Zhang Heng asked the county to leave the capital, and his teacher Chen Xiang was also leaving.
However, it was not for other reasons, but for Chen Xiang's normal transfer to serve as the magistrate of Changzhou.
It's only been a few days since I was appointed.
Zhang Yue was a little sad when he heard that his teacher was leaving. On that day, his disciples made an appointment to go to see him farewell.
Zhang Yue also arrived at the teacher's home. At this moment, Chen Xiang had not yet been released from office.
Several disciples in the sect were chatting. There were a few people Zhang Yue knew well, one was Wu Dao, and the others had no official status.
However, an unknown guest arrived today, and Zhang Yue vaguely guessed that this was his teacher's chief disciple, Sun Jue.
Sun Jue, also known as Xin Lao, studied under Hu Yuan and Chen Xiang respectively. He was a Jinshi in the first year of Huangyou. He had been serving as a local official before. Last year, he was transferred to Beijing to compile the books of Zhaowen Library and was assigned to the library for collation.
Zhang Yue had heard of his name a long time ago. He was chatting with Sun Jue and the other two people. Zhang Yue also knew him.
One is Lin Xi, who now serves as the editor of Guange.
There was another person named Zeng Gong, who had a very close relationship with a young man beside him, and the other person was Wang Anli.
Now that they know that Chen Xiang is going to take up his post, they all come to see him off.
After Zhang Yue entered, Lin Xi saw Zhang Yue and smiled and said: "Du Zhi is here, Mr. Xin is Zhang Du Zhi."
Sun Jue laughed and said: "I heard that Mr. Sir has a disciple a long time ago, but it's a pity that I didn't get to see him. Now he has become the best student in our generation."
Zhang Yue said with a smile: "Thank you for not giving up. I will ask my senior brother for more guidance in the future."
Sun Jue laughed loudly, and Lin Xi laughed and said: "Your senior brother is a good drinker. I'll toast him a few more glasses and I'll give you some advice."
Sun Jue said with a smile: "It sounds like I'm a drinker, but I only drink with my own family. Today, you and I are brothers, so we can drink as much as we want."
"Then I'm afraid I'll pass out drunk on the table."
Everyone was chatting and laughing and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Zhang Yue met Zeng Gong again and nodded to Wang Anli.
Zhang Yue felt a little ashamed about Zeng Gong. He didn't know if Zeng Gong's sister was married, and he was too embarrassed to ask. After all, he admired him very much at the beginning, but now he was about to get engaged to the Wu family.
Zeng Gong took a deep look at Zhang Yue, and his expression was a bit complicated. He thought that he had also met this young man studying at Chen Xiang's house. At that time, he took a liking to him and intended to betroth his sister to him.
But now...
After Zeng Gong sighed in his heart, a smile appeared on his face and said: "Congratulations to you for burning your tail."
Zhang Yue heard that Zeng Gong's words came from the heart, and felt even more ashamed. He didn't know if Zeng Gong's sister was better than Qi Niang, but when it came to being a brother-in-law, Zeng Gong was definitely more than a hundred times stronger than Wu Anshi.
Regardless of whether he is his brother-in-law or not, Zeng Gong appreciates him equally, and the other person is a true gentleman.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Zeng."
Zeng Gong smiled and pointed at the man beside him and said: "Du Zhi, I will recommend you. This Wang Jirong is also on the same list as you."
After listening to Zeng Gong's words, Zhang Yue understood that this Wang Jirong's name was Wang Ji, and he was the younger brother of his brother-in-law Wang Hui.
Now he is also recommended to Chen Xiang. As for Wang Anli, he is also on the same list as Zhang Yue. At the same time, his elder brother Wang Anguo is also Zeng Gong's brother-in-law.
There are so many people here today.
Zhang Yue felt a little guilty towards Zeng Gong in his heart, so he paid special attention to Wang Juan. Of course, it was fate that he would be on the same list in the officialdom in the future.
"Du Zhi, I have something to tell you." Zeng Gong greeted Zhang Yue.
The two immediately walked aside, and Zeng Gong said to Zhang Yue: "Pingfu and Pingfu told me about the matter you came to ask Jiefu for advice."
Zhang Yue thought to himself, which pot Zeng Gong did not open and lift.
Zeng Gong said: "I know you are by no means a follower of people, and you must be here because you admire Jiefu. But Jiefu is aloof and aloof, and few people like him, and he doesn't treat people with pretentious words. You don't have to be upset.
, I will take you to see him one day, and I won’t dare to neglect you.”
Zhang Yue said: "I am a humble scholar and show off my talent to show off my embarrassment, but I am ashamed to see the prince after that. I would like to thank School Manager Zeng for his kindness."
Zeng Gong smiled and said, "If you and Jiefu become officials in the same dynasty in the future, won't you be able to live without contact with each other until death?"
Zhang Yue thanked Zeng Gong again for his kindness.
Soon Chen Xiang returned home wearing official uniform.
When Zhang Yue saw Chen Xiang, he was the first to greet him and say, "Student, I thank you for your kindness. I finally live up to my teacher's teachings."
Chen Xiang was also very excited when he saw Zhang Yue. He helped Zhang Yue and said, "If you can pass the exam, it means you have lived up to your trust. I have not wronged you. In the future, you can be an official in an upright and upright manner, benefit the people and the country, and repay your kindness."
This is my teaching that does not disgrace me."
"Scholars all over the world will also praise me, Chen Xiang, for teaching me a good disciple. If you can do this, my life will be enough."
Zhang Yue said: "Students should remember your teacher's teachings."
All the disciples gathered together, Chen Xiang sighed with emotion, and then didn't say much to Zhang Yue.
On the other hand, after Zhang Yue went in to see his wife, the other party said to Zhang Yue: "Your husband told me that before he left Changzhou, he would know that you had passed the provincial examination and came second, which would be considered as letting go of a worry. If there is a favor from the official, I will let you go."
It would be better to let him know your ranking in the imperial examination, but unfortunately we will be on the way by then, and the emperor's official cannot wait even one day."
Zhang Yue's eyes became moist when he heard this. He was about to become an official, but Zhang Heng and Chen Xiang were about to leave him. He didn't even have the chance to see his own imperial examination results released. It was really sad.
The master's wife said: "I know you are a person who values friendship and loyalty. It is enough for you to have this intention."
After the two of them finished talking, Zhang Yue went back and saw Chen Xiang, Zeng Gong, Lin Xi, Sun Jue, Wang Anli, Wang Juan, Wu Dao and others sitting at a table, preparing to have a banquet.
Lin Xi waved to Zhang Yue and said, "I'll wait for you. Sir, I told you not to use the chopsticks until you arrive."
Everyone laughed.
Zhang Yue hurriedly stepped forward to sit at the table.
During the dinner, they said they were going to give Chen Xiang a farewell, but there was no melancholy of parting in the conversation, and instead they expressed their sincere feelings to each other.
Everyone gets drunk unless they are drunk. Zhang Yue was very drunk that day, and his remaining thought was that Sun Jueguo was really a good drinker.
March 3rd, last day.
The sixth day after the imperial examination.
It is the time for feasting by the water and for scholars to enjoy spring outings.
The Analects of Confucius says, "In late spring, when the spring clothes are ready, five or six crown princes and six or seven boys bathe in Yi, dance in the wind and return with chants." This is how the Si Festival was celebrated in ancient times.
After the imperial examination results were released in the Tang Dynasty, the scholars would have a banquet in Qujiang, and it has become a favorite story ever since.
However, the Song Dynasty did not celebrate Shangsi Festival very well.
On the contrary, the girls in the boudoir will get their haircut on this day, and the girls in Bianjing who have not left the palace will bathe, change clothes, dress up, and then eat Qiaoguo at home.
Guiying, on the other hand, had no intention of celebrating Women's Day. She had not seen Wang Kui since he got second place in the provincial examination.
When the results of the provincial examination were released, she also went to Gongyuan to look at the results. When she saw that Wang Kui got third place, she was so happy that she shed tears. She wished she could tell others on the spot that her future husband got third place in the provincial examination.
From now on, she is no longer a prostitute, but can also be a good man and become the wife of an official in a graceful manner.
So Guiying waited in front of the list, and finally waited for Wang Kui.
She was about to step forward to recognize Wang Kui, but she heard someone else's words. Could this person be the grand-niece and grandson-in-law of the wealthy prime minister's family?
Guiying's heart dropped when she heard this. She wanted to step forward to recognize him, but stopped.
Guiying finally understood why Wang Kui was so cold to her these days.
When she was singing, she once asked a scholar if he became a Jinshi, would he marry a prostitute?
The scholar laughed and said, as a Jinshi, of course he has to marry the daughter of an official and a wealthy businessman. If he is a high-ranking official, he can even be the prime minister's son-in-law. How could he marry a prostitute.
Guiying was confused at the time. Although she had heard Wang Kui's repeated assurances and believed that she would not lie to her, but now when she heard it with her own ears, she felt that the world had suddenly become quiet.
Guiying returned home, wrote a letter as if nothing had happened, and asked someone to bring it to Wang Kui.
When someone comes to announce good news, knock on the door quickly. When a humble concubine hears the good news for the first time, she will know it.
As expected, the Pegasus jumped first, but the Dragon refused to follow.
There is no cloud in Ao Cave in the middle of the sea, and there are no osmanthus branches in the moon.
…
Yanxiao Road calmly looks back, Shun and Yu came to the Qing Dynasty at the right time.
The husband, the noble woman, has been honored through the ages, and her talent and appearance are in keeping with the king.
After the letter was delivered, Guiying began to wait impatiently at home, but she did not see Wang Kui until the palace examination.
The other party seemed to have disappeared from this family. The sweet words and eternal alliances in the past were still there, but the person was gone.
Thinking of this, Guiying suddenly remembered the allusion Wang Kui said about Zhang Chang's thrush, so she asked someone to send a letter to Wang Kui and wrote to.
Shangdu was grooming himself according to the time, so that his beloved would think about it immediately when he saw it. Sooner or later, when he returned to the secluded pavilion, he had to teach Zhang Chang how to paint new eyebrows.
After the letter was sent, Guiying thought that if Wang Kui could remember his past kindness, he might come back, but today, the sixth day after the imperial examination, Wang Kui did not reply.
Guiying was exhausted from waiting. She had hardly eaten these days and only drank a few sips of water. She did not give up and wrote another letter to Wang Kui before the case.
In the Splendid Country of Shang Dynasty, the fairy man is proud and arrogant. Who would have thought that the haggard and secluded guest will feel the spring clothes with long belts every day.
After finishing writing, Guiying burst into tears. She couldn't hold back any words and even fainted.
After a while, Guiying felt that she was lying on the bed. She was pleasantly surprised. She opened her eyes and saw Wang Kui, whom she had longed for, reading a letter by the desk and crying.
Guiying's heart was full of tenderness, and she felt that there must be some reason why Wang Kui ignored her for so many days, so she reluctantly stood up and walked to Wang Kui, caressing the corner of his robe and said: "Kui Lang, what are you unhappy about?
"
Wang Kui was shocked when he heard this. He looked up and saw this woman standing in front of him.
Until now, the other party still hasn't blamed him, but is worried about why he is unhappy.
Wang Kui couldn't help crying loudly at this moment: "Guiying, I'm afraid it will be difficult to reconcile our affairs."
After Guiying sat down, she caressed Wang Kui and said: "Kui Lang, I have expected it. Your strict father must have forced you to have no choice. How can I, a promiscuous woman, be in the royal family? If you tell me, you will be laughed at in the officialdom.
Now I don’t ask for a wife, I just want to be a concubine by your side and stay with you forever.”
Wang Kui deeply felt that Gui Ying understood the righteousness, but he still shook his head helplessly and said with tears: "I'm afraid even my concubine will be in trouble."
Guiying couldn't help being surprised when she heard this: "Kui Lang, why are you here?"
Wang Kui hesitated to speak. Now the rich family did not want to get married immediately, but Wang Kui was afraid of changes and asked again and again. The rich family had not allowed Wang Kui to have concubines before, and now he did not dare to mention Guiying to the rich family.
