Hotaru [The Tale of Genji]

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the cherry blossom banquet. Perhaps because of the lively atmosphere, all the heavy cherry blossoms in the palace were competing to bloom today.Looking from a distance, the continuous powder clouds are beautiful and moving in an instant.The breeze blows shallowly, and the petals that fill the pond are so beautiful that people can't speak.

Against the backdrop of such a scene, the north gate of the imperial palace is covered with canopies, and the carriages of the ministers drive in one by one.All the daughters got out of the car with the help of others, or covered their beautiful cheeks with fans or sleeves, only showing a pair of eyes to look at them quietly.Another person assisted him into the palace, the clothes were fragrant and his temples were shadowed, and the multi-colored clothes overlapped together.The beautiful long hair is draped behind, and the tail of the hair flashes past, leaving behind infinite beautiful fantasies.

The female relatives of the inner minister were naturally invited, and Bo Sheng delivered them in person, while Jianzi led his nervous sister and followed the maid to walk in.As soon as he passed a corner, he saw a girl with a pleasant smile coming up to him.

After some introductions, I found out that she was originally a servant of Chengxiang Palace, but because His Royal Highness asked His Royal Highness to take care of him today, he was ordered to accompany the eldest son's wife.

Feeling the kindness, Sister Jianzi was so grateful that she didn't know what to do.I was worried about making a fool of myself at the imperial banquet, but now I feel much more at ease.This palace attendant had a lot of experience, so he could tell what the two of them were thinking at a glance.He only smiled and comforted: "You two don't need to be so nervous today, everyone is the same, just sit on the sidelines."

Saying this, it caused a few people to look around.Sure enough, the girls who came with them showed a little nervous and frightened expression on their faces.Or sit alone and meditate, or whisper something with the nurse next to you.It's not just the two of them who are anxious and restless.

Why this palace banquet was held, I already knew from her euphemistic language when I was studying palace etiquette at the Female Imperial Office of Chengxiang Palace earlier.The high-ranking people's eyes have already fallen on a few people, and their identities are just a dispensable foil.As long as you don't get confused, you can't make any big mistakes.

Thinking of it this way, the two of them relaxed for the most part.This palace attendant who came specially came to chat with him again, and the nervousness soon dissipated.The two sat together with the other daughters, chatting and waiting for the next audience.

I don't know how long it took, but suddenly I heard a sound in front of me.It turned out that the Empress Dowager of Honghui Palace and His Majesty Zhonggong, surrounded by the crowd, came here in a mighty way.According to etiquette, everyone is going to visit.

Because there are too many people, it is impossible to squeeze all the way to a place far outside the corridor.It was the daughter's house who usually spoke softly, and the sound of worshiping at this time was also resounding through the sky, deafening.

The status of the female relatives of the inner minister is not low, but because the two are still juniors, they can't sit in front.They didn't see clearly what the Empress Dowager looked like.I just feel that it is a very proud and noble woman, wearing the most luxurious twelve singles, surrounded by people and sitting in the middle of the curtain.That way he looked very arrogant, and there were one or two faint voices, with an aura that made people feel ashamed.

As for Zhong Gongxia, he was a silent and gentle person, and when he saw him, he felt that there was no such beautiful person in the world.Her dress was not as dazzling as that of the empress dowager, she seemed to be considering her status and situation, and did not want to compete with others.It's just that Honghuidian seems to be targeting her everywhere. In comparison, her voice is much lower.

Fortunately, this kind of audience will not last long. Honghui Palace and Zhonggong Palace only left a few female relatives of the more important people in the palace.After the others greeted them, they retreated to their original places and just waited for the cherry blossom feast to begin.

·

The women's side came one after another, and the Gongqing's side was equally lively.Those who come with their families are always happy to greet their colleagues when they meet them.They all have similar plans, and it would be the best if they can make things happen at this time.

During this period of time, the female officials who retired from the palace were very popular, and were welcomed into the various mansions to teach the daughters of various families.If one or two pieces of information can be revealed, it will be even more sought after and regarded as a guest of honor.

Minister Zuo and Mr. Genji also came together, but their expressions were not so happy, because of the scene, they were just expressionless.Minister Zuo's only daughter has long since passed away, and there are no other daughters in the family.Even if it is the daughter of a side branch of the family, the weight given out at this time is not up to standard.

Thinking of rejecting the marriage from the palace and thinking of his daughter's untimely death, Minister Zuo didn't know how to feel.Young Master Tongyuan said hello and sat down in his seat.Because he was worried about his father, the lieutenant general did not hang out with General Genji, but walked with his father.

Mr. Genji was left alone in place, sighing incomparably.The protagonist of today's day must not be himself, and he doesn't have the ability to regain the limelight.Thinking of how beautiful it was when I served as an envoy to search for cherry blossoms a few years ago, I found a lot of fans and wrote poems with ink and ink.At this time, it was just yesterday's scene.

Even if he puts on that Sakura-style Tang Qi again, he won't have the same aura as he did back then, he thought sadly.Father-in-law's sad expression is so obvious, how can Guangjun not perceive his emotions.

Recalling his dead wife is naturally painful in his heart, but he can't help but think about many women who have entangled with him.Thinking of them knowing that they are not as good as before, they still never leave. This kind of deep affection is really touching.

Fortunately, there is still a cute little son staying with his father-in-law.As long as he is there, the relationship between Weng and son-in-law will not be worse.Recently, Guang Jun also pays frequent visits to the mansion to visit his eldest son.Although the child was not as good as his father in appearance, he was still beautiful and moving, and it only made people feel radiant after seeing him.

As long as the young master grows up healthily, Minister Zuo will not abandon General Genji.Who made this child the only blood left by Mrs. Kui?So no matter what, don't give up on him.

Mr. Genji froze for a while, and immediately adjusted his emotions.There were quite a few people who came to talk to him, so he should not tolerate such self-pity.Those people felt that if their daughters and sisters had no chance to enter the palace, it would be good to be favored by His Highness.At this time, the opportunity is rare, so we will not waste the opportunity if we talk about it.

In short, it is very lively here before and after.There are conversations, chants, and high and low, rough or shrill laughter.Mixed with the sweet fragrance, it paints a scene of the prosperity of the upper-class nobles and family officials.From this point of view, today's palace banquet has been more than half successful, and it has been a long time since people went back to talk about it.

·

However, the atmosphere in Qingliang Hall is not very good at this time.His Majesty frowned and looked out the window, he didn't change into his formal attire, and he ignored the people who came to inquire frequently.It seems that he is extremely unwilling to step out of the door and go to such a luxurious place.

The palace people knelt aside and looked at each other, no one dared to say anything more.I just feel bitter, if His Majesty doesn't arrive at the place on time, I don't know how the Empress Dowager will blame her.But they didn't dare to urge His Majesty, so they could only stand aside and wait anxiously.

While waiting anxiously, a panting waiter ran in from outside.Seeing this person come in, His Majesty finally reacted, and asked eagerly: "How is it, Your Majesty the handsome palace is here?"

The little servant didn't even catch his breath, and shook his head like a rattle, "Front, in front...and, I didn't see Shuai Gongxia."

After Suzaku heard this, her face was full of loneliness.Leaning against the corridor with a pale face, lowered his head, and muttered to himself in great disappointment: "He hasn't seen me for many days...the letter he sent over has not been answered."

The others didn't know what went wrong between Shuai Gong and His Majesty, and they didn't know how to comfort them.Now is such an urgent moment, all kinds of words are in my mouth, I don't know what to do.

Just when everyone was so anxious that they didn't know what to do, His Majesty, who had been silent for a long time, gave a faint order: "...you wait for me to change my clothes."

·

Originally according to the arrangement, the banquet should have already started at this time, and then it will be held with joy and excitement until the moon comes out.But now that His Majesty is still refusing to show up, Hong Huidian feels that no matter how patient he is, he can't wait any longer.

She had a smile on her face, but she was already furious inside.Gritting his teeth, he ordered the people below to go and urge them again. Suddenly, he heard the sound of the broken strings, the sound of the imperial whip, and when the palace bell swayed, the sound of singing newspapers could be heard far away—it was His Majesty who had arrived.

The empress dowager's mood turned from bad to good at this time, with a satisfied smile on her face.She got up gracefully, and led the attendants from all the palaces and the ministers' wives to pay respects to His Majesty.

Suzaku signaled everyone to be excused, sat on the throne, and looked around, but he didn't see the longing figure.He was even more disappointed, and his complexion became more fragile.

Originally, he should have said some congratulations, but now he is really not in the mood at all.However, he waved his hand wearily, signaling to the people below that the banquet began.After receiving a hint, the song and dance was preparing to perform with all its energy, when it suddenly heard the sound of an announcement from a distance.Following that figure, an extremely handsome figure came from a distance——

The black hat and the crown reflect the slanted temples, and the water in the starry eyes makes ice.

The person who came was the handsome palace servant who had not appeared for a long time.

"Your Majesty is late, please make amends!"

He lifted the hem of his clothes and was kneeling under Suzaku's head, his voice was loud and clear, like jade hitting.

Seeing him coming, Suzaku's face was full of joy, and his complexion turned a little rosy.He said no blame, no blame, and asked someone to arrange the position of the commander-in-chief to his right side.

Seeing his late arrival, Hong Huidian was very dissatisfied, so he couldn't help but sarcastically.It's a pity that the handsome palace just glanced at her, showing no expression.Her Royal Highness was so angry that her cuffs were scratched.

The people below knew that the two Highnesses did not get along, so they couldn't help but feel guilty when they saw this scene today.His majesty is not angry at the arrogant behavior of His Majesty the handsome palace.The expression on his face was much more vivid than when he first arrived.

It's just that such slanderous comments can only be hidden in my heart.The interrupted song and dance sounded again, and the small episode did not affect the high emotions of everyone.The long-awaited cherry blossom viewing party has finally begun——