How big is the mansion of the master of ceremonies, you can't see the end at a glance. You don't have to think about it carefully, and you can imagine that it has already exceeded the norm in terms of regulations.

The young eunuch who led the way in front of the head took Gu Cheng around and around, and walked for a long time, but he still couldn't step through the hanging flower gate.

I entered an ordinary duty room, and several young eunuchs and scholars sat around. Seeing Gu Cheng, no one got up, but glanced at him a few times, and then began to ask about the ingredients of the prescription and what the effect of each flavor was.

Gu Cheng didn't expect that he would be able to see the big Buddha the first time he came in—the power leaned towards the government and the opposition, and Chang Chitose was above ten thousand people under one person. Therefore, the attitude of the answer is very kind.

He is here to do business, and he can make money only when he is angry. As the saying goes, the king of Hades is easy to see that the little ghost is difficult, and the people under him can't be offended, otherwise they will make a stumbling block, which is really unguardable.

When it came to the so-called drug test, the pill was divided into two halves, and Gu Cheng and Xiao Shushu each took half a pill. After waiting for a quarter of an hour, another medical officer was called to come forward to check the pulse of the two. tossed around like this, but didn't say anything about the follow-up.

It was probably the medicine of the shopkeeper Wu that worked, and after a while, Gu Cheng only felt comfortable physically and mentally, and his ears and eyes were clear. The curtain of the door was lifted slightly, and he felt a fresh breeze blowing behind him, and before he could turn back, the people in the room stood up first.

The person who came was a twenty-four-five-year-old minister, and everyone respectfully called him a man of his word. Gu Cheng knew that it was the title of the second-in-command of the celebrant supervisor.

Being so young and climbing to such a high position shows that there must be something outstanding about him.

Everyone hugged him to his seat, offered new tea, and asked, "Why are you free today, are you here to say hello to the old man?" ”

Yan Bingbi turned a string of beeswax in his hand, and replied with a faint smile, "From now on, Long Live Lord will enter the West Garden for retreat, I'm afraid that I won't come out in ten days and a half months." I'm just busy stealing a little bit and coming to Chitose to serve for a while. When I came, I saw the old man's sedan chair parked in the hall, and his old man was resting in it. ”

Everyone hurriedly said yes, Yan Bingbi nodded, as if inadvertently, and his eyes turned on Gu Cheng's face. After gossiping for a few more words, he stood up, but said to Gu Cheng in the next sentence, "You are the one who was selected to buy medicine for Chitose Ye?" ”

Gu Cheng said yes, he bowed his head, and then said, "This head is okay for the time being, you go back and wait for news." I'm just going out to give you a ride. ”

The words were polite, and everyone couldn't help but look at each other when they listened. The person who had not looked at Gu Cheng with his eyes was originally looking at him, but at this moment, he had to look him up and down.

It's really lucky, a trader, actually got the blue eyes of Lord Bingbi. Listen to this word, it is sent out, could it be that the two of them have any origins?

Gu Chengcuo followed Yan Bingbi's side half a step later, and when he went out, he realized that people didn't mean to send him out at all. But with his hands behind his back, as if he was strolling leisurely, he went all the way to the garden.

Picked a small pavilion to stand still, Yan Bingbi instructed the little waiter next to him a few words, and the waiter agreed to retreat and ran away in the direction of the inner courtyard.

Only then did he turn around, look at Gu Cheng, and smile slightly, "Mr. Gu, please take a seat." ”

Gu Cheng was a little confused about what the other party meant, thanked him, and sat down as he said. I was only wondering if I had seen this Yan Bingbi somewhere.

"Mr. Gu has always been good? Speaking of which, our family and Mr. Gu are also old acquaintances, but looking at your appearance, you probably don't remember me. ”

Gu Cheng was slightly stunned, looked at the other party, and sincerely regretted, "Gu is clumsy, please give me some advice." ”

"You're so polite." Yan Bingbi smiled very freely, "The reunion of the old people is because I am abrupt." After all, after all these years, it's normal that you don't remember. It's better for me to remind you, Mr. Gu only thought about the palace test seven years ago. ”

Seven years ago, Gu Cheng was only seventeen years old.

Jindian took the exam, and it was impossible not to be nervous. It was the time when the pen was gone, but the little waiter who was waiting for the pen and ink next to him was more nervous than him, and he didn't pay attention to dip his sleeve into the inkstone, bringing out a few drops of ink, and splashing it on the jade version of the jade version that had written more than half of the article.

This is the imperial test, and it has always been the first priority to keep the volume neat and tidy, otherwise it is suspected of disrespecting the monarch. The little chamberlain trembled with fright, his face was sad, and his appearance was even bleaker than Gu Cheng's own person.

Fortunately, no one paid attention to the left and right exams, Gu Cheng looked at the little waiter who was about the same age as himself, and he couldn't bear it for a while. The other party never meant it, not to mention who would dare to joke with their own life and future on such an occasion? After thinking about it, he still raised his eyes and smiled at the other party in a friendly smile, shook his head lightly to signal that he didn't have to worry, and then pretended not to see the little smudge, and continued to bury his head in writing his article.

As for whether the filthy scroll had a substantial impact on his ranking, Gu Cheng did not know. Anyway, he never had much hope for his career, and as time passed, this incident gradually faded out of his memory.

Looking back on it now, it is vivid. He raised his eyes and looked at Yan Bingbi, and the other party's eyebrows still had traces of youthfulness.

With a relative smile, Yan Bingpen said, "It seems that Mr. Gu remembered that the mistake that our family accidentally made that day still had an impact on Mr. Gu." This is also after the incident, when our family was serving in front of the palace, we overheard the Long Live Lord and several adults in the Ministry of Rites talking about it. It turns out that Mr.'s article is to the point of the times, and the discussion is galloping, and the past is the present -- these are the original words of the Lord Long Live that day. It's a pity that for the sake of that little flaw on the surface, it was judged to be disrespectful and rigorous. Later, my husband was subordinate, and it was precisely because of my dereliction of duty and cowardice. ”

After he said that, he got up and gave Gu Cheng a deep bow, "After so many years, no matter how I am promoted in my official position, I still can't forget this matter." It was also because of that lesson that I learned to be cautious everywhere and always be careful. But in any case, I owe Mr. a word of apology. Although it has been many years late, I still ask my husband to accept my apology. ”

Gu Cheng hurriedly got up to support him, and said with a gentle smile, "Adults don't need to be like this, after years of old things, Gu has already been relieved, and adults don't have to forget it." What's more, Gu is not walking in officialdom now, and there is no way to talk about the influence of the past. ”

Maybe this is fate, his fortune has never been high, but he himself does not feel sorry for himself because of this, and that is enough. Life is just a few decades, if you always hold on to the regrets of the past, then there is really no way to take a new step.

After many years, Mr. Gu is still so magnanimous and indifferent. It's just that Mr. gave up his official position to engage in business, which was much surprising to me. Mr. is so elegant, it is really difficult to associate with the businessman. He smiled, as if looking for a softening expression for his words, "But Mr. always has his own reasons, and I can't speculate." To tell you the truth, I also recently heard an anecdote about Mr., you alone outwitted the cave immortal of the famous Jingshi, and finally persuaded her, so that the other party went to the empty building overnight. This matter is quite talked-about both in the palace and outside the palace. ”

Gu Cheng waved his hand, his expression was modest, "It's a trivial matter, which makes Master Yan smile." ”

The other party looked at him deeply and smiled slowly, "Having said so much, I also know why Mr. Gu is here today." We've been gossiping for a long time, but you haven't said a word about what's in front of you. Neither do you have a relationship with me on the right footing, nor do you bend your flattery to ask me to speak well for you. I have to say that you are still the same as back then, with the style of a gentleman. ”

Gu Cheng was a little embarrassed by his praise, he was self-aware, and he knew what to do when and what kind of things. But seriously speaking, he has lived for twenty-four years to flatter the ability to climb the pole, and he still hasn't learned it in the end. Or, it's not that it won't, I really can't describe it that way.

Yan Bingbi seemed to see through his thoughts, and suddenly the words changed, "So there are some things, I simply take the lead and decide for Mr." After saying this, the little minister who had just been sent by him had already returned and whispered a few words in his ear.

He nodded and chuckled, and then said to Gu Cheng, "Since Mr. is here, I should let you meet the true Buddha before leaving." Coincidentally, Master Chitose is free at this time, so we will accompany you on a trip and go inside to visit his old man. ”

I don't want to make mistakes in the past, but today's meeting has been fulfilled, Gu Cheng thought about it while walking, but he also had a sense of mistake.

Earlier, because his official position was not high enough, he did not have the opportunity to see Chang Quanyi, the palm seal of the celebrant eunuch, and the first time he saw this famous eunuch head, he realized that the other party was just a middle-aged man with a slightly fat figure and a female face.

The ministers who serve in a room are silent and quiet, and they are no different from serving in front of the emperor. He walked in and bowed to the man sitting at the top of him.

The moment he lowered his body, the reprimand voice sounded above his head, "Where did you come from, you don't kowtow when you see Chitose Ye, there are no rules!" ”

He didn't stand up straight, but he could see Yan Bingbi whispering to Eunuch Chang. The person who listened to the head for a long time slowly opened his mouth, "That's it, since he is a person with merit and fame, and he is also a protégé of Long Live Lord, how dare our family accept his head." ”

According to the rules of the dynasty, no matter how low the rank of the officials of the outer court, there is no need to kneel and bow when they see the eunuchs of the inner court, and the same should be true for those who have meritorious deeds. This is a major event related to the style of Si Wen, but time has changed, etiquette has collapsed, and this rule has long been in vain, so that people like Gu Cheng, who guard their dignity, have become an outlier, which will inevitably make the people around Chang Quanyi look sideways.

Fortunately, Chang Quanyi just talked about it, and then didn't mention it again, "I heard that you are Gu Huaifeng's nephew, and the household department is in charge of the affairs of the imperial businessman's name, why is your uncle not good at helping, so that you haven't even earned an imperial businessman so far?" ”

Gu Huaifeng had already let go of his words and stopped caring about him, not to mention that he gave up his official position to engage in business, which touched the scale of others. He pondered for a moment and replied, "What Gu did was a small business that didn't make it happen, and it couldn't get into the eyes of my uncle and several adults in the Internal Affairs Office. Uncle originally had no time to ask about many things, and Gu Mou was inconvenient to bother, and the name of the imperial merchant was even more daring to think about it. ”

"Well, it's interesting, I keep a cheap relative, but I don't need it yet!" Chang Quanyi's voice was thin, unhurried like a woman knocking his teeth, "It seems that Gu Huaifeng is honest and fair, but if you want me to say, the court still pays attention to being virtuous and does not avoid relatives." If it's really good, he won't be afraid of what people say, so it can be seen that he is also obscure. ”

After taking a sip of tea, Chang Quanyi said again, "It's not that you didn't think about it at all, otherwise, how could you just know that I was going to purchase medicine?" You're just thinking farther and deeper. It's always good for young people to have ideas, not to mention that you are a person who has read books, knows books and reason, and is smarter than those who started their business by stealing and playing tricks with their bare hands, and I like smart people. ”

After a pause, he suddenly laughed, "A few days ago, that fairy girl made a fuss in the capital, did you tell you to leave?" ”

Gu Cheng said yes, but said, "That immortal in the cave traveled all over the world, and he didn't plan to live in the capital for a long time. Gu persuaded her to go elsewhere to help the world and save people, and she readily agreed. People who want to come to cultivate have their own set of regulations, and Gu Mou just happened to go. ”

"You saved the Jingli medicine store alone, which can be regarded as an act of accumulating virtue and doing good, it is rare that you are not proud of your achievements." Chang Quanyi glanced at him and shook his head, "But it's a pity, I said that I would meet that fairy girl, and I don't know if she is really capable or a charlatan." Well, according to you, is there really an immortal in this world? ”

So who knows? However, today's saints believe in Taoism, and often ask immortals for medicine, making a good inner court like Laojun's Danfang. Up and down, no one dares to say that there are no gods in this world.

But in this way, Chang Quanyi should have heard too much, Gu Cheng decided to go off the rails with his sword, "Shengdou Xiaomin is not enough to speak of the avenue, Gu has no chance to see the immortals show supernatural powers, so he has to rely on what he sees, read a sentence, and the son is silent." ”

"Ahem, after talking for a long time, I still don't get rid of the foundation of a scholar." Chang Quanyi blew the tea soup and said casually, "After doing business, it is also a little interesting not to forget the teachings of the sages." People can't forget their roots, this word works at any time, don't change the original intention, our family likes such people. ”

Of course, he said it casually, and Gu Cheng listened to it at will, for an insignificant person like him, Chang Quanyi was already a face-saving person. So as soon as he left, someone immediately questioned his words.

Chang Quanyi listened with his eyes closed, and asked the people around him for a while, "You think he is arrogant, I say that he is a little arrogant at most." Nowadays, the shameless faces of scholars, do we still see less? It's easy to have a less disgusting one, and you don't roll in the quagmire of officialdom, but I'm afraid that you can still preserve some pure character. Such a person is often seen, and it is regarded as washing his own eyes. ”

"Chitose means, you still have a little affection for this surnamed Gu?"

Chang Quanyi snorted, "What's the favor?" It's just not annoying! ”

The people around him looked at each other, and Chitose's attitude was understated, and it seemed that he could put his mind at ease. But after a while, a smile appeared on Chitose Ye's slightly chubby face.

"You monkey cubs pondered, don't hate three words, it's nothing." He opened his eyes and swept over one person to another, "Sue you, at my age, to meet someone who is not annoying, it is already a needle in a haystack, which is commendable." ”

Gu Cheng didn't know that he had received such a high evaluation, and he didn't see any news when he went back and waited for a long time. It wasn't until he had almost forgotten about it that the celebrant reappeared in front of him. This time, it was Chang Quanyi himself who asked him to come over to talk about it.

The carved beams and painted buildings, the jagged pavilions are displayed in Gu Cheng's eyes little by little, this time it is really a long drive in, straight to Chang Quanyi's inner study. When I got to the bottom of the porch, I heard the sound of a piano piercing through the clouds and cracking stones. The minister who led the way motioned for him to wait at the door for a moment. After playing a song in the house, I took him into the study.

Gu Cheng still bowed, and heard the other party ask, "How did our family play that song just now?" ”

He pondered his words, slowly straightened up, and saw Chang Quanyi wearing a dark color robe, wide clothes and big sleeves. Just looking at it, it's really a bit of a celebrity.

There is also a famous piano ringing spring on his case, but none of these can attract Gu Cheng's attention. His gaze was firmly locked by something else—he looked fixedly at a painting hanging on the wall behind Chang Quanyi, and his heart felt like he had knocked over a five-flavor bottle.

That painting was copied by the Shen family that day, Qian Zhi took the sheep from Shen Huan's boudoir and gave it to him, and he took one hundred taels as a ransom, and Emperor Daojun listened to the piano picture.