When Emperor Liang was in Qiluo Garden, there was already a busy scene in the Gongyuan. There are two tribute courtyards in the capital, which are in the north and south of the imperial city, about a few miles away from the imperial city, called the North Tribute Courtyard and the South Tribute Temple. The white walls and gray tiles here, the compartments are heavy, stretching several times, and it is very solemn, and every time it comes to the day of the Beijing examination, the officers and soldiers are strictly guarded, and the solemn feeling is better than before. This is the place that students from all over the world yearn for, and being able to enter the Gongyuan to take the exam means the beginning of the career; This is also a place where students all over the world are afraid, Liang Guo has twice severely punished corruption in the imperial examination, and each time dozens of people have either landed on the ground or sent to the border, and they cannot be used for eternity.

At this time, all the examiners were in the examination hall of Nangong Academy, and Fu Bing was holding a brocade box in his hand, which was sealed with wax on all sides, and had a six-clawed golden dragon steel seal attached to it.

"The examination questions of this Beijing examination are personally selected by the saint, in the hands of the old man, and will be opened in front of all the students on the day of the examination. The voice is hoarse, Fu Bing is already very old, thin and a little stiff body, barely standing with a cane, his beard and hair are white, and the wrinkles on his face are the traces left by the years.

"Old Master Fu, you better sit down, your body matters!" Liu Yi had a very concerned expression, he was only thirty-five years old, but he was already a servant of the ministry, people who didn't know what he was in would think he was young and promising, but in fact, he did have the ability to govern, but his ability to please King Ling was even more clever, and now everyone in the court knew that he was King Ling's henchman.

Liu Yi was left and right, and Cheng Bobin, who was sitting next to him, was not to be outdone, "What Lord Liu said is very true, Master, you are sitting in the Gongyuan, and we will leave the rest to us." "Cheng Bobin's father is the former secretary of the Ministry of Rites, the family education is very strict, he himself is outstanding in writing, he is the first place in the Beijing examination ten years ago, he has always looked down on Liu Yi who relied on his whiskers to shoot horses.

Fu Bing really couldn't stand still, and sat down when he heard the words, "Thanks to the emperor's trust and everyone's love, the old man has made this position for the main exam." In this case, the old man made a little arrangement: Lord Liu, Lord Hu, Lord Chen, Beigong Yuan will work for you; Lord Cheng and Lord Zhong will accompany the old man in Nangong Courtyard. ”

Fu Bing spoke, and everyone agreed.

At this time, there was a person standing outside the Nangong Academy, and the Beijing Examination had not yet begun, so naturally there was no list to be placed, and the people outside the Gonggong Academy were sparsely populated, so this person was particularly eye-catching.

"The dim light in the burrow is like a bean, and I disdain a few fames

Cherish the family and the country, and entangle ten years of life"

This person is Jiang Weizhen, alone, pouring out his heart, but he only said it to himself.

"'Disdain fame and cherish your family and country', I'm afraid there are not many people who can still have your mind!" A cheer sounded behind Jiang Weizhen, and he hurriedly turned around, only to see a person who looked like a scholar like him standing with his hands in his hands, smiling at him. Jiang Weizhen quickly looked at this person and found that he was wearing a gray cloth shirt, with patches on his sleeves, and a pair of black cloth shoes with raw edges.

"Brother Tai has won the award, and I am just expressing what I think in my heart. I wonder if Brother Tai is also a person who will take the entrance examination in Beijing? ”

"Yes, the Beijing Entrance Examination once every ten years has affected students all over the world, and I am no exception!"

After Jiang Weizhen determined the identity of the other party, he felt a lot closer, and arched his hand: "Dare to ask my brother's name?" ”

The man clasped his hands into fists and said, "Under the surname An, the name Liyin, the name of Mingzhou." ”

Jiang Weizhen also hurriedly returned the salute, "In Xiajiang Weizhen, the hydraulic engineer is the Zhen of Jiang and Weiguo, and the people of Baishui County, Yanzhou." ”

"Oh? Are you Jiang Weizhen? My hometown is Nanyang County, which is adjacent to Baishui County! I have long heard of the name of my brother, I took the township examination at the age of 14 and won the first place, and two years later the general examination was the first place, but because I did not want to succumb to the powerful, I resolutely gave up the Beijing examination that year! I didn't expect to see a real person today! An Liyin was obviously very excited, and even her voice trembled a little.

Jiang Weizhen also didn't expect that time had passed, and there were still people who remembered his own affairs, and he was quite emotional for a while, "It's been a long time ago, don't mention it, don't I still come to this tribute courtyard now?" ”

"This matter has nothing to do with the name, listening to the words of Brother Tai before, I know that Brother Tai has the heart to serve the country, and a poor student like us can only realize his wish by gambling on this once-in-a-decade opportunity!"

These words obviously said that Jiang Weizhen's heart was on the road, and his blood surged for a while, "You and I are both people who study hard and serve the country wholeheartedly, and it is fate to meet today, and we will be twenty in the next year, what about my brother?" ”

"When I am two years old, I will call me Brother Xian."

"Well said, well said! Dare to ask where my brother lives? ”

An Liyin was asked by this, lowered his head slightly, and said with some embarrassment: "An inn in the east of the city." ”

Jiang Weizhen immediately understood, thinking that he had nowhere to go at the beginning, but fortunately he met Xuan Shaoning and was taken in by King Yu, who was also a poor student, and he had a strong resonance when he encountered difficulties.

"I also coincidentally got the help of the nobles to live in the palace of the king of Yu, if you have difficulties, you may wish to come to the foolish brother, the foolish brother seems that the king of Yu is also a person who loves talents and cherishes talents."

"Okay, then I'll thank you first!" After speaking, An Liyin bowed deeply again, and Jiang Weizhen hurriedly held on, "Why do we need such courtesy between us, this is looking down on me Jiang Weizhen!" ”

"Okay, I'm too restrained, and I won't be in the future!"

"Haha, okay, it's better to meet by chance, how about a glass of wine together?"

"Very good!"

There are still four days before the Beijing Entrance Examination, and everyone in the Gongyuan is making various preparations without touching the ground, but King Xiang and King Ling have no movement, and there has been no news for a long time, which makes the prince unhappy in his heart; Du Shaoyin and Mu Qingyuan were busy taking the entrance examination, Yan Keran's duty time in the palace was also extended, and even Xiao Moyan had not appeared for a long time; The Mobei side is also calm for the time being. Because the Beijing Entrance Examination is approaching, Xuan Shaoning decided to go to Qingshan Academy to see Master Baishi after the examination. In this way, on the contrary, it is idle.

"Brother Xuan!"

"Oh? It's Brother Jiang, and you're going out again? ”

"Yes, go to the Chengdong Inn to meet friends."

Even Jiang Weizhen is rare to see each other all day, I heard that I met a student by chance, and the two were very speculative, so they drank and chatted every day, so they were not happy.

Watching Jiang Weizhen go out, Xuan Shaoning actually thought of the appearance of the woman with bright eyes and a goose yellow in her mind, and still remembered her panicked expression and playful and intelligent smile.....

Syllable! Xuan Shaoning hurriedly slapped herself, "People are princesses, and they are simply different from you, it's just wishful thinking!" After thinking about it, Xuan Shaoning still decided to go out for a walk, it was better than staying alone and thinking nonsense.

The capital is still prosperous, if there is any difference, that is, officers and soldiers can be seen patrolling on the street from time to time, after all, the Beijing examination is just around the corner. Xuan Shaoning was walking aimlessly, and suddenly someone bumped into him.

"I'm so sorry!" The man hurriedly apologized.

"Don't worry" Xuan Shaoning glanced at the other party, although this person is also dressed as a person from the Liang Dynasty, but his facial features clearly have the characteristics of the Tang Dynasty.

After the man nodded, he turned around and left, but Xuan Shaoning always felt that there was something wrong, but he couldn't think of what the problem was, "Hey, what's going on today, I'm always thinking nonsense!" ”

Just two days before the Beijing Entrance Examination, a shocking news came out: Old Master Fu Bing was seriously ill!

The crown prince, King Xiang, King Ling, and King Yu all rushed to the Gongyuan to visit at the first time, and Emperor Liang urgently ordered the imperial doctor of the Tai Hospital to go for treatment. This news also made the students who went to Beijing for the examination feel worried about the body of Old Master Fu, after all, he was the teacher of the Son of Heaven, and his predecessor Sungkyunkwan was a saint in the hearts of students all over the world; There are also worries that if the examiner falls ill, it will affect the holding of the Beijing Entrance Examination as scheduled, after all, there will be more variables if it is postponed for one more day.

Xuan Shaoning, as the temporary personal guard of King Yu, was also in the tribute courtyard at this time, but because of his identity, he could not enter the inner courtyard, and could only wait in the outer courtyard. For a day and a night, I saw the imperial doctors and maids coming in and out, and no one dared to say a word, the atmosphere in the entire tribute courtyard was very depressing, and Xuan Shaoning was also tense. Gonggong Cui in the palace, as Emperor Liang's envoy, also came to visit, but he never saw Emperor Liang come in person.

Late at night on April 21, the 29th year of the Liang calendar, there was bad news in the tribute court: Fu Bing, the teacher of Emperor Liang and the predecessor of Sungkyunkwan, died of illness! Then another news came out: the Beijing Examination will still be held as scheduled, the position of the chief examiner is vacant to commemorate Old Master Fu, the examiner of the Beigong Academy remains unchanged, and the Nangong Academy is headed by Cheng Bobin.

Tomorrow is the big day of the Beijing Entrance Examination, but Old Master Fu left tonight, is it a trick of fate? Xuan Shaoning and Fu Bing have no contact, so I feel sorry for him but there is no sadness.

"Let's go" King Yu walked out of the inner hall and said to Xuan Shaoning.

"Yes!"

Just when Xuan Shaoning followed King Yu out of the gate of the Tribute Courtyard, he overheard the exchange of two maids.

"Old Master Fu was in fine health two days ago, why did he suddenly disappear?"

"Yes, I also sent lunch to the old master the day before yesterday, and I see that the master has a good appetite!"

"What a strange thing!"

"Okay, let's be subordinates, stop talking about it."

But these words reached Xuan Shaoning's ears, and he frowned and followed King Yu away.

April 22, 29 years of the Liang calendar, the auspicious day of the zodiac, the big day of the Beijing examination once every ten years. Jiang Weizhen got up very early, packed up all his belongings and prepared to go out.

"Brother Jiang!"

"Oh, it's Brother Xuanxian, I'm going to report to the Gongyuan!"

"Today is Brother Jiang's big day, I'm waiting for Brother Jiang's good news!"

"Haha, no matter what, I am still very grateful to His Royal Highness King Yu and Brother Xuanxian for taking them in!"

"Then Brother Jiang will repay him with the title of the gold list!"

After Jiang Weizhen went out, he did not go directly to the Gongyuan as he said, but went to the inn in the south of the city to find An Liyin. Seeing Jiang Weizhen going in the opposite direction, Xuan Shaoning didn't care, because today was also the day when Du Shaoyin and Mu Qingyuan entered the Tribute Academy, and he had to go to see him off.

All students who take the Beijing Entrance Examination are divided into Beigongyuan and Nangongyuan according to their household registration, and the distinction of household registration is based on the geographical location of the capital, the north of the capital belongs to the northern students, and the south of the capital belongs to the southern students.

In order to commemorate the old master Fu Bing, who passed away yesterday, the two major tribute courtyards were all hung with white silk, and even the guards' arms were wrapped with white cloth strips, which made the already serious tribute courtyard even more solemn.

"Shaoning! We're here! ”

When Xuan Shaoning arrived at Nangong Courtyard, Xiao Moyan and the others had already arrived. Du Shaoyin's household registration is Mingzhou, and Mu Qingyuan is a native of Beijing, so both of them are classified as Nangong Yuan. At this time, the two of them were dressed very energetically, both carrying a bamboo basket, Mu Qingyuan's bamboo basket was slightly smaller, Du Shaoyin's bamboo basket was not an exaggeration to say that it was as big as a pot stove, because the Beijing examination lasted for three days, and everyone was not allowed to enter and exit during the three days, and the Gongyuan did not provide food, so the students who took the exam must bring all the food they needed for three days.

"Today happens to be Ke Ran's duty, so I can't come." Du Shaoyin explained to Xuan Shaoning.

"Shaoyin, your basket is too big, how much food did you bring?" Zhao Kexin teased.

"Haha, Shao Yin must be confident, so he has prepared so much food to pass the time!" Xiao Moyan teased.

"Still silent and can speak, Shaoyin, Qingyuan, we are waiting for your good news!" Su Qian's left and right hands put on the shoulders of the two.

Xuan Shaoning stepped forward and encouraged: "Those who come out of Qingshan Academy will never lose to others!" ”

"Shao Ning is so right!"

"Brother Xuanxian!"

Xuan Shaoning looked back and saw that it was Jiang Weizhen, he was from Yanzhou, and naturally he was also in Nangong Academy. There was another scholar standing next to Jiang Weizhen, who looked delicate but had a yellow face, a thin body, and his clothes were more plain than Jiang Weizhen's, and the basket he was carrying was much smaller than Du Shaoyin's, like a bowl against a pot.

"Brother Jiang went out earlier than me, but arrived later than me, I think I came to meet this brother." Xuan Shaoning looked at An Liyin and said.

"Brother Xuanxian has always been smart, that's right, this is Brother An I met a few days ago!" Jiang Weizhen took the opportunity to point towards An Liyin.

An Liyin stepped forward very cooperatively, clenching his fists with both hands, "Under Anliyin, Mingzhou people." ”

"You are also from Mingzhou, and your name and surname are rare!" Du Shaoyin was very happy, it was rare to meet his hometown in Gongyuan.

"Yes, could it be that this brother is too?"

"Exactly!"

"It's a coincidence, we can enter the Tribute Courtyard together!"

"Hey, it's not enough to enter the Tribute Academy together, you have to be on the list together!"

"Haha, Mo Yan's words today are especially auspicious!"

After a group of people laughed, they watched Du Shaoyin, Mu Qingyuan, Jiang Weizhen, and An Liyin walk into the Gongyuan. Liang Guo was extremely strict with the management of the Beijing Entrance Examination, and every student who entered the Gongyuan had to be searched by a special person for his whole body and all the belongings he carried, and the students even had to take off their robes and shoes to prove their innocence.

Outside the Gong Courtyard, Xuan Shaoning and the others were still waiting for a few students to pass the search, but he casually caught a glimpse of a person not far away, that person was very ordinary, and he quietly disappeared in the crowd, but in Xuan Shaoning's eyes, he was a little familiar, like where he had seen it, but where was it?

The place where the man was standing was still some distance away from the entrance of the Gongyuan, and he stood for a while, as if he had noticed Xuan Shaoning's gaze, and then bowed his head and left.

That's right! Isn't this the man who collided with him that day? Xuan Shaoning finally remembered, he still remembered that the man had a face that was inferior to the Tang Dynasty. But what is he doing here?

"Shaoning! What are you looking at? Su Qian's cry interrupted Xuan Shaoning.

"No..... It's nothing."

"They have finally all entered the Tribute Courtyard, and I will take you to a good place!" Xiao Moyan suggested.

"What's the best place?" Xuan Shaoning asked.

"A new song and dance workshop has opened opposite Yinfeng Pavilion, and the name is also unique, called Leng Yue Zhai!" Xiao Moyan's eyebrows fluttered.

"I'm not going!" Before Xiao Moyan could finish speaking, Zhao Kexin turned his head and left, throwing down a sentence: "This kind of place is for you men to have fun!" ”

Xuan Shaoning still wanted to keep Zhao Kexin, but Xiao Moyan hurriedly stopped, "Kexin is right, it's a place for us to have fun, it's better for her to be a girl!" However, if you don't go, don't blame me again! ”

Zhao Kexin, who had just walked away a few steps, turned his head and looked at Xiao Mo suspiciously, "Do you have something to say?" ”

"Hehe, anyway, all I can guarantee is that you will be worth the trip!" After Xiao Moyan finished speaking, he glanced at Su Qian.

"Okay, I'm casual." Su Qian smiled.

"Okay, let's go to Leng Yue Zhai! I want to see how much of a trip it makes! Zhao Kexin finally changed his mind and raised his fist to demonstrate to Xiao Moyan.