Sansheng

The day of the literary examination finally arrived, and the normally empty hall was now full of people.Grand Tutor Wei sat in the center of the hall, Lin Yihuan, the Empress Dowager and concubines were on the left, and the ministers stood on the right. There were three tables and chairs in the hall, from left to right, Lin Lin, Lin Cong, and Lin Zhong.

Lin Lin has always liked martial arts and bad writing, so he didn't have any expectations for this competition, but he was not panicked, occasionally looking at Lin Zhong, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise slightly, looking leisurely and content.

Lin Cong has always been the one who reads the most among the three brothers. He only sighs that his martial arts talent is slightly inferior to his brother's, so he can only make up for his literary talent, so he is confident in this game and determined to win.

Lin Zhong, with dark eyes, searched for a familiar figure among the officials. In the past three days, he only read Lao Zhuang, all because he believed his words. I am afraid that Chu Ao is the only one with a heart.

His eyes turned left and right, and finally stopped on that handsome face. The man smiled at Lin Zhong and nodded. Lin Zhong's heart, which was as restless as boiling water, instantly calmed down as if a cool breeze had blown in.

Hush, huh, huh, three large sheets of snow-white paper were laid out on the case of the three princes.Lin Lin frowned, Lin Cong smiled, Lin Zhong was astonished.

There are dozens of questions densely packed on the three sheets of paper, without exception, they are all items that Chu Ao asked himself in the past three days!

Chu Ao!Are you a monster!Or, when did you steal the question?Lin Zhong looked at Chu Ao suspiciously, Chu Ao winked at him, put his index finger on his lips, and made a "shh" gesture.

Goer you fool.Look at the way you can't hide what's on your mind, quickly lower your head and do the questions, lest people see your ecstatic and silly look.Chu Ao couldn't help laughing while thinking about it.

Others might not have noticed the change of expression on Lin Zhong's face, but there was one person who had been staring at his face from the moment Lin Zhong saw the test questions, and this person was Concubine Ning An.

On Lin Zhong's face, from surprise to joy, to a happy smile, every subtle expression fell into Concubine Ning An's uneasy eyes.

In the entire hall, although a hundred people gathered, only the sound of the three princes flipping the scroll was left in silence.Halfway through the burning of the incense, Lin Zhong's pen was wandering around the dragon, writing freely, and when he was concentrating on it, he suddenly saw Concubine Ning An stand up and bid farewell to the emperor.When he was wondering, he saw Concubine Ning An quietly exiting the hall with a few palace servants, but as soon as he left the door, he heard the palace servants shouting in surprise: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! What's wrong with you!"

I was so surprised that the pen dropped on the paper, and a large ink stain was stained.He discarded the pen and paper without hesitation, and ran outside directly.

Lin Yihuan also ran out in a hurry, leaving Lin Cong and the room full of civil and military officials behind.The Tai Tuo was a little at a loss, highlighting the sudden change, the emperor was not around, and the third prince suddenly left the venue, should the essay test continue?

I only heard the Queen Mother say slowly: "Continue the literary examination." There was no expression on her face, as if she hadn't seen the scene just now.

The ministers couldn't help whispering, Chu Ao was among them, without saying a word, looking at the ink-stained white paper in front of Lin Zhong's case, he lowered his eyes and meditated.

In the evening, Lin Zhongcai dragged his exhausted body out of Concubine Ning An's palace. Before he reached the bedroom, he saw Chu Ao waiting by the road from a distance, tall and straight like a tree, and the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled him all over. , the lines of the whole person are so warm and soft, so beautiful.Taking a deep breath, his eyes were a little wet.

"Why haven't you left yet?" Lin Zhong's tone was full of frustration.

"How's your majesty?" Chu Ao saw that his expression was not good, and thought that something happened to Concubine Ning An.

"She's fine. The imperial doctor said that she might just be tired, and she's fine."

"It's good that you're fine, but I think you look very bad. Guo'er, are you okay?" Chu Ao stepped forward and moved closer.

"Father was here just now, and suddenly he talked to me about the marriage in front of my mother. He wanted to arrange a marriage for me after the spring of the next year. He has already found the daughter of the prime minister's family." Lin Zhong lowered his head, dimly The dark sky made it difficult for Chu Ao to see the expression on his face.

The words that Lin Zhong uttered silently were like a small golden hammer, hitting Chu Ao's heart lightly and lightly, like fine and precious porcelain, cracked a thin crack,

"So...you...how did you answer?" She tried hard to hide her panic, but her tongue was still disobedient, and she would become a little tongue-tied when she was usually eloquent.

Lin Zhong turned his back and did not speak. With that turn, the sunlight was completely blocked, leaving only Chu Ao in the shadow behind him.

"Guo'er, what did you say?" Chu Ao took a step forward, and the two of them grabbed his shoulders tightly, their voices trembling.

Lin Zhong didn't look into his eyes, didn't speak, just turned his face to one side slowly, facing the afterglow of the setting sun, Chu Ao could see clearly the palm print on the right side, and slightly A little swollen.

"This is the first time my concubine mother has hit me since I was born..." Lin Zhong burst into tears of grievance from his eyes.

"Guoer!" Chu Ao hugged him tightly, feeling grateful and blaming himself in his heart, Guoer, Guoer, my Guoer, I don't know why you refused, I only thought you were for me, but I didn't Protect you, let you be wronged!

"Guo'er, I will give you what you want, believe me." This gratitude can only be repaid in this way, because he is the one he loves, and his wish is the direction of his sprint.

A round of setting sun slipped quietly under the western horizon, and the two were still standing there, each embracing their own piece of tranquility, there was no sound, only two birds chirping on the branches.

Soon, the martial arts exam also came. This is the last exam discussed by the emperor and the queen mother. The three princes have passed two exams. In addition to today's martial arts exam, whoever wins two first will be the crown prince. of.

Lin Lin was riding on a tall black horse with a haughty expression on his face, holding a long sword, pointing straight at Lin Zhong who was riding a bay red horse, "Third brother, there are no brothers in the arena, and swords have no eyes. If you offend, you can It must be Haihan!" As soon as the words fell, a sword stabbed straight at him.

Lin Zhong hurriedly stepped forward to block with his sword. Lin Lin's strength was so strong that he seemed to want to put himself to death. With just this block, his hands were already trembling and numb.But Lin Zhong is also good at martial arts after all, before Lin Lin closed his momentum, the tip of the sword cut through Lin Lin's shoulder like a snake spitting out a letter.

Lin Lin looked down at the broken sleeve, and sneered, "Third brother, your swordsmanship has really improved!" After finishing speaking, he simply tore off the broken sleeve, revealing a naked arm Lin Zhong couldn't help being surprised by the furious blue veins coiled between his strong muscles, and the murderous look on his face eager to win.

Sure enough, in front of King Quan, any brotherhood is just a ridiculous excuse. Here, winning or losing will only determine one outcome, that is, winning or losing.

The foot was tightened, and with a sound of "drive", it was like an arrow leaving the string, and collided with Lin Lin's oncoming heavy blow again.

After dozens of rounds, there was still no winner, and the spectators were looking forward to it. Chu Ao's hands were clenched tightly. When Lin Zhong was in a dangerous situation, he was so nervous that his fingertips were stuck in his flesh.

Suddenly, without knowing why, Lin Zhong's bay red horse seemed to be frightened, and raised its front hooves high. Lin Zhong tried his best to hold on to the stiff rope, but the horse was still jumping wildly like crazy. When the time came, he was about to stab with a sword while he was flustered.Lin Zhong didn't have time to dodge, so he closed his eyes tightly in fright, thinking in his heart, everything is over.

But time seemed to be still, and there was no movement around, only Chu Ao's voice was heard, so close that it seemed to be close to the ear, sending a warm sentence: "Guo'er is not afraid, I am here."

"Chu Ao!" Lin Zhong said, and everyone around him started to move, as if he had been woken up, but when Ding Qing saw that the bay red horse was standing obediently, the tip of the sword in his hand was pointing directly at Lin Zhong. Lin Lin's throat pointed out, and Lin Lin looked anxious, and was about to swing his sword again, but when he heard a golden sound, Lin Yihuan stood up from the dragon chair, "Enough, Lin'er, you lost!"

I still can't believe it, Lin Zhong can't figure it out, it's just a moment of bewilderment, how did he win?Looking at Chu Ao again, he was standing in the crowd, not getting close.But Chu Ao looked as if nothing had happened, and only applauded with the officials, celebrating his victory just now.

Next, it was the duel between Lin Cong and Lin Zhong. I thought he would fight hard, but unexpectedly, he came to the front of the imperial court in a personable manner and knelt down.

"Father, my son does not need to fight again in this battle. The third brother's martial arts are far superior to mine. I will withdraw voluntarily. The crown prince should belong to the third brother." There were still smiling eyes, and there was no trace of unwillingness lost.

Lin Zhong was stunned, could it be Chu Ao's fault?He quickly looked at Chu Ao, but Chu Ao's expression became puzzled, as if he hadn't expected Lin Cong to do this at all.

Just when Lin Yihuan was feeling relieved that Lin Cong was willing to let Xian, he heard Lin Lin shouting: "Second brother, are you confused! You actually let a traitor who has subjugated the country be the prince!"

"Presumptuous!" Lin Yihuan yelled angrily, and the whole audience fell silent in shock. The people who knelt on the ground shouted urgently, "The emperor calms down."

"How can you say that about your younger brother? After you said he was subjugated, wouldn't you curse me that Bei Li will soon be subjugated?!"

Lin Lin was so frightened that she knelt on the ground, not daring to answer.

"Lin'er, you are willing to bet and admit defeat. You have to learn from Cong'er on this point. Alright, now, I declare—" The critical moment is about to come, Lin Zhongxin is about to jump out immediately, just Waiting to hear the imperial decree, but Lin Lin interrupted him: "Father! My son is wronged!"

"What, did I say you wrong?" Lin Yihuan frowned.

"Zhengguo hangs out with the South China people every day, he is not a traitor or something!" Lin Lin looked at Lin Zhong viciously, with an aura of death.

Like a thunderbolt from the blue sky, hitting Lin Zhong's head, his eyes widened in fear, and he didn't know how to react for a moment.

"Southern Chinese? Are there any South Chinese in my palace in Beili?" Lin Yihuan was also surprised.

"Not only is he from Nanhua, but he is also a high-ranking minister of the third grade of Nanhua!" Lin Lin was very satisfied with the emperor's questioning.

"Who is this person?"

"Chu Ao, the servant on the left!" He pointed at Chu Ao among the ministers. "Come on! Bring him up!" For a while, several soldiers in armor came up and held him firmly.

"I'll see who dares to touch him!" With a loud roar, the sword in his hand flew out and stabbed the arm of a soldier next to him. Lin Zhong's eyes seemed to be able to spew fire, and he ran over like flying, blocking the attack with both hands. In front of Chu Ao, he fixed his eyes on Lin Lin.

Everyone was stunned by Lin Zhong's action. How could he protect the left servant so much? Behind the curtain, the queen mother slowly narrowed her eyes, looking at the scene in front of her with great interest.

"Guo'er, why are you doing this?" Lin Yihuan asked.

"Can't the father see it? The third brother and the Minister of Nanhua are on good terms! They actually knew each other before returning to the palace!" Lin Lin said with a sneer on his face.

Anger gradually appeared in Lin Yihuan's eyes, and he looked at Lin Zhong with a sullen face, "Guo'er, is your elder brother telling the truth?"

Lin Zhong's heart was churning like a mighty river. He looked at his father's majestic eyes, then looked around at the questioning eyes of the officials, and at Lin Lin's complacent expression. Lin Cong's unchanging smile felt that he Falling into a huge trap.

Just as I was about to speak, Chu Ao preempted me, "Your Majesty! Before His Majesty announced me to enter the palace, the third prince and I had never met. We are on good terms, but after entering the palace, because of the same political views, so Became like-minded friends..."

"Did I ask you?" Lin Yihuan interrupted him without waiting for him to finish, only staring at Lin Zhong, "Guo'er, tell me, did you know Master Chu before you returned to Beili?"

"I..." Lin Zhong hesitated for a moment, seeing Chu Ao shaking his head at him.

Finally, he became cruel, gritted his teeth and said, "Father, before Master Chu was announced as Zuo Shilang, I never knew him, let alone any third-rank minister of the South China Kingdom."

Chu Ao closed his eyes, with a sense of fate.