Shen Qingling followed Tangtang and Guoguo. For several times, he wanted to ask Tangtang something he wanted to know on the way, but Tangtang changed the topic intentionally or unintentionally every time. Obviously, he didn’t want to talk with Shen Qingling, while Shen Qingling could do nothing about it. He couldn’t force Tangtang to tell him, so he could only find an opportunity to bring it up.

This time, when they arrived at the little courtyard, Tangtang, uncharacteristically, didn’t ask Shen Qingling to stay for lunch, and even urged him to leave quickly. Shen Qingling couldn’t get it, nor could Guoguo.

However, it was not appropriate for Shen Qingling to stay shamelessly, so he left with disappointment.

Tangtang sent Shen Qingling to the entrance of the courtyard. When Shen Qingling took a few steps away, Tangtang said suddenly, “Three days later, I will tell you my answer at the banquet for the best scholar in the palace.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingling looked back immediately. He saw that Tangtang was staring at him with a smile, and it seemed that there was something else in that smile.

Shen Qing asked at once, “Are you serious?”

Tangtang replied, “Of course I am. You will get the answer you want in three days.”

Seeing that Tangtang didn’t seem to be joking, Shen Qingling nodded earnestly. “Alright then, I’ll wait for three more days. Three days from now, you must tell me your answer after the banquet for the best scholar.”

Tangtang replied with a smile, “Okay.”

Shen Qingling left while Tangtang stayed at the door. It was when Shen Qingling’s figure could no longer be seen that Tangtang drew back his gaze. He closed the door but found Guoguo staring at him with sparkling eyes the moment he looked back.

Tangtang stopped smiling. He didn’t need to hide any feeling in front of his brother. He didn’t want to smile now, so he stopped smiling.

Seeing that the smile on Tangtang’s face was gone, Guoguo also straightened his face and asked, “What are you thinking, brother? Can I know that?”

Suddenly, Tangtang showed a helpless smile. “Haven’t you guessed it? Why would you ask me?”

Guoguo answered, “I’m afraid we are thinking about different things, so I don’t know how to start.”

Tangtang looked at him. “It’s exactly what you’re thinking. That’s right. It’s impossible for me to be with him, at least not now. As for the future, what will be will be!”

Guoguo shook his head. “Brother, we are not thinking about the same thing. I’m not thinking about this now. What I’m thinking about is what he wants to know from you, and why did you keep changing topics to stop him from asking?”

Tangtang told Guoguo what had happened during the Final Imperial Examination honestly and said, “I can’t answer the question he wants to ask. The only one who can answer him is Dad, so I have to stop him from asking.”

Guoguo knew most of the things that Tangtang knew. During all these years, they had actually made some guesses. The current Dad they got, who had been kind to them and taught them carefully, was different from that idiot Dad they had used to got, who had turned into a blur in their memories. That idiot Dad was that idiot Dad, while the current Dad was the Dad that had brought them up, which was also their Dad.

Although there were many things that were hard to understand, neither of the twins had asked their Dad about the truth, so they just acted as if they knew nothing of it.

Therefore, it wasn’t that Tangtang couldn’t answer the question, nor could Guoguo answer it either. He knew that his brother was doing the right thing. Their Dad had no intention of being an official, so he wouldn’t make friends with government officials like Shen Qingling. It would be fine if Shen Qingling was going to marry his brother, because Shen Qingling would be considered family then, but now their relationship was not established, and Shen Qingling was not family yet, so Shen Qingling could only know part of the story, not all.

Guoguo stopped asking about this. Since his brother was able to deal with it, he might as well act as if he knew nothing.

Guoguo shifted the topic to Tangtang’s relationship with Shen Qingling. “Bro, have you made up your mind? You don’t have to go to Yanzhou with me. I can go with Dad.”

Tangtang shook his head. “This is different. He is your spouse, my brother-in-law, and you also have a baby. As a brother, as an uncle, shouldn’t I go with you? Besides, apart from you and Dad, others will go too. Daddy, Baozi, and Uncle Zhuo’s family will all go. We can visit King Yan at the same time. It’s been some time since we came back, and it’s unknown when we will go there again.”

This was a done deal, so Guoguo didn’t have a say in it. Therefore, they had to stick to the plan. As for his relationship with Shen Qingling, Tangtang could put it aside for the time being. Anyway, he was still young, and Dad had said that it would be fine if they got married later.

Now that he had made a decision, Tangtang was more determined to do what he needed to do at the banquet for the best scholar in three days.

From the Final Imperial Examination to the banquet for the best scholar, Shen Qingling had not showed up in three days, nor had Tangtang looked for him, and he had not bumped into Shen Qingling on the street either.

The only ones who came to disturb them were Wang Yi and Qi Sang. These two were here to apologize for what had happened on the day of the announcement of the Spring Imperial Examination result.

Even though he had been a little angry back then, it had been over ten days, and Tangtang had almost forgotten about it. Besides, since the two came to them in person to make an apology, Tangtang couldn’t hold a grudge, so he just forgave them generously, and their relationship returned to how it had been before.

In these three days, Tangtang had been hanging out with them all over the capital. They had had delicious food and had enough fun. Tangtang and Guoguo had also bought a lot of things for the family, and would take them back as gifts.

Three days had passed in the blink of an eye and soon it was time to enter the palace to attend the banquet held for the best scholar. Guoguo sent Tangtang to the entrance of the palace as usual. “We will leave the moment you get back. I’m going back to pack up now.”

Tangtang nodded. “Go ahead. I’ll be back soon.”

After that, the twins turned around at the same time and strode away in different directions.

The banquet for the best scholar was held every three years. Those ministers, who had been working in court for dozens of years, had attended the banquet many times, so they were used to it.

Probably, the only ones who got interested in the banquet were the ten students who had passed the Final Imperial Examination and the Emperor.

It was the first time Tangtang and the other nine students had attended such banquet, while it was also the first time the Emperor had held this banquet after he had been enthroned, so he was relatively excited.

During the banquet, people would recite or write poems. As the new number one scholar, Tangtang was naturally bound to do it too.

However, Tangtang wasn’t really good at writing poetry. He had heard people do that a lot, but couldn’t do it himself. Besides, his Dad had not taught him before. His Dad could only recite poems, but not write poems himself.

Nevertheless, since Tangtang had got a first and become the number one scholar, he had to write something during the banquet, no matter what.

Thus, Tangtang forced himself to say, “Your Majesty, I feel ashamed. Since I’m not good at writing poems, how about I write a pair of antithetical phrases!”

The Emperor looked at Xu Qing and said, “Phrases are not bad either. Since the best scholar wants to write a pair of phrase, then go ahead!”

Tangtang cupped his hands together and said, “The nation is prosperous and the people are strong; the army is powerful and the world is harmonious.”

This was not some outstanding phrase, but the Emperor was quite happy about it and complimented it repeatedly.

“Best scholar, do you have a title for it?” The Emperor asked.

Xu Qing answered, “Please give it a title, Your Majesty.”

Of course, Tangtang had a title for the phrase in his mind, but in front of the Emperor, he couldn’t say it even if he had one.

The Emperor knew that well, so how could he not understand the situation? However, since Xu Qing asked, he naturally had to give a title, as a kind of support for his new best scholar.

The Emperor pretended to be deep in thought and said after some consideration, “Peace reigns over the land.”

Tangtang smiled. He thought the same way, so he knelt down. “Long live the Emperor.”

The other ministers echoed.

Actually, Tangtang didn’t mean anything else. He just wanted to please the Emperor.

Now that Xu Qing had written a phrase, those who had wanted to write poems started to write phrases.

The banquet started at noon and ended after dinner.

Although it was already late spring, the night in the capital city was still a little cold, so the Emperor asked no one to stay after the banquet ended.

However, Xu Qing became the one who came without being invited. He found the Emperor’s personal eunuch and told him that he wanted to see the Emperor, hoping that the eunuch could announce his arrival.

The mouth of the head eunuch twitched. He thought to himself. Not only couldn’t this best scholar write poems, but he also didn’t know how to ask for help, nor did he know how to use tactful words.

However, the head eunuch felt that this best scholar was a kind person, and could be the Emperor’s man.

Years later, he was happy that he had thought this way back then. It turned out that he was right.

The head eunuch still went to announce Xu Qing’s arrival. Meanwhile, the Emperor seemed to be expecting his new best scholar ‘s arrival, so he had long been waiting in the study.

Xu Qing was taken to the study by the head eunuch, and then he walked out. Only the Emperor and Xu Qing were left in the study.

Xu Qing knelt down behind the Emperor’s back and said, “Greetings from Xu Qing to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor.”

The Emperor turned around, stared at Xu Qing, who was kneeling on the ground, and waved his hand. “Arise. There’s no need for formalities.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“Tell me, is there anything you want to say to me?” The Emperor asked.

Xu Qing replied, “I’m here to ask for leave. I can’t take office this year, no matter where. I hope Your Majesty could grant me permission to take one year off and assign the position to me next year.”

The Emperor laughed. “A few days ago, you told me that you wanted to be a local official, but today, you’re telling me that you want to take one year off. I want to ask you. Do you want to be this official or not?”

Xu Qing cupped his hands together. “Of course I do. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have taken the Spring Imperial Examination.”

“Then why are you asking for leave? You have to know that no new best scholar has ever started his career from the position of a local official, nor has any new best scholar asked for leave before he is assigned a position.”

Xu Qing said, “Your Majesty, I have my reason. I have to go with my family to bring my brother-in-law and nephew home. It will be a long journey, and I’m afraid the round trip will take a year.”

“Well, from where to where? Why will it take so long?” The Emperor asked with interest.

“Your Majesty, from Xu Village to Yanzhou. Xu Village is my hometown. It takes one month to get there from the capital city.”

It really was far away. The Emperor thought to himself silently.

However, it was not because the two places were far away from each other, but because they could only travel on the mountain road. There was not much state road between the two places, so it was a hard journey, especially for carriages, and it would take longer.

Xu Qing’s reason sounded very rational, but the Emperor still couldn’t accept that he, a new best scholar, postponed his term of office for so long in order to bring his brother-in-law home.

“What if I don’t grant it? What would you do?” The Emperor asked.

Xu Qing thought about this question seriously and then said, “I didn’t expect that Your Majesty would not grant my request before. Your Majesty is a wise emperor, and you are good at making choices, so in my opinion, I don’t think Your Majesty should ask me this question.”

The Emperor laughed. “You all like to put pressure on me by calling me wise. You did so. Shen Qingling did so. All the ministers in court did so. But sometimes, I really don’t want to be this wise emperor.”

Xu Qing lowered his head slightly. “Your Majesty, I didn’t call you wise, nor did the ministers call you wise, but the people called so. Therefore, I think that only the people can put pressure on you by calling you wise, and no one else can.”

The Emperor looked back, a meaningful smile on his face. “Your request is granted, but I have my condition. Work yourself up to the capital city in three years. I won’t help you, and I won’t allow Shen Qingling to help you. You can only rely on yourself.”

Xu Qing was stunned slightly. This was the second time that the Emperor had mentioned Shen Qingling. It seemed that his knew something.

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment and then nodded. “Yes, I will follow your order! Three years is enough.”

Xu Qing knew that his request was granted by the Emperor, so he wanted to leave. Now it was dark, and Guoguo was still waiting for him, so he had to leave the palace quickly.

The Emperor spoke again, “Xu Qing, tell me. What do you be an official for?”

Xu Qing was stunned again, and then answered honestly, “I wonder if you have heard this saying before: The rich man’s house smells the reek of alcohol, while the poor freeze to death along the roadside. I just hope the people can be full and warm. I hope no one will pick up the money on the road or close the door at night while they are sleeping, because our country is peaceful enough.”

At that moment, the Emperor’s eyes were filled with admiration. He said, “That’s my hope too. I will wait for you to come back in three years. Next year, you will be the magistrate in the province nearest to your home! Someone will tell you what to do then.”

“As an official, I appreciate your grace!”

For the first time, Xu Qing called himself an official.

The Emperor waved his hand, indicating that Xu Qing could leave, but he sighed in his mind that Shen Qingling was not wrong about him.

Xu Qing walked out to leave, but hardly had he reached the door than he walked back and knelt on the ground. “Your Majesty, I want to make another presumptuous request, and I hope Your Majesty could do me a favor.”

The Emperor couldn’t help but feel amused. Someone actually dared to ask the Emperor for a favor, which made him quite curious.

“I’m in a good mood today. Tell me, what kind of favor do you want to ask me for?”

Xu Qing took out a piece of jade pendant and put it on the Emperor’s bureau. “I hope Your Majesty could give this jade pendant to the minister of Ministry of Works on behalf of me, tonight.”

The Emperor was not afraid that it was a poisoned piece of jade. He picked it up and took a look. There were four distinct words engraved on the jade, but he couldn’t read these words. He stroked the engraved words and smiled. “Alright, I promise you. Someone! Ask the minister of Ministry of Works to come into the palace.”

The person outside responded. Xu Qing expressed his gratitude to the Emperor and left.

On the way out of the palace, Xu Qing hadn’t met Shen Qingling, nor would he meet him.

Meanwhile, in the little courtyard that Shen Qingling had rented them, a carriage had been waiting for a long time.

Tangtang got into the carriage. The carriage started to move slowly and left the yard.

One month later, Tangtang and Guoguo arrived at Xu Village, and Xu Village’s people also knew that there was a best scholar in their village.

Rarely, Xu Ran spent some good money and set a feast, which had lasted for three days.

Three days later, both the Xu family and the Zhuo family left for Yanzhou.

One year later, Guoguo finally brought his spouse and baby back home.

However, Shen Qingling, who was far away in the capital city, had never imagined that the answer would be like this. Tangtang left a piece of jade pendant with an engraving of the phonetic spelling of the Chinese character “Qing” on it and disappeared without a word.

Meanwhile, the Emperor sprinkled salt on Shen Qingling’s wound by telling him that Xu Qing had asked for leave for half a year. He wouldn’t take office until next year.

Shen Qingling’s face darkened while he was in the Emperor’s study. He clenched his teeth, wishing he could drag Xu Qing back and give him a good beating. This was the first time someone had treated him like this, and he had totally been playing the role of a fool.

Shen Qingling took the jade pendant and walked out of the palace in depression. A big bright moon was hanging in the sky, making him smile ambitiously. “Xu Qing, wait for me. You will eventually be mine.”

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