After rebirth, I joined forces with my mortal enemy to seek revenge.

According to the gold-making list, in addition to being nominated at the Wild Goose Pagoda, the emperor will also give a banquet. In addition, in order to thank the examiner for finding a host for himself, there was a banquet between the examiner and the candidates.

As one of the examiners, Pei Jiaoran was a third-rank official and naturally had to go to Qujiang for the banquet. And because the poem "Deer Ming" needs to be sung at the banquet, it is named "Deer Ming Banquet". In addition, the banquet was held on March 3rd, so the Qujiang Pool was even more lively.

There is a strong sense of spring everywhere you look. There are many beautiful people by the water, pedestrians with clothes stacked on top of each other, carriages and horses walking side by side, and the fragrant breeze blows.

Chongyifang is still some distance away from Qujiang Pool, so Pei Jiaoran went out early. Also coming with her were Zhou Mancao and Bi Fei. Although Emperor Wei came to Qujiang Pool in person, it was March 3rd, and Emperor Wei wanted to maintain his political image. Therefore, in addition to not being allowed to approach the Forbidden Garden, people are still allowed to enter and exit freely near Qujiang Pool.

"I can't help myself today. Your Majesty will have fun with the people." Pei Jiaoran smiled as he took a tips bag from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Mancao, "You two can play whatever you want. But you still can't take it lightly and be careful. You have this money. Take the flowers."

"Don't worry, we both have sense. You go ahead." Zhou Mancao collected the brocade bag, held Bi Fei's arm and left gracefully.

After watching the two people leave, Pei Jiaoran turned around and walked towards the Forbidden Garden.

After all, it was a banquet attended by the emperor in person, and the Jinwu Guards almost sealed the perimeter of the Forbidden Garden. The Jinwu Guards are solely responsible for the external patrol tasks, while the internal patrols are handed over to the Shence Army. Shence's left and right armies were combined into one force, jointly managed by Cao Wenzhong.

Pei Jiaoran handed the fish talisman to Jin Wuwei, checked his identity, and entered the forbidden garden before continuing inside.

The inside of the Forbidden Garden was far more lively than outside. Today there is a ceremony for cultivating evil spirits. Therefore, in addition to officials above the fifth rank in Beijing who can attend the banquet, their family members are also allowed to enter the Forbidden Garden.

At this time, the ceremony of cultivating evil spirits has not yet begun, and the ladies of the aristocratic families gathered together in twos and threes. Pei Jiaoran's eyes fell on those noble ladies from aristocratic families, and the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

This dynasty is different from the previous dynasty. Since women's schools were opened and women were allowed to enter the officialdom, getting married is no longer the only way out for women. However, there are still many noble ladies from aristocratic families who have not chosen to become officials after completing their studies in women's schools. Instead, they have devoted themselves to women's schools and become teachers in women's schools. They are the protagonists of such a banquet, and they are here today to meet the newly promoted Jinshi. Be a good partner in seeking benefits for your family and yourself.

This is the responsibility entrusted to them by the family, and it is also a deal that everyone will follow.

Pei Jiaoran was about to go to the palace where the banquet was held. On the way, he happened to meet the Wang sisters coming from a distance, and there were other ladies from the Wang family standing beside them. The sisters are quite harmonious, talking and laughing.

Pei Jiaoran raised his eyebrows as he looked at the group of people getting closer and closer to him. While he was surprised that Mr. Wang Guo actually brought other ladies from the Wang family, he stopped and waited for the group.

Wang Shen Aicai spoke to the people next to him, then turned around and saw Pei Jiaoran in front, slightly shocked. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward and called: "Pei Shangshu."

When Shangshu Pei said these three words, the other ladies of the Wang family looked at Pei Jiaoran with evil eyes. Upon noticing this, Pei Jiaoran curled his lips indifferently.

It's normal for the Wang family to hate her. After all, she was the one who planned to overturn the Wang family's card table, so that all of them could only stand aside and enjoy the cold wind.

"I haven't had time to congratulate you." Pei Jiaoran smiled slightly, looked at Wang Yurun, and said in a soft voice, "From now on, we are all colleagues, so there is no need to be so polite."

"Can Shangshu Pei take a step to speak?" Wang Shen'ai looked around and said warmly.

Hearing this, Pei Jiaoran cast a sidelong glance at the other ladies of the Wang family and raised his lips, "Okay."

Wang Yurun was left to accompany a few people, and the two of them moved to the distant poolside. Stop by a willow tree.

"What does Madam Wang want to say?" Pei Jiaoran stood with his hands behind his hands and looked at the green-tiled red wall in the distance.

"That's Aweng's intention, not mine." Wang Shen'ai looked at Pei Jiaoran and said firmly, "I don't want to return to the Wang family and depend on them. I don't have to abide by the mission they gave me."

Pei Jiaoran said nothing and looked at Wang Shenai in front of him quietly. She had just obtained the official status and had not officially taken office yet, so she was not wearing a robe. The fashionable silk-colored large-sleeved shirt is paired with a tan-colored underskirt. Silver geese are used on both sleeves to outline a pair of wild geese, like flying wings. The underskirt is worn to the chest, and a cluster of peonies is also outlined on it. The clothes are quite exquisite, but the face is unpainted, and the hair is tied up casually. It's like an unfinished painting of a lady, all the clothes are there, but only the facial features are unpainted.

"Make your own decision, why bother asking me?" Pei Jiaoran raised his lips and chuckled, "Where do you want to go?"

"what?"

"Since you want to get rid of the Wang family, you have to achieve your own political achievements. Hebei is a good place, enough for you to show off your talents." Pei Jiaoran looked at Wang Shen Ai seriously.

After listening to Pei Jiaoran's words, Wang Shen'ai bowed his hands, turned around and left.

When Wang Shenai walked away, Pei Jiaoran took a deep breath. She was not surprised that Wang Shenai would come to her for help, but she felt that rather than letting her interfere, it would be better for Wang Shenai to go her own way.

Pei Jiaoran broke off a willow stick and turned around in the direction he came from. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone coming towards him. It was the girl in scarlet clothes whom she still loved.

Just like that day, she was still dressed in Fei Yi, bright and flamboyant.

The two stopped and smiled at each other at the moment they met.

"Pei Shangshu." The girl in scarlet clothes asked first.

"I don't know your lady's name yet." Pei Jiaoran put his hands behind his hands and looked at the girl in scarlet clothes with his eyebrows crossed, "But I felt like we felt like old friends at the first sight."

The girl in scarlet clothes smiled when she heard this, "My surname is Fang and my name is Jian Yue."

"Appreciate the sun and the moon, and say goodbye to the rich mountains and seas. A hundred years of shadows, and a thousand years of heart. That's right." The smile on Pei Jiaoran's face gradually deepened, "Mrs. Fang is going to a banquet? How about we go together?"

The two were walking on the bluestone road, and laughter reached their ears in the distance.

"Today's Deer Ming Banquet is really lively." Pei Jiaoran said with a smile.

As if the sun was dazzling above her head, Fang Jianyue raised her hands to cover her head, looking at the cluster of fragrant temples in the distance. He said thoughtfully: "The heaven and earth are vast, but these mountains, rivers, sun, moon, and dynasty that have lasted for hundreds of years are just a flash in the pan. But there are some things that cannot be changed by human power. No one can decide the winner or lose until the last moment."

Turning to look at Fang Jianyue beside him, Pei Jiaoran looked quite serious, "There are many people who follow the crowd, but there are few people who go upstream. I once heard that there are strange trees in the mountains, which grow by drinking frost and snow. They fail in spring and grow again in summer. Autumn fails again, and winter regenerates. The world wants to see it, but this tree only blooms red flowers in summer and winter, and bad flowers in spring and autumn. Only insects like it, and birds and beasts avoid it."

Listening to Pei Jiaoran's words, Fang Jianyue sighed, "This is the way to protect oneself. Although the spring and autumn are good, if red flowers bloom, they will attract people's attention. Birds and beasts will eat them, and it will be difficult for the world to survive. On the contrary, it will protect oneself. body. If you walk against the current, you will be able to see the beauty of heaven and earth."

After the words fell, the smiles on their faces deepened.