(14)
It is by no means an easy task to fully comply with the dress and etiquette regulations required when entering the palace.
What are the most popular styles this year? What color fabric is the most taboo? They pay attention to pomp and dignity, and how to make themselves look decent without offending anyone... The so-called Vanity Fair is a war without smoke.
In communication between ordinary people, whether it is expressing kindness or disgust, all emotions can be naturally revealed, and no one will think there is anything wrong with it. However, among the aristocratic class, they will never use hobbies and similar aspirations as the reasons for gathering together. More often, they put self-interest first, and often suppress their own nature for this reason.
As long as you get close to these powerful people, you can't help but be influenced.
Bai Feng and Yu Ke put on grand, wide-sleeved dresses and came from the Gao family's mansion. They stepped on the gorgeous and neat floor tiles and passed by palaces with unknown names. They found Gao Xijun and Gao Gao to report that they were safe, and then followed them to the banquet.
The gardens in the Qi Palace are not like ordinary gardens, which use flat buildings, ponds, bricks and wood to divide areas and create wonders. The area here is undulating, and at a glance, it is surrounded by hills covered with fine grass. There is an area covered by jungle, and a man-made stream flows through it.
Bai Feng felt as if he had returned to Beizhen.
After walking this beautiful journey, they finally arrived at the place where the banquet began - it was a carefully decorated military camp with a total of three large tents.
"I didn't expect it! The emperor's banquet was not held in the palace or in any grand hall, but he chose to hold it in this hunting ground?" Gao Gao carefully controlled the wheelbarrow Gao Xijun was riding on and said: "The emperor has never forgotten I was born in Beizhen, so I left such a place in the palace to raise deer and sheep. I wonder what kind of prey the emperor wants to hunt this time?"
Gao Xijun immediately echoed, "Young Master Bai, let's say goodbye for now. Xijun is waiting for your good news outside."
"Mrs. Xijun?" As soon as Bai Feng finished speaking, a servant took Gao Xijun elsewhere to rest.
"Sister is in poor health and has never appeared in front of everyone." After Gao Gao explained, the two separated in front of the camp.
Bai Feng and Yu Ke were invited by the servant to sit down in the camp on the right. Most of the people invited here were the confidants and confidants of the high-ranking officials and nobles in the court. The reason why they were so sure was because Bai Feng quickly Inside, several people were identified who had appeared at yesterday's banquet, and a woman who came to chat with him not long after made Bai Feng feel more confident.
"I didn't expect that the Gao family would treat you so well?" The woman came over holding a wine glass and sat in front of Bai Feng. She continued: "When Bai Shaoxia gets a good job in the future, don't forget that our Xianggong Mei once treated you." Help.”
"Mei Xinghe?" Bai Feng offered her a glass of wine and said without mercy, "I don't want to have anything to do with you."
"I wonder if Bai Shaoxia ever remembers 'Mei Lingshuang'?" Mei Xinghe pushed her wine to Bai Feng and said: "As far as I know, she is not a character who will help people casually. In Jiangzhou If it hadn't been for her, would Bai Shaoxia still be here today? Could it be that you and Mei Lingshuang secretly..."
Bai Feng refused before she could come to a conclusion: "Girl, please respect yourself. You are fabricating facts out of thin air. Do you still want to be a lobbyist?"
"Don't worry, I won't tell Murong Yan!"
Yu Ke suddenly grabbed Mei Xinghe's glass of wine and drank it in one gulp, saying: "The wine is finished, you should leave quickly!"
"Where are you from, little girl? I couldn't see you just now?" Mei Xinghe glared at Yu Ke, but she didn't expect that the other party didn't have any stage fright: "If you want to cause trouble for us, you have to get past me, Yu Ke!"
This news immediately shocked the surroundings. Mei Xinghe had no intention of showing hostility to Bai Feng, so she kept trying to win over him, but based on the current situation, she could only give up this idea.
"Little thing!" After saying angrily, Mei Xinghe returned to her seat, and the bees and butterflies who came to toast quickly surrounded her, all hoping to win a smile from the beauty.
After a while, a young boy came to summon Bai Feng and said, "General Gao Gao has invited you!" Bai Feng said hello to Yu Ke and then left.
As soon as he entered the camp, voices of discussion immediately came from both sides.
"Is this the orphan of Gao Zhen, the founder of the Gao Family Army?"
"I heard that this young general has made great military exploits in Beizhen, but for some reason he failed to get an official position. Such a talented person should devote his whole life to the court!"
"You are really young and promising..."
Bai Feng followed behind Gao Gao and went to the audience together.
"Mei Lin, Sima Tu, Murong An..." Familiar faces passed before his eyes. The one sitting in the deepest part of the tent was: "Emperor of Da Qi, Gao Huan."
"Are you Bai Feng?" A voice came from behind the curtain: "We met at the parade ceremony that day."
Bai Feng followed the etiquette he had learned before and respectfully said: "Baifeng, a commoner, please see the emperor."
"Your Majesty, this young man is the descendant of Gao Zhen, and the court should treat him with courtesy." The Hussars General Gao Gao said: "What's more, Bai Feng previously raised a rebel army in Beizhen and defeated the rebels, and he made great achievements. ! Sir, please ask the emperor to grant him a title and official position, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the public!"
"A descendant of the Gao family?" Bai Feng was a little surprised, but seeing Gao Gao's unhesitating look, it was difficult to say anything.
After speaking loudly, the officials praised him repeatedly.
"It makes sense." Gao Huan said methodically: "Let Gao Zhen inherit the title to him. From now on, Bai Feng will stay in the Gao Family Army. How about that?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" He thanked him solemnly, but Bai Feng beside him was still a little confused.
Gao Huan then joked again and said: "General Bai Feng, there is a friend beside me who really wants to catch up with you. I wonder if you can agree?"
"What kind of friend?" Bai Feng didn't think much about it. Unexpectedly, after the curtain opened, an eight-foot man stood there, looking at him with a smile, and said: "General Bai Feng, you are well, I wonder if you still remember I?"
"Zhao Kuo!"
The emotions of the past suddenly came to mind. After saying goodbye to each other on the snowy day, Bai Feng rarely remembered the events in Beizhen, because the stories there were too beautiful and too cruel at the same time. He had also expected to meet Zhao Kuo again today, but he never expected that it would be in this situation...
Zhao Kuo stepped forward and bowed his hands in respect: "We said goodbye that day, it was like three autumns apart! General Bai Feng clearly made great contributions but did not take any of it, and left in high spirits. How can I forget such a righteous man?"
"Zhao Kuo..." Bai Feng couldn't forget what he had done to her. His confusion and betrayal were still vivid in her mind. Bai Feng clenched his fists and tried his best not to draw his sword, but he had no intention of saluting him in return.
Gao Gao watched anxiously and kept reminding Bai Feng secretly: "Bai Feng, don't be stupid! Return the gift quickly."
The tent suddenly became much deserted, and Bai Feng did not make any response until the curtain was opened for the second time.
"Why are you so silent?" An old man walked out from behind the curtain. He was dressed in Hu clothes and looked as handsome as before: "Marquis Yuyi, accompany me to shoot arrows and let me take a look at the people of Beizhen. Is your shooting skills still as amazing?"
"My minister, I obey the order." After Zhao Kuo finished speaking, all the officials stood up and respectfully welcomed Gao Huan out of the camp. Only Zhao Kuo could follow the emperor.
