During the nine days of the exam, although after each exam, there was a three-day break. But Fan Jin didn't have many opportunities to relax, mainly on Feng Bao and Li's side, and there were often invitations. That small courtyard almost became Fan Jin's new residence, and more than a dozen portraits were painted in a row, both Feng Bao's and Li's, and some were designated portraits.

Their attitude is very polite, and after each painting, there is a banquet to prepare, even if it is a vegetarian banquet, the taste is not bad. In addition, there is also a generous moisturizing pen, which will not let Fan Jin suffer. It's just that this takes up most of his time, and he spends very little time with Xue Wu, and he can't go to the Prime Minister's Mansion to see Zhang Shunqing again.

Even if he was with Xue Wu for a few nights, he only held hands and talked and chatted, and fell asleep when he was sleepy, and Qiu did not commit any crimes. On the one hand, of course, there are reasons why Fan Jin considered Zhang Shunqing, thinking that this prime minister's daughter vomited blood in order to fight for a one-year appointment, and her feelings could touch the world, and she wanted to do something, so she felt a little guilty, but on the other hand, it was also related to Xue Sufang.

She seems to be very satisfied with this model of spiritual love, and regards it as particularly sacred, and thinks that the love between men and women is vulgar in comparison. So every time he took the initiative to hold Fan Jin's hand to speak, but he didn't take the initiative to ask for fun, the relationship between the two stopped at this level.

In Fan Jin's experience, if men and women have normal physical fitness, it is not a good phenomenon to stop at this level, and sooner or later a warm-hearted neighbor or someone else will appear, so that one of them will wear the jade crown. What's more, it's one thing for him to think psychologically, and it's another thing to think physically, and after a few days of vegetarianism, he really can't stand it.

It is said that he had never made a career in Fanzhuang before, and when he wanted to find a woman, there was only one Sister Hu, but he could be as clear as water. Now, I feel lonely when I sleep alone. Even after nine days, I couldn't stand it. In addition to the factor of eating the marrow and knowing the taste, the other reason is the fragrance.

Every time she went to Feng Bao's house to paint, Li would burn the incense she had prepared, including the fragrance on her body, which smelled really good, but when she smelled too much, she would always have some other thoughts in her heart. As for the origin of the incense, he also asked, and he has a relationship with himself, and the authentic ambergris purchased from Guangdong.

At that time, Sejong loved ambergris the most, and there were huge procurement tasks every year. Although after Jiajing's death, the number of purchases was greatly reduced, but the habit of using ambergris also formed a trend in the court and upper class. Li was born as a woman from a merchant family, and she didn't have many opportunities to deal with high society. In Mahayana, I also learned from others how to dress up and how to use spices, and then put on my own identity, so naturally everything is right.

The logic is that since the emperor used ambergris to prove that it must be a good thing, especially this kind of incense is expensive, and it can be more valuable than gold, which can be used at will. It itself does have the effect of calming the mind and calming the qi, and it is used in the ritual of the Taoist priest to make longevity cakes, which can be seen to be harmless to people. Even the recipe for her incense was obtained from the palace, and the incense was made according to the recipe left by Sejong that day, and it could also show her worth when she used it.

But Fan Jin is a scholar after all, and he knows more things than this Mrs. Li. In addition to faith, another thing that Sejong is more famous for is that it is astringent. He used this incense, it is likely to be used for fun, he smelled too much of this ape, and then guarded a stunning beauty, it is indeed not easy to hold.

There was a big exam before, and he finally had a goal that he couldn't be distracted from, but now that the exam was over, he wondered if it was time to clean up Xue Wu, so as not to have too many dreams at night.

Today's Jingshi is destined to be lively, no matter what the result of the exam is, in short, participating in the exam is an important ceremony in life. All the references were in high spirits, inviting confidants and friends to organize various celebrations. All the restaurants and Qing buildings in Jingshi are already full, and some of the most popular Oiran leaders may have to rush to three or five venues in one night to perform. Like Fan Jin, who went out of the examination room and went home directly, he was a heretic.

Xue Wu asked with a smile on the road, "Why don't you go to the cultural meeting?" With your talents, especially your painting skills, leave a portrait of which beauty you will be able to become a guest at the curtain. Don't forget, your painting in Guangzhou that day made the outdated Oiran popular again, this method is in the Qing Building, it is a fairy among the people, and it is much more useful than any poetry and article. Even if you don't spend anything, there are still girls who are willing to pour silver taels and accompany you for one night. ”

Fan Jin laughed and gently squeezed her hand, "Then if I really go up to eat flower wine tonight and stay overnight, you won't be jealous?" ”

"Jealousy is a matter of the big house, what kind of flying vinegar do I eat in an outer room?" Xue Wu lowered his head, his face flushed slightly,

"Besides, I also know, think back these days...... It's hard to endure. We are in the Qing Building, men see a lot, and some men will be very good to our sisters, gentle and considerate, low and small, and they will not be angry if they are scolded a few times and beaten twice. But no matter how good it is, when the time comes, it will definitely ...... Like a wolf and a tiger, if you don't obey him, maybe you will be rude. And if they refuse to respond to that kind of thing, the two will definitely turn their faces, after all, they spent a lot of money for that. Retreat refuses to force me, it shows that I am regarded as a lady rather than an Oiran, you are good to me, I want to be good to you, occasionally play on the spot, even if it is the main room, it should be considerate, let alone an outer room? ”

She paused, and said, "I heard my godmother say that there are some good means in the north and south sects. If there is a woman who is extremely outstanding in the Jiangning Teaching Workshop, it is possible that she will be transferred to the Jingshi Teaching Workshop to do things, after all, it is all under the control of the Ministry of Rites. Although there have been few such transfers in recent years, there are really a few outstanding characters in the Jingshi Teaching Workshop, and their appearance and talent may not be under the concubine and Wang Xuexiao. ”

Fan Jin shook his head, "People want to be content, with you, the martial champion, the other women in the courtyard ...... I can't see it. It's not interesting or worth telling them a story. ”

Naturally, he couldn't say what he was thinking. The ones who have been popular these years are all the kind of Luo Li of the red-sleeved Zhao Yujiao, Fan Jin has a sister control and a high sister control, so naturally he can't see it in his eyes, but it is not as good as those bustard mothers and eldest sisters who can attract his interest. But a group of jinshi drink flower wine, others look for Oiran, and they find their own bustards, and it is not good to go out. Besides, the one-year appointment has just begun, so you have to be cautious.

Moreover, the current Wenhui participates by itself, and it is also a foil for others, so it is natural to be exempt. In the past nine days, even he was asked by Yao Kuang to be a gunman for Zhang Sixiu, wrote a few poems, and promoted Zhang Sixiu's name to the market to promote his reputation.

The conflict between Chongwenmen and Feng Bangning not only moved Xue Wu, but also moved Yao Ba. In Xue Wu's opinion, that Fan Jin was for her, but in Yao Kuang's view, it was after Feng Bangning insulted himself and even insulted Zhang Fu that Fan Jin acted angrily. Such a person does not regard himself as a slave, and is very protective of the Zhang Mansion, and is worthy of associating as a friend. In the conversation between the two, he also compared with Fan Jin, after all, they are both cultural people, and if they have a common language, it is easier to cooperate.

As the second housekeeper of the Zhang Mansion, Yao Ba could not express any opinions on behalf of the main family, but inviting Fan Jin to make a gun for Zhang Sixiu obviously also represented his position, and he was on Fan Jin's side.

With such a second housekeeper on his side, Fan Jin also knows some about some of the dynamics of the Zhang family. No matter how Zhang Juzheng punished his son before, when it was time to take the test, he would definitely pour resources into his son and lift him up.

As Fan Jin analyzed before, Zhang Juzheng is not a saint, and he doesn't want to demand himself according to the standards of a saint. He just wants to take advantage of his power to pave a golden avenue for his children and leave enough capital for them.

In addition to himself, many staff members of the Zhang Mansion and even some scholars who are attached to the Zhang family are secretly making guns for Zhang Sixiu to ensure that he can come up with a large number of excellent articles in a short period of time to prove his talent. In this context, whether it is a literary meeting or a drinking party, Zhang Sixiu's light will definitely overshadow everyone. It's impossible for him to lose face, but this foil is not easy to be, in case he attacks himself in front of everyone, it is also very difficult to do. Rather than grasping the scale, it is better to avoid the war directly.

Because these words are very important, Fan Jin is not easy to say to Xue Wu, so he only briefly explained two sentences, and said: "Besides, I am actually not suitable to participate in the Duowen Conference now, although because of Feng Bangning's matter, many people admire me very much, but there is another thing that will make many students hate me to the bone." As for whether there are many people who hate me or those who admire me, I can't say right now. ”

"What's the matter, so serious?"

"It's nothing, it's just that I've been cheated. You also know, I passed by Changsha when I was rushing to take the exam, and I cracked a demon book case. That case implicated He Xinyin, and he didn't mention it in prison. In addition, it is the Geng family of Huang An Tianwo, and Yuelu Academy is also involved. At that time, the academy was sealed, and everyone thought it was temporary, and it would be released after a while. After all, there are many big disciples in the Yuelu brand, so they can't be closed because of such a small matter. As a result, there is news now that the academy will be opened, but it has been changed to an official school, and the chief of the mountain and the gentlemen who lecture inside have all been replaced by people from the government. This is just the beginning, there has been a rumor that the Xianggong of Gangneung will seal the world's academies, abolish the style of private lectures, and change all private schools to official schools. Everyone has been accustomed to lecturing in the private sector for so many years, and now if you want to change it to an official school, you must not care about the temperament. What's even worse is that some people rumor that it was I who directly told Xiang Ye about the harm of private lectures that prompted Xiang Ye to make this decision. ”

"Huh? Isn't this a retreat for you to take the blame for Zhang Juzheng? ”

"yes. Originally, Zhang Juzheng did this, which would definitely cause public anger. Now that this kind of news comes out, many people will turn their anger on me. There are also many people who are from the academy or like to lecture, so they don't like people like me anymore, so it's not good to participate in the literary meeting, so it's safer to hide at home. ”

Xue Sufang said hatefully: "This is obviously a personal vendetta of the communiqué, how can Zhang Juzheng act like this?" ”

"There is no clear evidence that he did it, it's just street rumors, but if you think about it, you can guess where it came from. It's not outrageous to do this from a father's point of view, but in the end it's my fault. Besides, it is probably an honor to be able to slander Xiangye. It's just that I've always dug pits to hurt people, but this time I was dug into a pit, and I felt a little unhappy. In addition, the imperial examination is more important than fame, but also connections. As soon as Zhang Jiangling does this, I will become a lonely minister, if I am not at the mercy of Zhang Jiangling, I am afraid that I am not a person inside and outside, and it will be difficult to mix. ”

Xue Sufang smiled, "I've thought about it too much, but if I don't let me teach, I don't believe it, just because of this matter, everyone will be embarrassed by you." Thousands of miles of food and clothing for officials, everyone came out to seek officials, just for fame and fortune, who really wants to be inseparable from you for these things. As long as you retreat from Jinke High School, someone will come to talk to you, and you are afraid that no one will come to make you a friend? ”

Fan Jin said: "If all the lifters think like you, I will be fine." Now the matter of sealing the academy is still just news, and when it is really done, I don't know how many people will scold me, and I think about it. ”

While the two were talking, they had already come to the door of Zheng's house. The once dilapidated gatehouse has been renovated by craftsmen from the Ministry of Works. As soon as Fang arrived at the door, the Zheng family girl suddenly jumped out of the doorway and laughed: "Master Fan is back, you can eat delicious food." He circled around Fan Jin, and then jumped back to the courtyard.

Fan Jin smiled: "Crazy girl! ”

"This girl has a good temperament and is very attentive to my thoughts. If it weren't for her staying to take care of her father, I really wanted to buy her as a girl. When I'm older, I'll call her a sister. ”

Fan Jin said: "Don't think about it, the Zheng family survived so difficult at the beginning, and now that they have passed the difficulty, they don't need to sell their daughter." ”

"It's hard to say. Although his family's debts are gone, Zheng Chengxian is still sick, and the monthly medicine money is still a thing, and he still has to borrow it sooner or later, and it will still be a trouble when the time comes. ”

As they spoke, the two entered the courtyard, Guan Qing and Fan Zhigao came together to greet them and said good things, while Sister Gui was busy in the kitchen. Her craftsmanship is not good, but after all, she is a qualified housewife, and she is still capable of cooking home-cooked food, but her taste is biased towards the flavor of Nanlu, which is not very harmonious with the taste of Jingshi. Fortunately, at this time, Wuzhong cuisine is the high-end mainstream, and Jiangning cuisine is also considered tall in Beijing, so the Zheng family does not have any opinions.

The men and women were divided into two tables, but they were all in the same courtyard, and they could hear each other. Zheng Chengxian dragged the sick body out to toast, and the two families were no different from the family at this time. After Zheng Guotai learned that Fan Jin had a background in the East Factory, he no longer dared to trouble Sister Gui, and he entered and exited through the back door in the past few days without disturbing Fan Jin's rest. I didn't go to work today, and I accompanied Fan Jin to drink at home. After the third round, Zheng Guotai's face was slightly red, and he asked anxiously:

"Master Fan, a few days ago a woman went out with you and walked face to face with the villain. Although it was just a glimpse, it could be seen that she was very handsome and beautiful. Dare to ask her...... Where is it? I don't mean anything other than ask. ”

Fan Jin's face froze, Zheng Chengxian thought that his son had said the wrong thing, so he opened his mouth and was about to scold. I didn't want the woman's table to move first, and there was a chaotic sound of cups and plates, and then I saw the little girl of the Zheng family, lying on the table, beating the table with her little fist. Sister Gui looked at Fan Jin and then at Zheng Guotai, her face was extremely strange, and she suddenly left the table and ran straight to the kitchen. And Xue Sufang's face was as usual, but her body trembled, and she suddenly got up and rushed all the way into the bedroom without saying a word, and never came out again.