Zhao Lingsui sighed slightly, raised his eyes and said to everyone: "Ghostly workmanship, this painting is full of Gu Kaizhi and Zhang Xuan's wonders, high attainments, and familiar colors, I'm afraid that he is not under the old man, what is this person's name?" ”

Only then did he take care of the inscription of the painting, and a line of small italics fell into Zhao Lingsui's eyes, with the word Shen Ao written on it.

"So it's him?" Zhao Lingsui couldn't help but smile again, pointed to the fairy picture of the palace and said, "This painting should be the first, what do you think?" ”

Seeing Zhao Lingsui make a decision, several of them echoed, and one of them said: "That Xiaoxiang lady picture is also a masterpiece, why does the county prince favor this fairy picture alone." ”

Zhao Lingsui smiled slightly, but he just pursed his lips and did not answer, the picture of the lady in Xiaoxiang was made by his second son, he could see it, how could the people in this pavilion not see it, in fact, the people here, who could not see that the fairy picture was obviously better than the lady picture, and the reason why some people recommended it was nothing more than to look at their own face.

Although Zhao Boqiao's painting is good, it is still a step behind this Shen Ao's, even if he forces him to be the first name, what can he do? You must know that after this painting test, you have to take the palace test, and you can help your son with the painting test, and when you get to the palace test, will the official family still not be able to see it?

These bachelors who strongly recommended Zhao Boqiao, although they wanted to help Zhao Boqiao for the sake of their own feelings, but Zhao Lingsui understood in his heart that this was a mistake for himself and a harm to Boqiao.

Zhao Lingyu pondered for a moment, and then said: "Zhang Bang go, Shen Ao is the first in the painting test, and Zhao Boqi is the second." ”

These art examinations are really lively, the Ministry of Rites, Taixue, Guozijian, and the major yamen of Jingzhao Mansion are all places to post lists, and they have been repeatedly surrounded by people, and every time they make a list, they are related to the efforts of many people's lives, and the honor and disgrace are just a small piece of red paper, but it has been decided.

Jingzhao Mansion is not far from the Qiguo Mansion, so early in the morning, Mrs. was full of interest, with a cadre in the house, together with Shen Ao, went to Jingzhao Mansion to see the tablet, Mrs. is usually pure-hearted, but at this moment she also came to join in the excitement, along the way asked about the rules of the art examination, Liu Wen respectfully and smiled and said everything he knew, and the master and servant talked very happily; On the contrary, the actor who watched the list was left behind.

Mrs. while pacing, while looking at the street scene curiously, usually she went out of the house, either by car, or by car, today it is rare to walk, but there is a sense of freshness that has not been seen for a long time, after a little understanding of the art test, she asked Liu Wen with a smile: "So, as long as Shen Ao wins the first place in this painting test, he can be the top student in the painting test?" ”

Liu Wen immediately said: "Madam, there is a palace test at the top of this painting test, but all the candidates who are in the middle of the painting test, regardless of the ranking, can only be separated from the real ranking after passing the palace test; Even if you win the first place now, it is just an honor at most, and without the permission of Your Majesty, this champion will not fall easily. ”

Mrs. nodded, but she was very happy: "If you pass the palace examination and win the champion or Jinshi, can you become an official?" ”

Liu Wen followed his wife's words and said: "This is natural, not only can you wear a fish bag, but you can also wear a scarlet suit, lead the court, if you can take a temporary position in the Hanlin Academy of Painting and Calligraphy, you will have the right to enter and exit the palace, and the scenery is infinite!" ”

Madame smiled: "I have nothing to do in and out of the palace, but I can wear a scarlet dress and a fish bag, but it can be regarded as a fight, and I don't expect anything else; What are the official positions of the calligraphy and painting academy's attendants and lecturers? ”

Liu Wendao: "The waiter is the fifth grade, the waiter is the fourth grade, and the bachelor is even more amazing, it is the third grade." The grade of this Hanlin Academy and the Hanlin Academy of Painting and Calligraphy is about the same, in fact, it is called the Hanlin Academy of Painting and Calligraphy as a bachelor's college, and the Hanlin Academy is always a few points higher than the academy. ”

Madame sighed: "The same grade, but why is the Hanlin Academy a few points higher than the Calligraphy and Painting Academy?" ”

Liu Wendao: "Madame doesn't know about this, although the official family loves calligraphy and painting, but after all, the Hanlin Academy is an official who has passed the Jingyi examination, and the Academy has passed the art examination. ”

The lady said: "Well, even if Shen Ao wins the art examination now, he will still be admitted to the imperial examination in the future, not only to enter the academy, but also to enter the Hanlin Academy." Shen Ao, can you tell me? ”

Shen Ao was squeezing his eyebrows with Zhou Heng and Zhou Ruoyi, a pair of brothers and sisters, and immediately trotted forward when he heard the words, and said, "Yes, what my aunt said is that not only the art examination, but also the imperial examination, compare everyone to the bottom." ”

Madame laughed, "You're going to talk nonsense." ”

Between the words, Jingzhao Mansion arrived, at this time it was already a sea of people, and the entire street and alley were blocked, and a person came from afar, but it was Zhao Boqiao who came with his servants, Zhao Boqiao said that he did not have the arrogance of yesterday, and came over obediently, saluted his wife, and said, "My nephew has seen my aunt." ”

It turned out that the Duke of Rongjun and the Duke of Qiguo had been married for two generations, so Zhao Boqiao called his wife an aunt, and Mrs. recognized him clearly, and said with a smile: "You are the uncle in the Rongjun Mansion?" The last time your brother came to visit the prince once, your brothers looked very similar, and when I saw you, I recognized you. ”

Zhao Boqiao said: "I didn't go to visit during the New Year's Festival, so I asked my aunt to atone for her sins." ”

Mrs. smiled and said, "Don't worry, you're still young, by the way, you're also here to see the list?" ”

Speaking of watching the list, Zhao Boqiao set his eyes on Shen Ao, and said eagerly: "Exactly, Brother Shen Shi also came to see the list today?" ”

Shen Ao smiled bitterly, this Zhao Boqiao's competitive heart is really too strong, seeing his determined look, he smiled slightly: "Yes, just take a look, my painting skills are not high, I don't know if I can hit by mistake this time, as long as I can enter the list, I am already very lucky." ”

Zhao Boqiao raised his chin slightly, and said proudly: "Brother Shi doesn't have to be arrogant, you must know that painting is a diligent word, if you don't make the list this time, you go home and practice more, and come back to take the exam next year, maybe there will be a chance." ”

His demeanor is quite a bit of a lesson to the juniors: "But declare in advance, our gambling contract still counts, you called me a master, gave me a teacher salute, maybe I took the time to remind you of it." ”

Shen Ao said modestly: "Yes, yes, Zhao Gongzi's painting skills, I also heard about it just now, it is said that you have won the true inheritance of his father and brother, and you have reached a very high attainment, and it is only expected that you will be on the list." ”

Seeing that Shen Ao was modest, Zhao Boqiang was very happy in his heart, so he said: "What's on the list, what I want is to be at the top of the list, as for other positions, I can't look down on them." ”

Then someone shouted, "Here comes the man." ”

Ignoring Zhao Boqiao's bragging, Shen Ao looked at the corner of the street, and saw more than a dozen red-clothed officials coming over with bangzi and gongs, and a few of them carrying wooden sticks in their hands, driving the crowd out of a way, but the leader was an official in a scarlet fish bag, strutting forward, holding a long box, walked to the front of the Xuanyu Pavilion in Jingzhao Mansion, locked the long box, and took out a red paper scroll in front of everyone's eyes, slowly unfolded it, and taught people to paste it.

Waiting for the red list to be pasted, everyone leaned over to look at it, and there was a lot ......of discussion for a while, and some people beat their chests and said: "Hey, the sky has no eyes, but it is the horse that has lost its front hooves" and said, people have walked out in despair, and their hearts are extremely desolate.

Someone shouted and raised his hand and said: "I'm hit, I'm hit, haha, ten years of hard work, it's not in vain......"

All kinds of people, all kinds of expressions, there are dark and sad, some are elated, some are dull-looking, some are radiant, that Zhao Boqiang's eyes are deep, his eyes fall on the list to find his name, after a while, he saw the three words Zhao Boqiang, but although he was on the list, Zhao Boqiang's face changed drastically, and his name was only ranked second, he looked at it, and the first one on him was the word Shen Ao.

Shen Ao, how could it be him! Shen Ao Jingyi did a good job, he was impressed, but when it came to painting, was this person also smarter than him? This is impossible, impossible, he has been studying painting since he was a child for ten years, and he has been taught by his father and brother, among the people of his age in Bianjing, who is better at splashing ink than him, this ...... What's going on?

On the other side, Liu Wen was already cheering: "Look, Young Master Biao is at the top of the list, he is on the list, he is on the list, he ......is on the list,

Madame also squinted her eyes and looked seriously, and when she really saw Shen Ao's name listed at the top of the list, she was so happy that her face turned crimson for a while, and said, "Okay, okay, Liu Wen, go back and inform the master, this is a great joy, my family's Shen Ao is going to be an official." ”

If you enter the list, you can participate in the palace examination, and then the ranking will be determined, but if you can be on the list, at least you are also an art examination scholar, and you are stable as an official. That's what Madame is worried about, Shen Ao is different from Zhou Heng, Zhou Heng doesn't need to work hard, he can also inherit the title, relying on his father's grace, he also has the qualifications to be an official, although he is a casual job, but no one needs to worry about it in this life.

But although Shen Ao was recognized by his wife, in the final analysis, he was still a civilian, and if a commoner wanted to become that person, he had to rely on his own efforts after all. Now that he finally has a background, even if the imperial examination goes wrong in the future, there will be a way out, and at worst, he will have no worries about food and clothing, and he will not fall behind.

Shen Ao just pursed his lips, without showing a trace of surprise, his eyes swept towards Zhao Boqiao, and saw that Zhao Boqiao's face was pale, and he couldn't wait to drill into the cracks in the ground.

Zhao Boqiao turned his head in despair, glared at Shen Ao, and said, "Are you laughing at me in your heart?" ”

Shen Ao shook his head: "Zhao Gongzi can win the second place in the painting test, who can laugh?" ”

When Zhao Boqi heard the words second, he was even more ashamed and indignant, and said: "Don't worry, there is still the palace test, when I get to the palace test, I will compare with you face to face." Shen Ao, don't be complacent. ”

Shen Ao smiled: "Unexpected, unexpected, it's just an exam, it's nothing." The more indifferent he was, the more Zhao Boqiao attached great importance to this exam, in fact, in terms of momentum, Shen Ao had already won.