At the moment, the first floor of the Yuewei Museum is almost silent.

Even in the outer hall, few people spoke, for fear of disturbing the answer from the people inside. The stairs in the southeast corner lead to the second floor with twists and turns.

The entire interior of the Reading Micro Museum is built like a small patio.

On the second floor, there is a circle of handrails and railings; on the inside of the railings, a half-rolled bamboo curtain hangs, which can block the sight from up and down;

A corridor is separated from the private rooms with the best view in Yuewei Pavilion.

Gu Juefei and Ji Zhiyin were still in the previous room.

A chess table is set in the corner, with an ordinary sapphire chessboard on top of it.

The old man and the young man sat opposite each other, but they didn't play chess. Instead, they put two cups of tea on the chessboard, and in the middle was a book of "Altar Sutra" that had been flipped through two pages at random.

The rest of the great Confucian scholars have disappeared at this moment.

Because the window sash was open, the chatter and laughter of some people on Baiyue Lake outside were also vaguely heard.

Ji Zhiyin held his ears and listened for a while, then sighed: "Oh, if I had known, I would not have asked you a question..."

The question is dangerous, but it's still in the first place!

Listening to the movement outside, the rest of the Confucian scholars are very leisurely at this time, going out to enjoy the scenery, leaving the two of them alone, they have to wait in this room.

Because the test questions have already been sent out, I am afraid that Meng Ji will come to look for them with the answer sheets in a short while, and wait for them to check the papers to see if anyone can be selected.

Therefore, Ji Zhiyin can only sit at the chess table now, staring blankly.

"You said that you are too, why are you still asking such a question when you are going to face it?"

"My old bones can be regarded as a gentleman who sacrificed their lives to accompany a gentleman. But I am not a person in the sea, and it is not easy for me to be affected by any storms in the court, but you have to go back to the ups and downs."

"If you ask such a question in vain, if you go back and spread it, you won't be afraid of people saying that you have more troubles?"

This recycle of students has made a lot of noise. Today's topic is bound to spread, causing a certain impact.

I don't know what ordinary people think, but some people in the DPRK will definitely react to this.

After all, Gu Juefei's identity is really unusual.

He has not been in the officialdom for nearly six years, and the negotiation has not helped Xiao Che to plan more than half of the matter from beginning to end. So few people know what his attitude is when the years-long war at the border between the two countries is about to end with peace talks.

But Ji Zhiyin knew it.

Not only know, but also know with certainty and detail.

Hence, today's talk.

But Gu Juefei really doesn't care much.

Others were sitting at the chess table, and they were still thinking about the fact that Xue Tingzhi, the son of the Xue family, also handed in a blank.

The fingers are slender and clear like jade.

Gu Juefei casually placed one hand on the corner of the chessboard, while the fingers of the other hand pressed the line of the first path on the edge of the chessboard, walking slowly, with a gentle voice.

"It's too much to think about the old man. I just asked a question and didn't want to do anything. Now it's more appropriate to seek stability, and I have seen what the envoy will be like when it comes to Beijing."

As long as the main fighting factions in the DPRK don't find trouble at that time, everyone will naturally live in peace. Otherwise, if you want to make a real move, you must be turbulent and lose a few heads.

Ji Zhiyin and Gu Juefei, two people are considered to be friends with each other and gentlemen.

Ji Zhiyin was not very clear about some of Gu Juefei's matters. Hearing what he said, he didn't really understand what he meant. He just sighed and said, "Anyway, you have always been serious, so I will be more relieved if you say that. It's over. We're bored waiting for the answer sheet, why don't we pack up and have a hand-to-hand chat?"

Play chess?

Gu Juefei's fingers on the grid points of the chessboard suddenly stopped, looked up at Ji Zhiyin, but shook his head unexpectedly, and said with a smile, "I don't want to. In Xue Cui Ding, I always play chess with the great monk Jueyuan, and it’s boring to win. Now I’m really tired of it, and I don’t have much interest.”

At that moment, Ji Zhiyin was almost stunned.

He almost suspected that he heard it wrong: Tired of it, can't produce much interest?

I still remember that when Gu Juefei won the crown, Gu Chengqian had to set the word "Let's go first" as the word, and when he played chess, it was always difficult to meet an opponent, so everyone said that he had an incomprehensible fate with one of "chess". .

Now that you have returned after six years of silence, your mouth is actually "tired"?

Ji Zhiyin is old, but not dull.

He only felt that something had probably happened between Gu Juefei and his grand teacher Gu Chengqian, otherwise he wouldn't even get tired of playing chess.

As the saying goes, it is difficult for a clean official to cut off housework.

Although he was on good terms with Gu Juefei, he didn't know the root cause of all the things in the Grand Master's mansion, and of course he was not good at expressing any opinions, so he just kept his mouth shut.

But in the blink of an eye, he immediately thought of something again, and suddenly said "Oops".

Gu Juefei raised his eyebrows suddenly, wondering, "Old Ji, what's the matter?"

"You said just now that you are tired of playing chess and have no interest in it, right?"

Ji Zhiyin's eyes became a little brighter, and there was a taste of joy.

"Then I remember that you had a black jade chessboard back then, and it was exquisitely made. The tentacles are called warm in winter and cool in summer. My old bones are not very healthy, but I am good at this. Since you don't play chess, why don't you? Cut love?"

Ji Lao is knowledgeable, and the older you are, the happier you are to live.

There is shrewdness, and there is also returning to the basics.

Such remarks, it is rash to say it by others, but it is very suitable for him to say it.

only……

Moyu chessboard?

Gu Juefei's deep eyes flickered slightly, he coughed, and then said: "This, you are not too lucky. I sent this chessboard to the front..."

"what?"

Ji Zhiyin's voice suddenly rose, and he couldn't believe his ears.

"You gave it away? I asked for it for so long, and you didn't give it. Now you actually told me to give it away? Who did you give it to?!"

Questions like a barrage of cannons immediately slammed into Gu Juefei's head.

It's just that he just looked at Ji Zhiyin like that, but didn't answer.

Of course he knew who he gave it to, and he had a very reasonable name, so he could say it frankly. But he is...

Suddenly do not want to say.

It was as if it was some secret hidden in his heart.

Ji Zhiyin saw that he was silent, he beat his chest and feet for a while, and grieved: "I don't give it to anyone else. Gu Rang first, Gu Rang first, we have known each other for many years. Alas, you disappointed me so much! "

"Counting old..."

Gu Juefei opened his mouth to comfort him.

Unexpectedly, there were three knocks on the door outside, and it was Meng Ji who came over with two book boys holding answer sheets: "Eldest son, the time has come, and the answer sheets for the first question have been collected. Just for you and Ji Lao, and send them to the Lanzi room in front?"

The private rooms in Yuewei Museum are named after such elegant objects as plum orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum. Lan Zijian was the place where the answer sheets were stored earlier, so it was said to be sent there.

Of course Gu Juefei had no objection, so he nodded in agreement, and looked back at Ji Zhiyin: "Elder Ji, then let's—"

"It's not 'we'."

Ji Zhiyin hurriedly waved his hand, with an expression of "I'm already angry", coughed "hmm", then got up from his seat and walked directly towards the door.

"You came up with the question, and of course you have to do the scoring yourself, but it has nothing to do with me. I'm going to go down and play!"

"Hey, old man!"

Gu Juefei called out.

Ke Ji Zhiyin just ignored him, and without turning his head, he walked past Meng Ji and went all the way downstairs. He really ran to see the scenery.

Gu Juefei was helpless for a while, stunned for a while, then shook his head and laughed: "Chi Lao, it's still this temper."

As soon as Meng Ji saw it, he guessed a few points.

But he has always claimed to be a smart person, knowing that Ji Zhiyin is very funny, but he is not particularly serious, and now he is just pretending.

What do you mean by grading, who does not read the same?

So he didn't answer the question at all, just took his life, and led the book boys to put the answer sheets in the blue room in the corner at the other end of the corridor, and spread them out one by one for Gu Juefei to read.

There are only 28 answer sheets in total, which is really not that many.

Gu Juefei came over, scanned it roughly, and there was a number.

Although the topic is simple, there is actually a lot to write about. Therefore, many people have written a bunch of words on their answer sheets, which are very detailed.

But some are not.

There are just a few answer sheets, which are written extremely briefly, even with a perfunctory expression.

When he turned to the third sheet, he saw words such as "God has the virtue of a good life", "governing the country and the state and the people are the foundation", and "raise my great power" on the paper.

Really is……

Bullshit!

Gu Juefei sneered in his heart.

He is so proficient in the world of people, how can he not see what these people think?

You know, Tao'an scholar Meng Ji, before he became his disciple, was also a famous sage.

The twenty-eight people he personally selected from among the many people today must all have real talents and practical learning. There is no doubt about that.

But what is written on this answer sheet now?

As far as he is concerned, he doesn't even dare to write even half a sentence of truth related to the negotiation!

It is simply because the government and the opposition are now taboo about this.

These scholars who are about to enter the official career do not dare to take a step forward. Apprenticeship is indeed a big thing, but no one can guarantee that if he writes the truth, he will be successful in apprenticeship.

What's more, apprenticeship is important, but it can't compare to the right path of the imperial examination.

If they express any opinions here, they are in the wrong team in advance, which will affect the noble people they may meet in the future, and affect the way of promotion in the future.

After weighing the pros and cons, there is such an answer.

It's just a pity...

They will eventually know what it means to be "on the wrong side."

Gu Juefei's eyes slowly soaked in the coldness, and his slender fingers only pinched the thin page of rice paper, covered it to the side, and saw the name of the respondent written on the other side:

Sun Tong.

A bit of sarcasm appeared on his lips, he only remembered the name, and then threw the answer sheet to the ground with a "crashing" sound.

It's a waste of time to even look at it!

Lan Zijian is on the southwest corner of Yuewei Pavilion, the window sash is half-open, and you can see the shade of a new green tree and a shimmering lake.

The light is half-bright and half-dark.

Gu Juefei stood in front of the case, turning one by one, frowning more and more tightly, and his face becoming more and more cold.

"Whoa."

"Whoa."

...

Almost one after another!

He had only read half of it, and he had already thrown eight out of the fourteen answer sheets on the ground! Even Gu Juefei didn't know how to describe his mood.

absurd?

ridiculous?

mercy?

...

Or is it -- as expected?

When the question came out, he actually knew that something would definitely happen. But people always have a glimmer of hope, and feel that they may be able to see a few answer sheets that distinguish right from wrong.

But now it's down...

Ah.

Gu Juefei couldn't hold back a sneer, only raised his hand and lightly raised his eyebrows, sat back on the rosewood armchair behind the book desk, and remembered all the scenes he saw at the border when he traveled the world...

The people are not living, and they are devastated!

In the Great Xia Huns, the border battles have been fought for several years, and no one has come out to oppose and stop them; Xue Kuang fought on the battlefield and used his soldiers like gods.

How ironic?

Now that the discussion is settled, these people are all looking forward to the future, just looking forward to seeing the wind direction and standing in line to speak. Everyone sees themselves, so why have they ever looked at the commoners and the white-robed people in the world?

Even his father, who was known as a "capable minister" and a "virtuous minister", was a fool.

Gu Juefei still remembers the few lyrics he heard standing outside the high wall of the Taishi Mansion——

Ten meritorious slaughter ministers.

In Gu Chengqian's opinion, Xue Kuang is a "grandfather", a general admired by thousands of people!

"Xue Kuang, Xue Kuang..."

With a murmur in his mouth, for a moment, Gu Juefei felt that he was really tired and tired.

So he let himself go, leaned back slowly on the back of the chair, propped his elbows on the armrest, closed his eyes, but pressed his fingertips against his eyebrows, trying to suppress the boiling killing intent and coldness.

But not after all.

The living cannot fight the dead.

As soon as the dead person dies, everything will be concluded. Even if the truth is revealed and it falls into the mouths of others, it will become a deliberate smear.

So he hoped like never before that Xue Kuang could "resurrect from the dead"!

At that time, whether it is loyal or traitor, whether it is black or white, will naturally be clear and clear.

Unfortunately, it's all illusory.

Gu Juefei laughed at himself, and finally opened his eyes again, and took the fifteenth answer sheet on the case and picked it up—

He no longer had any expectations, he was only ready to finish the job.

It just didn't occur to him that he cast a careless look at the answer sheet, and then suddenly stopped: "This handwriting..."

It must be too clumsy, isn't it?

It can only be regarded as being horizontal and vertical, crooked and twisted, and at a glance, you can see that the wrist strength is very shallow.

Like, beginner handwriting?

Gu Juefei's mind changed, and the list for the second round went through his mind immediately, so he didn't read what was written first, but turned the answer sheet sideways.

The expected word came into view: Xue Chi.

Sure enough, it's this poor kid.

I also know that such clumsy handwriting can never be left by someone who has studied for many years and has been immersed in the imperial examination. Except for Xue Chi, there can be no one else at all.

In the first round, this kid handed in a blank paper, but he wrote the answer in the second round?

The title is "Reconciliation"...

"What about the general's direct son, it seems that he has something to say. Is this to make an injustice to your father Xue Kuang, or... to make an injustice?"

Gu Juefei's eyes flashed, and he turned over the answer sheet again to read the content.

Xue Chi is a beginner after all, and his writing is very large.

This answer sheet seems to be full, but in fact it doesn't add up to too many words. Although the wording is tried to correct, it is still childish.

Gu Juefei swept more than half of the previous pages in no time.

As he expected, it was written about the cruelty of the border war, and the soldiers sacrificed their lives. Well, I also know that I should use this as a reason to oppose the peace.

In the end is Xue Kuang's son!

He laughed inexplicably, and he no longer wanted to read any more, so he was about to throw this answer sheet back on the case. But just as the answer sheet was about to leave his fingers, a line of words behind the answer sheet slammed into his eyes.

At this moment, Gu Juefei suddenly froze.

Those words, like a sword flying from the sky, suddenly penetrated his icy chest, but hit the softest and most secret place in his heart...

Can't tell if it's cold or hot;

Can't tell if it's bitter or sweet.

Everyone said, "The sages don't have a white heart, and they rely on the sun and the moon; when the world is not peaceful, they rely on the wind and thunder."

But for an ordinary man like him, who is a mediocre person, with such an unrepentant heart and full of injustice, what should he entrust and what form should he put it in?

For a time, all the past and past events, if you look at the flowers, all come to you: traveling the world, seeing hunger and dying on the road, breaking up in a rage, not returning for six years...

The fingers holding the answer sheet trembled involuntarily.

Gu Juefei needed a lot of force and force to make it tremble less obviously, but he couldn't stop the tremor from his soul at all.

In his throat, there was an incomprehensible astringency: "Real general, no sword..."

six words.

It was like a warm and clear spring, which was surrounding a heart that had long been frozen and unconscious, causing a faint tide in his eyes.

Gu Juefei blinked, and the corners of his lips curled up involuntarily, slowly, carefully, and word by word, read Xue Chi's answer sheet.

At the end, it was a murmur of incomprehensible meaning: "Lu Jinxi..."