Several fireworks bloomed brilliantly above the head, a stage was built on the lakeside, banquets were displayed, and an arch bridge led directly to the opposite lakeside, where was the throne of Emperor Rong. On the left and right sides were sitting the Crown Prince Wei Zixu, King Yao Wei Yao, Wei Yuan and King Xuan.
Wei Cun.
Mr. Si Tang sat in a row on the left side of the stage, including Zuo Qing Xilou.
Several canopies floated slowly from the distance of Bishui Lake. On the bows, the violinists and drummers looked at each other. A sound of drums suddenly sounded, the fireworks were extinguished, the candlelight was extinguished, leaving only the starry sky, which reflected the order on the lake.
The people were amazed by the brilliance. What followed was a melodious sound of the piano, matching the rhythm of the drummer, playing a melodious tune on the clear water lake.
At this time, a layer of mist rose from the lake and spread towards the spectator seats. Just when the guests were confused, a group of dancers in white gauze dresses appeared from the mist, wearing half fox fairy masks, and
Her posture is graceful and swaying, her lotus steps move lightly, and her hair accessories make a crisp sound when they collide, adding to her exotic and charming style.
Su Yan had never seen such dance music, as well as such a unique way of appearing, and suddenly felt that Yunlai Pavilion was nothing more than that!
Jinyuncheng savored the wine carefully and nodded in praise: "The wine is sweet and mellow. It should be a tribute collection from the State of Wu. It has been stored for more than ten years at least." As he said this, he picked up the wine bottle on his desk and gave it to Su Yan.
After pouring a glass, he put some dried fruits from the fruit plate on the table into the wine and said to her: "You can always see the dance music, but not necessarily the wine."
Su Yan came back to his senses and realized his gaffe. He hurriedly took the wine glass, but found that the dried fruit in the wine looked familiar. If he looked closely, he saw that it was lychee! This is a rare thing. Even in the academy, it is like Zuo Qing.
This level can only be enjoyed.
Su Yan drank it all in one gulp and said with satisfaction: "The wine has a strong aroma but is not spicy. It is sweet in the throat and has an endless aftertaste. It is comfortable! I think I, Su Yan, can enjoy such treatment in my lifetime. If my master knows about it, he will probably
You’re so angry! Huh? We haven’t received any foreign guests today, so how can we use this kind of wine? Don’t most Rong people like strong drinks?”
"Rongguo's sea is open to all rivers, and there are people from all over the country. There are some who can drink strong liquor, and some who can't. Therefore, I have prepared the aged wine that Wu paid tribute to. This kind of wine will not be too strong."
Su Yan suddenly realized: "I see, your Majesty is really considerate of us!"
Jinyun Cheng said: "Although the wine was paid tribute by the Wu State, the master who made the wine was from the Chu State. He was famous in the Chu State and was rewarded by the King of Chu. About ten years ago, his family moved to the State of Wu to serve as the king of Wu.
Brewing. You have lived in Kuai Feng Town since you were a child, have you not heard of it?"
Fo Zhe's face was stern, and he squinted at Jinyun City, feeling a sense of uneasiness gradually rising in his heart.
Su Yan replied with a smile: "I live in a remote and remote area. How can I know about Chu City? But I know that there is a ballad in Chu City that has spread even to Kuai Feng Town. It sings: The fallen leaves rustle, the smoke curls up, and the crows
The canopy is swaying, and the girl is graceful; a gentleman comes from afar, and he picks lotuses and gives them to you, without asking why."
Jin Yuncheng's cheeks turned red: "The lyrics are graceful and touching. I wonder who wrote this ballad?"
"Who knows, anyway, the popularity of the song was so high that it even surpassed my self-composed 'Master's Bathing Song'. I cried for several days. Later, I thought about my Master's Bathing Song. It was still too vulgar. What is it?
Those scholars in Chucheng are literate!"
Jinyun Cheng said: "If I have a chance someday, I will really hear you sing this song. It will definitely be extremely pleasant to the ears."
Su Yan waved his hand and said modestly: "How can I sing to your ears? My master's singing is so beautiful. I'm afraid my voice will give you nightmares!"
Jin Yuncheng couldn't help laughing: "Then you have to listen to it to see how high you can sing, so that it can make people like me who have trouble having nightmares have nightmares."
The two looked at each other and laughed loudly after a moment.
But Fo Zhen could not laugh like them, or even respond. She had always been uneasy in her heart. This Jinyun City had been extremely mysterious from the beginning. It seemed that no one came and went in Ruoshui, but sometimes, she would suddenly disappear.
In the academy.
Who was she? Where did she come from, and what forces were behind her? Who did she see when she disappeared?
No way of knowing.
Emperor Rong wore a brown brocade robe and a satin-dyed floral feather cloak. His strong body stretched the brocade robe like a picture. He toasted the officials from a distance. After drinking, he asked Zuo Qing about Ge Yiyan.
.
Zuo Qing left the table, folded his hands in front of his chest, pushed it outside, knelt down at the same time, and reported back: "I have peeled off the cocoon, and investigated layer by layer, and found that there are other doubts about this case."
"What did you gain?"
"Although Ge Yishan and Wei Chen have some issues, they are from the same sect after all. He will definitely not cause trouble on the hunting ground carefully prepared by his adoptive father for His Majesty. You must know that if this assassination goes wrong, he will not be the only one who dies.
After all, Ge Yiyan is also a person trained by his adoptive father, so he should be aware of this. Therefore, there should be another hidden reason for what happened last night."
Mo Fei, who was originally depressed, suddenly brightened up his eyes and looked at Zuo Qing, thinking that he was indeed his adopted son, and he was still planning for him at the critical moment.
Emperor Rong was shocked when he heard this, "You mean, there is another mastermind in this case?"
"No. It's just that Wei Chen believes that Ge Yiyan was just instigated by a traitor. In addition, his rough subordinates added fuel to the fire and did such a disrespectful thing."
Emperor Rong pondered for a long time. Although Zuo Qing's words were reasonable, the two assassinations in the past few days were both aimed at Zuo Qing. This makes it difficult for people not to doubt that Ge Yishan had the intention to kill Zuo Qing and had planned it for a long time.
Ge Yiyan is arrogant and keeps causing trouble through the influence of Mohist singers. In the past, he turned a blind eye, but today he committed trouble under his own nose. Whether it was instigated by others or on his own initiative, he
It cannot be kept.
It's just...Mo Qing still has to give him face.
Emperor Rong looked at Mo Fei at the banquet and already had the answer in his mind, "Ge Yishan made a huge mistake and should have been sentenced to death, but because of his meritorious service in guarding the palace for so many years and his life was not harmed,
Spare his life for the time being, but the death penalty cannot be avoided, and the specific punishment will be dealt with by the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple after returning to Beijing."
Several courtiers beside Zuo Qing felt happy after hearing this and couldn't help but smile. Mo Fei caught a glimpse of this scene from the corner of his eye, but he was not angry in his heart. Instead, he nodded towards Zuo Qing with a smile.
Ge Zheng hurriedly came forward and knelt down to thank His Majesty for his kindness.
Others couldn't hear what Emperor Rong said, but both Mo Fei and Zuo Qing heard it clearly. In the case of Ge Yishan's attempted murder, Emperor Rong finally looked at Mo Fei's face and forgave him, as long as
Ge Yishan wanted to repent, and Emperor Rong had countless ways to get him back to his position.
At this time, a middle-aged minister stood up and left the table. This man was wearing a gray robe. Although he was nearly middle-aged, he had a handsome appearance and a scholarly look between his brows. He knelt where Zuo Qing had just knelt, and only heard him say: "Your Majesty
, Ge Yishan stabbed him one after another, shouldn’t he be severely punished?”
Emperor Rong heard the reputation and went away, but could not see the person clearly, so he asked the old eunuch Chengen behind him. Chengen replied: "This is Fang Chaosheng, the minister of the Ministry of Rites. He has been in office for five years and has been working diligently in the past five years."
He is sincere and devoted to his duties. He is an upright official. Mr. Fang also has a nephew who serves as You Shaoqing in Dali Temple. He made an outstanding contribution to the rescue in the past year."
Emperor Rong sighed, there are always people who don't understand the charm, why are they all around him! Emperor Rong's face turned cold instantly, "I have decided this case, no need to say more, stand down!"
Fang Chaosheng was frightened and kowtowed repeatedly.
At this time, someone said in a strange tone: "Your Majesty attaches great importance to ministers who have done meritorious service to the country, and does not want to hurt the hearts of ministers who have done meritorious service, but you have spoken out and questioned me. What are your intentions?"
"That's all." Emperor Rong said with a stern face, "I am pleased that Changsun Qing understands my feelings, but tonight is a banquet, and drinking and having fun is the most important thing."
Changsun Xun bent down and saluted, "I have offended you, and I should not disturb your majesty's elegant mood."
Emperor Rong waved his hand and told him to go back. At the same time, Fang Chaosheng also returned to his original position.
"Your Majesty, you don't need to be restrained. Let's drink wine and eat meat happily!" Emperor Rong gave the order, and the tension in the minds of the ministers was relieved.
Zuo Qing broke off a piece of fruit, stuffed it into his mouth, swallowed it whole, and then drank a glass of wine. Even the courtiers beside him felt their appetites increased, and they started to use their bowls and chopsticks.
Xilou glanced at him, and then breathed a sigh of relief after looking away.
During the dinner, the dance music paused, the luthier put on the harp, and the young apprentice also got out of the cabin, picked up the pipa, and played the famous "Mobei Sand" outside Yumen Pass. This piece has a wide range of sound, majestic and heroic, and seems to be associated with the music.
On the desert ten miles outside Yumen Pass, yellow sand filled the sky and wave clouds swept over the ruins of the ancient city...
Su Yan had only listened to those petty tunes in Kuai Feng Town before, and could not feel any artistic conception from those tunes. The one that moved her the most was "Qing Baitou" played by the top performer in the brothel in Chucheng.
At least it reminds me of some rain alleys in the south of the Yangtze River, and the grass on the walls in the rain alleys... But compared to this Mobei Sha song, everything pales in comparison.
Today, when I heard such a piece of music unexpectedly, I couldn't help but burst into tears. I felt as if I was in the desert at this moment, galloping on horseback with Master, and feeling free under the sky thousands of miles away...
But where is the master?
Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel sad. I picked up the wine jar sent by the palace servants and drank heavily.
Jin Yuncheng snatched the wine jar from her and said in surprise: "No matter how much you can drink, you shouldn't drink too much. They say a small drink will make you happy, but getting drunk can be harmful to your health!"
Su Yan took advantage of the wine and hugged her, as if he was teasing a good woman: "You don't know this, but we Chu people wear wine bottles with us. Everything can be a celebration. Once it is a celebration, then
You have to drink, hehe, this girl is brewed in a wine jar, so drinking a few jars of wine won’t be a problem.”
Jin Yuncheng couldn't laugh or cry. She had always been unable to agree with the folk customs of the Chu country, and she couldn't accept Su Yan drinking like a man regardless of his image.
Emperor Rong was immersed in the dance music when Prince Wei Zixu suddenly stood up, raised his glass and said: "Father, you caught a big prey today because you were frightened by your father's dragon power. This feast of gluttonous delicacies is also a gift from your father, my lord."
On behalf of all the officials, I would like to propose a toast to my father!" After saying this, he drank all the wine and was very forthright. Everyone applauded Mianzi in particular, and everyone acted very sincerely, and Emperor Rong was also very grateful.
This toast led to a series of toasts. First came Wei Yao and other princes, then Mo Fei, Nangong Yin and other officials, and finally the family members also raised their glasses in toast.
After three rounds of drinking, there were not many people left at the banquet with serious manners.
Su Yan drank two glasses of wine. Although he was slightly tipsy, he was still conscious. He talked and laughed with Jinyun Cheng, as if he had never been so happy.
Zuo Qing glanced at Su Yan and ordered Yansheng: "Prepare the sobering soup, and then ask the servants to prepare the bathing soup and change of clothes. Don't wait for A Yan to panic when he returns."
Yansheng nodded, and Zuo Qing grabbed the corner of his clothes again, remembering what he had missed, and added: "It's cold, let the servants prepare hot coals, and then open an east window for ventilation. Don't forget."
Yansheng frowned dissatisfied. Your Excellency has never cared for you at all in your life, but now you give Su Yan a lot of advice and advice on his daily life. It’s been a long time since I’ve lived! Well, your Excellency’s good intentions are not met by Su Yan.
You will know that when you wake up tomorrow, you will have to make wedding clothes for others.
Zuo Qing's eyes retracted and stopped on Xilou.
"Su Yan is in a state of drunkenness. I have sent people to prepare everything. You wait outside the room when the opportunity arises. She will be grateful to you."
Xilou put down his wine glass and smiled: "That's it, thank you."
"The prince has already met her, but he didn't show anything unusual. It seems that he doesn't want to recognize her. We have to take the initiative."
"Your Majesty has too many worries. Find an opportunity to have a showdown with him." Xilou looked at him and frowned: "But you don't have to come forward this time. I'll go by myself."
Zuo Qing's face was calm, he nodded and agreed.
Feeling drunk, Emperor Rong stood up swaying on the dragon chair, holding a wine glass and said to everyone: "Since the family is in great excitement, why don't I sing a song for the family to cheer up the excitement!
"
The ministers were stunned for a moment, and then looked at Emperor Rong expectantly.
Emperor Rong cleared his throat, got into a good posture, and sang: "What night is it today? I can paddle in the boat in the middle of the river. What day is it today? I have to be in the same boat with the prince. I am embarrassed and be treated well, but I am not ashamed. I am troubled and undecided."
Come on, I got the prince. There are trees on the mountain. Come on, the trees have branches. My heart is happy for you, but you don’t know it."
The lyrics are very common, and the music is a song used by the nobles of the Yan Kingdom, so it is also very common.
Most of the ministers had heard of this song, and the version they had heard was softer and more beautiful than Rong Emperor's. But since it was sung by their master and it was their first performance, they had to give it a lot of face. They all cheered up in unison.
Sun Xun, the director, even stood up and praised: "The beauty of this piece lies in the transposition that Your Majesty modified for it. It has a more manly tone than the original!"
Everyone spoke highly of Rong Di's music.
Su Yan found it difficult to agree. He originally wanted to talk to Jinyuncheng, but found that she had also joined the big team and did something that was against his will, so he had to drink alone.
Only Xilou had an ugly face, staring at Emperor Rong's drunken state, with anger rising in his eyes.
Zuo Qing lowered his voice and warned him: "Be careful, you may have bad intentions."
Xilou looked away unwillingly, his hands hidden under the case still clenched tightly, "Do you know how I feel now?"
"Don't act rashly."
"I hide my name and endure hardships just for today."
Zuo Qing looked at him in horror and shouted in a low voice, "How dare you!"
Xilou had almost straightened his body and wanted to rush over and kill Rongdi immediately, but in the end he endured it and only sighed. "Why did he sing this song? He knew clearly that it was his mother's favorite song during her lifetime."
, he just wants to treat it in front of me...as a joke, or as a reward for killing?"
Zuo Qingshen looked pale, lowered his head and said nothing.
He continued: "Yan State has yearned for peace for hundreds of years since its founding, but it happened that he destroyed the peaceful and prosperous era. My mother's death is the country's hatred. One day I will find him to settle the matter!"
Their conversation did not attract any attention in the noisy environment, but one person noticed something unusual. The woman in blue who sat next to Su Yan never spoke during the dinner and was almost forgotten.