The Pearl of the Lady

Chapter 73 New Year's Eve (1)
The carriage passed through the streets of Chang'an. Tonight, Chang'an City lived up to the silence of the previous night. Lanterns were hung high in every house, and laughter and laughter flew from the walls. The cold winter wind suddenly became weak, and there was no threat to the candlelight under the eaves. .

Princess Hua'an told Ah Fu who was lying on the window looking out, "It's almost here, put on your cloak."

"Whose carriage is that? Why was it taken to the front by the little yellow gate as soon as it arrived?" The people waiting in line whispered rather unconvinced. After all, there are many dignitaries in the capital, and many princes have to be obedient here now. Line up, but whose carriage is that?
"Shh, that's the carriage of Duke Gu's mansion. Look at the Peony Order of Princess Hua'an hanging on it."

The man before that immediately stopped talking.

"Happy New Year, Mr. Gu, I wish you a happy and protracted year." The Palace Gate Commander bowed his hands and saluted with a smile.

Gu Zhao nodded slightly, "You are fine too."

Without using other guards, the palace gatekeeper circled the carriage twice, recorded the number of people entering the palace, and then let it go with a smile. Other people around the palace gate had to get out of the carriage and walk. Gu Qiying wore a With a thick cloak, he got off from another carriage with a hand stove in his hand, watching the carriage enter the palace gate and go away with heavy eyes.

Wei Sheng felt sorry for Ah Fu's young age, and fearing that the night would be cold, he specially ordered the carriage with the Peony Order of Princess Hua'an to go to the Li main gate of the palace, and after passing the Li main gate, it was only a few steps to the main hall of the palace banquet.

In the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, men and women do not sit separately, but each family sits together. Princess Hua’an’s family sits under the steps to the left of His Majesty. When Ah Fu just sat down, Little Huomiao ran down and stuffed her with a purse Ah Fu sniffed it, but it smelled like menthol and fenugreek.

"Why are you giving me this?"

"I asked Emperor Father, he usually wears a sachet when he needs to drink. I ordered this from the imperial doctor. You can smell it when you drink too much, but... but... it's best not to drink too much .”

Listening to the conversation between the two, Princess Hua'an couldn't help laughing, and nodded at Ah Fu's forehead, "Yi'er still remembers that you secretly drank pepper and cypress wine at the New Year's Eve dinner last year, in case you would run to His Majesty's table to grab food again."

"Where do I have it? You must have misremembered." Ah Fu grabbed his fingers and refused to admit it.

"Misremember? I don't know who drank more than half of a pot of pepper and cypress wine without paying attention. He sat in front of His Majesty and said, 'Uncle, I'm hungry'. He had a headache the next day." Gu Qixuan probed Come and make fun of Ah Fu.

Ah Fu had no choice but to deny it, so he said: "Last year was the first time I drank alcohol."

The number of people gradually increased, and Little Huo Miao had to go back, but he still didn't feel relieved and ordered, "Don't drink too much."

Ah Fu pushed him impatiently, "I got it," and whispered in his ear, "You remember to sneak over and find me, let's set off firecrackers."

Little Flame nodded with bright eyes.

Huge candles were lit in the palace, and agarwood was burned, making the night as if it were day. Following the master of ceremonies' "Rise", the Minister of Taichang Temple led his officials and thousands of Royal Song and Dance Orchestra. Male and female team members perform "Nuo Dance" in front of the main hall. The Nuo Dance means expelling evil spirits and plagues. The protagonist of this Nuo Dance is a boy who wears a hideous mask, red and black clothes, and dances with drums. , The action is heroic.

The next thing is to open the table. The graceful maids shuttled between the tables with trays, serving dishes one after another, removing the previous round and putting down new ones. His Majesty gave each table pepper. Baijiu, and specially asked the servant to bring his reminder, "Drink less, be careful and get a headache tomorrow."

As soon as Ah Fu raised his head, he stuck out his tongue at His Majesty.

Halfway through the banquet, Ah Fu also came forward to toast with his mother, holding a wine glass, "I wish my uncle a happy and prosperous new year, good luck."

Wei Sheng drank the wine in his glass and said with a smile, "I also wish our little Ah Fu all the best."

Ah Fu held the wine glass and went to toast the Queen Mother, "I wish grandma a happy new day and a long life."

The queen mother also told Ah Fu not to drink too much. It seems that her drunkenness last year was really impressive.

Ah Fu went to toast the queen again, "I wish my aunt a happy new year"

The queen also drank the cup, smiled and touched Ah Fu's head, "May our little Ah Fu become more and more beautiful."

Ah Fu finally held the wine glass to Xiao Huomiao. Xiao Huomiao was young, and His Majesty was afraid that he would feel uncomfortable drinking and hurt his body. He always returned the toast with plain water. Ah Fu ran over, and Xiao Huomiao also drank a cup. He probably really didn't have much alcohol, his face turned red immediately, and he whispered to Ah Fu, "I'll ask someone to bring your favorite stewed delicacies, and I'll send another to your table later." Wei Yi saw it just now Ah Fu changed the dishes before he had time to pinch a few times. Ah Fu stared at the maid carrying the plate down, his small eyes were reluctant to part.

Ah Fu was also very moved by his little cousin's thoughtfulness. If it wasn't for the public to destroy the dignified image of a prince of a country, Ah Fu would definitely rub his hair, but with so many people watching, Ah Fu can only be moved Glancing at him, he said in a low voice, "Well, don't forget to sneak over to find me, and go find the firecrackers safely."

"I'll go over after the toast in a while."

A group of people wore thick cloaks and walked to the open space outside the hall. Ping An was waiting there, but Wei Yi looked unhappy. He wanted to set off firecrackers with Ah Fu, but Wei Qi followed him. During the entanglement, even the four-year-old fourth prince Wei Yu was brought along.

Of course, most people would not be able to tell that he was unhappy. His Highness the Crown Prince himself usually has a dignified and silent temperament, which is exactly his daily image.

But Ah Fu felt the little cousin's displeasure. Wei Qi leaned beside her and chattered all the way. Ah Fu walked fast when he walked, and slow when Ah Fu walked slowly. Ah Fu couldn't get rid of him and walked to Xiao Huomiao's side go.

"Oh, you lost something." Ah Fu pointed to his feet, trying to run to Xiao Huomiao while Wei Qi was watching. Who knew that Wei Qi bowed his head, but held Ah Fu's arm tightly.

Little Huomiao quit, and he originally lured Ah Fu to care and comfort himself. With Wei Qi like this, Ah Fu couldn't come over, so he stepped forward and dragged Ah Fu away, "Hurry up, the banquet is over in a while, and we still have to wait." Go to the grill."

He was afraid that Wei Qi would pull Ah Fu's other hand, so he pulled Wei Yu who had been obediently following him and put him on the other side of Ah Fu, "He is young, don't fall, you hold him a little bit."

"Little Huomiao looks like a big brother." Ah Fu smiled and took Wei Yu's hand.

(End of this chapter)