The banquet held by Guannei Hou Zhouxuan brought spring to the capital in advance. Young men and women gathered in groups on the street, and people came and went in tailoring and jewelry shops.
Although some noble families had held banquets before, such as the most famous Chang family banquet attended by Jinyao Princess Chen Danzhu, and Zhou Xuan also went there, it was still not comparable to this time. The last time it was mainly for the ladies to have fun.
This time it was mainly young men.
This time the Chang family also received an invitation, which made the Chang family very happy. It meant that the young men of the Chang family had the opportunity to make friends with the powerful people in the capital.
Of course, Liu Wei, who was not considered a nobleman in the first place, also received the invitation. Although he came from a humble family of common people, Liu Wei had a sworn brother appointed by the emperor himself, a domineering friend Chen Danzhu, and he also knew Princess Jin Yao.
, Miss Liu from a poor family now has a status in the capital no less than that of any noble girl.
Grandma Cao specially picked up Liu Wei and made new clothes herself. Liu Wei also went to Peach Blossom Temple to choose clothes with Chen Danzhu. Chen Danzhu, who originally didn't care about what he wore, was led by her and A Tian.
I got interested and thought of two or three new buns, and even drew them and sent them to Li Lian and Princess Jin Yao.
The princes and princesses in the palace don't care much about making friends, but in view of the recent quarrel between the emperor and the empress, undercurrents are surging between the princes, and the atmosphere is tense. Everyone urgently needs to go out of the palace to relax.
Princess Jin Yao and the two younger princesses were busy dressing up, and the maids also ran to Concubine Xian, hoping to play with them.
For a time, the young women were flying like warblers and swallows in the gradually green palace city. The emperor saw it from a high building, and his face, which had been gloomy for several days, could not help but soften. Youthful youth always makes people happy.
But in a side hall of the palace, the first spring light outside the palace was blocked by the closed doors and windows.
Wang Xian walked into the hall, waved his hands and coughed twice: "It's such a beautiful weather, and you're stuck in the house playing with wood again?"
The iron-faced general sat cross-legged by the window. There was a pile of wood on the table. One of the pieces was being ground on his knees. The debris was scattered on the dusty robe. He was not wearing armor. He did not look like a military general, but like an old man.
Craftsman.
"Did your adopted daughter ask Zhu Lin to ask you if you would like to attend the banquet?" Wang Xian stretched out his hand to open the window, feeling the spring breeze blowing against his face, and joked, "I suggest you go, so as to protect your daughter."
The Iron-faced General concentrated on carving on the wood with his knife. He did not look at the spring scenery outside and only said: "I can protect him by sitting here. You don't need to go there in person."
Wang Xian laughed, and there was a burst of laughter in the spring breeze. He followed the sound and saw several palace maids laughing and playing by not far away. It seemed that in the blink of an eye, the heavy winter clothes were replaced by bright spring clothes.
"It's a very grand party." He sighed while twirling his short beard. "I heard that from noon to night, there are horseback riding and archery fights during the day, and there are lanterns and fireworks at night. I remember that I often participated in such feasts when I was young.
, it was not until dawn that the drunkenness dissipated, it was really enjoyable."
He turned to look at the iron-faced general next to him who was still focused on carving wood, and asked with a half-smile: "General, have you been there to play?"
The iron-faced general said: "I don't like all this excitement."
Wang Xian wanted to tell some jokes, but felt that he couldn't. He looked at the old man with gray hair, his head lowered - who doesn't have youth? People only have youth once, and youth is fleeting.
"General, why don't we go too?" He couldn't help but suggest, "The Marquis of Zhou is a young man, but who says that older people can't go?"
The Iron-faced General shook his head: "It's too noisy. I'm old and I just like peace and quiet."
Wang Xian was a little annoyed and flicked his sleeves: "I'm younger than you. If you don't go, I'll go and enjoy myself."
The iron-faced general said from behind: "Close the door. The spring is cold and my old legs can't stand it."
Wang Xian cursed twice, walked to the door, grabbed it, and couldn't help asking: "Did you hurt your leg again? Can you use some plaster?"
The Iron-faced General hummed, then smiled when he thought of something: "The medicine Miss Danzhu sent also contains medicine for treating colds, colds, and rheumatism. As expected, she is the daughter of a military commander. She knows what kind of injuries military commanders have."
Wang Xian shouted and threw the door open: "Then you can use your daughter's medicine, I don't care." He walked out angrily. The door was closed but the window was not closed. He walked out and turned around after a few steps to see General Iron Mask sitting by the window.
He lowered his head and continued to focus on carving wood——
For an old man, this may be the only thing he can have fun with. Spring, youth, youth, bright clothes, angry horses, colorful purples and reds all have nothing to do with him.
Wang Xian's figure disappeared by the window, and the Iron Masked General made the final cut on the wood. He put down the carving knife with satisfaction, shook the wood, and put it on the table. There were already a dozen of these on the table.
He looked at the piece of wood for a moment, then swept away a piece of paper with his big sleeves, spread out a piece of paper, took an inkstone, dipped a piece of wood in ink on the paper and pressed it, then picked it up again, and there was a little figure on the paper.
The little man is lifelike, with a bow and arrow on his back, and seems to be galloping on a horse.
The Iron-faced General picked up the other wooden blocks one by one, dipped them in ink and pressed them on the paper. More and more little people appeared on the paper. Some were holding lamps, some were dancing swords, some were playing the sheng, some were beating the drums, some were drinking, and some were drinking.
Playing chess, some people join hands and laugh——
The spring breeze blows in from the window, blowing the paper, and the little people on the paper seem to come to life. They are playing, laughing and being wanton.
The Iron-faced General sat in front of the desk, with the spring breeze blowing through his gray hair and gray robe. He crossed his knees and held his chin, watching quietly and motionless.
Ah Tian jumped off the carriage, looked up and looked above. Beyond the high door wall of the Marquis Mansion, he could see the colorful tower inside.
"Look, miss." She pointed happily, "There is also a swing."
Chen Danzhu and Liu Wei came in a car. They got off the car and looked up. There were already many people attending the banquet. Girls were playing on the swings. There was a sound coming through the high wall.
Waves of laughter like silver bells.
Laughter is contagious, so Chen Danzhu and Liu Wei also smiled at each other.
"We'll go play soon too," Liu Wei said with a smile.
Chen Danzhu nodded, and the two of them held hands and were about to enter. The sound of horse hooves and footsteps came from behind. Apparently someone of high status was coming. Before Chen Danzhu looked back, he heard someone shouting "Danzhu!"
She and Liu Wei turned around and saw a carriage approaching, escorted by imperial guards. Princess Jin Yao was lifting the curtain and waving to her.
Chen Danzhu and Liu Wei hurriedly turned around to greet her. The curtain on the other side of the car was also lifted, and a young man with starry eyes smiled at her.
Chen Danzhu's face instantly burst into a smile: "Your Highness, Third Prince."
The third prince and Princess Jin Yao got out of the car, and came to Chen Danzhu surrounded by a group of eunuchs and maids. Just as he was about to speak, there was a commotion in the gate of the Hou Mansion, and a man strode forward. He was tall and slender, wearing a black-soled gold silk dress.
The dress has a deep train, and the gold thread outlines the shape of a tiger extending from the shoulders to the chest. It shines brightly in the rich and colorful clothes of young people coming and going.
"Your Highness," Zhou Xuan shouted, "Jin Yao."
I just don’t look at Chen Danzhu.
The Marquis of Guannei greeted him personally, so the third prince and Princess Jin Yao could only leave Chen Danzhu first to meet Zhou Xuan.
"Come in quickly." Zhou Xuan extended his hand to invite, "The Second and Fifth Highnesses are all here. I thought you weren't coming either."
Not all the princes came. Because the prince was busy with government affairs, he asked the prince to bring his children to the banquet. The princes were all used to it. The eldest brother was different from them, but now there was another one who was different. The third prince was also busy.
Government affairs entrusted by the emperor.
The third prince smiled: "I'm not in good health and I still need to rest more, so I came to your place, Ah Xuan, to relax."
Zhou Xuan patted him on the shoulder: "That's right, life is too short, why should you be so tired?"
After saying that, they walked in hand in hand with him, followed by Princess Jin Yao, palace maids and eunuchs, leaving Chen Danzhu and Liu Wei behind.
Chen Danzhu didn't care either. He held Liu Wei's hand and waited for them to walk over before taking a step forward. As soon as he stepped onto the steps, Zhou Xuan in front of him turned his head and looked at the third prince out of the corner of his eye. He raised his eyebrows and smiled at her.
Very proud.
Did Deyi interrupt her conversation with the Third Prince? Childishly, Chen Danzhu pouted at him.
