Shang Mingchuan was so angry that his face turned red, but he quickly concealed his displeasure. Instead, he looked at Xia Houshu carefully, seeming to be somewhat interested in her words and deeds. A maid who could tell anyone who she was.
, but deliberately followed him into the garden and tried to entangle him. Was this Duke Yue testing him, or was someone among his fellow travelers deliberately trying to frame him?
Xia Houshu was not afraid of the stage. He put his hands on his chest and looked at him fiercely and expectantly. She wanted to see what he, a self-proclaimed scholar, would do when he encountered a woman like her who was unreasonable and even wanted to beat her up.
How to deal with it? Can you still maintain the composure you had before?
After a long while, Shang Mingchuan was about to ask: "What do you mean by deliberately pestering me?"
Xia Houshu was stunned. Are all so-called literati so straightforward?
Xia Houshu thought for a moment and repeated his previous remarks.
Shang Mingchuan couldn't help but feel angry with an unknown fire in his heart, but because of his status, it was difficult for him to get angry. He stood up straight and took two steps back before saying coldly: "If you want to ruin my reputation, I will
I admit it, but can you tell me who instigated you?"
Xia Houshu thought to himself that this person was very narrow-minded and quick in reaction, but he was looking in the wrong direction. He was so preoccupied with doubting other people that he completely forgot about the person in front of him. Couldn't it be that she wanted to frame him?
"You are thinking too much." Xia Houshu said firmly, "No one is just here to ruin your reputation. The thing is what I just said. I felt uncomfortable and wanted to come over to rest, but I met you. What happens next?
Got it too."
"Forget it if you don't want to say it." Shang Mingchuan had no intention of continuing to ask, "Now, just call someone over. If you say that I am scornful of you, I will not defend you."
Xia Houshu thought that he would argue with her and argue with her, but she didn't expect that he would have an attitude of letting others be manipulated, which made her a little at a loss.
The two were in a stalemate when they suddenly heard "Brother Shang" coming from behind. It was someone coming out of the banquet hall and running into the small garden.
Xia Houshu looked sideways and saw that it was Wang Yuzhen whom he had met once before.
Why is this guy here again? Is it possible that he is hungry again and needs to find the toilet?
Xia Houshu was worried about being recognized, so he quickly turned around and walked back and forth, not caring that he "falled" and injured his leg. He even forgot to pick up the wooden tray with drinks on the ground.
Wang Yuzhen stood far away and did not see Xia Houshu's face clearly. He just looked at her hurriedly leaving figure with some confusion and asked Shang Mingchuan: "Who is that girl just now?"
Shang Mingchuan waved his hand and said lightly: "She was just a maid delivering wine. She accidentally spilled the wine. She was worried about being punished and squatted here crying for a long time. I saw how pitiful she was so I comforted her with a few words."
Wang Yuzhen did not doubt that he was there, and said with a smile: "Brother Shang is really kind, and he even cares about these things. But everyone is almost drunk. I see that the Duke of Yue seems to have something to ask you, so please come in with me."
"
Shang Mingchuan nodded slightly and followed Wang Yuzhen into the banquet hall again.
Xia Houshu ran a little further and didn't hear anyone following her, so she stopped to take a breath. She just wanted to find out about Shang Mingchuan's character, but she didn't expect to be humiliated. Now it seems that Shang Mingchuan is
Smart, calm, and composed, he knows how to protect himself in times of trouble, and he also knows how to see the situation clearly at critical moments. Being friends with such a person will definitely make people alert, rational, and enlightening at all times, but if they want to live together, it will be too boring.
Well, he is really not a good candidate for a husband!
She had to find an opportunity to reveal it to her father.
After Xia Houyuan entertained several groups of literati and scholars one after another, he discovered many promising talents, but some of them failed to enter the official career due to failure in the scientific examination. Those with strong family backgrounds stayed in the capital temporarily, making friends with powerful people in order to make a career.
If there is an opportunity, those with poor family backgrounds can only return to their hometowns to prepare for the next scientific examination, or they may simply give up and have no chance to offer advice to the court.
While Xia Houyuan regretted that his talents could not be reused, he also tried to find ways to secure a future for them. Not long after, he asked the emperor to set up a Jixian Hall in the middle of the capital. He was busy all day long, as if he had no choice but to choose his son-in-law.
The original intention was completely forgotten.
Jixian Hall was renovated and renovated on the residence of a criminal minister that had been abandoned for many years. The original overgrown yard was very large, and it could accommodate more than 300 people at the same time. Because it had been closed for many years and no one had taken care of it, the trees in the garden were scattered all over the place.
The intricate and wild growth adds some unique wild charm to Jixian Pavilion.
The building opposite the gate of Jixian Hall has no other unnecessary furniture except simple tables. There are only countless red ropes hung in the atrium, and each red rope is tied with a small wooden sign with the following words:
For issues related to the governance of the country and the security of the people, there is a tips bag attached under the wooden sign, and the Four Treasures of the Study are placed next to it. If someone has his own unique insights on a certain issue, he can write it down impromptu, sign his name and put it in the tip bag.
.Every ten days, the palace will send someone to Jixian Hall to collect the filled tips. If anyone's answer is lucky enough to be selected by the emperor, he will have the opportunity to become an official. This is much easier than studying hard to take the imperial examination.
The establishment of the Jixian Hall was very effective. It is said that within a month, the emperor promoted three or four knowledgeable people one after another. Not only were the candidates given different official positions according to their merit, they were also given houses and land, which demonstrated the emperor's pursuit of talents today.
If you are thirsty and the emperor's grace is mighty.
As a result, Jixian Hall became famous. Many students who failed in scientific examinations and intellectuals who hoped to be further appreciated by the emperor gathered in Jixian Hall. For a time, there was a grand scene of empty streets.
At the same time, the Duke of Yue's mansion in Yemen was full of people.
Ever since people outside knew that it was Xia Houyuan who requested the establishment of Jixian Pavilion, people came to visit almost every day. Some of them were talented people who had been favored by the emperor in one fell swoop, so they came here to express their gratitude; some were pretentious and ambitious people who hoped to achieve greater success.
The Duke may give you some advice and seek a bright and brilliant future.
Except for the days when he was going to the western suburbs camp for military training, Xia Houyuan would selectively meet with some literati at other times. Those who were truly talented would follow the rules and recommend them to try the Jixian Pavilion, or mention it when they went to the palace to see the emperor.
Just say it. If you just want to go out of your way to bribe someone, just give him a treat and send him out of the house. You will never give any chance to those who are speculative.
Xia Houyuan's move to find another way to provide talents for the imperial court, although it pointed out a clear path for some people to enter the official career, it also offended some people, with mixed feelings of joy and resentment.
People outside did not know the truth. They only saw that the name of Xia Houyuan, the Duke of Yue, was very popular in the capital. They did not see the complaints of the villain. This aroused the resentment of Yushitai and a large number of conservatives headed by Yao Guojiu, and they all
An impeachment report was filed. It was said that Xia Houyuan, a military general, did not train properly in the military camp, but colluded with the literati, formed a party for personal gain, tried to confuse the emperor, installed his own party members among the officials in the capital, cultivated his own power, and had evil intentions, and asked the emperor to reduce Xia Houyuan's power.
Military power in hand.
As the head of the civil service, Wang Chonghou selectively kept silent, watching the changes in this war of words and acting wisely to protect himself.
Xia Houyuan was originally sincere and loyal, but he was so angry when he encountered such suspicion. He argued with the officials who impeached him in court, stating that the establishment of the Jixian Pavilion was approved by the emperor, and the purpose of the establishment was to provide enlightened people in the world.
Providing an opportunity to enter the official career is also to select suitable people for the imperial court. It is a major plan to benefit the country and the people, and there is absolutely no selfish intention.
The conservative officials had already thought of a response, and the two sides were quarreling inside and outside the court. Fortunately, the emperor was smart and did not listen to the slander. He only took the conservative opinions and removed all the management and assessment authority of Jixian Hall.
He took it back and encouraged other officials to recommend talented and learned disciples to Jixian Hall for the emperor's use.
In this way, other officials had nothing to say, and the matter was settled. However, on the day he came back, Xia Houyuan fell off his horse and injured his leg. The guard Lin Qi was so frightened that he couldn't move and quickly carried him home.
, and also invited a doctor to come to the house for diagnosis and treatment.
Xia Houyuan took this opportunity to complain to the court about his illness and took a long leave. He did not even go to the military camp. He stayed at home every day and studied military books at home.
Xia Houshu secretly asked Pei Lang, who had treated her father. Pei Lang's expression was meaningful and he said it was nothing serious, so she didn't need to worry. She understood and stopped questioning.
The descendants of the Xiahou family learned to ride horses since childhood. When marching and fighting, they spent more time on the horse than on the ground. How could the father fall off the horse safely?
This fall was probably for people to see.
In the blink of an eye, more than half a month has passed, and Xia Houyuan has no intention of canceling the fake. Although he has handled the official documents and military affairs sent from the military camp in time, he has never been to the western suburbs camp, and all the powers are left to the deputy general.
The emperor also heard about it and issued a special decree.
During this period of time, there were still countless visitors asking to see him every day. Except for a few familiar ones, Xia Houyuan disappeared. They all were sent away on the grounds that they were sick and needed to rest.
The days passed slowly and happily, and soon it was Princess Zhao's sixtieth birthday.
Among the living men of the Dugu royal family, the most senior one is King Wei Duguxiao, who is honored as the emperor's uncle today. The second is King Zhao Dugumu, who is also the half-brother of Emperor Qi Jing and the uncle of the emperor today. They are all.
Two princes who were deeply favored by the emperor.
Although King Zhao did not have any outstanding achievements in the court, because of his deep blood relationship with the late emperor and the current emperor, and because he had no intention of fighting for power and profit or forming cliques for selfish interests, he was even more loved by the emperor and courtiers. Therefore, Princess Zhao's longevity
The banquet was held, and almost all the nobles in the capital were entertained.
In the past, when Xia Houyi was at home, Xia Houyi would go to major banquets in Beijing that required juniors to go out to support the occasion. However, it has been almost two months since he went to Mianxiangshan this time, and he has no intention of coming back. Mrs. Guo of the third room is not kind.
Socializing made Xia Houling timid and afraid of getting into trouble, so Xia Houling had no choice but to go.
In fact, Xiahou Shu doesn't have to go, but Xiahou Mei's second daughter Xu Ruolan married King Zhao's third son Duguxian, and Duguxian happened to be the youngest son of Princess Zhao, so the Prince Zhao's Palace and the Duke of Yue's Palace can also be regarded as
Married. When Princess Zhao posted the post, she specifically asked Zhong Yuqing to take her daughter there, saying that other noble ladies of similar age from Beijing were also invited to the banquet.
This means that when my daughter is older, it’s time to bring her out to the world, and at the same time, let the big families in Beijing see her. Otherwise, she will always be hidden at home, with no name, how can she find her husband’s family?
Zhong Yuqing thought that her daughter was going to get married and couldn't refuse, so she could only take Xia Houshu with her.