Chapter 25: Suspicions

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Tian Qi worked daily at the Yang Xin Palace and often ran into a government audience with the emperor. However, the three (3) most competent officials met for the first time. As a little eunuch, she was naturally not qualified to listen to discussions of this level and so withdrew tactfully.

She also felt that, in the case of important issues, the less we knew, the better. If you do not have the ability to deal with wind and rain, then you should not cross the wind and the rain.

Today, Sheng AnHuai was busy sorting out items that would be used during the Dragon Boat Festival. So he did not come and the palace eunuchs Yang Xin trusted Tian Qi entirely as their leader. She could not do anything about it. Although she was not a high-level eunuch, everyone knew she had won the trust of the emperor. In this way, she unconsciously became a kind of rising star in the domestic community. Tian Qi's feelings were mixed. It was naturally good to have the confidence of his master and place him in an important position; however, when you get out too much, the wind tends to be stronger and you can get lost.

As a result, she did not dare to exercise authority, remain discreet and behave in an honest and unscrupulous manner. The more she became important, the more she put her tail between her legs. Ji Heng was very satisfied with his performance. As long as Ji Heng was satisfied, Sheng AnHuai, his supervisor, was even happier.

Tian Qi waited half an hour in front of the Yang Xin Palace. When the three (3) senior ministers were appointed, each had a different expression. The first assistant, Zheng QiYi, had the same smile: he was ten thousand years old. The second assistant, Sun CongRui, was frowning as if he had a charge in his head. The last to go out was Tang RuoLing. Although he was the youngest of these three officials, he entered the race early. His face betrayed no emotion. When Tian Qi saw them leave the Yang Xin Palace, he thanked her.

Tian Qi was surprised. It was important to know that eunuchs were considered a troublesome existence that the emperor did not like (because they had accumulated too much power under the reign of the previous emperor) and that many officials despised them. She was not like Sheng AnHuai, an unparalleled existence in government. For such a small eunuch to receive the sincere thanks of the Minister of the Minister of Revenue, she felt a little out of date.

Tian Qi glanced at the other two ministers. The first assistant, Zheng, was still smiling, while Sun CongRui was looking at her once, a clear contempt for him. She was aware that the look of contempt was not meant for her, but of Tang RuoLing. Sun CongRui might have thought that Tang RuoLing was doing his best to put himself in the shoes of a little eunuch, ba? This kind of action would naturally have been despised.

ba - modal particle indicating a suggestion / hypothesis = no? / Okay? / I suppose

Sun CongRui noticed that Tian Qi was watching him. He looked back at Tian Qi, however he seemed quickly distracted. He quickly regained his senses and looked away as if nothing had happened.

Tian Qi did not pay attention to him and exchanged polite words with Tang RuoLing, then watched them leave.

She turned around and thought about what she had just seen. Sun CongRui was in a bad mood, could he have been scolded by the emperor? It was not likely. Whatever his conviction, he was a temperate subject and the Emperor would not have scolded his second assistant in the presence of the other two ministers.

Really a pity, a. Thinking back, Tian Qi shook her head. Looking at the events that have just happened, Sun CongRui seems to have been invisible to Tang RuoLing. She also knew that the government was not that big, with only a few people running the country and dealing with all the issues. In addition, when a little eunuch could argue with them some taels of money, it became a situation like "I live, you die". This kind of elevated position would naturally be a place where they fought and scaffolded a hundred times.

a - modal particle ending a sentence, indicating affirmation, approval, consent; Interjection of surprise / expressing a doubt or demanding an answer / grunt agreement = hum, ah, ok, etc.

But it was not his business. Tian Qi hit his head and returned to Yang Xin Palace.

Although this case does not concern her, nevertheless, Tian Qi quickly got to know the behind-the-scenes story. And the source was 100% reliable, since it was nothing but the son of Zheng's first assistant, Zheng ShaoFeng.

Zheng ShaoFeng complained that he did not receive his compensation until the beginning of the month, so he was still unable to pay his debt. Tian Qi felt it was not appropriate for her to take advantage of the situation and hit him. She left the palace and went to play. Therefore, Zheng ShaoFeng's whole face seemed bitter when he pushed his birdcage in front of Tian Qi. "In the coming months, it is important that I study diligently. I ask you to take care of my Ling. "

(name) er - diminutive suffix = small (name)

Tian Qi glanced at the cage. Inside, the little white bird, hua mei, became very energetic, opening his beak and teasing, his voice very pleasant. Tian Qi pointed to the white huamei and asked, "You gave the white huamei the name of a brown lark. Did he accept?

huamei = bird species in China = melodious ritornello

Zheng ShaoFeng replied bleakly, "Why do not you ask why I want to go into isolation and study?"

"What's the use of asking that? It must be because your father beat you and forced to study.

Zheng ShaoFeng shook his head "This is the second reason."

So he told Tian Qi everything he had in mind. In recent days, Zheng ShaoFeng met several matchmakers, but the woman dismissed him, claiming that he had no prospect for the future, a demon in human form. Under the sorrow and indignation, he decided to participate in this year's Imperial Examination (XiangShi), to show his enthusiasm for the tests and to receive a scientific honor.

XiangShi = the provincial imperial triennial exams

Tian Qi has extended the three (3) fingers "I know you are a shade and you can participate immediately in the imperial exam, but we are only three (3) months away from the autumn exam (QiuWei). All the others have been studying for at least ten (10) years and you think an intensive three (3) month course will be enough?

QiuWei = autumn examination of the triennial provincial review of the Ming and Qing dynasties

"I was also studying before and the main examiner of this imperial exam is Sun DaRen. He has always had good relations with my father. "

DaRen = title of respect towards the superiors

He has only begun to think about it and still has not passed his test. Tian Qi snapped his tongue and shook his head. "What Sun DaRen?"

"The director of the board of Rites, Sun CongRui Sun DaRen. The day before yesterday, the emperor and some ministers discussed this issue and finally decided who would be the next examiner. However, this has not been announced yet, you can not tell anyone. Originally, the emperor intended to choose between Sun DaRen and Tang DaRen, but Tang DaRen's son will also participate in this year's Imperial exams. In order not to arouse suspicion, Tang DaRen could no longer be considered. "

Tian Qi listened to him speak, and after putting two and two together, she immediately understood Ji Heng's intention. She could only shake her head and smile. "As if it were as simple as that, you just had to do that to avoid arousing suspicion. It is clear that the emperor wanted to see the reaction of Sun Congrui. "

Zheng ShaoFeng was a little confused "What do you mean?

"Being the chief examiner this year for the exams of the capital naturally means that he can no longer be one." The Spring Public Service (ChunWei) was the most important part of the exams in which one could show one's talents, ma.

ChunWei = review of the metropolitan public service

ma = modal particle indicating that something is obvious (Dóh)

"In any event, the Rite Ministry will be responsible for the Imperial Public Service Review (HuiShi), but the rite board director can not be the examiner every year. Secondly, the upcoming Spring Civil Service Review (ChunWei) can not be managed by the same examiner either. "

Noticing that he still could not understand, Tian Qi could not help but shake his head and sigh. "Idiot, an idiot. Let me ask you: how is Tang DaRen's son going to school?

"All right, the people at the gambling house have begun to pressure him to win the first imperial exam candidate in the province."

Jie Yuan = first candidate for provincial imperial exams

"This means that as long as there is no accident, Tang DaRen's son will certainly pass the provincial exams at the provincial level this year. In this case, he can also participate in the HuiShi (imperial civil service exam) next year. Assuming that the HuiShi is chaired by Sun CongRui, in case something happens and Tang RuoLing's son does not pass brilliantly, it's enough for him (SCR) to be disciplined. It should go if Sun CongRui and Tang RuoLing are on good terms. Otherwise, it will certainly be interesting. At this point, it is unlikely that Tang RuoLing will let his son participate in HuiShi, which will result in a delay of three (3) years. In three (3) years, Sun CongRui will again be able to use the same means to stop Tang RuoLing. The Emperor acted in this way to appease the spirit of Tang RuoLing and warn Sun Congrui not to cause any problems. "

Zheng ShaoFeng looked at Tian Qi with wonder "How do you know that the relationship between Sun DaRen and Tang DaRen is bad? My dad told me to become aware of capable people. Looks like ... you're really smart ... "

"You are on-rent, you are on-rent. You are just too stupid.

Zheng ShaoFeng scratched his head without enthusiasm "What can I do? I was born stupid. "

Tian Qi was a little soft and tried to console him "It does not matter if you're stupid. I heard that Sun CongRui was a careful man. His exam questions will not be too difficult. As long as you are diligent in your studies, you have a better chance of passing the test. In any case, it's just an imperial exam, it should not be too difficult.

As they spoke and spoke, Tian Qi felt that she had unconsciously talked a lot, and that she should not have divulged so much to Zheng ShaoFeng. Without any other option, she urged him never to mention what they were talking about to other people. Zheng ShaoFeng had to promise again and again on the spirit of his ancestors that he will keep this secret, only then was he allowed to leave.

That evening, Zheng ShouFu and Sun CiFu both talked to their sons about the same individual.

ShouFu = first assistant

CiFu = second assistant

Zheng ShouFu listened to his son's theory and was so surprised that his chin nearly fell. "This is supposedly what you yourself understood?"

Zheng ShaoFeng proudly nodded "Yes, a.

"It's a fart," Zheng ShouFu slapped his son and shouted, "Then a Big Dipper will come out of your head, even I could not understand this one." Talking. did you hear that?

Zheng ShaoFeng covered his head with his hand and said, "He will not let me say."

Zheng ShouFu heaved a sigh of relief and said slowly, "I will also drop that. This person is good, so you can deal with it. I just do not know what his purpose is. Do you know him well enough? Do not get used to him. "

Zheng ShaoFeng nodded briefly. "Rest assured, I know." He thought of Tian Qi's "purpose" and suddenly felt very unhappy. From the beginning until now, he was firmly convinced that Tian Qi was the little rabbit of Ji Zheng (man kept). Such an interesting and spiritual person, madly pure and owned by Ji Zheng. Really a fresh flower in ...... stuffed in ......

it's a saying he has not finished. As in TQ, it's too good for JZ

Zheng ShaoFeng tapped his fingers on the table for a moment and finally gave up. He could not say shamelessly "cow dung".

On the other side, at Sun Mansion, Sun CiFu asked another question about Ning WangYe's partner. He felt that things were not so simple. He should not have listened to his son's words in a moment of anger, then write this memorial for the emperor. The result was that he took a quarrel.

It was also the first time he had heard the term "guarded man" (male partner).

Tian Qi ?!

Was not this the little eunuch before the imperial family? How could he have been close to Ning Wang and even involve him? Even more, a man kept?

When everything was said and done, it was really nonsense. It was not surprising that the emperor was dissatisfied.

After the appearance of this "Tian Qi", it was the Tian Qi who worked at the imperial palace. Sun CongRui's personality was simple. He hit his desk and chewed his son until he was satisfied.

Sun Fan could not accept it: "Even if there is nothing between him and Ning Wang, it does not matter. As a man working at the top of the imperial palace, even if he is very authoritarian, such a eunuch is unlikely to stay long with the emperor. "

Sun CongRui immediately took the empty cup of tea on the table and threw it at Sun Fan. Sun Fan did not dare to dodge, but fortunately the tea cup moved away from its course and hit the door frame to turn into tiny fragments. Sun Fan was afraid to tremble at the sound of the cup falling apart.

"Whether he stays beside the emperor or not, how does it affect you and me?" Never say such words again, how many times have I warned you that you must behave, be cautious, polite and modest, and do not talk before you think, you like to upset things, to speculate, you still think you are reasonable? "Although the eunuch can not rise to the surface, he remained a long time beside the If you make a slanderous report (false accusation), you will not be able to make a name for yourself for many years, you do not worry about putting yourself in danger, you care whether he keeps his You really have a big heart, you should be short of money. "

Sun Fan bowed his head. "My father needs to teach me how to behave, his son is wrong and has now learned. His son is determined not to repeat this crime a second time. His dare not ...

Sun CongRui waved his hand. "The affair of this time, the Emperor is already settled. So everything was exposed. "

Sun Fan dropped his intention and tried to come back. He had doubts about it. As the arrogant face of Tian Qi came back to his mind, he did not feel convinced.

Sun CongRui has warned Sun Fan several times and has advised him again. As Sun Fan nodded to each of his requests, Sun CongRui's face was slowly being appeased. Speaking with his son, he asked unexpectedly, "The first time you met this Tian Qi, did you feel like he looked familiar?"

"Why do not the father ask this question?" Sun Fan found this strange.

"It does not matter, I only feel that I've seen his eyebrows and his eyes - his appearance - somewhere before, they look familiar." Sun CongRui frowned as he tried to remember his past. After searching several times, he arrived empty-handed.

"There are so many people around the world, and a few of them are alike. He may look like a certain individual, can not say for sure whether he does it or not. The father does not need to worry about something so trivial.

Sun CongRui chose to drop the case, nodded, then sighed again.