fleeting photos

In the blink of an eye, at the end of March, the imperial examination gradually came to an end.

A total of 120 people were selected for the Beijing Examination, and 30 entered the Palace Examination and were promoted to disciples of the Son of Heaven.

The champion's name is Tan Yuansheng, a man from Jingzhou, Jiangnan Prefecture, born in a scholarly family, with good handwriting, about thirty years old, a Confucian student with a short beard.

The name of the second place is Fang Chong, a native of Yanzhou, Pingyuan Prefecture, born in a slightly cold family, and a real commoner.

This son is only seventeen or eighteen years old, with an ordinary appearance, but he is full of pride, with a hollow chest and unique insights, which makes Jiang Zhao very satisfied.

It's just that seeing that he is young and a little reckless, it's better to talk about Yuansheng's practicality, so he is named as the second place.

Tanhualang chose Zhao Chengming from Zhao Xiang's family. Jiang Zhao had read his articles and tested his depth. Seeing that he was indeed not just a name, he named him Tanhua, which was also a bit of an explanation to the family.

All three of them went to the Hanlin Academy to walk, and they will be dispatched later.

On March 27th in the third year of Jiaping, a Qionglin banquet was held in the hall to show the mighty grace of the emperor.

Every time there is a big banquet, there are many people walking in the palace, Yuan Qi, as the patrol captain of the imperial guards, naturally takes on the important task of patrolling and escorting, and is ordered by Zhuo Yun, the commander of the imperial guards, to arrange everything properly.

In the afternoon, Yuan Qi led people past Gong Zhengsi and took a look from afar.

He hid something in his heart, thought it over and over again, turned his head to his opponent and said: "You guys continue to patrol forward, I have something to do, I will catch up soon."

The subordinates complied, and a group of imperial guards walked around Gong Zhengsi.

Yuan Qi used to pass by this road, and when he saw Gong Zhengsi's wide eaves gate from a distance, he felt happy in his heart. Even if he couldn't see Xie Jin, he still felt full of energy and had a secret joy.

But this time the mood was extremely heavy, with a sigh, no one could complain.

He walked into Gong Zhengsi, found a little maid to look for Xie Sizheng, the little maid glanced at him, covered her mouth with a snigger, and went in without a word, and saw Xie Jin walking over after a while.

When seeing Yuan Qi in the past, he was always full of energy, with a smile on his face, Xie Jin was used to seeing him like that, but now he looked a little sluggish, his eyes were black and black, and some stubble appeared on his chin.

She had a bad intuition in her heart, so she stopped when she got close, and looked at him quietly.

Yuan Qi looked at her, the corner of his mouth trembled slightly, and said in a low voice: "Jin Niang, follow me, I have something to tell you."

Turning around after finishing speaking, Xie Jin hesitated for a moment, bit her lower lip lightly, and raised her heels to go up.

Yuan Qi led Xie Jin to a quiet corner, looked around for no one, turned around to look at her, and his eyes immediately turned red.

"Jin Niang." He whispered softly, actually choked up.

Xie Jin approached, stretched out his hand to touch his face, and said softly, "What's wrong?"

She has always been like this, with a soft voice, as gentle as jade, and people can't help but feel good about her.

Yuan Qi has suffered too much entanglement recently, after her soft hand touched her face lightly, and then met her gentle gaze, he finally couldn't bear it anymore, and hugged her tightly into his arms.

Xie Jin was about to struggle reflexively, but he was no match for Yuan Qi's strength, and he heard him say in a hoarse voice: "I know I'm overstepping the rules, but just this time, Jinniang, let me give you a hug."

He seemed very tired, Xie Jin lost the strength in his hands and didn't struggle anymore.

Yuan Qi hugged her for a while, then slowly let go of her, the bloodshot eyes were full of unresolved affection, almost made Xie Jin unable to look at each other, and silently missed his gaze.

"Jin Niang." Yuan Qi felt a little embarrassed to say it, but he also knew that this matter could not be delayed any longer, so he could only hold her hand tightly, as if he was afraid that she would escape, and mumbled a word.

Xie Jin froze for a moment, met his gaze, and asked softly, "What did you say?"

Yuan Qi took a deep breath and repeated, "I'm getting married."

After saying this, he stared with bated breath, waiting for Xie Jin's reaction, and even prepared to use some strength to keep her.

Xie Jin didn't show the injured expression as he thought, nor did he slap him viciously, but just broke free from his hand with a little force, and took a step back.

"Yuan Qi." The way Xie Jin looked at him didn't change much, he just confirmed with him: "Are you getting married?"

"Yes." Yuan Qi nodded first, and then opened his mouth to explain.

Xie Jin raised his hand, interrupted him directly, and asked, "Who are you married to?"

The corners of Yuan Qi's lips twitched slightly, his eyes were filled with sadness, and he didn't know how to answer her question.

Xie Jin raised his chin, and slowly clenched his hands under the wide sleeves, letting his nails prick the tender palm.

She still didn't show her intentions, even smiled, and said softly: "Your Majesty has given me grace. I will be able to leave the palace in one month and regain my freedom. You said you wanted to marry me."

"Jin Niang." Yuan Qi reached out to grab her in a panic, but was easily dodged.

Xie Jin's gentle gaze finally slowly became colder, alienated and indifferent, repelling people thousands of miles away.

"Answer me, who are you going to marry?"

"It's... the daughter of Xu Wen, Shangshu of the Ministry of Industry, Xu Ruoyun."

"When will you get married?"

"Next month."

"I was still in the palace at that time." Xie Jin nodded and said, "I know."

"Jin Niang." Yuan Qi wanted to reach out to grab her again.

Xie Jin turned around, avoiding his hand, and said coldly: "Guard Yuan, please respect yourself."

She has always been a gentle person, even when dealing with strangers, she is courteous and courteous, never embarrassing others.

Yuan Qi naturally didn't know that Xie Sizheng, who was clean and upright, would also have such a cold and ruthless side. Displeasure was shining in her eyes, and she didn't want him to touch her in the slightest.

Suddenly, his heart sank, and his spine felt a little uncomfortable. Yuan Qi withdrew his hand, consciously kept a distance from her, and whispered flatteringly: "Jin Niang, I have difficulties, can you listen to my explanation?"

Xie Jin didn't speak, and looked down at his toes.

Yuan Qidao: "My grandmother was seriously ill, and she was still thinking about me when she became unconscious. She was afraid that I would be lonely and that no one would take care of me, so she wanted me to get married.

My parents have never forced me to do anything, and this time they have taken care of my wife and family for me, and they also want to prevent my grandmother from dying with regret. I have no way to refuse. "

With a hoarse voice, he spoke word for word, explaining his disappointment to the woman he loves.

Xie Jin didn't look up at him, but just asked: "Do your parents know me, and do you know that there is a Xie Jin in the deep palace?"

Yuan Qi's expression changed slightly, and he murmured: "I just want to take you home after you leave the palace and tell them that I have a sweetheart and I want to marry you."

"So your parents don't know about my existence, and they don't know that you have a sweetheart. They arranged for you a wife who is well-matched, and you didn't refuse, did you?"

Yuan Qi remained silent, his eyes dodged, not daring to look at her again.

Xie Jin, on the other hand, raised his eyes to look at him, and said lightly: "I know, I am the daughter of a criminal minister, and I don't even have a free body. I was not good enough for you. Now that you have a suitable wife, I should bless you." you."

"No..." Yuan Qi tried to argue: "You are the wife I want. Now it's just an expedient measure, just to fulfill my grandmother's wish. When my grandmother dies in the future, you should also leave the palace. We can Again……"

"Yuan Shiwei." Xie Jin interrupted him again, frowning slightly, and asked: "Do you want to divorce your wife and remarry, or do you want to take me as a concubine and serve a husband with that Miss Xu?"

Yuan Qi's face darkened, and he said in a low voice: "I won't touch her, in my heart, you are my only wife."

"Does Shiwei Yuan think he is very affectionate? Do you think I will be very moved?"

Xie Jin glanced at him, turned around and said coldly: "Since you want to marry her, treat her well, she doesn't owe you anything at all. And I naturally avoid married men, and I don't want to ruin her." Marriage.

Left and right are just a bad relationship in the deep palace, I won't take it to heart anymore, and guard Yuan please forget it. "

After speaking, she walked away.

"Jinniang!" Yuan Qi shouted, striding after her.

Xie Jin shook his hand away forcefully, and said in a cold voice: "In the deep palace, love affairs between men and women are the most taboo. Guard Yuan wants others to find out that I have something to do with you and be beaten to death with a random stick?"

She spoke so seriously that Yuan Qi never dared to touch her again, but just followed her behind to make promises.

"Jinniang, it's because I didn't handle this matter well, I'm sorry for you, but I really like you."

"Give me a chance, and I won't let you down again."

"Jinniang, look back at me, don't you have any affection for me anymore?"

"Jin Niang..."

Yuan Qi kept talking, disturbing Xie Jin even more angry, she turned around and pushed Yuan Qi, and looked at him coldly.

"Yuan Shiwei, you are already going to be someone else's husband-in-law, why bother to pester me anymore?

Xie Jin's status is lowly, and he speaks lightly. He has nothing to do with you. I just ask you to let me go. "

"Jinniang, do you have to break my heart so much?"

Yuan Qi looked sad, as if he had been greatly wronged, and looked at Xie Jin pitifully.

Xie Jin looked at him, and took out a white handkerchief from his sleeve, and he could vaguely see something embroidered on it.

"You said you wanted something I made with my own hands, and I've already done it."

Xie Jin approached him holding the handkerchief, Yuan Qi trembled slightly, and wanted to reach out to take it, but saw Xie Jin pull out his sword, a cold light flashed, and there was a sound of tearing silk, the handkerchief was torn in two.

It swayed and fell to the ground, stained with dust.

"This handkerchief is just like you and me, we have broken each other with a clean knife and have nothing to do with each other."

Xie Jin took two steps, turned his head to look at him for the last time, his voice faded from the coldness, and was still as gentle and gentle as before, and said softly: "I wish Guard Yuan, the husband and wife are of the same mind, and have a happy marriage for a hundred years."

Yuan Qi stared blankly at the handkerchief that was broken on the ground, and didn't even stop Xie Jin from leaving.

After being dazed for a long while, he knelt down on one knee, carefully picked up the two broken handkerchiefs, and carefully spelled out a pair of cross-necked mandarin ducks.

Xie Jin, really thought about marrying him.

Looking at the handkerchief, Yuan Qi couldn't help feeling sad, and tears rolled down his eyes.

When night fell, the emperor hosted a banquet for 120 students, all of whom were dragons and phoenixes among men and pillars of the country.

Jiang Zhao was obviously very happy, drank a few more glasses of wine, chatted with the students about the past and the present, and wrote essays and poems with them, setting up a lottery, and the Tianen Temple was very lively.

Gao Sheng'an was waiting on the side, seeing that His Majesty was happy, he didn't dare to persuade her with disappointing words, so someone secretly replaced the wine in her glass with honey water, Jiang Zhao drank it, squinted at him, but didn't say anything.

The chief executive let out a long sigh of relief, and wiped the cold sweat with his cuff.

After all, His Majesty belongs to his daughter's family and has a high status, so naturally he can't always accompany the banquet and drink.

Fortunately, the left and right prime ministers were there, and Lu Shuai was in charge. Afterwards, Jiang Zhao only listened in, ate the delicious food, watched their high-spirited talks, clapped hands and nodded from time to time, ordering rewards.

The banquet ended at midnight, foreign ministers were not allowed to stay in the palace, taking advantage of the night, Jiang Zhao sent someone to escort them out of the palace, and he himself wobbled back to Xihe Palace in the imperial chariot.

Jiang Zhao began to doze off after getting on the imperial chariot, and Gao Sheng'an ordered him to walk slowly, for fear of disturbing His Majesty.

But Jiang Zhao woke up halfway.

The imperial chariot was parked on the palace road, and there were palace people carrying lamps at the front and back. Even though it was late at night, it looked very bright.

Jiang Zhao snatched the lantern from a palace man, reeking of alcohol, and walked with heavy feet and shallow feet.

"His Majesty!"

Gao Sheng'an quickly reached out to help her, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead again.

"There is still some distance from the bedroom, where is Your Majesty going?" Gao Sheng'an asked softly, bowing his body.

Jiang Zhao's eyes were half-closed, his face was flushed by the alcohol, the emperor who used to be a reserved and self-respecting emperor now showed some delicate posture of his daughter's family, and Gao Sheng'an didn't dare to look up at her.

"Where are you going..." Jiang Zhao groaned, "I'm going to find sister."

Gao Sheng'an comforted: "It's late at night now, Xie Sizheng should have rested long ago, His Majesty should go back to the bedroom to rest first, and it won't be too late to see her tomorrow."

"No." Jiang Zhao was stubborn, pushed the head manager aside, and said stubbornly, "I need to see her now."

Gao Sheng'an only felt a headache, lightly pressed the lantern in her hand, and discussed again: "But Your Majesty hasn't changed his clothes yet, so Xie Sizheng will definitely discover his identity after dressing up like this."

Because he was going to a banquet, Jiang Zhao was dressed formally. Although he was not wearing a dragon robe, it was also the imperial uniform. He was dressed in moon white. At first glance, he looked plain and clean. There were countless silver thread embroidered on the skirt and cuffs, and the accessories were all extraordinary, so noble. No match, but whoever has eyes can't fail to see her true identity.

Jiang Zhao was probably still a little sober, after what Gao Shengan said, he immediately handed him the lantern, turned back and got on the imperial chariot, urging: "Then why are you so dazed, go back to the palace and change clothes."

Seeing that he couldn't be persuaded, Gao Sheng'an could only pin his hope on Qingshi.

"Alright, alright, Your Majesty starts driving!"