Su Chen raised his head, glanced at Changsun Wuji, then shook his head and said: "It's nothing, I just didn't sleep well last night, and I encountered some trivial things today, it's nothing serious."
Hearing this, Changsun Wuji was very surprised.
Su Chen can't sleep well?
Could it be that, like the situation with His Majesty before, he was haunted by evil spirits?
Changsun Wuji also wanted to ask for some information, but Su Chen ignored them one by one.
In this regard, Changsun Wuji had nothing to say.
Since this is something that even Su Chen is troubled by, then even if he knew about it, he wouldn't be able to help much.
"Lord Protector, if you need anything, just let me know."
After exchanging polite words with Su Chen, Changsun Wuji returned to his seat.
After Changsun Wuji talked with Su Chen, the atmosphere at the banquet changed slightly. It seemed that everyone would glance at Su Chen inadvertently, with various meanings in their eyes.
As Su Chen is the Protector of the Country, there are countless powerful and important ministers here who want to make friends with him. However, because Su Chen's identity and status are too transcendent, almost second only to His Majesty Li Er, no one dared to take the initiative at the beginning.
Go and toast to Su Chen.
Changsun Wuji's behavior obviously made a very good start, which gave them a glimmer of hope.
"Duke Protector, I am Wang Hu of the Ministry of War. I have admired the name of Duke Protector for a long time. When I meet you today, your reputation is well-deserved. I would like to express my respect to you for this glass of wine."
A middle-aged man with tiger eyes and thick eyebrows came to propose a toast to Su Chen with a kind smile.
"It turns out to be Mr. King of the Ministry of War. I'll drink this glass of wine first as a token of respect."
With a casual polite word, Su Chen drank the wine in the glass.
"Duke Protector, this is Liu Yi from the Ministry of Rites. We met once during the last canonization ceremony. I didn't expect that Duke Protector is even more charming now!"
"It turns out to be Mr. Liu!"
Su Chen put on a smile again and had a drink with him.
After seeing that both officials successfully struck up a conversation with Su Chen, the eyes of all the other officials at the banquet shone.
"The Protector of the Country is at the lower household..."
"Duke Protector, I'm at the Ministry of Works..."
"The Protector of the Country, I am with the Ministry of Officials..."
…
Just like that, officials one after another came to Su Chen's seat as if they were lined up and toasted politely with him. Su Chen was greatly disturbed by them.
Today, I was not in a good mood because of the portrait of the door god, and now I have to be polite to so many people. Su Chen felt very depressed.
But it happened that these people were the pillars of the Tang Dynasty, and they all came to greet them with smiles. Even if he didn't give them any face, Su Chen could only work up the energy to toast them one by one.
After countless toasts and the maids changing bottles of wine, Su Chen was really annoyed, so he just found an excuse and fled the scene.
"My lords, I'm going out to relieve myself."
After saying that, Su Chen left the seat directly.
"call!"
"I'm really exhausted. How come this kind of drinking party was so popular in that era?"
After leaving the Manna Hall and being blown by the cold wind, Su Chen suddenly felt much clearer and his mood became less depressed.
After looking at the banquet behind him, Su Chen turned around and left.
Seeing that Su Chen had not come back after leaving for a long time, many officials who had not toasted Su Chen became a little anxious. They went around to inquire about Su Chen, but found nothing.
…
Royal Garden.
"It's better for me, the young master, to be clean and comfortable alone!"
After wandering around the palace for a long time, Su Chen came to the Imperial Garden, found a place and sat down.
After such a long time, Su Chen had almost sobered up from the wine, and his mood began to clear up.
A gust of cold wind blew, and Su Chen felt a chill.
"It's so cold. It's time to go back."
After tightening his clothes, Su Chen prepared to get up and return to the banquet.
It's really cold outside, but it's still warm inside.
However, after walking for who knows how long, Su Chen suddenly discovered a very serious problem.
That is……
I seem to be lost...
"Isn't it?
I'm actually lost?"
The corner of Su Chen's mouth twitched slightly, feeling that everything was really not going well for him today.
On weekdays, he didn't come to the palace very often. He only knew how to walk in the company of Princess Changle. Now he was walking alone in this huge imperial garden, and he didn't know the way at all...
"Old Li, really, why did you build such a big garden when you have nothing to do..."
After walking around for a while, Su Chen realized that he really couldn't remember the road at all.
It was dark at night, with no lighting except a few lanterns...
Tonight was supposed to be a grand banquet held in the Ganlu Palace, so most of the palace ladies and scary people went there to wait, and they never thought that anyone would come to the Imperial Garden to wander around at night.
"It seems I can only catch them blindly..."
Su Chen sighed softly and had no choice but to continue wandering around, marking the paths he had taken at the same time so that he would not have to come back later.
After walking for a while, Su Chen finally saw a house with lights on.
This surprised Su Chen, and he quickly strode up.
When Su Chen approached, he saw clearly that this seemed to be a residence for servants. The wooden boards outside did not completely block the cold wind, leaving glaring holes. Even the window paper on the windows was exposed to the cold wind.
teetering on the edge.
"anyone there?"
Although he knew that he should not come into contact with these servants and slaves due to his status, Su Chen now had no choice but to knock on the door.
"Who?"
A somewhat familiar voice came from the house, but Su Chen couldn't remember who it was for a while.
Soon, after a hurried sound of dressing, a timid little figure appeared in front of Su Chen.
And this person is none other than Mei Niang.
"Mei Niang?
How will you be here?"
Su Chen was very surprised to see that he met Mei Niang by such a coincidence.
Is this God's arrangement?
After I got lost, I just walked around randomly, but I still met this little girl in a place like this?
Looking at this dilapidated house, Su Chen knew that this little girl must not be living a very good life.
“Protect… Lord Protector?
!”
Looking at Su Chen outside the door, Mei Niang was also frightened.
"Lord Protector, it's cold and windy outside, you'd better come in first to take shelter."
Mei Niang said softly.
"Um."
Su Chen nodded and did not refuse.
It is winter now, and the nights in the palace are indeed very cold. When he first came out, the warm clothes on his body were left in place, and the clothes on his body were very thin.
