Although this New Year's Eve banquet was not a family reunion, but a custom to kill the loneliness in his heart, it was more enjoyable and interesting than Zhao Junchen imagined.
Although it was just a gathering of five people, Xu Qingyan and Fang Ru knew each other well, Liu Zimin was knowledgeable and smooth, and Liu Rui was quiet and knowledgeable, so chatting with them about the past and present would not be boring.
Especially Liu Zimin, this New Year's Eve banquet made Zhao Junchen look at him with admiration. As expected of his family background, his knowledge, insights, and quick thinking were far beyond Zhao Junchen's original imagination. During the conversation, he quoted a lot of other things, and he was also very knowledgeable about Zhao Junchen.
Junchen deliberately tries to please, and occasionally tells jokes to make people smile. During the contact and conversation, sometimes Zhao Junchen can even forget his despicable nature.
At this time, the five people accidentally talked about monks' eloquence, but Liu Zimin took advantage of the opportunity and said with a smile: "As your Excellency said, these eminent monks and great virtues have mastered each one of them while debating Taoism and Buddhism all day long.
He looked so eloquent, but it reminded me of a joke."
Seeing Liu Zimin telling jokes again, everyone looked expectant. Zhao Junchen also smiled and said: "You read a lot of idle books, but you are different from those pedantic Confucian scholars. Today I only listen to your jokes. Come on, tell me."
listen."
Liu Zimin smiled flatteringly at Zhao Junchen and said: "But there is a monk in Baoshan Temple in Taihu Lake, Suzhou who is extremely intelligent, erudite and well-known. There is a scholar who is not convinced, so he goes to the monk and asks, 'Bald donkey, what are you talking about?'
How do you write the word "bald" for "bald donkey"? The monk replied calmly, "Just make the word "show" for scholar, with the buttocks slightly curved."
In the harmonious atmosphere, this slightly vulgar joke did not arouse everyone's displeasure. On the contrary, everyone laughed.
However, Liu Rui blushed at her brother's vulgar joke. She quickly pulled Liu Zimin's sleeve and said softly: "Brother, be careful what you say."
Seeing Liu Rui's appearance, Zhao Junchen smiled and waved his hands and said, "No problem, no problem. Today is the New Year's Eve banquet. You don't have to be restrained. You can do whatever you want."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen glanced at Liu Zimin thoughtfully.
Although this Liu Zimin is a villain, when you get along with him, he is much more interesting than those gentlemen.
In fact, villains often live better than gentlemen, and the reason is the same.
"Although everyone in the world hates villains and approaches gentlemen, when they really come into contact with the two, it is often easier to get along with villains. Perhaps it is because these villains do not have so many principles, while gentlemen have too many principles.
It’s because of that.”
While Zhao Junchen was thinking secretly, a servant of the Zhao family came over, saluted Zhao Junchen and said, "Master, it's time to set off the firecrackers."
Zhao Junchen nodded, waved and said: "Let it go, let it go, the firecrackers will be lit in the front yard, it will be more lively and interesting."
After all, Xu Qingyan was young at heart. In the past, when everyone was chatting, he was not knowledgeable enough and could not get a word in. Now when he saw the servants of the Zhao family bringing many fireworks and firecrackers outside the main hall, he couldn't help but get excited and seemed ready to move.
.
Seeing Xu Qingyan's appearance, Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed, and said: "I know you can't sit still. There are not so many rules and regulations today. Go and light firecrackers with them. You, that's all you can do."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's agreement, Xu Qingyan didn't take it seriously even though he was laughed at and scolded, and happily went to light firecrackers with the Zhao family's servants.
After placing the firecrackers, Xu Qingyan did not let others interfere. He personally took a piece of lit incense and lit the firecrackers one by one, having a great time.
The firecrackers in Zhao Junchen's mansion were all specially made in the palace and given by Emperor Deqing. The firecrackers soared into the sky and the sky was full of fireworks, which was extremely beautiful.
After Zhao Junchen admired it for a moment, he turned around and saw that the other people in the seat, whether it was Fang Ru or the Liu family brothers and sisters, all showed a hint of yearning.
Seeing them like this, Zhao Junchen thought about it and understood what they were thinking.
Fang Ru had a miserable fate since she was a child. She was sold back and forth by human traffickers. The Liu brothers and sisters also had very strict upbringings. Lighting firecrackers was a common way for children to play. For various reasons, they had never experienced this.
When I saw Xu Qingyan having fun, I naturally felt a little yearning and looking forward to it.
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen saw Xu Qingyan having fun and wanted to relax, but he also felt a little childish. He stood up and said to Fang Ru and the Liu family: "Seeing that Qingyan is having fun, let's go together too."
Well, having fun alone is not as good as having fun together.”
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, Fang Ru and the Liu family brothers and sisters were both stunned. The Liu family brothers and sisters were still a little hesitant at first, but Fang Ru suddenly became excited, her red face became even more enchanting, and she did not shy away, pulling Zhao Junchen's hand.
Sleeve ran towards the front yard.
"You have a wild temper."
After being pulled to the front yard by Fang Ru, Zhao Junchen shook his head and smiled.
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Fang Ru gave Zhao Junchen a charming look, took a stick of incense from the servants of the Zhao family, and then started to light the firecrackers like Xu Qingyan did.
However, after all, Fang Ru lit up firecrackers for the first time, and she looked quite interesting. She always held Zhao Junchen's sleeve tightly with her left hand, as if she was afraid that Zhao Junchen would run away, and she nudged towards the firecrackers little by little with her toes, until she reached a safe distance.
Finally, his body was trembling slightly, and he held the lit incense in his right hand and carefully lit the firecrackers.
After finally lighting the firecrackers, Fang Ru let out a soft exclamation before the firecrackers exploded, "swiped" them into Zhao Junchen's arms, and then secretly glanced at the firecrackers with her big eyes. After the firecrackers exploded,
He smiled again, and then pulled Zhao Junchen towards the next firecracker.
Fang Ru, who had put aside her worries about the city, was much more beautiful than usual.
Seeing Fang Ru's appearance, Zhao Junchen was also helpless. Seeing that the Liu family brothers and sisters also came out, but stood aside in a restrained manner, Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "You guys are here too, there will be more people and it will be more lively."
To Zhao Junchen's surprise, after hesitating for a moment, the first person to light the firecrackers with Zhao Junchen and the others was not Liu Zimin, who was always knowledgeable and the best at finding out what to do, but Liu Rui, who was always quiet and gentle.
Encouraged by Zhao Junchen's gaze, Liu Rui hesitantly took the incense from the servants of the Zhao family, and then walked towards the firecrackers.
Liu Rui, who has always been used to hard work, is not like Fang Ru, who has been well-dressed and well-off over the years. Her body's reaction and agility are much stronger. Although she is still a little nervous, she quickly lit the first firecracker, and then
He quickly stepped aside.
"boom!"
With a loud bang, the firecrackers shot into the sky and turned into huge fireworks in front of Liu Rui's eyes.
Looking at the gorgeous fireworks, Liu Rui stared blankly, and then suddenly laughed.
This was the first time Zhao Junchen saw her smile.
Under the light of the fireworks, the fair and delicate little face has a misty beauty, the small mouth is slightly covered, the eyes are curved into crescents, smiling quietly, with a sense of contentment, it seems that it is just such a firework
, it just makes her satisfied and happy. Perhaps, for Liu Rui, who has suffered since childhood, this firework is indeed one of her few good memories.
Seeing Liu Rui's satisfied and happy smile, Zhao Junchen felt a little more satisfied and happy in his heart.
Accustomed to Liu Rui's quietness and gentleness, accustomed to Liu Rui's weakness but strength, Zhao Junchen saw Liu Rui's smile for the first time, but suddenly found that this was the most suitable appearance for Liu Rui.
..."You should smile more, you look good."
At the end of the New Year's Eve banquet, before Zhao Junchen left, he suddenly remembered something, stopped, turned around and smiled at Liu Rui.
Liu Rui, who was seeing Zhao Junchen off with Liu Zimin, was stunned for a moment after hearing these words, then blushed and quickly lowered his head, looking so shy and cute.
On the other side, Liu Zimin had a happy face, Xu Qingyan seemed to be smiling, but Fang Ru's smile suddenly looked a little forced.
... Accompanied by Xu Qingyan and Fang Ru, Zhao Junchen walked towards the study.
"Master, aren't you going to take a break today, New Year's Eve?"
Fang Ru followed Zhao Junchen, looking a little dazed for some reason, and asked.
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "On New Year's Eve, ordinary people can rest, but I can't. Not to mention that there are still some government affairs left in the DPRK and the Central Government. I have to prepare well for His Majesty's birthday tomorrow."
Fang Ru nodded and said: "In that case, I will watch the New Year's Eve on my behalf tonight. Your Majesty's birthday is important. Master, you should rest early and be in better spirits tomorrow."
At this time, people have the habit of staying up late on New Year's Eve. Staying up late starts with the New Year's Eve dinner and stays up all night to welcome the arrival of the New Year. This custom not only expresses a feeling of nostalgia for the passing years, but also a sense of nostalgia for the coming years.
I wish you good luck in the New Year.
However, although the artistic conception was good, Zhao Junchen could not care about it.
Zhao Junchen nodded again and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen turned to Xu Qingyan and said, "Qingyan, before you go to rest, go to the warehouse to count and check the birthday gifts I will present to His Majesty tomorrow. You can't neglect this matter."
Compared with the significance of New Year's Eve, Zhao Junchen is more concerned about Emperor Deqing's birthday tomorrow.
Xu Qingyan responded and turned around.
Fang Ru, on the other hand, sent Zhao Junchen to the study room before turning and leaving.
After Zhao Junchen returned to the study, he did not deal with any public or private matters immediately. Instead, he sat back on the chair and quietly thought about what they had just done together.
At the New Year's Eve banquet, there were no conflicts of interest or intrigues. Even if Liu Zimin had ulterior motives in trying to please him, he had no power and power, so Zhao Junchen did not have to deliberately guard against him. It was a rare relaxing time for Zhao Junchen since he came to this world.
As he thought about it, Zhao Junchen had a slight smile on his lips.
But he smiled bitterly.
"I'm really not used to this kind of ease and ease..."
At the New Year's Eve banquet, although Zhao Junchen was relaxed, he could not get into the festive atmosphere. He seemed to be just watching, just coping according to his habits. Even when he was happiest and relaxed, he was secretly thinking about future plans and could not help himself.
After muttering to himself, Zhao Junchen shook his head, stopped thinking about it, and continued to deal with various matters on the table...