Rui Hegui

The winter in the sixth year of Pingchong seems to be extraordinarily gentle, and it is very suitable for enjoying the snow. However, the whole capital of Kyoto is shrouded in a little sadness because of the death of Concubine De, and all entertainment is prohibited on weekdays except for celebrating the New Year as usual.

Recently, the weather has started to warm up, Zhao Liangyue no longer stays in the study to read, but puts tables and chairs in the small pavilion in the courtyard, accompanied by Ah Bai, stays there morning and night, warming up with a pot of tea by the side is enough.

"Son!"

The courtyard door was still closed tightly, Youbai climbed back from the courtyard wall as usual, and exploded excitedly before he landed.

Uncle Song was sweeping the yard, seeing this, he reminded Youbai, "There's still a month to go before the exam, don't disturb my lord."

"Don't disturb! Don't disturb!" Youbai said so, then jumped to the ground, ran to Zhao Liangyue, and began to chatter, "My lord, I went out for a stroll today and found that the talented scholars who participated in the imperial examination at the post station , They all work very hard!"

Zhao Liangyue ignored the nonsense like Yubai nonsense.

"Young master, don't ignore me. I also saw that Jinluan Wei, the king of Hades, gave some old hens for no reason. He is usually really fierce. There are a few rioters on the street. It should be The young masters of those families are so tyrannical that the Jingzhao Yamen can’t do anything about it, but guess what, the king of Hades galloped past, and the one who took the lead went straight out. Everyone was shocked, and the people in the Yamen hurriedly pressed down to make trouble Yes, before the old man who took someone could speak, Huo Hades left with a cold snort, really pretending too much."

Zhao Liangyue turned over a page of the book, glanced at Youbai, and said, "You obviously really appreciate Mr. Xing's physical skills."

"Appreciate? How is it possible, whose apprentice am I? If he handed over that set of marksmanship to me, I will definitely beat him to the ground."

"Okay, after the palace test is the military test. It is said that the examiner this year is Mr. Xing. I will find a way to let you take part in it. You can knock him down and prove yourself."

"Isn't that a piece of cake?" Youbai pursed her lips and said, "But I won't take your aggressive method, no matter how good my martial arts are, I will be by your side to protect you, so I won't be that troublesome child As for officials, every day is a troublesome bureaucracy, and there are intrigues."

Zhao Liangyue smiled and said: "Have you learned to be smart, and you know that I'm motivating you."

Youbai raised his eyebrows triumphantly, and said: "That's natural, besides, one of your heads is worth ten, I don't need to grow one."

"And a little bit of self-knowledge."

"Huh? I always feel something is wrong." Youbai twisted his head, and before he could think about it, a scent wafted over. Youbai took a strong breath, and his saliva secreted wildly. He turned his head and saw that it was Uncle Song bringing a bowl of soup.

Youbai jumped over to take it from Uncle Song's hand. The bowl was very hot. Uncle Song was holding a wet rag and hurriedly reminded him of his background, but Yubai didn't care. Just lift the lid.

"It's full of herbs, so much tonic!" Youbai couldn't help thinking of the experience of drinking tonic soup with Zhao Liangyue before, and then got a nosebleed, and began to hesitate whether to continue drinking it.

Uncle Song said with a smile: "It's still the new year's gift from Mr. Chu. The medicinal materials are enough for half a year, but don't drink pomelo. Children can't drink this. My son only drinks it after being in the cold for too long." After finishing speaking, Uncle Song went Cleaning up the kitchen, on the way he turned around and gave Youbai another warning look.

Youbai stuck out his tongue, suddenly thought of something, and asked Zhao Liangyue: "My lord, haven't we returned gifts to Xingfu and Chufu?"

"Of course not." Zhao Liangyue said casually, "It's not necessary, there are plenty of them."

"But isn't it intentional to return the gift? Although I don't like them very much."

Zhao Liangyue looked up at Youbai, who immediately shut up.

"Put your soup."

"Okay, okay!" Youbai hurriedly poured a bowl of soup for Zhao Liangyue, but in the end he couldn't bear the smell and drank most of the bowl.

Then, just like last time, Yubai finished drinking one second, and the next second he had a nosebleed. Uncle Song hurriedly found dried wormwood for him.

Zhao Liangyue looked at Youbai who was squatting by the well to wash his nosebleed, but smiled and said nothing.

Uncle Song gave Youbai a change of robe, and kept lecturing: "My child, I told you not to drink, you insist!"

"I was wrong, I was wrong, it's not that Uncle Song, your cooking skills are too good."

"Greedy, this has to be changed."

Youbai groaned aggrievedly, and when the nosebleed stopped, he turned over and jumped out of the courtyard wall.

"Where is this going?"

Zhao Liangyue looked at the direction, and said: "I guess it's Xuefang Courtyard again. Mrs. Xiao has always been used to him, and he's been living there for most of the time."

Uncle Song smiled and said, "Youbai is still young, it's always good for children to have more people to love them."

Zhao Liangyue thought of something, and sighed lightly: "Yeah, this child has never had a good time with me, and he is lucky now."

When winter goes to spring and returns, when the first burst of gentleness in Kyoto hits the face, the peach blossom branches see fresh green.

In February of February, the official office of the Ministry of Officials held a general examination and issued a tribute booklet. Wang Yuncheng won the Huiyuan and won two yuan in a row.

In the next month, with the sound of a long bell in the imperial city, a three-year palace examination began. At that time, tributes from all over the country entered the Changtai Hall through the Meridian Gate. Emperor Ping Chong personally presided over it, with the assistance of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Officials, to select the best candidates for admission. , Set out the top three.

Youbai watched Zhao Liangyue go in from afar outside the Meridian Gate, then turned around and prepared to go back to eat his own snacks and lie down. For some reason, he remembered that when they left Maozhou before, there was a mother who was crying non-stop with the wanderer who was about to go on a long journey. In the end, he could only helplessly watched him go.

Others still have family members to worry about, but on the other hand, the son, since his parents died young, the master has always treated him harshly. When they left, Mrs. Zhao only cared about whether the son could win the champion and shine in the lintel. , his concern is not as good as the farewell banquet before Zhizhou's departure.Youbai knows that the young master is determined now, so he won't take these things to heart, but he still doesn't want to let the young master look lonely in everything he does.

Just wait nearby for the young master to come out.Youbai looked around, found a tea stand and sat down.

A lot of people were already seated at the tea stand, some were waiting like Youbai, and some came to join in the fun.

"Tell me, who can win this palace test?"

"Brother, why don't you just ask Wang Yuncheng and Zhao Liangyue who can win the number one prize?"

"That's right, the number one scholar can only be selected from the two of them, so who do you think is better?"

Youbai pricked up his ears when he heard the discussion.

"I chose Wang Yuncheng, the son of Wang Shangshu, the unicorn talent of the Imperial Academy in Kyoto. Everyone has heard of it for many years."

"I'm optimistic about Zhao Liangyue. He hasn't even arrived in the capital yet. Just a single article brought by the magistrate of Maozhou can win the admiration of many talented scholars. His writing can be seen."

"I admire you, so don't take me with you. I think you can't tell the real talent with just one article. Maybe it's just talking on paper. Have you forgotten? The second son of Wang was 15 years old and he was at a loss in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty. At this time, he actually proposed a strategy to retreat from the enemy in response to Mobei's provocation, such a person is first-class in terms of talent and courage."

"Really? How did I hear that the plan was not conceived by Second Young Master Wang, but someone else?"

"You are talking nonsense out of jealousy. You still want to comment on something that the court has approved?"

"Isn't it doubtful? After all, the second son of Wang has not reappeared since then. He is indeed good at reciting poems and composing correctly. In your words, is it possible that he can still see his real talent?"

……

Youbai was listening to a few people's debates, hoping that those who supported his young master would win the fight, silently cheered for him, and listened intently, not noticing that someone had already walked towards him.

"Son, are you waiting for your son here?"

Youbai raised his head when he heard the sound, and saw that it was indeed Xing Shuo. Ever since he found out that he hated being called a child, this person grew up and grew up when he met him. At first, he tried to resist, but later, out of the old principle that people don't fight with officials, he I endured it silently.

"Child, I called you, why don't you speak?"

Youbai noticed that the people around had hurriedly saluted Xing Shuo, and then slipped away.

He really is the living King of Hades who is as frightening as Chu Bandit!

"Boss, here's your worst tea." Xing Shuo didn't care if Youbai liked it or not, and sat down opposite with his robe lifted, and greeted inside.

How dare the boss make the worst tea?Hastily rummaged through the box to find the best bubble.

Xing Shuo glanced at the chubby flesh on Yubai's face, which was obviously grown due to the New Year, and said with a smile: "Once this year is over, everyone will be a year older, only the child in front of me seems to be growing up again. One year younger."

Youbai couldn't help but sarcastically: "Unlike Mr. Xing, in a few years, you won't be able to walk on the old road."

Xing Shuo laughed twice, and said, "Interesting and interesting, by the way, who do you think can win the number one prize?"

Youbai said without hesitation: "Of course it's my son."

Xing Shuo shook his head and said, "I guess it's Wang Yuncheng, the second son of the Wang family."

"Impossible!" Youbai immediately retorted, "Although the story in Feixia Building has not been spread, my son did win the competition proposed by Wang Yuncheng, and that old man Tang who is very famous in your capital even admitted it!"

Xing Shuo took a sip of the hot tea offered by the boss, breathed out comfortably, and said, "Sure enough, I'm still a child."

"I'm not!" Youbai couldn't bear it anymore, "My son is better than that Wang Er!"

"All right, all right, I can't beat you." Xing Shuo looked at the Meridian Gate in the distance, half-closed his eyes, and said, "Why don't we make a bet and see who can win the champion in the end."

"Okay, how to bet?"

"If your young master wins, you can make any demands."

"Huh? Is there such a good thing?"

"I haven't finished yet. If you lose, you have to come to my house regularly to practice martial arts with me."

Listening to Youbai, he felt that he was not at a loss if he won or lost, so he immediately agreed.

"So confident? Those who practiced martial arts with me ended up with broken arms and legs."

"That's not true, I'm sure I'll win, Mr. Xing wait to admit defeat."

Xing Shuo turned his head to see Youbai's appearance that he was holding the winning ticket, smiled at the corner of his mouth, and shook his head.

When the twilight was about to end, the Meridian Gate opened, and I saw a group of talents coming out one after another, some happy and some sad.

Youbai found Zhao Liangyue in the crowd at a glance, got up and ran over, Xing Shuo estimated the price of tea, took out broken silver and put it on the table, and followed.

"My lord, don't you feel particularly good?" Youbai laughed.

Zhao Liangyue bowed to Xing Shuo, and replied Youbai: "It should be the second place."

"Ah?" Seeing Zhao Liangyue's relaxed tone, Youbai thought he was joking, "Can't you? Could it be that someone is that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, who became famous all over the world."

Zhao Liangyue shook his head and said, "The champion should be Wang Yuncheng."

"Wang Yuncheng?" Youbai was taken aback.

Xing Shuo saw Youbai's puzzled face from the side, smiled, and said to Zhao Liangyue: "It's still three days after the announcement, Mr. Zhao is sure so soon?"

Zhao Liangyue nodded, and said indifferently: "Some things can be seen from beginning to end at a glance."

The more Youbai thought about it, the angrier he became, and said: "I think it's because the imperial court dislikes that your family background is not as high as his."

Zhao Liangyue stared at Youbai, and scolded: "Why are you talking nonsense in such a place?"

Youbai hurriedly stopped talking, lowered his head, as if admitting his mistake, which made Xing Shuo laugh.

Zhao Liangyue said to Xing Shuo: "Tong's words are innocent, Master Xing, don't worry about it."

"Don't worry?" Xing Shuo smiled, "How many people in this capital want to kill me, I don't worry about it, let alone this mere child's talk." Xing Shuo deliberately emphasized the word "Tong Yan", so that he could hear it bluntly. Uncomfortable and helpless, I sigh in my heart that it is better to be a beauty, every time I go to him, I will receive snacks and fun.

"Master Xing is magnanimous." Zhao Liangyue thought about it for a while, and asked puzzledly, "I don't know what's important for Mr. Xing to come here?"

Hearing this, Xing Shuo adjusted his official uniform, and said, "Of course it's for business, please come with me, Mr. Zhao."

Youbai immediately stopped between the two, looked at Xing Shuo warily, and asked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm the commander of the Jinluan Guard, so of course I'm going to the Jinluan Guard, where else can I go?"

Youbai defended Zhao Liangyue tightly, and shouted: "No way! That's a place for dead people!"

Xing Shuo chuckled and said, "Our Jinluan Guard is a place where we are ordered to enforce the law. Why are we treated by dead people? Just look at me and I will be fine."

"Because you are the King of Hades, you..."

"Okay." Zhao Liangyue pulled Youbai away, and said, "Master Xing is doing things impartially, so I'll go. If Zhao has not done anything wrong, he should go and see the world."

"But, son..."

Zhao Liangyue patted Youbai's shoulder and said, "Go back and wait for me."

Youbai could only hold back his anger, watching Zhao Liangyue leave with Xing Shuo.

"We always have a little tail behind us."

When entering the Jinluan Guardhouse, Xing Shuo glanced at the wall behind him, and smiled at Zhao Liangyue.

Zhao Liangyue didn't need to guess and knew it was Youbai, so he replied: "Whenever the government officials handle a case, there are always curious children watching, Mr. Xing, don't take offense."

Xing Shuo smiled, and suddenly the long sword from his waist came out of its sheath and came to Zhao Liangyue's neck, and a dagger was also attached to his own neck.

"Master Xing!" Seeing this, Jin Luanwei's attendants surrounded him, all of them unsheathed their swords.

"Don't panic." Xing Shuo waved his subordinates to retreat, and said to Youbai who was holding a dagger to his neck, "Your movements are not so fast."

Youbai stared angrily, obviously very angry.

Xing Shuo was the first to put down his sword and put it back into its sheath neatly, and Youbai also put down his dagger.It's just that Zhao Liangyue was unscathed, and Xing Shuo himself obviously felt that the skin on his neck had been cut.

Tsk, try it out, the unlucky one is still yourself.

"Oh, it's all gone." Xing Shuo turned sideways to stop at the gate of Jinluanwei, and turned to invite Zhao Liangyue.

Zhao Liangyue looked at Youbai and said, "It's okay, let's go back."

"He put the sword on your neck!"

Zhao Liangyue smiled and said, "But I'm unscathed."

Youbai glanced at Zhao Liangyue mournfully, then looked at Xing Shuo with warning eyes, then stepped back a few steps and squatted under the big tree in front of Jinluanwei, saying: "I'll wait for my son here, and the time will not last for a stick of incense." Come out and I'll break in."

Xing Shuo laughed and said, "Child, do you know how big my Jinluan Guard is? It's enough for you to walk back and forth in the time it takes to burn incense."

Youbai thought for a while, then snorted, and said, "That's half an hour at most."

Xing Shuo nodded, and said to Zhao Liangyue: "You little guard is really tough, I, the commander of the Jinluan Guard, made him not panic."

Zhao Liang put on an apologetic smile, and said, "I'm used to children's temper."

"It doesn't matter." Xing Shuo turned and walked in, "Master Zhao come in with me, otherwise I will have someone tie you in."

Zhao Liangyue nodded slightly to Youbai to reassure him, and then followed Xing Shuo into the gate of Jinluan Guard.