While the royal banquet in the main building of Qinzhengwu was in full swing, three barbarians with rhinoplasty and blue eyes left Xingqing Palace holding the defeated Western Region Rooster.
Several Fan Yang soldiers waiting outside the palace gate came forward and greeted him cheerfully.
"Did you win?"
"No, they're all useless chickens."
"Grrrrrrrr!"
While he was talking, the roosters from the Western Regions had a premonition of something bad and screamed, but the barbarian still broke their necks neatly.
"Let's go, take it back and stew the chicken for dinner. The government won't be out until midnight."
"Ha ha."
The Daozhengfang where they lived was not far from Xingqing Palace, just across the long street was the Fangmen.
However, they ran into trouble when verifying the talismans. The Jinwu guards guarding the gate refused to let them pass. A kid from Jifang happened to come over and pointed at them and laughed at them.
"You know how to fight cocks? What a waste."
"What did you say?"
"I said, your chicken is so soft..."
From this sentence, the exchanges between the two sides gradually became more intense.
There was a cockfighting boy with a glint in his eyes, a dagger in his hand, and he stared at the foreigner holding the rooster from the Western Regions.
~~
In the main building of the Qin Government Affairs Building, Zhang Ting was sitting alone at the table. She turned to look behind her. Her eldest sister Zhang Si raised her head, looked at her and nodded.
Zhang Ting calmly withdrew his gaze and observed a few more people.
Li Heng was still standing there with his hands down, leaving only a bent back, playing the role of a forbearing figure who was not loved by the saints and was suppressed by the traitor; Li Bi was sitting in the back row without touching the food or wine, his high-minded attitude
His noble posture was incompatible with the entire banquet.
Zhang Ting had heard what Li Jingzhong said, and Li Mi gave His Highness two simple suggestions.
She did not see the wisdom of the so-called "prodigy" in these two suggestions at all. It is actually commonplace to say that the best is as good as water.
Tonight, she wants to show His Highness who is the wise man in the East Palace.
His eyes turned again and fell on Xue Bai.
He was leaving his seat, walked to the hall, and stood next to An Lushan. The two of them, one handsome and one ugly, complemented each other perfectly.
Zhang Ting couldn't help but think that Xue Bai was indeed bold. Many people knew that he was Xue Xi's son, and Bei Ya could find out with just one check. He actually didn't hide his name, but instead showed off everywhere.
"Xue Bai has become the first in the Imperial Academy." Li Longji said with a hint of teasing in his tone, "Are you the person Yang Sanyi is talking about?"
Xue Bai said: "The sage is wise and can hit the mark with just one guess."
"Why do you want to recognize your third aunt as your sister?"
"I have some joint ventures with Mrs. Guo Guo. There are a lot of rumors in our daily dealings. Why don't we meet each other to show our innocence."
Li Niang sneered immediately after hearing Xue Bai's words.
Others could be deceived by these nonsense, but she knew that he was completely shameless. Today, she and Yang Sanyi became siblings, and their friendship in the future would only be more exciting.
"How should we expose them?" Li Niang whispered to Yang Hui in a low voice.
Yang Hui thought of his outer room in the Buzhengfang and responded: "It's better not to meddle in such boring business."
"He wants to show himself in front of the saint again. He should have been allowed to support my brother."
"It doesn't matter, let him show up, he will always fall into trouble."
…
Li Longji looked at Xue Bai and An Lushan. Although he was partial to Hu'er, he still had the magnanimity of the emperor.
"Tell me, how do you want to compete?"
Xue Bai pondered for a moment and said: "Commander An danced, and I will sing a song to see who can satisfy the noble concubine more."
Yang Yuhuan couldn't help but laugh again, and said with a smile: "This is a good competition. Since you want to recognize me, you should be satisfied by me."
Li Longji laughed loudly and said: "Xue sings, Xue sings, you have such a white voice, I'm afraid you want to compete with Hu'er to see who is more ridiculous."
The saint became funny again, and everyone in the hall started laughing.
An Lushan originally wanted to talk, but now he had no choice but to hold his big belly and laugh silly.
Everyone laughed, and Li Longji waved his hand and said: "Sing."
"According to the decree."
Xue Bai bowed his head and saluted, and said loudly: "I have been wandering since I was a child, and I have no relatives. Fortunately, I was favored by the saint. During the Yuan Dynasty and the Mid-Autumn Festival, I had two royal banquets, so that I no longer live alone in the world. On this wonderful day of the Mid-Autumn Festival, I would like to express my gratitude to my relatives.
I will give you a brief report of your kindness in case of any eventuality."
After saying this, Li Longji nodded with satisfaction, including Gao Lishi and Yang Yuhuan behind him, who also felt that their care for him was not in vain.
Xue Bai walked to the palace and chatted with Li Guinian in a low voice.
"Sir, can you help me play the water tune?"
"good."
After a while, the melodious piano sound sounded.
Xue Bai did not start singing immediately, but looked around at the senior officials in the palace and said slowly.
"Dinghai Mid-Autumn Festival, the imperial banquet at Qinzheng Tower, I wrote this article to reflect on my life experience and send it to my old friends."
At this moment, no one understood what he meant by this sentence, and everyone just regarded it as an ordinary preface.
But there is a possibility that maybe this preface will spread all over the country along with the lyrics he sings next, until one day, someone suddenly wakes up and thinks of the secret hidden in it.
Why does a young man of unknown origin want to reflect on his life experience at the royal banquet in Qinzheng Tower?
At that time, they may be able to figure out the meaning of this word.
"When will the bright moon come? Ask the sky for wine. I wonder what year it is tonight in the palace in the sky."
"I want to ride the wind back home, but I'm afraid that it's too cold in the beautiful buildings and jade buildings at high places. I dance to clear my shadow, how can I feel like I'm in the human world."
The singing started.
Li Longji, who was originally a little careless, suddenly turned his head, narrowed his eyes, and stared at Xue Bai. He was shocked at how this young man could compose such lyrics and figure out such singing.
If An Lushan was his musical confidant, Xue Bai was different. It was as if God had sent him to the prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty to give him, a unique saint, something new to see.
Li Guinian played the piano, and his movements rarely showed some panic, because what Xue Bai sang was not the water tune he thought he was singing.
Yang Yuhuan had stood up, staring at Xue Bai with a pair of beautiful eyes, shocked in her heart.
She had known before that he was good at composing lyrics and occasionally had inspiration for his tunes, but now she was surprised to find that he might be a genius in lyrics and music, or that his level was even higher than hers, so high that she needed to look up to her and admire her...
~~
The night was getting dark, and a full moon hung high in the sky.
Under the moonlight, someone was killing people, just like the night when the palace changed ten years ago.
The soldiers in armor ran out of the gatehouse in panic, but someone chased them behind them, holding long-handled swords in both hands, and chopped them down.
"puff."
Blood spattered and an arm fell to the ground, with neat and smooth wounds.
"Kill them!"
The sword-wielding soldier became even more frantic when he saw the blood, and Mo Dao struck down again, with all his strength.
"puff."
The firelight flashed on the fire watch tower, and dense footsteps came from all directions.
Only then did the attacker wake up. He looked around with horror in his eyes and shouted, "I didn't mean to kill anyone!"
"Take it!"
"I didn't instigate it! They made the first move..."
No one listened to this excuse anymore. Countless guards rushed forward, quickly removed the armor and weapons of the troublemakers, and escorted them into the palace to the north.
They didn't know what kind of conspiracy was hidden among the brightly lit palaces and buildings.
~~
"Turn around the Zhu Pavilion, lower the Qi household, and the light will keep you awake. There should be no hatred, why should we be reunited when we say goodbye?"
"People have joys and sorrows, separations and reunions, and the moon waxes and wanes. It's difficult to do this in ancient times. I hope that people will live forever and share the beauty of the moon thousands of miles apart."
The singing stopped, and so did the piano.
The entire Qinzheng Building became quiet.
It took Yang Yuhuan a long time to come to his senses and raised his hand to wipe the tears on his cheeks.
She couldn't tell why she cried, but it certainly wasn't because of the young man's white voice. Maybe it was because of the words, each sentence coincided with her unknown thoughts, which touched her so much; maybe it was because of the ethereal and melodious melody.
Well, she loved music so much that she couldn't help but feel something; maybe, she was just grateful for his intention in singing this song...
Gao Lishi looked at Xue Bai and was in a daze for a long time.
He couldn't understand what kind of experience it took for a young boy to feel so lonely and cold, and yet hope for beautiful poems.
Just like the Tang Dynasty, although there are joys and sorrows, ups and downs, I hope people will live forever.
"ha."
Li Longji laughed, took the piano from Li Guinian, carried the piano to the railing, and looked up at the full moon.
The wind blew his long gray hair and his robes rustled, as if he wanted to ride the wind back.
He plucked the strings and sang the song he had just heard again, as if to wash away the insult to the lyrics and music caused by Xue Bai's white voice.
But the strange thing is that even though he sings extremely well, and his piano skills and singing voice are unparalleled in the world, he doesn't seem to give people the same shock as just hearing his songs.
There is a hint of...not sad enough, not hopeful enough.
Li Longji didn't think so himself, but thought he sang more fairy-like.
After the song ended, he roared loudly and laughed proudly.
"Splendid!"
Li Longji strode back to the court and said loudly: "Such lyrics and music are so prosperous for the literary world of the Tang Dynasty!"
Everyone at the banquet held wine and congratulated: "The Tang Dynasty is prosperous!"
Li Longji turned around, pointed at Xue Bai, and said with a smile: "Xue Sing, you gave me a Mid-Autumn Festival gift, what reward do you want?"
"The boy is bold and hopes to become a sworn sworn brother to the noble concubine to make up for the pain of losing his parent at a young age."
"Hahaha, you actually took the joke seriously?"
Li Longji was over sixty years old and felt that it was absurd for a sixteen-year-old boy to marry his concubine.
But just now Hu'er wanted to recognize his mother, so he didn't think it was absurd. But it was strange. He thought it was because Hu'er was older and had lowered his rank, but Xue Bai felt a little superior.
Seeing this situation, Yang Yuhuan couldn't help but glance at Yang Yuyao, thinking that for the sake of the third sister, it would be better to accept this adopted brother.
She said: "It's a joke, but I'm willing to admit defeat."
"That's fine." Although Li Longji thought it was ridiculous, he was willing to admit defeat, "Xue Bai is very talented and deserves to be Taizhen's brother."
"Thank you saint!"
For a moment, everyone in the hall stared wide-eyed, feeling that the saint was acting more and more nonsense because of Concubine Yang.
Yang Wei, Yang Qi, and the two ladies of the country came out with a smile, and Yang Zhao also got up to join in the fun. Li Longji was in a high mood, and asked the Yang brothers and sisters to drink with Xue Bai and marry Jinlan.
Yang Yuhuan and Xue Bai had a glass of wine and said with a smile: "From now on, since he is my younger brother, he will have food, things to play, poems and songs, but he will not only give it to the third sister, but also remember me as his sister."
"yes."
"Call me sister."
"elder sister."
Xue Bai's eyes fell on Yang Yuhuan's alluring face, and when he looked away, he seemed a little unable to speak.
"Xue Lang's lyrics are so good, Hu'er wants to make Xue Lang his uncle!" An Lushan didn't give up, and said with a silly smile.
As soon as he said this, Xue Bai quickly glanced at Li Longji.
Li Longji was still not angry. In his opinion, An Lushan was loyal and knew that Concubine Yang was favored, so he was just taking advantage of her.
Yang Wei was a little tempted and kept winking at Yang Yuyao, thinking that it would be good for the Yang family to recognize An Lushan, the general of the border town, as a relative.
The strange thing is that Yang Zhao did not have such a utilitarian attitude this time, and looked at An Lushan with disgust.
"Just accept Hu'er as your nephew? Uncle?"
An Lushan knew in his heart that Li Longji was deliberately conniving and that Xue Bai was not qualified to refuse, so he made even more ridiculous gestures to pester him.
I have to say that there is quite a contrast in the way an ugly, fat and greasy old man keeps calling "uncle" to a clear young man.
When Li Heng saw this scene, his eyes became more and more ugly. He was afraid that all these people would unite to deal with him, the prince, and kept looking at Zhang Ting.
suddenly.
Amidst the sound of "thump, thump, thump, thump" footsteps, a general of the Longwu Army boarded the Qinzheng Building, rushed to Chen Xuanli, and whispered a few words.
"saint."
Chen Xuanli rushed to Li Longji, but he did not evade much. He whispered: "Fan Yang Jin soldiers had a conflict with Ji Fang Xiao'er and killed two people. Jinwu guards tried to stop them, but they killed two people and injured four others."
people……"
Finally, he added another sentence.
"This happened because some of Fan Yang's elite soldiers escorted prisoners of war and entered Chang'an City wearing armor and carrying swords."
Although his voice was low, it was just enough for a few people near Li Longji to hear him.
An Lushan's expression changed, and he immediately did not dare to act stupid in front of the emperor, and immediately bowed to Li Longji and admitted his mistake.
"Your Majesty! Hu Er is not able to control him well. Your Majesty, please punish Hu Er severely!"
"..."
Li Mi looked around and sighed slightly when he saw An Lushan kneeling down and Li Heng breathing a sigh of relief.
On the other side, Zhang Ting lowered his head and took a sip of wine to hide the proud look in his eyes.
She did it.
With great difficulty, she managed to get some words from Xue Bai, "What's the use of looking for me? Why don't you think about who has the ability to kill those Uighurs?"
Because of this sentence, she immediately realized how to fight back. She did not instruct anyone to investigate or testify against An Lushan, but in a ruthless and direct way, she directly forced Fan Yang to show his murderous methods.
It was easy to do. Fortunately, the eldest sister Zhang Si was fond of gambling. She used her relationship with Jia Chang and Wang Zhun to bribe several Jifang children and Jinwu guards respectively, and tricked them into killing An Lushan's people.
These evil young men in Chang'an are used to running rampant. I don't know how ferocious the border troops are.
The saint and the imperial concubine are the same. They really think that Zahu is a kind person. Tonight, she will tear off Zahu's mask.
~~
"Get up and we'll talk after we find out."
Li Longji aroused An Lushan but did not punish him immediately.
Such small conflicts often occur, and the situation is not clear, so just arrange for someone to deal with it. The emperor does not have to personally review the case at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet. If the result cannot be found out for a while, his majesty will be lost in front of the ministers.
"Hu'er is loyal and I can trust him. There is no need to ruin the Mid-Autumn Festival because of this incident. Please sit down and watch the singing and dancing."
"According to the decree."
An Lushan quickly bowed and saluted, not daring to argue any further.
Tonight's conflict was minor, and Jifang'er must have provoked him first. He had confidence in his own soldiers. However, what he was afraid of was that the saint thought of the case of killing the Huihe people and misunderstood that he sent people to do it.
Before retreating, I took a sneak peek and saw that the saint's eyes were like deep wells, and it was difficult to fathom the sacred heart.
At the same time, Xue Bai and the Yang family brothers and sisters also retreated.
Yang Yuhuan couldn't help but take a deep look at Xue Bai. At this time, she had different feelings about him preventing her from recognizing Hu'er as her adopted son.
Li Longji said calmly: "Prince, there is no need to stand in front of me. Please sit down."
"My son, I obey your orders."
Li Heng stepped back respectfully, and in the eyes of everyone, he seemed to have been framed by a traitor again, and his grievances were temporarily cleared.
After hearing these words, An Lushan looked down at his belly and rolled his eyes.
Finally, he began to laugh a little in his heart.
No wonder the right minister said that the prince was cunning. But tonight, the East Palace seemed to have used a clever trick, but it was actually his cleverness that was mistaken for him.
Those Uighurs were not really killed by Hu'er. How could Hu'er still be wronged?
On the contrary, it was Xue Bai who was very heart-broken at a young age and ruined Hu'er's good deeds without any hesitation.
"My little uncle." An Lushan thought with a sneer in his heart: "Our affairs are not over yet..."
~~
That night, Xu Hezi sang a moon chant that she had prepared. The response was far from expected, so she also sang "Shui Diao Ge Tou".
On this Mid-Autumn Festival night, a new poem lingered in the hearts of everyone in Xingqing Palace.
~~
After the banquet, Li Heng and Zhang Ting rode in a carriage together and returned to the Prince's Courtyard.
He opened the curtain and looked around, only to see Li Jingzhong guarding the carriage and no one else around.
"This time it all depends on Ting Niang. I thought I was going to ask my father-in-law for a few nice words, but I didn't expect that I could expose that bastard's face."
Speaking of this, Li Heng became increasingly dissatisfied.
The saint is closer to that bastard than to him. He is simply hopelessly stupid!
Zhang Ting said: "We should have thought long ago that only Zahu was capable of committing this case. Unfortunately, there was too little information and we were unable to know the details of the case as early as possible. We still had to place our own people in various departments."
"Mr. Li said the opposite. He believed that it is better to be still than to move."
"Then His Highness will listen to him?" Zhang Ting smiled slightly.
Li Heng smiled bitterly and shook his head. After thinking for a while, he said: "At that time, Pei Mian said that two old soldiers from Longyou had escaped..."
"Where did you escape to?"
"It's nothing. He must have fled far away."
Li Heng sighed and began to worry about the armors Pei Mian had secretly hidden.
Zhang Ting felt that it was boring for him to sigh like this all the time, and said: "I'm afraid Zahu will continue to quibble. There will be many difficulties in the future. Your Highness should cheer up."
"That's right." Li Heng said, "By the way, what conditions did you agree to to Xue Bai?"
Zhang Ting shook his head, "He didn't agree to cooperate with us without conditions. Fortunately, I tricked him."
"Yeah?"
"Your Highness doesn't believe me?" Zhang Ting said in surprise: "What I said is true."
"How can people like him not want any benefits this time?"
"Your Highness?"
Li Heng smiled helplessly and said, "Okay, I'm just too worried."
~~
At the same time, Xue Bai left Xingqing Palace and met Yang Hui driving his horse over.
When the two of them passed each other, Yang Hui asked: "Did you arrange the conflict in Daozhengfang tonight?"
"not my business."
"real?"
Xue Bai looked cold and said: "Prince-in-law, please remember that this matter has nothing to do with us."
Yang Hui smiled smartly and understood. What was about to happen was that the East Palace and the miscellaneous dogs were biting the dogs. Why should they get involved in such noisy matters?
"Okay, I was overthinking it..."
Sorry, the update is late again today. This word count is really too difficult for me. I said before that I would lower it. Let’s see how long I can hold on in order to get more subscriptions~~ There are more than 10,000 words today. Please subscribe and vote monthly~~