"Isn't the eldest princess living in a simple place and not asking about the world?" If it weren't for her extraordinarily noble identity, Chu Shixia would have almost forgotten about this person.

The eldest princess of Qi was the daughter of Emperor Ling, in other words, if she was a man, it would be difficult for the Chen family to get on the throne. Most of Emperor Ling's children died or died "accidentally" in the chaotic and dark palace, and the remaining children were insignificant except for the eldest princess of Qi Kingdom.

She is very low-key and well-behaved, and she can survive the encirclement and suppression of the Chen family, and she should not lack the means and scheming. But Chu Shixia had never seen her, she never attended any palace banquets and poetry meetings, as if the last ghost of the Spirit Emperor was hovering outside this new and rotten dynasty.

"That's just my guess."

Xu Yan neither refused the banquet and drink of the Shoufu Mansion, nor did he refrain from the Chen family's poetry meeting, he was very like a fish in water, left and right, and his human feelings were not as good as the students from the Huo family. So Shoufu and the Chen family are a little unsure of him, but this person's talent is extraordinarily outstanding, and people can't bear to give up.

At this time, Xu Yan wrote a fu, and the eldest princess praised it and specially entered the palace to present it to the emperor. The emperor also praised him and asked him to see his scroll by name. Xu Yan entered the palace test so smoothly.

Chu Shixia commented accurately: "It sounds like a far-sighted person. ”

"It's better to let His Highness contact it himself." Pei Zhang said lightly, "The more thoughtful people are, the more they value the sincerity of others." Although His Highness is not simple enough, he is honest enough. ”

——

After a thunderstorm, the temple test ended.

A young man in a green shirt hurried into a teahouse by the lake to take shelter from the rain, and heavy rain clouds were reflected in the mirrored lake. There are few guests in the teahouse, and the hoarse storyteller talks about the long-ago "The Legend of the Northern Expedition in Gale", and the sound of the piano is sparse, causing people to be drowsy.

"Guest, would you like a pot of tea?" Xiao Er asked diligently.

Scholars wear this kind of sturdy and wear-resistant green shirt, which has a calm color and affordable price. Recently, there are countless students in the imperial capital, and the imperial capital is at the feet of the Son of Heaven, maybe the front foot hit the groom of the grandfather of the country, and the back foot touched the shoulder of the future champion.

The young man smiled embarrassedly, and just wanted to refuse, but he heard a white-clothed boy next to him say: "The spring breeze is proud, and on a good day, you should drink." Give this Confucian a pot of good wine and a plate of snacks and food, and count it on my account. ”

Xiao Er responded smartly and went to get the wine.

The young man arched his hand to the boy in white and said, "Thank you for this son, how did the boy know that I had a happy event?" ”

"Today is the palace test." Bai Ziche smiled, "The roads around Xijing Lake extend in all directions, but this one is the only road leading to the palace. You still have the sandalwood of the Taixue Palace, the best sandalwood that is hard to buy in gold, even if there are few people in the imperial capital who can afford it. ”

The young man saluted him in admiration, "Jingzhou, Xu Yan." ”

"My name is Bai Ziche."

Xu Yan didn't seem surprised, and naturally sat down opposite him. On the stage, the storyteller plucked the strings, and the low sound of the piano and the rain echoed in the empty teahouse. There was a pale silence in the air, like a mirror that was about to collapse at the touch of a button.

"The Legend of the Northern Expedition of the Gale Wind is about the twenty-first year of Emperor Ling's Northern Expedition."

Xu Yan opened his mouth and said, "This battle is still controversial among the historians of our dynasty. Some people scolded the king of Zhenbei for being reckless and greedy, and some people praised this as an immortal achievement that shattered the ambition of the Beidi people. Bai Gongzi thinks that this battle is good or bad? ”

Bai Ziche said thoughtfully: "Is this the topic of today's palace exam?" ”

"It's just small talk. If Bai Gongzi doesn't want to answer, he doesn't have to be reluctant. ”

Bai Ziche pondered for a moment and said, "I haven't been to Yanbei, but I have a friend who is from Yunzhong. She told me that the Northern Expedition had to be fought. The climate in the north is harsh, the land is barren, and every time there is a season of famine and famine, the people of Beidi will go south to plunder the land. The cavalry of the Beidi people is rampant, once they break through the snow pass, it is a flat river, and there is no natural danger to rely on. ”

"This is what Bai Gongzi's friend said." Xu Yan smiled, "It can't be counted as Bai Gongzi's opinion." ”

Bai Ziche looked at his eyes and smiled slightly, and said, "You are very serious. I don't think the Northern Expedition was fought well. ”

Xu Yan's eyebrows raised slightly, "Oh? ”

"Eradicate the evil, cut the grass and eradicate the roots. Since Beidi is eyeing our emperor's dynasty, the footsteps of the king of Zhenbei should not stop at the foot of Beidi Holy Mountain. He should sweep across the steppe and force the Beidi people to the ice fields to the north. Bai Ziche said word by word, "Everyone knows that the Beidi people will make a comeback." The Northern Expedition, either not to do it, or to do it, in order to never suffer in the future. ”

It's just that the king of Zhenbei back then had no spare strength, and there was no way to support him anymore.

Xu Yan didn't say it was good, and he didn't say it was bad.

Xiao Er, who knew nothing, brought wine and food to the table, said a series of auspicious words, and asked for two rewards and then retired happily.

"So, the Beidi people and we have to fight endlessly?" Xu Yan asked subtly in a subtle tone.

"Or maybe there's another way."

Xu Yan said that he was listening.

"Mutual market."

Xu Yan showed a smile of genuine feelings.

Bai Ziche changed his words and said regretfully: "But since ancient times, it has been difficult for border markets. At present, the situation between the two sides of the DPRK and China, the safety of border trade, and the fair standards of trade are all major issues, and it is still rare to see a stable mutual market. ”

Xu Yan said with a little satisfaction: "I can think of this layer, Bai Gongzi has surpassed many people. ”

Xu Yan poured a full glass of wine and said to Bai Ziche: "I know the identity of the son, and I also know why the son came." I'd love to play for Childe, but I have two requests. ”

Bai Ziche didn't answer, waiting for him to continue.

"The first thing, the question of today's Taixue Hall exam has actually been leaked a long time ago."

Xu Yan said easily, but Bai Ziche was a little shocked.

"I'll just say this, and the rest is up to Your Highness. No matter what the result is, what decision His Highness makes, Xu will be smeared with His Highness's liver and brain. Xu Yan said.

Bai Ziche pondered for a moment and asked, "What about the second thing?" ”

"The friend in the clouds that Bai Gongzi just said is Miss Chu of the Chu clan in the clouds, right?" Xu Yan said, "I want to ask Gongzi to introduce me." ”

"What are you going to see her for?" Bai Ziche was a little confused.

When the mission returned to Beijing, some people gained fame, some people gained benefits, and some people got a bright future. Only Chu Zhixia had nothing, and the emperor rewarded her with a bunch of innocuous gold, silver and jade, as well as the orchids he carefully raised. However, with the Chu family's powerful position, this money was not important at all. Chu Zhixia is still a rich idler in the imperial capital, recruiting cats and teasing dogs all day long, listening to music and drinking in Qunyufang, and fighting with his children in his spare time.

Xu Yan has no relationship with Chu Shixia or even the Chu clan in the clouds.

Xu Yan paused, raised his eyes to look at Bai Ziche, his eyes were clear and cold: "I want to see Huo Ergongzi." ”