reached out and pulled his wife's arm.

"Ma'am, let's sit down."

Although their identities were revealed, Shangguan Wanjun didn't feel anything. Instead, she looked at the two brothers opposite her with ease.

"Master Shen, how are your two young masters doing with their studies?"

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, understood that the emperor might want to inspect his two sons.

"Your Majesty, their studies are average."

"It's okay, I'll check it out." Since you're here, you might as well take a look to gain something.

"Okay, please."

"Muxiang."

Mu Xiang heard her suddenly call her, and quickly responded: "Your Majesty, I am here."

"I'll test the eldest son, and you'll test the second son. Each of us will take one question."

Mu Xiang bowed respectfully and said, "Yes, I obey your command."

The brothers Shen Shi and Shen Yi became even more nervous, especially Shen Yi. After all, he was equivalent to a female official discussing marriage with the empress, and she was personally testing his grades.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at Master Shen and asked, "What books has the eldest master read?"

Teacher Shen stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, I have read the primers 'Three Character Classic,' 'Hundred Family Surnames,' 'Thousand Character Classic,' 'Rules for Disciples,' 'A Thousand Family Poems,' as well as 'Enlarged Collection of Wise Sayings,' 'Youthful Qionglin,' 'Sound and Rhythm Primer,' and 'The Analects of Confucius.' The classics section includes 'The Book of Changes,' 'The Book of History,' 'The Book of Songs,' 'The Book of Rites,' and 'The Spring and Autumn Annals.' The history section includes 'Records of the Grand Historian,' 'Book of Han,' 'Book of the Later Han,' and 'Records of the Three Kingdoms.' The philosophical section includes 'Laozi,' 'Zhuangzi,' 'Han Feizi,' 'Mozi,' and 'Xunzi.' The collection section includes 'Chu Ci,' 'Separate Collection,' and 'General Collection.'"

Seeing that he had read so many books, Shangguan Wanjun asked again.

"Can you pass the imperial examination?"

"Scholar."

Shangguan Wanjun looked at Mu Xiang, then she looked at Shen Yi opposite her and began to ask questions.

"Second Young Master, have you read the books that your eldest brother has read?"

"Replying to Master Muxiang, I have read most of it."

"Okay, I'll draw three questions in a row. The first question is, what are the main areas of the sub-section books?"

"These books cover a wide range of fields, including philosophy, logic, and military strategy, reflecting the diversity of thought."

Seeing that he answered so quickly, Mu Xiang continued to ask questions.

“Which books are central to Confucian thought?”

Shen Yi lowered his head and recalled: "Books such as the Book of Changes, the Book of History, the Book of Songs, the Book of Rites, and the Spring and Autumn Annals are the core of Confucianism."

"What are the books covering natural philosophy, humanistic practice, ethics, etc?"

"Just as I said."

Shangguan Wanjun listened quietly and was quite satisfied with the performance of the two brothers.

As an emperor, she loved talents the most, especially those from all walks of life.

Seeing that Mu Xiang's questions had temporarily ended, Shangguan Wanjun looked at Master Shen again.

What are the main ways to write a book?

Master Shen tried his best to remain calm. After all, it was the Empress herself who was checking the homework.

"There are three main styles of writing books: biography, chronicle, and chronological account."

It was Mu Xiang's turn to ask a question. She pursed her lips slightly and said, "A poem about drinking tea."

Bai Juyi's "Asking Liu Nineteen": Green ants, new mash, a small red clay stove. Tonight, the sky is about to snow. Can you have a drink?

Shangguan Wanjun and Muxiang asked ten questions in a row before they finished their examination. They were very satisfied with the brothers' work.

Xingpinfu-Zhengzhou Xing suddenly looked outside: "Your Majesty, the sun is setting."

The empress knew that he was reminding them that they should return to the palace.

Shen Qiu, the head of the Ministry of Rites and Shrines, politely asked, "It's time for dinner. If the Emperor and Consort don't mind, they can stay for dinner."

Xingpinfu-Zhengzhou Xing and others thought Shangguan Wanjun would refuse, but Shangguan Wanjun responded happily.

"Okay, I'll also try the food at Lord Shen's house. Seeing the two girls are fair-skinned and beautiful, I'm quite interested in your food."

Shen Qiu, the director of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Shrines, suddenly didn't know how to respond. He thought the emperor would not stay, but the result was beyond his expectations.

Seeing that the atmosphere suddenly became awkward, Mrs. Shen spoke up.

"Your Majesty, I often cook. I will go and prepare dinner right away."

"Thank you, Madam Shen."

Madam Shen was flattered and said, "Your Majesty is very polite."

This empress is really approachable, but she is still the emperor, so she is still a little frightened and nervous.

When Shen Rou saw this, she quickly stood up and saluted Shangguan Wanjun and others.

"Your Majesty, I will go and help my mother."

Shangguan Wanjun smiled faintly and nodded.