The next day after the Linzhi Palace banquet, the sun shone into the room through the carved gaps on the window edges, and it spread on the ground. Xuan Shaoning got up very early. First, when he first entered the Yu Palace, he had not been used to it. Second, for many years, the early-wake habit developed in Qingshan Academy has not changed. Third, because he promised to meet today when he separated from Xiao Moyan yesterday, and he did not want to neglect it.

After putting on his clothes, Xuan Shaoning opened the door and took a deep breath of the wet air in the morning. The room where he was located was remote and quiet. What Xuan Shaoning liked the most was the Emperor's cherry blossom in the small courtyard. The trunk was thick, the crown was covered with sun, the branches and leaves were lush, and the fallen flowers were colorful. Xuan Shaoning stretched his waist, walked to the Emperor's cherry blossom, touched the leaf closest to him with his hand, and a crystal dew suddenly rolled into his palm. Xuan Shaoning raised his hand and smelled it. The quiet fragrance penetrated into his nostrils and penetrated into his mind, feeling refreshed.

"The Yu Prince's Mansion is like the man, simple and restrained," Xuan Shaoning said to himself.

As the prince, the regulations of the Yu Prince's Mansion are obviously not very compatible with the Yu Prince. The entire royal palace is only three times, and the door knocker on the painted vermilion door has already become vaguely green. Bypassing the screen wall, it is the main hall. After passing the hand veranda, it is the school martial arts field. The Yu Prince's bedroom, study, and conference hall are here. The back is the ear room and the wing room. The layout is very simple. Because the Yu Prince has never been married, the servants in the mansion are all old slaves.

While walking around, Xuan Shaoning unknowingly walked to the vicinity of the school martial arts field and happened to meet King Yu who had finished his morning exercises and changed into casual clothes.

"General!" Xuan Shaoning saluted.

When the King of Yu saw this, he nodded, "Now he is in the capital, not in the military camp, so the military salute is spared. My father allowed me to stay for a while. Today I want to go to the palace to see my mother, so you can do it yourself."

"yes!"

Xuan Shaoning followed King Yu to the gate, watched King Yu leave on a horse, and calculated the time and the agreed time, so he was ready to turn around and enter the palace. Suddenly he heard the sound of horse hooves, and immediately turned around and saw Xiao Moyan riding a horse.

"Shaoning!" Xiao Moyan shouted from afar.

Xuan Shaoning ran to the gate of the palace and said, "It's very punctual!"

"Well!" Xiao Moyan turned over and dismounted, "We will not ride a horse when we go to Xishi District. I will temporarily tie my horse in front of the Yu Prince's Mansion, okay?"

"certainly!"

Xishi District is the area where shops in Beijing are most concentrated, including wine shops, teahouses, inns and brothels. Xuan Shaoning and Xiao Moyan walked side by side to a teahouse.

"Taiyiju?" Xuan Shaoning looked at the signboard, "It's a meaningful name."

"The front door of Taiyiju is small, but it's big inside. Come with me!" Xiao Moyan walked in first. When the waiter saw Xiao Moyan, he hurriedly ran up, and smiled and said, "The official's place is ready."

"Okay!" Xiao Moyan took some broken silver and stuffed it into Xiao Er's hand. After giving a gift, he ran away.

"You are a regular visitor, so familiar?" Xuan Shaoning asked with some surprise.

"Hehe, I like the goose yellow ink sauce here the most, so I will come to taste it every few days, come with me!"

Xuan Shaoning followed Xiao Moyan through a curtain, and the space in front of him suddenly became spacious: the corridor paved with bamboo joints under his feet leads to the end, and there are dozens of elegant rooms on both sides of the corridor, which feels like a unique door. Each door is empty and the curtains are swaying. Through the carved windows, you can vaguely see the figures inside. You can imagine the cups and cups inside, but when you get close, you can't hear any sound.

"One of the other major feature of this Taiyi Household is that it can be separated by ear!" Xiao Moyan smiled sly, "Let's go, they are all waiting!"

Xiao Moyan's elegant room was at the bottom of Taiyiju. When he opened the carved pavilion gate, Xuan Shaoning was surprised. Yan Keran, Du Shaoyin, Su Qian, Mu Qingyuan, and Zhao Kexin were all there, while the person in the corner was squinting his eyes and holding a grass in his mouth. It was Ye Kai! When everyone saw Xuan Shaoning, they immediately became a little turmoil for a while.

"Are you all here?" Ye Kai looked at Xuan Shaoning with his eyes open, "Shaoning, I haven't seen you for a year. Should you call you Centurion Xuan now?"

Xuan Shaoning walked into the private room and sat down, with an unstoppable smile on his face, "What do Senior Brother Ye Kai call them?"

"Haha, it's really smart!" Ye Kai picked up the wine pot and poured wine for Xuan Shaoning.

"How dare you bother Senior Brother Ye Kai to pour wine himself?" Although Xuan Shaoning said this, he picked up the wine glass and waited for Ye Kai.

"Senior Brother Ye Kai's temperament is probably difficult to change in this life. Shaoning, come and try this signature goose yellow ink sauce of Taiyiju first." Su Qian picked up a piece of pastry with a golden color on the outside and handed it to Xuan Shaoning's blue and white plate.

Seeing the goose yellow ink, Xiao Moyan couldn't help swallowing.

"The yellow color on the outside of this goose yellow ink comes from the egg yolk, but it is a dark color inside. It is a sesame seeds made of powder and gelatinized with sugar. It is crispy and soft in the mouth, and the surface will soon melt, leaving behind the sesame pieces inside. When you bite it, it will be fragrant!" Du Shaoyin actually knew this pastry so well.

"Haha, only cooking experts like Shaoyin will savor the connotation carefully. As long as it tastes delicious!" Yan Keran also grabbed a piece and put it in his mouth.

"Hey, are you all here to taste snacks?" Zhao Kexin laughed.

"Yes, we have been together for a year now; secondly, we have a serious matter." Mu Qingyuan said seriously after closing the door of the fairy hall.

Xuan Shaoning tasted the goose yellow ink and said, "Moyan, I saw your court ward at yesterday's birthday party. As far as I know, only officials above the fifth rank can attend the birthday party."

Xiao Moyan had long expected Xuan Shaoning to ask this question, "You are right. My current position is a Ministry of Works, but I am from the sixth rank. As usual, I am not qualified. But yesterday my father patted my chest and took me into Linzhi Palace. He asked my father a few times, but he didn't say it."

Looking at Xiao Moyan with a confused look on his face, Xuan Shaoning naturally believed him.

"Your official position is the highest among us. You are so young and promising. The emperor probably wants to find a princess for the princess!" Yan Keran teased.

"Hey, don't say that this Princess Yunxuan is so beautiful!" Xiao Moyan deliberately showed off: "It's a pity that you are the seventh-rank imperial guard captain, and you have no chance to meet!"

"You are fat and panting, right? Lord Xiao? I have never experienced your boasting skills! You are unparalleled in beauty? Haha, it's really a pity that you can tell!"

When Xuan Shaoning heard Princess Yunxuan, that touch of goose yellow flashed in his mind. Perhaps it might not be "unparalleled in appearance", but that girlish feeling is truly unforgettable. He was just trying to defend himself and prove that what Xiao Moyan said is not false.

"It's better to discuss the arguments a little later, let's talk about the serious matter first," Su Qian reminded.

"Just business? Are we talking about serious business? Of course, except for the princess's beauty." Xuan Shaoning was a little confused.

"The main business is that the Beijing Examination will be held every three years!" Zhao Kexin explained in one sentence.

"The Beijing Examination? I have heard that although it is once every three years, it is not easy and is something that all students in the world hope for, but what is special about us?" Xuan Shaoning still didn't understand.

"It's not special to us, but Yu Shaoyin is different." Yan Keran thrust at Du Shaoyin with his mouth.

Du Shaoyin nodded, "Yes, although I am devoted to studying cooking skills, my career is what my father wants. I also swear to live up to him in front of my father's grave."

Xuan Shaoning immediately heard the clue "What? Your father passed away?"

"Yes, I passed away from illness just a few months ago. It was also from then on that time that I decided to take the Beijing Examination!" Du Shaoyin tightened the bamboo chopsticks in his hand.

Zhao Kexin hurriedly reached out and held Du Shaoyin's hand to comfort him: "With your cultivation level in Qingshan Academy, it must be difficult to be nominated on the list."

"Kexin is right, I will be with you." Mu Qingyuan also encouraged.

Ye Kai sighed, "Qingyuan, too awesome! With your father here, you don't want it, you insist on taking the exam yourself. You have the backbone, and we naturally know your literary talent, but... can you guarantee the result?"

"How do you say this?" Mu Qingyuan asked.

"Hey, you are not deeply involved in the world. How deep and tumultuous is the water in the officialdom? People who have never experienced it will not know!" Ye Kai sighed with a rare sigh, wiped his face, and continued, "It is a good thing to try. I wish you two of you the best of the list!" After that, he drank the wine in the glass.

"I still believe in the fairness of the Beijing Examination. It depends on others and the success of things is in heaven. No matter what the outcome is, we are there!" Xiao Moyan suddenly boosted everyone's emotions.

"right!"

"His Highness of the King of Yu has obtained the emperor's permission to stay in the capital for a few more days, so I have the opportunity to stay in the capital. I will accompany you to the exam!"

Several people said and encouraged each other and raised their glasses and drank them.

The system of Liang State selecting talents is divided into three levels: the provincial examination is held every year, the provincial examination is held every two years, and the Beijing examination is held every three years. Those who can make it on the provincial examination are called the township; those who can only take the provincial examination only after becoming a provincial examination are called the tribute officer; those who can make it on the provincial examination are called the tribute officer; those who can take the Beijing examination are allowed to take the Beijing examination after being a tribute officer, and those who can rank in the top 20 in the Beijing examination can be directly awarded the fifth-rank official position, and the rest will also receive official positions of different ranks or alternate positions.

Liang State stipulated that only men can become officials, but not all men can take the exam. They must have clear household certificates and private schools or official schools to obtain the most basic qualification for admission. Men over 16 who are qualified to take the provincial examination can take the provincial examination. Only by passing the provincial examination can they take the provincial examination, and only by passing the provincial examination can they take the Beijing examination. Liang State has very strict requirements for admission. They can only get one in the provincial examination and the provincial examination. They can only get one in the provincial examination and the provincial examination, and they will no longer be qualified for admission after they are over 25 years old. Therefore, those who can really take the Beijing examination are all talents who get one in the 100. It is precisely because of this high difficulty and long-term period that many frauds and bribery have led to such illegal acts as illegal acts. Emperor Liang has always hated fraud in the examination room, so the corresponding punishment is also extremely heavy.

This year is different from previous years. It coincides with the 50th birthday of Emperor Liang. The Beijing Examination Examination has expanded the reference range. Anyone with the qualification to join the country can participate. This kind of good thing can only be encountered once in ten years. For the officials, it is a god-given opportunity. Being able to seize the opportunity of the Beijing Examination Examination Examination will lead to a smooth journey in the future. Therefore, after Emperor Liang’s birthday, the three provinces and six ministries of the capital began to prepare for the largest Beijing Examination Examination Examination in the past ten years.

It was not only the officials in the capital who were busy for this Beijing exam. On this day, Xuan Shaoning was wandering on the streets without any trouble, and found that the capital was becoming increasingly lively, with cars coming and going, and the noisy scenery. What surprised Xuan Shaoning the most was that many inns had signs of "full-climbing".

"I have studied hard for decades, and I just wrote a title for one day!" Xuan Shaoning sighed sincerely. Although he had devoted himself to the military, his feelings for the Shizi were still deeply rooted in his heart.

"Let's go... we're full, so go and ask somewhere else!"

"There is nowhere full. I asked the person who stayed in the hotel just now, and he said there is still room available!"

"If you say nothing, you will be gone. If you don't do business with someone like you, go for a walk!"

"Brave businessman! You are bullying customers by a store!"

Xuan Shaoning was attracted by the noise not far ahead. Two people stood in front of an inn and were pushing each other and arguing, and many people were already surrounded.

Xuan Shaoning approached and saw that the inn was called "Longxiang". A huge wooden sign was hung at the gate. A waiter-like person stood at the door. A man in thick clothes and a clean-faced scholar was standing opposite him. His white face had already flushed due to the previous dispute. He glared and his fists were clenched tightly.

"I still glared at me! Our inn just won't entertain a poor scholar like you, hum!" The guy turned around and returned to the store with contempt.

The scholar gritted his teeth, withdrew his glaring gaze, let go of his clenched fists, tidied up his bags, and slowly left in the eyes of onlookers who were either pity or sarcastic. Xuan Shaoning felt that he could not help but remembered his even more unbearable situation eight years ago, so he shouted, "Brother, please stay!"

The scholar turned around hesitantly and looked at Xuan Shaoning with a puzzled look. He even doubted whether he was calling him.

Xuan Shaoning quickly walked to the scholar's side, "Don't doubt it, I'm the one I'm calling."

The scholar tightened his luggage again and asked with some caution: "Look for me? What's the matter with me?"

"Looking at your outfit, I guess I went to Beijing to take the Beijing exam, right?" Xuan Shaoning did not directly answer the scholar's questions, but began to analyze on his own. "A great opportunity once a decade will not be missed by any official. Today, I have been traveling all the way and found that many inns are already full. It is reasonable that you can't find a place to stay for a while."

After Xuan Shaoning said this, the scholar became interested, "According to what you said, the dispute just now was wrong with me? Everything is only on the surface, I think my brother is also a superficial person!" The scholar simply expressed his attitude and turned his head to leave.

"I wonder if you are a Gui Geng, brother?" Xuan Shaoning seemed to be completely unwilling to the scholar's impatientness at this time and continued to ask.

"What do you have to do with you?"

"From my appearance on the table, I guess I am about the same age as me, and I am already in my prime. But I still can't see clearly and thoroughly. Who's the fault?"

The scholar seemed to be stopped by Xuan Shaoning and could not answer for a while.

"This once-in-a-ten-year opportunity is not only for poor students like you, but also for the children of officials and merchants. It is not difficult for them to afford money and book the entire inn. It is enough to know it in your heart. Why do you have to do meaningless theories and just embarrass yourself?" Xuan Shaoning didn't care about the scholar's expression at all and said endlessly.

"I have to stand up and say something even if everyone knows it. Even if no one listens to it, even if everyone laughs at me, as long as I have no guilt for my heart, what's wrong!" The scholar said firmly.

"What a 'respectful heart'! If you don't mind, would you be willing to settle down at my residence?"

The scholar was obviously not very adaptable to this sudden turn, "You and I have never met before, and I don't even know the name!"

"I didn't know before, but now I know it? I'm in Xuan Shaoning, who took the surname of the capital, used the name of "Xiao Shao Jiucheng", and was the centurion of the Xuanjia Army, and temporarily lived in the Yu Prince's Mansion!" Xuan Shaoning felt that it would be better to be honest with such a strong person.

"Xuanjia Army? Prince Yu's Mansion?" The scholar was surprised.

"King Yu has always loved talents, especially a bloody man like you. It only depends on whether you are willing?"

The scholar agreed without thinking about it carefully, and said with his fists: "In Xiajiang Weizhen, the water craftsman is the river, the Zhen of Weiguo, and the people of Baishui County, Yanzhou, this time he went to Beijing for the exam. Fortunately, he was helped by his brother. If he had the chance in the future, he would definitely repay him!"
Chapter completed!