It was in the afternoon when Yan , the prince's mentor,

woke up. The sun had already turned to the west and the sky had dimmed. Because the palace door was tightly closed, only the thin rays of the setting sun filtered through the gaps in the carvings on the palace door.

Half of the green gauze tent was hanging still, and the other half was held up by a gilt tent hook. The palace attendant gently waved the white feather fan in his hand, and a cool breeze penetrated into the tent. However, despite this, Yan Qing's forehead still had swells. A thin layer of sweat broke out.

Maybe it was because of the dream just now...

In the dream, the sky was filled with white fields, the cold wind was blowing, and the pavilion was covered with snow, which seemed the most suitable place for parting.

The man was standing outside the pavilion, obviously right in front of her, but through the heavy snow, she could not see his face clearly. She heard her own voice, filled with sadness and stubbornness, as if she was stubborn.

"Have you ever thought of me in your heart?"

The man didn't look at her. He opened his thin lips and answered lightly.

"No."

So...that's it.

But strangely, in the dream, she seemed to fly away from her body, because she could actually see her own expression, her eyes, as if they were desolate after countless heavy snowfalls, and she could also see her lips opening and closing. , but what it said was unclear.

She listened carefully and only heard the last four words.

There will be no time limit for the future.

The cold wind was blowing in the dream, and when he woke up, he realized that it was midsummer. Yan Qing sat up, lowered his head, and murmured, "We'll see you soon..." A

slight sound in the account was probably heard outside, and the female officer helped her Ying's low and testing voice came, "Your Majesty, are you awake?"

Yan Qing responded, sat up, helped Ying forward to brush the curtain, and while pulling on the golden hook, said to her, "Your Highness, come here Hello, I heard that your Majesty is taking a nap and is about to retire. "

Prince Zhao Yuan is only six years old. His biological mother is Concubine Cao. However, I feel that Concubine Cao is of low birth and has no outstanding talents and virtues. It is really embarrassing for the heir to educate the country. After the prince's canonization, his great responsibility was handed over to his aunt Yan Qing.

Although the prince is young, he is very sensible and comes to greet him every morning and evening.

When Yan Qing finished getting dressed and went to the main hall, the prince had been waiting for a long time. When he saw her arrival, he saluted very politely. Behind him was Zhang Fang, the bureau chief of the East Palace, who usually accompanied the prince to the middle palace.

Zhang Fang is very trusted by the emperor, otherwise he would not be chosen as the prince's side. When the dynasty was founded, an inner school was set up for the eunuchs in the palace, and the Hanlin Academy was ordered to teach the inner officials. Zhang Fang was the inner school at the beginning. He was the best student in the school, but he couldn't explain why, but Yan Qing didn't like him very much.

When Zhao Yuangang separated from his biological mother Cao, every time he saw Yan Qing, he had a timid look in his eyes, as if he wanted to cry but didn't dare to, with a small face and a look of trying to hold back. Yan Qing saw how cute he was and cared for him from the bottom of his heart. After getting along with each other for one or two years, Zhao Yuan was now closer to her than to his biological mother.

"Did your son disturb your lady's nap?" The prince saw that she still looked tired, so he asked cautiously.

Yan Qing felt a little embarrassed when she saw his nervous look. It was obvious that she had slept for too long. Who knew that the prince was still so sensible, which made her feel guilty. So she waved to him, motioned for him to come forward, and said to him with a smile, "No, the empress just wants to see A Yuan."

Hearing what she said, the prince also laughed. He was now as high as Yan Qing's waist. Now, he is not as round as jade dumplings before, and his eyebrows are a bit longer. On weekdays, he has to pretend to be steady and steady, always like a little adult. Only when he smiles like this, he looks normal. Six year old child.

Just as they were talking, a small yellow door came in from outside to report that His Majesty, His Majesty, was going to the Wenyi Palace.

It has been several years since I have violated the holy bow, and now my condition is getting more serious. Although I value the prince Zhao Yuan, he is not energetic enough and has too much time. I don’t know why he suddenly called me.

Yan Qing couldn't guess, but Zhang Fang on the side suddenly said, "I'm so bold, I must be giving lectures for His Highness." According to

the old rules of this dynasty, when the prince reaches a certain age, he must give lectures from the Imperial Academy. Dozens of lecturers were selected to teach the prince, explaining the classics and history and other subjects. The emperor also selected a bachelor from the cabinet to take charge of the prince's lectures and be regarded as the prince's teacher.

The prince is six years old, which is not too early for enlightenment at such an age. However, he has been undecided about the candidate for the bachelor who will host the lectures.

The seven bachelors of Wenyuan Pavilion are all world-famous in terms of talent and learning. It is difficult to distinguish between them. Therefore, the prince's appointment to give lectures has been delayed again and again.

Zhang Fang has always understood the holy meaning. When he said this, Yan Qing also felt that it was possible.

Although the prince is a governor, he is still a child after all. He is a strict father today, and his tone is very strict when he declares his opinions. What's more, this time is most likely to enlighten him. Is there any child in the world who is not afraid of going to school? When Zhao Yuan heard what Zhang Fang said, he immediately became nervous.

Yan Qing saw his little hands squeezing tightly and the look on his face that he didn't dare to show, and felt funny and distressed at the same time, so he comforted him with gentle words, "Don't be afraid, A Yuan, I will accompany you there."

The prince is young, The enlightenment teacher is very important. As the prince's aunt, she naturally cannot ignore this matter. Not only today, but also in the future, she must always pay attention to the prince's academic performance after giving lectures.

When Zhao Yuan heard that she wanted to accompany him, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. He was no longer as scared as before. He turned to ask Zhang Fang, "Which minister do you think my father will find to teach me?"

Yan Qing I was also curious about this, so I looked at Zhang Fang, only to see Zhang Fang shook his head and said with a smile, "All the ministers in the cabinet are very talented and knowledgeable, but among them, who will His Majesty choose? I don't dare to be presumptuous." Speculation."

Zhao Yuan was a little disappointed, and the light in his eyes dimmed slightly. Yan Qing stood up with a smile and went to hold his hand. "We will find out who your Majesty will choose. Let's go."

Yan Qing took the prince with him . When we arrived at Wenyi Palace, the official reported that His Majesty was in Dongnuan Pavilion.

It was early spring, and the burning earth dragon in the palace had not yet stopped. As soon as the palace door was opened, a warm feeling came inside. Because the dragon was ill today, the windows in the pavilion were closed, blocking the outside. The sky was bright, so before dusk, the palace was already lit with lights.

As soon as they entered the hall, there was a suppressed coughing sound. Behind the silent bead curtain was the current Holy Emperor.

"The Queen is here too..." Emperor Zhao Chun said weakly.

The palace maid opened the bead curtain, and Zhao Chun's pale and bloodless face appeared in front of him on the hospital bed. He was only in his prime, but his body was dragged down by illness. Not only was he haggard, but his temples were also stained with frost.

"My concubine attends your majesty's meeting, and respectfully wishes your majesty's peace." Yan Qingying bowed down, and the prince Zhao Yuan beside him followed suit obediently.

"Without courtesy," the emperor raised his hand and ordered the palace attendants, "Give the queen a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"The queen has come just in time," the emperor smiled and said to her, "I have chosen a good girl for A Yuan. Master, as a mother, you should come together to meet this master. If you don't choose this teacher well, it will be our fault as parents."

Yan Qing looked at Zhao Yuan, and sure enough, his face became tense again. Looking extremely nervous, she patted the back of his hand gently to express comfort, turned to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty Sheng Ming Wu Guo, naturally you will not make a wrong choice. I just don't know which pavilion boss can take on this important task." ?"

It was rare that the emperor was in such a good mood today that he actually wanted to show off to her. He just said, "The queen will know when they arrive."

After saying that, he waved to the prince again. Zhao Yuan immediately stood beside his father and listened to his instructions, "I want you to come and become my disciple today. You are the prince. You must set an example for the world. You must respect your teacher and respect your principles." Xian Yuan is slandering..."

Just as he was saying this, someone from the Xiao Huang Gate came in to report, "Your Majesty, we have arrived."

The emperor then let the prince go and said to the Xiao Huang Gate, "Let's announce it

to the palace gate again . There was a "squeak" sound, and the cool breeze outside the door took the opportunity to blow into the hall. Through the dense bead curtain, you could only see the silhouettes of people and the sound of approaching footsteps. Surrounding them were the internal prisoners, and the leader was that person. , looking at it this way, he is just a thin and tall figure.

He knelt down and prostrated, and his voice came from outside the curtain, low and gentle, "I join you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Chun laughed and actually took off the blanket on his knees. Yan Qing hurriedly stepped forward to help him and held his arm. Walk outside together.

When the bead curtain was pushed open, there was a crisp sound of jade stones colliding. When Yan Qing raised his head, he happened to see the slender figure standing outside, and his features came into view at this moment.

The moment when their eyes met, it was obviously a moment, but Yan Qing felt that it was extremely long. Subconsciously, his pupils shrank, as if in pain.

Everything in the dream was still so clear, it was something she had forced herself to forget.

The meeting will be held indefinitely...

According to the etiquette, the minister cannot look directly at the queen, but he seemed to be a little slow. After being stunned for a moment, he slowly lowered his eyes, then bowed his head, and bowed again.

"I bow to express my condolences to you, my queen..."

What he did was the courtesy of a minister, and he had to do so from now on.

The memory suddenly became extremely clear. That year, he said, look at the moon in the Qujiang River. It looks like it is in the water, but it is actually in the sky.

Flowers in the Mirror, Moon in the Water, turned out to be their leading edge.

Just when Yan Qing was stunned, the emperor had already said, "My dear, please rise quickly."

After saying that, he looked at the prince and said solemnly, "A Yuan, Master Jiang will preside over your lectures in the future. You must follow Jiang." When you read the books of the sages and understand the ways of the sages, most people have to kowtow when they become a teacher. Why don't you go up and bow down when you see the teacher today?"

Zhao Yuan, of course, obeyed his father's orders and went forward to bow to the teacher. People just bowed down, but it was quite impressive.

The man also returned the greeting and said, "I dare not, so I can only give out my purse and die to repay your kindness."

When he returned, the prince and Yan Qing were riding together. Zhang Fang was walking on one side and suddenly said, "Sure enough, your majesty has chosen Jiang." "Xiangong."

This dynasty has established a cabinet, and the academicians in the cabinet are the leaders of the civil servants in the world. They are selected by the emperor from among the six ministers. Although there is no prime minister in the dynasty, these academicians are in charge of the inner palace and the outer dynasty. People like him privately call the cabinet bachelor "Xiangong".

His words "Sure enough" caused Yan Qing to turn around and ask, "Zhang Daban has already guessed it?"

Zhang Fang hurriedly lowered his head and said, "It's not that I guessed it right, it's that there is no more suitable candidate in the world than Mr. Jiang." "

Now, even Prince Zhao Yuan was curious, "Hey, why is this?"

"Your Highness doesn't know something," Zhang Fang patiently explained to him, "In terms of knowledge, there may be some famous scholars in the world who can match Jiang Xianggong. He is on par with others, but in terms of intelligence, he has no equal in the world."

Zhao Yuan looked at Zhang Fang and asked Yin Yin, "Is this Mr. Jiang really that powerful?"

"This Mr. Jiang, whose name is Weiren, also named Tingchen. He came from a poor family in Jiangling and became a famous child prodigy in Huguang. When he was young, he could recite the poems read by the Master just once. In his second year, he took part in the county examination and passed the exam,

becoming the top scholar in Jiangling Prefecture. "Two years later, he was admitted to the Imperial College and became the youngest graduate in the history of the Imperial College." Zhang Fang suddenly sighed, "Xianggong Jiang failed in the provincial examination the next year, otherwise he would have set a precedent in this dynasty and become the first person to be elected."

Zhao Yuan raised his chin and said, "Then Mr. Jiang is not like that. How awesome!"

Zhang Fang couldn't help but said with a smile, "My prince, you have underestimated this so-called people's education. It is not uncommon for many poor people to be successful in the examination until they are over fifty years old. Someone passed the imperial examination at the age of sixty and went crazy with joy. From then on, it became a joke. This shows that it is not easy to win the imperial examination. "

Three years later, Jiang Xianggong won the imperial examination, but he lived up to his expectations and understood the Yuan Dynasty. He passed the imperial examination and became a member directly. He passed the second-class imperial examination and entered the Hanlin Academy. Later, he had many ups and downs in the officialdom, and finally joined the cabinet at the age of thirty. "

"Oh..." Zhao. Yuan nodded and said, "Then Mr. Jiang is worthy of the name of 'child prodigy'!"

He has been in high demand since he was born. He was awarded the title of prince at a young age. When he heard that someone was called a "child prodigy" , was naturally curious and envious, but Yan Qing hugged him and said warmly, "Being called a child prodigy is not necessarily a good thing."

Zhang Fang obviously knew that person very well. Not only Zhang Fang, who was inside and outside the court? Are you unfamiliar with that name?

The setting sun has set, and the vermilion palace walls are as gorgeous as blood under the afterglow. The cool breeze of early spring carries the catkins, and the last bit of chill in the cold winter is also melting away little by little in this warm setting sun.

The scene in front of him suddenly reminded Yan Qing of that evening many years ago. The scenery was so similar, and it was also in the slanting light. His father dragged his sick body and stood in the corridor, looking at the thin man in the distance. His back is as tall and straight as a green bamboo, and his clothes have a cool and unrestrained flow like wind and snow. He is as full of vitality as the early spring, and he also has the ambition and ambition that is ready to go.

At that time, Yan Qing heard his father whisper to the back, "One day, it will be his time."