When the gongs and drums for the submission of the last subject exam were sounded, the students in Gongyuan who had been highly concentrated for three days seemed to have been drained of all their strength. They suddenly collapsed at their desks. Some students knew that they had failed in the exam. They even cried on the spot, beat their feet and chest, and said things like sorry for their ancestors, sorry for their parents, sorry for the hard work at home, and so on. But those students who did well in the exam laughed happily and talked in the Gongyuan with dignity. .I just didn’t read out how my article stood out in public. But my face showed how arrogant it was. It really looked like I was going to win the top prize.
"Brother Meng, are you free tonight?" Meng Xinghe put all the pen and inkstones into the box. Du Ruhui, who had already sealed the imperial examination papers, walked over with a smile. This time, Lao Du did not ask about the imperial examination. Instead, he changed the subject to a more relaxed topic and said, "A few days ago, Xuan'er bought me some jars of good wine. Since you have already finished your scientific examination, why not come to my house and have a drink together."
Meng Xinghe packed his things and said with a smile: "Then I have no choice but to be respectful and obey your orders."
Du Ruhui said "haha" twice, which was different from Meng Xinghe's pleasantries. He was also responsible for sorting out the scientific examination papers, so he said goodbye to Meng Xinghe for the time being.
In the Gongyuan, students in groups of three or three began to walk outside. Meng Xinghe also packed up his things and prepared to go back and have a good sleep. And Aunt Yun said that day that she would prepare a sumptuous meal for herself when her imperial examination was over. Congratulations. Thinking of this, Meng Xinghe's stomach became upset.
He stepped towards the gate of Gongyuan. A familiar voice came from behind.
"Third brother, wait for me." Among the crowded crowd, Zhao Haoran walked quickly towards Meng Xinghe carrying a bamboo box. After a while, he stood next to Meng Xinghe and asked: "How did you do in the exam?"
"It's not bad. Where are you, brother?" Meng Xinghe also started to chat. After all, after passing the imperial examination, he felt much more relaxed. Now he doesn't think about anything. He just waits for the results to be released.
Zhao Haoran scratched his head and said with a wry smile: "It's too difficult. I just wrote an answer to the agricultural and commercial test questions. As for writing poems, I barely passed the test. But I didn't do well in the article writing test paper. It seems that I didn't do well. There is no Hope High School this year.”
This year's exam questions are indeed too difficult. And they are all tricky and weird. It seems that they are deliberately trying to test the students' comprehensive abilities. The essay defense for the first subject is no longer the original text in the book, but based on the actual answer. The second subject is agriculture and commerce. But it is an arithmetic question about marching and fighting. The third question is not bad, but it is about looking at pictures and writing poems. These are undoubtedly challenges to students' adaptability. The difficulty is indeed improved by several levels compared with the previous imperial examinations.
However, what attracts Meng Xinghe to this year's imperial examination is the woman who can appear in the imperial examination questions. Meng Xinghe still can't figure out what it means to have a woman appear in the solemn imperial examination. Thinking of the woman holding quicksand. Yu Hao's wrist, her waist hanging by the green silk, her eyebrows painted like a painting, her eyes like spring mountains. She was comparable to the fairy-like woman in the painting. Meng Xinghe's heart felt hot for a while.
"It's her." Meng Xinghe suddenly thought of something, said a few words to Zhao Haoran, and rushed away.
After leaving the Gongyuan, there was already a sea of people outside. The imperial examination was over. Some were happy, some were sad. Some were howling and crying in public, and some were elated. All kinds of things. This happens every year in the imperial examination, so many people are not surprised. .
Meng Xinghe is like those unknown students in other places. When he walked out of Gongyuan, there was no family member who came to ask for help. After ten years of hard work, he became famous and suffered for several months. At this time, no one was relieved. Meng Xinghe Xinghe also relaxed wholeheartedly. He sighed in front of the gate of Gongyuan, and then slowly walked towards the Imperial College.
He didn't take a few steps before he stopped.
In front of the Gongyuan where people were coming and going, a woman wearing an aqua long dress stood blankly under the willow tree swaying in the wind. She looked at the turbulent blue river in front of her in trance. The people moved with the wind, just like a thin willow. .The swaying figure makes people feel pity.
"Ahem..." After seeing the man clearly, Meng Xinghe coughed twice and walked over. "Xiruo, what are you thinking about?"
"The exam is over." Yang Xiruo turned around with an unchanging expression of indifference. Meng Xinghe originally planned to make a few words, but when he saw Aunt Yun's current expression, he immediately gave up all thoughts. He nodded and said "hmm" as an answer.
"How did the exam go?"
"It's okay. Not bad, not bad."
"Okay. Let's go home." It's still as cold as ice, but it has a slightly more commanding tone than before.
Meng Xinghe followed Aunt Yun dejectedly and walked all the way to the Imperial College. However, he was still very happy in his heart. Aunt Yun could wait for him outside the Gongyuan. He was somewhat touched inside.
Returning to the Imperial Academy, the bamboo box was still there. Meng Xinghe was like a serf who had regained his freedom. He wanted to sing a few lines before he gave up. Seeing her childish behavior, Aunt Yun shook her head and said helplessly: "I'm going to cook for you. "
"No. I'm going to Mr. Du's house in the evening. If Aunt Yun wants to entertain me, she can do it anytime." Meng Xinghe said, turned around and returned to his room.
Aunt Yun gave a disappointed "Hmm" and walked back and forth in the room. She didn't know what she was busy with.
Meng Xinghe returned to the room and hurriedly took out one of his treasured things from the bookcase. They were three things given to him by an outstanding man named Yuan Tiangang when he was in Taoyuan. He didn't pay attention at the time. I thought about it carefully just now. This year The woman who appeared on the imperial examination paper and the beauty picture in his hand were carved from the same mold.
It couldn't be the same person. He spread out the picture of a beauty leaning on a dragon boat in his hand. What came into view was still that beautiful face. Looking at the river in front of him, he seemed to always have that sad face. By comparison, Meng Xinghe discovered that the two women indeed looked exactly the same. Even their eyes, appearance, and even body shapes were exactly the same. Moreover, the painting in his hand was given by Yuan Tiangang. There must be some mystery in it. .If you want to find the mystery, it seems that the woman in the painting is the key.
I know very little about that woman. I only saw her in front of Xiangguo Temple. It seems that I will have to go to Xiangguo Temple to draw pictures of beauties in the future. Only in this way can I find an opportunity to get close to her.
Mentally, he made up his mind and carefully put away the painting. Meng Xinghe went to the bathhouse to take a bath. He changed into a set of clean clothes and planned to go to Mr. Du's house early.
"Going out." She saw Meng Xinghe going out from the front door. Aunt Yun was sitting in the room and said calmly: "Will you be back in the evening?"
"Come back. Remember to leave the door open for me." Meng Xinghe thought for a while and said.
Aunt Yun paused for a moment. She did not resist Meng Xinghe's rudeness to her as fiercely as before. She warned: "You haven't eaten anything for three days. Drink less. Otherwise, you will get drunk later and I will have to serve you."
Is this considered concern? Meng Xinghe doesn't know what happened in the past three days. But Aunt Yun's current behavior is indeed a bit abnormal. Meng Xinghe knows that in the past, even if he went out to do business, Aunt Yun would not ask. Now she actually starts to care about herself. Is this good or bad?
"I know." Meng Xinghe said in greeting: "I'll sleep outside when I'm drunk. I won't bother you. I won't bother you. I'll even watch the door for you."
"Pfft." Aunt Yun smiled with relief. In the past, he always felt that Meng Xinghe's nonsense words were harsh. But now he just liked those nonsense words he said. It made his ears feel hot and he didn't dare to look into Meng Xinghe's eyes. He urged: "Go quickly. You won't be an eyesore at home."
"Yes." Meng Xinghe made a respectful and obedient gesture. He patted his butt and left the Imperial Academy.
There are still many people in Chang'an who know the residence of Lord Shangshu. It is located in the East City near Xuanwu Gate. It is the same road as the last time we went to Prince Xian's Mansion.
Standing in front of the Du Mansion, it looks much shabbier than the neighboring mansions. There are no stone lions in front of the slightly faded mahogany door, and there is no golden door plaque hanging on it. There is not even an ordinary doorkeeper. There are only a few pots of green pine trees as tall as one person and some flowers and plants. It can be regarded as decorating the Du Mansion into a quiet place.
Lao Du is indeed incorruptible. After reaching his level as an official, what else does he pursue?
Since there were no servants, no one went to inform Meng Xinghe when he entered the Du Mansion because everyone in this area knew that even if the door of the Du Mansion was opened at night, no thieves would come in and steal anything. Except for Du Mansion, no one would go in to steal anything. Apart from this pretty young lady, the Du family has nothing of value. Oh, by the way, there seems to be an incompetent son. This is what Meng Xinghe just learned about on his way to the Du Mansion.
The Du Mansion is large and relatively clean inside. There are no pavilions and pavilions, and there are only a few wing rooms. However, they are not very grand. There are many flowers, plants and trees in the courtyard, and they are relatively luxuriant. It can be seen that someone takes care of it regularly.
"Hey...brother, you are so cool." After leaving without making any progress, a humorous voice suddenly came from behind, almost startling Meng Xinghe.
He turned his head and immediately saw a young man of medium build appearing behind him. He was wearing the same green shirt as himself, but the material was a bit better. The young man wore a pair of shoes made of straw and held a cup in his mouth. A piece of dogtail grass on the roadside did not match the official attire he was wearing. Since he was a head shorter than Meng Xinghe, the man looked up at Meng Xinghe who was standing in front with the same evil smile as himself. First, I introduced myself: "I'm Du He. I haven't asked my brother for your surname."
"Taoyuan Meng Xinghe." This man is quite a bit of a playboy in his past. They are all of the same kind. Meng Xinghe answered very cheerfully.
"It turns out to be Uncle Meng." The man pretended to be familiar with everyone. He was two years older than Meng Xinghe. He actually called him Uncle Meng, which almost made Meng Xinghe fall down.
"I'm too humble. I'm afraid of losing my life. Brother Du, you should call me Brother Meng." Meng Xinghe wiped a cold sweat. When he inquired about the inside story of Du Mansion just now, he learned that Lao Du had a son named Du He, and he was a man just like himself. A prodigal man. I didn’t expect that this guy is so good at talking. He is so lovable when you meet him.
Du He looked around and whispered: "Brother Meng, I've been waiting for you to come."
"How do you explain this?" Meng Xinghe was confused. There should be no contact between him and Du He. However, looking at the other person's begging expression, Meng Xinghe sighed to himself. Could it be that trouble has caused me again?
Du He stepped on a pair of straw sandals, as if he were sneaking into a brothel for fear of being caught by his father Du Ruhui. He came to Meng Xinghe and timidly said: "Brother Meng, there is something that I need your help for."
"What's going on?" Meng Xinghe also looked around. He seemed to be having some illegal affair with Du He.
Du He lowered his voice and said in a low voice: "Brother Meng, you are so kind and compassionate. Please save me. This year, oh no, today. Today, you will marry my sister. She is already twenty-eight years old. Are you still staying at home?" Marry. This is really hard for me, little brother."
As if he was complaining, Du He confessed to Meng Xinghe all the things he had wanted to say but dared not say for many years.
"Du Laoer, what are you talking about? Believe it or not, when dad beats you with a riding crop in the future, don't let me plead for you."
The sound of "Du Lao Er" made Du He tremble immediately. He turned his head and said with a bitter smile: "Sister, you have wronged me again. I am asking Mr. Meng for advice. Hey, sister, why are you dressed so beautifully today? Yes. Which prince or princess wants to come to our Du Mansion? No wonder people outside are saying that they come to the Du Mansion. Apart from snatching away Miss Du's family, there really is nothing to gain. Tsk tsk. Sister is really the flower of our Du Mansion."
Miss Du Pingting came in wearing a quicksand dress. Her dignified and decent dress highlighted her usual nobility and reserve, and she also had a somewhat scholarly atmosphere.
"Don't do this to me. Your sister and I are the most glib people." Looking at Meng Xinghe, Miss Du said bitterly.