I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

At dawn, the Duke's Mansion was peaceful and tranquil. Chen Jue and Chen Jia had agreed to visit relatives and friends together today. The carriage had been waiting outside the mansion for a long time. It was decorated exquisitely and elegantly, and the carvings on the body of the carriage shimmered in the sunlight. The horse pulling the carriage had bright fur and pawed the ground briskly with its hooves, as if it also knew today's itinerary.

Chen Jue was wearing a moon-white brocade robe with a black silk ribbon tied around his waist, which made him look taller and more majestic. He stood beside the carriage, looking up slightly, looking at the plaque of the Duke's Mansion, feeling a lot of emotion in his heart. Chen Jia was wearing a light pink Luo skirt with delicate plum blossom patterns embroidered on the hem, and a gauze cape of the same color on the outside. Her black hair was like a waterfall, and she was tied up with only a mutton-fat jade hairpin. She looked like a peach blossom in full bloom in spring, delicate and charming.

"Sister, the relatives and friends we are going to visit today are all people we haven't seen for a long time. I heard that there have been a lot of interesting things happening in their families recently." Chen Jue turned around and said to Chen Jia with a smile, while stretching out his hand and helping her get into the carriage.

Chen Jia gently held Chen Jue's hand, stepped into the carriage, sat down on the soft cushion, adjusted her skirt, and said, "Yes, I haven't been out for a long time, and I don't know how they are doing. But I must be very happy to be able to meet with relatives and friends and chat about family matters."

The carriage started slowly. The interior was very comfortable, with brocade cushions and aromatherapy burners. Chen Jue picked up a collection of poems from a small table beside him, opened a page, and recited softly: "Green ants and new wine, red clay stove. It's going to snow in the evening, can you drink a cup?"

Chen Jia listened attentively, and when Chen Jue finished reading, she clapped her hands and praised: "This poem is very beautiful. Listening to it on the way makes me look forward to the time when I can sit around and drink with my relatives and friends. Xiaojue, do you think there will be such a refined mood at the banquet today, with everyone reciting poems and writing lyrics to add some literary grace to this gathering?"

Chen Jue put down the poetry collection and said with a smile: "If you want, we can make a suggestion. I think there are many relatives and friends who are good at poetry and will definitely be able to respond."

Soon, the carriage arrived at the door of the first relative's house. The red lacquered door was open, and the concierge had been waiting at the door. When he saw Chen Jue and Chen Jia's carriage coming, he hurried forward to greet them.

"Mr. Chen, Miss Chen, the master and mistress have been waiting in the main hall for a long time. Please follow me." The doorman said respectfully.

Chen Jue and Chen Jia got off the carriage and walked along the path in the courtyard to the main hall. Along the way, the flowers in the courtyard competed with each other in beauty. Chen Jia couldn't help but stop to admire: "These flowers are really well cared for. Look at this peony, the color is bright and the flowers are huge. It must have taken a lot of effort."

Entering the main hall, the room was already full of guests. The host greeted us warmly and we exchanged greetings.

"Mr. Chen, how are you? I heard that you have done a lot of good things for the people in the court. You are really capable at a young age." An elder said with a smile.

Chen Jue bowed modestly: "Uncle, you are too kind. I am just trying my best. It is because of the wise leadership of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the concerted efforts of all my colleagues that we can achieve results."

Everyone nodded, expressing their appreciation for Chen Jue's modesty. Chen Jia was chatting quietly with the women on the side, laughing and talking.

"Miss Chen, you look absolutely stunning today. The material of this skirt is so rare." A lady praised.

Chen Jia lowered her head slightly and said shyly, "Thank you Madam for the compliment. I found this by chance a few days ago and I really like it, so I wore it today."

At this time, a young man stood up, bowed to Chen Jue and said, "Brother Chen, I have long heard that you are quick-witted. I recently got the first line of a couplet, but I have been thinking hard about the second line to no avail. I wonder if Brother Chen can give me some advice? The first line is: The breeze blows the willows, and the willows sway in the wind."

Chen Jue pondered for a moment, then smiled and replied, "Then I will answer: The bright moon shines on the flowers, and the flowers reflect the moon."

When everyone heard this, they cheered. This back and forth instantly livened up the atmosphere of the banquet.

After having tea, everyone moved to the banquet hall in the garden. The tables and chairs in the hall were neatly arranged, and the tables were filled with fine wine and delicacies, which exuded an enticing aroma.

Chen Jue and Chen Jia were seated at the host's table, surrounded by relatives and friends. Chen Jue picked up the wine glass, stood up and said, "Today, I am honored to be treated by my uncle and to be with all of you relatives and friends. This is a great blessing in my life. I will toast to you all first." After that, he drank it all in one gulp.

Everyone raised their glasses in response. After three rounds of wine and five dishes, the topic became more and more diverse.

An uncle talked about his travel experience: "I went to the Jiangnan water town a few days ago. The scenery there is really picturesque. There are small bridges, flowing water, houses, boats shuttling on the river, and quaint buildings on both sides of the river. The white walls and black tiles are reflected in the water, like an ink painting."

Chen Jue listened attentively and asked, "Uncle, how about the food in Jiangnan? I heard that the food in Jiangnan is light in taste, but has a unique flavor."

My uncle smiled and replied, "Jiangnan cuisine is indeed unique. The squirrel mandarin fish is delicious, the fish body is fried golden and crispy, and it is topped with a special sweet and sour sauce, which is sweet and sour, and the fish meat is tender. And the beggar chicken is baked with mud. The moment the mud is opened, the fragrance overflows, and the chicken melts in your mouth."

Chen Jia couldn't help but say, "Hearing your uncle's description, it really makes me yearn for it. If I have the chance, I must go to Jiangnan to have a look and taste these delicacies myself."

At this time, a female family member suggested: "It's not enough to just talk about delicious food. How about we play a game? Let's play Feihua Ling. Today, the word 'flower' is the order."

Everyone agreed. A young lady was the first to say, "The water of Taohuatan is a thousand feet deep, but it is not as deep as the love that Wang Lun gave me."

Then someone responded, "Suddenly, as if overnight, a spring breeze came, and thousands of pear trees blossomed."

Chen Jue thought for a moment and chanted: "The lotus leaves reaching the sky are endless and green, and the lotus flowers reflecting the sun are particularly red."

Chen Jia was not to be outdone: "A few plum blossoms stand alone in the corner of the wall, blooming in the cold."

With round after round of flying flowers and everyone talking and making witty remarks, the atmosphere of the banquet reached a climax.

Time passed quietly amidst laughter and joy. The afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled on the garden, tinging the entire mansion with a layer of golden glory.

Chen Jue stood up and said goodbye to the host: "Uncle, thank you for your hospitality today. It's getting late, and my sister and I should go back."

The host asked, "Mr. Chen, Miss Chen, why don't you stay a little longer?"

Chen Jue smiled and declined: "We appreciate your kindness, uncle. We will visit you another day."

Chen Jia also stood up and said goodbye to the women, and everyone saw her off to the gate. Chen Jue and Chen Jia got on the carriage, which slowly drove away.

"I had a really happy day today. I got together with my family and friends, talked freely, and played many interesting games." Chen Jia leaned against the carriage and said with a satisfied smile on her face.

Chen Jue nodded in agreement: "Yes, such gatherings can enhance the friendship between relatives and friends. If there is a chance in the future, we should visit each other more often."

The carriage went farther and farther away in the afterglow of the setting sun. Chen Jue and Chen Jia in the carriage returned to the direction of the Duke's Mansion with full of joy and warmth. Today's banquet will also become a beautiful memory in their hearts and will be often mentioned in the years to come.