It stands to reason that the ranking of the Jinshi can only be known on the day when the Jin Palace passes the imperial examination, but in fact the day before, the emperor will summon the top ten in the palace examination at the Jiying Hall, commonly known as "Xiao Chuanlu".
The purpose was, of course, that the emperor wanted to conduct an interview in person to avoid any unexpected situations.
The day before Xiao Chuanlu, Honglu Temple sent officials to notify relevant candidates and tell them what they should prepare for.
Wei Chen was from Huiyuan, so it was natural for him to be among the top ten in the imperial examination, so neither he nor Zhuang Jun were too excited when they received the news.
But when the Sheng family got the reward, the whole family was overjoyed. Sheng Hong couldn't believe it. He felt that his son was lucky to be in the second class, but now he is in the top ten. Could it be that God opened his eyes? p>
Early the next morning, Wei Chen and Sheng Changbai arrived outside Donghua Gate. After a while, the other eight people also arrived. After everyone greeted each other, they quietly waited for the summons with nervousness and excitement.
Compared with the grand and solemn Chuanlu Ceremony, the entire process of the Little Chuanlu was extremely quiet, with no ceremony or music.
The official of Honglu Temple held the green ticket with the candidate's name written on it and presented it to the emperor, who then called the candidates by name.
The emperor looked at the candidate's appearance, asked a few questions, gave some gentle words of encouragement, and gave him a jade belt. At this point, the interview was over, and the whole process would not take more than half an hour.
After the first nine candidates were summoned one by one, Honglu Temple officials finally called Wei Chen's name.
Wei Chen's heart skipped a beat, wouldn't I have fallen to tenth place?
However, Wei Chen, who was still complaining secretly, did not know that after he was summoned into the palace, the remaining nine people were sent out of the palace by officials from Honglu Temple.
In other words, Wei Chen was left alone.
While Sheng Changbai and the other nine people who left early were thinking about it, Wei Chen had already entered the Jiying Hall and saluted the emperor who summoned him.
On the throne, Zhao Zhen played with a green lottery, looked at Wei Chen, His Majesty Dan, and asked softly: "Name, place of origin, three generations?"
Wei Chen calmly replied: "Wei Chen, a humble minister, is from Jingxi, Youyang. His grandfather is taboo Zhan, and his father is taboo Ming Zhao."
"My grandfather was a child student and my father was a member of the family. Your Wei family can be regarded as a farming and studying family. However, it is your generation that can truly be regarded as the lintel of Guangmen."
Zhao Zhen smiled and nodded, and had several rounds of conversations with Wei Chen. Most of them were asked by Zhao Zhen and answered by Wei Chen.
The questions Zhao Zhen asked were also very common, including articles, poems, current affairs policies, and local customs.
Wei Chen lowered his head and played correctly, with clear logic and dexterous articulation, without any mistakes or omissions.
"It's great to be young!"
Feeling Wei Chen's vigorous vitality, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but sigh with emotion after asking: "Although I am young, I still have high aspirations, uphold the principles of being loyal to the emperor and loving the people, and promote the style of a true and honest gentleman." p>
"We sincerely obey your Majesty's teachings."
Wei Chen was "excited" for the emperor's encouragement and bowed to thank him again.
Just when Wei Chen thought the interview was over, he saw Zhao Zhen holding up some tea, moistening his throat and saying, "It's getting late, please stay and have dinner with me."
Seeing that Wei Chen was stunned on the spot, the steward next to him quickly reminded: "Master Wei, this is an honor from His Majesty, why don't you thank me quickly?"
Only then did Wei Chen come to his senses, and he quickly thanked him with sincerity: "Your Majesty, thank you for your grace!"
Zhao Zhen smiled slightly, waved his hand and told the waiter on the side: "Pass the meal."
Not long after, the dining table was set up. There were two tables in total, one simple and one rich.
Zhao Zhen sat down at the simple table, pointed to the other table of exquisite dishes and said to Wei Chen: "That table is yours. I know that no one can eat well when eating with the emperor, so I specially asked the imperial kitchen to
I’ll reserve a seat for you.”
Hiss~~
Looking at Zhao Zhen's tender smile, Wei Chen couldn't help but take a breath.
As expected of someone who has been an emperor for decades, Corporal Li Xian’s tricks are too clumsy.
Fortunately, it was Wei Chen. Any young man who had never experienced anything in the world would definitely be moved to tears by being treated with such courtesy, and he wished he could die for Zhao Zhen.
Of course, Wei Chen did act like this at this time.
Wei Chen's eyes were slightly red, his right hand holding the silver chopsticks was trembling slightly, and his voice was slightly choked: "Your Majesty's kindness, I have nothing to repay, I can only spare my life to serve Your Majesty." p>
Zhao Zhen was also very happy to see Wei Chen's true feelings revealed. He captured the loyalty of a courtier with just one meal. It was really a favor without any expense.
Zhao Zhen is getting older and his appetite is not very good. His meals on weekdays are indeed very simple. Today, because he was happy, he ate half a bowl of pearl rice.
Seeing this, the chamberlain who had been accompanying Zhao Zhen all year round was a little surprised, and his eyes were a little more cautious when he looked at Wei Chen.
After having a pleasant lunch together, the relationship between the monarch and his ministers unknowingly became much closer.
Zhao Zhen looked at Wei Chen with gentle eyes and said: "You have helped me a lot this time. I accept your favor. If you have any wishes, as long as I can achieve it, just put it forward."
Helped you?
Wei Chen was a little confused when he heard this. How could he, with his thin arms and legs, help the emperor?
Although Wei Chen was full of doubts, looking at Zhao Zhen's appearance, he had no intention of explaining to himself.
Of course, as someone who is the most respected person in the world, there is no need to deceive oneself.
Wei Chen couldn't figure it out after much thought, and could only attribute everything to Zhao Zhen's further overtures to him.
"But no matter what, you can make a request to the emperor. This is a great deal of face, so you must make good use of it!"
Wei Chen's eyes lit up, and he suddenly thought of a difficult problem that had been bothering him for a long time, and he could just ask the emperor in front of him for help.
……
The next day.
At the fourth watch of the morning, when the Bianhe River was still covered with gauze-like morning mist, Wei Chen and Sheng Changbai boarded the carriage bound for the imperial city.
The thoroughfare leading to the imperial city gradually began to become noisy. Cars and horses were passing by, dust was flying, shouts were heard, and the sound of horse hooves was noisy, as they gathered towards Donghua Gate.
Today is the day when Jinshi are named and awarded their titles. Not only the court officials will be present, but also the clan, consorts, and lords will be present.
The ladies from each family were also invited to accompany the queen on the stage to watch the ceremony.
Due to Sheng Hong's official position, the female members of his family were not qualified to participate in such a grand event. However, this time, the old lady of the Sheng family received an invitation from the queen for the first time.
The palace specially sent a carriage to pick them up, so Mrs. Sheng brought her daughter Juan to the palace to watch the ceremony. The old lady and Wang Ruofu were in a carriage, and their three granddaughters were in a carriage.
In the palace carriage with the curtains closed, Mrs. Sheng looked at the nervous Wang Ruofu and asked with a smile: "Is this your first time entering the palace?"
Wang Ruofu blushed when he heard this: "I saw Aoshan at Xuandemen on the Lantern Festival, but I have never been to the palace."
"I'll get used to it in the future."
Old Mrs. Sheng said calmly: "Actually, there is nothing good in the palace. There are many people and it is noisy. I prefer to be quiet at home on weekdays."
"That's what mother said." Wang Ruofu responded, and then said with some confusion: "I just don't know why the Queen invited us to watch the ceremony this time. It has never happened before?"
"Maybe it has something to do with Changbai's participation in the imperial examination." Old Mrs. Sheng smiled calmly: "In short, it is a blessing, not a curse. It is a curse that cannot be avoided. You will know when the time comes."