"That's supposed to be, she's grounded and there's nowhere to go." Sheng Hanmo breathed a sigh of relief, "It's okay, when my father and mother ask, they will say that she is sleepy and asleep."

"Hmm." Sheng Hangu agreed, and the brothers went back to the front hall together.

Qi Xinyue had already ordered the kitchen to make dinner, and after a few people had eaten together, Sheng Hanmo said goodbye and went back to his courtyard, and when it was close to midnight, Qin Yanjie, Gu Liuyuan, and Xie Zhuang Township were late, and the porter saw that someone was still coming so late and was about to drive away.

Sheng Hancheng didn't know when he walked to the gate of the mansion and stopped the porter, and reprimanded him: "There must be something urgent to come so late, you can drive others away without asking, is this the hospitality of the Hou Mansion?" I have to tell Steward Li to treat you well."

"Brother Cheng, it's the minion's fault, it's not that there are too many people who come to the door during the day, that's why I ......," the porter explained with a smile, while inviting the three scholars to enter the house.

Qin Yanjie shook his head and sighed, "We're too late and disturbed Master Hou's rest, I'm really sorry."

"It's okay, grandpa is in a good mood today, are you looking for grandpa?" Sheng Hancheng smiled and invited the three of them to sit down, "You sit down first, and I'll let someone report it."

Qin Yanjie thanked him with a smile, and Gu Liuyuan and Xie Zhuangxiang sat down at the table.

Sheng Hancheng called over two maids to wait, and then went to the backyard to find his grandfather.

Sheng Hancheng walked into the old marquis's room and knocked at the door: "Grandpa, there are three scholars at the door who say they want to see you."

"I see, you let them wait in the side hall." The voice of Old Marquis Sheng came from inside.

Sheng Hancheng responded and went out to bring the three of them over.

Although it was completely dark, the three of them could also roughly see the appearance of the Shenghou Mansion, which covers a wide area, the building is magnificent, and the courtyard is scattered.

Although it is not as magnificent and splendid as the palace, it is better than quiet and elegant.

The three of them had shining-eyed eyes and marveled at the layout of the Sheng family's house.

"It's ingenious." Xie Zhuangxiang couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice.

Qin Yanjie also nodded again and again: "No wonder others say that they only know that they are the frog at the bottom of the well when they enter the Shenghou Mansion."

Gu Liuyuan said with emotion: "This is the real family."

"Haha~ What's the relationship between the world and the family?" Sheng Hancheng's hearty laughter suddenly sounded, "Our Sheng family's ancestors have been ordinary people for generations, and they only entered the official career in the grandfather's generation, which is nothing compared to those ancestors in the capital who have been Beijing officials for ten generations."

"You can't compare it like this, there is still a gap between the clan and the family." Qin Yanjie said.

Gu Liu Yuan thought so: "That's right."

"Our Xie family is simpler, our ancestors are from farmers." Xie Zhuangxiang said.

"It doesn't matter if you come from a farmer's background, we don't want to be prosperous and rich, we just want to contribute to Shang Zhou." Gu Liu waved his hand aggressively.

Sheng Hancheng laughed when he heard this: "Yes, as long as you can live and work in peace and contentment, peace and joy are enough, why pursue any glory and wealth."

Gu Liuyuan pursed his lips and did not refute.

Qin Yanjie and Xie Zhuangxiang looked at Sheng Hancheng with complicated eyes.

"Don't you think it's nice to be rich and prosperous?" Xie Zhuangxiang asked.

Sheng Hancheng still smiled: "Of course it's beautiful, but there are more important things than that."

Qin Yanjie looked at Sheng Hancheng, and his eyes showed appreciation, sure enough, he was the son of the Sheng family, different from the ordinary eunuchs.

"You're right, we all have our own ideas, and no one can convince anyone." Xie Zhuangxiang said bitterly, "Then there is nothing to argue about."

"No, Brother Xie, I didn't try to convince you, everyone's position and ideas are different, of course there will be different pursuits, no one is right or wrong, but the opposite is different."

Qin Yanjie coughed lightly: "What Sheng Gongzi said is, since this is the case, we won't talk about this, and it is at the emperor's order to disturb Old Marquis Sheng today, in fact, we are also very worried, and we don't know how to face it."

"Don't think about it so much, grandpa is a very good person to get along with, and he also cherishes his talents."

Sheng Hancheng smiled and patted Qin Yanjie's shoulder.

Qin Yanjie bowed his hand: "Then we will take the liberty, we will express ourselves truthfully."

"Don't worry." Sheng Hancheng said with a smile.

After a few greetings, the four of them finally walked to Qingliu Courtyard, where the old marquis and Steward Li were sitting and chatting in the side hall, and Sheng Hancheng hurriedly greeted them: "Grandpa, they are here."

Old Marquis Sheng smiled and bowed: "Okay, please come in."

Qin Yanjie and Gu Liu Yuan Xie Zhuangxiang glanced at each other and walked in, and as soon as they crossed the threshold, they knelt down and kowtowed: "Xiaguan and others will see Old Marquis Sheng."

"Don't be formal, get up!" Old Marquis Sheng said.

The four of them thanked each other and stood up respectfully.

"I have heard your temple test today." Old Marquis Sheng said slowly, "It is Your Majesty's will that you come to see me, but whether you are accepted as a protégé or not depends on your own strength."

Qin Yanjie's expression was solemn: "Yes, Your Majesty Shengming."

"Then I would like to ask you, did Your Majesty make you my protégé because of your literary talents?" Old Marquis Sheng said.

Qin Yanjie and Gu Liu Yuan Xie Zhuangxiang looked slightly stiff, this question was very keen, but Old Marquis Sheng asked them directly.

The three of them were still thinking about this question, Sheng Hanmo and Sheng Zhiyao also walked in, and hurriedly stepped forward to salute when they saw this scene.

"No need to be polite." Old Marquis Sheng said lightly, and turned to look at Qin Yanjie, "You come."

Qin Yanjie hurriedly bowed: "Old Marquis Sheng, the lower officials dare not deceive the old Marquis Sheng, the lower officials have been familiar with poetry and books since childhood, and they have also studied the articles, if they worship in the name of the old Marquis Sheng, they will definitely be able to serve the old Marquis Sheng."

His words caused Sheng Zhiyao to sneer, and Sheng Zhiyao looked at Qin Yanjie mockingly: "You are quite brazen."

"Zhiyao!" Old Marquis Sheng scolded.

Sheng Zhiyao hurriedly smiled and bowed: "Yes, grandpa, granddaughter is rude."

Old Marquis Sheng snorted and turned his head to look at Qin Yanjie: "You said that you are familiar with poetry and books, then you tell me, can just studying poetry and books help you become an official?"

Qin Yanjie's expression changed suddenly: "This ......"

"I can only help you with the exam." Sheng Zhiyao interjected with a sneer, "I don't understand the people, I don't understand government affairs, how can I achieve greatness?"

Qin Yanjie frowned.

"You don't have to think I'm too small to talk about it." Sheng Zhiyao said unceremoniously, "Think about it yourself, what problems you will face when you become an official in the future."

As soon as her words fell, Qin Yanjie's face turned pale, and he thought that even if he became an official, he would inevitably have to face the chaos of the court and the struggle of officials in the future.

He was silent for a moment and looked up: "I am willing to learn the art of governing the country and share the worries of Your Majesty."