That day, Mei Changsu didn't go back until he saw the last game. Because he was tired, he didn't eat a few bites of dinner, which made Xiao Jingrui and Fei Liu very worried. But for the next two days of the challenge, he insisted on going from the beginning to the end, saying that he could not have any intention of losing the trust of the county master.
The newly added challenge schedule is still effective. Three of the ten winners in the final were defeated by the challengers and forced out. The final ten winners drank the royal wine, accepted the golden flower reward, and rested for three days before entering the palace. Text test.
"Looking at the appearance of Brother Su, you are not satisfied with the ten of us?" Yan Yujin asked with a golden flower in his hand during the gathering at the Xuelu that night.
"They are also considered top-notch characters." Mei Changsu sighed, "But when I think that Princess Nihuang is such an immortal goddess, I feel that I lack something."
"Is Jing Rui and I also lacking?" Yan Yujin was not convinced, "In terms of character and talent, we are the most lovable people in the capital!"
Mei Changsu glanced at the two of them and vetoed: "You two are too young."
Yan Yujin was blocked and rolled his eyes: "It's our fault for being young, and we don't want to be a few years younger than the county master!"
"Don't make trouble," Xiao Jingrui pushed him. "The two of us were meant to make up the number, just to filter out more unqualified people for the county master."
"Hey, don't pull me if you want to make up your own mind? I'm serious!" Yan Yujin put on a serious expression.
"When have you been serious in your life? Even if you are serious, it's useless. Which girl would like a husband who is younger than her?"
"Ha," Yan Yujin said with a weird smile, "You still teach me a lesson, Miss Yun is six years older than you, how many years have you been chasing her?"
Seeing Xiao Jingrui being slapped, Mei Changsu hurriedly said, "Jing Rui is a very affectionate person. No matter how much he loves Miss Yun, he has never reluctantly entangled her and caused her any trouble. This time you should be like him. Let the county master decide for himself, Fang is a good man who is truly free and straightforward."
Yan Yujin held his chest and said bitterly, "Jing Rui, now you are looking for someone to support you. In the future, with Brother Su protecting you, it won't be easy to bully you again..."
Seeing that he sang well, everyone was amused and the atmosphere was soothed.
While chatting and laughing, a family suddenly rushed in in a hurry, panting and said: "There is a father-in-law who has announced an decree in the palace, the Hou Ye told you to go to the front hall..."
These few were used to seeing the imperial decree, so they didn't panic, got up one after another, and said goodbye to Mei Changsu first.
"No... No..." the hospital said anxiously, "It's mainly Mr. Su... Mr. Su is going to pick up the order..."
"Me?" Mei Changsu was startled, but when he wanted to ask the courtyard, he couldn't find anything, so he got up and changed his clothes, and went to the front hall with everyone.
The eunuch standing in front of the hall did not hold the imperial decree in his hand, but after everyone knelt down to salute, he flicked his brush and said sharply: "The sage has spoken, and Su Zhe is summoned to the palace to face the sage tomorrow morning, and this is honored."
Everyone thanked them for getting up, and a few young people guessed that it was Princess Nihuang who reported to the emperor, and they were not surprised. Princess Liyang was not at all tonight, so Xieyu, the Marquis of Ningguo, was the only one who was surprised. He has always buried himself in government affairs and doesn't ask about nostalgia, so he doesn't take this Xuelu guest very seriously. Naturally, he doesn't understand why His Majesty the Emperor suddenly thinks of summoning a Jianghu person, but it would be a bit rude to ask the truth. , so he thought about it, and said politely: "Mr. Su will enter the palace tomorrow, do you know what His Majesty is for? Ben Hou can also make some preparations for Mr.
Mei Changsu understood what he meant, and said lightly: "Su has no talent, only a little eyesight is wrongly loved. The day before yesterday, Princess Nihuang invited him to preside over the literary test for her. I think His Majesty's call is mostly for this. already."
Although Xie Yu was stunned for a moment, when he thought of Jiang Zuo Meilang's illustrious name, he didn't make a fuss. He was relieved at the moment, and he returned to the backyard with a little courtesy.
Early the next morning, a carriage from Prince Mu's Mansion came to pick it up, which more and more confirmed everyone's speculation. Although a few noble sons have prominent identities, the palace is not a vegetable market after all, and they can't go with them if they want. Therefore, despite being worried and curious, in the end, only Mei Changsu got into the car alone, and he took it easy. An errand was left to Xiao Jingrui - taking care of Fei Liu.
After the car dealership went outside the palace city and changed to the Qingluo sedan, Mei Changsu felt a little agitated, and hurriedly closed his eyes to meditate to restore the clarity of Lingtai. Entering the Zhengyi Gate, getting off the sedan chair and walking, looking at the route, it should be going to Wuying Hall. As soon as I arrived at the corner of the palace, I happened to encounter another group of people turning out from the side corridor.
The young man in the middle, Tuanlong Wangpao, Fengshen Ruyu, described as slightly immature but without losing his heroic spirit, stared at Mei Changsu up and down from a distance, his eyes were full of curiosity, when he saw him looking back, he immediately burst into a smile, The expression was very friendly, as if the brother-in-law met his new brother-in-law for the first time, which made Mei Changsu wonder whether to laugh or cry, but in the blink of an eye, seeing the narrow smile of Princess Nihuang, he knew that this Southland marshal must have done it on purpose.
"Mr. Su looks very good today," Princess Nihuang walked over with a leisurely gait, "Let's get to know him, this is the younger brother."
"See Prince Mu below."
Mu Qing hurriedly reached out to support him. Usually everyone thinks that he is young, and he is called "Little Prince Mu" when he is addressed. He smiled all over his face: "I've heard the name of Mr., and when I saw it today, it really is extraordinary."
Mei Changsu gave a wry smile and said, "Why should you praise me for being disabled."
"Yo, King Jing is here too?" Princess Nihuang said suddenly.
When Mei Changsu turned around, he saw that it was indeed King Jing Xiao Jingyan who had strode over. The two of them made eye contact and then slid away from each other.
"For the sake of Nihuang's thin face, King Jing's time has been delayed." Princess Nihuang smiled, listening to her words, it seemed that King Jing was also invited by her.
Mei Changsu looked at the two people standing side by side, the man was stalwart and lofty, with a faint aura of dragon and tiger, and the woman was heroic, like a fierce feather and a colorful phoenix, her eyes condensed slightly, and her heart moved.
King Jing is not a man of many words, he just said politely, and then stood silently in his footsteps.
"Want to wait here?" Mei Changsu asked.
"No need, look, it's all here." Princess Nihuang smiled sweetly, "These two are acting in the same way."
Mei Changsu didn't have to look back to know who she was talking about. Sure enough, in an instant, I heard the laughter of the Crown Prince and King Yu, as if they were pretending to be generous and graceful, and greeted the people at the foot of the hall kindly.
These two are distinguished, and everyone came forward to greet them. A few days ago, King Yu was very pleased with the emperor because of his plan to present a challenge, so when he saw Mei Changsu at this moment, he was naturally smiling. Although the prince was unhappy in his heart, he also knew that Su Zhe could not be blamed. He only blamed himself for not having eyes and ears by his side, and of course he had to show that he had no grudges. While chatting with them, Mei Changsu had to take care not to neglect Princess Nihuang and Mu Qing. She was actually long-sleeved and good at dancing.
Several people will gather together and enter the hall at the same time. Food, wine, fruit and vegetables have already been prepared indoors, and banquets are scheduled. Since the emperor hadn't arrived yet, Yili couldn't sit at the table, so everyone stood and chatted casually in twos and threes.
The Crown Prince and Prince Yu were unwilling to let the other party and Mei Changsu be alone in order to compete, so the three of them gathered together instead. Mu Qing had always admired King Jing's military exploits, and he felt that men were about to talk about the topic of iron and blood, so he asked Xiao Jingyan for advice on military travel. Princess Nihuang listened here for a while and chatted over there for a while, but it was the most relaxed.
About a quarter of an hour later, the golden chime rang softly outside the hall, and the ceremonial officer shouted: "The emperor is here—"
The hall was silent for a while, everyone stood according to the etiquette, Mei Changsu stepped back to the corner, waited for the yellow-robed figure to sit upright on the hall, and then followed the crowd to walk on the mountain and call the salute.
Emperor Daliang has passed his sixtieth year, his temples are white and his face is wrinkled, but his action is still majestic and majestic, without the slightest old age. Behind Jiang Yuping, his gaze naturally fell on Mei Changsu, who was at the farthest.
For His Majesty the Supreme Emperor of Ninety-five, the suzerain of the Jiangzuo League and the largest gang in the rivers and lakes are all things that are too far away from the noble temples. The reason why he is interested in Mei Changsu is only because he has The same misunderstanding as Mu Qing, thinking that he must be the person secretly chosen by the Nihuang County Lord.
At first glance, this person has a handsome face, elegant temperament, and no shyness in his demeanor. No wonder the princess likes it.
At second glance, the complexion is too pale, and the figure is thin under the light fur, and I am afraid that it is not a person with longevity and a sense of inadequacy.
The third eye looked closely, those eyes were quiet and unwavering, like clear and deep, although they were silently hanging down, like meditation, but the aura was compelling.
Emperor Liang stroked his gray beard, nodded secretly, and called out, "Su Zhe."
"The grass people are here."
"The princess recommended to me, saying that you are a talented person, and the crown prince and Prince Yu also greatly appreciated you. I have three current articles here, and you seem to point out to me the better one."
"The grass people follow the order."
Mei Changsu took the article from the chamberlain, read it almost at a glance, and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the "On Central Governance" is the best."
"Oh, how do you see it?"
"How dare the grass people comment on this emperor's temperament?"
Emperor Liang looked up to the sky and laughed, his face was happy, and he praised: "Sure enough, you have eyesight. The county master's literary test is entrusted to you. Since you serve the imperial court, although you have no position, you should have the respect of guest ministers, and you don't need to take care of people. self-proclaimed."
Mei Changsu pondered for a moment, and then said, "The minister obeys the order." The tone of these three words was cold, and it seemed that he did not take the grace of the saints in his heart, but was just doing his best.
"Come here, under the seat of the county lord, set up a seat with Mr. Su."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Mei Changsu saluted and sat down, and the county master immediately smiled at him, causing everyone in the hall to show a "so it is" expression.
At this time, Meng Zhi, the commander of the Imperial Guard, appeared at the entrance of the temple. He was a close minister in front of him. He did not need to be notified. Enter the palace and wait for the order outside the palace."
Although Mei Changsu had already received the news that today's banquet was not just for seeing himself, but more importantly, it was for examining the candidates for county horses in advance, but it was not confirmed until this moment, and he was naturally a little happy in his chest.
While he was pondering, Emperor Liang had issued an decree to announce the meeting. Meng Zhi led the order to turn around, and at the moment when his eyes slid, he nodded lightly to Mei Changsu without anyone noticing.
Knowing that his actions were going smoothly, Mei Changsu felt slightly relieved, but his face remained undisturbed as he sat peacefully. After a while, the Huangmen official reported that Princess Jingning was coming. Emperor Liang smiled, and when his little daughter came in, he immediately asked, "Ning'er, you made a fuss yesterday to come to the banquet, why are you late today?"
Princess Jingning frowned, her forehead was dark and cloudy, and her face was extremely gloomy. After she finished the greeting, she replied gloomily: "On the way my daughter came, I saw a snow-white long-haired cat, and then chased after her. , wasted time."
"You, you just love cats. But you're not happy because you didn't catch it?"
Princess Jingning pondered silently for a while, then Fang whispered: "No... My daughter was chasing that cat and accidentally came to Yeyouting. Seeing the people there are miserable in labor and labor, she couldn't bear it..."
Hearing her mention Yeyouting, King Jing's heart trembled, and he quickly glanced at Mei Changsu, but only saw that he looked calm, as if he hadn't heard him at all.
Emperor Liang's face was slightly gloomy, and he said: "As a princess, how do you go to that kind of place? Besides, there are sinners in Yeyou Court, and it is appropriate to suffer from labor, so there is no need to be so sympathetic."
"What the father taught is." Princess Jingning lowered her head and said, "It's just that there are underage children in there, they are weak and pitiful. My daughter thinks, what sins can they have at such a young age..."
"No need to say more!" Emperor Liang snorted, "I really spoil you, don't look at the occasion, what do you bring those sinners up for? Take your seat now, the envoys are coming in soon, you must always remember the princess The identity of you, look at your sister Nihuang, how prudent and tolerant..."
"Your Majesty has won the prize," Nihuang County Lord immediately laughed, "Jingning is a pampered little princess, if it really is like Nihuang's bloody battle, His Majesty will be reluctant."
Emperor Liang's eyes showed love and he said, "Why would I be willing to work so hard for you? Qing'er has already assumed the title. As long as I choose a good son-in-law for you, I will be relieved."
"Your Majesty is very kind and generous, don't say that Nihuang is in tears, even if my father is under the spring, he must also deeply feel that the emperor's kindness is difficult to repay." Nihuang County has been in charge of Yunnan for many years. Even this ordinary word of thanks was said by her very sincerely and beautifully.
Emperor Liang smiled gently. At this time, the envoys of Dayu and Beiyan had already ascended to the hall on a festival and returned to their seats after seeing the ceremony. Next came the ten finalists, each of them dressed in different costumes, and some of them looked confused. They were obviously summoned in the early morning without any preparations at all.
In contrast, Xiao Jingrui and Yan Yujin, who were used to entering the palace, were of course much more relaxed. As soon as they entered the palace, they wandered around the palace. After finding Mei Changsu, although they did not dare to say hello, they all smiled at him.