Although there are many inconveniences in attending the palace banquet, this is because officials and wives are used to enjoying it. In fact, the preparations for the palace banquet are still complete.
After all, it is an imperial city.
For example, the female family members have enough maids to serve them, and there are gorgeous and comfortable dressing rooms with bright lights, faint fragrance, and warm fires. Many women will come here to rest while changing, and chat and laugh with their acquaintances.
"The young lady from the Lu family said she wanted to be more convenient, so I took her over here."
A palace maid said nervously, pointing to a palace in front where the dressing room was, and then looking at Zhu Chuan standing in front of her.
Zhu Chuan's face was dark and gloomy, and he looked scary.
When he realized that no one was in sight, he rushed over immediately. Fortunately, there were many maids and servants at the palace banquet, so no one could disappear. Sure enough, when he asked, the maid serving Lu Yizhi immediately pointed out his whereabouts.
The palace maid was really afraid of Du Chasi, so she personally brought Zhu Chuan over, and then went to look for the palace maids here to ask if any such and such young lady had gone in.
"The lady with only one pearl?"
"Here he is, he's inside."
That young lady was different from other young ladies in that she only had a simple pearl hairpin. But to the palace ladies, that pearl was very valuable and only ladies in the palace could have it, so the impression was profound.
Zhu Chuan's face softened a little, it was convenient to go, he curled his lips, who asked her to eat so much and drink so much, she didn't stop after sitting down, why was she so greedy, even in the Inspectorate, she ate all the food every time.
Don’t even those named Lu dare to talk about her?
Don’t you know what the occasion is?
Well, the man named Lu didn't dare to tell me. If he came, he would just stand here and wait.
Seeing Zhu Chuan standing aside motionless, the maids winked at each other, nervous and curious, who was that lady? They even asked Zhu Chuan from the Ducha Division to personally chase her and ask.
Women's low voices and laughter sounded here, mixed with "Go back quickly, Mr. Lu San has been invited to compose a poem." "You can't miss this masterpiece." Then a group of women came out, their dresses fluttering.
Pass.
There were also cheers at the imperial banquet over there, drowning out the drumming, singing and dancing.
Zhu Chuan curled his lips again, maybe because he is good-looking. Is the Third Young Master Lu that good-looking? He is not as good-looking as the Governor.
If the governor could compose poetry, everyone would be in high demand.
Well, can the governor compose poetry?
He remembered that when the governor was young, he practiced martial arts diligently and also read and wrote. General Liang said that the eighth son must be both civil and military.
Zhu Chuan couldn't help but smile, Eighth Young Master...
The thought flashed across my mind, and I shuddered violently, shaking my head.
The young master warned himself that there is no past and he is not allowed to think about the past anymore.
He exhaled and stomped his feet, which were a little sore...
Um?
Feet sore? How long has he been standing?
wrong!
Zhu Chuan stood up straight suddenly, feeling the cold wind coming in from his ankles and spreading all over his body instantly.
He raised his feet and rushed into the hall in front of him, and the hall was filled with women's exclamations.
…
…
High up in the imperial city, the young man wearing a blue official robe raised a glazed lantern. The lantern shone on his face. He smiled slightly. At that moment, all the lights seemed to be focused on him.
If all the lanterns are eclipsed.
"Lu Hanlin received a glass lamp from His Majesty."
Accompanied by the long announcement of the chamberlain, cheers rang out at the banquet. Different from the previous calls, this time the women's voices were the loudest.
Seeing that Lu Yizhi was so popular, the emperor smiled and specially asked him to sit next to him. The little princess also ran over from his mother and concubine and discussed poetry with him in a crisp voice. The maids also poured wine and brought fruit plates to hang around him.
"It's good to be young." Several veterans also joked.
"Wrong, it's better if you look good." Another veteran said with a smile.
"As long as you look good, you won't be able to stand here." Another veteran said.
Third Young Master Lu is a man of true talent and learning. He is a young and talented young man who shines brightly and is impeccable.
Lu Yizhi could feel the gazes gathered on him and the discussions around him. He accepted it calmly and kept his figure upright without looking around. However, there was a strange line of sight from the corner of the wall.
Lu Yizhi turned around and looked over, and saw a person standing in the corner where the lanterns could not shine. He seemed to be integrated into the night, but could not be ignored. His face was covered with a layer of soft light, and the robes on his body shone with golden light.
Huo Lian.
Lu Yizhi withdrew his gaze. Governor Huo could look at whomever he wanted, and it wouldn't be strange to look at anyone.
"Master Lu." The queen turned her head from the front and asked with a smile, "Aqing has something to do today, did you come alone?"
Lu Yizhi hurriedly said: "With my sister at home."
The Queen smiled and said, "Should we ask her to come too? Miss Xiahou is not here either, so there is no one to accompany her."
Lu Yizhi hurriedly saluted and thanked him: "My sister is timid and has no fame or rank. According to the rules, she cannot come before the king."
The Queen smiled: "Master Lu is so upright."
How many people would love to support their entire family if they have this opportunity?
She glanced at the emperor and said calmly: "Only when there are rules can we achieve success. Lu Hanlin, whom Your Majesty has appointed, is indeed a man of both political integrity and talent."
These words made sense. The emperor just pretended not to hear and asked the little princess to come and sit in his arms, pointing to the front: "Are the lanterns good-looking? Take a good look at the lanterns. Don't worry about one thing or the other."
The little princess didn't understand but it didn't stop her from nodding happily.
The queen's mouth sank and she continued to look at the lamp.
Everyone around them just pretended not to notice the feud between the emperor and the empress. Huo Lian also withdrew her gaze and turned around because Zhu Chuan came up.
"Captain." Under the flickering lanterns, Zhu Chuan's face turned pale and his voice sounded like a mosquito, "She's gone."
…..
…..
A gust of night wind swirled, the lanterns swayed, and there seemed to be a cold gaze looking over. Lu Yi subconsciously looked at the corner, and Huo Lian, who was standing there just now, disappeared.
The figure moved, and a guard came to hold up a curtain to cover the emperor.
"Master Lu." Another guard came up to him, "Feng Da, we will also set up a tent for you."
Lu Yizhi was a little surprised and hurriedly said no, but the guard was not asking for his opinion. As soon as he finished speaking, four guards had already pulled up the curtain and surrounded him.
Is this how you are treated before the emperor?
Lu Yizhi paused slightly while holding the tea cup and said thank you.
…
…
"I've searched all over the women's clean room."
Zhu Chuan whispered, with thin beads of sweat on his forehead.
There is no need to mention how much panic he caused when he rushed into the place where the women were. It would have been a mercy of Duchasi not to lock up all the women present at the time.
"I've also looked for the man."
But there was no trace of the woman.
"Did this lunatic treat the imperial city as our capital city and wander around casually?"
"Captain, will all the guards be mobilized?"
If that's the case, if we find this woman's whereabouts, we'll kill her on the spot.
Huo Lian looked back. The little princess didn't know what she said, and the emperor laughed heartily.
"Don't alarm your Majesty. Today is your happy time." He said, looking around at the bright lights, "Let the guards guard the checkpoint and let our people search around. Don't alarm other people."
Zhu Chuan responded, gritting his teeth and holding his knife as he scattered around the imperial city.
Huo Lian stood there for a moment, looked around and thought for a moment, then looked in one direction after a while.
The palace lanterns throughout the imperial city were bright, the banquet was lively, and the banquet was also lively outside. The white jade railings and arch bridges were crystal clear, and the inner river was also dotted with lanterns and sparkling.
On the Neiyu River Bridge, groups of men, women, and children were leaving their seats, and groups of maids and maids came and went.
"It's so scary. People from Duchasi rushed into the clean room just now..."
"Don't be afraid, they are not scheming, there must be a thief to catch."
"Hey, wouldn't this be more scary?"
The women who stepped onto the bridge were talking in low voices, and suddenly there was a boo, and the voices stopped, and the women couldn't help but stop and look at the man walking in front of them.
"It's Huo..."
"Shhhh."
Huo Lian stepped onto the bridge, followed by two guards. Huo Lian did not look at the women, but turned her head to talk to the guards.
At this time, a group of palace maids also came up, holding various utensils in their hands.
The bridge suddenly became a little crowded.
The women hurriedly avoided to the right. Although the maids lowered their heads, they keenly avoided to the left, leaving some distance between them.
Each of the two parties took more cautious steps to meet Governor Huo head-on.
One woman couldn't help but look up.
"It's really beautiful." She whispered to the companion beside her, "No wonder when I came to Beijing back then, some women fainted after seeing it."
Although she didn't mention her name, everyone on both sides knew who she was talking about, and they pinched her arms in fright.
"Don't look around." "You can even faint if you look at it now." "I'll scare you!"
Huo Lian didn't pay attention to the whispers of the women, and only spoke to the guards: "Don't be afraid of offending anyone. If you are walking around or making noise according to the rules, you will be taken down, no matter what your identity is."
The guards answered yes again.
Huo Lian looked forward, not squinting at the maids and ladies walking by on both sides.
But I don't know whether it was because the bridge was uneven, or because she was holding too many things in her hands, or because she was just a little nervous. The palace maid on the left who was walking at the end of the queue suddenly swayed.
The next moment, a strong wind seemed to sweep past, and with a pop, the person fell into the inner river under the bridge.
The ladies and maids on the bridge were all stunned. Before they could react, their eyes were dazzled and there was another pop, and someone jumped into the Neiyu River.
"Fell into the water——"
The shouts on the bridge immediately rang out, and the noise spread everywhere.
The girl who just marveled at Huo Lian's beauty covered her mouth.
Although she turned her head hastily, it didn't prevent her from catching a glimpse of the last figure.