There are two dignified stone lions at the gate of the courtyard. The high gate courtyard is where the banquet is held. It is the Jiang family's residence.

The courtyard is composed of countless small courtyards. The alleys are no less generous than the streets outside. The Jiang family's garden is famous in Pinghe County, with carved railings and painted buildings. It is said that Wang Wei's poems and paintings are also hidden there.

.

After entering the gate, there are three portals similar to archways. Ordinary people use the side doors on both sides. Even direct descendants of the Jiang family can only use the tall middle door on birthdays.

At this moment, the middle gate was very lively.

Lu Xing was wearing a brocade python robe, followed closely by Wei Ying, who was wearing a plain skirt and covering her face. She took small steps and looked straight at the ground. It was her first time in such a high-class compound, and she seemed very reserved.

Under the stars and the moon, Lu Xing entered the main house without any hindrance. When he noticed that Wei Ying was a little embarrassed, he took Wei Ying's hand and strode across the threshold.

"Jiang Cide, the head of the Jiang family, has met the crown prince." Led by Jiang Cide, a group of people bowed their hands to Lu Xing one after another, with various expressions on their faces, and they all stuck their heads out, vying to be the first to come out.

An old man with a stooped back walked out of the crowd again. Jiang Zide took a step back, bowed and saluted, and introduced: "This is the patriarch Jiang Mao. I learned that the prince was coming, so I came here to meet him."

"Grandpa, please be careful!"

Before Lu Xing could talk to Jiang Mao, Jiang Zhen rushed out of the gate in a hurry. He stepped forward to help Jiang Mao.

Jiang Mao looked up, his face was old, his eyes were covered with wrinkled skin, and he was slightly absent-minded.

He looked at Jiang Zhen, then at Lu Xing, and suddenly stepped forward to hold Lu Xing's hand, opened his mouth, and said in a trembling voice: "Zhen'er, I saw the crown prince today, oh, I'm so happy."

Lu Xing finally understood that the patriarch Jiang Mao was a demented old man. Looking at Jiang Mao's kind face, Lu Xing wanted to praise him a few words, but the information submitted by the dish had always been bad or bad. Lu Xing didn't know for a moment

What to say, I can only hold the old man's hot hand tightly.

This heartwarming scene fell into the eyes of everyone in the Jiang family. The elders burst into tears, while the younger ones only felt warm. They all felt that Lu Xing was an easy master to get along with.

"Ahem, cough," Jiang Zhen broke the deadlock and said: "People from all the major clans are here. Your Majesty, please move to the garden."

Jiang Zhen quickly noticed Wei Ying behind Lu Xing and asked, "Prince, what should I call this person?"

Lu Xing explained: "She is my maid accompanying me."

Wei Ying bent her knees slightly, put her hands on her left waist, and said, "Slave, I have met Mr. Jiang."

This was agreed between Lu Xing and Wei Ying in advance. They could go to the banquet together, but they had to pretend to be slaves.

Lu Xing smiled slightly and said, "Lead the way."

Led by Jiang Zhen, the group left the main house and headed towards the garden.

The hill behind the Jiang family's residence is connected to a lake. The garden is built along the lake, and a stone boat is built on the shore.

"Please!" Jiang Zhen spread out his hand and pointed at the stone boat in front of him, with a rather proud look in his eyes.

Looking along Jiang Zhen's hand, there is a long corridor in front. The pillars are carved with colorful phoenix paintings. There are redwoods along the road. Even the bluestone bricks on the ground are carved by craftsmen, as neat and smooth as jade.

Lu Xing's eyes were dull, but he was sighing in his heart. The wine and meat smelled bad, and the road was frozen to death. Ying'er was right, but this is a country. Local power is the cornerstone of a country. Throughout the history, as long as things don't go too far,

, are tolerated by those in power.

Inside the stone boat, there are countless gold, stone and jade articles.

As soon as Lu Xing walked in, all the eyes of the people inside fell on him. Several older people came towards Lu Xing and bowed close by.

"Dong Kuan, I have met the crown prince."

"Wang Taihe, I feel very honored to have met the Crown Prince."

…

The Dong and Wang families have been engaged in business for generations and can be said to be the richest. After accumulating wealth, they gradually gained real power in the officialdom of Pinghe County.

Lu Xing narrated in his heart, but what made the two families most famous was an incident ten years ago. At that time, Xuejin City sold officials for sale, and the Dong and Wang families bought two hundred yuan in one go on behalf of Pinghe County.

He held an official position of eighth or ninth grade, had great financial resources, and became famous in the Northland from then on.

"You two uncles don't need to be polite. My nephew still remembers your contribution to Xuejin City in the past."

As soon as Lu Xing said this, he was surrounded by people. Every family sent them a greeting, and Lu Xing asked Jiang Zhen to collect these things on his behalf.

Wei Ying held a thick gift list and counted the rare treasures on it, with stars in her eyes.

The Jiang family was the host, but they gave up their high position and respectfully invited Lu Xing to take a seat. There were two futons on the left and right, which seemed to be prepared for the serving maids.

"If you really want to sit with me, let me tell you, when everyone toasts to me, hundreds of people will stare at me." Lu Xing said to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying nodded without thinking, "Well, don't be afraid. The young lady from the Dong family hasn't shown her face yet. I have to keep an eye on the young master."

While he was talking, everyone took their seats one after another.

The dancing music starts and the warm wine goes into the throat.

Dong Kuan raised his glass and said: "Your Majesty, I have a daughter who has admired your reputation for a long time. Today I heard that your Majesty has come to the throne and she has composed a Yuefu song and dance of her own. I want your Majesty to open her eyes to her."

After saying this, everyone in the hall immediately started talking.

"Oh, I'm talking about Miss Dong's family. She's the white snow in 'Yangchun Baixue'."

"I never expected that I would be so lucky today to see one of the 'treasures' of Pinghe County."

"I heard that Miss Dong is a talented woman who is proficient in all kinds of music, chess, calligraphy and painting. It is said that this honor of Yangchun Baixue was obtained by a passing scholar from Yingtian Academy."

When these words reached Wei Ying's ears, her expression did not change and she murmured in a low voice: "It's still Bai Xue, why isn't it called Chen Yu Luo Yan? Those who don't know think it's Xi Shi who is still alive."

Wei Ying spoke softly, and Lu Xing glanced at her and replied: "Why is Ying'er so angry? You have the appearance of conquering the country, so don't argue with others."

"Young Master, do you want to say that I am stingy?" Wei Ying suppressed her voice and snorted coldly: "Young Master, you should go back and talk to them together so that you can see your sincerity."

Lu Xing knew that the "they" Wei Ying was referring to were Xiao Yu, Li Rui and Liu Danyang. Lu Xing smiled and held Wei Ying's hand and patted the back of her hand.

Later, Lu Xing raised his glass to Dong Kuan and said, "Since it is my uncle's kind intention, how can my nephew refuse it?"

At this moment, the sound of the piano outside the hall suddenly changed, and the tune became particularly melodious, like a long stream of water.

Two maids held a pink blanket and dragged it from the end of the hall to the front. They knelt and sat on both sides of the blanket with their hands stretched out and bells tied to them. The jingling sound combined with the maids' petite appearance was already quite interesting.

Outside the hall, the young lady of the Dong family was wearing a white dress, her bare feet resting on the blanket, her bones were psychic, her little finger was jade-like, and every hook line was polished as if by a skilled craftsman.

The white skirt is rustling, the little feet are pink; the precious wine is used as a bow, the beauty is especially perfect.

"The little girl Dong Xiangxue has met the crown prince."

Lu Xing nodded, stretched out his hands and said, "Get up, I heard that you have a dance to dedicate to me, please do it!"

"Wait!" Wei Ying stood up suddenly and walked in front of Dong Xiangxue in a few steps. Her eyes on the veil looked at the face opposite her.

Dong Xiangxue was slightly startled and looked at Wei Ying. Until he saw her gaze, Dong Xiangxue raised the corners of his lips and looked at her without giving in.

The two women were fighting, and anyone with a discerning eye could tell that something was wrong. Everyone was refilling their glasses, and their interest was rising.

"What is going on? Why did this veiled girl stop me?"

"Hey, I can't say that I'm jealous of Dong Xiangxue's appearance. After all, ordinary women tend to have small bellies."

"I don't want to say this, but she is the maid next to the prince."

"Look at you like that. In the final analysis, you are just a maid. I don't think the prince even cares about you."

Lu Xing listened to the discussion in the hall. He didn't know why Wei Ying got up at this moment. However, Ying'er was his own girl, so he had to speak for her no matter what.

"Don't you guys have seen her? My girl is impatient. She heard that Dong Xiangxue is a famous and talented woman, so she wants to take a test."

With Lu Xing personally smoothing things over, the strange look in everyone's eyes gradually faded away.

Dong Xiangxue smiled calmly and asked: "I wonder if there is anything you can teach me about, young lady. I am not very talented. I am willing to listen to you."

Wei Ying's lips curled up into a smile under her veil, and she said, "Lu Xing has lived in Longhu Mountain for a long time, and he has only been down there for more than a month now. I'm very curious, where does the girl's admiration for the prince come from? Why does she stoop down to dance?"

"Hey, well," Dong Xiangxue covered his mouth and smiled, his white sleeves stained with red lips.

"What am I? This little girl has a clear mind and can explain the reasons clearly. It's just..." Dong Xiangxue looked at Lu Xing in the high seat. On his fair neck, his cheeks were slightly red.

Dong Xiangxue intertwined his hands and said slightly sarcastically, "I hope the prince doesn't think Xiang Xue is a frivolous person."

Lu Xing nodded and said, "It's just what the lady said. This girl doesn't have any malicious intentions."

"Okay," Dong Xiangxue looked around and said with a slightly bulging face.

"I heard that there was an academy in Xuejin City. When the young master was ten years old, he wrote two big characters on the door of the academy, which were 'Taiping'. This matter was written in the book of Yingtian Academy. Xiang Xue listened.

I grew up with the story of the young master.”

"Also, six years ago, a strong wind went south, and the snowfield passed through the border. The snow covered six thousand miles, and the grains and crops were destroyed. At that time, the young master stepped forward and went to Kyoto alone as a pledge, in exchange for the deposit of interest for the north.

The enemy’s food and fodder.”

As Dong Xiangxue spoke, her eyes drifted towards Wei Ying. She blinked and said rather naughtily: "If you think it's not enough, girl, just listen to me."

"Three years ago, the young master went to Longhu Mountain to tell the world that he had no intention of fighting for hegemony. Just like the two big characters written by the young master when he was ten years old, he only wished for peace in the world!"

After the words fell, the music of the piano paused, and then there was the sound of drums.

Everyone in the hall looked sideways, looking at Dong Xiangxue with admiration. There is really a woman so smart in this world.

Lu Xing lowered his eyes, feeling a little surprised. Xuejin City is thousands of miles away from Pingyuan County, and there is actually a woman who can understand my thoughts. You know, even my close friend Feng Liangping cannot reach an agreement with me on this matter.

White snow, Xiangxue, there is a beautiful woman in the north, Dong Xiangxue of Pinghe County.

"What the girl said is enough to make Lu Xing happy." Lu Xing said, and then he saw Dong Xiangxue's face clearly.
Chapter completed!