==Chapter 59==

From the location of the window on the second floor of Ziyun Building, you can clearly see all the scenes of the open-air platform.

Emperor Chengyuan raised his hand and pointed to the many pink and jade girls on the platform, but they were all beautiful as flowers, "Emperor, do you have a favorite?" ”

At this time, on the second floor of this Ziyun Building, except for a few chamberlains, only Emperor Chengyuan and the prince who met Jiuniang before were left, while King Chu, King Cheng and others were gone.

Judging from the situation at this time, Jiu Niang's guess was not wrong, this moon-viewing night banquet was indeed for the prince to choose a concubine, and the prince knew about this matter long before he came.

Looking at the bright moon in the sky, the prince looked a little trance, heard the words of Emperor Chengyuan, and looked over, the girls on the platform were graceful, the warblers were singing, laughing, the moon was shy and beautiful, but none of them could keep his eyes.

A smile slowly hung on his thin face, and he glanced at Emperor Chengyuan, "Father, the child listens to you." ”

A touch of pain flashed in Emperor Chengyuan's eyes, it was so obvious and sad, but it was fleeting, and his domineering voice fell, "Zhang'er, father-"

The smile on the prince's face widened, and his voice was clear, "The child understands what the father means, and the child understands." ”

Emperor Chengyuan clenched his fists tightly, obviously he was not yet fifty years old, but his hair was already gray, and his majestic and resolute face was full of deep wrinkles.

For so many years, as the honor of the Ninth Five-Year Plan, he has to worry about the government and politics, but also worry about the prince's sick body, obviously he should be in the prime of life, but it seems that he has entered the twilight.

My father is old.

There was a violent sourness in the prince's heart, and this sourness was mixed with a kind of frustration that was more than enough but not enough, it was so intense.

He closed his eyes quickly and forcefully, then opened them again, and smiled even brighter, "Father, you can choose for the child, the father always knows what the child likes." ”

……

The huge field was full, and there were all ministers and princes and nobles in the court.

The sound of silk and bamboo orchestra wafts in the night sky, and there are a group of beautiful dancers singing and dancing, full of guests or talking to the people next to each other, or getting up to his table to toast and talk, holding all kinds of wine and delicacies in the palace maids bow their heads back and forth in the banquet, all kinds of glass lamps will shine magnificently in the field.

There was no one on the first dragon chair.

King Zhao and King Cheng, who were sitting in the first place on the left, were drinking wine rather unpleasantly, while looking at the singing and dancing in the field with fluttering eyes, and moved to the second floor directly in front of them from time to time.

The place was brightly lit, and at first glance, it seemed inconspicuous against the full house of guests, but if it was inconspicuous, how could the kings of Cheng linger.

"Looks like we don't have anything to do today." King Zhao sipped a glass of wine and said.

The King of Chu glanced at him sideways, but he didn't make a sound.

King Cheng smiled, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's choice of concubine is a happy event, and he should be happy, why does the second emperor seem to be dissatisfied?" ”

King Zhao seemed to have drunk a little too much, holding the table in one hand and the wine cup in the other, drunk eyes, "Go, you will pretend, I don't believe you feel comfortable!" ”

King Qi has always been close to King Zhao, but at this time, seeing that King Zhao was misbehaving, he hurriedly stopped him from continuing to pour wine, "Second Emperor Brother, you drink less, if you really want to drink, my brother will accompany you to drink well when you go back." ”

King Qi's mother concubine is at the end of the four concubines, she is not favored, and her mother is not a powerful family, in the early years, King Qi's mother was attached to Liu Guifei, this attachment has not changed even after King Qi was born, and King Qi is from the line of King Zhao.

"I don't know if this king is comfortable in his heart, but this king looks very uncomfortable when he looks at the second emperor brother, is the second emperor brother questioning his father's decision?"

With such a good opportunity, the sworn enemy King Cheng naturally spared no effort to dig a pit for King Zhao.

King Zhao wanted to say something, but he was covered by King Qi, King Qi squinted his eyes and became a king, "Brother Three Emperors, Brother Two Emperors are drunk, are you also drunk?" Grab a word and don't lose it, why don't we go to my father and talk about it? ”

King Cheng smiled indifferently, raised the wine cup and took a sip, looking like he didn't want to worry about King Qi.

In fact, not to mention King Zhao, King Cheng and King Qi are not comfortable in their hearts. The age of the big wedding, but was ignored by Emperor Chengyuan, although there are a lot of concubines in each house, but the meaning of the big wedding is known to several people how important it is, not only can the marriage increase their own help, the key is to justifiably give birth to a little emperor and grandson.

King Zhao and King Cheng both have one or two concubines in their mansions, and they originally looked at the faces of Emperor Chengyuan and gave them a little smile. Who knew that it didn't get it, but it provoked reprimand, and the royal family's addition of heirs was a great thing for the whole world to celebrate, but it became a matter of avoiding and avoiding it on King Zhao and King Cheng. Not only was there no reward, but the little imperial grandsons and little imperial granddaughters born to concubines still don't even have a name, let alone a jade.

Now all the princes understood that Emperor Chengyuan didn't like this kind of behavior, and the horse slapped on the horse's leg.

Emperor Chengyuan naturally won't reveal his vague mentality, just take his grandson to talk about things, Daqi has always been important to the eldest and not the longest, everyone knows it, but if you don't get married, where did you come from!

Although King Cheng and King Zhao regretted that they could not choose their own concubines, they could finally get married, and they could have sons in the name of righteousness, and they were all very happy, and even the queen, Liu Guifei and other people's mothers were overjoyed these days.

I didn't know that it was for the prince to choose a concubine!

Emperor Chengyuan actually had the idea of letting Mr. Prince give out his son, and did not allow anyone to rush ahead!

Just that sick seedling, now he can't even walk on his own, can he use it if he chooses a concubine! But it's not okay if you're not convinced, whoever makes the family the prince, who makes the family both the grandson and the long!

For so many years, the crown prince has taken away all the fatherly love and eyes of Emperor Chengyuan, saying that it is false to feel uncomfortable in his heart, hatred is true, I can't wait for him to die quickly, I can't wait to break him into pieces!

King Cheng glanced at the second floor of Ziyun Tower again, and suppressed the anger in his heart.

King Chu, who was sitting on the side, watched this scene, and the corners of his mouth were almost undetectable.

*

Everyone didn't expect that this concubine selection banquet was actually for the crown prince.

Because of the prince's physical reasons, as well as his repeated refusal of Emperor Chengyuan's selection of concubines, people have long fallen into a misunderstanding, the prince does not marry a concubine, even if he marries, he has already had a candidate. So when the holy decree was read on the spot, everyone was stunned, including Empress Xiao and Concubine Liu, including Meng Changxi.

Emperor Chengyuan pointed out the queen of the Wang family, Yan'er, as the crown princess, and chose an auspicious day to get married.

Looking at the plump girl who was stunned on the spot, surprised and happy, and seemed to have a complicated mood, Jiu Niang's eyes flashed, and she vaguely matched the emaciated and silent princess in her previous life.

Until the feast ended, many people still couldn't slow down. But everyone knows that the Wang family is coming out now.

The Wang family is one of the top families, and they have always been low-key, giving people the feeling that they are even inferior to the Xiao family. There is a crown princess in the family this time, but even the Meng family has to look at the back of her neck.

Some discerning people were surprised, but they couldn't help but have the mentality of looking at the Meng family's jokes. As for what the Meng family is feeling, only they know.

The next day, the news spread widely in Chang'an City, and everyone knew that the daughter of the Wang family was elected as the crown princess, and His Royal Highness the prince was going to get married.

This news is more far-reaching than imagined, not to mention the situation outside, at least there is a commotion inside the Anguo Mansion.

Wang Yan'er's mother-in-law, Mrs. Wang, is the sister of the county lord of Chaoxia and the niece of the county lord of Chaoxia, and Princess Changping is Wang Yan'er's maternal grandmother.

After hearing this news, the county lord of Chaoxia immediately smiled.

*

"You're going to study in the country?"

Duchess An Guo looked at the girl in front of her with complicated eyes.

The girl is dressed in a plain smoky emerald color short skirt with a moon-white long skirt, which looks particularly beautiful and refined. She stood in the hall with her eyelids half-furled, respectful and deceitful. Whether it is in terms of appearance or temperament, Duchess An Guo has to admit that the girl in front of her has become one of the more outstanding daughters of the Xiao family.

Although the Duchess of An Guo did not go to the moon viewing banquet that day, she also learned a lot, although she regretted that no one in her family was selected, but what happened to Cui's family made her feel quite churning for a long time.

Xiao Jiuniang actually walked with the crown prince Zhao Wang and others, and she seemed to be familiar with it?

Duchess An Guo couldn't help but think a lot, and even sighed that Xiao Jiuniang was too young, otherwise, maybe the Xiao family would be able to have a princess this time.

If this kind of idea is known to outsiders, it will probably think that Duchess An Guo is delusional and daydreaming. In fact, everyone didn't know that Xiao Jiuniang's name did appear in Emperor Chengyuan's mind that day, and let him think about it for a long time, the prince seemed to be approachable, but in fact rejected people thousands of miles away, for so many years, the noble girl who could make the prince look at him differently, except for one Meng Changxi, there was only one Xiao Jiuniang.

Especially the son disappeared for a while before, but he was with this Xiao Jiuniang, although he learned from the mouth of the inner servant that the prince and Xiao Jiuniang only met by chance, but the prince was able to speak out and let Jiuniang go the same way, which was already a surprise to Emperor Chengyuan.

For a moment, Emperor Chengyuan had the idea of making Xiao Jiuniang the crown princess.

It's a pity that this thought was quickly suppressed, Xiao Jiuniang is too young, not even fourteen, how can she reproduce at such a young age. After choosing the queen of the Wang family, Yan'er, everyone thought about it, and even guessed whether Emperor Chengyuan had made any big moves. No one knows that the reason why Emperor Chengyuan ordered Wang Yan'er was just because she was easy to give birth to, and her status was not low.

Outsiders don't know about this, Jiuniang doesn't know, and Duchess Anguo doesn't know, but it doesn't affect her appreciation of Xiao Jiuniang.

This kind of appreciation is to see Jiu Niang's potential in the future, and also to see her future use value, especially at this time because of the sudden rise of the Wang family, to put it more clearly, Princess Changping can be proud again. Duchess An Guo was already having a headache about the previous affairs between the county lord of Chaoxia and Xiao Jiuniang, and this time Xiao Jiuniang proposed to go to Guozijian to study, which couldn't help but make her appreciate the other party's ambition and solve a problem for her. Thinking that Jiu Niang is still young now, and she will not delay the future, Duchess An Guo readily agreed.

"Your idea is good, so be it, grandmother will order someone to do this, and you will wait for good news."

It's good to have someone do it for you, thinking about the name card of King Chu in her sleeve, Jiuniang feels that there is no need to take it out.

*

The speed of Anguo Mansion was very fast, and soon Jiuniang received a message from Anrong Yuan.

At the same time, there was also a set of Guozijian's regular clothes, and a school card engraved with Xiao Jiuniang's name, as well as an approval document for admission.

Knowing that Jiuniang was going to study in the country, the little ladies of the Xiao family were all envious, Xiao Sanniang also had this idea back then, but unfortunately no one in the Xiao family paid attention to this matter, she has always been supple and docile, and she just thinks about it herself.

In the Xiao family's thoughts, the daughter was raised, and she was used to get married. Appearance and knowledge are just added value, and it is better to go to some banquets of various families with that little effort, and strive to win a good reputation, so that it will be easier to marry in the future.

Two days later, the time for Jiuniang to enter school arrived.

Early in the morning, the Cuiyun Pavilion was busy.

After breakfast, Lianzhi and the others took out the plain-colored Guozijian student clothes and served Jiuniang to put them on.

As soon as the clothes were in his hands, the lotus branch showed an unhappy look, and while serving Jiu Niang to put it on, he complained: "Lady, this dress is too ugly, although the material is good, but the color is dull, it is not as good as the clothes worn by our slaves." ”

Indeed, the student's regular uniform is pale blue, with a short undergarment on the upper body and a long skirt of the same color on the bottom. If a man wears this color, it is probably still good, but a girl of Jiuniang's age, which is not red or yellow, no matter how bad it is, there is an emerald color, and the embroidery on the clothes is even more varied. The pale blue color of this water is not even embroidered, and it is no wonder that the lotus branch complains and feels wronged by his own lady.

"Okay, since it's a student uniform, everyone must be like this, it's just to go to school, not to fight for beauty."

Lianzhi thought about it, but didn't complain at the exit. It's just that when I helped Jiu Niang comb her hair, I inevitably put some thought on her head.

Too brightly colored beaded sideburns can't be used, too many hair buns are not worthy of this dress, Lianzhi helped Jiu Niang comb an anti-bun, just wrapped a string of rice beads on both sides of the hair rope, pinned a butterfly hosta behind the head, and also brought a pair of jade butterfly earrings on the ears.

Dressed like this, it looks a lot pretty, and there is a touch of immaturity that should be in this age. Throwing away the gorgeous and graceful dress, this is what a thirteen-year-old girl should look like.

After that, Lianzhi and Xiaocui carried Jiuniang's book bag, and the other followed behind, first took a soft sedan chair to the side door, and then changed to a carriage and went to Guozijian.

The carriage stopped at the gate of the Guozijian, and Lianzhi handed the book bag to Jiu Niang, this is not in the family study, but what maid maid cannot take with him. Only one steward of the Anguo Mansion accompanied Jiuniang into the Guozijian, and he also took Jiuniang to the academy to which he belonged.

Jiuniang was divided into Tai College, and Guozijian was divided into six schools, the so-called six schools, which refers to Guozi Studies, Tai Studies, Four Studies, Law, Calligraphy and Arithmetic. Among them, there are 1,000 students in law, calligraphy, and arithmetic, and all of them are the descendants of officials below the eighth grade and the students of Shuren. There are 800 students in the four schools, and the students are all the descendants of officials of the seventh rank or above, and the 500 students of the Tai Academy are all relatives of the emperor and the descendants of officials of the third grade or above in the current dynasty.

Not to mention that the Anguo Mansion is the title of the Duke of Guo, and the position of the county lord of the second grade is enough for Jiu Niang to enter the Tai Academy full of noble children of the family.

All the way into the Tai College, most of the buildings of the Tai College are beautiful and green, although there are no floors and stacked pavilions, but the houses are also lined up. After walking through a few rows of teaching houses, entering the backyard is a two-story small building, and the steward led Jiuniang into the small building, came to a room and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

After getting permission, I pushed the door and entered, and I saw a neatly arranged study, facing a large bookcase in the direction of the door, and behind the bookcase sat an old man with gray hair, who looked about fifty years old, and this person was Sima Hongyu, the head of the Tai Academy.

The steward stepped forward and respectfully exchanged a few words with Dr. Sima, and then led Jiuniang forward to salute. After the steward left, Dr. Sima led Jiuniang to a nearby house, and asked a scholar surnamed Qin to lead Jiuniang to the teaching house.

When we arrived at the first teaching house in the second row, it was time for the first class to start and the second class to begin. Seeing that Qin Dianxue had learned, the male and female students in the teaching hall took the initiative to get up and say hello, Qin Dianxue nodded while coming to a bookcase in front of him, stood still, and said, "There are new students arriving today, I hope everyone can get along in harmony in the future." Ruan Ling'er, after the class is over, you can take the new students to familiarize yourself with the situation of the college. ”

"Yes, Qin Dianxue." In the back of the right side of the teaching house, a well-behaved girl answered.

Qin Dianxue looked at Xiao Jiuniang sideways and said, "Xiao Yu, you can go to your seat." ”

There are only 30 low tables in the large teaching room, and there is a seat behind each table, and the seat is covered with soft cushions. Jiu Niang looked up and saw that there was a low desk on the right back, so she took the book bag and walked there.

There were bursts of curious eyes between the walks, and there were not many Qin Dian scholars who had been taught, and everyone was relatively restrained.

When she came to her bookcase, Jiu Niang found that on the seat next to her, it was Ruan Ling'er who took her to familiarize herself with the situation of the academy after the end of the class, so she nodded and smiled at her kindly.

Ruan Ling'er was born petite and exquisite, about the same age as Jiu Niang, but she was quite shy and shy. Seeing Jiu Niang smiling at herself, she couldn't help but blush.

Qin Dianxue had already begun to lecture on it, Jiu Niang listened to a few words, and knew that Qin Dianxue was talking about the "Book of Rites", so she took out the scroll that had been prepared before.

Tai College has a heavy curriculum, "Analects", "Book of Filial Piety", and "Erya" are compulsory courses, and then "Zhou Yi", "Shangshu", "Mao Poems", "Zuo's Spring and Autumn", and "Book of Rites" in the Five Classics, must take two courses. In addition, the six arts of Confucianism are also compulsory. Before going to Guozijian in the future, Jiu Niang didn't think that she was walking on the way to the teaching house, and after Qin Dianxue's explanation, Jiu Niang's head was big now.

You must know that she was in the Lanling clan in the two years, plus the miscellaneous studies in the previous life, but only learned the "Book of Filial Piety" and "Erya", and the "Analects" only learned a little, and now not only in addition to learning these three doors again, but also to choose the Five Classics, as well as the six arts of Confucianism, thinking of the six arts, archery, royal, Jiuniang can't help but shudder.

But people have already come, and now they can only learn hard, so as not to make people laugh. What's more, since entering the National Prison, Jiu Niang feels that the atmosphere inside is not bad, it is always better to fight with people at home every day, and she can also avoid some social occasions between some upper-class nobles. In view of the experience in her previous life, Jiuniang actually doesn't like those so-called social occasions.

Jiu Niang was rubbing the book in her hand in a chaotic manner below, and Qin Dianxue, who was lecturing above, couldn't help but shake her head when her eyes moved here.

*

Almost half an hour later, a bell rang in the courtyard, and Qin Dianxue said a word before turning around and leaving.

After Qin Dianxue left, the students in the dormitory began to pack up their things. The curriculum of this Tai Academy is very loose, there are only four classes a day, two classes on each side, and it is the end of the second class at this time, and the class will be held in the afternoon, and it will be too late.

Jiu Niang looked out the window at the sky, it was only three quarters of an hour now, and there was still nearly an hour and a half before the afternoon class.

"What's your name, please? My name is Nguyen Ling'er. ”

A small voice sounded beside her, and Jiu Niang looked sideways and found that Ruan Ling'er looked hesitant and very hesitant.

This girl is a little timid, this is Jiu Niang's first impression.

"My name is Xiao Yu, and I am ranked ninth at home, you can call me Jiuniang."

Ruan Ling'er seemed to be very surprised by Jiu Niang's kindness, and her little face turned even redder, but she finally mustered up the courage to say: "Qin Dianxue asked me to take you to familiarize yourself with the situation of the academy, it's still early for the afternoon class, are you hungry?" If you're hungry, I'll take you to the dining hall to eat, and if you're not hungry, I'll take you around. ”

"I'm not hungry yet, let's go."

The two girls each picked up their books and left the school.

……

Guozijian occupies a large area, not to mention other houses, just the academy where classes are held is divided into five large courtyards, and Tai Academy is one of them.

After the five colleges, the direction on the right side of the back is the canteen where the students eat daily, as well as the dormitory and a back garden for students to relax during recess, but few students in the college will stay in the dormitory, most of these people's homes are in Chang'an, and the children of noble officials are all over, and the students who will live in the dormitory are either not in Chang'an, or the children of some common people.

Ruan Ling'er took Jiu Niang to look around, and then led her to the back garden, this garden is no different from the garden in the general mansion, the only difference is that it is not so delicate and gorgeous, mainly simple, but the area is quite large, the grass and trees are lush, there are stone tables and stone benches every few steps, and a pavilion for resting.

At this time, there were many people in the garden, there were male students wearing the regular clothes of the national eunuch holding books and shaking their heads, and there were also female students who were talking and laughing together in twos and threes.

After walking around the garden for a while, Ruan Ling'er and Jiu Niang talked about the common knowledge that many Guozijian students knew, and when they saw that the time was almost noon, they led Jiu Niang to the dining hall.

This canteen is just an abbreviation, and it looks quite good from the outside, with a three-storey building and an area that is not small. The first floor is a place for ordinary students to eat, where there is no need to spend money to eat, and meals are served uniformly, and no food can be ordered. The second floor is a bit more upscale than the first, and there is a menu to order, but you have to pay for the meal. As for the third floor, the second floor is more upscale than the second, and the third floor is full of private rooms, and only those students who are extremely wealthy and pay attention to pomp and circumstance will come here to eat together.

Seeing that there were only two of them, and it was not easy to be too eye-catching when she first entered the school, Jiu Niang led Ruan Ling'er to the second floor.

The girl led her around the country for a long time, and not only did she not get bored, but she was extremely patient, and it was necessary to invite someone to dinner. But Ruan Ling'er waved her hand again and again, saying that it would be good to eat on the first floor, and the food on the second floor was too expensive.

Jiu Niang was puzzled, although she was a newcomer, she knew some basic information, most of the people who could study in Tai Academy were either rich or noble, and Tai College only accepted the descendants of the emperor's relatives and the descendants of the three grades or above, this Ruan Ling'er behaved like a noble girl from a mansion. However, this is someone else's business, and it is not appropriate to ask more questions when meeting for the first time, Jiu Niang's curiosity is actually not too much.

And Jiuniang made a windfall, in addition to letting the lotus branch buy people, most of the money on weekdays is not used, and finally there is a place to make money, how can you not be happy. What's more, she really wanted to thank Ruan Ling'er, she had seen a lot of nobles and nobles who had a lot of hearts, and as soon as she saw such a sincere girl, Jiu Niang couldn't help but feel good, and she dragged Ruan Ling'er to the second floor.

In fact, the reason why Ruan Ling'er refused was because she didn't want to cause trouble to others, and seeing Jiu Niang's resolute attitude, she no longer refused to follow her up to the second floor.