Yang Lihua came out of the side door, looked around, and then walked towards another tree-lined avenue. Yang Yuanqing didn't go far and was waiting for her. When she was a little farther away from the side door, he immediately quickened his pace and caught up with her.
"Your Highness the Princess!"
Yang Lihua glanced back at him and said calmly: "The birthday banquet has already begun, aren't you going?"
Yang Yuanqing knelt down on one knee and said with heartfelt gratitude: "Thank you, Princess, for saving me!"
Yang Lihua stared at him for a moment, then turned around and continued walking forward. Two palace maids were holding lanterns in front of them. After walking for more than ten steps, she heard her soft voice: "Follow me!"
On the dense shade of trees, two orange-red lanterns emit orange light, intertwined with Yang Lihua's body. Her white dress is like snow and her steps are light, just like an elf in the night forest. The surrounding trees are quiet, and every tree seems to be
There is life, saluting this elven princess.
They walked slowly, which made Yang Yuanqing feel like he was in a dream, giving him an unreal feeling.
Walking into a courtyard, a light suddenly lit up in front of Yang Yuanqing's eyes, bringing him back to the human world. In front of him was a red three-story octagonal building with lanterns hanging from the eaves, illuminating the entire courtyard.
It's as bright as day. This is Yang Lihua's temporary residence. It can be seen that she doesn't like it very much, otherwise she would order people to take down the lanterns on the cornices.
Eight palace maids stood at the door. When they saw the master returning, they all bowed and saluted. One of the leading palace maids said: "Your Highness, the Feng Sheren came just now and said that the birthday banquet has begun. Please come over as soon as possible."
The person named Feng She was Feng Deyi from Nei Shi She. He was eloquent and served as the master of ceremonies in the main hall today. Yang Lihua nodded, "I understand!"
She took Yang Yuanqing directly to the second floor and returned to the guest room. Yang Lihua turned back and said with a smile: "Please sit down first! I'll go change clothes."
The layout of the guest room is very simple. There is a screen against the wall... There is a piece of high-quality high-neck porcelain on each side of the screen. There are several freehand landscapes hanging on the white wall. In addition, there are two wooden couches on the ground.
...A famous palace maid came in with tea. Yang Yuanqing quickly sat down and nodded in thanks.
After waiting for a moment, Yang Lihua came out from behind the screen with her two confidant maids. She had changed into a light green dress, which made her appear to be extremely beautiful and untainted by the world. Yang Yuanqing couldn't help but secretly cheer. What he saw
Women... in terms of elegance of temperament... no one can compare with Princess Leping.
"General Yang has been kept waiting for a long time!"
In front of Empress Xiao just now, she called Yang Yuanqing Yuan Qing, and now she called him General Yang, which made Yang Yuanqing a little uncomfortable. He leaned over and smiled and said: "Your Highness, why don't you call me Yuan Qing, so I feel more cordial."
Yang Lihua smiled faintly, but did not respond to his words. She thought for a moment...and suddenly asked him: "Do you regret what you just did?"
Yang Yuanqing knew that she was referring to the incident of Empress Xiao. He scratched his head... smiled bitterly and said, "To be honest, I regret it a little." He took a sip from the edge of the teacup without raising his eyelids, taking his time.
Asked: "Why?"
"A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. What I did just now is to stand under a dangerous wall."
"You are right, offending the Queen is not a fun thing. Although Madam Xiao is a good woman and will not kill easily, your career will be a bit difficult."
Yang Lihua raised her long eyelashes slightly, stared at Yang Yuanqing with a pair of slender eyes, and asked slowly: "Will you apologize to her?"
"Didn't I apologize to her just now?" Yang Yuanqing had a naughty smile in his eyes.
Yang Lihua couldn't help but laugh, but her smile disappeared in just a moment. She still said in a calm tone: "I mean, if time passes quickly, if I can make you face my coming again,
Will you apologize for the scene before?"
Yang Yuanqing lowered his head and thought for a long time. He shook his head gently, "No! I don't think so.
"Why?"
Yang Lihua's calm eyes suddenly became a little sharp, staring at Yang Yuanqing's expression, "Didn't you just say that you shouldn't regret standing under a dangerous wall?"
"I regret it a bit, but if I had to choose again, I think I would still not bow my head and never apologize."
"You're really a bit stupid!"
Yang Lihua sighed, "Why bother? It's unwise to offend the queen for a sword and ruin your career. I have never seen anyone as stupid as you, who doesn't understand the way of being an official."
Yang Yuanqing raised his head and looked at Yang Lihua. His eyes became extremely determined: "Your Highness, I, Yang Yuanqing, have a bad temper. At that moment, I had decided not to resign. As a humble official, I, Yuanqing, should bow my head and plead guilty. I will never
possible!"
A bright smile finally appeared on Yang Lihua's face. The smile was so sincere and full of approval. She gave a thumbs up, "Yuan Qing, you really didn't disappoint me. You don't bend down for the powerful, you dare to do what you want.
It’s really a man to act rashly!”
Yang Yuanqing was stunned. He didn't expect that Princess Leping was testing him just now. He secretly screamed luck and was touched at the same time. How could he not worry about Empress Xiao's revenge on him? The moment Yang Lihua saved him, he also thought
With Yang Lihua as her backer.
It's just that Yang Lihua's series of questions just now made him feel a little cold. At this moment, when the clouds cleared and the fog cleared, he finally had a clear understanding that his backer would not only be his grandfather, but Princess Leping would also be his backer. His grandfather was weak.
His body can no longer support him for a few years. Before he grows into a towering tree, he needs a bigger tree to protect him from the storm, and Yang Lihua is undoubtedly such a big tree that can protect him from the wind and rain.
Yang Yuanqing was overjoyed. He stood up again and knelt down on one knee to salute, "Thank you very much, princess, for your compliment!"
"No need to be polite, sit down!"
Yang Lihua has a strong and upright character, hates hypocrisy, and most hates men who lose their integrity for fame and fortune. Today, Yang Yuanqing's performance in front of Empress Xiao touched her heart, filling her heart with appreciation and love for Yang Yuanqing.
She sighed and said: "It was Zhao'er who told me that you were in danger. Originally I just wanted to repay you the favor of the Golden Scale Sword, but when I saw that you were willing to fight to the end with the Sui Empress for another sword, I
Suddenly I realized that your true feelings when you returned the Golden Scale Sword to me were not to please me. It was exactly what you said. A sword of power can never be as important as family ties. At that moment, I was very touched. Yuan Qing...you let me
I saw an iron-blooded man who regards fame and fortune as nothing but love and justice. This is the best birthday gift I have received today."
Yang Yuanqing scratched his head and said with a wry smile on his face: "Your Highness Princess... I don't regard fame and wealth as rubbish. In fact, I also want to be promoted and make a fortune!"
Yang Lihua's laughter echoed in the room like silver bells, which surprised the palace ladies nearby. They had served the princess for many years, and they had never seen the princess smiling so happily, saying "Okay!"
Yang Lihua smiled half-jokingly and half-seriously: "Your promotion and wealth are all on me."
Yang Yuanqing returned to the main hall. The birthday banquet had already begun. The main hall was brightly lit, and hundreds of large candles made of scented whale oil illuminated the main hall like daylight... drums were beating, pipa was playing... more than a hundred people from the Western Regions
The dancers danced gracefully in the palace.
Guests on both sides were either whispering to each other, or gathering together to talk and laugh loudly. The whole hall was filled with laughter and was very lively.
Yang Yuanqing saw that his seat was still empty, and the small table was filled with dishes, which can be described as delicacies from the mountains and seas, including golden dragon and phoenix crabs from Suzhou; sea worms and mussels from Mingzhou; deer tongue from Liaodong, and secret dishes from the palace.
Soft-nailed snow cages, etc... as well as precious fruits and vegetables from various places, such as Jiaqing plums, Aijia pears, cherries from Xishu, citrus from Jingzhou, sweet apples from the Western Regions, and various dishes and fruits, all of which are rare to see in the market.
Yang Yuanqing sat down. He was about to pour himself wine when he suddenly remembered the words of King Jin and waved to a palace maid not far away.
The palace maid stepped forward and asked in a low voice: "What does the general need?"
Yang Yuanqing pointed to the wine jug, "A moth fell in just now. Clean it for me and replace it with a new jug of wine."
The palace maid nodded and took the jug. After a moment, she brought another jug of spare wine over and said with a smile: "General, please drink this. This has just been taken out of the ice."
Yang Yuanqing rubbed the wine bottle and bought Bingqin. He liked it and thanked him repeatedly. The palace maid smiled, changed another wine glass for him, poured a glass of wine, put the wine bottle aside, and slowly retreated.
Yang Yuanqing tasted the cold and mellow wine, and it turned out to be the most delicious glass of wine he had ever drunk. At this moment, he suddenly saw a girl running towards him, it was his sister Yang Jiao Niang, although Jiao Niang was Mrs. Zheng
She was born in 2010, but she was kind and innocent, and Yang Yuanqing also liked her.
"Mother Jiao, what's going on?" he asked with a smile.
"Third brother, mother asked you to come over."
It was Mrs. Zheng who called him. Through the figure of the dancer, Yang Yuanqing saw Mrs. Zheng, the mother of the bride, who was sitting in the first row opposite. Her eyes were cold and thoughtful.
Yang Yuanqing was unhappy, so he shook his head and smiled at Jiao Niang: "I just came back from outside. Let me eat something first and drink two glasses of wine. I will go there by myself later."
"Third brother, just come with me! Eat when you come back."
Jiao Niang grabbed his wrist and dragged her away like a charm. Yang Yuanqing had no choice but to get up and hit her on the head with a smile, "You little girl, why are you so inconsiderate? How will you get married in the future?"
Jiao Niang smiled and pulled Yuan Qing away. Soon, they walked around the outside of the hall. Yang Yuanqing walked to Mrs. Zheng and said, "Mother, what do you want from me?"
Yang Yuanqing's attitude was very polite, and several officials' wives next to him were looking at him. He tried his best to suppress the boredom in his heart and give Mrs. Zheng some face.
Mrs. Zheng glanced to both sides and pointed to the empty seat next to her, "Sit down, I have something to say to you."
Lord Zheng had just come back from Empress Xiao. Although Empress Xiao was very polite to her and spoke lightly, Mrs. Zheng still felt the dissatisfaction in Empress Xiao's heart and actually asked her to take good care of her... Qing, Mrs. Zheng later quietly
After asking a eunuch, he found out that Yuan Qing actually contradicted Empress Xiao, which made Empress Xiao furious and Yang Yuanqing was almost killed.
Mrs. Zheng couldn't help being shocked and angry. She could ignore Yang Yuanqing, but Yang Yuanqing offended Empress Xiao, which undoubtedly hurt the interests of the Yang family and her two sons. Empress Xiao placed the blame on the Yang family.
Go ahead and put it on her head.
"Why did you offend the queen just now?" Mrs. Zheng wanted to save face and did not dare to rebuke loudly, so she gritted her teeth in a low voice.
Yang Yuanqing said after a while: "This matter has nothing to do with mother, so don't ask about it."
"What do you mean it has nothing to do with me?"
Mrs. Zheng became even more angry, "Empress Xiao called me just now, please tell me, what did you do?" Her mean look was even more obvious. Yang Yuanqing was extremely bored. He stood up and said, "Madam, if
If there’s nothing else to do, I’ll go back.”
"stop!"
Mrs. Zheng shouted, "Come with me to apologize to the Queen now!"
Yang Yuanqing's face sank. He ignored Mrs. Zheng, turned around and left quickly. Several officials and wives nearby noticed something unusual and watched Mrs. Zheng whispering and whispering to each other. Mrs. Zheng's face was ashen and even her face was smeared with color.
No amount of makeup can cover it up.
At this time, Zheng Shanyuan's wife Cai quietly sat next to Mrs. Zheng, "What happened to Yuan Qing? You made me reprimand him like this."
"Sister-in-law, please don't delay..."
Mrs. Zheng gritted her teeth and said: "That beast caused me a big trouble!"!