Oriole Line

A reputation is far better than a crime of treason.I bear this charge, and I also bear it for Da Sima.His relegation from Da Sima to the commander of the Youzhou Army is already the best destination. "

Qi Dai came over and shook Wen Tao's hand: "I'm sorry for making you perjure and make Da Sima hate you."

Wen Tao let out a long sigh: "Hating me is better than hating His Majesty, and better than hating this world. Qi Dai, we are our own masters, and we have done our best."

Qi Dai silently hugged Wen Tao, and said softly, "Thank you."

106, 106.

In the imperial examination fraud case in the spring of the second year of Xinshi, when the case was finally closed, the Ministry of Officials dismissed nearly half of the officials, including Chen Mao's father, Chen Sui, the minister of the Ministry of Officials.The 26 examinees involved in the case were all innocent and deprived of their qualifications for the imperial examination for life. More than [-] court officials involved in the case, including Hu Yunzhi, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, were dismissed, demoted, and fined.Pu Chen was implicated in the fraud of the imperial examination by the chief bookkeeper of the mansion, and was removed from the post of Grand Sima and demoted to the commander of Youzhou.

The emperor announced that the Wen Ju exam will be repeated in three months. At that time, the emperor will personally give the questions in the Luocheng Palace.In the future, the title of each essay will be announced by the emperor on the spot to prevent fraud.

The disheartened and humble scholars rekindled their confidence in the imperial court, especially after hearing that even the Da Sima Mansion was punished equally for their involvement in the case, many ambitious people who had been holding a wait-and-see attitude finally joined the imperial examination.When the imperial examination was re-opened three months later, more than 100 candidates had passed the examination and registration of the Ministry of Officials, and Zhou Yu had to open up more palaces as the examination room for this imperial examination.Twenty days later, when the list of essays was released, 100 people were selected for the first time. These 100 people were like fresh blood, and suddenly activated the imperial court that was originally lifeless and dominated by aristocratic families.This time the imperial examination is famous in history because of the number of references, the number of selected candidates and the quality of the candidates selected, and the [-] people who entered the list are called "Hundreds of Luocheng Palace" in later generations.

One day in late autumn, the emperor Zhou Yu drove south all the way.In the imperial chariot, although Zhou Yu was dressed in ordinary clothes, the faint imperial air around him was no longer comparable to when he first ascended the throne a few years ago.Sitting next to him was Qi Dai in black.

Zhou Yu was very interested, smiled and said to Qi Dai: "The matter of the imperial examination is finally settled. I will do what I said, and I will take you back to Guangling."

Qi Dai felt a warmth rising from his chest, and the corners of his mouth turned up unconsciously, but his tone did not change: "There are many things in the court, Your Majesty really shouldn't be so capricious."

"Oh?" Zhou Yu moved his face closer to Qi Dai, "Aren't you happy when I bring you back to Guangling?"

The hot breath from Zhou Yu's mouth made Qi Dai a little hot. He slightly lowered his eyelids, and tried his best to calm his tone: "The Wuchang Army has just been dismantled, and I'm still a little worried."

Speaking of the Wuchang Army, Zhou Yu also felt a little depressed.After Pu Chen was demoted to the commander-in-chief of Youzhou, he didn't even return to Wuchang, and went directly to Youzhou.The 15 horses in Wuchang were split up by Lei Xiong, the commander of Liangzhou, and Tang Yu, the commander of Ningzhou, according to the arrangement made by Pu Chen, and the whole process was under the supervision of the supervising army sent by the imperial court.Those who had some roots in Wuchang stayed in the Liangzhou army. Those who were young and strong wanted to make contributions, and most of them followed Tang Yu to Ningzhou. Enqing went to Youzhou.Since Pu Chen went to Youzhou, he had no news other than the routine military report, even the military report was cold and simple, and he lost all the closeness he had with Zhou Yu back then.

Zhou Yu paused and said, "Wen Tao, are you still locked in Sijian Pavilion?"

Qi Dai pondered and said: "The other candidates were only involved in fraud, and they were all released after they were not convicted. But Wen Tao..." Qi Dai frowned, "After all, he colluded with the Minister of the Ministry of Officials. If he is brought to Dali Temple for trial , is a felony punishable by beheading and exile."

Zhou Yu sighed, and said quietly: "He is also a man of extraordinary talent, if he puts his mind on the right way and contributes to the imperial court, he can also be an important minister of the imperial court."

Qi Dai was silent for a moment, he did everything possible to hide Xiang Hu's treason from Zhou Yu.Zhou Yu's original feelings of guilt towards Pu Chen were more or less wiped out after Wen Tao's imperial examination fraud incident.He finally admitted Qi Dai's repeated remonstrances. With such a power as Pu Chen, even if he himself has no intention of rebelling, the people around him will never stop, so the only way to do it once and for all is to weaken Pu Chen's power.He concealed Xiang Hu's conspiracy and used Wen Tao's perjury to cover up the more bloody truth.But in Qi Dai's heart, he felt somewhat apologetic towards Wen Tao, especially after they had a heart-to-heart understanding of each other's masters.Now that Pu Chen has fallen into Pingyang, it is difficult to become a threat to Zhou Yu, and he cannot bear to keep Wen Tao locked up in the dark Sijian Pavilion all day long.

Qi Dai said: "At that time Zheng Yong found Wen Tao. Although Wen Tao showed a willingness to cooperate, he did not take any final action after all. His Majesty personally set his top spot. Even if it is compared with the candidates selected this time, Come to think of it, Wen Tao's talents are by no means inferior to them. I think, when the dust settles on the splitting of the Wuchang Army, let Wen Tao be released. He has already been criminalized, and he will not cause any more trouble in the future. What's wrong."

Qi Dai seldom asked Zhou Yu for favors, and this time it was rare to speak for Wen Tao. At this moment, he slightly raised his head, showing a fragile and hopeful look.Zhou Yu's heart softened, and he grabbed Qi Dai's hand: "Forget it, brother Yi Xing is alone in Youzhou now, and I feel uncomfortable. Let Wen Tao out when you think it's right. Brother Yi Xing is right now." Although Wen Tao cannot avoid resentment, apart from Wen Tao, there is probably no one in this world who can make Brother Yi Xing happy again."

Qi Dai's hand was held by Zhou Yu, it was rare that he didn't withdraw, but quietly shook him back.Here is far away from Luoyang Palace, they have a short period of freedom.It's the time when the autumn wind is blowing outside, and it's almost Guangling...

It was already dusk when Yujia arrived at Guangling Academy. Looking from a distance, there were layers of sunset clouds, the water and the sky were the same color, and the autumn wind blew up the ripples of Baima Lake, which was a sign of autumn rain.Zhou Yu and Qi Dai stood side by side on the trestle bridge. The autumn wind blew their hair and entangled each other in the wind, like weeping willows dancing lightly on the shore, like flowing clouds blown away by the autumn wind.

Qi Dai had already ordered people to tidy up the small buildings in the middle of the lake. Zhou Yu came out with fewer people this time. When he was acting king, he was used to being beaten in the military camp. So I stayed in the small building in the middle of the lake.The guards did not go to the island, but just escorted them on the shore.

They walked into the bamboo building one after the other, and everything was the same as when Qi Dai left. The stairs of the bamboo building were a bit old, and there was a slight sound when they stepped on them.Qi Dai went upstairs, walked into the piano room, and lightly plucked the strings of the piano. The clanking sound of the piano spread out in the bamboo building, making people feel refreshed for a while.

Just as Qi Dai was about to retreat, suddenly one hand held his waist, Zhou Yu stuck behind him, and lightly knocked his head on his shoulder, Zhou Yu plucked the strings a few times with his other free hand, Dai whispered in his ear: "You promised to play the piano for me."

Qi Dai froze, feeling that Zhou Yu's lips would touch Zhou Yu's lips with a slight movement. He tilted his head slightly, but Zhou Yu was caught off guard and pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth. His lips rubbed against his cheek, softly Said: "I want to see you playing the piano in white clothes like before..."

Qi Dai bowed slightly, broke free from Zhou Yu's arms, and said: "You can't listen to the piano without tea."

Zhou Yu smiled and said, "I'll cook some tea and make it fragrant."

Qi Dai hesitated: "How dare you bother the emperor to do it?"

"There is no emperor here." Zhou Yu's eyes were clear, "Only a pair of people who play the piano and drink tea... have lovers." Zhou Yu's last three words were soft but clear.Qi Dai's face turned pale, and he exited to get ready to change.

Qi Dai's previous clothes were left in the small building in the middle of the lake. They had not been worn for many years, and they were much worn. Qi Dai unfolded them and hung them on the woodwork. The dark patterns of gold and silver that had been embroidered had long since faded, just like his once prosperous and charming youth. era.Qi Dai raised his hand, threw these old clothes to one place, and took a new silk and linen gown without a trace of pattern, which was the most common off-white color, with a toga with big sleeves, but only he could wear it with that elegant look. Come naturally.

Back in the piano room, Zhou Yu had already lighted the tea, and a pot of clear tea was also wafting with a lingering aroma.Zhou Yu sat cross-legged, with his outer robe open, coupled with his demeanor all over his body, he seemed to be a son of a noble family in the Nanjing Dynasty.However, his gaze fell on Qi Dai as soon as he entered.In my impression, Qi Dai hasn't worn white for a long, long time, and she hasn't had her hair half-draped like she used to be in Guangling Academy for a long, long time.When he was in Luoyang, he wore the tall black official hat of Si Jiange, and his whole face was hidden in the black color. He almost forgot that Qi Dai's whole face was like a full moon when his hair was loose, which was the most beautiful But look.

Zhou Yu was still slightly dazed, Qi Dai had rolled up the bamboo curtain half way and said: "It's raining, listen."

Autumn rain is no better than spring rain. There is no thunder. When no one is paying attention, it just falls like this. It falls on the withered banana leaves in the courtyard, splashing a pleasant rain sound, and there are also tinkling sounds from the top of the bamboo building. The sound of falling rain is like a natural accompaniment.

"I remember you said that playing the piano is especially good when it rains. Today is a godsend." Zhou Yu spoke calmly, but stared at Qi Dai with fiery eyes, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the rim of the teacup.

Qi Dai nodded slightly, cleaned his hands, and tuned the strings. As soon as he sat down, he raised his fingers slightly, and a piano sound came out. Then, there was a sound of vibrating the strings, which made Zhou Yu's heart tremble slightly. After a while, he realized, What Qi Dai plays tonight is... Hu Jia's eighteen beats.

Zhou Yu was startled, and silently recited the ninth beat that Qi Dai was playing in his heart.

The sky is boundless and the earth is boundless