Feng Qing Shaoyi

Chapter 18
After the incident of the Jin family, Qi Ze was promoted to be a doctor of the fifth-rank military department as he wished, in charge of military registration, and was the same rank as Qi Cheng.After Qi Cheng heard this, he blew his beard and stared at his eyes with anger. He couldn't control his anger, and forced Qi Zhe to study even harder.

Qi Zhe was so angry that his teeth itched, how could Qi Ze be promoted so quickly, he had only been in the Ministry of War for a few months.Mrs. Zhao still came to deliver supplements to Qi Zhe every day. Knowing that Qi Zhe was upset about Qi Ze's promotion, she persuaded him: "You were promoted quickly at the beginning, but it may not be easy later. I believe you will rise quickly."

Mrs. Zhao wanted to give Qi Zhe an example of Qi Cheng, but at least it was his husband, and it was really unpleasant in front of Qi Zhe, and Mrs. Zhao knew that men were good at saving face.

Qi Yuan was very happy after hearing this, and during the meal at Que Xitang, he praised Qi Ze for being appreciated by Zheng Shen not long after he entered the Ministry of War.Qi Wen and Qi Chen didn't have much expression on their faces, they both congratulated Qi Ze happily.

"A few days ago, the palace sent an invitation saying that the Empress will hold a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet in Qiuyue Garden tomorrow. This is a very important matter, and the Empress has not held it for many years. Tomorrow, Mrs. Li and Mrs. Zhao will bring Yinzhi and Shao together. Yi, go, Zi Yang stays in the mansion to study, so don't go this time." Qi Yuan recalled the invitation sent a few days ago, and ordered.

This time, the chrysanthemum appreciation banquet will be attended by all the prominent and respectable families in the capital. Of course, the only ones in the family who are eligible to go are the main wives, sons and daughters of each family.Because the Qi family does not have a concubine, so when there is such a banquet, the Qi family will go with Li and Zhao, and the concubine will not usually take it out, so as not to embarrass people.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Li and Mrs. Zhao respectfully replied: "My daughter-in-law understands." They stopped talking.

Qi Zhe looked reluctant after hearing this, and he still had to stay in the mansion to study and could not go out to play.To see such a good opportunity to see the ladies of various mansions, but I didn't have myself, I could go there before.Qi Ze could go, but he still had to stay in the mansion, thinking of this, he glanced at Qi Ze very unhappy.

Normally, only Qi Chen and Qi Zhe could go to this kind of occasion, Qi Ze never went there at all.Except for going to court, Qi Ze really has never been to other places in the palace, this is the first time to go to the imperial garden of the palace.

After hearing this, Qi Chen raised his head and said, "Yes, grandfather." Then, seeing Qi Ze keep his head down, he smiled and said, "This is the first time for third brother to go to such an occasion, so nervousness is inevitable. Don't worry. , just follow us when the time comes.”

"Shaoyi really doesn't need to be nervous, just follow Yinzhi." Qi Yuan is very satisfied, he is worthy of being the future heir of his Qi family, and he has a demeanor, "Yizhi, you have participated many times, you must set an example, don't be afraid If you make a mistake, you will lose face to the Qi family."

"Yes, grandfather, please don't worry, grandfather." Qi Chen is usually very well-behaved in front of Qi Yuan.

Qi Ze nodded to Qi Yuan, then turned to Qi Chen and said, "Brother Xie."Qi Chen is good at being a good person, he pretends to be a good brother who can take care of his younger brother in front of Qi Yuan, before he dares to bully her, he thinks she is blind, thinking she doesn't know anything.

It is true that she has never been to the imperial garden of the imperial palace, but at least she is a fifth-rank doctor and is familiar with royal etiquette.No matter what he said, she looked like an illiterate child who had never seen anything in the world.Besides, will Qi Chen really take her with him?It is estimated that when we get there, we will put her aside!

However, if Qi Chen were to take her with her, she would also feel very awkward. Although she hadn't reached the age for a man to be crowned, she was considered an adult after all, and she also had her own official position.

In fact, even if Qi Yuan didn't say anything about the chrysanthemum appreciation feast, she and Qi Chen would still go there if they had official positions.Just like Qi Wen and Qi Cheng are going this time, probably Qi Yuan is used to worrying about everything and thought she was a child who hadn't grown up back then.

Although the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet is hosted by Empress Chunhui, most of the guests will be the family members of officials.But at the same time, there will also be princes from aristocratic families, most of whom hold official positions, so this Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet is a good opportunity to get acquainted with court officials.I am usually tired from being busy in the court, and occasional rest and play are also necessary.

After eating, Mrs. Li and Mrs. Zhao went back to choose the clothes and jewelry for the chrysanthemum appreciation feast tomorrow.Qi Ze and Qi Chen also had to go back to take a shower and change their clothes, they couldn't let others see the Qi family's jokes.

In the private room in Chenyue Tower, the boy in purple and the man in white were drinking tea, and a boy in bamboo green clothes was standing in front of him talking.The little boy has a baby face, delicate features, red lips and white teeth, a chubby little face with a pair of small canine teeth, very cute.

"You don't know what I saw when I went to Hangzhou this time, a lot of delicious food and a lot of beautiful sisters. Hehe."

"Come on, where are you going, didn't you say that the food is delicious and the woman is beautiful?" Meng Yanxi was a little disdainful, then seemed to remember something, smiled and said to the young boy: "These days when you are not in the capital, we have seen It was a good show, even more exciting than what was written in the storybook."

The young boy's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "Tell me quickly, what kind of show is it?"

"I really want to know? Let me tell you..." Meng Yanxi talked about the Jin family's affairs, and when he got to the key point, he specifically whetted the young boy's appetite, causing the young boy to urge him very anxiously. , that looks like a child who asks his parents to tell a story, and sees that the parents stop telling them and rush to urge them.

After listening to it, he sighed like a little grown-up: "Oh, originally I thought that Jin Wancai would do something wrong to Fan Xiujun, and the two would eventually reconcile. I didn't expect that the assets would be given away in the end. What a surprise."

"Accident, right? I was also very surprised at the time. It was the first time I was so happy to see someone trick me. The smile in Yangzhou was much happier than when I was in Dingjing." Meng Yanxi picked up the folding fan in his hand and said proudly Shaking, "Are you saying that it's a pity that you didn't see this good show in person?"

"Oh, what a pity. If I knew I would have stayed in the capital, I wouldn't have run around." The young boy held his chin, with a regretful expression on his face, "However, this Qi Ze is too powerful! Is this all right? If I had known about this Chenyue Tower, I would not have opened it, and I would have followed his example to steal people’s money, it would be much faster than doing business, and I wouldn’t have to stay here every day.”

As soon as the words fell, the purple-clothed boy next to him glared at the slightly sad boy, and said, "Yi Xingke, you are so ashamed to say that this Chenyue Tower has already been taken care of by me, and you know how to go out every day." Run really take care of for a few days."

Yi Xingke immediately wrinkled his face when he heard the words, and said in mourning, "Yelan, it's hard for me to run outside every day. Besides, isn't Yan Xi taking care of this Chenyue Tower all the time?"

Meng Yanxi coughed a few times after hearing this, and looked at Que Yu's evasive expression, "Well...Yelan, I go to the pharmacy every day to see a doctor for free, and it's also very hard. Besides, what's the relationship between our brothers, why bother?" Seeing outsiders like this? Although Xingke entrusted Chenyue Building to me, you take care of it better than me.” As he spoke, he picked up the account book next to him, and said with a smile: “Look, these few months have earned a lot of money. Isn't it your credit for spending so much money?"

Que Yu: "...We brothers really don't need to see outsiders like this." Then he looked at Meng Yanxi's smiling face, raised his eyebrows and said, "Just give me the share of Chenyue Tower that belongs to you."

Meng Yanxi's smiling face drooped immediately, "Yelan, I was wrong. Brother, why are you so unfeeling? I'll just pay back the money I owe you. I still have to rely on the dividends from Chenyuelou to support my family. And Li Min People are waiting for this money to buy medicine. If you don’t think about me, you have to think about those people who have no money to see a doctor.”

"...I don't want your dividend anymore." Que Yu looked at Meng Yanxi and said speechlessly.

Seeing this, Meng Yanxi also laughed happily, alas, the money was saved.After that, he should take care of Chenyue Tower, otherwise he really has no money.He is still relying on this income to buy medicines for the common people, and there are not many people who are as poor as him when he is a doctor.

Chenyue Tower is the largest restaurant in Southern Chu. Because it is located near Shenyue Lake and has a beautiful environment, Chenyue Tower is extremely luxuriously decorated, and it is a must-visit place for dignitaries.

Although Meng Yanxi got some of the dividends, the money was enough for an ordinary person to live comfortably for a lifetime, and Meng Yanxi's quality of life was comparable to that of a nobleman.If someone heard these three people discussing who should take care of Chenyue Tower, they would probably be pissed off, but they still want to take care of it.

Yi Xingke saw the chrysanthemums in full bloom on the window sill of the private room, and remembered that the palace was holding a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet recently. It seemed that Que Yu needed to go if he had an official position, so he asked, "Yelan, isn't there a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet in the palace recently?" There is a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet, are you going?"

Que Yu yawned out of boredom, propped his chin in boredom and said, "No. The palace banquet is the most boring thing. A group of people who obviously don't want to laugh but pretend to laugh happily are together. It's very hypocritical. ,What catches your eyes."

After Meng Yanxi and Yi Xingke looked at each other, they shook their heads. Que Yu didn't go to such occasions before, and he definitely won't go this time. They should have known it a long time ago.

But Yi Xingke was not afraid of death and said: "Really? I think it's very interesting. There are a lot of delicious food there, and there are many beautiful sisters." Afterwards, his tone was filled with regret, "It would be a pity if you don't go."

Que Yu remained unmoved, glanced at Yi Xingke, and said slowly, "Do you want to go?"

Yi Xingke immediately shook his head and said: "I don't want to, I don't want to, I won't go if you don't go, and even if I want to go, I can't enter the palace." Then he grinned, "But if you go I'll be satisfied with a few cakes, I haven't eaten any cakes in the palace yet."

"No."

Yi Xingke heard the words, lowered his head and pouted his mouth, he knew that it seemed that he would not be able to eat the pastries in the palace.

In the blink of an eye, the next day came, and Qi Ze also got up early to pack up and get on the carriage to the palace.

After getting off the carriage, I saw a magnificent and majestic palace, surrounded by high walls, red walls and green tiles, carved railings and painted buildings, resplendent and resplendent.Golden dragons are decorated on the eaves of each palace, shining brightly in the sun, as if about to fly into the sky.

There are tall trees planted outside the city walls, towering old trees and shaded by green trees. There is also a row of guards standing beside these trees, behind the scarlet gate, it is more solemn.

It is obviously an extremely luxurious imperial palace, but it is a bit oppressive, which makes Qi Ze feel a little repelled in his heart.Singing and dancing to promote peace, drunkenness and gold, bound countless generations of monarchs, and made countless women die here.This palace is really not a good place.

Walk through the place where you usually go to court, and come to the Qiuyue Garden in the imperial palace.Li Shi and Zhao Shi have already gone to the women's seats, Qi Ze and Qi Chen went to the men's seats.

It's a coincidence that there is only a row of willows between the men's and women's seats, and there is a deep lake with rippling blue waves beside it. Many willow trees are planted around the lake, and green silk ribbons hang down on the lake. There are many small pavilions in the garden, and I think they are also for reciting poems to add elegance!
When Qi Ze just took his seat, Qi Chen was already at the place where the young masters of the dead family gathered. Several people were chatting and laughing happily, and because of Qi Chen's arrival, it seemed that everyone laughed, and their voices became louder.This is Qi Chen's ability, he can perfectly integrate into a group at will, make himself a part of this group, and get along with them.

It's like the waves on the seashore, beating to the shore, contaminating a lot of sand and stones, and staying on the shore at the same time.It is not connected to the sea at first, but it can reach the place you want to go with the flowing water, wait for the next wave, and then retreat back to the sea with the continuous flow. Since then, it has never been separated from the sea.

Even the sea itself doesn't know when the waves came in. The sea is so wide, with colorful corals and groups of fish, who would care about a small wave, just like this, it entered this place unknowingly. In the collective.Qi Ze had to admire Qi Chen, she dared to say that she could not do this.

Maybe it's because of the flower viewing banquet. The men's side is full of voices reciting poems and discussing government and state affairs, while the women's side is relatively lively. From time to time, there are women's charming smiles like silver bells, all of which are praising clothes, jewelry, and makeup. , the sound of the scenery.

Qi Ze has a cold personality, and he really doesn't like socializing with others.Seeing Qi Chen chatting enthusiastically over there, she just quietly drank tea on the seat next to her.Because it was a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, all the chrysanthemum-related items were placed on the table, including the chrysanthemum tea, which was used to clear away heat and relieve heat.

"Wow, sister Rong Xin, your hairpin is so beautiful, none of the ladies here can compare to yours." A sharp and flattering girl's voice sounded.

"Hmph, of course, this is the latest hairpin from Wanbao Pavilion, isn't it beautiful?" A triumphant voice sounded.

At the women's table, an ordinary-looking girl flattered a bright-looking girl. The bright-looking girl's eyes were full of arrogance and complacency. Arrogant and domineering, it is really unpleasant.

This girl is called Wang Rongxin, and she is the second daughter of the Wang family. Because her father is a second-rank official of the Imperial Academy and has a high status, many people from aristocratic families who have passed the Jinshi examination need their father's secret promotion. Rong Xin also became conceited.

When Wang Rongxin said this, the ordinary-looking girl was not annoyed, and praised Wang Rongxin, "It turns out that it is a new product from Wanbao Pavilion, no wonder it is so beautiful. The only person who can make this hairpin so beautiful is sister Rongxin. Who doesn't know that Elder Sister Rong Xin is beautiful, bright and moving, she is the prettiest among young ladies."

"That's not true. Not everyone can wear this new product of Wanbaoge. It's a waste to wear it without a good look." Wang Rongxin raised his chin and glanced proudly at the girl in front of him.

The girl couldn't hold back her smile immediately, but she still smiled and said: "Sister Rong Xin is so beautiful today, His Royal Highness King Jin will definitely be fascinated."

After hearing this, Wang Rongxin thought of the personable and extraordinary man, blushed and said shyly: "Really? His Royal Highness Jin Wang is wise and powerful, and there must be many women who like it, but His Highness will definitely not like those vulgar fans. To marry a princess, she must be a beautiful and talented woman."

After hearing this, the girl on the opposite side looked at Wang Rongxin's pretentious appearance and said, "Of course, but this beautiful and talented woman is sister Rongxin. Who else can bear the title of Princess Jin except you."

When the girl said this, Wang Rongxin was elated. She felt that she was Princess Jin, and she smiled very happily. Looking at the woman in front of her, she felt that she was the most beautiful, and no one could compare to her.

Wang Rongxin turned her head and saw a girl in a pink dress sitting next to an official wife, playing with the handkerchief in her hand boredly, with a sleepy expression.

The girl in the long pink dress was simple and cute, her big and round almond eyes revealed the aura unique to girls, she smiled sweetly and looked forward to her beautiful eyes, she was actually very beautiful.

"Sister Youyi, so you are here, and I still want to play with you." Wang Rongxin rolled his eyes when he saw the girl in the pink dress, ran to the girl, and shouted loudly.

When Wang Rongxin ran over, he didn't see the ordinary-looking girl behind him who gave a disgusted pooh, her eyes were full of contempt and disdain for Wang Rongxin, she turned and left.

When Xu Youyi saw Wang Rongxin running over, she turned her head away.But Wang Rongxin didn't notice it, and still squeezed his throat, his voice wanted to be softer and sweeter, "Sister Youyi, let's go play next to it, it's so boring here."

The lady next to her looks somewhat similar to Xu Youyi, seeing Wang Rongxin cheerfully inviting Xu Youyi to play, but Xu Youyi hugged her and refused to go, her mouth was pouted, with a reluctance on her face, she persuaded: "Youyi, go, Your sister Rongxin came to play with you, don't worry about mother, remember to come back when the banquet starts later."

After hearing this, Xu Youyi knew that it was her mother explaining to Wang Rongxin that if she really didn't go and embarrass the two families, it would be bad.So I had no choice but to nod obediently, and said, "Understood, mother."

After that, he stood up and was dragged away by Wang Rongxin.After reaching a remote and quiet corner, he let go of Xu Youyi's hand.

"I didn't expect Sister Youyi to be so beautiful today. Is the hairpin on your head the latest from Wanbao Pavilion?" Wang Rongxin said, staring at Xu Youyi's beautiful face.

"No, I rarely wear Wanbaoge jewelry." Xu Youyi turned her head and said when she found that Wang Rongxin was staring at her face.

"Isn't it?" Wang Rongxin exclaimed pretending to be very surprised, "I thought it was, a beautiful girl like Sister Youyi, I thought your family would buy it for you, I didn't expect your family to be so stingy, even a I don’t even buy hairpins for you.”

Wanbao Pavilion is a well-known jewelry store in Ding capital. Most of the jewelry inside is exquisite, elegant and luxurious. Many empresses in the palace and high-ranking official ladies customize jewelry in Wanbao Pavilion. The new ones released every year are hard to find.If there is a new style this year, it must be either rich or expensive, which will make everyone envious.

After Xu Youyi heard it, her complexion became bad.Wang Rongxin What does this mean?Sarcastic that she can't afford Wanbaoge jewelry, or saying that her family treats her badly, even stingy with not buying her a hairpin.

Seeing Xu Youyi's expression, Wang Rongxin proudly touched the hairpin on her head. She just came to find fault with Xu Youyi. Whoever made her have a charming face made people feel uncomfortable.

Unexpectedly, after Xu Youyi glanced at her, she retorted sharply: "Yes, jewelry in Wanbao Pavilion is hard to find, even the empresses in the palace make it there. However, are you sure that there will be no jewelry at today's banquet?" Is your empress wearing it? It’s the same style as the empress in the palace, I’m afraid someone will not be able to eat it and walk around.”

Wang Rongxin immediately turned pale with fright. That's right, this is a new model of Wanbao Pavilion. It will inevitably be the same style as the empress in the palace, but what will everyone think, is it because they want to replace it?I'm afraid she really can't eat and walk around.When Wang Rongxin was terrified, he heard Xu Youyi's voice.

"Someone wants to wear the same style of hair accessories as your empress, so don't you also want to be an empress? Even if someone wants to be an empress, His Majesty still doesn't like it, and he doesn't want to see if he has the destiny to be an empress."

Hearing this, Wang Rongxin was so angry that she was going to be the princess of Jin in the future, who would marry that bad old man.But at the same time, he was so frightened that he took off the hair ornament on his head and hid it in his sleeve with trembling hands.

Seeing Wang Rongxin take off the hairpin from her head, Xu Youyi smiled and left.Because she knew that the hair accessory was indeed from Wanbao Pavilion, but it was not new this year, and she didn't know where Wang Rongxin had the confidence to think it was this year's new.Daddy loves her very much and buys her jewelry from Wanbao Pavilion.However, she thinks the jewelry is too heavy and uncomfortable when pressing her hair, so she seldom wears it.

She didn't want to come to the banquet in the first place, and the oppressive atmosphere made her uncomfortable, so Wang Rongxin came here to make trouble.Thinking of this, Xu Youyi randomly found a willow tree and leaned against it to rest.Thinking of this boring banquet, she turned her head in boredom, but just this turning made her see the most beautiful scene in her life, which she will never forget.

The light and cool early autumn comes quietly, the cool wind blows, the shadows of the trees are whirling, the golden chrysanthemums in the distance blow the fragrance, the lake next to it ripples, the autumn insects sing long and charmingly, and the floating The willow branches seem to be describing the beauty of the volumes in this autumn, which is intoxicating.

But all of this is nothing compared to the man who sips tea at the banquet, dressed in a quiet indigo blue brocade dress, as if it takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the world, immersed in this cool autumn day, your heart is suddenly quiet, and only you are in your eyes. That exquisite jade-like side face.

Maybe it was because she was watching too intently that the man noticed her.Turning his eyes slightly, it was actually a deep and cold silence, just like this bleak autumn.The eyes were obviously quiet, but she felt the endless heat as if it could burn her eyes. She was so frightened that she hurriedly hid behind the tree, but reluctantly poked her head out to take another look.

Qi Ze smiled unconsciously as he looked at the cute girl who was hiding behind a tree and peeking at her.The age of this girl is indeed the age of first love, but... no matter how familiar it looks, especially the expression in the eyebrows seems to feel like I have seen it before.

Seeing Qi Ze looking at her seriously, Xu Youyi blushed and ran away.When he ran into mother's arms, he was already out of breath.

"What's the matter, Youyi, you run so fast. The banquet hasn't started yet?" Hearing her mother's soft voice, Xu Youyi touched her still beating heart, and after a while, she raised her head and said, "It's okay, just The scenery here is quite beautiful, I want to see it with my mother."

Mrs. Xu just nodded Xu Youyi's forehead lovingly, and said with a smile: "Silly girl, of course this place is beautiful. How could it not be beautiful in the palace?"

Seeing that mother would be wrong, Xu Youyi just nodded with a blushing face, Mrs. Xu just thought her daughter was blushing because she ran too fast, she didn't take it to heart, she just wiped the sweat on her daughter's forehead with a handkerchief.

After waiting for a while, they heard the eunuch's piercing and shrill voice, causing everyone to stand up hurriedly and straighten their clothes, no longer so casually.

"The empress, the imperial concubine, your highness the crown prince, and your highness the king of Jin are here."

I saw a graceful, dignified and dignified woman walking in front, with majesty and sternness in her eyes, the gorgeous red clothes on her body were extremely eye-catching, and beside her was a charming lady with moth eyebrows and a stern head, and there seemed to be a layer of hazy tears in her eyes The light, the autumn waves turned slightly, charming and moving, and she was helping the woman in front of her to walk step by step.

There are two men following behind, one with a gentle light in his eyes, bright eyes and beautiful brows, smiling like a spring breeze, the other with tightly pursed lips, starry eyes and handsome eyes, with a dignified aura.

After Concubine Wen Gui supported Empress Chunhui to the main seat, Murong Sheng and Murong Xiu also sat down.As everyone below saluted in unison, Empress Chunhui raised her arms, her voice was flat but still majestic, "Everyone, let's get down, today I just invite you to come and enjoy the golden chrysanthemums in autumn, so there is no need to be too polite."

"Yes, thank you, empress." After everyone got up, they still sat upright, following the etiquette and not daring to move.Although Empress Chunhui said that it was like an ordinary banquet, the usual banquet in the harem would arouse the disgust of the royal family if it was a little careless, and it would involve the affairs of the previous court, which everyone knew.

As soon as Qi Ze sat down, she felt a scrutiny and inquiry look over her, because Qi Ze's position was lower and he sat farther back, but she still felt it.

Following his eyes, he saw a pair of sharp and handsome eyes, it was Jin Wang Murong Xiu.Qi Ze felt a little nervous, what did he see her doing?Did she already know that the matter of accepting bribes in the imperial examination was resolved by her?It's still because of the Jin family's affairs this time.

On the surface, Xu Siheng was responsible for the affairs of the Jin family, but she was sent by Zheng Shen to the Ministry of Households on behalf of the Ministry of War to solve the problem together, so it would not be surprising if the crown prince and King Jin knew that she was involved in the affairs of the Jin family.But in the final analysis, in the eyes of others, the success of the Jin family's affairs was entirely due to Xu Siheng's suppression of the Jin family. She just used a little thought to mess up the Jin family's backyard and played a supporting role.

But on the other hand, if she hadn't sent someone to make trouble in the backyard of Jin's family and make Jin Wancai panic, this matter would not have succeeded so quickly.So Murong Xiu knew that she was behind everything about the Jin family. Now that Murong Xiu knew about it, did it mean that Murong Sheng might also know about it?

Qi Ze couldn't help looking at Murong Sheng, but when he realized that he was talking to Murong Xiu, there was nothing strange about the expression on his face.But Murong Xiu had already turned his head when Qi Ze looked over, and stopped looking at her.

It seems that they are just doubts, but with the abilities of these two people, they should be sure soon. After that, what will they do? Will they win her over or suppress her?No matter what the situation is, Qi Ze thinks it's not a good thing. Being with a king is like being with a tiger. If you want to gain status and glory, you have to pay a price accordingly.

(End of this chapter)