On February 29, the tenth year of orthodoxy, this day is the wedding day agreed between the Chengguo Mansion and the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion, and it is also the day of the release of the Yichou Branch Examination.

Before the sky dawned, the servants of the Chengguo Mansion were already busy, preparing to welcome relatives and friends from all walks of life, as well as dignitaries and dignitaries. According to the current power and status of Zhu Yong, the Duke of Chengguo, I am afraid that half of the relatives and high-ranking officials of the Beijing Division will be present to congratulate this wedding banquet.

The lobby of the mansion has been hung with festive red satin, and a big Chinese character has been posted on the front wall, and red candles with auspicious dragons and phoenixes have been lit on both sides.

Zhu Ji was not in the mansion at the moment, he had already taken the group of fox friends and dog friends of the clan relatives of the Chengguo Mansion to the Zhenyuan Marquis Mansion to pick up his relatives. However, Shen Yichen and Zhu Yi stood in front of the door of the mansion together, serving as a guest to welcome them.

This kind of identity and positioning made Shen Yichen feel extremely unnatural.

However, this request was personally ordered by Zhu Yong, the Duke of Chengguo, after all, he was a dignified Duke of Ming, and it was impossible to show the discord between father and son and brother in front of outsiders. If Shen Yichen doesn't show up at his brother's wedding, wouldn't it be a joke if it spreads?

In addition, Shen Yichen considered that the major events in his life were just like this, and he didn't want to make the scene too ugly, so he had to agree to make a show of it.

"What, not used to it?"

Seeing Shen Yichen's absent-minded appearance, Zhu Yi beside him asked lightly.

Compared with Zhu Yi before last year's border patrol, his complexion at this time is much darker, and he has become much more resolute. If he hadn't stood in front of the door of the Chengguo Mansion, I am afraid that the first time I saw him, no one would have expected that this was the eldest son of the Duke of Guo.

"It's okay, nothing."

Shen Yichen replied in a calm tone, without revealing obvious personal emotions.

After several contacts with Zhu Yi, he knows very well that the rank of this "big brother" is better than Zhu Ji, the second ancestor. When dealing with him, you have to lift your spirits, and it's best not to be easily taken out of any words.

"This time I returned from Shaanxi to attend the wedding banquet of my second brother, and I didn't prepare anything in a hurry, so I brought you a set of four treasures of the study as a gift, I don't know if I like it."

The four treasures of the study room that Zhu Yi mentioned were the gift box that Shen Yichen saw on the desk yesterday.

"Thank you, eldest son, I am very satisfied."

Shen Yichen thanked him, rushed back to Beijing from the northwest, and did not forget to prepare a gift for himself, which was indeed moving.

"Between you and me, there is no need to be so polite."

Originally, Shen Yichen was still a little grateful in his heart, but when he heard Zhu Yi's words that pulled him into the relationship like this, he could only smile.

may have felt the defense in Shen Yichen's heart, Zhu Yi did not continue to talk about this matter, and the scene returned to the quiet it was before.

However, what Zhu Yi didn't expect was that this time Shen Yichen took the initiative to ask: "Eldest son, I don't know how you feel about your northwest patrol this time?" ”

Suddenly hearing this, Zhu Yi had a somewhat surprised expression on his face, you must know that the vast majority of literati in the Ming Dynasty are not very interested in these martial arts in the frontier. There are even some old-fashioned and pedantic old masters who think that the threat of the frontier barbarians is just that they have not been civilized.

As long as they can learn the way of Confucius and Mencius, they will naturally be able to easily and forever keep the frontier peaceful, which is the way to cure the root cause.

Not to mention the literati, even many of the sons and daughters of the military generals have been indulged in the drunken gold fascination of the Beijing Division, and they are unwilling to lead the army to pay attention to the bitter cold places of the frontier.

"I followed Uncle Jing Yuanbo to inspect the borders this time, and everywhere I went, whether it was the people or the military households, it was all cold and bitter."

"The first Tile Spur Department in the north is now unified with the Mongol tribes, and the troops are constantly invading the east. If it is not restricted, the Wuliang Ha Sanwei may be annexed, and at that time, regardless of the population or territory, the Tile Thorn Department will be upgraded to a level again, and it will eventually become a disaster for the Ming Dynasty! ”

After that, Zhu Yi sighed heavily, it was obvious that the situation in the frontier was not optimistic.

What Shen Yichen wanted to know was actually the news about the Tile Spur Department. At present, his appearance has not affected the changes in the situation in northern Mongolia, and the first department still targets the body of Uliangha Sanwei.

Once the Uliangha Sanwei was annexed, it meant that the entire Mongol tribe had once again completed the great unification. At that time, the Ming Dynasty will no longer face a divided Mongol tribe, but a whole "Mongol Empire"!

"In such a situation, have you given it to the Son of Heaven?"

"Of course, the border generals have already been sparse many times, but it doesn't have much effect, just let us take more precautions."

Hearing this, it was Shen Yichen's turn to sigh, the only lesson that mankind has learned from history is to never learn any lessons.

Ming Yingzong still didn't put the first tile spur department in his eyes, thinking that it was a weak chicken like Wuliang Ha Sanwei who had been recruited?

"Yongkang Hou came to celebrate with his family!"

A message from the porter interrupted Shen Yichen's idea of continuing to ask, and he had to work with Zhu Yi to greet the guests who came to the wedding banquet.

"Marquis Yangwu came to celebrate with his family!"

"The left squire of the military department is here to celebrate!"

"Tobe Shangshu came to celebrate!"

With the passage of time, the number of guests who came to the Chengguo Mansion began to increase dramatically.

Shen Yichen no longer had any small talk and rest time, so he could only keep greeting and saluting the visitors, and his face was about to smirk numb.

"Hui Changbo and his family came to celebrate!"

Another rumor, this time Shen Yichen can be said to have seen an "acquaintance" in the crowd, he is Sun Shaozong, the son of Huichangbo.

To be honest, Shen Yichen was not surprised to see Sun Shaozong appear at today's wedding banquet. Because this kind of marriage banquet between honorable relatives and high-ranking officials, to put it bluntly, is also a large-scale place of communication for others.

Bring his son and younger generations over to see the world, maybe he can get to know two powerful connections, and he will be able to speak in officialdom in the future.

"Congratulations to your mansion for organizing a happy event, the eldest prince Zhu has returned from patrolling the border, and he has become a prince of the country."

Hui Changbo's interpersonal communication is still okay, and he greeted Zhu Yi very warmly when he came up, and leaned on Zhu Yong with his words, which is naturally very useful for the eldest son who wants to attack the lord.

"Huichangbo is polite, and the juniors are still a lot worse. My father has been waiting in the house for a long time, and I hope that today's meeting Changbo will definitely return happy. ”

"That's nature!"

Huichang Bo Sun Zhong nodded, then looked at Shen Yichen, and said with the same familiarity: "Yichen, you and the dog have a friendship of the same year, I don't know if today's list can spread the good news and create a good story of joint nomination." ”

"Sun Gongzi is talented, and he is far inferior to him, and today he will definitely be able to hear the good news."

Shen Yichen replied with a polite smile without smiling.

"It is rumored that Xie Yuanlang is modest and respectful, and he is really low-key when he sees it today."

"Hui Changbo praised, please."

"Okay."

Huichang Bo Sun Zhong walked into the mansion after a few polite words, and Sun Shaozong followed unhurriedly.

However, when he passed by Shen Yichen's side, he deliberately slowed down his pace and said in a low voice: "Don't try to be as proud as the township test this time, I will win you!" ”

Hearing this, a playful smile appeared on the corner of Shen Yichen's mouth, and he lost the low-key and modest attitude in front of Hui Changbo just now.

"Just you, too?"

"If you don't believe it, we'll see, and when you fall off the list, we'll cry."

Sun Shaozong replied viciously, he knew that Shen Yichen's modesty was faked, this is the true face!

"Okay, let's see who's crying."

After a few words of verbal fighting, Sun Shaozong also entered the mansion, but Zhu Yi didn't hear what the two of them said clearly.

However, he still knows a lot about Sun Shaozong, so he said: "Sun Shaozong has a flamboyant and domineering personality, and there is no one in the current queen mother as a backer. ”

"If it is not necessary, it is better not to have a dispute with him, and it is better to offend a gentleman than to offend such a villain. The threat may not be great, but it will always haunt you. ”

"I know."

Shen Yichen nodded, in fact, it was too late for Zhu Yi to say this, and there was no possibility of reconciliation between the two sides for a long time.

However, offending is also offending, and as time goes by, it becomes more and more difficult for people like Sun Shaozong to affect Shen Yichen in the slightest.

"The official secretary and his family came to celebrate!"

This body is placed in today's wedding banquet, which is a little different.

Because most of the people who brought their families to the banquet were mainly Xun Qi or Zhu Yong's subordinates of the Governor's Office of the Five Armies, the ministers of the DPRK and China either came alone, or they had special identities to avoid suspicion and asked someone to send congratulatory stickers.

For example, the officials of the Ministry of Rites, because the examination had just ended, and the protagonist of the wedding banquet was a new scientific examiner, so they all chose to avoid suspicion without going to the banquet.

However, when Shen Yichen saw who it was, he showed an expression that was really like this, because the family members directly carried by the official Shangshu Wang can also be called an "old acquaintance", he is He Pingyan.

He Pingyan's identity as Wang Zhi's nephew has always been deliberately concealed before, except for a small number of high-level or close people, most of the Beijing masters and the second generation of officials in the circle don't know who is behind him.

Now that the Gongxing Society has become a climate, and He Pingyan will soon enter the official career after the examination, there is no need to hide his identity as Wang Zhi's nephew.

On the contrary, He Pingyan has been unusually high-profile recently, constantly following Wang directly to meet people in the officialdom, just to lay the foundation for contacts in the future.

Today's gathering of honorable relatives and important ministers, He Pingyan naturally could not miss it.

Compared with Sun Shaozong's arrogance, He Pingyan's performance is much calmer and more low-key, and he has always maintained courtesy in dialogue with Shen Yichen.

But the eyes that collided together inadvertently could still feel the arrogance of not admitting defeat, as well as a certain indescribable coldness.

Let Shen Yichen treat He Pingyan and not dare to relax his vigilance like he did with Sun Shaozong, this kid is definitely not a good stubble, and he will definitely take more precautions in the future.

"The son of England has come to celebrate!"

"Dingguo Gong came to celebrate with his family!"

"Taining Hou came to celebrate with his family!"

Just when Shen Yichen was almost numb when he received the guests, the appearance of the three words Taininghou gave him a little more expectation.

"Uncle Chen, my father has been waiting for me for a long time, and I said that I will not get drunk with you today."

Compared with others, Zhu Yong and Chen Ying are close friends, and they are also very familiar with their sons and nephews, so Zhu Yi used the title of uncle, and the words were also very affectionate.

Shen Yichen also bowed to Taining Hou, but his gaze quickly fell on Chen Qingtong's body.

Today, Chen Qingtong is wearing a red collared jacket with a moon-white horse-faced skirt, which is a little less childish than in the past, and a little more beautiful as a woman.

Similarly, all Chen Qingtong's thoughts were also placed on Shen Yichen. She has been looking forward to meeting her sweetheart for a long time, and now that she has finally been able to meet, how can she be willing to take her eyes off?

After a few polite words with Zhu Yi, Taining Hou Chen Ying was about to beckon his daughter Chen Qingtong to enter the house together, but found that this girl was no one around, and only Shen Yichen was left in her eyes.

Seeing this scene, Taining Hou shook his head helplessly, and reminded Chen Qingtong to pay attention to the occasion. Then he walked in front of Shen Yichen and said in a low voice: "Do you remember what I said at the sacrificial ceremony that day?" ”

"The younger generation always keeps it in mind."

"Then it's best not to disappoint me when the list is released today, understand?"

"Yes, the younger generation will live up to the trust."

At the beginning of the year, Chen Ying, the Marquis of Taining, said that he wanted Shen Yichen to work hard, not to let him, let alone let Qingtong down.

Today's release day is the time to test the commitment.

"Hmm."

Taining Hou Chen Ying nodded, did not continue to say more, and dragged Chen Qingtong towards the mansion.

"Daddy, what did you just say to Brother Yichen?"

"I said this kid was not looking right, and warned to break his leg!"

"Daddy!"

Chen Qingtong couldn't cry or laugh when she was angry, she never expected her father to make such a joke.

Near noon, there was a sound of blowing and playing music from a distance, and Zhu Yi rode on a tall horse in a wedding dress and led the team to return to the mansion.

The bride is welcomed through the door, followed by traditional ceremonies such as the marriage in the church. Shen Yichen had already had a sore back after standing all morning, and he was not interested in watching the ceremony, so he quietly ran to the back kitchen and filled his stomach with two mouthfuls of food.

At the end of the chapel, the wedding banquet officially began, and the ministers who were able to attend the wedding banquet of the Chengguo Mansion naturally could not come over to fill their stomachs. Everyone just needs this occasion to contact their feelings and exchange information by the way, and the absolute center of the topic at this time is undoubtedly the trial list of the Yi Chou family.

"I guess it's almost time to release the list, I don't know how many of the many young people who participated in the banquet today can be selected as Jinshi."

"There must be no suspense about the son of Huichangbo, Shen Yichen is Shuntianxiang to try to solve the yuan, and it is not surprising to win the middle, so it's hard to say anything else."

"What about Zhu Ji, it is said that he has already made a bold statement, and he will be happy today."

"Zhu Ji is not knowledgeable, but as the son of Chengguo Gong and married the daughter of the Marquis of Zhenyuan, he dared to make such a bold statement, he must have been prepared behind it."

"What is said is very true, and I agree with it."

The release process of the general examination is slightly different from that of the township examination, that is, almost no candidates will crowd at the gate of the Gongyuan and wait for the list to be posted and roll call, but choose to wait in the township hall.

The reason is that before the trial list was released, someone outside had already bribed the reporter of the bookstore office in the hospital, and learned about the famous move on the list in advance, and took the first step to blow and sing to find the person who won the test to please the money.

There will even be several teams of different people, in order to compete for the reward of the good news, galloping on the street.

Therefore, the candidates only need to sit and wait for the news, which is faster than waiting for the list to be released at the gate of the Gongyuan.

The sound of gongs and drums of "bell bell" came from far and near, and the reporter could be heard shouting at the top of his voice: "I will try to report success, congratulations to the new master Tian of Wanping County, Shuntian Prefecture, the 286th place in the high school B Chou Department examination, and the saint above the Jinluan Palace!" ”

"I'm going to try Enko and start releasing the list, quick, call someone to wait at the door!"

Hearing the sound of the good news outside, the Lin family didn't care about chatting with other noblewomen, and immediately called for his subordinates to wait at the gate of the mansion, so that they could learn the news of their son being taken for the first time.

Not only was the Lin family so excited, but people such as Huichang Bo Sun Zhong, Shangshu Wang Zhi and others also began to greet their entourage and stood in front of the Chengguo Mansion to inquire about the news.

The purpose of their coming here today is not only to let their nephews get acquainted with more officialdom connections, but also to hope that their nephews can take the test in front of their relatives and important ministers, which will be of great benefit to the improvement of their fame in the future.

At the table of Chengguo Gong Zhu Yong, looking at the guests attending the banquet, they were all attracted by the good news of the trial list outside.

Dingguo Gong Xu Xianzhong said: "Cheng Guogong, I heard that your two sons in your house have participated in the Yichou Branch Examination this year, so shouldn't you be happy today." ”

"The wedding banquet is chosen on this day, and Chengguo Gong must be ready for three joys, which is really the envy of Ben Hou."

Yongkang Hou Xu An echoed a sentence, the compliment in his words was true, and the envy was also true.

Becoming a prince of the country himself is like the sky, and the two sons are still so competitive, it is difficult not to envy them.

"It's just a coincidence, it's a coincidence, haha."

Zhu Yong originally drank a little too much today because of the happy event, but when he heard this compliment, he thought that if Zhu Ji and Shen Yichen were both in high school, what a glory would it be for the three joys to come to the door?

I really couldn't control the joy in my heart, and the laughter was heard by the neighboring tables.

The sound of the good news from the streets outside the house was endless, and it soon advanced to the top 100 tributes. At the same time, a servant ran in from outside the house, followed by a reporter.

Seeing that a newspaper had been ushered into the house, it was obvious that among the people attending the wedding banquet, some of them had entered the high school.

I saw Zhu Ji stand up at this time, looking at the reporter with excitement on his face, thinking that he was afraid that the good news of his Zhonggongshi was coming.

Today is not only the candle night of your own cave room, but also the title of the gold list, both are indispensable!

"I will try to report the success, congratulations to Zhou Wen, the master of Gaoyang County, Baoding Prefecture, the eighty-ninth place in the high school B Chou subject examination, and the saint of Jinluan Palace!"

It's just that when this name came out, Zhu Ji stood in place dumbfounded, who the hell is this Zhou Wen, who made Lao Tzubai happy!