Chapter 129: A Competition
In February, thousands of candidates gathered in the capital. Tang Feng successfully passed the joint examination and took part in the palace examination, where he got a second place. Before he could attend the Qionglin Banquet, Tang Song was detained for beating someone to death.
The old housekeeper covered his heart and trembled with fear, muttering "Not really, Young Master Song would not kill anyone", while asking Tang Feng, who had just graduated, for advice: "Young Master Feng, what should we do?"
Tang Feng: “…”
He was completely in the dark in Beijing and had just obtained the qualification to enter the officialdom. What could he do?
"What's going on?" Tang Feng was about to collapse: "Why is he making a fuss outside instead of staying in the mansion? This is not the countryside of Bingzhou. I don't know what to do!"
The old housekeeper gave him some advice: "How about... Master Feng go and ask Miss Yingying for help?"
During the palace examination, Tang Feng saw Tang Ying, who was on duty in the palace wearing official uniform and carrying a long sword. He found that his little cousin glanced at him coldly, as if looking at a stranger, and felt quite uncomfortable.
"It's been a while since we last met. Besides, we had a very unhappy time when we left last time." It would be embarrassing to get close to him if something happened.
The old housekeeper was so anxious that he was furious. The old man was not very polite when he spoke: "Master Feng, this matter concerns human life. It is not worth writing two Tang characters with one stroke. It is her business whether to do it or not, but it is our business whether to beg or not. How about this old servant accompany you?"
Tang Feng really had no other choice and was worried about Tang Song's safety. In addition, the old butler was very eloquent and convinced him with just a few words, so he hurried to the Tang Mansion.
When the gatekeeper of the Tang Mansion heard that they were from the clan of the headmaster Tang, he politely invited them in and was about to lead them inside. Unexpectedly, Tang Ying came out , followed by two guards. When she saw Tang Feng, she said directly: "Since my cousin is here, why don't you come with me."
It’s not about asking for opinions, it’s about making decisions directly.
Before Tang Feng opened his mouth to agree, the old butler had already pushed him on the back and urged him, "Hurry up."
He felt a strange feeling in his heart. Whether it was Tang, who was talking with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince during the palace examination, or Tang Ying, who was giving him orders in her official uniform, they all seemed a little strange. Her career in the officialdom had greatly changed her temperament. Perhaps she herself had not noticed that she had accumulated a lot of prestige, and her words were full of strength that people could not disobey.
Tang Ying rode in front to lead the way, while Tang Feng and the old butler still rode in the carriage. When the carriage stopped and they got off, they found that they had arrived at the Dali Temple.
Tang Feng got off the car and saw the plaque of Dali Temple. He was confused: "Little cousin, what are you doing in Dali Temple?"
"Liu Honglin, the prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, is a cunning old man. When he heard that the murderer was my cousin, he was probably afraid of offending me, so he handed Tang Song over to the Dali Temple."
"You knew already?"
"Why else would you come to see me?" Tang Ying glanced at him: "You don't look like you're here to tell me good news, do you?" She smiled a little: "Congratulations, cousin, on getting into high school."
"Thank you very much."
In another time and place, Tang Feng would probably be happy to accept Tang Ying's congratulations, but in this situation, in addition to madly scolding Tang Song for being brainless, he could not hide his worry about this idiot, and his joy was diluted: "Cousin can meet Tang Song?"
Tang Ying: "What do you think?"
She was the first to step into the Dali Temple. Officials along the way saluted her and greeted her. She looked very honored. The most amazing thing was that after entering the Dali Temple, there were people who served her tea and snacks. She was very majestic.
Tang Feng felt like he was being scratched by a cat, and he wanted to see Tang Song as soon as possible.
But Tang Ying has been calm and composed since entering the Dali Temple. Whether he is walking or sitting down to drink tea, he exudes a sense of leisure.
A moment later, a young and handsome official came in from outside, smiling mischievously: "It is a great honor for the Dali Temple to have you, Director Tang."
This was making fun of the fact that his pursuit of her had been fruitless a few days ago and that he had asked Tang Ying to see her off personally.
Tang Ying was able to bend and stretch. She stood up and bowed to him to apologize: "It's not that I didn't think before that there would be a day when I could ask for help from Master Xiao Jing. I wonder if Master Xiao Jing could do me a favor so that I can see my cousin?"
Liu Honglin was so cunning, and both the deceased and the suspect had backgrounds. It would be difficult to offend any of them if they were picked out alone. It would be better to just throw the case away and let the people in the Dali Temple worry about it.
Jing Feng: "There will be a flower show at Liufang Garden in a few days. I wonder if I can have the honor to invite you, the master, to join us?"
"Deal." Tang Ying added angrily, "Master Xiao Jing is taking advantage of someone's misfortune."
Jing Feng blinked his eyes , "When I do things, I always focus on the results. The process is not important, as long as the result is satisfactory."
Whether it is coercion or inducement, the ultimate goal is to get a girl to go see the flowers together.
Tang Feng didn't quite understand what they were saying, but he felt that the man from the Dali Temple was threatening Tang Mei, so he shouted anxiously, "Cousin..." He felt embarrassed and powerless, "If you force it, forget it. Tang Song has been causing trouble all day long, and he doesn't know how to restrain himself even after coming to the capital. Let him... let him suffer a little in prison this time so that he can learn his lesson."
He is the son of the Tang family. His mother always said that a man should be upright and self-reliant. However, when something really happened, he found that he had no ability to protect his family and had to rely on his little cousin.
"We have to figure it out. Don't let your imagination run wild." She said with a smile, "Besides, Master Xiao Jing is a serious gentleman and my savior. He won't do anything excessive. Don't worry, Brother Tang."
Jing Feng was very frustrated: "Master Tang, why don't you put me on the table? I will not give up just because of a few nice words from you..." Praising him as a gentleman, putting a heavy moral yoke on him first, and then he will have no psychological burden to refuse?
It is really interesting that many people would rather offend a gentleman than a villain. Isn’t it because the latter are too difficult to deal with?
He said with emotion: "Compared to being a moral gentleman, I would rather be a villain here with Manager Tang."
If you are a villain, you can do whatever it takes without fear of being morally criticized.
Tang Ying: “…”
Jingfeng personally led people to visit Tang Song who was imprisoned in the Dali Temple cell.
Tang Song didn't expect to see Tang Ying and Tang Feng in the cell. He was met with Tang Feng's condemning gaze and the stern and accusing question from his mother, Madam Tang San: "What happened? Why did you hit someone?" He was so ashamed that he just wanted to find a place to hide.
"…That man was flirting with a singing girl in a restaurant. I couldn't stand it, so I argued with him for a few words but didn't hit him. But he fell to the ground and died. It's really not my fault." Little did he know that some people could really make him angry to death.
Why are you running outside when you are so angry?
Jing Feng reminded quietly: "The one who died was Zhang Wenhua's nephew."
"Master Xiaojing seems to be gloating over other people's misfortunes?"
"No, no, I'm just a little worried that Boss Tang seems to have gotten into trouble."
Ever since the Minister of Rites Zhang Wenhua introduced the Taoist priests into the palace to the Emperor of Southern Qi, making the emperor completely obsessed with the practice of elixir, he has been favored by the emperor and often walks before the emperor. Because Jing Huai never easily quarreled with others in the court, the only one left was the Right Prime Minister Weng Xianhe.
Weng Xianhe is an enterprising man. Although he is old, he still has great ambitions to realize. He used to look down on Jing Huai, who was always trying to smooth things over. But since Zhang Wenhua climbed to the top, he hated this minister of Jin who used evil ways to deceive the emperor even more.
Flatterers are in power.
And Zhang Wenhua was obviously what he called a "flattering minister".
The left prime minister Jing Huai has been trying to smooth things over everywhere, but he has been ridiculed by Weng Xianhe whenever he gets the chance for many years. He is even more happy to see Zhang Wenhua and Weng Xianhe compete with each other. It is a good opportunity to watch a Wazi opera for free, so why not?
Zhang Wenhua had tried to win him over several times, but he never took sides, and he secretly cursed him for being cunning.
In the past, Weng Xianhe often made trouble for Jing Huai. Even if there was nothing to do, he would find an opportunity to say a few words to him. This was considered a regular feature of Youxiang Weng's daily court sessions. It seemed that he would feel uncomfortable if he didn't say something to Jing Huai.
Ever since Zhang Wenhua wanted to compete with him, Weng Xianhe's usual routine is still there, but he has changed someone to compete with him. It seems that he wants to suppress Zhang Wenhua. However, there are many people who curry favor with the emperor, especially since Zhang Wenhua is now favored by the emperor and the Taoist priest beside the emperor also has close contacts with him. Six out of ten times he cannot get the upper hand and may even be bitten back. Weng Xianhe is also very distressed.
Tang Ying stroked her forehead and really wanted to kick Tang Song a few times.
Why did you have to mess with Zhang Wenhua’s nephew when you could mess with anyone else?
It's true that it's better not to get into trouble, but once he does, he has to be the center of attention, as if he is worthy of the identity of Young Master Tang.
