Cuju was very popular among the royal family and the common people. For this reason, the emperor specially ordered a large-scale Cuju field to be built. Every year in March, when the grass grows and the orioles fly, a Cuju banquet is held in the palace.
Firstly, the emperor himself liked Cuju, and secondly, he could bring everyone together through the Cuju banquet.
As the emperor got older, he liked to watch such lively scenes.
In addition to the prince and princess, concubines with high status in the harem were also invited to the Cuju field.
In addition, the emperor also specifically approved that ministers can bring one family member. Because the number of places is limited, ministers usually bring their sons or daughters to the banquet, so that the young people can come together and become a beautiful addition to the Cuju banquet. landscape.
The ministers and family members who came to the banquet were already sitting in their seats.
The ministers and their families sat facing each other.
The ministers sat in the left column, while the family members sat opposite.
Among them, the family members were divided into two teams. The ones on the left were the princes' children, and the ones on the right were the officials' ladies.
As soon as the prime minister sat down, the people behind him began to flatter him.
"Congratulations to the Prime Minister for having such a good son-in-law like General Zhengbei! I haven't had the chance to express my congratulations to the Prime Minister in person these past few days. It's really a sin, a sin!"
"Yes, congratulations, Prime Minister!"
The Prime Minister raised his eyebrows, taking advantage of other people's flattery.
These ministers had already flattered each other when they got married in the Prime Minister's Mansion and the General's Mansion, but getting married was one thing, but General Zhengbei's attitude was another!
I heard that General Zhengbei returned home with his bride a few days ago, and he prepared five cars for the homecoming ceremony!
It can be seen that General Zhengbei is satisfied with this marriage from the bottom of his heart!
They had no chance to get close to General Zhengbei, so they had no choice but to start with the Prime Minister!
"With a good son-in-law like General Zhengbei, wouldn't the two of them join forces in the future to conquer both the civil and military sides of the court?"
Another voice sounded, and the smile on the prime minister's lips instantly fell, and he looked at the man with a stern face.
"What does Shangshu mean by this? It is true that General Zhengbei and I are son-in-law, but this relationship is only private and does not involve anything else! We are all His Majesty's ministers, and our mission is to be loyal to His Majesty and protect the country!"
The Prime Minister looked at his arch-rival Shangshu with a sullen expression, not falling into his trap and making his attitude clear.
Shangshu said angrily: "Prime Minister, don't misunderstand me. I didn't mean it like that. To express my apology, I offer you a toast to the Prime Minister!"
After the minister finished speaking, he lowered his eyes and went to pick up the wine cup on the table, cursing the prime minister in his heart, the old fox.
The prime minister was fawned over, and Jiang Jingran was also favored.
A bunch of noble ladies surrounded her, and every word was meant to please her.
"Who in Kyoto doesn't know that sister Jingran is very good at Cuju. I think the top pick this year will definitely be sister Jingran!"
"Yes, yes, Sister Jingran's skills have even been praised by His Majesty!"
"I heard that this year's Cuju banquet has been adjusted so that men and women can be in the same group!"
"Gender-matched team?"
Everyone else looked over after hearing this.
The woman continued: "Yes, my eldest brother led people to arrange this venue. My eldest brother said that the rules have been changed this year, and men and women will play together!"
Everyone looked at me and I looked at you, their eyes full of surprise.
In the past, men and women were divided into two teams and did not interfere with each other. Unexpectedly, the rules were changed this year and they played together!
Jiang Jingran's eyes flashed slightly, and his eyes seemed to be looking towards the high platform, passing over the several princes.
In addition to the prince, there are seven princes coming to the banquet today.
Jiang Jingran's eyes stayed on the prince for a few seconds and then moved away.
The prince looks dignified and his status is more noble than other princes. Unfortunately, he has already adopted a concubine. Moreover, the relationship between the prince and the princess is harmonious and they are like glue.
Even if she could marry into the prince's palace, she would only be a concubine at best.
At best, she is a concubine; at worst, she is a concubine.
She, Jiang Jingran, is the legitimate daughter of the prime minister's house, how can she be a concubine?
Therefore, the prince was not the candidate in Jiang Jingran's mind.
Jiang Jingran looked at the other princes.
The second and fourth princes have already taken concubines, and the sixth and seventh princes are not yet of marriageable age. It seems that they can only choose one from the third and fifth princes.
Jiang Jingran was distracted when the third prince on the high platform noticed her gaze and looked towards her.
The moment the two looked at each other, Jiang Jingran was startled. She quickly looked away, her mind still unsettled for a long time.
"Why is she here?"
"She is now the bride of General Zhengbei, so naturally she comes as a member of General Zhengbei's family!"
Everyone's eyes were looking in one direction, and Jiang Jingran turned his head after he came to his senses.
Then he saw two figures, one black and one red, walking side by side.
Jiang Jingyu was dressed in a vermilion Cuju suit, with her black hair tied on top of her head flowing in the wind. She looked charming and graceful.
Fu Yanci, on the other hand, was wearing a fitted black robe. His face was cold, his features were picturesque, and his flat aura radiated from the inside out, making people dare not feel awe or blaspheme.
He put one hand behind his back and let Jiang Jingyu hold the other hand, moving side by side towards the seat.
"Tsk, tsk, General Zhengbei has brought back a beauty!"
The fifth prince raised his eyebrows and couldn't help but joke.
The fifth prince and the prince are from the same mother, and are the second son of the queen. The prince is also a schoolmate of Fu Yanci, and they have a good relationship. The fifth prince and Fu Yanci are also familiar with each other.
His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, and it reached the ears of several royal brothers and younger brothers beside him.
The corners of the prince's lips curled up into a spring-breathing smile.
Yes, Yanci finally married the girl he longed for.
But why does he still have such a cold and repulsive expression? That’s all you do to others, how can you do the same to the person you like? Afterwards, he had to give his classmates a good talk!
"Brother Yanci, I'll go over first."
There was a seat ahead. Jiang Jingyu stopped and looked up at the man beside him.
Fu Yanci nodded slightly and watched Jiang Jingyu walk towards the seat.
The seats are all set according to the number of people reported by the ministers. Looking at the women's side, it is already full of people, and there is only one empty seat in the first row.
Jiang Jingyu collected her thoughts and walked straight towards the empty seat.
Fu Yanci stood silently and didn't walk to his seat until he saw Jiang Jingyu take his seat.
Whether it was a coincidence or intentional, their seats were facing each other, and they could see each other as long as they raised their heads.
The Prime Minister looked at Jiang Jingyu's seat and seemed thoughtful. It seemed that the gossip he had heard was true. His Majesty really wanted to confer Fu Yanci as a first-class national general!
The people sitting in the first row were all the family members of the first-rank ministers, and Jiang Jingyu was placed in the first row. The meaning of this is self-evident.
Jiang Jingran's veil was almost torn. She and Jiang Jingyu were seated next to each other, but Jiang Jingyu was in front of her.
Just now, she was wondering who the extra seat next to her belonged to. She originally thought that some prince had brought the princess to the banquet, but she never expected that it was Jiang Jingyu who was sitting there!
The rankings are all based on status. Is Jiang Jingyu's status higher than hers now? !
