Luo Pei returned to the cabin, feeling uneasy. The governor had nothing to do and was busy with a lot of official duties. He would leave at a banquet tomorrow.
But he himself was in trouble.
"As for the astrology, how can the emperor punish me?"
"Su Ziji is also in big trouble. What does the King of Shu think of me?"
He also thought about the journey to the capital. Since the emperor was ordered to return to the capital as soon as possible, of course he did not dare to delay. It was not until Zhang Sui asked to see him that Luo Pei came to his senses and asked, "What's going on?"
"Master Su made some suggestions. The first thing is to dress. For tomorrow's banquet, should we not wear official uniforms but wear casual clothes, which would be more relaxed?"
Luo Pei understood immediately. Indeed, Su Ziji was in an awkward position now, so he immediately said: "I thought there was something important. Of course, I just said it. Anyway, I have already eaten the dust-cleansing banquet."
Seeing that Zhang Sui was listening respectfully and had not yet left, he asked again: "Is there anything else?"
"Mr. Su said, I don't understand the etiquette I taught you earlier. Is it possible to win a fortune at the banquet and treat it as a questionnaire?"
Luo Pei didn't understand at first, but after explaining it in detail, he realized that he originally wanted to hold a seminar so that Su Ziji could gain more knowledge and nutrition. Although he was a little disapproving, he still nodded: "This is a small matter, okay!"
"Then I will go and answer the question." Zhang Sui said respectfully and stepped back.
Looking at his disappearing back, Luo Pei's expression turned pale and he frowned.
Have you flattered such a small official in the past?
Next day·Night banquet
At this moment, the weather was good, and although the crimson clouds were getting heavier and heavier, it did not rain. The banquet was held as scheduled, not at a restaurant in the city, but at a house on the shore.
This place was originally a private residence for local dignitaries, and usually only a few old servants looked after the house, which was not used much. At this time, it was temporarily requisitioned, and the owner of the house was happy to do so. It also saved the imperial envoys from traveling around, which was convenient for everyone.
The open space in front of the house is very spacious and is used to park the ox-carts of officials from the city. Before the banquet, hundreds of ox-carts had already parked.
Su Ziji didn't do any tricks. He came directly after just a few steps. He glanced around and saw that there was no need to enter the hall. As long as he got to the door, he could see that the lights were brightly lit and everything was neatly tidied up.
Although it is autumn now and is a bit cold, it is obviously not a big deal to entertain hundreds of officials at once and just place a banquet in the hall.
The ground in the entire yard was laid out and looked flat and clean, while temporary colorful sheds were erected. There were tables and chairs inside the sheds. Although the dishes had not yet been served, some fruit snacks were already on the table.
Lanterns and oil lamps were also lit, and the bright light illuminated both the inside and outside. The aroma of wine and food continued to spread, and the fragrance attracted greedy people to come out.
Several people in official uniforms were constantly patrolling. There were no fewer officers and soldiers standing guard and patrolling than in the main courtyard. The imperial envoy and the governor would all attend the banquet. If someone tampered with the food, if something went wrong, it would be a big deal.
As soon as I walked in, I listened to people's voices, drinking tea, whispering, coughing, yawning, talking and laughing... everything was there.
I heard someone whisper: "It's right for the imperial envoy to go back. It's been half a year since he came out. What's the reason for Su Zi to be recalled after serving less than half a year?"
"Yes, it's strange. He is the number one scholar in this year's class. The number one scholar is awarded the title of editor and editor of the Hanlin Academy. This is very normal."
"But if you don't study history, don't observe politics in the Hanlin Academy, and directly become a county magistrate, isn't that a demotion? I thought that I had offended the emperor, but I didn't want to rush back to the capital. I don't understand."
Su Ziji did not expect that there would be people talking about him here and now. He looked around and saw that the color shed was a little dark. There were more than ten people drinking tea and talking. When he wanted to say something, someone shouted: "The imperial envoy has arrived."
There was silence. Su Ziji saw that Luo Pei had arrived. The officials immediately stood up to greet him and saluted together: "I wish you all the best!"
"Holy greetings!" Luo Pei replied expressionlessly, accepting the gift on behalf of the emperor, and then the atmosphere relaxed.
Luo Pei represents the emperor, sitting in the center position, and the governor sits at the first table on the right. Sitting next to him is a local nobleman who is also the owner of the house. Because he has a third-grade title, he is also related to the clan.
Even with a little kiss, you can sit so close to the front.
Su Ziji's position is at the first table on the left. Sitting next to Su Ziji is Master Liu, the prefect.
Seeing this position, the officials looked at each other in confusion.
"Isn't this wrong?"
"This Su Zi is Master Su. Even if he is the number one scholar, his rank is only in the sixth rank. How can he sit first on the left?"
"...I heard that he is here to sit as an observation envoy, half an imperial envoy."
"oh!"
This is understandable.
"Looks like he is such a handsome young man. I don't think he has reached this level."
Su Ziji wore a wooden crown, a moon-white long-sleeved shirt with fluttering sleeves, and high-toothed sandals. He just sat there and didn't speak, which attracted the attention of everyone present.
Although Luo Pei was sitting in the middle and smiling, his eyes and brows were filled with depression, and he seemed to be still worried about returning to Beijing.
Governor Zhao was light-hearted and chatting quietly with Xungui. A group of dancers came up at this time. Xungui immediately stood up and said to Luo Pei who was sitting in the center: "Your Majesty, this is the dancer in my mansion."
"Today's banquet, with wine and no dancing, is not beautiful. Why don't we invite them to entertain you all?"
Luo Pei had no objection to this and nodded: "It's my fault that I was negligent. Your Excellency's suggestion is just right."
The musicians who followed the dancing girl started playing at the instruction, and the sound of silk and bamboo sounded. With the music, the atmosphere of the banquet changed from a bit tense to much more relaxed.
I saw more than a dozen dancers stretching out in the open space, dancing briskly or soothingly to the music. Even in the autumn night, their clothes were thin, and some were barefoot, like fallen leaves in the autumn wind.
Another example is a flower that blooms in sadness, causing some people to feel pity.
But there are also many people who only looked at it for a few times and then looked away.
Although this person was specially kept in the mansion by the nobles, and his dancing skills are extraordinary, but when he comes here for a banquet, he is a seventh-rank official at worst, so the enjoyment in this aspect is not much different.
Mr. He couldn't help but look at the young man sitting opposite him, and found that this young man, who was said to have grown up in a poor family, was actually very calm and calm, without any sign of having never seen the world.
When I thought about how talented this boy was, he won the first prize in this year's examination, some of his poems came out, and many people clapped their hands and applauded him.
With such talent and magnanimity, he is worthy of being called the third son of the capital.
"This is an ancient girl group."
To be honest, when Su Ziji saw them, he thought, they are too similar.
A group of several people, who have been training in singing and dancing since childhood, performing for the public, wearing thin clothes, and everything else is exactly the same except that it is only open to guests and not to the public.
"Who said there were no entertainment ideas in ancient times? Whatever we can think of in modern times, we can also think of in ancient times."
"My lords." I just thought about it. Everyone was drinking when they heard the imperial envoy at the top made a speech and they all looked over.
Then I heard Luo Pei say: "We are all officials in the court. This banquet only has wine or singing and dancing, which is a bit ordinary. Why don't we play something else? Sir, let's discuss the topic of etiquette. Who can
If you can come out on top, you will get a lucky draw."
"I can also give guidance to the younger generations!"
Su Ziji suddenly became energetic and thought to himself: "It's finally here."