Deep Palace past events

The next day, after breakfast, eighteen children dressed in new clothes, led by Mrs. Tian, ​​Hu Yunzhi, Xiang Di, Tang Biao, and twelve Zhuang Ding, went to the House of Internal Affairs for a clean inspection.

After half an hour, everyone arrived at the long street outside the gate of the House of Internal Affairs.I saw that there was already a long queue on the street, and those at the end had even lined up in another alley, and the gate of the House of Internal Affairs could not even be seen.

And beside this long line, there is also a long line that is scattered. Judging from their expressions and ages, this line of people is not from the palace, but their relatives or people in the industry.

Although Yang Fan had already heard about the market of voluntary self-cleaning as a candidate, he still couldn't help but secretly stunned when he saw such a spectacular team with his own eyes.

Originally, according to the usual practice, the selection of eunuchs in the imperial palace was usually in spring, but this year, for some reason, it was scheduled for the beginning of summer.It was June weather at this time, even though it was morning, the sun was very poisonous.One can imagine the taste of children exposed to the sun.Fortunately, there are some trees planted on the streets along the way to provide shade, so that the two "long snakes" will not be dried up in the sun.

The officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the eunuch Sijing seemed to be afraid that someone might suffer from heat stroke, so the inspection was quicker, so the team moved faster than expected.But even so, it still took nearly an hour for Yang Fan and others to line up from the end of the line to the gate of the mansion.

After entering the courtyard, everyone found that there were no fewer people in the courtyard than those lining up on the street. The two lines circled the rectangular courtyard twice before reaching the steps below the lobby.

A eunuch from the accounting department held a roster in his hand and stood on the outer steps of the lobby, responsible for roll call.

Another eunuch in charge of ceremonies was waiting inside the lobby door.After the eunuch of the Accounting Department called a person's name, the person came out in response, walked up the steps into the lobby, and was led by the eunuch in charge of the ceremony to check the vacancy.

As soon as Yang Fan and others entered the courtyard, they heard a young man being called to go to the hall, but he only went in for a while, and then came out again, looking at his dejected bear, the result was self-evident.

Although Wei Zhi, Peng Xiaowan and others had taken reassurance beforehand, they all had uneasy expressions on their faces when they saw the young man come out with a musty look so quickly.

Although Yang Fan didn't want to enter the palace, seeing many soldiers with weapons standing in the courtyard, he was worried that if he passed the first hurdle, the secret of his innocence would be exposed, and he was even more worried.

I don't know if it was because nine out of the ten in front came out dejectedly, or because there were many sergeants in the courtyard, or because of other reasons, although there were more than [-] people in the courtyard, no one was heard of.All of them seemed to be going to the guillotine, and slowly moved forward with stern faces.

Fortunately, there are pine trees on all sides of the courtyard to shade the sun, and few people are directly exposed to the scorching sun, so although everyone feels nervous, they don't sweat like they did on the street just now.

Yang Fan stood behind Peng Xiaowan and followed the team slowly. After about two hours, he finally reached the steps of the lobby.Although his state of mind is different from others, his tension is more serious than others.After the eunuch from the accounting department called the name of Zhang Xiaomao standing in the front, he was so nervous that he could even hear his own heartbeat.

After Zhang Xiaomao went in, unlike others, he was delayed for a long time. Wei Zhi, who was standing at the front under the steps, waited for a cup of tea before he came out.

Although Yang Fan felt frightened, he still cared about the fate of his friends who had been with him for a long time, so he raised his head to observe his expression.I saw Zhang Xiaomao trotting down the steps briskly, with an unconcealable excitement and joy on his face.

As he descended the steps, he encouraged Wei Zhi, whose face was blushing from nervousness, with his eyes, as if telling him silently, "Don't be afraid, you will definitely pass!"

After Wei Zhi heard his name, he agreed with a trembling voice. He used to speak with a girlish accent, but after being purified, his voice became more like a girl. But there are also people whose voices remain unchanged throughout their lives. If not for this, Yang Fan would have been seen through long ago.

After Wei Zhi entered the hall, Zhang Xiaomao was not sure whether he should withdraw or stay to see his results, when suddenly a sergeant came and took him away.

Yang Fan was slightly surprised, and asked Peng Xiaowan in a low voice, "Where are they going? They can't go directly to the palace right now?"

Peng Xiaowan said, "I don't know either."

The two anxiously watched Zhang Xiaomao and the sergeant enter a small garden gate on the left, and finally saw Wei Zhi come out.

Like Zhang Xiaomao, he also had a look of joy on his face.After he and Peng Xiaowan looked at each other and smiled, he was also led into the gate of the small garden by a sergeant.

After Peng Xiaowan also came out with a happy face, many people in the yard began to whisper to each other. Obviously, everyone was suspicious of their continuous good luck.

"Yang Fan!" The eunuch from the accounting department didn't take everyone's doubts seriously, and called the examinee's name in a high-pitched voice.

Yang Fan agreed, and staggered up the stairs.In the end, because I was too nervous and guilty, I stumbled and fell when I went up the steps, and rolled down the steps!

There was a sudden exclamation in the yard, Yang Fan stood up blushing, patted the dust on his body in embarrassment, and then limped up.He had made up his mind a long time ago, to make others dislike him for his crippled appearance, this fall was very timely, now there is no need to pretend!

After entering the door, the eunuch in charge of rites guarding behind the door saw that there was still some dust on his trousers, and hurriedly reminded him in a low voice, "Swipe the dust off quickly."

Yang Fan pretended not to hear, and went straight forward.

The eunuch in charge of rites sighed softly, and had no choice but to follow.

When I arrived at the hall, I saw two officials sitting in front of the big case and behind the big case.It goes without saying that one of these two is the officer of the Accounting Department, and the other is the officer of the Rites Department.

Seeing Yang Fan walking into the hall with a disheveled face, several subordinate officials frowned secretly.

The two officers looked at each other, and the officer on the left said in a deep voice, "Shoot the dust away."

Although Yang Fan only wanted to lose the election, he didn't dare to be too presumptuous in the courtroom. After listening to the officer's words, he patted the dust off his trousers.

The officer on the right looked Yang Fan up and down, and said in a low voice, "I think it's okay, maybe I was too nervous just now."

The officer on the left nodded, and ordered the eunuch in charge of ceremonies: "Take him to the back to check his cleanliness."