In the Princess Mansion at night, bright lights were hung high, dispelling the surrounding darkness. Dozens of warriors wearing black armor were patrolling the perimeter of the Princess Mansion with swords in hand. Although there were not many people walking around the long street nearby,
However, these armored warriors still patrolled meticulously.
Changlefang is located in the north of Shangdu City, overlooking the palace city. The people who live here are all distinguished people, and those who have money are definitely not able to buy a mansion.
The Feng Dynasty's etiquette is relatively loose and does not have many requirements for the people. However, some invisible rules are like an invisible barrier that makes people elusive and out of reach.
Orchid Garden.
"Do you think Chu Ling will come?"
Huangfu Jingyu stood by the pool and looked at the silent Liu Chengfeng, "Invitations from the Princess's Mansion are quite popular among the emperors. Anyone who accepts the invitation is willing to come to the Princess's Mansion for a banquet. Only this Chu Ling is an outlier.
You actually didn’t even look at it. If this matter gets spread, I wonder what the repercussions will be?”
What was the response?
I'm afraid that the nobles, rich families, and powerful children in Xanadu will all rush to Chu Ling's wine shop to discuss things with Chu Ling.
Liu Chengfeng had a strange look on his face, glanced at Huangfu Jingyu, and twirled the rosary in his hand, "I don't know if Chu Ling will come to the banquet. After all, the Imperial College and the six major academies have sent people to invite him to participate in the admission examination. He can even do it casually.
Chu Ling didn't even care about choosing a great scholar to be his disciple."
"Speaking of this matter, why didn't Duzhaoyan Academy send someone to meet Chu Ling after drinking?"
Huangfu Jingyu raised his eyebrows slightly, and said with doubts in his words, "Although Mr. Jiang has a weird temperament, he also loves talents very much. For a great talent like Chu Ling, doesn't Mr. Jiang want to recruit Chu Ling?"
"I don't know the specifics."
Liu Chengfeng lifted up the sleeves of his robe and frowned slightly and said: "But as far as I know, when Chu Ling's song "I will enter the wine without you seeing me" spread throughout the capital, the president, headmaster, and worshiper of Zhaoyan Academy were
, the great scholars gathered together in Fenghai Pavilion, and according to my understanding, I am afraid that they want to recruit Chu Ling into Zhaoyan Court."
"This is surprising."
Huangfu Jingyu showed a smile, and Chu Ling's appearance appeared in front of his eyes. Unknowingly, this strange man he met by chance in the West City had already begun to stir up the current situation in Xanadu.
The sea is like a deep sea. On the surface, it looks calm, but in reality, there are turbulent undercurrents. No one knows when a wave will roll up and what kind of storm it will cause.
Huangfu Jingyu is in charge of the newly established Xuanniao Division and knows some secrets. Chu Ling, an outsider, is currently in the whirlpool.
"Princess, according to Xuanniao's report, Mr. Chu has left the wine and is driving towards Changlefang."
Lian Xin, who was waiting quietly at the side, immediately walked towards Huangfu Jingyu after learning the news: "Xuanniao came to tell the time, Chu Ling has just arrived in the Shengpingfang area..."
"Look at this person's airs."
Huangfu Jingyu looked at Liu Chengfeng, half-smiling but not smiling, and said, "The banquet held by the Princess's Mansion is scheduled for 3:00am. By the time he arrives at the Princess's Mansion, I'm afraid he'll just step on it."
"Maybe I'll be busy after drinking."
Liu Chengfeng said calmly.
For a banquet of this size, the invitees generally need to arrive in advance, firstly to show respect, and secondly to connect with each other until the banquet officially starts.
Although he didn't know why Huangfu Jingyu wanted to hold a banquet, Chu Ling understood these rules, but Chu Ling had no intention of rushing there in advance because he didn't like these rules.
"Sir, aren't we going to a banquet?"
In the car, Xiang Ruonan looked confused and looked at Chu Ling and asked, "Why do you want the driver to go through Dongshi? Won't this delay time?"
"I'm going to a banquet."
Chu Ling looked at the lively scene outside the car window and said in a calm tone: "If you delay, just delay. Anyway, we are not in a hurry to beg for help."
There was a huge crowd of people outside the car, with various hawking sounds going on, and from time to time there would be some quarrels. The shops facing the street were equipped with various products, and people stopped to ask from time to time. The aroma wafting in the air made people linger. Chu Ling liked it very much.
This kind of smoke and fire in the world.
While observing, Chu Ling even saw some foreigners wearing Fengchao costumes. Their completely different appearances and skin colors did not attract the slightest attention. Even these foreigners could all speak fluent Fengchao Mandarin.
.
The prosperous times of Feng Dynasty gave the people under its rule a strong sense of self-confidence.
Seeing this scene, Chu Ling gained a new understanding of Feng Chao.
This is a prosperous era with magnificent mountains and rivers, vigorous prosperity and high spirits. There is no internal war and the frontiers are relatively stable. It can be said that you are lucky to live in such an era.
Although the Feng Dynasty class has been solidified and it is extremely difficult for the lower-level groups to climb up, many people feel contented without the trouble of war. After all, once war occurs, it means the advent of troubled times in which human life is not taken seriously. That is the most important thing.
Dark and dark.
"The prosperity of the people is suffering, and the destruction of the people is suffering."
Chu Ling's words made Xiang Ruonan look strange. Although she didn't know why Chu Ling said these words, they touched her inexplicably.
The hustle and bustle of Dongshi became farther and farther away. The further north he traveled, the more Chu Ling could feel the invisible barrier shrouding him. This was also the reason why he didn't want to come early.
"Mr. Chu, I can't leave anymore."
The traveling carriage stopped, and the driver looked cautious, "Kaiyuan Avenue needs to go through several rounds of inspections, small..."
"good."
Chu Ling leaned out of the car and walked out, "Can you please unload those jars of wine? I'll settle the bill after I go back to the restaurant."
"Hey, hey."
The coachman nodded repeatedly.
Chu Ling jumped out of the car and looked at the brightly lit Kaiyuan Avenue ahead. This avenue was like a natural barrier, separating the north from the south.
Chu Ling also experienced this kind of uncomfortable feeling when he went to Shunguo Gongfu. Compared with the daytime, when night fell, the interrogation on Kaiyuan Avenue was much more severe.
"Da da da~"
"Bell~"
At this moment, the sound of horse hoofbeats mixed with the ringing of copper bells rang, and a group of people and horses were marching towards where Chu Ling was. When Xiang Ruonan saw that the people and horses were walking this way, his heartbeat could not help but accelerate a lot.
"Mr. Chu, please get in the car and drive."
The man in front of this group of people looked familiar to Chu Ling, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
"It's time to work."
Chu Ling nodded slightly.
Then, under the gaze of everyone, he walked slowly towards the car in front of him. Xiang Ruonan followed Chu Ling nervously. Several warriors got off their horses, picked up the wine jar on the ground, turned around and walked towards the car.
The driver, who had been standing all the time, didn't even dare to take a breath.
"Go home!"
Xiao Zhiyi turned the horse's head and said loudly.
The group headed straight for the Princess Mansion. When passing through Kaiyuan Avenue, they did not encounter any interrogation or obstruction, and passed without any trouble.
Chu Ling, who was sitting in the car, leaned on the soft cushions and looked at the decorations inside the car. When she saw Xiang Ruonan sitting nervously with a small face, he showed a faint smile.
"Don't be nervous, just treat it as a fun trip."
Chu Ling picked up a plate of pastries and handed it to Xiang Ruonan, "Try these pastries. I'm afraid they won't be available in the market. Relax."
"Um."
Xiang Ruonan's jade cheeks were slightly red, he lowered his head and took the pastries without saying anything else.
However, the tension in my heart felt a little relieved.
But not long after, nervousness surrounded Xiang Ruonan's heart again. He looked at the princess mansion in front of him, followed Chu Ling into the mansion, and the scenes he saw made Xiang Ruonan's heart beat faster. The bright lights were shining brightly.
Dazzling, she dared not look directly at the soldiers standing on both sides of the wooden corridor. The faint fragrance of flowers wafted in the air. After passing through the moon gates, Xiang Ruonan saw countless precious flowers and trees, lifelike rockeries, and various styles.
After walking closer to the building complex and making tea, Xiang Ruonan found that he had lost his way while walking.
Arriving at a place in the Princess Mansion, Xiang Ruonan was a little at a loss as he saw the silvery lake surface. The moon was very full tonight.
Arriving at Lanyuan, Chu Ling could feel Xiang Ruonan's nervousness, "Just follow me, don't be nervous."
"Yes~"
Xiang Ruonan wanted to speak, but he noticed several people walking towards him. He didn't dare to speak when the words came to his lips, and walked nervously behind Chu Ling.
"I've met the third princess, and I've met Brother Liu."
Chu Ling lifted the sleeves of her robe, raised her hand and saluted.
"We meet again."
Huangfu Jingyu raised his chin slightly, his phoenix eyes looked at Chu Ling, then fell on Xiang Ruonan, "Is this your new maid?"
"no."
Chu Ling shook her head and said.
"In Xanadu, if anyone receives an invitation from the princess's palace, they will come in advance." Huangfu Jingyu continued: "Why don't you come in a hurry?"
"Maybe Chu is different from them."
Chu Ling smiled lightly and said: "Chu came to the princess's house for the banquet simply to attend the banquet without any other purpose."
Huangfu Jingyu snorted coldly, turned around and walked towards Lanyuan Pavilion.
The silent Liu Chengfeng nodded to Chu Ling, then turned and walked towards Lanyuan Pavilion.
Chu Ling didn't pay much attention to these and went with them.
Lanyuan Pavilion.
Dozens of musicians played music, and more than a dozen graceful dancers gathered in the center to perform dances. Chu Ling, led by the maid, walked towards an area.
Huangfu Jingyu, who was sitting down, had been observing Chu Ling and found that Chu Ling's eyes did not stay on the dancing girls as they walked along the way.
"Chu Ling, before you came here, weren't you curious about why I held a banquet?" Chu Ling had just sat down and motioned for Xiang Ruonan to sit next to him when Huangfu Jingyu's voice rang out.
"Not curious."
Chu Ling lifted up the sleeves of her robe, looked at Huangfu Jingyu and said: "The princess held a banquet, Chu went to the banquet, the banquet was over, and Chu went back."
Huangfu Jingyu: "..."
Chu Ling's attitude made Huangfu Jingyu a little angry.
Who would dare to treat her like this in Xanadu on weekdays?
No!
Only in Chu Ling's place, Huangfu Jingyu was very unhappy with such a calm situation.
Then thinking about Chu Ling's engagement with his best friend, Huangfu Jingyu's mood became even worse.
Don't deny it.
Chu Ling is indeed talented, but her attitude is really bad.
"Brother Chu, do you know." Liu Chengfeng held up his wine glass and said in a calm tone: "Because of your influence, the preliminary election of the Wangyou Lake Poetry Society will end early."
Why is he hostile to me?
Chu Ling didn't care about what Liu Chengfeng said, but Chu Ling was keenly aware that there was nothing wrong with Liu Chengfeng's attitude.
Compared with when Liu Chengfeng first met, Chu Ling could clearly detect Liu Chengfeng's sense of alienation when they met here. Although it was very faint, Chu Ling could feel it.
Chu Ling felt a little baffled.
"Chu doesn't know what Brother Liu said."
Chu Ling smiled slightly and said, "Mr. Chu has been busy drinking these days, so he doesn't know much about what happened in Xanadu."
"It's normal that you don't understand."
Huangfu Jingyu frowned slightly and said: "In the future, the other six academies will hold painting boats at Wangyou Lake, and they will announce their respective primary candidates. At that time, the names of the seven leaders of the Wangyou Lake Poetry Society will be submitted.
To the Ministry of Etiquette, Chu Ling, you are really not a simple person, you actually made the primary election of the Wangyou Lake Poetry Club advance by at least seven days!"
Chu Ling looked at Huangfu Jingyu, he didn't know what Huangfu Jingyu meant when he said this.
Chu Ling had never cared about the Wangyou Lake Poetry Club, let alone wanted to get involved.
Chu Ling knew this was a whirlpool.
It is abnormal in itself for the seven academies of the Imperial Academy to jointly organize a poetry meeting, and the venue is still at Wangyou Lake.
Even if there is a competition to choose the winner at the Wangyou Lake Poetry Festival, there must be a purpose.
As for the purpose, Chu Ling didn't know.
However, Chu Ling knew that things were not simple. After all, Zhou Zhang, who was not that big, competed for the final winner, and it could not end like this.
"Thank you for the compliment, princess."
Thinking of this, Chu Ling picked up the wine glass and smiled lightly.
"Do you think I am praising you?"
Huangfu Jingyu's eyes widened and he asked with questions in his words.
"Isn't it?"
Chu Ling took a sip of wine, looked at Huangfu Jingyu and said, "It seems that Chu is overthinking."
You are really disgusting.
Looking into Chu Ling's eyes, Huangfu Jingyu clenched her jade hands tightly. She knew that Chu Ling had guessed something, but he just refused to answer her words. This feeling made her very unhappy.
Liu Chengfeng took a sip of the wine brought by Chu Ling and said, "The wine brewed by Brother Chu is just different."
"If Brother Liu likes it, Mr. Chu can give it to me a few times."
Chu Ling put down the wine glass and kept smiling.
Chu Ling really didn't like this kind of banquet that was full of temptations when talking. In her previous life, she had no choice but to participate in such an occasion, but in this life, Chu Ling didn't want to do this.
Really tired.
He, Huangfu Jingyu, and Liu Chengfeng were originally from two different worlds, so there was no need to force them to merge together.
Chu Ling didn't even take the token that Huangfu Jingyu had given him seriously. He just wanted to use it to solve some problems when he encountered trouble.
Xuanniaosi, it’s not that simple when you hear it.
This is also the reason why Chu Ling doesn't want to have too much karma with Huangfu Jingyu.
"Chu Ling, I just want to ask you a question. Will you participate in the final selection of the Wangyou Lake Poetry Society?" Huangfu Jingyu calmed down and looked at Chu Ling and said.
"Chu never thought about participating in the Wangyou Lake Poetry Club."
Facing Huangfu Jingyu's gaze, Chu Ling said calmly: "I was selected as the leader of the primary election by Jiang Zhongzi, a great scholar of Zhaoyan Academy. I would like to ask the princess to explain why Chu sold the poem to the princess. Princess
Do you want to sign Chu’s name?”
He really doesn't want to participate?
Hearing Chu Ling's words, Liu Chengfeng frowned slightly. This seemed to be different from what he thought.