How can I bow my head and serve the powerful officials?

Chapter 285: A big gathering at the Qionglin Banquet, everyone is cunning

In the capital city, as the results of the palace examination came out, the Qionglin Banquet was also put on the agenda.

This time's Qionglin Banquet is slightly different from usual ones. With the death of Emperor Jian, the power of the court has been cleansed. When the new emperor ascends the throne in the future, he will inevitably cultivate more power of his own. Therefore, this Qionglin Banquet is an opportunity for the Jinshi to perform in front of the future new emperor.

As for the only person known to everyone who could rival the Crown Prince, His Royal Highness the Regent had died in the fire, so the position of the new emperor naturally belonged to the Crown Prince, so the Jinshi scholars all planned to improve their reputation in front of the Crown Prince, hoping to get a high position in the court.

only……

Why does the prince's eyes look so scary?

Don’t people say that he is gentle and kind, and that he loves the people?

In the Qionglin Garden, the scholars looked at the young prince sitting on the main throne from afar. They saw that the future new emperor had a gloomy face, and his slender figure was like a frosted stone, gloomy and cold. His originally gentle eyes narrowed into narrow slits, and a hint of cold light was projected through the slits, which made people feel cold on their backs.

He stroked the edge of the teacup with his hand. Although the golden robe of the Eastern Palace was only embroidered with a four-clawed python pattern, under the projection of light, it looked like a ferocious dragon with bared fangs and claws, emitting a murderous aura from time to time.

He doesn't look like a benevolent and wise ruler who is about to ascend the throne, but more like a tyrant who is about to start a massacre.

Following his gaze, I saw Lord Shen, who was extremely favored by the late emperor and had long been "notorious" among the ministers of the aristocratic families, talking to the Crown Prince beside him.

Although the eldest prince was not wearing any weapons, his tall and broad body, just standing there, showed that he was a great man who had fought bloody battles on the battlefield. He had a cold and cold aura that kept strangers away. When he spoke, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and just a glance was enough to intimidate the civil and military officials present.

At first glance, both princes are not easy to mess with.

It is rumored that the eldest prince is full of martial virtues and treats the people living on the border and his soldiers very well. I thought he would be an easy person to deal with, but when I met him in person, I realized that the royal family is the royal family, and they are different from ordinary people and the powerful.

So, could it be that the Third Prince, who has always been unknown, is different from the rumors outside?

Everyone couldn't help but look in the direction of the Third Prince, only to see him in a light blue robe, sitting on a wooden chair with a pure and harmless look on his face. His clear eyes seemed untainted by the world, and he was tasting the snacks on the table like a naive child, with a satisfied expression on his face.

However, when their eyes fell on the white tiger lying behind him tied with an iron chain, everyone's faces suddenly changed.

Even though the white tiger was tied up, it was still very close. It could remain calm in such a dangerous situation. What kind of determination and courage did it have?

Seeing the Third Prince occasionally reaching out to stroke the white tiger's head, and the white tiger looking very happy, everyone was thinking that the iron chain that tied the white tiger was probably not protecting the Third Prince, but these Jinshi scholars!

The three princes of the royal family are truly each one of them with extraordinary appearance, wisdom and courage!

It seems that the Jian'an Dynasty has a promising future!

It's a pity that the second prince who died in the fire was the truly outstanding one. Every time he left the capital to deal with disasters, the place would be brand new. The people were happy to talk about his achievements and the court officials praised him for his love of office. If he were still alive, the person sitting on the throne might not necessarily be the crown prince.

Looking at the Crown Prince's sinister expression, everyone couldn't help but secretly speculate that perhaps the Crown Prince thought the Second Prince was blocking his way, so he murdered him and faked a fire. After all, the Second Prince's funeral had not been held yet!

The second prince's body must have become stinking now. How much must they hate him!

After secretly looking at the prince, the scholars couldn't help but turn their attention to the two princesses.

There was no rule in Jian'an that a prince consort could not be an official. If one could marry a princess, his official career would soar to the sky. Although most princesses liked the top scholar and the handsome third scholar, it did not prevent them from showing off in front of the princesses.

Not to mention, both princesses are beautiful and graceful, how can one not be moved?

Just as the scholars were getting ready to show their skills, they saw the second and third princesses walking towards the third and first place winners with a clear goal.

Xie Shu strode towards Jingze. Although she was now controlled by the prince, when she saw that the prince did not bring her second brother back, she knew that the prince would eventually compromise with her second brother.

Jing Ze is the second brother's man. Empress Cao intends to let the prince train people from poor families, so Jing Ze will be the most likely person to be appointed as prime minister and granted a title of nobility in the future.

If she builds a good relationship with him, the legitimate son she and her husband will have in the future will have the strongest backing, and she will gain the upper hand in the battle for the throne!

Imperial sister, don't blame me for acting too quickly. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for being in love and lustful, and only wanting to force love on the third place winner!

Xie Pingan rubbed her hot ears, feeling someone was whispering about her, but when she walked in front of Ouyang Jiu, she had already changed into a decent manner, showing a gentle and generous smile, "Lord Ouyang, I wonder if you are married?"

Naturally, she had already asked someone to investigate, but the necessary procedures still had to be followed.

Ouyang looked at Xie Ping'an for a long time, his eyebrows slightly raised, "I am still unmarried."

Xie Pingan nodded, very satisfied, "Do you have someone you like?"

Ouyang Jiu raised his hand slightly and saluted, "Princess, if you have anything to say, please speak directly."

"I want to marry you." Xie Pingan raised his hand to pour a cup of tea, handed it to Ouyang Jiu, and said with a smile, "I wonder what you think, sir?"

Ouyang Jiu was not surprised. After all, with his family background, appearance and talent, it was normal for the princess to like him. However... "I already have someone I like, and I don't want to delay the princess."

Xie Pingan was stunned for a moment.

This surprised her a little. After all, according to her investigation, Ouyang Jiu had a clean background and was not interested in women. He did not have any woman he liked.

Is it because he simply doesn't want to be a royal consort, or...

Xie Ping'an stroked the cup of tea in his hand, and after thinking for a while, he felt that this question was not important. What was important was that once Ouyang Jiu became the Jingzhao Yin in the future, no matter how big or small the matter in the capital was, it would not escape the Jingzhao Yin's eyes.

And this is exactly what Xie Pingan wants.

However, regarding the topic of Ouyang Jiu having someone he likes, Xie Ping'an was very gossipy, "I wonder which family's daughter did Lord Ouyang take a fancy to? Are they both willing? Lord Ouyang has long passed the age of marriage, and he has not married yet. Could it be that the other party's parents do not want to marry?"

She patted her chest and gave Ouyang Jiu a look to let him understand. "I still have some say in front of the Crown Prince. As long as Lord Ouyang is sincere in asking for marriage, I can help you speak and ask for an imperial decree to grant the marriage."

"By then, the other party will naturally not be able to escape and will become your man, Lord Ouyang."

Ouyang Jiu's eyes flashed. He was not stupid and knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch. The princess took the initiative to ask for help, which obviously meant she had something to ask of him.

As for the arranged marriage...

Thinking of something, a hint of ambiguous smile flashed across Ouyang Jiu's eyes.

Who knows, it might be useful in the future?

He couldn't help but smile and replied, "Princess, I still say the same thing. If you have something to say, just say it directly."

He was also very curious about what the princess wanted to do by looking for him.

Xie Ping calmed himself down, glanced around, and said softly, "After the Qionglin Banquet, under the third tree in the backyard garden, I'll tell you in detail then."

Ouyang Jiu nodded happily. This was indeed not a good place to discuss serious matters.

Xie Ping'an left with satisfaction. It seemed that the Jian'an intelligence network she had planned could be launched.

My little sister, when you want to collect the most secret information for your eldest son in the future, you still have to ask your sister for help!

Hahahahaha——

Seeing the second and third princesses leaving with satisfied expressions and smiles on their pretty faces, the scholars could not help but shake their heads and sigh.

Alas, it seems there is no hope!