Zhoucheng
Pei Ziyun walked on the street. There were restaurants, teahouses, noodle stalls, food stalls, rice shops, and cloth shops on both sides of the street, but the cloth shop was about to close.
It was already evening, and there were still many people on the street. Among them were some young students wearing green shirts, strolling on the street.
When they came out of the pier just now, the four scholars hurried away as soon as they got off the boat, either because they were frightened or because they had plans early. Pei Ziyun originally wanted to say something, but when he saw them walking away, he didn't stop.
The street stretches forward. As the sky gets darker, many vendors hang lanterns in front of their doors to illuminate the street. Many porters pass by, carrying goods on their poles. Every step they take, the poles follow. The goods were swaying.
There was a scholar in front of him walking out with goods from the shop. Pei Ziyun stepped forward and saw a sign hanging at the door. However, the night was a bit thick and he could only see it clearly when he got closer. It read: "Li Ji Goods Shop"
Several oil lamps had been lit in the shop, illuminating the shop brightly. Before entering the shop, the boss came out to greet him: "Does this husband want to buy some four-pin gifts to visit you? My shop I have everything I need to use it and keep it to my satisfaction."
Pei Ziyun walked around the shop and saw that the goods were really good. He took a piece of fruit and ate it. He nodded, waved his hand and said, "Boss, that's good. Just give me a four-box gift bag."
After a pause, he added, "Give me a gold gift box."
The boss hurriedly responded and ordered the waiter to pack the boxes and deliver the tea himself. After Pei Ziyun took a few sips, the waiter brought the gift box over with quick hands and feet.
After paying the money, Pei Ziyun asked the boss about Gongyuan. When he heard that Pei Ziyun was going to Gongyuan, the boss came out of the shop and pointed to the tall building in the distance: "My husband, Gongyuan is right there."
Pei Ziyun raised his head and looked along the boss's finger. It was a gray night, and he could only see an outline. He thanked him and went in the direction. After a while, he saw Gongyuan.
There are two lanterns hanging on the left and right sides of the Gongyuan steps. There is a golden plaque at the main entrance with two majestic gilded characters on it: "Gongyuan"
At night, the stars were still bright, but the ground was dim. I could only see two soldiers with swords standing upright under the lanterns, guarding them. Several scholars also looked closer, but not in front.
"It's all about knowing the way."
Pei Ziyun had no intention of intruding. Xu established the system. The county school was called Xueshe, the government was called College, the province was called Gongyuan, and the central government was called Xuegong.
There are basically no guards in the academy, just a concierge.
There are guards at the academy, but they are not equipped with swords.
Gongyuan in this province is an important academic place in the province. There are already special guards with swords. Any trespassers will be captured or killed. No one wants to attack Gongyuan.
"But I live very close."
"There is a handwritten letter in the booklet Jiaoyu gave me, telling me to stay here directly based on the letter. It is not far from Gongyuan. It is very convenient. He must be a good friend of Jiaoyu." Pei Ziyun looked around Gongyuan.
Not far away, I saw a mansion. I was closer. The mansion was neither big nor small. There was a plaque "Fu's Mansion" on the door. There were two rows of couplets on both sides of the door. However, the couplets were a little unclear at night and could be faintly seen. The writing on it is like flying dragons and phoenixes.
I went up to knock on the door, and soon I heard the sound of the door opening inside. When I looked closer, I saw a servant holding a lantern.
Pei Ziyun hurriedly made his intention clear. Hearing that it was recommended by an old friend of the family, the servant checked the letter and said, "Master, wait a moment."
After saying that, he went in and reported in a hurry.
Not long after, the servant went out and led Pei Ziyun in. The entrance led to a courtyard and he walked along the wooden corridor. The servant took a few steps forward and said, "Mr., be careful, there is a staircase."
As he spoke, he turned around and lit the lantern in his hand. An upward staircase appeared, and he walked along it into the hall. This hall was lit with several lamps, covered with lampshades. There were some orchids and bamboos on the lampshades, and there were calligraphy and paintings scattered around. , hanging on the wall.
Sitting in the center was a middle-aged man, in his forties, with some beard, wearing brocade clothes, a little thin, and holding a book in his hand.
The servant whispered: "Sir, in front of you is Mr. Fu, the master of Fu Juren."
Pei Ziyun hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "Student has met Mr. Fu."
After handing over the letter again, the man put down the book in his hand, took the letter, read it, and said: "It turns out that the scholar recommended by my old friend is welcome. I will arrange for you to stay here."
Then he said to the servant: "Call the housekeeper to come over and arrange accommodation for this husband."
Pei Ziyun only heard the sound of "Huh" and looked up. Under the curtain on the right side of the hall, the face of a little girl was revealed. She was about eleven or twelve years old. She was very beautiful, but she was still a little lolita.
Just as Pei Ziyun was thinking about it, Loli who looked over seemed startled, shrank back, and disappeared behind the door curtain.
Behind the door curtain, there is a graceful window, the fragrance of musk orchids, and a beautiful woman making tea. When she saw the little girl peeking and was caught retreating, she couldn't help but stretched out her hand and said, "You little naughty ghost."
The beautiful woman took the tea and went out. Looking back, she saw this loli hand touching the forehead that was hit just now, and she said with a smile: "Don't mess around."
After saying that, he went out with the tea.
Pei Ziyun was talking to Fu Juren when the right door curtain opened and a beautiful woman with her hair tied up came out with tea. The woman was dignified and beautiful. When she handed the tea over, she passed by Pei Ziyun and glanced at him.
Pei Ziyun felt his eyes twitch. He raised his head and glanced at the woman. He felt that she looked familiar. He couldn't remember who it was for a moment. The woman handed over the tea and the concierge came to report.
"Master, four more husbands are here to visit. This is a greeting card." He handed over the greeting card.
Mr. Fu put the invitation in his hand and read it over, thought for a while, and then said, "Just invite these four people in."
After saying that, he turned around and said to the beautiful woman: "Mother Yun, would you mind pouring me four more cups of tea?"
"Yes, sir." The beautiful woman returned with a tea tray, prepared new tea, and entered the door curtain. Just now, the little Loli squeezed up again and asked: "Auntie, how is this person?"
The beautiful woman of Yun Niang stretched out her hand, tapped the little Loli on the head with a pair of slender hands, and said, "Xiaoxia, don't make trouble, I'll talk to you after I'm done."
After the beautiful woman finished speaking, she continued to prepare tea and cooked it on the tea stove, but Loli held her head in her hands, with two big eyes and a look of grievance on her face.
Pei Ziyun picked up the tea. The tea was a bit hot. He blew the heat away. After taking a sip, he felt a sense of relief passing through his heart and spleen. He thought to himself: "Good tea!"
A little while later, a servant came in and led him in. It turned out that Yu Guangmao and others were startled when they saw Pei Ziyun drinking tea, and said with a smile: "Brother Pei is also here to visit Mr. Fu."
After saying that, he saluted Master Fu to greet him.
They all sat separately. Yu Guangmao and Yi Xiucai got acquainted with Pei Ziyun on the boat a few days ago. When they met today, they found a seat next to Pei Ziyun.
Mr. Fu looked at it with a smile: "Since several scholars have come here on recommendation, please stay here and prepare for the exam in peace with me."
After saying that, he took a sip of the tea that Yun Niang had just handed over.
Mr. Fu had a good reputation and often helped scholars. If a scholar was recommended, he could stay there until the exam was over, but he could only stay for one semester.
Yu Guangmao and Yi Xiucai didn't want to come with letters of recommendation, but as the state examination was approaching, the prices of accommodation in hotels and inns in Fuzhong were increasing. It was a lot more expensive. Even if the four of them pooled their money, they couldn't stay in a good inn or a bad inn. It was a small matter to lose one's worth. I was afraid that it would be a mixed bag. This was a state examination and nothing could go wrong. So after searching for a while, I really couldn't find an inn where I could stay, so I came to Fu Mansion with a letter of recommendation.
A few people were chatting, and the curtain on the right side of the door opened. Yun Niang served everyone tea again, but she was dignified and beautiful. The new scholars had never seen such a woman before, so they couldn't help but blush, lowering their heads and not daring to look more.
Only Yu Guangmao was still calm, but his eyes avoided the beautiful woman and did not look directly at her. The beautiful woman brought up four cups of tea on a tea tray. She glanced at the newcomers and the remaining two. Then, my eyes stayed on Yu Guangmao and Yi Xiucai for a while, but when I saw Yi Xiucai, I felt a little pity.
Until the beautiful woman left, the three scholars did not dare to raise their heads. Since Pei Ziyun practiced the Hundred Beasts, his ears and eyes have greatly improved, and he heard Yi Xiucai whispering softly and silently: "See no evil, hear no evil, look no evil." .”
Listening to this person's silent recitation, Pei Ziyun just took a sip of tea and a flash of light flashed in his mind: "This beautiful woman, I remembered, isn't she Master Yun from Songyun Sect?"
"That Luo Li just now is the future Senior Sister Chu Xia?"
He immediately understood the key point: "Every sect has set up strongholds in prefectures and counties. Uncle Yun is checking to see who among the scholars who are rushing to take the exam have the right connections?"
As soon as Yun Niang's beautiful woman opened the door and walked in, the little Loli came up to her again and asked: "Auntie, now that you are done with your work, you can tell me how the guests are today."
Listening to this loli's curious question, she stretched out her hand and pinched the little loli's face and said, "You."
Putting the tea tray down, she held the little Loli with one hand and headed inside. She turned around the corridor and entered the inner courtyard. The most striking thing she saw was a pool with a small bridge in the middle and layers of strange rocks next to it.
These strange rocks are winding and overlapping, and are piled up on the side of the pool. Many exotic flowers and plants are planted there. When you hear the sound of water in the pool, and look closely, you can see the fish in the pool jumping and playing in the water.
Across the bridge, there is a residence. This residence has two floors. There are two big red pillars standing in front of the door supporting the second floor. There are candles lit inside the door. The candlelight passes through the gauze and illuminates the yard brightly. No lantern is needed. See clearly.
After pushing open the door and entering the room, after taking a look, the beautiful woman said, "Xiao Xia'er, don't say these things outside in the future. If word spreads, it will be detrimental."
After criticizing Xiao Xia'er, she started talking about what she saw today.
"There are a lot of people here today, but most of them are just mediocre people." The beautiful woman said, paused for a while, and then after seeing Xiao Xia'er's curious eyes, she said: "Maybe only two or three people can pass the examination. "
(End of chapter)