Author: Writer Yue Ye

Since the introduction of the martial arts examination, the martial arts banquet has been held every three years by the Holy Master at the Ministry of War. Not all martial arts examination candidates can participate. It is only a banquet held exclusively for new martial arts scholars.

This move was intended to express gratitude to the emperor and examiners, and to highlight the honor of the new martial arts scholar.

The Shen family father and son celebrated at home in advance before getting dressed and went to the Ministry of War.

In this year's martial arts competition, the biggest favorite is the Shen family's father and son. There are many father-son soldiers in Changyuan City, but most of them have no fame and gain their status through fighting on the battlefield.

There are very few generals who are as capable as the Shen family. Originally, according to the official position of the Shen family, and Shen Bai was the top pick in high school, he sat two positions below the emperor.

As soon as Shen Nantian entered the military headquarters, he saw Sun Ting, the general of the Sun family who had been recalled. Before the banquet started, he found a familiar colleague and changed seats. He found Shen Bai, pointed to the middle seat and said, "Where are we sitting? go."

"Yes, father."

Shen Nantian did not sit close to him, but sat in the middle. Shen Bai was puzzled but obeyed him.

Although Shen Nantian didn't want to deal with these scenes, it was different today. His son had passed away and a few drinks were inevitable.

After drinking for three rounds, everyone relaxed a little and gathered around the No. 1 scholar to chat. He also glanced at the No. 1 scholar.

Wearing a dark military uniform with hidden patterns, a black hair crown, and a feminine look, she is indeed good-looking. Shen Nantian has heard others say that this martial arts champion is from the same hometown as him and is also from Jizhou.

Although he was able to face people's greetings or flattery with ease, Shen Nantian could see that he was born in a poor family, not an official family, and he was inevitably a little arrogant to be ranked first.

Shen Nantian can also understand. Chang Yuan has always been a student from a poor family struggling to survive. Fortunately, Emperor Gu Wen is not as emphasis on literature over martial arts as in the previous dynasty, so he is able to stand out.

All in all, among this year's martial arts students, there were not many who were descendants of courtiers. Shen Nantian turned around and looked at his son. This brat could be considered one of them for the time being.

After scanning around, he accidentally glanced at the current emperor, and found that Emperor Gu Wen was also staring at the Number One Scholar.

Emperor Gu Wen had been in power for ten years, and he had always been decisive in killing and possessing great power. However, at this moment, the way he stared at the No. 1 Scholar turned out to be kind, his eyes sparkling, and he looked very satisfied.

Could it be...

Due to the stable dynasty in the past few years, Emperor Gu Wen gave birth to two legitimate sons and one daughter. The remaining ones are a princess born to Concubine Jiarui and six princes and one princess born to other concubines. The legitimate princess is only twelve years old. .

Shen Nantian lowered his head in deep thought.

The emperor's thoughts are unpredictable. Emperor Gu Wen always cherished talents, but he was also afraid of collusion between officials, and even hated the connections between the former dynasty and the harem. If this "talent" could make the emperor pity him, he might only be able to hold it in his heart.

This martial arts champion came from a poor family and was alone.

Shen Nantian more or less guessed the emperor's thoughts.

When the courtiers saw the scholar who was not inferior in appearance and martial arts, they had more or less other thoughts, and their eyes passed over his face one after another.

Especially those in the Ren family, they barely have the word "satisfaction" written on their heads.

Shen Nantian moved to the corner at some point and was about to pick up the wine glass and drink it down in one gulp, when a pair of boots appeared in front of him.

"Master Shen." The visitor bowed and saluted, looking at him with a smile.

Shen Nantian put down his wine glass and took a look. It turned out to be Wei Lang who was ranked second.

"Master Shen, I'm Wei Lang."

"It turned out to be Young Master Wei, and now he is also the Dusi. Congratulations."

"Master Shen, you're welcome. I hold the same position as Brother Shen Bai. I just admire Master Shen's reputation, so I came here to pay my respects."

Shen Nantian had no other thoughts about Wei Lang who suddenly came to visit him, but Shen Bai was a little surprised that Wei Lang, who had been quiet and rarely showed up before the imperial examination, suddenly came to visit his father.

"Master Shen is so famous that even the second-ranked martial artist comes to pay his respects...could it be because of his daughter-in-law?"

Wei Lang stood aside silently.

Sun Zhi, served in the Yushi Yamen.

Sun Ting's younger brother.

Those who come are not good.

The tone seemed light but harsh. Shen Nantian knew that being granted the title of outsider in the Sun Court would be a slap in the face to the Sun family, so he had to be as low-key as possible at this martial arts banquet.

He also understood the principle of decentralized control. At the beginning of the establishment of the Southern Dynasty, Sun Ting made countless contributions to calming down the turmoil at the border. Emperor Gu Wen also used him very highly at first, and specially granted special honors to the Sun family.

Shen Nantian was helpless, and he probably felt that he couldn't bear it. There was something in his words.

"What Sun Yushi said is wrong. I was trained by the Holy One to be able to use my skills. How can I get my reputation? It is because the Holy One appoints talents and utilizes their abilities, and cultivates sound internal affairs. The reputation of a wise king spreads far and wide."

Emperor Gu Wen was still in power, and Shen Nantian's words were accurate. Sun Zhi originally wanted to say that he was not an emperor and had a high self-esteem, but he had nothing to say after being blocked like this.

"I hope it's true as Mr. Shen said. It's better not to step on the wrong side. The days of serving as officials in the same dynasty will be long."

As soon as Shen Bai heard this, he stood up and said: "This junior has met Mr. Sun, and the Holy Master is in front of him. Naturally, he will do what his father said. Could it be that you don't agree with what your father said?"

Sun Zhi breathed heavily in his chest.

"You..." His face turned pale with anger.

Wei Lang, who was next to him, softened his voice: "Both of us are officials in the same court, and both of you are very important figures. Your Majesty is still here, so if you see... why bother making trouble, don't you think so, Mr. Sun?"

Sun Zhi glanced at Wei Lang and left angrily, returning to Sun Ting.

Wei Lang's words surprised Shen Nantian, and he took a good look at the person in front of him.

With bright eyes and smooth eyebrows, red lips and white teeth, he is not as feminine as Zhuang Yuan Lang, but has a heroic and extraordinary temperament.

Shen Nantian immediately thought of the rebellious daughter at home. This person had just achieved fame but was not afraid of the powerful. She could speak out and was quite courageous.

The more he looked at him, the more pleasing he became. Even Shen Bai beside him felt his father's gaze, staring straight at him.

"Father, father?"

Shen Nantian came back from his thoughts, looked at Wei Lang with a smile on his face and said, "Where is Wei Xiaolangjun's family? Who else is there in the family?"

"..."

Well, Shen Bai never knew that his father was such a straightforward person, and he was stunned in place with a look of embarrassment on his face.

He quickly explained: "Wei Lang, you and I are in the same position. My father means that we are similar in age and don't need to be so formal. How about sitting down together?"

Shen Bai secretly laughed in his heart, I am afraid that his sister did not expect a banquet and decided to have a husband for herself.

At the end of the banquet, the atmosphere became much more relaxed and cheerful. At this moment, the officials were chatting, laughing and drinking, and Emperor Gu Wen, who was sitting above, also had a rare opportunity to chat with his ministers about home affairs.

The No. 1 scholar attracts much attention, but he cannot let the other top scholars be left out in the cold.

The emperor directed some officials to arrange meals and drinks, and looked at the other successful Jinshi with a smile.

I would like to take a leave of absence from my readers. Since I am constantly struggling with rewriting and reimagining the overall structure of this book, I will only update one chapter today.
Chapter completed!