"Every time there's an imperial examination, the people in this teahouse are the best at attracting business and flattering people. There are all kinds of gossip, so it's the best place to watch the fun." Ban Han said to the people in the carriage, "In the past, whenever there was an imperial examination, Brother Heng and I loved to come here."
Rong Xia walked out of the carriage and looked at the teahouse. It wasn't a particularly high-class place, but it was very lively with people coming and going.
"Come," Ban Han pulled his hand and walked in, "You can hear things here that you can't hear in the imperial court."
Walking into the teahouse, Rong Xia found that there were many people dressed like scholars. Many of them didn't have the accent of the capital. They gathered in twos and threes, talking about the local customs and customs, or listening to the local people talk about interesting things in the capital.
When the waiter saw Ban Li, he greeted her with a smile, "Miss Yin, you've finally arrived. You asked this little one to reserve a seat for you early in the morning, and this little one didn't let anyone touch it. Please take a seat."
"Well done." Ban Han threw a silver peanut to the waiter. The waiter smiled and led them to two empty tables.
"Still the same old rules?" The waiter was in high spirits after receiving a reward. He looked at Ban Han like a moving purse.
Ban Han said, "I still have the same old rules. This young master brought his own tea, and the other guards followed the same old rules."
"I understand." The waiter noticed the handsome young master beside Ban Han and said sincerely, "This young master is extraordinary. A few days ago, Young Master Yin said that you were married. Could it be this Langjun?"
"That's him." Ban Han smiled.
"Miss and this Langjun are a perfect match. I don't know how to say beautiful words, but I feel that when the two of you stand together, no one else in the world can compare to you." The waiter's mouth was very sweet, and words came out of his mouth as if they were free.
"Well said," Rong Xia's lips curled up slightly, indicating that Du Jiu should reward him.
The waiter didn't expect that he would receive two golden beans just because he said a few nice words. He hurriedly expressed his gratitude and went to the back to prepare tea and fruits.
Although Rong Xia and Ban Yu had intentionally dressed plainly when they came out this time, they were noticed by some people as soon as they entered because of their outstanding appearances. Now that he saw the two of them casually giving money to the waiter, he knew that the two of them must have been born in a rich family. They came here just to join in the fun.
Most people didn't dare to cause trouble, and when they saw that the waiter was somewhat familiar with the couple, they didn't dare to look at them again, fearing that they would make the waiter unhappy.
When scholars gathered together, they mostly discussed poetry and economics. Ban Ti did not know much about these, so she whispered in Rong Xia's ear, "Are there any good works?"
Rong Xia smiled and shook her head gently. She said to Ban Han, "I prefer listening to the ghost stories from the next table."
"It's just people pretending to be ghosts," Ban Han whispered in her ear, "In this kind of folklore, monsters must be beautiful, scholars must be kind, and ghosts must be half good and half bad. There's nothing new about them."
"It seems that Huahua has heard a lot." Rong Xia took a sip of tea, but didn't want to drink a second sip. Although the tea leaves and tea set were brought, the water was prepared in the teahouse. The water was probably ordinary well water, so the tea made from it lacked a bit of flavor.
"Speaking of our Xi Province's Zhizhou, he is also an amazing person. Although he has a disease in his eyes, he has managed the Xi Province in an orderly manner. He has only been here for a few days, but he has already received the support of many people," a student in green said gratefully. "Our Xi Province has two students from poor families. The Zhizhou saw that the two of them were filial and talented, so he sent them to the capital at his own expense to take the exam. It is the good fortune of the people of the Xi Province to have such parents."
Xi Zhou was famous for its bitter cold. There were not many students who came to take the exam. Now that there were students from Xi Zhou, everyone was curious.
"To be able to become an official in court with a disease in his eyes, it must be because the Emperor values his talent that he is an exception." A local student from the capital asked, "Who is the Zhizhou of your place?"
"Coincidentally, our Zhizhou is also from the capital. His surname is Xie, his given name is Lin, courtesy name is Qilin."
The teahouse suddenly quieted down. The student from Xi Zhou looked at everyone in confusion, "I wonder … did I say something wrong?"
"No, nothing." The student from the capital laughed dryly, but didn't dare to ask further.
Everyone in the capital knew about the past grudges between Xie Qilin and the current Empress. They didn't think that the Emperor would be so magnanimous as to allow Xie Qilin to enter court as an official. This kind of magnanimity, as expected of the Emperor.
There were many scholars who admired Rong Xia. Usually, when they boasted about Rong Xia, they would boast as well as they could. Now, Xie Qilin's matter could make them praise him again.
Ban Han wiped the corners of his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed dryly, "You really let Xie Qilin go to Xi Zhou to take office?"
Rong Xia turned her head and met Ban Han's eyes, "What's wrong?"
"How would I know what's wrong with the matters of the previous dynasty?" Ban Han blew at the foam on his tea and took a sip, "I brought you out to let you relax, not to let you think about another man."
Rong Xia couldn't help but laugh. He was thinking about another man?
What kind of logic was that?
The two sat in the teahouse for another hour. Ban Han looked at the sky, "There's a Zhuangyuan's Restaurant next door. Scholars love to write poems there. Are you interested in taking a look?"
Rong Xia shook her head, "Never mind, why don't I accompany you to your parents-in-law's house?"
"That's good," Ban Han immediately agreed, "Let's go."
Jingting Gongfu. Ban Huai and Ban Heng looked at the basket full of poems, calligraphy, and paintings with a headache. They didn't know what these examinees were thinking. They only knew that their family was prominent, but they didn't know that their family didn't know literature. Even if these poems, calligraphy, and paintings were sent to their house, they couldn't tell the difference.
"These students aren't stupid. They didn't send these here for you to see," the Yin Clan member casually opened a letter. There was a poem written inside. The words were flashy but not practical. It was full of praise for Rong Xia, "They were hoping that if His Majesty came to our house, he would be able to see their works."
"His Majesty …" Ban Heng said, "Even if His Majesty came to our house, he wouldn't have time to see these things."
He called for the servants and had them carry these things down.
"Master, Madam, Miss and Master are here." The housekeeper couldn't hide the excitement on his face. When he spoke, his lips were trembling, "Get ready, they have already entered the second gate."
"Huahua is back?" Ban Huai rubbed his hands, "Quickly prepare lunch."
After Rong Xia and Ban Han saw the Ban Family, they were warmly received by the Ban Family. After lunch, Ban Huai mentioned that the examinees had sent poems.
"Don't worry about it," Rong Xia said, "I used to receive poems, calligraphy, and paintings, but there weren't many that were truly talented. In the future, if there are people who send these, father-in-law can just refuse."
"Okay," Ban Huai agreed, "I hate to see these things the most."
"In the past, I've never seen examinees send poems to our house," Ban Han rolled his eyes, "Do they think that because I married a talented Emperor, our Ban Family will become good at poetry and painting?"
Rong Xia couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. She reached out and tapped her forehead, "You, you."
"Master, Madam, someone from Xi Zhou sent something over, saying that it was returned to its rightful owner." The housekeeper came in with a box. After bowing to Rong Xia and Ban Han, he presented the box with both hands, "Master, please take a look."
"Xi Zhou?" Ban Huai frowned and turned to look at the Yin Clan, "Madam, is there anyone in our family who is familiar with Xi Zhou?"
The Yin Clan pondered for a moment, then slowly shook her head, "No."
Ban Huai took the wooden box and opened the lid. Other than a yellowed poetry book, there was nothing inside.
"What is this?" Ban Huai had a headache when he saw the poetry book, "Did all these people come today on an appointment?"
"What is in the box?" The Yin Clan saw her son's pained expression and asked with a smile, "Why do you have such an expression?"
"A poetry book." Ban Huai took the poetry book out of the box and presented it to the Yin Clan with both hands, "Mother, please take a look."
The Yin Clan took the poetry book and flipped through two pages. She raised her eyebrows slightly, "This poetry book does indeed belong to our family. However, it disappeared a few years ago. I thought it was damaged by you and your brother, so I didn't ask. So it was borrowed by someone else? "
Rong Xia, who was sitting next to her, suddenly said, "Mother-in-law, can I take a look at it?"
The Yin Clan was slightly surprised and handed the poetry book to Rong Xia, "Your Majesty, please."
Rong Xia opened the poetry book. There were annotations on the poetry book. From the handwriting, it should have been left behind in recent years. When he put the poetry book in, a booklet fell out.
He bent down to pick up the booklet that fell on the ground. There were only a few lines written on it that the people of the future had already used.
Of course, it's the time to go to school late in spring, no need to be melancholy and resentful. The strong wind blows crimson, the green leaves become yin seeds, and the branches are full.
"What's written on it?" Ban Han put her head on his chest, "The green leaves … become yin seeds, and the branches are full. Is there anything special about this poem?"
Rong Xia looked down at the woman leaning against him. Her eyes were ignorant and clear. She didn't understand the meaning of the poem at all.
"It's nothing. Probably the person who read the poem thought it was good and copied it." Rong Xia put the booklet back into the poetry book and put it on the table, "Huahua, it's getting late. We should go back."
"Okay." Ban Han nodded and got up to say goodbye to her family. When she went out, she didn't even look at the poetry book on the table. Obviously, she wasn't interested in this kind of literary thing.
The Ban Family sent the husband and wife to the door of the Ban Family. After the two left, they returned to the inner courtyard.
Yin Clan picked up the forgotten poetry book on the table. She took out the booklet and put it on the lantern and lit it.
"Mother?" Ban Heng looked at Yin Clan in confusion, "Why did you burn it?"
"It's meaningless. What's the point of keeping it?" Yin Clan let go of her hand and let the burning booklet fall to the ground. She stroked her hair and handed the poetry book to him, "Put it back in the library."
"Yes." Ban Heng took the book into the library. He found an empty space in the corner and put it in.
In the dead of night.
"Huahua." Rong Xia hugged Ban Han and gently stroked her soft and smooth back, "You're the little girl who pestered me to play ice skating, right?"
"Hmm?" Ban Han, who was half-asleep, snuggled into his arms and said casually, "I don't remember."
Rong Xia smiled and kissed her forehead, "It's okay. It's fine as long as I remember."
His memory, which was originally blurry, became clear again on the day that Huahua took him to play ice skating. The little girl with the twin buns had big eyes and curved eyebrows. When she smiled, she looked exactly like Huahua.
Now that he thought about it, who else could be so reckless in the palace and was around the same age as Huahua?
Unfortunately, if he had noticed Huahua earlier, how good would it have been?
The person in his arms had already fallen asleep, but Rong Xia was not sleepy at all. He wanted to ask Huahua if the poetry book returned to Zhao from Xi Province was the one Huahua gave to Xie Qilin. But he couldn't ask. He didn't want Huahua to know about his girlish thoughts.
He wanted Huahua to think that he was an omnipotent, strong, gentle man who could tolerate her, and not a petty man who fussed over small matters.
"Huahua, do you love me?" He asked softly in her ear.
But the person in her sleep could not answer him.
"If you don't say anything, I'll take it as a yes."
Rong Xia hugged the person in his arms and fell into a deep sleep.
In the fourth month, all scholars of the Ying Dynasty were waiting for the Spring Imperial Examination.
After the Spring Imperial Examination was the Palace Examination. On the day of the Palace Examination, Rong Xia woke up early. This was his first Imperial Examination after ascending the throne. When the examinees were answering questions, he had to be present the entire time.
Ban Han was worried that he would be bored alone in the palace, so she had the palace servants prepare a pouch for him to wear.
When the sun rose, Ban Han, who was still in the inner palace, heard the bell ring. This was the sound of the Imperial Examination opening. She leaned against the head of the bed and looked at the sunlight coming in through the window. Suddenly, she said, "Come, help ben gong dress."
At seven in the morning, the phoenix carriage left Vermillion Bird Gate and went straight out of the palace to a side palace in the western suburbs of the capital.
This side palace was called the Golden Snow Palace. It was rumored that an emperor of the Jiang Dynasty had built it for his mother. Empress Dowager Fuping and Princess Anle lived here.
When Empress Dowager Fuping heard the servant say that the Empress had come, she was very surprised. "Why is she here?"
"Empress Dowager, this servant doesn't know." The palace maid shook her head honestly. "The Empress said that she didn't mean to disturb you. She just wanted to talk to the Princess."
When Empress Dowager Fuping heard this, she didn't feel reassured. Instead, she felt even more uneasy. Huahua often sent people to deliver things, but she had never come in person. Now that she had suddenly come and only saw An Le, how could she be reassured?
"I know." Since Huahua didn't want to see her, then she could only pretend that she didn't know.
Now that she was living under someone else's roof, it was better to be tactful.
In the main hall of the Golden Snow Palace, An Le stepped through the door and bowed to Ban Han who was sitting at the head of the table.
Ban Han looked at her quietly and didn't dismiss her. An Le raised his head to look at Ban Yu in astonishment and met Ban Yu's large, clear black and white eyes. For some reason, she inexplicably felt guilty and turned her head to avoid Ban Han's eyes.
"Jiejie, stand up." Ban Han sighed. After An Le stood up, he lowered his eyelids and said, "Jiejie, do you have something to say to me?"
An Le was silent for a moment. "Huahua, what's wrong?"
Ban Han stood up. "I helped Rong Xia seize the Jiang Dynasty. You should hate me. I don't blame you."
An Le's expression changed slightly. She turned her head to look at the vase in the corner. "I don't understand what you mean."
"It doesn't matter if you understand or not." Ban Han stood up. "Since jiejie has nothing to say, I won't disturb you again in the future. Please rest assured, Your Highness. As long as I'm here, no one will make things difficult for you. "
An Le's expression became even more unsightly. Seeing Ban Han walking towards the door, she couldn't help but call out to Ban Han. "Huahua!"
Ban Han looked back at her. She opened her mouth but couldn't speak.
"Jiejie, you probably don't know. Although Xie Qilin and I were engaged for two years, I only gave him a poetry book once. And that poetry book wasn't in his hands at all." Ban Han smiled, his tone a little cold. "He admired Shi Feixian, so he gave her the poetry book."
How could a poetry book that had already been given away be sent back from such a remote place like Xi Zhou? No matter what kind of entanglement Xie Qilin had with her in the past, they wouldn't have any contact now unless Xie Qilin didn't want the lives of his family and went crazy.
An Le's eyelids trembled. She turned her head away. "Why are you telling me this?"
"Your Highness, just think of it as me being bored and chatting with you." Ban Han chuckled. There was a hint of mockery in her laughter. "I'm just saying. Just listen. Anyways, after today, I won't bother Your Highness anymore. "
Princess An Le's face paled. Tears faintly appeared in her eyes, but she forced them back.
Ban Han turned to leave. When she reached the door, she didn't even turn her head. "That day, when you said those words to Rong Xia, I was behind the screen."
An Le suddenly turned her head. Seeing that Ban Han had already walked out of the door, she chased after her and cried out, "Huahua!"
Ban Han stopped and didn't turn her head.
"I, I didn't want to harm you. I just wanted to make Rong Xia unhappy. That's why … that's why …"
"You just thought that I would forgive you no matter what. That's why you didn't do anything." Ban Han raised her head to look at the sky. The sunlight was so bright that it made her eyes ache. "We've been friends for more than ten years. We're like sisters. I can't blame you for what happened today."
Hearing this, An Le's face lit up. "Huahua, you don't blame me?"
Ban Han slowly shook her head and turned to look at An Le. "Your Highness, I'm sorry. Today, when you plotted to get someone to deliver the poetry collection, our friendship ends here. "
The joy on An Le's face instantly vanished. She stared blankly at Ban Han. After a while, she said, "Because of a man, you're going to fight with me to this extent? What kind of man in this world is so good that you're willing to pour your heart out and disregard our friendship? "
"Your Highness, the reason why I helped Rong Xia rebel wasn't for him. It was for myself." Ban Han's expression was indifferent. "I know you don't believe in feelings and look down on a man's sincerity. But there are so many men in this world. Could it be that all of them are unfaithful? "
An Le's eyes widened. She couldn't believe that Ban Han would speak to her like this.
"I understand Your Highness's thoughts. But a person's heart is made of flesh. How could I bear to hurt a man who wholeheartedly cares for me?"
"So you came here today to tell me not to scheme against Rong Xia?" An Le wiped her tears and laughed mockingly. "You think that Rong Xia is truly in love with you? Have you ever thought that maybe he's doing this for the Three Army Tiger Tally in your hands and to gain the support of the army? Have you never thought of this? "
Princess An Le had been hurt by love once. She no longer believed in all the men in this world. Even if they raised a bunch of beautiful men, they just wanted to play with them.
Ban Han calmly shook his head. He looked at Princess An Le with pity in his eyes. "The Three Army Tiger Tally has never been in my hands."
"What did you say?" Princess An Le's face was pale. "That's impossible!"
If the Three Army Tiger Tally wasn't in Ban Han's hands, then where did Rong Xia get it? Without the Three Army Tiger Tally, how could Rong Xia let Ban Han bring so many soldiers and even his personal guards into the palace?
This, this is impossible!
"If I have to find a reason, then perhaps he's so good to me, not because of the Three Army Tiger Tally, but because of my beauty." Ban Han touched his own face. "When I'm old, he might treat me coldly."
Princess An Le shook her head in a daze. Then she cried and laughed. She had been provoked.
"Your Highness," Ban Han's smile disappeared. "This is the last time I'm warning you. Don't scheme against my man. My temper isn't good and I'm protective. Your Highness, you know what the consequences are, right? "
Princess An Le didn't speak.
Ban Han held Ruyi's hand and turned to leave.
"Niangniang, we're returning to the palace."
Princess An Le watched the phoenix carriage leave. Her body swayed and she sat on the ground.
This sisterly relationship was destroyed by her in the end.
But Huahua, since you said that Rong Xia is deeply in love with you, then do you feel the same for him?
After the court examination ended, Rong Xia returned to the rear hall and found that Ban Han wasn't there. "Where's niangniang?"
"Your Majesty, niangniang has left the palace," a palace maid answered. "Niangniang said to invite Your Majesty to eat dinner first. She'll return soon."
Rong Xia looked at the palace maid. "Is that so?"
"Of course," the palace maid bowed. "However, Your Majesty probably won't be able to wait for niangniang."
A silver light flashed in her hand. A dagger was hidden in her sleeve. Her movements were extremely fast. Wang De, who was closest to Rong Xia, didn't even have time to react.
Rong Xia twisted his body and dodged. The palace maid's dagger only injured his arm. Seeing that her attack had missed, the palace maid nimbly turned her hand and stabbed towards Rong Xia's throat. However, Wang De reacted and bumped into her. The dagger only stabbed towards Rong Xia's shoulder.
After two attacks missed, the palace maid didn't have another chance. Because the secret guard arrived and kicked her to the corner.
"Quickly call for the imperial physician!" Seeing Rong Xia's body covered in blood, Wang De's face paled. He used a clean handkerchief to cover Rong Xia's wound. "Your Majesty, are you alright?"
"Don't panic," Rong Xia was in pain. He looked expressionlessly at the palace maid lying on the ground. "Guard her. Find out who sent her."
"Nubi is the female official by the Empress' side. Naturally, I was sent by the Empress," the palace maid snorted, "What's the use of you sitting on the throne? Even the woman by your side wants you to die immediately."
After saying this, the palace maid suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. Her face was green as she fell to the ground.
When the imperial guards standing in the hall heard this, their faces were as white as paper. The Empress wanted to assassinate His Majesty? This secret of the palace had been heard by them. Today, they would probably die.
Rong Xia had lost too much blood and was dizzy. He looked at the imperial guards standing in the hall and forced himself to be calm. "Du Jiu, guard these people. Don't let a word of this palace maid's words leak out."
"Yes." Du Jiu made a hand gesture. Soon, people came up and took the imperial guards away.
"Before zhen wakes up, the court and the harem will listen to the Empress' orders," Rong Xia's eyes coldly swept over the crowd. "If anyone disrespects the Empress, Du Jiu, feel free to cut off their head."
"Yes." Du Jiu hit a few major pressure points on Rong Xia's body. "Your Majesty, don't worry. With this subject here, no one can touch the Empress."
Rong Xia said softly: "With you in charge, zhen can rest assured."
Then, a sky full of darkness surrounded him.
"Du daren, what should we do?" Wang De looked at Rong Xia covered in blood. His mind was in a mess.
"His Majesty has ordered that the Empress will be in charge of the court and the harem. Now, we naturally have to ask the Empress to come back first," Du Jiu's face was dark. "Come, quickly ask the Empress to return to the palace."
In the phoenix carriage, Ban Han was drinking the tea that Ruyi made for her. Suddenly, her heart inexplicably went cold. She sat up straight.
"Niangniang, what's wrong?" Ruyi asked worriedly.
"Nothing … …"
"Niangniang! His Majesty was attacked by an assassin. Du daren asks you to quickly return to the palace! "
Clang!
The teacup in Ban Han's hand fell to the ground. She held onto the wall of the carriage and couldn't breathe for a long time.
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