swear not to be concubine

Chapter 59

Rouge is drunk as its name suggests, its color is like rouge, its fragrance is strong and strong, it is slightly astringent at the beginning of the mouth, and sweet in the end.

Although Xu Zhongxuan doesn't like drinking, he won't refuse to socialize.So the wine was like water, and I drank it cup by cup.

At this time, the plum blossom Yin was played, and the woman behind the screen was holding the strings with her bare hands, silently waiting for Shen Chuo's next instruction.

Then Shen Chuo asked with a smile: "Uncle Shi, do you think the song Plum Blossom Yin played by the red-sleeve girl is still pleasant to your ears?"

"That's right." Zhou Yuanzheng said concisely, and then he suppressed the lonely and dazed look on his face, reached out to pick up the wine glass in front of him, and drank all the rouge drunk in the glass with just one sip.

Like a line of fire entering his throat, it rolled all the way down, burning his stomach and heart.

Seeing this, Shen Chuo slightly hooked his thin lips, revealing a faint smile.He immediately said: "To receive such a compliment from the Uncle Shi, it must be because the red-sleeved girl came out to offer a cup to the Uncle personally."

Then he winked at shopkeeper Zhang who was standing beside him, shopkeeper Zhang understood, hurriedly walked behind the screen and whispered twice.Immediately thereafter, the sound of the ring pendant ding-dong was heard again, and the fragrance wafted into the nostrils. It was the girl with red sleeves who came out from behind the screen.

"Thank you for your praise, my lord." Holding the wine glass lightly in her plain hand, Hong Xiu bowed deeply, slightly parting her cherry lips, and her voice was like an oriole out of the valley in March, with a melodious voice, "please also drink this glass to the full."

Zhou Yuanzhengyuan frowned a little, thinking that he didn't want to take the glass of wine.But because of Shen Chuo's affection, he finally reached out to take the wine glass and looked up at the same time.

But when he looked at it, the expression on his face suddenly changed drastically, and for a moment he couldn't hold the wine glass firmly in his hand, and spilled a few drops of wine on the back of his hand.

Zhou Yuan has always been in the court hall without changing his face when Mount Tai collapses in front of him.Moreover, he is ruthless and has a heart like a stone. In the cell of Dali Temple, he saw the jailer torture his former colleagues face to face, and he still treated them with indifference when he heard the screams of his colleagues.

So when the few people present saw how shocked he was now, they couldn't help but also looked up.

But seeing this red-sleeved girl is wearing a purple gauze cardigan, a white gauze skirt with thread, her willow eyebrows are smoky, her apricot eyes are full of water, and she has a gentle smile on her face, which is very beautiful.

Xu Zhongxuan was also a little surprised, because the red-sleeved girl was five or six points similar to Jian Yan in appearance.

But no matter how similar she was, she wouldn't be Jian Yan, so he quickly suppressed the surprise on his face, just retracted his eyes, lowered his eyes, and took a chopstick to eat Sophora japonica tofu as if nothing had happened. .

Shen Chuo just kept paying attention to the expression on Zhou Yuan's face.At this moment, the corners of his lips curled into a bigger arc, then he turned his head and smiled at Hongxiu: "Since the toast has already been made, you should step back first."

Hongxiu softly replied yes, then bowed her knees to salute everyone present, turned around and left the room on her own.

Zhou Yuanzheng's eyes followed the figure of Hongxiu all the time, until she left the room, he still stared at her in a daze.

"Uncle Shi," Shen Chuo called him with a smile at this moment, and said, "Come on, my nephew will toast you again."

Zhou Yuanzheng picked up the wine glass absent-mindedly, drank the rouge drunk in one gulp, and the shocked expression on his face finally returned to normal slowly.

Afterwards, there was an interlacing of toasts and chips during the banquet, and the guests and hosts had a good time.Shen Chuo didn't mention anything about the sea ban, and Zhou Yuanzheng didn't mention the red-sleeve girl who shocked him just now. Instead, he was kind and gentle, talking to Shen Chuo and the three of them as if they were nephews.If people who don't know it see it, those who don't know it will really think it's just a family feast.

After the meal, the waiter brought tea, and the four of them were drinking tea while chatting.Du Dai talked a lot, Shen Chuo made fun of it, Xu Zhongxuan didn't talk much, but his sentences were incisive, Zhou Yuanzheng kept smiling, looked at the three of them with his beard, and said a few words in a warm voice from time to time.

Thinking that Shen Chuo had invited Zhou Yuanzheng over for dinner, the two of them must have something to talk about, so Xu Zhongxuan and Du Dai sat for a while and then got up and said goodbye.

Zhou Yuan bowed in the chair, but he didn't hold back too much.Shen Chuo got up and stood up, and ordered shopkeeper Zhang to give Xu Zhongxuan and Du Dai a present for him, and told him not to forget the two boxes of Sophora japonica cakes for Xu Zhongxuan and the two jars of rouge drunk for Du Dai.

The two bothered Shen Chuo, turned around and went out by themselves.

Qi Sang and Du Dai's servants were waiting for them in the lobby downstairs.As soon as they saw them coming out, the two immediately got up and stood up with their hands down.

Xu Zhongxuan and Du Dai walked out of Zuiyue Tower first.

It was still twilight outside the door, but in front of the door of Zuiyue Tower, there were already two big bright corner lights.The elegant fragrance of the locust tree next to it came faintly.

Du Dai stood in front of Zuiyue Tower with his hands behind his back, and said with a smile, "Lanxi seems to have drunk a lot of rouge drunk today? How do you feel now?"

Xu Zhongxuan also laughed and said: "I didn't feel any better when I drank this rouge drunk at the beginning, but now I feel a little dizzy. Brother Junqing is very generous, and he is still clear-headed, but I can't hold it anymore, so I will leave and go back, and I will fall down when I get home. Go to sleep, or I may miss the time for tomorrow's appointment."

Only Du Dai chuckled lightly, and then said: "Lanxi's drinking capacity is not good, you need to practice more."

After walking two steps forward, Yin turned his head and said with a smile: "Lanxi must have heard Fengqin asking me about the sea ban before the meal. Speaking of which, not only is he concerned about this matter, I am also very concerned about this matter. I don't know What does Lanxi think about the opening of the sea ban?"

Xu Zhongxuan was standing in front of Zuiyue Tower, when the wind blew, the two bright corner lamps hanging on the lintel swayed from side to side, and the light and shadow on his handsome face flickered from time to time.

Du Dai couldn't understand the expression on Xu Zhongxuan's face at this time, but only from his words, he could hear a little smile.

"I am naturally happy to see such a thing that benefits the country and the people."

The implication is that they agree with the opening of the sea ban.

Du Dai hesitated for a while, and then asked again: "I remember that a few years ago, an official from the Shipping Department of Zhejiang City wrote a letter requesting the opening of the sea ban, but His Majesty was furious, saying that pirates were rampant along the coast. If the sea ban was lifted, the pirates would Wouldn’t it be more rampant? Rejected his Zhang Zuo, let alone dismissed his official position. Since then, all officials have been silent, and no one dared to mention the opening of the sea ban in these years. It is you and me who think open No matter how beneficial the sea ban is to benefit the country and the people, I'm afraid it's intentional but powerless."

"A few years ago, His Majesty resisted the opening of the sea ban, but it doesn't mean he will resist now." Xu Zhongxuan's voice sounded smooth and smooth, without any ups and downs, "Times have changed."

Du Dai was overjoyed, and hurriedly asked: "Lan Xi said so, but what kind of inside story does he know?"

Xu Zhongxuan smiled: "Where did the inside story come from? I just thought in private that the treasury was abundant in the past few years, and the country was not short of taxes for overseas trade. At that time, the sea ban was not opened. Firstly, the sea ban was caused by Tai and Zu. The emperor's order is for the filial piety of our majesty, and it can also effectively curb the pirates along the coast. However, the imperial court fought a battle in the southwestern frontier two years ago, which cost countless people and money, and the treasury is now empty. A few days ago Didn’t the Ministry of Households write a letter saying that the finances are tight? The Ministry of War also wrote a letter saying that the army’s salary is not paid, and there are many complaints from the frontline soldiers. At this time, the chief secretaries of the coastal provinces, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong’s three cities have all written letters saying private overseas trade. Prosperity, a group of businessmen have made a lot of profits, how could His Majesty not be tempted? And although the sea ban has been implemented for so many years, the troubles of pirates along the coast have not been alleviated, but have intensified. It can be seen that the sea ban is not the only one item. It can completely eradicate the troubles of Japanese pirates. I privately speculate on the sacred intentions, and I am afraid that His Majesty also has the intention to relax. But firstly, the sea ban was decided by the Tai and Zu, and secondly, when the minister wrote the letter a few years ago, His Majesty dismissed him and let go of his official position. If he suddenly said that he would open the sea ban, it would be a bit difficult on the surface. Therefore, as ministers, we should give him a step down at this time and take the initiative to resume It is a letter to request the opening of the sea ban."

When Du Dai heard this, his eyes flickered, but he said hesitantly: "After all, His Majesty's will is unpredictable, and then he will not reprimand the officials who wrote the letter and dismiss them from office?"

### "It's impossible to be dismissed from office," Xu Zhongxuan said with a slight smile, "But it's inevitable to be reprimanded. It's just that even if you are reprimanded, you still have to insist on your words. Even if you are reprimanded by His Majesty again, you still have to be unyielding and give the third chapter. At that time, Your Majesty will be able to walk down this step. Later, His Majesty will naturally I look at this courtier who insists on writing a letter differently."

Du Dai gave a clear oh, and asked again with interest: "Since Lan Xi sees this matter so clearly, why doesn't he become No.1 in this book?"

"There is no crown prince in the country, His Majesty naturally hopes that the two princes can solve their worries, so that one of the suitable princes can be selected. Therefore, as ministers, we should know this kind of thing in our hearts, and let the two princes come forward. good."

Du Dai didn't talk about it any more, the two chatted a few more gossips, and then bid farewell to each other.

Du Dai lived in the south of the city, and Xu Zhongxuan lived in the east of the city, and they did not go the same way.So after handing over their hands and saying goodbye, they naturally went their separate ways.

There are many wine shops along the road, and because it is not yet the curfew, people come and go from time to time.

Xu Zhongxuan walked slowly ahead with his hands behind his back.Qi Sang followed behind him with his hands down.

Earlier, Xu Zhongxuan and Du Dai said that they didn't feel good when they drank the rouge drunk at the beginning, but now they feel a little dizzy. Although this sentence is somewhat false, it is also somewhat true.Now his drunkenness is slowly coming up, he feels slightly smoky, and his steps are a bit staggering.

So he simply stopped, turned around and looked at the orange-red sunset in the sky.The colorful and brilliant sunset fell in his eyes, as if it had dyed his eyes with a layer of rouge.

Qi Sang stepped forward, adjusted his expression, and asked cautiously: "My lord, are you drunk? Do you want my subordinates to call you a sedan chair?"

Xu Zhongxuan looked at him upon hearing the sound, and glanced at the two boxes of snacks in his hand.

That is acacia cake.White as snow, wrapped in a layer of rose sauce, sweet and delicious in the mouth.

Jian Yan definitely loves this.

Xu Zhongxuan suddenly turned around and walked forward with big strides, without any staggering steps.Qi Sang was also busy and trotted all the way to follow.

Arriving in front of his small courtyard, Qi Sang knocked on the door, Qi Hui came to open the door, when he saw Xu Zhongxuan, he saluted first and called out: "Young Master." Then he stepped aside and let Xu Zhongxuan in.

But Xu Zhongxuan didn't go in, he just stood in front of the courtyard gate and told Qi Hui: "Prepare the horse."

Qi Hui glanced at the twilight sky, confused, and asked in puzzlement: "It's so late, and you still have to go away?"

Xu Zhongxuan didn't answer, but said again: "Prepare the horse."

This time the voice was slightly raised, and a little harsh.

Qi Hui didn't dare to ask any more questions, and hurriedly got his horse ready.Because he was worried about Xu Zhongxuan going out alone, he prepared three horses and planned to go with Xu Zhongxuan himself.

But Xu Zhongxuan simply explained: "Qi Sang follow me, you take care of the house." Then he got on the horse, stretched out his right hand to Qi Sang, and said, "Give me the Sophora japonica cake."

Qi Sang: ...

What is this scenario?
But with Qi Hui's previous lesson of asking questions and being rejected, he didn't dare to ask any more reasons, but just passed the two boxes of Sophora japonica cakes in his hand as he said.

Xu Zhongxuan took it in his hands and protected it carefully, then clamped the horse's belly with both legs, and the green horse jumped out immediately.Qi Sang hurriedly followed.

Speeding up all the way, Xu Zhongxuan didn't say a word, but Qi Sang followed behind him, only getting more and more surprised.

This, this is the way back to Tongzhou.It's getting dark today, what is the young master going back to Tongzhou for?In the past, sometimes the young master didn't necessarily go back when he was taking a rest, but why did he run back now?
In less than half an hour, Xu Zhongxuan and Qi Sang returned to Xu's house.

They didn't enter through the main entrance, they just entered from Xu Zhongxuan's study through the back door, and then arrived at Ningcui Xuan.

It was past Xuzheng at this time, and Xu Miaojin, under the service of Qingzhu, was picking off the hairpin and silk flowers on her head, and was about to go to bed to rest.

Xing'er hurriedly lifted the curtain and came in, announcing: "Miss, the eldest son is here."

"What did you say?" Xu Miaojin suddenly turned her head, with a look of surprise and disbelief, "My elder brother is back?"

Xing'er nodded: "Exactly. The eldest son is sitting in the outer room right now."

Xu Miaojin felt uneasy for a moment, just thinking, what kind of big event happened, to make the elder brother rush back after such a meeting?This has never happened before.

For a moment, she didn't care about undoing half of her bun, and hurriedly got up and walked into the bright room.

But I saw Xu Zhongxuan sitting in the first rose chair on the left, leaning halfway, leaning his elbows on the table, and resting his forehead with his hands. In the shadow of the candlelight, it can be seen that his eyes are closed and his face is full of fatigue.

Xu Miaojin approached cautiously, and called softly: "Brother, brother."

Xu Zhongxuan slowly opened his eyes.Seeing Xu Miaojin, a smile appeared on his face, and he also called out: "Jin'er."

Xu Miaojin was worried, and asked a little uneasy: "Brother, what's wrong with you, why do you look so bad? Also, you ran back now, but what happened?"

Something must have happened, she was thinking silently in her heart, otherwise the elder brother would never have come back so uncharacteristically so late.Tomorrow he will go to the official office of the Ministry of Rites to make an appointment.Coming back so late, and the capital was under curfew at night, he naturally couldn't go back now, so he had to wait until tomorrow before dawn before rushing back to Yingmao.

It was only then that Xu Zhongxuan realized that his willful actions might have frightened his sensitive and suspicious younger sister, so he quickly said: "It's nothing. It's just that I had a few drinks with my colleagues earlier. , I just drank too much."

Xu Miaojin was still asking: "Then what are you doing running back now? Don't you have to go to the Ministry of Rites to apply for a job tomorrow?"

Xu Zhongxuan didn't answer, but beckoned Qingzhu to come over, handed over the two boxes of pagoda cakes that he had been holding all the time, and ordered: "Send these two boxes of pagoda cakes to Miss Jian."

Qing Zhu was a little stunned, and Xu Miaojin was also stunned.

After a while, she realized that she raised her eyebrows in anger, gritted her teeth, and asked, "Feelings, you have come back so late, and you have to go to the official office of the Ministry of Rites to apply for a job tomorrow, just to give Sister Yan sent these two boxes of pagoda cakes?"

"I was at the banquet just now, and I felt good after eating this pagoda tree cake. I think Miss Jian must like it," he explained a few words, then turned his head and said to Qingzhu, "I will eat this pagoda tree cake later. When the flower cake is sent over, don’t say it’s from me, just say it’s from your girls.”

Qingzhu replied yes, and reached out to take the two boxes of Sophora japonica cakes.

Xu Miaojin was so angry that she didn't know what to say.

The person in front of me who does whatever she wants, just to bring back two boxes of Sophora japonica cakes, has driven so long in the dark, regardless of going to the yamen tomorrow, is really her thoughtful, calm and introverted person. , the big brother who never gets emotional?This is not as good as that young man who just fell in love and didn't know what to do.

But seeing him close his eyes tiredly, Xu Miaojin swallowed all the words that Xu Miaojin wanted to blame.

After winking at Qingzhu, Xu Miaojin quietly lifted the curtain and left the room.

Standing on the gravel road in the courtyard, Xu Miaojin told Xing'er to go to the kitchen immediately, and ordered Xia's mother to make a bowl of hangover soup.But Xing'er replied with some embarrassment: "Girl, where is Mama Xia in the kitchen at this time? She has gone back a long time ago. Even those rough envoys who were on duty at night probably have already left, so where is Mama Xia?" Who makes hangover soup?"

When Xu Miaojin heard this, she was angry and anxious, but there was nothing she could do for a while. After all, it was already too late, and she couldn't just pull Mother Xia up from the bed for a bowl of hangover soup.And if this matter is too publicized and the people in the teaching house know about it, what will they think of her elder brother and sister Yan tomorrow?So it had to be done.

Qing Zhu was standing beside the two boxes of Sophora japonica cakes in her hands, and asked at this moment: "Miss, what do you want to tell the servant?"

Xu Miaojin thought to herself, big brother obviously has sister Yan in his heart, even after eating a locust flower cake, he thought it was delicious, and even sent it back specially, but did not let sister Yan do anything Do you know what he thinks?He didn't want Qing Zhu to tell Sister Yan that he had specially sent back the pagoda flower cake, but he wanted Qing Zhu to tell Sister Yan, otherwise, wouldn't the elder brother's affection be in vain?

So she asked Qingzhu to bow her head, and whispered something to her like this.Qingzhu understood, held the two boxes of Sophora japonica cakes in both hands, ordered the little maid to carry the lanterns in front, and then headed towards the Hexiangyuan.

(End of this chapter)