Splendid Book

Chapter 41 A Lantern

Because Ji Yu personally invited him, even the old lady couldn't stop her.So Chunliu and the other servant girls quickly took out the clothes they didn't have time to wear during the Chinese New Year, and asked her to try them on, lest they would not fit well during the Lantern Festival.

Shen Changle thought they were making a fuss at first, but she was dumbfounded when the upper body of the clothes was really empty.

"The girl has been lying on the bed for the past half month, and she eats very little, so she won't lose weight," Chunliu said distressedly while measuring her waist behind her.Shen Changle has been ill for the past few days, and these servant girls are busy taking care of her, for fear that something will happen.

People are better now, but they lost a lot of weight all of a sudden.

Shen Changle pinched his cheeks, couldn't help laughing and said, "Are you really thin?"

Chunliu thought that she didn't believe her words, so she immediately said, "That's natural, but you've lost weight. The clothes are newly made this year, so how long has it been? They're all a bit looser."

Because this dress is a waist-cut style, so the waist will be empty, so it means that you have lost weight.When Shen Changle heard this, his eyes widened.When she was a child, she was a chubby dumpling. She thought that when she grew up, she would gradually lose weight.But who knew that she would be a little girl now, and her chubby appearance really worried her, for fear that she would become a little fat man in the future.

Seeing her smile, Chunliu shook her head and sighed, "Miss is still smiling. When you came to the capital, you were still white and fat. If the old lady and the master come to the capital in the future and see you so thin, I'm afraid you will blame the servants and others. People don't serve good girls."

"Where, you don't know how to serve me so well," Shen Changle stretched out his hand to lift Chunliu's chin, looking like a vagabond.

This frightened Chunliu almost to cry out, only to hear her say angrily, "Girl, you, who did you learn from?" Then she remembered Shen Changle, who often played with some young cousins ​​recently, Maybe it's because the younger cousins ​​don't care what they say, so I let my young lady learn it.

So she couldn't say anything else, she just warned: "The girl can't do such a thing in front of others."

Shen Changle naturally knew the seriousness, but it was funny to see Chunliu being so angry, so she turned around and hugged her, and said delicately: "I listen to sister Chunliu in everything."

Lu Wu at the side saw it, and immediately burst out laughing, which actually made Chun Liu blush.

When it came to the Lantern Festival, not only the juniors came out to enjoy the lanterns, but even Mrs. Zhang and Mrs. Xu came out.Shen Changle followed the old lady's car, and just before the car reached the street, he heard the noise.Although the Lantern Festival in Guangping Mansion is also lively, it is still not as prosperous as the capital.

Shen Changle was sitting by the car, listening to the noise outside, his heart was soaring.Because there were too many people inside, no carriages were allowed in, so everyone got out of the carriages.Mrs. Xu supported Mrs. Zhang, while Zhang Xingzhi stood beside them.

But Zhang Xun and Zhang Yang came down and went straight to Shen Changle.They had already made an appointment with Ji Qijun before, so they had to lead Shen Changle there for this meeting.

Xu was afraid that they would not be able to take good care of Shen Changle if they were too playful, so she told her: "Xun'er, you are also the eldest brother, but you must take good care of your younger siblings. Changle's body is just right, you can take care of it, and don't let people squeeze you." with her."

"Mother, we all know, don't worry, I will take good care of Changle," Zhang Yang said as a promise, patted his chest.

Only then did Mrs. Xu nod her head, and said, "This is your chance to redeem yourself, so don't take care of my sister badly."

Zhang Yang nodded quickly, for fear that his mother would bring up the matter of Shen Changle's illness again.

So the three brothers and sisters led the servant and maid and left.Because of the large number of people, Shen Changle only brought Chunliu and Luwu out tonight, while Zhang Yang and the others also brought out their servants.So they walked in a group, and the servants walked on both sides and behind to protect them, for fear that others would bump into their little master.

They made an appointment to meet at the String Music Building, which is a famous restaurant in the capital, the most famous of which is Gui Le.Eating a meal here is estimated to be half a month's salary for a fourth-rank official.But even so, it can't stop people who come here to eat.I heard that when it comes to Chinese New Year, you have to book a seat half a month in advance.

As for the [-]th day of the first lunar month, because of the good location of his house, and the fact that the third floor has a sense of climbing high and looking far away, a seat on the upper floor is a must.

So as soon as Shen Changle heard that they were meeting here, Shen Changle naturally wanted to follow.After all, although she had heard of the name of the String Music Building before, she had never seen it once.Unexpectedly, in this life, I was lucky enough to come in here.

They came out earlier, so the people on the street were not so crowded, but there were already stalls of various lanterns on both sides, and there were all kinds of lights hanging on the street, competing for splendor, making people's eyes hard to know where to go. where to look.

After they walked and watched all the way, they slowly walked to the String Music Building.As soon as they arrived at the door, Ji Qijun's servant came over and said with a smile: "The first cousin, the second cousin, the cousin girl, our two young masters are already waiting upstairs, how many of you are here."

Zhang Xun nodded, then turned around and said, "Let's go upstairs for a rest first, and then come down for a stroll later. Opposite is Xizhi Street, which specializes in guessing lantern riddles. I'll take you there to have fun later."

Zhang Xun walked around Xizhi Street last year, and it is said that he won a lot of lanterns and went back.In the end, there were too many lanterns to take back, so I hired someone to send them to Jining Hou Mansion.Because of this, even his uncle said that he raised a wonderful son with a bright face.

So Zhang Yang has long been eager to try, and he is bound to break Zhang Xun's record last year.Shen Changle doesn't have such big ambitions, but she is not bad at guessing lantern riddles, and she wants to try her current strength.

They followed Ji Qijun's servant upstairs and headed straight to the third floor.Zhang Yang couldn't help being speechless, and said softly: "I heard that it's hard for even a thousand dollars to book a box here."

Even if the stringed building is expensive, it can't stop the big customers who come from south to north.In addition, the capital is a place where crouching tigers hide dragons, so no matter how expensive the land is, there are still people who are willing to pay for it.

When they entered the private room, they found that there were only Ji Qijun and Ji Qishu, and there was a double dragon opera lantern on the table, which was exquisitely crafted.

"You guys are here. If you don't come, I'll go to guess lantern riddles on Lantern Riddle Street," Ji Qishu said dissatisfied.

Zhang Yang snorted immediately, and said disdainfully: "It's just one lantern riddle, so I'll make you look like this. I'll go to Lantern Riddle Street to win you a few more later."

Zhang Yang and Ji Qishu were not only born in the same year, but also in the same month, with a difference of two days.Zhang Yang's birthday is NO.14, and Ji Qishu's birthday is NO.16. Because of these two days, Ji Qishu has to be called Zhang Yang's cousin.So from childhood to adulthood, these two people have pinched each other a lot, and no one is convinced anyway.

"Chang Le, come and sit down," Ji Qijun called Shen Changle to come and sit down because he was the eldest brother, so he didn't know their juniors.

As soon as Shen Changle came in, he didn't see Ji Yu, although there was no disappointment on his face, he was still a little disappointed.After all, it was because of Ji Yu that she was able to come out to enjoy the lanterns, so she didn't even say thank you to him.

It would be really embarrassing if she didn't even say thank you for such a big favor.

Shen Changle thought so in his heart, and nodded for his knowledge and reason.As a lady, this upbringing is still necessary.

So she asked, "Why hasn't my little brother come yet?"

"Why are you called Brother Ji Yu?" Ji Qishu couldn't hide his words the most. He wanted to ask why the two of them were so familiar with each other in Shen Changle's room that day, but when Ji Yu left , his elder brother took him away with him.Before he had time to ask, Shen Changle just mentioned this meeting, so he immediately asked with great interest.

Zhang Yang on the side also asked a little sourly: "That's right, cousin, you only saw him for a while."

"Who said that, he is my savior," Shen Changle immediately spoke for Ji Yu. After all, he is also her savior, so she must speak for him.

Savior?

These four words are really important, not to mention the interest of the two little ones, even Zhang Xun and Ji Qijun looked at each other, unable to hide their interest.And when Shen Changle saw the four elder brothers staring straight at her, he was a little dumbfounded.

In the end, Zhang Xun asked, "Are you and the Seventh Prince an old acquaintance?"

Shen Changle didn't speak.

Ji Qijun, who was sitting opposite Zhang Xun, asked again: "You two met in Guangping Mansion?"

Shen Changle still pursed his mouth and did not speak.

Ji Qishu couldn't help following his brother and said, "How did he save you?"

Shen Changle was thinking about how to describe it, when there was a bang, everyone's heads turned to Zhang Yang, and he said indignantly: "Cousin, I don't think the Seventh Prince has any good intentions, you are not allowed to associate with him. "

Everyone thought that he had something important to say, but who would have thought that he would say such a stupid thing now.Even the elder brother Zhang Xun couldn't help but sneered.

When Zhang Yang saw that no one took his words seriously, he became even angrier, and when he was about to speak again, Ji Yu came in.

He was wearing a silver and white brocade robe today. Under the dim light, his face was more delicate and white than porcelain, so handsome that people couldn't take their eyes off it.Shen Changle used to only remember his majesty after becoming the emperor, but now seeing him as a young man, he is tall and handsome, he is simply the most beautiful boy in the world.

"There was some delay on the way. I was late and kept everyone waiting," Ji Yu nodded. Although he didn't say sorry, he still explained the reason.

Ji Qijun got up immediately, and said with a smile, "We've only just arrived."

Although Ji Qijun is Ji Yu's cousin according to his age, but in the end Ji Yu is a serious prince.So the teenagers in the room stood up immediately.Ji Yu's eyes scanned the faces of everyone, and stayed on Shen Changle's face for a little longer, but he didn't show any unusual expressions.

Although Shen Changle didn't express anything on his face, he was still a little unhappy in his heart.It seems that after returning to the capital, the little brother has become the seventh prince and is no longer close to her.

"Everyone stay here," Ji Yu walked to the table, and after sitting down, he greeted everyone.

At this time, everyone also noticed the middle-aged man behind him, with a white face and no beard. Ji Qijun and his brother often walked in the palace, so they recognized the eunuch in the palace at a glance.As for Shen Changle, not only did she recognize this person as the eunuch in the palace, but she also recognized this person as the eunuch next to Concubine De.But logically speaking, he should be the personal eunuch next to Concubine De, why would he come out with Ji Yu again.

"When are we going to guess lantern riddles?" Although the windows are closed, this is a shop facing the street, and even on the third floor, you can hear the shouts of applause from downstairs.

So Zhang Yang couldn't help but ask.

Ji Yu glanced at him and said, "Since everyone can't wait, why don't we go there now."

Obviously this was approved by everyone, so everyone got up, Shen Changle put on the red peony rabbit fur cloak again, the soft light from the lantern above her head flowed quietly on her body, her delicate white face was covered by Surrounded by a red cloak, from Ji Yu's point of view, her nose is so white that it is almost transparent, so beautiful that you can't bear to blink.

After a while, Shen Changle took a few steps forward, moved away from under the lamp curtain, and Ji Yufang woke up.

He couldn't help turning his head away, but he laughed at himself in his heart.But she's just a little girl, why can't she let herself look away.If we really talk about beauty, let alone other people, it is the appearance of the mother and concubine, the best in the harem, and even the title of the most beautiful woman in the harem.From Ji Yu's point of view, even the title of the most beautiful woman in the capital is worthy of the concubine's mother.

So he smiled, took the lead and walked outside.

When the few people arrived downstairs, they didn't talk nonsense, and went straight to Lantern Riddle Street.Along the way, the two sides were more lively than before.When walking across the Zhuangyuan Bridge, I saw a juggler beside the bridge performing sword swallowing. He was naked and waved the sword in his hand.After a while, he held the long sword in both hands, and stuffed his mouth little by little.

The people around were all excited and applauded one after another.

This kind of place is the most mixed, so Zhang Xun ordered the boy to keep out of them, while Shen Changle walked among them.At this time, Shen Changle was looking at the bridge, and when she looked away, she happened to meet Ji Yu's eyes looking at her.

The moment their eyes met, the two looked at each other and smiled.

This kind of juggling reminded them of the theater troupe in Guangping Mansion, that time Ji Yu chased after her to save her just because she saw her innocent sleeping face.And Shen Changle was almost caught and sold by kidnappers because he watched the excitement for a while.For them, I am afraid that this is a scene that will never be forgotten in their lifetime.

Shen Changle still remembers the surprise he felt when Ji Yu's head popped out of the window when the window was opened.

When they got to Lantern Riddle Street, Zhang Yang and Ji Qishu competed. If you get a rabbit lantern, I will get a beauty lantern.You come and go, no one will let anyone else anyway.On the contrary, Zhang Xun was not in a hurry to guess the lantern riddles this time because he was in the limelight last year.He turned his head to look at Shen Changle, and asked softly: "Changle, do you have a favorite lantern?"

Shen Changle looked all the way over, his eyes were blurred, so he didn't see what he liked for a while.

Zhang Xun also saw it, so he said with a smile: "If you see any lamp, tell your brother."

Shen Changle nodded, but this "brother" reminded her of her two brothers.I don't know if the eldest brother and the second brother are also watching the lanterns today.Thinking that they might be guessing lantern riddles for Shen Yue and Shen Jin to win lanterns, she couldn't help being jealous.

So the excitement just now can't help but feel a little disappointed at this time.

Just as they were walking forward, they saw a stall at the door of a shop with the Four Treasures of the Study.Zhang Yang was so excited that he was about to go there immediately.Shen Changle didn't know it at first, but when he looked up and saw the name of this shop, he realized it.

If the most famous restaurant in the capital is String Music Restaurant, then the most famous bookstore is Lingyun Bookstore.And every year on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the owner will make a lantern with his own hands. The craftsmanship is so exquisite that even the most skilled lantern master will feel inferior.

At this time, the lantern had been hung up, and puzzles were written on the black board next to it.

Zhang Yang and Ji Qishu walked the fastest, but after they squeezed in, they couldn't figure it out for a long time.Because of Shen Changle's short stature, she stood on her toes and looked forward, but the people standing in front of her were all grown men, so it was useless for her to stand on her toes.

Looking at her standing on her toes behind her, Ji Yu couldn't help but smile.He signaled the person behind him to come forward, Shen Changle looked at the person and said a few words, and as expected, the crowd parted a small passage.They quickly followed the path that separated them and walked to the front.

As a result, before standing still, I met an acquaintance.

"Cousin," they just stood still when they heard the surprised voice from the person next to them.

Shen Changle turned his head, and saw a little girl wearing a pink and white satin-faced long trousers with gold trim, smiling at them from a few people away, and then she ran over, holding Ji Yu's hand, and Surprised and delighted, she said: "Cousin, why are you here? You shouldn't be in the palace..."

As if realizing that this sentence should not be said, she immediately bit her lip and smiled coquettishly at Ji Yu.

Shen Changle narrowed his eyes, watching her and Ji Yu talking intimately, and her arm was still on Ji Yu's.What surprised her the most was that Ji Yu didn't push her away.

Probably because there were too many people, the people behind pushed forward, pushing Shen Changle to the side again, so the girl happened to get in between her and Ji Yu, pushing her away a bit.

Ji Yu didn't seem to expect to look at it like this, and said lightly: "Where is your brother? You are a girl running around, it is not safe."

The little girl smiled, as if she felt concerned because of his concern, so she said more lively: "I'll guess the lantern riddles, where are they?"

Shen Changle had already turned his head to look at the puzzle on the opposite side, but the little girl's chattering voice could not be dispelled no matter what.

After a while she asked, "Cousin, how did you watch the Lantern Festival this year?"

"A reward from my mother," Ji Yu said.

"Then why didn't you call us, or you would watch the Lantern Festival by yourself, it would be so boring," the little girl said innocently and innocently, Shen Changle beside him couldn't help laughing, the girl rushed over just now At that moment, she could clearly see that she rolled her eyes at herself.

So this little girl doesn't know that Ji Yu came with her?
Although this little girl looks older than her, Shen Changle is not a child after all, so how could he not see her little tricks.It's just that she called out her cousin again and again, but Shen Changle couldn't help but recall which relative of Ji Yu this was.

Since he is a cousin, it should be the family of Empress Defei.It's just that when she entered the palace, she hadn't heard of such a person, but thinking about it, since she didn't marry Ji Yu at that time, she must have been married already.

Thinking of this, Shen Changle didn't care even more, so he focused on the puzzle.

As a result, the little girl next to her was really chattering and asking questions, but Ji Yu replied in a good-tempered manner.Fortunately, after a while, a few more people came over, and when they saw Ji Yu and the little girl together, their tense expressions relaxed.

I saw a young man wearing a black and green ermine cloak came over and said anxiously: "Yun'er, there are so many people outside, how can you run around like this?"

"Brother is fine, I bumped into my cousin," the little girl said with a laugh.

Ji Yu looked at the young man indifferently, and called out politely: "Cousin."

The young man smiled awkwardly, a little afraid to look at Ji Yu.If it weren't for the fact that there were too many people here, I'm afraid he would have to greet Ji Yu.

The few people they brought squeezed inside, and Ji Qijun quickly stood aside to protect her.She said thank you in a low voice, and Ji Qijun said gently: "There are many people here, you have to be careful."

At this time, Zhang Yang and Ji Qishu also came back, and neither of them could guess the answer to this mystery.

Shen Changle smiled at them, and said with a smile: "Seeing that you two are still proud."

Zhang Yang said a little unconvinced: "Don't say we can't guess, I think even the eldest brother and the others must not be able to guess."

Shen Changle looked up at the lantern hanging there, it was really beautiful.

As a result, there was an inappropriate voice beside him at this time, calling out delicately: "Cousin, that lantern is so beautiful, I want it too."

She turned her head to look at the person who was speaking, and saw that her eyes were also clinging to Ji Yu's arm, but her eyes glanced over here triumphantly.At this moment, Shen Changle finally remembered who she was.It turned out that she was Concubine Zide's niece, Qiao Yun.

In the previous life, Ji Yu had reached the age of marriage, and Qiao Yun was the best candidate for the princess.In addition, they are childhood sweethearts, so everyone thinks that this is a perfect couple.But who knows that Qiao Yun finally married Wu Wang Shenchang.

And after Ji Yu ascended the throne, it was even rumored that he had an unforgettable love for Qiao Yun.He didn't get married until he was 24 years old, and everyone said that he was unforgettable to Qiao Yun.

Shen Changle looked at him, only to see that he had a gentle expression, staring at the lantern.

The next moment he walked out.

But Shen Changle had an indescribable feeling in her heart. She thought that she thought Qiao Yun was just an unimportant person, but now it seems that she is a cousin, so how can she be unimportant.But at this time, when she recalled those rumors from her previous life, she didn't know which one was true and which one was false.

And Ji Yu has already walked to the book table, which is different from other places, as long as you tell the lantern riddles.The stall at Lingyun Bookstore requires you to write down the answers to the riddles yourself.It is said that once someone was refused to send lanterns because the owner was not satisfied with his handwriting.

So after Ji Yu wrote down the answer calmly, the shopkeeper next to him stepped forward to read the answer.Everyone was waiting for the result, and after a while, the master nodded and said, "This young man has written the correct answer to the riddle, so this year's best lantern in Lingyun Bookstore is yours."

Everyone was shocked. In previous years, almost no one could carry the lanterns of Lingyun Bookstore until the middle of the night.But how long has it been since the lantern festival started? Someone guessed it was a young boy at this age.It's really scary for young people.

Qiao Yun applauded desperately from the side, and shouted: "Cousin is really amazing, cousin is amazing."

The shopkeeper took the palace lantern off the shelf with his own hands and handed it to Ji Yu.Qiao Yun on the side originally wanted to go up to him, but she always felt that she should be reserved, so she stood there and was ready to wait for Ji Yu to come over and give him the lantern.

And Ji Yu took the lantern and walked towards them.

Shen Changle lowered his head, not wanting to see Qiao Yun's complacent appearance beside him.It's just a lantern. When her big brother comes next year, he will definitely win a lantern for her.She wasn't envious at all.

As a result, when she was staring at her toes, she heard Ji Yu ask softly: "Is there silver on the ground?"

"Ah?" She was startled, looked up, and saw him staring at her with a smile hidden in his eyes.Her cheeks turned red, feeling embarrassed.

"Here you are," Ji Yu handed the lamp pole in front of her, motioning for her to take the lantern.

Shen Changle was shocked immediately, she didn't expect Ji Yu to give herself the lantern she won, this...

"You haven't been staring at this lantern since just now," Ji Yu's voice carried a faint, unignorable laughter.

(End of this chapter)