Tranquility

With the company of the little black monkey, Tangning's prison life has become much more fun.

Based on Xiaojin and Xiaoyin's names, Tangning named it Xiaohei.Tang Ning had never seen a black ink monkey before. He only saw the description in a book by accident. At that time, he didn't pay attention to it at all, and was very skeptical about whether there was such an animal in the world.He didn't know how to raise this little thing. He only remembered that the book said that the black monkey loves to eat nuts, so he asked the prison chief to send over a lot of snacks, such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts, melon seeds, pistachios, cashews, hazelnuts, I want to see Which one does Xiao Hei like to eat? The conclusion is that Xiao Hei will eat everything, and he will not be picky at all. In fact, he was so happy when he saw the box full of food, he screamed and rolled around several times while lying in it. Can't live or die.

Xiao Hei liked the scent of Tangning's bracelet very much. When Tang Ning went to bed at night, she put the bracelet next to her pillow, and Xiao Hei lay in the ring of the bracelet, and fell silent after a while.

Xiao Hei is lively, smart, and very understanding of human nature. Life in prison is very boring. In order to make himself less cranky, Tangning began to train Xiao Hei. According to the description in the book, the reason why the ink monkey is called the ink monkey is because it can grind ink for its master.So Tangning tapped a small piece of ink and gave it to Xiao Hei. He did a few demonstrations by himself, and Xiao Hei soon mastered the technique and fell in love with this monotonous job.

Now as long as Tangning stands in front of the desk and picks up the pen, Xiao Hei will automatically climb up to the desk and start grinding the ink. As time goes on, Xiao Hei starts to do more and more tasks, such as washing pens (all in circles), passing pens (only one pen), licking ink (a monkey habit), brushing the brush (lonely black).

When Tang Ning thought his life would be gloomy, Lin Qingyu brought him hope, and the appearance of Xiao Hei quickly cheered him up. Who would not be happy to see such a cute and hardworking little animal.Moreover, Xiao Hei is very kind, and insists on packing his food into a small packet every day, dragging it across a long distance for him, and giving it to the poor prisoner diagonally opposite.

Tang Ning, the client, was sneaking around in the prison, but he didn't know that the capital city was already making waves because of him.

Capital, Princess Mansion.

"You knew his identity, but you kept it from me." Lin Qingyu was tall and tall, and Kang Le looked at each other, and the eyes of the two sparked.

"Hmph, why should I tell you? You can check it yourself if you have the ability." Kang Le looked disdainfully.

"If you had told me earlier, we wouldn't be so passive now, and it would be easy to get Zian out, but in this way, it would become a stain on his life, not to mention, he is safer in prison now."

"Who is with you and us? You and Concubine Degui are us. People of a feather flock together, and things are divided into groups. I am not the kind of fool who treats enemies as relatives." Kang Le never got along with Lin Qingyu all his life. For brother Yu's sake, he tolerated one or two things. Although the two were born with different personalities, there was no major conflict.But since Lin Wanyu's accident, the conflict between the two has intensified rapidly, and the selection of Concubine Degui completely broke the two of them.

"Do you think I never doubted Concubine De Gui? If I was really a fool, the eldest prince would have been a prince long ago." A sneer flashed in Lin Qingyu's cold eyes.

Kang Le was taken aback by Lin Qingyu's words. Lin Qingyu was born in a scholarly family, and he was also the head of the Lin family. He was very important in the Qingliu scholars. What's more, although the minister of Dali Temple was only a second-rank official, he was an official with real power, in charge of important officials and the royal prison , both sides have to flatter, not to mention that he is also the crown prince and tutor, who has taught the three princes for more than ten years, and he is extraordinary in the hearts of the three princes.

Although he never entered the cabinet to participate in politics, except for the Dali Temple and the imperial palace, he hardly ever went out on weekdays, and he was very low-key. Few people in the capital had seen him, but his status and rights should not be underestimated. The principle is that dragons do not meet each other. I haven't seen the three princes for many years, and I don't care about my son at all. In addition, the second prince born by the empress is weak and embarrassing. The third prince is still young, and his mother is just a court lady. If Lin Qingyu really wanted to make the eldest son of the imperial concubine the crown prince, although it cannot be said to be easy, it is not too difficult.

But the fact is that the eldest son of the emperor is still the eldest son of the emperor when he is 17 years old, but Concubine Degui still has to rely on Gao Pu, an outsider, to plan his son's future.

Kang Le used to be full of resentment whenever she thought of Lin Qingyu, and she really didn't think about it. At this time, she suddenly became enlightened, but she still said: "In that case, why don't you avenge Wanyu, and even get along very well with Concubine De Gui ? You know I blame you, but why don't you justify yourself?"

"I have checked many times about the events back then. The bandits were all dead. The officers and soldiers didn't know about it. The confessions of the concubine Degui and her daughter were exactly the same as what Jin Ma said. I couldn't find any flaws. My father was still there at that time. I can't take the evidence rashly. Besides, the three of us grew up together, and she has always behaved very well. Mama Jin would not lie to me. Although I had occasional doubts at the time, I believed most of it. The eldest son of the emperor was born again, and the more I thought about it, the more something went wrong, but at that time her position was already stable, even if there was evidence, it would be difficult to move her."

After finishing speaking, Lin Qingyu frowned again, and looked at Kang Le coldly, "Besides, you blame me, why don't I blame you? I have a good sister who was led astray by you, and I want Ning Yuanhou to accept her as a concubine. It's a joke, I How can the eldest daughter of the dignified Lin family be a concubine?"

"Didn't I ask my uncle to marry her later? If they got engaged early, why would she go to the palace to choose a concubine, so that she was framed?" Princess Kang Le interjected dissatisfied.

"How dare you say that!" Lin Qingyu clenched his fists and glared angrily at the lady sitting across from him, "Why should my sister marry someone I don't like? Have you ever thought that if your affairs were exposed, you would be a princess?" It's all right, but what about my sister? Although she won't be ruined, she won't be favored by her husband. How can such a woman be happy? Besides, you can ask her to be exempted from the election, but you still want her to go to Beijing. How dare you say you No selfishness?"

Princess Kang Le stood up all of a sudden, wanting to refute, but there was no way to refute. She rolled her eyes and sneered at the corner of her mouth: "What do you think your nanny named Madam Jin is a good thing? She was bought by your concubine a long time ago. Haha, didn’t expect that, did you?”

"Impossible!" Lin Qingyu stepped forward, staring at Princess Kang Le.

Princess Kangle laughed triumphantly, "Your nurse's husband is a gambler. He secretly sold his own son to a childless family because of the nurse's confinement. After the nurse found out, she searched for a long time but could not find her husband. She was beaten to death in a casino, and she came to the Lin family to become a nanny to make a living. She also asked your mother for help, but when your mother found out about the family, she got the news that the child had died. After crying, the nanny took care of Wan Yu, you are loyal. Is this why you have never doubted her? It is a pity, you know, after you sent her away, I chased her and found something. I found out that she lived with her son. Her own son looks alike."

Lin Qingyu's complexion became even paler, he tilted his body, and propped himself up on the desk to prevent himself from falling down. He was in a state of confusion. He believed it at the beginning because of Jin Ma's confession, and until now he just doubted it. It's no wonder that Jin Ma obviously has no family, but she still wants to say that her natal brother will come to pick her up. He actually believes that. Is this the dark under the lamp?Mama Jin has indeed taken care of Wanyu loyally for many years. That person is really scheming and has endured for more than ten years. At the critical moment, he sent Mama Jin's son to him, and then asked her son to say something to guide her, making her think that her mother It was to make her loyal to Wanyu that she withheld the news, hit him right away, ruthless, so ruthless...

Lin Qingyu was born cold and cold. Except for his relatives, he had a heart of stone to everyone. His person was cold, his heart was cold, and his emotions were also cold. But at this moment, his eyes were full of anger. He hadn't felt this way for many years. The intense hatred, like an extinct volcano that had been suppressed for many years, suddenly erupted.

But what happened back then can no longer be pursued, and Concubine Degui's wings have long been full. He suppressed his hatred, and his voice returned to the original coldness, no, it was even colder than before, "This matter needs to be discussed in the long run. Don't tell Zi'an. This is from the previous generation." He shouldn't be dragged into this muddy water."

The corners of Kang Le's mouth curled up, trying to sarcastically, but she thought that Concubine De Gui lived in a secluded palace all these years, and she did not leak anything. She herself did not do anything to Concubine De Gui for so many years. It's time to put him in jail, now let's see how you get him out."

"There is always a way, why not muddy the water in this pool." Lin Qingyu's eyes flashed coldly, and his voice gradually lowered, as if discussing, as if talking to himself.

Life in prison went by very quickly. Thinking that today was the day when the rankings would be released, Tangning felt a little uncomfortable. Even if the little black monkey was jumping around on him, he didn't have the mood to tease it anymore, so he just sat on the bed By the side, leaning on the desk, holding a book and lost in thought.

However, it didn't take long before the cell that used to be dead and silent suddenly became chaotic and noisy, and students were dragged in one after another. They were extremely emotional, aggrieved, shouted curses, and even attacked the jailer.

Tang Ning put down the book in his hand and watched the students in the distance being pushed into the cell one by one. There seemed to be dozens of them. After everything was settled, he called the cell boss, "Cell Chief, this is..."

"I can't explain this matter clearly," Zhang Lao rubbed his hands, and approached through the fence: "I heard that the emperor's list was released, and all the examiners said it was unfair, that it was a fraud in the imperial examination, and they wanted to seek justice from the examiner. No, the matter is getting serious, the emperor ordered to arrest people, these people couldn't escape, they were caught in, hey, this matter seems to be going to make a big deal, Tang Juren, you have to be careful." Zhang Laotou finished He went back worriedly to meet the new wave.

Tang Ning's heart moved. It seems that this leak should have leaked a lot, and the scope is quite wide. Otherwise, it would not be so easy to see. You must know that the person who leaked the question is not a fool. Ten or eight are fine, more than fifty This one is a bit eye-catching, and besides, the person who got the question is not a fool. He obviously doesn't have the strength, and he doesn't have to join the top few, and he can just be at the bottom of the second or even the third.That being the case, how could things come out?

Just as he was thinking about it, the students over there finally gradually quieted down. They gathered together and muttered to each other. Although they were a little far away, Tangning could still hear them a bit.

"It's really deceiving, not only cheating, but also not allowing us to redress our grievances. It must be the tricks of the superiors. It must be the question leaked by the examiner. He thinks we are fools. This time, the six references of his Zhou family Three, Zhou Wenyue was second to last in the provincial examination, and this time he actually got the second place in the top three. According to his level, even the top three would be impossible for him to pass the exam." After a certain student finished speaking, he knocked on the fence bitterly.

"Maybe it's because of his luck. It's not uncommon for people who do poorly in the provincial exam to do well in the exam." A student calmed down and became timid.

"Hmph, there are, but they are also a minority. Besides, they have real talents and practical learning. If they are not lucky in the township examination, they will do poorly. If there are a few people who are admitted by luck, I believe that if dozens of people are killed I don't even believe it."

"That's right, Zhou Shouren, the chief examiner, has only been in the Zhou family for decades, but he passed three exams in this subject at once. How can there be no tricks?" The student who knocked on the fence seemed to have a lot of resentment towards the Zhou family. Heavy.

Two months ago, in Mr. Zhou's mansion, playback:

"After I get the test questions, I will ask Xiao Li to pass them to you. You will send them to the Seventh Uncle of the clan in person. Remember, keep it quiet and don't make a fuss. Let him pick a few people who have learned well." Master Zhou He ordered to his confidant.

"But my lord, there are many people in the clan who study, but those who are knowledgeable..., what if the truth is revealed?"

"What are you afraid of? There are only a few of them. Just let them not stand out too much. Besides, this year's examiners are all from our own people, so we can discuss everything. If it doesn't work, Gao Shoufu will support us."

"Yes, there is also Wu Yong from Suzhou, a reckless man who bullied men and women not to study since he was a child, and scared away a lot of gentlemen. If such a person can pass the provincial examination, it means that the ancestral grave is smoking, but this time he actually passed the exam. No. 12 in the top three, are his ancestors reselling incense candles in the underworld?"

Two months ago, Mr. Qi, the deputy examiner, came to the house.

"I've made arrangements. After I enter, the test questions will be sent out within three days at the most. You should send them to the other courtyard of Wu Mansion immediately. You must wait until Wu Yong enters Beijing and hand them over to him. Afterwards, you must burn them. If you want to let me know If you sell the test questions to others, I will send your whole family to the Northwest Mine. Hey, don’t blame me, this matter is very important. If it is not a rare opportunity, and the Wu family is so kind to me, I will not do it anyway. Fortunately, there is only one of these things, so it shouldn’t matter.”

The people in front started talking, and the people behind also took advantage of this breath and started talking in a hurry.

"And Pang Jiayi, I came with him to rush for the exam. At that time, he couldn't even memorize the "Hui Test Policy Questions", and he was actually in the bottom of the second class."

"Hey, I heard that Pang Jiayi is the nephew of Mr. Chief Assistant's daughter-in-law." A person next to him whispered.

"Qiu Chengbi, who is in the middle of the second class, is the nephew of Mr. Si, and Mr. Si is the number one student under Gao Shoufu..."

The crowd fell silent suddenly, the words had come to this point, and they had already recognized their situation.

After a long time, one person gritted his teeth and said, "The law does not punish the public. You see, there are still people coming in outside. I think the outside has not calmed down. The bigger the trouble, the better for us. Besides, when I was in the exam, I heard people shouting. Leaking the question, this cheating must be leaking the question, that’s right, we have reason here, the emperor will not dispose of us and let the students of the world feel cold."

Tangning wasn't interested in listening to the rest of the story. Although he didn't know the truth of the matter, he already had a clue in his mind. Zuo was just venting, Dong Chuang's incident was revealed, students made trouble, and the court suppressed it.

Up to now, he has calmed down. The imperial examination fraud is a major case, even the emperor cannot suppress it. This is a major event that shakes the country.

He is sure that Gao Pu must have leaked the question to his cronies, and he also knows that Gao Pu must strictly control the quantity and confidentiality, but a wise man must worry for a while, not to mention that he is not a wise man. To a certain extent, he is A short-sighted villain.He also knows how to conspire and calculate, but it is only limited to the immediate interests. If it is not for the support of the emperor, he will not be able to get on the stage anyway.

Moreover, listening to the voices of those candidates, it is not only Gao Pu who leaked the questions alone, but also a nest of snakes and rats, and the examiners must be indispensable. In the past, the imperial examinations were supervised by various forces. Psychologically, there is a sense of security in a group, and you will naturally be bold in doing things.

Even so, there are only a few dozen candidates, and hundreds of people on the list should not be easy to be discovered, but there are two variables in this matter.

First, Tangning herself. Although he was arrested after yelling, someone must have listened to him and took it to heart. He will pay special attention to it when the rankings are released.Of course he didn't know that Mo Yi yelled much louder than him, and more people heard it.

Second, the questions in this exam are much more difficult than before. "Meeting Examination Questions" itself is a relatively cold book, and it is difficult to find out the correct sentences in the exam, which will make the overall exam score worse. Sliding down, those who get the title, even if the article is not good, the ranking will move up a few places, don't underestimate these rankings, the degree of attention received by the top ten and the top five is completely different.

Tang Ning calmed down and resumed the days of playing and playing with Xiao Hei. Because Lin Qingyu wanted to avoid suspicion and because he was busy at the moment, he only asked the prison chief to bring peace of mind. Tang Ning didn't know what was going on outside. No one came in to judge, the court should have given up the means of suppression.

After a few days of peace, more than a dozen people came in again. This time, the people who came in were not as lively as before. They were all carried in, groaning weakly, or screaming again and again.

Through the fence, Tangning could see from a distance that those people were covered in blood and their clothes were messed up. They seemed to have been tortured.

Suddenly, his eyes fell on a man dressed in indigo, he hesitated a bit, seeing that man was about to be carried into the cell door, he quickly called the cell leader,

"The head of the prison Zhang stays for a while. This person has a fellowship with me. I don't know if I can put it here, and I can take care of it."

"This..." Zhang Baotou wondered: "We have a rule here that we are not allowed to live together in a single room. Besides, he is very dirty. I am afraid that he will pollute Juren's place. Why don't we put him in the single room next to Juren? how?"

Hearing what he said, Tangning didn't force herself and nodded in agreement.