Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 187 Qujiang Banquet

In early spring, the wind is gentle and the sun is beautiful, the blue waves of Qujiang River are rippling for thirty hectares, the smoke is bright, the apricot flowers are in full bloom, and the orioles are singing.

To the east of the river is Furong Garden, which belongs to the Emperor's Qujiang Palace and can be accessed directly from the city wall to Xingqing Palace. The Jade Tower and Golden Palace are built near the water. Yellow swans dance on the water and white gulls fly in fright.

The long embankment stretches to the west, and the apricot garden is on the bank of the river. There is a small island in the river, and a pavilion stands on the island. This is where the Jinke Jinshi will hold the Qujiang Banquet.

If the emperor were to drive through the Furong Garden and climb the Ziyun Tower, he would be able to see the scene of the Apricot Garden, and he would be enjoying himself with the people.

This is an annual grand scene for the people of Chang'an, where they can not only see the literary and elegant Jinshi, but also take advantage of the spring outing; traders can take the opportunity to sell goods; dignitaries can take the opportunity to build relationships and recruit sons-in-law.

At noon, many carriages and horses were heading towards Qujiang. It can be said that the carriages on the beautiful road were like water.

There are also many ladies from famous families who did not go to the Wild Goose Pagoda. Instead, they went out and roamed in Qujiang early, dancing lightly in the bright sunshine in the countryside.

The young ladies set up curtains with colorful drills, drank and ordered among them, and sometimes ran out to play Cuju and shuttlecock, with laughter and graceful voices, graceful postures, graceful movements, fragrant fragrance, and spring scenery all over the riverside.

"The names have been inscribed in Yanta, and the Jinshi are coming!"

Pei Liuniang, Lu Siniang, Yang Ersanniang, Cui Shibaniang, Li Jiuniang and others were all near Xiao Zhongzhou in Xingyuan. They all stopped and stood on tiptoes to look into the distance.

The maids inquired about various news and came to tell them excitedly.

"Have you heard? The Number One Scholar only wrote one line of poetry, which made all the Jinshi dare not write poems."

"how come?"

"The youngest among the twenty-seven people, they all say that the No. 1 Scholar is arrogant and that his talent alone surpasses all the Jin Scholars."

"It's too crazy, it's too crazy..."

The Du sisters were passing by nearby. When they heard this exclamation, they were all stunned for a moment, as if they couldn't face the words "too crazy", they looked at each other, held hands and hurried away.

Following them was Du Wulang. He was really not used to this kind of gorgeous scene where young ladies gathered. He was at a loss when walking, so he had to run past with the tarpaulin in his arms.

In the distance, as the team of Jinshis approached Qujiang, the first thing they heard was shouts from all over the sky.

"Xue Lang! Xue Lang!"

"Why do you need to make such a big splash?" Du Wulang murmured, thinking that it was a good thing that Xue Sanniang didn't come over.

He squeezed through the crowd and sat down in the apricot garden. Looking back, he saw that the ladies from famous families were about to quarrel.

"Is that Xue Bai?"

"Didn't you say that he was born as an official slave? Xue Bai is so charming. Well, he is worthy of our royal palace."

"Hey, someone is so thick-skinned that he is crazy about the son-in-law chosen by my family."

"Who are you? Why is it your husband-in-law?"

"A group of shameless people are going to inquire about the relationship between the Wenxi Pei family and Xue Lang. I am the first one."

"Do you know who I am? I, Aweng, was demoted because I wanted Xue Lang to be the number one scholar. Can he not marry me?"

"The Cui family is coaxing you like this? Apart from this face, you have no brains, right?"

"You're scolding me? Oh, you're scolding someone?!"

"Hey, what's wrong with scolding you?"

"..."

"Stop fighting! Oh, ladies, stop fighting."

"You dare to grab my hair... let go! Let go!"

"Let go of my little lady..."

The maids shouted and came forward. Some wanted to grab their own little ladies, while others took the opportunity to pinch others, causing chaos.

Du Wulang had never seen such a shocking scene before. His eyes widened and he felt that he couldn't see it at all.

First the gold hairpin fell to the ground, and then an embroidered shoe flew up and fell in front of Du Wulang.

He leaned over to pick it up, but a little maid rushed over, picked up the embroidered shoes, ran away, and cursed him.

"What are you looking at? You look like this and still want to eat swan meat!"

~~

In the Royal Furong Garden, Ziyun Tower stands tall, overlooking the oasis and the Qushui River in the distance.

The stage has been set up, and the two teams that will compete tonight are already making preparations.

The Liyuan disciples who were rehearsed by the sage himself were placed on the east side of the stage, with curtains draped so that no one could see their costumes.

Occasionally, a musician would adjust the strings and play extremely beautiful music, which made everyone in the Xueyuan Theater Troupe nervous.

"Why aren't you here yet?"

"I must have gone to see Xue Lang parade in the streets, where is the number one scholar." Fan Nu whispered: "He looks like that and is the number one scholar in high school at that age. Thinking about it makes people excited."

Niannu reminded in a low voice: "We still have to sing in front of the emperor, don't just think about this."

"Here, Miss Cui. But you have to think about these things to sing this play well."

A voice calling Xue Bai's name came from the distance.

Niannu raised his head and took a look. Thinking that he could see Xingyuan from Ziyun Tower, he couldn't help but be curious. He picked up his skirt and walked up the stairs.

The stairs are very long. When you go upstairs, you will see thick blankets on the ground. The maids are like busy bees, shuttling back and forth. All you can see are bright colored skirts and fair skin, but there is no sound at all. .

"Bold! Who told you to run up here!" A eunuch noticed Nian Nu and immediately scolded him.

Nian Nu was startled, knelt down quickly, and responded: "The slave family knows the crime, so go down now."

Just when I didn't know what to do, a woman on the stairs on the other side heard the noise and came over.

"What's the matter?"

Nian Nu secretly raised his eyes and glanced at the woman. She was so beautiful, with a slim figure, no makeup, and a pair of beautiful eyes that looked at her and seemed to find her interesting. There was a romantic smile in her eyes.

She knew who this was, it must be the Guo Guo lady who had made good friends with Xue Lang.

"Such a pretty little lady, you scolded her for what she did and scared her."

Yang Yuyao dismissed the eunuch, leaned down, gently held Nian Nu's chin, raised her face and looked at her for a while, then smiled and said, "I know who you are, but are you Xue Lang's Yingying?"

"The slave family... is..."

"It's so beautiful and delicate. It makes me feel bad when I see it. Get up and run upstairs. Maybe you want to see the apricot garden."

Nian Nu was so surprised that he asked, "How does Madam Guo know what the Nu family is thinking?"

"I also came here like you. It's so pitiful. At a young age, I love to be lively. I can't go there to see the No. 1 pick. I have to practice here. Come on, I'll take you to see it."

"The slave family doesn't dare."

Nian Nu was still timid, but Yang Yuyao had already taken her little hand and stroked it twice to comfort her.

"Don't be afraid. If you are Xue Lang's person, you are mine."

"Here."

Niannu felt her hands were slippery and could smell her fragrance in his nose. He felt that Mrs. Guo Guo treated him very well.

Unexpectedly, he was taken to the royal concubine's dressing room.

Nian Nu was stunned when she saw Yang Yuhuan, thinking that for such a stunning beauty, no wonder the saint wanted to snatch her away.

"What a beautiful little lady."

"Xue Bai's Cui Yingying, I'll take her to see the champion."

"The casting is really good."

Yang Yuhuan was sitting by the window looking at Xingyuan. Zhang Yunrong was combing her hair. Her eyes looked very excited. She didn't care that the slave had forgotten to salute. She waved and said, "Come quickly, it will be interesting."

Yang Yuyao went to the window and looked at it, surprised: "A fight started? What's going on?"

"What do you think is going on? You are vying for the number one scholar to be your husband."

"Hey." Yang Yuyao couldn't help but smile and said: "A bunch of stupid girls also want to touch my 'adopted brother'."

In the past, she still cared about covering up her friendship with Xue Bai, but now that she saw this scene, she couldn't help but feel proud, and her demeanor and tone were different.

Yang Yuhuan deliberately teased her and asked: "He was our adopted brother in the past, how come he is yours now?"

At this time, looking around, Xue Bai came on horseback, attracting the attention of everyone, and his unparalleled style. Yang Yuyao was also dazzled. Thinking about the fact that the number one scholar that the young ladies were fighting for had to work hard for her tonight, the look in his eyes became more and more different, and his ears All have some fever.

"I'm asking you something."

"Of course he is our adopted brother."

"If that's all, why are you blushing?"

"nothing."

The sisters simply moved the maids away and asked Zhang Yunrong and Mingzhu to take Nian Nu to another window to look. They whispered something personal.

"Third sister, please calm down. There will be a banquet later. Don't let others see it."

"Well, I know."

"You're still blushing, is that okay?"

"What do you think, he is as old as a wolf..."

Niannu couldn't help but peek at the imperial concubine and Mrs. Guo Guo again, because their charm was something she didn't have at her age, and she couldn't help but envy them.

She usually rehearsed plays in Xue's house, and the Xue Bai she occasionally saw looked calm and serious. At this time, she couldn't help but wonder how Xue Lang looked in front of Mrs. Guo Guo. She felt more and more admired, and felt that her daughter's family was in charge. Such feeling.

~~

In the Xingyuan, the Jinshi have already taken their seats in Zhongzhou, preparing to compose poems in Qujiang.

Here at Ziyun Tower, the saint is about to ascend and hold a banquet.

Yang Yuyao pulled Nian Nu over again and teased: "Okay, I've seen it. If you like to watch the No. 1 Scholar, come to my house to watch it next time. Let's go and rehearse the show."

"Here."

Niannu walked away obediently and left, thinking that he lived in Xueyuan, so why should he go to Mrs. Guo's house to see Xue Lang? Mrs. Guo must be joking.

Yang Yuhuan watched her retreat, inexplicably feeling a little bitter, and said angrily: "Tonight she sings Cui Yingying, and tomorrow she will be famous all over the world. Speaking of which, the lyrics and operas that Xue Bai submitted several times are not for her. I sang it." "How can I?" Yang Yuyao said hurriedly: "Last time, "Shui Diao Ge Tou" was specially written for you. Unexpectedly, it was snatched away by Mei Fei. This time, he specially wrote the opera. Sing it to you.”

She quickly waved her hand and asked Mingzhu to bring up the scroll.

"A lot of things happened in the past. Who in Chang'an doesn't know who won the top prize? How could he forget you?"

"Hey." Yang Yuhuan glanced at it first and said, "This is a story, not a play."

"First there is the story, then the opera is composed, and you listen to me singing it to you."

Yang Yuyao is the weakest in singing skills among the sisters, but she has practiced this time. Rourou raised her hand and sang: "Bai Suzhen under Qingcheng Mountain, who has been cultivating this body in the cave for thousands of years..."

Yang Yuhuan felt fresh when she heard this song, and immediately smiled like a flower. After looking at the scroll for a while, she felt that this time it was really suitable for her to sing.

But she said unforgivingly, "It's useless to talk about this right now. If the lyrics are not good, I won't listen to them."

"Let's get down to business." Yang Yuyao said: "Tonight's competition, if our sworn brother loses, he will be given a marriage to the Lord Hezheng County."

"He should get married anyway, can the third sister stop him?"

"It's fine to marry anyone, but you can't marry someone from the clan. I just told you the truth... If he marries a jealous person, it's not appropriate."

"It just so happens that it's time for Third Sister to restrain herself."

"The seniority is messed up, isn't it?"

"Hey." Yang Yuhuan asked curiously: "Are you still caring about your seniority?"

Yang Yuyao had no choice but to press forward and said coquettishly: "The drama is good and the drama is bad. It's just a word from you. How about helping my sister?"

"How can I let the saint lose? What's more, how can others not know whether the music is good or bad? If the favoritism is too obvious and offends the saint, what good results will there be?"

"But there is another gift for you. Come on, bring it..."

Yang Yuhuan originally thought that Xue Bai's gifts were also some gold, silver and jade articles, but she didn't expect them, but they were just ordinary fabrics.

"Ok?"

"These are clothes."

"Can I still live without clothes? He doesn't know how many tailors in the palace sew clothes for me."

"No amount of tailors can sew a piece like this. You won't know how beautiful it will be when you put it on."

The sisters went to the inner hall and tried on the new clothes given by Xue Bai.

After a long time, when Yang Yuhuan came out again, she was still wearing the same dress. She didn't say whether she liked it or not. She just said that it was not suitable for such an occasion.

~~

In the main hall of Ziyun Tower, Li Longji also took a seat.

The position he was sitting in was high up, and he could see the grand view of the apricot garden from the wide gate.

And whatever poems the Jinshi wrote would be handed over immediately.

Having such fun with the people makes me feel like I am sitting in the sky overlooking the world... It is not without reason that Li Longji feels that he is a god on earth.

When Yang Yuhuan came over with her makeup done, Li Longji smiled and said, "I heard that Third Aunt just met you again, but could she have bribed Taizhen?"

"It's true." Yang Yuhuan didn't hide it, and responded: "I just won a story about the number one scholar. During the competition, if the saint can't beat him by a lot, I will favor my sworn brother."

"Hahaha, I can beat him by a lot, so what's the difficulty?"

Li Longjilang smiled a few words, turned to look at Yang Wei and Yang Zhao, and said: "As you can see, Xue Bai won the first prize and immediately stopped thinking about me. He only knew how to please the imperial concubine and didn't tell me any stories. With Hu Er, Same look."

"Abai will soon have an official status. It's different after all." Yang Zhao smiled compensatingly.

This time, Li Tan bribed Yang Zhao on behalf of several powerful people, hoping to control the manufacturing of bamboo paper. Yang Zhao agreed and accepted the benefits, but thanks to Yuan Zai's reminder, he waited and watched for a few days.

Before Yuan Zai entered the palace, Yang Zhao got wind of it, and the first thing he did was to transfer the benefits to the Taifu treasury.

When the sage asked, he also gave an explanation.

——"Li Tan wanted to make bamboo paper and publish the collected works of his elders. He paid the general to buy bamboo paper craftsmanship. I thought that the papermaking craftsmanship should be popularized in the world, so I taught him how to make paper. As for 'blocking the craftsmanship and raising the price of paper', that's This noble son has such a whim, how could he possibly stop others from making paper? As more paper mills become available in the world, the price of paper will naturally drop. I am a scoundrel, and I have neglected some of the Li family's money. Please forgive me, saint."

Although Li Longji knew it well, he was quite satisfied with Yang Zhao. First, Yang Zhao did not rush to work for the family, and second, the money was indeed sent to the Taifu.

Sure enough, each minister had a different way of doing things as an official. Li Linfu was diligent and busy with common affairs; Wang Zhi was courageous and good at collecting taxes; Yang Zhao was good at using people, and had some new methods in salt and paper making; Yang Zhao was naughty, obedient, and knew how to make money.

I wonder what Xue's playing style was like in the past when he became an official?

At present, Xue Bai does not have an official position, so nothing can be seen. However, we can get a glimpse of it from his attitude towards being courted by aristocratic families.

Of course, the aristocratic family must recruit Xue Bai to offset the influence of Jinke Chunwei. Then, Xue Bai's best way to deal with it is to deliberately lose the competition and let the saint grant the marriage and throw this problem away.

This is what a wise minister does.

Therefore, Li Longji is confident that he can win.

Of course, just from a musical perspective, he also has great confidence...

~~

On the Qujiang River, there are painted boats passing by slowly.

Wang Lianlian, a famous prostitute from Nanqu, was wearing a colorful skirt, standing on the bow of the boat with bare feet, showing her fair shoulders, and dancing gracefully with bells hanging on her arms.

Amidst the music, she sang the new poems of the Jinshi scholars one by one. Finally, when she came to the poem of the Number One Scholar, her voice suddenly became higher and her dance became more graceful.

"In the past, I couldn't boast about being sordid, but now I have no limits to my dissolute thoughts."

"The spring breeze is proud of the horseshoe, I can see the Chang'an flowers in one day."

The singing spread, and there was another burst of cheers by the riverside.

Today, the number one scholar first suppressed all the Jinshi with a poem at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and then showed his arrogance with another poem at Qujiang.

But being a Jinshi in the Tang Dynasty is how crazy you should be.

"What a poem!" Li Jiayou laughed loudly and said, "I dare say that this imperial examination in Tianbao's seventh year will definitely be recorded in the annals of history. For one thing, today's poem by the number one scholar is so good."

He raised the wine glass with a bold movement, and his smile had a hint of narrow-mindedness, and said: "Secondly, there is a young lady fighting for the favor of the number one scholar, haha, throwing fruit to make the car full, the style of the Wei and Jin Dynasties."

Xue Bai said: "Brother Cong is so praised."

Yang Yu was in a sad mood while drinking wine. When he heard that, he knew that Li Jiayou was going to introduce the clan sister, and he finally remembered his mother's advice.

No matter how reluctant I am, everything the children of the aristocratic family have is given by their families, and this order must be followed.

"Xue Lang."

Yang Yu spoke with difficulty, forced out a smile and said: "Xue Lang's style caused chaos in Xingyuan, and my sister also fell because of it. You should give me an explanation... Haha."

Originally the last sentence was said in a joking tone, but it really didn't sound like it, so he had to laugh twice more.

Li Jiayou was much more free and easy. He put his arms around Xue Bai's shoulders and said with a smile: "Xue Lang, don't listen to his nonsense. I will introduce you to my cousin. She is as beautiful as a fairy."

The Qujiang Banquet was originally a grand event for choosing a son-in-law, and as the atmosphere heightened, everyone started making noises to introduce their younger sister.

The officials hosting the banquet were also happy to see the success, stroking their beards and laughing. People such as Pei Kuan, Chen Xilie and others also planned to join in the fun.

Xue Bai couldn't help waving his hands and kept saying things like "If you haven't accomplished your achievements, why do you call home?"

"Haha, the number one scholar is too cautious. I don't want you to propose marriage to anyone today." Li Jiayou said with a smile, "I just need to give your peony to a virtuous lady in the apricot garden."

"it is good!"

"It's time for the Flower Visitor to give you flowers!"

Everyone cheered.

It was nothing to ask Xue Bai to give a flower to one of these famous ladies in public, but it was also a gesture. After making a statement, we can talk about other things after the show is over.

Xue Bai finally stopped refusing, picked up the peony that was the symbol of the Flower Visitor, stood up, and walked towards the young ladies.

Seeing him walking towards her, Pei Liuniang couldn't help but excitedly put her hands in front of her heart, her heart beating fast. She has heard from Pei Kuan that there are several nobles who will definitely make Xue Bai unable to come to power today. It is possible for the Pei family to choose a son-in-law.

She fought for him, and a lady from a famous family sacrificed herself to such an extent that she was worth a peony.

Xue Bai walked up to her, but did not stop. He continued to move forward until he left the apricot garden.

There were loud exclamations all around. The young ladies staying outside the Xingyuan were obviously of lower status than the daughters of powerful men.

Xue Bai glanced around, looking for Qinglan's figure. After that, he stepped forward and handed out the peony in his hand.

There were boos all around.

"Mr. Lang, I..."

"Quick pick up."

Yan Yan on the side was also very excited and urged: "Hurry up, hurry up."

Qing Lan blushed fiercely, her hands trembled, and she slowly raised and took the peony.

In front of everyone, she did not dare to look at Xue Bai. She turned around and looked at Yan Yan with pleading eyes. She saw that Yan Yan was smiling all over her face, so she was not afraid of the boos from the people around her.

Qinglan quickly took her hand and asked her to take her to the carriage quickly with a pleading look.

~~

Upstairs in Ziyun, even Li Longji was attracted by this small episode. He walked out of the hall with a wine glass and stood against the railing.

"Who did this boy hand the peonies to?"

"Back to Saint, I don't know which family she is from yet. Judging from the carriage and horses, she doesn't belong to a wealthy family."

"He refused to bow his head." Li Longji raised his lips slightly and said casually: "Since no one in the family wants to marry, then I will grant him a marriage."

The emperor laughed loudly, turned around and walked into Ziyun Palace, his hands slightly opened, as if he had everything under control.

During the prosperous period of the Tang Dynasty, there was a feast in Qujiang. Such a romantic and beautiful scene made people feel high-spirited.

"Pass the message, the small banquet in Zhongzhou is over, and the Ziyun Tower opera begins."

……

"The sage issued a decree to summon Xue Bai, the number one scholar, to enter the Ziyun Tower!"

Xue Bai then tidied up his clothes, walked through the civilians by the river, bypassed the lush forest and bamboo trees, entered the Qujiang Palace, and climbed to the Ziyun Tower.

Stepping into the main hall, looking around, all the clothes and clothes in the hall are luxurious...

　I’m asking for votes at the beginning of the month. I’ll write a big chapter with 5.7 thousand words first. I’ll write another chapter at night and publish it tomorrow morning, so that everyone doesn’t have to wait~~ Please give me monthly votes, please give me monthly votes~~

　　

　

(End of this chapter)