The lights in the guest room were dim and the room was not filled with light.
The orange light peeking out of the door only made the outline of Xiao Ping vaguely appear, with a thin body and glistening tears.
After Yang Chaoxi heard the cry of the maid in front of him, he was suddenly shocked: "When did it happen? And who did it?"
"It's the young master in the city... Around 1:00 p.m., the mistress took everyone back, and the sixth lady followed behind on horseback... When they approached Yongtong Gate, they threw a noose, tied up the young lady and took her away...
...Woo!" Xiao Ping was anxious and sad, as if it was because of her poor service that Miss Six was taken away.
"Sister Xiao Ping, tell me slowly. What exactly happened today?" Yang Zhaoxi said softly, suppressing the same eagerness.
"Today is the Shangsi Festival, my mistress is taking the female family members of the family to the eastern suburbs for an outing. As usual, they will host our Cui Mansion's 'curtain banquet'..." Xiao Ping sobbed, gradually stopped her emotions, and told what happened today to
He spoke slowly——
It turns out that the prosperous dynasty has been peaceful for a long time, the folk customs have been civilized, the foreign guests have been uniformed, the rivers are clear and the sea is clean, and a kind of picnic banquet called "skirt banquet" has gradually become popular in the market.
This banquet is held around the Shangsi Festival, when spring is in full bloom, flowers are blooming, new willows are hanging on the outskirts of the city, and pools and ponds are green. As far as the eye can see, it is a grand scene with an open mind and a relaxed and happy heart.
Women in the families of officials and gentry often invite friends and drive out of the city, fight with flowers and grass, join poems and guess riddles, look for shadows in the purple streets and weeping willows, and travel hand in hand through the fragrant bushes.
When they are tired from playing, they choose a place near the water, use grass as a mat and sticks as pillars. Then they take off their outer skirts and hang them on the bamboo poles to hold up a temporary banquet tent.
The dishes, cups, and various cakes and cheeses brought in the car were brought in, and they were mixed with wine and wine, and they had a good time drinking and talking.
All the above are called "skirt banquets". Occasionally, princes, princes and grandsons on spring outings will come here to find young ladies from aristocratic families who have not yet left the court to recite and compose poems. If they meet and fall in love with each other, it may lead to a good marriage.
When she got up early that morning, Cui Wan had already dressed up and took her personal maid Xiao Ping with her to the main hall to meet her mother.
As the mistress of the palace, Mrs. Lu's majesty was naturally unparalleled. At that time, a group of concubines, concubines, and maids were standing in front of the hall, chatting in high spirits about their plans for an outing. When they saw the mistress coming, they all stopped talking.
As silent as a cicada.
A smile appeared at the corner of Mrs. Lu's lips, and she said calmly: "Today's trip to the city is just for an outing to relax, so don't be too restrained. Let's all get in the car!"
A group of female family members surrounded Mrs. Lu and walked out of the house. Several oil-walled trucks were already ready to go. Mrs. Lu took Cui Wanyu's hand and boarded the first car first, and then the other female family members boarded the car one after another, following closely behind.
.
Cars were like flowing water and horses were like dragons. A meandering oil-walled motorcade left Luxinfang and then turned back south. When it reached Yongtongmen Street, it merged with Beppu's oil-walled motorcade and poured out in a mighty manner.
Yongtongmen, heading towards the eastern suburbs of Luoyang.
The outing was originally just for the people in the boudoir to socialize with each other and relieve their boredom. It gradually evolved into an arena for famous officials, gentry, and wealthy merchants to show off their wealth and compete for wealth. The streets were lined with carriages and horses, the skirts and hairpins were extremely extravagant, and the servants and maids were everywhere.
Ying Bai, he never gets tired of fine things when he eats... Even though he is simple, simple and as low-key as the Cui Mansion, in the eyes of ordinary people, he is still unimaginably wealthy.
Outside Yongtong Gate, you can see mostly green fertile fields with beautiful seedlings. However, on both sides of the official road, there are also some wine shops and restaurants for people to stop and eat.
, propped up a shade canopy with rough cloth, and started shouting on the spot. Business was pretty good.
The female members of the Cui Mansion set out early, and soon came across a wild land in the eastern suburbs:
In a pond of several acres, lotus leaves hold up a sparse umbrella, and swimming fish lurk under the water, occasionally making ripples. The pond is surrounded by dense mulberry and elm trees, willows, and green grass from the pond bank to the official.
The road spreads like a huge carpet. The meadow is flat and open, with no mounds or rocks. Dots of flowers are dotted on it. It is a place full of spring!
The oil-walled trucks stopped one after another, turned out of the official road, and connected end to end, creating a large area on the meadow for the female family members of the mansion to have an outing and picnic. Several warriors and staff patrolled the perimeter to prevent interference from idlers.
The servants untied the horses and took them to the pool to drink. Then they let go of the reins and allowed the horses to chew the fresh green grass.
Mrs. Lu walked for more than a hundred steps and felt a little tired, so she ordered her servants and maids to take a crescent moon stool from the cart and sit down in a locust shade near the pond. There were women, women, and maids wearing various dresses and shirts.
, playing among the flowers and grass like bees and butterflies:
Young girls and young women collected wild flowers together to compete with each other; while the maids gathered various grass stems and hung them up to fight with each other for fun.
Cui Wan was invited by several sisters-in-law, and they sat cross-legged in the grass together, guessing some playful word puzzles and reciting some poems that fit the occasion. It was also very pleasant.
One of them has slightly thin lips and a powdery face with a pair of smart red phoenix eyes. She is the wife of Cui Wan's fifth brother Cui Gong. She is talking and laughing with Cui Wan: "Wan'er, do you know?
Last night, your fifth brother went to have a drink with an aide, named Yang Shaoxia! He came back very drunk, and he had troubled him most of the night... He didn't even sleep much! When he woke up this morning, he just steeled himself and didn't want to
It ruined everyone’s interest…”
The third sister-in-law of the Cui family covered her mouth and joked: "You woman! Can you say this to a young lady who has not yet left the court? You didn't sleep well, blame your husband! How can Wan'er resolve the case between your husband and wife? How about that?
Tonight, if we put a girl in the same room with him and let him do whatever he wants, wouldn't everyone get what he wants?"
"The two sisters-in-law are so naughty... I won't joke with you anymore!" After hearing this, Cui Wan turned red and hurriedly stood up. After saying this, she left. The delicate laughter of several sisters-in-law came from behind.
The fifth sister-in-law of the Cui family patted the third sister-in-law's hair bun in feint of anger: "Bah! Bah! How could I mean that? You are misinterpreting it all by calling me sister! Look at you, you were chatting happily just now. In one sentence
So he left Wan'er in shame. The older he gets, the more he becomes more and more deviant!"
The third sister-in-law of the Cui family chuckled and said, "Who among the sisters in the mansion doesn't know that you can 'pun'? It's rare for our Wan'er to be pregnant, and everyone who is smart in the mansion is pretending to be deaf and dumb. But you are so smart, you have to point it out in person."
The fifth sister-in-law of the Cui family didn't take it seriously: "Isn't that what matters between men and women? Either you take the initiative, or I take the initiative. One of them has to break the window paper first. I'm about to 'teach students in accordance with their aptitude'! You
You are just here to cause trouble... Giggle, sisters-in-law, please spare your lives!"
The third sister-in-law of the Cui family stopped talking nonsense, and with a direct look, she instigated the other wives and concubines, and pressed the fifth sister-in-law of the Cui family on the meadow. Then she casually grabbed flowers and plants and stuffed them in from her chest and armpits, arousing itching all over her body.
, causing her to beg for mercy again and again.
Cui Wan left several sisters-in-law and left by the lake. The dirty words said by the sisters-in-law intentionally or unintentionally were like ants crawling in his heart. He couldn't get rid of them for a while, making him feel uncomfortable and... longing for them!
Thinking like this, his face became even hotter. Fortunately, he was wearing a draped hat and a hanging gauze to hide his indescribable shyness, so that no one would see it.
At this time, he accidentally saw several flower trees by the pool blooming eagerly. The small pink flowers were densely covered with branches. Their graceful and beautiful appearance was more beautiful than peach and apricot flowers. Cui Wan felt a little moved in his heart and came closer.
Go ahead and climb a branch, hold it in your hands and enjoy it.
Shining on the water near the pool, the shadow of the skirt floats in the sky. The outline of the skirt reflected in the pool is combined with the idle clouds, which makes it quite outline and leisurely.
At a certain moment, little petals were removed from the branches, one petal, two petals, three petals... drifted down, floated on the water, and were carried to the depths of the pond by the intermittent patterns.
When I looked up again, I saw the catkins turning lightly, and the frost and snow on their bright wrists. The small flowers on the branches had turned into scattered red, and were removed by Cui Wan one by one and thrown into the pool. Her red lips parted slightly, as if murmuring.
: "He likes me, he doesn't like me, he likes me, he doesn't like me, he likes me, he doesn't like me, he likes me..."
After tearing apart one flower, Cui Wan frowned, as if the answer was not satisfactory. Then he convinced himself and started to tear apart the second flower, still mumbling... In the end, he got what he wanted, and got a good omen! He couldn't help but jump for joy,
Looking at the soft spring water in front of me, I feel infinite happiness in my heart.
At this time, a man's voice suddenly sounded, startling Cui Wan: "What's wrong with Haitang? The girl 'teared the flowers apart for divination.'
If you don’t want to meet a fairy, isn’t it just God’s will?”
Cui Wan turned around and saw a richly dressed young man with a jade-like face and green robes, looking at her with a smile, as if he was determined to win.
This young man is about thirty years old. His appearance is not bad, and he is a bit refined. However, there is a frivolous look between his eyebrows that is difficult to conceal. From this, it can be concluded that he must be a complete dandy.
When Cui Wan heard the words "Yuan Jineng", he suddenly felt disgusted in his heart. He endured his discomfort and said: "Master Yuan, I don't know you, so please be careful with your words." After saying that, he turned to leave.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Ji was quite confident in his appearance. He thought Cui Wan was just shy and shy, so he made a mistake and stopped in front of her. He said with a smile: "I haven't asked the girl for her maiden name. How can I leave so suddenly? It hurts me."
Heart!"
"Get out of the way." Cui Wan didn't want to get entangled with him, and said coldly in a low voice.
"Oh? The girl has quite a personality. What I like most in my life is a woman with such personality like you. Why don't we exchange names and be close friends... Oops!"
Yuan Ji Neng opened his arms, blocking the space for Cui Wan to dodge, and said without changing his expression. However, she suddenly felt a light touch on her waist. She didn't know when her sword had been taken off, and she stabbed it with the scabbard.
On his left knee!
A sense of numbness and pain suddenly swept through his left leg. Yuan Ji could no longer stand steadily and fell to the ground. When he looked sideways, Cui Wan had already run away. His teeth were itching with hatred, but there was nothing he could do for a moment.
"It tastes good! I like it, you can't run away...hehehehe!" Yuan Jineng's face gradually turned gloomy. He looked at Cui Wan's rapidly shrinking figure, licked his lips, and said to himself.
Cui Wan ran back to the place where the female relatives of the Cui Mansion were gathered. The unhappiness caused by the frivolous young master Yuan Ji just now still could not be shaken off:
Is he the third son of Yuan Xiang's family? He is obviously already nearing the age of 10, but he still says he has not married yet. Isn't it a lie? However, with the behavior of such a playboy, he must have many concubines and be romantic.
When it comes to sex, it is natural not to marry a wife in a disciplined manner and live peacefully. It must be normal for people to bully men and dominate women and behave randomly in the market...
Cui Wan's face darkened, and just as he was thinking about this, his personal maid Xiao Ping ran over from the other side: "Miss Sixth, the mistress asked me to come to you. The curtain banquet will be held soon, so you can go and sit down now.
"
Cui Wan calmed down her emotions, nodded, and then followed Xiao Ping to the shade of the locust tree where her mother rested. A circle of bamboo poles had been set up in an area of three feet. Cui Mansion's mistress Lu took the lead to tie up her waist skirt.
, the outer skirt was taken off, spread out and hung on a bamboo pole.
Other female members of the Cui Mansion also untied their wide skirts, took off their waist skirts and outer skirts, and hung them on bamboo poles. Their lower bodies were only wearing skirts and lower skirts. Their plump and plump bodies, exquisite and embossed figures, were displayed between the curtains.
Swaying back and forth, smiling endlessly, with all kinds of charms.
Cui Wan leaned down and got into the curtain. He also took off his lavender waist skirt and goose yellow outer skirt, and hung them on an empty bamboo pole. He also took off his belt and put it on it, and then he stood next to his mistress Lu.
He sat down cross-legged.
The accompanying male servants and warrior staff were naturally driven outside the curtains and stood with their backs to prevent idlers from disturbing them. The maidservants walked diligently between the curtains, dividing the pastries, cheese, wine, etc. they brought, into fine pieces.
According to the dignity of elder and younger, carefully present it in front of everyone.
The curtain banquet has not yet begun, but the women are still laughing and whispering to each other, discussing their achievements in fighting flowers and grass. One woman laughed and cursed, and grabbed the hand of the girl in her arms, not allowing her to take the cakes in front of her without permission.
.
Mistress Lu looked at the happy scene in front of her with a smile, and her eyes filled with warmth: "Today, all the people from Cui's boudoir are here, respecting each other, getting along with each other, and I am very happy. We have gone on an outing, although it is an old custom.
, Banquets under curtains are the best way to entertain the mood! I have already asked people to prepare dry and rose peach wine, and today I allow everyone to drink as much as they want to entertain the spring scene!"
"My mother (grandmother) has a long life and a long life!" Cui's female family members bowed their heads and said yes one after another, and the maids gave blessings one after another.
Mrs. Lu held up the tall silver cup in her hand and signaled to everyone. Everyone also held up the colored glaze, celadon and three-color tall cups and drank the first glass of wine together.
At this time, Mrs. Lu smiled and said: "I, the Cui family, have a long history of poetry and calligraphy. If there is wine but no poetry today, wouldn't it be a laughing stock? Since we are drinking, how about we also behave politely?"
Sister-in-law of the Cui family stood up and said: "My mother-in-law rarely comes out, so we sisters naturally have to behave well! I just hope that my mother-in-law will ask a simple question and punish us with a few drinks."
Lu laughed angrily and said: "You are the only one who is smart? You want me to be merciful? That's fine! Now that we're starting, let's give an easier one, which is an 'urgent command': Mr. Luan has a good mind, Mr. Luan has a good mind. You all follow suit in turn.
Come on! Anyone whose tongue is caught will be punished with a drink of wine."
Everyone smiled and followed the instructions. After going around, there were seven or eight people who couldn't say this "urgent order" and drank as a penalty.
After giving the order, Mrs. Lu, as the "Ming Mansion", summoned two maids to take charge of "Law Recording Affairs" and "Ganping Recording Affairs" respectively, and then began to make the next drinking order:
"I see that everyone is very interested in fighting flowers today. Let's make a drinking order with the theme of chanting 'flowers'. Each person should have at least one verse, and they are not allowed to repeat it. If you say it, you can have a drink; if you can't say it, you can
Three drinks as a penalty!"
Mrs. Lu said, and smiled calmly: "Let me start again, 'The peach blossoms shine brightly'. Mrs. Qi, take the next sentence!"
After saying that, he handed over a piece of jade wine in his hand, picked up the tall silver cup, and drank it all in one gulp.
Mrs. Qi was the beloved concubine of Cui Luo, the head of the Cui family. She didn't dare to disobey her mistress's orders. She quickly stood up and gave her a blessing. She said with a smile: "My elder sister Zhuyu is in front of me, and my younger sister is following the dog's tail."
The spring breeze is fragrant with flowers and plants. Is that okay?"
After hearing this, everyone applauded. Cui Luo's other concubine, Mrs. Hu, said coyly: "I only heard the master of the family recite a sentence, 'When three autumn leaves fall, two February flowers will bloom.' I wonder if this counts as a pass?"
Another concubine surnamed Wang burst out laughing: "This one is for chanting the wind, it doesn't count, it doesn't count! I will punish myself with three cups! Mine is 'Picking Lotus in Nantang Autumn, the Lotus Flowers Are More Than One's Head'."
Mrs. Hu had no choice but to cover her face and drink three glasses of wine. Mrs. Wang then drank all the glasses and passed the wine to the next person...
With a few elders taking the lead, everyone rummaged and poured out all the poems they could think of:
I waded across the river to pick hibiscus, and there were many fragrant grasses in the orchids... Osmanthus flowers fell in the leisurely time, and the spring sky was quiet in the spring sky... The green birds on the river were white, and the blue flowers on the mountains were about to burn... The winding paths lead to secluded places, and the flowers and trees in the Zen room are deep... A guest in the high cabinet went there
, the flowers in the small garden are flying around... I feel the flowers splashing with tears when I miss them, and the birds are frightened at the sight of others... The flowers are similar every year, but the people are different every year...
Cui's female family members were enjoying their poems with wine, and were enjoying themselves, when they heard a man's laughter, which suddenly sounded: "It is necessary to break the flowers when they are in bloom, but don't wait until there are no flowers to break the branches. I wonder if Xiaosheng's sentence is still relevant?"
Cui Wan and everyone looked for the sound, but it was the lingering Yuan Jineng, sneaking in from under the curtains with several young men in rich attire.