The Peony Garden

"Yes, yes." Xiao Yuruo was also surprised, and said with joy on his face: "I remember. When Enke and Xinke released the rankings last spring, wasn't Mr. Su Mubai and Mr. Su at the top of the list? Emperor Meng issued a golden edict and informed dozens of provinces."

 Su Mubai cupped his hands, smiled and said nothing, acquiescing.

 To be the number one scholar in the Imperial Ranking is the dream of all scholars in the world. Why is it not surprising that this handsome young man in front of me is the number one scholar in a new subject? Even Xu Zhiqing, who had always been indifferent, couldn't help but take another look at Su Mubai.

 Is it great to be the number one pick? Lin Wanrong thought to himself, I was also the top scorer when I took the college entrance examination. Besides, the top scorer from Peking University also went home to sell meat. You, a guy like you, went to sell orchids in this garden. You are arty and not much better.

 "No. 1 scholar, it turns out you are the No. 1 scholar. I have never seen the No. 1 scholar in my life. Hello, hello. Nice to meet you. I have long admired you." Lin Wanrong held Su Mubai's hand "enthusiastically" and said.

 Su Mubai had a graceful demeanor, nodded and said with a smile: "The junior has little talent, but he is favored by the emperor. It is extremely embarrassing to be ranked first in the new subject in the Golden Palace. Today I met this brother discussing orchids, and the junior was even more respectful. , if there is an opportunity in the future, I should ask my brother for advice."

 When I heard that the person who came here to present orchids was actually Su Mubai, the new top scholar in the family, the garden immediately exploded. If King Cheng is awe-inspiring, then the No. 1 Scholar is admired by everyone in the world, especially the ladies who enjoy flowers and spring, and have a natural affinity for the No. 1 Scholar. When I saw the handsome and unrestrained Rubi, the number one scholar, I felt my heart beat fast, and I felt like I had fallen in love at first sight.

 "Thank you all for your love." The number one scholar, Su Mubai, instantly became the most popular person. He smiled and bowed to everyone. His temperament and demeanor were first-class, which made people immediately like him.

 Lin Wanrong looked at it and shook his head helplessly. This orchid originally liked to be quiet, but the number one scholar turned an elegant orchid garden into a splendid peach blossom. It really lived up to the name of elegant orchid.

 Seeing that the two young ladies valued the top scholar very much, Lin Wanrong pulled Xiao Yuruo and said: "Miss, is it not difficult to get the top pick? I will go and come back as well, and the scenery will be great - oh, where can I sign up? ? How much is the registration fee? Are there any pre-exam training courses?"

 Xiao Yuruo was angry and funny and said: "What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think that the number one scholar is just a child playing house? Is it so easy to take the exam? This Enke exam is held every three years. First, the children take the college exam and win. Only those in the top two grades can take part in the provincial examination. '. The rural examination is held every three years. It is a self-settled examination for each province. Only those who pass the examination can be called Jieyuan. The last step is the palace examination, where the emperor will personally ask the questions, select the top three, and award Jinshi. This Su Mubai won three prizes in a row, and the emperor will personally select him as the number one scholar in Enke, one of hundreds of thousands. Is it difficult to say?"

 Khan, it is really difficult to pass four levels in a row. Lin Wanrong laughed. The eldest lady looked at him seriously again and said: "However, if you change your temper and study hard, with your ability If you are smart, it is not difficult to win three yuan."

 I like hearing this, Lin Wanrong chuckled. When Xu Zhiqing listened to the eldest lady explaining these basic common sense to Lin San, she felt even more strange. Could it be that this man fell from the sky? How could he not even understand the scientific examination system? Where did his knowledge come from?

 Seeing that Lin San was fascinated by what he heard, Xu Zhiqing added with a smile: "This Su Zhuangyuan is above the Golden Palace. Not only was he selected by the Emperor Jinkou, but there are even more powerful ones. After being selected by the previous champions, he was sent to various places to serve as the champion. Officials were promoted after hard training. Only Su Zhuangyuan was favored by the emperor and stayed in the academic department. He was always at the emperor's side and was in good health. He had already envied others. "

 In this way, this Su Mubai is a famous person next to the emperor. This kid is well-off, Lin Wanrong nodded.

 Su Mubai chatted with everyone for a while, then came over and said with a smile: "I'm ashamed, I'm ashamed. I didn't expect such a scene, and I neglected the two ladies. I saw that the two ladies are extraordinary in their knowledge and conversation, but Do you know their names?"

 Xu Zhiqing smiled generously and said: "My name is Xu Zhiqing, and this is Miss Xiao from Jinling."

 Su Mubai was surprised: "Xu Zhiqing? Could it be Mr. Wen Chang's beloved daughter, Mr. Xu Zhiqing, the chief teacher of Jinghua College?"

 Xu Mangqing smiled as an answer, and Su Mubai hurriedly bowed deeply and said: "Mr. Xu is famous. I have admired him for a long time. When I saw him today, he turned into an immortal and made people admire him endlessly."

 This little guy is quite good at flattering, Lin Wanrong secretly laughed, but it is undeniable that this Su Zhuangyuan is humble, cautious, and polite, which is really hard to catch, so he is jealous in his heart and dislikes others. In the garden, Others cannot afford to be bored.

 Seeing the commotion in the garden, Xu Zhiqing couldn't help frowning and said to Su Mubai: "Su Zhuangyuan, did you cultivate those two pots of strange flowers just now?"

 Su Mubai said: "It's a joke. These two pots were given by friends. I brought them here today to find someone who knows orchids and appreciates orchids. It's truly a blessing to meet Miss Xu and this brother. Fortunately."

 Lin Wanrong was really not used to hearing him talk about "niche", so he yawned and said: "Miss, I've almost finished enjoying these rare flowers, I'm going to go to the hut."

 The two young ladies glared at him together, and Xu Zhiqing said: "I just rewarded two orchids in a row, which is really amazing. This little girl is not talented, but she also found a pot of orchids——"

 As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Yuchuan, who had been following Xu Zhiqing for a long time but had not spoken for a long time, had already opened a curtain and said with a smile, "Miss Xiao, Su Zhuangyuan, please look -"

 Everyone glanced inside and saw a pot of delicate orchid placed inside the curtain. The flower was half white with purple spots on it. It rolled back slightly and looked like a butterfly spreading its wings.

 Su Mubai looked around the orchid for a long time and marveled: "There are traces of orchids in the world. Only this flower is as beautiful as an orchid and a butterfly. It is so beautiful that it is hard to find. I don't know whether it is an orchid within a butterfly or a butterfly within an orchid." ? Miss Lan Xinhui, but I don't know where to find this best orchid? "

 This Su Zhuangyuan is very sharp-tongued. Regardless of whether you recognize this orchid or not, you will always praise it loudly, saying that "the orchid is among the butterflies, and the butterfly is among the orchids". **, just say you don't know me, why don't you talk so much nonsense.

 Lin Wanrong snorted and sneered silently. [Heavenly Kiss Hand Beat]

 Xu Zhiqing smiled and said: "Su Zhuangyuan is too praised. I wonder if the number one scholar knows the name of this orchid?"

 Su Mubai pondered for a long time, then shook his head and said: "Xiaosheng considers himself also a lover of orchids, but this is a strange orchid. Not to mention seeing it, I have never heard of it. Brother, what do you have in mind?" He looked at Lin Wanrong with a smile, but there was an elusive light in his eyes.

 Lin Wanrong also recognized this orchid, but what he couldn't figure out was that it was clearly a mutated variety. How come someone can cultivate it in this era? This man is too genius.

 Xu Zhiqing seemed to have known that Su Zhuangyuan could not guess it, so she looked at Lin Wanrong with a smile and said: "Lin San, can you tell the name of this orchid?"

 Damn it, if you call me Su Zhuangyuan, you'll be called Lin San. Why don't you call me Brother Lin? He didn't like the number one scholar at all. Hearing this, he smiled and said: "This is called butterfly flower, also called butterfly flower. It is a variant of orchid. The petals, bouquets, and tongues of this flower are all saw-shaped. It looks like The fluttering butterflies are hence the name 'Butterfly Flower'. The petals of this plant are nearly 50% butterfly-shaped, and it is truly a 'full-butterfly flower', and it is also a top-quality orchid."

 Su Mubai glanced at him in surprise. Lin San's ability and knowledge were beyond his expectation. The eldest lady looked at him in surprise, her red lips parted slightly, and she wanted to say something, but when she came to her lips, she smiled shyly, grabbed his hand tightly, and refused to let go for a moment.

 Lin Wanrong was also very proud. Damn it, you are lucky to have met me today. Otherwise, no one would be able to recognize the few strange flowers in this orchid garden. If word spread about it, it would be a joke.

 Seeing his complacent look, Xu Zhiqing chuckled and said, "Lin San, do you think this is called butterfly flower?"

 Damn, can I still admit my mistake? He nodded and gave Xu Zhiqing a provocative look.

 Miss Xu covered her lips and smiled, looking at him funny but saying nothing. Ye Yuchuan smiled and said: "Lin San, it's good that you can identify the first two orchids, but you are far wrong with this one. This rare orchid is a variety cultivated by Miss Xu herself. It has not yet grown. The name, you call it Butterfly Flower, what is it if it's not wrong?"

 be cheated! Lin Wanrong secretly screamed something bad. It turned out that this butterfly flower was cultivated by Xu Zhiqing himself, and she hadn't given a name yet. This girl was obviously playing tricks on me. She didn't give a name and I was left guessing.

 Seeing that Lin San's arrogance was hit, she regained a point. Xu Zhiqing also showed a little smile on her face: "Lin San, you have good knowledge. Except for the name, everything else is right." Seeing Lin Wanrong's unconvinced look , she suppressed a smile and said: "I have only successfully cultivated this orchid recently, and I haven't had time to name it yet. Since you called her butterfly flower, the name is quite elegant, so I will use your name. Just listen. It's a butterfly."

 Seeing how well she got the advantage and behaved well, Lin Wanrong shook his head helplessly. Women are smart, but they are troublesome.

 Lin Wanrong recognized two and a half of the three orchids, but Su Mubai, the top scholar, didn't take it seriously at all. While several people were talking, a boy walked up to Su Mubai and whispered a few words.

 Su Zhuangyuan's expression changed, he took a deep look at Lin Wanrong, then calmed down, and said with an earnest smile: "Today I met the two young ladies, and to meet such a master as Brother Lin and Brother Ye, it is a great honor for me. This is the last moment. There are peonies of national beauty and fragrant beauty in this garden, which must be appreciated. There was also a distinguished elder who learned that Xiaosheng had met several young heroes, so he asked me to invite you to enjoy the peonies, and also invited two young ladies and two young ladies. Brother, please don't refuse."

 Shit, the rewards come and go and the rewards are endless. Lin Wanrong was about to use the excuse to escape, but the eldest lady held him tightly and whispered in his ear: "You have offended King Cheng. Although there is Xu Xu in the court, Sir, I will help you, but you are weak. Since Su Zhuangyuan warmly invites you, you should make good friends with him. If he speaks a few words for you beside Huang Tu, King Cheng can't do anything to you. "

 The eldest lady was kind-hearted and worried about him, but how could such a simple reasoning be applied to the affairs of the court? Lin Wanrong smiled bitterly, not wanting to argue with her, so he followed everyone into the peony garden.

 The Peony Garden is the largest garden in Xiangguo Temple. In the middle is a two-story attic with bamboo curtains hanging on it. It seems like someone is admiring the flowers inside.

 "The beauty of the country and the fragrance of heaven, the king of flowers" is how the world praises peony. Xiangguo Temple has a unique environment. The peonies bloom in early spring, which is really a wonder. As soon as Fang entered the garden, a strong fragrance wafted over, and thousands of peonies bloomed in front of him, layer upon layer, making it dazzling and overwhelming. Peony is the king of flowers. The flowers are bright and colorful, red, yellow, white and pink. They are crowded together, sometimes colorful like a fairy soaring into the clouds, sometimes shy like a fair lady. The gold crown, ink jade, silver and red are cleverly paired, competing for beauty and elegance.

 Everyone was amazed when they entered the garden, praising the beautiful and fragrant peonies. Lin Wanrong was the only one who was not in a high mood. Although the peony was extremely gorgeous, its vitality was fragile and extremely delicate. Only when it was watered well could it bloom with fragrance. In Lin Wanrong's words, apart from good looks, there is nothing else.

 "You are a person with a different personality." Seeing his unhappy look, the eldest lady couldn't help but smile and said: "Others will flock to this peony when they see it, but you stay away from it."

 "Well, people with character are like this." Lin Wanrong picked up a foxtail plant on the ground, blew on the fluffy flower, put it in his mouth, chewed it for a few times, and said with a smile: "Even this foxtail plant is better than peonies." Much stronger."

 The eldest lady wanted to speak, but she heard a burst of laughter coming from the attic: "Mubai, are all the people I want you to invite here?" The voice was not far away and seemed to be a little old. It sounded familiar, but I can't remember where I saw it.

 Su Mubai hurriedly clasped his fists and bowed, "Mubai has brought all the gentlemen and ladies here."

 Su Mubai is the new champion, and he respects everyone in the attic so much. Could it be that some important official is here? Lin Wanrong pulled Xu Zhiqing and said: "Miss Xu, you know the sky above, the earth below, and the air in the middle. Who is this god in the pavilion?"

 Xu Zhiqing smiled and said: "I'm not in the court, so how can everyone know? If you want to know, just go up and lift the curtain and have a look." Lin Wanrong rolled his eyes and pretended that I didn't ask.

 The man in the attic seemed to be sizing everyone up, and he sighed sadly and said, "Miss Xiao family, come closer and let me take a look."

 Xiao Yuruo was stunned for a moment. The identity of the person in the pavilion was unknown. Why did he ask me to come forward alone? She glanced at Lin San as if asking for help. Lin Wanrong's mind suddenly changed. This man was obviously either rich or noble. He asked the eldest lady to come forward, but he didn't know what his intention was.

 Seeing the pleading look in the eldest lady's eyes, he smiled and said, "Don't be afraid, I'm here." After saying that, he didn't care what others thought of him, so he pulled the eldest lady towards the pavilion.

 Su Mubai hurriedly stepped forward to stop Lin Wanrong and said, "Brother Lin, this master is summoning Miss Xiao alone."

 Summons, summons, what the hell is it my wife's turn to summon him? Lin Wanrong held the foxtail in his hand, shook it gently twice, and said with a smile: "I didn't hear the summons alone, the eldest lady and I will always be together. of."

 Xiao Yuruo was excited and held his hand tightly, but she heard the old man in the pavilion smile and say: "If he wants to come, let him come. Lin San, come here with Miss Xiao."

 Damn, am I so famous? This boss actually knows my name. Lin Wanrong grabbed the eldest lady's little hand and said softly: "Look, does he know us? Hey, eldest lady, could it be that you secretly invited us to protect our match? Oh, you are too impatient."

 "Disgusting." Xiao Yuruo scolded, but after hearing a few soft words from him, she felt much calmer and walked forward with him.

 The two were stopped not far from the pavilion and could no longer move forward. Xiao Yuruo stood there, feeling that the man's gaze was as real as if it penetrated the curtain and kept looking at her, which made her feel uncomfortable for a while.

 Standing here and waiting, Lin Wanrong was also reluctant to speak. Just when he was about to speak, he heard a soft sigh from the curtain: "It really looks like them, as if they were carved from the same mold."

 What's the meaning? He said that the eldest lady is with whom to imagine? Can't it be Madam? Damn it, could the person hiding here be Madam's old friend? Lin Wanrong focused his gaze and looked inside the curtain, but he couldn't see the man's face clearly at all.

The eldest lady was confused for a while, and the man was silent for a long time before saying: "Miss Xiao, would your mother kiss her?"

 Sure enough, they are old friends. Lin Wanrong chuckled in his heart. Judging from the lady's charm and taste, she must have been a romantic figure back then.

 When Xiao Yuruo heard someone ask about her mother, she bowed and said, "Everything is well, mother. May I ask who you are -"

 The man sighed and said: "I am an old friend of Miss Guo twenty years ago. I haven't seen her for many years, and I never thought that her daughter would turn out to be so beautiful and generous."

 The eldest lady didn't know about his relationship with his mother. Not daring to speak, the man suddenly said loudly: "Come here, please sit down for Miss Xiao."

 While he was talking, a tall and sturdy attendant hurriedly moved up to a brocade stool and bowed down behind Xiao Yuruo.

 The eldest lady looked around and saw whether it was Xu Zhiqing or Su Mubai. They all stood with bows, but he was the only one who was given a seat. He felt anxious and said hurriedly: "This elder——"

 The man smiled and said, "If I tell you to sit down, just sit down. Since you are an old friend, don't do those false rituals."

 "Sir, I am also your old friend - from their family. Can you give me a seat? To be honest, this flower viewing is quite tiring." Lin Wanrong smiled and said shyly .

 Su Mubai felt a chill in his heart when he heard what he said. This guy really dared to say anything. Didn't he want his head?

 The person in the pavilion smiled and said: "You are tired of admiring the flowers, what does it have to do with me? If you want to sit down, you have to rely on your true ability. Today Xu Yatou, Su Zhuangyuan, and you Lin San are all here , I want to test you. If you answer well, I will reward you with a seat."

 "I object-" before the man finished speaking, Lin Wanrong shouted loudly.

 Su Mubai glanced at Lin Wanrong and saw his arrogant and unscrupulous look. He couldn't help but secretly wiped the sweat on his forehead. What happened to this person to be so brave and unafraid of death? When it comes to ignorance, shamelessness, and fear of death, he thinks he is no match for Lin San.

 Xu Zhiqing heard people in the pavilion call her Xu Yatou, which was very kind, but she never remembered such an elder, so she was naturally confused. When I heard Lin San's objection, I wanted to laugh even more. As long as this person is here, I will never be lonely anywhere.

 "What are you objecting to?" The man in the pavilion couldn't help laughing. He was usually aloof, and everyone he saw was afraid of him. Today, after chatting with this boy for a few words, he seemed to be reminded of his eloquent talk outside Lingyin Temple. After all, I feel very comfortable. Seeing that he had robbed her of her words, but she couldn't bring herself to blame him at all, she felt that it was quite interesting, so she asked.

 "Elder, what do you want to ask of us? In fact, it's useless. Butts - oh, those buttocks, my buttocks grow on me. I can sit when I want to, so why should I rely on your reward." Lin Wanrong smiled and said Without waiting for instructions, he sat down on the grass.

 The people in the garden were stunned. No matter it was Ye Yuchuan, Su Mubai or Xu Zhiqing, they didn't know how to describe Lin San. When it comes to ignorance of etiquette and ignorance of good and evil, Lin San ranks second, and no one in the world dares to admit that he is first.

 The people in the pavilion were also stunned. After a long time, they laughed loudly and said: "You kid, I - you are really one of a kind! That's all, that's all. When it comes to talking about falsehoods, no one in the world can compare with you. However, in this world In front of me, no one dares to sit on the ground casually——"

 If you don't sit on the ground, where can you sit? Should I sit on you? Lin Wanrong asked curiously.

 The man thought for a while and then said with a smile: "I know all the things you did in Jinling and Shandong. It is really unreasonable not to give you anything. Anyway, whatever, since you are sitting in this garden in front of me, this I'll give you the garden of Xiangguo Temple."

 Lin Wanrong was confused when he heard it, but Su Mubai was shocked. As soon as the old man opened his mouth, the back garden of Xiangguo Temple was named Lin.