Jiankang in September is painted with bright colors. Red maple leaves, yellow ginkgo and golden osmanthus combine the color and fragrance with the sound of Qinhuai River, making people fascinated by the light and shadow of golden autumn.
On the third day, the palace issued an order that the emperor would hold a chrysanthemum appreciation party in Hualin Garden at 6 o'clock on the 10th, inviting young talents from the aristocratic families in the capital to come and appreciate the chrysanthemums and compose poems. Dear students can go.
One stone struck a thousand waves, and rumors spread that the Emperor intended to choose a husband for Princess Jinling during the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Party. Naturally, Yang Anxuan, who was studying at the Imperial Academy, also heard about it.
In the residence, Yin Dun said with excitement: "I heard that Princess Jinling has outstanding appearance and virtuous temperament. She is really a good match."
Yang Anxuan secretly laughed in his heart. In the past two days, people like Yin Dun could be seen everywhere in Guozixue with shining eyes and smiling faces. The emperor's choice of a son-in-law was so exciting that all the talented people in the city were crazy about it.
Marriage in the Eastern Jin Dynasty was about well-matched families. Princess Jinling's husband would only be selected from top families like Wang Xie. The Yin family was only a fifth-grade family member, so how could it be possible to be selected.
Seeing that Yang Anxuan was smiling but not smiling, Yin Dun felt a little out of character and said: "An Xuan's poems are a hero of the moment. This chrysanthemum appreciation party will definitely shine. Maybe he will impress the king and betroth Princess Jinling to you."
Yang Anxuan broke Yin Dun's sweet dream and said: "Brother Yin, how could the emperor choose someone with my family background when choosing a son-in-law?"
Yin Dun sighed softly. His father had also said this before, but it was just a matter of chance, just in case he was favored by the emperor.
On September 10th, just after Chen hour, oxcarts appeared in an endless stream outside the Daxia Gate in the north of Jiankang. Young scholars got out of the carts one by one, waving feather fans and waving their tails, wearing hats or scarves. Green robes, white robes, and brocade robes sparkle in the sun, and the various fragrances of sandalwood, agarwood, clove, and rosemary are intertwined and make people's noses itch.
At the end of the morning, Yang Anxuan and Yin Dun arrived in an ox cart. They were still a few miles away from Daxia Gate, and the road ahead was blocked, so they had to get out of the car.
There was a huge crowd, and Yang Anxuan calculated roughly that there were more than 400 people.
There were about 200 people from the two schools who came to attend the gathering, plus the children of the fifth-rank and above aristocratic families in Beijing, as well as the scholars from nearby Jiankang who came after hearing the news, turning the outside of Daxia Gate into a lively market. .
Yin Dun was carefully decorated, her black hair was tied up in a thin kudzu scarf, her face was covered with a thin layer of powder, and she was wearing a white satin brocade robe, with clumps of bamboo painted on it. When she walked, it looked like swaying bamboo branches, and she looked charming .
In contrast, Yang Anxuan's dress looks casual. He also has his hair tied up in a kerchief and a green robe. His face is dark, but his posture is upright and he looks like a strong pine tree standing among the crowd.
There were quite a few people writing and drawing on their clothes. Yang Anxuan secretly laughed in his heart. These people were all wealthy people, and they were not afraid that their clothes would turn black after getting into the water.
Some guards came out of Daxia Gate to maintain order and urge the scholars to line up in four rows. Palace officials wearing gauze hats began to log in the register, indicating their names, family background, etc.
The scholars filed in after registering their names, and entered Hualin Garden under the guidance of the eunuch.
The scenery in the garden is extremely beautiful, with ginkgo trees planted on both sides, and golden leaves falling on the bluestone corridor, like a golden pavement.
This was the inner garden, and no one dared to make any mistakes. Even their chatter and laughter became much smaller. They walked around and looked at the beautiful scenery in the garden.
After walking for half a stick of incense, he arrived outside a large hall. Yang Anxuan raised his head and looked at the plaque hanging under the eaves, which read the three gilded characters "Yanxian Hall".
The eunuch asked everyone to wait a moment and went inside to report. After a while, he went out and announced the decree loudly, "Long live the decree. All the talents can enjoy themselves. If you have any good works, please bring them to the hall."
The eight wooden pillars in Yanxian Hall are load-bearing, the beams are more than ten feet long, and the beams are overlapping. The span is huge and can accommodate more than a hundred people.
The hall is high, open and bright, with windows opening on the east and west sides. Light gauze curtains hang to the ground, dividing the hall into several spaces.
The emperor Sima Yao sat in the middle, beside him sat the prince Sima Dewen and the king of Langya, Sima Dezong. Next were the king of Kuaiji, Sima Daozi and his son.
On the left and right sides are the ministers of the DPRK, including Wang Xun, Xie Yan, Wang Guobao, Kong Anguo, Wang Shuang, Xu Miao, Che Yin, Yu Hongzhi and dozens of others sitting on the banquet. There are wine and food on the table in front of them, and they are eating. Chatting in a relaxed atmosphere.
There is a figure looming in the curtain behind the emperor. Everyone knows that Princess Jinling and her maid are among them. It seems that the rumor that the emperor is choosing a husband for Princess Jinling is not false.
Shangshu's left servant Wang Xun and his right servant Xie Yan were sitting together. The two families had been married for generations. Wang Xun married Xie Wan's daughter, and Xie An's daughter also married his younger brother Wang Min.
Later, Xie An despised the Wang brothers and ordered his daughter and niece to divorce the two brothers. The Wang and Xie families turned into enemies. When Xie An passed away, Wang Xun went out of the capital to pay his respects. He cried profusely, and the relationship between the two families was eased.
Wang Xun picked up the wine glass and whispered: "Long Live asked me about Princess Jinling's marriage, and I told Long Live to thank Hun."
Speaking of his son Xie Hun, Xie Yan smiled, raised his hand and said, "Thank you Mr. Yuan Lin for your kind words."
The two of them each took a sip, and Wang Xun said seemingly unintentionally: "Princess Poyang is three years younger than Princess Jinling, and she will be of marriageable age in a few years."
Hearing Xiange and knowing its elegant meaning, Xie Yan put down his wine glass and answered the question: "The royal family of Langya is rich in hairpins and tassels, and their children are as beautiful as pearls and jade, which is enviable."
Wang Xun understood, said no more, and raised his glass to signal to Kong Anguo, who was sitting opposite him.
Outside Yanxian Hall, scholars filled the garden. The scenery in the garden is fresh and natural, lively and changeable, with mountains, rocks, ponds, water, flowers and trees complementing each other, without any craftsmanship.
Chrysanthemums are naturally indispensable in the chrysanthemum appreciation party. Large areas of golden, pink and white, and tender green bloom in the forest and beside the stream. Scholars wander around and enjoy the scenery. However, everyone's eyes were wandering and their minds were restless, and there were only a few people who really enjoyed it.
The decree was promulgated on September 3rd. Most of the scholars who came to participate in the chrysanthemum appreciation party had prepared poems and poems in advance. Yin Dun wrote a poem on chrysanthemums in advance and asked Yang Anxuan to read it. Among them were "The flowers are delicate and graceful, the flowers are elegant, the flowers are beautiful and plain, The beautiful saying is "The evening fragrance is beautiful".
Yang Anxuan knew very well that this chrysanthemum appreciation party was just for the emperor to make a name for his chosen son-in-law Xie Hun. He knew nothing about Princess Jinling and was too lazy to compete for the limelight and offend Xie's family. He just wandered around the garden with his hands behind his back and had a leisurely time. comfortable.
A few of the scholars who came to attend the gathering also knew the true image, such as Wang Chunzhi. He and his uncles and brothers sat in the pavilion near the water, looking at the scholars who were busy like bees and butterflies in the flowers, and ridiculed: "These people are daydreaming, thinking about becoming the emperor's son-in-law."
Wang Ru, the fourth son of Wang Xun, was just thirteen years old. He followed his brothers into the Hualin Garden to watch the excitement. He broke a branch in his hand and was leaning on the railing to play with the fish swimming in the pond. He turned around and said, "My dear nephew, Chun." , why don’t you try to compose a poem?”
Wang Ru is six years younger than Wang Chunzhi, but he is his uncle according to his seniority. Wang Chunzhi sneered and said: "I heard from my uncle that the emperor is probably attracted by that boy Xie Hun from the Xie family. Why go and ask for trouble?"
Looking around, he saw a figure not far from the water pavilion, and recognized that it was Yang Anxuan who was walking slowly with his hands behind his back.
Thinking of being humiliated in the Imperial Academy lecture hall, Wang Chunzhi gritted his teeth and said angrily: "The stupid enemy is here."
The six people in this seat are all children of the Wang family. Their ancestors are brothers, and they share the same spirit. Several people stood up and looked towards Yang Anxuan.
Yang Anxuan also saw Wang Chunzhi clearly in the water pavilion, smiled slightly, didn't care, and continued to move forward to enjoy the scenery with his hands behind his back.
The Wang family in the pavilion was furious. Who is this boy? He clearly doesn't take the Wang family seriously.
Wang Xin, the oldest person in the group, asked: "Chunzhi, who is this child?"
"Hongnong Yang Anxuan." Wang Chunzhi gritted his teeth and said, "This man made a fool of himself in the Imperial Academy lecture hall, causing him to lose face in front of everyone."
"Is it the Yang Xiaochuang who wrote the song "Farewell"? He looks like a martial artist." Wang Ru said curiously.
A descendant of the Hongnong Yang family, a second-class family, Wang Xin felt relieved and said with a smile: "How do you want to vent your anger?"
Wang Chunzhi began to ponder. Afterward, he sent someone to inquire about Yang Anxuan. Reciting poems and writing poems seemed to be this boy's forte. He was also good at horseback riding and archery. I heard that he was even a master at gambling on acanthus.
Looking at the water, Wang Chunzhi had an idea. He said a few words in a low voice and led his brothers out of the water pavilion to greet Yang Anxuan.
The Qi Hua Pond covers an area of acre and is filled with lotus flowers. In summer, there are fields of lotus leaves and the fragrance of lotus flowers is very beautiful. In autumn, the remaining lotuses were cut off by eunuchs, revealing the koi swimming in the water.
There are several waterside pavilions along the bluestone corridor surrounding the pool. Weeping willows are planted beside the pool. The low-hanging willow branches reflect in the water, occasionally causing fish to jump up and peck, causing ripples to appear.
Qihuachi is far away from Yanxian Hall, and no one can be seen nearby. Wang Chunzhi and six others surrounded Yang Anxuan in the middle.
Yang Anxuan was not surprised at all, and secretly wondered in his heart, maybe Wang Chunzhi wanted to hit someone. Even though there were five or six people on the other side, it was not enough for him to pull him away.
The Wang brothers surrounded Yang Anxuan and blocked the eyes of others. Wang Chunzhi suddenly screamed and staggered towards the pool, falling into the water with a "plop".
"Hitting someone" or "Someone has fallen into the water, please help." Wang Xin grabbed Yang Anxuan's lapel and shouted: "A gentleman talks but doesn't do anything. Zhuzi actually beats me, a member of the Wang clan. How can I let you go?" stop."
Yang Anxuan was stunned and immediately realized that he had been framed by Wang Chunzhi and others.
Hearing the noise, the surrounding scholars crowded over and asked about the reason.
Someone fished Wang Chunzhi out of the pond. The water was not deep. Wang Chunzhi was fine, but he was soaked all over. His gown was dripping with water, and the hem was stained with the black mud in the pond. He looked miserable.
Wang Chunzhi pointed his finger at Yang Anxuan and said tremblingly: "Yang Anxuan, why did you push me into the water? I want to accuse you of committing murder in front of the emperor."
Seeing that he was a member of the Wang family, the crowd of onlookers became furious and accused Yang Anxuan, fearing that they would miss the opportunity to please him.
Yang Anxuan secretly said that it was not good, and everyone's words were worth the money, but he himself could not tell the difference.
While everyone was dragging Yang Anxuan to Yanxian Hall, a girl climbed down from the rockery to the west.
The palace maid below finally felt relieved and said: "Princess, go back quickly. If you fall, the lives of the slaves and others will be at risk."
The girl ran towards Yanxian Hall, skipping the front door and entering directly from the back hall.
In the silk curtain tent, there were many women sitting in the back hall. The girl ran up to a young woman and called "sister".
The woman had a beautiful face and a bun in her high bun. Rouwei took a silk handkerchief to wipe the sweat on the girl's forehead, and scolded the girl in a sweet voice: "Poyang, don't run around anymore, look at this side of you." sweat."
Princess Poyang laughed and said: "My father chooses a husband for my sister, so of course I have to go see if there is any outstanding man for my sister."
Beauty Zhang, who was sitting at the middle table, smiled and asked, "Poyang, how many good men have you seen?"
Before Princess Poyang could reply, a voice came from the front hall and reported: "Long live Qi Zou, there is a fight among the scholars outside. Please give me your instructions."
Princess Poyang rolled her eyes and said with a smile, "The show is about to begin."
