==Chapter 60==

The layout of the second floor is similar to that of the first floor, with a huge venue and many tables. In the meantime, potted plants were used as partitions, and many male and female students sat here for lunch.

Jiuniang thought that the second floor was more secluded than the below, but she never thought that the second floor was more crowded than the first floor. However, it is conceivable that most of the students who can come to Guozijian to study are not poor in their families, and they will not care about this lunch money. Jiu Niang looked at it and saw that there were almost no empty seats on the second floor, Ruan Ling'er naturally saw this, and couldn't help but pull Jiu Niang's sleeves and said, "Jiu Niang, otherwise, let's go to the first floor." ”

Jiu Niang didn't mind what she ate for lunch, but since she had decided to invite Ruan Ling'er to lunch, she naturally couldn't give up halfway. Since there are no empty tables on the second floor, let's go to the third floor.

"Let's go to the third floor."

With that, Jiu Niang turned around and walked towards the stairs.

At this moment, a female voice suddenly sounded on a table on the right side of the entrance on the second floor. Because it is not far away, and most of the students in Guozijian are not badly educated, even if they are talking and laughing, their voices are relatively low, and this female voice is not covered at all, so it is naturally very high-profile.

"Hey, Ruan Mengling, isn't that your cheap sister? Why did she come up to the second floor today, I remember that she always ate on the first floor. ”

Jiuniang turned her head to look at that place, and saw three girls sitting on the table, all of whom were not very old, about fourteen or fifteen years old, and it was one of the girls who spoke, her appearance was not bad, her melon seed face and willow eyebrows were fine, and her cheekbones were slightly high, showing a little meanness.

And the girl named 'Ruan Mengling' has a somewhat similar face to Ruan Ling'er, but she is more delicate than Ruan Ling'er. Guozijian's student uniform was already dull in color, but she wore it a little brightly, not that Ruan Mengling had a unique vision, but after Jiuniang came to Guozijian, she found that many female students wore it like this. The pale blue short undergarment on the upper body is unchanged, but the skirt below is much more colorful, with all kinds of colors and patterns, and it can be regarded as one of the dog meat sold with a sheep's head.

Girls of this age are all beauty-loving, and most of the people who come here to study are either rich or noble, and most of the doctors and classics in the country are blind to this kind of behavior. On the contrary, there are very few people like Jiuniang who wear a student uniform in a regular manner. Everyone who has spent time in the national prison knows that those who can wear it like this are those lowly common people.

It's a pity that Jiu Niang didn't know this, and Ruan Ling'er also wore a student uniform honestly, so she didn't think much about it.

It's just that she didn't think much about it, it doesn't mean that others won't think about it, she has long said that she can come to Guozijian to study, and most of them have good backgrounds, so the behavior of the students in the courtyard on weekdays is very restrained, because I don't know when I will provoke a big person.

Jiuniang used to stay in Lanling, and then returned to Chang'an and rarely went out to show up, and she was born in the Guozi Prison, and the three girls here didn't know each other, so she was mistaken for a lowly commoner.

The Great Qi class is clearly hierarchical, although it is not as hierarchical as between the scholars and the common people in the old Tang Dynasty, but the situation is only slightly alleviated than at that time. Although the former emperor and the current Emperor Chengyuan have always advocated the promotion of the children of the Han family, and will also open the door to many outstanding children of the Han family as the highest institution of learning, the discrimination and hostility between each other have always existed.

Ruan Mengling's willow eyebrows picked out an extremely contemptuous arc, and she didn't even glance at Jiuniang beside Ruan Ling'er, and said to Ruan Ling'er: "I haven't seen you for a long time, you can grow a little longer, but it's a pity that this is just my extravagant hope, just mix with a lowly commoner, and come out to throw me away!" ”

Ruan Ling'er's little face suddenly turned red, and she wanted to cry but couldn't hold back.

In fact, she would have cried a long time ago, but she hadn't forgotten Xiao Jiuniang, who suffered from the 'unjustified disaster' on the side. Ruan Mengling usually bullied her, and she just endured it, but when it affected innocent people, Ruan Linger felt that she couldn't bear it.

So she mustered up a lot of courage and stopped in front of Jiu Niang, "Ling'er, I, I'm your sister, how can you, how can you talk to me like this, and Jiu Niang is not a lowly commoner." ”

A passage made her stumble, and her little face was red, and it was conceivable that this kind of behavior was probably the first time.

Jiu Niang couldn't help touching the tip of her nose, it doesn't matter if she is said to be a lowly commoner for no reason, what is strange about her is Ruan Ling'er's attitude.

Not to mention that I was born in the Xiao family since I was a child, and I have seen too many sharp teeth, clever tongues, red mouths and white teeth, and honey-bellied swords. Shouldn't you seize a weakness and chase after it, so that the other person can't lift his head, and let himself get what he wants?

Jiuniang didn't miss to hear the sentence 'sister', her sister was bullied by her sister like this, and Jiuniang had already taught her why Hua'er was so popular.

However, Jiu Niang has never been a nosy person, seeing this situation, she knows that there are many stories behind the Ruan family sisters, although she has a good impression of Ruan Ling'er, but she will not judge arbitrarily if she does not figure it out.

"I don't have a sister like you!" Ruan Mengling looked disdainful.

Ruan Ling'er was suddenly choked and burst into tears.

The small-eyed girl who looked a little mean before spoke: "Okay, okay, you don't have to say a few words, don't affect our mood with dinner." ”

"Hmph, don't leave quickly, there is no place on the second floor, you better hurry up and go back to your first floor with this common man." Ruan Mengling scolded, and while looking at Ruan Ling'er, she glanced at Jiu Niang with disdain.

Ruan Mengling was not in a good mood today, without him, she had made an appointment with her friends to have lunch, but when she arrived, she found that there was no place, and the only empty table was next to the staircase.

On weekdays, Ruan Mengling naturally wouldn't sit here, in her thoughts, people come and go here, it's very noisy, and her status is lowered. But she was quite hesitant to spend money to invite someone to eat on the third floor, everyone on the third floor of the Guozijian Canteen knew that the food was notoriously expensive, and it was not worse than some big restaurants in Chang'an City.

Although Ruan Mengling thinks that she is not from a bad background, she also spends a lot of money on weekdays, and it costs her several months to go to the third floor for a meal. She was hesitating, but she didn't know that someone came to grab the table they were optimistic about, so there was a dispute, although she overpowered the other party with her own identity, and her heart was quite unbeautiful.

Therefore, after seeing Ruan Ling'er, she spoke so much, of course, she never had a good attitude towards Ruan Linger.

Jiu Niang has seen anyone who is arrogant, or even more domineering than this, but she has never seen someone who is obviously not a relative of the emperor and a common person, and who ridicules others. Don't ask Jiu Niang why she knows that the other party is not a relative of the emperor, in the memory of the two lifetimes, there is no family with the surname Ruan. As for a few famous families, not to mention, there is no family surnamed Ruan, so Jiuniang really doesn't know what this Ruan Mengling is relying on so domineering.

It's just a matter of being ridiculed, Jiuniang only thinks that the other party is young and ignorant. But here comes another sentence, how can Jiu Niang's temperament tolerate it. Jiuniang pushed aside Ruan Ling'er in front of her, took two steps forward, and before she could speak, she was suddenly pulled twice on the corner of her clothes.

"Jiuniang, I'm sorry, it's me who bothered you, I'm her sister, I apologize for her, let's, let's go."

Ruan Ling'er's voice was very small, mixed with small sobs, which was even more indistinguishable, but Jiu Niang, who was standing in front of her, could hear it clearly. She sighed in her heart, she didn't know about other people's affairs, as for these two words of the common people, they should be used as a reward for Ruan Ling'er to help her get acquainted with the situation in Guozi's prison.

She turned, "Let's go, let's go eat." ”

Ruan Ling'er lowered her head and wiped her tears with a handkerchief, and nodded to Jiu Niang with red eyes.

Jiu Niang's previous behavior naturally made Ruan Mengling and the three of them look at it, and when they saw this person admit it halfway, they all sneered. Since Jiu Niang had made up her mind not to care, she naturally didn't take these things into account, pulled up Ruan Ling'er, and walked towards the steps on the third floor.

"Hey, are you Xiao Jiuniang?"

A crisp voice sounded behind her, and Jiu Niang stopped and turned her head to look over.

It's a girl she doesn't know.,About the same age as Jiu Niang.。

The girl smiled and stepped forward a few steps faster.

"You are?"

The girl seemed to realize her recklessness, and was a little surprised, "Oh, you probably don't know me, but I've seen you." On that day, at the night banquet of the moon in the Furong Garden, I put lanterns in Qujiang Pond, and saw you walking with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and His Royal Highnesses King Zhao Cheng. ”

Jiu Niang blinked, she still didn't remember who it was, there were too many people that day, and because she was thinking about the past, she didn't pay attention to those noble girls.

"My name is Li Chu'er, my father is the secretary of the Ministry of Industry, are you also studying in Guozijian? It should be in Tai Academy, and I am also a student of Tai Academy, so we can play together in the future. ”

This girl is too enthusiastic, Jiu Niang is a little unaccustomed to it, in the end she will do superficial work, she smiled and said: "I am also in Tai Academy, and I just entered the school today." ”

Li Chu'er looked at Xiao Jiuniang with anticipation, but after Jiuniang said this, she stopped talking. She blinked, hiding her embarrassment, and said, "You should still have something, then I won't bother you." ”

In fact, Jiuniang knew what Li Chuer was thinking, even if she didn't fully understand, but she understood to some extent. This is the time to eat, Jiuniang and Ruan Ling'er will come here, naturally for dinner. This Li Chu'er came from the side of the second floor, and he must have seen Fang Cai's situation and ran over to offer his courtesy.

Jiuniang didn't care about a lunch, but this kind of uninvited guest, how could she ask for trouble for herself, after all, everyone was not familiar with her.

Jiuniang nodded to Li Chu'er, then turned around and continued to walk towards the third floor.

Ruan Mengling and the three people on the table on the side were directly stunned, they didn't miss what Li Chu'er said. Furong Garden Moon Viewing Night Banquet', 'Prince', 'King Zhao', 'King Cheng'......

The meaning of these 'nouns' is understood by several people, but it is unattainable for them. It's like the moon night banquet in the Furong Garden, everyone knows that the purpose of that day itself is to choose a concubine for the prince, but as a three, they are not qualified to go, and they can only secretly envy it, even Ruan Mengling, who is the highest among the three, has not received the flower stickers in the palace.

The identity of the person who can receive the flower sticker and travel with the prince and other princes must only be higher than Ruan Mengling. Well, it's too high.

Li Chu'er turned around with some disappointment, her eyes swept over the stunned Ruan Mengling and the others, and she couldn't help but hook the corners of her mouth sarcastically, not seeing Fang Cai's enthusiastic and brilliant appearance at all.

"It's really blind, the dignified daughter of the Anguo Mansion, the county lord of Yirong who is enshrined by the Holy Emperor, and the cousins of the two royal highnesses King Cheng and King Chu, have fallen into a humble and lowly common man's words, hehe......"

With this sarcastic 'hehe', Li Chu'er passed by the table of the three, she didn't name them, but Ruan Mengling and the three of them all knew that the other party was talking about them.

The faces of the three were even paler.

*

The price on the third floor is indeed not cheap, but the taste is worth the price.

After sitting down, Ruan Ling'er apologized to Jiu Niang again, but she didn't say anything more. I don't know if she is really stupid or fake, and she doesn't seem to complain to Xiao Jiuniang, who can obviously be a backer. When the two of them went upstairs, Li Chu'er said that Jiu Niang was 'angry', but all of them were in the ears of the two.

Jiu Niang only thought that Fang Cai's matter did not happen, and only chatted with Ruan Ling'er about her studies and things in the Guozi Prison.

After eating, it was almost time, and the two of them headed in the direction of the teaching house.

In the afternoon, there are still two classes, one class is about the "Book of Rites", the other class is about the "Analects", "The Analects" Jiuniang only learned a little, although it was a little difficult to listen, but how much I could listen to it, and the "Book of Rites" was completely unintelligible.

I really can't blame Jiuniang for being stupid, but this course is carried out in a unified manner, and naturally I can't talk about it again because of someone's progress, Jiuniang hasn't heard the front, but I just listened to it halfway, so naturally I can't pick it up.

In the morning, I felt that it was difficult to listen to the lectures, and the two classes in the afternoon made Jiu Niang feel like listening to a book from heaven, and Jiu Niang couldn't help but start thinking about whether to invite a gentleman back to teach her specifically. Otherwise, judging from this situation, let alone the annual exam, she wouldn't even be able to pass the ten-year exam.

Although there are many nobles and nobles of the family who come to Guozijian with the idea of mixing time, Guozijian also has its own way of doing things, a small test every ten years, a big test every year, and the results of each exam will be posted, even if you can't take the top few exams, at least it can't be too bad, otherwise not only will you lose your face, but you will also have no face in the family, after all, Chang'an City is so big.

Jiu Niang wilted and carried her book bag and walked outside the teaching house, even forgetting to say hello to Ruan Ling'er.

All the way to the side gate of Guozijian, she looked up and saw her carriage parked not far away. At this time, it was the end of school, and the side gate was very lively, and the carriages that came here to pick up their little master back to his house were parked.

Seeing Jiu Niang coming over, the coachman respectfully put down the stool, Xiao Cui lifted the curtain and jumped out of the carriage, and helped Jiu Niang into the carriage.

The carriage moved forward slowly, and Jiu Niang looked out the window with interest.

Xiao Cui suddenly said: "Lady, the slave will take you to meet someone." ”

Jiu Niang blinked and sat up straight.

"That's my own people." Xiao Cui said.

Now there are three people in this car, Jiu Niang, the coachman and her, Xiaocui is naturally talking about the coachman.

Jiuniang was a little surprised, but she was not surprised, the King of Chu had never done this kind of thing before. Since she was attached to the King of Chu in her previous life, she has gradually added many people from the King of Chu to her side, not to mention whether she is loyal or not, but there is no doubt that it is easy to use. It's just that in the previous life, she made a decision to leave this qiē, and Jiu Niang dismissed all the people around the King of Chu. Otherwise, with Wang Shilang's suffocating methods, how could he poison her.

In her previous life, Jiuniang was very wary of most of the people around her who were the king of Chu, and she was a little uncomfortable in her heart, but in this life, she didn't have this kind of thought, as long as she was loyal to the king of Chu for one day, these people would be loyal to her. As for not being loyal to the King of Chu, Jiu Niang has never had such a plan, and she has already said that she wants to hug this big thick leg tightly, regardless of what kind of identity it is.

I don't know what the King of Chu is looking for himself?

Could it be that there is some 'mission'?

*

The carriage went all the way forward, turned east and west, and turned many roads into Shengpingfang.

This Shengpingfang is close to the East Market, and most of the nearby residents are wealthy businessmen and petty officials, during which Jiuniang has changed the carriage once, and the black paint flat-topped carriage at this time has no signs on it, but it is not easy to attract attention.

It's so mysterious, Jiu Niang muttered in her heart, but she was also used to King Chu's careful behavior.

Countless histories have proved that it is better to be cautious.

Jiu Niang couldn't help but get nervous, could it be that there was something big for her to do? Otherwise, why be so cautious!

The carriage drove into a mansion, which was no different from the other mansions on the side, with the slightest inconspicuous three-entry courtyard. After entering the courtyard, the carriage stopped, and Jiu Niang followed Xiaocui inside.

When I came to a small courtyard, the environment in the courtyard was very quiet, and Chang Shun stood under the porch in front of the upper room and waited.

"Nine Niangzi."

"Constant waiter."

"Your Highness is waiting for you in the house."

Chang Shun helped Jiuniang push the door open, but he didn't go in.

Inside, it was a very spacious hall, with a light brown wooden floor, and it was a study room for the decoration and furnishings. Except for the windowed wall, the rest of the wall is full of rows of bookshelves with many books on them. In the north, there is a huge curved foot case, and the king of Chu is crouching behind the bookcase, holding a pen and writing something on the paper.

Today's King of Chu is a little clearer than what he saw at the banquet that day and night, and his already handsome facial features under the day are even more handsome. A royal blue brocade robe covered his not strong but long body, which looked exceptionally refreshing and majestic, lining the room full of books, adding a bit of bookish atmosphere.

The white and bony palm, slender and powerful, holding a purple-handled wolf brush, is seriously walking on the paper. The king of Chu did not raise his head, and Jiuniang did not squeak.

"There's a soft couch there, the first book in the third row on the second bookshelf on the right."

King Chu's words were clueless, but Jiuniang understood. She went to the second bookshelf on her right, and pulled out a book from the third row, with the words 'Book of Rites' on it.

Then she took the book and sat down on the couch under the window.

King Chu, who was looking down and writing something, looked up at her, and something flashed in his eyes, but unfortunately Jiu Niang didn't see it.

Jiuniang looked at the 'Book of Rites' in her hand in a strange mood, an hour ago she was still having a headache about her studies, and it just so happened that the class was about the 'Book of Rites', after coming here this time, the King of Chu asked her to read the 'Book of Rites' again, is there anything that is not boring?

Therefore, it is not good for people who think too much, it is a very simple thing, but it is quite complicated for her to think about it.

The king of Chu raised his eyes and looked at the girl sitting on the soft couch, dressed in the pale blue Guozijian student clothes, but the original calm color made the other party look very young because of the other party's white skin and tender skin. Next year is not very old, so it looks even more immature like a doll, if it weren't for the fact that the outline of the girl's face is very exquisite, it has long been out of the scope of the girl, and the king of Chu still feels the same as back then.

Seeing that she was rubbing the book in her hand and didn't know what she was thinking, King Chu sighed silently and put the wolf pen in his hand back on the pen.

"After you entered the Guozijian, you were assigned to the Tai Academy?"

Jiu Niang nodded, she couldn't figure out such a simple question, why did King Chu still ask.

"Among the Five Classics, you must take two courses, which two courses do you choose?"

Jiuniang glanced up at the King of Chu, but she didn't hide it, "Zuo's Spring and Autumn Period and Rites were originally thinking about being simpler, but it doesn't seem to be simple at all. ”

In the end, Xiaozui pouted, looking a little pitiful.

The king of Chu snorted almost inaudibly, I don't know whether he disdained or ridiculed Jiuniang's simplicity, and looked down on the Confucian classics that had been circulated for many years. The King of Chu has been studious since he was a child, so he naturally understands the breadth and profundity of it, but thinking that she is only thirteen, it is the cardamom years, and where can she understand this, she can't help but feel a little soft.

"What did you study in Lanling?"

This kind of gentleman's tone of asking about the student's studies made Jiu Niang can't help but hang her little head, feeling extremely weak.

When the middle girls of the Shang clan were studying, they didn't feel that they were still successful, and after coming to the Guozijian this time, although Jiuniang didn't show anything on the surface, but on this day, she could see that the noble children she thought were sneaking around were not as useless as she thought. At least from what I saw and heard today, it can be seen that pulling out a random one is probably much stronger than being a half-hanger.

"Except for some basic ones, I only learned a little bit of 'Filial Piety' and 'Erya'."

At this time, Jiuniang didn't dare to say that she had learned everything, and when she came to a big world, she realized that she was actually a frog at the bottom of the well.

King Chu nodded, "You also know your own shortcomings, don't think that those students are all going to mess around, the daughter of a noble family is not simple, how can you say that those people are all wine bags and rice bags?" What do you think the students who have entered this country are here for? ”

Avoiding trouble? Dawdle?

This was the first thought that appeared in Jiu Niang's mind, but when she saw that the King of Chu specially proposed it, she knew that it was not.

Although Jiu Niang didn't answer, this was what she meant in her eyes, and King Chu couldn't help but shake his head. In fact, you can't blame Jiu Niang, most of her two lifetime experiences have been in the back house, although because of this relationship with the King of Chu, Jiu Niang has more or less keen eyes and foresight than other women in the back house, but in the end she has not been exposed to too many outside things, and she is not as good as a man like the King of Chu who has participated in the major affairs of the court.

The King of Chu looked at Jiu Niang without saying a word, Jiu Niang thought for a while, and whispered: "Studying? ”

Feeling as if she had been glanced at, Jiu Niang hurriedly said: "Maybe some people are studying in order to find a good future for themselves in the future, such as those children of the common people and the children of the common people. But there are some people who are not, and they are here for the family...... Co-opting and forming parties. ”

The last sentence was said a little loudly, and after finishing speaking, Jiuniang couldn't help but shrink her neck.

The King of Chu nodded disapprehantly, "You can know that these shows that you are not stupid, in this case, the two academies of the Tai Academy and the Guozi Academy are the strictest, and their Chinese Zixue is because of their identity, as long as those with outstanding learning can make an exception to enter, once they can enter the Guozi School, the future will not be bad in the future, and it is also where the father and the emperor use to select the talents of the pillars, so everyone is more restrained on weekdays." However, because the Tai Academy is full of the children of officials from all kinds of aristocratic families, the situation is much more complicated than that of other courts. ”

"On the day you were asked to go to study in the country, this king thought of this situation, but in the end you are a woman, and many things related to court politics will not involve you. The reason why this king will say this to you is just to remind you that you should see more and talk less in the courtyard, and avoid right and wrong. Of course, you can't avoid it, and you can't be afraid. ”

Jiu Niang nodded obediently and sighed.

"When the king of Japan promised you to start school for you, it was a pity that you had to go back to Chang'an at that time. This time, since your foundation is unstable, this king should fill in the gaps and solve your doubts for you. From tomorrow onwards, as long as the king has free time, when you leave school, he will order someone to carry you here. ”

"Huh?"

Jiu Niang was so surprised that she was a little dumbfounded.

King Chu glanced at her, and then lifted the pen resting on the pen rest, "Go back today, retreat." ”