Summer wraps autumn, water keeps wind

The winter has passed in a blink of an eye, and the arrival of the new year really represents the arrival of the new era.According to the ancestral precepts, in the year when the first emperor died, the new emperor must continue to use the first emperor's year name when he ascends the throne, and wait until the second year to use the new year name to show the difference.

He passed Liufu to Qianqing Palace to review the papers, and specially added a new desk next to the desk in Qianqing Palace, which was specially used by Liufu.

Bi Xin replied to Liu: "The palace built for you outside is about to be completed, and you can go and see it in a few days."

Liu Fu didn't stop writing in his hand, he just smiled and said: "Did brother drive me out of the palace?"

Bi Xin also dipped in the ink with a smile, and said: "You can live anywhere you want, I never said to drive you away." Liu Fu said: "What's the fun in the mansion outside except slaves? What's more, I still want to sleep an extra quarter of an hour every day, it's better in the palace." Liu Fu raised his head again and said with a smile, "But it will be convenient to go out of the palace in the future, don't envy me!"

Bi Xin smiled and said, "Are you envious of your nonsense? That's not true."

Bi Xin took the envelope and handed it to Liu Fu for him to see, Liu Fu glanced at it a few times, and said with a light snort, "They still think about it."

It turns out that Bixin intends to reform and increase the scale of the imperial examination, and has been preparing for the opening of Enke this year years ago.He has tightened the system of nominations for officials by aristocratic families in the past. Every year, an application form must be assessed from the Taixue, and then the emperor will personally approve before he can become an official. That is to say, the right to select officials is taken into his own hands, and only relatives and trustees are exempted.If the children of the aristocratic family want to become an official again, they have to rely on the imperial examination.

In order to broaden the road of imperial examinations, the participation of middle-aged people with humble nationality is especially relaxed.Businessmen and other non-slave and lowly people have the same status as the people, and those who pass the child birth test can get rid of their lowly status with their families.The remaining slaves can be registered in the name of the master's family in the local yamen. After serving as officials, joining the army, and taking the imperial examinations, they are the same as the people. .

And how can those aristocratic families sit still?Although a lot of power has been cut off, it is still hoped that the emperor will treat commoners and children of the family differently according to the tradition of the family during the imperial examination, which means that these people can go through the back door openly.The imperial examination has always been held every three years. The so-called Enke is an imperial examination given by the emperor when it is not an imperial examination. It is used to select more talents.

Liu Fu asked, "What are your plans?"

Bi Xin looked at Liu Fu and said, "Then what do you think?"

Liu Fu frowned and thought for a while, and said: "Since the old system has been changed, it is natural to pay attention to fairness, so I think they should be treated equally."

After hearing this, Bi Xin sneered and waved his hands in defeat: "The children of the aristocratic family have no worries about food and clothing since they were young, and they are familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics, while some of the common people can't even eat, let alone read, even literacy is difficult. If these people take the exam together , what do you think of the result?"

"It's really not fair, the children of those aristocratic families will be the ones who will pass the exam, it seems that we need to think carefully." Liu Fu said.

Bi Xin nodded and said: "That's right. Although the imperial examination is fair, there are still many injustices. In addition, in order to save the country, the country abolished the north and south rankings. All candidates are the same standard. Most of the candidates are from the south, while the northerners It’s difficult to get into the exam, which caused many people in the north to stop taking the exam, and people’s hearts are moved.” He said: “At that time, it was just to save the country, but now we still have to restore the north and south rankings, and separate admissions can balance all parties.” After finishing speaking, he smiled coldly. Said: "Since the aristocratic family requires different treatment, then I will give them this privilege. All the sons of officials in the dynasty who participate in the imperial examination will be differentiated and strictly ranked!"

The north-south list divides the admission standards by region. In this way, although the quality of officials may not be as good as the unified test, it greatly alleviates regional conflicts and unbalanced development.

He has almost dealt with the official business of salary return, and the rest is handed over to the people below. It seems that it is almost time for dinner.Li He came in and reported back: "Concubine Chun is entering the palace today, and the Empress Dowager invites the emperor to have a meal at the Palace of Compassion."

It turned out that the emperor conferred the title of pure concubine on the Zheng family, and bestowed her residence in the Changchun Palace. She entered the palace today and is now speaking with the Queen Mother.Bi Xin raised his eyes to look at Liu Fu, but Liu Fu didn't pay attention, and was looking elsewhere.Bi Xin asked, "Who else is there?"

Li He said: "Concubine Ning is going too." Only then did Bi Xin feel relieved, so he said, and went down to prepare.Then Liu Fu was sent out, and then went to Compassionate Peace Palace.

As soon as the emperor entered the Palace of Compassion, he heard laughter like silver bells. When he entered the palace, he saw a girl from the [-]th to [-]th year wearing a rouge-colored double-colored butterfly-carved grosgrain, covered with a red-colored petal pattern. She has a chestnut deer velvet-trimmed jacket, and her hair is dotted with autumn-colored flowers and pearls. She is dressed as playfully as a girl who has never left the court.

She stared at the emperor with her big agile eyes, and then saluted the emperor, "Hello, Your Majesty."

Bian Wanzhao felt that it was not good, so he gave a big salute first: "My Majesty, Wanfu Jinan." Then he reminded the girl in a low voice: "Please Majesty, please give a big salute and say 'Wanfu Jinan'. When you meet for the first time, you must explain the origin of your birth." .”

The girl glanced at the queen mother, who was also displeased.The girl pouted, and then said: "Concubine Zheng Minju, second rank pure concubine, sees the emperor."

Wan Zhao reminded again: "You must explain your father's official position."

The emperor raised his hand and said: "It's rare that there are informal people in this palace, that's all." He said to the Queen Mother and sat down.

The Empress Dowager actually wanted the emperor to spend time with Minju alone and cultivate their relationship, but after entering the palace, she found that Minju was really just like his father said, unruly and self-willed. He had been taught the etiquette many times before entering the palace, but he didn't follow it. Yes, the queen mother can only call Wan Zhao to stabilize the situation, and she cannot be too rude.

The Empress Dowager said: "Concubine Ning took Concubine Chun outside for a walk. She talked with Ai's family for a long time, and she probably got bored." Min Ju wanted to go out early, but when he saw that the other was suave, the young Yingzi stared at him. Watching him engrossed, he also forgot to answer.Wan Zhao hurriedly saluted, then pulled Min Ju again, and the two of them went out.

The Empress Dowager forced a smile and said: "Concubine Chun is filial and has brought a lot of specialties from her hometown to Ai's family. It's hard for her to be so attentive. It's just that she is still young and her temper is unavoidably straightforward."

The emperor said: "Your minister sees that Concubine Chun is lively and cute, which is also very good."

The Empress Dowager then said: "The etiquette can be slowed down, but I have already entered the palace, and the emperor should take care of it on the day of serving the bed."

The emperor said: "The concubine will not be able to sleep in the palace for three days, and the sons and ministers are busy with state affairs, so let's talk about it at that time."

The queen mother nodded and said: "The emperor will decide."

Min Ju walked quickly all the way outside, only to feel that everything in the palace was fresh, and he liked it very much.Wan Zhao followed behind, Min Ju turned the corner, turned to Wan Zhao and said, "You don't have to follow, I'll be back after playing by myself." Wan Zhao felt very uncomfortable when he heard that.She actually used the word "you". When she was studying for Qingyang, the princess always called her "sister".At this time, although the two are in the same position, Wanzhao has the right to assist Liugong, has high qualifications, and is older than Minju, but Minju is like a young lady talking to a girl.

Wan Zhao's face remained unchanged, and he just said, "Since my younger sister enters the palace, the name has to be changed. When calling herself, the emperor, queen mother, and queen are called 'concubines', and those with high rank are called 'concubines'. Hereinafter referred to as 'Bengong', you must not use the word 'I', it's a loss of etiquette."

Min Ju tilted his head, pointed to his head and said, "Since they are all concubines, what should they be called?"

Momo said: "Concubine Ning has high qualifications, and the empress should call Concubine Ning a 'sister' and humble herself as a 'sister'."

Min Ju said: "We don't know each other well, what kind of sisters are we called?"

Qin Huan was furious, and said: "My mother has the right to assist the six palaces, and there is no queen in the palace. Naturally, my mother is the head of all concubines. I also hope that the pure concubine will salute 'My Lady Wan'an', calling herself ' Concubines'!"

Wan Zhao raised her hand and said, "Sister is willing to call me by the title directly, and it's okay to call herself 'Ben Gong'. They are both serving the emperor, and they will get to know each other sooner or later." After saying that, she let Minju play.

The next day, several concubines went to Yonghe Palace to pay their respects.Concubines Quan, Concubine Yao, noble lady Lin, Kun Changzai and a few young masters came here.They are seated one by one, most of them are thirteen or fourteen, and the most are no more than sixteen.Quan concubines and other concubines' families were at odds with Zheng's family, so the emperor deliberately selected some clan daughters who had no connection with or even discorded with the empress dowager's mother's family as concubines to suppress the empress dowager's influence in the palace.

Concubine Quan fiddled with the silver armor embellished with rubies, and said disdainfully: "I heard that the pure concubine who just entered the palace didn't know how to be polite, and offended the empress."

Wan Zhao smiled and said, "It's just a girl who just left home, so there's always something incomprehensible."

Concubine Yao also said: "I heard that the emperor dotes on her very much, and rewarded her with a lot of things yesterday."

Wan Zhao nodded and said, "It's rare to find someone who doesn't care about etiquette in the palace, and the emperor is also new."

Kun Changzai was of low status, but he hated Zheng's family very much, so he said: "At most, the emperor finds it interesting for a while, like watching monkeys, and I don't know what it will be like in the future!"

Mrs. Lin doesn't like to tell stories, so she said to Kun Changzai, "She has a high status, so don't offend her."

Kun Changzai frowned and said, "Sister is too careful, she bumped into Concubine Ning, shouldn't someone poke her back?"

Wan Zhao waved his hand and said, "You don't have to talk about her, after all, she is from the Empress Dowager's mother's family, and it will be bad if she suffers from her superiors."

Concubine Quan covered her mouth and nose with a sprinkle of silk, and said, "It depends on how long she is beautiful."

In the past few days, the emperor and empress dowager rewarded Minju with many things one after another.It's just that Minju has always been pampered, spoiled at home, very willful, doesn't know how to live in harmony with Liugong, if she sees something she doesn't like, she will tell others directly, and Liugong will resent her, and she doesn't like to associate with her.

And Min Ju is also arrogant, disdain to associate with those who are lower than her.And there were only two concubines in the palace, and the others were all at or below the rank of concubine, and Wan Zhao didn't play tricks with her, so she thought of ways to go to the emperor to please him.

Let's say that one day, Bi Xin and Fu were enjoying the scenery in the pavilion in the imperial garden.I could only hear someone shouting in a clear voice: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty." It was accompanied by laughter like silver bells.

It turned out that Minju ran over when he saw the guard of honor.Before Li He had time to stop her, she had already entered the pavilion, and after a blessing, she held up a bouquet of flowers in her hand and said: "The emperor wants to see if the concubine's flowers look good."

Liu Fu sits next to Bi Xin.According to the status at this time, Liu Fu is the prince and the king of politics, the official is the first rank, and Minju is the second rank concubine, so he should salute Liu Fu first.Then, according to ethics, Liufu had to salute his brothers and concubines to show respect.

Liu Fu saw that Min Ju ignored him, so he had no choice but to salute first: "My younger brother, Prince Xuan, please greet pure sister-in-law."

Only then did Min Ju see Liu Fu, he bowed slightly, stared at Liu Fu for a long time, then smiled at him, "Prince Xuan really looks like He Lang, as he said outside, he is so beautiful."

As soon as Liu Fu's face changed, he, a dignified prince, was very unhappy when he was said in such words.

Bi Xin said angrily: "It's becoming more and more unruly, how can you talk like this?"

Min Ju pouted, and said: "The concubine is telling the truth!" Then she said coquettishly: "The emperor wants to see if the flowers cultivated in the greenhouse are good!"

He looked directly at Liufu, and only nodded in agreement.

Min Ju said: "If the emperor likes it, he can put it in the bedroom." As he spoke, he gave the flower to him.

He said, "Thank you then."

Min Ju blushed and pursed his lips when he heard this, and suddenly threw himself into Bi Xin's arms, hugged his waist and smiled and said: "Then the emperor must not forget the kindness of my concubine."

Although Liu Fu didn't speak at this moment, his complexion was extremely ugly, he was never dissatisfied with the matter of his wife and concubines, and he didn't take it seriously, but seeing this kind of scene suddenly, his heart felt as if stabbed by a knife, and he couldn't help it. I don't know what's wrong?Liu Fu got up and saluted, said he would take his leave, and left.

In fact, Bi Xin just thinks that Min Ju is very lively and interesting, unlike other concubines, he likes it very much.And he was most afraid that Liu Fu would be displeased with this, but Liu Fu never cared about these things, so he was relieved, but now something happened.