17

After the spring test is released, the palace test is not far away.

Zhu Qingchen stayed in the palace and worshiped Manjushri every day.

Outside the palace, the students kept in mind the teachings of the master, closed the door to thank guests, and did not even see relatives and friends who came to congratulate them.

Pei Xuan is the same.

On the day of the announcement, he celebrated a little with his mother, and then returned to the room to prepare for the palace examination.

His mother has been very accustomed to him these days, helping him wash his clothes and stew chicken soup for him.

During the meal, he only cared about reading and broke the rice bowl, and his mother did not say anything about him, but comforted him that it didn't matter, and helped him pick up the broken porcelain, saving him from hurting his hand.

Pei Xuan was moved in his heart, and he read the book more seriously.

Then another bowl was broken.

Chen Niangzi's expression was stunned, and she was about to raise her head to scold, but she still held back: "It's okay, it doesn't matter." ”

After packing up her things, Mrs. Chen asked him, "On the day of the palace test, where are you going to stay for the night?" I've got some money here, and you can go to the city and find an inn. ”

Pei Xuan said with a smile: "Mother, the inns in the city have risen to ten taels of silver for a firewood room, where can we afford to live......

Before Pei Xuan finished speaking, he suddenly reacted and covered his mouth.

How did he tell the truth?

Mrs. Chen asked, "How do you know?" ”

"On the day of the release, I had dinner with Senior Brother Liu in the Guanchao Building, and when I came back, I went to ask."

"Really? Are they all so expensive? ”

"Hmm." Pei Xuan nodded.

If he had been the same as before, he would not have dared to say this to his mother, because he was afraid that his mother would be sad.

But now, it's not that he no longer worries about his mother's sadness, but it seems to be ...... Something had changed in him.

The Master taught him to speak when he had something to say, and not to worry too much.

Mrs. Chen asked, "Then where do you plan to live?" ”

"Master and Senior Brother Liu both said that I could go to their house to stay temporarily."

"That's good."

"But I thought I'd better stay home."

"You're not afraid you won't be able to catch up?"

"Don't be afraid." Pei Xuan said with a smile, "There are many students who live outside the city, and they are not afraid, and I am naturally not afraid." Besides, I was used to sleeping in the bed at home, so I changed places, and I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. ”

Mrs. Chen was still a little worried, and Pei Xuan comforted her again: "The palace test is for academic articles, and it's not about who arrives first." The big rooster in the backyard crows every day before dawn, and he won't get up late. ”

Chen Niangzi was finally persuaded by him: "Okay, then you can do it yourself." ”

"Okay."

Strange to say, the closer to the palace test, the more relaxed Pei Xuan became.

He didn't seem to be flustered at all, he got up early every day to study, write two articles, and when the wine shop was too busy, he could still drive a donkey cart and go out to help deliver wine.

Pei Xuan thought that the master had really taught him many things.

Not only the knowledge in books, but also the knowledge of life.

*

Before I knew it, I was the day before the temple exam.

That evening, Pei Xuan put down the scroll in his hand, stood up, and stretched.

He came to the front of the hall: "Mother, do you want to deliver wine today?" ”

"There are several, and Xiao Zhang is loading the car in the back." Mrs. Chen knocked on the table, "Tomorrow is the palace test, you still have to go out to deliver wine?" ”

"It's okay, after reading a book for a day, I'll go out for a walk. If Xiao Zhang goes out to deliver wine, my mother is too busy to be alone, so it is better for me to go. ”

Mrs. Chen paused: "It's okay." ”

Pei Xuan said: "I'm just going to the palace to test, not to become an immortal." Besides, there is no failure in the palace exam, only rankings, as long as I don't raise my fist to beat the examiner, it will be fine. ”

Mrs. Chen couldn't resist him, so she handed him today's order list: "Okay, go ahead, come back early." ”

"Okay." Pei Xuan glanced at it and put the list into his arms.

Pei Xuan came to the backyard and helped the little servant carry the wine jar to the donkey cart.

He untied the donkey, jumped into the cart, waved his whip, skillfully drove the cart out of the backyard.

The little guy said: "Childe come back early." ”

"Good!" Pei Xuan didn't look back, and waved his whip at him.

At this time, the sun has not yet set, and in late spring and April, the grass is full of sky.

With the fragrant breeze blowing in his face, Pei Xuan only felt refreshed, and the tiredness of reading during the day had dissipated.

So he drove the donkey cart into the city.

The winery sends wine to several small restaurants in the city, and sometimes it also sends wine to some people, but the left is just those two places, Pei Xuan often goes, and they are all familiar with it.

He drove the cart nimbly through the streets and alleys, tied the donkey cart in front of the door, and then moved the wine jar down, and when he entered, he shouted: "Pei's Wine Workshop!" ”

When the people inside heard the commotion, they hurriedly came out to greet him, took the jar from his hand, and gave him the money.

The sun slowly went down, and Pei Xuan's wine was almost delivered.

There is one last altar left.

After delivering this altar, you can go back to eat.

He pulled out the list and glanced at it.

The last altar will be sent to King Jing's mansion.

At this time, the grass grows and the warbler flies, it is a good season for hunting, King Jing and his group of friends often go out to hunt and rest in Pei's winery.

King Jing probably rested his thoughts, restrained a lot, and did not ask him to speak again, let alone force him to give him gold.

They returned to their usual business relationship.

Now that the guest has ordered wine, he naturally wants to send it over.

Pei Xuan jumped into the car, waved his whip, and went to King Jing's Mansion.

King Jing's Mansion seems to be holding a banquet, the main gate is wide open, and people come and go from time to time, including many officials from the DPRK and China.

Pei Xuan frowned, and he could vaguely hear the laughter of the officials of the DPRK and China.

In broad daylight, why are the officials of the imperial court here?

Pei Xuan glanced at it, made up his mind, tied the donkey cart in front of the side door, stepped forward and knocked on the door.

The steward of the palace came out of the side door and instructed him: "Come in, the prince has a banquet in the garden, and bring the wine to the garden." ”

"Yes." Pei Xuan picked up the wine jar with both hands, followed behind him, and entered through the side door.

After all, King Jing is the younger brother of the emperor, the emperor □□ drink, King Jing loves to hunt, and occasionally □□ meetings.

Pei Xuan held the wine jar like this and followed the steward to the garden where the banquet was held.

When Pei Xuan entered, a loud voice happened to come: "I think back then, when my father fought in the northwest, His Majesty had to follow behind my father's ass......"

Pei Xuan turned his head and glanced at the flower wall, but before he could see anything clearly, the steward said, "Go your way, don't look around." ”

"Yes." Pei Xuan turned his head and continued to walk forward, bringing the drinks to the kitchen.

The steward grinded and chirped, lifted the lid, tasted the wine first, and said that he had no money on him, so go and get it for him now, and let Pei Xuan wait here.

If he is free, help fill the jug with the drink, and give him the money.

Pei Xuan didn't agree, but said: "I have already delivered the wine, it is late, I am in a hurry to go home for dinner, so I will not earn this silver." Hurry up and get the money for the drink, and I'll go home soon. ”

The steward looked at him with an impatient expression, as if it was a great favor to him to let him fill the wine.

Pei Xuan was neither humble nor arrogant, standing in place, with no intention of pretending to be wine at all.

The steward could only answer, and then went out to get him the money.

It was clearly the kitchen, but when he went out, the door was still closed.

Pei Xuan put his hands behind his back and looked around.

I don't know how long it has been, but the steward has not returned.

It's getting late.

Pei Xuan thought that he probably forgot, and Jingwangfu would not repay the debt, so he thought back to the way he came, and prepared to go back first, and come back in a few days to ask for money.

He pushed the door open, and just walked out of the kitchen door and onto the flower-walled hallway.

Suddenly, a man covered in alcohol jumped out and hugged him from behind: "Pei ......"

Pei Xuan was startled, his hands and feet were faster than his heart, he grabbed the man's arm on his shoulder, kicked his foot back, dragged his hand forward, and the whole person bent forward.

There was a loud "bang", and before the man finished speaking, he was thrown over the shoulder by Pei Xuan and smashed to the ground.

Pei Xuan let go of his hand and came back to his senses, only then did he see the person lying on it clearly.

- Respect for the king.

Pei Xuan hurriedly stretched out his hand and wanted to help him up.

But he paused, and suddenly reacted.

Did King Jing want to sneak attack him just now?

Thinking like this, Pei Xuan withdrew his hand.

King Jing frowned, and could only get up from the ground by himself.

It turned out that he was awake and not fully drunk.

Originally, how could someone get drunk and have a sober consciousness rushing up?

It's just a drunken offense.

Pei Xuan took three steps back and saluted him: "Lord Wang, it's rude." ”

King Jing was knocked by him, his clothes fell apart, his hair was scattered, and he looked very embarrassed.

He lowered his eyes and hid the gloomy look under his eyes: "Pei Xuan, long time no see." ”

Pei Xuan bowed slightly: "Today's banquet in the palace, I think the prince is drunk, I called someone to help the prince go down to rest." ”

As soon as Pei Xuan was about to leave, he was pulled by King Jing's sleeve.

"Ah Xuan, you help me go back."

Pei Xuan frowned slightly.

"Ah Xuan" is his nickname, and only his mother and master can call it.

Besides—

"The prince is drunk, I am not a slave of the prince, and I can't enter and leave the palace at will, I just came to deliver wine."

"This king is not drunk." King Jing tugged at his sleeve and refused to let go, "Ah Xuan, I don't know if it's my delusion, you seem to have been estranged a lot from this king recently. ”

Pei Xuan: ?

King Jing continued: "Since Master Zhu accepted you as a student, and you have other classmates, this king has become estranged from you, but what did they say in your ear? ”

Pei Xuan: ??

"Zhu Fuzi is a close confidant of His Majesty, and when he was cold, His Majesty sent him ten ginseng. Your Majesty is jealous of me, so I don't like me either, don't listen to them, I didn't intend to provoke them, I just wanted to live in peace. ”

Pei Xuan: ???

He glanced at the court officials in the distance, but they were still having fun.

King Jing smoothed his sleeve and held his hand: "Tomorrow is the palace test, your home is far away, this king has already asked someone to clean up the house and come out, you stay for the time being, and enter the palace early tomorrow morning to try." ”

"As for your mother's side, this king will also send someone to talk about it."

If it was Pei Xuan in the past, I am afraid that he would have been moved by his words a long time ago.

It's a pity that Pei Xuan is not the Pei Xuan of the past.

He withdrew his hand and said, "Thank you Lord Wang, but Lord Wang is too worried, I have already taken care of everything, so I won't bother the Lord Wang." ”

Pei Xuan saluted, and was about to bypass him and walk outside.

King Jing didn't expect him to be unable to enter the oil and salt, so he grabbed him: "Pei Xuan!" ”

Pei Xuan turned his head: "The prince still has orders?" ”

"This king usually takes care of your family's business, if it weren't for this king, you would have starved to death a long time ago, and this is how you repay me?"

King Jing was annoyed and angry, and finally said what was in his heart.

In his heart, Pei Xuan will always be the one who depends on him for survival, no different from the servants and slaves in the palace.

Pei Xuan brushed his hand away and said with a straight face: "Is the prince crazy?" My mother and I opened a wine shop, we were doing business in a dignified manner, in addition to the prince, there were also other guests, how did it become the prince to raise me, I would starve to death without the prince? ”

Pei Xuan looked at him awe-inspiringly: "According to the prince's statement, the prince doesn't hunt in winter and never comes to the winery, why didn't my mother and I starve to death?" ”

"The prince paid, I helped the prince deal with the prey, cook food, and provide wine, why did the prince raise me? If this is the case, when you go out of the palace and go out of the shops in Yong'an City, the prince has been to one, and they are the prince's shops? ”

"I am grateful to the prince for taking care of the winery business, but I also do business in a proper manner, and I never miss a pound or two, what do I owe to the prince?"

Pei Xuan has always been stupid, and this is the first time he has said so many things.

King Jing's face changed a few times when he said it, paused, and said: "Don't talk about money, you and I have known each other for so long, there should always be some affection?" This king is also for your good, why can't you stay in the palace for one night? ”

Pei Xuan's eyes widened: "I'm just grateful to the prince, and I didn't sell myself to the prince, the prince didn't say hello, he came up and moved his hands and feet, and wanted me to stay, why can't I refuse?" ”

He's not stupid!

King Jing was a little annoyed when he saw that he couldn't make sense, and stepped forward to catch him.

Pei Xuan dodged sideways: "The prince is self-respecting." ”

King Jing was completely annoyed by him, grabbed his hand violently, and said sharply: "Do you think that the palace is where you can come and leave when you want?" ”

Pei Xuan raised his eyes and said: "This is the palace, not the prison, I just came to deliver wine, naturally I can come if I want, I can leave if I want, I will be drunk with the king, remember to supply the silver money to the wine shop tomorrow." ”

It was useless to entangle, Pei Xuan turned his head, and was just about to call the little guys in King Jing's Mansion over and ask them to help King Jing down.

It's just that he opened his mouth, and before he could shout, King Jing covered his mouth and wanted to do something wrong.

Pei Xuan turned his head and swung his fist up.

Fortunately, the master told him to exercise a lot, and the strength of his punch was much heavier than before.

King Jing was punched by him, and the whole person took half a step back.

He reacted and also gave Pei Xuan a punch.

King Jing often goes out hunting, and he also has a little strength, and he didn't leave room for Pei Xuan, and punched him in the face, which made Pei Xuan's brain buzz.

He pressed Pei Xuan against the flower wall, and even reached out to untie his clothes.

Pei Xuan reacted with a "buzz", gave him a heavy kick, and kicked him out of the way.

The two men scuffled in the hallway.

Pei Xuan is no longer a thin literati who can only be pressed and beaten, let alone a cowardly student who faints after being punched and can only lie on the bed and cry.

King Jing grabbed Pei Xuan's collar, and Pei Xuan also grabbed his collar.

Suddenly, Pei Xuan saw that King Jing's clothes were scattered, revealing a gift list, and the four big words "General Zhenwei" were impressive.

Could it be ......

Pei Xuan reacted suddenly, glanced back at the flower wall, smashed a fist on King Jing's face, and took advantage of his inattention to steal the gift list and put it into his arms.

King Jing was annoyed and angry by his punch, and shouted, "Someone! Come on! Hold him down! ”