mousepad-d2 Chapter 38 38
Chapter 38 38
The princes and nobles in brocade clothes chatted most about the wind, flowers and snow. As the sun set and the sky darkened, Eunuch An came to invite all the princes and grandsons to the table when the lights were on.The crowd invited the Eldest Princess to go first, and after some mutual humility, they stepped out of the Linhua Palace. Rong Cheng walked slowly and fell behind them, and Rong Che didn't want to go with them, so he stayed by her side.
Rong Cheng saw that the person had gone far away, so he asked in a low voice, "What happened to Hukou Pass?"
Rong Che raised his eyebrows again, "Before I returned to Beijing, my father was inspecting the defense line to the east, and the tiger's mouth was closed in the southwest. In the future, the deployment of the defense line to the east will not be completed so soon, so Rong Yeli is lying."
"Uncle Wang seems to want to hide it from you. Your spies in the army didn't report back?"
"Mostly in the army, the father's eyeliner dare not communicate too frequently. Rong Yeli may just be talking nonsense, but I'm always a little worried."
"What exactly is Uncle Wang going to do?" Rong Cheng said again, "If he cooperates with Guo Kilometer, he will definitely sneak into Beijing. I have ordered people to pay close attention to all the roads back to Beijing. It is impossible for him to bring so many people without being discovered. "
"I also sent people to keep an eye on the cities." She continued after a pause, "I think Miss Huang is too."
Rong Cheng smiled, and said again, "So we can only wait and see what happens, hurry up, we have fallen far behind."
Rong Che glanced at her and said, "Cousin must be able to walk fast."
The imperial banquet is held outside the Luohua Hall facing the moon. Under the night, the lanterns are lit with spring flowers, and the lamps are as bright as day. There are also new flowers decorated in auspicious patterns.
For the seats at the banquet, the Eldest Princess sits on the right hand side of His Majesty, the Changning Palace and the Jingyuan Palace are the two seated first, followed by the Duke's Palace.All the officials above the third rank who attended the ceremony knelt down to thank the emperor for his mighty grace and blessings to the world.After drinking for three rounds, the officials once again congratulated the country and the people, the empress is very happy today.
Shangyi Bureau came to invite the Queen to drive to Chengtianmen to watch the fireworks ceremony. The Queen said, "I'm glad I drank a few more glasses today, but I'm a little tired. Why not let Yuan Jia take my place and enjoy the fun with the people."
Rong Ling declined, "How dare Sheng Yuanjia, the imperial mother, dare to overstep."
King Chang Ning and Yan persuaded, "Your Majesty is too strong to drink, and the dinosaurs are damaged in the freezing cold outside. Yuan Jia should share His Majesty's worries."
Duke Wei also said, "King Chang Ning is absolutely right."
The empress was all smiles, very happy, "Yuan Jiamo is going to decline again."
Rong Ling knelt down and made a big salute, "Yuan Jia's manpower is thin and I'm afraid it will damage the royal dignity, can I invite An Le and Qing Ping to accompany Yuan Jia?"
The queen still smiled and said, "Yes."
Rong Cheng and Rong Che knelt down to thank Longen one after another, "Thank you, Your Majesty, Princess Xie Yuanjia."
The four female officials of the Shangyi Bureau bowed in front of the three of them and held the lamps to illuminate the way ahead, and four palace lanterns followed behind. Rong Ling walked halfway forward, and the two princesses followed behind.This time Rong Ling was considerate of Rong Cheng's legs and did not walk too fast, Cheng Tian Gate is the outermost tower of the imperial city, only this time every year the people in the city can get a glimpse of the sky.
Climbing up to the tower, many people have already stood up in the crowd of people below. When they saw them come out, they shouted long live, and their voices were deafening and resounded through the sky.After the Taichang Temple Qing recited the He Chunji text in a loud voice, the fireworks ceremony began amidst the praises of all the people.
Rong Cheng was dressed in a plain and complicated palace gown, standing dignifiedly and elegantly beside Rong Ling, every time the firelight lit up the night sky, her picturesque eyebrows were seen, her eyes were clear and shining brightly.
Bai Qingtong hid in the crowd across the street, looking at the pretty face on the tower, she had no one close to her in the palace except Rong Cheng, and it had nothing to do with how lively the palace was tonight, she didn't know what drove her to Let Jinghao lead her to the gate of Chengtian, and she doesn't know whether to wait to see the fireworks ceremony or to see her.
Rong Cheng's cultivation is not enough and his eyesight is not good enough, but both Rong Che and Rong Ling have excellent eyesight, not to mention Bai Qingtong's cool and beautiful demeanor, the people around her have long been looking at her instead of watching the fireworks.Rong Ling raised her brows and smiled slightly, and whispered a few words to Rong Cheng who was nearby, and she saw Rong Cheng opened her eyes to look over, and she didn't know if she saw her, but her face was full of smiles.She felt her chest beating like thunder, and shyly lowered her head to avoid it.
The complicated emotions stopped suddenly, and she felt that slightly hostile gaze again, she raised her eyes and looked back, and it was indeed Rong Cunshan who was looking at her.
Rong Cheng's changes just now naturally failed to escape the eyes of Cunshan under the tower. He is the same as Bai Qingtong. If the palace is busy, it has nothing to do with him if Rong Cheng is not there. He has long been waiting under the Chengtian Gate and stared at the tower He can see every change in Rong Cheng.
In the blink of an eye, Bai Qingtong finally understood where Rong Cunshan's hostility came from, because Rong Cheng's liking for her was too obvious, because he liked her.
Bai Qingtong turned and left just when Rong Cheng was about to find her, her eyes lingered in the crowd until Dali Temple Qing whispered, "Your Highness, the princesses can go back." She had to give up and look away.
When Rong Ling walked down the Chengtian Gate, there was another round of congratulations. Back at the Spring Banquet, the Empress was laughing and chatting with the officials, and the Spring Banquet didn't end until very late.Rong Cheng returned to the palace with King Chang Ning, Rong Ling left Rong Che to sit in the Linhua Hall, the noise of silk and bamboo gradually dissipated, and the solemn palace fell into a thicker desertion.
In the carriage, Chang Ning said kingly, "After we go back, our family will have a glass of pepper wine first."
"Yes, father."
"Bring Miss Bai together." Chang Ning Wang said with a smile, "Sooner or later we will be a family."
When his father said it so bluntly, Rong Cheng was rarely shy and could only change the subject, "Sister Huang told me today that she wanted me to attend the court like Ah Che."
"Listen to my father's words, although His Majesty only has Yuan Jia as a daughter, His Majesty will still be afraid if Yuan Jia is too sharp. After all, there is only one throne and His Majesty has not sat enough."
"My daughter knows."
Returning to the palace, all the family members waited outside the hall to greet the prince. Chang Ning Wang laughed loudly and ordered everyone to sit down. Everyone in the palace was waiting for the father and daughter to return and drink pepper and cypress wine together.Rong Cheng's footsteps turned and went to Wuxiangyuan first, Bai Qingtong had already returned to study swordsmanship in the room, and when he heard footsteps from a distance, he knew that Rong Cheng had returned.
The moonlight is like sapphire, hazy and delicate.Rong Cheng approached Wuhuayuan slowly with gentle steps, Bai Qingtong had already stopped the gestures he was making in his heart, and waited quietly for her arrival.There was a knock on the door, and that pleasant voice said with a familiar smile, "Qingtong, let's go drink pepper and cypress wine."
When Bai Qingtong opened the door, Rong Cheng smiled. She didn't ask her if she went to Chengtian Gate, and she didn't say anything. She just followed her across the Jiuqu Bridge, through the plum sea and bamboo waves in the back garden, and through Rong Cheng. Every road she walked since she was a child, she seemed to see her when she was a child, her when she was a teenager, and her now.
When Rong Cheng and Bai Qingtong were seated, the prince ordered the banquet to begin.The palace was filled with lights and festoons, the brothers and sisters drank wine one after another, King Chang Ning's laughter didn't stop for a moment, the situation was joyous.After paying respects to his father, he was Princess Jing'anle. If he was a little less restrained, he would drink more. Rong Cheng's repeated refusals could not stop the enthusiasm tonight.
After the family banquet was over, Rong Cheng felt like he was going to fly, he thought he was too drunk, Dong Ge supported him on the chariot and walked towards Wuhuayuan, she said, "Go to Wuxiangyuan."
Bai Qingtong didn't leave her side for a moment and naturally heard her words. Seeing that she was drunk, she couldn't bear it and said, "I'll follow you to Wuhuayuan."
The cool wind blows away the heat and dryness after drinking, and she wakes up a lot. She smiled and looked at Bai Qingtong beside her and said, "My mother's custom is to drink Tusu wine tonight. When my mother was alive, she always had The Chinese New Year will not be over until you drink Tusu wine with me."
The maid in the No Fragrance Courtyard had already boiled the wine, put out a few plates of powdered fruits and snacks, and walked out after saluting. Rong Cheng raised his glass and said with a smile, "Just drink this glass to celebrate the New Year."
The maid outside the door said, "My lord, Mr. Cunshan is here."
Rong Cheng went to open the door himself, and Cunshan was carrying a pot of freshly hot wine, and he was not surprised to see Bai Qingtong inside, but said, "In the past, I used to drink Tu Su with sister Cheng to celebrate the New Year, why not tonight?" Wait until I start drinking?"
"I know that my brother will definitely come back." She invited Cunshan to the table and said to Bai Qingtong, "It's a coincidence that the custom in my brother's and mother's house is to drink Tusu. Usually tonight, our brothers and sisters drink together."
It was snowing outside the window, and the light snow indicated that the coming year would be a bumper year, Rong Cheng opened the corner of the window lattice, and the red gauze palace lanterns surrounded the small courtyard, as if all the snow in the world had condensed here.The snow in Linhua Palace was sparse and regular, and after the Spring Banquet, the palace was completely silent, and the light snow fluttered made the silence unabated.
The door of the palace was closed tightly to prevent the slightest bit of wind and cold, the unfinished pepper and cypress wine was still warm, and the small dots on the table only moved a couple of yuan. Rong Ling leaned on the couch, with a smile hidden in her nimble eyes, " It's snowing, the palace will release the key earlier today."
Rong Che said helplessly, "Sister Huang, Rong Che is about to resign."
"What are you doing when you go back? Will Rong Yeli and the others celebrate the New Year with you? It's better to stay in Linhua Hall tonight if the courtyard is empty and deserted. Wouldn't it be good for us to celebrate the New Year together?"
"Miss Huang, it's against royal rules to do so."
Rong Ling ignored her and said, "Besides, it's snowing outside, and the ground is wet and slippery. It's not safe for you to go back. As a sister, you will be worried."
Rong Che was still refusing, but she said again, "Come here, tell me to go down, there is snow today, fearing that the road will be slippery and hurt people, get the key earlier."
"The Queen."
Rong Ling raised her eyebrows lightly, and said, "Isn't Che'er the most respectful of seniority? If you insist on declining, you are not only disobeying your sister's words, but also going against the wishes of the eldest princess." Rong Che had no choice but to keep silent. Rong Lingfu raised the corners of her lips again, "Why are you so stubborn, you have to act like a princess to make you submit, what do you think I should do with you?"
Rong Che said, "Sister Huang should put the country and the country as the most important thing."
Rong Ling was taken aback for a moment, then smiled again, "So you are just pretending not to understand, you really have a heart of stone." When she said this, her clever eyes had been watching Rong Che, who was still indifferent and unaffected by her words at all. I really felt powerless to move, so I could only say, "Forget it, take a bath and change clothes."
Dong Xia's custom is to celebrate the night of the new year with the one you love. This is Rong Cheng's mind, and it is also Rong Ling's mind.It's just that Rong Ling's thoughts are hidden deep. From the outside, it seems that it's just sisterhood and companionship. It's just that the people in Changning Palace will understand after this night, and Miss Bai will have to be more careful in serving her in the future.
Dongfang Weixi, Rong Cheng was already fully dressed, first went to Wuxiangyuan to look for Bai Qingtong, Bai Qingtong always got up early and hadn't practiced sword yet, so he was a little surprised to see her coming.So he asked, "Why is it so early today?"
"It just so happens that Qingtong will follow me to pay respects to Father Emperor."
Even though Bai Qingtong doesn't know the customary etiquette, she also knows the meaning of paying respects on the first day of the new year. She wanted to refuse, Rong Cheng had already picked her up and walked away, "You live in the palace and should go to see my father." To cover up.
Bai Qingtong didn't refuse anymore and followed her unhappy footsteps. Although the people who entered the palace where the prince lived felt strange, they were calm and composed. Only the prince had been waiting for the two of them to come and salute first.
According to the custom, these days are the best time to walk around and entertain banquets, especially the threshold of Sun Hong’s family in the Ministry of Officials. This official assessment is very important. The closer local officials walk around the capital in person. Those who didn't come here in time also sent left and right to pay homage to Lord Shangshu.
Although it was already spring after the spring banquet, the spring was cold and the wind was unambiguous on the face, especially the spring snow fell the day before yesterday, and the next few days were even colder.But in the garden, new shoots are sprouting, flowers are in bud, and there are signs of spring.After finally having time to rest, Rong Cheng rejected the banquet for several days and played chess with Bai Qingtong in Wuxiang Courtyard.
Bai Qingtong is superb at chess, and Rong Cheng is high-spirited.Bai Qingtong was pinching her head in thought, frowning slightly between her brows, her beauty was picturesque.Rong Cheng settled down calmly, with a sure chance of winning, gentle and elegant.
Quietly said outside the door, "Princess, someone from the palace is asking to see the princess."
"What's the matter?"
The person who came was Rong Ling's attendant, and said, "His Royal Highness invites the princess and Miss Bai to enjoy the lanterns at night."
"Go back and tell Sister Huang that An Leding will go."
Rong Ling begged the empress to allow her to go out of the palace to watch the lanterns tonight. The empress was worried about her leaving the palace, but she couldn't bear Rong Ling's coquettish begging and had to agree.After returning to Linhua Hall, she sent people to Changning Palace and Jingyuan Palace respectively, and invited Rong Cheng and Rong Che to enjoy the lantern together.
Spring lanterns are better than flowers, facing the Milky Way far away.The four of them walked across the long street laughing all the way, perhaps because the spirit of spring was in full swing, forgetting their worries for a while, stealing half a day of leisure.The most lively programs at the Nanyang City Lantern Festival were guessing lantern riddles and matching pairs. Rong Ling brought a few people to stop and watch in high spirits.
The old man on the stage asked with a smile, "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge?" He saw the four people dressed in extraordinary clothes, and asked with a smile, "Do these girls want to try?"
Rong Ling raised her hand, "Please."
The old man said, "Shanglian, if the sky has love, the sky will be old, please answer the next couplet." Seeing that the four were silent, he said, "It seems that the girls are not right either."
"Mr. is wrong. I was just wondering which of us is the right one." Rong Ling's nimble eyes rolled, "I have known the literary talents of Ah Cheng and Che'er since I was a child, why don't Miss Bai go up and try."
Bai Qingtong didn't expect Rong Ling to kiss her name, seeing that she couldn't get rid of it, she lightly flew onto the ring with her toes.There was a burst of exclamation from the audience, and someone said, "Where did Fairy Jinghong come from?"
Two teenagers who looked like book boys handed over pens and inks. Bai Qingtong lowered her eyes and wrote each word. The old man at the side read aloud every time she wrote a word. Come on, Fang said, "You are right, you are right, today this girl won the first place, and everyone expects it." He took a colored lantern from the hand of the book boy, "This is a gift from the leader, please accept it."
Rong Ling's eyes were all on the words displayed by the book boy, she smiled and said, "Miss Bai's talent is not inferior to yours and mine, and her handwriting is handsome and top-notch. I think Miss Bai's piano, chess, calligraphy and painting are all top-notch, Ah Cheng But lucky."
Seeing that Rong Ling was deliberately making fun of the handwriting, Rong Cheng, not to be outdone, asked Rong Che, "The scabbard Ah Che changed recently is very special, and it really complements the Liuguang Sword."
Because she accompanied Rong Ling on the street tonight, Rong Che deliberately brought the streamer on to prevent any changes, but she didn't expect to be teased by Rong Cheng, her indifferent eyes glanced at the malicious Rong Cheng very lightly.
Only then did Rong Ling notice the streamer in Rong Che's hand, and since Rong Cheng took it out and said it must have been a gift from Wei Changdong, she said, "It's okay, but it's too ostentatious and doesn't suit Che'er's temperament. I'll order someone to make a new one tomorrow." Change it with you."
Rong Ling's words were beyond words, Rong Che could only say, "Thank you, sister."
The half-day passed quickly, and even the rest and bathing were coming to an end in the blink of an eye. A court turmoil was brewing, and only the first visit to the court after the Chinese New Year was waiting.And the sky over Nanyang City has been cloudy for many days.