On the afternoon of February 21, the first exam ended.

Xia Jingyun was like a prisoner who had been released, waiting for someone to open the lock of the small door of the number room, carrying his bags like a walking corpse from the number room to the gate, and then walking out of the tribute courtyard.

The people of the Hou Mansion hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, and then sent him to the inn that had been rented in advance not far away.

Of course, Baiyunbian also had the same treatment, and came over under the escort of his own scholars and guards.

When they arrived at the room, the two swept away the delicious food prepared by Feng Xiuyun in advance, didn't even bother to wash, wiped their mouths, and fell asleep directly on the bed, as if the food was poisonous.

In this year's imperial examination, not only is the test of knowledge, but also physical strength and will.

Everyone had experienced or knew this firsthand, so no one urged them, only two guards each guarding their master, and the rest sat silently in the lobby and waited.

It's not that the Jiang'an Hou Mansion can't afford an inn, but Xia Jingyun said that it is difficult for the children, this kind of inn close to the Gongyuan is very scarce, try not to occupy too many resources.

At the same time, he also asked the Hou Mansion to subsidize the innkeeper and let him list it at a low price, which quickly helped Xia Jingyun accumulate a good reputation after the innkeeper's explanation.

After Bai Yunbian knew this, he looked at the silver ticket he was carrying, and in addition to being melancholy, he learned another trick.

More than two hours later, when Xia Jingyun rubbed his eyes, yawned, and woke up from complete exhaustion, it was already dark outside.

A quarter of an hour later, in the bathtub prepared early, Xia Jingyun sat naked, and Feng Xiuyun silently helped him rub his back and wash his hair.

"Have we all gotten this far? Is there any step you have forgotten? ”

Xia Jingyun showed his doubts in a serious manner, teasing the people behind him.

Thinking that for the sake of safety and confidentiality, Chen Fugui was still guarding the door, Feng Xiuyun's face turned red directly, increasing the weight of his hand, and pinched it silently.

"Ouch, you're going to murder your husband!"

"Don't make a fuss, I'll tell you something serious."

As he spoke, Feng Xiuyun told the latest development of Qin Yuwen's assassination case.

"Prince?"

Xia Jingyun also put away his playful expression, rubbing his fingers and thinking.

"This matter suddenly caused a storm in the city, obviously someone is adding fuel to the fire, among so many forces in the capital city, the one who does not want the prince to continue to reign is the British Duke and us, except for His Majesty, it is the British Duke and us, since we have not acted, the biggest suspicion is the British Duke."

"It is also possible that the prime minister's civilian faction is in a situation where they are sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight, and their motives for making a move are not strong, and they may just stand by and watch."

"Your Majesty let the prince preside over the trial, and the trial will be held publicly, which is obviously murderous, which not only gives the prince an unavoidable dilemma, but also shows his dissatisfaction with the prince to everyone."

"It's ridiculous that there are so many people in so many parties, maybe no one cares if the prince is really a murderer, it's just like me at the beginning, they want me and need me to be."

Xia Jingyun analyzed a few words to himself in a very soft voice, and then he cleaned up, dried his body, put on his clothes, and hid the big pendulum.

The so-called gentleman hides his weapon and waits for the time to move.

It's not the right time, it's not needed yet.

He turned his head to look at Feng Xiuyun, "Help me invite Mr. Su here." And then it's so late, you guys go back and rest first. ”

Feng Xiuyun snorted, but she was not reluctant, not to mention that the long sword has not yet been sheathed, and the villain has not been subdued, assuming that it has been merged into one, at this critical time, she can't do anything to consume her energy.

So she only said, "Don't make it too late, I'll rest tonight and go to the tribute house tomorrow." ”

The tone was like a lady who knew how to advance and retreat, and sent her husband to the concubine's room.

A moment later, Xia Jingyun saw Su Yuanshang in the room.

Su Yuanshang took out a few pieces of paper and said, "Miss Feng should have told you about the matter." Although the most important one has been completed, your rest time is still precious, and we will make a long story short, if you have any thoughts for the next three days? ”

Xia Jingyun took it and swept it, all of which were relatively detailed information on all parties in the past three days.

He looked at it carefully, and said: "Pick two clues about the prince that we have in our hands, which are relatively hidden, but have not yet been known by the Black Ice Platform, and reveal them to the Black Ice Platform, and pour another fire on the situation." ”

"Then, pay attention to the people of the prince's family, if there are people who want to break away, we don't want to fight, but we must grasp their lists and trends, these wall grasses may be able to be used by us at critical moments in the future."

"Also, if there is no major change in the direction of the wind in the next three days, we can use the situation of the DPRK and the fall of the prince as an excuse to find those we have been looking for, and then move them with emotion and reason, hoping to pull them under our command. Let Mr. Gongsun go to this matter, and Mr. Su can accompany him if it is convenient. ”

"Oh, the last one, let Lu Yi help find a You Fang Dao person, don't care about the way it comes from, as long as it can be used, obedient, and then it looks like the fairy wind Dao bone can bluff people."

Su Yuanshang listened to the front very normally, and couldn't help but widen his eyes when he heard the last one, but he didn't say much, and nodded in response.

Then the two deduced something else, and finally took their leave when the night was too dark.

In the afternoon of the next day, Xia Jingyun carried a large bag again, underwent many inspections, and was locked in the number room.

And the outside world is still surging.

The crown prince, who was forced out of the East Palace by an edict of Emperor Chongning, came to the yamen of the criminal department, convened the heads of the three parties, and gathered together.

Except for the first Xuanhu of the Black Ice Platform with a calm face, the other criminal department Shangshu and Jing Zhaoyin were secretly complaining in their hearts.

You said that if His Highness asks after a while, how have you found out recently, what have you gained, and how should they answer!

Said, Your Highness, thanks to your Hongfu, we have made great progress, and we are about to determine that the real culprit is you?

Or, Your Highness, don't worry, we will work hard to investigate and strive to find evidence that the real murderer is not yours as soon as possible?

But fortunately, perhaps this prince also knew his current situation, so he didn't ask him, just sat on the platform and said: "The descendants of the Qin family for generations, also the royal family, the eldest son of the Qin family was killed, the father was furious, and the special order was personally supervised, the three of them must seriously handle the case, find out the truth, live up to the expectations of their father, return the Qin family to justice, and give the world a bright future, do you know?" ”

The three of them had no choice but to nod in unison.

"Okay, Lone won't say much, let's get busy, Isola is waiting for your news!"

When the three of them had retired, the prince sat alone in the hall, and the spring sun shone obliquely through the eaves of the house and fell on the open space in front of him, making his eyes more and more obscure.

And these three people really didn't "live up" to the prince's fate, and after going down, they followed the clues they opened earlier, investigated fiercely, and dug up a lot of evidence that the prince planned to deal with the Qin family.

Seeing that the case was basically clear, people's hearts began to move, driven by interests.

Many of those who had taken refuge under the prince's wing with the intention of planning for a longer-term future began to voluntarily break away from the prince's party.

And Gongsun Jing also found Guangluqing in the court at this time, according to Xia Jingyun's request, hoping to take advantage of the situation to win over this person who is very promising in Gongsun Jing's eyes.

When he came to the door and Chen said the benefits, the other party seemed to be quite convinced after a moment of silence.

"Indeed, if there is no owner in the East Palace, the court will become a competition between the three factions of Concubine Shu, Concubine De, and Qin Xiang, and Concubine De's strength is indeed extraordinary, although Concubine Shuniang has the entire Xungui Group as a backing, it may not be so easy to defeat."

Gongsun Jing was overjoyed and nodded hurriedly, "Yes, if we can get you to join Master Jiang again, we will be even more powerful, and the chances of winning will be even greater!" The future was uncertain before, and we couldn't force it, but now the future is very good, very safe, Lord Jiang doesn't have to hesitate anymore! ”

"But." Guang Luqing looked at Gongsun Jing, "If I have to choose a safe path, why don't I go to Qin Xiang?" ”

"Huh?" Gongsun Jing was stunned.

"You see, as soon as the prince falls, the court and the central three-legged stand together, Concubine Shu and Concubine De compete for the throne, the king of Linjiang County and the king of Jiaodong County compete for the throne, but it is impossible for Qin Xiang to sit on the throne, he just takes the civil officials to form his own faction, and he is just waiting to protect himself in this court, and his way out in the future must be when the two sides fight to the death, and end at a critical moment, help Concubine Shu win, and help Concubine De to win. Then as long as I take refuge in Qin Xiang, not to mention being rich and expensive in the future, at least I can be safe, and I can even get a little benefit. ”

Gongsun Jing was stupid when he heard it, but he didn't expect to have such a train of thought.

He opened his mouth and stammered twice, and finally said: "But what good can you do if you do that, the so-called wealth and wealth are in danger, if the king of Jiaodong County becomes the king in the future, do you need to say more about the wealth and glory of Lord Jiang?" ”

Guang Luqing smiled, "Huan Hai is sinister, since there is a way not to take risks, why should I seek that wealth in danger?" Thanks to Mr. Gongsun, I am ashamed. ”

Saying that, he picked up the teacup, and Gongsun Jing had no choice but to leave.

Just when Gongsun Jing left Guangluqing's mansion, the Qin family, which was originally the center of the matter, but now suddenly ignored by everyone, welcomed another guest.

Looking at Qin Sichao, who was standing in the hall gently, the head of the Qin family was a little helpless, and said with a forced smile: "The virtuous nephew is here, what do you have to say?" ”

Qin Sichao said seriously: "Those who are ministers will solve problems for the king, and those who are sons of men will share their worries for their fathers." Although I don't think there is anything wrong with my father's background, I can't open a single one in the future, but since my father has this long-cherished wish, the little nephew has no choice but to ask again, how did Uncle Shi and the Qin family elders discuss? ”

The head of the Qin family himself is not a particularly capable person, so when he heard this, he had to say with a humble face: "I haven't agreed on a result yet!" ”

Qin Sichao shook his head lightly, "It's been more than ten days, Uncle Shi is coaxing me like a three-year-old child?" ”

Just when the head of the Qin family was embarrassed, Qin Sichao said again: "Now that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has gradually surfaced, first of all, whether the Qin family can withstand the counterattack of the entire faction in the East Palace, this is what Uncle Shi needs to consider. Secondly, there will be a big change in the court situation, how will the Qin family deal with themselves? The little nephew's proposal is a matter of mutual benefit, and he is even willing to come to the door several times for this, and he begged in a low voice, hoping that Uncle Shi will give me a clear answer, and how the Prime Minister will act next must also be prepared. ”

The head of the Qin family said secretly, aren't you embarrassing me!

Just as he was hesitating, an old but calm voice sounded outside the door, "This answer, the old man will give it to you." ”

The old head of the Qin family walked in and looked at Qin Sichao, "The Tao is not the same, and forcibly twisting together is actually not a good thing. The old man sincerely wished Ling Zun to open a single branch for the surname Qin, and also thought that he would be able to be the master of the branch. ”

Qin Sichao looked at his firm eyes, stood up, bowed seriously, and turned to leave.

Watching Qin Sichao leave, the head of the Qin family walked up to the old father, and said with some concern: "Father, don't say such cruel words even if you refuse, if you offend people."

The old master turned his head and glared at him, "You think you won't offend if you refuse to say something?" ”

He looked out of the door on crutches, "When the wind and clouds change, if you choose a side, you must firmly grasp it and don't let go, don't think you can ride the wall, left and right, otherwise the final result will be to fall down and die, and no one will help you!" ”

——

February 24, afternoon.

After another three-day exam, Xia Jingyun and Bai Yunbian walked out of the Gongyuan again.

In this field, the two of them were much more relaxed than before, because this one mainly tested all kinds of standard official documents, which was easy for both of them.

Although Xia Jingyun didn't have much contact with him before, with a big man like Su Yuanshang who is proficient in this way, and so many officials by his side, he has long been familiar with it.

Almost the same process as last time, Xia Jingyun freshened up, and saw Su Yuanshang in the room again, and this time Gongsun Jing was also there.

After listening to the latest situation they told, Xia Jingyun pondered for a moment, looked at the summary of the latest news from Lu Yi's side in his hand, and said: "Mr. Gongsun, tomorrow, you find a suitable person, not an important minister in the court, but if you are qualified to write a book, let him write to His Majesty, saying that the case has been investigated for a long time, and request that the case be tried openly as soon as possible." ”

Gongsun Jing was surprised: "Is this useful?" ”

Xia Jingyun nodded and said, "I want to see Your Majesty's true attitude." If His Majesty really thinks as everyone guessed, then he will definitely agree. Originally, there was a public trial in his will. ”

Gongsun Jing continued to be puzzled: "Then what if the central general doesn't mention it?" ”

Xia Jingyun glanced at Su Yuanshang tacitly and smiled slightly, "Then we also tested the rest of the things." ”

"Okay, I'll take the last exam tomorrow, if everything goes well, this public trial will start on the 28th, and I'll just be able to catch up."

Su Yuanshang said with a smile: "I won't let you fail to catch up, don't forget, you are the number one suspect in the past!" ”

Xia Jingyun smiled, "Then let's make more careful preparations." ”

Everything was really as Xia Jingyun expected, Gongsun Jing found a suitable junior official to play, and the music was really sent to Emperor Chongning's desk unimpeded.

Emperor Chongning ordered that on February 28, the prince presided over the trial and tried the case in the Criminal Department.

The thunder rose from the ground, shaking the elite circle at the top of Zhongjing.

4,000 words, which is considered to be the amount of today's guaranteed update.

Think about it for a while, and try to add another chapter.

The long foreshadowing is finally coming to an end, and all kinds of threads are not so easy to collect, so try to complete a little higher.

or2

(End of chapter)