Qi Guo, Shangyuan City.
Although it was not the first time for Luo Qingqing to set foot here, he would have new feelings every time he came. Compared to Youzhou, which remains unchanged, Gyeonggi is thriving and prosperous.
For example, the last time I came here, there was still a dirt road at the city gate, but now it has been replaced by neat gray stone bricks, and it spreads far away, and the carriage walks on it smoothly and briskly.
Not only that, there were also many more merchants and vendors. In order to save the entry fee, they directly set up stalls on both sides of the stone road. They had all kinds of specialties and exotic goods from all over the country, and there was a constant stream of hawking.
After entering the city, there were more people coming and going, and occasionally you could even see a few foreigners with different hair colors and skins.
"... It turns out that Shangyuan is so prosperous." Luo Tang couldn't help but lean out of the car window and look around, his eyes full of novelty. Even she, who has always been steady, is like this, let alone the younger junior sisters.
"You still have a lot of time to appreciate it in the future." Luo smiled lightly.
"Sister, are we not going back to Youzhou anymore?" someone asked.
"Unless you neglect your duty or make some mistake."
"Uh... It's better not to do that."
She raised her lips and said, "Don't worry, the alchemist won't even have a holiday. You always have to go back to see your family during holidays, as long as you can complete your official duties on time."
In this round of military examinations, the Luo family achieved extremely satisfactory results. Not only did Qingshan Town rank among the top three, there were also several outstanding performers in other examination rooms. When the appointment and dismissal order came down, it was discovered that there were fifteen people going to Gyeonggi, which was already the largest number in history.
Although Gyeonggi also has local privy offices and general offices, commonly known as outer mansions and inner mansions, being able to come to Gyeonggi after all is equivalent to standing at the pinnacle for most new alchemists.
"I wonder how Luo Youer is doing." After watching for a while, Luo Tang put his head back in the car. "She is not ranked high, but the order of appointment and dismissal came so quickly. It's really strange."
Luo gently nodded sympathetically. He usually found her noisy, and sometimes wished he could sew her mouth shut, but when she was really gone, he felt a little empty. "You'er should write to us after she's stable."
"No, she will only write to you." Luo Tang smoothed the broken hair in front of his forehead, "If you receive it, remember to tell me."
"Definitely." Luo responded softly.
At the same time, another person appeared in her mind.
I wonder where that guy was assigned
When she thought of this, she felt depressed. She clearly had the opportunity to come to Shangyuan, but he wasted this excellent opportunity.
The same goes for the Ombudsman of the Privy Council. Why can they sit back and watch such mistakes happen
But... everything is a foregone conclusion.
He is not Luo Youer, so it is impossible for him to use letters to inform him of his news.
Maybe after this farewell, there will never be another chance to meet again, right
…
After entering the inner city, Luo Qingqing got out of the car and waved goodbye to Luo Tang, Luo Changtian and others - the alchemists selected into the outer palace must first go to the Privy Council to report, and those like her who were promoted directly to the general palace had to go and see them first one person.
That is the concubine of the current Holy Emperor and the biological mother of the fourth prince, Luo Yufei.
There were many women from the royal family who married into the royal family, but only a few could give birth to children, let alone the one she gave birth to was a boy. Relying on the fourth prince, Luo Fei's status has risen rapidly, and she is now on par with the head of the family in the family. All the children of the Luo family who are qualified to enter the inner palace must first pay their respects to her, which is equivalent to becoming familiar with them.
And accompanying her was her elder brother Luo Fengqing.
In fact, since experiencing Qingshan Suppression Night, she has basically not spoken to her senior brother. After all, his performance that night was really disappointing. Even though Luo Fengqing took the initiative several times later to try to ease the relationship between the two, when she thought about the evil night, her conflicting emotions were stuck in her throat.
There was another point that made her quite concerned, that is, the opponent's ranking was not outstanding, almost outside the tenth place, but in the end he still obtained the appointment and dismissal order from the inner government, which made her somewhat suspicious of the Privy Council's recruitment of talents. seriousness and impartiality.
The two of them were silent all the way. Under the leadership of the palace servants, they passed through the high wall of the palace from the side and entered the Huayang Hall where guests were entertained.
Although this palace is still some distance away from the real core area of the palace, its majestic outline and mainly red and yellow colors have already set off the royal aura.
To Luo Qingqing's surprise, the meeting was not to meet together, but to come in one by one.
After Luo Fengqing entered it, it took almost two quarters of an hour to come out.
"Miss Luo, please." The servant lowered his body and led the way.
Luo gently adjusted the corners of his robes and stepped into the hall.
The interior of this side hall is not large. There are steps in the middle. A red carpet is spread from the top to the door. The beautiful woman sitting at the end of the red carpet is undoubtedly Luo Yufei.
Luo took two steps forward gently, spread out her long skirt, and knelt down on the cushion according to formal etiquette.
"Luo Qingqing, the sixteenth generation disciple of the Luo family, pays homage to Concubine Luo."
"No need to be polite, just get up and talk."
The other party's voice was clear and cordial, as if she had been looking forward to this meeting for a long time.
"Thank you, empress."
Luo stood up gently and slowly, and then couldn't help being startled. She saw the other party actually left his seat, dragged his long palace silk robe down the steps, and came straight to her.
According to my impression, Concubine Luo entered the palace at the age of eighteen and gave birth to the fourth prince at the age of nineteen. She should be in her mid-thirties now. But her appearance at this time was still young and soft, like a woman in her early twenties, and her skin was as delicate as silk.
"Okay, okay... you are really good." She held Luo Qingqing's cheek and looked at it carefully, and said three good words in one breath.
The latter was in a daze for a moment.
"Haha, you don't have to be cautious." Luo Yufei took her hand and pulled her back to her seat, "I have long heard that there is another genius from the Luo family in Youzhou. Not only is his talent outstanding, but his appearance is also first-class. It's so good. When I saw it today, it really lived up to its reputation."
"You flatter me."
"No way, you don't know. Various departments of the Privy Council have come to see me several times recently, wanting to inquire about your situation. This can't be just lies, right?" Luo Yufei said with a smile, "But after thinking about it, these are all Not the best place for you, so didn’t say a word to them.”
"I think it would be great if I could join the headquarters and protect the surrounding areas of the capital without worries." Luo thought for a moment and said.
"Hey, that's the work of the outer government. How can you do it? But even if it's the inner government, it's still a bit inferior." Luo Yufei paused for a moment and suddenly changed the topic, "I wonder what you think of my son. ?”
"Eh?" Luo paused lightly, "I don't know much about His Highness the Fourth Prince..."
"He was sixteen years old, only one year older than you. He is always restless and likes to run out of the palace. I can't trust others, but if you are watching, I will feel more at ease."
"But isn't this what a guard should do?"
"Of course there are guards, but if you want to prevent spells from harming people, you have to rely on alchemists. That child is good at everything, but he has no ability to sense energy. He is not as lucky as the second prince and the third princess-" When speaking of this, Luo Yufei His tone became a little more gloomy, but quickly returned to its original tone, "And you are undoubtedly the most suitable candidate."
"but… "
"There is nothing to hesitate. I have already made an agreement with the inner palace for you." The other party's words shocked Luo Qingqing. "There happens to be such a position in the headquarters. The inner guard of the royal family can be appointed directly after two years." Being promoted to the fifth level and being able to enter and leave the palace freely is the best position that most people can't ask for. Not only can you use the magic materials reserved by the royal family and learn the most profound alchemy, but you can also meet many important people. Undoubtedly Best for a genius like you.”
"Please forgive my words, why don't you let senior brother take this position?" She tried to evade.
"Silly girl, what are you talking about?" Luo Yufei covered her mouth and laughed, "Your senior brother is a man, so how can a girl be so effective in disciplining people? You are so beautiful, my son will definitely be very good. I like you."
"Empress!" Luo Qingqing said anxiously, "I don't think I will be with His Highness—"
"Hey, I don't mean to force you, it's just for the sake of you and the Luo family." Luo Yufei showed a smile that I understand, "Anyway, it will only take two years. When you get this merit, you will be promoted to the trial position." After the attack, there will naturally be more choices. This job is so rare that I spent a lot of effort to dispel the thoughts of the group of female alchemists outside. Now it is impossible to withdraw. You... don't want to mess up. Have you followed the rules of the Privy Council?"
Volume 3 Beacon Fire Yancheng