On March 28, the forty-fourth year of Kangxi, the saint drove to Jiangning. Prior to this, all the guards of the Jiangning Weaving Mansion had been taken over by the guard battalion that had arrived earlier.

The Cao family was full of joy, and the old lady, the Li family, and the Zhaojia family were all dressed up according to their grades, waiting to meet the few ladies who came with the car.

Cao Yan did not go to school, but also wore a ceremonial dress according to his title, and waited in the side hall of the east wing of the front yard with the eldest son of the eunuch family in Jiangning City to greet the emperor. According to the past, when the holy car arrived, in addition to the hundreds of officials in the city to greet him, the elders of the officials and nobles who were over ten years old also had to greet the saints. In the next few days, the emperor will summon officials at all levels according to the arrangement.

The sons of each family are all dressed in new clothes, according to their father's title and official position, and they are divided into civil and military affairs. In fact, if you talk about it, Cao Yin should stand in the first place among the sons of civil officials, because not only Cao Yin has the title of barony of the second grade, but even he himself is the first class light car lieutenant of the third grade. It's just that Cao Yan is low-key, and he is the most bored and troublesome. Standing in the first place, to deal with the emperor's questioning, to face the side eyes of others, is what he does not want. Therefore, according to Cao Yinzheng's official position of Wupin, he stood behind the two sons of the prefect and the Jiangnan salt envoy and the same governor, followed by Cao Song and the sons of several other low-level officials.

On the other side, the military attaché's son was headed by a young man of eighteen or nineteen years old, with a slightly dark complexion, dressed in a new tuxedo, and two fist-sized jade pendants hanging from his waist. In the past few years, Cao Yin has also gone out with Cao Yin to socialize a few times, but this young man is the first time he has seen him. Thinking of Wan Jiha, the newly transferred Jiangning general soldier who has heard about it several times, it seems that this is the son of his family, this majestic and high-spirited posture really looks like a general. It's just that the surname is a little arrogant, there is no dust under his eyes, and his eyes occasionally sweep towards everyone, and they all have a little contempt.

Cao Song was seeing the driver for the first time, and he was excited and nervous, so he ran to Cao Yan and whispered. Cao Yan saw that he was full of childishness, and he was not at all steady, worried that he would lose his manners in front of him, and told him that according to what his elders taught, he was not allowed to raise his head, not to move, and not to speak at will. Although it was the first time for Cao Yan to greet everyone with him, because he had already seen the holy car the year before last, he was calm.

Although the son of Nawanjiha didn't know the two Cao brothers, but when he saw Cao Song's words and deeds at will, as if he was at home, he was not as restrained as other sons, and he opened his mouth "brother" and closed his mouth "brother", he knew that it was the Cao family, so he glanced at it and snorted coldly.

After Kangxi saw the hundred officials, it was the turn of these eunuchs to meet them, and the main house of the main courtyard of Fuzhong Road was weaved, as the palace of the emperor's several southern tours, and it had already been expanded from the original seven rooms to the palace. Kangxi was in the main hall to accept the audience of Jiangning civil and military officials, and in the side hall to accept the invitation of the children of local officials and eunuchs.

Under the leadership of an attendant, Cao Yan and the others held their breath and lowered their heads to enter the side hall in turn, standing according to the position on the hall, and then knelt down in the voice of a celebrant eunuch "Respectfully Ask for Sheng'an", and said in unison: "Respectfully Sheng'an, long live Long live Long live!" Then there are three kneeling and nine prostrations.

Kangxi was majestic with a little gentleness, and said, "Get up!" ”

Everyone rose up in response, and Kangxi saw that the person standing at the head of the east side was familiar, and after looking at it twice, he recognized it as Wanjiha's son-in-law Yongqing. Yongqing's mother is a clan, a Gege from Prince Kang's mansion, and Kangxi's niece. Kangxi saw him wearing a wrench, and asked with a pleasant face: "How is the riding and shooting, how many stones can you shoot?" ”

"If you go back to the Long Live Lord, the minions will drive two and a half stones, and three stones will be a little difficult!" Yongqing replied on his knees according to the rules.

Kangxi nodded: "Okay, don't lose the style of the Eight Banners man, your father taught well!" ”

Yongqing kowtowed again, stood up, and retreated to his original position, which was considered to have completed this answer.

Kangxi looked at the west side again, and saw that Cao Yan was not standing in the first place, he was slightly stunned, and asked the young man in the first place: "What is your name, whose son is it?" ”

The young man with a slight smell of books came out of the queue and bowed his head and replied: "Back to the Long Live Lord, the student's name is Ma Jun, and his father is the prefect of Jiangning." ”

Kangxi heard the young man claim to be a student, knowing that he was famous, and asked a few words about this autumn's township exam.

When Ma Jun returned to the column, Kangxi glanced at Cao Yan, and saw that his little head was hanging low, and there were many rules and rules, thinking of the fifteenth elder brother in the palace who was the same age as him, he wanted to tease him to talk, and said with a wrenched face: "Where is Cao Yin's son Cao Yan?" ”

Cao Yan heard that Kangxi and the two of them finished answering, and thought that it was almost over, but he didn't expect that there would be a change, although he was a little surprised in his heart, he didn't show it on his face at all, and he knelt down and replied: "Slave Cao Yan, please be safe for the Lord of Long Live, long live Long live Long live!" "I am slandered in my heart, what kind of ghost system, although the Cao family is not Manchurian, but because they are in the flag, they must call themselves slaves in accordance with the rules of Manchurians. Fortunately, I was prepared and knew that I was here to kneel today, so I asked Hui Xin to make two soft cloth pads early and tie them to my knees, and I didn't feel uncomfortable kneeling around.

Kangxi saw that Cao Yin was not surprised, his tone was neither humble nor arrogant, he was not very old, but he was young and steady, and he couldn't help but be happy for Cao Yin. If you don't die in a great disaster, you will have a blessing in the future, which should be good.

"I ask you, are you still shooting five hundred arrows every day like you did the year before?"

Cao Yan replied: "Back to the words of the Long Live Lord, since last month, the minions have practiced archery in one of the three times, with 500 each time!" ”

Kangxi nodded: "It seems that there is a small success, I don't know how many true successes your father has, what about his homework, which book have you studied?" ”

"Back to the words of the Long Live Lord, the slave is learning "Spring and Autumn"." After replying, Cao Yan felt surprised in his heart, didn't the old man above want to gossip, didn't he want to make him a bird? swept to both sides with the corner of his eye, and sure enough, he received a bundle of envious and jealous eyes.

"How many emperors are recorded in "Spring and Autumn", and how many years before and after?" Kangxi continued to ask.

At this time, there is no technical content at all, anyone who has read "Spring and Autumn" knows the answer, if he asks something else, he can't answer it is just ignorance, if he can't answer this question, he is stupid. Therefore, Cao Yan had no choice but to reply stubbornly: "If you go back to the words of the Long Live Lord, the twelve emperors recorded in the "Spring and Autumn Period" will be two hundred and forty-two years before and after. ”

"Well, yes, it seems that you put your heart into it, don't be proud, you have to continue!" Kangxi praised.

Cao Yan faintly felt that something was wrong, the emperor's style was a bit deliberate, I don't know if it was a disguised show of favor to the Cao family and show it to others.

Kangxi said a few words of exhortation to all the children of the official eunuchs, even after the reception, he got up and left his seat. Then they knelt down to give the holy car, and then, as they had come, they were led by the attendants, and they withdrew from the side hall in turn.

After returning to the front yard, everyone finished their errands and could go back to their homes. Cao Yan felt hungry and tired, so he had breakfast early, and his afternoon meal was delayed again. After saying goodbye to the sons around him, he wanted to go back to his yard.

"Brother Cao, stay!" At the moment when Cao Yan turned around to leave, Ning Chun, who was standing between Ma Jun and Cao Jun when he was lining up, spoke. Ning Chun is the son of Si Tongzhi, the salt envoy of Jiangnan, fourteen or five years old, slightly fat, and smiling at everyone.

"Brother Ning Shi is polite, just call the name of the younger brother!" Cao Yan politely said, this little fat man originally knew, and he had followed Cao Yin to Ning's house as a guest. No wonder they all say that the salt and iron yamen is full of oil and water, and this Ning family is one of the most rich and noble families in Jiangning City. Ning Chun is even more of a gentleman, eating, drinking, gambling, there is nothing that is not sticky. However, Tian's surname is good, and he has a lot of money in his hands, so he doesn't do anything to bully men and women, because he has no notoriety.

"The younger brother knows that he wants to see all the brothers today, so he will charter the Ruyi Fang and invite a few brothers to drink, if anyone says no, I will not follow the younger brother!" Ning Chun said with a big grin.

Ruyi Fang, a famous painting boat on the bank of the Qinhuai River, Cao Yan couldn't help but feel a little tempted, these days, no need to go to school, is empty.

The general's side was almost scattered, and only Yongqing stayed in place, holding his chest and looking at Cao Yan's side. On the side of the children of civil officials, there are only a few Cao family brothers, Ma Jun, and Ning Chun left.

Ma Jun said with a little embarrassment: "Brother Ning Shi forgives me, Mr. is still waiting for me to go back to the house to do my homework, I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany him!" ”

Ning Chun feigned anger and said: "No, no, if you don't go, you'll slap your brother in the face, send the boys back and tell him that if Mr. dares to be verbose, he will quit him, and the brother will ask someone to find a good one for the brother!" ”

Ma Jun's surname was already shy, but seeing that Ning Chun was talking to this point, he knew that he couldn't shirk it, so he had to follow it and tell the little servant to go back home and report the news.

There were only five people left on the field, and Ning Chun looked at Cao Song, who was slightly younger, and looked at Cao Song with some embarrassment. Seeing his expression, Cao Yan knew that there were naturally things that were not suitable for children in the Ruyi painting boat, and whispered to Cao Song: "The old lady is still waiting for me to eat, and the second brother will help me go back and say that I will accompany a few brothers to eat outside!" ”

Cao Song is accustomed to listening to Cao Yan's words, and he responds quietly, and does not ask why he doesn't take himself with him.

Ning Chun didn't plan to invite Yongqing, but he was next to a few people, so how could he pull down his face and say no, so he had to smile and say: "Brother Shi is willing to give face to the younger brother, really, it's really interesting!" ”

Yongqing glanced at Ning Chun, and turned his head to look at Cao Xuan: "Master gives you face, Master wants to compare archery with you!" ”

Although he called himself a "slave" in front of Kangxi, Cao Yan had not yet realized that he was a "slave", and when he saw the young man in front of him so arrogant, he was very bored in his heart, and said to Ning Chun: "Hungry, Brother Ning Shi, the guests are invited, isn't it time to go!" ”

Yongqing saw that Cao Yin ignored him, and said angrily: "Master is talking to you, how did Cao Yin, this slave, teach the little slave, know some rules, it's really cheap!" ”

Yongqing's volume gradually increased, which couldn't help but cause the sideways of the passers-by.

Cao Yan's gaze gradually cooled, if he was to talk about him, he would not have the heart to fight with this ignorant young man; However, it is about Cao Yin, and he is in front of everyone, how can he bear it anymore.

"The Cao family is a coat, and the top and bottom are big and small slaves, but they are royal slaves. I don't know which master of the white flag is this one in front of me? Cao Yan looked at Yongqing and said slowly.

Yongqing's face turned pale, and only then did he realize that he had lost his words. Among the eight flags, the white flag and the yellow flag and the inlaid yellow flag are the upper three flags, which are held by the emperor himself. Yongqing was only resentful of Cao Yan's son of the five-grade official, but he was praised by the emperor, and the Cao family was born in Baoyi, but he didn't want to ignore it for a while, so he committed a taboo.

Ning Chun saw that the two of them had bad faces, pushed one in one hand, and said with a smile: "The world is big, the food is the biggest, and my stomach is hungry, little brother." are all mixed in Jiangning City, looking up and not looking down, where are those nonsense statements, what's there, let's talk about a few wine tables! ”