"Strange?"
Xu Qi 'an pulled out a chair and sat down. He asked Susu to pour him a cup of water.
"I'm not your concubine yet. How can you order me around like this …" Susu glared at him and obediently poured the water. After all, they were talking about the massacre of her family.
She had to rely on this man's help. Otherwise, she and her master, Li Miaozhen, would not be able to find out anything even after ten years of investigation.
After Xu Qi 'an took a sip of tea, Li Miaozhen said,
"Susu's father was Su Hang. He was a Jinshi in the year 29 of Joan of Arc. In the year 14 of Yuanjing, for some reason, he was demoted back to Jiangzhou to serve as a magistrate. He was beheaded the following year for bribery and corruption."
Xu Qi 'an stroked the teacup and asked, "What's the problem?"
"Yes." Li Miaozhen tilted her head and looked at Susu. "She doesn't remember staying in the capital. Susu's soul is complete. When my master found her, she was absorbing the Yin Qi in the mass grave to cultivate. As long as she doesn't leave the mass grave, she can live forever.
"A resentful soul with such a cultivation level will not lose her memory unless her memory was erased when she was alive."
Susu said, "Maybe, maybe I really haven't been to the capital."
Xu Qi 'an shook his head. "Anyone who becomes an official in the capital will have to move their family to the capital. I'm more inclined to believe that there's something wrong with Susu's memory when she was alive. Well, it's a bit interesting. "
The two people and the ghost were silent for a moment. Xu Qi 'an said, "Since he is an official in the capital, then the Ministry of Personnel will have his information … The Ministry of Personnel is the territory of Wang Shoufu. He and Wei Yuan are political enemies. Without sufficient reason, I have no right to consult the records of the Ministry of Personnel.
"So don't be anxious. Wait for the opportunity."
Li Miaozhen and Susu nodded.
Xu Qi 'an sipped the warm tea and said, "What's your brother's name? How old was he when the accident happened to the Su family? "
Susu tilted her head and thought for a moment. "His name was Su Chengzhi. He was about eleven or twelve years old when the accident happened to his family."
He's probably 31 or 32 years old now, so it's impossible to find a brother-in-law. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack … If only Daibun had a well-developed public security system … Xu Qi'an hinted, "That's right.
"I'll try to help you, but don't get your hopes up."
Susu replied with a "hmm". She knew that it was too difficult to find her relatives, so she didn't insist.
After this matter was settled, Xu Qi'an brought up the second matter. He looked at Li Miaozhen and asked, "When do you plan to start the Battle of Heaven and Man?"
Li Miaozhen didn't hesitate. "Let's send the letter of challenge first and then set a time. Let's do it within seven days."
Xu Qi'an nodded slowly and said his thoughts straightforwardly, "Before the Battle of Heaven and Man ends, you'd better leave the capital. No matter what kind of letter you receive or who you meet, don't leave. "
Li Miaozhen raised her eyebrows. "Are you saying that someone will do something bad to me?"
"That's obvious." Xu Qi'an sighed. "If something happens to you in the capital, will the Taoist Master of Tenzō let it go? He's a first-grade Earth Immortal from Taoism. I'm afraid he's no weaker than the Supervisor. "
Susu puffed out her chest and said proudly, "Knowing that our Taoist Master is a first-grade Earth Immortal, there's still someone who dares to do something bad to you?"
Xu Qi'an felt sorry for the intelligence of the female ghost. "Your father was a Jinshi, but you didn't inherit his intelligence … It's because you're really a Tenzō Shōnin that people want to do something bad to you.
"His Majesty is obsessed with cultivation. In order to maintain the stability of his power, he has created a chaotic situation in the imperial court. There are people who are dissatisfied with this. The Battle of Heaven and Man is a good opportunity for them …
"Besides, everyone knows about this. People from Jianghu are pouring into the capital. There must be spies from other countries among them. These people want Li Miaozhen to die in the capital. "
Susu suddenly understood.
"You're a fourth-grade Taoist Master. Ordinary people are no match for you. It's wishful thinking for foreign masters who are fourth-grade and above to enter the capital to kill you. And the masters in the imperial court won't make a move in the capital unless they're determined to die. "
"Thank you for the reminder. I understand." Li Miaozhen said, "I'll arrange for ghosts to stand guard around the Xu Mansion. If anyone suspicious comes near, they'll immediately give a warning. When that happens, I'll make a move in advance or leave the Xu Mansion. I won't implicate your family. Although the possibility of this is not high. "
Then, she couldn't help but mock, "Damn Yuanjing Emperor."
Hey, hey, be careful with what you say. You can say these things on the Internet … Xu Qi 'an smiled and nodded. He stood up and said, "Then, as an outsider, I will not disturb the two ladies' sweet dreams."
He left the room under the confused gazes of Li Miaozhen and Susu.
…
The 27th of March was a good day for ceremonies, tailoring, traveling, and getting married.
Today was the day of the court examinations. It was a month away from the end of the general examinations.
Aunt woke up in the hazy sky. She wore a long dress with exquisite embroidery. Her hair was messy and tied behind her head with a golden hairpin.
Her beautiful eyes were dull and her eye bags were puffy, as if she hadn't woken up yet.
Aunt arranged for the cook to make breakfast for Erlang. She knocked on Erlang's door with her personal servant Lü 'e.
Xu Xinnian was wearing a light white robe. The purple jade that Recluse Zi Yang had given him hung around his waist. He opened the door for his mother in high spirits.
"Erlang, why are you up so early?" Aunt yawned.
"I asked the kitchen to make breakfast. Erlang, do you want to sleep for another fifteen minutes? I'll wake you up."
"No need."
Xu Erlang was an eighth-ranked Confucian scholar. He was much more energetic than an ordinary person. He comforted his mother, "Mother, don't worry. The court examinations are a ranking test. With my status as a Huiyuan Scholar, I won't be too low."
Aunt was relieved. She brought Lü 'e out of the room. When she crossed the threshold, she suddenly screamed.
Xu Erlang was shocked. He ran out of the room to check on the situation. He saw a woman in white standing in the courtyard with a red umbrella.
At this time, it was not long after midnight, and the sky had not yet brightened. The woman was holding a scarlet umbrella, dressed in white, and exuded a strange aura.
"Madam Xu."
Susu smiled sweetly and saluted.
Aunt was relieved. She thought, "Why is she out here instead of sleeping in her room?" "I almost thought I saw a ghost."
Xu Erlang stared at Susu for a moment. He calmly withdrew his eyes and said to Aunt, "Mother, go back to your room and have a rest."
After sending Aunt away, Xu Erlang looked at Susu in the courtyard and said, "Does my elder brother know who you are?"
"He knows I'm a ghost?" "No wonder he's a student of Yunlu Academy …" Susu smiled faintly. Two dimples appeared on her cheeks. She said in a sweet voice,
"He knows. He said he would rebuild my body and make me his concubine for three years."
"… This is really what my elder brother would do. Can't the top courtesan of the Musical House satisfy his taste?" "He even wants to be a ghost."
Xu Xinnian was dumbfounded and speechless for a long time.
Knowing that today was the court examinations, candles were lit in the Xu Mansion. Li Miaozhen heard about it and came out to join in the fun. After breakfast, they saw Xu Xinnian out of the mansion.
"Erlang, today is not only the court examinations related to your future, but also an opportunity for you to prove your innocence and clear your name. You must do well." Xu Pingzhi was wearing armor and holding a helmet, and said earnestly.
Xu Xinnian nodded while walking out. "I know, father. Don't worry, I …"
The latter half of the sentence was suddenly stuck in his throat. He looked at the opposite street with a stiff expression. Two "old acquaintances" were standing there. One was a tall and burly monk, wearing a starched robe that had turned white from being washed.
The other was a swordsman in a green robe. He had a lock of white hair on his forehead. He was not old, but he seemed to have experienced a lot.
"These two again, these two again!"
Xu Xinnian roared in his heart.
"They are my elder brother's friends …" Xu Qi 'an patted his shoulder to calm his anger.
In the past, he had never interacted with Number Four, so he let Xu Xinnian take the blame for him. Now that Xu Qi 'an's identity had stabilized, Chu Yuanzhen had gradually accepted the role of Number Three's cousin.
Once the impression was formed, Chu Yuanzhen would not deliberately think about it and would not suspect that there was something wrong with Number Three. This was the reason why people were more likely to trust their friends and familiar people.
Hengy Yuan and Chu Yuanzhen smiled and nodded. After greeting each other, they looked at Li Miaozhen.
This Tenzō Shōnin had a fair and clean oval face. She did not wear any makeup, and her eyes were like black pearls, clear and bright. Her eyebrows were sharp, accentuating her sharp aura.
Rather than a Tenzō Shōnin, she looked more like a female general who had been on the battlefield for a long time … Yes, she had been in the army in Yunzhou for a year … Hengy Yuan put his palms together and smiled at Li Miaozhen.
Her aura was restrained, and no one could see through her cultivation … But since she had come to the capital, it meant that she had entered the fourth rank. Hey, after losing to Zhang Kaitai that year, I haven't fought with a fourth rank for many years.
With a smile on his face, Chu Yuanzhen's eyes were burning with fighting spirit.
The bald man was Number Six, and the one with the sword was Number Four. Yes, as Number One said, Number Four did not follow the orthodox Renzong path … Li Miaozhen nodded as a greeting.
As for Number Five, Lina, she was still sleeping in her room, just like her disciple Xu Lingyin.
"Da da da …"
The three men of the Xu family rode away. Li Miaozhen watched them leave, and she heard Hengy Yuan's voice, "Amitabha, I hope Number Three can get the first rank."
Chu Yuanzhen sneered, "It's good enough to get the second rank. He is a student of Yunlu Academy after all. But Number Three has a big secret. "
Hengy Yuan was surprised, "Secret?"
Chu Yuanzhen nodded with a smile, and said mysteriously, "If I'm not wrong, the strange phenomenon of the Pure Qi soaring into the sky in the Second Saint Hall of Yunlu Academy has something to do with Number Three.
"Of course, these are my guesses. There's no basis. It's up to you whether you believe me or not."
Hengy Yuan suddenly understood.
Li Miaozhen's expression suddenly turned strange. Number Four and Number Six did not know that Xu Qi'an was Number Three. They had always thought that Xu Xinnian was Number Three.
If they knew the truth in the future and recalled what they had said today, would they be as ashamed as me and want to beat up Xu Qi'an? But she had to hide it for him.
This way, everyone could pretend that nothing had happened.
Thinking of this, she looked at Number Four and Number Six with pity.
…
The darkness was the thickest before dawn. Four hundred candidates gathered outside the Meridian Gate, waiting for the court examinations.
Around them were two rows of imperial guards holding torches, motionless like statues.
All the officials were gathered, scrutinizing the candidates from afar. Occasionally, they would whisper to each other. Only the officials from the Ministry of Rites were struggling to maintain order.
It was the third time to verify the identity of the candidates.
There were five entrances to the Meridian Gate. There were three main entrances and two side entrances. Usually, the officials would enter through the side entrances. Only the Emperor and Empress could enter through the main entrance.
Of course, the Zhuangyuan, Bangyan, and Tanhua could also enjoy the honor of entering through the main entrance.
As a Huiyuan, Xu Xinnian stood at the head of the candidates, his head held high and his face expressionless. His attitude made it seem as if everyone present was trash.
However, scholars liked this, especially when a talented scholar, Huiyuan, put on such an act. Even the officials in the distance could not help but praise him in their hearts.
This lad is extraordinary.
The drums sounded and the three examinations were completed. All the officials entered through the Meridian Gate. Then, the candidates were led by the officials from the Ministry of Rites through the Meridian Gate. They crossed the Golden Water Bridge and stopped at the square outside the Throne Room.
Xu Xinnian squinted his eyes and looked at the Throne Room. He could only see the officials from the Emperor. He could not see the memorials in the Throne Room.
After a long while, the officials left the court. The court examinations were next.
Even Xu Xinnian could not help but feel nervous.
"Gulp..."
The sound of saliva being swallowed could be heard from the candidates.
Amidst the tense atmosphere, the crowd suddenly heard a commotion behind them. Some were scolding and some were cursing.
They could not help but turn around. Through the Meridian Gate, they could vaguely see a white-robed magician blocking the path of the officials.
The white-robed magician had his back to the crowd and did not pay attention to the scolding.
Xu Xinnian of the Eighth Rank Confucian School could even vaguely hear the scolding.
"Yang Qianhuan, are you trying to rebel? Get out of my way. "
"Yang Qianhuan, what are you trying to do? This is the Meridian Gate. Today is the court examinations. Are you trying to cause trouble?"
Amidst the scolding, a deep sigh could be heard. The white-robed magician said slowly, "Your bodies and names will be destroyed, but the rivers will flow forever! Ptui... "
There was a moment of silence. In the next moment, the officials were in an uproar. The scene was chaotic.
"What, what happened?" One of the candidates asked blankly.
"Isn't, isn't this the poem that Xu Qi'an used to mock the officials? That, that white-robed magician seems to be one of the Celestial Commissioner's men?"
"He's gone..."
The four hundred or so candidates could no longer maintain their silence. They whispered to each other and kept looking back at the Meridian Gate.
"Silence!" An official from the Ministry of Rites shouted, "This is none of your business. Just focus on the examinations. If anyone dares to whisper to each other again, they will be expelled from the Meridian Gate and sent home to wait for another three years."
The candidates did not dare to speak again.
The officials who had just left returned. Some looked gloomy, some were agitated, and some were filled with righteous indignation as they entered the Throne Room. Then, the sounds of arguing could be heard from within.
After fifteen minutes, the officials left the Throne Room and did not return.
Yang Qianhuan... this name is so familiar. I seem to have heard it somewhere before... Xu Erlang muttered to himself.
"Capital Yunlu Academy Chinese Candidate, Xu Xinnian."
At this moment, the voice of an official from the Ministry of Rites interrupted Xu Xinnian's thoughts. He returned to his senses and took the sealed examination paper from the official from Honglu Temple. He strode into the Throne Room with his head held high.
...
The court examinations only tested on policy questions. It only took one day and the examination paper was handed in at dusk.
Xu Xinnian stepped into the afterglow of the setting sun and left the palace. At the gates of the palace, he saw his elder brother sitting on the back of a horse. He was holding the reins of another horse and waiting for him with a smile.
"I told Second Uncle that I would be the one to pick you up." Xu Qi'an asked, "How did the examination go?"
"Not bad!"
Xu Xinnian said plainly, "If I were a student from the Imperial College, I would definitely get the first rank."
... Don't be so pretentious! Xu Qi'an nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad. You are worthy of your elder brother's reputation. In the future, people will not say that you are a tiger brother or a dog brother."
Xu Xinnian sighed. "Although Eldest Brother has a reputation, he is not a scholar. If the Xu Household wants to gain a foothold in the capital and gain the respect of others, we need a scholar who has passed the imperial examinations."
Xu Qi'an said, "Erlang, work hard. I just came out from the Princess Mansion of Lin'an."
"..." Xu Xinnian made an obeisance with his hands folded in front of his chest.
He lost because he could not win against his elder brother.
Xu Qi'an threw the reins of the horse to Xu Erlang and said, "Erlang, you have come out from the imperial examination. Tonight, I will treat you to dinner at the Musical House to celebrate."
"Mother and sister..." Xu Xinnian frowned.
"I told Aunt that we will patrol tonight. As for you, after the court examinations, isn't it normal to drink and chat with your classmates? "Xu Qi'an said.
"What my elder brother said makes sense." Xu Xinnian smiled.
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