Volume 6: Dream Record Chapter 419 Yuan Xudong's dream is to be arrogant and domineering
The next morning, the sky was slightly white, and the Xiao Mansion, which had been silent all night, began to become busy. The maids and servants each had their own duties, either cleaning the courtyard, preparing breakfast, or helping the master to get up.
At this moment, in Song Yinzhang's boudoir, Yuan Xudong, who had already woken up, was busy teaching Song Yinzhang and Yinping a lesson for their mistakes. The bed made of a whole piece of agarwood seemed to have been unable to bear the weight and creaked. After a long time, Yuan Xudong could not help but growl and lay on top of Song Yinzhang and Yinping, panting slightly.
What he saw was that Song Yinzhang and Yinping were both sweating profusely, their faces were flushed, their eyes were misty, and they looked at Yuan Xudong tenderly. They were not wearing anything, which was very attractive. Their white and rosy tender skin was so delicate that it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of it. Yuan Xudong was eager to get up and was reluctant to do so.
After a while, Song Yinzhang took the initiative to hug Yuan Xudong's chest and murmured:
"Fan Lang, I know I was wrong, can you forgive me?"
"No, I'm going to punish you and make you remember this well!"
Just as he finished speaking, there was another violent storm. It was not until dawn that the storm finally stopped. Song Yinzhang and Yinping fell into a deep sleep. After a while, there were two knocks on the door, accompanied by Zhao Paner's voice:
"Fanlang, Yinzhang, are you guys up yet?"
Hearing that it was Zhao Paner's voice, Yuan Xudong said with a sly smile:
"Get up, come in!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Pan'er pushed the door open and walked into the bedroom. She saw Yuan Xudong lying on the bed with Song Yinzhang and Yinping girl in his arms on both sides. She couldn't help but spit, her face flushed with shame, and turned to leave. At this moment, Yuan Xudong suddenly got up from the bed, hugged Zhao Pan'er from behind, and pulled her onto the bed. It was early in the morning, and Yuan Xudong was very angry!
…
At the same time, inside the palace, crows were calling, and the rising sun shone obliquely on the palace's high-rise buildings and flying pavilions, carved beams and painted buildings. The newly-appointed top three in indigo official uniforms entered the palace with nervousness and excitement. Ouyang Xu followed the top two in the imperial examination with trepidation, thinking about the official appointment to the throne. Gao Guancha had previously ordered him to serve as an official in Gongzhou, but he wanted to leave Tokyo as soon as possible and stay away from Zhao Pan'er, but it was difficult for him to abandon the Gao family. For a moment, he was in a dilemma, and his mind was wandering. Seeing Ouyang Xu in a daze, the noble who was in charge of leading the way could not help but remind him:
"Mr. Ouyang?"
Hearing the voice of the noble, Ouyang Xu suddenly came back to his senses. This was the Imperial Palace, and it was a critical moment for the emperor to grant him an official position. If he lost his manners in front of the emperor, it would be too late to regret. Thinking of this, Ouyang Xu quickly collected his thoughts and respectfully thanked the noble who kindly reminded him:
"Thank you for your help, the palace is so majestic and magnificent that I was distracted for a moment!"
“Hmm~~”
The nobleman smiled at Ouyang Xu and continued to lead the way. At this time, Ouyang Xu followed closely behind the top two candidates. A hundred steps away was the court he had longed for. He had studied hard for many years just for this moment of seeing the emperor and being appointed an official. At this moment, four young eunuchs carried a sedan chair and passed by. In the sedan chair sat an old Taoist priest with an immortal look. The nobleman immediately ordered Ouyang Xu and the other three to stop and salute. After the old Taoist priest's sedan chair passed by, he saw that Ouyang Xu and the other three were curious, so the nobleman could not help but explain:
"This is Master Tongxuan of Chengtian Temple. He is highly versed in Taoism and is highly respected by the emperor. He was specially granted a sedan chair in the palace!"
After that, the noble continued to lead the way. Ouyang Xu walked at the back and couldn't help but glance at the Immortal Master Tongxuan who had already gone away, his eyes full of envy. They new scholars, were treated worse than an old Taoist who pretended to be a wizard. In contrast to Ouyang Xu's performance, the top two candidates walking in the front had disgust in their eyes. They came from famous families and hated those who used ghosts and gods to please officials the most. The so-called profound Taoism and immortality were fake, and the real thing was to enjoy wealth, glory and fine food. What a shitty Immortal Master, he was just a charlatan!
When Ouyang Xu and his companions arrived at the main hall, the noble went in alone to report. The moment the palace gate opened, Ouyang Xu heard the official's angry voice:
"I will not kill scholars and officials, but I will never allow them to act recklessly. Pass on my order that anyone who colludes with Zheng Qingtian, the magistrate of Qiantang County..."
The palace gates were closed, and the official's angry voices suddenly stopped. After a moment, the palace gates were reopened, and only the nobles could be heard shouting:
"Shen Jiayan and three other top-ranking Jinshi of this year's imperial examination are here to see you!"
Hearing the noble's announcement, Ouyang Xu and the other three walked into the hall, bowed and saluted respectfully, saying:
"Long live His Majesty!"
"Stand up!"
Looking at Ouyang Xu and the other two, the official said calmly:
"You are all young talents who are well-read. Today, let's not ask about academic matters. Instead, let's talk about your daily hobbies!"
As soon as the official finished speaking, Shen Jiayan, the top scorer of this year's exam, was the first to answer:
"I know a thing or two about the art of medicine!"
"good!"
After Shen Jiayan finished speaking, the emperor looked at the runner-up again, and the runner-up replied respectfully:
"I like music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and I am quite knowledgeable about Go!"
While the top two candidates were talking about their hobbies, Ouyang Xu took this opportunity to quietly look at the furnishings in the hall. There was a plaque with the words "Three Pure Ones Reaching the Sky", a purple incense burner, Taoist scrolls and talismans, and what the nobleman said about the Immortal Master Tongxuan, and the emperor's love of reading Taoist scriptures. Ouyang Xu already had an idea in his mind. At this moment, the emperor looked at Ouyang Xu and smiled:
"Tanhualang, I heard Concubine Gao talk about you. Can you tell me what you like to do in your daily life?"
"To return to the emperor's house, I don't have any hobbies on weekdays. I only like to recite the Three Thousand Taoist Canons and study the Huang-Lao School!"
As soon as Ouyang Xu said this, the top two candidates standing beside him changed their expressions. The current emperor highly respected Taoism, and they naturally knew it, but they just disdained to cater to him. All along, the top three of the first class were the reserve forces of the Qingliu School, and they were naturally labeled as Qingliu School. Those who catered to the emperor with the theory of ghosts and gods as a stepping stone for their advancement were all flatterers like Xiao Qinyan. What Ouyang Xu did now was tantamount to openly betraying the Qingliu School and choosing to be a flatterer, unlike the top and second candidates. Hearing that Ouyang Xu liked to recite the Three Thousand Taoist Canons and study the Huang-Lao technique, the emperor couldn't help but ask with great interest:
"Oh? Then tell me, what is your favorite scripture?"
Last night, he learned from the noble that the emperor liked to recite the Three Thousand Daoist Canons. Ouyang Xu had already made preparations. At this moment, he said:
"I like the Great Cave Jade Sutra and the Great Mysterious Capital Wonderful Book of Pure Mind and Body Sutra the most. In addition, I still remember the biography written by Prime Minister Wang when the emperor was offering sacrifices to the gods at Mount Tai. On the eve of the sacrifice, it was foggy and windy, so it was impossible to use candles. But when the ceremony started, the wind suddenly stopped, the sky became clear, and the candle flames became solid!"
"Yes, finally here comes a young man who understands the wonderful way of morality!"
The emperor looked at Ouyang Xu with great satisfaction. At this moment, in this hall, Ouyang Xu, the third place winner of the first class, had become a promising young man in the eyes of the emperor. The first and second place winners had to line up at the back. He looked at Ouyang Xu and smiled:
"Recently, I want to give a plaque to the newly built Ziji Palace in Xijing, and I want to invite Master Baoyi to be the palace master. Now I am still short of an imperial edict. Tell me, how should I draft the edict?"
Hearing this, Ouyang Xu bowed and said respectfully:
"Please give me some ink and writing!"
"good!"
The emperor was in a good mood, so he asked the eunuchs to bring up a table, writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone. Ouyang Xu picked up the brush and dipped it in ink, took a deep breath, and after pondering for a moment, he waved his hand and wrote a flattering imperial edict in a very short time. The top two candidates in the imperial examination were standing next to him. They were extremely disgusted to see him use his life's knowledge to write such a flattering imperial edict, and looked at him sideways. If they were not in front of the emperor, they would have wanted to scold Ouyang Xu right now. Such a despicable and shameless third place winner was simply a shame for all the scholars in the world!
After Ouyang Xu finished writing, the eunuch handed the manuscript on the table to the emperor, who read it and said:
"The immortal master lives in the rocks and valleys, with his ambitions rising above the clouds and mist. A man of the Tao seeks the truth of inaction... Yes, his writing is brilliant, and he deserves the title of Tanhua!"
Seeing such a good imperial edict, the emperor was overjoyed. He even came down from his high seat and walked up to Ouyang Xu and asked in person:
"Tanhua Lang, where do you want to be an official?"
Ouyang Xu was extremely excited. He tried his best to speak calmly:
"In the past, Rong Chengzi followed Emperor Huangdi. Now I want to follow his example. I will obey whatever the government sends me!"
Seeing that Ouyang Xu had been flattering the emperor, the emperor only had eyes for despicable people like Ouyang Xu. The top two candidates standing by were both filled with anger, but they couldn't vent their anger. They gnashed their teeth secretly, feeling extremely indignant. However, the emperor was very satisfied with Ouyang Xu's flattery. He nodded and smiled:
"That's right. In this case, I will appoint you as the assistant minister of the Ziji Palace and the deputy envoy of the Ziji Palace. Go to Xijing on my behalf and invite Master Baoyi to come out of seclusion!"
"I will definitely fulfill your mission. Since I am honored to be an angel, I will leave the capital tomorrow to take up my post and serve you like a dog and a horse!"
"well!"
…
After coming out of the hall, the top scholar and the runner-up, who had originally had a good relationship with Ouyang Xu, distanced themselves from him one after another with contemptuous eyes. The two of them walked quickly in front, while Ouyang Xu walked alone behind. They walked down the stairs. The sunlight was dazzling, but Ouyang Xu's heart was as cold as falling into an ice cave. A few days ago, the top scholar Shen Jiayan said that he would promise his sister to him, but today they parted ways. If this matter were to get to the Gao family, how would Gao Guancha treat him?
Ouyang Xu walked down the stairs, at the same time, Lei Jing from the Imperial City Department brought Gu Qianfan up the stairs. The two passed each other, and it seemed like their respective destinies or careers. Ouyang Xu was about to leave Tokyo and go to Xijing to take up his post with an uncertain future, but Gu Qianfan returned to Tokyo with great achievements, and with Xiao Qinyan's secret assistance, his future was limitless.
…
The hall was filled with incense and mist. The emperor sat high on the dragon throne. The ministers below him were replaced by Lei Jing and Gu Qianfan from the Imperial City Department from the current imperial examination of Ouyang Xu. At this time, because of Xiao Qinyan's relationship, Lei Jing, the head official of the Imperial City Department, was asking for credit on behalf of Gu Qianfan to the emperor:
"Gu Qianfan was fearless of life and death this time. He not only captured the crazy person who fabricated the prophecy about the queen, but also single-handedly cracked the private ship scandal in Qiantang, Jiangnan, and cleared up the mess for our Song Dynasty. He is truly a capable general of the Imperial City Bureau!"
The emperor put down the memorial with great satisfaction, looked at Gu Qianfan and asked:
"Indeed, it is true. Where are you from? When did you enter the Imperial City Department?"
Gu Qianfan respectfully reported:
"Back to the government, I have lived in Tokyo for generations. My grandfather is Gu Shenyan, the Minister of Rites, and my father is Gu Mingjing, the Envoy of Luoyuan. I was the fifth Jinshi in the second class of the Yiyou year. I was first appointed as a judge in Dali and a judge in Jizhou. Later, I was transferred to the Imperial City Department!"
I didn't expect that Gu Qianfan, who was born as a civil official, would give up literature and join the military. The official couldn't help but ask curiously:
"So you are the grandson of Gu Shenyan, and you are a legitimate imperial examination candidate. Then why did you give up literature and join the Imperial City Department?"
Gu Qianfan said neither humbly nor arrogantly:
"My father was once the inspector of the northern border, so I shall follow in his footsteps!"
After Gu Qianfan finished speaking, Lei Jing spoke for him:
"You may not know, but in April of the Yimao year, the Kaifeng Prefecture arson case that shocked the world was also solved by Gu Qianfan, and he was promoted to the commander of the Imperial City Division because of his merits!"
"Great kindness, great kindness!"
Looking at Gu Qianfan who always looked calm, the official couldn't help but admire:
"You are a man of both civil and military talents, a pillar of society. No wonder Prime Minister Xiao praised you so much in this memorial. You have made a great contribution this time. What is your wish?"
Lei Jing said so many good things for him, Gu Qianfan also returned the favor and said:
"This case was entirely due to the proper command of Lord Lei. I dare not take credit for it. However, dozens of my comrades in the Imperial City Division died in the line of duty. If Your Majesty grants me grace, their families will surely be filled with gratitude!"
Seeing that Gu Qianfan was not greedy for merit and was so kind and righteous, the emperor was very satisfied and said:
"Brotherhood and loyalty. All right. Draft an imperial decree to grant the deceased in the battle of the Imperial City Division the post of Patrol Judge of Daming Prefecture, and to give them priority in compensation!"
"Your Majesty's grace!"
"The guilty must be investigated, and the meritorious must be rewarded!"
Looking at Lei Jing and Gu Qianfan, the official continued:
"Lei Jing is promoted to the governor of Mizhou, and is appointed as the supervisor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He is also in charge of the Imperial City Department. Gu Qianfan is the envoy of the Western Shanghe Gate of Jin and the deputy envoy of the Imperial City. He is allowed to borrow red and is given a silver fish bag!"
Lei Jing and Gu Qianfan thanked him at the same time:
"Long live the emperor!"
"Stand up!"
…
On the other side, in Yuan Xudong's house, due to some unspeakable reasons, Zhao Pan'er, Song Yinzhang, and Yinping were all lying on the bed resting weakly. Sun Sanniang was taking care of them with two little maids. Yuan Xudong walked out of the house in high spirits, accompanied by two guards Xiao Yan and Xiao Li. On the way to Shuangxi Tower, Xiao Yan whispered:
"Sir, there were people from the palace last night, so we couldn't do anything. Tonight..."
"Okay, I get it. I'll go with you guys tonight!"
Stopping Xiao Yan from saying the next thing, Yuan Xudong took the two of them straight to Zhang Haohao's Shuangxi Tower. In his memory, Zhang Haohao was a famous Tokyo prostitute with a far-reaching reputation, a prostitute who sold smiles but not her body. She was beautiful, with a gentle and moving voice. She was popular with ordinary people, poor scholars, high-ranking officials, prominent families, and wealthy businessmen. Now she was 23 years old. If she was the daughter of an ordinary person, she would have been married long ago. But she was still a prostitute. To be honest, Yuan Xudong found it a little unbelievable. She was entertained by guests all day long. Even if she wanted to remain a virgin, could those so-called big shots let her go?
…
In Shuangxi Tower, Zhang Haohao's boudoir, Zhang Haohao sat listlessly in front of the dressing table, playing with the cloud-patterned gold medal of Yuan Xudong that she had borrowed from Song Yinzhang. She didn't know what had happened, but since she came back from touring the Imperial Street, she felt like she had lost her soul, and couldn't muster the energy to do anything. She was absent-minded the whole day. While playing with the heavy gold medal, she admired herself in the bronze mirror and muttered to herself:
"I am so beautiful, why doesn't any man love me?"
"Miss, what's wrong with you?"
"fine!"
Looking at the listless Zhang Haohao, the maid Xiaomei advised beside her:
"Miss, you are so beautiful, there are so many men who love you, Chi Yanei, Xiao Gongzi, Shen Gongzi, etc., they can line up from our Shuangxi Tower to the Imperial Street!"
"That's different, they like me, but they don't really like me!"
Looking up at Xiaomei, Zhang Haohao lay down on the dressing table again. She continued to play with Yuan Xudong's cloud-patterned gold medal and said listlessly:
"Take Young Master Xiao for example. He likes me, but he is not willing to give me this gold medal. So, he still doesn't like me, or he doesn't like me enough!"
"What's so difficult about this? It's just a gold medal. If you really want it, I can ask Master Xiao to give it to you!"
"What can you do?"
Zhang Haohao looked at her personal maid Xiaomei and said in disbelief. At this time, Xiaomei leaned close to her ear and said with a smile:
"Isn't this gold medal the most precious thing to Master Xiao? If you want Master Xiao to give it to you, then you should also give him a treasure!"
"What treasure?"
Zhang Haohao said in a daze. Seeing this, the maid Xiaomei whispered in her ear with a smile:
"If you let Young Master Xiao stay at your place for one night, I'm sure he will agree to whatever you say. Young Master Xiao values his promises so much, he will definitely not go back on his word!"
"Bah!"
Unexpectedly, Xiaomei would come up with such a bad idea. Zhang Haohao couldn't help but spit and cursed with a red face:
"You damn girl, who did you learn these bad ideas from?"
"I learned it from the flower lady next door!"
"From now on, you are not allowed to go play with them, do you hear me?"
“Oh~~”
After glaring at the reluctant Xiaomei, Zhang Haohao blushed and said:
"They are all prostitutes who use their beauty to seduce others. You are getting close to them. Do you not want to get married in the future?"
"If you don't want to marry, then don't marry!"
After taking a look at Zhang Haohao, the maid Xiaomei muttered:
"When you get married, I will be your maid and take care of you and your husband!"
"Do you know what a dowry maid is?"
Zhang Haohao said unhappily.
"I know!"
The maid Xiaomei glanced at Zhang Haohao and blushed shyly:
"From now on, when you sleep with your uncle, I will warm your bed!"
"Oh, I thought so!"
Looking at the blushing maid Xiaomei, Zhang Haohao teased her:
"You little bastard, do you want to be his bed warmer just because Mr. Xiao is so good-looking? Why do you sell me out?"
"No, I..."
Before the maid Xiaomei could finish her words, the loud voice of Xiaoyu, another personal maid of Zhang Haohao, came from outside:
"Miss, Miss, something bad has happened. Someone is causing trouble at Shuangxi Building!"
"make trouble?"
Zhang Haohao instantly perked up and raised her eyebrows. No one had caused trouble in Shuangxi Tower for several years. She was only the nominal owner of Shuangxi Tower, and the financial backers behind the tower were Chi Yanei and the Jiaofangsi. In other words, Shuangxi Tower had an official background. Who would dare to cause trouble?
At this time, the maid Xiaoyu came in and said excitedly:
"Miss, in the lobby on the first floor, a weirdo wearing a rabbit mask complained that the food in our Shuangxi Restaurant was unpalatable and the music was unpleasant, saying that the food was not as good as the food cooked by his cook at home, and the music played by the cook was beautiful!"
Looking at the rather excited Xiaoyu, Zhang Haohao said speechlessly:
"He complained that the food at Shuangxilou was unpalatable and the music was unpleasant. Why are you so excited?"
Hearing this, the maid Xiaoyu said excitedly:
"He, he asked you to go down and serve him dinner. If you serve him well, he is willing to give you a treasure. I saw it, it is really a treasure!"
"What?"
