Chapter 60 Concubine Cui (please subscribe)
Jiaofang Hall.
This is the residence of Concubine Cui, the noble concubine of the harem, but the strange thing is that there are very few eunuchs and maids coming and going, and it looks a bit deserted.
At this time, the eunuch who delivered the order walked quickly in a low voice. After being reported by the palace people, he was quickly taken in.
"My servant pays homage to Concubine Cui!"
Behind the veil, a delicate woman sits, holding a book in one hand as if she is thinking hard.
After a few breaths, a faint question came: "What's the matter?"
"Back to Concubine Cui, today is the day of the martial arts competition and the banquet of the number one scholar."
"Your Majesty has ordered that Concubine Cui's two brothers, Cui Xiazhao and Cui Xiawu, won the first prize in the civil and military examinations respectively. This is a major event of the country. Tonight, a banquet will be given to all the ministers. Concubine Cui is specially invited to attend the banquet."
"The number one scholar in the literary examination or the number one scholar in the martial arts examination?"
Concubine Cui's voice was also a little surprised at this time, and she asked doubtfully: "It's true that Cui Xia Zhao is my eldest brother, who is this Cui Xia Wu?"
"Wu Zi, which uncle is the son of?"
"This..."
The little eunuch hesitated for a moment and then said: "I don't know, the villain."
"But I heard from the minister that the Cui family has two champions, which is really a great joy. I don't know how many people went to the Cui Mansion to congratulate me. Mr. Cui was also smiling from ear to ear."
The little eunuch knelt on the ground and couldn't help but beat the drum in his heart. The matter of coming to Jiaofang Palace to deliver the edict was something he had finally snatched from his godfather Liu Chengen. If...
"What's your name?"
Concubine Cui suddenly asked, and the young eunuch quickly said: "Back to Concubine Cui, my servant's name is Ma Bao."
"Ma Bao, right? Let's watch."
"No~"
Behind Su Gui, a little maid came out respectfully and handed Ma Bao a piece of silver.
Ma Bao's face lit up with joy and he quickly said: "Thank you, concubine, thank you, concubine!"
"Go down and tell your Majesty that I...will go to the banquet."
"No!"
Ma Bao quickly got up and retreated.
After Su Gui, Concubine Cui slowly stood up.
The sunlight shone through the paper window, revealing the true face of Concubine Cui.
She was wearing a light green palace dress. She was not very tall, but rather petite.
A pair of eyes as bright as stars, and a delicate oval-shaped face, slightly pale, exuding a friendly and bookish aura.
"My dearest concubine, the Cui family is blessed with two number one scholars."
The little maid walked in quickly and congratulated Concubine Cui: "Congratulations to the empress, congratulations to the empress."
"What's the joy?"
Concubine Cui asked rhetorically.
"This...that is the number one scholar. Mr. Xia Zhao studied hard for ten years and finally got what he wanted."
"There is also Mr. Cui Xiawu. Although we don't know each other, he is also a member of the Cui family after all."
"Double champions in one school, this is something that many families cannot ask for~"
"Alas..."
Concubine Cui shook her head, her face full of worry.
"It would be a good thing if brother Xia Zhao wins the first prize alone, but who is this brother Xia Wu?"
"With two champions, Your Majesty is putting my Cui family on the fire."
"In this way, my Cui family has attracted the attention of most officials in the DPRK. I don't know how many people who want to follow the trend will gather and become vassals of my Cui family."
"If this continues, although my Cui family can be prominent for a while, it will definitely offend countless family officials."
"It's just like...the Lu family!"
The little maid was also shocked: "Then what should we do? I heard that the old man is very happy~"
Concubine Cui could only say helplessly: "Xiao'er, please wash and change clothes for me."
"What happens to my Cui family depends entirely on Your Majesty."
"You must never follow Yang Ni's old path."
"The Jiaofang Palace of this palace cannot become the second Yonghe Palace."
"No~!"
In the bathing room shrouded in light mist, Concubine Cui sank into the hot spring with only her jade-white shoulders exposed, closing her eyes and meditating.
Two little maids bathed and wiped him slowly.
Under the hot spring, Concubine Cui still frowned.
"Well, if you want to protect my Cui family, you must make good friends with Your Majesty."
"But Master gave me a strict order before he left. I will not be able to have sex until I have reached the third level of Qi training. Otherwise, if I lose my body, my skills will be dissipated or seriously injured."
"So what?"
The rippling water in the hot spring clearly indicates that Concubine Cui is in a panic.
"In the past, we could use the excuse of falling seriously ill to avoid the listing of the guest room, but today..."
"It's been more than four years. If I don't sleep with His Majesty anymore, not to mention His Majesty, even the old man will be so angry that he will beat his chest and feet."
"Alas...the secular world really does not allow practitioners to practice."
"No wonder when I begged Master to stay in every possible way, she had to leave too."
"Now, it's my turn."
She let out a long sigh and slowly stretched out her two arms as white as green onions.
"Empress?"
"Okay, wipe and change my clothes for me."
"No~!"
The pink palace dress gradually covered her delicate body, and her whole temperament changed instantly.
From the beautiful orchid in the empty valley, it transformed into a cold plum as delicate as snow, which is indescribably delicate.
"Fortunately, Master had anticipated this before leaving and left me the incense of incense. This incense is best at confusing people's hearts and causing them to fall into coma and sleep. Even a Xiantian realm warrior cannot stop it."
"It's a pity that there are only three. I'll use them more sparingly in the future."
After putting on the palace attire, a woman with a delicate face but an aloof temperament appeared outside the Jiaofang Hall in an instant.
The people outside the palace had been waiting for a long time in the sedan chair. Concubine Cui got on the sedan chair and gave the order. The procession meandered towards the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The starlight was sparse, and as the team approached the Hall of Supreme Harmony, they unexpectedly ran into another team.
Concubine Cui's team slowly stopped. After recognizing the opponent's sedan chair, the people who were still standing immediately said respectfully: "I have seen the queen!"
This sedan chair is actually the sedan chair of the current empress, Lu Lin'er!
On the sedan chair, Lu Lin'er was also dressed elegantly, but her face looked a little disappointed.
After giving birth to a daughter, the emperor's brother distrusted her very much.
In the past few months, I haven’t even been to Kunning Palace once!
Fortunately, today was the banquet of the number one scholar. According to the ancestral system, she, the queen, had to attend, so she came dressed up.
Tonight, we must make the emperor’s brother change his mind!
Concubine Cui also got off the sedan chair and greeted her respectfully: "I have seen the queen."
"It's you. The No. 1 Scholar's Banquet is about to begin. I'll go there first. Concubine Cui must hurry up."
"Oh, by the way, this time Enke and your Cui family are actually the top picks in both disciplines. Congratulations first~"
After speaking, he ignored Concubine Cui who was standing aside and hurriedly urged the bearer to go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Empress~"
Xiao Er came over and asked strangely: "Why is the queen so anxious today? She doesn't even care about etiquette..."
Concubine Cui shook her head and said: "I don't know why Your Majesty has neglected the Queen. She may be anxious to win back Your Majesty's heart today."
"Empress~"
Xiao Er whispered again: "I heard someone say that the Queen Mother seemed to want to replace the prince with a grandson of the Lu family before giving birth to a daughter. Even the Queen Mother banned herself, so..."
"Silence!"
Concubine Cui frowned and said: "This matter is related to the royal family's face. You can't just talk about it. Do you understand?"
"No~!"
The maid hurriedly said, and then Concubine Cui's team gradually arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
At this time, the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already bustling with activity. On the steps, courtiers and officials were pouring themselves drinks and talking in pairs.
Offstage, it seemed even more chaotic.
The civil and martial arts scholars and martial arts scholars were separated on both sides, belonging to each other and not disturbing each other.
The scholars in Wenju were all reserved and restrained, and they spoke in a low and respectful tone, with a peaceful look.
On the other hand, in the martial arts competition, everyone was carefree and shouting constantly. Some people actually stepped on the table and started guessing fists, which scared the little eunuch next to him and couldn't help but pull down.
The main dragon chair was empty, but several important seats next to it were already filled with people.
The Queen Mother, after months of worshiping the Buddha, her breath seemed much calmer.
But for some reason, the Queen Mother today looked a little pale and her eyes were tired. No matter how much rouge she put on her face, she couldn't hide that tired look.
The queen on the side also said something cautiously, and her eyes kept looking in the direction of Qiankun Hall.
As for other seats, Concubine Cui, Concubine Duan, Concubine De, Bibi, and Concubine Zhen were also sitting on both sides.
Behind them, there are wet nurses holding babies.
"Aunt, why do you look so tired? Have you not rested?"
The Queen Mother shook her head and said: "I don't know why, but I have often dreamed of the late Emperor these days. Maybe it is because I am getting old."
"Aunt, you are in your prime, how can you grow old~"
The queen smiled sweetly and said: "I don't know when the emperor's brother will come back~"
"Emperor..."
The Queen Mother murmured, her eyes looking a little ugly.
At this moment, a eunuch in the distance shouted: "Your Majesty is here~!"
"Wow~~"
As soon as he finished speaking, hundreds of ministers, scholars, warriors, eunuchs, maids, etc. all stood up.
When Zheng Yi's guard of honor came slowly, hundreds of people knelt down and shouted, "Long live the mountain:
"See my emperor, long live my emperor!"
Inside and outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, only the eunuchs and maids serving Zheng Yi, as well as the surrounding guards protecting the emperor's safety, were still standing.
Zheng Yi slowly raised his hand and said: "My lords, get back on your feet!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Today's state banquet is to celebrate my great fortune, long life in civil and military affairs, and rest with my country. Therefore, I am happy with heaven and happy with the people."
"Everyone doesn't need to be restrained today and can have fun as they please." "Everyone, please raise a glass with me!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
There were countless compliments again, and hundreds of people raised their glasses in unison, shouting long live the mountain.
Accompanied by the crisp sound of chimes, more than ten dancers quickly swam out from both sides, dancing court dances taught by experts from the Ministry of Rites.
This dance is specially designed to praise the emperor or bring peace to the world. It is neat and gorgeous in form and has a relatively rigorous structure.
However, each of the dozen or so little palace maids were beautiful and enchanting. Zheng Yi looked at them with great interest and kept nodding.
"Brother Emperor~"
At this moment, Lu Lin'er came over with a charming voice, holding a bottle of wine in her hand.
"It's been a long time since you came to Lin'er's palace. Lin'er misses you so much~"
Zheng Yi glanced at Lu Lin'er who had carefully interrupted. Although Lu Lin'er today was also wearing a bright red phoenix robe, her figure was extremely plump probably because she had just given birth to a child.
The originally delicate face now has some baby fat, and the eyes are salivating, as gentle as water.
Especially since she was at the bottom right now, from Zheng Yi's point of view, she could clearly see the two deep ravines, and her eyes were almost glued to each other.
He finally got out of this ravine, and he noticed the light of successful conspiracy on Lu Lin'er's little face. He immediately frowned and said: "Lin'er, you still don't know your mistake?"
"Lin'er realizes her mistake, Lin'er really realizes her mistake!"
Lu Lin'er said quickly: "That, that thing was done by Aunt Fangcao alone. Lin, Lin'er really doesn't know about it."
"If your subordinates do something wrong, you, the master, cannot escape the blame!"
Lu Lin'er said quickly: "Lin'er knows, the emperor brother taught me a lesson."
Looking at Lu Lin'er who sincerely admitted her mistake, Zheng Yi also nodded and said: "I have some things to do these days. I will go to your place after some time."
Lu Lin'er's eyes immediately lit up and she said quickly: "Yes, Brother Emperor, Lin'er is waiting for you in Kunning Palace."
After the queen left, Zheng Yi looked at Concubine Cui on the right, who had a calm face.
This girl's name is Cui Xiabing, she is the granddaughter of Cui Jinghao, the current assistant minister of the Central Cabinet, and she has a distinguished background.
Her appearance is not delicate and beautiful, but has a gentle and calm feeling.
I heard that this woman especially likes reading. She was also a famous talented woman in the capital before, and she has a particularly strong bookish aura.
From Zheng Yi's point of view, this girl belongs to the type of beauty who is a top academic.
If you wear glasses...it will be even more amazing.
"Concubine Cui."
Concubine Cui was obviously stunned for a moment, then quickly stood up and said: "Your Majesty."
"Are you feeling better?"
"Your Majesty, my health... is almost healed."
"That's good. I still think that the medical skills of the imperial doctors in the palace are not high and they cannot treat my beloved concubine's disease."
"Your Majesty is serious."
"I heard that there are many unique classics hidden in the concubine's palace. I wonder if I can go and take a look?"
Concubine Cui's eyes were helpless and she could only say: "Your Majesty wants to see it, and I will sweep the couch to welcome you."
Zheng Yi said with satisfaction: "As expected of my beloved concubine..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he felt several jealous looks directed at him.
Especially the Queen and Concubine Duan, Zheng Yi could feel a sour smell from so far away.
Zheng Yi just smiled indifferently. He was the emperor. He could go to any palace he wanted and sleep with any concubine he wanted.
Who can control him, and who dares to control him?
By the way, Concubine Duan also said that she would dedicate the sword rain to herself, but she didn’t know the sword rain...
His eyes subconsciously looked behind Concubine Duan, where Jian Yu was standing pretty.
He had previously granted Jianyu the status of a noble, and he planned to enter the palace together during the draft.
If I had known better, I wouldn't have said that, and I could have tasted the sword rain in advance.
But there's no rush, he still has plenty of time anyway, and he can spend the night with Jian Yu sooner or later.
Perhaps feeling Zheng Yi's fiery eyes, Jian Yu also looked over subconsciously.
Then his face suddenly turned red and he quickly lowered his head.
The emperor promised to give himself a noble status and spoke eloquently, but he was often teased by many sisters.
Now that she felt the emperor's fiery eyes, she felt even more nervous.
The dancing girls danced and drank wine.
The emperor's disciples were all smiling and raising their glasses frequently.
Zheng Yi also welcomed everyone who came, and soon became a little drunk.
But he was a first-level warrior after all, and he recovered quickly.
"Xuan...the top three in the civil and military examinations come to see you!"
As soon as he finished speaking, six people stepped forward.
Cui Xiazhao, the top candidate in the literary examination, Li Ziyang, the second place winner, and Anshi, the king of Tanhua.
Cui Xiawu, the top pick in the martial arts examination, Chen Hongxiu, the second place winner, and Zhao Tieshan, the top pick in the martial arts examination.
After the martial arts champion was confirmed, Zhao Tieshan and Tian Yiguang competed again.
The winner was Zhao Tieshan, who was immediately selected as the top performer in the martial arts examination!
Poor Tian Yiguang, he was playing guessing and drinking with some friends outside the main hall, and he was very drunk.
On the side, Liu Chengen had already taken out the eunuch he had planned and announced loudly: "Emperor Chengyun of Heaven, the edict says: Cui Xiazhao, the number one scholar in the literary examination, will be given to be compiled by the Hanlin Academy."
"Given Li Ziyang, the second best scholar in the literary examination, editor of the Hanlin Academy."
"Given the literary examination to explore the King of Flowers, Anshi, and the editor of the Hanlin Academy."
"I hope that the three beloved ministers can restrain themselves and serve the public, and serve the country and the people. I admire this!"
The three people immediately knelt down and said respectfully: "Students obey the order!"
In each imperial examination, the number one scholar will be given the rank of Sixth Rank Official by the Hanlin Academy.
The second and third best in the rankings were given the title of editor and editor of the Hanlin Academy, and became a seventh-rank official.
However, these are just reliable practices. After staying in the Hanlin Academy for a while, you will have your own arrangements.
After the arrangements for the civil examination were completed, it was the martial examination's turn.
The three of them stepped forward and Zheng Yi said with a smile: "The three of you are my first military officers since the founding of the Yu Dynasty, and there is no convention for them."
"I would like to ask at this time, what do you three think?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the officials around him expressed their expressions.
The emperor asked this, is he planning to give it directly to the powerful officials?
Immediately, an official stood up and admonished: "Your Majesty! The number one scholar in Jinke was directly appointed to an official position without assessment, which is at odds with the ancestral system."
"And there is no precedent for a woman to be an official..."
Although there are cultivators in this world, there are also powerful warriors.
But there are still no women serving as officials in the court.
"ancestral system?"
Zheng Yi asked back: "Is there any martial arts in the ancestral system?"
"Now that the Wu Kingdom is seizing control and there are mobs rioting in the six northern states, I am doing this for my own sake. Why not adapt to the current situation?"
"Or do you have a better way to solve the problem of Wu Guo's detention and mob rebellion?"
The official's face immediately turned red and he said with shame: "I, I am incompetent."
"Go down!"
"Yes, yes yes yes..."
The man quickly retreated, and Zheng Yi continued: "You three, have you thought about it?"
Cui Xiawu immediately said in one step: "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the north to join the army. I will take the fame, fortune and fortune on my horse!"
"Accurate!"
Zheng Yi immediately said: "I will appoint you to the post of Binzhou General and serve in the Binzhou frontier army!"
"But you have to know that the Binzhou border army has already collapsed due to the invasion of Wu and civil unrest."
"After you go there, you will be required to organize it yourself. Do you have any complaints?"
"I...have no complaints!"
"Okay! I believe in you!"
Zheng Yi laughed and said: "If you can reorganize the Binzhou frontier army, I can also get the position of commander-in-chief and general!"
"In this way, I will allocate a thousand forbidden troops and a team of imperial guards to you, and you will go to Binzhou as the commander!"
"Your Majesty, I kneel down to thank you!"
Cui Xiawu's eyes filled with excitement, and he said loudly: "Your Majesty trusts you, but the students are afraid."
"Students swear an oath today that they will be loyal to His Majesty until death!"
"I will fight bravely to kill the enemy on the battlefield and return with my body wrapped in horse leather!"
"If there is any disrespect at all, both humans and gods will abandon it!"
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of the surrounding officials changed even more, and there was a lot of discussion.
Some were jealous that Cui Xiawu had easily obtained the post of general, while others were jealous of His Majesty's trust.
A general is a third-grade military officer!
Although it is a military position, it is definitely not as good as a civilian position, but it is still a third grade.
What is reaching the sky in one step? This is it!
Moreover, many people looked askance at Cui Xiawu's oath.
Especially Cui Jinghao and other officials belonging to the Cui clan, their eyes were even more ugly.
Zheng Yi knew that there was no change in Sima's Luoshui Oath at this time, which was why the world regarded the oath as extremely important.
Once the oath sworn is not kept, it will inevitably arouse the contempt of countless people.
Zheng Yi said with satisfaction: "I believe you."
"Chen Hongxiu, what about you?"
The first order is about a little over 2,000, which is already what I feel like. Thank you all brothers for your support.
Let me talk about the conflict between farming and cultivating immortality that a friend raised. Because the editor asked it to be put on the shelves in advance, the author was a little rushed with the later content.
Under normal circumstances, when it is released, it is when the protagonist comes into contact with the world of cultivation. However, Lao Qing is obviously slower. He is still farming, so the pace is a bit slow. Lao Qing, I will pay attention to it later.
There are also many opinions that are difficult to reconcile. Some brothers like to farm, and some brothers like to watch the content of cultivating immortals. Old and young people have no choice but to choose at their own pace, and the plot will proceed smoothly.
Also let me talk about the update time. From now on, there will be one chapter at 0:00 am and one chapter at 12:00 noon. Each chapter will have 5,000 words, totaling 10,000 words.
If there are any changes in the future, I will let you know in advance.
Finally, I still beg for support and monthly votes. Thank you.
(End of chapter)