Xie Xiang

When the autumn wind blows and the summer heat subsides, it is a good time for a banquet.

Once the major event is decided, the court will implement it very quickly.When Liu Zao set the banquet, the ceremony of apprenticeship was completed, and the imperial edict to confer titles of Taifu and Shaofu was also issued.

Li Wen paid homage to his young master, but he did not relinquish his position as Ting Wei, so he could not spend all day teaching for the emperor in the palace like Huan Kuang, at most he could only spare one morning every day.

Fortunately, Liu Zao worshiped him as his teacher, not for studying.The two know each other well.

There will be a banquet this afternoon.Liu Zao thought that Xie Xiang could be seen again at the banquet, and he was in a good mood. He sat on the seat and wrote on a blank bamboo slip.

It is not easy to make bamboo slips.First, choose a strong old bamboo, cut it, and then cut the whole bamboo into pieces.There are strict regulations on the length of bamboo slices, and the bamboo slices used by the emperor are much longer than those used by ordinary people.After being cut into bamboo slices, it needs to be boiled in water, dried, and the green layer on the bamboo slices is scraped off.Then drill the holes and compile them into a book.

What Liu Zao writes are bamboo pieces that have not yet been written into a book, and are not the size she usually uses, only one foot long.The one-foot-long bamboo slips are specially used for writing letters, so letters are also called "Chido".

Liu Zao writes carefully, stroke by stroke.The bamboo slices should be freshly made, not long after drying, there is still a faint fragrance of green bamboo lingering.She is reading books for her grandmother.This ruler letter was to be brought to my grandmother through Xie Yi's hands, so I can't go too deep into it, she didn't write anything else, she just greeted my grandmother and asked the old man to take care of herself.

She wanted to write the ruler letter before the banquet, so that she could hand it over to Xie Yi at the banquet.

Just dropped the last word.Li Wen came with bamboo slips.Liu Zao put down his pen, stood up, and greeted him.She performed the disciple's ceremony, and when the ceremony was over, Li Wen knelt down and performed the ceremony as a servant, and the Huangmen beside the emperor said: "Master Li, excuse me." Li Wen stood up, and it was considered that the ceremony was over.

Li Wen straightened the sleeves of his robe, seeing that the emperor was in a happy mood, he couldn't help laughing and said: "Your Majesty will choose a son-in-law at the banquet. I don't know if there is a suitable candidate, so I can help His Majesty."

Choose a son-in-law at the banquet?It was the first time Liu Zao had heard of it, and asked, "Where did you get the idea?"

Li Wen was also surprised: "Your Majesty doesn't know? Today's banquet is for His Majesty to choose a son-in-law."

When Liu Zao heard the words, he suddenly remembered that day when Prime Minister Xie ordered her to hold a banquet and invite the family members of all the ministers.At that time, she didn't know why she had to entertain her family, but now she suddenly realized.

Seeing that she understood, Li Wen said again: "Your Majesty has reached the age of marriage, and the pepper room must not be left empty." He was about to discuss this matter with the emperor, but now that he brought it up, he simply continued, "There are many talented people in the imperial court. , Your Majesty may wish to take a look, who can catch your eye, I should make a plan early."

Liu Zao said lightly, "Yes."

Li Wen was surprised, His Majesty still had a smile on his face just now, why did he become unhappy after saying a few words?He has been in contact with the little emperor a few times, and he knows that this little emperor has a lot of city and thoughts.He also has no ambition to be a powerful minister, he just wants to help out a wise emperor, and then he will confer his wife and son, and his children and grandchildren.

Therefore, when he spoke with the emperor, he paid great attention to propriety and did not make decisions without authorization. Even if he disagreed with His Majesty, he would often offer advice politely. Although His Majesty has his own opinions, he is not stubborn and can always accept advice with an open mind.Therefore, the two are also the king and the minister.

Seeing that the little emperor was unhappy, Li Wen asked with concern: "Why is Your Majesty so unhappy?"

Liu Zao said: "I'm not displeased." After she finished speaking, she smiled, but the smile was so weak that Li Wen shuddered inexplicably, feeling that His Majesty was about to grind his teeth with anger.

"Your Majesty is dissatisfied with Prime Minister Xie's assertion?" Li Wen asked again.

Liu Zao's face paled, a look of disappointment flashed in her eyes, and she felt sad in her heart, but this is not something that can be explained to outsiders.

Tingwei is her humerus, it is not easy for Liu Zao to get his help, so naturally he treats him with courtesy.She suppressed her anger, and said seriously: "Thank you for making the decision, I can't disobey it, and I ask you to change the rest."

Li Wen hurriedly raised his sleeves and said, "I will do my best."

Liu Zao asked him a few more questions about today's banquet, and carefully asked which young gentlemen would come, what are their strengths and weaknesses, which ones can be a little friendly, and which ones should be far away.

Liu Zao asked carefully, Li Wen also answered carefully, and said: "The candidate for Jiaofang, Liang Cheqi, had planned for a long time, and he made a test at the beginning of the year, but there was also a young man in the prime minister's family who was about the same age as His Majesty, so he chose This matter has been suppressed. Today's banquet is just a passing scene, let His Majesty meet the young men of each family, and then mention the choice of the palace, it will be a matter of course. After that, Xie Xiang and Liang Cheqi will definitely have a fight."

Liu Zao listened to it, Xie Xiang and Liang Ji had some disputes, and she either fished in troubled waters, or proposed a candidate, forming a three-party competition, and she always wanted to gain benefits from this matter.

What about the Jiaofangdian?

Liu Zao knew it all, but when the dispute was over, a man would be selected to marry her and live in the Jiaofang Palace, so she was very unwilling.The Jiaofang Palace belongs to Mr. Xie, how can it be given to someone who is irrelevant?

It can be imagined that among the people who want her to marry, there is a thank you.

Unwillingness turned into disappointment and anger.

This anger continued until the afternoon banquet.

There is a pond of lotus in Ganquan Palace, the lotus pond is several hectares wide, when the lotus blooms, standing on the pavilion not far away and looking down, the water vapor is transpiring, and dragonflies are flying, just like a fairyland.

The banquet is held by the pool.

There is a hall by the pool, with no windows on all sides, usually only covered by bamboo curtains, and the bamboo curtains are rolled up. The main hall is like a spacious and huge pavilion, bright and transparent, and there are corridors on all sides, extending out to the pool.

This is a good place to have a banquet in summer.

It was the first time for the emperor to hold a banquet, and it was a big banquet, so many people came.Together with the Queen Mother, they also came to join us.

Sure enough, there were many young gentlemen at the banquet, either the same size as Liu Zao, or three or five years older than her, all of whom were dressed in bright clothes and radiant.

The musicians in the side hall played silk and bamboo, and some actors sang, and they sang an article by Jiayu in the south of "Xiaoya".This song is the song of feasting, and it is just appropriate to play it now.

The ministers gathered together to play for fun, and there were also those who threw songs in the pot, laughing and laughing endlessly.

Liu Zao also had a smile on her face, she didn't play with the ministers, she sat in the hall, holding a wine glass in her hand, there was wine in the glass, the wine was fragrant and mellow, the color was like amber.Liu Zao didn't go to drink, but leaned sideways on the hidden bag, smiling at the group of youngsters who were competing in archery.She can also shoot arrows, but her archery skills are not so good, and she still needs to practice, so she won't show her eyes.

Xie Yi was also in the hall, she was so quiet, she didn't play games with others, there was a minister talking beside her.Xie Yi responded with a few words, but his eyes were on Liu Zao, seeing that she had been watching people shoot arrows, so he followed her gaze, and Xie Wen was among the group of young people shooting arrows.

He has the best arrow skills and is also the prime minister's servant, so he attracts attention and is surrounded by people.Xie Wen shot an arrow and hit the bull's-eye. There was a burst of applause from there, which was heard even in the hall, causing everyone to look there.

Youth is just right, and it is in full bloom, which is really enviable.Xie Yi couldn't help smiling, and looked back at Liu Zao, and saw Liu Zao was also looking at her, and when she saw her looking over, the smile on Liu Zao's face suddenly faded, he gave her a cold look, and looked away proudly, It seems that looking at her more is superfluous.

Seeing this, Xie Yi knew that His Majesty was angry again.

After Liu Zao stared at her, he didn't feel relieved at all, instead he felt that his heart was very blocked.

As long as there is a banquet, one must not be without wine, and no one must be without joy.The palace is full of wine and music, and the banquet is full of joy.

Liu Zao doesn't drink much, and only takes a sip when a minister comes down to celebrate his birthday.She wanted to stay awake and talk to Xie Xiang after the banquet.

However, there are many ministers, and some young gentlemen also have the courage to come and have a few words with the little emperor.Liu Zao only drank a small sip each, and there were more than ten glasses of wine after drinking.

She was shallow, at first she didn't feel anything, but after a while, when she became drunk, she felt bad.

Liu Zao was afraid that he might be drunk and appear drunk, so he went out of the palace for a walk on the pretext of changing clothes.

The smell of alcohol was dizzy, and heat surged from his stomach, gradually spreading to his whole body.Liu Zao inhaled and exhaled lightly, exhaled and breathed out, and tried his best to stay awake, slowing down his pace and walking on the road.

This area is a garden, surrounded by lush vegetation.Liu Zao walked very straight and his eyes were very straight. Hu Ao followed closely, but he didn't see that the little emperor was drunk, but saw her walking forward without knowing where she was going.

The banquet in the hall has not yet ended, and His Majesty left the banquet halfway. If you don't go back, I'm afraid it will be inappropriate.

Just as Hu Ao was about to remind him, the little emperor suddenly turned his feet and turned straight into a small path.

At the end of this path is a pavilion, the pavilion is hidden behind a clump of female roses, if you don't pay attention, no one will know that there is a pavilion, so few people come.Liu Zao also discovered it by accident a few days ago.

She was thinking about talking to Xie Yi after the banquet, and talking to her about whether she could choose a husband for her not so quickly.It's just that in the eyes of Prime Minister Xie, this matter is closely related to her interests, and she might not be able to persuade her. She has to cheer up and stay awake before talking to her.

Liu Zao wanted to take a nap in the pavilion to sober up.

There are a few in the pavilion, and there are square mattresses beside them.Liu Zao knelt on the square mattress, resting his forehead with his hands, drunk continuously.Liu Zao tried hard to resist, not to be swallowed up by drunkenness.She suddenly felt a little tired.

She wants to persuade Xie Xiang, but she can't make too much concessions.She didn't have much at all, and she managed to get a Li Wen, and she had hooked up with the courtiers, if she made concessions with Prime Minister Xie, she might go back to the time when she had nothing.

It is really difficult to convince Xie Yi without giving in.

Xie Yi was in the hall, seeing the little emperor left the banquet and did not return after a long time, she was worried and also left the banquet to look for him.There are countless palace people in such a large garden, and there are traces of the little emperor leaving the banquet.

Xie Yi asked a few palace people along the way, and found the pavilion easily.

She bypassed the lush female roses, turned to the pavilion, and saw the little emperor sitting upright in the pavilion with one hand propped on his forehead, his posture seemed to be in the palace of Xuanshi, she was tired from reading and took a nap in the middle.

When Hu Ao saw Xie Yi, he was busy paying respects, but Xie Yi's eyes fell on Liu Zao, he shook his head silently, and waved his hands again.Hu Ao hesitated for a moment, and led several palace servants back twenty steps away, looking at this side from a distance.

Liu Zao was very drunk, the back of her neck was full of wine, she was barely able to maintain a little sobriety, and she was saying drowsily in her heart, Xie Xiang is really annoying.Suddenly footsteps were heard.The familiar aroma approached her.

Liu Zao licked her lips, raised her head, her eyes were blurred and dazed, and fell on Xie Yi.

"Why did Your Majesty come here?" Xie Yi sat down in front of her, saw her blushing face, raised her hand to touch her forehead again.

Her hands felt a little cool, Liu Zao's face was hot, and the cool palms touched her forehead, which was very comfortable. Liu Zao subconsciously held Xie Yi's wrist, and opened her eyes carefully for a closer look. After confirming that the person in front of him was Xie Yi, Fang muttered, "Zhen, I'm here to sober up."

Her hand was hot, Xie Yi's wrist was held by her, as if it had been scalded, she wanted to pull it back, but Liu Zao held it even tighter, and frowned, looking at her displeasedly, His eyes blamed her for not moving.

If she had the slightest sense of sobriety, she would not dare to do so.Xie Yi concluded that she was completely drunk.

But who can compare with a drunkard?Xie Yi didn't struggle anymore, instead she used the other hand to touch Liu Zao's cheek, and said softly, "Is Your Majesty drunk?"

Liu Zao nodded obediently and admitted: "I've had a drink." When she said that she had a drink, her expression became depressed. Even though she was drunk, she still remembered that she had something to talk to Xie, but when she was drunk, the talk couldn't be done.

Xie Yi shook her head, and her voice was rarely spoiled: "I have ordered someone to mix white water into His Majesty's wine, why are you still drunk?"

Liu Zao immediately looked like a child who has made a mistake, lowered his head and did not speak.

The little baby back then has grown so big in the blink of an eye.Xie Yi's complexion was extremely gentle. He touched her forehead and said, "No drinking from now on."

Liu Zao nodded: "OK."

She leaned towards Xie Yi, the grievances accumulated in her heart for a day flooded instantly, she didn't realize that Xie Yi at this time was different from usual, she just wanted to tell the uncomfortable things.

"I don't want to choose a son-in-law." Liu Zao said in a low voice.

Xie Yi didn't blame her, nor treated her like a drunk, but asked patiently: "Why?"

Her wrist was still held by Liu Zao, Liu Zao looked at her cautiously, moved his lips, but finally lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Xie Yi made her heart soften at this glance, she softened her voice, and encouraged her, "Say it, don't be afraid."

Liu Zao listened to Xie Yi's voice, even if he was drunk, he would have countless courage because of her encouragement.She pursed her lips, looked at Xie Yi again, the young boy's clear eyes were moist with drunkenness, and Xie Yi was the only one in her eyes, she held her wrist and said, "I already have someone in mind."