The banquet hosted by the Lady of the State was naturally of a higher standard than that of ordinary ministers. Although Li Kuo and others were guests invited by the Lady of the State of Guo, the concierge, who always judged people only because of their rank, would not look down upon such low-level military attachés of the seventh or eighth grade.
In his eyes, he was impatient with the rules and led the young people into the gate. The young man in Tsing Yi who accepted the invitation said "please help yourself" and left them aside.
"What kind of attitude is he!" Anger surged in Zhang Yanji's chest, and he angrily stepped forward to argue with the boy.
"Why are you arguing with his servant?" Li Kuo pulled his friend's sleeve and comforted him with a wry smile. "These porters only recognize the color of official uniforms. It's no wonder that junior officials of our level are left out in the cold."
"But, brother Kuo'er, he, he, alas!" Zhang Yanji opened his sleeves unwillingly and let out a long sigh.
"You are stupid, but I still don't believe it. Mrs. Guo Guo has entertained so many guests. We just need to follow the flow of people. Why do we need others to lead us? Mortals, mortals!" Zhou Wuwei specially changed into a moon-white pullover today.
, a square kerchief was casually tied on his head, and he was deliberately waving a folding fan to show off his elegance.
"Damn fat man, who are you calling stupid!" Zhang Xiaolangjun, however, was not a master who was willing to accept defeat and surrender. He stepped forward and tried to argue with Zhou Wuwei, calling him Chou Yin.
"Mortal, mortal!" Zhou Wusui sighed matter-of-factly, his tone just right.
"Okay, okay. Don't say a few words!" Li Kuo stood up at the right time and started to make peace. "The invitation said that Madam would host a banquet in the mansion at Youshi. It is now the third quarter of Shenshi. If you want to
Save money for a meal and hurry up!"
The two of them looked at the sky, and then they each hummed in resignation, and followed the crowd with Li Kuo.
Mrs. Guo's mansion was originally Wei's old residence in Jingzhao. Later, due to Empress Wei's chaos, the house was confiscated and turned into an official residence. After it was changed to Longting, Emperor Shengming's son Li Sanlang awarded this house to Mrs. Guo.
To show favor. The Wei family was originally from a prominent family in Gyeonggi, and the mansion was built to be spacious and magnificent. Mrs. Guo was also a wealthy owner, and she spent a lot of money and ordered craftsmen to repair it according to the regulations of Princess Taiping's old residence. At that time, the Chang'an mansion was luxurious, except for the one on the right
The prime minister is afraid that there will be no one who can surpass him.
However, compared to many houses with complex layouts, this mansion is much simpler. There are less complicated entrances and exits. The front house receives guests and the backyard relaxes. Sometimes simplicity makes people feel friendly.
This time Mrs. Guo held the banquet in the backyard, which made all the guests look forward to it. You know, if you can draw "water from a river" in your mansion, in Chang'an City, besides His Majesty the Emperor, you are also Mrs. Guo
Mrs. Guo Guo loved incense, especially sandalwood, so the "river" was named "Tanjiang". It is said that Mrs. Guo ordered the maids and servants in the mansion to pick flower petals every morning, mix them with sandalwood tree slices, pound them into powder and pour them into "Sanjiang River".
"Incense". Therefore, those who were lucky enough to enter Mrs. Guo's house were all amazed by the bursts of sandalwood coming from the shop. Following the flow of people, they passed through several thresholds and passed through several verandas. The young people finally saw
The famous "Tanjiang River" in Chang'an. A "river" is drawn from the south, falls from a high place according to the trend, winds around several walls, and returns to the "Bohuang Pavilion" due north.
flow away.
"Bohuang, Bohuang, what a good name!" Zhang Yanji nodded lightly and couldn't help but admire.
"Hurry up and take a seat!" Li Kuo tugged on his friend's sleeve and reminded him.
...
This banquet is a private banquet for Mrs. Guo Guo, so it will not be as rigidly formal as an official banquet. However, Mrs. Guo Guo will not take things lightly such as the seating arrangement, which highly reflects the status of an official. The servants in the mansion are clever.
Several areas were divided according to the guest grades, and the boundaries between officials and ministers were reasonably maintained. The seats for the fourth-rank officials and above were located on a high slope next to the "Bohuang Pavilion". The slope was covered with plants.
The maple tree is called Fenglindu. When dinner comes, the blood-red maple leaves sway in the wind and rustle, which makes people feel relaxed and happy. Officials from the fourth to seventh grades are sitting on the gentle slope below, covered with daisies.
It is called the source of rebirth. (Note 1) Being with chrysanthemums is also a good way to cultivate one's health. If you can steal half a day's leisure from floating life, how can you not learn to be a famous person and use this hermit among flowers to get rid of the turbidity in your body? And below the seventh grade
If a small official is lucky enough to be favored by his wife and enter the garden for a banquet, he can only sit on the mouqiu at the end. There is only a tuft of green grass, so he does not regret the beautiful scenery.
Naturally, Li Kuo and his party could only sit at the end, but because "Tanjiang" lingered gracefully, the view from Moqiu to "Bohuang Pavilion" did not seem far away. There was a Persian carpet under each seat.
, there is a square ebony table standing on it, but you have to sit on your knees during the banquet. This flaw really makes the officials and dignitaries frown. (Note 2)
There is wine, wine, scenery, and love. If you have this in life, what else do you want?
What they seek is the famous lady of the Guo Kingdom, and what they seek is the beautiful and fragrant Yang Huahua. People are not saints, how can they have no desires? What’s more, the Guo Kingdom who is about to appear in front of them is famous all over Chang’an.
Madam, she is the fairy grass beauty who is not much more beautiful than the noble concubine. Some high-ranking officials and ministers who usually talk about state affairs in the court and make criticisms and remonstrances have stopped pretentious at this moment and gathered together to whisper.
Talking about the erotic stories about Guo Guo's wife that were spread in Chang'an City.
Finally, the main star of this banquet, after being called for a long time, finally arrived at the "Bohuang Pavilion" surrounded by many maids. Today, Mrs. Guo Guo wore a goose-yellow palace-made skirt, a half-length
The transparent purple tube top is placed across the two proud peaks. Looking from a distance, you can faintly see the spring scenery in the ravine. Because today is a private banquet, Mrs. Guo Guo did not neglect her usual routine.
Instead of wearing a fallen cloud bun, she casually pierced a waterfall of black hair with a handle of jade Ruyi, and tied up her black hair. With the flowers removed and no makeup applied, the plain-faced Mrs. Guo looked towards the crowd with a slight laziness.
He nodded and raised a slight smile on his lips.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long." Mrs. Guo Guo bowed to everyone and bowed deeply.
However, everyone dared to accept her gift, and stood up one after another and replied, Madam, you don't have to care about these small things. Yang Huahua was just doing it, but when she saw that everyone was so understanding, she raised her sleeves and giggled: "Everyone, please take a seat.
."
"Monster, monster!" Zhang Yanji stared at him with eyes wide open and sighed with emotion.
Li Kuo was also shocked. He had heard of Mrs. Guo's fame before and thought that the rumors in the world were exaggerated. When he saw her in person this time, he felt that the rumors were not only true, but also missed the mark of Mrs. Guo's peerless beauty.
Youth. Previously during the palace polo match, Li Xiaoqi had admired the imperial concubine’s beauty from a distance. At that time, Li Kuo only felt that the imperial concubine was plump, luxurious and graceful, and he was immediately shocked. When he saw the imperial concubine, he was astonished.
The third sister, Mrs. Guo Guo, compared with the two, couldn't help but lament the youth that came into the Yang family. Mrs. Guo Guo is more beautiful than the imperial concubine. To put it disrespectfully, this woman has the air of a mature woman.
Charming posture. She knows how to capture the hearts of men, and she knows how to make them fall under her skirt and use them for her own use.
This is a woman who can make people sexually promiscuous! Li Xiaoqi commented in her heart.
"Today you are all invited to come, and the Nu family is very happy. My brother has been promoted to the position of imperial censor, and Hui'er will be very happy recently. It is a double happiness for the Yang family. Tonight, the Nu family will be drunk with you in Tanjiang. Drinking wine in the winding water, in the world
Bliss. If anyone can't recite a poem, the slave family will not be able to spare him." (Note 3)
Yang Huahua raised her eyebrows slightly, raised the corners of her mouth, and with just one joking remark softened the bones of all the ministers and captured the hearts of those who held the court.
Note 2: It should be said that in the early Tang Dynasty, the banquet system of the Wei and Jin Dynasties was still completely followed, with kneeling and sitting. Of course, it was already the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Due to the Hu culture, Hu stools appeared in ordinary people's homes. However, in
In the residences of powerful officials and ministers, formal banquets are still done on the knees. But this does not mean that they like to look for trouble. You can do an experiment, don’t say it long, sit on your knees on the carpet in your living room and eat a meal.
When you are young, do your calves feel unbearably sore and swollen? The rich and powerful will also use bar stools at family banquets. However, in order to maintain the dignity of the family, it is better to respect your buttocks and legs in formal occasions.
Note 3: Mrs. Guo Guo had a son named Pei Hui, who married Tang Suzong’s daughter, Princess Gao Guo.
Qushui Shang Shang: "Qushui Shang" is a custom derived from the Shangsi Festival. It was originally used to pray for disaster relief, but later evolved into an activity of some literati. In fact, it is to dig a small river in the yard, and then let the servants walk in the river.
The upstream floats the wine glass on the river. When the wine glass floats in front of someone, that person has to write a poem. If he can't do it, he has to drink.
ps: I am so tired that my eyes shed tears, so here is a chapter for your enjoyment.
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