King's man

Chapter 21 "Flower Appreciation Banquet" Oiran

The sunshine in early spring is soft and bright.Qingping sat in the carriage returning to Tan Qingyuan.Since the first snow in winter, he has been talking about going out of the palace, and the emperor has not allowed it.It has been more than three months since the Empress Dowager left the palace, not long after the incident Lin Mei returned to Meixia Garden safe and sound.Qingping thought about going out of the palace every day, but she still stayed by Yang Xian's side every day.

I have been thinking about it for so long, but now once it is realized, people are like a bird flying out of the cage, feeling very good.The buildings in Yicheng keep receding on both sides of the road, Longxing Inn, Deyuanbuzhuang, Piaoxiang Teahouse, Changshun Pawn, Chenji Old Preserved Fruit Store...the doors of each store are wide open, and the sun shines on the plaque, reading It makes people feel kind.Pedestrians on both sides of the road changed into light clothes one by one, with relaxed expressions and brisk steps, as if they were hiding some happy event.Looking at the scene in front of her, Qingping felt indescribably relieved, this is the street market he is familiar with, this is the place where he has always lived.I must go out with my junior brother tomorrow for a stroll.He thought to himself, already a little eager to try.

When she arrived at Tan Qing Garden and saw her master, Qingping knelt down in front of him with a plop before she could speak, which surprised Ji Yan and hurriedly helped him up.Both of them had a lot of emotion in their hearts, and they didn't know how to express it for a while, especially Qingping, who had experienced so many things in the palace, felt more and more the profound kindness of her master's nurturing.

Of course, it was a different situation when seeing his junior brother Ji Kuan.When Ji Kuan met him for the first time, he joked with a smile: "It's terrible, our imperial concubine has come back to visit her relatives!" Qingping blushed when she heard this, Ji Kuan felt that she had slipped her words, and said again "I just said you are a noble concubine, so you are really going to be drunk!" Qingping smiled knowingly when she heard that. "I see that there are a lot of newcomers in the garden. You didn't bully the juniors, did you?" Qingping said, and gave Zhao Jikuan a friendly shoulder push. "Then how can it be, your junior brother, I am famous for being romantic, unrestrained and gentle, how could I do such a thing that hinders my status!" He said so, but his eyes smiled slyly.Qingping didn't argue with him either.

Many things were not discussed in detail during the day, so they went to work on their own.At night, Qingping still shared the bed with Ji Kuan as usual.The two of them sat on the bed and played dice and guessing puzzles until the third watch. They didn't want to go to sleep, but they had already missed sleep, and they couldn't fall asleep even when they were lying down. "Did you hear about Zhuang Wanwan coming out of the capital recently?" It was Ji Kuan's voice.Before Qingping could speak, he went on to say, "That figure and beauty are said to be similar to the concubine Mei in the palace. She's a little bit better." Qingping heard that she looked like Lin Mei, so she became interested and asked, "I don't know where she is from?" Ji Kuan didn't answer him, but giggled a few times, and then said, "Don't I asked, and I will take you to see it tomorrow and you will know." Qingping smiled and stopped asking.

The room was quiet for a moment, but neither of them could fall asleep.Ji Kuan broke the silence again: "I really don't understand why you keep avoiding Brother Murong." After a long time, there was no reply, Ji Kuan turned his head and saw Qingping staring at Fang Liang in a daze . "You're talking!" He nudged him with his arm.Qingping turned over and turned her back to Ji Kuan. "I don't know how to face him anymore." His posture and tone of voice showed that he didn't want to talk, and Ji Kuan was unwilling to let go. "He's been looking for you many times. I've also sent you messages many times, but you haven't heard back. What happened, should you tell me clearly?"

"I just can't tell." Qingping replied.Ji Kuan also got angry and lay down with his back to him. "You were not like this before." Qingping didn't answer.The scene of seeing Murong Su last time came to mind again.How long has it been, a year?And more.I remember that it was still snowing that night, because I was drunk.Looking back now, the depression at the beginning turned out to be so good later on, and I still wanted to live up to the snow that night, live up to the plum tree, and live up to that person.That man named Murong Su, with a face as calm as snow, what was his expression when he saw the silk handed over to him?Did you frown, did your eyes sparkle again?He also thought of the woman who gave him the silk handkerchief, with a cherry blossom-like appearance and lazy eyes.A kind of affection, lovesickness between two places, it is really unbearable!Qingping seemed to be those two people herself, and clearly felt the bitterness of lovesickness.He turned around again and pushed Ji Kuan. "Junior brother, shall we visit his house tomorrow?" Ji Kuan regained his energy after hearing what he said, and said with a smile, "That's a good idea! Give him a surprise." Qingping also laughed, "This time I am you Brother, this is the first time we met." Ji Kuan couldn't help laughing, and looked at Qingping with a smirk, "Understood!"

The next day, Qingping and Ji Kuan arrived at Murong Mansion in a sedan chair, but saw the black wooden door was closed tightly, and there was a stone statue of a lion on both sides of the door, which was very mighty.After the two got off the sedan chair, Ji Kuan walked straight forward. The two doormen saw that it was him, and opened the door as they greeted "Young Master Ji!" with a smile.Ji Kuan glanced at Qingping, his eyes were full of pride.Then he swaggered in with Qingping.

Qingping knew that her junior was a regular visitor, so she just followed him, observing the situation in the courtyard all the way.There is a rockery in the courtyard, behind the mountain a magnolia flower is already in full bloom, and the huge white flowers bloom on the bare branches just like that, without a single green leaf to set off, without a bit of seasonal transition, just like that in the sunshine of early spring Next, unexpectedly amazing, quiet and prosperous.Going in again, you can see a small lake on the left. There are some elm trees and weeping willows beside the lake, and there are wisteria flower stands beside the road, all of which have sprouted.Qingping looked towards the lake, and there was a small boat swaying on the shore on the sparkling water. "I didn't expect such a cold and arrogant person to have such a comfortable layout in the mansion, which is very interesting to live in!" Qingping thought to herself, she had already passed by, and went on with Ji Kuan.

"Is your son here?" Ji Kuan asked when he saw the housekeeper.The steward replied, "Young master Ji came by coincidence. Our master happened to come to the mansion to discuss something with you. The two of you go to the living room and sit down for a while, and I will report to you." He glanced at Qingping, Turn around and lead the way and lead the two into the hall.went out again.Qingping was quite puzzled: "Does this Murong Su live with his father?" "You don't know, brother Murong's mother left early, and his father reunited later, so that woman didn't tolerate him. Father treated him It's very important, firstly, I don't want to cause conflicts in the family, and secondly, I don't want to wrong him, so I simply bought this house and put him here." Qingping nodded after hearing this.After a while Fang said, "This is a good place."

The two waited in the hall, and a servant girl brought tea.Qingping didn't drink, just looked at the hall: there was a portrait of a man hanging in the middle, with a feather fan and scarf, elegant and elegant.Qingping was thinking, the portraits hung in the homes of general generals are no more than Guan Yu, Yue Fei and others, but who is this?Look at the couplets on both sides - the green bamboos in the dawn window linger for a long time, and the morning pavilion has a lot of fragrant orchids and clear dew.Qingping recited it silently in her heart, she felt very elegant, and it would be very appropriate to go to see that man again.Seeing that Qingping was staring at the portrait, Ji Kuan explained, "You won't be able to guess who it is. Brother Murong once said that among the ancient and modern heroes, he only respects Zhou Gongjin. So he hung his portrait on the into the hall." Qingping felt novelty when she heard this, and after thinking about it, she smiled, "I mean, it turned out to be him!"

While the two were talking, Murong Su came in.Ji Kuan introduced Qingping to him, and Qingping said, "Please forgive me for disturbing you without Brother Murong's consent!" Such as the gentle spring breeze on the clear moon stream, it is indescribably comfortable.Murong Su was about to recognize such a character, no wonder the emperor wanted to keep him in the palace, but a familiar feeling came to his heart.This person seems to have seen it before.It was obviously the first time we met, so it was really strange.Murong Su thought so in his heart, he had already opened his mouth to reply, "I have admired the name of Mr. Qingping for a long time, and I see you today, I am too happy, so why bother me!" So the three of them sat down and talked happily.

When Qingping and the others left, Murong Su was still puzzled, feeling that this person was quite familiar.Sitting in a daze and thinking about it for a while, I thought that I had indeed seen him from a distance above the teahouse during the spring outing, and I didn't pay attention at that time.Or maybe that's why it feels familiar.So he dropped the matter.He didn't think of Qingping's glance at that time and he already felt that Qingping was familiar to him.

Qingping hangs out with Ji Kuan every day outside the palace, and occasionally invites Murong Su to play with her, living a very chic life, five days have passed in a blink of an eye.On this day Yang Xian sent someone to pick him up again, so he reluctantly resigned from all the masters and left Tan Qingyuan.

Qing Ping had only been away for a few days, and as soon as she returned to the palace, she heard some people talking about choosing a concubine. It turned out that a minister came up the day before yesterday, admonishing the emperor to draft a talent show to boost the country's prosperity and power.Qingping thought it was funny, no matter what these ministers wanted to achieve, they would say it was a major event about the survival of the country, the country, and the country.But the draft also aroused his interest.When accompanying the emperor to have lunch that day, Qingping said enthusiastically: "I heard that the whole country is preparing to choose a concubine for His Majesty!" Yang Xian was in a good mood with a smile on his face, but after hearing this, his complexion changed. I haven't seen you for a few days, don't you have anything else to say, you have to use these words to anger me?" Qingping looked at him, thinking, if he could go out of the palace for a few days like me, he wouldn't be so easy to get angry .There was a kind of guilty sympathy in his heart, and while holding up his chopsticks to pick up vegetables for the emperor, he said, "I was wrong, and I failed to understand your majesty's difficulties."

Seeing him like this, Yang Xian sighed softly. "Don't worry!" he said.

"I have nothing to worry about." Qingping immediately regretted the words.This person was considerate of him, thinking that he was worried that if a new concubine entered the palace, he would be left out in the cold.In fact, he really didn't have such worries.

"So I should be worried? Well, I'm really worried. Should I also build a golden house for you?" Yang Xian squinted at him with a half-smile in his eyes.

Qingping thought about Qiuping, she blushed a little because she didn't understand what he meant.Smiling, he said: "Your Majesty, please spare me! I am weak and lifeless, and I can't bear it."

Yang Xian ignored him and drank a few mouthfuls of soup. "Don't mention this matter to me again in the future, or you will have good things tonight!"

It is the season when the grass grows and the warbler flies, the flowers bloom and the butterflies dance. Along with the recovery of all things, the emperor's concubine selection event is also unfolding vigorously.From the county to the prefecture, and then to the county, it took two months. Beautiful women were selected one by one, and eliminated one by one. When they reached the capital, only six dignified and beautiful women were selected. The principal had already drawn up their list and sent it to the palace on another day.After reading the memorial, the emperor suddenly wanted to hold a "Flower Appreciation Banquet", saying that he would choose the top oiran among them.All the ministers were very interested in seeing Yang Xian, and they were all very enthusiastic.The maids and eunuchs in the palace were all beaming as if they were celebrating the new year. The joy made the flowers look more vivid and the spring light brighter.

Among the harem, only one saw through Yang Xian's intentions.It's not Qingping, it's Du Jinghong.When Concubine Du Gui heard the news that the emperor was going to hold a flower viewing banquet, she was on the boat on Yunyin Lake, meeting with Lanling Qinse.The boat is rippling on the water.The spring breeze blows the willows, the spring water ripples, and the afternoon sun reflects on the lake, sparkling and shining.Not far away, there is a lotus leaf with its sharp corners exposed, stretching and swaying on the water.Everything is so comfortable and beautiful.The sound of the piano is as soft as the spring breeze, and as clear as the spring water.At the end of the song, the two are immersed in the unspeakable tacit understanding and joy. "I heard that the emperor is going to hold a flower viewing banquet. If the empress is going to attend, the oiran must be you!" It was Nuan Yu's voice.Du Jinghong didn't say anything after hearing this, Lan Ling said first, "That's great, it will be very lively then!" "I'm afraid the emperor's intention is not to choose the oiran, he doesn't want these beautiful girls to enter the palace together." Du Jinghong Said, looking at the joyful blue bell.Her eyes are round, like a deer, shining brightly, and her teeth are neatly arranged, which is very beautiful.Such an innocent smile still made Concubine Du feel at ease.It will be time for the next year!She looked at Lan Ling and suddenly realized this.Fortunately, the emperor agreed to choose a concubine, and it would be better if more women entered the palace, so that he would not be distracted from these things. "Sister, what's wrong with you?" She was thinking, when Lan Ling called her.She raised her head and smiled, the gentle and brilliant light in those icy blue eyes made even the blue sky pale.

Qingping didn't realize this.He actually has mixed feelings.The joy is that there are newcomers coming, which is always exciting.Those who are worried are those who are already there.He went to Yueyingyuan.The courtyard was silent.In Qingping's memory, Yueyingyuan seemed to be so quiet forever.The cherry blossom tree in the courtyard has been in full bloom, and it is also dancing most brilliantly.Qingping took her steps lightly, thinking of what happened in Yueying Garden the night before last year, the cherry blossoms were also in bloom.A gust of spring breeze blew up again, and countless fallen flowers fell from the sky like snowflakes. Qingping's gaze chased those petals from midair to under the tree.She saw a person under the tree, lying sideways on an inclined step, and the pink petals fell on her white clothes little by little, but she still didn't realize it.Qingping took another step forward, and saw that person's face, but it was Wanying.She fell asleep, breathing evenly, her petal-like lips were lightly closed, her beautiful willow-leaf eyebrows were stretched, her closed eyes were bent into two lines, and her slender eyelashes trembled slightly.Several cherry blossom petals piled up under her cheeks, adding a touch of charm to her.Qingping felt flustered.He was hesitating whether he should turn around and leave, but he was still standing, motionless, not daring to breathe, for fear of waking her up.He stared blankly for a moment, thinking of Murong Su whom he met outside the palace a few days ago.Finally turned around and left.I must do something for her, he thought.

After preparing for so long, the emperor's "Flower Viewing Banquet" was very successful.The emperor invited a group of ministers and relatives of the emperor to gather in the imperial garden.It was day's high-ranking officials and nobles who all came here in their best attire, and their wives also all had high buns, beautiful heads and crescent eyebrows, silk strings and rings, and they were not left behind.Even Dong Wang, who is usually indifferent to fame and fortune, also came. He was dressed in purple, making him look even more noble.Everyone greeted him, and he responded kindly and elegantly.

Yang Xian was on the main seat in the stands, with Empress Chen sitting on his right and Concubine Du Gui sitting on his left.On the other two sides are Lin Mei, Yu Wanying and Lan Ling.Qingping sat behind Yang Xian.Before the performance began, everyone was secretly watching the people in the stands.Concubine Du Gui with her sharp face is somewhat exotic, her eyes are so deep, and her dark blue eyes are really intoxicating, if she accidentally glances at you, you will be so nervous that you will forget to breathe.On her forehead is a flower tin, a red plum with five petals, each piece is gorgeous.The bright red flowers and ice blue eyes appeared at the same time, giving off a strange and soul-stirring beauty.No one in the crowd can ignore her.Of course, Lin Mei lived up to her reputation. Among the colorful clothes, she was the only one in a black brocade dress with large white flowers embroidered on it, so unique and conspicuous.And there was a smile on her lips.Oh, I really shouldn't look at it, that charming and enchanting smile will make people lost.Someone else thought of the woman who was once favored by the emperor, Concubine Yu, she just sat so softly and quietly, with her soft curves and graceful figure, I really wanted to be taken home, even if it was only as a statue. The statue is willing to look at it every day.There were also some people who were quietly spying on the queen's expression.However, they were disappointed. The Chen Huilan they saw was still noble, elegant, and well-mannered. She sat so dignified, her expression was so elegant and serene, her plump face, her perfect almond eyes, everything was just right, and it was impossible to see her happiness or anger.

Six show girls have already appeared.All attention turned to the stage.There is only one exception.Murong Su.When he saw her, he couldn't take his eyes off.She was thin, with a languid look and dull eyes.But her skin is still so fair, her chin is still so slender, her red lips, her delicate eyebrows, her sideburns, her earlobes, everything about her still fascinates him so much.She didn't see him.